Chapter 552: Unleashing the Kill

Chapter 554: Unleashing the Kill

Nascent Soul Realm…

Mo Hua silently counted on his fingers:

Qi-Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul…

He was three major realms away from the Nascent Soul stage—a chasm as wide as the heavens.

Mo Hua sighed.

When would he ever reach that level?

And with his spiritual roots… could he even truly reach Nascent Soul?

He sighed again, feeling a sense of helplessness.

At this moment, atop the high throne of bones and fangs, several figures had fully materialized.

One was a demon cultivator in black robes, with white hair but a youthful face, his features fierce and grim—the so-called “Primordial Demon Ancestor,” Xuan Sanren.

Alongside him were three other Nascent Soul demon elders.

One was an old man with purplish-green lips, called “Poison Sovereign”;

one was a towering, pitch-black, bear-like demon cultivator, called “Black Arhat”;

and one was a heavily made-up woman, strikingly beautiful but smeared with thick layers of cosmetics, called “Madame Miao.”

Poison Sovereign, Black Arhat, Madame Miao…

Mo Hua had overheard these names before.

At first, he didn’t know who they were, only guessing they were titles of some powerful demon cultivators. Now, seeing these three Nascent Soul demon lords and their appearances, he could match the names to the faces.

Including Xuan Sanren, there were four Nascent Soul cultivators here.

Add to that hundreds of Golden Core demon cultivators in the entire demon hall.

A chill ran through Mo Hua’s heart.

Such a demonic force could easily wipe out an entire state, perhaps even a realm…

Forget a third-grade Dali Mountain state, even a fourth-grade state, if these demons attacked, would likely face a catastrophe.

And these demon lords had gathered here for the “Ten-Thousand Demons Assembly.” Their goal… could it be Master?

Mo Hua’s tension rose; he lightly clenched his fists.

From the high throne of bones, Xuan Sanren spoke bluntly:

“I have used the Underworld Dao Heavenly Lock to seal the secrets of this place, yet cause and effect have still leaked. Now, forces from all corners of the Dao Court are converging at Dali Mountain. A great battle is imminent. Hence, I convene the ‘Ten-Thousand Demons Assembly,’ inviting all like-minded parties to gather at Withered Wood Cliff and discuss this matter…”

Black Arhat sneered: “Discuss what? Kill one, kill two, kill them all…”

He licked his lips, bright red and barbed like a beast, his gaze fierce and greedy.

“I haven’t had a proper feast of humans for hundreds of years…”

Poison Sovereign’s tone was mocking: “Don’t eat everything, watch you don’t break your teeth.”

Black Arhat grinned, revealing jagged fangs. “Relax, I’ve been eating humans for six hundred years—these two teeth have never broken.”

Poison Sovereign’s expression remained indifferent:

“There are Nascent Soul cultivators coming from the Dao Court this time.”

“You’ve received word?”

He did not reply.

Black Arhat understood immediately.

Poison Sovereign—or rather, the Ten-Thousand Poison Sect—must have spies within the Dao Court.

Such insider information was not for casual discussion.

Black Arhat asked, “Which Nascent Soul cultivators from the Dao Court?”

Poison Sovereign was slightly displeased but did not hide it: “At the very least, the Bai family’s woman will come…”

“The Bai family woman?”

“Bai Qingcheng?”

Madame Miao froze, and a mixture of jealousy and hatred crossed her heavily made-up face.

Black Arhat’s eyes gleamed with ferocity. “It’s said this Bai family Nascent Soul cultivator lives up to her name—ice-like skin, jade-like bones, a beauty that could topple nations. True or not, who knows?”

Mo Hua was also startled.

Bai Qingcheng of the Bai family? A beauty to topple nations?

A Nascent Soul cultivator?

What does she have to do with Junior Sister?

Poison Sovereign sneered. “Withdraw those crooked thoughts. Unless you want to die, don’t set your sights on her.”

Black Arhat asked, “Why?”

“Her surname is Bai…”

Black Arhat laughed scornfully, “Surname Bai, so what? No matter how powerful a Dao Court family is, can they interfere with my demonic deeds?”

Poison Sovereign gave him a faint glance. “Your life is yours. I’m just reminding you: if you’re not afraid of the Bai family, you may act against her.”

Black Arhat restrained his ferocity and smiled maliciously. “The bigger matter is priority; I won’t cause trouble now.”

Yet he couldn’t help but covet.

Would someone this beautiful taste more tender…?

Madame Miao, however, changed her expression and asked Xuan Sanren:

“How do you know she will come?”

Xuan Sanren replied: “That Mister Zhuang carries secrets of heaven. Cornered and desperate, and since they are of the same sect, whether out of reason or benefit, she must come.”

“Same sect…”

Mo Hua secretly glanced at the Strange Daoist.

If they were of the same sect, she would be Master’s junior sister and also the Strange Daoist’s junior sister…

By that logic, should he call him “Senior Martial Uncle”?

Not only did he have a Nascent Soul demon lord for a Master Senior Martial Uncle, but also a Nascent Soul Senior Martial Uncle?

If the Strange Daoist, his Master Senior Martial Uncle, was at least Nascent Soul, then what about his Master?

What realm could his Master be at…?

Mo Hua pondered silently, a chill running through him.

The Strange Daoist remained with eyes closed, seemingly indifferent to his “junior sister.”

Madame Miao, upon hearing Xuan Sanren’s words, felt a mix of secret joy and annoyance, her gaze tinged with lingering resentment.

Poison Sovereign narrowed his eyes slightly, asking about business: “The Five Elements Mountain-Guarding Formation—is it still unbroken?”

Xuan Sanren shook his head. “No.”

Black Arhat was surprised. “Just a second-grade formation, yet so hard to break?”

Xuan Sanren, skilled in formations, and Poison Sovereign, moderately skilled, both glanced disdainfully at the bear-like demon.

“This is a second-grade grand formation…”

Xuan Sanren said impatiently, “A grand formation is worlds apart from ordinary formations. Moreover, this is the Five Elements Mountain-Guarding Formation, crafted by the ancestors of the Five Elements Sect…”

“Most importantly, the one guarding the formation now is surnamed Zhuang!”

Xuan Sanren’s expression was grave. “Across the cultivation world, few would have the confidence to break his formation face-to-face…”

Black Arhat was stunned. Being a beast-like cultivator, he only knew “kill” and “eat” and nothing of formations. Yet pressed by Xuan Sanren, he coldly said:

“No matter how formidable, it’s only a second-grade formation…”

Poison Sovereign laughed harshly, like a night owl.

He pointed to the sky. “This is a third-grade state. The Heavenly Dao limit is Golden Core. A second-grade formation is unbreakable; just Golden Core cultivators can hardly do it, unless…”

He cast a mocking glance at Black Arhat: “You’re willing to risk your life to break the formation with Nascent Soul power, only to be erased by the Heavenly Dao?”

“To sacrifice oneself for the Dao, to serve the Demon Lord, is still a proper death…”

Black Arhat’s face darkened; he snorted coldly, silent.

He wasn’t a fool—risking his life against a second-grade formation was reckless.

Yet doubt lingered in his mind:

“Is this Heavenly Dao erasure real or not?”

He clearly didn’t believe it. “If I use Nascent Soul power, will the Heavenly Dao truly erase me?”

Poison Sovereign’s eyes were disdainful. “Why not try?”

Black Arhat’s anger surged.

Xuan Sanren merely sneered coldly.

Madame Miao frowned, “Heavenly Dao erasure is only seen in cultivation records and hearsay. I’ve never heard of anyone experiencing it firsthand…”

Xuan Sanren was speechless. “Perhaps those who did were all erased…”

Below, Mo Hua shook his head slightly.

“Not everyone…”

“I wasn’t erased!”

It had just been a coincidence. The grand formation collapsed, triggering Heavenly Dao restrictions. His cultivation was too low; the lightning tribulation “hesitated,” not truly killing him, leaving him a sliver of life…

Mo Hua thought:

Heavenly Dao erasure is taboo.

Most cultivators follow this rule, yet few truly grasp its terror.

Like the foolish Black Arhat and the heavily made-up Madame Miao—they still doubted Xuan Sanren’s words.

Yet they didn’t dwell on it.

After a moment, they returned to business, discussing the Dao Court…

“What about Dao Court cultivators?” Xuan Sanren asked.

“What else?” Black Arhat sneered. “Demonic ways are direct—just kill!”

Xuan Sanren’s eyes turned cold. “I mean, how to kill?”

Poison Sovereign thought for a moment: “Lock them in the Soul-Refining Banner, seal the heavenly secrets, deploy the Blood-Slaying Formation, open the Demon Sword Evil Eye, and we strike together, leaving none alive!”

“They’re not that stupid, right?”

“Stupid or not depends on the gains.”

“If the gain is great enough, even the cleverest act foolishly.”

“Mister Zhuang is in the formation. If you dare open the banner, they will risk everything to enter.”

“Compared to immortal fate, a few deaths are trivial…”

…

“And what of the Dao Court’s Nascent Soul Realm cultivators?” Xuan Sanren asked again.

The Poison Sovereign said: “The Heavenly Dao imposes limits. The Dao Court’s Nascent Soul Realms, like you and me, dare not act recklessly. So the main force in this battle is still the Golden Core…”

“Even without using their Nascent Soul cultivation, a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator is only slightly stronger than a Golden Core…”

He swept his gaze across the room, a cold smirk curling his lips. “In this Demon Hall, hundreds of Golden Core demon cultivators have gathered. They cultivate orthodox demonic arts, refine supreme dark techniques, and possess all sorts of evil instruments and magical treasures. Their hands are steeped in blood, killing without restraint—far beyond the Dao Court cultivators, who live in comfort and high rank.”

“Golden Core demon cultivators, formed into demonic troops, will wreak havoc everywhere! The Dao Court’s energies will suffer greatly!”

“And we shall also seize, for the Demon Lord, the opportunities buried within the Returning Void!”

The four Nascent Soul demon lords all had wild, fanatic looks in their eyes.

But in their eyes, selfish desires began to stir.

“When will the Five-Element Mountain Protection Grand Formation be broken?” the Poison Sovereign asked.

Xuan Sanren shook his head. “It can’t be broken. It can only be exhausted.”

“Exhausted?”

Xuan Sanren nodded. “Correct. That person’s mastery of formation arts is extraordinary. With him stationed at the Five-Element Mountain Protection Grand Formation, it cannot be broken. We can only find a way to wear it down…”

“Exhaust the spirit stones, drain his vitality.”

“When his energy is depleted, his life will be short. If we keep at it, the Five-Element Grand Formation will inevitably collapse…”

“As long as the grand formation falls, the hordes of demons will surround the mountain. No matter how brilliant or arrogant he is, he will eventually fall into our hands.”

The Poison Sovereign slightly nodded.

“That’s one way to handle it…”

There was a brief silence. Then the Black Arhat suddenly sneered: “Come to think of it, that person is truly abandoned by all—both the Demon Sect and the Dao Court want him dead…”

“There isn’t a single soul in this world who wants to save him.”

The Poison Sovereign sneered coldly, “Back then he was too flashy, offending too many people. Carrying such a great fortune, everyone coveted him. Now that he is at his end, who would think of saving him?”

Mo Hua felt displeased listening to this.

The Poison Sovereign, having finished speaking, suddenly seemed to remember something, and said with implication:

“It is said, this person even has a senior brother. Not only did they sever ties, but he also betrayed his sect, threw himself into demonic cultivation, and was even appointed as a ‘Daoist’ of our Demon Sect…”

“The only demon cultivator in our sect to be named a ‘Daoist’ without reaching Profound-Hollow-Void!”

The Poison Sovereign’s cold gaze fell on the figure seated below, towards the Strange Daoist.

In his eyes, there was contempt.

The others’ gazes followed the Poison Sovereign’s, resting on the Strange Daoist and, behind him, the small figure of Mo Hua.

The four Nascent Soul elders, along with a group of Golden Core demon cultivators, stared hungrily.

Mo Hua felt immense pressure and instinctively hid behind the “Senior Martial Uncle.”

The Strange Daoist’s pupils were pitch black, his expression indifferent, as if no one else existed.

The four Nascent Soul lords’ gazes were icy.

The title of Daoist, containing the word “Dao,” is the highest and most transcendent rank in the Demon Sect, second only to the Demon Lord and beneath the Primordial Ancestor.

Ordinary demon cultivators may know the title exists but cannot comprehend its weight.

But these four, already Nascent Soul demon ancestors, understood perfectly.

This title is something they could never reach.

Yet now, a mere righteous cultivator, one who betrayed his sect, forsook his lineage, half-turned to demonic cultivation, and whose cultivation is only Nascent Soul, could be named a “Strange Daoist”?!

Their hearts were filled with dissatisfaction.

The Black Arhat sneered, “So he was once your junior brother, and yet you show no sentiment at all?”

Lady Miao covered her mouth, giggling softly, “So ruthless… no wonder the righteous path cannot tolerate him. No wonder he became a demon lord.”

Her eyes shifted slightly to Mo Hua hiding behind the Strange Daoist, and they brightened. Inwardly, she praised:

“This little one is truly handsome…”

“The most important thing is his gaze is clear, his aura gentle, like uncut jade. He hasn’t cultivated demonic arts, nor does he carry any impurity. If raised by me until he grows older, nurturing him will be… quite an experience…”

Lady Miao’s heart stirred, but her face remained cool, a cold smile on her lips:

“This is the ‘Ten-Thousand Demon Assembly.’ Everyone here is either a demon ancestor or a great demon cultivator feared across the lands. Even as a ‘Daoist,’ bringing along such a young cultivator who hasn’t cultivated demonic arts—isn’t that a bit too disrespectful?”

The Strange Daoist sat rigidly, saying nothing.

Even Xuan Sanren furrowed his brow, snorting coldly: “A mere demonic seed puppet, and yet such arrogance…”

If the Strange Daoist himself were here, he might have given him face.

He might even have honored him as a distinguished guest, sitting equally with the Nascent Soul demon ancestors, above all demons.

But now, he is only a puppet hosting a demonic seed!

And yet he dares to be so indifferent?

The Strange Daoist’s gaze was blank, without a trace of emotion.

Mo Hua wanted to speak for him: “Senior Martial Uncle means… he doesn’t want to deal with you…”

But he felt it wasn’t appropriate in this setting, and swallowed the words.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense.

Just as Mo Hua worried whether they would make a move against the “Senior Martial Uncle,” the green-lipped Poison Sovereign interjected to smooth things over:

“Enough. Once you enter the Demon Sect, you share the same root…”

“Now our enemy is the Dao Court, and our target is Mister Zhuang. This is not the time for internal conflict…”

The atmosphere in the room finally eased slightly.

Mo Hua smirked inwardly. This old man was definitely a sly old fox. He stirred trouble, yet in the end, he was the one making peace.

The Poison Sovereign was old and held a high rank; his words carried weight. The demonic cultivators present withdrew their gazes from the Strange Daoist.

Still, the air remained subtly tense.

The Black Arhat stared at the Strange Daoist with murderous intent. Xuan Sanren looked displeased. Madam Miao didn’t look at the Strange Daoist, but her gaze fell on Mo Hua, full of greed and some regret—what exactly she was plotting, no one could tell.

With everything said and the plan set, the Poison Sovereign spoke:

“The Ten Thousand Demons Assembly ends here. I hope all of you work together, let your spirits return to the Nether Ancestor, remain loyal to the Demon Lord, and dedicate yourselves to the great prosperity of the Demonic Dao!”

“Great prosperity of the Demonic Dao!”

“Dedicate ourselves fully!”

The demonic cultivators shouted in unison, then all rose to perform a ritualistic salute.

Their gesture was strange, forming a demonic hand seal whose meaning was unknown.

Mo Hua couldn’t replicate it, nor did he care to.

Once the salute was complete, everyone began to disperse.

But as someone reached the door, their expression suddenly changed. Gradually, more and more Golden Core demonic cultivators appeared, their faces a mix of shock and suspicion, whispering to one another.

The Poison Sovereign frowned. “What’s going on?”

Xuan Sanren expanded his Divine Sense, observing for a moment. His expression shifted dramatically. “The Ten Thousand Demon Hall… it’s sealed by a formation?!”

A formation sealing the doors? No escape?

Every demonic cultivator present turned pale.

At that moment, a large demon cultivator suddenly went berserk, striking out violently. One swing of his blade cut down an elder nearby, and then he attacked indiscriminately, bloodthirsty and uncontrolled.

Chaos erupted, and the demons were in an uproar, unsure of what had happened.

The four Nascent Soul Demon Ancestors exchanged glances, then after a moment of thought, frowned and looked toward the Strange Daoist.

The Strange Daoist remained motionless, seated upright.

But his pupils were pitch black.

Standing behind him, Mo Hua couldn’t help but gape in disbelief:

“Dao-Heart Seeding Demons…”

“Martial Uncle… has he… sealed the hall and opened slaughter?”