Chapter 45 – The Encounter with the Green Demon

Tian Ling floated in the sky, observing the chaos unfolding below. At the border of the Misty Veil Sect, demonic creatures advanced ferociously, led by the Green Demon—a colossal being whose oppressive presence could be felt miles away. The sect's disciples were in a panic, retreating and preparing for an inevitable withdrawal. But Tian Ling was there, ready to intervene.

He narrowed his eyes, focusing on the Green Demon. "Status." With a single mental command, a translucent screen appeared before his eyes, revealing the enemy's information.

[Name: Green Demon

Title: Demon King of the Nine Star Region

Age: 2,132 years

Cultivation: Third Level of the Perfected Soul Realm

Spiritual Root: High Grade

Bloodline: A pet created by a demonic cultivator, abandoned in the Nine Star Region to train. His goal is to dominate the region and make his master proud.

Affinity: He does not know you and is indifferent.]

Tian Ling studied the information carefully. He knew he was up against a formidable opponent, but the revelation of the Green Demon's cultivation level made him frown.

"Third Level of the Perfected Soul Realm... this could be tricky," he muttered, his mind quickly calculating the best strategy.

Before he could ponder further, the Green Demon noticed his presence. His malicious eyes locked onto Tian Ling, floating above like a god of war. A mocking grin stretched across the demon's twisted face.

"A cultivator at the peak of the Spiritual Core Realm? Pathetic," the Green Demon sneered, not even taking Tian Ling seriously.

With a casual motion, the demon raised his hand. A green sword, wrapped in a sinister aura, materialized in his palm. Without a second thought, the Green Demon hurled the sword toward Tian Ling. The strike sliced through the air with brutal force, demonic energy trailing behind it and distorting the atmosphere.

The Green Demon didn't bother watching the impact. To him, a cultivator at the peak of the Spiritual Core Realm was no more than an insect to crush. He turned away, certain that the blow had been enough to eliminate Tian Ling.

But he was gravely mistaken.

Tian Ling smirked to himself as he activated his Heavenly Light Steps. His speed was unmatched. In an instant, he vanished, moving like a bolt of light. The green sword shot through the space where he had been moments before, not even grazing his clothes. What the Green Demon didn't know was that Tian Ling had already planned to use this distraction to his advantage.

Taking full advantage of the demon's arrogance, Tian Ling drew his Severing Sword and, in a blink, appeared behind the Green Demon.

"Heavenly Storm Sword!" he whispered, and his blade surged with crackling lightning, pulsing with the fury of a storm.

The Green Demon, who until that moment had dismissed Tian Ling as insignificant, spun around as he sensed the approaching strike. His eyes widened in shock.

"True Soul Realm?!" he roared, stunned by how badly he had underestimated his opponent. "He was faking weakness... but it won't change anything!" With a desperate motion, the demon raised his arms, conjuring a demonic energy shield to block the devastating blow.

The impact was thunderous. Lightning exploded around the Green Demon, forcing him to retreat several meters. His feet sank into the ground as he struggled to hold his footing, but the force of Tian Ling's attack was overwhelming. The demons following him stared, mouths agape, unable to believe what they were seeing. They instinctively backed away, afraid to get caught in the battle between these two powerhouses.

"Tsk... You thought you could catch me off guard just because I was distracted? You're nothing but—" The Green Demon's words were cut short as Tian Ling appeared before him, moving with impossible speed.

"Heavenly Palm!" Tian Ling shouted, driving his palm into the demon's chest.

"Ahhh!" the Green Demon screamed, his voice booming like thunder. Pain coursed through his soul like a spear piercing his very being. His face twisted in agony as he staggered backward, feeling the depth of the attack down to his essence.

Terror began to flicker in the Green Demon's eyes. "How is this possible? He's just a True Soul Realm cultivator!" He couldn't comprehend the strength he was facing. Each of Tian Ling's strikes felt as though his very soul was being torn apart.

"Who... who are you? How can you be this strong?" the Green Demon stammered, his earlier confidence crumbling.

Tian Ling gave no response. His gaze was cold and merciless. He knew that dragging the fight out would only increase the risk. Suddenly, three swords appeared above his head, each radiating a majestic and distinct aura. Each sword carried overwhelming power, as if the heavens themselves were passing judgment on the demon.

"I didn't think I'd use all three swords this early in a real battle..." Tian Ling murmured to himself. With a smooth motion, he raised his hand and unleashed the first strike.

"First Sword: Sword of Ascension!"

A golden sword, shining as brightly as the sun, shot toward the Green Demon. Horrified by the sheer magnitude of the attack, the demon summoned his Blood Sword, his most precious soul treasure. With a furious roar, he raised it to block the strike.

The clash of swords shook the ground. The power of the Sword of Ascension collided with the Blood Sword, creating an explosion of light and energy that sent the surrounding demons scattering even further. Tian Ling observed closely, his sharp eyes following every move the Green Demon made.

"He managed to block it..." Tian Ling thought, surprised by the durability of the demon's soul treasure. "Soul treasures truly are unlike anything I've faced before."

But Tian Ling wasn't about to let up. He needed to maintain the pressure.

"Second Sword: Eternal Judgment Sword!"

A purple sword, emanating an aura of unwavering judgment, shot toward the Green Demon with blinding speed. The demon, still recovering from the first strike, barely had time to react. He raised his Blood Sword once more, but the force of the Eternal Judgment Sword was overwhelming.

"Damn it!" the Green Demon roared, his hands trembling from the impact. "How can a True Soul Realm cultivator wield such power? This makes no sense!"

Tian Ling began to feel the toll of using the swords.

"The Five Judgment Swords are powerful, but they consume an immense amount of spiritual energy. If this continues, I'll run out of energy before I can finish him." He frowned, knowing he needed to end the fight quickly.

"Third Sword: Void Sword!"

A black sword, darker than the night, appeared in the air. Its presence was suffocating, draining the light around it. The sword shot toward the Green Demon like a bolt of shadow. The demon tried to raise his Blood Sword, but it was futile.

The Void Sword collided with the Blood Sword, and in an instant, it devoured it completely—like a black hole swallowing light.

"No... no!" the Green Demon cried, coughing up blood. His most precious soul treasure had been destroyed, and his power drained drastically. Without his Blood Sword, he knew he was defenseless.

Tian Ling didn't hesitate. With one final motion, he summoned the ultimate strike.

"Five Judgment Swords: Final Judgment!"

The remaining swords swirled around Tian Ling, merging into a colossal blade. As the swords fused, a massive sword, larger than the Green Demon himself, appeared in the sky. Its presence was overwhelming, and the air trembled with the energy it carried.

"No... this can't be happening!" the Green Demon whimpered, terror filling his eyes. "I am the Demon King! I am invincible!"

Tian Ling's voice was cold and final. "Judge him."

With a decisive motion, the colossal sword descended, cleaving the demon's body and soul in one devastating blow.