Li Xiaotian seized the opportunity to inquire about many matters from ancient times, such as the classification of realms. Above the Emperor level were Heavenly, Saint, and Immortal-Indestructible.
To break through to the Heavenly level, one must comprehend at least one rule of heaven and earth. Emperor-level experts can control the energy of heaven and earth, while Heavenly-level experts control the rules of heaven and earth.
For instance, Dao Xuan possessed control over the rules of lightning, which were immensely powerful and could counter almost all other rules.
As for Jian Chen, he mastered the rules of the sword, possessing formidable offensive power. Among those of the same level, almost no one could withstand his attacks head-on.
However, both of them had only a preliminary grasp of the rules and had not yet broken through to the Heavenly level. According to Dao Xuan, to reach the Heavenly level, one must at least step into the door; currently, they had only pushed the door open, and entering would require more time and opportunity.
As for the Saint level, neither Dao Xuan nor Jian Chen had much understanding, and the legendary Immortal-Indestructible was even beyond their reach.
Besides realms, Li Xiaotian also learned that although the world had undergone great changes, these changes were not yet complete. At the very least, the current world could not support Heavenly-level experts.
Thus, most Heavenly-level experts were in slumber, as were many Emperor-level experts. In fact, many ancient powerhouses had yet to awaken.
Only a small portion had awakened so far.
The hatred between humans and demonic beasts had existed since ancient times, deeply ingrained in their bones with no possibility of reconciliation.
In ancient times, humans and demonic beasts were in constant warfare, leading to a final battle where even Heavenly-level experts faced the risk of perishing.
However, that battle was only half-completed when the world underwent a drastic change, forcing the ancient powerhouses into slumber.
This slumber continued until modern times.
Li Xiaotian's eyes flickered, feeling that Dao Xuan and Jian Chen had not revealed everything clearly, especially concerning the existence of the Blood Sea and the powerhouses in the recently revived bronze ancient coffins.
He had seen many powerful experts like those in the bronze ancient coffins in the Blood Sea, and he was very certain that those individuals were at least above the Emperor level.
However, Li Xiaotian did not press further, believing that some matters might be beyond his current understanding due to his own limited strength.
“Li Xiaotian, the barrier you entered, did you discover it was the slumbering place of a powerful expert? Has he awakened?” Jian Chen suddenly asked, a glint in his eyes.
Li Xiaotian’s heart tightened. The inevitable had arrived. He knew someone would ask him this question after he emerged, but fortunately, he had already prepared a response.
“It should be a human expert. We entered a strange area, an empty plaza surrounded by eight stone pillars, inscribed with a cultivation technique.”
“The Demonic Soldier technique, perhaps?” Jian Chen inquired, his expression shifting slightly. Even on the battlefield, he had noticed something amiss with the cultivation techniques practiced by Li Xiaotian’s subordinates.
“Demonic Soldier technique!!! It’s the slumbering ground of the Demonic Cult! They know of the terror of the Demonic Cult!” someone exclaimed, their face paling. In ancient times, who didn't fear the Demonic Cult? They were almost universally spoken of with dread.
“Could it be the slumbering place of the Demonic Lord?! Heavens, the Demonic Lord slept in the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain. Truly worthy of the title Demonic Lord!”
Astonishment rippled through the crowd. Ancient major powers, when going into slumber, would endeavor to make their resting places impregnable and keep them far from demonic beast territories. Who would have thought the Demonic Lord slept so close to the demonic beasts’ domain? It spoke volumes of his confidence.
“Brother Li, the Demonic Cult was an extremely malevolent and brutal force in ancient times, neither purely good nor evil. They killed more humans than demonic beasts. That so many of you escaped unharmed from the Demonic Cult’s slumbering ground is simply incredible!”
Someone spoke, their voice laced with disbelief. If ancient times were divided into three factions, the Demonic Cult would be the third, with the other two being the demonic beasts and humans.
“When we entered that peculiar space, we were filled with trepidation. We remained almost stationary during our disappearance. If not for the sudden appearance of an exit from the barrier, I fear we would still be trapped inside.” Li Xiaotian said with a wry smile, his face displaying an expression of lingering fear.
“Heh, young brother Li entered the Demonic Lord’s slumbering ground. It’s likely the Demonic Lord has not awakened, which is why you emerged unharmed. However, it was still perilous. Had the Demonic Lord possessed even a sliver of consciousness, your fates would have been dire.” Dao Xuan chuckled, sighing inwardly at Li Xiaotian’s incredible luck. After being pursued by numerous Emperor-level experts, he had accidentally stumbled into the Demonic Lord’s slumbering ground and, by chance, the Demonic Lord hadn't awakened, allowing them to hide safely for half a year.
“However, we did pay a price. After entering that space, many brothers in my Dragon King Hall practiced the Demonic Soldier technique. By the time I realized the problem, it was already too late.” Li Xiaotian’s expression turned somber; this was not an act.
“The Demonic Soldier technique severs human emotions and shortens lifespan. Alas!” Dao Xuan sighed, and the others in the hall echoed his sentiment with looks of sympathy, knowing the brutal nature of the Demonic Soldier technique.
Afterward, Dao Xuan and Jian Chen departed. They had already spent considerable time here. Compared to the dangers in the capital city, there was a more perilous location in Great Qin, one where a single misstep could allow vast beast tides to pour into Great Qin’s territory.
This was the coastal region, where the demonic beasts in the sea outnumbered those on land by several times.
Subsequently, the numerous Emperor-level experts left to rest. Li Xiaotian, however, felt a slight sense of relief. The Demonic Lord’s slumbering ground was, for the time being, behind him.
As for the future, since Heavenly-level experts had not fully recovered, it was unlikely that the entity that killed the Demonic Lord would awaken prematurely, giving him ample time to prepare.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles outside the capital city, Dao Xuan and Jian Chen stopped in mid-air.
“Daoist, Li Xiaotian’s words have some issues. I suspect he obtained the Demonic Lord’s cultivation technique,” Jian Chen stated with a grave expression. Li Xiaotian’s strength had improved too rapidly. Furthermore, compared to the other Emperor-level experts present, he and Dao Xuan were significantly stronger, allowing him to sense a fluctuation within Li Xiaotian that made him feel a sense of unease.
“Heh, everyone has their own secrets. Li Xiaotian is human. Although the Demonic Lord killed countless people in ancient times, he never indiscriminately slaughtered the innocent. Even if Li Xiaotian has some connection with the Demonic Lord, it would not be detrimental to humanity.” Dao Xuan said with a slight smile. More importantly, if Li Xiaotian were to be subjugated by the Demonic Lord, they would be powerless to intervene, as the Demonic Lord’s power was too terrifying for them, who were not yet Heavenly-level experts, to fathom.
“Let’s hope so. As long as his heart remains with humanity,” Jian Chen said, considering that the Demonic Lord was, in a way, human.
The two departed swiftly. If Li Xiaotian knew of their conversation at this moment, he would likely be filled with anxiety, as both Dao Xuan and Jian Chen could detect his secret, let alone the entity that killed the Demonic Lord.
Fortunately, perhaps Li Xiaotian was too weak, or perhaps the ancient entity had not yet awakened, allowing Li Xiaotian time to conceal these matters.