Chapter 130: The Demon Queen

"It seems our judgment was correct. The Holy Monk is still alive and currently held by the Demon Empress. This is truly a blessing in disguise."

Xu Yang's words made Eagle Beak sigh in relief, but then he began to hesitate again.

"We've found him, but this is the demons' territory after all. It's hard to say if we can successfully take him without causing a major incident. While the demons' cultivation environment can't compare to humans', their combat strength is incredibly formidable. If we cause trouble on their ground and fail, you few might get dragged into it. This is, after all, a matter for our Linghan Temple..."

Bai Lianxue patted Eagle Beak's shoulder. "Young man, you're speaking as if we're strangers. Don't forget, your master, Heavenly Cloud Monk, sent you to find us. If anything happens to him, it means our plan will also be disrupted. This isn't just your concern. You don't need to feel guilty; we will do everything in our power to rescue the Holy Monk."

Bai Lianxue's words deeply moved Eagle Beak, who almost knelt before Xu Yang and the others.

"There's still some time before midnight. Let's find a place to plan our specific course of action. As he said, this is demon territory, so many unexpected variables await us. Therefore, a direct assault is definitely the worst option. The best approach is to create a diversion and lure the enemy away."

Xu Yang briefly assigned tasks to each of the four.

Ling Yao, now the strongest combatant in the team besides Xu Yang, was naturally tasked with providing support and engaging the secondary demon strongholds.

Xu Yang, as the undisputed leader, would face the Demon Empress, a top-tier boss. He would be the core target, drawing firepower and enemy aggression for the team.

Bai Lianxue and Ling Qingshu were to remain on standby; they would be crucial for handling any unforeseen situations.

As for Eagle Beak, whose strongest suit was speed, his sole mission was to rescue the Holy Monk and get him out of the battlefield at all costs.

After the plan was finalized, Xu Yang and the four others infiltrated the demon ranks, moving towards the core of the Myriad Demon Abyss at midnight.

The vast Myriad Demon Abyss region was immensely expansive. Fortunately, the Demon Empress's residence, a towering purple castle piercing the clouds, was very conspicuous.

Under the shroud of endless night, an ethereal silhouette in a purple dress descended from the very top of the castle.

The moment this beautiful female figure appeared, millions of demons from all races let out a simultaneous roar. The sound wave almost completely engulfed Xu Yang's group...

"Fellow demons, tonight is your night of supreme bliss! Under the eternal darkness, all of you shall undergo a transformation and rebirth! I, Elara, the Demon Empress, will share this glory with you!"

As Elara spoke, a large group of demon spiders uplifted a golden, imprisoned shackles that appeared in the void.

At the very center of the shackles, a solemn, golden silhouette sat cross-legged.

"Master... it's Master!!"

The moment Heavenly Cloud Monk appeared, Eagle Beak nearly cried out uncontrollably. Fortunately, Xu Yang quickly used his spiritual energy to disperse the sound, otherwise, they would have been in big trouble.

Exposing their identities amidst this crowd of demons would likely lead to them being torn to shreds by these expectant creatures in a matter of moments...

"Boss, when do we make our move?"

Ling Yao had, at some point, given Xu Yang a new address.

The girl had indicated that she wasn't quite used to calling Xu Yang 'Master.' In a sense, that title brought back unbearable memories for Ling Yao, and 'Boss' felt more comfortable. Xu Yang readily accepted.

"Let's wait and see. First, we need to understand what trick this Demon Empress intends to play."

Xu Yang was indeed more composed than the others, but the Demon Empress Elara overhead seemed to be growing impatient.

"Let me taste just how delicious the human Holy Monk's flesh truly is."

Elara pursed her lips. Every gesture and smile from this alluring woman seemed to possess a demonic charm that could captivate all beings.

Suddenly, the woman struck out at Heavenly Cloud Monk within his shackles.

A brilliant blue-purple demonic light swiftly enveloped the Holy Monk's sacred body, gradually eroding the dazzling golden aura around him.

However, the Holy Monk proved worthy of his title. Whether due to the suppression of his cultivation realm or some other reason, the golden light within him could not be pierced by the demonic energy.

"Hmph, it seems I truly underestimated your foundation. Since you're determined not to yield, this Empress will now get serious."

"Frost Scourge!!"

The Empress ascended into the air, with the eternal night as her backdrop. Suddenly, an ice-blue longsword emerged from within her body, seemingly piercing through her abdomen, and was ultimately grasped in her hand.

"The Demon Empress's supreme divine artifact—Frost Scourge! This is bad, Master absolutely won't be able to withstand a stab from that!!"

Eagle Beak could no longer restrain himself and was about to charge forward. However, Xu Yang ultimately prevented him. Just as Eagle Beak was about to act, and at the very moment the Demon Empress Elara's divine artifact was about to pierce the Holy Monk in the void, Xu Yang ascended into the sky!

*Whoosh!!*

Under the eternal darkness, Xu Yang, like a brilliant silver star, streaked towards the Holy Monk's sacred body.

His palm rose to meet it. In that instant, Xu Yang firmly grasped the intensely cold demonic artifact, his own blood staining its surface.

In that moment, like an eternity in a flash, Xu Yang and the Demon Empress Elara's gazes locked.

Xu Yang was drawn by her flawlessly perfect face. Likewise, Xu Yang, who had already revealed his true, incomparably elegant immortal form, brought unimaginable shock to the Demon Empress Elara.

The intensely pure, deep red bloodline power, having stained the surface of the Frost Scourge artifact, quickly merged into it.

Elara, utterly shocked, immediately withdrew her hand. At the same moment, Xu Yang flew back down outside the Holy Monk's shackles and, with a terrifying sword gleam, severed the binding seals.

"Now!!"

Ling Yao and the three goddesses simultaneously shot into the sky, standing proudly at the zenith of the void, guarding Xu Yang, who reigned supreme in the center. The four of them looked down with disdain upon the millions of demons below.

"You... who are you?"

The Empress was somewhat angered, but for some reason, her voice held a multitude of complex emotions, and her gaze towards Xu Yang was equally intricate.

"I am Xu Yang, Seeker of the Dao. The Holy Monk shares an unfinished bond with us. Today, no matter what, I must take him."

"Hmph, you have some nerve, coming to our Myriad Demon Nest and demanding someone! Aren't you afraid of being torn into ten thousand pieces?"

Xu Yang sneered, "If I lacked the courage to protect my convictions, I wouldn't have come. Besides, once we decide to leave, no one can stop us."

"Such arrogance! It seems that with our demon race recuperating in recent years, these human scoundrels have forgotten our might! Today, I shall let you witness the wrath of my demon race! Kill them!!"