Chapter 1321 |
Chapter 1321: Eighth Stage of the Demon Marquis Realm
Huo Yang led the Demon Warrior Legion back to the Divine Flame Family. This time, the teleportation square teemed with far more people than when they’d first arrived.
Even high-ranking members of the family had come to greet them—not solely for Huo Yang, but with most eyes fixed on Su Jingzhen.
As they materialized in the square, countless gazes from the Divine Flame Family locked onto him.
Word of Su Jingzhen’s exploits in Demon Battle City had spread, including his ascension to seventh elder of the Demon Battle Guild—a force long recognized as a Demon King Realm-level power in the central region, governed by a mere seven core figures.
In status, Su Jingzhen now outranked most elders of similar-tier factions.
As he and his group passed through, elder-level figures from the Divine Flame Family eagerly offered their goodwill.
“Little sister, how about teaming up with your third brother this time? My legion’s been languishing in mediocrity—please, take me under your wing!”
“Second brother wants in too! My legion’s stuck at Fourth Stage Demon General Realm strength—pathetic. If you don’t help, I’ll disgrace the Divine Flame Family at the central trials!”
The pleas echoed around Huo Yang as countless younger family members swarmed her.
“No team-ups,” she replied, brimming with pride like a puffed-up hen. “But if you’re in danger during the trials, send word, and I’ll do my best to save you.”
Once a prodigy and the family’s darling due to her talent, Huo Yang now radiated even greater confidence with the Demon Warrior Legion under her command.
While the younger generation clamored around her, Demon Sage Realm and low-level Demon General Realm cultivators approached Su Jingzhen with warm smiles.
“Young friend Jingzhen, I’m Elder Huo Feng, sixth elder of the nineteenth branch.”
“Young friend, I’m Elder Huo Miao, fourth elder of the thirtieth branch. Greetings!”
The Divine Flame Family sprawled across over a hundred branches, though true power resided in the top five.
Elders from lesser branches, limited in cultivation and resources, saw Su Jingzhen as a rising star worth courting for future gains. He returned their greetings with polite smiles but kept conversations brief.
Soon, the group left the square for Huo Yang’s estate in the family’s core district.
Witnessing the fervor of the branches, Su Jingzhen grasped Huo Yang’s lofty status—she was the little princess of the main branch, home to the Fire Pupil Demon King, the family’s mightiest figure.
He couldn’t help but feel a pang of reflection. With her strength and resources, Huo Yang could overwhelm foes with treasures alone, no finesse required. Meanwhile, smaller branches scraped by with the basics.
Back at the estate, You Yue approached him.
“Husband, I’ve asked Huo Yang to join me in visiting the branches. I plan to expand the Demon Warrior Legion by five hundred members in the next few days, raising our total to two thousand five hundred. If they integrate fully, the legion’s strength could climb even higher.”
Her eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Already at the Ninth Stage of the Demon General Realm, the legion stood one step from Demon King Realm power.
After the Purgatory Demon Sect ordeal, a sharp sense of crisis had gripped You Yue.
She yearned for the legion to grow strong enough to shield her loved ones. Su Jingzhen supported her wholeheartedly, though his role as grand commander was mostly titular, leaving recruitment to her.
Once You Yue departed, Su Jingzhen found himself alone.
He began circulating the Creation Heaven Scripture, a practice he’d neglected lately.
Recent gains had come from point allocation, but relying on external boosts left him uneasy.
As the scripture flowed, boundless blood energy surged through him. At the Sixth Stage of the Demon Marquis Realm, it invigorated every fiber of his being, leaving him exhilarated.
“The Pink Poison’s source toxin is lagging again,” he mused, inspecting the energies in his hidden repositories.
The Pink Poisonous Woman’s toxin, once a trump card, now faltered against foes at his current level—an inevitable fade.
By contrast, the Nine-Colored Purifying Flame and World-Suppressing Flame blazed as fiercely as ever, their potency scaling with his growth.
The extreme cold energy, however, lagged, throwing his balance off-kilter.
Unperturbed, he pressed on with the Creation Heaven Scripture.
As time passed, his Sixth Stage cultivation stabilized, then crept toward the Seventh Stage. When the daily fixed points appeared, he’d broken through naturally:
[Daily Fixed Points: Shuang Jiang: 48, Zhang Xiu: 75…]
[Remaining Available Points: 53,050]
Stretching lazily, Su Jingzhen savored the satisfaction of self-earned strength.
One night of scripture cultivation had pushed him up a minor realm.
He reckoned that blending combat with seclusion might rival point allocation in speed.
Stepping outside, he found the estate quiet—Huo Yang and the legion were absent.
He’d planned to explore this Demon King Realm-level force before the trials, but alone, his interest waned.
His status granted free rein within the family, yet it also invited challengers eager to topple a rising star for fame.
“My wife’s tied up with recruitment and training,” he muttered.
“No chance for deep talks soon. Might as well seclude myself.”
Returning to his room, he resumed the Creation Heaven Scripture. With each cycle, his blood energy thickened.
Five days later, the fixed points reappeared:
[Remaining Available Points: 55,410]
Over 2,300 points had accumulated, and his cultivation had stabilized at the peak of the Eighth Stage of the Demon Marquis Realm—just shy of the Ninth.
Two more allocations could vault him to the Demon Sage Realm, akin to the Immortal Emperor Realm. Excitement and anticipation welled within him; he was nearing the pinnacle he’d once known.
As he concluded, You Yue returned, still in heavy armor, her eyes alight.
“Husband, come with me. I want to show you the Demon Warrior Legion’s current strength!”