Ah! What is that! That killing intent—could it be the Woma Sect Leader? Luo Xuan was utterly stunned, and a segment of his memory, long buried deep within his mind, immediately surfaced like the most terrifying nightmare.

In his younger years, Luo Xuan had ventured into the third layer of the Illusionary Realm and participated in the campaign to exterminate the Woma Sect Leader. However, that joint operation involving several major guilds had nearly resulted in total annihilation. The terrifying image of the Woma Sect Leader was still deeply etched into Luo Xuan’s mind. Now, this surge of powerful killing intent seemed even stronger than the Woma Sect Leader he had faced before. How could this not strike fear into Luo Xuan’s heart?

It wasn't just Luo Xuan. Wan Fei, Qin Fang, and the others on the city wall also sensed this astonishing killing intent, all of them losing their color in shock.

“Roar!” With an earth-shattering bellow, like a ferocious beast emerging from the primordial chaos of ancient times, the entire world vibrated, and the very ground trembled incessantly.

Whoosh! A streak of red light, like a shooting star, tore across the horizon. The dense forest, streaked with red and green, was struck as if a massive boulder had been hurled into a calm sea, erupting in a blinding crimson flash!

Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! What followed were piercing screams that chilled the bone.

“Ah! What is that?” Wan Fei gasped, pale with terror. Only then did the group clearly see that the once lush jungle seemed to have been cleaved in two by an invisible, colossal sword. Down the center was a shocking, blood-red gash that stretched far into the distance.

And within that rift stood a figure draped in blood-red, utterly still. Even from such a distance, Wan Fei and Qin Fang were struck by the terrifying killing intent that surged straight into their hearts.

“Heavens, what in the world is that person?” Qin Fang could hardly believe his eyes. How could such an aura reside within a human? Most of the disciples and other residents who had been working in the woods were now mere shreds, and Qin Fang hadn't even clearly registered how it happened. The rest scattered in panic, their screams echoing continuously.

“Hngh!” A low growl, like that of a hungry wolf. The blood-red figure slightly raised its head. As if sensing the presence of Qin Fang, Wan Fei, and the others, its grim eyes sharpened, two piercing gazes like swords slicing toward the city wall, locking firmly onto Wan Fei and Qin Fang.

“Ah!” The killing intent was overwhelming, almost tangible. At that moment, Wan Fei and the others felt an uncontrollable fear and tremor in their bodies, like lambs pinned down by a fierce tiger.

“You! Who are you?” Forcing out the last vestiges of his courage, Qin Fang practically roared the question.

“Roar!” With a low growl, the blood-red silhouette vanished instantly. When it reappeared, all Qin Fang and Wan Fei saw was a flash of scarlet light, and then they felt themselves being lifted into the air. Finally, they saw two headless corpses on the ground, their necks spurting torrents of blood.

“So! So fast!” Qin Fang and Wan Fei were swallowed by boundless darkness and confusion before they could even register pain.

“Hall Master!” Below the city wall, the more than twenty thousand disciples of the Tongyun Gang, who had been engaging in mock combat drills, could scarcely believe what they saw.

“Damn you, I’ll fight you to the death!” The Lan Zai Dragon-Patterned Sword abruptly flashed with a fiery red light, striking directly at the blood-red figure on the city wall—it was the Soul Fire Talisman, commonly used by Daoists!

“Roar!” At almost the same instant, Luo Xuan summoned his own Holy Word Divine Beast: “Kill him for me.” The massive divine beast let out a heaven-shaking roar and charged toward the city wall like lightning.

“Hngh!” The blood-red figure on the city wall paused slightly, then vanished into thin air again. Luo Xuan only saw his Holy Word Divine Beast suddenly shatter into countless fragments, dissolving into a beam of white light before it could even utter a scream.

“Ah! So fast!” Even the Woma Sect Leader wasn't this swift. Before Luo Xuan could process it, he felt a chill in his chest as a red light seemed to pierce straight through it.

Dazed, he looked down and saw a gaping hole, roughly the size of a human head, blown clean through his chest.

“Demon!” Luo Xuan roared with all his remaining strength, “Run!” But what greeted his eyes was a crazily dancing blood-red shadow, punctuated by flying heads and sprays of crimson rain. The world blurred into a hazy, bloody red.

The entire training ground instantly transformed into a terrifying Shura Purgatory.

Panlong! The Yun Clan!

“Zu Yun City has been massacred by an unidentified, terrifying master,” Yun Peng exclaimed, his face ashen as he stared at the carrier pigeon message in his hand.

“Curse it, it has finally come,” Feng Yuanming said painfully. “Is the catastrophe of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword about to repeat itself?”

“Has any message arrived from the Royal Family?” Jian Li asked.

“Not yet!” replied Yun Qing, the pigeon post steward of the Yun Clan.

“What on earth are we going to do?” Bi Yan lamented. “Are we just going to watch Luo Jiang run rampant?”

“We can only wait,” Jian Li stated. “Currently, the only force capable of opposing Luo Jiang are the Celestial Demon Warriors. However, I deeply fear that this move has also been factored into the calculations of the Brotherhood.”

“Indeed. Behind the Brotherhood, there must be operatives of the Demon Sealing Royal Family at work,” Lu Tong added. “If that’s the case, even if the Royal Family dispatches the Celestial Demon Warriors, they will have to proceed with extreme caution.”

For a moment, a heavy weight settled on everyone’s hearts. Once other factors became entangled, many matters grew exponentially complex. This time, with the Crimson Blood Demon Sword falling into Luo Jiang’s hands, mishandling the situation could lead to catastrophic consequences.

In the following days, terrifying news of the bloodthirsty slaughter perpetrated by Blood Tiger Luo Jiang echoed across the continent from various regions, plunging the Demonic Dragon Continent into widespread panic. Many people began fleeing toward the capital of the Demonic Dragon Empire, Demonic Dragon City, to escape the wrath of Blood Tiger Luo Jiang. They knew that within Demonic Dragon City resided the immensely powerful Celestial Demon Warriors, perhaps the only force capable of defeating the current Luo Jiang.

On an early morning in August, a faint ray of rosy light broke through the pale, fish-belly sky in the east. Demonic Dragon City, nestled centrally on the Demonic Dragon Continent and surrounded by mountains, welcomed a new day.

The streets were still bustling with people and carriages, showcasing an incomparable vibrancy and prosperity. The deep, sonorous ringing of a massive bell echoed through the quiet morning sky, lending this ancient city, amidst its liveliness, an air of subtle unease and disorder. It was the summons bell from the Imperial Palace, calling officials to court. All important officials within the city were expected to hasten to the palace upon hearing it.

Many people instinctively paused to watch and began murmuring amongst themselves, discussing the events of the past few days. The reappearance of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword was no longer a secret. The cities it had slaughtered with the sword now numbered over five: Zu Yun City, Zu Dun City, Lai Xing City, Luan City, and Zeng City. That demon wielding the Crimson Blood Demon Sword was marching steadily north, its target firmly fixed on Demonic Dragon City, the imperial capital of the Demonic Dragon Empire. Refugees pouring into Demonic Dragon City like a tide brought all sorts of the latest intelligence about this demon. This stirred a degree of anxiety among the city's residents, but the thought that the powerful Royal Celestial Demon Warriors guarded the Imperial City soon dispelled their unease.

Indeed, for centuries, those living in the Imperial City had grown accustomed to the protection of the Celestial Demon Warriors. History offered no account of any powerful fiend managing to breach the Imperial City walls, so worry seemed excessive. No matter how formidable Luo Jiang, wielding the Crimson Blood Demon Sword, might be, could he truly defeat the Royal Family’s strongest Celestial Demon Warriors?

Imperial City guards, clad in shining armor and swords drawn, patrolled with solemn expressions. The reappearance of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword had shaken the entire city, and as sworn protectors of the capital, they dared not be careless, fearing any mishap at this critical juncture. Yet, like most residents, they firmly believed that as long as the Celestial Demon Warriors remained, the Imperial City was safe. Still, their duty demanded absolute vigilance; who knew if some ill-intentioned individuals might have infiltrated the masses of refugees flooding into Demonic Dragon City?

The morning sun scattered its light across the land, first bathing the highest and largest hall in the Imperial Palace: the Palace of the Rising Sun (Chaoyang Gong). The roof of the palace was adorned with countless brilliant, multicolored golden spires that shimmered dazzlingly under the morning sun.

The Demonic Dragon Imperial Palace was comprised of nine primary palace complexes, encircling one another. At the center lay the largest, the Chaoyang Gong, while the other eight surrounded it like stars orbiting the moon, guarding it from all directions.

The nine palaces symbolized the Demonic Dragon Royal Family's mightiest nine luminaries, with the central Chaoyang Gong also known as the Sun Palace (Riyou Gong). The Sun was the head of the nine luminaries, symbolizing the incomparably noble Demonic Dragon Emperor, and it was the residence of successive Emperors.

The other eight palaces—Gold Luminary (Jinyao), Wood Luminary (Muyau), Water Luminary (Shuiyao), Fire Luminary (Huoyao), Earth Luminary (Tuyou), Kethu (Jidu), Rahu (Luohou), and Moon Luminary (Yueyao)—were each guarded by powerful Celestial Demon Warriors. However, due to years of continuous warfare, the Celestial Demon Warriors stationed in the five palaces of Jinyao, Muyau, Shuiyao, Huoyao, and Tuyou had all been dispatched to the front lines. Only the three Celestial Demon Warriors of Jidu, Luohou, and Yueyao remained to guard the palace.

Inside the Chaoyang Gong, a chilling silence reigned. Civil and military officials stood arrayed in two rows, all wearing grave expressions. The Demonic Dragon Emperor, Jiuyou Chongyang, sat high upon the Dragon Throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembly. The officials below seemed lost in thought, grappling with weighty decisions.

On the Black Sea front, particularly around the Isles of Misbi, the battles raged fiercely. The joint forces of the Demonic Dragon, Cang Yue, and three other nations found themselves unable to gain any advantage against the formidable Demon Sealing Mage Corps. Likewise, the Demon Sealing Empire made little headway on the Black Sea front; the stalemate had lasted for days. Now, both major allied factions had committed their full main forces to the front lines, when suddenly the news arrived: the Crimson Blood Demon Sword had reappeared on the continent. Furthermore, intelligence provided by the Yun Clan indicated that the sword’s reappearance was orchestrated by the Demon Sealing Brotherhood.

This clearly suggested that the reemergence of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword concealed a plot too dark to speak of.

“Your Majesty, consider this carefully. If the Celestial Demon Warriors leave the Imperial City, the capital’s defenses will be dangerously exposed. What contingency plan exists should an unforeseen incident occur?” The Right Prime Minister of the Demonic Dragon Empire, Tianhe, nearly eighty years old, was one of the most senior figures among the civil and military officials. Serving as Right Prime Minister for twenty years, he had been diligent and hardworking; the prosperity and wealth the Demonic Dragon Empire enjoyed owed much to his efforts. Perhaps due to the inherent cautious nature of a civil official, his habitual approach to all matters was steady advancement.

“Are we simply to let that madman cause havoc outside?” A figure stepped forward from the ranks of the military officials. This man was clad in golden armor, powerfully built, and without a helmet. Judging by his appearance, he was in his prime, around forty, with a rugged, stern face—the Commander of the Imperial City Guard, responsible for the public order of the Demonic Dragon Empire’s capital—Ming Jianhao.

On the Dragon Throne, Jiuyou Chongyang pondered deeply before stating, “Luo Jiang must be eliminated quickly, or the Demonic Dragon Empire will be utterly overturned by him.” Saying this, Jiuyou Chongyang looked toward Jidu on his left. “The task of eliminating Luo Jiang this time will be assigned to General Jidu.”

“Yes.” Jidu stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “Your subject will depart immediately to intercept and kill Luo Jiang!”

“Your Majesty, think again,” Tianhe urged. “Once General Jidu leaves the Imperial City, only Yueyao and Luohou, two Celestial Demon Warriors, will remain. For centuries, the Imperial City has maintained the protection of at least three Celestial Demon Warriors. Now only two remain. If the Celestial Demon Warriors of the enemy nation seize this chance to attack, what shall we do then?”

“Elder Prime Minister, there is no need to worry,” Jiuyou Chongyang declared. “Do not forget that I, too, am a Celestial Demon Warrior. Should the Demon Sealing Empire’s Celestial Demon Warriors dare to invade the Imperial City at this time, I will ensure they never return.”

“But!” Tianhe still wished to say more, but catching the dark expression on Jiuyou Chongyang’s face, he wisely closed his mouth.

................................

Within the Chaoyang Gong, the civil and military officials had long since dispersed, but Luohou, Yueyao, and the others remained respectfully by Jiuyou Chongyang’s side. Gazing out at the sky beyond the hall, Jiuyou Chongyang wore a look of deep worry. Not long ago, he had heard that Xingchen’s fate was uncertain after participating in the operation to seize the Crimson Blood Demon Sword in the Illusionary Realm.

According to intelligence analysis, Xingchen was likely doomed, a realization that made Jiuyou Chongyang bitterly regret his own rash decision.

For five hundred years, the Demonic Dragon Royal Bloodline had been strictly passed down one lineage, a highly unusual circumstance among the four royal families of the Mafa Continent. It meant that should anything happen to him or Shen Xu, the entire Demonic Dragon Empire could instantly collapse—a constant source of anxiety for Jiuyou Chongyang, and the deepest fear of many ministers and citizens. It was perhaps because of this vulnerability in the Royal Bloodline that numerous assassination plots targeting Shen Xu and Shen Yin had surfaced over the years. Just like the time Shen Yin traveled to Cang Yue to solidify the alliance between Cang Yue and the Demonic Dragon Empire, she was provoked and ambushed by radicals within Cang Yue. Fortunately, Shen Yin was blessed by fate; not only did she escape, but the misfortune turned into a blessing as she located the other branch of the exiled Demonic Dragon Royal Family—Xingchen.

Xingchen’s appearance injected much-needed vitality into the sparsely populated Demonic Dragon Royal Family, finally ending the predicament of succession through a single line generation after generation.

What brought even greater joy was that Xingchen had retained the purest Divine Gifted Bloodline. Moreover, this young man possessed the rare Demon Devouring Physique. With the most pristine Divine Gifted Bloodline of the Demonic Dragon Royal Family and a Demon Devouring Physique that rendered him immune to any magical attack, coupled with astonishing comprehension and talent, Xingchen became the ideal successor for the next Sun Celestial Demon Warrior of the Demonic Dragon Empire. With further tempering, Xingchen would one day become the strongest Celestial Demon Warrior of the Royal Family.

Imagine: a Celestial Demon Warrior clad in Celestial Demon Armor, utterly immune to magical attacks, capable of standing undefeated even against the mighty Celestial Rainbow Archmage. At that point, the Demonic Dragon Empire would surely be free from the subjugation by the Demon Sealing Empire that had persisted for five centuries. Every time he contemplated this future, Jiuyou Chongyang felt an uncontrollable excitement and urgency.

If such an outstanding bloodline were to unite with Shen Yin, Jiuyou Chongyang was certain that for at least three generations, the Demonic Dragon Empire would no longer fear the Celestial Rainbow Archmage of the Demon Sealing Empire. After all, over a thousand years ago, one individual possessing the Demon Devouring Physique had nearly wiped out the entire Demon Sealing Empire. How much more potent was the current Xingchen, who possessed not only the Demon Devouring protection but also the Divine Gift protection? Facing either Celestial Demon Warriors or Celestial Rainbow Archmages, he would hold an absolute advantage. Could a more perfect lineage be found on the continent? Yet, this treasure, capable of revitalizing the dynasty, had been jeopardized by one careless, hasty decision of his.

The current Jiuyou Chongyang wished he could smash his own head against something to knock himself senseless.

Yueyao and Luohou behind him understood Jiuyou Chongyang’s state of mind perfectly, but they also knew that words were useless now.

“It’s all that cursed old hag’s fault! If she hadn’t insisted on instigating me, how could I have let that boy go out to cause trouble alone?” Thinking of the Celestial Master’s self-assured prophecy from before, Jiuyou Chongyang longed to beat the old woman severely right then and there.

“Heh heh, this old body of mine cannot withstand much rough treatment,” as Jiuyou Chongyang pondered this, a figure entered the main hall—it was the Protector Celestial Master of the Demonic Dragon Empire, and one of the Three Great Heavenly Venerables—Jiuyou Zhuyue.

“Good for you, old hag, daring to show your face before me,” Jiuyou Chongyang suppressed the anger churning inside him and spoke in a low voice.

“Does Your Majesty truly believe the boy is dead?” Jiuyou Zhuyue chuckled lightly.

“What!” Jiuyou Chongyang felt a jolt in his heart. “Is he still alive?”

“Even if everyone in the world died, that boy would not,” Jiuyou Zhuyue said, approaching the Dragon Throne with a faint smile.

“Are you certain?” Jiuyou Chongyang was greatly energized, yet a trace of hesitation still lingered on his face. Regarding Jiuyou Zhuyue's skills, while she might lack in other areas, her ability for divination and prophecy was unparalleled.

Just like the last time; if Jiuyou Zhuyue hadn't urged him, Jiuyou Chongyang would never have agreed to let his precious daughter travel to the Cang Yue Continent as an envoy. Although the journey was fraught with peril, it unfolded exactly as Jiuyou Zhuyue had predicted: not only was she safe through the dangers, but she also brought back a valuable person—Xingchen.

In fact, after finding Xingchen, Jiuyou Chongyang strongly wished to keep him in the Demonic Dragon Imperial City, but he was stopped by Jiuyou Zhuyue. As for her reasons, Jiuyou Zhuyue never disclosed them, but her attitude was surprisingly resolute. Left with no choice, Jiuyou Chongyang bestowed upon Xingchen the title of Prince of Qin and allowed him to continue roaming freely outside.

“Indeed.” Facing Jiuyou Chongyang’s doubt, Jiuyou Zhuyue’s expression was one of absolute conviction.

“Very well, I shall trust you one more time,” Jiuyou Chongyang conceded helplessly. There was no point in regretting things now, surely. But since Jiuyou Zhuyue claimed Xingchen was fine, then he must be fine.

Ever since assuming the role of Celestial Master, Jiuyou Zhuyue’s prophecies had always been uncannily accurate, leading Jiuyou Chongyang to carefully consider her counsel whenever major decisions had to be made.

However, Jiuyou Chongyang and Luohou and the others were still consumed by worry: Where exactly was Xingchen at this very moment?