As the sun rose on the second day, the sect leaders who had received the news flew to Two Realms Mountain to convene an urgent meeting.

“The stars have shifted abnormally, and great changes are occurring in the Demon Realm. Unusual energies are surging in the Void Sea,” Xie Xuechen solemnly stated. “In the past, such disturbances typically accompanied two phenomena: the arrival or death of a Demon Sovereign.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd exchanged glances, their hearts filled with shock and awe.

“Could it be that another Demon Sovereign has been born in the Demon Realm?” Fu Yuanting furrowed his brows deeply. “Sect Leader Xie, how severe were the Demon Sovereign’s injuries from your previous battle?”

“Although the Demon Sovereign suffered heavy injuries, they were not fatal,” Xie Xuechen replied. “A month of seclusion should be sufficient for recovery.”

“If the Demon Sovereign didn’t die, could it be that a new one has been born?” Su Ningzhen asked in disbelief. “We’ve never heard of two Demon Sovereigns existing simultaneously in the Demon Realm.”

“All demons are born from the Void Sea, but they vary in strength. It’s said that Demon Sovereigns are the most unique, born with higher intelligence and often possessing memories of past lives,” He Xianwo pondered. “If a Dharma Avatar Venerable falls, could their heart demon also condense in the Void Sea?”

Upon hearing this, everyone involuntarily thought of the One-Thought Venerable. His heart demon was so intense—could it have given birth to a new Demon Sovereign? Historically, demons loved to tempt high-level cultivators to fall into demonhood, for the stronger the cultivator who fell, the more potent the demonic energy in the Void Sea would become, leading to the birth of even more powerful Demon Sovereigns.

“We can’t be certain yet, but this anomaly is likely harmful to humanity,” Xie Xuechen said. “However, the Demon Sovereign is temporarily trapped by the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation and cannot descend to the human realm. What truly concerns me is Sang Qi. As a half-demon, although he practices demonic arts, the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation doesn’t weaken him much. He can move freely between the two realms. This person is inscrutable, full of schemes, and his power is unfathomable. I came here to eliminate Sang Qi first, then reinforce the formation.”

The others had never personally witnessed Sang Qi’s power and couldn’t help but feel somewhat dismissive, wondering how formidable a mere half-demon could be.

Su Ningzhen scoffed, “Sect Leader, there’s no need to overestimate this scoundrel. His abilities are mediocre, and he’s even lost an arm. He only managed to escape earlier because you were severely injured.”

Xie Xuechen’s phoenix eyes flickered slightly as he turned to Su Ningzhen. “Valley Master Su, have you crossed paths with Sang Qi before? How do you know he lost an arm?”

Su Ningzhen fell silent for a moment before nodding. “We fought about twenty years ago. He was an enemy of Mirror Flower Valley, and his right arm was cut off.”

The others looked at Su Ningzhen in surprise. They knew of her deep hatred for half-demons but hadn’t realized she had previously battled Sang Qi. There seemed to be more to the story, but Su Ningzhen didn’t wish to elaborate.

Xie Xuechen lowered his eyes in deep thought, then said, “Then Valley Master Su may not be aware that Sang Qi has reforged a demonic arm, and his power far surpasses what it was before. Even just the demon dragon he refined is stronger than an ordinary Dharma Avatar.”

What made Xie Xuechen wary wasn’t just this. He had a vague sense of foreboding that this disturbance in the Demon Realm might be related to Sang Qi.

Since the day Sang Qi had abducted Mu Xuanling, he had remained silent for a month, only sending subordinates to harass the human realm without drawing the attention of various sects. His restraint surely hinted at a greater scheme.

Fu Yuanting said, “Now that two of the three Demon Gods from the Demon Realm are gone, the Demon Sovereign is in seclusion, and Sang Qi hasn’t shown himself, only sending low-level demon troops and monster soldiers to cause trouble. It’s hard to guess what they’re planning… I heard that demon troops attacked the camp again last night, but the ones who struck didn’t reveal themselves. Their power far exceeded ordinary demon soldiers. Sect Leader Xie, have you discovered their identity? Could it be that the Demon Realm has a new Demon God?”

Xie Xuechen clenched his fist slightly and said in a deep voice, “That person was likely just probing. Although the cultivators in the camp were injured, no one lost their life.”

He Xianwo keenly sensed something off about Xie Xuechen’s response, but before he could analyze it further, a sudden disturbance froze everyone in place.

A vast, overwhelming aura surged forth like a tsunami, instantly engulfing the world around them. Though it was still broad daylight, darkness fell in an instant, as if the sun had been covered by a black veil, robbing it of light and heat. A hurricane suddenly whipped across the wilderness, bending even the tallest trees and flattening the waist-high wild grass, which trembled in fear.

In the camp, all those of lower cultivation knelt on the ground, unable to lift their heads under the terrifying pressure, their hearts pounding with fear.

Xie Xuechen and the other three sect leaders immediately flew outside, erecting protective barriers to shield the entire camp and their disciples. With grave and vigilant expressions, they looked towards Two Realms Mountain—how could this aura be so vast and overwhelming, making one feel as if facing the boundless universe, stirring up fear, trembling, suffocation, and awe in their hearts?

A familiar black figure slowly materialized in mid-air. A dark robe embroidered with gold threads, its fluttering hem seeming to dance with golden dragons. Silver hair billowed in the wind, wild and unrestrained. As the figure slowly raised its head, upturned eyes tinged with red, sharp eyebrows, and thin lips as red as blood, stood out against skin so pale it seemed inhuman.

It was the half-demon Sang Qi, yet not quite the Sang Qi they knew. He let his power pour forth unchecked, his mighty spiritual energy, mixed with demonic and monstrous qi, causing the earth to tremble.

Everyone was stunned, except for Mu Xuanling, trapped in the tent, who raised her head with joy, her eyes bright and lively: “Master has emerged from seclusion!”

“Sang Qi…” Su Ningzhen’s hand, gripping the Dust-Sweeping Brush, trembled slightly. Her eyes blazed with hatred, a hatred that even overshadowed her fear of his power.

Xie Xuechen stood ready for battle, with the Jun Tian Sword forming a sword formation aimed at Sang Qi. Today’s Sang Qi seemed even more unfathomable than during the night raid, his aura overwhelming. How could a half-demon cultivate such terrifying power?

Silver light flowed in Sang Qi’s eyes as he extended his left hand towards Xie Xuechen. A crushing pressure descended like a mountain, causing Xie Xuechen’s expression to tighten as he opened his spirit apertures, his black hair billowing as he unleashed his mighty spiritual energy to counter it. Just as Xie Xuechen was fully occupied, Sang Qi smiled slightly and made a gentle gesture with his right hand. A tent suddenly shattered, and a purple figure flew out like a butterfly, landing gracefully at Sang Qi’s side.

Mu Xuanling stood beside Sang Qi, kneeling reverently before him: “Congratulations, Master, on obtaining the ultimate power!”

Seeing Mu Xuanling appear in the camp only to be taken away by Sang Qi, everyone’s faces showed shock as they turned to look at Xie Xuechen’s back.

“It seems the Immortal Alliance members don’t know why the Demon Realm’s Holy Maiden is here,” Sang Qi’s silver eyes regarded Xie Xuechen with a mocking smile. “Sect Leader Xie, you didn’t tell them?”

“Sect Leader Xie, what’s going on?” Su Ningzhen demanded harshly. “Wasn’t Mu Xuanling supposed to have been abducted by Sang Qi in Yong Xue City?”

Xie Xuechen pressed his lips together in silence, coldly staring at Sang Qi. Sang Qi laughed heartily, “Since Sect Leader Xie dares not speak, let me answer on his behalf. Naturally, it’s because my good disciple raided the camp last night and was captured by him. Sect Leader Xie, unable to let go of old feelings, wanted to keep her. As her master, I had no choice but to come and retrieve her personally.”

Hearing this, the crowd’s gaze towards Xie Xuechen became somewhat strange.

Xie Xuechen didn’t deny it, so Sang Qi’s words were likely true. They had personally witnessed Xie Xuechen’s regard for Mu Xuanling before, which held some affection, though to what extent was unclear.

He Xianwo finally understood why he had felt Xie Xuechen’s earlier answer was odd. When Fu Yuanting asked if Xie Xuechen had discovered the attacker’s identity, Xie Xuechen didn’t directly answer, and his words even seemed to contain explanations and defense.

“Sect Leader Xie, is what that half-demon said true?” Su Ningzhen frowned deeply, questioning Xie Xuechen. “Had we known the demon girl was in our hands, we should have controlled her to threaten Sang Qi! Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

Fu Yuanting sighed lightly, “Sect Leader Xie, you were wrong in this matter.”

Sang Qi grinned, his smile full of malice: “I should thank Sect Leader Xie. It’s rare to find someone so loyal and righteous among humans. Xuanling, what do you think?”

At Sang Qi’s words, Mu Xuanling understood his intention. She turned to face Xie Xuechen, a smile on her lips but her eyes cold: “Master speaks the truth. I haven’t yet thanked Sect Leader Xie for passing on the Jade Pavilion Divine Technique to me! Without it, how could I have achieved my current level of cultivation?”

As she spoke, Mu Xuanling raised her hand to her brow, fully opening her spirit apertures. An aura reminiscent of Xie Xuechen’s Shuo Xue Frost Wind burst forth. All present were high-level Dharma Avatar Venerables, and they could immediately see that the spiritual energy emanating from Mu Xuanling was almost identical to Xie Xuechen’s, her power nearly reaching the Dharma Avatar realm!

“Sect Leader Xie…” He Xianwo and Fu Yuanting were stunned, unable to recover for a long time, feeling as if they were in a dream. It was too ridiculous, too absurd—the esteemed leader of the Immortal Alliance had passed on the supreme divine technique to the Demon Realm’s Holy Maiden? And even more terrifying, a half-demon could open spirit apertures?

For a moment, they didn’t know which revelation was more shocking.

Xie Xuechen raised his head, looking at the cold and merciless girl beside Sang Qi. Her lips curled in a sneer as she pushed him into the abyss with one hand.

“There’s one more thing Sect Leader Xie probably doesn’t know,” Sang Qi narrowed his silver eyes, a cruel smile rising in their depths. “Xuanling passed the Jade Pavilion Divine Technique to me. My power today is also thanks to Sect Leader Xie’s selflessness and affection. Hahahahaha…”

The successive blows left everyone numb—Sect Leader Xie had passed the Jade Pavilion Divine Technique to Mu Xuanling, and Sang Qi had obtained it from her.

If One-Thought Venerable’s actions were considered colluding with the enemy, what did Xie Xuechen’s actions amount to?

“Sect Leader Xie, you owe us an explanation!” Su Ningzhen’s face was pale, her eyes bloodshot as she glared at Xie Xuechen with hatred.

Sang Qi smiled and said, “Sect Leader Xie, they’re waiting for your explanation. It seems you’re about to be abandoned by all. If the Immortal Alliance has no place for you, why not join the Demon Realm? We don’t mind that you’re human.”

Mu Xuanling said, “Master, the Severance of Thought you gave me was taken by Sect Leader Xie.”

Sang Qi frowned slightly and said to Xie Xuechen, “Sect Leader Xie, Xuanling doesn’t like you touching her things. You’d better return it to her.”

As Sang Qi spoke, his black robe fluttered, and a surge of powerful spiritual energy burst toward Xie Xuechen. The Jun Tian Sword flashed a golden light, blocking Sang Qi’s attack in front of him. Sang Qi’s silver eyes narrowed, his aura suddenly rising, and the pressure on Xie Xuechen instantly doubled. Xie Xuechen concentrated on resisting, and the two were deadlocked. Their spiritual energies clashed, exploding with the force of a collapsing mountain and surging sea, making it difficult even for bystanders to escape unscathed. The other Dharma Avatars quickly erected barriers to block the shockwaves.

What terrified them was that the spiritual energy laced with black demonic qi seemed to be gaining the upper hand. Could Sang Qi be stronger than Xie Xuechen now? Xie Xuechen was already the number one sword cultivator among humans! Of all cultivators, sword cultivators were the sharpest and most unstoppable, and Xie Xuechen’s Jade Pavilion Heaven-Breaking technique was invincible, yet Sang Qi showed no fear…

He even had energy to spare. They saw him extend his right hand, engraved with demonic patterns, forming a claw in the void. With one grab, Xie Xuechen’s storage pouch shattered, and a purple whip flew out toward Mu Xuanling.

Mu Xuanling caught the Severance of Thought, a smile appearing on her face.

“Thank you, Master! Master, now that you’ve absorbed the Demon Sovereign’s demonic qi and opened your spirit apertures, allowing you to absorb the world’s spiritual energy, even this Xie Xuechen is no match for you,” Mu Xuanling said with a smile.

Hearing Mu Xuanling’s words, Xie Xuechen suddenly understood the secret behind Sang Qi’s sudden increase in strength.

“Hmm, it seems Sect Leader Xie has just realized,” Sang Qi smiled proudly. He leisurely pressed down on Xie Xuechen, feeling the endless, powerful energy flowing through his body. “You’ve also wondered, haven’t you, why I crafted the Judgment Demon Vine specifically to counter demons for Xuanling? Naturally, it’s because the ones I’ve always intended to deal with were not just humans.”

“Cultivating demonic techniques, feeding on demonic qi,” Xie Xuechen said coldly. “You set up an ambush with the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, hiding your true strength, luring the Demon Sovereign to fight me to the death, reaping the benefits as a bystander.”

“My cultivation had reached a bottleneck, and ordinary demonic qi could no longer advance my cultivation. Only by refining and devouring a Demon Sovereign could I progress. And in this world, only Sect Leader Xie’s Jun Tian Sword could deal with a Demon Sovereign,” Sang Qi smiled. “The Demon Sovereign’s demonic qi and Sect Leader Xie’s divine technique were both what I desired. Demonic qi was easy to obtain, but the divine technique was hard to come by. I never imagined that Sect Leader Xie, who would rather die than submit, would ultimately fall for a beauty scheme, tricked by the Demon Realm’s Holy Maiden into passing on the Jade Pavilion Divine Technique to a half-demon.”

Sang Qi looked at Xie Xuechen mockingly: “I want to see if the world-revered Sect Leader Xie, with his lifelong reputation ruined, condemned by thousands and friendless in the world, will have his dao heart shattered and fall into demonhood… Hahahaha… If that happens, our Demon Realm will have gained a great general!”

Xie Xuechen gripped the Jun Tian Sword tightly, his brow deeply furrowed.

Sang Qi’s pleasure had never been in killing people. What he loved most was toying with people’s hearts, watching those high and mighty, invincible figures lose face and fall into demonhood.

Mu Xuanling didn’t understand Sang Qi’s pleasure, but for her, whether Xie Xuechen lived or died, remained human, or became a demon, had no bearing on her at all. She coldly swept her gaze over the Immortal Alliance members, not sparing even a glance for Xie Xuechen.

Sang Qi looked at Mu Xuanling with a smile—Xuanling, you should thank your master. Without love, you’ll never feel pain again.