Journey to the Demon Abyss

The Undying Phoenix soared into the sky, followed closely by Purple Lightning. The man and the two Divine Beast raced towards the last fragment of the Emperor Formation Fragment. Guided by the resonance of the four fragments within their dantian, the last fragment was located in the Mistveil Secret Realm of the Western Regions. However, the closer they got to the Secret Realm, the denser the demonic energy in the air became, even dyeing the sky a dark gray-black. In stark contrast to the scorching heat of the Great Flame Secret Realm, the atmosphere here was chilling and biting, as if even sunlight was blocked out.

At the Secret Realm Entrance, what should have been a misty, ethereal paradise was now completely shrouded in Black Demonic Qi. The ancient runes on the Stone Tablet at the Secret Realm Entrance were blurred and indistinct, Demonic Qi Erosion, and the tablet was covered with spiderweb-like black patterns, emanating an ominous aura. The surrounding vegetation had long since withered and rotted, and dark green venom flowed on the ground, emitting a pungent stench. Occasionally, a few demonic Demon Beast corrupted by the energy would dart out from the shadows, their eyes flashing with bloodthirsty red light, but upon seeing the Emperor Power surrounding Ren Xiaoyao and the imposing presence of the Phoenix and Purple Lightning, they trembled with fear and dared not approach.

"This Secret Realm... is so severely polluted by demonic energy." Ren Xiaoyao frowned, a sense of unease rising in his heart. His fingers unconsciously tightened their grip on the hilt of the Carefree Sword. He could clearly feel that the demonic energy in the air was not only dense but also highly corrosive, even slowly eroding the Emperor Power shield around him. He turned to Purple Lightning and the Undying Phoenix and said, "The situation inside the Secret Realm is unclear. There may be something strange in the demonic energy. Stay close to me and alert me immediately if you notice anything unusual." Purple Lightning let out a deep dragon roar. A faint crackling of lightning emanated from its body as the dragon claw lightly stomped on the ground, leaving a shallow claw mark, remaining ever vigilant. The Undying Phoenix flapped its wings, crimson- Golden Flame dancing at the wingtips, forming a Flame Barrier that slightly repelled the approaching demonic energy. The flames crackled as they burned, turning the demonic energy into wisps of black smoke upon contact. The three, wary of each other, stepped into the Secret Realm together. As their feet landed, dark green poison splattered from the ground, dripping onto the Emperor Power shield with a sizzling, corrosive sound.

The interior of the Secret Realm was even more eerie and sinister. What was once a crystal-clear stream teeming with fish and shrimp had transformed into a putrid, dark green swamp. A thick layer of black foam floated on the surface, beneath which deformed tentacles would occasionally peek out and then quickly retract. Muddy bubbles bubbled and rose, carrying wisps of Black Demonic Qi, pungent demonic energy. This energy, upon contact with nearby deadwood, instantly corroded it into black powder. The tall, ancient trees had long since lost their life, leaving only withered, twisted branches that stretched towards the sky like grotesque claws. Thick, Black Demonic Vines coiled around these branches, their surfaces covered in fine barbs dripping dark green venom. Growing on these vines were fleshy growths resembling eyeballs, covered in blood vessels. It rotated with the flow of demonic energy, staring intently at the intruder, as if assessing the value of its prey. Thick black mist floated in the sky, from which faint, mournful howls and whispers could be heard—the agonizing struggles of the Remnant Souls of Living Beings devoured by the demonic energy. The sounds were like countless needles piercing the mind, causing restlessness and ripples in the sea of consciousness. The demonic energy in the air was so dense that it was almost impenetrable, forming black waves that pounded against Ren Xiaoyao's Emperor Power shield, producing crackling sounds. Inhaling even a single breath caused unease, sluggish circulation of Emperor Power in the meridians, and tiny Black Demonic Markings even began to condense on the surface of the shield. These Demonic Runes slowly wriggled like living things, attempting to penetrate the shield.

Ren Xiaoyao channeled his Emperor Power, forming a pale Golden Shield around himself. The shield's surface was shrouded in intricate Emperor Mark, effectively blocking out the dense demonic energy. Simultaneously, he released his Divine Sense Divine Sense, which spread outwards like an invisible spiderweb, meticulously probing his surroundings. The demonic energy within the Secret Realm was highly disruptive; every distance his Divine Sense extended, it was corroded by the demonic energy, causing sharp pains. Suddenly, a powerful Demonic Might emanated from the depths of the Secret Realm, its Demonic Might pressing down on his mind like a tangible force. Although it was not as powerful as the Late Heavenly Immortal in the Demon Abyss... The Demon General, though terrifying, had reached the early stage of the Heavenly Immortal realm and possessed a strange corrosive quality, seemingly capable of even corrupting the soul. The Emperor Formation Fragment within Ren Xiaoyao's dantian sensed this Demonic Might and trembled slightly, emitting a faint golden light to resist it. "The fragment is in the direction from which the Demonic Might originates, and this Demon General seems to be using the fragment's power to cultivate!" Ren Xiaoyao's heart tightened, and he quickened his pace towards the depths of the Secret Realm, each step firm and powerful, his Emperor Power rapidly circulating through his meridians, ready to respond to any unexpected situation.

Passing through a thicket of demonic vines, a wide plaza appeared ahead. The plaza's surface was paved with massive black stone slabs, riddled with cracks from which flowed black demonic energy, emanating an ominous aura. In the center of the plaza stood a stone platform over ten feet high, constructed of grayish-white rock, its surface pitted and Demonic Qi Erosion. Floating on the platform was a Emperor Formation Fragment, surrounded by dense Black Demonic Qi that writhed like venomous snakes, attempting to completely devour the fragment—the last fragment! Yet, within the demonic energy surrounding the fragment stood a tall figure—a demon general at the early stage of the Heavenly Immortal Demon General, known as the Po Suo Demon General. He was... Twelve feet tall, his body was covered in dark Demonic Armor Demonic Armor, covered with sharp bone spikes stained with black blood and emitting a foul stench. In his hand, he held a demonic sword that emitted a ghostly green light, its blade flowing with viscous black Demonic Fluid. The Demonic Fluid dripped onto the stone slab, instantly corroding a small hole. His face was covered with twisted Demonic Runes Demonic Runes, extending from his forehead to his chin. His scarlet eyes, like two burning will-o'-the-wisps, stared intently at Ren Xiaoyao. A ferocious grin spread across his lips, revealing sharp fangs. "I never expected a human cultivator to dare trespass into my territory. Perfect, your Emperor Power is incredibly pure; I can use it to nourish my demonic sword and help me break through to the Mid-stage Heavenly Immortal!"

"Die!" the Po Suo Demon General roared, his voice as piercing as a broken gong, causing the surrounding air to tremble slightly. His figure suddenly blurred, leaving three afterimages like a ghost, before his true form, emanating a dense Black Demonic Qi, instantly lunged at Ren Xiaoyao. His demonic sword hissed as it sliced through the air, its eerie green light surging, condensing into a ten-foot-long black Sword Qi that pierced directly at Ren Xiaoyao's vital chest. Ren Xiaoyao's expression hardened. With a clang, his Carefree Sword was drawn, its azure -Golden Sword Light, imbued with purplish-gold Emperor Power, growing three feet in length. Emperor Mark and lightning patterns on the sword simultaneously lit up. "Seven Styles of Flowing Clouds — Thunderclap Break!" The sword light exploded like thunder, and... The demonic swords clashed violently. A deafening clang of metal clashing rang out, the shockwave from the collision of Emperor Power and demonic energy spreading outwards like a giant ring of waves, snapping even the thickest demonic vines in the vicinity, sending fragments flying and embedding themselves in the plaza's ground. Ren Xiaoyao was forced back five steps, the ground beneath his feet cracking, a tingling sensation spreading through his arms, and his Emperor Power shield Demonic Qi Erosion, leaving faint black spots. The Po Suo Demon General, Bo Suo, was also thrown backwards by the impact of the Emperor Power, a flicker of shock, anger, and greed flashing in her crimson eyes. "A late-stage Earth Immortal at the peak of cultivation can withstand my full-force sword strike? Your Emperor Power is indeed pure, enough to advance my demonic sword to the next level!"

Before Ren Xiaoyao could catch his breath, the Po Suo Demon General launched another attack. His hands moved with lightning speed, forming hand seals; Demonic Runes surged between his interlaced fingers, and even the bone spikes on his Demonic Armor glowed with a ghostly green light, with tiny Demonic Insects crawling among them. "Demonic Skill — Demonic Shadow Avatars!" The Black Demonic Qi around him surged wildly like boiling ink, transforming into a Demonic Qi Vortex several meters in diameter. Lightning flashed and thunder roared within the vortex, and countless illusory figures of wronged souls struggled within. Three clones identical to him slowly emerged from the vortex. Not only were their appearances lifelike, but their demonic swords also flowed with viscous Demonic Fluid, the Demonic Runes on their blades flashing in sync with their original forms, even releasing eighty percent of their original Demonic Might. The four figures formed a four-corner formation, simultaneously rising into the air. With each swing of their demonic swords, they formed an impenetrable black Sword Net. Black Sword Qi poured down from within Sword Qi Sword Net like a dense rainstorm, interspersed with fine... The Demonic Needles, as Demonic Needles with a soul-numbing poison, left eerie green trails in the air, sealing off all of Ren Xiaoyao's escape routes. Ren Xiaoyao Cloud Treading Steps to his Movement Method, his toes touching the Sword Qi energy to propel himself forward. His figure darted and weaved through the Sword Net like willow catkins, leaving afterimages. At the same time, he shouted to Purple Lightning and the Undying Phoenix, "Purple Lightning locks the left, Phoenix burns the right! Quickly break the clones!" Purple Lightning and the Undying Phoenix understood. As Purple Lightning swooped down, lightning gathered around him, forming ten thick Lightning Chains that crackled and instantly bound the left clone, holding it firmly in mid-air. The Undying Phoenix flapped its wings, and crimson -Golden Flame condensed into a storm of Fire Feather Storm feathers. These fire feathers, like sharp blades, enveloped the right clone, scorching its demonic Demonic Armor with a sizzling sound. The two worked in perfect harmony, instantly restraining both clones.

Ren Xiaoyao focused on dealing with the main body and last clone of the Po Suo Demon General. The Po Suo Demon General's demonic sword attacks grew increasingly fierce and ruthless, its swordplay unpredictable and cunning, sometimes stabbing directly at vital points, sometimes sweeping across the battlefield. Every strike aimed at Ren Xiaoyao's weaknesses; the wind from the swords even left faint black marks in the space. When the demonic sword struck the Emperor Power shield, the demonic energy would erode the Emperor Power like a bone-deep infection, black spots spreading visibly across the pale Golden Shield, and the rate of Emperor Power depletion suddenly accelerated. Although the clone only possessed 80% of the Demonic Might, it coordinated perfectly with the main body, the two figures working in tandem, one attacking and the other defending, the main body primarily on the offensive... The three-pronged attack, with the clones harassing the upper body, formed an impenetrable pincer movement. In the midst of the fierce battle, the Po Suo Demon General suddenly changed tactics, her left hand forming a hand seal. Her demonic energy surged wildly towards the sky, as if drawn by an invisible force! "Demonic Skill — Cloud Covering Rain!" The black mist in the sky instantly condensed into a Demonic Clouds ten feet in Fang Yuan. Lightning flashed and thunder roared as the Demonic Clouds churned, and a torrential downpour of dark green Demonic Rain poured down. The raindrops, like silver needles containing deadly poison, sizzled and corroded the ground, leaving countless tiny holes in the stone slabs; the raindrops even directly dissolved the Emperor Power 'Emperor Power shield, leaving the shield's surface... The golden light dimmed visibly. Ren Xiaoyao dodged through the rain using his Cloud- Cloud Treading Steps, his footsteps leaving a trail of afterimages. Suddenly, the Po Suo Demon General stomped his foot, the bone spikes on his Demonic Armor piercing the ground. "Demonic Skill —Earth Split!" The plaza trembled violently, as if an earthquake had struck. Countless sharp demonic spikes, each a foot long, burst from the earth, forming a thorny thicket, entwined with Black Demonic Vines. Simultaneously, deep trenches, several feet wide, split open in the ground, from which gushed forth dark green poisonous swamps. Deformed tentacles thrashed wildly within the swamps, sealing off all his escape routes. Then, the Po Suo Demon General spun around... As the sword slashed out, the Demonic Runes on its blade flashed wildly, and Demonic Fluid dripped down the edge. "Demonic Skill - Demonic Flames Burn the Heavens!" Black Demonic Flame erupted from the demonic sword, instantly transforming into a sea of fire tens of feet wide. The surface of the sea of fire churned with a ghostly green poisonous light, and within it were countless skulls condensed from demonic flames. The skulls opened their mouths and spewed poisonous fire, corroding the ground with three-foot-deep trenches wherever they passed. Together with the Demonic Rain and demonic thorns, they formed a triple attack, like a giant net of death, sweeping towards Ren Xiaoyao. Even the air was scorched and distorted, and the temperature was so high that the surrounding demonic vines began to wither.

Ren Xiaoyao's pupils constricted sharply. The oppressive feeling of being attacked from three sides weighed on his heart like a boulder, making him gasp for breath. The Demonic Rain was like a leech, constantly consuming his Emperor Power shield; demonic thorns and poisonous swamps sealed off all escape routes, and the bone-chilling cold from his feet made his hair stand on end. The deformed tentacles in the poisonous swamp had already reached his boots through the cracks; the sea of fire approached with the power to destroy everything, its scorching heat burning his skin. His soul was disturbed by the resentment in the demonic flames, and countless hideous faces of the gruesome dead appeared before his eyes, while shrill screams echoed in his ears. Ripples spread through his sea of consciousness, and he almost lost control. He bit his tongue sharply, and bright red blood flowed down his lip. The intense pain instantly brought him back to his senses, and a resolute glint flashed in his eyes. He decisively activated the resonance power of the four Emperor Formation Fragment in his dantian. The purple-gold Emperor Power instantly boiled, forming golden torrents in his meridians, rushing like a raging river. He forcefully dispersed the demonic energy invading his body by cleansing his meridians, and the Emperor Power shield once again shone with golden light. At the same time, he established a deep connection with the Nirvana Flame of the Undying Phoenix and the Thunder Force of Purple Lightning. The Emperor Mark between his brows lit up, forming a three-colored mark in which Emperor Power, fire, and Thunder Force flowed among each other. "Purple Lightning, lend me the power of lightning to shatter the earth! Phoenix Senior, merge with my Emperor Power Fire to Heaven-Burning Emperor Formation!" he shouted loudly, his voice carrying the awe-inspiring Emperor's Might, spreading throughout the entire square like thunder, dispersing some of the demonic mist. Upon hearing this, Purple Lightning raised its head and let out a dragon roar that shook the heavens and earth. Lightning surged around its body, spewing out a bolt of pure lightning as thick as a bucket. The lightning roared like Golden Giant Dragon and crashed into the ground. With a loud "boom," the lightning exploded the moment it hit the ground, forming a lightning domain that blasted the demonic thorns and poisonous swamp into ashes. The tentacles instantly turned into charred remains in the lightning. The Undying Phoenix also flapped its wings, and crimson -Golden Flame condensed A blazing Fire Rain gathered, colliding with the Demonic Rain Fire Rain the air with a sizzling sound. The dark green raindrops were purified into white mist by the flames, and a large hole was burned in the Demonic Clouds. Then, a Nirvana Flame drifted to the tip of Ren Xiaoyao's sword, intertwining with Emperor Power and lightning to form a three-colored flame. Within the flame, the phantoms of Dragon Phoenix Phantom swirled and danced, exuding an aura of dominance over the world. "Lightning Sword Fusion - Final Form - Flame Lightning Demon Destruction!" Ren Xiaoyao gripped his sword with both hands, exerted force from his waist, and spun like a top, unleashing a powerful strike. The purple-gold Emperor Power, purple lightning, and crimson -Golden Flame instantly merged into a Three-Colored Sword Light over ten feet thick. The Sword-Ray was surrounded by crackling lightning and leaping flames. Wherever the Sword-Ray passed, space slightly distorted, forming a brief vacuum zone. The Black Demonic Qi melted rapidly like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun, emitting bursts of white mist. The Three-Colored Sword Light, carrying the power to World Creation, instantly pierced through the demonic cloud. The sea of flames ignored the skull's obstruction; the skull instantly turned to Sword-Ray upon touching the sword light, leaving not even a wisp of black smoke. The Po Suo Demon General's expression changed drastically, his eyes filled with terror and disbelief. He hadn't expected Ren Xiaoyao to simultaneously break through his three Demonic Skill in such a desperate situation. It was too late to recall his clone to defend himself; he could only frantically burn his Demonic Essence. The bone spikes on his Demonic Armor grew several inches, forming a dense shield of bone spikes. At the same time, he chanted a demonic incantation, attempting to gather his last bit of strength for defense. With a muffled "poof," the Three-Colored Sword Light easily pierced through the bone spike shield and Demonic Armor like cutting tofu, precisely piercing the Po Suo Demon General's chest. Purple-gold Emperor Power, thunder, and Nirvana Flame erupted simultaneously within him, like three powerful bombs shattering his Demonic Core. His meridians and Demonic Essence energy were completely destroyed by the three forces, and his Demonic Armor melted into molten iron in the high temperature, flowing out of the wound.

The Po Suo Demon General Bosuo let out a resentful roar, its body rapidly disintegrating under the scorching heat of the Emperor Power and flames, turning into a wisp of black smoke and dissipating. The three clones, having lost their original bodies, also instantly vanished as demonic energy. Having dealt with the Po Suo Demon General, Ren Xiaoyao breathed a sigh of relief, walked to the stone platform, waved his hand to dispel the demonic energy surrounding the fragments, and removed the last fragment of the Emperor Formation Fragment. Upon holding the fragment, it resonated strongly with the four fragments within his dantian. The five fragments slowly rotated around the center of his dantian, emitting dazzling Five-Colored Light, forming a complete small Emperor Array.

The Po Suo Demon General let out a shrill, unwilling roar that pierced the sky, causing the demonic vines surrounding the plaza to tremble violently. The fleshy growths on the vines burst open, oozing a foul, dark green liquid that instantly turned into black mist upon hitting the ground. His body rapidly disintegrated under the triple scorching of Emperor Power, lightning, and flames. His Black Demonic Qi scattered like a punctured ink sac, only to be ignited by the Nirvana Flame surrounding the Undying Phoenix, transforming into Ethereal Blue Flames that burned in the air. Within the flames, countless illusory figures of bound, wronged souls could be vaguely seen breaking free of their Demonic Chain, rising into the sky as specks of white light, as if finally liberated. Flesh and Demonic Armor melted into a viscous, dark red liquid in the high temperature, dripping onto the stone slabs with a sizzling, corrosive sound. The liquid seeped into the cracks of the stone slabs, reacting violently with the remaining demonic energy, producing puffs of white smoke that completely burned away the Demonic Runes inside the stone slabs. The last avatar, without the support of its main body, was like a puppet with its strings cut. In an instant, it dissipated into demonic energy, leaving only a strong smell of burnt flesh and a faint scent of sulfur in the air, which gradually dissipated as the Emperor Power circulated. Having dealt with the Po Suo Demon General, Ren Xiaoyao let out a long sigh of relief, wiping the sweat mixed with demonic energy from his forehead. The sweat, falling to the ground, was instantly purified by the golden light emanating from the Emperor Formation Fragment. He circulated the power of the four Emperor Formation Fragment within his dantian. The golden Emperor Power flowed slowly through his meridians like a clear stream, washing away the remaining demonic energy that had invaded his body. As the demonic energy was purified by the Emperor Power, a cool and comfortable sensation spread through his meridians, and the soreness from the fierce battle gradually subsided. Exhaustion washed over him like a tide. His arms trembled slightly from holding the sword for so long, his knuckles white, and his robes were tattered from the corrosion of demonic flames and poisonous rain, revealing faint burn marks on his exposed skin. However, these were largely overshadowed by the joy and sense of accomplishment of successfully obtaining the last fragment. He had just fused the power of Emperor Power, thunder, and fire... During the process, his control over power improved further. The Emperor Power within his dantian became increasingly condensed and profound, even forming a faint golden film on the walls of his meridians. This film not only reduced the consumption of Emperor Power but also resisted the Demonic Qi Erosion. He was only one step away from the early stage of the Heavenly Immortal, needing only a suitable opportunity to break through. Walking to the stone platform, he waved his hand, releasing a stream of pure Emperor Power. The Emperor Power, like a gentle spring breeze, dispelled the last wisp of Black Demonic Qi around the fragment, revealing the dark golden Emperor Formation Fragment. After being freed from the demonic energy's restraint, the fragment emitted a soft and warm light. The light shone on the stone platform, clearly illuminating the pits and hollows Demonic Qi Erosion. The surface of the stone platform began to slowly repair itself, and the tiny cracks gradually healed. He reached out and removed the last fragment of the Emperor Formation Fragment. The fragment was slightly cool to the touch, and its surface was engraved with complex dark Golden Runes. The runes lit up faintly the moment they touched the Emperor Power at his fingertips, flowing across the fragment as if they had come alive, seemingly connected with his divine power. The souls established a mysterious contractual connection. Upon contact, the fragment resonated strongly with the four fragments within the dantian. As if drawn by an invisible force, the five fragments instantly flew into the dantian, slowly rotating around its center. Five colors—gold, cyan, purple, red, and dark gold—intertwined and shone, forming a dazzling five-colored halo that radiated brilliant light. A complete small Emperor Array was thus formed. The Emperor Array flowed with a powerful High Antiquity Emperor's Might. The Emperor's Might awakened like a sage who had slumbered for millennia, carrying a calming power and an aura of supreme dominance. His aura surged several times over, even driving back the last trace of demonic energy remaining in the plaza. From the cracks in the stone slabs, faint green buds sprouted from the soil, glistening with dewdrops, swaying gently in the light of the Emperor's Might 'Emperor Array, displaying tenacious vitality. Tiny white roots also emerged from the withered roots of the demonic vines around the plaza.