In the depths of Yun ng Swamp, a black mist surged, the surrounding trees rustled endlessly, ancient trunks swayed, and demon energy blanketed the area.
A figure stood amidst the black mist, wearing a silver mask and a black robe, holding a sharp sword. His aura exuded an unyielding coldness; this was none other than Li Fan.
The sword in his hand was the mystical "Tianxing Sword," a gift from his grandmaster. The blade carried its own Sword Intent, functioning as a cultivator’s magical treasure, enhancing its power. Though rarely used in everyday circumstances, it was perfectly suited for the dangerous environnt of Yun ng Swamp.
Laughter arose from the surroundings, echoing from different directions alongside a mocking voice, "A Soul Ergence Realm cultivator, do you even know where you got the audacity to co here alone?"
The voice was a piercing female tone, carrying venomous hints, as the black mist teed with poison that began to corrode Li Fan’s body. Suddenly, a roar thundered from within him, devouring all traces of the toxic mist.
"How can a human like you possess such a strong amount of demon energy?" The shrill voice asked again. Li Fan closed his eyes and replied coldly, "You talk too much nonsense."
*At this mont, he rged into the Unity of Heaven and Man state, blending harmoniously with the surrounding environnt. His Divine Sense detected every movent near him.* A surge of concentrated demonic energy appeared directly overhead.
The Sword Intent of his Tianxing Sword erupted vividly as he unleashed a swift, graceful stroke; the blade glead with Wind and Thunder Intent, manifesting into a single slash.
A massive black serpent plumted downward; Li Fan’s sword struck its head, spraying blood in all directions. The serpent released a heart-wrenching scream before Li Fan shadowed its every move. His flight was precise, his swings relentless—his strikes pulsed violently through the black mist, scattering beams of light that revealed severed snake heads strewn across the ground.
The colossal serpent’s body crashed heavily onto the earth. Without hesitation, Li Fan slit it open, retrieving its Demon Core and storing it within his pouch.
This Snake Demon was a Fourth Realm creature. Its deceptive Soul Ergence Realm aura naturally attracted predators from Yun ng Swamp, saving him the trouble of seeking them out himself.
He continued forward, emanating an intermittent pulse of Soul Ergence Realm energy, deliberately luring the demons nearby.
Demonic creatures continually ca seeking to hunt him down, becoming fodder for Li Fan to practice swordsmanship.
This ti, Li Fan had no intention of leaving; he stayed within Yun ng Swamp indefinitely.
In the blink of an eye, several days had passed.
Li Fan road Yun ng Swamp solo, his aura growing increasingly powerful—he was nearing the peak of the Soul Ergence Realm.
By day, he practiced sword techniques; by night, he absorbed Demon Cores to strengthen his cultivation. Breaking through to the next realm was just within reach.
As Li Fan advanced, an oppressive flock of birds suddenly rushed overhead, blotting the skies. He furrowed his brows, his eyes glowing golden as he peered ahead.
*His golden gaze revealed ominous black clouds engulfing the horizon—a frighteningly dense surge of demon energy.*
"What’s happening?"
"A Great Demon?"
*Li Fan thought to himself, imdiately concealing his aura and slowing his steps. Such reverence was essential when navigating the deeper recesses of Yun ng Swamp, where even human cultivators usually dare not tread.*
Li Fan soon encountered human cultivators fleeing in the opposite direction.
"Elder, what’s happened ahead?" Li Fan asked a middle-aged man in the retreating group.
"The demons of Yun ng Swamp are revolting! What are you doing lingering here? Leave at once!" The man barked before hurriedly departing.
*A demon revolt?*
*At that mont, Li Fan felt the ground tremble violently, the vibrations intensifying with every second. Overwhelming demon energy swept across the area, shaking the towering ancient trees around him.*
Li Fan made a decisive turn and began retreating. Observing the cultivators fleeing, most were at the Foundation Establishnt Realm, which underscored the gravity of the situation.
*Rumors had long spoken of human teams venturing into Yun ng Swamp for demon hunting, provoking retaliatory demon attacks. Could this revolt be the demons’ full-scale assault against humanity’s cultivation world?*
High above Yun ng Swamp, flocks of birds streaked through the skies. The trembling earth grew more intense when a deafening scream resonated overhead. A human cultivator flying on foot was struck down by a demon.
The predator’s razor-sharp eyes swept across the remaining humans below before resuming its hunt elsewhere.
*"This revolt will surely leave heavy casualties among humanity’s cultivators," Li Fan thought grimly. Such wide-scale violence in Yun ng Swamp foreshadowed nothing less than catastrophe.*
A thunderous roar erupted from behind, rushing straight toward Li Fan.
Sensing danger, Li Fan turned sharply, unleashing a sword strike. His Sword Aura surged forth as a towering figure leapt into the air and swung a massive axe downward.
"Boom..."
The ferocious impact sent Li Fan flying backward, slamming him into one of the ancient trees with enough force to make it quake.
"Thud."
The attacker followed up, stepping heavily toward Li Fan. Half man, half bull with an imposing physique, his untad, feral energy marked him as a Fourth Realm Peak demon specialized in raw strength.
Li Fan groaned, blood trickling from the corner of his lip. He could not withstand the brute force of his adversary.
His sword brimd with potent Sword Intent; his brow carried a faint surge of Sword Aura.
Just as the Bull Demon prepared to strike, a feral howl pierced the air above. The demon looked upward in ti to see a streak of blade light descending.
"Die." A voice roared as the blade axed down, suppressing the Bull Demon where he stood.
"Bind."
From the side ca another voice, followed by bright golden flashes of spellwork wrapping the demon in tightening magical rings.
"Clear the way," barked a voice behind the Bull Demon. A burst of sword light slashed through the air. The figure wielding the blade leapt forth, cutting cleanly through the demon’s neck—its head flew off, spilling blood like a red fountain.
The residual sword energy struck the ancient tree behind Li Fan, toppling it to the ground.
"A Demon Core from a Fourth Realm Peak demon. Not bad," said the man wielding the blade before digging out the core. He tossed it to the killer, adding, "You killed it, it’s yours."
"Thank you." The recipient took the Demon Core as several figures landed, their gazes fixed on Li Fan.
"Thank you, honored seniors," Li Fan said with a salute. Before him stood four cultivators, all Foundation Establishnt cultivators, most at the later stages.
"Judging by your voice, you seem quite young. A re Soul Ergence Realm kid daring to venture deep into Yun ng Swamp alone—you’ve got guts," the blade-wielding man remarked.
Li Fan asked, "Seniors, what exactly is happening deeper in Yun ng Swamp?"
"The demons are revolting. Surely a Great Demon must be erging. Best to retreat now; the human cultivators within Yun ng Swamp are about to face calamity," replied the blade-wielder as he strode forth. Turning back briefly, he added, "Kid, follow us."
Li Fan moved swiftly to join them, the group running together across the dense terrain.
Within Yun ng City, many powerful cultivators had already gathered, many at the Foundation Establishnt Realm. The city had beco a hub for Jiangzhou’s strongest cultivators.
As this group retreated, they rescued human cultivators attacked by demons, displaying comndable chivalry.
The growing group swelled with those saved on their journey, forming an impressive coalition of human cultivators.
"This clustering makes us too big a target," one mber warned from the treetops, glancing downward at the crowd.
Before he finished speaking, a figure streaked toward the group, the continuous sound of slaughter trailing behind. Cries of agony echoed repeatedly.
The creature infiltrated the crowd with speed rivaling lightning. Though it resembled a human, a glimpse into its eyes revealed bloodthirsty malice.
"You beast!"
A Foundation Establishnt cultivator charged at the invader, but the demon tilted its head slightly before transforming into a dazzling array of rainbow-colored light.
"Splat..."
Blood sprayed mid-air; the cultivator’s head was severed and held within the demon’s grasp.
*"This speed—it’s unbelievable," Li Fan murmured to himself, recalling the Peng Demon. However, while this entity lacked the Peng Demon’s imnse power, its aura unmistakably marked it as a Fourth Realm Peak Great Demon—one leagues beyond most Fourth Realm demons.*
"Kill it," the blade-wielding man roared, sending a direct blade strike downward. Yet the demon’s body moved like lightning, evading the attack effortlessly while charging at him.
The others’ spells failed to land amidst the demon’s erratic movents.
Li Fan skidded to a halt, golden eyes locking onto the creature. Before him appeared the most vivid, dazzling form imaginable.
"Peacock."
This demon’s true form was that of a peacock.
The blade-wielding man’s weapon spun furiously, releasing an array of Sword Gang that swept forward.
The Peacock Demon spun its body rapidly, shredding through the Sword Gang with alarming precision. From its deadly wings extending outward erupted sharp edges capable of repelling support attacks from nearby allies.
The blade-wielder retreated, roaring defiantly, aiming for mutual destruction as he swung desperate strikes. But none were effective—the Peacock Demon pierced through his attacks like a drill, sending him hurtling through the air. A single swing of its lethal feathers disard his weapon.
"Watch out!" Those attempting to surround the Peacock Demon could no longer aid him.
Just before the demon’s fatal attack could impale the blade-wielder’s body, a sudden sword appeared overhead.
The Tianxing Sword unleashed a ferocious blast of Sword Intent. Li Fan entered the Realm of Sword Dao Celestial instantly, gathering Sword Aura infused with Wind and Thunder Sword Intent, culminating in a strike embodying the Heavenly Nine Declines.
"Boom..."
The sword connected with the Peacock Demon’s spinning form, sending Li Fan flying backward under the imnse force while halting the demon’s killing blow. Spells chained the demon’s body, while another sword severed its fra, flinging it far away.
"Are you alright?" Two other cultivators asked the blade-wielder, who wiped cold sweat from his brow and stared at the injured demon. The Peacock Demon’s form changed slightly, revealing its peacock head with a deep wound marring its body.
The blade-wielder glanced at Li Fan, who was climbing back to his feet, and couldn’t help but praise, "Excellent swordsmanship, and such guts."
*A Soul Ergence Realm cultivator daring to block the killing blow of a Fourth Realm Peak demon—no ordinary feat.*
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