Chapter Text
“I’m going to become a true demon emperor.”
Shen Yuan announced as he stood before his subordinates and allies. He had Uncle Airplane gather everyone at Cang Qiong mountain, they were currently having a meeting at Qiong Ding Peak’s main hall. This was where the sect’s peak lords would gather. Disciples are prohibnited in this hall unless their peak lords allow them in as aides. Shen Yuan knew he had no right to be in here but this is the most ideal place to hold their war meeting. He’ll apologize to Zhangmen Shixiong and his Shizun later.
“Isn’t Young Master Shen already a Demon Emperor?” Muyang raised his hand and asked.
“He means to fully ascend as a demon. We heavenly demons have the ability to ascend further into godhood. Our ancestors, after all, were originally heavenly beings that were banished from the divine realm.” Tianlang Jun explained. He was still in his teenage form and was casually lounging beside Shen Yuan. Sitting beside Tianlang Jun was Gongyi Xiao while Zhuzhi Lang remained standing behind Tianlang Jun.
“By the way, little bro, who is this boy?” Uncle Airplane asked while Liu Qingge and Mobei Jun both glowered at his teenage father in law with suspicion. Tianlang Jun was using a puppet body so no one would be able to feel or sense his menacing demon aura. If he was in his true form, his father in law would have brought everyone in the room down to their knees with just a look.
“Ah. That’s Tianlang Jun. My father in law. He will be helping out so be sure to get along with him.” Shen Yuan explained casually, gesturing to Tianlang Jun who grinned and waved lazily at everyone.
“Oh… WHAT?! Heavenly Demon Emperor Tianlang Jun?!” Uncle Airplane and Muyang both had bulging eyes, they nearly fainted on sight too.
Before anyone could actually faint or freak out, Shen Yuan pressed on with the discussion. “Anyway, yes. I plan to ascend into a true demon emperor. This will enable me to resurrect Binghe and the Cang Qiong Mountain Sect’s Cultivators. I would like to ask for everyone’s assistance on this.”
While the Cang Qiong cultivators were not his subordinates, Shen Yuan still had the ability to pull their souls back into their bodies. They won’t be evolving into anything unless they all swear their loyalty to him for themselves. The system explained that they will become temporary members of his divinity system, it will be up to the cultivators whether or not they remain after the resurrection.
“This is not a formal order from your Leader, but a request for help.” Shen Yuan added before anyone could speak or react. He looked over to Muyang and Alpha as well as the other demon subordinates who were present in the room. “I know humans and demons do not get along in this world. I won’t force you to help me resurrect the human cultivators. Though I consider them like family due to my joining their sect, I don’t want to force any of you, my demon family, to involve yourselves with them.”
After learning what happened at Jinlan City from Uncle Liu and Uncle Airplane, Shen Yuan felt wary of humans and their relationship with demons. He felt naive to think these two races can get along… but after having his lover singled out and punished for simply being born was too much. He did not want these hypocritical cultivation sects anywhere near his demonic subordinates. That’s why Shen Yuan won’t think ill of his followers for not joining him on this mission.
“Master Shen need not ask us. We will simply follow.” Muyang finally spoke out which surprised Shen Yuan. “You’ve done much for us and our growing City. We are your subordinates and will follow you no matter what.”
“And besides, doesn’t this involve two of the three cardinal rules Master Shen ordered us to follow since the beginning?” Alpha chimed in with a playful and teasing tone in his voice.
Shen Yuan’s eyes widened when he remembered the first three rules he literally carved in stone on the day he established his Abyss Monster village.
‘Do Not Attack the Humans’ and ‘Do not discriminate against other races.’
“Well… we will essentially be attacking humans here…” Uncle Airplane pointed out, laughing nervously.
“The moment those humans attacked the innocent people of this sect, they stopped being human and have turned into trash. Trash must be eliminated.” Liu Qingge answered, his expression was dark and stern.
“Any enemy of the master is an enemy of ours. We do not discriminate against any races, they are equally deserving of death whether those of the opposing side are demons or humans.” Mobei Jun added, he seemed just as peeved. Shen Yuan could guess that it’s because Mobei Jun’s uncle was involved in this betrayal. The death of the Cang Qiong cultivators also affected his husband, Uncle Airplane.
“Guys… you’re twisting my rules…” Shen Yuan sighed but he wore a smile. He felt relieved that his subordinates supported his decision to ascend.
“Whatever path you take, it will be ours to walk through.” Liu Qingge said, his eyes burning with determination. He really was out for blood and revenge.
The meeting was adjourned. Shen Yuan’s resolve to revive his martial family and lover was strengthened by his demonic family. Even if the path is filled with bloodshed and pain, he will endure it for the sake of his beloved protagonist. He’d dirty his hands for Luo Binghe.
The army of cultivators and demons that slowly approached Cang Qiong Mountain was led by Jiuzhong Jun, the western demon lord. He wanted to personally retrieve the body of the foolish heavenly demon who dared cause his humiliation at the grand demon banquet.
Truth be told, he may have fucked up slightly and got that Peak Lord mixed in with this mess but as long as that Luo Binghe is dead, he did not care.
“How was I supposed to know there is another ‘Master Shen?!..”
He had originally thought the ‘Master Shen’ the old palace master spoke of was the fake demon emperor Shen Yuan. How was he supposed to know there was a Peak Lord Shen? And this Peak Lord Shen stuck to Luo Binghe like glue so it was that human’s fault for being lumped in together with the fake emperor Shen Yuan!
He ordered for the skinners to frame ‘Master Shen’ so he would make enemies out of the human cultivators. That would let the old palace master stage his execution. That was the plan he concocted with the Northern demon lord Linguang Jun and the old fart from Huan Hua Palace. If the fake demon Emperor made enemies out of these Human cultivators and declared war, it would be another Tianlang Jun incident. That would surely get the brat killed. That, of Fake Emperor Shen Yuan would be executed by these humans before a war is even declared. With how weak and cowardly the fake emperor was, Jiuzhong Jun and Linguang Jun knew the kid wouldn't last a minute in the warzone.
Just as they predicted, the kid was nowhere to be seen and the heavenly demon Luo Binghe was killed.
“The spineless fake emperor has probably gone into hiding…what a weak little bitch.” Jiuzhong Jun declared while his men all laughed and mocked the slime demon.
They had just approached the forest that led to Cang Qiong Mountain when they were greeted by the gruesome sight of Elder One Arm. The laughter instantly died down. Jiuzhong Jun and his men all swallowed their laughter and mocking as they looked up and saw what became of their once powerful warrior. The name ‘Elder One Arm’ no longer suited the demon for all his limbs were severed and he was hanging from a tree, barely alive. Jiuzhong Jun’s pupils shrank and he sensed a sudden wave of intense killing intent directed at him. The one responsible for this heinous crime had not left the vicinity.
“M-My Lord…” The large demon coughed out blood and whimpered helplessly.
Outraged by the brutal display, Jiuzhong Jun roared. In an instant, what’s left of Elder One Arm’s body burst into flames.
“Oh no~ Father’s angry. What should this Ling-er do?” Came a feminine and childishly mocking voice.
“Hmph.” The second voice was that of a male.
The enraged demon lord snapped his head over to the direction of the voices. In one of the tree branches stood his daughter and an unfamiliar cultivator. Ah, Emperor Shen Yuan’s Demon General. The sight of his traitorous daughter enraged Jiuzhong Jun even more.
“Little bell… this lord father warns you. Return to my side now like the obedient daughter you are.” Jiuzhong Jun then summoned his flaming sword and pointed it at Liu Qingge. “I will have that demon general’s head and you are not to interfere.”
“Hmmm… how about no?” Sha Hualing giggled and shook her head.
In that instant, the demon general had made his move and attacked Jiuzhong Jun. The darkened immortal blade clashed with Jiuzhong Jun’s fire sword. Both men fought viciously. The demon general fought with the brutality and elegance of an immortal master while Jiuzhong Jun fought with the savage might of a true cruel warrior.
“Capture my little disobedient bell alive.” Jiuzhong Jun ordered in the middle of parrying an attack from his opponent. Soon after, he could hear his men attacking his stubborn daughter who also took out her whip. Since when did her daughter learn to use a fire whip? That was not one of her skillsets. Jiuzhong Jun, however, had no time to examine his daughter’s new battle skills as the demon general continued to attack him relentlessly.
As their battle raged on, the western demon lord could not help but notice a slight difference in the way this demon general moved. His opponent maintained his powerful attacks and delivered them with speed and precision however, his footwork started to look odd. To a trained warrior, the difference can be easily pointed out. Upon closer inspection, even the demon general’s pretty face changed. Jiuzhong Jun could still see the rage, but those dilated pupils told him a different story.
To confirm his theory, Jiuzhong Jun got close enough to the demon general. While the human easily blasted him off with his qi, Jiuzhong Jun managed to get a closer look and feel for his opponent’s current status.
“Ahh, you’re faltering. You harbor both spiritual and demonic qi in your body. Isn’t that painful, general?” Jiuzhong Jun smirked, delighted to discover this hidden weakness on his opponent. “This lord found it strange how an immortal master could continue to use demonic qi without damaging his cultivation… You used the same blackened sword at the banquet, right? It won’t be long before you destroy yourself.”
Since he felt confident after discovering this weak spot on his opponent, Jiuzhong Jun went on the offense. His purpose was to force the demon general to use even more of his sword and tire him out. The more he used that corrupted immortal sword, the more damage his cultivation core will sustain.
Unfortunately for Jiuzhong Jun, he misunderstood the situation entirely. Though there was a slight falter to the demon general’s steps, his resolve remained intact. Jiuzhong Jun noticed that the fire and anger in those cold grey eyes only grew stronger the more his opponent ‘damaged’ his core.
“Wait- you’re really going to destroy your core. You’re a crazy man, demon general! HAHAHAHA!” Jiuzhong Jun could not help but let out a maniacal laugh at the human’s poor sorry state. “Have you gone crazy after walking the demonic path? Your temperament couldn’t even be considered a human to begin with... Maybe that’s why you call yourself a demon general and serve a demon master. Too bad the master you chose is a fake. You know… you can work for me.”
“Nonsense!” The demon general spat. “My loyalty to young master Shen is unyielding. He and… Master Shen both saved my life. My sword and life is theirs.” The foolish immortal master solemnly declared.
“Ah, that dead ‘Master Shen’ huh?” Jiuzhong Jun grinned. He looked at the general from head to toe. He could see blackened veins crawling up from his neck and the demon mark on his forehead glowed ominously. He was being consumed. The demon lord wagged his finger and chuckled. “You’re at your limit, Demon general. Are you sure you want to continue? You could just surrender to me… I would hate to kill a man with potential, especially with that pretty face of yours.”
“Come to think of it. Your face… and that beauty mark.” Jiuzhong Jun perked up as a sudden memory flashed in his head. “Do you happen to have a sister? Yes, she resembled you very much. That disciple that covered her face with a veil.” This seem to catch the interest of the demon general. Jiuzhong Jun could see the human grip tighter on his weapon upon mentioning this veiled female disciple.
“… ah, I do remember that vigorous young lady. Foolish little thing tried to protect her sect after I snapped the neck of her master. I hate killing pretty things… I could have had her as a concubine, but she declined my offer and spat on my face.” Jiuzhong Jun could vaguely remember and his mood turned sour at the humiliation he felt from that human girl’s rejection. “No one would dare reject this lord. So I took my time with her-”
Jiuzhong Jun wasn’t able to finish his monologuing when the demon general lunged at him. His killing intent even more intense and the dark qi around him crackled dangerously like lightning. His eyes were bloodshot and his pupils now glowing golden. He looked more like a wild animal than an esteemed immortal peaklord now.
“MAD! YOU ARE JUST AS MAD AS YOUR SISTER! Rejecting this lord and charging at him even though your body is at its limit! HAHAHAHA!” Jiuzhong Jun laughed and laughed, hugging his sides as he watched the human destroy himself. He knew that he almost didn’t need to lift a finger anymore. The demon general was already on his knees. Despite this, the stubborn idiot put on a brave face and spoke.
“So be it. I surrender my humanity for my martial family! My master, please grant this lowly one power! I failed to protect them, allow me this opportunity to avenge them!” The general declared which only made Jiuzhong Jun burst more into a fit of laughter.
However, he wasn’t aware this was all deliberate. Liu Qingge really wanted to force himself to his limit and finally break free from his humanity. So in that moment, the voice of the world and Shen Yuan’s divinity system acknowledged his desire.
[Notice. Transformation from ‘Human Cultivator’ to ‘ArchDemon’ initiated.]
It’s as if he was suddenly blasted on the chest by an incredible amount of qi. Liu Qingge dropped to his knees and he clutched his head with one hand and gripped Cheng Luan in the other. He never felt this much pain in his entire immortal life. It felt like every vein in his body popped and exploded and that he was being set on fire from inside.
“Demon General?” He could faintly hear Sha Hualing’s voice. She must have temporarily taken over the fight. Liu Qingge had his eyes squeezed shut but he could hear the clashing of whip and sword. Father and daughter had engaged in battle.
The pain grew more and more intense until he felt something shatter inside him. His core. In that moment, spiritual qi was released from his body and he essentially self detonated. Everything in the area was engulfed by the powerful spiritual blast.
Sha Hualing luckily managed to survive and so did her father.
“He really did it. He destroyed himself… what a fool.” Jiuzhong Jun spoke, standing firmly where he was. The remnants of the shield he erected shattered like glass around him. Sha Hualing had also shielded herself using her new abilities given to her by the divinity system.
“You’re the fool, father. He’s not dead.” Sha Hualing pointed out confidently.
Father and daughter looked towards the crater on the ground where Liu Qingge once stood. When the smoke and debris cleared, a lone figure could be seen. It was indeed Liu Qingge. His expression was unreadable but the glowing blue mark on his forehead told a different tale. Though it was still Shen Yuan’s demon mark, it changed to the color blue. His features did not change drastically but Liu Qingge now bore the features of a demon; his ears were long and pointed, he had long sharp claws, and through his gritted teeth fangs poked out. His sword, Cheng Luan had also completely transformed alongside him. No longer did spiritual qi circulate within Liu Qingge’s meridians, he had fully been consumed by demonic qi.
[Notice. Subordinate Liu Qingge’s transformation into ‘ArchDemon’ completed.]
“What abonination is this? How is he still alive?!”
Liu Qingge lunged at him. The western demon lord was shocked to see the fully transformed demon general move quicker and deadlier. Liu Qingge’s eyes were now completely yellow and slitted like a dragon’s and they were filled with killing intent. He was not going to show any mercy.
The fight did not last that long since Jiuzhong Jun was already at his limit. Surviving the self detonation had taken a lot of energy from him already. By the end, Liu Qingge managed to trap him under some sort of spell.
[Notice. Unique Skill: ‘War God’ activated.]
Jiuzhong Jun, upon being struck multiple times by the darkened blade Cheng Luan, felt every bit of his qi leave his body at every cut. Not just his qi but he felt something else. When he saw his own weapon - his sword of fire - being dual wielded by Liu Qingge, the demon lord understood what was happening to him. Not only was his qi and lifeforce being drained and stolen, so was his martial abilities.
[Notice. Unique skill: ‘War God’ has the ability to copy an oponent’s sword style and martial skills. In order to do so, user must absorb their opponent’s blood through their sword, Demonic sword ‘Cheng Luan’]
“Ohh.. I get it.” Sha Hualing, who had been in the sidelines watching the fight spoke out. She could hear the voice of the world now but her father obviously could not.
The battle soon ended with Jiuzhong Jun stabbed multiple times and pinned down by his own blade. This was, after all, how he had killed all the Cang Qiong Cultivators. Liu Qingge felt it was a fitting end for this demon lord.
Sha Hualing only looked on as the demon general brought down his darkened blade onto her father’s chest. Her heart and loyalty belonged to her master Shen Yuan now, she no longer cared for her father who only saw her as a pawn.
With that, the Western demon lord Jiuzhong Jun was dead.
Mobei Jun faced the army his uncle lead together with the demon lord of the abyss monster city, Muyang. As predicted by the spymaster Alpha, his uncle was searching for Shen Yuan. Mobei Jun did not need to bother himself with the minions his uncle brought with him. Muyang had made quick work of these foolish insects. Good. This meant he can have some quality family bonding with his uncle.
By family bonding, Mobei Jun meant beating his uncle to a bloody mess.
He used to be weaker than his uncle but Mobei Jun’s determination to grow stronger allowed him to defeat his uncle easily. Linguang Jun plotted to kill him many times in the past but Mobei Jun’s survival instincts were stronger. Having to deal with rebels and assassins all the time as the Northern Demon King also helped ‘train’ Mobei Jun to become the hardy warrior he is today.
They were both ice demons with the same abilities. Mobei Jun, however, has further evolved through his bond with his master Shen Yuan. His control over his ice powers significantly increased and he was able to utilize these new skills to his advantage.
“You’ve grown stronger, nephew. This lord does not remember teaching you these things…” The northern lord coughed out blood and he was on his knees. An array was drawn on the ice-covered ground of their battlefield. It was drawn using the northern lord’s blood.
“Perhaps if we both survived, we’ll meet each other again.” Linguang Jun spoke confidently despite being bitterly defeated by his nephew. He had already activated the teleportation array which meant his escape was ensured. Mobei Jun looked to his uncle with coldness and indifference. He made no moves to try to stop Linguang Jun’s attempt to escape. He only answered:
“That won't happen.”
“Huh?”
“The battlefield- bloodbath you are headed for is attended by my master.”
“Your master? That fake and cowardly demon emperor who only knows how to hide behind his heavenly demon servant? What a joke…”
“Without Tianlang Jun’s bastard son protecting him. Even if I fail to kill him myself, that Western Lord Jiuzhong Jun probably killed him already by now.” Linguang Jun had a crazed look on his face as he gloated and insulted Mobei Jun’s master. Still, Mobei Jun deemed this to be the ramblings of a weak little animal backed into a corner. He knew his uncle’s fate the moment he started plotting against Shen Yuan. Especially when the man he chose to target was that brat, Luo Binghe.
“You have all gone too far, killing off those humans most precious to my master. You have enraged the one creature in this world you shouldn’t have. I pity you, your death will not be pretty, uncle.” With a wave of his sleeve, Mobei Jun turned his back to his uncle and let the traitorous northern lord make his escape.
A small winged figure could be seen hovering above the Palace of Huan Hua. It was Shen Yuan. There were thousands of cultivators and demons within the grand courtyard of the palace. They were all there to celebrate the fall of Cang Qiong Mountain. They also seem to be preparing to further execute the Cang Qiong peak lords for they intend to burn their corpse as a symbol of victory. A large furnace was installed in the middle of the ‘stage’.
The sky grew dark soon after but it wasn’t the clouds that caused it. No. If one looked closely, thousands upon thousands of black swords surrounded Shen Yuan completely covering the skies. All of these black swords pointed dangerously at the crowd of cultivators and demons.
Shen Yuan stared down at the crowd who by now realized what was happening. They had grown quiet. Xin Mo was an infamous ultimate weapon wielded by the powerful heavenly demon clan. Seeing Xin Mo struck fear into the hearts to both demons and humans already, but seeing thousands of said ultimate weapon… the crowd was stunned into silence. None of them could move, they were also paralyzed by the intense demonic aura Shen Yuan emitted.
Shen Yuan’s expression was eerily calm and cold, completely uncharacteristic from his usual kind demeanor. Shen Yuan then spoke, his voice loud and his presence commanding.
“Celebrating the fall of my martial family and loved ones when they’ve done nothing wrong. You all don’t seem to deserve mercy… Very well, I will have you become my food, “ Shen Yuan brought his hand down.
“Devour them all, leave no soul alive.“
[Notice. Unique Skill ‘Xin Mo’ activate.]