Chapter 190 - As long as Yun Xiao's Protected, We Are Invincible
Night fell. In the Ancestral Temple, within a vast and dark hall, shrouded in black mist and heavy with demonic aura, sat 108 Demon Saints, solemn and heads bowed. Among them, some bared elongated fangs, their veins bulging in fierce agitation.
Before them were three esteemed seats. On the left, a seductively dangerous woman wreathed in bloody blossoms; on the right, a young man with hair trailing to the floor.
The central throne, however, was empty but for a swirling mist of green, within which lurked a worm, as thick as an arm, with a fist-sized, oily green eye.
"This is the decree from the Forbidden Fate Demon Emperor," an old man in a black robe croaked, his voice raspy. "That's all he sent." His words fell into a prolonged silence, the thick air of bloodlust swirling among the demon ranks. Sorrow, rage, and defiance brewed in their crimson eyes.
"Disaster fell from the heavens, ravaging our kind. Such injustice! What a hard life we lead," lamented the green mist creature in an ancient, mournful voice. "Alas, our fleeting existence. Born into confusion, lacking what others have by birthright, forsaken by the heavens, we cling to our carnal desires, struggling nine deaths for one life's advancement, all for a mere foothold in this world. Why must the heavens be so cruel..."
"A merciless heaven!"
Even the Demon Saints mourned, hearts filled with bitterness and resentment.
"We demons are born into hardship and cold. Our race struggles to awaken their intelligence. We start off lacking in everything. Yet, we are still the envy of the heavens, receiving divine punishment. Where is justice in this world?
"The humans are born in the fertile lands of the Divine Continent. They're blessed with ease, natural intelligence, and their path to enlightenment is smooth and untroubled. Such lackadaisical spirits, yet the heavens not only grant them endless immortal energy but also destroy our Demon Continent for them. Who can respect such a heaven?
"Humans and demons, both are seekers on the path of enlightenment. Why elevate one and crush the other? The heavens betray us, and we shall not sit idly by. If the heavens are unjust, we shall defy them! If the gods are unrighteous, we shall destroy them!"
The demons roared in fury, their anger burning like wildfire in their chests.
The black-clad youth on the throne rose, his eyes a fierce red. "So be it! The extermination of the Divine Continent's human race is a fate forced upon us by the heavens, not a sin of our demon kind! Why honor the heavens when they deceive us?"
His cold gaze swept over the crowd, his voice icy with resolve. "Tell me, among you 108 Demon Saints, is there anyone who harbors sympathy for the enemy, spouting righteousness and morality? To annihilate the human race and claim the fertile lands of the Divine Continent was our ancestors' command. Since the ancient wars, we've delayed too long, and every mother of the Demon Continent bears this sin. Had we conquered the Divine Continent earlier, why would our kin suffer now?"
"Right! We should have devoured the Divine Continent long ago!"
One by one, the Demon Saints stood, their eyes alight with unified purpose. Any dissent at this point would be treasonous, punishable by death.
"The Forbidden Fate Demon Emperor has already begun mobilizing troops. Once assembled..." the old serpent demon said excitedly, "you can coordinate from within and remotely. Just capture the Heavenly Realm, slay the Divine Dawn Empress, and the other four Immortal Empires, leaderless, will crumble in due time!"
The Demon Continent, at its strongest since the ancient wars, was on the brink of something monumental. "Tonight, at the Sword Dao Monument event, the war between the Divine Continent and Demon Continent begins anew. Do we still need to compete in the chaotic talent contest?" the Ape Saint asked, bowing to the three Demon Emperors.
"We'll decide after seeing the Sword Dao Monument," Lotus replied, then turned to the green mist creature beside her. "Gu Emperor, any final word on the Divine Dawn Empress's background? It's unrelated to the Endless Netherworld, right?"
The creature's eyes flickered with a sinister light. "It's certain she has no ties to the Endless Netherworld. And I've just found a lead that, if verified, will render her unthreatening."
"Oh? How will you verify it?" asked the black-haired youth, his voice chilling.
"Simple," the green mist replied coolly. "Tonight, at the War of Immortals, a suspected Divine Dawn Empress's double might enter. We'll stir up trouble outside. If she rushes out, we'll have our answer."
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In the palace of the Divine Dawn Empress, a regal figure in dragon robes sat majestically on the throne, surrounded by eight masked figures.
"The crisis in the Demon Continent was an unforeseen complication," the Divine Dawn Empress spoke, her voice deep, with blood-colored thunder swirling across her face. Electric sparks flowed from her, dancing along the throne, carpet, and coiling around the dragon pillars, even entwining the lanterns and candles, making the flames and electric serpents leap together.
"This unexpected turn, coupled with the sudden surge in the Divine Continent's spiritual energy, has undoubtedly pushed the demons to desperation. Their ambition to invade the Divine Continent will now unite them like never before, bolstering the resolve of the demon army dramatically," the second shadowy figure remarked, slightly stooped with age.
"These developments are favorable but ill-timed," the Divine Dawn Empress mused, gazing at the darkened sky outside. "However, the ambitions of the Demon Continent are well-known. These changes only alter the timeline."
Initially, it was the Divine Dawn Empress who steadily advanced the war, but now it seemed the demon army might strike first.
"It will take at least a day or two for the Demon Continent to mobilize its forces, and we are already prepared for battle. The recent heavenly catastrophe reduced a third of the demon army's strength, significantly narrowing the gap between our forces," the second figure added, looking up at the Divine Dawn Empress with determination. "The key to the war between the Divine Continent and Demon Continent lies in the duel between the Demon Emperors. Your Majesty, by slaying Eternal Joy, you've eased the pressure, but facing four adversaries still..."
"Leave it to me," the Divine Dawn Empress said calmly, her tone imbued with immense confidence, inspiring the eight masked figures with renewed belief and fervor.
"All hail the Divine Dawn Empress!"
Their eyes shone with intense admiration.
"Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth," the Divine Dawn Empress addressed the last three figures, "along with Ninth, take the Thunder Essence and protect Yun Xiao. With you four guarding him, even if the Forbidden Fate Demon Emperor attacks, your initial defense will ensure his safety."
The eight shadows nodded, slightly taken aback by the order.
Today, Yun Xiao ascended to the top of the Ascension Board, showcasing his exceptional talent.
Though a year older than the Divine Dawn Empress, the people of the Divine Continent already viewed him as her successor, the future Emperor of the human race. But he was just a young prodigy. In these critical times, hiding would suffice. Why the need for such extensive protection? Why was he so crucial to the Divine Dawn Empress? They didn't understand.
Seeing their confusion, the Divine Dawn Empress smiled faintly. "All you need to know is that as long as he survives till tomorrow, I am invincible."
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Under the dim night sky, the decisive battle of the War of Immortals loomed, a quiet before the storm.
This usually bustling night was subdued by the news of the crisis in the Demon Continent, leaving the citizens of the Heavenly Realm with a sense of foreboding, unusually silent. The streets were mostly patrolled by the disciplined ranks of the Nine Heavens Immortal Army and the Heavenly Realm's guards.
In this eerie, deep night, Moon Fairy and two women approached the solemn and fortified Ancestral Temple. Once a sacred site for Heavenly Realm's clans, it was now a den for demons.
The two women were Lady Hua Lian, silent and ghost-like, with a melancholic gaze and pale lips, and the black-clad, vivacious Tian Lu, now arm-in-arm with Moon Fairy, her youthful energy vibrant in every giggle and pout.
"Little fox, let me see your ears!" Tian Lu playfully parted his silver hair, revealing a pink fox ear, her eyes lighting up. "Wow, pink! So cute!"
Moon Fairy looked down and smiled. "Your little black dog ears are pretty cute too."
"Presumptuous!" the black-clad girl glared at him, her canine teeth slightly bared, her tone fierce. "You are my servant. I may tease you, but you're not to judge me."
"Yes." Moon Fairy nodded obediently.
"You defied me today, and I haven't settled that with you yet! From now on, be good and do as I say. Understand?" she said, tugging at his ear with a hint of dominance.
"Understood, Master," Moon Fairy replied calmly.
"Hehe! Calling me 'master' without being told first? Good! Good!" She continued, arm in arm with him. "Perform well at my brother's place. Your future hinges on this."
"I'll try." Moon Fairy glanced at her profile. The small canine teeth, her bright, sparkling dark eyes, she did possess a lively charm. "She's quite cute, pity she's a dog," he mused to himself.
"Do you like my Desolation Armor?" Tian Lu twirled, her skirt whirling into black flames, transforming her into a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Desolation Armor, a demon's treasure, embedded with raw Desolate Essence. It also served as clothes, making transforming between human and demon forms convenient. Indeed, it appeared demons had civilized, moving beyond beastly instincts.
"Ordinary armor, but on you, it's a masterpiece," Moon Fairy complimented.
Lady Hua Lian, trailing behind, didn't hear this, or she might have exploded with envy.
"Really?" the girl blushed slightly at his words. "You have good taste! This is a high quality Desolation Armor, imbued with seven top-tier elements, specially worn for slaughtering humans in a few hours!"
"Oh? Then I wish you triumphant success, Master," Moon Fairy said, eyeing the armor enviously.
As they spoke, a dark temple loomed ahead.
The black-clad girl pulled Moon Fairy inside, then called out to a young man in black robes seated above, "Brother, I've brought him! Use him as you wish, don't be polite on my account!"
Moon Fairy's face remained calm, but a cold tide surged in his eyes.
"Moon Fairy, at your service, Eclipse Demon Emperor."
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