Ch. 1302 - History of The Ancient Demon Race, Qi Haoran Emerges

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Xu Zimo said, walking into the courtyard where he had been staying.

Paimon and the others followed him in. Because this was a confidential discussion, only Xu Zimo and the four Infernal Archons entered, even Wu Zhaodi was not allowed inside.

Once Xu Zimo and the others had disappeared from view, Qiao Huijun finally exhaled deeply. Without realizing it, his whole body had gone cold. When he wiped his forehead, it was slick with sweat.

“Vice-Lord,” Elder Bi approached. “What should we do now?”

Qiao Huijun was silent for a while, his expression shifting back and forth. He didn’t want Qi Haoran to come out, since the Realm Lord’s seclusion, he had been in charge. The taste of power was far too intoxicating.

But now, with things as they were, he had no choice. With a long sigh, he said, “Summon Realm Lord Qi.”

“But his place of seclusion isn’t accessible to just anyone,” Elder Bi said.

“Then crush the Life Crystal,” Qiao Huijun said.

The so-called Life Crystal was left by Qi Haoran before entering seclusion. It was only to be shattered in the most dire emergencies, when it broke, he would naturally appear.

Elder Bi hesitated, but seeing no other way, he finally agreed.

…

Inside the courtyard, Xu Zimo stood facing the pavilion, his gaze sharp.

Celestial Devourer had remained kneeling silently since entering.

“Why did you betray me back then?” Xu Zimo asked, this was what he cared about most.

“My Lord, you may not remember,” Celestial Devourer sighed. “When word came that the Heavenly War had failed, reports said all of you had perished. Hellfire Asura and I refused to believe it, so we feigned surrender to investigate the truth. You might think I’m making excuses, but I swear upon my very soul, if I speak a lie, may I and my descendants suffer eternal torment and never see the light again.”

“Go on,” Xu Zimo said evenly.

“But later, the news was confirmed, you had fallen in battle, and the rest of our people were banished to the Primordial Demon Cave. Our false surrender became a real one,” Celestial Devourer said bitterly. “We were sealed in this Godfiend Abyss Heaven. It looked like we ruled it, but it was actually a prison, we were never allowed to leave.”

“How fares the Ancient Demon Realm now?” Xu Zimo asked.

“It has developed quite well over the past six hundred million years. There are over a hundred trillion Ancient Demons and millions of Grand Emperors,” Celestial Devourer replied. “But Heaven seems to suppress us, it forbids Ancient Demons from touching the power of Primal Dao. Except for Hellfire Asura and me, no other Saint Sovereign has ever emerged.”

Xu Zimo nodded slightly. To become a Saint Sovereign, one must comprehend atleast one Primal Dao. If Heaven tampered with that, and the Ancient Demons didn’t dare rebel, they could only suffer in silence. Their current dominance within the Godfiend Abyss Heaven was sustained solely by the strength of Celestial Devourer and Hellfire Asura, both were Saint Sovereigns at the pinnacle of the Fifth Realm, the level of Sage Monarchs.

“And Hellfire Asura, what does he think?” Xu Zimo asked.

“He wishes to withdraw,” Celestial Devourer said. “After all these years in the Ancient Demon Realm, he’s grown accustomed to peace. He no longer wants to wander or fight against the world.”

“I can understand that,” Xu Zimo said. “I’ll give him the chance to leave, but even if he wishes to quit, do you think Heaven or the others will let him?”

“He knows that too,” Celestial Devourer said. “That’s why the Lich hybrids appeared.”

“The Lich hybrids?” Xu Zimo asked.

“They’re experimental,” Celestial Devourer explained. “An attempt to alter one’s bloodline, from demon to lich.”

“Did it work?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Halfway,” Celestial Devourer replied. “The transformation succeeds, but those who change often fall into uncontrollable rage, they can’t master themselves.”

“So that’s why the Lich Calamity appeared in the Mortal Ascension Heaven?” Xu Zimo asked.

Celestial Devourer nodded slightly.

“And the others in the Ancient Demon Realm? Do they think like Hellfire Asura?”

“I don’t know yet,” Celestial Devourer said. “Once I heard news of you, I came immediately.”

“It seems I’ll need to visit the Ancient Demon Realm soon,” Xu Zimo said thoughtfully.

“By the way, my Lord, there’s one more thing,” Celestial Devourer added. “In your previous life, you told me that if the Heavenly War failed, after your reincarnation I was to take you to a certain place.”

“What place?” Xu Zimo asked.

“It’s within the Ancient Demon Realm. You’ll understand when you see it,” Celestial Devourer said.

“You’ve all been apart for so long, catch up with one another,” Xu Zimo said, glancing at the others. “I’ll step out for a bit.”

He looked toward the horizon, sensing something.

At that moment, within Vast Heaven God Realm, the Life Crystal had been shattered. In the forbidden grounds where Qi Haoran was secluded, sword intent began to rise, piercing the heavens, shaking the skies. The sword aura cut through the demonic clouds, accompanied by the faint roar of a giant.

“This Qi Haoran is impressive,” Celestial Devourer commented. “A pity about the twin prodigies of Vast Heaven God Realm.”

“I’ll go have a chat with Qi Haoran,” Xu Zimo said, waving his hand. “You all stay here.”

He left the courtyard and walked straight toward the forbidden area of Vast Heaven God Realm. Along the way, no one tried to stop him; some disciples even came to guide him.

The sword aura grew stronger and stronger. Even from afar, the disciples could feel its pressure.

“The Realm Lord has grown stronger again,” one elder said in awe.

“Good, this is a blessing for our Vast Heaven God Realm,” another replied.

Amid the overgrown weeds and jagged rocks of the forbidden grounds, Xu Zimo stopped at the base of a mountain.

They say a mountain need not be tall, if an immortal resides there, it becomes sacred. This was just such a place. Though not high, a massive crack split it down the middle, as if cleaved apart by a single strike.

“The Primordial Sword,” Xu Zimo murmured.

A thunderous rumble echoed as the mountain split further apart. With a deafening crash, the entire peak collapsed to either side. Amid the swirling dust, a figure emerged, walking slowly, sword in hand. His steps fell softly on the grass, his presence steeped in an ancient aura, as if he had walked here from another era.

“Greetings, Realm Lord,” the gathered elders and disciples of Vast Heaven God Realm said in unison, kneeling as they welcomed him.

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