However, Yan Zhao knew nothing of this. He believed he had completely wiped out those demon god followers, unaware that among the seemingly slain crowd lurked an existence hidden far too deeply. Like a venomous snake concealed in the darkness, it waited for the right moment to deliver Yan Zhao a fatal blow.
This hidden figure was, in truth, a spy sent by the demon god. He had been secretly observing Yan Zhao's every move, passing all of Yan Zhao's information to the demon god. At the moment of his death, he did not hesitate to cast an exceptionally secret technique, one capable of transmitting Yan Zhao's aura to the demon god so that the demon god could find him precisely.
Far away, the demon god sensed Yan Zhao's aura. When he learned that Yan Zhao had not only survived but had even reinforced the seal, rage erupted from his heart like a volcano. He could not tolerate Yan Zhao's actions and decided to send his most powerful Demon General to deal with him. Yan Zhao had to pay the price.
On this day, Yan Zhao was immersed in secluded cultivation within a Spiritual Land. His state of mind was as still as a tranquil lake, without the slightest ripple. Yet just as he was wholeheartedly absorbing the spiritual energy of the Spiritual Land, a sudden, powerful, and evil aura surged toward him like towering waves.
The aura came with overwhelming force, like a demon rising from the abyss of hell, carrying boundless malice and destructive power. Yan Zhao's heart jolted. He immediately realized this was no ordinary enemy, and without hesitation, he ended his seclusion and shot out like lightning.
When he rushed out of the Spiritual Land, the sight before him made him draw a sharp breath—a Demon General shrouded entirely in black Demonic Energy stood before him as though a demon god had descended. A suffocating aura of darkness surrounded the Demon General, while scarlet light flickered in his eyes, revealing his intent to kill Yan Zhao.
A cold smile curled across the Demon General's lips, and his voice was icy and cruel. "Yan Zhao, today is the day you die!" The voice seemed to come from Nine Nether Hell, sending chills down one's spine.
Faced with such a formidable enemy, Yan Zhao showed no fear. He swiftly drew the sword at his waist. Cold light glimmered from its blade, as though it were answering its master's courage. Yan Zhao gripped the hilt tightly, and powerful sword intent erupted from his body, clashing fiercely with the Demon General's Demonic Energy in midair.
In an instant, sword light and Demonic Energy intertwined like two savage dragons locked in battle in the sky. Every collision unleashed violent energy waves, and the surrounding Spiritual Land trembled beneath the terrifying impact, as if it might collapse at any moment.
Yan Zhao knew full well that the Demon General before him possessed unfathomable strength. One misstep could cost him his life. Yet he had no intention of retreating, because he knew that if he were defeated, not only would he be unable to save himself, but the entire cultivation world might once again be shrouded in darkness and plunged into endless peril.
Yan Zhao gritted his teeth and gathered all the spiritual power in his body into the sword in his hand. His swordsmanship became increasingly fierce as he attacked the Demon General like a raging storm. The Demon General refused to be outdone. His Demonic Energy swept forth like a black vortex, engaging Yan Zhao's sword light in a breathtaking struggle of life and death.
The battle entered its fiercest stage. Yan Zhao's longsword thrust out again and again like a raging storm, its momentum sharp and relentless, every strike containing boundless power. Yet the Demon General's Demonic Energy was as elusive as a ghost, strange and unpredictable. Whenever Yan Zhao's attacks were about to land, it would deftly evade them and swiftly launch a counterattack.
Several vicious wounds gradually appeared on Yan Zhao's body. Blood poured from them, staining his robes red. But he did not retreat. He continued gritting his teeth as he fought the Demon General to the death.
The instant the Demon General spotted an opening in Yan Zhao's defense, he gathered all the Demonic Energy in his body without hesitation, forming a massive demonic phantom that smashed down upon Yan Zhao with crushing force.
Yet in the face of that thunderous blow, a flash of inspiration suddenly crossed Yan Zhao's mind. He made a swift decision, pretending that he could no longer withstand the attack as he retreated rapidly. Seeing this, the Demon General believed Yan Zhao had exhausted his tricks and pursued him relentlessly, intending to defeat him in one stroke.
However, the moment the Demon General stepped into the range of Yan Zhao's prepared trap, the corners of Yan Zhao's lips lifted slightly, revealing a faint, imperceptible smile.
Yan Zhao swiftly set up the sword formation around them, one he had painstakingly studied for a long time. This sword formation was Yan Zhao's proud creation, containing countless profound transformations and deadly dangers.
Caught completely off guard, the Demon General plunged headlong into the sword formation. In an instant, sword qi within the formation swept forth like a raging storm, crisscrossing through the air and trapping the Demon General tightly within.
The Demon General discovered in horror that his body had been bound by sword qi, making it difficult for him to move. He struggled desperately, but every movement only inflicted more injuries upon him.
Seeing this, Yan Zhao naturally would not let such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away. He took a deep breath, circulated all the spiritual power in his body, and raised the sword in his hand high into the air.
With an enraged shout from Yan Zhao, the sword instantly transformed into a dazzling ray of light. Like a meteor streaking across the sky, it shot straight toward the Demon General's vital point.
Seeing Yan Zhao's sword qi bearing down on him like a raging storm, the Demon General inwardly cried out in alarm and hurriedly mobilized all his Demonic Energy, trying to block the terrifying strike. However, Yan Zhao's sword qi was simply too fierce. Though the Demon General had exerted all his strength, he still could not fully withstand it. With a tearing sound, the sword qi flashed across the Demon General's chest like lightning, and blood instantly sprayed everywhere.
The Demon General howled in pain, and the Demonic Energy around his chest fell into disorder from the blow. Yan Zhao's heart leaped with joy at the sight. He shouted and rapidly formed hand seals, causing the sword formation's power to surge once more in an instant.
The Demon General struggled bitterly within the sword formation. His body was continually carved apart by sword qi, each wound deep enough to expose bone, blood pouring out like a spring. But he was, after all, a Demon General of formidable strength. Even in such desperate circumstances, he still refused to give up easily.
However, Yan Zhao's sword formation was simply too terrifying. The Demon General's resistance gradually became futile. Finally, amid a shrill scream, the Demon General's physical body was completely shredded by the sword formation and turned into a cloud of bloody mist.
The instant the Demon General's physical body was destroyed, a black Remnant Soul shot out of the blood mist, clearly intending to seize the chance to escape. Yan Zhao had long been prepared. With a flick of his hand seal, a Spirit Talisman streaked forth like a meteor and struck the Remnant Soul precisely.
The Spirit Talisman exploded at once, releasing powerful sealing force that tightly enveloped the Remnant Soul. The Remnant Soul struggled continuously beneath the Spirit Talisman's seal, but it could not escape.
Yan Zhao looked at the sealed Remnant Soul and let out a slight breath of relief. This thrilling battle had finally ended, but his body had already been exhausted to the extreme.
Still, Yan Zhao knew clearly that this battle was only the beginning. The demon god would never let the matter rest, and the crisis facing the cultivation world was far from over.
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