Chapter 82: The Cowardly Disciples

At the foot of the Sacred Demon Sect’s mountain, within the Sunset Forest.

Emperor Yan stood among the crowd, his eyes fixed on the nine sects that had once seemed unattainable and untouchable, yet now were within reach. This feeling thrilled him beyond measure.

In the past, ancestors had all dreamed of freeing the Great Yan Empire from its vassal status, but none had succeeded.

Now, Emperor Yan was on the verge of achieving what none before him had—leading the Great Yan Empire out of its humiliating subjugation. This would be a feat for the ages.

As he glanced at the arrogant elders from the various sects around him, Emperor Yan’s eyes gleamed with sharp determination.

“Never would I have thought the Sacred Demon Sect would discover our secret plot. Obviously, someone among us has betrayed us,” said a man cloaked entirely in black, his voice low and hoarse, his face and age obscured.

“What difference does it make whether they know or not?” replied an old woman standing not far from the Black Robe Ancestor. “Now that the nine great sects have gathered at the foot of the Sacred Demon Sect’s mountain, do you really think the Sacred Demon Sect still has the strength to resist us?”

The old woman hunched over, leaning on a crutch carved in the shape of a phoenix head, made from some unknown material. Her half-closed eyes occasionally flickered with a chilling gleam.

Though Emperor Yan was the sovereign of the Great Yan Empire, before the leaders of these sects, he remained insignificant.

These nine sects included both orthodox and heretical factions. In the past, they would have fought to the death upon meeting, but now they had reached a rare agreement—to conquer the Sacred Demon Sect together. As for what would happen afterward, that would be dealt with once this matter was settled.

When they learned that the Sacred Demon Sect’s Grand Elder had obtained ancient divine blood from an ancient ruin, they had already begun plotting.

Divine blood was a rare treasure in the world, the essence of ancient powerful beings.

The Great Heaven Realm was not the ultimate peak, not the end of the path. All of them desired the divine blood, hoping to glimpse the glory of ancient times and uncover secrets that had eluded comprehension for millennia.

However, individually, none of the sects had the strength to rival the Sacred Demon Sect. The Sacred Demon Grand Elder had long been a figure of unmatched renown, feared across the world.

But now, for the sake of the divine blood, the sects had united. As for how the blood would be divided afterward, that was a matter for the future.

“Destroy the Sacred Demon Sect!” The sect leaders coldly gazed ahead, then with a flick of their sleeves, ordered their disciples—each at the Divine Entry Realm—to soar into the sky and charge toward the distant Sacred Demon Sect.

At the Sacred Demon Sect,

The outer sect disciples, who had prepared to flee but could not, gazed at the dark clouds approaching from afar and gave up all resistance.

This time, they had not even dared to hope for survival. They would all perish in this battle.

Lin Fan sensed the overwhelming pressure approaching from the distance and grew solemn. This time, it truly seemed perilous.

Soon, Lin Fan looked up and saw a sea of dark figures hovering in the sky.

“Grand Elder of the Sacred Demon Sect, if you don’t wish for your sect’s annihilation, hand over the divine blood now,” the Black Robe Ancestor stepped forward. Though he dared not face the Sacred Demon Grand Elder alone—he was simply outmatched—he now stood among nine united sects. Who could possibly oppose them now?

Though the Sacred Demon Grand Elder was formidable, what difference did that make now?

The outer sect disciples, faced with enemies whose mere presence could crush them, had already lost all will to resist.

Standing among the crowd, Lin Fan watched the scene unfold, his heart tightening with anxiety.

Great Heaven Realm, first stage.

Great Heaven Realm, second stage.

Great Heaven Realm, third stage.

…

Though individually weaker than the Sacred Demon Grand Elder, the leaders of the nine sects were ancient experts with deep cultivation foundations. In a prolonged battle, they could even exhaust the Grand Elder to death.

From the Ninth Peak, figures soared into the air.

The Sect Leader, accompanied by all the elders of the Sacred Demon Sect, arrived before Lin Fan and the others, facing off against the nine sect leaders.

“Black Robe Ancestor, Sea Crone Bihai, Heaven and Earth Sect Leader…” The Sacred Demon Grand Elder coldly scanned the nine sect leaders before shifting his gaze to Emperor Yan.

“You’ve actually betrayed the Sacred Demon Sect,” the Grand Elder said, staring at Emperor Yan.

“Grand Elder,” Emperor Yan replied, “our Great Yan Empire has been a vassal of your sect for a thousand years. No empire could endure that humiliation forever. This is not betrayal—it is change.”

“Hand over the divine blood, or we will destroy the Sacred Demon Sect,” the nine sect leaders declared.

This time, they were determined to succeed. Though the Sacred Demon Sect was strong, it was no longer a match for them now.

“Our Sacred Demon Sect has endured for ten thousand years and has never bowed to any power. Even if we perish today, you will pay dearly. Sacred Demon Sect disciples, heed my command—defend our sect with your lives!” the Grand Elder’s voice was icy.

“Defend our sect with our lives!”

“Defend our sect with our lives!”

…

The inner sect disciples burned with fighting spirit. Even if death was inevitable, they would stand with their sect to the end.

“I don’t want to die! Please, have mercy on me!” Suddenly, a terrified outer sect disciple crawled forward, sobbing uncontrollably.

He truly did not want to die. With the nine sects attacking, this was a battle with no hope of survival.

“Brother Li, what are you doing? Are you still a disciple of the Sacred Demon Sect?” Some disciples, witnessing the scene, were furious, their faces dark with shame.

They never expected that one of their own would beg for mercy, disgracing the Sacred Demon Sect so openly.

Lin Fan stood among the crowd, watching everything unfold with a quiet sigh. There was no way to stop this.

No one wanted to die, but now it was no longer a question of desire—it was a matter of principle.

To flee and cling to life out of fear—how could one face their martial cultivation heart?

Cowardice, weakness, fear of death.

Lin Fan had never looked down on anyone, for everyone had something worthy of respect. But people like this, he despised from the depths of his soul.

“Hehehe…” The nine sects laughed coldly at the sight.

“Grand Elder of the Sacred Demon Sect, these are your disciples? Very well, let me see just how well you’ve trained them,” said the Sea Crone Bihai, her kindly face belying a tone filled with disdain.

“Sacred Demon Sect disciples, if any of you wish to live, crawl forward now. I, Crone Bihai, can grant you mercy. The nine sects here can take you in as disciples. Otherwise, you will die alongside your Grand Elder.”

“I’ll give you ten breaths.”

…

Bihai’s words ignited a flicker of hope in many disciples’ hearts.

“Crone Bihai, stop trying to corrupt our disciples!” an elder shouted angrily.

“Seven breaths remain.”

…

In that moment, the Sacred Demon Sect disciples grew restless. Some whispered among themselves, others exchanged uncertain glances.

Their hearts wavered.

They knew there was no hope against the nine sects’ combined might. But now, Bihai had offered them a sliver of hope—their final chance at survival.

Lin Fan observed the murmuring disciples and understood: the Sacred Demon Sect was truly finished. There was no hope left.