Within the boundless curtain of rain, a black-robed old man strolled from beyond the mountain. He gazed at the towering Green Parasol Mountain, where three grand palaces rested, and a trace of curiosity appeared in his eyes.
"So this is the house of the demonic phoenix Rosycloud!"
Just as he was about to step into the mountain, a figure in azure robes coldly blocked his path. "This is the Holy Land of the avian race. Please stay where you are!"
The black-robed old man smiled and shook his head. "A place where a flock of random birds huddle together, and you dare call it a Holy Land? Little girl, you should know there are always greater powers beyond, and stronger beings above."
Azure Frost remained cold. "I know there are always stronger people and forces beyond my reach. But here, you are nothing more than an outsider. An Ascendant stepping into the depths of the wilds... Have you really made up your mind to openly violate the ancient pact?"
The black-robed old man merely smiled without replying. That silent response caused the slightest ripple to pass across Azure Frost's cold features. Uhhh... is he acknowledging it just like that?
In that fleeting moment of distraction, the black-robed old man abruptly extended his hand toward Azure Frost. The winds and clouds within thousands of li shuddered, the curtain of rain reversed, and a colossal hand that blotted out the sky rumbled into existence. It moved slowly toward her to seize her.
It was slow.
Azure Frost let out a cold laugh as faint ripples spread through the space before her. She stepped forward, ready to unleash a secret technique. However, in the very next instant, things took a terrible turn.
BBANGGG!
She was instantly sent flying backward.
It failed. How is this possible?
Azure Frost was deeply shocked as her gaze swept the surroundings. Clearly, there was nothing within the space.
Wait-–The water vapor! Those months of heavy snow have melted and formed dense moisture that even the formations cannot easily disperse. And this water vapor... It's under his control! It's everywhere! That's why my technique didn't work. He's an Ascendant who has comprehended the law of water!
In just an instant, Azure Frost understood why she had failed to use her technique. At the same moment, the seemingly slow giant hand had already drawn near without her noticing. It did not rush; it simply closed in steadily and unavoidably, advancing the way water wears through stone.
Then the massive hand suddenly clenched, and a satisfied expression surfaced on the black-robed old man's face. "Breaking the pact is inevitable. The war between humans and demons that halted in ancient times is ready to begin again. At a time like this, someone like you is a threat that I cannot ignore. A late-stage Demon Emperor who has awakened an ancient bloodline talent and comprehended the most powerful and unpredictable law... So allow me to be the one who takes the first step and opens up the war between humans and demons for the entire Eastern Wilderness!"
As he spoke, he was already moving to crush Azure Frost alive. Within the void, the giant hand gradually transformed into a giant drop of water. Within it, a graceful figure was imprisoned like an insect caught in amber.
BOOM!
Suddenly, the water droplet exploded violently. Within the void, a figure hundreds of zhang long unfurled its wings. Azure radiance enveloped the heavens, as if the entire sky were covered by this figure. A light cry echoed toward the sky—the clouds dispersed in an instant, and the rain curtain evaporated on the spot.
The blue sky stretched vast and endless, with the rolling seas of clouds slowly departing; and throughout this infinite blue, the cry of the Azure Luan echoed ceaselessly. Awed by this sight, the black-robed old man exclaimed, "What a magnificent bird... She would be perfect as a guardian beast for the Nether Origin Sect."
As he spoke, he struck out with both palms in succession. Waves of energy carrying a trace of bizarre law power surrounded the majestic bird from all directions. Judging by his moves, he had abandoned the intent to kill and instead sought to capture her alive.
Facing these attacks, Azure Frost used the power of her true form without hesitation. She beat her wings and sent ripples through the space ahead, and the spatial fluctuations steadily neutralized the invading law power.
The black-robed old man felt an increasing sense of eagerness. An Azure Luan Demon Emperor that had comprehended the law for the void had limitless potential. If he could capture her alive and enslave her, his standing in this world would surely rise to the top five. If he could help her advance to the Divine Transformation Realm, the two of them together would dominate the entire world. He glanced at Green Parasol Mountain, where flocks of birds had gathered, then called out to a few people who had appeared behind him.
"Alright, enough watching and doing nothing. The master of this place isn't back yet! Move now and wipe out Green Parasol Mountain. Once this battle is over, I'll take the three of you into the Nether Origin Sect to cultivate."
"Understood!"
Three voices responded in unison. Immediately after, three familiar figures flew in from afar. They glanced at the black-robed old man who intended to capture the Azure Luan alive, then changed direction and charged into Green Parasol Mountain.
Almost at the very moment they rushed in, a piercing screech rang out from the Transcendence Palace. "Damn humans!"
In the next instant, a demoness stepped out from within the palace. She wore a tight black gown that outlined her full and shapely figure. However, what should have been a beautiful face was instead a crow's head.
"A crow's head on a human body? My sect wouldn't even take in such an ugly beast!" laughed the Grand Elder of the Silktree Sect.
Nether Spring's expression turned extremely grim. She had been forcibly interrupted at the most critical moment of her transformation, and the fury in her heart burned uncontrollably. "I am going to kill all of you!"
Shrill cries rolled outward—powerful soundwave attacks sweeping across the area. Even the three late-stage Sages couldn't remain calm in front of this power. At the same time, waves of formidable aura surged up from within the Transcendence Palace. A single glance could count more than a dozen Demon Emperors!
The Grand Elder of the Silktree Sect clenched his teeth and spat out, "End this quickly and break them apart. I will deal with the crow. You all handle the rest!"
He had certainly picked the easiest target, but there was no time for the others to complain. Monk Huiping nodded in response. His robe spread wide as he swept up several avian Demon Emperors. Meanwhile, Divine Origin lit up with joy and charged straight into the Transcendence Palace. From his demeanor, it was clear he had a very specific goal in mind.
Nether Spring cast a glance in the direction of Divine Origin. Her expression darkened as she sent a voice transmission. "Lightning Prison, kill the prisoners in the dungeon first, then stop that man!"
As she spoke, her body shifted and returned to her black crow form. The human body she had forced into shape was incomplete and far too unfamiliar to her. Thus, it was not suitable for combat.
From within the Transcendence Palace, several figures also rushed toward Sage Divine Origin. In response, he produced a small pagoda and stepped atop it. Streams of vividly colored radiance shot forth from it.
The demonic beasts that tried to block his path struggled under that radiance. A late-stage Sage was truly a grand cultivator—especially one like Divine Origin, a five-element cultivator without any weak points. Against opponents of a lower realm, the disparity was simply crushing. The only way to deal with such an opponent was to be exceedingly powerful in a single aspect! Thus, these beasts could only rely on their innate demonic techniques to put up some resistance. All other methods would be useless.
All the Demon Emperors immediately turned into their true forms and fought at full strength. From the very beginning, the battle surged straight into a fierce and blazing climax.
***
Far beyond Green Parasol Mountain, three figures slowly emerged. One of them was a man whose bearing was calm yet imposing. He lifted his head to look toward Green Parasol Mountain and allowed a satisfied smile to show on his face.
Behind him, one of the other two asked in a low voice, "We had an agreement, though. Are we not going to help them?"
"Agreement?" Sky Monarch slowly shook his head. "The agreement only states that Rosycloud helps me. There was never any mention of me helping them."
"But we are all demons. Should we not..."
Sky Monarch let out a cold sneer. "Before spouting nonsense, you should first ask Rosycloud whether she has ever regarded herself as a member of the demon races in the Mountains and Seas Realm."
Hesitation flickered in his eyes, but he had made his decision. Through this battle, he intended to borrow the power of humans to eliminate this demon faction at Green Parasol Mountain. After that, he would use the pressure of external threats to consolidate the demon races of the Great Million Mountains under his rule. He would then seize the moment to launch a war against the human race and reclaim every territory that they had lost over the past three millennia. If he could also bring down the Nether Origin Sect, that would be even better. By then, the demon race of the Eastern Wilderness would occupy an entire continent, facing the human race of the Central Continent across the Eastern Nether Abyss. And he would become the first in history to unify the whole Eastern Wilderness!
"Green Shoot is weak and useless. Rosycloud never really shows herself. And those ancient wild beasts are nothing more than dumb beasts. I am the destined ruler of the Eastern Wilderness. Rosycloud... is this all you can muster?"
***
Deep within the dungeon of Green Parasol Mountain, the incident unfolded too suddenly for Luo Chen to react. His life-bound enchanted treasure had been snatched away. Once he focused on it, he felt the connection still there, yet no matter how he tried to control it, the Primordial Unity Cauldron did not respond.
As Luo Chen's expression darkened, Heaven Smelter said leisurely, "All my belongings were seized by the demons. This enchanted treasure of yours is quite good. Since I was the one who made it, I feel like there's nothing wrong with me borrowing it for a while."
As he spoke, he exchanged a glance with Han Zhan. The two nodded and flew toward the exit together. But just as they reached the dungeon gate, Heaven Smelter's expression changed drastically.