Demon Venerable Wu Zhong
In the Immortal Realm, clouds and mist swirl, and Spiritual Qi energy permeates the air, like a breathtaking landscape painting slowly unfolding. Majestic mountains rise high, piercing the clouds, with waterfalls cascading down their slopes, splashing up layers of crystal-clear water that shimmer with iridescent light under the refracted sunlight. Spirit Flower and herbs bloom across the mountains and fields, their petals shimmering with a soft glow and exuding a refreshing fragrance. Rare and Strange Beasts frolic among the trees or soar freely in the sky, their eyes sparkling with lively light, full of vitality and life.
After achieving Heavenly Immortal, Ren Xiaoyao lived a carefree and leisurely life. He often strolled along the paths of the immortal mountains, whispering to the flowers, trees, and shrubs, feeling the wonder and beauty of nature; sometimes he would sit quietly by the spirit lake, watching the shimmering water and the fish swimming freely, immersing himself in this peaceful and serene atmosphere, comprehending the profound truths of the universe. His Immortal Method became increasingly refined, and every gesture he made exuded a powerful aura, attracting many immortals to come and seek his guidance. He always answered patiently, sharing his cultivation insights without reservation.
However, this beautiful tranquility was shattered in a single day. The once clear blue sky was suddenly invaded by a Nine Netherworlds aura from the deepest hell. Dark clouds surged from the horizon at a visible speed, obscuring the entire Immortal Realm's firmament in just a few breaths. Darkness poured down like viscous ink, even swallowing the Xihe Immortal Sun Summit of Immortal Mountain, leaving only a faint halo. The air was filled with a thick, pungent stench of decay and blood, mixed with the wails of countless wronged souls and the acrid smell of demonic flames burning living beings, as if the sins of the Demon Realm Abyss over millennia had been poured out in this moment. Immediately afterward, a massive Black Cracks, a thousand feet long, slowly tore open in the sky. Twisted Space Turbulence flowed along the edges of the rift, and demonic energy surged forth from within like a raging black river, carrying rubble and remnants of souls, rolling towards the Immortal Realm realm, completely swallowing up even the light in its wake.
As demonic energy spread, the entire Immortal Realm descended into chaos. The immortals stared at the sky in terror, their faces filled with fear and despair. Rare and exotic Strange Beasts lost their former liveliness, hiding deep in the mountains and forests, emitting uneasy cries. The once vibrant and beautiful Spirit Flower and herbs withered and died rapidly under the corrosive influence of the demonic energy, losing all vitality.
Within the Black Cracks, a towering figure, capable of eclipsing the very fabric of the world, slowly emerged. The Demon Venerable Wu Zhong, the overlord who had ruled the Demon Realm Abyss for millennia, was surrounded by solidified Black Demonic Flame, each flame seemingly alive, leaping and scorching the surrounding space with crackling, destructive sounds. He stood over ten feet tall, his face as cold and stern as Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice, three dark red Demonic Runes etched on his forehead—the mark of Demonic Baleful Energy forged from the devouring of millions of lives. Two crimson flames danced in his eyes, their depths filled with endless Void and savagery. His gaze upon the Immortal Realm seemed to scrutinize a flock of lambs awaiting slaughter. He wore a robe made from the Ancient Ferocious Beast "Qiongqi." He wore a long black robe sewn from leather, the hem embroidered with intricate Soul Devouring Runes. Each time the runes flashed, countless tiny fragments of souls were sucked into them, emitting a shrill scream. A bone staff hung at his waist, its shaft forged from the spine of Primordial Demon God, its top inlaid with a massive Blood-Colored Demonic Crystal. Sealed within the Demonic Crystal was the remnant soul of a struggling dragon, radiating a suffocating pressure. Behind him, a dense horde of Demon Soldiers Demon General surged forth like a tidal wave: winged Demon Crow Knight with fangs, lava trolls three zhang tall wielding Lava Giant Demon, and elusive Shadow Demon Assassin skilled in stealth attacks—almost the entire elite force of the Demon Realm had been mobilized.
The Demon Venerable Wu Zhong stepped out of the rift, causing the entire Immortal Realm to tremble. His gaze, like a sharp dagger, swept across the Immortal Realm below, finally locking onto Ren Xiaoyao. A slight, contemptuous sneer curled at the corners of his mouth, echoing in the air like a demon's roar, sending chills down everyone's spine. Under his gaze, the surrounding space seemed to be distorted by an Invisible Power, the air becoming thick and oppressive, making it almost impossible to breathe. Every movement he made seemed to carry World-Destroying Power, instilling a profound sense of powerlessness and despair in everyone present.
Ren Xiaoyao felt the Demon Venerable's gaze and slowly raised his head, looking at the terrifying figure in the sky. His fingertips unconsciously caressed the tassel of the Emperor Sword at his waist— Safety Knot woven by his senior brother with his last spiritual power before his death. The tassel trembled slightly in the demonic energy, yet maintained a gentle, warm spiritual light. His eyes were calm as still water, without the slightest fear or panic, as if the Demon Venerable before him was nothing more than an insignificant ant. He smiled gently, a smile like the Warm Sun in spring, piercing through the thick demonic energy and shining on the faces of the terrified immortals below, slightly easing their tense nerves. His long hair fluttered wildly in the wind, and the Primordial Immortal Charm flowing on his moon-white Daoist robe collided with the demonic energy, stirring up visible ripples of energy. The space around him seemed to be a world unto itself, isolated from the chaos and oppression of the outside world. He was like an ancient pine tree standing in the eye of a storm, strong and composed.
Seeing Ren Xiaoyao's composure, the Demon Venerable Wu Zhong Wuzhong's anger erupted like a volcano. He abruptly raised his bone staff, pouring thirty percent of his Demonic Power into it. The Blood-Colored Demonic Crystal at the top of the staff instantly burst forth with a blinding red light, and a black beam of light, several meters in diameter, shot out from the Demonic Crystal. Countless tiny Demonic Runes swirled around the beam, each Demonic Runes representing a Curse —soul-devouring, bone-corroding, and spirit-annihilating power. This "World-Destroying Demonic Light" carried World-Ending Aura. Wherever it passed, space was torn apart with spiderweb-like cracks, and even the Spiritual Qi in the air was instantly drained, turning into wisps of black smoke that were swallowed by the beam. Like a falling star of death, it hurtled towards Ren Xiaoyao with a sharp whistling sound, as if to reduce this immortal mountain and Ren Xiaoyao to Void.
Faced with an attack powerful enough to move even Golden Immortal, Ren Xiaoyao merely nodded slightly, casually raising his right hand, a soft golden halo appearing in his palm. This halo was the "Primordial Immortal Charm" he had condensed after breaking through to the Heavenly Immortal Peak; seemingly light and intangible, it actually contained the Origin Power of the Beginning of Heaven and Earth and earth. When the black beam of light struck, the halo in his palm spun gently, and an invisible force field instantly spread out. A wondrous scene unfolded: the unstoppable World-Destroying Demonic Light seemed to be... An invisible hand pulled him, abruptly deflecting his trajectory by several feet, grazing his clothes as he flew into the distance. A deafening roar followed, and the distant "Ren Xiaoyao Wangxian Peak" was instantly struck by the demonic light. The Immortal Palaces atop the peak turned to ashes in an instant, the entire mountain split in two, and massive rocks cascaded down like a torrential rain, raising a cloud of dust thousands of feet high that lingered for a long time. Where Ren Xiaoyao stood, only a barely perceptible scorch mark appeared on the hem of his robe from the aftershocks of the demonic light.
Seeing his all-out attack so easily neutralized by Ren Xiaoyao, the Demon Venerable Wu Zhong Wuzhong's shock and rage reached their peak. His eyes turned even blood redder, and the Black Flames on his body burned even more fiercely, as if they would incinerate the entire world. He waved his wand again, chanting incantations. Suddenly, countless black lightning bolts appeared in the sky, intertwining to form a massive black net that enveloped Ren Xiaoyao. Each bolt contained terrifying Demonic Power; once struck, even a small mountain would instantly turn to dust.
Ren Xiaoyao gazed at the overwhelming black electric net, a hint of indifference flashing in his eyes. He lightly stomped his left foot on the ground, and a ring of golden Emperor Dao Runes instantly bloomed on the bluestone slab beneath his feet. The runes spread across the ground, covering an area of a hundred feet around him. This step, seemingly slow, contained the profound principle of "Shattering the Void." As his foot landed, the Time Flow Rate around him suddenly slowed down, and the falling speed of the black electric net also decreased accordingly. When the electric net was less than ten feet away from him, he pointed out with his right index finger, and a point of dazzling golden light condensed at his fingertip. This golden light was the result of his imperial fire and Primordial Immortal Charm... The "Heaven Burning Finger," formed by the fusion of Primordial Immortal Charm, transformed into a gigantic Golden Giant Dragon several meters long the instant the golden light left its body. Its scales were clearly visible, its whiskers flowing gracefully, and it unleashed a roar that shook the heavens. The Golden Giant Dragon roared as it charged towards the black electric net, its claws tearing apart bolts of black lightning. The Energy Impact from the collision uprooted the surrounding immortal trees and created towering waves tens of meters high on the lake. The black electric net shattered like a fragile spiderweb under the golden dragon's impact, while the dragon remained unharmed, continuing its overwhelming momentum towards the Demon Venerable Wu Zhong.
The Demon Venerable Wu Zhong stared at the Golden Giant Dragon hurtling towards him, a fear he had never felt before surging within him. He frantically swung his bone staff, the dragon's remnant soul within the Demonic Crystal at the staff's tip letting out a painful roar as more of its primal power was forcibly extracted. Black Demonic Power rapidly gathered before him, forming a thick black barrier. The barrier shimmered with three core runes: "Soul Devouring," "Soul Annihilation," and "Spirit Annihilation." With each pulse of the runes, countless phantoms of wronged souls emerged from the barrier, emitting mournful howls. This was his "Netherworld Soul Devouring Shield," forged over a thousand years of cultivation, which had once withstood the combined attacks of several Golden Immortal. Yet now, under the oppressive force of the Golden Giant Dragon, it trembled slightly, as if it might shatter at any moment.
However, Ren Xiaoyao's "Heaven Burning Finger" was not so easily resisted. The Golden Giant Dragon opened its massive maw, spewing out a ball of condensed Nirvana Emperor Fire. The flames surged instantly upon encountering the demonic energy, forming a golden wall of fire several meters wide in front of the dragon. The moment the wall of fire collided with the black barrier, countless Demonic Runes twisted and melted in the intense heat. The phantoms of wronged souls were scorched by the flames, emitting shrill cries before dissipating into wisps of black smoke. The Golden Giant Dragon seized the opportunity to crash into the barrier, and with a crisp "crack," the Netherworld Soul Devouring Shield shattered. The Demon Venerable's eyes widened, filled with fear and despair. He wanted to burn his divine soul to escape, but he discovered that Ren Xiaoyao had already laid down Emperor Dao Runes, and the surrounding space imprisoned him like an impenetrable wall. He could only watch helplessly as the Golden Giant Dragon approached with an aura of destruction, his heart filled with endless regret—if he hadn't underestimated this newly promoted Heavenly Immortal, if he hadn't exposed his trump cards with all his might, he wouldn't have ended up like this.
In this final moment, the Demon Venerable let out a desperate roar, his voice filled with rage and resentment. His body began to tremble violently, and the Black Flames on his body dimmed under the golden light. His face was filled with despair and pain, as if he had already seen his end.
The moment the Golden Giant Dragon collided with the Demon Venerable, the entire Immortal Realm seemed to be paused. A dazzling golden light erupted from the point of impact, instantly covering half the sky, even dimming the sun's rays. The Demon Venerable Wu Zhong's body sizzled and burned within the golden light; his Qiongqi black robe was the first to turn to ash, the Blood-Colored Demonic Crystal on his bone staff shattered, and the sealed remnant soul of the dragon dissipated in the golden light. He tried to summon the last of his Demonic Power to resist, but found Demonic Power melting away as quickly as ice and snow exposed to the blazing sun. His skin began to char. His muscles shattered inch by inch, and his bones cracked under the immense pressure. In extreme agony, he let out a piercing wail, a sound filled with resentment and despair, but it was quickly swallowed by golden light. In a mere breath, the Demon Venerable Wu Zhong, who had dominated the Demon Realm for ten thousand years, was completely reduced to ashes, leaving not even a trace of his soul behind. The Demon Soldiers Demon General behind him, witnessing this scene, were so terrified that they went limp, some even kneeling on the ground, losing control of their bladder and bowels, their eyes filled with fear of Ren Xiaoyao, having lost even the courage to flee.
As the Demon Venerable fell, the Black Cracks in the sky slowly closed. The remaining demonic energy, purified by the Primordial Immortal Charm energy, transformed into specks of light and dissipated into the air. The immortal Immortal Realm, once shrouded in darkness, was once again bathed in light. Sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the earth and bringing life and hope to this land that had suffered so much. The withered Spirit Flower and herbs, nourished by the sunlight and Spiritual Qi, sprouted new buds, the dewdrops on their petals refracting seven-colored light. Rare and exotic Strange Beasts hiding deep in the mountains and forests poked their heads out, cautiously observing the outside world. When they saw Ren Xiaoyao's figure, they all lowered their heads, as if expressing reverence. The immortals emerged from their hiding places. True Human Xuanyang, leaning on his newly forged whisk, led the surviving cultivators to Ren Xiaoyao and bowed deeply. "Carefree Immortal Venerable, the preservation of the Immortal Realm this time is entirely due to your power!" The other immortals also bowed in respect, their eyes filled with gratitude and reverence, tears streaming down their cheeks, a mixture of the joy of surviving a calamity and their admiration for the heroes.
Ren Xiaoyao stood quietly, observing everything before him. His face showed no pride or arrogance, only a calm demeanor. In his eyes, this was merely a minor episode on his Cultivation Path. His gaze drifted into the distance, his heart filled with anticipation and longing for the future. He knew that the Path of Cultivation was endless, and many more challenges awaited him.
News of this earth-shattering battle spread like wildfire throughout the Immortal Realm and the Demon Realm. Upon learning that Immortal Realm Ren Xiaoyao, the immortals of the Demon Venerable Wu Zhong were filled with shock and awe. Their attitude towards Ren Xiaoyao underwent a dramatic transformation, evolving from initial respect to near-worship.
In the various immortal sects and factions of the Immortal Realm, disciples regard Ren Xiaoyao as their idol and deity. They sing of Ren Xiaoyao's heroic deeds, recounting how he defeated the powerful Demon Venerable with extraordinary strength and saved the Immortal Realm. Some disciples even hang Ren Xiaoyao's portrait in their cultivation rooms, worshipping him daily, hoping to receive his protection and enlightenment.
Those immortals who had once crossed paths with Ren Xiaoyao felt immense pride at this moment. They recalled every detail of their time with Ren Xiaoyao, recounting each moment repeatedly as if these memories were the most precious treasures of their lives. When communicating with other immortals, they would always speak eloquently about Ren Xiaoyao's story, their words filled with admiration and praise.
Meanwhile, elders and sect leaders of the Immortal Realm convened meetings to discuss how to honor Ren Xiaoyao's achievements. They decided to erect a colossal statue of Ren Xiaoyao in the central square of the Immortal Realm to commemorate his great accomplishments. This statue would be crafted by the Immortal Realm's most skilled artisans, using the most precious immortal stones and jade, striving to perfectly capture Ren Xiaoyao's Divine Charm and demeanor. Simultaneously, they planned to hold a grand celebration in the Immortal Realm, inviting all immortals to participate and jointly celebrate this victory.
In the Demon Realm, news of the death of the Demon Venerable Wu Zhong spread like wildfire, plunging the entire Demon Realm into unprecedented chaos and panic. Previously, under the Demon Venerable Wu Zhong's iron-fisted rule, the various Demon Palaces, though harboring resentment, dared not act rashly. Now, with their backer collapsed, hidden conflicts erupted instantly. The most powerful, the Blood Fiend Demon Hall and the Shadow Demon Hall, were the first to break ties. The Blood Fiend Demon Lord led his Blood Demon army in a surprise attack on the Shadow Demon Hall's territory overnight. A fierce battle ensued in the Soul Severing Valley, where demonic flames and poisonous mist intertwined, corpses piled high, and blood stained the valley's river a dark red. Other smaller Demon Palaces also chose sides, some siding with the Blood Fiend Demon Hall, some joining the Shadow Demon Hall, and others attempting to establish their own independent forces, plundering resources amidst the chaos. The Demon Realm's cities were destroyed in the war, and countless low-ranking demons were displaced, forced to eke out a living in the cracks of society.
Some of the more powerful demon palaces immediately summoned their Demon Soldiers, preparing to attack other demon palaces in order to expand their sphere of influence. Their Demon Soldiers, wielding all sorts of evil weapons, rampaged across the Demon Realm realm, leaving devastation in their wake. Demonic fires raged, turning the land into scorched earth, and countless demons perished in the chaos. Cries, shouts, and screams mingled together, echoing throughout the entire Demon Realm.
Meanwhile, some of the weaker demon temples were gripped by extreme panic. They didn't know how to cope with this sudden turn of events, and could only close their temple gates tightly, strengthen their defenses, and hope to escape the disaster. The demons within their temples were terrified; they huddled in corners, trembling, their hearts filled with fear and despair. They feared their temples would be breached by other forces, and that they themselves would become victims of this conflict.
In a dark valley of the Demon Realm, a group of demonic figures were quietly gathering. They were a mysterious force within the Demon Realm, rarely showing themselves, yet possessing immense power. At this moment, they were discussing how to maximize their gains amidst the chaos. One of the demonic figures said ominously, "The Demon Venerable Wu Zhong is dead. The Demon Realm is about to undergo a great upheaval. We cannot miss this opportunity; we must act quickly to seize more resources and territory." The other demonic figures nodded in agreement, their eyes gleaming with greed and evil, as if they could already see the day they would dominate the Demon Realm.
Deep within the Demon Realm, in an ancient and mysterious Devil Palace, an old man in black robes sat quietly in the darkness. His face was hidden in the shadows, his expression unreadable, but the powerful aura emanating from him revealed his extraordinary nature. He was the legendary figure of the Demon Realm, one of the former candidates for Demon Venerable. Upon hearing the news of the death of the Demon Venerable Wu Zhong, he sighed softly and said, "What was destined to happen has finally happened. Wu Zhong, you Wu Zhong your opponent. However, this is also my opportunity." With that, he slowly stood up, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, as if he were ready to regain control of the Demon Realm.
Ren Xiaoyao stood quietly on this land that had just been ravaged by war. A gentle breeze caressed his face and fluttered his robes. His gaze was deep and calm as he stared at the distant Immortal Realm realm, which was gradually recovering its vitality. He was filled with emotion. The moment he slew the Demon Venerable, he felt the immense power within himself. This power was not merely the might of Immortal Method, but also a deep-seated belief and courage.
He realized that his Path of Cultivation was not a solitary pursuit of detachment, but a responsibility inextricably linked to this world and all living beings. When he slew the Demon Venerable, the power that pierced the heavens and earth made him clearly feel that the essence of immortal power was not destruction, but protection. He recalled his senior brother who sacrificed himself in the battle of the Boundary Sealing Gate, the aged words of True Human Xuanyang, and the simple smiles of the Mortal Realm people—these images were etched deep into his soul like a brand. He knew that the universe was vast and boundless, and besides the Demon Realm, there might be even more distant Extraterrestrial Evil Demons and ancient Primordial Chaos forces, like giant beasts lurking in the darkness, ready to attack the Immortal Realm at any moment. Thinking of this, Ren Xiaoyao's eyes grew even more resolute. He secretly vowed: even if the road ahead was fraught with thorns, even if powerful enemies surrounded him in the future, he would use his sword and his heart to protect the peace of this world, preventing the tragedy of widespread suffering from ever again.
Ren Xiaoyao slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and felt the Spiritual Qi of the surrounding world. He discovered that after this great battle, his connection with heaven and earth had become even stronger—he could clearly sense the ancient tree rings slowly growing in the depths of the immortal mountain, the fish swimming at the bottom of the spiritual lake Inhale and Exhale in and out Spiritual Qi, and even catch the subtle sounds of seedlings sprouting in the Mortal Realm's farmland. This state of "Heaven and Earth Breathe Together and earth" was an understanding he had never experienced since breaking through to the Heavenly Immortal Peak realm. He understood that cultivation was not merely about practicing Immortal Method, but also about self-awareness and understanding of the world. Only by merging one's own path with the path of heaven and earth, and taking protection as one's initial aspiration, could one truly touch a higher realm. His fingertips brushed against the Safety Knot at his waist again, and his senior brother's smile seemed to be right before his eyes. He silently murmured in his heart, "Senior brother, look, the world we protect is still safe and sound."
In this peaceful immortal Immortal Realm, Ren Xiaoyao quietly contemplated his future. He knew that although tranquility had temporarily returned, his mission was far from over. His gaze drifted into the distance, to an unknown world filled with mystery and challenges. A strong desire welled up within him—a desire to explore those unknown territories and seek higher levels of cultivation. He believed that in that distant place, there were surely more mysteries waiting for him to uncover, and more challenges waiting for him to conquer.
Finally, Ren Xiaoyao slowly opened his eyes, a resolute light shining within them. He gently waved his hand, turned, and walked into the distance. His figure, bathed in sunlight, appeared so tall and unwavering, like an unshakeable mountain. His steps were steady and powerful, each step leaving a firm footprint on the land he loved so deeply. His departure carried endless expectations and hopes, foreshadowing a new journey. In the days to come, he would continue to pursue his path, using his power to protect the peace between the Immortal Realm and the mortal world, becoming an eternal hero in people's hearts. And his story would be forever told throughout this vast world, inspiring generations of cultivators to bravely pursue their dreams and tirelessly strive for justice and peace.