Chapter 1001: The Demonic Army

Boom! Bang!

The ethereal sky was shrouded in chaotic clouds and mist, plunging the world into darkness. The chaotic mist surged like an ocean, sometimes churning up terrifying waves and storms, and at other times unleashing bolts of lightning that shattered mountain peaks.

High in the virtual sky, Ye Chen, Tai Xu Gu Long, and Zi Xuan streaked like three divine lights, painting brilliant streaks across the pitch-black heavens and earth.

Along their path, they encountered numerous cultivators fleeing toward Nan Chu, appearing as if they had been defeated in battle and were in disarray, desperate to reach the safety of its three-million-li wall for some sense of security.

As they flew, figures approached from three directions: Ji Ningshuang, Liu Yi, and Zhou Ao. Behind them followed many powerful experts, and further back came a vast army of cultivators, spreading out like a massive formation.

“Send people to Bei Chu's mortal realm and bring the ordinary people to Nan Chu.”

“We'll go ourselves.” Yang Dingtian and Dao Xuan Zhenren split into two groups—one heading northwest, the other northeast—taking many Heng Yue Zong cultivators with them at impressive speed.

“Is it really that troublesome?” Ji Ningshuang flew alongside Ye Chen, turning her head to glance at him.

“This will be an incredibly brutal war.” Ye Chen took a deep breath. “In conflicts between cultivators, ordinary people are innocent. From the moment we set foot on this path, we cultivators should protect the common folk behind us.”

With that, he surged forward, his speed increasing dramatically as he used the Shrink the Ground to an Inch technique, covering thousands of zhang in a single step.

Behind him, Ji Ningshuang smiled without a word and, along with Tai Xu Gu Long and the others, caught up to Ye Chen.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

By now, killing had already erupted across the Bei Zhen Cangyuan. From within the towering demonic pillar, hordes of shadowy figures materialized, all clad in chilling armor and wielding dark war spears. Black energy and thunder swirled around them, their eyes glowing with blood-red light, filled with savagery and bloodlust.

Their expressions were grotesque, as they reveled in inhaling the aura of Da Chu, their pale teeth gleaming menacingly in the dark world.

Bang!

With a thunderous roar, a majestic figure emerged from the demonic pillar, clad in icy black armor with blood-red hair billowing. His eyes seemed to encompass the heavens and earth, revealing visions of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, as well as stars extinguishing and the world collapsing.

This person was extraordinarily powerful, like a supreme demon god whose presence made the heavens tremble. He was a genuine Quasi-Emperor peak expert.

This was Tianmo Jun, the first demon lord under Tianmo Dadi of the Tianmo Domain.

If Ye Chen were here, he would be shocked upon seeing Tianmo Jun, for he had encountered him before.

Hmm?

No sooner had Tianmo Jun stepped out than his Quasi-Emperor peak cultivation was instantly suppressed to Quasi-Heaven peak.

How interesting!

Tianmo Jun let out a faint laugh, his blood-red eyes flickering with a eerie glow as he gazed curiously at Da Chu's sky. “The cycle of the heavens—I truly underestimated you. Once I destroy Tianxuan Gate, I'll settle accounts with you.”

“Always so quick to flee when favored by the great emperor.” A mocking laugh echoed as another figure emerged from the demonic pillar, also clad in black armor with an ancient demonic mark on his forehead. His vast aura rivaled that of Tianmo Jun.

This was Di Mo Jun, the second demon lord under Tianmo Dadi of the Tianmo Domain.

After stepping out, Di Mo Jun fixed his blood-red eyes on Tianmo Jun with a mix of greed and bloodlust, like a wolf eyeing its prey.

“You're as repulsive as ever.”

“I'll devour you eventually.” Di Mo Jun grinned ferociously, even licking his scarlet tongue as he spoke.

Buzz!

As they conversed, the demonic pillar trembled again, and six more figures emerged, all in black armor with towering physiques and overwhelming demonic energy. Each was at Quasi-Emperor peak, though their cultivations had been suppressed. Still, they exuded the presence of world-conquering demon gods.

They were Lei Mo Jun, Feng Mo Jun, Yan Mo Jun, Anhei Mo Jun, Shi Xue Mo Jun, and Jiu You Mo Jun—the other demon lords under Tianmo Dadi of the Tianmo Domain.

After appearing, the six glanced at Tianmo Jun and Di Mo Jun with eyes full of greed and bloodlust.

Buzz!

The demonic pillar shook once more, and another figure stepped out—this time, a woman.

She was strikingly beautiful, clad in green armor wreathed in purple-black demonic energy, with an ancient demonic mark on her forehead. Her eyes were a deep purple, clear as water yet as unfathomable as an abyss. Even Tianmo Jun and the others dared not meet her gaze.

This was Tiannv Mo Jun, the ninth demon lord under Tianmo Dadi of the Tianmo Domain.

Compared to the others, she was far more aloof, radiating a cold and regal aura like a queen of demons, her presence even stronger than Tianmo Jun's.

If Ye Chen saw her, he would surely recognize her, as he had met her long ago.

These were the nine great demon lords under Tianmo Dadi of the Tianmo Domain.

Originally, there were eleven, but Heizhan Mo Jun, who had descended on Nan Chu, and Ziyue Mo Jun, who had come to Bei Chu, had both been destroyed, leaving only nine.

After Tiannv Mo Jun, the demonic pillar continued to tremble, spawning endless waves of figures like a vast sea, numbering in the hundreds of thousands and showing no sign of stopping.

Boom! Bang!

Ahead, the demonic soldiers advanced like a black tide, toppling mountains and tearing apart lives wherever they went.

This assault came too suddenly, catching the various forces of Bei Zhen Cangyuan off guard and inflicting heavy losses. The Tianmo army was overwhelmingly powerful, beyond what they could withstand.

Retreat! Retreat quickly!

In the virtual sky, an elder from Zhu Jian City roared, shielding his family's disciples as they fled.

Buzz!

A black war spear pierced the sky, impaling the elder in mid-air.

Elder!

The people of Zhu Jian City were overcome with grief, their younger members pale with terror. A Quasi-Heaven realm expert had been slain on the spot, and the enemy's strength left them trembling in fear.

Kill!

A towering figure soared through the air, his voice cold and authoritative as he pulled the bloodied spear from the elder's body. This was a powerful demonic general, suppressed from Quasi-Emperor to Quasi-Heaven realm. Though at the same level, his combat prowess far surpassed that of an ordinary Quasi-Heaven expert.

The demonic soldiers surged like a flood, engulfing groups of people.

Zhu Jian City's forces were scattered, with only half escaping alive and many others surrounded and obliterated.

Forces like Haotian Family, Qixi Palace, Beihai Family, and Xuetian Family fared no better, with only a few managing to flee as their elders fought desperately to protect the younger generation.

It was a scene of utter carnage, with the Tianmo army leaving mountains of corpses and rivers of blood in their wake.

On a mountain peak, a dozen elderly figures staggered, all wounded, as they shielded two people behind them. These were Chen Rongyun, the young master of Zhu Jian City, and Haotian Shiyu of the Haotian Family.

“Damn it all, today was supposed to be my big wedding day.” Chen Rongyun lay in Haotian Shiyu's arms, blood gushing from his wounds.

He was gravely injured, with a gruesome hole in his chest emitting a demonic glow that drained his vital energy. The wound not only failed to heal but continued to spread, having struck his life soul directly and rapidly extinguishing his soul flame.

“You can't die, you can't die.” Haotian Shiyu wept uncontrollably, frantically channeling her vital energy into him. If not for Chen Rongyun blocking the attack earlier, she would have been the one dying now.

“Give me a smile.”

Haotian Shiyu was tear-streaked but said nothing, burning her lifespan to pour more vital energy into him, hoping to save his life.

However, fate was unyielding; her efforts were in vain. No matter how desperately she tried, she couldn't stop Chen Rongyun's life soul from dissipating.

Boom!

The demonic soldiers charged up the mountain, and the dozen elders of Zhu Jian City fought to the death, falling one by one until they were gone.

“We'll go together.” As the demonic soldiers closed in, Haotian Shiyu gave up channeling her energy and held Chen Rongyun tightly, her expression tender.

But just as the soldiers raised their weapons, a towering figure descended from the sky, sweeping them aside with a palm. It was Xiao Feng, the first hall master of Tianting.

Go!

Xiao Feng shifted in a step, grabbing the two and leaping into the virtual sky. Though his back was slashed by a sword, the tidal wave of demonic soldiers pursued them, and more blocked their path ahead.

Xiao Feng protected the pair while fighting fiercely, striving to carve a bloody path to escape.

In his arms, Chen Rongyun wiped the tears from Haotian Shiyu's face. “Live well.”

His words carried a man's tenderness as he gently pushed her away, his body plummeting from the sky like a falling leaf, drifting with the wind as blood and tears blurred his vision.

No!

Haotian Shiyu's scream was heart-wrenching, her outstretched hand grasping at nothing as she watched his bloodied figure fade away, their separation now eternal.

Anyone who blocks me dies!

Xiao Feng roared in fury, unable to save Chen Rongyun as he dragged the struggling Haotian Shiyu through the chaos, finally breaking through.

On the other side, Chen Rongyun, refusing to be a burden, crashed to the ground. With his dimming eyes holding onto the last flicker of light, he watched until Xiao Feng led Haotian Shiyu to safety. Only then did he smile and close his eyes. “Until the next life.”

The demonic soldiers swarmed over him, engulfing his form, while two trails of bloody tears streaked his face, etching her image deep into his soul.

Ah!

Haotian Shiyu's screams were piercing as Xiao Feng carried her to safety, but her blurred eyes could no longer find that figure.

Alas!

Xiao Feng sighed inwardly, helpless.

Everything had happened too suddenly, leaving everyone unprepared. Even with the ninth division's army rushing to aid, they were vastly outnumbered. Saving one person was already a miracle. He was no Ye Chen, a peerless figure; he simply couldn't rescue Chen Rongyun.