The Demon Spirit Land, the Soul Refining Tribe.
The sky was no longer the usual azure, but was stained a deep inky purple by the deathly aura and ghostly energy permeating the world, as if it were about to collapse at any moment and completely crush this land.
The distant mountains, shrouded in mist, appeared indistinct and shadowy, like a monstrous beast ready to devour its prey, revealing only its ferocious outline.
The Soul Refining Tribe is situated on a desolate plain, a place where the souls of the dead gather. Tiny specks of soul fire float in the air year-round, faint yet persistent, like candles flickering in the wind.
The tribe's dwellings are not tall brick and stone buildings, but rather low yet sturdy fortified walls built with a tough, Netherworld Vine as the skeleton and soul stones as the tiles.
Outside the stockade walls, countless bone spikes were planted, forming a defensive array base for generations of Soul Refining disciples, crafted from animal bones and human souls.
Each one exuded a chilling aura, emitting a low, mournful groan in the howling wind, as if telling of endless resentment.
At this moment, this usually peaceful land is shrouded in a suffocating pressure.
On the ground, the once gentle Netherworld Vine began to tremble violently, and the runes on the Soul Stone Wall dimmed almost completely.
Countless disciples of the Soul Refining Tribe stood behind the village wall, their faces solemn, each holding a different soul weapon. Their clothes, though worn, were neat and tidy, and they wore banners covered with strange runes hanging from their waists or on their backs.
Among these disciples were elderly men with white hair and young boys with immature features. The weapons in their hands trembled slightly, not because of fear, but because of the surging soul power within them and the impending death battle.
The air seemed to freeze; even the howling of the wind vanished, leaving only a deathly silence.
Suddenly, a deafening roar ripped through the sky, followed by a burst of flames.
On the horizon, a huge black shadow appeared like a surging tide.
That was the army of the Fire Demon Prefecture. Tens of thousands of powerful fire demons soared into the air. Their bodies were either as tall as mountains or as agile as leopards, and their bodies were engulfed in raging, inextinguishable crimson flames, turning the entire dark purple sky into a fiery red.
The leading group possessed an aura that was terrifying to the extreme; with each step they took, the void distorted and the air seemed to burn.
The Fire Demon Emperor Realm of the Fire Demon Prefecture wore a crimson-gold dragon-patterned imperial robe, his figure as imposing as an ancient mountain, and his face ferocious.
He slowly raised his head, his eyes burning with fierce flames as he looked down at the Soul Refining Tribe below, a mocking and cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Listen up, you scum of the Soul Refining Tribe!"
The voice of the Fire Demon Emperor Realm of the Fire Demon Prefecture boomed like thunder, carrying supreme majesty and domineering power, echoing across the entire plain.
"Those who know what's good for them will immediately lay down their weapons and surrender to my Fire Demon Prefecture! From this day forward, they will become vassals of my Fire Demon Prefecture, and only then may they retain a sliver of hope for survival!"
"Otherwise, today I will raze your dilapidated tribe to the ground and refine your souls, so that you may never be reborn!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the crimson flames around the Fire Demon Emperor Realm of the Fire Demon Prefecture surged several times over, and a terrifying pressure descended upon the Soul Refining Tribe like Mount Tai pressing down.
Inside the village walls, the disciples of the Soul Refining Tribe all paled, many turning ashen-faced, a metallic taste rising in their throats.
This oppressive aura was far too powerful; even the strongest elder in the tribe was as vulnerable as an ant before the Demon Emperor Realm.
However, after a brief moment of suffocation, an indomitable fury ignited in the eyes of all the disciples.
They all looked up, their gazes fixed firmly on a figure standing in the center of the stockade wall.
That was Ouyang Hua, the patriarch of the Soul Refining Tribe.
Ouyang Hua was dressed in a gray-black robe with a golden soul mark embroidered on the hem. His face was resolute and his eyes were as deep as an ancient well. However, at this moment, his deep eyes revealed an indescribable sorrow and determination.
"Fellow tribesmen, our Soul Refining Tribe has lived in the Demon Spirit Land for generations. Although we make our living by refining souls, we have never bullied the weak, nor have we ever bowed down to any power!"
"Today, the Fire Demon Prefecture has invaded, intending to annihilate my tribe and seize my soul. What do you say we should do?"
"We'd rather die than surrender!"
"We'd rather die than surrender!!"
A deafening roar erupted from the disciples of the Soul Refining Tribe as they brandished their soul weapons, their bodies surging with boundless energy.
The faint sparks of soul fire instantly intensified, and the entire tribe seemed to burst forth with unprecedented vitality at that moment.
"Hmph, stubborn as a mule!"
The Demon Emperor Realm of Fire Demon Prefecture's eyes flashed with murderous intent. He coldly shouted, "Since you're courting death, then I'll grant your wish! Attack! Raze the Soul Refining Tribe to the ground!"
"Kill!!!"
With a command from the Demon Emperor Realm, the army of the Fire Demon Prefecture surged towards the walls of the Soul Refining Tribe like a tidal wave.
Countless Demon Soldier soared into the air, spewing raging flames from their mouths. The flames landed on the fortress walls built of Netherworld Vine, instantly igniting into a raging inferno with a sizzling sound. Thick black smoke billowed up, obscuring half the sky.
"Set up the formation! Activate the Bone Defense Array!" Ouyang Hua shouted sternly.
Dozens of Soul Refining Elders immediately sprang into action, each holding a piece of demonic beast bone and infusing it with their soul power, causing the bones to instantly emit a dazzling soul light.
The skeletons connected to each other, forming a huge skeletal barrier that stood before the stockade wall.
However, the fire demons who rushed in were incredibly powerful, especially several generals from the Fire Demon Prefecture. With a casual wave of their hands, they unleashed terrifying waves of fire and sharp claws that instantly tore through the bone barrier.
"Pfft!"
One of the Soul Refining disciples who was at the forefront didn't even have time to react before a huge, flaming claw pierced his chest. His body was instantly engulfed by the flames, and he let out a shrill scream. Even his soul couldn't escape before it was burned to ashes.
Damn it!
Ouyang Hua's eyes were bloodshot and his heart was in agony, but he could only suppress it. He knew that he could not afford to be distracted at this moment.
"Kill!"
More fire demons surged into the tribe's territory, wreaking havoc everywhere. Wherever they went, the Netherworld Vine turned to ashes, and Soul Stones shattered on the ground.
Although the disciples of the Soul Refining Tribe fought bravely against the fire demon with various soul weapons, the difference in strength was too great.
Most of the powerful figures in Fire Demon Prefecture possess profound cultivation and formidable physical strength, further protected by crimson flames. Although the soul weapon attacks of the Soul Refining disciples can injure them, they are unlikely to be fatal. Instead, they are easily killed by the disciples' blazing flames and sharp claws.
Corpses littered the fields, and blood flowed like rivers.
The air was thick with the pungent smell of blood, the acrid smell of burning flesh, and the smoky aroma of burning flames, all mixed together to create a nauseating odor.
The disciples of the Soul Refining Tribe suffered countless casualties, and their stronghold walls had long been breached. They could only rely on the dilapidated buildings to fight a desperate battle against the powerful warriors of the Fire Demon Prefecture.