Dan Caoqing, as a True Demon Emperor–realm powerhouse, was naturally not an old fool. He would never make such a basic mistake as misremembering the time.
Over the past month, to further investigate the reasons behind the Demon Clan’s failed ascent to Heaven, Dan Caoqing had personally visited the Celestial Realm, gathering all manner of intelligence. Among his findings were rumors concerning the half-divine Hua Jiuming. Although no one knew when such a figure had emerged in the Demon World, his terrifying power had been witnessed by both demons and immortals. Later legends spoke of his mysterious slaying by an unknown figure, followed by infighting among the great demon lords and their successive, strange demises. Thus, the Demon Clan’s campaign to ascend to Heaven had utterly collapsed.
By piecing together these events with what Bai Qingsong had told him, Dan Caoqing quickly deduced that the one who had slain the half-divine Hua Jiuming was most likely Bai Qingsong’s own elder brother. This realization flooded Dan Caoqing’s heart with boundless battle fervor. Having risen from the lowest depths of the Demon World step by step to the late True Demon Emperor realm, he owed his ascent to the courage to challenge the strongest. Naturally, he was eager to test just how powerful a man capable of killing a half-divine could truly be.
No sooner had he returned from the Celestial Realm than he rushed nonstop back to the Demon World, determined to arrive at the inquiry one day early and see whether Bai Qingsong’s brother had appeared. He could hardly contain his impatience to fight!
Upon arriving in Dongyao Prefecture, however, Dan Caoqing heard a most intriguing rumor: that Demon Lord Bai Qingsong’s elder brother was preparing to preach atop Gathering Demon Peak. Perfect timing. His excitement mounting, Dan Caoqing ceased wandering and patiently waited at the peak. Now, after such a long wait, Bai Qingsong had finally arrived. Dan Caoqing naturally planned to seize him at once and ask the question on everyone’s mind: “Demon Lord Bai, where is your elder brother?”
Seeing Dan Caoqing refuse to answer, Bai Qingsong did not press the point. After all, who argued with a man on the brink of death? But since his brother had not yet come, some delay tactics were necessary.
“Caoqing,” Bai Qingsong said, forcing himself steady, “my brother is on his way and will arrive shortly. I warn you—don’t make your move before he gets here, or it won’t be an honorable victory.”
Dan Caoqing sneered. “Hurry him along. I lack patience—if he’s late, you’ll die!” He flexed his wrist slightly, and his huge demonic claw tightened its grip. Bai Qingsong immediately cried out in pain.
The next moment, the massive claw suddenly shattered! Had Bai Qingsong’s brother arrived? All eyes turned. The space beside them warped, and a young, devil-may-care demon emerged. At the sight, Dan Caoqing’s eyes widened in shock.
“Shadow Demon Pan Yuanxing? You’re Bai Qingsong’s elder brother?”
A murmur went through the crowd. Pan ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Yuanxing, thirty thousand years ago renowned as the Demon World’s strongest Shadow Demon, had reportedly reached the pinnacle of the Demon Emperor realm and sought powers beyond. Then he vanished without a trace—some said he died; others claimed he traveled to another plane. No one knew for sure. Few expected him to appear now. Yet if it was indeed him, it fit Bai Qingsong’s claim perfectly: “A realm you could never conceive.”
As the demons pondered, Pan Yuanxing waved a dismissive hand. “I’m not his elder brother. And Dan Caoqing, you’ve really regressed. What pleasure is there in torturing a worthless demon lord? You’ve made such a scene—what if you scare off my brother so he won’t come? Know that I’m eager for a fight myself!” His eyes gleamed as he spoke.
For three hundred millennia he had searched in vain for power beyond the Demon Emperor realm, only to find false leads. Hearing Bai Qingsong’s outrageous boasts, he’d come with a sliver of hope—and he, too, waited for Ye Yu’s arrival. Dan Caoqing lifted his chin, equally excited: one Pan Yuanxing, one Bai Qingsong’s elder brother—today’s battles might be truly satisfying!
“But when exactly will your elder brother arrive? Give me a straight answer!” Dan Caoqing, growing impatient, could not help but ask again. In truth, Bai Qingsong was more anxious than anyone present, yet dared not prod—and prepared only to stall with words.
Before he could speak, the dark clouds above dispersed, blood-red sunlight bathing every demon. “Huh? Why is this red light so unusually vivid?” The next instant, the sky was engulfed in a crimson hue. A gigantic demonic eye suddenly appeared, filling half the heavens and gazing down upon the Demon World. Under its stare, every demon felt unprecedented terror, even Shadow Demon Pan Yuanxing’s flippancy vanished as he tensed defensively. Dan Caoqing likewise stood on guard, heart pounding. Yet in the next moment, the demonic eye vanished—leaving everyone bewildered. Had that vision been but an illusion?
Very soon, they realized their mistake. A colossal demonic god’s manifest image had appeared, its torso alone occupying the entire sky as it shattered the barrier of time. In an instant it stood only a thousand meters from those assembled, its presence overwhelming them with dread. Their only thought: flee! Escape this place of horror or die!
The demonic god form slowly raised its hands, forming a triangular frame, and through it a figure seemed to descend from the horizon. None other than Ye Yu. The instant he appeared, the surroundings warped, and the familiar blood-red demonic qi surged across the battlefield, transforming the scene into a sea of blood. All experts above the Xuan Demon realm clearly saw golden auras flowing within that sanguine qi. Shadow Demon Pan Yuanxing, staring in disbelief, trembled as he whispered, “Is this... the legendary demonic dao residue?”
