Within the ancient demon cave nested deep in the Magic Capital Mountain Range, I first encountered that black-clothed demon. It should have been the Seven Hates Demon Lord.

I never imagined he was an entity more formidable than an ordinary Heavenly Demon.

Recalling it now, a chill still creeps into my heart. Had it not been for the vast distance separating the Myriad Realms Desolate Tomb from the present world, had it not been for Grandmaster Guan Yan’s protective intervention, had I not eradicated the Red Heart Divine Ability, had it not been for…

Today, I would either be a pile of bones, or already bear a demon’s body.

“Are these Eight Demon Lords connected to the Eight Great Demonic Arts?” Jiang Wang inquired.

The state of Mu had guarded the border wilderness for many years, possessing the most profound understanding of the Demon Race, much like the state of Qi knew the Sea Race best.

Tu Hu nodded slightly. “The Demon Ancestor personally created the Eight Great Demonic Arts as the supreme inheritance of the Demon Race. It was through these that the Demon Race prospered in those years… These Eight Great Demonic Arts hold the highest status within the Demon Race. Throughout history, only those who cultivate one of the Eight Great Demonic Arts and achieve the rank of Heavenly Demon are hailed as Demon Lords. They are regarded as ordained rulers, presiding over various domains, the most supreme and noble existences in the Demon Race.”

Jiang Wang couldn’t help but wonder, if the Illusion Demon Lord was such a terrifying existence, what level of expert was involved in the scheme he personally laid in the border wilderness targeting Tu Hu? While the Golden Crown Priest already held an esteemed position, he was clearly not of sufficient caliber to warrant such attention.

Tu Hu’s person truly held too many secrets.

Jiang Wang smiled wryly. “I don’t know what virtue or ability I possess to actually be entangled in struggles of this magnitude.”

“This is precisely what puzzles me as well.” Tu Hu furrowed his brow. “The Illusion Demon Lord hasn’t made a move in nearly three hundred years. While it’s true there was a target this time, involving you is indeed somewhat peculiar.”

He glanced over, a hint of inexplicable meaning in his eyes. “Do you have anything on your person related to demonic arts?”

“Things related to demonic arts, no,”

“But I have indeed had contact with them,” Jiang Wang admitted, recounting the aspects he could disclose about the demon-slaying battle led by Yu Bei Dou in Broken Soul Gorge.

At that time, Yu Bei Dou personally went to the Three Punishments Palace to invite a Legalist Grandmaster to clear Jiang Wang’s name. This matter was known throughout the land, and Tu Hu himself had heard of it. However, the details he was hearing for the first time from Jiang Wang’s lips.

“As expected of ‘Guan Yan, Half the World’!” Tu Hu praised. “Yu Bei Dou obstructing the Blood Demon inheritance was a merit of immeasurable proportion. If the Blood Demon Lord were to return to his position, the consequences would be unthinkable.”

Jiang Wang queried, “As for Demon Lords, even if one or two more appeared, our human race should still be able to cope, correct?”

Tu Hu stated solemnly, “If it were merely one or two Demon Lords, of course it wouldn’t be considered a great calamity. But according to ancient legends of the Demon Race… the day the Eight Great Demonic Arts converge and the eight great demon bodies form, the Demon Ancestor will reappear in the human world! The truth or falsehood of this legend, I believe no one dares to verify.”

Jiang Wang had only recently heard the tale of the Demon Ancestor at the Jixia Academy. In history, the Second Human Emperor had joined forces with the Confucian Ancestor and the Law Ancestor to execute him. The Demon Ancestor’s destruction was also seen as the end of the magic tide, marking the curtain call for the ancient era. Following that came the middle ancient era and the near ancient era, before the present world unfolded.

The Record of Serenity and Harmony states that the middle ancient era lasted a total of two hundred and forty thousand years, and the near ancient era a total of one hundred and three thousand years…

Tens of thousands of years had passed, and now Tu Hu claimed that the Demon Ancestor still had a possibility of reappearing in the human world? It was truly unbelievable.

Yet, if one were to consider an entity like the Demon Ancestor, nothing seemed impossible. That was, after all, the terrifying being who stirred up the magic tide, casting a vast shadow over the latter half of the entire ancient era. What kind of terror was insufficient?

Even the Buddhist Gate’s World Honored One grew up within that shadow, bearing its profound impression. In the scripture The Bodhi Seat Discourse, which records his words and deeds as noted by his disciples, there are multiple mentions of the magic tide, showing extreme apprehension—this was something heard in Yan Chan Yi’s class at Jixia Academy. Thinking of that not-so-proper and rather stingy old fortune teller, Jiang Wang couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect.

Yu Bei Dou at that time, was truly saving the world…

Thinking for a moment, Jiang Wang asked, “Does Senior Tu believe that my encounter with the Chang Demon in the border wilderness is related to my experience in Broken Soul Gorge?”

“I cannot say for certain,” Tu Hu replied. “But one point is undeniable: the Blood Demon Art of Emotion Extinction and Desire Annihilation was not truly destroyed by Yu Bei Dou, and the Blood Demon will be unsealed one day. What was left in your body is also uncertain…”

He examined Jiang Wang. “When you parted ways at that time, did Yu Bei Dou not explain anything to you?”

Jiang Wang shook his head. “He only said ‘we’ll meet again’.”

Tu Hu suddenly laughed. “Then there should be no problem.”

Speaking of the four existing Demon Lords, Jiang Wang had already intersected with at least two: the Illusion Demon Lord and the Seven Hates Demon Lord. Furthermore, there was still the Blood Demon who had not yet returned to his position. Coupled with having personally slain nearly half of the Nine Great Human Demons, he truly had some ill fate connected to the word “demon.”

But this was also unavoidable. Ordinary people could remain in isolated villages, never hearing of external affairs throughout their lives, unaware that the world held illusory realms, unaware that demons truly existed. As a Heaven’s Chosen of the Human Race, however, one was destined to face and bear such things.

Jiang Wang secretly resolved to ask Yu Bei Dou about matters concerning the Blood Demon should they meet again.

Tu Hu then spoke again. “I hear you have a war agreement with Dou Zhao?”

“Indeed, that is the case. It was decided before my arrival at God Peak,” Jiang Wang said cautiously. “I didn’t expect it would even reach Senior Tu’s ears.”

Tu Hu then asked, “Presumably you also wish to spar with individuals like Huang Bu Dong, Murong Long Ji, and Chen Suan?”

Jiang Wang replied, “That depends on the situation. Sparring is for verifying one’s path, not for contending with spirit or vying for bravery. It is best when both sides are willing, so as not to hurt feelings, and only for the sake of cultivation.”

Tu Hu smiled, then suddenly inquired, “What do you think of Chen Suan?”

Jiang Wang pondered for a moment, only saying, “I have no particular views, I’m not very familiar with him.”

“Then let me rephrase,” Tu Hu said languidly. “What do you think of the state of Jing?”

A ceremonial official of the state of Mu asking an envoy of the state of Qi for their views on the state of Jing. What could the Qi envoy possibly think?

Jiang Wang had come today simply for a private matter of gratitude. At this moment, he slightly pulled at the corners of his mouth.

“This humble one has no views.”

“No eyes to see, eh?” Tu Hu said.

“This junior means to say that my talent and learning are shallow, and I truly do not feel I have the qualifications to evaluate such an ancient state.”

Tu Hu remarked,

“It seems Marquis Wu An also feels Jing Country is declining.”

Jiang Wang’s eyes widened. “I didn’t say that.”

“You dare to be angry but not speak, I understand. Jing Country’s people are too overbearing!”

“If you wish to continue this conversation, this junior can only take his leave.”

Tu Hu laughed heartily. After finishing his laughter, he still looked at Jiang Wang and said, “Then I won’t joke with you. Let’s talk about something serious. The world knows that Qi Country’s Marquis Wu An carries an Immortal Palace inheritance, a wisp of a technique that allows one to ascend to the heavens, unmatched in the world. I also ask you, do you know how the Nine Great Immortal Palaces vanished?”

Jiang Wang’s heart stirred slightly.

The two bloody characters “Dao Thief” that had been erased from the Divine Stele at the Cloud Top Immortal Palace on Five Peaks Sea seemed to reappear before him. He rarely recalled that scene and had never actively inquired into its aftermath or secrets. Because he knew that he fundamentally could not bear the karma involved in the fate of the Immortal Palace.

Today, he had come to this Guang Wen Night School to offer thanks, a matter Tu Hu had lightly passed over. In their idle chat, they had gone from the Guang Wen Bell to the Dried and Withered Courtyard, from the border wilderness to the Demon Ancestor, and then from the Dao Gate to the Immortal Palace… It was undeniable that each topic was something he was quite curious about. And Tu Hu seemed to want to unveil the answers to these questions for him one by one. Was this truly just idle chat?

Jiang Wang shook his head. “I am still unclear about the history of the present world, let alone the secrets of the near ancient era. In truth, I don’t pay much attention to it. People should focus on what’s in front of them. As for things too long ago, I cannot afford to consider them for now.”

Tu Hu seemed to utterly disregard his evasiveness, only saying, “If I told you that the destruction of the Nine Great Immortal Palaces was related to the Dao Gate… even that it was led by the Dao Gate themselves?”

Jiang Wang’s heart received a shock.

Within the Five Peaks Sea, the ruins of the Cloud Top Immortal Palace also seemed to rumble with thunder. The two venerated warriors of the Immortal Palace were diligently repairing the buildings. While one couldn’t say it was as good as new, the ruins and tiles were certainly much cleaner.

Since the Four Seas were connected, the Cloud Top Immortal Palace no longer felt so gloomy. Or perhaps, since the White Cloud Boy had a companion, daily commanding the two venerated warriors to busy themselves here and there, this place, which had been deathly silent for countless years, now possessed something called “vitality.”

At this very moment, the White Cloud Boy, who had been in a deep sleep within the Cloud Apex Pavilion, jolted upright with a carp leap, though he couldn’t quite manage it.

Thus, he resorted to a “small fat roll,” turning a circle on the spot, then supporting himself with both hands to stand up. Stepping onto a small cloud, he flew onto the roof of the Cloud Apex Pavilion. With wide eyes and ears perked high, he was very interested in the secrets that followed. After all, he was the White Cloud Little Immortal Boy, shouldering the great responsibility of the Immortal Palace’s revival. The Immortal Lord wasn’t worried at all, he might not have to suffer even a little—as for working too hard, listening to a bit of eavesdropping was an effort he was willing to make.

Unlike the White Cloud Boy, Jiang Wang himself didn’t want to delve into anything. Or rather, he didn’t want to seek any answers here from Tu Hu. He realized that Tu Hu had been telling him stories all along, trying to convey something to him. Although the other party expressed himself very naturally, like an enthusiastic and knowledgeable elder displaying his rich accumulation before a young person, he could still smell trouble.

He already had enough troubles on his person and now only wanted to respectfully keep his distance. The destruction of the Nine Great Immortal Palaces being related to the Dao Gate, while weighty news, wasn’t strange.

Today’s Dao Gate was still the most powerful sect in the present world, the most influential and obvious learning. Cultivators of all families acknowledged its status as the source of cultivation. At one point, it was even synonymous with cultivation itself. While the era where the Nine Great Immortal Palaces existed once claimed “Nine Great Immortal Palaces spanned the world,” what world did they span? Who did they suppress? Not to mention the differences between the immortal technique system and the Dao technique system. How could the two possibly not have contradictions?

Jiang Wang could completely understand the logic within this and felt that Tu Hu’s words were very credible. But he had no thoughts on it. Could he possibly still overthrow the Dao Gate? Jiang Meng Xiong couldn’t do it, the Emperor of Qi had no possibility, how many heads did he have?

“The era of the Nine Great Immortal Palaces is long past,” Jiang Wang deliberately said. “I have indeed learned some things and find them very useful. However, I don’t feel they are very suitable for the present world. As for matters concerning the path of cultivation, time will ultimately provide the answers. And on this path, I am just a babbling toddler…”

Tu Hu smiled and interrupted him. “I don’t require you to avenge the Immortal Palace, what are you so anxious to humble yourself about?”

“But,” the words of this host of the Min He Temple took a turn, “you need to know one thing—you either abandon your Immortal Palace inheritance, or sooner or later, you will feel the pressure of the Dao Gate. They will regard you as a thorn in their eye, a thorn in their flesh. If you are not pulled clean and thoroughly removed, they will not rest!”

“Senior Tu has forgotten? I have long since felt the pressure of the Dao Gate.”

“Is Jing Country the Dao Gate?” Tu Hu looked at him, the shadows around his eyes deep. “Marquis Wu An, I must say, your understanding of politics does not match your identity.”

“You are not wrong, I am indeed ignorant of politics,” Jiang Wang smiled nonchalantly. “But it’s not as if because I learned immortal techniques, the Dao Gate wants to exterminate me, right? There’s no such reason in this world.”

“Many times in this world, there is no reason to speak of,” Tu Hu waved his hand. “I was merely reminding you, there is no other meaning… Time is not early, I should go into meditation. Thank you for your visit, you have allowed me to pass a relatively pleasant half-day.”

The other party ending the conversation so easily, only skimming the surface of the Dao Gate issue, was somewhat unexpected for Jiang Wang. But despite the unexpectedness, his steps were not slow. This conversation had already reached the point of Dao Gate pressure; if it continued, wouldn’t it lead to the contradictions between the states of Jing and Qi?

He quickly rose to take his leave. This time, Tu Hu did not escort him, as it was indeed time for the Golden Crown Priest’s meditation. Walking alone through the main courtyard, passing by the Guang Wen Bell, Jiang Wang couldn’t help but look at it again, though he didn’t see anything different. The reliefs on the bell were vivid, depicting the legendary divine envoy Min Ha Er, riding backward on a white ox, pinching a seal, looking towards the distance, as if also looking over. Jiang Wang averted his gaze.

Upon returning from the Guang Wen Night School, Marquis Jiang closed his door and did not go out, seriously adjusting his state. He cast aside thoughts of the Dried and Withered Courtyard and the Nine Great Immortal Palaces, focusing his mind entirely on preparing for battle. After all, the day after tomorrow was the day he would test his hand against Dou Zhao, and he couldn’t afford to be as casual as he was in welcoming the battle against Zhong Li Yan. His essence, qi, and spirit all needed to be in their most complete state, with not a single hidden injury remaining on his body.

Even when entering the Taixu Illusion Realm multiple times, he only stopped at optimizing his Dao techniques, not initiating a single battle on the Sword Discussion Platform. This was because he had already completely entered the state of dueling with Dou Zhao and didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone else’s fighting style.

Every detail of their exchange of blows within the Mountain Sea Realm, every battle of Dou Zhao on the Guan He Terrace, were repeatedly replayed through the Illusionary Dream Token. This battle, while called a spar, was, for them, who had already made an agreement at God Peak, more of a validation of their own paths.

Both were recognized as absolute Heaven’s Chosen of the world. They had exchanged blows in the Mountain Sea Realm and had also cooperated. Each held regrets regarding the other. Now, crossing the barrier between heaven and man, they would look back and ask: Was that me? Or not me?

The Supreme King Court was bustling and noisy every day. Envoys from various countries socialized, each with their own purpose. Ten thousand li stretched as one horizontal, ten thousand years flowed as one vertical. The great figures who quietly sat before the chessboard calmly wove different schemes. And within it, who could break free, and who could place their pieces?

In this Eagle City, where undercurrents surged, perhaps only Jiang Wang and Dou Zhao were the purest. As envoys from overlord states, representing powerful nations of the world, Jiang Wang had no specific tasks, and Dou Zhao didn’t concern himself with any tasks either. They were here for one battle.

June 24th arrived very quickly, like a song sung with a snap of the fingers. Early that morning, Dou Zhao had someone deliver a handwritten note. It contained only nine characters, stating:

“Midday, Cang Wolf Fighting Field, Green Tooth Platform.”

Just like the battle against Zhong Li Yan before, it was chosen to take place in the same location, even the same arena. Other than the time and location of the duel, there wasn’t an extra word. But Dou Zhao’s madness was fully displayed. I am originally a madman, what need is there for mad words? Only nine characters, written:

“Midday, Cang Wolf Fighting Field, Green Tooth Platform.”

Just like the battle against Zhong Li Yan before, it was chosen to take place in the same location, even the same arena. Other than the time and location of the duel, there was not an extra word. But Dou Zhao’s madness was fully displayed. I am originally a madman, what need is there for mad words?

He wanted to reclaim the victory for the people of Chu Country at the place where Jiang Wang had defeated Zhong Li Yan!

First, set a small goal, such as living one.