“Relax, I won’t hit you this time,” Lin Ruhu said with a grin. “But I must say, this seat of yours looks pretty decent.”
“This is our Heavenly Chicken Sect’s seat,” Zhang Shihao hurriedly replied.
“I’m just not the type who likes standing. The moment I stand, my temper flares. And once my temper flares, I feel like hitting someone. If I hit someone, you’ll end up crippled again. So… you get my point, right?” Lin Ruhu chuckled darkly.
“Master…” Zhang Shihao looked at the elder beside him, nearly in tears.
“Let’s go,” the old man said, casting a glance at Xu Zimo. He rose to his feet without another word and left directly.
In this world, he understood far too well, the size of one’s fist was the only truth that mattered.
Xu Zimo and Lin Ruhu sat down. The chairs were a little toward the back, but since the ground was elevated, the view of the stage was actually quite clear.
“Brother Zimo, are you planning to participate?” Lin Ruhu asked.
“The main character always comes in at the finale,” Xu Zimo smiled. “But you could go up there and give it a try, see how far your strength has come now.”
“But where’s Miss Jing? We just saw her earlier, and now she’s vanished the moment we came in,” Lin Ruhu muttered curiously.
“Stay away from her. That woman isn’t simple,” Xu Zimo said.
“Why? Didn’t she just help us?” Lin Ruhu asked.
“Then why did she help me? Just because I’m handsome?” Xu Zimo countered.
“Well, maybe it’s exactly because you’re handsome,” Lin Ruhu grinned.
“Hm, that actually makes sense,” Xu Zimo nodded in mock agreement.
Still, despite the banter, he remained wary of Jing all the same.
……
Just then, the booming sound of drums thundered like rolling storms across the arena. The deafening beats silenced the noisy crowd at once.
The drummers wore red robes and wielded mallets wrapped with crimson threads that fluttered and whipped through the air as the beats resounded, stirring hearts and shaking lungs.
With the rhythm of the drums, the twelve Sacred Lords stepped forward together.
Each radiated a unique aura, surging with endless spiritforce. Yet all carried the same overwhelming presence, like gods descending, pressing down on all around them.
Eleven of the twelve took their seats at the front, while Baili Chengfeng stepped up onto the stage.
His cyan robe swayed in the breeze. Though the sword at his waist remained sheathed, a towering sword aura already soared into the sky.
He raised his right hand, and the earth-shaking drumbeats ceased at once.
“I thank you all for gathering here today, for contributing your strength to the common people of this world. I believe among the Imperial Lineages, explanations are unnecessary. But for the many unaffiliated cultivators and minor sects here, they may not understand, what exactly is a demon?”
Baili Chengfeng paused slightly after speaking, then raised his right hand. At some point, a golden scroll had appeared in it.
As he unfurled the scroll, boundless imperial might erupted. The will of an emperor burst into the skies, like a blade suspended over the heads of all. The pressure weighed down on everyone, making them instinctively want to bow in submission.
On the golden scroll were two words, “Demon Execution.”
These characters were unmistakably written by a Grand Emperor. That imperial aura could not be false.
“This imperial decree was bestowed by our ancestor, Grand Emperor Chang Kong,” Baili Chengfeng declared, silencing all murmurs with a single sentence.
“Not just our Baili Imperial Clan, I believe many Imperial Lineages have received similar decrees, all from their own ancestors.”
“I can briefly explain: In a time long forgotten, buried in history, the Infernal Lord once led his Ancient Demon Race in an attempt to annihilate the entire world. During that era, all life was destroyed, endless bloodshed filled the lands, and despair blanketed the continent. Eventually, the oppressed races united to resist the Infernal Lord. After tens of thousands of years of struggle, they finally sealed him away and defeated the Ancient Demon Race. But now, as ages have passed, the Infernal Lord has begun to awaken. Before he fully recovers and regathers the demons, this is our one and only chance.”
Baili Chengfeng’s tone grew solemn.
“Do not think this has nothing to do with you. When the Infernal Lord descends, no one will be spared. So I ask you, like the sages of old, unite together, and with me… execute the demons.”
“Execute the demons! Execute the demons!”
As his words fell, the crowd began to chant. First a few scattered voices, then more and more, until a tidal wave of sound erupted, crashing like a storm.
“What utter nonsense,” Lin Ruhu muttered in defiance amid the shouting.
“This man is skilled at bewitching hearts with words. Never noticed it before,” Xu Zimo said with a smirk.
“You think if I make him kneel later, shouting ‘Long live the Demon Sovereign,’ how that would look?”
On stage, Baili Chengfeng raised his hands again, signaling for quiet. Smiling, he said, “Since we’ve formed the Demon-Slaying Alliance, it is only natural that we fight for the same cause. But with no leader, a dragon without a head, we risk disaster. And that is precisely the purpose of today’s Demon-Slaying Assembly. I believe everyone knows the rules. If you have the strength and can command respect, anyone may participate. Now, I officially declare the Demon-Slaying Assembly… open!”
As his words echoed, the arena erupted into noise once more.
This tournament wasn’t restricted to the young, anyone could join. Even old men in their seventies could step up if they wished.
“Since everyone is waiting, why not let me take the first step?” a loud laugh rang from the crowd.
People turned toward the voice.
“It’s Golden Dragon Immortal,” someone whispered.
“A rogue cultivator, bold of him.”
The daoist wore a bright yellow robe embroidered with dragons. His chest puffed out proudly, a cheerful grin on his face as he strode onto the stage.
“Which worthy brother will test his skills against me?” he asked.
“I will.”
Another voice responded, and a massive, burly man carrying a giant axe on his back stepped forward.
“That’s Grand Pine Sage,” someone explained for those who didn’t know.
“The Grand Pine Sect resides in Mount Moon. They say this hermit is incredibly strong, he once carried the entire mountain on his back, walking a hundred thousand miles without resting.”
“Sounds impressive, but whether Golden Dragon Immortal or the Grand Pine Sage, neither seems fit for the role of Alliance Master,” another muttered.
“You don’t get it,” someone nearby laughed. “This is just a chance for them to show their faces. Later, within the Demon-Slaying Alliance, they might secure a title or a post. Unless a true heavyweight steps up, these first matches are just warm-ups.”
On stage, the two men bowed to each other.
Then the Grand Pine Sage slowly drew the massive axe from his back.