They had planned for countless years. Generation after generation poured their lives into the effort. Everyone knew what they were doing, reviving, or rather, rising up as a race.
Finally, one day, they launched the ultimate battle.
The Infernal Lord, wielding the Sky-Piercing Halberd and dressed in his battle armor, stepped forward step by step under the war songs of the distant sky, charging straight into the Ten Immortal Lands.
That war lasted for decades.
In the end, the Ten Immortal Lands collapsed under their onslaught.
The so-called immortals became nothing more than corpses beneath their feet.
As their generations of effort were on the brink of success, no one expected that the Heavenly Dao would intervene.
Heavenly tribulation descended, and the boundless power of heaven and earth crushed the Ancient Demon Race with unstoppable force.
In an instant, the tides turned. With the help of the Heavenly Dao, the Ten Immortal Lands launched a counterattack.
The Ancient Demon Race was forced to retreat, relentlessly hunted down across the continent.
At the crucial moment, the Infernal Lord stood forward alone.
He sent everyone into the Primordial Demon Cave, into the Land of Exile.
A place where even the Heavenly Dao could not intervene.
A world abandoned by the universe, just like the Ancient Demon Race itself.
The Infernal Lord stood alone to hold them off.
That was the last time the Ancient Demon Race saw their lord, a memory forever imprinted in their minds.
The Infernal Lord, holding the Sky-Piercing Halberd, perished together with the Immortal Lords of the Ten Immortal Lands under heavenly tribulation.
That halberd was carried back into the Primordial Demon Cave at all costs.
But the battle robe and the Infernal Lord’s body completely vanished.
"One epoch later, I will return. Let us once again plan the great undertaking of the Ancient Demon Race," was the final message left behind by that man.
He had laughed when he said it, “When we return, even the heavens will be overturned. We will build a prosperous age, an age where the Ancient Demon Race can live with dignity.”
After they entered the Land of Exile, the Heavenly Dao and the Ten Immortal Lands jointly sealed it.
The Ancient Demon Race would never again be able to leave the Primordial Demon Cave.
…
Inside the Primordial Demon Cave, the scene faded slowly as it ended.
Xu Zimo gazed quietly at the black mist formed by demonic energy.
“Did you understand everything, my lord?” Infernal Archon Nightmare asked.
“By rights, after the destruction of the Blessed Epoch, everything should have vanished,” Xu Zimo replied.
“Why are there still so many people targeting us? What’s the deal with the seal on the Primordial Heartlands, and the so-called Holy Progenitor and Heavenly Court?”
“The Ten Immortal Lands weren’t completely wiped out, just like we survived,” Nightmare replied.
“They, too, came from another epoch into this newly born one. And I believe they’ve been planning since the Legendary Era. That so-called Holy Progenitor is likely the only Immortal Lord who survived from the Ten Immortal Lands. Of course, that’s only my guess, since we cannot leave this place. There are many things we can't know for sure.”
“How do we break the seal of the Land of Exile?” Xu Zimo asked.
“When you arrive at the Outer Heavenss, you’ll naturally know,” Nightmare replied with a smile.
“The Ancient Demon Race has waited here for many eras. A little more time won’t matter. As long as you return safely, nothing else matters more.”
Hearing this, Xu Zimo continued, “If what you said is true, then I’m probably not originally from the Ancient Demon Race, right?”
“We don’t know where you came from, my lord. You just appeared suddenly and led us to rise,” Nightmare said.
“I understand,” Xu Zimo nodded slightly.
He had basically understood the Ancient Demon Race's situation, and for now, had a rough idea of who the enemy was.
All of this was preparation for entering the Outer Heavens.
“My lord, we await you in the Outer Heavens,” Nightmare said. “The Outer Heavens connects directly to the Primordial Demon Cave.”
“Good. Then when I return, we’ll fight together once more,” Xu Zimo smiled.
“We respectfully see off our lord,” came the thunderous cry.
All of the Ancient Demon Race knelt again, a sea of dark shadows roaring like thunder.
The demonic energy surged in a celebratory storm.
The gate before him slowly closed, and when Xu Zimo opened his eyes again, he was already back on the high platform.
On his return path, the power of the seal had disappeared.
The Grand Emperor shadows slowly faded into the gate.
Xu Zimo looked up at the sky, where demonic energy churned and roiled.
He left the Demon-Slaying Ridge.
…
In Immortal Town, chaos had broken out due to the disturbance at the ridge.
The town hadn’t seen such a sight in ages.
Monk Great Wisdom stood up slowly as he saw Xu Zimo return.
“All done?” he asked.
“Mm. I’ve learned what I needed to know,” Xu Zimo nodded.
“So what now? Where will you go next?” Monk Great Wisdom asked.
“I’ll quietly wait for Heaven’s Will to arrive,” Xu Zimo replied. “If I still have time, I’ll make a trip to Heavenly Dao Academy.”
He was still thinking about the Nine-Curve God Fire and the incomplete True God Sword in his hand.
“Then let’s go,” Monk Great Wisdom smiled. “Enjoy the peace and quiet before the storm hits.”
Monk Great Wisdom looked up at the sky. The vast sky of Heaven’s Will had begun to take shape.
Half the sky was already covered by it.
When the entire sky is shrouded, that would be the moment Heaven’s Will fully descends.
…
Heavenly Dao Academy was located in the Overlord Region.
If one had to name the most powerful factions in the Overlord Region, two came to mind.
The Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground and Heavenly Dao Academy.
Founded during the ancient Desolate Era, the history of Heavenly Dao Academy was older than any imperial lineage.
The students who walked out of it were extraordinary.
There were Grand Emperors, Zenith Immortals, and many legendary figures.
If all of Heavenly Dao Academy's students were gathered in one place, the entire continent would tremble.
Having survived since the ancient Desolate Era, enduring countless hardships, the academy's very survival proved its immense strength.
It was now April, the early days of spring after the end of winter.
The trees were dressed in jade green, willows draped like silk.
Spring meant rebirth and prosperity for all things.
Heavenly Dao Academy was located in Heavenly Dao City.
Even without discussing the academy itself, Heavenly Dao City alone covered hundreds of thousands of square kilometers.
One city, equivalent to half the territory ruled by many imperial lineages.
The vast city was lively and vibrant, flowers blooming everywhere.
With the arrival of spring, the academy’s triennial admissions had begun.
Countless students from the Four Seas, Eight Wastelands, Five Regions, and even other continents had gathered here.