Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 574: Peach Blossom Paradise

A secret?

The words of the Black Crow Sect Master stayed Su Han’s hand.

With the Li Fire Seven Sha Dao Formation activated, the Black Crow Sect Master couldn’t escape. Besides, even if she managed to flee, it would be as easy as flipping his hand for him to chase her down and kill her. The Central Plains was the center of the Desolate Heavenly Ancient Realm. It was not only vast and rich in resources but also filled with countless opportunities. Su Han was curious to hear what kind of secret the Black Crow Sect Master had for him.

"Speak!" Su Han said directly, eager to hear the secret.

"You have to promise to spare my life first. Otherwise, I’ll take this secret to my grave," the Black Crow Sect Master dared not speak rashly, fearing that Su Han would kill her even after obtaining the secret.

"You are in no position to negotiate with me!"

Su Han would not be bound by any constraints. He pointed his fingers like a sword, and Sword Qi burst from their tips, slicing a pitch-black crack into space itself.

The Black Crow Sect Master hadn’t expected Su Han to be so decisive, unwilling to even feign a promise. But now, with no other options, she could only pin all her hopes on him.

"I’ll tell you! The secret is related to Peach Blossom Paradise!" the Black Crow Sect Master said quickly, fearful that a second’s delay would see Su Han’s Sword Qi slice her in two.

Peach Blossom Paradise?

Su Han was slightly taken aback. Although he had never heard of Peach Blossom Paradise, he knew of the legends concerning the thirty-six Blessed Lands and seventy-two Cave Heavens.

I didn’t encounter any such places in the Eastern Region. Could it be that I’d find one so soon after arriving in the Central Plains?

"The details!" Su Han demanded.

Seeing Su Han’s interest, the Black Crow Sect Master felt a small sense of relief. She had feared Su Han came from such high origins that he wouldn’t even care about Peach Blossom Paradise. In that case, she would have truly been at a dead end.

"You must be aware of the rumors about the thirty-six Blessed Lands and seventy-two Cave Heavens. Peach Blossom Paradise is one of the seventy-two Cave Heavens, and its entrance is located on the border between Ji State and Xiangzhou.

"Peach Blossom Paradise opens once every ten years and is jointly controlled by five major Daozhou. Each Daozhou can send one hundred people inside. Ninety of those slots are taken by the Zi Mansion Holy Land, but ten are allocated to other factions within Ji State. This time, our sect secured one of those slots, and the Peach Blossom Token is in the hands of the Fire Crow Sect Master."

Desperate to live, the Black Crow Sect Master spilled everything she knew about Peach Blossom Paradise.

Peach Blossom Paradise! Zi Mansion Holy Land! Peach Blossom Token!

A flicker of joy lit up Su Han’s heart. I only wanted to deal with the nuisance of the Fire Crow Sect to avoid being constantly pursued, but this is an unexpected windfall.

Although Su Han had never visited a Cave Heaven Blessed Land, he had been to the Dragon Palace Ruins in the East Sea, and the opportunities there had significantly increased his strength. Even if Peach Blossom Paradise wasn’t as grand as the Dragon Palace Ruins, it likely wouldn’t be far behind.

"Mr. Li!"

Su Han didn’t fully trust the Black Crow Sect Master’s words. He turned to Li Mingliang, hoping for verification.

"Mr. Su, she’s not wrong. Peach Blossom Paradise does indeed open once every ten years. Judging by the time, it should be opening very soon.

"Each time it opens, a total of five hundred people from the five major Daozhou enter, but most of the slots are controlled by the holy lands. The Zi Mansion Holy Land is the overlord of Ji State. They always allocate ten slots to other factions, but frankly, they’re just looking for a vanguard."

Li Mingliang had traveled far and wide, so he was quite knowledgeable about Peach Blossom Paradise and provided a more detailed explanation. Although the Zi Mansion Holy Land was just looking for a vanguard, for the other factions, it was a rare opportunity to strive for greatness. Success would bring enormous rewards. Consequently, each slot was extremely coveted and could even trigger a major conflict.

Su Han nodded. Based on the descriptions from the Black Crow Sect Master and Li Mingliang, he confirmed that the opening of Peach Blossom Paradise was real. He reached out and snatched the Storage Ring from the Fire Crow Sect Master.

SWOOSH!

Su Han retrieved a treasure from the Storage Ring. It was a tender, vibrant peach blossom that looked as if it had just been plucked from a tree, still brimming with vitality and exceptionally beautiful. But this wasn’t a real plant. Cool to the touch, it felt like neither gold nor iron, its composition unknown. It had been carved from some strange material and contained a peculiar Power of Space-Time, making it quite unique.

"Mr. Su, that’s a genuine Peach Blossom Token. These tokens fly out from within Peach Blossom Paradise. Only those who possess one may enter," Li Mingliang confirmed after a careful inspection.

"My lord, Peach Blossom Paradise is a secluded haven, lush with vegetation and teeming with life. Rumor has it that in its deepest part, there’s a Life Spring Eye that produces Life Spring Water of immeasurable value!" the Black Crow Sect Master spoke again, trying to emphasize the value of her secret in the hopes that Su Han would spare her life.

Life Spring Water?

Su Han’s eyes lit up with immense surprise. He was quite familiar with Life Spring Water. Back in the Seven Stars Sect, his master, Thunder Roar, who had been on the verge of death, was saved only by a precious drop of Life Spring Water provided by Saint You Heng. It was a healing Supreme Treasure capable of reviving the dead and mending flesh and bone, its value naturally immeasurable.

The residual killing intent of the Great Emperor of Slaughter inside me is hindering my cultivation. Life Spring Water is a healing Supreme Treasure. Perhaps it can help me dispel this killing intent and enhance my own life force.

To think I’d find a solution without even trying, after searching high and low to no avail! I was just agonizing over the Great Emperor of Slaughter’s killing intent, and now a solution presents itself. It seems my luck is good, stumbling upon the opening of Peach Blossom Paradise right after arriving.

"Mr. Su, there is indeed a Life Spring Eye in Peach Blossom Paradise, but very few have ever managed to acquire its water. The dangers within are extraordinary, and it is not easily obtained," Li Mingliang spoke again, reminding Su Han.

There was no such thing as a truly safe treasure trove in the world; all opportunities came with danger, and Peach Blossom Paradise was no exception. Having lived in Ji State for decades, Li Mingliang had heard many stories about the place. Every time it opened, many people died or were injured. During the most tragic opening, fewer than one hundred of the five hundred who entered made it out alive, a testament to how terrifying the dangers within were.

Danger?

Su Han had never feared danger. Which of his past trials had not been a life-and-death crisis? Peach Blossom Paradise was perilous, but for the sake of the Life Spring Water, he was determined to brave it. Otherwise, the killing intent lingering in his body would cause him great harm.

"My lord, I’ve told you the secret. I beg you, please spare my life!"

The Black Crow Sect Master kowtowed repeatedly, begging pitifully for her life. She cast aside all the dignity she once held as a sect master, debasing herself to the dust.

"I can spare you."

Su Han’s words made hope flash in the Black Crow Sect Master’s eyes, but in the next moment, she felt her entire body stiffen, unable to move.

"Mr. Li, she’s all yours."

Su Han immobilized the Black Crow Sect Master with the Divine Prohibition Heavenly Method and turned to leave.

Li Mingliang noticed the Black Crow Sect Master’s strange condition and was shocked by Su Han’s methods, but he did not hesitate to act. Clutching his longsword, he activated Physique Fusion and unleashed the full force of his Spring Thunder Sword Technique.

BOOM!

The sword hummed like thunder before suddenly lashing out, piercing through the Black Crow Sect Master’s forehead and sending her to the Underworld.