## The City of Celestial Demons!

Northward, within the Demon Prefecture, lay the City of Celestial Demons. Around it, countless flat-topped mountains rose in a tangled embrace. From the heavens, one could clearly discern these mountains, interwoven like nine colossal dragons coiled about the city.

Where the heads of these nine dragon-mountains converged, there dwelled a fathomless, shadowed pool known as the Dragon’s Maw.

For eons, this Maw had served as the spiritual heart of the Demon Prefecture, for within its depths stood the ancient Temple of the Old Gods!

Guardians clad in heavy armor stood vigil around the Dragon’s Maw, their eyes ever watchful.

Before the Maw, at the very cusp of the nine dragon-heads, lay the City of Celestial Demons itself.

This city, to be precise, was a composite of nine citadels, each rivaling the Old God City in size. These were arranged in the pattern of the Eight Trigrams, with the central citadel serving as the Imperial Capital!

A river encircled the Imperial Capital, crossed by eight stone bridges that linked it to the outer eight cities. Within the Imperial Capital lay the Demon Emperor’s palace, a labyrinth of towers and pavilions adorned with jade and intricate carvings. The outer eight cities, each with its own distinct character, were too numerous to describe in detail.

As dawn broke, the entire City of Celestial Demons was shrouded in a thin, ethereal mist. This mist, exhaled from the Nine Dragon Mountains, was revered by the Demon Emperor as “Dragon Breath,” for it was believed that breathing it could enhance one’s cultivation.

The city, like a slumbering titan, slowly stirred as the morning mist dissipated, the clamor of the early risers gradually awakening the behemoth from its slumber.

Beyond the city walls, eighteen teleportation arrays stood sentinel, each guarded year-round by demonic soldiers. Of these, eight were for public use, catering to merchants and travelers from across the land.

The remaining ten were reserved for those with official duties, a clear demarcation of rank and privilege.

The fourteenth array was dedicated to the arrival of Demon Generals returning to the capital. Each activation heralded the arrival of a powerful commander!

Demon Generals were mighty figures within the Demon Prefecture, wielding formidable armies and possessing awe-inspiring abilities.

Near the fourteenth teleportation array, amongst the demonic soldiers guarding it, stood one whose armor bore noticeably more intricate patterns than the others.

He stretched his shoulders, set his weapon aside, removed his helmet, and sat wearily on the ground. Turning to the surrounding soldiers, he called out, “Two-Dog, come give me a shoulder rub.” As soon as the words left his lips, a nimble young soldier emerged from the ranks. With a quick grin, he positioned himself behind the captain and began to knead his shoulders, asking, “Is this pressure alright, Captain?”

“Hmm, not bad. Of all you pups, you’ve got the best touch,” the captain grunted in satisfaction.

“Captain,” Two-Dog ventured, “this teleportation array we guard rarely sees any activity, maybe once a month. Why has it been so busy lately? I saw many Demon Generals arriving in such haste.” This question had lingered in his mind for a long time.

“Alright, alright. I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll tell you,” the captain relented. At his words, the other soldiers surrounding him perked up, eager to learn the truth.

“You are all new recruits, within the last century, so it’s no wonder you don’t know. Every three hundred years, the Demon Generals engage in a Grand Tournament. His Imperial Majesty himself attends and bestows rewards upon the victors, be it techniques or demon treasures! Normally, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but this time is different!”

“Two centuries ago, the battle with the Fire Demon Prefecture was devastating. Both sides suffered heavy losses, and we lost two Deputy Marshals! So, it is said that this year’s tournament will choose two new Deputy Marshals from among the contestants!”

The surrounding soldiers gasped, their eyes wide with shock.

A Demon General and a Deputy Marshal might only be separated by a half-rank, but that half-rank was an insurmountable chasm! For countless years, the Demon Prefecture had only eight Marshals! Even Deputy Marshals numbered only eight! But Demon Generals… there were hundreds!

A Deputy Marshal was not merely an aide to the Marshal, but their heir apparent. Only a Deputy Marshal could challenge the Marshal and claim the seat of power!

In the Demon Prefecture, when a Marshal fell, their Deputy would immediately rise to take their place!

Therefore, the first step to becoming a Marshal was to become a Deputy Marshal!

Seeing the soldiers’ astonishment, the captain puffed out his chest, preening. He cleared his throat and continued, “Therefore, these Demon Generals, who usually hold themselves so high, are taking this year’s tournament very seriously. Those who were not planning to participate are now here, itching for a fight!

“This fourteenth array is exclusively for Demon Generals, so that is why it has been so busy!”

The soldier still massaging his shoulders asked quietly, “Captain, who do you think will win this year?”

“That is hard to say. Anyone who can be called a Demon General has great power, but even power has degrees. If you ask me, Mo Fei, who is stationed at the border of the Fire Demon Prefecture, should make it to the top three! And there is also Mo Lihai from the Old God City. His cultivation is also among the highest in the Demon General ranks…” The captain was interrupted mid-sentence as his expression changed. He shot to his feet, his helmet flying off only to be snatched mid-air and placed back on his head. His right hand clenched, summoning his weapon from the ground.

All of this he did in an instant.

His soldiers were well-accustomed to their captain’s swift actions. Without a word of command, they stood straight, eyes fixed.

At that moment, rings of light exploded within the teleportation array, waves of powerful demon energy swirling outwards. In the center of the light, two figures materialized, and they stepped forward, emerging from the array at the same time.

Mo Lihai gazed at the Imperial Capital and took a deep breath, smiling at his companion.

“Brother Wang, it has been thirty years since I have returned to the capital!”

Wang Lin looked at the towering city before him, as grand as he expected for the capital of the Demon Prefecture!

“Greetings, General Mo!” As soon as the two men emerged from the array, the numerous soldiers outside saluted.

Mo Lihai nodded and smiled to Wang Lin, “Brother Wang, please!”

With that, he strode toward the west gate of the Imperial Capital, Wang Lin following close behind as the two men disappeared in the distance.
After the pair departed, the city gate captain released a held breath. The soldier beside him, seasoned in recognizing rank, murmured, “Captain, who was that man beside Lord Demon General? We’ve seen several Demon Generals bringing strangers through the portal lately.”

The captain glared at the soldier and hissed, “The Grand Tournament of Demon Generals is upon us, and the Lords are taking it most seriously. They seek allies, and this one must possess unique talents to be favored by Lord Mo! Hold your idle speculation!”

His gaze followed the path where Wang Lin and Mo Lihai had vanished, his thoughts swirling. “To be acknowledged by Mo Lihai, to be granted passage through the restricted portal… this one is no ordinary soul! And judging by their interaction, Mo Lihai showed him great deference. His cultivation must be considerable!”

At the Western Gate of the Sky Demon City, Mo Lihai’s status as a Demon General commanded immediate respect. The gate guards bowed deeply as they ushered him and Wang Lin into the city, only straightening their backs once the pair were well within the walls.

“Brother Wang,” Mo Lihai said, turning to his companion with earnestness, “within Sky Demon City, the currents of power run deep and treacherous. Especially now, with Demon Generals arriving from the outer realms and courtly factions vying for influence, I urge you to consider dwelling within my manor rather than seeking lodgings elsewhere.”

Within the grand expanse of Sky Demon City, twin axes split its domain. One, the Citadel of Mysteries, and the other, the Ramparts of the Flood.

“Sky Demon City boasts eight outer citadels, each a ring around the inner sanctum,” Mo Lihai explained. “The Citadel of Heaven, Earth, Governance, and Mind form the inner ring, while Universe, Flood, Spear, and Wasteland comprise the outer. Within the inner citadels dwell the scribes and administrators, while the outer are the domain of the warriors. And within each, rank dictates all. My own abode lies within the Ramparts of the Flood!”

Wang Lin considered this for a moment, then nodded. “I shall follow your counsel, brother Mo.”

Mo Lihai smiled, giving Wang Lin a slight bow of acknowledgement before striding forward. After a hundred paces, the road forked, two broad avenues stretching into the distance. The left led to the Citadel of Mysteries, the right to the Ramparts of the Flood.

Under Mo Lihai’s guidance, Wang Lin proceeded onwards. The Ramparts of the Flood pulsed with vibrant life, a bustling tapestry of shops and inhabitants. The streets teemed with a constant flow of people, a symphony of motion and sound.

Though the avenue was wide, the throngs hugged the edges, leaving a third of the road completely empty. One could stand there and see, unimpeded, to the very horizon.

“This is the War Path,” Mo Lihai explained with a smile, noticing Wang Lin’s curious gaze. “Common folk are forbidden to tread here.”

Just then, the distant thunder of hooves echoed down the War Path. Soon, a squadron of black steeds galloped towards them. Wang Lin’s spiritual sense swept over them, revealing nineteen mounted warriors clad in obsidian armor. Each warrior possessed cultivation not inferior to a nascent deity, their demonic energies interwoven in a strange and potent harmony.

Above them, a swirling miasma of demonic power hinted at the monstrous forms they could unleash.

The nineteen riders thundered towards Wang Lin and Mo Lihai. Wang Lin glanced at Mo Lihai, noting the solemn expression, yet also the hint of amusement playing around the corners of his lips.

The squadron halted a mere few dozen feet away, and with a single, synchronized movement, the warriors dismounted and knelt on one knee. Their voices boomed across the plaza. “Your humble subordinates salute our Lord General!”

Mo Lihai laughed, waving a dismissive hand. “Rise, all of you. This is my esteemed friend, General Wang. Henceforth, you shall treat him as you would treat me!”

Without hesitation, the nineteen turned their kneeling forms towards Wang Lin, their voices ringing with the authority of seasoned warriors. “We salute General Wang!”

Wang Lin inclined his head in acknowledgement.

The spectacle and the reverberating voices immediately drew the attention of the surrounding populace, who recoiled in astonishment and hastily retreated.

“Brother Wang, let us hasten to my manor! I have ordered fine wine to be prepared. What say you to an evening of camaraderie and revelry?” Mo Lihai leapt nimbly onto the back of one of the black steeds.

“Is it truly fine wine?” Wang Lin asked with a smile, matching Mo Lihai’s movement and landing lightly on the back of another steed.

“The finest!” Mo Lihai and Wang Lin exchanged a knowing glance, then burst into laughter. They spurred their mounts forward, riding neck and neck, while the nineteen warriors and their seventeen remaining steeds thundered behind them.

The war party surged down the War Path, the wind whipping past them. Suddenly, the pounding of hooves echoed from ahead, and Mo Lihai’s face darkened. His own steed, however, only accelerated its pace.

Wang Lin’s eyes narrowed. He recognized a familiar face.