Chapter 38: The Overbearing Demon Clan

"Why sigh, fellow Daoist? If the Demon Tribe comes, we shall fight them to the death. At worst, it is merely the dissipation of our bodies and souls," Daoist Xuan Shui said with firm resolve.

Daoist Tian Huo, who was always hot-tempered and often at odds with Daoist Xuan Shui due to their differing paths, uncharacteristically did not oppose him this time. Instead, he stated firmly, "I, too, am willing to live and die with the Immortal Court."

True Person Ling Gui said nothing more, simply stepping forward silently to stand beside the Duke of the East.

The Duke of the East looked at these three companions—each with a temperament as different as could be, yet all choosing to stay and face the Heavenly Court by his side—and a wave of bitterness washed over him. His lips moved, wanting to say something, but the words would not come.

Seeing this, True Person Ling Gui knew the Duke wanted to urge them to leave. Since the Demon Tribe was being led personally by Di Jun and Tai Yi, there was no chance the pair would let the Duke of the East go. However, the Demon Tribe still needed to contend with the Sorcerer Tribe and was short on manpower; since all three were Quasi-Sages, if they chose to surrender, Di Jun would certainly not exterminate them and would likely welcome their allegiance. Even if they were unwilling to join, they could simply abandon the Immortal Court and live in seclusion, and there was a high probability that Di Jun would not hinder their departure.

Both True Person Ling Gui and the others understood this, yet they remained steadfast in the Immortal Court.

Seeing their unwavering commitment, the Duke of the East smiled, the long-standing gloom in his heart swept away. No longer feigning composure, he laughed aloud: "Haha! To have known the three of you is a life well-lived. What does it matter what the Demon Tribe does? As long as we are together, what is death to fear!"

A few days later, crimson clouds descended over the East Sea, making half the sky appear as if ignited by flames. Moments later, the relentless sound of war drums echoed from within the clouds.

The Duke of the East took a deep breath and looked up at the red clouds. The dense demonic aura and the scorching heat of the True Sun Fire were already clearly palpable on Mount Penglai.

"Fellow Daoist Xuan Shui, gather the entire army of the Immortal Court at once! Prepare to meet the enemy!"

Following the command, Daoist Xuan Shui immediately turned and hurried into the depths of Mount Penglai. At this moment, as the demon army descended, all previous anxiety and panic vanished. The Duke of the East had only one conviction: even if his Immortal Court were to be destroyed, he would make the Demon Tribe pay the price!

"Come, Di Jun! Tai Yi! Let me see what greatness your Demon Tribe truly possesses!"

Thinking this, two beams of divine light shot from the Duke of the East’s eyes, piercing through the clouds stained red by the True Sun Fire. His majestic voice resonated across the heavens: "Since you have come, Di Jun, why not show yourself?"

At this moment, even in the presence of Di Jun, the Duke of the East did not lose his regal bearing; he looked quite imposing.

As his voice faded, the clouds in the sky gradually dispersed, revealing the seemingly endless demon army. The demonic aura was terrifying, condensing into a near-tangible force that blotted out the sun!

The Immortal Court's army had also finished gathering. Aside from those who had already fled, the remaining troops stood behind the Duke. The spiritual energy surging from them was enough to vaguely contend with the Heavenly Court, living up to the name of the third-largest power in the Primordial World.

A figure clad in golden battle armor emerged from the clouds. With his hands behind his back, he looked down at the Duke of the East; it was the Demon Emperor, Di Jun.

Di Jun spoke slowly, his voice—overbearing and filled with the pressure of an emperor—spreading across the entirety of Mount Penglai, exploding in the Duke’s ears like thunder: "Duke of the East, you wished to see me, and so I have come. What do you have to say?"

"Why does your Demon Tribe dare to invade my Immortal Court?"

"Duke of the East, the Dao Ancestor appointed you as the head of all male immortals to protect all living beings. Yet, you have acted against the heavens, brought chaos to the world, and fallen into the path of evil. Today, our Heavenly Court acts to eliminate this evil and restore clarity to the world. Will you not surrender at once?" said Bai Ze, standing beside Di Jun.

The Duke of the East laughed heartily, his tone dripping with mockery: "Who in the Primordial World does not know the heart of your Demon Tribe? Why bother with such lame excuses that only invite laughter?"

As soon as he finished, the hot-tempered Daoist Tian Huo shouted at Di Jun: "Di Jun! The Duke is the head of all male immortals appointed by the Dao Ancestor! Do you dare to defy the Dao Ancestor's decree by attacking him? Do you not fear the Dao Ancestor's retribution?"

Di Jun sneered. "I would naturally never dare to defy the Dao Ancestor’s will. But as the Demon Commander Bai Ze just stated, the Duke has acted against the heavens. If the Dao Ancestor knew of these deeds, he would surely be disappointed. As the Dao Ancestor has merged with the Heavenly Dao and cannot attend to this, I, as the Lord of the Heavenly Court, cannot stand idly by. That is why I have brought my troops to remove you as a scourge for the world and for the Dao Ancestor!"

Daoist Tian Huo trembled with rage. Di Jun was truly shameless to twist the truth so blatantly.

"To think the dignified Demon Emperor is this despicable! Die!" In a fit of fury, ignoring the gap in strength, Daoist Tian Huo launched an attack. Flames erupted from his fists, fueled by his cultivation into a golden-yellow streak of light, striking straight at Di Jun.

Daoist Tian Huo, born from a wisp of heavenly fire in the Immortal Volcano, was a master of fire-based supernatural powers. Wherever those golden flames passed, even space itself seemed to churn and boil.

Seeing the enraged Daoist, a cold glint flashed in Di Jun’s eyes. As a Demon Emperor, he was not someone a fledgling Quasi-Sage could provoke. Those who attacked him had to be prepared for the dissipation of their souls.

Just as the fists were about to strike, the True Sun Fire surrounding Di Jun gathered into a wall of fire before him. The flaming fists of Daoist Tian Huo struck the wall and could not advance an inch.

"How is this possible!" Daoist Tian Huo’s face turned to horror. He could clearly feel that his pride-and-joy flames were not only failing to harm Di Jun but were being dissolved upon contact with the wall.

Before he could react, a tyrannical fire wave erupted from Di Jun, far more fierce and powerful than anything the Daoist could muster. The flames climbed from his fists and engulfed him, causing him to burn violently.

Daoist Tian Huo wailed in agony; since gaining consciousness, he had never known the pain of being scorched by fire.

Seeing the master of fire-based arts about to perish, the Duke of the East roared and charged into the sky, swinging his dragon-headed staff at Di Jun.

Tai Yi, standing by Di Jun, flipped his right hand, and a small bell appeared. He cast the Chaos Bell forward.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

With three strikes, the Chaos Bell spun and grew to the size of a man, blocking the Duke’s path in an instant.

*Clang!*

The Duke, in his rage, struck the bell with his staff. However, the Chaos Bell remained unmoved, and the Duke was sent flying back by the recoil.

The sound of the bell seemed to toll for the funeral of Daoist Tian Huo, for in that brief instant, he had been reduced to ashes by the True Sun Fire.