As Mu Canglang hesitated, he was struck by a sword aura from Feng Zikang that pierced through the five-colored light, hitting his shoulder. Blood exploded outwards, and he was sent flying back!
"Disciple Canglang, you have the leisure to wander in your thoughts during battle. It seems you are determined to make me your master!"
Feng Zikang laughed loudly, clearly delighted.
"No need for your concern!" Mu Canglang sprang into the air. His face was icy cold; he had been briefly weighing whether to use the treasure bestowed upon him by the Venerable One, and in that flicker of thought, Feng Zikang had exploited the opening.
He let out a cold snort, his hands waving as the five-colored light enveloped his body, simultaneously defending against Feng Zikang’s sword light and gradually healing his wound.
Feng Zikang frowned. This Five-Colored Light divine ability of Mu Canglang was incredibly troublesome—it could attack, defend, and heal. Such an all-in-one ability was the most difficult to counter; capable in every aspect, yet formidable in each, truly not something easily overcome.
Relying on this single divine ability, Mu Canglang possessed extreme staying power in sustained combat.
For a demon who had cultivated to the Core Condensation stage, this was hardly unexpected fortune.
Feng Zikang’s initial strike was thwarted, but he showed no mercy, following up with continuous sword flashes.
Mu Canglang responded calmly. Though he retreated step by step, the five-colored light never diminished, rendering Feng Zikang helpless against him.
Seeing that a long fight was inevitable, Feng Zikang sneered and, seizing a moment, unleashed Dragon’s Defiance. With just a single sweep, it shattered Mu Canglang's five-colored light and slammed heavily into his chest.
"What!"
Mu Canglang reeled from the blow of Dragon’s Defiance, immediately ensnared by five serpentine dragon claws. His expression changed drastically!
He, too, was a demon who had cultivated for a thousand years, and he naturally recognized this ancient, strange species.
"Five-Clawed Divine Dragon!"
This mythical beast, said only to exist in legends, was actually appearing in Feng Zikang’s hands! Mu Canglang could clearly see this was no mere illusory manifestation of a divine ability, but a tangible, actual object!
"You, you managed to survive the assault of the Mad Demon Authority Method because of this!"
Mu Canglang questioned loudly, filled with shock and anger.
If he possessed such a divine beast, victory would naturally be assured everywhere. Mu Canglang suddenly felt as if he had stumbled into a conspiracy; if Feng Zikang held the Divine Dragon, how could he possibly be his opponent?
His face darkened, and he once again gripped his Qiankun Pouch.
"He is indeed bringing out his trump card!"
Feng Zikang had already discerned from Mu Canglang’s behavior and expression that he held something back, though he couldn't fathom why he hadn't acted sooner, as if weighed down by some concern.
The reason Feng Zikang had released Dragon's Defiance so early was precisely to force Mu Canglang to use his hidden ace, avoiding unnecessary complications later!
"Very well. If you possess an ancient divine beast, do you think I lack a supreme artifact?"
Mu Canglang coldly laughed and swiftly retreated. Although he couldn't entirely shake off the entanglement of the Five-Clawed Divine Dragon, he managed to create some distance from Feng Zikang's pursuit. As he shook his body, a brilliant radiance erupted from above his head, emanating an aura of utter deadly coldness!
Feng Zikang felt a chill run through his entire body, and his expression changed dramatically!
※
On Eagle Wing Island in the Sea of No Return, a thousand miles away, the White Eagle King, who had been in secluded cultivation, suddenly opened his eyes.
"That treasure of the Netherworld Ascetic has finally been used..."
He sighed softly.
"With this deployed, there will be no room for turning back between the mortal realm and the Demon Race. Once the cultivation world of the Central Plains learns of this artifact’s existence, they will surely never let the matter rest."
The White Eagle King muttered to himself, his tone showing no respect whatsoever for the Netherworld Ascetic.
"The true great calamity of Heaven and Earth has only now begun!"
※
"This... this is..."
Feng Zikang watched as a colossal, ancient, and weathered banner rose above Mu Canglang's head, radiating an aura of murderous intent and majesty that compelled reverence yet instilled a deep fear, daring no one to approach!
Yet, from the entire mountain range, the cries of a hundred beasts erupted, mingling with the shrill calls of birds, all converging toward this single point.
"Impossible..."
Feng Zikang's face turned pale, not because the banner’s power was irresistible, but because he recalled the origin of this enormous banner!
"Indeed!"
Mu Canglang coldly snorted. "This is the Demon Summoning Banner."
Feng Zikang staggered back several paces as if struck by lightning. He raised his head, coldly scrutinizing this ancient harbinger of doom!
The notoriety of the Demon Summoning Banner stemmed not just from its boundless power, but more crucially, from the role it played in the Conferred Gods Calamity over a thousand years ago.
Legend held that a millennium ago, the empire of Cheng Tang was impregnable. Even with the wisdom of the Marquis of the West, Ji Chang, and the capability of his son, King Wu Ji Fa, shaking the iron-clad dynasty seemed impossible. At that time, King Zhou was surrounded by competent ministers and countless capable generals; the economy flourished, and the populace lived in stability—hardly the climate for a change of regime.
More importantly, King Zhou's royal aura had not waned, and the Fortune of the Cheng Tang lineage was not yet exhausted.
Under such circumstances, although the grand celestial decree had mandated the Conferred Gods Tribulation, how could King Wen, adept at divination and aware of the heavenly timing, throw himself into the flames by raising an army against Shang?
To ensure the downfall of the Shang Dynasty, the powers behind the scenes utilized this Demon Summoning Banner, leveraging the strength of the Demon Race.
They used the banner to summon the notorious Nine-Tailed Fox, Daji, sending her into the palace to bewitch King Zhou, leading him to commit atrocities, slaughter loyal officials, ruin the court, and completely extinguish the King’s mandate.
However, this was not the banner's only purpose.
Just before Shang ultimately fell, the terrified Demon Race discovered that they had become disposable pawns, doomed to perish alongside the dynasty. In their shock and fury, they used the Demon Summoning Banner again to gather the demons of the world, attempting to defy fate, restore the Shang, and resist the Zhou.
That battle was devastatingly brutal. The cultivators who had been smoothly siding with the Zhou suffered immense losses, and many individuals who shouldn't have been on the Investiture of the Gods list perished unjustly. This enraged the Three Dao Ancestors, who finally descended heavenly punishment, scattering the Demon Race into disarray. This final battle became the last straw that broke the back of the Primordial Wilderness.
From that point onward, the Primordial Wilderness, already fractured from the struggles of the Three Dao Ancestors, finally shattered, becoming a composite of countless Minor Realms.
Most people were unaware of the truth behind the Wilderness’s collapse, only seeing what their eyes perceived: that fierce battle between humans and demons. Thus, they came to regard the Demon Summoning Banner, which gathered the hordes of demons, as the ultimate malevolent artifact since antiquity! Now, what Mu Canglang displayed was precisely the Demon Summoning Banner!
This artifact had vanished after the Conferred Gods War, yet somehow it fell into the hands of the Netherworld Ascetic, who then passed it to Mu Canglang. It was intended for use only in dire emergencies, but due to coincidence and Feng Zikang's relentless pressure, it was deployed immediately upon Mu Canglang's arrival in the Central Plains!
This banner could summon demons from across the world, and it could also incite nearby birds and beasts, transforming them into demonic entities. Infected by demonic energy, they rushed forward like a tide. Feng Zikang launched his sword light, slaying them all!
"Not good!"
Feng Zikang’s heart tightened.
The longer the Demon Summoning Banner remained deployed, the greater its power. If left for a few days, it might summon all the great demons in the vicinity, and even ordinary creatures nearby would transform into demons—it would become an endless, unmanageable entanglement!
His only recourse was to defeat Mu Canglang swiftly and confiscate the banner to end the trouble!
However, enveloped by the banner’s power, Dragon’s Defiance couldn't get close either; it could only snarl fiercely at Feng Zikang, who stood sneering beneath the banner.
"Disciple Canglang, I never expected you to possess such a treasure," Feng Zikang chuckled lightly, feigning indifference.
"Hmph!"
Mu Canglang sneered back. "Feng Zikang, you are capable to force me to deploy the Demon Summoning Banner. But now that it is out, you are certainly no match for me! If you willingly dissolve our master-disciple pact and apologize to me, admitting defeat, I might spare your life?"
Maintaining the Demon Summoning Banner for an extended period was not only draining but also carried various recoil effects and incalculable consequences.
Since Mu Canglang had unleashed his ultimate weapon, placing himself in an unassailable position, he began laying down terms, expecting Feng Zikang to concede.
"Heh heh heh,"
Feng Zikang let out a soft laugh. "Disciple Canglang, even with the Demon Summoning Banner, victory is not guaranteed. Why be so absolute in your words?"
Mu Canglang roared with laughter, supremely confident in the banner, especially since it was a gift from the Netherworld Ascetic. He could not believe Feng Zikang, with his current strength, stood any chance of breaking through!
"Then come and try!"
His expression became stern, his gaze tinged with scorn.
"Try, then!"
Feng Zikang smiled calmly and sent out a streak of sword light aimed directly at Mu Canglang’s throat!
At this moment, Mu Canglang was completely shrouded beneath the shadow of the Demon Summoning Banner, leaving virtually no opening. The sword light made contact and immediately rebounded, nearly injuring Feng Zikang himself!
"Hahahaha!"
Mu Canglang laughed menacingly, his disdain obvious.
Feng Zikang flipped his body, evading his own rebounded sword light, and frowned slightly.
At this moment, Mu Canglang was less like himself and more like a vassal to the Demon Summoning Banner. Until he recalled the banner, his cultivation and divine abilities were useless; however, as the banner's wielder, he received protection from this ancient wonder.
As long as Mu Canglang did not recall the banner, its inherent protective seals would not cease.
Feng Zikang had tested its strength with a mere sword strike and knew that power was insufficient to breach the banner's defenses. But what about a full-force attack? Was there a chance?
There was no time to wait. Under the banner's influence, countless demons, fiends, and monsters were surging forward. If this was not resolved quickly, he would inevitably be drowned in a boundless ocean of monsters.
Even with supreme divine abilities, they would be inexhaustible to slay. He would surely be worn down and killed by these creatures.
Feng Zikang gritted his teeth and spoke, his voice strained. "Disciple Canglang, since you resort to this move, you cannot blame me! Several days ago, I finally comprehended a new technique whose power is unstable. If I happen to take your life, do not hold it against me!"
Mu Canglang’s expression shifted briefly before regaining its composure.
He didn't believe that under the protection of the Demon Summoning Banner, Feng Zikang still possessed the skill to harm him. He laughed loudly, his face wearing an expression of contemptuous dismissal.
"Feng Zikang, show me your sword! Your time is running short!"
Recommend "Sword God," where Dugu Qiubai travels across worlds, invincible under heaven!