Chapter 320: Chapter 242: True Realm in a Painting, True Immortal Mountain in the Void (Part 1)

With the world watching, the Japanese government released a bombshell announcement.

The Emperor had been assassinated, and the killer was none other than Yi Beidou. Upon hearing the news, Japan’s Number One suffered a fatal heart attack and died.

Just as the online rumors had suggested, the government did its best to direct the blame onto the Royal Family. Unfortunately, a royal system that had existed in Japan for over two thousand years was not so easily dismantled.

Furthermore, the Japanese government publicly apologized to Yi Beidou, denouncing the irresponsible actions of certain individuals who refused to yield. They also stated that once the new Emperor ascended the throne and the new Number One took office, they would personally offer their apologies to Yi Beidou face-to-face.

The moment this news was released, it detonated like a bomb, sending shockwaves across the globe.

The Japanese People cried out in alarm, and people around the world who heard the news were left utterly stunned.

「Dechang University Martial Arts Club」

Upon hearing the news, everyone erupted in cheers.

When they had first received the news of Yi Beidou’s probable death, the entire Martial Arts Club had been plunged into despair. Even their enthusiasm for training had waned, and the club’s morale had practically crumbled overnight.

But now, everything was different. Not only was Yi Beidou alive, but he had also accomplished something truly unprecedented and earth-shattering.

"I knew it! How could Mr. Yi possibly die so easily at the hands of those Japs!"

Jiang Yiyang cheered, pumping his fist.

"And now those Japs have to grovel and apologize! HAHAHAHA! They’re getting what they deserve. They never admit they’re wrong until they’ve paid a price in blood!"

Shen Jiayue laughed with abandon.

Many others who saw the message were overcome with excitement.

That man... he had actually done it.

He hadn’t just challenged the true powers of this world; he had won.

A new era was truly dawning. One could foresee the emergence of a new path for people to change their destinies and social standing.

Whenever something new emerged, it created the greatest opportunities for ordinary people.

Yi Beidou, however, was unaware of all this. He no longer cared much about subsequent developments in Japan.

His work was almost finished, and he had, in fact, already left the country.

Following the connection he sensed, he returned once more to Penglai Immortal Mountain.

The Immortal Mountain was as tranquil as ever. Aside from a few unique species that relied on the mountain for survival, Yi Beidou saw no other living beings. Without an Alchemist to command them, the Sea Flood Dragons in the inner sea weren’t foolish enough to attack him.

Cheng Zhihong had not returned to the Immortal Mountain. Yi Beidou wasn’t sure if the man had other matters to attend to or was simply unable to pinpoint the mountain’s location.

’It’s most likely the former, though. The so-called Power of Fruit Position he inherited is quite bizarre. Although the power he can currently wield is limited, the upper limit of the Fruit Position itself is astonishingly high. Since he’s been to the Immortal Mountain before, it shouldn’t be difficult for him to use some means to pinpoint its exact location.’

Yi Beidou didn’t dwell on it; he knew the man would find a way to contact him again.

But he had no intention of leaving Penglai Immortal Mountain anytime soon. He was going to enter a period of secluded cultivation here.

The Penglai Power had countless wondrous applications. Even if he couldn’t fathom it completely, just grasping a fraction of it would be immensely beneficial. If he could learn to wield even a small amount of this power after leaving the Immortal Mountain, it would significantly weaken the negative backlash from the Celestial Demon Dissolution and boost his overall strength.

To put it bluntly, this was the most sacred ground for Cultivation in the entire world.

Instead of going elsewhere, Yi Beidou returned to the Spiritual Spring in the Jade Bamboo Sword Forest to heal his injuries.

To deal with matters in Japan, he had used the power of Celestial Demon Dissolution, which had inevitably resulted in some backlash and damage to his body.

Roughly half a day later, Yi Beidou’s body had returned to its peak condition. He left the Jade Bamboo Sword Forest, but instead of immediately beginning his Cultivation, he decided to explore the rest of the Immortal Mountain first.

Besides the Jade Bamboo Sword Forest, there were several other locations on Penglai Immortal Mountain shrouded in restrictive arrays, which might hold valuable secrets.

He didn’t need the map Cheng Zhihong had drawn; guided by his senses, Yi Beidou arrived at another location on the Immortal Mountain.

Here stood a forest of towering stones. The rocks were a deep black, like charcoal.

WHOOSH!!

Demon Flames erupted from Yi Beidou’s body as a Tribulation Star flickered into existence behind him.

The number of his Tribulation Stars had increased once again. Both the Emperor and the Number One were crucial figures tied to the fate of a nation. Although they were weak in terms of personal power, the Tribulation Stars condensed from their deaths were no less potent than those from a Saint Expert.

The Grand Array of this Immortal Mountain was not to be underestimated; he had to proceed with caution.

Once prepared, Yi Beidou strode forward.

WHOOSH!!

The moment he stepped into the stone forest, a powerful energy field erupted from the pillars and the ground, coalescing into the form of a shadowy flame that lunged at him.

This energy-condensed flame possessed a profound, deep quality. It was extremely piercing and pervasive, with distinctly yin characteristics.

’Earth Fire?’

A flicker of understanding crossed Yi Beidou’s mind. This Earth Fire, however, was no match for his Blood-Colored Demon Flame. Shrouded by the flames of the stone forest, Yi Beidou walked through them step by step and entered a cave in the mountainside.

Inside the cave stood a pill furnace of ancient, simple design. It was clearly very old and naturally emanated a peculiar energy, having effectively become a Dharma Artifact in its own right.

This had to be an Alchemy Room, and the Earth Fire Array outside must have been arranged for it.