Deep underground Eastcalm Prefecture, on the other side of the distorted region.
Obstreperous demons gathered here. In front of the demon army was a group of demon monarchs. Their auras were different as they looked respectfully at a stocky demon monarch who was about 50 feet tall. This stocky demon king was Mountain Lord Nine Convocation—who commanded a region spanning 250 kilometers. He had over ten demon monarchs and over a hundred thousand demons under his command. His fame was widespread.
The gray-robed man walked out from the distorted region and respectfully came before Mountain Lord Nine Convocation. “Mountain Lord, on the other side of the World Entrance is the Great Zhou Dynasty’s Wu State’s Eastcalm Prefecture City.”
“Eastcalm Prefecture City?” The towering, muscular Mountain Lord Nine Convocation had a gaping mouth and an ugly look on his face. He spoke with a booming voice. “A mere prefecture city wouldn’t be a problem for an invasion.”
Immediately, the eyes of the demon monarchs around him filled with ardor. A prefecture city didn’t pose a tremendous threat.
“This World Entrance is too small.” Mountain Lord Nine Convocation looked down. “It only allows entry to second Firmament demon monarchs.”
“Demon Monarch Ape, Demon Monarch Domineering Roar, Demon Monarch Poison Pool,” said Mountain Lord Nine Convocation.
“Present.” Immediately, the pole-wielding, black-furred Ape, the black mist-enveloped Poison Pool, and Domineering Roar—who was a hundred-feet tall—bowed respectfully.
“The three of you are rather powerful second Firmament demon monarchs.” Mountain Lord Nine Convocation’s gaze landed on a white-haired leopard demon monarch. “Whitesink, you should be able to break through to the third Firmament, right?”
“I still need a few days of preparation,” said the white-furred leopard demon monarch respectfully.
Mountain Lord Nine Convocation flipped his hand. A black bottle appeared, and he threw it at Whitesink.
Demon Monarch Whitesink received it reverently; his eyes lit up when he saw the contents.
“This is a snake blood crystal I obtained when killing that poisonous snake in the north. With your preparations, you will immediately enter the third Firmament upon consuming it,” said Mountain Lord Nine Convocation. “Consume it after you enter the human world. After killing the Godfiends in Eastcalm Prefecture, head to the nearest Qinyang Pass. We will also attack from the outside in concert with you. Even if we can’t storm Qinyang Pass, you will be able to retreat to the Demon Realm.”
The unstable World Entrance only allowed a second Firmament demon monarch to enter and exit.
Once he broke through, Demon Monarch Whitesink wouldn’t be able to return through the unstable World Entrance. The closest return point was through Qinyang Pass.
“Yes,” replied Whitesink reverently.
“Demon Monarch Whitesink, lead Ape, Domineering Roar, and Poison Pool to flatten Eastcalm Prefecture,” said Mountain Lord Nine Convocation.
“Yes.” The four demon monarchs replied respectfully.
Although Mountain Lord Nine Convocation had more than ten demon monarchs under his command, most of them were first Firmament demon monarchs! First Firmament demon monarchs were newly promoted demon monarchs with weak foundations. As long as they cultivated for some time, they had a chance of reaching the second Firmament.
Therefore, the demons wouldn’t let first Firmament demon monarchs take the lead in battle. First Firmament demon monarchs still had great potential. On the contrary, second Firmament demon monarchs were the main force! This was because the vast majority of demon monarchs stopped at the second Firmament. Reaching the third Firmament? It was very difficult. As for cultivating to Mountain Lord Nine Convocation’s level, the difficulty didn’t need elaboration.
“The four of you will lead a total of 18,000-strong troops. Set off now,” instructed Mountain Lord Nine Convocation.
The four demon monarchs immediately turned to look at the demon army behind them.
Mountain Lord Nine Convocation had taken a few hours to summon these 18,000 demons, the maximum he could muster at such short notice. Although he commanded more than a hundred thousand demons, they were scattered across the 250-kilometer region.
In addition, Mountain Lord Nine Convocation had to be careful. The Eastcalm Prefecture was an ordinary human city, but if a powerful human Godfiend happened to pass by, no matter how many subordinates he sent, he would be sending them to their deaths! An army consisting of four demon monarchs and nearly one-score thousand demons was very suitable. Under normal circumstances, such a force was enough to flatten Eastcalm Prefecture. Even if they were wiped out due to unexpected situations, it didn’t significantly weaken their strength.
“Set off.” Demon Monarch Whitesink gave the order.
The four demon monarchs were the first to charge into the distorted region. The largest demon monarch—Domineering Roar—shrank to 30-feet high and passed through the World Entrance. Following them were 18 commanders of the demon army, over 100 lieutenant commanders, over 1000 ordinary greater demons, and more than 10000 lesser demons.
The World Entrance was of limited size. To have such a huge army pass through required ten minutes.
...
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Demon Monarch Whitesink led Demon Monarchs Ape, Domineering Roar, and Poison Pool to the surface. Without any hesitation, Demon Monarch Whitesink swallowed the blood crystal in the black bottle. His entire body reddened instantly as his aura expanded rapidly. As for Domineering Roar, he reverted to his original size—a height over 100 feet. He was even taller than the most luxurious restaurant in Eastcalm Prefecture.
“Human Godfiends are in that direction.” Whitesink pointed into the distance. “Charge.”
Domineering Roar grinned. “Kill the Godfiends, then flatten Eastcalm Prefecture. Kill all the humans. Leave no one alive.”
“Let’s go.” The four demon monarchs immediately flew towards Jadesun Palace.
Ape transformed into a black beam of light, being the fastest and most agile. Poison Pool’s entire body turned into a black fog that floated over the roofs. As for Domineering Roar, he took large strides, causing the land to quake. Every step he took crushed the houses beneath as his towering hundred-foot-tall figure rushed forward. And in the blink of an eye, Whitesink—who had broken through to the third Firmament—released his demonic aura. He was the most domineering. Even the towering Domineering Roar paled in comparison.
“Split up according to your respective squads and kill all the humans.” A large number of demons followed behind closely before scattering and moved out with their respective squads.
Every squad had a lieutenant commander, ten greater demons, and ninety lesser demons.
To be a demon lieutenant commander, they had to be able to release their demonic aura! There were even some lieutenant commanders who had already condensed their demon cores.
“Humans.”
“Puny humans.”
These demons quickly dispersed and began attacking the humans they encountered on the way.
“Seek out the eight Dao Academies in Eastcalm Prefecture and kill the disciples. They are of priority.” A large group of demons began to head to the eight Dao Academies’ positions. They had long obtained a map of Eastcalm Prefecture and knew their locations.
Dao Academies were the hope of a city! The youths and geniuses that came out of the Dao Academies were possible future Godfiends.
When it came to killing humans, demons would attack the Dao Academies first! Slaying all the disciples in the Dao Academies wiped out an entire generation for ten years.
...
“They’re here.”
Palace Lord Jadesun sensed the unconcealed demonic auras. Yun Wanhai wore a solemn expression as Fairy Meng slammed her walking stick on the ground. Invisible waves rippled out as she probed a radius of five kilometers with a thought. What Fairy Meng saw made her face distort uglily. She said, “There are four demon monarchs in total. One of them is a third Firmament demon monarch. The rest are second Firmament demon monarchs.”
“What?” Yun Wanhai’s expression changed. “The unstable World Entrance actually allowed a third Firmament demon monarch to pass through?”
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Suddenly, a bell rang out within the Jadesun Palace. Several Seamless realm experts were striking the bells with hammers repeatedly. The bell-ringing spread throughout the entire city.
In Eastcalm Prefecture City, where many hawkers had set up stalls, everyone—pedestrians, people at home who were cooking breakfast, and disciples who had begun cultivating in the Dao Academies—was stunned when they heard the bells. Their expressions changed. All of the hawkers ran as fast as they could, ignoring their stalls. The pedestrians also ran.
“Quick, hide!”
“Quick!”
Every region had deep tunnels. Over 100 people of all ages and gender ran towards the tunnels.
“Stay here. Don’t come out,” a man and his wife said.
“Dad, Dad...” their daughter shouted.
“Daddy has to fight the demons.” The man smiled as he held his spear and rushed out.
Decree when encountering demons:
Everyone below the Marrow Cleansing realm shall hide in the tunnels.
Those at the Marrow Cleansing realm and above—regardless of gender or age—have to fight the demons.
Reaching the Marrow Cleansing realm means one will serve the military when they are twenty. Most of the men and women who fight have experience battling demons.
...
At Mirror Lake Meng Manor, Meng Chuan had been cultivating his Saber Drawing Stance when he suddenly heard the bells ringing. The guards who had been helping him stopped, while Meng Chuan’s expression changed.
These bells... At this level of urgency... He had heard them once when he was six years old.
“Assemble, head to the nearest Dao Academy,” the guards in the manor immediately shouted. They were veterans. Their peaceful lives in the city hadn’t worn away their fighting spirit. They had long gotten used to this due to their five years of military service. When they encountered demons, it was a fight to the death! Everyone had to fight to the death!
At this moment, the entire Eastcalm Prefecture would become a battlefield. Anyone at or above the Marrow Cleansing realm had to take up arms!