Now, the residents of cities across the North had mostly relocated to nearby military strongholds garrisoned by Celestial Demon Warriors. The three major northern cities—Luocheng, Shancheng, and Jiucheng—all housing Celestial Demon Warrior garrisons, were now swamped with refugees from various cities.

However, the transfer of the populace could not match the speed of military evacuation. Every day brought news of more refugees brutally murdered on the roads by the Blood Wolf Legion, and the number of razed cities and villages was staggering.

Instantly, a wave of panic swept across the entire Demon Sealing Continent. No one had anticipated that a single Nine Luminaries Divine True master, coupled with fifty thousand Blood Wolf Knights, could unleash such terrifying destructive power.

The entire Northern Continent, centered around Qila City, had been reduced to ruins within a thousand-mile radius. And all of this had transpired in a mere ten days.

No one dared imagine what the ultimate outcome would be if the Blood Wolf Legion were allowed to continue their rampage unchecked.

Inside the Imperial Palace, battle reports rained down like snowflakes. Moluo Yinsha, along with a host of legion generals and court ministers, were at their wit's end with worry.

The entirety of the Demon Sealing Continent was engulfed in terror, with everyone flinching at the mere mention of wolves.

Of course, the news had long since reached the Demon Dragon Continent.

In fact, ever since Xingchen captured Qila City, the secret pigeon-group spies planted by the Demon Dragon Continent had already transmitted the intelligence back.

Xingchen’s quiet departure from the palace immediately cast the entire Demon Dragon Royal Family into anxiety. Those who knew Xingchen well, like Jidu, could only surmise that he must have secretly infiltrated the Demon Sealing Continent, lying in wait to rescue Shenyin and Shenxu.

Thus, upon discovering Xingchen’s disappearance, Jiuyou Chongyang immediately dispatched Jidu to infiltrate the Demon Sealing Empire in secret.

For the first month or so, there was complete silence, leaving everyone unsure of what to do.

It was only ten days ago, when news of the massacre at Qila City reached them from the Demon Sealing Continent, that Jiuyou Chongyang and the others learned that Xingchen had not only arrived on the Demon Sealing Continent but had also linked up with the rebel forces there.

Over the following ten days, the Blood Wolf Legion rampaged like madmen, looting, burning, and killing. This news traveled back to the Demon Dragon Continent at top speed.

The entire Demon Dragon Continent erupted. Jiuyou Chongyang felt both startled and delighted. Who could have imagined that Xingchen, who had infiltrated alone, would cause such an uproar, essentially turning the Demon Sealing Continent upside down?

The citizens of their own nation, upon learning that their Crown Prince was demonstrating such valor deep behind enemy lines and wreaking havoc, cheered wildly and offered continuous praise. Morale in every military unit soared, and in the short time since clashing with the Moluo Alliance, their forces grew fiercer with every battle.

This morale boost extended to the entire Holy Word Alliance, as every warrior of the Alliance knew that the Demon Dragon Crown Prince, once famous in the Battle of Yuncheng, had returned to the Moluo Alliance’s lair, causing the armies across the Demon Sealing lands to retreat repeatedly and burning over a dozen cities!

The Blood Wolf Legion's scorched-earth policy—kill all, burn all, loot all—spread across the Mafa Continent. Although this style of warfare was brutally savage, there was no denying that it struck maximally at the arrogance of the Moluo Alliance.

Due to the Blood Wolf Legion’s destruction, Qila Port was reduced to ruins, indirectly severing the Demon Sealing Continent’s logistical supply lines to the Black Sea front. This plunged the Moluo Alliance armies into a desperate food shortage, though fortunately, the Moluo Alliance had more than one supply route.

Otherwise, this disruption alone would have been enough to spell utter doom for the Moluo forces at the Black Sea front.

Yet, amidst the pleasant surprise, there was more worry and apprehension. The Demon Sealing Empire was the Moluo Alliance’s central base. No matter how powerful Xingchen was, he could not shake their foundation. Soon enough, once the major legions stationed on that continent reacted, his good times would surely end. Indeed, Jiuyou Chongyang and the others had just received the latest battle reports from the Demon Sealing Empire: Moluo Aotian was already leading the Aotian Legion north to encircle and crush the Blood Wolf Legion.

Inside the Quiet Heart Hall!

Jiuyou Chongyang paced back and forth anxiously. In the time since his ascension, this was the first time anyone had seen him so distraught.

"In half a month at most, the Tengshe Legions stationed across the Demon Sealing Continent will form a triangular pincer formation around the three major cities—Luocheng, Shancheng, and Jiucheng—trapping the Blood Wolf Legion near Qila City. Once the Aotian Legion arrives, His Highness Shenzhen will be in grave danger," reported the Pigeon Group steward, wiping the cold sweat beading on his forehead while relaying the latest situation from the Demon Sealing Continent.

"Has any message come from Jidu?" Jiuyou Chongyang asked.

"He should reach Qila City in another five days."

In truth, according to the timeline, Jidu should have arrived on the Demon Sealing Continent even earlier than Xingchen. After all, Jidu had infiltrated secretly through clandestine channels. The Demon Dragon Empire maintained numerous intelligence gathering points on the Demon Sealing Continent, allowing Jidu to slip into the Demon Sealing Empire easily with the arrangement of intelligence personnel. However, Jidu had gone directly to the capital, Demon Sealing City, believing that since Xingchen intended to rescue Jiuyou Shenyin, he would inevitably show up in Demon Sealing City sooner or later.

Regrettably, after waiting for over half a month, Xingchen never appeared. Instead, the news arrived that Xingchen was actually in Qila City—a shock that filled Jidu with both surprise and joy!

Jidu secretly breathed a sigh of relief that Xingchen had not rashly charged into the Imperial Palace.

However, the stir Xingchen caused this time was immense. Jidu had no choice but to rush to Qila City overnight. Being within the Demon Sealing Continent, Jidu naturally couldn't utilize swift transport like the Thunder Eagle; he had no option but to travel by horseback.

"Five more days," Jiuyou Chongyang sighed. "That boy, he is truly reckless. To act so openly as a Prince, doing whatever he pleases on another nation’s soil—isn't that practically inviting pursuit?"

"His Highness Shenzhen is not rash," Luo Hou interjected. "Given his cultivation, even if he ran into a Celestial Demon Warrior from the Aotian Legion, escaping shouldn't be difficult." Luo Hou continued, "Furthermore, judging by the news from the past ten days, His Highness’s actions, while seemingly insane, have avoided direct confrontation with the main Demon Sealing armies; there shouldn't be much danger."

"I am not worried about that part," Jiuyou Chongyang countered. "My only concern is that once Moluo Yinsha learns that Shenzhen has shown himself on the Demon Sealing Continent, she absolutely won't let this rare opportunity pass. I fear she will use Shenyin to set a trap, one that Shenzhen will walk into even if he knows it's a snare."

"All we can do now is place our hopes in General Jidu," Yueyao worried. "As long as General Jidu can find His Highness Shenzhen in time, he should be able to stop him from acting recklessly."

"I fear that before that happens, the boy will already have been ambushed by Moluo Yinsha," Jiuyou Chongyang murmured.

"......................." Among the assembly, only the Crone, Jiuyou Zhuyue, remained completely composed.

"Old woman, say something!" Jiuyou Chongyang urged in exasperation.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. His Highness Shenzhen will certainly bring back Their Highnesses Shenyin and Shenxu," the Crone replied with an air of absolute confidence.

Indeed, ever since the revolt of Blood Tiger Luo Jiang, the Crone had foreseen that the Royal Family would endure an earth-shattering calamity. The subsequent invasion of the palace by the Blazing Flame Legion had proven her earlier prophecy correct.

Yet, no matter how powerful the Crone was, she could not fully pierce the veil of all future truths. Therefore, she could only strive her utmost to prevent disaster before it struck.

It was unfortunate that even though Jiuyou Chongyang drew the Blade of the Sovereign and repelled the Blazing Flame Legion’s invasion, the Princess and Crown Prince were still abducted by the Blazing Flame Legion in the end.

Perhaps this was what they called 'Man proposes, God disposes.'

But one could not deny that the Crone's prophecies were stunningly accurate! After all, the abduction of Shenxu and Shenyin certainly qualified as a catastrophe.

Now, the Crone’s composure brought a slight measure of calm to the agitated Jiuyou Chongyang, but Xingchen’s situation kept him intensely anxious. If even Xingchen fell into Moluo Yinsha’s hands, the entire Demon Dragon Empire would truly splinter.

The situation that had been painstakingly reversed recently would immediately revert to square one.

"Crone, what exactly did you see? Just tell us honestly," Yueyao, unable to bear the Crone’s feigned mystery any longer, finally broke.

"You wish to know," the Crone’s lips curved into a strange smile.

"......................." This time, it was Jiuyou Chongyang and the others who were greatly surprised. In the past, this old woman would never disclose what she saw; at most, she would simply state the conclusion derived from her analysis.

"You’re actually willing to speak?" Luo Hou’s eyes widened.

"I can tell you the Divine Oracle I witnessed," the Crone stated. "There are some parts I don't fully understand myself; perhaps you can make sense of them."

I must emphasize here that Xingchen's book is first published here; all other sources are pirated websites. I hope everyone will support the genuine version and the original author. If you cannot afford to subscribe, I only hope you can at least register an account and post some book reviews when you have time, to add some traffic to my review section, letting Xingchen know you support him. I would be eternally grateful for that. Otherwise, if Xingchen’s next book has nowhere to be found, and we lose touch, wouldn't that be a regret? New Book Group: 48855208. Looking forward to your joining.

"Speak quickly! What exactly did you see?" Jiuyou Chongyang could no longer sit still.

"Very well, follow me!" The Crone turned and left the Quiet Heart Hall!

Inside the Celestial Master Hall!

Jiuyou Zhuyue knelt before the massive magical array with profound reverence, hands clasped. His lips moved slightly, emitting faint, low chants. The sound was ethereal and distant, as if originating from infinite, ubiquitous yet untraceable voids. As the chanting gradually clarified, the runes within the array seemed to awaken, beginning to circle the central formation incessantly. Subsequently, numerous luminous runes flew toward the sacred mirror at the center. When the light subsided, only a segment of clear text remained within the mirror.

The ancient barrier has been awakened by spiritual blood. The end of the void is the gate to another realm! The homeland of the Dragon has sent forth the Demon’s Child! Fires burning out mark the Phoenix’s rebirth. A blood-red horn signals the start of a new chapter. The Nine Hells are filled with countless spirits of the dead. The desert and the forest have become the homeland of the Wolf. The deep sea shall turn into the world of the Flood Dragon. Black banners will plant themselves in every corner. The Demon’s Child will bring back the God’s Children.

"This is the Divine Oracle!" Jiuyou Chongyang exclaimed excitedly. "The Demon’s Child will bring back the God’s Children."

"No mistake! His Highness Shenzhen can surely bring back Their Highnesses Shenyin and Shenxu!" Luo Hou exclaimed. Although many parts were incomprehensible, the final sentence was crystal clear to everyone.

"But why does it say His Highness Shenzhen is the Demon’s Child?" Yueyao murmured.

"This is also what has puzzled me for a long time," the Crone replied.

"And what about the black banners?" Luo Hou looked equally bewildered. "Black represents death, destruction, and ill omen."

"Fires burning out mark the Phoenix’s rebirth," Jiuyou Chongyang seemed to have an epiphany. "After the death of Jielie, Shenzhen succeeded him to the Fire Luminaries Celestial Demon Armor. In ancient times, the Fire Luminaries also referred to the Vermilion Bird, the Phoenix. It seems this passage speaks of Shenzhen becoming the new generation's Fire Luminaries Celestial Demon."

"The blood-red horn must refer to the Blood Wolf Legion," Yueyao said excitedly.

"What follows?" Jiuyou Chongyang looked to the Crone.

"This is all that can be seen now," the Crone looked exhausted. Consulting the Divine Oracle clearly consumed a great deal of her spiritual energy. "Your Majesty, can you rest easy now?"

"Yes!" Jiuyou Chongyang stated solemnly. "Since the Oracle has given a clear indication, we should not overthink it. For now, all war zones must intensify their offensives against the Moluo Alliance. Let us launch an inside-out pincer attack with Shenzhen, throwing the Demon Sealing Empire into chaos."

Simultaneously, in contrast to the Imperial Palace!

"I never thought this Jiuyou Shenzhen was so formidable, single-handedly infiltrating the Demon Sealing Continent and throwing the entire place into such turmoil." Jianxing stared distractedly at the horizon, holding the battle report.

"Your Majesty, this presents an opportunity. The Blood Wolf Legion and Jiuyou Shenzhen have managed to establish a foothold on the Demon Sealing Continent," Jianhuan suggested. "Since we have also sent Celestial Demon Warriors to infiltrate, why don't we have them join forces with Jiuyou Shenzhen to stir up even more chaos on the Demon Sealing Continent, causing Moluo Yinsha's home base to catch fire and leaving her overwhelmed."

"Haha, an excellent plan," Jianxing couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Moluo Yinsha must be spitting blood from anger right now."

"The only concern is that before our people can establish contact with Jiuyou Shenzhen, the Blood Wolf Legion might be wiped out by the Aotian Legion," Jianhuan worried.

"It won't be that easy. While the Aotian Legion is formidable, locking down and surrounding the Blood Wolf Legion in a short time is impossible," Jianxing countered. "My real worry is that Moluo Yinsha, that old hag, certainly won't just stand by and watch Jiuyou Shenzhen do as he pleases."

"I fear she will use Jiuyou Shenyin and Jiuyou Shenxu as bait to set a trap," Jianhuan said gravely. "That would be very troublesome. Judging by the lengths Jiuyou Shenzhen went to risk infiltration alone on the Demon Sealing Continent, the bond between those siblings must be extraordinary."

"Indeed," Jianxing remarked with emotion. "Let's hope he doesn't act too impulsively."

"..........." Looking at Jianxing's look of deep feeling, Jianhuan, who had accompanied him for many years, understood exactly what Jianxing was thinking.

The royal family of Bichi was flourishing, with nine Princes and ten Princesses in this generation. In terms of aptitude, each Prince was a peerless prodigy, and their intellect far surpassed that of ordinary children.

However, the struggle for the succession had forced these Princes to learn scheming and political maneuvering from childhood. Jianxing had never experienced the simple joys of fatherhood; even interactions between father and sons were fraught with calculated moves and mutual suspicion.

In contrast, the Demon Dragon Royal Family, despite being sparsely populated, had never suffered succession troubles for its monarchs, and the affection between fathers and children deeply envied Jianxing.

Perhaps this was what balance meant. Heaven was truly fair; large populations brought their own forms of misery, while sparse populations were not necessarily a bad thing. Among the Four Nations, although the Demon Dragon Empire’s national strength was waning, its internal stability was unmatched by the other three.

The enthronement of every Demon Dragon monarch had never triggered any shift in power or major political turmoil; in terms of loyalty, the Demon Dragon Empire’s Celestial Demon Warriors, Celestial Rainbow Mage Gods, and Heavenly Venerable Daoists were also superior to those of other nations. In the Demon Dragon Empire, the relationship between ruler and subject was more akin to a deeply human connection, rather than the strictly hierarchical structure coupled with underlying suspicion found in the other three nations. This harmonious trust, where ruler and subject were as one body and spirit, was envied by all nations. It could be said that the Emperor of the Demon Dragon Empire was the happiest emperor, and his subjects the most contented. Everyone knew their roles, and fulfilling their duties meant they had nothing to fear; suspicion seemed alien to their interactions.

This was the fundamental reason why the Demon Dragon Royal Family, despite its decline, had remained firmly established: the astonishing cohesion of the Demon Dragon Empire.

Conversely, the change of regime in the other three nations was almost always accompanied by bloodshed and slaughter. Jianhuan, who managed the intelligence of the Pigeon Group, knew the brutal reality of this better than anyone.

A touch of helpless bitterness flickered across Jianxing's grim face. One’s own children are always the best, but at this moment, Jianxing had to admit that in terms of educating their progeny, the Demon Dragon Royal Family had done a far better job than the other three nations.