Chapter 324: Blood Devil Shrine!
In the Endless Netherworld, a deep gorge witnessed the gathering of various powerful beings at the entrance to the Demon Continent, all abuzz with news from the Sword Ruins.
Hidden in the darkness, these powerhouses were seething with rage.
"That Exiled Sword Immortal, he's flirting with death!"
"And flaunting the Calamity Seal Sword as a trophy? That's like peeing on the face of the Calamity Seal Purgatory!"
As brows furrowed in concern, news of the early start of the Nine Hells Conquest Clash arrived.
"If the Inscription Cultivators don't attack the Sword Ruins tonight, are they planning to settle the score at the Nine Hells Conquest Clash?"
"Boring, let's get out of here!"
With their departure, the dangers lurking at the two major entrances to the Demon Continent were finally neutralized.
Near a cold pool, only Second Uncle remained.
Soon after, two more figures arrivedthe Lion Duke and a young woman.
She was tall and slender, with long legs, arched eyebrows, bright eyes, and cold yet stunning beauty. Her white skin was marked with feather-like patterns, and her aloof eyes carried the majesty of a sovereign of birds.
"Brother, this is Qing Ge," the Lion Duke introduced to Second Uncle.
"Everyone's gone. You can bring out that little fox now," Qing Ge said, her voice deep yet melodious.
Second Uncle nodded, then had his son enter the vortex passage.
About thirty breaths later, a silver shadow emerged from the cold pool, landing before them with a splash. They all turned to look and saw a young man with silver hair, fox ears, a fox tail, and delicate claws. He looked too delicate to be real.
"Only four tails? An inferior bloodline?" Qing Ge frowned, irritation in her tone.
Before she could finish, the silver-haired youth appeared before her, his hand hurtling towards her head.
The speed and ferocity of his move startled Qing Ge.
"You!" she exclaimed, raising her hand to block.
BOOM! The impact sent her flying, crashing through several mountains and carving a several hundred meter long trench in her wake.
"That's one ferocious fox!" The Lion Duke's jaw dropped.
From his recollection, fox demons were frail creatures that relied on their charms to survive, especially the males who were seen as disgraces for appearing too effeminate. Typically, only powerful demonesses kept male foxes as pets.
Yet, with one strike, this fox had just sent an Azure Phoenix like Qing Ge flying!
Qing Ge belonged to the same generation as the Lion Duke. So, she could be considered an elder of the Primeval Demon Hell!
However, what really stunned the Lion Duke was this fox's boldness. He'd just shown up to join the Primeval Demon Hell and was already throwing punches. That was guts!
"Stupid fox!" Qing Ge was livid, having been slapped by a junior upon their first meeting.
BOOM! She exploded in a blaze of glory, transforming into a majestic Azure Phoenix. Her fiery aura lit up the sky, her splendid azure feathers blocking out the sun, her crown-like colorful crest atop her head. She was radiating and roiling with boundless desolate power.
"You've got some nerve!" Qing Ge screeched, diving down with talons and a beak sharp as swords.
With a loud explosion, the ground around the cold pool crumbled to dust even before she landed.
Under the Azure Phoenix's formidable presence, the silver-haired youth remained ice-cold. He shot up, transforming into a Four-Tailed Demon Fox, slicing through the air with a silver streak.
When the fox and phoenix collided in the sky, a shocking sight unfolded! With brute strength, the fox pinned down the phoenix's talons, bit its neck, and then slammed it to the ground.
BOOM! The earth for miles around split open as mountains collapsed!
In the deepest part of the crater, the fox pinned down the phoenix. Despite its frantic struggles, shattering the ground, it couldn't escape the fox's overpowering hold, only managing to bleed from its efforts.
"So what if I've got just four tails? Do you admit defeat?" the fox sneered, its icy silver gaze fixed on the phoenix.
"Get lost!" the phoenix roared, tearing away in fury.
With a thunderous crash, the fox, brimming with terrifying strength, pressed down again, leaving the phoenix drenched in blood.
"How about now?" the fox taunted.
"Stop, enough already!" the Lion Duke and Second Uncle cried out, exchanging glances filled with utter astonishment.
These two devils suddenly turned into peacemakers, trying to give the phoenix a graceful exit.
"Moon Fairy, this lady is a big shot from the Primeval Demon Hell. She's here to take you there..."
"She's an elder, she was just going easy on you. Let her go, will you?"
The two were visibly squirming in discomfort.
Who knew this fox would be so fierce, pinning his guide, an elder, to the ground?
"Fine." Moon Fairy stood up, returning to human form.
Across from him, the phoenix also reverted to her human shape. Clearly, she was worse for wearblood on her neck, twisted hands, and hair all in disarray. She glared at Moon Fairy, teeth clenched in rage.
"Take me to the Primeval Demon Hell," Moon Fairy said coolly.
"Fine, let's go!" Qing Ge was fuming, eyes red with anger.
"Let's move." Moon Fairy gave her a pat on the backside.
SMACK! The sound was sharp, the impact bouncy.
"You!" Qing Ge was so pained she was nearly in tears. "Just you wait, when we get to my place, my aunt will pluck you bare!"
"Heh." Moon Fairy grabbed her by the neck. "Lead the way."
Bickering, the two vanished from the Lion Duke and Second Uncle's sight.
"What in the world is up with that fox?" Second Uncle asked in a daze.
"No idea," the bewildered Lion Duke muttered.
Within the Imperial Palace of the Endless Netherworld was the renowned Windmoon Court.
Behind this courtyard stood the Blood Devil Shrine. It appeared to be a modest hut, but it was actually a sacred site which held the blood legacy of the Yin Devil ancestors.
Only the imperial bloodline could train within its hallowed walls.
News of what occurred in the Sword Ruins and the Nine Hells Conquest being pushed forward had finally reached the palace, creating quite the stir among the Yin Devil elites.
They had all gathered in the Windmoon Court, deep in discussion, when the War Princess strutted in. Clad in tight leather clothing and a thick cloak, her eyes sparkled with determination and a regal air.
"My little chili pepper, step back. Your uncles and I have important matters to discuss," a voice came from the highest position in the court.
There sat a man in a violet and crimson brocade robe, the Netherworld Emperor himself. Even in the dim light, his stunning beauty was evidentdelicate fingers, snow-white skin, and eerily charming red lips. He was a man; yet he could be described with words like alluring and ravishing.
His daughter, the War Princess, clearly inherited her stunning looks from him. He was the epitome of male beauty, looking more human than devil, a stark contrast to the Wick Devil.
The Netherworld Emperor expected his daughter to listen to him, only to see her boldly step forward.
"My matter is more important!"
"Oh?" The Netherworld Emperor looked at her indulgently. "What is it?"
"Two things," she said bluntly. "First, give me the Weeping Netherblood. Second, I want to train in the Blood Devil Shrine now."
"This" This left the Netherworld Emperor momentarily speechless. He didn't expect his daughter to make such a difficult request publicly.
"Brother, agree to her request."
"The Nine Hells Conquest Clash is imminent. Let her strengthen herself quickly."
"No one is more suited for the Weeping Netherblood than her."
Several devils, sharing the Netherworld Emperor's majestic aura, chimed in.
The War Princess was surrounded by her uncles, who used to sigh and shake their heads at her, their high hopes turning into disappointment. But now, feeling guilty, they couldn't do enough for their niece, almost willing to put her on a pedestal.
"As everyone seems to agree, then" The Netherworld Emperor was about to concede when he was interrupted from the left by a remarkably burly devil. Standing a towering ten feet tall, clad in thick gold and red armor, with massive curved horns on his head, this devil breathed heavily, more like a behemoth than a member of the refined imperial family.
"Netherworld Emperor, the Weeping Netherblood is an Ignis grade treasure, one of the finest in the Endless Netherworld. It shouldn't be given to the young so lightly. Of course, since the War Princess has awakened her Nine-Tiered Bloodline, an exception can be made," the burly devil boomed. "However, the Blood Devil Shrine has always been reserved for the ruler of the Endless Netherworld. It would be best to honor our ancestors and not break tradition so hastily."
His statement was met with nods from several other powerful devils.
"Why not grant her the Weeping Netherblood for now, and wait for her to ascend to the throne before entering the Blood Devil Shrine?" he proposed solemnly.
"Nonsense!"
"The rules don't apply to someone with an awakened Nine-Tier Bloodline!"
"The Nine Hells Conquest Clash is upon us, why fuss over this? If she's barred and something happens to my niece, will you take responsibility?"
"Brother, if it's that big a deal, step down for a bit and let my niece be the Netherworld Warden for a while."
Their discussion left the War Princess bewildered, not expecting such vehement support from her uncles.
"Silence," the Netherworld Emperor finally snapped, quieting them down. He turned to his daughter.
"I don't care! I'm going in. Anyone who tries to stop me will have to deal with me!" the War Princess said, puffing out her chest with a bold smile.
Her blunt words sent shockwaves through the assembly, causing everyone to shrink back and glance nervously at the Supreme Devil Marshal.
"So, it's you who insists on not letting me in?" the War Princess coldly asked.
The Supreme Devil Marshal, composed yet tense, replied, "Your Highness, your talent is a blessing for our kind, but we must still respect the wishes of our ancestors."
"Our family's Blood Devil Shrine is none of your business. Why the fuss? You manage the devil army and now you want to govern the shrine too? Are you aiming to be the Netherworld Warden?" the War Princess retorted icily.
Caught off guard, the Supreme Devil Marshal bowed respectfully. "You misunderstand, Your Highness. I've dedicated my life to our cause, expecting nothing in return. Please do not make such a joke."
"Cut the act. What will it take for you and your cronies to shut up?" The War Princess chuckled.
Her harsh words brought the Endless Netherworld's internal conflicts to light. She remembered well how the Supreme Devil Marshal and his followers had been the loudest when she was powerless.
"My daughter, the Supreme Devil Marshal has toiled selflessly for our race. Don't be too hard on him," the Netherworld Emperor interjected.
"But Daaaaddy! I really want to enter the Blood Devil Shrine!" the War Princess whined.
The Netherworld Emperor sighed and stood up. "If that's what you want, then I'll step down early and make you the Netherworld Warden."
The announcement caused an uproar.
"My lord...!" the Supreme Devil Marshal and others exclaimed, rising to their feet.
"My decision is final, no more discussion," the Netherworld Emperor declared coldly.
The Yin Devil elites were visibly confused. The Emperor, in his prime, abdicating? Was the entry of the War Princess into the Blood Devil Shrine that crucial? Or was the imperial family simply too indulgent with the princess?
"Hold on!" the Supreme Devil Marshal suddenly interjected.
"Do you still have objections?" The War Princess glared at him.
"No objections to you, Your Highness. In fact, your rise is a blessing for our race," he said, then turned to the Netherworld Emperor. "However, by our ancestral rules, if the lord abdicates, the successor must be at least in the Perfect Fate Ocean Realm. The princess is only in the Mid stage..."
"Your son is in the Perfect Fate Ocean Realm, right?" The War Princess looked at a towering youth behind the Supreme Devil Marshal. "Bring him out. I'll step on his face to become the next ruler of the Endless Netherworld!"
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