Chapter 741 - Return to the Hong Domain

“Something big has happened in the Hong Domain!”

Li Yao’s words exploded like a bomb, causing Chen Fan’s aura to erupt.

However, he quickly calmed his mind and withdrew his terrifying aura.

Although it lasted only a fraction of a second, it struck Li Yao—a first-level Heavenly Star realm expert—hard. His face went pale, and a low groan escaped his lips.

“Sorry.” Chen Fan apologized with a dark expression and asked, “What happened?”

He had left the Hong Domain five years ago to join the True Martial Academy. During that time, he advanced from the Golden Core realm to the Heavenly Star realm.

No rocket could match his speed of progression.

One would be called a genius if they could just advance to the Divine Nascent realm in that span.

He could cultivate so quickly thanks to his talent and the opportunities he gained on the Ancient Trial Road.

Apart from him, Li Yao, Qiu Yuexin, Xiao Zhen, and the others had also become significantly stronger.

Back on the Hidden Dragon Island, Li Yao alone had advanced to the Divine Nascent realm, while the others were at the eight or nine revolutions Golden Core realm.

They had embarked on True Martial Academy’s trail roads next. Although danger lurked at every step, all who survived and made it to the True Martial Academy improved dramatically within just a year.

Li Yao quickly answered, “You remember how the blood demons have overrun our domain, right? I just received a letter from my imperial father—he says the blood demons are wreaking havoc again. Many empires have already fallen under their assault."

Hearing this, Chen Fan’s eyes shone with a sharp gleam, and he said, “Isn’t Emperor Li a Heavenly Star realm expert? No matter how powerful the blood demons are, they shouldn’t be a match for the Hong Domain’s strongest, right?”

Li Yao smiled bitterly and said, “It’s not that simple. Three thousand years ago, our domain’s experts forced the Blood Demon Cave to go into hiding and live ignoble lives. We managed to kill almost all of their Heavenly Star realm experts, but those who survived with heavy injuries went into deep slumber to recuperate. Recently, the blood demons have stirred chaos, killing and collecting qi and blood to awaken those slumbering old-timers.”

“Have some old-timers from the Blood Demon Cave already awakened?”

Li Yao nodded and said, “That’s right. My father has broken through to the second-level Heavenly Star realm. However, he is still no match for these old-timers, even though they haven’t fully regained their strength. Had some hermit experts of the Hong Domain not joined the fray, our domain would have completely fallen by now. As those old-timers gradually recover, the Hong Domain is approaching a crisis.”

Chen Fan wasn’t surprised to hear about the hermit experts in the Hong Domain.

Although that ancient war had weakened the Hong Domain significantly, leaving only Emperor Li as the known Heavenly Star realm expert, one would be a fool to believe that he was the only living expert there.

These individuals cared little for fame or authority, choosing instead to hide deep in the mountains, fully dedicated to their martial paths. They only emerged due to the blood demons’ rampage affecting them.

“The Hong Domain has formed an orthodox alliance to fight the Blood Demon Cave. However, the Blood Demon Cave is too powerful, putting the alliance at a disadvantage in both the numbers and the strength of Heavenly Star realm experts. So, I have no choice but to come find you.”

Chen Fan had long since surpassed Li Yao, leaving him far behind.

He had just released his aura earlier, and Li Yao, despite being a Heavenly Star realm expert, struggled to withstand it. This underscored the terrifying nature of Chen Fan’s current strength.

If Chen Fan took action, the Blood Demon Cave that threatened the entire Hong Domain would face a calamity.

As one of the 108 branches of the Blood Heavenly Demon Sect, the Blood Demon Cave did not have any Manifestation realm experts, not even in the past. Thus, as long as Chen Fan stepped in, those old timers would be no match for Chen Fan.

Realizing the Hong Domain’s dire situation, Chen Fan asked, “What’s the current situation of the Great Chu Empire?”

His primary concern was for his parents. If the Great Chu Empire had fallen, his family would be in danger.

Li Yao was prepared and answered, “According to my information, the Great Chu Empire has not fallen yet, but its situation isn’t optimistic. I also asked my imperial father to look into it. Your family members were brought to the Spring Autumn Sect when the blood calamity erupted, so they should be safe now.”

Chen Fan let out a sigh of relief, but a fierce light ignited in his eyes, and killing intent brewed in his chest.

“Alright, there’s no time to lose. We’ll set off immediately and return to the Hong Domain. This time, I’ll completely uproot this tumor known as the Blood Demon Cave!”

Chen Fan’s dense killing intent soared to the sky.

“Good, Xiao Zhen, Qiu Yuexin, Gongsun Zhong, and the others are just outside the Peerless Peak right now. They are also aware of the situation. They will come with us to resist the blood demons. We’ll set off immediately,” Li Yao said.

“

Mmm

.” Chen Fan nodded. Then, he sent his powerful divine will out, informing his senior brothers and sister about the situation, and flew out of the Peerless Peak with Li Yao. They quickly saw Xiao Zhen and the others waiting outside.

Their current cultivation levels were impressive. Although they hadn't broken through to the Heavenly Star realm, they were all at the eighth or ninth level of the Divine Nascent realm

“Let’s go!”

Chen Fan waved his hand. He transformed into a blur, tearing through space like a stream of light as he flew into the distance.

......

Hong Domain, Great Li Imperial Court:

The atmosphere was oppressive in the imperial palace.

Nowadays, the Blood Demon Cave’s demons were wreaking havoc, affecting the entire Hong Domain.

None of the empires’ forces were spared. Even those hermits living in the mountains had no choice but to come out of isolation.

In the throne room, over ten figures stood, their powerful auras revealing their cultivation—Heavenly Star realm.

Despite their strength, their expressions were grim, and the atmosphere was suffocating.

“Li Xun, any news from your side?” asked a white-bearded elder dressed in white, looking at a middle-aged man in golden imperial robes—none other than Emperor Li.

Once the most renowned figure in the Hong Domain, he now ranked near the bottom of this formidable group.

“Elder Bai, Yao’er has replied that he has already broken through to the Heavenly Star realm—”

“Li Xun, your son entering the Heavenly Star realm is great news and all, but it would be pointless even if he returns. His strength is far from enough to solve our situation,” said a black-robed man with an aquiline nose, interrupting Emperor Li.

“Hawk King, I haven’t finished speaking yet. Yao’er mentioned that he will be coming back with his fellow disciples from the True Martial Academy, and there will be experts among them who can resolve this blood calamity.” [1]

1. Hawk King is a nickname based on his real name which will be mentioned in the next chapter. The last word of his name is ‘鹰’, which means hawk or eagle. ☜