Ch. 1326 - The Battle Erupts, Arrogance of the Heavenly Court

“My Lord, they’re here,” the Demon Sage said, standing and gazing toward the far horizon.

At last, a distant light appeared.

Xu Zimo opened his eyes. From his body, raging infernal energy ignited and burned like a dark flame.

He saw a celestial warship speeding toward them, grand and imposing like a moving planet.

At the ship’s prow was the head of some kind of God Beast, though Xu Zimo did not recognize what species it was.

The tail of the ship was a massive circular ring, upon which hung five luminous moons, each a pure white the color of amber. The entire vessel radiated an ethereal, otherworldly aura.

Its structure was intricate, the hull covered in a thin blue light film.

Though still far off on the horizon, everyone already felt the crushing pressure it exuded.

The colossal ship advanced at a speed nearly invisible to the naked eye, the air erupting with constant sonic booms.

Spirit energy from all directions gathered at the ship’s prow. The beast’s mouth opened wide, devouring the heavens, condensing boundless power.

A torrent of energy tore through the void, crashing down with unstoppable force.

Before Xu Zimo could move, the Demon Sage rose into the air, meeting the torrent head-on.

His right hand curled slightly, infernal energy gathering into a black sphere in his palm.

The sphere detonated in midair.

A thunderous explosion echoed, boom!

When the shockwave faded, the Demon Sage stood unharmed, his gaze calm, his robes immaculate.

He looked toward the celestial warship, which now hovered to a stop.

Moments later, trillions of Heavenly Court cultivators emerged from within.

They all wore the same long robes, predominantly blue and white, and carried an air of cold arrogance.

After these soldiers took formation, two figures finally stepped out from the ship.

One was an elderly man with snow-white hair, well past his prime. The other was a young man in his twenties.

At their appearance, every demon around tensed, expressions grave.

“They’re Heavenly Court’s Celestial Sages,” someone whispered solemnly. “It’s said that every Celestial Sage of the Heavenly Court is a Saint Sovereign. None below that realm are qualified for the title.”

“I’ve also heard that when one becomes a Celestial Sage, the Heavenly Court erects a statue in their honor, so that all in the Calamity Immortal Heaven may worship them,” another added bitterly.

Hearing their murmurs, Xu Zimo coughed lightly and rose slowly to his feet.

“We have come under the order of the Immortal Lord,” the old man announced, his voice sharp and echoing. “Where is Xu Zimo? Xu Zimo, come with us, quietly.”

“I stand right here,” Xu Zimo replied evenly. “If you wish to take me, then come.”

“This generation’s Infernal Lord is so weak?” the old man, Xuan Mingzi, mocked as his eyes swept over Xu Zimo. “How disappointing. We were cautious before coming here, but now... I see there’s nothing to fear.”

“Do not underestimate him,” the younger man beside him warned in a low tone.

He was also a Celestial Sage, his name was Xiang Tianhui.

He knew well that no demon was ever simple. If they were, the Heavenly Dao wouldn’t have struggled against them for so many years.

“Brother Xiang, you’re far too cautious,” Xuan Mingzi chuckled. “Think of the glory that awaits us when we capture the Infernal Lord. Once he’s locked in the Heavenly Court’s Immortal Confinement Altar, his arrogance will be crushed.”

“At his peak, my Lord could have erased you with a fart!” a demon shouted coldly from the crowd, unable to bear their insolence. “And now you dare bark before us? The Heavenly Court truly is full of idiots.”

“In war, only victory and defeat matter,” Xuan Mingzi sneered. “There’s no room for righteousness.”

He laughed, turning to Xiang Tianhui. “Just wait here, brother. Watch as I bring you the Infernal Lord’s head.”

Xiang Tianhui wanted to stop him, but it was already too late.

A powerful wave of divine might burst from Xuan Mingzi. His aura surged, saintly power flooding the air as he instantly appeared before Xu Zimo.

The void along his path shattered, torn apart by overwhelming force.

Xu Zimo, however, stood calmly, hands clasped behind his back, watching indifferently.

As Xuan Mingzi’s sharp eyes locked on him and his right hand reached out to seize Xu Zimo’s shoulder, a deafening boom erupted.

A massive hand appeared, gripping Xuan Mingzi’s wrist. The sheer force crushed it instantly, bones exploding into dust.

That was the source of the blast.

Xuan Mingzi recoiled furiously, retreating through the air. His wrist regenerated in an instant, but his face was grim.

“Who dares stop me?!” he demanded, glaring ahead.

There, standing in front of Xu Zimo, was Celestial Devourer, his aura vast and demonic power surging like a storm.

“Greetings, Ancient Ancestor!” the Ancient Demons cried in unison, kneeling in reverence.

They all knew, the two mightiest beings of the Ancient Demon Realm were Hellfire Asura and Celestial Devourer.

The latter had long been in seclusion, seldom intervening in worldly matters, so most were more familiar with the former.

“Celestial Devourer, what is the meaning of this?” Xuan Mingzi demanded through gritted teeth.

“I should be asking you that,” Celestial Devourer retorted coldly.

Their divine and infernal auras collided, and though both radiated immense pressure, Celestial Devourer’s presence clearly dominated.

He was a Sage Monarch, while Xuan Mingzi, though also a Saint Sovereign, was only an Eternal Overlord.

The difference in power was undeniable.

“I come by order of the Lord of Heaven to apprehend the Infernal Lord,” Xuan Mingzi declared. “This matter has nothing to do with your realm. The promise made to your Ancient Demon Realm still stands, you may live out your final years in peace. But this is not your affair. Stay out of it.”

His words dripped with arrogance, as though he were bestowing a favor rather than issuing a warning.

He continued, “The Heavenly Court’s armies will soon descend upon you. Consider carefully which side you stand on. You’ve enjoyed peace for millions of years, surely you don’t wish to see it shattered?”

Xu Zimo, who had been watching silently all along, finally spoke. His face remained calm, voice quiet but carrying deadly intent.

“One word,” he said. “Kill.”

That single command ignited a storm of slaughter.

Celestial Devourer moved first, his power roaring forth. Behind him, the countless Ancient Demons of Dragon Mountain soared into the sky, charging at the Heavenly Court forces above.

The Heavenly Court had come with two Saint Sovereigns. Xuan Mingzi quickly found himself entangled in combat with Celestial Devourer.

The other, Xiang Tianhui, did not attack immediately. Instead, he stepped forward slowly through the air until he stood less than ten meters from Xu Zimo, both suspended high above the clouds.

“I want to know,” Xiang Tianhui said evenly, “what trump card you’re hiding. Hellfire Asura will not fight for you.”

“The Eighteen Infernal Archons do not consist of him alone,” Xu Zimo replied calmly.

“And what of it? They were all banished to the Primordial Demon Cave long ago,” Xiang Tianhui said.

“It seems,” Xu Zimo answered, shaking his head slightly, “you know very little of the Heavenly War in those days.”

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