“Under my hammer, all are but lost souls! I wonder if the White Robe Great Emperor’s head can withstand a single strike from this hammer of mine?!”
The Red Serpent Old Ancestor wore a look of grim satisfaction. Many Nine-star Great Emperors had volunteered for this battle! He selected the Demonic Spider Woman, the Giant Ram Race Old Ancestor, and several others. This time, he would personally lead the charge to the Blackflame Mountain Range!
With a cold sneer, the Red Serpent Old Ancestor declared, “This time, I will retrieve the Nine-star Emperor-tier Body of our clan elder!” That was a Nine-star Emperor-tier Body! Once recovered, it would be of immense use to their Red Serpent Race. Even if he were to devour it himself, his strength would increase exponentially!
Before long, the Red Serpent Old Ancestor led several Great Demons out of the grand hall, followed by over a dozen High-star Great Emperors.
Before leaving the Demon Hall, the Red Serpent Old Ancestor led his forces to kneel before the stone statue of the Lord of the Demon Court. “Lord of the Demon Court! This time, we journey to the Blackflame Mountain Range to seek justice for our Demon Race!” he roared. “The humiliation suffered by the Demon Race can only be repaid with human blood!”
As his voice echoed through the void, brilliant Formation Patterns condensed on the Lord of the Demon Court’s stone statue. A faint Divine Radiance illuminated its form, as if a Demon God had descended, seemingly in response to their plea. All the Great Demons prostrated themselves, chanting, “The Lord of the Demon Court has answered us!”
The Red Serpent Old Ancestor’s expression turned grim. He nodded, his gaze chilling, and clenched his fist as he looked towards the Blackflame Mountain Range. “Kill!”
Nearby, the Golden Crow Race Old Ancestor and the Fire Dragon Race Old Ancestor remained prostrate, their forms utterly wretched after days of torment. The Red Serpent Old Ancestor had injected a potent poison into their bodies as punishment for their betrayal of the Lord of the Demon Court. Day and night, the venom gnawed at their souls, flesh, and meridians, subjecting them to excruciating pain. There was still over a month left until the Red Serpent Old Ancestor’s decreed punishment was to end, but they could no longer bear it!
The Red Serpent Old Ancestor and his retinue slowly rose, casting cold, disdainful glances at the two kneeling figures. “You two traitors!” he snarled. “This punishment is merely a slight chastisement! Once the Lord of the Demon Court descends, you will truly understand the price of betrayal!”
At these words, both the Golden Crow Race Old Ancestor and the Fire Dragon Race Old Ancestor felt a chill run down their spines, their scalps tingling with dread. The Lord of the Demon Court tolerated no dissent, no speck of sand in his eye! If the Demon Lord truly descended, they couldn’t even imagine their fate!
With a cold snort, the Red Serpent Old Ancestor tore open the void and led his forces through. Boom! Endless, dazzling Divine Arcs surged across the heavens, forming a long river of light that streaked into the distance with the speed of a meteor.
The Golden Crow Race Old Ancestor and the Fire Dragon Race Old Ancestor watched the Red Serpent Old Ancestor’s departing figures, a flicker of icy resolve in their eyes. The Fire Dragon Race Old Ancestor secretly transmitted, “Are we truly going to stay here and accept this punishment like fools?” The Golden Crow Race Old Ancestor’s eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint flashing within them. “What are you suggesting?”
A sinister grin spread across the Fire Dragon Race Old Ancestor’s lips. “I know you’re tempted too. Why don’t we write down our thoughts and compare them?” “Agreed,” the Golden Crow Race Old Ancestor replied.
Moments later, both Old Ancestors simultaneously opened their rough, calloused hands. In each palm, a faint Ancient Character glowed: “White!”
Seeing this, the Fire Dragon Race Old Ancestor and the Golden Crow Race Old Ancestor exchanged a knowing smile. “Let’s gamble everything!”
If they waited for the Lord of the Demon Court to descend, their two races were absolutely doomed. The Demon Lord was tyrannical and unpredictable; anyone who dared betray the Demon Race and curry favor with outsiders would meet a truly gruesome end! They still had one path open to them: defect to the White Robe Great Emperor!
Back then, they had even transformed into demon pets to entertain the White Robe Great Emperor, forging a ‘bond’ of Causality with him. If they abandoned the darkness for the light this time, perhaps the White Robe Great Emperor would take them under his wing! Although the White Robe Great Emperor was only a Nine-star Great Emperor, behind him stood the Grand Dao Sect! Recently, the Southern Wilds had been rife with turmoil, yet the Grand Dao Sect had emerged victorious almost every time. As an Overlord-level Power that once vied for the Supreme Fruit Position, they would gamble on the Grand Dao Sect’s ability to contend with the Demon Court!
With this thought, the two began to scheme.
Once the other Nine-star Great Emperors of the Demon Court had departed, the Fire Dragon Race Old Ancestor and the Golden Crow Race Old Ancestor erupted into action. The Red Serpent Race’s Emperor Realm Experts were immediately alarmed, shouting, “What are you doing?! The Red Serpent Old Ancestor commanded you to continue kneeling!”
The Golden Crow Race Old Ancestor roared, “Go to hell! I’ve had enough!” In the next instant, he manifested his true form, a golden mountain of a bird, Solid as a Rock. Thousands of feathers on his body emitted brilliant Divine Radiance, imbued with mysterious Great Emperor Formation Patterns. The power of his bloodline surged like a roaring furnace. His sharp talons lashed out directly at the Red Serpent Race High-star Great Emperor who had just spoken. Screech! After a piercing shriek, the Golden Crow’s razor-sharp talons, like frigid longswords, tore the Red Serpent Race High-star Great Emperor in half. Blood splattered everywhere!
The Fire Dragon Race Old Ancestor likewise revealed his true form, slaughtering the Red Serpent Race High-star Great Emperor guarding them. He snarled, “I’m leaving! Who dares stop me?!”
Within the Red Serpent Race’s territory, the High-star Great Emperors were utterly shocked, none daring to show their faces. Moments later, the Golden Crow Race Old Ancestor and the Fire Dragon Race Old Ancestor ripped open the void with immense power, departing the Demon Hall’s domain. They had made their choice: they would pledge allegiance to the White Robe Great Emperor!
***
Meanwhile, in the boundless, shadowy mountains of the Ghost Shadow Race, an oppressive silence reigned. Ancient tombs rose like forgotten giants, and the entire region was shrouded in endless mist. Eerie whispers drifted from the underground world. Deep within, the Ghost Shadow Race Old Ancestor sat cross-legged, revealing his true form. Dim Great Emperor Formation Patterns surged around him like a swirling black river, radiating immense power. His claws, sharp as blades and dark as ink, glinted with cold light. Behind him, massive wings beat ceaselessly, conjuring violent hurricanes that spanned dozens of miles.
The many Ghost Shadow Race members watched their Old Ancestor, utterly astonished. Their Old Ancestor’s Ghost Shadow Divine Art was nearing Great Accomplishment!
Before long, the Ghost Shadow Race Old Ancestor slowly opened his eyes, a sinister scowl on his face. “How much time is left until the Fuyao Dynasty Founding Ceremony?” he rasped. A black-robed Elder, his expression shifting nervously, replied, “Old Ancestor, less than half a day remains.”
The Ghost Shadow Race Old Ancestor’s voice turned icy. “What? Only half a day left? Have the Demon Race and the Stabbing Heaven Palace made their moves?” The black-robed Elder affirmed, “The Demon Race has already departed for the Blackflame Mountain Range! The Stabbing Heaven Palace should also be in motion!”
The Ghost Shadow Race Old Ancestor declared in a deep voice, “My divine art has reached Great Accomplishment. I can now utterly crush the White Robe Great Emperor! Come, follow me to the Blackflame Mountain Range and annihilate the White Robe Great Emperor!” As his voice fell, several Elders rose into the air. Boom! Boom! Boom! The Ghost Shadow Race Old Ancestor tore open the void, and a dim Divine Arc appeared in the sky, streaking towards the Blackflame Mountain Range with the speed of a dark star.
***
Blackflame Mountain Range.
Three days had passed in the blink of an eye. The Fuyao Dynasty Founding Ceremony was today! Lu Xuan had woken up early, watching the colossal sun rise in the east. He gazed towards Ji Fuyao’s imperial palace, a faint smile playing on his lips. “My eldest disciple is finally maturing!” he mused internally.
In the next moment, Ji Fuyao slowly emerged from the imperial palace. Her graceful figure was exquisitely beautiful, clad in a flowing fiery red dress. Her long, dark hair was coiled into an elegant updo, adorned with a phoenix crown. Her brows were like crescent moons, her eyes like distant stars, and her perfect features seemed carved by the very hand of creation. Bathed in the morning light of the colossal sun, she appeared peerlessly magnificent, without a single flaw. Qing Yan and the other women followed behind Ji Fuyao, like stars orbiting a radiant moon. Ji Fuyao bowed respectfully towards Lu Xuan. “Master!”