The Demonic Heaven Sect’s Fierce Assault – The Killing Begins

"You little brat... are you feeling alright? Are you running a fever? Why are you spouting such nonsense?"

When Lin Batian heard Lin Yang's words, his cheerful expression vanished in an instant. Alarmed, he rushed over and pressed a hand to Lin Yang's forehead. But everything seemed normal. Why, then, would his nephew suddenly say such outrageous things?

"Uncle, I'm perfectly fine. I'm not talking nonsense. Every word I've said comes from the heart."

"I will not accept the marriage arranged by the Emperor, nor will I continue serving as the Major General of the Yongyao Dynasty. When I return to the Imperial Capital, I will personally explain this to the Emperor."

Seeing that his second uncle didn't believe him, Lin Yang's tone grew more serious, his expression unshakably firm.

Lin Batian finally realized that his nephew wasn't joking. But he couldn't understand it. Lin Yang was on the verge of achieving power, status, and a beautiful marriage—everything one could dream of. Why would he suddenly throw it all away?

"Can you at least tell me why?" Lin Batian asked with a sigh, his face a mix of confusion and concern.

"I'm tired. I just want to spend more time with Qingyao, you, and Grandpa," Lin Yang replied without hesitation.

"That's it?" Lin Batian was dumbfounded.

"Isn't that enough?"

"'The tree may long for stillness, but the wind will not cease; the son may wish to care for his parents, but they may no longer be there.' I don't want to chase glory only to be left with regrets."

Lin Yang looked at Lin Batian with unwavering determination, then leaped onto the back of a large yellow ox and began slowly making his way to the front of the army.

"Wait, you're a great general, the young marquis of the Lin family! What kind of image is this, riding a shabby ox instead of a majestic warhorse?" Lin Batian protested, his frustration evident. He couldn't understand why, after the assassination attempt, his nephew's tastes had become so... peculiar.

"Moo!"

The yellow ox snorted indignantly, puffing out heavy breaths through its nostrils.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

In a fit of anger, the ox kicked out, sending several massive boulders—each weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds—flying into the distance, where they shattered into dust.

Lin Batian and the Divine Guards stared in stunned silence, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads. To destroy boulders of that size with a single kick—this ox had to be at least a Golden Core Stage demon beast, and one at the peak of its power at that.

In the Tianhuang Continent, cultivation realms were divided into Qi Training, Foundation Building, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Out-of-Body, Spirit Separation, Fusion, Tribulation Crossing, Immortality, Evanescence, and Mahayana. Each major realm was further divided into nine minor stages.

Who could have imagined that this unassuming, shabby-looking ox was at least a ninth-level Golden Core Stage demon beast? It was more shocking than mistaking your twin sisters-in-law for your wife on Valentine's Day.

"Uncle, what do you think of my big yellow ox? Not bad, right?" Lin Yang turned around with a smile, clearly enjoying everyone's stunned reactions.

"It's... impressive. You look quite dashing riding it," Lin Batian replied with an awkward smile. He wasn't just saying that out of fear that the ox might charge at him in a fit of rage. No, he genuinely thought the ox was... unique. Look at those big, soulful eyes and that glossy coat—it was a marvel of nature. Truly, there was no other ox like it in the world.

The ox seemed pleased by the admiration and respect it received. With Lin Yang on its back, it proudly led the army of over 100,000 soldiers. It was a sight to behold.

If they had ridden at full speed, it would have taken only three days to return to Tianqi City, the capital of the Yongyao Dynasty, from the northern battlefield. However, because it was a march—and because Lin Yang had ordered the army to rest for a day along the way—the journey stretched to seven days.

By the time the army returned, Lin Yang's name as the "God of War" had spread like wildfire across every corner of the Yongyao Dynasty. Even neighboring dynasties, which had long held grudges against the Yongyao, trembled at the mere mention of his name.

After this battle, Lin Yang had become a figure of worship and reverence for countless people in the secular world. His fame even caught the attention of powerful figures within the sects.

On the fourth day of the march, Lin Yang ordered the army to halt and rest. He rose at dawn, gazing at the morning light breaking over the horizon. A flicker of nostalgia crossed his eyes.

"In my past life, it was on this day that the elder of the Demonic Heaven Sect attacked and killed me."

"Back then, my cultivation was weak, and I had only just transmigrated. If not for my second uncle's desperate sacrifice and Qingyao taking the fatal blow for me, I would have died that day."

Lin Yang could still vividly recall the tragic scene: his second uncle giving his life to protect him, fighting to the death alongside the Divine Guards against the Demonic Heaven Sect's elders. He would never forget how his sister, Lin Qingyao, had resolutely stepped in front of him, taking a deadly strike that left her bedridden for three years. If not for the awakening of her Supreme Bone later, she might never have walked again.

"I only wanted to live a quiet life, but you forced my hand. You hurt my family. You left me no choice."

"Very well. Today, I'll kill the three elders. After I annul the marriage and resign as general, I'll destroy the Demonic Heaven Sect and wipe your entire clan from existence!"

Lin Yang's voice was icy, his calm demeanor belying the storm of fury within. Those who knew him well would recognize this as the rage of the Nine Nether Demon Emperor—a quiet, soul-deep anger that promised devastation.

When the Demon Emperor is angered, millions perish. Who in the world would not tremble in fear?

"Brother Lin Yang..."

At that moment, a slender, lively girl in a light blue dress emerged from the military camp. Her two ponytails bounced as she ran, a cheerful smile lighting up her face. She darted over like a sprite, taking his hand.

"You little thing, it's windy this morning. Go back and rest for a while," Lin Yang said, his heart softening at the sight of his sister. He gently ruffled her hair and wrapped his cloak around her to shield her from the chill.

"No, Yao'er isn't lazy! I want to watch the sunrise with you," Lin Qingyao protested, nestling her head against his leg and sticking out her tongue playfully.

"The wound on your hand hasn't healed yet. Once you're better, I'll watch the sunrise with you every day, okay?" Lin Yang crouched down, tapping her nose with a finger, his tone serious.

This girl had cut her own hand on the battlefield, using her Supreme Blood to save his life. Lin Yang was still deeply concerned about her injury.

"Hehe, then let Yao'er show you a magic trick, Brother Lin Yang," the little girl said, her big eyes sparkling. She held out her hands, revealing smooth, unblemished skin—not a single scar in sight.

"You're healed?" Lin Yang was stunned. Logically, her Supreme Bone hadn't awakened yet, so her recovery shouldn't be this fast. In his past life, that injury had left her bedridden for three years...

"Yao'er has a secret. It was the big yellow ox that healed me. Isn't it amazing?" she whispered, leaning close to his ear.

"Truly amazing," Lin Yang murmured. If the big yellow ox was involved, it wasn't so surprising. The ox's origins were mysterious, and even at his peak, Lin Yang hadn't been able to fully comprehend its power. Healing a minor injury would be child's play for it.

But just as he was about to take his sister to watch the sunrise, he sensed three terrifying auras rapidly approaching from a thousand miles away...

"Yao'er, be a good girl. Go back and have some porridge. I'll join you soon to watch the sunrise, okay?" Lin Yang said softly, patting her head.

Though his current cultivation was only at the Foundation Building Stage, his soul had once reached the peak of the Immortal Emperor. Even after his self-immolation, his spiritual senses remained sharp. Detecting threats from thousands of miles away was no challenge.

"Okay, but you have to promise!" Lin Qingyao said, linking her pinky finger with his before skipping back to the tent.

As his sister disappeared from view, Lin Yang's expression turned cold.

"It's time... The killing begins."