On the battlefield, blades flashed and clashed as shouts of battle rose and fell. Soldiers on both sides fought with all their might, refusing to retreat.
Nine Heavens Xuannü continued ordering the soldiers to beat the drums, bolstering the faith of Xuanyuan's troops. Their fighting strength surged at once.
With Xuanyuan and the others fighting valiantly, Chi You's Army gradually fell onto the defensive. However, Chi You himself was powerful and continued to resist stubbornly.
Xuanyuan still couldn't defeat Chi You. At Xuanyuan Camp,
Xuanyuan asked the others, "Everyone, what should we do now? We're just one step away from ending the war, but we have no way to deal with Chi You."
Cihang Daoren was perceptive, and he immediately thought of Chi You's identity—a member of the Witch Race. So he said quietly, "Senior Brother Guangchengzi, if only we had the Witch-Slaying Sword."
When Cihang spoke, the Eleven Golden Immortals and Nine Heavens Xuannü showed no particular reaction, but Xuanyuan and Bei Xuan suddenly changed expressions.
Their faces grew dark and solemn, as if they had been struck by some terrible weight.
In that moment, a hatred buried deep in the Human Race's bones was instantly kindled. It came not from personal grudges, but from the generations-old blood feud between the Human Race and the Demon Race.
In the Primordial World, the hatred between the Human Race and the Demon Race had endured for countless years. The Demon Race had inflicted deep historical wounds and hatred upon the Human Race.
Now, the Witch-Slaying Sword was to be used against the Witch-Human, who had the Witch Race's tough physique, and the hatred in Xuanyuan and Bei Xuan's hearts was stirred once more.
Although Xuanyuan and Bei Xuan had not personally witnessed the Demon Race slaughtering the Human Race, the blood feud could not be forgotten.
Seeing that the atmosphere had turned tense, Nine Heavens Xuannü said to Guangchengzi, "Senior Brother Guangchengzi, I'll leave the matter of the Witch-Slaying Sword to you."
Guangchengzi had also witnessed the Demon Race slaughtering the Human Race. "All right. I'll go to the Demon Race and ask for the Witch-Slaying Sword."
Across the Vast and Boundless Land, the sky was dark and oppressive.
At the edge of this land lay an enormous marsh, filled with dense miasma and poisonous substances.
These toxic gases twisted together in the air, forming clouds of poisonous fog that made the surrounding air murky.
In this miasma-shrouded region, all kinds of poisonous creatures ran rampant—venomous snakes, insects, and others struggling to survive in the harsh conditions.
Yet even in such a hostile environment, one kind of creature stubbornly lived on: the Demon Race.
At that moment, a figure flew in from afar. It was Guangchengzi.
Looking over the desolate land, he furrowed his brow. "Is this the Primordial Northland? What a barren place!"
Guangchengzi flew onward. After crossing a mountain range, he finally saw the Demon Race's Dwelling Place.
The miasma was gone here, but Spiritual Energy was extremely sparse. Compared to other places, it was like night and day.
Guangchengzi shook his head and sighed. "The Demon Race has truly fallen. They were once rulers of a corner of the world, but now they can only huddle away here. It's a lamentable sight."
The Demon Race was on edge these days. Sensing an unfamiliar presence, they immediately appeared and blocked Guangchengzi's way. A lesser demon asked, "Who are you, and why have you come to the Demon Race Territory?"
Guangchengzi said proudly, "I am Guangchengzi, chief of the Twelve Golden Immortals under Primordial Lord of the Chan Sect. Quickly, summon your leader."
The lesser demon was startled to hear that he was a Saint's Disciple, but had no way to meet the Demon Saint directly. He hurried off to find his own Great King. When the Great King heard that a Saint's Disciple had come, he went to find a Demon God.
Only those at the level of a Demon God could meet the Demon Saint. Demon Saint Bai Ze was handling government affairs.
Bai Ze was overwhelmed with worry. He couldn't help sighing, "The Primordial Northland is in such a sorry state. There's no Spiritual Energy at all, so the Demon Race can't cultivate. The Demon Race's Situation is dire."
Just then, a Da Luo Demon God came in to report. He was one of the few Demon Gods still left.
"Lord Bai Ze, my subordinate reports that a Saint's Disciple has arrived."
"What?" Bai Ze exclaimed. "Where?"
"Outside the mountain range."
As soon as he heard this, Bai Ze hurried out, thinking, This is a Saint's Disciple. The Demon Race can't afford to make one wait.
Outside the mountain range, Guangchengzi had waited so long for the Demon Saint to appear that he was growing impatient.
The Demon Race has no manners at all. Just as my teacher said: a rabble of fur and scales, wet-born and egg-hatched creatures, Guangchengzi thought.
As soon as Bai Ze arrived, he saw Guangchengzi glaring grimly toward the Demon Race's territory.
He hurriedly called out from a distance, "I didn't know a high disciple of a Saint was visiting. Bai Ze failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me."
Guangchengzi said unhappily, "The Demon Saint certainly has an imposing air, making me wait so long."
Bai Ze smiled apologetically. "I hope you'll excuse us, fellow Daoist. The conditions in the Extreme North Land are truly harsh, and the place where I live is quite far from here." As he spoke, he repeatedly cupped his hands in apology.
Then Bai Ze explained, "The lesser demon who carried the message had little cultivation and flew slowly, so I arrived a little late. I'm truly sorry." He bowed deeply again to express his apology.
It wasn't that Bai Ze wanted to act so humbly. The Demon Race was no longer what it had once been, and Guangchengzi was a Saint's Disciple. Neglecting a Saint's Disciple was no different from slighting a Saint.
"Please, come inside, fellow Daoist," Bai Ze invited Guangchengzi.
"No need. I came for the Witch-Slaying Sword," Guangchengzi said directly.
"The Witch-Slaying Sword." Bai Ze pondered for a long while. The Demon Race had slaughtered many members of the Human Race to forge it.
They had thus incurred countless sins, and the Human Race still hated them for it. The Heavenly Master profession existed specifically to slay demons.
Bai Ze took out the Witch-Slaying Sword and handed it to Guangchengzi.
Then he said, "Since you need it, take it. I know you're asking for the Witch-Slaying Sword so Xuanyuan can fight Chi You. Returning it to the Human Race may help lessen the Demon Race's sins."
Guangchengzi put away the Witch-Slaying Sword, immediately mounted his cloud, and left the Extreme North Land for Zhuolu.
Xuanyuan Camp was silent, with only the wind howling past. Xuanyuan and Bei Xuan stood quietly, gazing at the Witch-Slaying Sword as though they could see bygone years through its blade.
They remained silent for a long time, with no one speaking as thoughts churned in their hearts.
At last, Nine Heavens Xuannü broke the silence. "Now that the Witch-Slaying Sword is back in our hands, let us begin the final battle!" Her voice was firm and forceful, filled with unshakable resolve.
Xuanyuan nodded slightly, a resolute glint in his eyes. "All right. Let's use this Witch-Slaying Sword to defeat Chi You!"
He gripped the hilt tightly, feeling the blade's cold touch and a wave of sorrow welling within him.
Bei Xuan stepped over and looked at Xuanyuan solemnly. "May we overcome every difficulty and fulfill our mission. I also hope that from this day onward, the Human Race's departed heroes may rest in peace."
He knew that this battle would decide Xuanyuan's fate and the fate of the Human Race. They had to give it everything they had.
At Nine Heavens Xuannü's command, the soldiers in Xuanyuan Camp quickly sprang into action and prepared for battle.
They readied themselves for the coming decisive battle. For the future of the Human Race and for their beliefs, they were willing to pay any price.
Xuanyuan's army and Chi You's Army began their decisive battle, and Chi You's Army suffered a crushing defeat.
Though his army had lost, Chi You still refused to give up. Riding an Iron-Eating Beast and carrying the Tiger Soul Blade, he said to Xuanyuan, "Xuanyuan, fight me. If you win, you'll be the Human Race's Co-Lord."
"Very well." Xuanyuan took up the Witch-Slaying Sword, rode Ying Long, and clashed with Chi You. At first, Chi You relied on his powerful physique to drive Xuanyuan back again and again.
But when Xuanyuan found an opening and struck Chi You with the Witch-Slaying Sword, Chi You's strength plummeted instantly.
Chi You was shocked. "Th-this is the Witch-Slaying Sword!"
Xuanyuan struck again, and Chi You was knocked off the Iron-Eating Beast. He fell to the ground, with the Witch-Slaying Sword resting against his throat.
"Xuanyuan, I've lost. Kill me." Chi You was utterly convinced by his defeat. Xuanyuan had command of the right time, place, and people; it would have been hard for him to lose. This was Heaven's will.
Xuanyuan lifted the Witch-Slaying Sword from Chi You's throat, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his face.
He said softly, "I won't kill you. Actually, I admire you. You have extraordinary courage and wisdom—rare qualities indeed.
"If you're willing, we can work together and build a better world."
A complex feeling welled up in Chi You's heart. He had thought Xuanyuan would execute him, but instead he had received this unexpected offer.
However, his pride and self-respect made it difficult for him to accept. He looked coldly at Xuanyuan and said firmly, "I don't need your pity, and I won't work with you.
"I only believe in my own strength. Only through battle can I prove my worth."
Xuanyuan smiled faintly, as if he had expected Chi You to answer that way. He shook his head gently, a flicker of regret in his eyes.
"Chi You, you're too stubborn. War only brings more destruction and suffering, while cooperation lets us achieve greater things."
"Don't you want to see a peaceful, prosperous world?" Xuanyuan asked softly, his tone edged with helplessness.
Chi You fell silent for a moment, looking at Xuanyuan with unwavering resolve. At last, he said slowly, "I understand what you mean, but we're on different sides. There are too many conflicts and disagreements between us to resolve so easily."
Xuanyuan sighed. "Chi You, I know we disagree, but that doesn't mean we can't find common ground.
"As long as we're willing to set aside our prejudices and work together, we can surely find a way to resolve our problems."
Chi You furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment before saying, "Perhaps you're right, but that's easier said than done. Our tribes have accumulated too much hatred and resentment between them. It can't be undone overnight."
Xuanyuan nodded to show that he understood Chi You's concern. But he firmly believed that if both sides were sincere, they could break the deadlock and live together in peace.
Chi You fell silent again, beginning to consider Xuanyuan's proposal. Although he still had doubts about Xuanyuan, he had to admit that peace would benefit his people more than war.
After struggling inwardly for some time, Chi You finally nodded. "All right, I accept your proposal. The Jiuli Tribe will submit to Huaxia."
Xuanyuan smiled with relief. "Good, Chi You. I hope we can work together to create a bright future for our people."
They looked at each other, as though they could see the dawn of peace. The road ahead would be rough, but they both believed that if they persevered, they would one day realize their dream of living together in peace.
At last, the long and drawn-out war ended, and Xuanyuan finally fulfilled his mission.
Shennong held the Feng Shan Ceremony on Mount Tai and passed the throne to Xuanyuan, handing him the token of the Co-Lord.
Su Mu stepped forward once more, holding the Kongtong Seal. In a clear voice, he proclaimed, "Xuanyuan united the Human Race's tribes and brought the Jiuli Tribe under his rule. His merits are immeasurable. He should become the Human Race's Human Sovereign. Let Heaven and Earth bear witness!"
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