Chapter 269: The Martial King

In the distant sky, a figure bathed in the glow of dawn descended like a deity from beyond the heavens, unleashing an unparalleled and terrifying aura as it arrived at the Martial King’s Mansion. The sheer presence made mortals tremble in reverence, as if facing a god, and even cultivators shivered in fear. The Martial King was overwhelmingly powerful, descending upon the world as though he did not belong to the mortal realm. His entire body was shrouded in divine halos, dazzling and radiant, obscuring his true form for a moment—only an overwhelming, fearsome energy pulsed around him.

“Martial King!” Many cried out, seeing a glimmer of hope for survival, overcome with excitement as they prostrated themselves. Those who were about to be punished and executed under clan law trembled uncontrollably, having already despaired—yet at the last moment, the Martial King arrived, grasping the lifeline in their direst hour.

Behind the Fifteenth Master, a group of his old comrades paled, their expressions grave. The Martial King’s emergence from seclusion was truly disastrous news. Over the years, his might had grown increasingly terrifying, suffocating to behold. The Martial King’s strength was known throughout the Stone Kingdom—indomitable and peerless. In his youth, he had contended for supremacy, stirring boundless storms, and though he had ultimately failed to become the Human Emperor, his valor was renowned across the world.

Divine radiance bathed the surroundings like a colossal sun descending, shaking the entire courtyard with thunderous tremors, casting a terrifying glow over the vast mansion. It was as though a true deity had manifested, his body coursing with arcane power, striking awe into the hearts of all present, leaving them breathless.

“Fifteen, I am glad you have returned alive,” the Martial King spoke calmly, devoid of anger or fury, yet his words carried an immense, oppressive majesty. This was unexpected to all—who was he? A king bearing the title of “Martial,” whose wrath could shake the heavens, whose roar could shatter the skies, a figure of supreme dominance. If he was displeased, his battle intent would surge like a tempest, his mere presence enough to crush enemies into oblivion. For him to appear so composed was rare indeed.

“Upon my return, I was disappointed—and furious,” the Fifteenth Master replied plainly, neither feigning nor concealing his feelings, speaking with brutal honesty.

“I was unaware of what happened back then. By the time I learned of it, the matter was already settled. It was indeed unfair to your lineage. But what’s done cannot be undone. At that point, for the prosperity of our clan, what would you have done in my place? Should I truly have executed a prodigy born with divine pupils?” The Martial King remained composed, recounting the past and present.

“If my descendants were so cruel, committing such heinous acts that enraged both gods and men, there would be only one word—execute! Even if they were the reincarnation of a heavenly deity!” The Great Demon God’s voice was resolute. He had already said all that needed to be said. The clan might appear glorious, but it was already afflicted with a grave illness—it needed to be cured!

The Martial King fell silent. In truth, he had already overheard some of these words while still in the sky. Further debate was pointless and beneath his dignity. After a long pause, he finally spoke:

“As the Martial King, if I were to plead with you as the clan’s leader—to forgive Yi’er’s lineage—would that be acceptable?”

As the clan’s helmsman, the Martial King held the authority to grant pardons under certain circumstances. He was exercising this right in accordance with clan law, hence his question.

“No!” The Fifteenth Master refused outright, his tone unyielding. Pardons were only permissible under specific conditions, and he did not recognize this as one of them.

“Old Fifteen, if all these people are executed, the mansion will become a desolate place. Can you bear that?” the Martial King said gravely, making his stance clear—he did not wish to see the clan’s elite wiped out, lest the mansion fall into decline.

“Rotten seeds, nothing more. I have already said—there is no need to keep them. Tear it all down and start anew. Everything must change,” the Fifteenth Master declared.

“It seems I cannot persuade you. Must we truly resort to force?” At this, the Martial King’s aura grew even more terrifying, his energy surging like a tempestuous sea, making those nearby quake.

“If you insist on resolving this with violence, then I have no objections. Make your move!” the Great Demon God retorted, standing unshaken even before such a formidable king, renowned throughout the Stone Kingdom.

All were stunned. The Great Demon God was unrelenting, even against the Martial King—truly fearsome. Those awaiting punishment trembled in terror.

“You showed extraordinary talent even in your youth, surpassing your peers—a true prodigy. Later, you rose to prominence just as we anticipated. Thirteen years ago, you were pursued by an adult Pixiu, narrowly escaping death, wandering abroad for years. Though you lost an arm, I imagine you have made tremendous progress, surpassing your former self,” the Martial King remarked, his tone grave, devoid of any condescension.

This only deepened the unease of the captured clansmen, their hearts leaping into their throats. Had the Great Demon God truly become invincible after all these years, to the point where even the Martial King was wary?

“Fifteen, I admire you. But if you refuse to turn back, if you persist in your obstinacy, do not blame me for being ruthless!” the Martial King finally laid bare his stance, his voice turning icy.

“Is it I who am obstinate, or you who are deluded? Come, do you think I fear you?” the Great Demon God roared.

At that moment, his body erupted with light, divine radiance bursting from his form as if aflame, his hair billowing without wind. He stood like a blazing sun, dazzling and resplendent.

“Fifteen, I give you one last chance—turn back,” the Martial King said, his tone now frigid. Through the blinding radiance of his protective aura, his eyes gleamed with icy ruthlessness.

“It is not I who needs to turn back!” the Fifteenth Master retorted.

“Is that so? Do not force me to suppress you!” The Martial King finally revealed his unyielding side, his voice like thunder as he roared, his divine brilliance swelling to fill the heavens.

“I think you’ve lost your senses!” the Great Demon God snapped.

“What did you say?!” The Martial King erupted in fury. At this moment, the radiance around him dispersed slightly, revealing his true form—his eyes like twin miniature suns, piercing and terrifying.

The crowd was stunned. After all these years, the Martial King’s appearance had not changed—he looked no older than his forties, majestic and vigorous, far younger than his true age.

All were astonished—this was the manifestation of profound mastery over arcane arts. His power was so immense that it had halted the passage of time, keeping him in his prime, unmarred by decay.

This stood in stark contrast to the four elders, whose life force had withered. It was clear the Martial King still had room to grow stronger.

“I said you’ve lost your senses. If you no longer wish to sit on that throne, step down,” the Great Demon God replied coldly, his voice not loud, yet it shook the entire mansion, echoing into the distant sky.

Silence reigned. None dared to breathe. Everyone was dumbfounded. They had heard him say similar words before, but back then, the Martial King had not been present—it could have been dismissed as venting.

Now, however, it was entirely different. This was a direct, face-to-face rebuke—he truly intended to depose the Martial King!

These words spread far and wide, shaking the imperial capital. At this moment, all the great clans heard them, and all were stunned.

“It really is that Old Fifteen—he’s returned!”

“What a fearsome Old Fifteen! Worthy of the title ‘Great Demon God’—his aura swallows mountains and rivers, and now he seeks to overthrow the Martial King outright!”

These were the thoughts of the various clan leaders, their hearts pounding with dread. They knew—today, the imperial capital would witness a momentous event.

The Fifteenth Master’s return, his bold declaration, his unyielding stance—this was his way of telling the world that he was deeply dissatisfied. The Martial King’s Mansion was about to undergo a seismic shift!

“Old Fifteen, do you think your wings have grown strong enough to shatter the heavens?” the Martial King said coldly, his fury now palpable, his words devoid of warmth.

“You overestimate yourself. If you wish to fight, then fight!” the Great Demon God retorted sharply.

“Very well!” The Martial King, now truly enraged, thrust his palm forward. The resonance of the Great Dao erupted, runes surging like a tidal wave, engulfing the space before him. The heavens trembled, the earth quaked—it seemed the entire Martial King’s Mansion might explode.

*Thud! Thud! Thud!*

Many collapsed, unable to withstand the terrifying fluctuations, their souls nearly torn from their bodies, their flesh trembling uncontrollably.

*Boom!*

The Great Demon God swung his single arm forward, unleashing a storm of runes that clashed with the dazzling radiance, exploding upon impact.

Next, the blazing symbols and terrifying divine power collided in midair, annihilating each other without spreading further, sparing the bystanders.

Clearly, both men had mastered runes to a godly degree. Had this energy been allowed to erupt unchecked, entire mountain ranges would have been obliterated.

*Boom!*

The Martial King flicked his sleeve, and a colossal gray ancient flood dragon surged forth, its aura overwhelming, its body as massive as a mountain ridge, exuding boundless terror. This was naturally the manifestation of a treasure technique.

It was incredibly lifelike—the dragon was enormous, filling the sky, its gray scales ancient and weathered, as though it had flown straight from antiquity. Its eyes flickered with vitality, as if it possessed a spirit!

Unfazed, the Fifteenth Master let out a sharp cry, and a golden-winged roc erupted from his back, its feathers ablaze with golden radiance, illuminating the heavens. It stretched out its massive claws, seizing the gray flood dragon.

“Execute the clan law!” At the same time, the Great Demon God spoke coldly, turning his gaze to the prisoners.

“You—stop!” The four elders were shocked. Even while locked in combat with the Martial King, he still had the capacity to act. They rushed to intervene.

However, the distance was too close. The Fifteenth Master was right before them. With a single motion, he sent the four elders flying and stepped forward in an instant.

Then, one by one, before the eyes of the four elders and the Martial King, he struck down eight or nine men, reducing them to bloody mist—swift, decisive, and utterly merciless.

Bone fragments flew, blood mist dispersed—his dominance was absolute, his violence terrifying. Truly like a demon god, his towering frame exuded an aura that swallowed mountains and rivers, unmatched in its might.

The others, awaiting punishment, were petrified with fear.

“You—!” Even the Martial King was incensed. While engaged in a treasure technique duel, the Fifteenth Master had still managed to strike—was this a display of dominance, or contempt?

“Beyond clan law, there is kinship. I am not heartless. The rest of you—I grant you a chance at redemption. I spare your lives so you may witness just how far the so-called ‘Young Supreme’ you praise can truly go,” the Fifteenth Master declared.

Ahead, a large group remained—elders, middle-aged men—their numbers considerable.

Many rejoiced, seeing a glimmer of hope. Survival was a blessing beyond measure.

“Death may be spared, but punishment cannot. Your cultivation shall be stripped, lest you grow restless again. Live out your days in humility,” the Fifteenth Master proclaimed.

Instantly, their joy turned to ice. All felt a chill pierce their souls, their hearts tearing apart as they screamed in despair.

“No!” Their faces paled, their courage shattered.

“How dare you!” The Martial King bellowed, his fury erupting as he charged forward, wielding divine might.

But it was too late. With a mere lift of his hand, the Great Demon God unleashed a storm of runes, engulfing the group. One by one, they coughed blood and collapsed.

*Rumble!*

The battle between the Martial King and the Great Demon God was cataclysmic, like two deities clashing, their silhouettes flickering with the phantom images of gods and demons.

Amidst this, an accident occurred—Shi Li was caught in the crossfire, his body exploding into gore, meeting a gruesome end.

Shi Yuan and others nearly suffered the same fate, but at the critical moment, it was the Great Demon God who struck them away, sparing their lives.

“I told you—you will live to see just how far Yi’er can go,” the Fifteenth Master said coldly.

All of them shuddered. How cruel—were they to remain alive merely to bear witness?