Greater Demons

Greater Demons . . .

"Antiquity City," Qin Wentian declared, his eyes aflame with curiosity and a hint of determination. The City of Ancient Emperors, with its enigmatic ruins that forbade entry to immortal kings and immortal emperors, was a trove of untold secrets waiting to be unraveled.

When the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord had sent them on this journey, they had encountered a colossal black dragon emerging from the depths of the ocean—a guardian of the City of Ancient Emperors. But the question that nagged at them was, who or what was this guardian protecting? What mysteries lay concealed within?

The heart of this vast expanse was undoubtedly the City of Ancient Emperors, an enduring entity that had persisted across countless generations. Qin Wentian intuited that the city held depths that extended far beyond the surface, secrets that begged to be uncovered. It was a testament to the extraordinary nature of the City of Ancient Emperors itself.

"Should we enter?" Qin Wentian inquired, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Nanfeng Yunxi's response was swift and resolute. "Of course. To stand before Antiquity City, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, is an honor we cannot pass up. The members of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect are likely to enter as well, and the discovery of this place will soon become common knowledge among the city's geniuses. We must seize this chance."

"Agreed," Qin Wentian nodded, his heart brimming with eagerness as he gazed upon the ethereal city above.

The leaf boat surged forward, closing the gap between them and the ancient passageway that led to Antiquity City. This celestial route bore the weight of ancient knowledge, and as Qin Wentian and his companions ventured deeper, they were met with a cascade of heavenly runes suffused with primordial power. Sensing a shift in the energy around them, Qing'er swiftly stowed away the leaf boat, prompting them to continue on foot.

"What's happening?" Qin Wentian queried.

Qing'er's voice was calm as she explained, "This grand passageway appears to be infused with traces of law energy, rendering the use of the leaf boat impossible." They surveyed the passage, which resembled a divine pilgrimage, ascending toward the heavens.

"Let's proceed," Qin Wentian urged, and they stepped onto the passageway. Its surface shimmered with radiant runes, and they felt an otherworldly energy enveloping them. It entered their beings, infusing them with a formless essence of the Great Dao, purging impurities. Qin Wentian sensed a surge of strength coursing through his body, rejuvenating him. His expended astral energy and injuries gradually healed, their auras intensifying.

"This..." Others too recognized the transformative power at play. Even Little Rascal, their loyal companion, appeared invigorated, its eyes glittering with newfound vitality.

"What an incredible force," Qin Wentian marveled. His entire being thrummed with vitality, his strength fully restored.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's members had arrived, their space boat hovering in midair. They gazed upward in stunned disbelief at the celestial marvel before them. Antiquity City, a metropolis suspended in the heavens, radiated an aura worthy of the gods—a divine abode.

On the passageway, Qin Wentian and his companions momentarily halted their progress. Before them, a smaller pathway beckoned, an energy surge cascading downward. Qin Wentian sensed the perilous nature of this route and shielded his comrades. In a hushed tone, he cautioned, "Although this passage restored us to our peak condition earlier, it's unlikely that the journey to Antiquity City will be without peril. Let's exercise utmost caution as we proceed; life-threatening dangers may lie ahead."

His companions nodded, their powerful auras emanating as a protective barrier. They ventured forth with vigilance, Qin Wentian leading the way. Yet, as he took a few steps forward, an overwhelming wave of Great Dao energy descended upon him. His body quaked as calamitous force coursed through him, threatening to shatter his being. A destructive power surged, attempting to corrode his very essence.

"Path of Calamity!" An ancient voice echoed in their minds, instilling a profound sense of foreboding. This, it seemed, was the Path of Calamity—an arduous trial one must overcome to reach Antiquity City.

Qin Wentian's Fiend-God armor shimmered, its runic patterns dancing with ethereal light. The calamitous might continued to bear down upon him, an unrelenting force seeking his annihilation. His very being quivered as the power within his blood surged, a fierce resistance against the impending calamity.

Nanfeng Yunxi, engulfed in flames, manifested phoenix wings and soared into the skies.

Jun Mengchen was encased in emperor-king armor, an unparalleled existence, as he appeared to carry the weight of the heavens upon his shoulders, defying the calamitous force.

Zi Qingxuan radiated with the boundless radiance of her divine falcon, its piercing cries echoing as she emanated a fearsome presence.

Hua Taixu, however, struggled. His body was the least robust among their group. Despite his indomitable will and proficiency in illusion arts, his frail physique rendered him vulnerable to the relentless onslaught of the calamity. He coughed up blood, his struggles evident.

Qin Wentian's concern was palpable as he inquired, "Are you holding up?"

Hua Taixu, despite his condition, met Qin Wentian's gaze with unwavering determination. "I'm fine," he declared. The trials of the samsara world had tempered his will, and he was resolute in his resolve.

"Good," Qin Wentian affirmed, his encouragement unwavering. He pressed on, facing the calamitous force head-on. Even the path leading to Antiquity City posed an unexpected challenge. The relentless destructive power bore down upon them, threatening to shatter their very beings. Qin Wentian, despite his formidable physique, teetered on the brink of disintegration.

"What an astonishing power," Qin Wentian marveled, as they pressed forward. Hua Taixu's condition worsened, his state growing increasingly precarious. Zi Qingxuan followed, her divine falcon's brilliance dimming as her body was marred with wounds. Yet, witnessing Qin Wentian's unwavering determination, a fierce resolve sparked within her, and she grit her teeth, suppressing her pain.

Having journeyed alongside Qin Wentian and Jun Mengchen, Zi Qingxuan had recognized that their companions were extraordinary elites in their own right. Finding herself the weakest among them, she harbored an innate desire to close the gap. She refused to see the disparity widen further and resolved to forge ahead with unwavering determination.

Qing'er, too, bore her share of injuries, despite the lotuses that bloomed around her, providing some respite from the relentless force.

In contrast, Nanfeng Yunxi shone the brightest. Already formidable, her innate defense had reached its limits, and her body threatened to splinter into pieces. Yet, in that moment, an immense power surged within her, enveloping her in a radiant red glow. A phoenix's cry echoed, and her injuries rapidly mended. It was the innate talent of her bloodline—the ability to undergo a nirvanic rebirth.

The Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's experts trailed behind, their numbers vast, but their endurance paled in comparison to Qin Wentian's group. Several among them, after only brief exposure to the calamitous force, chose to retreat, their reluctance evident.

A group of over ten experts, their hesitance palpable, forged onward. Their numbers had dwindled significantly, and they questioned whether they could still defeat Qin Wentian's group with their diminished forces. Yet, the allure of the spectacle before them was irresistible.

Days passed, and Qin Wentian's group continued to endure excruciating pain and agony, their determination unyielding. They clung to consciousness, knowing that fainting would spell certain doom under the relentless calamitous force. Two among the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's experts who dared to venture the Path of Calamity had perished, their deaths serving as stark warnings. The passageway was fraught with peril.

This passageway, however, was merely the entry point to a much grander journey...

After an arduous nine-day journey, Qin Wentian and his companions finally reached the culmination of their path through calamities. Exhausted and battered, Zi Qingxuan even collapsed as soon as they arrived at the end. Hua Taixu, sitting nearby, was on the brink of complete exhaustion, his eyes slowly closing, having persevered through the trials with hardly a breath left.

Yet, at this critical moment, sparkling rays of light descended from the ancient passageway's runes, enveloping Qin Wentian and his companions. Their vitality was not only restored but surged beyond their peak states. The mysterious force within the light circulated through their bodies, fortifying them further. Qin Wentian could feel his physique growing even mightier.

Hua Taixu also gradually regained his strength, and when Zi Qingxuan awoke, they passed through a colossal curtain of light. Instantly, they stood before the gates of a city, one that appeared ancient beyond imagination.

This place exuded an aura of holiness, forbidding any form of disrespect.

Qin Wentian gazed up at the Antiquity City, his heart filled with reverence. An involuntary urge to kneel in worship washed over him—an instinctive reaction to the city's awe-inspiring presence.

Glancing back at the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect experts still enduring the Path of Calamity, Qin Wentian's eyes gleamed with chilling determination. Those who had failed to kill him would soon pay a steep price for their actions.

"These... they're all ancient demons, aren't they?" Nanfeng Yunxi murmured, her eyes fixed on the vivid, lifelike images engraved on the city's walls. These images effortlessly captivated one's attention.

Among the demon images were Taotie, Hundun, Qiongqi, Suanni Lion, and numerous other supreme greater demons, each depicted in a formidable pose, guarding the city's entrance.

Although the gate to Antiquity City stood open, its interior remained concealed. Only an intense surge of energy emanated from within. The consequences of entering remained a mystery, their gravity unknown.

"I'll go in first. The rest of you should wait outside," Qin Wentian suggested.

"No," Qing'er immediately rejected the idea, firmly holding onto Qin Wentian's hand. Her translucent eyes met his, filled with concern for his safety.

"I'm telepathically linked to Little Rascal. Once I enter, he can instantly sense my experiences. You can follow as soon as I ensure there are no life-threatening dangers," Qin Wentian explained. But Qing'er shook her head, her grip on his hand unyielding.

Qin Wentian couldn't help but smile ruefully. In response, Qing'er added, "Wherever you go, I will go."

"Alright, then we'll enter together," Qin Wentian acquiesced, unable to deny her determined insistence. Holding Qing'er's hand, they passed through the enormous gate. In an instant, they felt as though they were traversing across realms. In this new, surreal world, they found themselves surrounded by countless greater demons.

A shrill buzz filled the air as Qin Wentian and Qing'er materialized on a battlefield within this surreal realm. Thunderous roars shook the earth and sky as two formidable greater demons emerged before them. Astonishingly, the Antiquity City was guarded by these fearsome creatures!