The Nine Ancestors of the Demon Realm Hunt

In the Demon Realm Abyss, the true form of the Ancestral Demon Yougu floated in endless darkness, surrounded by billions of Demonic Soul. Some of these Demonic Soul were High Antiquity Demon General had died in battle, while others were the souls of cultivators who had been devoured. They wailed and struggled around it, yet could not escape the shackles of demonic energy. When the sense of Incarnation annihilation pierced its soul like a sharp blade, it suddenly opened its eyes. Eerie green flames burned wildly in its eye sockets, leaping more than three feet high. The demonic energy around it surged like a tsunami, forming... A black wave, tens of feet high, shook the entire abyss violently. The Demonic Runes on the rock walls lit up, emitting an unsettling glow. "A mere early-stage Celestial Heavenly Immortal cultivator dares to destroy my Incarnation, which I condensed with a hundred years of Demonic Source! Ren Xiaoyao! I will grind you to dust and burn your soul in demonic fire for eternity!" The furious roar pierced through layers of demonic barriers, echoing throughout the entire Demon Realm Abyss, causing countless Devil Creature to tremble and prostrate themselves on the ground, not daring to look directly at the Ancestor Demon's wrath.

The Ancestral Demon Yougu knew that Elder Ying was severely injured, his Immortal and Demonic Power scattered like tattered cotton, and the Purifying Power of the Profound Suppression Emperor Mark still lingered in his meridians, making it impossible for him to recover in a short time. Such a cripple alone was no match for Ren Xiaoyao, who wielded the complete Emperor Array. If this Variables wasn't eliminated quickly, not only would the "Realm Breaking Plan" he and Elder Ying had meticulously planned for years be completely exposed, but it might even cause the Demon Realm army's century-long preparations to go to waste. At that point, let alone conquering the Immortal Realm, he himself might be vulnerable to attacks from other Ancestor Demon. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, and his withered right hand slowly rose, the skin on his palm surging with demonic energy. The blade cracked inch by inch, revealing jet-black bones beneath, inscribed with ancient Demonic Runes that emitted a faint green glow. A ball of jet-black demonic flame condensed in his palm, containing the primal Origin Power the Demon Realm realm. Tiny black arcs of electricity crackled across its surface, leaving black trails as they swept through the void, radiating an aura of annihilation. "Since my Incarnation cannot destroy you, then I will awaken the ' Demon Chess Pieces ' that have slumbered for centuries! These pieces have infiltrated every corner of the Immortal Realm, from the elders of the Immortal Alliance to the Mortals, they have long been our eyes and ears, our henchmen. Ren Xiaoyao, today you cannot escape even if you grow wings!"

As the obscure and difficult-to-understand incantation of the Ancestral Demon Yougu resounded, the demonic flames in his palm transformed into streaks of black light, Demon-Bane Space Barrier Space Barrier Immortal Realm like arrows released from a bow. The barrier cracked with a hissing sound, forming tiny fissures from which demonic energy emanated, thickening the surrounding air. These streaks of light, as if possessing consciousness, traced eerie trajectories in the air, precisely locating the "Demon Chess Pieces" hidden throughout the Immortal Realm —some were inconspicuous stewards in the Immortal Alliance Headquarters, responsible for sweeping and possessing only a faint Spirit Root; others were... Elders in remote sects, seemingly kind but actually in seclusion year-round cultivating Devil Cultivation Method, are sometimes even officials in Mortal Kingdoms, deeply loved by the people, who secretly nourish their Demonic Seed Essence Blood with the essence of living people. On the surface, they are no different from ordinary cultivators or Mortals; they age, get tired, and chat with their neighbors, their daily routines are no different from ordinary people. In reality, however, the Demon Realm realm has already planted "Soul Erosion Demonic Seed" within them. These Demonic Seed lie dormant deep within their souls, like a dormant tumor, silently absorbing their cultivation and life force over centuries, waiting only for the moment when the power of the Ancestor Demon is injected to completely control their bodies and minds.

In the Immortal Alliance Headquarters, in a cluttered yard filled with discarded magical artifacts, the air was thick with the stench of rust and decaying Spiritual Qi. Cobwebs covered the corners, and a broken magic mirror reflected a faint light. An old handyman, dressed in gray cloth and with a wrinkled face, was cleaning. The broom handle in his hand was worn smooth and shiny. His movements were slow, like an old tortoise crawling. Each cough seemed to spit out his lungs. His back was hunched so low it almost touched the ground, and his knuckles were swollen and deformed, making him look like he might collapse at any moment. Suddenly, a black streak of light shot out from the void, piercing his forehead with the precision of a venomous snake. The old handyman's body stiffened abruptly. His previously cloudy eyes instantly turned as dark as ink, and spiraling, fine Demonic Runes appeared in his pupils, swallowing the surrounding light like Black Hole. A faint, corpse-like demonic aura emanated from his body, and when it came into contact with the surrounding... The abandoned magical artifact was instantly corroded, riddled with small holes. His previously hunched body slowly straightened, his bones crackling like popping beans. The muscles beneath his skin bulged rapidly, stretching his thin cloth robe taut. The bulging veins writhed like small black snakes, unleashing a power far beyond his years. A strange smile curled at the corner of his mouth, his teeth becoming sharp and razor-sharp, like the fangs of a wild beast. His smile was filled with cruelty and greed. He threw down the broom, which landed with a soft "thud," and his figure transformed into a black shadow, vanishing from Teleport spot as if by teleportation. His afterimage distorted in the air for a moment before speeding off in the direction Ren Xiaoyao had left the valley. Wherever he passed, the grass withered and turned black, and even the soil was covered in black mold.

A thousand miles away at the Qingyun Sect, the sect square was bustling with people. Disciples, dressed in flowing blue Daoist robes, stood in neat rows, undergoing their assessment. On the training platform in the center of the square, a disciple was practicing the Qingyun Sect's signature Swordsmanship, the "Qingyun Flowing Cloud Sword," the sword light as dazzling as flowing clouds. An elder, holding a jade slip, solemnly judged the disciple's moves, nodding or frowning occasionally, his eyes filled with expectation and sternness for his junior. A black streak of light silently landed on him, disappearing like a drop of water merging into the ocean. A flash of painful struggle crossed the elder's eyes, his facial muscles contorted violently, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, large beads sliding down his cheeks, as if two forces were fiercely battling within him—one the Dao Heart of the Qingyun Sect, the other the corrosive influence of the Demonic Seed. He clenched his teeth tightly. His fingernails dug into his palms, drawing bright red blood. A moment later, his struggling expression was completely replaced by a chilling coldness; his eyes became icy and piercing, like millennia-old ice, devoid of any warmth. He abruptly waved his hand, and the jade slip in his hand crashed to the ground with a "crack," shattering into several pieces. He shouted sternly at the disciples, "A traitor has infiltrated the sect, carrying evil artifacts, defiling the reputation of my Qingyun Sect! Follow me to capture him, and kill him without mercy!" With that, he and four trusted disciples with powerful auras took to the air on their swords. As they flew, faint Black Demonic Qi emanated from their bodies, intertwining with Spiritual Qi to form eerie purplish-black bands of light. Wherever these bands passed, the air was dyed a pale purple. Their speed was astonishing, whipping up gusts of wind that sent dust and fallen leaves flying everywhere—they were, in reality, carrying out a hunting mission ordered by the Ancestor Demon.

Meanwhile, inside the City Lord's mansion in the Mortal Kingdoms, the air was filled with the fragrance of Sandalwood Incense. The City Lord sat at his desk, handling state affairs. He wore a brocade robe, his face gentle and refined, and he was known for his kindness to his subordinates and the people. The city's inhabitants all called him their "parent official." A black stream of light, like a ghost, entered his body. His wolf-hair brush fell with a "thud" onto the Xuan paper, the thick black ink quickly spreading and staining a newly written disaster relief document. The next second, he abruptly stood up, his chair sliding backward with a screeching sound. His once gentle eyes turned icy cold, and a faint demonic aura emanated from him; even his breath carried a putrid stench. He roared at the door, his voice hoarse and violent: "Close the city gates! Mobilize all the city guards!" "With the city's defensive array activated, search the entire city for 'suspicious persons'! Anyone carrying golden objects or exhibiting an unusual aura must be apprehended immediately; those who resist will be killed without mercy!" The city guards, though puzzled— the City Lord was usually so lenient, why was he being so tyrannical today—dared not disobey the order and immediately sprang into action. The heavy city gates slowly closed with a deafening roar, and the defensive array on the city walls glowed with a black light, enveloping the entire city in an eerie atmosphere, effectively blocking any possible routes Ren Xiaoyao might take. In an instant, the "Demon Chess Pieces" throughout the Immortal Realm awakened, forming a vast, invisible hunting net that silently opened towards Ren Xiaoyao from all directions, its fibers covered with deadly fangs, waiting to trap and kill him completely.

At this moment, Ren Xiaoyao was rapidly traveling towards the Boundary Sealing Gate along the pale golden light band formed by the Spirit Vein. The Spirit Vein light band emitted a gentle Spiritual Qi, nourishing the vegetation along the way and making his flight much easier. He stored the Demonic Crystal containing Demonic Source energy into his personal Storage Bag. The "Spirit Gathering Demon Sealing Mark" engraved on the Storage Bag instantly lit up, isolating the Demonic Crystal's aura and preventing pursuers from detecting it. As he flew, he circulated the <Emperor Dao Heart Sutra>. The Emperor Crystal in his dantian slowly rotated, emitting Emperor Power like a gentle stream, repairing the Damaged Meridians in the previous battle. A tingling, itchy sensation emanated from his meridians. Suddenly, a thought struck him... His Soul Perception spread out like radar, covering a radius of a hundred feet, and he detected six different auras behind him—one faint yet eerie, one powerful and imbued with the Spiritual Qi of a sect, and four of medium intensity. Although these auras were different, they all carried the same chilling and malevolent aura, clinging to him like a leech, impossible to shake off. It was the demonic energy unique to the Demon Realm! "Not good, they are from the Demon Realm! And there's more than one!" Ren Xiaoyao's expression changed. He hadn't expected the Ancestral Demon Yougu to react so quickly and send out so many pursuers. Clearly, it was determined to kill him before he reached the Boundary Sealing Gate.

He dared not be negligent, activating the Emperor Power within his dantian. His figure transformed into a golden streak of light, his speed increasing by thirty percent, hurtling forward like a meteor, leaving a golden afterimage in his wake. But after flying only a few miles, he discovered that the gates of the Mortals city ahead were tightly shut, the city walls lined with soldiers wielding bows and arrows coated with black venom, gleaming with an eerie light. The guards arrayed before the city gates held long spears, their tips gleaming coldly, the shafts wrapped in black cloth, completely blocking the road. The City Lord at the head wore black armor, engraved with Defense Runes, which had become dim and flickered occasionally under the corrosive influence of demonic energy. He held a long sword in his hand, its blade shrouded in a faint demonic aura. The demonic energy clashed with the runes, emitting a hissing sound. A sharp sound rang out, sparking tiny flames. His eyes were cold as he stared at Ren Xiaoyao, his voice as icy as ice, carrying an unquestionable command, "This road is blocked, Ren Xiaoyao. If you know what's good for you, leave the Profound Suppression Emperor Formation behind, and I might spare your life and leave you with a whole corpse!" Ren Xiaoyao sneered, his laughter filled with disdain, his eyes brimming with contempt. "You puppets controlled by demonic energy think you can stop me? You're delusional!" Before his words even finished, his mind stirred, and the Profound Suppression Emperor Formation floating before him emitted a soft glow. A golden Emperor Mark flew out from the array, transforming into a slender stream of light that shot towards the guards like a sharp sword. Wherever the Emperor Mark passed, golden ripples spread through the air, containing Purifying Power.

The soldiers, being mere Mortals, possessed some brute strength after being controlled by demonic energy, but were utterly powerless against the Emperor Mark imbued with Emperor's Might. Golden light sliced through the ranks of soldiers like tofu, instantly purifying their demonic energy with a sizzling sound, like a hot iron searing fat. They collapsed to the ground, twitching a few times before regaining their senses, their eyes filled with confusion and lingering fear, looking around bewildered. The City Lord, seeing this, a flicker of terror crossed his eyes, knowing he was no match for Ren Xiaoyao. He turned to summon his flying artifact to escape. Ren Xiaoyao, however, would not allow him to escape. With a thought, he manipulated the Emperor Mark Emperor Mark to quickly pursue, transforming them into a Golden Chains in the air, its runes flashing like living things, binding the City Lord's four... "Speak! Who sent you? How many pawns has the Demon Realm planted in the Immortal Realm? What other schemes do they have up their sleeves?" Ren Xiaoyao asked coldly, his Emperor's Might pressing down on the City Lord like a mountain, making it difficult for him to breathe. The City Lord lord trembled violently, his bones creaking under the pressure of the Emperor's Might, as if they would shatter at any moment. He struggled to open his mouth and said intermittently, "It was... it was the Nine Ancestors of the Demon Realm... the Ancestral Demon Yougu... He used demonic flames to awaken us, these lurking Demon Chess Pieces... ordering us to hunt you down at all costs... to seize the Profound Suppression Emperor Formation... Three days later... the Demon Realm army will attack the Boundary Sealing Gate..."

Upon learning the truth, Ren Xiaoyao's heart grew increasingly heavy, as if a massive boulder had been placed upon it. He hadn't expected the Demon Realm to have planted so many pawns in the Immortal Realm. These pawns infiltrated every level and corner, from the highest levels of the Immortal Alliance to Mortals cities, like venomous snakes lurking in the shadows. They appeared indistinguishable from ordinary people, some even possessing good reputations, but once awakened, they would immediately reveal their ferocious fangs. Completely evading pursuit amidst such a dense network of eyes and ears was virtually impossible. Just then, the aura of the pursuers behind him grew ever closer, and the elders of the Qingyun Sect... Leading their trusted disciples, they had already pursued them to within a hundred feet. The demonic energy they left behind as they flew formed a black trail in the air, turning the clouds black wherever the trail passed. The old servant of the Immortal Alliance followed closely behind, his speed eerily fast, as elusive as a ghost, each step treading in shadow, almost without a sound. Several Rogue Cultivator cultivators even joined the pursuit. They wielded Devil Artifact, their bodies shrouded in demonic energy, and the Devil Artifact exuded a bloody aura. Clearly, they were also awakened "Demon Chess Pieces," and their hands were stained with blood.

Ren Xiaoyao's eyes sharpened. He knew he could no longer passively flee; running away would only deplete his Emperor Power, ultimately leading to his death at the hands of the relentless pursuers. He had to take the initiative and fight his Blood Path out. He stopped, turned to face his pursuers, and the Profound Suppression Emperor Formation slowly rotated before him. Within the Emperor Array, which was about ten feet in diameter, the purple-gold Emperor Mark flowed like living things, tiny golden arcs of electricity crackling between Emperor Mark, radiating immense Emperor's Might. This collided with the demonic energy of the pursuers, creating visible ripples of energy in the air. Even the pebbles on the ground trembled slightly, emitting a soft buzzing sound. "Since you insist on dying, then I will grant your wish! I will let you..." "I know that betraying the Immortal Realm and siding with the Demon Realm, betraying one's own Dao Heart and beliefs, will only lead to the Soul Annihilation!" He roared, his voice booming like thunder, shaking the surrounding trees and causing leaves to fall. A large amount of golden Emperor Power Emperor Power surged from the Emperor Array, rapidly condensing in the air into countless three-foot-long Emperor Mark sword blades. The blades gleamed coldly, as if forged from Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice, and were engraved with tiny Purification Runes. The runes shimmered with holy light, as dazzling as stars, and rained down on the pursuers like a dense storm, covering all their escape space and leaving them nowhere to hide.

Upon seeing this, the elder of the Qingyun Sect changed drastically, his pupils shrinking sharply. He hadn't Ren Xiaoyao's attacks to be so swift and dense. He hurriedly summoned his natal magic weapon—a cyan shield engraved with the Azure Cloud Sect patterns. The shield emitted a rich cyan spiritual light, within which Immortal Crane could be faintly seen flying, emitting clear cries as they spread Immortal Crane wings, attempting to block the Emperor Mark Claw Mang. The old servant, meanwhile, blurred, using the concealment properties of demonic energy to blend into the surrounding shadows, transforming into a black shadow. He appeared three zhang behind Ren Xiaoyao as if by Teleport, a black Claw Mang condensing in his hand, the claw light wreathed with demonic energy that corroded the soul, mixed with tiny fragments of Demonic Soul. He viciously clawed towards Ren Xiaoyao's back, intending to kill him instantly. Ren Xiaoyao was prepared, his Soul Perception constantly locking onto the surrounding movements. The moment the old servant appeared, the Emperor Array Formation suddenly rotated, golden Emperor Mark forming a solid... A protective shield, its runes shimmering and radiating a heavy aura, blocked the old servant's sneak attack. "Clang!" The Claw Mang struck the shield with a deafening roar, sparks flying like Mars. The old servant was forced back, a searing pain shooting through his palms. The black Claw Mang vanished instantly, leaving a golden Emperor Mark mark on his palm that continued to burn his flesh. Simultaneously, "Boom!" The Emperor Mark sword clashed violently with the elder's shield. The Azure Cloud Sect cloud patterns on the shield shattered instantly, the spiritual light receding like a tide. The shield itself was covered in fine cracks, within which shimmered golden Emperor Mark light. The elder was sent flying by the Emperor Power, spitting out a mouthful of black blood. The blood transformed into a cloud of black mist in the air, containing tiny fragments of Demonic Soul that emitted mournful howls before being purified by the surrounding Spiritual Qi.

However, the pursuers came in droves. Just as they had dealt with four trusted disciples of the Qingyun Sect —whose demonic energy dissipated rapidly after being struck by the Emperor Mark sword, their bodies turning to ashes, with faint wails lingering within, as if the final lamentations of their souls controlled by the Demonic Seed —five more awakened Demon Chess Pieces arrived. Among them was a deacon from the Immortal Alliance's Foreign Affairs Hall, dressed in a grey deacon's robe embroidered with the Foreign Affairs Hall's emblem, but wielding a Demonic Transformation Magic Whip covered in barbs coated with... Black Venom dripped onto the ground, instantly corroding small holes; disciples from a nearby minor sect, dressed in purple robes embroidered with their sect's emblem, controlled two Evil Wolves formed from demonic energy. The Evil Wolves had bloodshot eyes, bared fangs, and dripped black saliva, exuding a ferocious aura; each roar was infused with intense demonic power. Even a cavalry commander from Mortal Kingdoms rode a warhorse engulfed in demonic flames, its hooves scorching the ground with blackened hoofprints and a mournful neighing sound. The general wielded a long spear, its tip wreathed in demonic energy, several cultivator heads still hanging from the shaft—clearly innocent victims slain during the pursuit. Ren Xiaoyao's Emperor Power was increasingly depleted; his face turned ashen, fine beads of cold sweat trickling down his forehead, soaking his clothes. The rotation of the Emperor Crystal within his dantian gradually slowed, cracks appearing on its surface, spreading like a spiderweb. The light of the Emperor Crystal Emperor Array dimmed further, and the injuries to his meridians from the previous battle throbbed with a dull ache, as if countless tendrils were pulling at his veins. The steel needles pierced him, causing him to furrow his brow. He knew this couldn't go on; he had to shake off his pursuers and reach the Boundary Sealing Gate as soon as possible. His eyes narrowed, and he quickly recalled the array patterns of the Profound Suppression Emperor Formation, searching for a secret technique to deal with the current situation. Suddenly, he remembered an auxiliary secret technique recorded deep within the array patterns—"Mysterious Light Shadow Concealment Technique." Although the Profound Suppression Emperor Formation was primarily defensive, this technique could utilize the Emperor Array's spatial stability to conceal one's aura and spiritual light, hiding in the surrounding environment like an ink droplet in water, making it difficult to detect.

Ren Xiaoyao immediately channeled his remaining Emperor Power, rapidly forming hand seals. His fingers danced, condensing Emperor Power into tiny runes at his fingertips. He silently chanted obscure Method Formula, activating the "Mysterious Light Shadow Concealment Technique." The golden spiritual light surrounding him instantly receded, retreating into his body like a tide. His aura became as weak as an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator's, even his robes blending into the surrounding green vegetation, creating a natural camouflage that was impossible to discern without close inspection. With a swift movement, he slipped into the dense forest beside him like a cat. The ancient trees, lush foliage, and entwined vines provided perfect cover. His feet trod on the thick layer of fallen leaves, making only a soft rustling sound, like the natural rustling of leaves in the wind. Using the towering trees and tangled vines to conceal himself, he moved swiftly towards the Boundary Sealing Gate like a ghost. When the pursuers arrived, they found only an empty road, the ground bearing the marks of the collision between Emperor Power and demonic energy. Golden and black energies intertwined, still emitting faint fluctuations, but Ren Xiaoyao's presence was nowhere to be seen. They searched the area, some releasing their Soul Perception, their perception covering several miles, sweeping across the forest like an invisible net; others turned over rocks and bushes, even cutting branches that obstructed their view, the snapping of branches making a "crack" sound; the old servants of the Immortal Alliance lay on the ground, sniffing the air like wild beasts, their noses twitching rapidly, but they only smelled the scent of grass and earth, finding nothing. They could only roar and curse in frustration, their voices echoing through the forest, startling countless birds into flight, breaking the silence of the mountains.

Ren Xiaoyao moved swiftly through the forest, keeping a low profile and stealthily stalking like a cheetah, avoiding open areas and choosing densely vegetated regions. The fallen leaves piled up thickly beneath his feet, soft and silent underfoot. Only occasionally, when he accidentally bumped into a dry branch, would he make a soft "crack" sound, at which point he would immediately stop, frozen like a statue, vigilantly observing his surroundings, his ears perked up, listening for any unusual sounds before continuing. He dared not relax for a moment, his Soul Perception remaining constantly alert. Like an invisible net, it covered an area of several dozen feet around him, watching for any movement—even the leap of a squirrel on a branch or the crawl of an insect in the grass could be clearly sensed by him. He knew that the "Demon Chess Pieces" hunt would not end here. The Ancestral Demon Yougu would surely be able to sense his approximate location through the subtle connection between the Demonic Seed and him, and would send out more and stronger forces afterward—perhaps the core elders of the Immortal Alliance, who possessed profound cultivation, mastered powerful immortal techniques, and might even know his secrets. The cards might be high-ranking Demon General from the Demon Realm, incredibly ferocious, possessing formidable Devil Cultivation Method, and unbound by the rules of the Immortal Realm. He must reach the Boundary Sealing Gate before being discovered again. He needs to inform the Alliance Leader of the distribution of the Demon Realm Realm's hidden agents, the specific time and tactics of the army's siege three days later—for example, which weak point in the Boundary Sealing Gate's defenses the demon army will target, and what Devil Artifact they will use to break the formation—as well as evidence of Elder Ying's collusion with the Demon Realm. He must urge the Immortal Alliance Leader adjust its deployment as quickly as possible, reinforce the Boundary Sealing Gate's defenses, and thoroughly investigate the Demon Chess Pieces within to eliminate any hidden Hidden Danger. The road ahead was fraught with unknowns and dangers. Every step could lead to a trap set by the Demon Chess Pieces, and every breath could reveal his whereabouts. Yet, Ren Xiaoyao's gaze grew ever more resolute, like the brightest star in the night sky, unwavering. Holding the Profound Suppression Emperor Formation in his hand and bearing the belief of protecting the billions of lives in the Immortal Realm, he was like a lone warrior in the darkness, fearless, step by step toward the Boundary Sealing Gate —the last line of defense for the Immortal Realm, a barrier guarded by countless cultivators with their lives, the battlefield he had to reach, and the starting point for his unwavering belief.