He devoured the cultivation and Dao Wheels of two Ninth Layer of Inscription Realm powerhouses, causing his strength to surge significantly. He was already on the verge of breaking through to the Inscription Realm.
"The Heaven-Swallowing Art is truly tyrannical. Devouring the cultivation and Dao Wheels of powerhouses directly is far faster than practicing bit by bit!"
Chu Yu muttered to himself. If he were to cultivate step-by-step, even for the top geniuses of the Chu Kingdom, it would take over a year or even longer to advance from the Ninth Layer of the Dao Wheel Realm to the initial stage of the Inscription Realm.
Yet, in just two days, Chu Yu was already nearing the Inscription Realm. This was so heaven-defying that he couldn't help but feel pleasantly surprised.
"However, I cannot devour too quickly, or my foundation will become unstable."
Chu Yu understood the principle that haste makes waste; he had to maintain a proper balance. An unstable foundation might not show any consequences while in the Inscription Realm or Dao Pattern Realm. But once he stepped into the Void Dao Realm, Extreme Dao Realm, or Primal Unity Realm, the consequences would be severe, potentially stopping him at the Primal Unity Realm for life, with no possibility of reaching the Supreme Realm.
The world says, "Born with an Emperor Bone, one must become a Supreme!"
With his Primal Ancient Body, the possession of the Samsara Ancient Pagoda, the reconvergence of the three great Dao Wheels, and the inheritance of the Devouring Great Emperor, reaching the Supreme Realm was not a difficult task for Chu Yu.
"I will reach the Inscription Realm first!"
Chu Yu mused, knowing that increasing his strength was the most important thing right now. The Cangyun Mountain Range was perilous; he had just entered and already encountered two Ninth Layer of Inscription Realm powerhouses. Every bit of added strength meant a greater ability to protect himself.
***
On a bluestone, the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth, along with wisps of Dao aura, rolled toward Chu Yu. Above his head, the Primal Dao Wheel, the Samsara Dao Wheel, and the Devouring Dao Wheel manifested—each one supreme, growing increasingly solid. The fluctuations radiating from Chu Yu were also becoming more and more powerful.
Two hours later.
Boom!
A visible, formidable shockwave swept out from within Chu Yu's body, shattering the air and creating a humming vibration.
"First Layer of Inscription Realm!"
Chu Yu opened his eyes, feeling his cultivation base surge several times over, a flash of excitement in his eyes!
Once he entered the Inscription Realm, everything felt different. Shattering mountains, splitting stones, overturning rivers, and moving seas—all seemed like effortless tasks to him. Even the three great Dao Wheels within him had undergone a significant transformation.
He held out his palm, and three distinct powers of the Dao emerged: the power of devouring, the power of reincarnation, and the primordial power, which was imbued with a prehistoric aura.
After stepping into the Inscription Realm, increasing spiritual energy was no longer as crucial; the most important thing was to absorb the aura of the Dao and elevate the power of the Dao within his body. The power of the Dao was the force of heaven and earth's rules; even spiritual energy as vast as a river could not compare to a small fraction of Dao power.
Watching the three powers of the Dao dance on his palm, a satisfied curve formed on Chu Yu’s lips.
He retracted the Dao power and took out the map he had obtained from the man, studying it closely. The map was detailed, and the markings were clear. According to the map, the Flame Valley was over a thousand miles away. At his current speed, he should be able to reach it by tomorrow before dark.
However...
Was the man telling the truth, or did he simply fabricate a lie to save his life before he died? Or perhaps the Flame Valley was filled with danger and powerful ferocious beasts, and the man had said that just to lure him to his death.
Should he go, or not?
Chu Yu frowned, clutching the map tightly. Going involved danger, but not going left him feeling unwilling. Danger and opportunity often coexist; if he were to retreat simply because of danger, he might as well find a cave to hide in for the rest of his life. How then could he dream of returning to the Chu Kingdom’s palace to exact his revenge? Such a mindset would never lead one to become a Supreme powerhouse.
After a brief moment, the look in Chu Yu's eyes turned resolute. Whether it was true or false, he would know once he arrived. If there really were an earth-shattering opportunity, even a den of tigers and a lair of dragons would be worth braving!
Chu Yu stood up from the bluestone, and together with the Sky-Swallowing Beast, he dashed toward the Flame Valley.
"I must give you a word of caution," the Sky-Swallowing Beast said. "Your cultivation and strength will grow very fast with the Heaven-Swallowing Art, and you will possess more and more Dao Wheels. But do not forget—you must prioritize the tempering of your physical body. Otherwise, even with a Primal Ancient Body, your body will collapse from the pressure of carrying so many Dao Wheels!"
"I understand!" Chu Yu replied. He could already feel the immense pressure on his body from the Primal, Samsara, and Devouring Dao Wheels he had condensed.
"I am the number one ferocious beast of eternity, born with an invincible body. Naturally, you cannot compare your body to mine, but at the very least, it must be comparable to the descendants of pure-blood ancient relics."
Chu Yu’s heart jolted. Pure-blood ancient relics all had the potential to enter the Supreme Realm, and their bodies could clash head-on with ancient spirit treasures. Achieving such toughness was no easy feat.
"Don't worry, I will surely succeed!" Chu Yu said firmly. Tempering his body to the level of a pure-blood creature would be a long and agonizing process. But compared to the humiliation he had endured, this pain was nothing. He would become a Supreme and trample Chu Lingfeng and the Hua Clan under his feet!
The man and the beast traveled through the Cangyun Mountain Range. In just over an hour, they encountered seven ferocious beasts of the Inscription Realm. To temper his body, Chu Yu did not use his Dao Wheels in these fights, choosing instead to engage them in direct, physical combat. He fought like a madman, ignoring the danger, indifferent to his own wounds, and seemingly tireless as he battled the beasts. Only after completely crushing them would he devour their cultivation and Dao Wheels.
"This kid... he really is ruthless with himself!" Even the Sky-Swallowing Beast, the number one ferocious entity of the ages, was taken aback by the sight of Chu Yu fighting the beasts.
By nightfall, the air in the Cangyun Mountain Range turned cold, and the roars of beasts echoed everywhere. The mountain range at night was exceptionally treacherous, and many cultivators who trespassed would choose a cave for refuge. Chu Yu, however, did not hide; he lit a campfire and began roasting the meat of a ferocious beast.
He was covered in blood—both the beasts' and his own—and scars were visible everywhere, with several deep, bleeding wounds. His energy and stamina were severely depleted, but since he was hunting beasts of the Inscription Realm, their flesh acted like precious medicine. Rich in vitality, eating it allowed him to recover and return to his peak state after only a short rest.
The fragrance of the roasted meat wafted through the air, attracting many surrounding beasts. Yet, the carcasses surrounding Chu Yu made them only watch from afar, too afraid to approach.
If it were anyone else, they would have been terrified and run as far away as possible. But Chu Yu calmly roasted the meat, seeing these beasts only as tools for tempering his body and as "medicinal meat" to enhance his strength.
"Though your skills are mediocre, this meat you roast is truly exquisite," the Sky-Swallowing Beast said while stuffing its face, its mouth covered in grease.
"You sure have a lot to say," Chu Yu retorted, rolling his eyes at the beast. This guy was mooching off his food and still had the audacity to talk nonsense.
After eating, Chu Yu sat cross-legged on the ground. The vital energy within him surged; not only had he reached the early stage of the First Layer of the Inscription Realm, but more surprisingly, his physical strength had increased significantly. Previously, his limit was one hundred thousand jin, but now, a single punch could unleash a terrifying one hundred and twenty thousand jin of force!
After resting for half an hour, Chu Yu opened his eyes, feeling fully recharged and energized. He set his sights on a lion with golden fur and a majestic aura. This lion was extraordinary; it possessed a trace of the bloodline of the ancient relic *Bi'an* and had reached the Sixth Layer of the Inscription Realm. It was the king of this forest, and no other beast dared to go near it.
As Chu Yu watched the golden-furred lion, the lion stared right back at him.
"Why are you staring? Unhappy? Then you're the one!"
There was no fear on Chu Yu's face, only excitement. He stomped his foot against the ground and surged forward like a human-shaped beast. The golden lion was stunned; clearly, it hadn't expected a human youth to attack it without using any spirit treasures or his Dao Wheels.
Before the lion could react, Chu Yu’s fist slammed heavily into its face.
Bang!
With a dull thud, the golden lion was sent flying over a hundred meters, crashing through several ancient trees. It stood up shakily, its head spinning. Chu Yu didn't give it any chance to breathe; he unleashed another punch.
The golden lion reacted quickly. Once it regained its senses, it let out a fierce roar, swiping a claw at Chu Yu.
Boom!
The moment the fist and claw collided, an earth-shattering sound erupted, like boulders of tens of thousands of jin rolling down a mountain and slamming into the earth. Sand and stone flew, and dust filled the air.
One collision after another followed. Chu Yu relied solely on his physical strength to fight the lion. His moves were unadorned, direct, brutal, and violent, aiming for vital points—he was like a human-shaped juggernaut. As the king of the forest, the golden lion had its own pride and matched him using only its physical strength.
*Bang, bang, bang...*
The sound of dull impacts echoed incessantly. The spiritual trees and giant rocks in the area shattered one after another. The scene was shocking; the other beasts gathered nearby were terrified and fled, fearing they would be caught in the battle between the man and the lion.
Not long after, the golden lion was coughing up blood. Its bones were shattered, it was severely wounded, and its aura had withered. Chu Yu was also heavily injured, covered in claw marks from the lion, with deep, bleeding gashes that reached the bone.
"One final punch!" Chu Yu shouted. He unleashed a punch that shook the air, aiming directly for the golden lion. This strike contained all of Chu Yu's focus and strength. It was a move he had created himself—putting everything on the line, life or death, with no turning back!
Boom!
The lion’s claw was beaten back, and Chu Yu’s fist landed squarely on the beast's head. Its massive body was sent flying, its jaw dislocated, and its skull fractured. It hit the ground, unable to rise, leaving only a final gasp of breath.
"Although this is a bit cruel, for the sake of cultivation, I have no choice but to kill you!"
Chu Yu held out his hand, manifesting the Devouring Dao Wheel, and began to drain the golden lion's cultivation and Dao Wheel. After the devouring was complete, he roasted the meat. It was golden and glistening with oil, emitting an enticing aroma.
A night passed. The next morning, Chu Yu opened his eyes. His wounds had healed completely. Feeling the significantly increased Dao power within his body and his even stronger physique, a look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
"Mid-stage of the First Layer of the Inscription Realm!"
In just one night, he had advanced from the entry-level of the First Layer to the mid-stage. His cultivation speed was truly heaven-defying.
"Who’s there?!"
A dozen people surrounded him. All were Inscription Realm powerhouses, including a young man and woman who had come to the Cangyun Mountain Range for training. Seeing the beast carcass on the ground, the group was stunned, unable to believe their eyes.
"This kid managed to kill so many beasts all on his own? He must have treasures on him!"
"Kill him and take his treasures!"
As someone spoke, a ruthless light appeared in the others' eyes. Murdering others for their loot was not uncommon in the Cangyun Mountain Range.
Chu Yu's eyes turned cold, a killing intent rising.
"I’d like to see what this kid is capable of!" an old man shouted. He was a Sixth Layer of Inscription Realm expert. He manifested his Dao Wheel, and a massive array of symbols appeared around him, coalescing into a ferocious bird that dove toward Chu Yu. This was a powerful bird-type art, and the old man was highly proficient in it; its power was astonishing.
Chu Yu remained unfazed. He manifested the Devouring Dao Wheel, which appeared as terrifying as a black hole. On his hand, black symbols appeared, forming a large black claw. This claw was identical to that of the Sky-Swallowing Beast—it was the Sky-Swallowing Beast’s own art.
With one swipe, he tore through the air, shattered the ferocious bird, and continued to descend toward the old man.
Bang!
The black claw slammed into the ground, instantly turning the old man into a pool of blood and gore. Chu Yu swallowed his Dao Wheel and cultivation whole.
"You... who exactly are you?"
The crowd widened their eyes in sheer terror. This was too horrific—an expert of the Sixth Layer of the Inscription Realm had been killed in a single move!
"I think I’ve seen him somewhere before!" a young woman said. Suddenly, she recalled something and let out an unbelievable scream. "I know! It’s the Ninth Prince, Chu Yu! I’ve seen him in the Imperial City!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd was shocked. Wasn't the Ninth Prince the one who lost his Emperor Bone, had his Dao Wheel destroyed, and became a cripple? How could he appear in the Cangyun Mountain Range, and how had he become so strong?
Chu Yu’s gaze immediately turned icy. If word that he was in the Cangyun Mountain Range reached the capital, Chu Lingfeng and the Hua Clan would surely dispatch a large number of powerhouses to track him down and kill him.
***
"Since you've recognized me, none of you are leaving!"
As his voice fell, Chu Yu’s figure vanished, appearing before the group a moment later.
Bang!
One punch shattered the skull of an Inscription Realm powerhouse. Almost simultaneously, another was kicked in the chest, flying backward. His internal organs were pulverized, and he died before he even hit the ground.
*Bang, bang, bang...*
A series of dull thuds followed one after another. Within moments, only the two young people remained.
"Ninth Prince, spare us! We are from the Yu family! We were blind to not recognize your greatness and offended you. Please, spare us this time!" the young woman pleaded, her face tear-streaked and pitiful.
Chu Yu showed no mercy. With a palm strike to the woman's head, she died, bleeding from her seven orifices. The remaining man collapsed in terror, wetting his pants, but he didn't escape death either.
Chu Yu collected the storage spirit artifacts from them, as well as a few Grade 5 medicinal herbs—an unexpected harvest.
After being delayed by the fighting, another day passed, and by the next evening, he finally arrived at the Flame Valley.
This was a volcanic valley with a dense aura of fire; even at night, the temperature was scorching. A Purple-Eyed Flame Lion, a beast of the Ninth Layer of the Inscription Realm with an extraordinary bloodline and overwhelming ferocity, stood guard in the valley. It was covered in blood and severely injured.
On the ground lay the corpses of two or three hundred cultivators, creating a river of blood that was hair-raising. Around a hundred others stood in a standoff with the lion. These were all experts above the Fifth Layer of the Inscription Realm, each with a look of terror on their faces, not daring to advance. The two sides were locked in a stalemate, both wary of each other.
Chu Yu’s eyes narrowed. If the Purple-Eyed Flame Lion was being surrounded by hundreds of experts and was severely wounded yet refused to leave, there must be an astonishing treasure here.
A young man stared at Chu Yu and asked, "Kid, did you come alone? Where are your elders?"
Chu Yu acted as if he hadn't heard him, staring only at the Purple-Eyed Flame Lion, observing the severity of its injuries and gauging his chances if he were to attack. After all, it was a beast of the Ninth Layer of the Inscription Realm; even injured, its desperate, final strike would be terrifying.
Seeing that Chu Yu didn't answer, a flash of anger crossed the young man’s eyes. Determining that Chu Yu was indeed alone, he spoke in a commanding tone: "See that cave? The Purple-Eyed Flame Lion has been heavily wounded by us and has no strength left to fight. Rush in there now and bring out the treasure inside for me!"
That cave was the lion's lair. The young man wasn't sure how much strength the lion had left and wanted to use someone as a test subject. Chu Yu, being alone, was the perfect candidate in his eyes.
"Why don't you go yourself?" Chu Yu said, his voice cold, laced with killing intent.
"I told you to go, so go! Enough with the nonsense! If you refuse, I’ll throw you in there myself!" The young man flew into a rage and reached out to grab Chu Yu’s shoulder.
The moment he touched him, Chu Yu’s hands suddenly clamped onto the young man’s arm!
Bang!
The overwhelming force made the young man's face change instantly, as if his arm were being snapped in two. A terrifying devouring power surged through his arm, invading his Dao Wheels.
"You kid..."
Before the young man could finish, Chu Yu kicked him squarely in the crotch!
"Ah!"
A shrill scream pierced the Flame Valley. The young man’s lower parts were crushed, blood gushing out.
The surroundings fell into a deathly silence. Everyone was horrified, faces pale with fright. Cruel and concise—this young man was terrifying. Within moments, the young man's cultivation and Dao Wheels were completely devoured by Chu Yu. He let go, and the man collapsed like a dead dog.
"Third Brother!"
"Who are you?! How dare you lay such a cruel hand on someone from the Qi family!"
A dozen people surrounded him, their eyes blood-red with hatred, as if Chu Yu had dug up their ancestral graves. The Qi family was a prominent clan with quite a reputation in the Chu Kingdom.
"So young, yet so vicious!" an elder of the Qi family roared. His aura was robust; he was an Eighth Layer of the Inscription Realm expert. Though he was wounded, his strength was not to be underestimated.
"Didn't you see that he was the one who attacked first?"