The Peacock Demon glanced at the group and, in a flash, disappeared into the sky.
Soon, from among the fleeing crowd in the distance, ca a series of bloodcurdling screams.
"This Peacock Demon is too fast. We can’t maintain pursuit," the blade-wielding middle-aged cultivator said, staring at the silhouette disappearing in the distance.
"We must retreat from Yun ng Swamp first. The demon uprising in Yun ng Swamp must signify the ergence of a Demon King. We need to notify the outside world imdiately to dispatch Yun ng City’s practitioners for suppression, or the consequences will be unimaginable," the sword-wielding woman said. The group nodded and quickly began retreating.
"A Demon King erging?" Li Fan followed along.
"Regular Great Demons cannot command such an uprising of all demons. Any Great Demon capable of commanding the swarm must be among the Demon Kings deep within Yun ng Swamp," the middle-aged cultivator explained.
"There’s more than one Demon King in the depths of Yun ng Swamp?" Li Fan asked, startled by the statent.
"More than one. According to known information, there are quite a few Demon King-level beings in Yun ng Swamp. However, the information we have is limited. These Demon Kings are undoubtedly ranked as well, as no one has ever ventured into the deepest parts of Yun ng Swamp."
Li Fan nodded slightly as the group sped toward the outer boundaries at full speed, passing scenes of chaos where demon uprisings left human corpses everywhere.
Such large-scale demonic calamities are always catastrophic for human cultivators.
Suddenly, an extrely terrifying, piercing wail echoed in their ears, making everyone’s eardrums throb with pain. The sound originated from deep within Yun ng Swamp, accompanied by a monstrous demon energy sweeping over the lands, enveloping everything.
Inside Yun ng Swamp, it was as if an earthquake erupted; the demons went entirely berserk.
"Such powerful demon energy, this Demon King must be of the Sixth Realm."
A Sixth Realm Demon King—let alone cultivators in the Foundation Establishnt Realm—would be invincible even to those in the Condensed Core Realm.
*Li Fan’s heart was also stirred. Back in Chuzhou City, a Peak of Five Realms Peng Demon nearly collapsed the entire city, requiring Brother Ji to step in and slay it.*
*A Sixth Realm Great Demon? Chuzhou City likely doesn’t have anyone who could contend with such a threat. However, Yun ng City is stronger than Jiangzhou’s main city and boasts a cadre of top-tier practitioners. He had previously heard that Bai Lu Academy housed cultivators of the Sixth Realm.*
*Mr. Qu... What realm could he be in?*
"Quick—get out! Too many demons!" As the group reached the outskirts of Yun ng Swamp, they found a massive gathering of demons there. Spotting their arrival, the demons imdiately fixed their gaze and charged at them.
"Cut through them!"
The middle-aged cultivator with the blade took the lead, striding forward with a horizontal sweep of his blade. A massive blade flash tore through the charging demons, sending them flying with blood spraying through the air.
The others also started attacking, fighting their way out.
Above them, demons descended as well. Li Fan leapt up, slashed at them in a sweeping strike, and obliterated the attackers overhead. Treading on Sword Aura, he controlled the energy to fly outward.
The group advanced rapidly, carving out a pathway with sheer force, eventually escaping Yun ng Swamp.
Once they made it out, the demons behind them growled low but did not pursue them.
Outside Yun ng Swamp, Li Fan and the others discovered a massive assembly of human cultivators on the opposing side.
After the explosion of demon calamities, human cultivators arrived imdiately, sealing off Yun ng Swamp’s borders. This was Yun ng City’s first line of defense.
"We’re out," soone said.
The group landed. The middle-aged cultivator wiped sweat from his brow, turning back to look at Yun ng Swamp, his brows furrowed tightly.
Li Fan also glanced back to see the skies shrouded with ominous demon energy clouds.
A massive army of demons stood stationed at the borders of Yun ng Swamp, stopping short of directly invading human territories.
"It’s been years since there was a demon uprising in Yun ng Swamp. What’s the reason this ti?" A man in a cyan robe frowned.
"Perhaps it’s because we humans haven’t conducted a large-scale sweep in a long ti. These demons may have started thinking they’re untouchable," the blade-wielding cultivator said coldly, his voice steeped in murderous intent.
For years, the demons of Yun ng Swamp and the human cultivation world maintained a delicate balance. Cultivators entering Yun ng Swamp faced constant skirmishes with demons, but neither side initiated large-scale actions.
But this ti, the demons of Yun ng Swamp made the first move toward invasion.
Still, the scale of the invasion hadn’t yet been determined, nor whether it posed a direct threat to Yun ng City.
"Brother Ji Feng, thank you so much." The blade-wielding cultivator finally cupped his hands in gratitude to Li Fan.
"You all saved earlier; it’s only right for to thank you," Li Fan said, returning the gesture respectfully.
"Let introduce you. This is Situ Kong of Yun ng City’s Situ Family, and this is Lin Yumo of the Lin Family in Yun ng Swamp," Duan Feng said, introducing his companions to Li Fan.
Situ Kong wore a long robe. In his thirties, he had a refined and scholarly deanor. He specialized in tal-based spells and wielded a spear.
Lin Yumo, a woman of about twenty-eight or twenty-nine, exuded a heroic aura and possessed a striking beauty.
Li Fan, though unfamiliar with the Situ Family and Lin Family, respected Duan Feng’s words; they must belong to powerful families in Yun ng City.
Yun ng City had existed for over a millennium to resist Yun ng Swamp. Generations of cultivators rooted themselves here, producing nurous formidable families even stronger than those in Jiangzhou City.
"I am Ji Feng," Li Fan replied.
"So you’re Brother Ji. Judging by your voice, you’re still quite young, yet your cultivation has reached this level. Being able to block a Peak of Fourth Realm Great Demon’s strike, how co we’ve never heard of such a prodigious talent before?" Duan Feng said. Though he didn’t ask Li Fan to remove his mask, each person had their own secrets. Since Li Fan chose to remain masked, it was his decision.
"I ca from afar specifically for demon hunting in Yun ng Swamp," Li Fan responded.
"No wonder," Duan Feng nodded, glancing behind him and muttering in a low voice, "The cultivators from Yun ng City are arriving quickly."
"Why aren’t the demons charging in imdiately?" Li Fan asked curiously.
Demons were intelligent beings like humans; if they wanted to invade, attacking before human forces gathered was the optimal strategy.
"Perhaps they, too, are awaiting their allies to gather," Duan Feng replied.
Li Fan nodded, acknowledging the possibility. Yun ng Swamp’s vastness ant that assembling the demons would take considerable ti, likely longer than what humans required.
Human cultivators continued to arrive, waves of Yun ng City’s vast armies rushing to secure the borderline, including its top factions.
Far off, Li Fan noticed a uniford army advancing toward their position.
"Cultivators from Bai Lu Academy have arrived," Duan Feng remarked, looking over.
Bai Lu Academy housed a legion of cultivators, including nurous Great Practitioners. As one of the leading forces within Yun ng City, Bai Lu Academy responded promptly to demonic calamities.
When Bai Lu Academy’s contingent arrived, the crowd instinctively parted to allow them to pass.
The vast army of cultivators moved to the forefront, with Bai Lu Academy’s leading figures including several elders at the helm. Leading them was an elderly man dressed in the academy’s simple yet elegant robes. His piercing gaze locked on Yun ng Swamp, a deep furrow forming on his brow.
Unusual disturbances always carried malign intentions.
Demonic uprisings always stemd from specific causes.
*What is the objective of Yun ng Swamp’s Great Demons this ti?*
From deep within Yun ng Swamp, another long wail echoed out. At the borderline, scores of demons began crawling forward, then bowed low as if welcoming the arrival of a king.
The scene before them had an overwhelming impact. The demons of Yun ng Swamp appeared even more disciplined than humans. Among themselves, their hierarchical ranks were incredibly strict.
Countless gazes fixed on the direction from which terrifying demon energy surged. In the distance, multiple humanoid Great Demons advanced, arriving at the edge of Yun ng Swamp. They floated above the ground, glaring at the human cultivators.
"They’ve co..." Bai Lu Academy’s elder muttered under his breath. Gazing ahead, he saw a brilliant flash of light streak across the sky, too dazzling for the naked eye to catch—a kaleidoscopic burst that instantly appeared above the demons.
This demon had a humanoid form, with angular features, a sharp nose, and vibrant hair standing tall like a radiant crown. The Peacock Demon that Li Fan’s group had encountered earlier stood beside the figure, bearing a striking resemblance.
"The Peacock Demon King," Li Fan thought to himself. *So this Demon King’s true form is a peacock, which explains why that Fourth Realm Peacock Demon was so powerful—it’s the progeny of a Demon King.*
The Peacock Demon King’s gaze exuded an air of arrogance, sweeping across the crowd with its wicked charm.
"Peacock, we human cultivators haven’t staged a major invasion of Yun ng Swamp in ages, yet you incite a demon uprising? Do you not fear a human cultivation crusade to cleanse Yun ng Swamp?" Bai Lu Academy’s elder said, his voice resonating.
"You humans haven’t ceased your incursions into Yun ng Swamp, have you?" The Peacock Demon King replied, its voice imbued with wicked charm. Surveying the crowd with a smirk, it continued, "Relax. It’s been too long since I’ve stepped outside. I just wanted to bring everyone out for so fresh air."
"What is your purpose?" Bai Lu Academy’s elder demanded. A demon uprising never occurred without reason. With no direct attack yet launched, what was the Demon King’s aim?
"We’ve co to bring back the traitor. Do you agree?" The Peacock Demon King directed its question at the elder.
The elder furrowed his brow.
He knew, of course, who the traitor they referred to was—Bai Lu Academy’s sacred deer.
Bai Lu Academy took its na from the sacred deer, but the origins of the deer were far from ordinary. Only Bai Lu Academy’s elders knew the truth—that the sacred deer had journeyed out from Yun ng Swamp years ago.
Among the human cultivators, however, no one understood the Demon King’s words. A Yun ng Swamp traitor within humanity?
"Don’t spout nonsense," the elder retorted coldly.
"A traitor of Yun ng Swamp has wandered free for so many years, and now they’ve beco humanity’s beacon of faith—the very nasake of Bai Lu Academy. Amusing, isn’t it?" The Peacock Demon King sneered, his laughter dripping with ridicule. "Given this context, perhaps Bai Lu Academy itself should also be considered a product of Yun ng Swamp’s demon legacy."
For the first ti, the crowd understood the Demon King’s words, and waves of shock rippled through their hearts.
The Peacock Demon King was referring to the sacred deer?
Legends described the sacred deer as highly intelligent. Many speculated it might be a top-tier Great Demon. Now, those suspicions were seemingly confird.
"Such arrogance," the elder responded icily.
"You, Bai Lu Academy, pride yourselves on logic. Tell , have I said anything untrue?" The Peacock Demon King continued with insidious charm, taunting, "Since I have ti today, why don’t I let the sons of Yun ng Swamp’s Demon World see the caliber of practitioners cultivated by your academy?"
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