Invincible Jiang, the matriarch of the Invincible Domain.
There were many rumors about her, some said she was the Invincible Emperor’s confidante, others claimed she was his wife. She had fought alongside him throughout his legendary campaigns, and after his ascension, she withdrew into seclusion with the Jiang Clan.
Her life was a legend. To dare name herself Invincible spoke volumes of her pride and confidence.
…
At this moment in Bluesky City, the sight of so many powerful Immortal-level cultivators arriving left many citizens frozen in place, forgetting even to flee.
“We’re saved!” someone cried out.
Whether it was Absolute Sword Ancestor, Sword Demon Dugu Wenchang, or the formidable Invincible Jiang, These were reclusive ancestral figures, each capable of shaking the Skyluan Region with a flick of their finger.
Even the disciples of the Lan Clan didn’t understand why these imperial lineages were helping them.
Many didn’t even know that the Lan Clan was part of the Demon-Slaying Lineage.
“Brother Absolute Sword, it’s been a long time!” Lan Jiulin shouted with a booming laugh that echoed through the sky.
“Brother Wenchang, glad you made it.”
“Lady Jiang, how have you been in recent years?”
The seven ancestral elders of the Lan Clan each greeted the newcomers, clearly on familiar terms with them.
After exchanging a few words, everyone turned their attention to Paimon, trapped within the formation.
At that moment, demonic energy surged wildly around Paimon, threatening to consume the entire world.
But the eight surrounding pillars radiated pure white light.
Inlaid within each pillar were shimmering crystals, shining with pure brilliance like gems that could purify the world.
“He’s the so-called demon?” Dugu Wenchang asked.
“Yes, and extremely strong, far beyond any demon we’ve encountered before,” Lan Jiulin answered gravely.
“Fortunately, we prepared a trap around the Chaos Stone, using Light Origin Stones to construct this formation. Their power restrains demonic energy extremely well. That’s the only reason we managed to trap him. Otherwise, even with all of us here, we might not stand a chance.”
Light Origin Stones were among the rarest crystals in the world. Legends claimed they were formed from the essence of the River of Light.
Each one was precious beyond measure and especially effective in suppressing demonic energy.
In truth, Paimon’s strength in this realm was nearly invincible.
If not for the countering power of the formation, no one here could stop him.
And while he currently couldn’t break free, unless he broke through the Tenth Meridian Gate, escape was impossible.
However, the rules of this world were strict, forcing a breakthrough would immediately alert the Heavenly Dao and bring its wrath.
The risk outweighed the reward, and this dilemma gnawed at him.
…
“There’s a clause in your Lan Clan’s ancestral will,” Invincible Jiang said with interest. “It speaks of a time long ago, of ancient legends that foretold the Ancient Demons would one day descend upon this world. When that day comes, they will bring destruction. And in that era of great upheaval, your Lan Clan will rise as the vanguard, lifting the curtain on this grand era of change.”
Lan Jiulin shook his head and replied, “You misunderstand, Lady Jiang. Our Lan Clan are merely guardians. We protect the Chaos Stone from being taken. We slay demons, uphold the Dao, and defend the continents from demonic invasion.”
“People say demons should die, but I’ve never seen them actually do anything,” Invincible Jiang commented.
“Their plan is to open the Primordial Demon Cave and summon the Ancient Demon Race,” Lan Jiulin explained. “They’re still too weak to shake the world, that’s why they haven’t acted.”
“Then let us meet this so-called demon,” Dugu Wenchang said with a smile.
Ten people stepped forward, surrounded by thick, swirling immortal energy.
They descended to the edge of the formation, gazing at Paimon with focused intensity.
“Demon, can we talk?” Lan Jingxiong asked aloud.
“I am Paimon, Demon of Despair, one of the eighteen Infernal Archons under the Infernal Lord,” came the cold reply from within the formation.
“Demon of Despair… How about we make a deal?” Lan Jingxiong said after exchanging glances with the others.
“We walk different paths. There is no common ground between us,” Paimon replied coldly.
“We’re willing to keep you imprisoned instead of killing you, in exchange, you’ll tell us everything about the Ancient Demon Race,” Lan Jingxiong proposed.
“You really think you can kill me?” Paimon sneered.
Even if things came to the worst, he’d rather perish with them all. If pushed, he would risk the wrath of the Heavenly Dao and forcefully open the Tenth Meridian Gate, killing them all before dying.
“If you insist on your madness, we won’t hold back,” Lan Jingxiong said coldly.
“To slay demons is the creed of our Demon-Slaying Clan. Monsters like you, scourges of the living, deserve to rot in hell.”
“Prepare the Demon Annihilation Life-and-Death Formation,” Lan Jiulin said flatly.
They had hoped to extract more information from Paimon, but he was uncooperative and defiant. There was no point in keeping him alive.
“Everyone,” Lan Jiulin turned to the imperial lineages, “Have you all mastered the formation seal I taught you?”
“It’s complex, not fully mastered, but we can execute it,” Absolute Sword Ancestor responded.
“Then let’s begin.”
At his word, the ten experts took their positions, flying through the air to surround Paimon in a perfect circle.
Four of them sat cross-legged in place.
Massive immortal energy surged from their bodies as each began forming hand seals.
Their gestures grew faster and more intricate by the second, the seals dazzling with pure white light charged with a world-destroying force.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As the seals took shape, the entire sky trembled beneath their power.
Storms of spiritforce tore through the air, sundering the heavens.
The pressure from the ten seals blanketed the land, dimming the sun and moon.
Winds howled, stones flew, lightning crackled, thick clouds rolled in from all directions.
Silver lightning bolts descended like serpentine dragons, striking down violently.
Ten beams of light shot into the sky, and the speed of the rotating seals grew even faster, now moving too quickly for the naked eye to follow.
“Form!” Lan Jiulin shouted.
The seal in his hand exploded with brilliant light, solidifying completely as it shot into the sky.
It transformed into a vortex-shaped gateway, hanging in the air above.
Suddenly, from that gate, a golden chain clinked and unfurled, flying straight toward Paimon.