Chapter 127: Imperial Demon City

"That's Rong E of the Ruthless Sect," Zuo Lie said, his voice grave as he opened his eyes, his expression solemn.

Han Yi swiftly recalled the Ruthless Sect's profile, instantly understanding their position.

The Ruthless Sect was a sect from Qian Prefecture, unlike powerhouses like the White Jade Tower, which boasted a Nascent Soul Stage expert. Instead, they were similar to the Profound Pill Sect and Blood God Sect, where the strongest members only reached the Golden Core Stage.

"Rong E of the Ruthless Sect," Han Yi murmured, committing his face and name to memory.

Thanks to their journey by Immortal Boat, Han Yi and Zuo Lie had arrived relatively quickly. As they settled in, cultivators began trickling into the surrounding mountains and forests, some traveling alone, others in groups.

The number of Legendary Qi Refining cultivators steadily increased. Through Zuo Lie's introductions, Han Yi became acquainted with more and more cultivators, particularly those of Legendary status.

A month later...

The dense mountain forests stretched endlessly to the horizon. From the Imperial Demon City deep within the mountains, occasional demonic roars shook the landscape, scattering birds and beasts.

Ten people, a hundred...

Han Yi sensed over a hundred cultivators within his perception range. Beyond that, extending in both directions, countless others lay hidden—some meditating, some standing motionless, some newly arrived. Each cultivator suppressed their aura, fearful of startling their prey.

Everyone knew—not just the humans, but even the demons within Imperial Demon City—that an epoch-defining battle was about to begin.

The Twelve Branches of the Demon Race had been summoned and had gathered here.

At that moment, a beam of light shot skyward from Imperial Demon City. The beam pulsed violently, its colors shifting as it pierced through the mountains and clouds, soaring straight into the heavens.

"The Grand Void Light Pillar has appeared!"

"The Jade Capital Grand Void Token!"

"We've finally waited for this moment!"

"Kill!"

Simultaneously, on a cliffside, eight cultivators unleashed their auras in a thunderous burst. The mountain mists churned, and the wind, momentarily stilled, suddenly roared with renewed ferocity.

Han Yi stared in awe, his heart pounding. All eight cultivators were Legendary Qi Refining experts, and one of them was the sword-dragging girl he had met in the Cang Tribe—the Holy Maiden of Jade Capital Mountain.

The Holy Maiden was petite, yet she dragged behind her a terrifying silver greatsword that seemed weightless. Wherever the blade passed, the hardened earth silently cracked like tofu.

"The Legendaries of Jade Capital Mountain," someone whispered.

"It begins," another voice added.

Zuo Lie stood up, his face flushed with excitement.

"Are all eight of them...?" Han Yi asked, his voice filled with awe and doubt.

Zuo Lie nodded. "The legends of Jade Capital Mountain extend far beyond these eight. Some Legendary cultivators within the mountain are too proud, believing they can forge a First-Grade Immortal Foundation without the Jade Capital Grand Void Token. Many others are either away or in secluded cultivation. These eight likely happened to be available and rushed here upon hearing the news."

"Even Jade Capital Mountain disciples must expend Sect Points to enter the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven, though it's far easier for them than for external cultivators."

At this, Zuo Lie banished the envy from his eyes. "However, the victor remains uncertain."

"Seven hundred years ago, a senior from White Jade Tower obtained a Jade Capital Grand Void Token. Using it, he forged a First-Grade Immortal Foundation and, after reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, achieved Golden Core in nine years and Nascent Soul in thirty-seven. That senior is now the Tower Master of White Cloud Tower."

Han Yi was astonished. "So fast? Golden Core in nine years?"

Zuo Lie nodded emphatically. "Exactly! Golden Core in nine years—not ninety! It's terrifying."

"Our venerable Tower Master, having forged a First-Grade Immortal Foundation, underwent a single transformative breakthrough that set him on an enduring Immortal Path."

"Therefore, Fellow Daoist Han, this contest for the Jade Capital Grand Void Token is more than just a competition—it's a battle for the very Immortal Path itself. And in this battle for the Immortal Path, mercy has no place."

Zuo Lie turned away from Han Yi, strode forward, and descended the mountain peak. His figure flickered as he darted toward Imperial Demon City.

He wasn't alone. Beyond the mountain ranges, countless cultivators emerged from the vast, unbroken forests. Among them were familiar faces, strangers, acquaintances, and foes.

Sword Immortals, battle banners, crimson-robed figures, halberds, and massive swords filled the landscape. The intent to kill materialized like a tangible force, spreading from the forests and engulfing the mountains.

Boom!

In the far distance, the gates of Imperial Demon City—a colossal structure resembling an ancient leviathan coiled deep within the mountain range—burst open with a deafening crash.

A towering demon over seven meters tall, clad in black battle armor like a celestial giant, strode out of the massive gates. He carried an ancient bronze greatsword slung over his shoulder. Behind him, a dark tide of demon soldiers surged forth in overwhelming numbers.

Thump!

A deep, resonant war drum suddenly echoed from the city walls.

Thump... thump... thump!

The war drums pounded relentlessly, each beat faster and louder than the last. The rhythm vibrated through the demons, stirring their Demon Blood to a boiling frenzy, shaking their Demonic Bodies, and fueling their battle lust. Yet for the charging cultivators, each thunderous beat pressed down with the weight of a thousand tons, crushing their bodies and spirits.

Kill!

Han Yi's heart surged with fervent passion as the scene unfolded before him, a spectacle reminiscent of an imagined Immortal-Demon War—vast and brutal.

Unlike a true Immortal-Demon War, however, the human cultivators in this conflict possessed immortal bodies.

Initially, Han Yi had harbored reservations. If the Magic Artifacts he had brought were destroyed or lost in the fray, or if he died with them outside his Storage Pouch, they would inevitably vanish upon his return to the Grand Void Illusionary Realm.

These concerns weighed on his mind, though he understood that entering a Cave Heaven World meant accepting inherent risks.

Now, he suddenly grasped the full weight of Zuo Lie's warning: the Immortal Path's struggles allowed no room for restraint. This meant no restraint towards foreign races, other cultivators, or even oneself. Only by unleashing one's full power without reservation could one truly claim to have held nothing back.

Han Yi regretted not bringing the Golden Light Shuttle with him; that would have represented his peak combat prowess. At times, he realized, his vision had been too narrow—a flaw he couldn't deny.

Yet no one is perfect, and complete preparedness is unattainable. How could one ever anticipate every contingency?

The situation was dire. If he died and reincarnated again, he would reappear near the Crimson Radiance Tribe. By the time he could rush back to Imperial Demon City, even the yellow chrysanthemums would have withered.

At that moment,

Viewed from above, the colossal, ancient city nestled within the dark mountains, which had stood for countless millennia, gaped open. A towering demon, seven meters tall, strode forth, wielding a massive bronze greatsword. Behind him, countless demons surged from the gates on either side, spreading out like a tide.

Emerging from the surrounding forests were human cultivators, numbering just over two thousand. Yet each was a master of the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement, with more than half having reached the Peak Qi Refining Stage. Above them stood over fifty Legendary Qi Refining cultivators, their auras blazing like celestial fires.

The instant spirit light clashed with demonic flesh, the battlefield erupted in chaos.

Immediately,

The deafening cacophony of war drums, demonic roars, battle cries, charging footsteps, sonic booms, the rending of flesh, and the explosions of magic artifacts filled the air.

Simultaneously,

Deep within Imperial Demon City, a Giant Demon opened its eyes. Within its colossal, terrifying gaze flickered a desire buried for millennia, burning like an eternal flame.