Chapter 183 - Great Merciful Tribulation
A chorus of jeers from the demon horde filled the air, their excitement palpable.
"You wretched beast, you've stained my honor!" Si Muyou pushed herself to her feet, her eyes now bloodshot with anger.
Her entire life, she'd been a beacon of purity and grace. She couldn't stomach the humiliation she'd just endured. Envisioning the disappointed faces of her fellow countrymen, the shame of a person bested by a beast, she felt an overwhelming urge to die with honor.
With a thunderous roar, she ignored her grave injuries, whisking her Gust Dazzle Fan into action and charging at Moon Fairy like a cyclone of fire and rage. Though it looked like an ordinary fan, its edges were razor-sharp, making it as lethal as a battle axe.
SMASH SMASH SMASH! Her Wind Fire Tribulation Realm cultivation gave her an edge on the battlefield. With a single swing, her fan slashed at the forehead of the three-tailed fox.
She aimed to cleave the contemptible creature in two. Yet, to her dismay, striking the fox felt like smashing another Galaxy grade treasure. Sparks flew as the fox was sent hurtling backward, yet it landed gracefully. Only a single scratch marred its forehead.
Staggering, Si Muyou spat a mouthful of dark blood, her once-pristine robes now drenched in crimson. Typically, an enchanting fox demon would have a vulnerable physique. Why then was this one so impossibly tough? Even in her weakened state, her Gust Dazzle Fan should have easily split the fox's head open.
A rift of disbelief tore through Si Muyou's heart. She clenched her teeth, disregarding her injuries, and lunged at Moon Fairy once more, blood trailing in her wake.
"Why do you resist? You're already beaten," Moon Fairy's voice was cold and indifferent.
"This is the battlefield of my people. I bear the hopes of an entire nation. There's no surrender, only death!" Si Muyou charged, leaving a trail of blood behind.
Moon Fairy's eyes narrowed. In a swift move, the three tails of the fox swept forward, snatching Si Muyou's Gust Dazzle Fan and entangling her. Severely weakened from blood loss, she was at her limit.
"My apologies, but as long as I'm here, you won't die."
Having said that, Moon Fairy swiftly gathered all the War of Immortal Jades on her and with a swift flick, tossed her off the golden arena.
Gazing at the young girl sprawled and bloodied on the ground, he murmured, "I'm sorry. I needed a grand victory against humanity..."
A win to climb higher among the demonic ranks and gain more support! Si Muyou wouldn't die; she'd just lost.
"You might've won, but humanity will triumph! Just you wait..."
The Three-Tailed Demon Fox, now alone on the platform, slowly transformed into a silver-haired human.
Many human participants from the Spirit Treasure Immortal Empire already surrounded Si Muyou, tending to her injuries. Moon Fairy had been careful with her strike, harming but not maiming.
Yet, what couldn't be denied was this. She was the first of the sixteen seeded prodigies to be defeated by a challenger!
With her golden War of Immortals Jade and all the ones she had won previously in his grasp, Moon Fairy's name shot up to the fifteenth position on the Ascension Board!
Demon Continent - Moon Fairy: 111 pts!
Though he was a demon from the Divine Continent, he was now representing the Demon Continent due to a switch in the War of Immortal Jades. And just like that, another spot in the top sixteen on the Ascension Board was claimed by the Demon Continent.
Toppling an Immortal prodigy was what the demons had hoped for from the start of this conflict. And now, Moon Fairy had become the first hero of the Demon Continent!
"Moon Fairy!" This name, replacing the earlier champion Yun Xiao, was now the talk of the Heavenly Realm!
This sub realm currently housed tens of millions of demons, and just earlier, Yun Xiao's display of power with his Sword Rings was a slap to the Demon Continent's face, much to their collective frustration.
Now, their time had come to roar and cheer! Some even transformed back to their demonic forms, howling in ecstasy. For a moment, the battlefield resembled a dance floor of wild, jubilant demons.
Finally, it was the demons' turn to revel in victory!
"Our Demon Continent is a treasure trove of talent! Not just Emperors and Empresses, but even the most ordinary of beasts rise to power!"
Numerous demons gazed fervently at Moon Fairy, chanting and cheering, echoing the same praises the humans had earlier sung for Yun Xiao. This felt like sweet revenge!
"You lot celebrating a tad much, aren't ya? Wasn't this same Moon Fairy beaten to tears by Yun Xiao just days ago at the Spirit Treasure Palace?"
"How hilarious!"
A few disgruntled human cultivators quipped.
Witnessing the anguish of Si Muyou, their hearts ached.
"So what if we've tasted defeat? Who can claim they've never lost? In just two days, Moon Fairy has risen against the heavens. His future will surely surpass Yun Xiao's!" the demons shouted with fury.
"Yeah, right! Let's see how they fare when they face each other!"
For a moment, the entire Heavenly Realm was abuzz with debate.
Humans and demons argued fiercely over these two new prodigies, their faces flushed with passion. Regardless of the debate, the morale of the Demon Continent was visibly lifted.
With all eyes on them, Moon Fairy on the golden arena glanced towards the direction of the Team Battle. He pointed defiantly, his face twisted with emotion, declaring to the crowd, "Yun Xiao, you'd best stay alive till tomorrow! The disgrace at the Spirit Treasure Palace will be repaid tenfold!"
Everyone knew that the Sword Ring from the revered fox ancestor still hung from Yun Xiao's blade. The implication was clear.
"The rise of a human and demon star!"
"If both of these prodigies survive the next two days, they'll surely become fated adversaries..."
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On another golden arena stage, a young girl dressed in black once again dominated an opponent who had reached the Perfect Wind Fire Tribulation Realm.
"Boring, just trash!" She wiped the blood from her hands, her frustration evident. "If that little fox doesn't come back soon, I swear I'll castrate him!"
As the young girl in black grumbled, a thunderous roar echoed from nearby. She paused, looking in the direction of the sound. On the neighboring stage, a silver-haired young man smiled at her, giving her a playful wave.
The girl in black blinked, thinking she'd seen wrong. She glanced up at the Ascension Board...
"Damn it!" After letting out an expletive, she gazed at Moon Fairy, a smirk forming on her lips. "This little fox is quite entertaining, isn't he?"
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At the Ascension Gate, a bustling discussion ensued among the 108 saints. Many of them had gathered around Lady Hua Lian.
"How did he soar to such heights?" Awe was evident in the eyes of the Ape Saint. Just days ago, he had witnessed Moon Fairy in action.
"I've tested him. His compatibility with the Desolate Essence is indeed... exceptional," Lady Hua Lian whispered, surrounded by the assembly of Demon Saints.
"To what extent?" came the envious queries.
"Perhaps... on par with a Demon Emperor," Lady Hua Lian ventured.
"By that logic, our Demon Continent might see another Demon Emperor in a few years," one of the Demon Saints mused, a passionate flame burning in their hearts. Their envious gazes towards Lady Hua Lian intensified.
"Congratulations, Lady Hua Lian. Kudos to the Fox Clan."
"The Fox Clan has never birthed a Demon Emperor before. If you raise one, your merit will be boundless, Lady Hua Lian."
Yet amidst the praise, Lady Hua Lian felt a flutter of anxiety. As expected, soon after, a voice whispered in her ear, "Lady Hua Lian, the Eclipse Demon Emperor wishes to see you."
Rising gracefully, her cherry blossom dress trailing behind, Lady Hua Lian momentarily departed the Ascension Gate. After weaving through numerous streets, she entered a secluded palace.
Inside the dimly lit hall, a raven-haired young man sat, his eyes as dark as the moonless night, looking down at Lady Hua Lian.
"I greet you, Eclipse Emperor," Lady Hua Lian said, her voice trembling slightly as she knelt.
"Give me a concise account of this Primeval Demon, Moon Fairy. His past, nature, and encounters," the young man in black commanded impassively.
"Yes, Demon Emperor," Lady Hua Lian began, looking up slightly. "Moon Fairy was born in the Demon Continent, raised by me since he was young. He is resilient..."
"Not your own child, I presume?" The Eclipse Demon Emperor's cold smirk cut her off.
Lady Hua Lian lowered her gaze, whispering, "No." She lied. If they believed Moon Fairy to be a foreign demon with humble origins, feeling no allegiance to the Demon Continent, he might not be trusted.
Within the Fox Clan, only a handful of fox demons knew the origins of Moon Fairy. Before her arrival, she had already discreetly dealt with them. A mistrusted prodigy was always in peril. She was well-aware of the consequences if her deceit was unveiled... and it wouldn't be pretty. Yet, she was willing to risk it.
"Exceptional talent in this Primeval Demon, and a strong bond with you. Raised by you, his roots are pure. This Moon Fairy, he can be nurtured as a Demon Prince," a chilly female voice emanated from behind the black-haired boy.
There, a vibrant red lotus bloomed, deeply rooted in a man's lifeless heart.
"Thank you, Red Lotus Demon Empress," Lady Hua Lian said, only just realizing the presence of the other. She bowed even deeper, beads of cold sweat forming on her back.
"After the grand tournament, bring him to see me," the black-haired boy, with a faint arch of his brow, said nonchalantly. "I shall... train him."
"Yes, I thank the two Demon Emperors on behalf of my apprentice," Lady Hua Lian replied, lightly bowing three times.
"You may not wish to bear offspring, hindering the Fox Clan's lineage, but if you can raise a Demon Prince, your contributions shall outweigh your shortcomings," the Red Lotus Demon Empress remarked.
"For the Demon Continent, I shall spare no sacrifice..." In the shadows, the woman with cherry blossom dress, hair cascading down like scattered petals, looked ethereal.
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Back on the first square in the Team Battle, another fight had started! Another team vanquished! Chen Jin and his comrades were on the brink of tears. The moment their formation activated, the four of them barely caught a glimpse of their adversaries before Yun Xiao's Flying Sword wiped them out in one fell swoop!
Several rounds of battles had ensued, and none of them had even claimed a single opponent. Although dubbed a five-man squad battle, it felt as though they had merely shown up to spectate.
Originally tasked with protecting one main player, the onset saw Yun Xiao flaunting his skills wildly, granting the four of them the privelege of front-row seats to his prowess...
Now, another wave of challengers was approaching!
As Yun Xiao reveled in the thrill of the slaughter, eager to tear through the competition, a subtle change crossed his face.
"Blue Star, the Wind Fire Tribulation you mentioned, where flesh gives birth to wind and bones ignite fire, and the tribulation emerges from within the body, is that right?" Yun Xiao inquired.
Having already passed through three rounds of the Wind Fire Tribulation using Moon Fairy's Body Double, he figured he'd be familiar with it.
"Right, why do you ask?" Blue Star stared in bewilderment.
"I sense the arrival of my very first Wind Fire Tribulation, but why isn't there any wind or fire inside me?" Yun Xiao's voice quivered slightly, revealing a hint of anxiety.
"How can that be? Where did the Wind Fire Tribulation go?" Blue Star exclaimed, dumbfounded.
"Eh?" Yun Xiao felt something peculiar overhead. He instinctively looked up and muttered, "Oh hell!"
Above, two immense, looming clouds spanned the sky, each stretching for miles. One was a swirling tempest, while the other blazed with fierce flames.
"What on earth is that?" Yun Xiao's voice trembled.
Blue Star squeezed out from his embrace and, upon gazing skyward, shuddered uncontrollably.
"Good Lord!"
"What's going on?" Yun Xiao felt increasingly overwhelmed.
"You've grown too freakishly fast. You've been targeted by the Dao Realm's rules, hitting you with a Great Merciful Tribulation!" Blue Star explained.
"Dao Realm's rules? Have I been exposed?" Yun Xiao blinked in confusion.
"Not exactly. More like it's fool-proof detection."
Yun Xiao sighed in relief. "Well, that's a relief."
"Relief? This is an Immortal ascension tribulation. It could blow the entire Heavenly Realm to smithereens! It's lethal enough to end you a billion times over!" Blue Star snapped.
Yun Xiao was left speechless.
Red Moon wailed dramatically. "Talents often die young. Alas, he was just sixteen!"
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