Chapter 138: Ice Age Forbidden Zone

"Any other demon who trespasses into this forbidden zone would be annihilated without even the right to speak with me. But Empress Erusha is different; since you have graced us with your presence, it is fitting for you to take a seat in the heart of the forbidden zone."

Erusha's expression turned cold, a rare hint of worry surfacing in her eyes.

There was no doubt that the demons in the forbidden zone never engaged in polite discourse. Their current cordiality was solely due to their covetousness for the Demonic Heart within Erusha.

"Hmph, another one targeting the Demonic Heart," Xu Yang snorted. Without a word, he immediately grabbed Erusha, and the familiar purple light reappeared beneath his feet.

"Apologies, but we don't have the leisure to be guests here. We appreciate your kind intentions, but we'll be taking our leave."

Xu Yang smiled calmly, yet the enormous ice-blue figure seemed completely unfazed, letting out a deep, sinister chuckle.

"The demons of the forbidden zone never adhere to outsiders' rules. Now that you've arrived, you no longer have a choice. It's either life or death."

*Crack!*

Without warning, an almost instantaneous freezing force erupted beneath Xu Yang and Erusha, shattering the spatial teleportation array Xu Yang had conjured and eliminating any possibility of their escape.

"Empress Erusha, as the noble leader of the demon race and possessor of the legendary Demonic Heart, you should be the most revered demon. Why would you rely on a mere human ant in the Qi Refining Realm? It's truly incomprehensible."

Dom, the ice-blue giant, scoffed disdainfully, taking a step closer to Xu Yang and Erusha.

"Heh, you want to know why? Then I'll satisfy your curiosity." Xu Yang truly showed no mercy. With a flick of his hand, an incredibly powerful wave of sword qi roared forth.

*Boom!*

The terrifying and unparalleled Sword of Annihilation instantly pierced several holes through the giant's physical body!

It was worth noting that Xu Yang hadn't even equipped a physical sword. He had achieved this immense power purely by relying on his unparalleled and supreme sword mastery, condensing sword qi to form his attacks.

"Well, well, a mere human ant in the Qi Refining Realm has actually cultivated to the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Unbelievable..."

Xu Yang sneered, "I've heard far too many compliments like that. If you're truly impressed, then kneel down and call me 'Grandpa.' Otherwise, shut your foul mouth and stand there quietly to take your beating!"

Erusha was actually amused by Xu Yang's words. She watched as Xu Yang suddenly soared into the sky, his imposing silhouette rapidly gathering vast amounts of pure spiritual energy, which then converged into an infinite multitude of sharp sword blades.

"Kill!!"

A terrifying rain of swords poured down. While earlier there were only a few, this time hundreds, even thousands, of sword traces materialized to overwhelm the opponent.

The ice-blue giant, Dom, held his two axes horizontally before him. However, Xu Yang's peak swordsmanship was not to be trifled with. Even against the opponent's formidable physique, it managed to breach his defensive system and inflict severe physical damage.

"Among human cultivators, there are indeed many exceptionally talented individuals who can readily harness the powers of heaven and earth, possessing truly world-shattering might. If this young man could truly stand with me, perhaps..."

Erusha was genuinely stunned by the overwhelming abilities Xu Yang displayed at that moment. She had never before considered any sort of connection with Xu Yang, but now, the unique potential of the human race revealed new possibilities to her.

*Rumble!*

Endless sword light repeatedly pierced Dom's body, finally overwhelming him completely.

The colossal figure crashed to the ground, Dom still muttering curses. Yet, he appeared not to have suffered a fatal blow; his body, riddled with sword marks, rapidly mended itself under the healing power of the icy cold beneath his feet.

"My heavens... that's possible?" Xu Yang, utterly baffled, looked to Erusha for an explanation.

"This is the nature of our demon race. Dom possesses an absolute ice elemental constitution. Fighting in this place, he is virtually immortal, because the vast expanse of the Glacier Temple itself is built upon a colossal demon crystal. Simply put, every inch of ice beneath our feet can supply him with immense vitality."

Erusha's explanation left Xu Yang speechless, while Dom, having quickly regenerated his body and risen again, displayed an increasingly arrogant smile.

"How about that, human ant? Are you disappointed now? I must admit you possess some skill, but unfortunately, within the Forbidden Demon Domain, you are only fit to be crushed."

Xu Yang smiled faintly. "I can see that showing off truly brings you joy. Unfortunately, in my presence, you shouldn't harbor any sense of superiority, as that will only lead to a very unsightly demise for you."

*Rumble!*

In an instant, the cluster of primordial spiritual energy above Xu Yang's head underwent a dramatic transformation under his control. From its original ethereal, pure, and transparent state, it rapidly became a blazing inferno capable of refining all things in the world!

"What?! He... he can actually manipulate primordial spiritual energy of different attributes? This is..."

This time, it was Dom's turn to be utterly bewildered. He had never dreamed that this human expert standing before him had achieved such a level of power.

"Damn it, are you truly just a Qi Refining Realm cultivator? How in the world did you become so powerful?!"

Xu Yang gave Dom a cold glance. "As I just said, kneel down and call me 'Grandpa.' Drop your arrogant demeanor, and we can still discuss this."

"Go to hell!!"

Dom violently hurled his Sky-Piercing Great Axe at Xu Yang, intending to punish his arrogance.

However, Xu Yang's response left Dom utterly dumbfounded.

Unbelievably, without any apparent defense, he caught the colossal axe—over two meters tall and hurtling with immense force—using just two fingers!

"My heavens... he's practically a miracle!"

Erusha began to feel an inexplicable surge of excitement.

From the initial hostile confrontation to being rescued by him in a moment of peril, a flicker of gratitude had emerged. Then, witnessing him display his divine power against the forbidden demons, a subtle fondness had begun to grow. The entire transformation hadn't taken long.

Erusha couldn't quite grasp why this human was so profoundly different from the other 'insignificant' human cultivators she had encountered.

Within his body, it seemed as though the most mysterious and potent power in all existence was contained.

The miraculous scene continued to unfold...

Xu Yang held the colossal axe firmly with two fingers, then used the scorching flames above his head to melt it away.

The incredibly potent, scorching flames actually possessed the ability to refine demonic essence—a sight both Dom and Erusha were witnessing for the very first time.

"Today, my eyes have truly been opened. Human, I must admit your power!"

"No," Xu Yang gently shook his head with a faint smile. "That's not enough..."

"I told you to kneel and call me 'Grandpa.' That is your only path to redemption!"