Chapter 52: Explosion

Deep beneath Dongning Prefecture, on the other side of a distorted region, a vast host of demons had gathered. At the forefront of this demonic army stood a group of demon kings, all gazing respectfully at their leader, a towering, muscular demon king approximately five zhang tall. This formidable demon king was the Nine Summons Mountain Lord, ruler of a five-hundred-li radius, commanding over a dozen demon kings and more than a hundred thousand demons. His renown was widespread.

A figure in gray robes emerged from the distorted region and respectfully approached the Nine Summons Mountain Lord. "Reporting, Mountain Lord," he said, "the other side of this world entrance leads to Dongning Prefecture City in Wuzhou, within the Great Zhou Dynasty of the human realm."

"Dongning Prefecture City?" the colossal and imposing Nine Summons Mountain Lord rumbled, his ugly face marred by a gaping maw. "Merely a prefecture city. It can be attacked."

Immediately, the eyes of the demon kings beside him gleamed with eagerness.

"This world entrance is too small," the Nine Summons Mountain Lord declared, looking down. "At most, only Two-Heaven Demon Kings can pass through."

"Ape-Venerable Demon King, Roar-Tyrant Demon King, Poison-Pond Demon King," the Nine Summons Mountain Lord called out their names.

"Present!"

The black-furred ape carrying a staff, the Poison-Pond Demon King enveloped in black mist, and the Roar-Tyrant Demon King, who stood over ten zhang tall, all bowed respectfully.

"The three of you are among the strongest Two-Heaven Demon Kings," the Nine Summons Mountain Lord said, his gaze then falling upon a white-furred leopard demon king. "Bai Chen, you should be able to break through to the Three-Heaven realm now, correct?"

"I still need some time to accumulate power," the white-furred leopard demon king respectfully replied.

The Nine Summons Mountain Lord flipped his hand, produced a black bottle, and tossed it over.

Demon King Bai Chen respectfully caught it, and his eyes lit up at the sight.

"This is a snake blood crystal from the Northern Region Viper I slew last time," the Nine Summons Mountain Lord explained. "With your current cultivation, consuming it will immediately elevate you to the Three-Heaven realm. Take it only after you enter the human world. After you kill the divine demons of Dongning Prefecture, you are to immediately proceed to the nearest Qinyang Pass. Attacks will also be launched outside Qinyang Pass, creating a pincer movement with you. Even if you cannot breach Qinyang Pass, you can easily escape back to the demon realm."

This unstable world entrance can only accommodate Two-Heaven Demon Kings for entry and exit at most.

Once Demon King Bai Chen's strength breaks through, he won't be able to return via the same path. The closest way back would be through Qinyang Pass.

"Yes, Mountain Lord," Demon King Bai Chen respectfully replied.

"Demon King Bai Chen, lead Ape-Venerable, Roar-Tyrant, and Poison-Pond, and level Dongning Prefecture for me," the Nine Summons Mountain Lord commanded.

"Yes!"

The four demon kings respectfully assented.

Although the Nine Summons Mountain Lord commanded over a dozen demon kings, most of them were only One-Heaven Demon Kings. One-Heaven Demon Kings are newly ascended and have weak foundations, but with some years of secluded cultivation, they have the potential to reach the Two-Heaven realm.

Therefore, in war, the demon race does not send One-Heaven Demon Kings to the front lines, as they still hold great potential. Instead, Two-Heaven Demon Kings are the main force, because most demon kings reach their peak at the Two-Heaven realm. To reach the Three-Heaven realm? That is exceptionally difficult. And to cultivate to the level of the Nine Summons Mountain Lord, the difficulty is beyond words.

"The four of you, lead the eighteen thousand strong army behind you and depart now," the Nine Summons Mountain Lord ordered.

The four great demon kings immediately turned to face the demonic army behind them.

These eighteen thousand demons represented the maximum force the Nine Summons Mountain Lord could quickly assemble within a few hours. Although he commanded over a hundred thousand demons in total, they were scattered across a five-hundred-li radius.

Moreover, the Nine Summons Mountain Lord needed to exercise caution. While Dongning Prefecture was indeed an ordinary human city, a powerful human divine demon might coincidentally be passing through. In such a case, any number of subordinates sent would simply be sacrifices. However, with four demon kings and an army of over ten thousand demons, the force was suitable. This strength would normally be sufficient to level Dongning Prefecture. Even if they encountered an unforeseen incident and suffered heavy losses, it would not shake his foundation.

"Depart!"

Demon King Bai Chen gave the command.

The four demon kings were the first to rush into the distorted region. The largest of them, Roar-Tyrant Demon King, forcibly shrank himself to three zhang in height before passing through the distorted area. Following them were the eighteen great commanders of the demonic army, then hundreds of commanders, then thousands of ordinary great demons, and finally, tens of thousands of lesser demons.

The distorted region was only so large, so it would take about the time it takes to steep a cup of tea for such a vast army to pass through completely.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Demon King Bai Chen, leading Ape-Venerable, Roar-Tyrant, and Poison-Pond Demon Kings, had reached the surface. Without hesitation, Demon King Bai Chen swallowed the blood crystal from the black bottle. His entire body immediately began to glow red, and his aura surged dramatically. Roar-Tyrant Demon King's body also began to revert to its normal size, resuming its height of over ten zhang, taller than even the most luxurious tavern in Dongning Prefecture.

"The human divine demons are in that direction," Demon King Bai Chen said, pointing into the distance. "Kill them."

Roar-Tyrant Demon King grinned, "We'll kill the divine demons, then level Dongning Prefecture and slaughter all humans, leaving no one alive."

"Let's go!"

The four demon kings immediately raced toward Jade Sun Palace.

Ape-Venerable Demon King transformed into a streak of black light, the swiftest and most agile. Poison-Pond Demon King was a swirling mass of black mist, drifting over rooftops. Roar-Tyrant Demon King took massive strides, each step shaking the ground and crushing houses underfoot as his towering, ten-zhang-plus figure sprinted forward. Meanwhile, Demon King Bai Chen, who had broken through to the Three-Heaven realm in an instant, emanated a powerful demonic aura that was the most dominant, making even the colossal Roar-Tyrant Demon King seem significantly weaker in comparison.

"Disperse according to your respective squads and slaughter the humans!" Large numbers of demons followed, immediately fanning out into small teams.

Each team consisted of a commander, about ten great demons, and approximately ninety lesser demons.

To be a demon commander, one had to at least be capable of manifesting demonic aura outwardly! Some commanders had even refined demon cores.

"Humans."

"Weak humans."

These demons quickly dispersed and began attacking all humans they encountered along their path.

"Locate the eight Dao Academies of Dongning Prefecture. The human Dao Academy disciples must be killed first!" Large contingents of demons began heading towards the eight Dao Academies, having already obtained maps of Dongning Prefecture showing their locations.

Dao Academies...

...were the hope of a city!

From them emerged generations of young people and geniuses, among whom human divine demons would be born.

Thus, in their slaughter of humans, the demons’ first target was also the Dao Academies! By eliminating all disciples within the academies, they would effectively cut off a generation from that city for at least ten years.

"They're here."

The Jade Sun Palace Master sensed the opponent's undisguised demonic aura. Yun Wanhai's expression grew solemn. Immortal Meng tapped her staff on the ground, and an invisible wave spread out, allowing her to scan a ten-li radius with a single thought. Her face grim, Immortal Meng said, "There are four demon kings in total, one of whom is a Three-Heaven Demon King, and the rest are Two-Heaven Demon Kings."

"What?" Yun Wanhai's expression changed. "A Three-Heaven Demon King can enter through an unstable world entrance?"

"Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!!!"

Suddenly, bells rang out within Jade Sun Palace. Several expert cultivators of the Seamless Realm repeatedly struck a large bell with hammers, sending its resounding peals throughout Dongning Prefecture City.

In Dongning Prefecture City, many vendors, pedestrians, people cooking breakfast at home, and disciples beginning their cultivation in the Dao Academies... everyone paused at the sound of the bells, their expressions swiftly changing. All street vendors abandoned their stalls and fled, and pedestrians scattered in all directions.

"Quick, hide!"

"Hurry!"

Every district had deep tunnels, and hundreds of people, men, women, and children alike, ran into them.

"Stay here and don't come out," a man told his wife and children.

"Father, Father..." his daughter cried.

"Father has to go fight demons," the man said with a smile, then grabbed his spear and rushed out without looking back.

According to the decree concerning encounters with the demon race:

All those below the Marrow Cleansing Realm must hide in the tunnels.

All those in the Marrow Cleansing Realm and above, regardless of gender or age, must fight the demon race.

This was because individuals who reached the Marrow Cleansing Realm were required to serve in the military at twenty years old. Thus, these men and women going into battle all had experience fighting demons.

Mirror Lake Meng Manor.

Meng Chuan was practicing his Drawing Sword Form when he suddenly heard the incessant ringing of the bells. The guards who had been accompanying him in his practice stopped, and Meng Chuan's expression changed.

These bells...

...were ringing so urgently.

He had heard them once before, when he was six years old.

"Assemble! Head to the nearest Dao Academy!" Guards immediately shouted within the manor. They were seasoned veterans. The peaceful life within the city had not dulled their fighting spirit; five years of military service had long accustomed them to combat. When faced with demons... it meant a fight to the death! Everyone would fight to the death!

At this moment, the entire Dongning Prefecture would become a vast battlefield.

All humans in the Marrow Cleansing Realm and above must participate in the battle!