Chapter 294: Arriving Quickly

Marquis Xihai looked around, his face pale. On the ground lay the deceased Marquis Ziyu, surrounded by ruined debris and countless ordinary citizens who had died in the conflict.

"In this war, many gods and demons have fallen one by one. Today, it is finally my turn," Marquis Xihai murmured. He had just fought the Fifth-Heaven Great Demon Monarch and clearly understood the vast difference in their strength. In a direct one-on-one confrontation, he knew he would lose his life within a few moves.

"You have only cultivated for a mere hundred years," the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch said with a soft chuckle. "You can become much stronger in the future. If you consume this demon core, you can still remain among humanity as 'Marquis Xihai.' Humans will never discover your betrayal, and you can continue to live a life of glory. All you need to do is perform a few tasks for my demon race. Later, when humanity is defeated, lead your family to pledge complete allegiance to us, and you will still enjoy immense power and wealth."

"In this world, isn't it enough as long as it benefits you and your family?" the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch chuckled. "You humans have a saying: 'Heaven and Earth destroy those who do not act for themselves!'"

The Green-Scaled Demon Monarch continued to persuade him. A dead Marquis Xihai would only provide limited value. However, a controlled Marquis Xihai, still lurking within the human ranks, would be far more useful and bring much greater merit.

"Do it," Marquis Xihai said, looking at the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch.

"I don't understand," the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch questioned. "Isn't it natural to bow before the strong? My demon race is indeed far stronger than your human race, so why won't you yield?"

"Bow?" Marquis Xihai looked at the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch and burst out laughing. "Serve the demon race like a dog? That's too humiliating, too unbearable! I am a god-demon in this world, living with integrity, without shame before heaven or earth. How could I ever become a lackey for your demon race?"

"Just because it's humiliating and unbearable?" the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch asked, surprised.

"Just thinking about a life like that feels unbearable," Marquis Xihai chuckled. "Ten breaths are up. Don't waste your efforts."

Marquis Xihai was prepared to die. Everyone dies eventually; it's merely a matter of time.

In that moment, Marquis Xihai reflected on his life. Born into a God-Demon Marquis family like the Yan clan, he had been diligent and exceptionally talented since childhood. He and his wife were deeply devoted, and while his son, Yan Chitong, was somewhat more rebellious than his father, his cultivation speed was even faster.

"My dear wife, forgive me, but I can no longer walk this path with you," Marquis Xihai murmured.

"The ten breaths are indeed up. What a pity," the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch gently shook its head, and its figure suddenly moved.

Marquis Xihai's eyelids flickered, and a frenzied look entered his eyes. Though prepared to die, it didn't mean he wouldn't resist! In an instant, he unleashed a forbidden god-demon art and employed his sword technique to confront the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch.

"Clang, clang, clang." The Green-Scaled Demon Monarch used only its right claw, each razor-sharp finger lightly tapping the seemingly dazzling sword light, effortlessly neutralizing the sword technique.

In every aspect—strength, speed, and cultivation realm—Marquis Xihai was completely suppressed.

"Swish, swish, swish." Marquis Xihai instantly transformed into seven figures, but the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch's form also moved, relentlessly tracking Marquis Xihai's true body and effortlessly neutralizing his sword moves.

"I will die, but my human race will surely win this war," Marquis Xihai declared, growing even more frenzied.

"Hmm?" The Green-Scaled Demon Monarch's expression suddenly shifted. The corner of its eye caught sight of the distant void; its 'domain' had sensed a powerful being instantly entering its sphere of influence and swiftly approaching.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh." The void twisted and collapsed as a saber light flew directly from the distorted, collapsing space, appearing instantly before them.

It was an unbelievably fast saber strike! Already a rapid blade, combined with the control over the void granted by the Undying Realm divine ability, the saber light seemed to teleport, instantly appearing with its dark red blade. The Green-Scaled Demon Monarch, being a Fifth-Heaven Great Demon Monarch, possessed a Dharma Domain realm that made its perception of this strike incredibly sharp. The blade cut black fissures into the very void, causing its heart to clench.

The claw that had been aimed at Marquis Xihai now struck out at the astonishing saber light instead.

The Green-Scaled Demon Monarch's claw was incredibly gentle, softer even than a lover's hand. Its five fingers, seemingly boneless, touched the saber light.

"Thump." They separated upon impact. A lightning-fast figure, carrying Marquis Xihai, instantly retreated, revealing its true appearance: Meng Chuan, who had arrived at full speed. Meng Chuan's body was enveloped in a faint radiance, causing the surrounding void to continuously collapse and distort.

"Marquis Dongning," Marquis Xihai exclaimed, looking at Meng Chuan with a mix of excitement and surprise.

The sheer power Meng Chuan now displayed while using his divine ability, the 'Indestructible Divine Armor,' made even Marquis Xihai feel overwhelmed.

"If I had arrived any later, I truly wouldn't have been able to save Marquis Xihai," Meng Chuan said, feeling a sense of relief. When he arrived, the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch had already unleashed a killing move, and it seemed Marquis Xihai would be slain within two or three more strikes. He had barely made it in time to save Marquis Xihai's life. One could only say... Marquis Xihai was quite fortunate.

Unlike Marquis Ziyu, who had died earlier, Meng Chuan had arrived too late for him. Meng Chuan glanced at Marquis Ziyu's corpse nearby, feeling a pang of sorrow; another Marquis God-Demon had fallen in battle.

"Marquis Dongning, be careful of this Fifth-Heaven Great Demon Monarch," Marquis Xihai warned via spiritual transmission. "His domain methods are unpredictable and bizarre; invisible threads appear from nothingness. He even used them to kill Senior Brother Yu."

"Understood," Meng Chuan nodded slightly, his gaze solemn as he looked at the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch. A Fifth-Heaven Great Demon Monarch...

This was indeed Meng Chuan's first time facing a Fifth-Heaven Great Demon Monarch! He had only previously sparred with the Sect Master Senior Brother at this level, and that had been a mere practice session, not a life-or-death struggle.

"What a formidable saber strike," the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch praised. "Marquis Dongning Meng Chuan's mastery of the void truly astonishes me. It seems my decision to linger for an extra ten breaths in Dongning City was the right one, as I've encountered a master like Marquis Dongning."

"You go first," Meng Chuan transmitted to Marquis Xihai.

"Alright," Marquis Xihai understood. His presence would only hinder Meng Chuan. Judging by that saber strike just now, this 'Marquis Dongning Meng Chuan,' who was around his son's age, definitely possessed the strength of a Marquis God-Demon.

Marquis Xihai instantly departed. The Green-Scaled Demon Monarch, however, paid him no mind. Meng Chuan's value was far greater than Marquis Xihai's! Meng Chuan's efforts in rescuing humanity over the years had already earned him the demon race's intense hatred. The demons had arranged for the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch to secretly ambush Dongning City this time, believing it was Meng Chuan's hometown and that he was likely to be stationed there.

"I was quite disappointed that the two Marquis God-Demons stationed here weren't you, Meng Chuan. Who would have thought you'd actually appear now?" the Green-Scaled Demon Monarch said, its gaze fixed on Meng Chuan with fervent intensity. "It seems you are destined to fall into my hands."

Meng Chuan calmly watched him, not rushing to attack. Instead, he sensed Marquis Xihai's departure and simultaneously sent out a distress signal through his token, though it was the lowest level of appeal. It indicated he had encountered a formidable opponent but that everything was still under control. If his master, Venerable Qin Wu, or anyone else were available to come, they could naturally subdue this Fifth-Heaven Great Demon Monarch with ease.

In a one-on-one fight, Meng Chuan was confident he could cope, but he wasn't certain he could kill his opponent.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh." The Green-Scaled Demon Monarch, however, dared not delay. It had already secretly made its move; invisible threads, hidden within the void, were closing in on Meng Chuan.

Even with Meng Chuan's various detection methods, including the Dark Star Domain, Thunder-Magnetic Domain, and Primordial Spirit Domain, he couldn't detect these threads quietly approaching in the void, as if they were an inherent part of space.