Martial Cultivator

By the banks of the Onan River, the Demon Emperor had been waiting here for a long, long time.

Ever since he had waited here for Autumn back then, he had never left. Yet, even so, standing in this place, the news he wanted to know was delivered to him instantly. As the Demon Emperor, wanting to know what happened in the desolate north was not a challenging matter.

"Before Yuan Shan found him, someone else found them first. However, the two joined forces, and a great talisman from the Sword Sect actually managed to kill that unlucky fellow. I've heard that the Sect Master of the Sword Sect is unparalleled with the sword, even more terrifying in some ways than that daoist."

The Sword Sect's great talisman was a unique method known even to the demons.

Autumn asked, "How does he compare to that Great Liang Emperor?"

The Demon Emperor shook his head and laughed, "Not sure. Human cultivators also like to conceal their abilities, but since sword cultivators are said to possess unrivaled killing power in the world, then this great sword immortal's sword must be the sharpest thing under the heavens."

Autumn nodded and remained silent.

"Yuan Shan may be a bit foolish, but he's not so foolish as to be beyond saving. He should be turning back and heading here by now. However, those young people are quite bold, daring to come to the Onan River. We do admire them. It's a pity they aren't demons."

The Demon Emperor looked downstream of the Onan River and suddenly asked, "When you went south, did you see the Divine Capital?"

"Heard that the Divine Capital is even more magnificent than the demon race's royal city, it's truly the greatest city under heaven. But if a city becomes too grand, it's not that frightening. Just like the Northern Frontier Great Wall built by the humans, one day, we will trample it."

The Demon Emperor said softly, "Yuan Shan has cultivated bitterly for many years. He's truly just one step away from reaching the end of Nepenthe. The green ape race, known for their unmatched physical strength... If this guy actually crosses that final step to the end of Nepenthe one day, even We would find it rather troublesome."

The struggles within the demon territory are far simpler, more direct, and fiercer than those of humans. Everyone coveted the Demon Emperor's throne, so the Demon Emperor could neither grow old nor be injured. If anyone learned that he was no longer at his peak, those subjects who once appeared submissive would raise their heads and cast greedy eyes upon his throne.

Back then, when the Great Liang Emperor came to the banks of the Onan River back then, the Demon Emperor pretended to be injured, which immediately attracted countless contenders for the demon throne. Although the Demon Emperor suppressed them at that time, it did not mean they would remain loyal forever. They were just waiting for another chance, another possible opportunity."

The Demon Emperor said, "It's not easy for anyone."

He clearly knew many coveted the position of Demon Emperor, but he could not kill them all.

Firstly, doing so would affect the unity of the demon race. The many races were intertwined, killing one great demon would shake the foundation of a race.

Secondly, the reason was simpler. The humans in the South had always been obsessed with exterminating the demon race. At this moment, they were lying in wait, biding their time. If the strength of the demon race weakened, the threat of extinction would be imminent.

Those undecided foreign cultivators might also join in at that time.

The true confrontation between the humans and the demon race was never because humans were particularly strong or that the demon race lacked the strength to swallow the humans, but because of these hidden elements beneath the surface.

"Humans have selfish desires, and so do demons. It's really troublesome."

The Demon Emperor looked at Autumn and smiled, "If it were you, how would you handle such a situation?"

Autumn softly said, "Beat them until they no longer dare to harbor disloyal thoughts."

The Demon Emperor laughed, "It's not easy, but it's doable."

Autumn said calmly, "Royal Father will accomplish it one day."

After saying this, the father and daughter both looked up at the sky.

In the distant sea of clouds, sword intent filled the air.

The Demon Emperor did not speak, he just raised his head to look at the sword light approaching from the sky, saying with some surprise, “Didn't expect that sword user to actually dare to attack Us.”

The Demon Emperor smiled and said indifferently, “What's the point of the sword coming if the person doesn't?”

……

……

As the true genius disciple of this generation in Sword Sect, Yu Xiyi's sensitivity to sword qi far surpassed that of his fellow apprentice brothers. Moreover, that Sword Sect great talisman had been personally handed to him by the Sect Master. He was naturally very familiar with the Sect Master's aura, so when he saw that sword light, he was immensely excited. Since the Sect Master had personally struck, whether it was just the sword or the Sect Master himself arriving, it meant that his puny life was saved.

But what he did not expect was that the sword light in front of him merely swept past without stopping and went off into the distance.

Yu Xiyi wanted to cry but had no tears. Sect Master... are you really this heartless?

Yuan Shan had also returned to his senses. Though he did not know the intent behind the sword light, since it had already passed by and gone far away, he did not think too much of it. Killing was still the top priority.

However, when he lowered his head, he found Chen Chao standing in front of him, with the tip of his saber already pressing against his chest.

A trace of mockery flashed in Yuan Shan's eyes. To him, this young martial artist's overconfidence was nothing more than a joke.

Chen Chao had not expected to pierce Yuan Shan's body either. Since Yuan Shan had already stepped into the Nepenthe Realm and was from the green ape race, with an unparalleled physique, this last strike of Chen Chao's that was an arrow at the end of its flight carried more of an insult than a real threat.

Yuan Shan raised his hand and struck down towards Chen Chao's head, rolling demonic qi ready to instantly shatter his skull.

As a martial artist, no matter how resilient Chen Chao‘s body was, he was helpless against a great demon like Yuan Shan.

Chen Chao frowned, the white mist inside him surged wildly, gathering into his hands and pouring into Cloud Mud. The saber's tip pierced through Yuan Shan's clothes in an instant, but that was all it could do.

Yuan Shan sneered coldly and slammed his palm down.

Demonic qi gushed from his palm, about to crush Chen Chao's head.

At that moment, a flying sword descended from the sky.

Wild Grass returned from somewhere, carrying overwhelming sword qi as it suddenly dropped. Irritated, Yuan Shan swatted the flying sword away again.

The young monk's fingertips emanated a thin golden thread, wrapping around Chen Chao and dragging him back.

At the same time, several lotus flowers bloomed in front of Chen Chao, blocking Yuan Shan's demonic qi.

The lotus flowers shattered, and blood trickled from the corner of the young monk's mouth, but he still managed to pull Chen Chao away from the battlefield.

But seeing this scene, Yuan Shan's killing intent only grew stronger. He reached out with his massive hand, directly pressing down toward the three of them!

Yu Xiyi trembled as he looked up, muttering, "Sect Master, if you have any conscience left, please turn back and look at me!"

……

……

Although Yuan Shan had not summoned any dharma idol from start to end, as his killing intent surged, his attacks became increasingly ruthless. In just an instant, the three of them were already struggling to hold on.

Yu Xiyi cursed under his breath, "Monk, do you really not have a single life-saving method left? If you don't use it now, are you saving it to pass on to your kids?"

The young monk remained silent and simply tossed out the prayer beads in his hand. The beads quickly fell in front of the group, and the monk began chanting buddhist scriptures.

The prayer beads radiated golden light, blocking the demonic qi.

Yuan Shan let out a cold laugh.

A torrent of demonic qi surged forward like a flood, destroying everything in its path.

The golden light from the prayer beads began to dim.

The young monk remained expressionless. The gap in their cultivation realms meant victory was nearly impossible. Now, all they could do was delay for as long as possible.

Chen Chao's complexion was pale. Even though he had faced death countless times, there was little he could do at this moment. The gap between them was too vast, Yuan Shan was like a massive mountain, standing between him and the world, blocking everything.

Chen Chao could not see any other way out.

Feeling a bit dejected, Chen Chao lowered his head and cursed, "Damn it, killed Yuan Ling, and now here comes his uncle. So what if he has an uncle? Is that supposed to be impressive? Your Father has an uncle too, he just didn't come!"

He was likely still feeling rather aggrieved.

Other people's uncles, and his own uncle.

Yu Xiyi was completely confused.

The young monk furrowed his brows slightly.

Just as Chen Chao finished speaking, Wild Grass once again swept over from afar, heading directly toward Yuan Shan's head.

This time, Yuan Shan's expression darkened. He countered with demonic qi, but most of it was immediately shredded by the sword qi.

Yuan Shan frowned and retreated into the distance. The flying sword embedded itself into the snow, with only the hilt remaining visible.

A boundless pressure appeared between heaven and earth - peerless!

Yu Xiyi's eyes widened, "Sect Master, you still have a conscience in the end!"

Moments later, two figures emerged from the wind and snow.

One tall, one short. A male and a female.

The woman was the academy's genius girl.

The man was wearing emperor robes.