Chapter 1397 |
Seeing that the Crimson Feather Demon King had finally relented and issued the order, the high-level members of the Crimson Feather Demon Sect breathed a sigh of relief.
In their view, their Demon King had been overly cautious this time.
Orders were swiftly relayed through the ranks.
At that moment, the Qiankun Array Plate floating in the void trembled.
Then, it retracted its violent energy.
The barrier dissipated accordingly.
Su Jingzhen’s eyes lit up.
Countless onlookers surged into Blood Demon City.
At this point, no one noticed anything unusual about him.
"I thought the Crimson Feather Demon Sect would hold out against us. Turns out, they’re nothing special!"
"If they’d done this earlier, everyone would’ve left quickly. No one wants trouble with them right now."
"..."
Some mocked, others cursed.
But they all vacated the port as fast as possible.
In less than half an incense stick’s time, nearly everyone who wanted to leave had gone.
Yet Jin Zhongbao and the other Realm Merchants lingered.
Their gazes shifted toward Blood Demon City.
The Realm Merchants beside Jin Zhongbao looked puzzled, even displeased.
"Manager Jin, what’s the point of staying now? What are we waiting for?"
"Exactly. Word is, the Desolate Heaven Demon Sect’s been wiped out by the Blood Empress Demon King and her allies—including the Desolate Heaven Demon King, who didn’t escape. Now, they’ve retreated deep into the Boundless Demon Realm, directly opposing the Boundless Demon Sect. We Realm Merchants are neutral; openly defying the Boundless Demon Sect isn’t wise."
"Manager Jin, let’s go. It’s a shame, but we’ve profited from Su Han already. Call it a day."
"..."
Jin Zhongbao initially stood firm, but their persuasion made him sigh.
For him, Su Jingzhen stirring such chaos in the Boundless Demon Realm in two days—indirectly felling two Demon Kings—was extraordinary.
He felt that a long-term partnership with Su Jingzhen could greatly benefit the Realm Merchants, or at least himself.
It might even transform his life.
At the Eighth Stage of the Demon General Realm, he’d likely hit his cultivation ceiling.
He’d never dared dream of Half-Step Demon King or Demon King status.
But Su Jingzhen offered a glimmer of hope.
Perhaps a fantasy, but isn’t that what cultivators chase?
At the faintest chance, they’d leap into the fire!
Taking a deep breath, Jin Zhongbao resolved, "If you’re eager for other business, I won’t stop you. Go. But I’ll stay and watch. I feel Blood Demon City’s story isn’t over."
His tone was firm.
The others frowned again.
"Manager Jin, why risk it? If the Guild Master learns of this, your position among the Realm Merchants could be in jeopardy."
They tried to press further, but Jin Zhongbao waved them off. "Enough. I know your arguments. No more. My mind’s set."
Sighing, they nodded.
With the Qiankun Array Plate’s barrier gone, they followed the crowd out of the port.
"Little friend Jingzhen, my fate’s in your hands. Stir up chaos—big chaos. Best case, topple the Boundless Demon Sect and reshape the Boundless Demon Realm."
Jin Zhongbao muttered to himself.
Of course, it was wishful thinking.
Toppling the Boundless Demon Realm was near impossible.
But if Su Jingzhen and his allies could secure Blood Demon City, that’d suffice.
Jin Zhongbao could monopolize its trade.
He knew his companions would report his alignment with Su Jingzhen and the Blood Empress Demon King.
The Realm Merchants’ higher-ups might strip his regional manager role to protect themselves.
But that no longer mattered.
As Jin Zhongbao mused, the Qiankun Array Plate flared again.
Terrifying energy reformed the barrier, enveloping Blood Demon City.
No one could enter or leave.
By then, Su Jingzhen had slipped into the city’s central area.
He could see the Crimson Feather Demon Sect’s elite with his own eyes.
But the Crimson Feather Demon King’s exact location remained elusive.
"Sister Blood Empress, prepare. As soon as I get close to the Crimson Feather Demon Sect. I’ll deploy the Heavenly Emperor’s Sword. Once the barrier forms, we’ve got ten breaths. If we don’t kill him in one strike, he might escape into the void."
Inside the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, Su Jingzhen spoke gravely to the Blood Empress Demon King and the others.
Blood Empress brimmed with excitement.
In two days, they’d soon claim three Demon Kings.
Though the Scorching Sun, Desolate Heaven, and Crimson Feather Demon Kings held no personal grudges with her, they’d sided with the Boundless Demon Sect and followed its orders.
"Little brother, do it!"
Her fighting spirit soared.
Without delay, Su Jingzhen drew the Heavenly Emperor’s Sword from Little Green.
He positioned it high above Blood Demon City’s center.
Its power erupted, forming a barrier, spanning a ten-mile radius.
Instantly, the Blood Empress Demon King, Mo Xuantian, Mo Xuanling, and the old tree emerged.
The auras of four Demon Kings blazed unrestrained.
Their divine senses swept the area.
A moment later, they beamed.
They’d pinpointed the Crimson Feather Demon King in the central hall.
The Crimson Feather Demon King, just relieved that the Qiankun Array Plate’s barrier had reformed smoothly, sensed the four Demon King auras.
Terror gripped him.
"Not good—it’s the Blood Empress Demon King!"
"How did they get in so fast!"
"..."
Recalling the fates of the Desolate Heaven and Scorching Sun Demon Kings, fear consumed him.
A day ago, he’d have laughed at the notion of Blood Empress and her allies killing him.
Now, escape was his sole desire.
At the Demon King level, he stood atop the Starry Sky Demons’ pyramid.
As long as he lived, he’d remain an eternal pillar.
He wouldn’t die without a fight.
The hall exploded!
He shot skyward.
But the Heavenly Emperor’s Sword’s barrier, bolstered by the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss’s vast world power, held firm.
Even the space within was unyieldingly stable.
With Demon King strength, tearing through it quickly was impossible!
"Crimson Feather, since you love guarding Blood Demon City, stay forever. Your soul can join me in ruling it—an alternate eternity."
The Blood Empress Demon King’s cold laughter echoed.
Her aura locked onto him.
A phantom flower bloomed in the void.
Mo Xuantian, Mo Xuanling, and the old tree struck without hesitation, unleashing their strongest moves.
After two prior battles, their coordination was seamless.
Four devastating attacks surged.
The Crimson Feather Demon King had nowhere to flee.
He could only defend.
Even one-on-one, he might not best Blood Empress—let alone four.
In Blood Demon City’s center, a violent energy wave erupted.
All Crimson Feather Demon Sect disciples there met the same end as the Scorching Sun Demon Sect’s—
reduced to dust instantly!
The onlookers who’d entered with Su Jingzhen gaped at the chaos.
Shock widened their eyes.
Excitement shook their bodies.
"This… a Demon King’s aura! I knew it! The Crimson Feather Demon Sect’s hold on Blood Demon City wouldn’t end well."
"Is the Crimson Feather Demon King about to share the fate of the Desolate Heaven and Scorching Sun Demon Kings?"
"Heavens! Three Demon Kings in two days! When was the last time the Boundless Demon Realm saw such upheaval?"
"This energy wave matches the Scorching Sun Demon King’s fall. The Blood Empress Demon King’s ruthless—truly the fierce guardian of Blood Demon City for countless years."
"..."
As the crowd marveled, Jin Zhongbao, still at the port, froze.
Then excitement lit his face.
He knew what this meant!
"I knew I wasn’t wrong about you! Fellow Daoist Jingzhen, you’re destined for greatness!"