The flames that had lit up the celestial canvas gradually dimmed, and Ah Hetai concealed himself within the black clouds, retreating from the Seven Li Dong with incredible speed.
Half a bell later, once he was certain that no outsiders were following, he slowly descended, returning to the ground and landing in a secluded valley.
At this moment, both the Li and Miao tribes could be said to have been left in shambles, but Ah Hetai seemed in no hurry to seek out the remnants of his people. Instead, he examined the black staff in his hand, a mysterious and dark power coursing through it, rousing the blood in his veins.
He could already envision himself, staff in hand, commanding the Southern Frontier, the future self of the once-revered Great Sorcerer. As for the panic-stricken members of his tribe, there was no need to worry; after all, their chieftain was consumed by revenge—let him fight to his heart’s content. A man of such coarse nature would only be an obstacle to his control over the Li.
A cold smile curled on Ah Hetai’s lips as he clutched the Bone Jade Black Staff to his chest. At this moment, he felt no fear, not even for the Demon King who had bestowed power upon him. Although he knew he was far from being the Demon King’s equal, he and the Great Sorcerer were well aware of the Demon King’s origins and circumstances. Without the Five Sacred Relics of the Southern Frontier, the Demon King would never rise again from the depths of the Ten Thousand Mountains’ “Demon Subduing Cave.”
Just thinking about how he had the Demon King, who had once made the entire Southern Frontier tremble, at his fingertips, filled Ah Hetai with an exhilaration he could hardly contain. He burst into uncontrollable laughter, echoing through the night and resounding in the valley.
“Ha ha ha, ha ha ha…”
In the midst of his unrestrained mirth, a soft applause suddenly sounded from the darkness on the other side of the valley, followed by a low, chilling voice: “Very impressive, very impressive!”
Ah Hetai stiffened, turning sharply towards the source, but saw nothing but darkness. “Who is it? Show yourself!”
Suddenly, two balls of crimson flame, as large as fists, ignited in the dark, accompanied by a low, growling breath, as if a beast was snarling.
Ah Hetai’s face paled.
The two crimson flames did not move, but instead, a figure draped in black emerged from the shadows, appearing to seep out of the darkness itself. Clad entirely in black, with only hollow eyes visible, the figure hovered two feet above the ground, floating eerily.
Ah Hetai’s pupils constricted, his face tightening as if facing a specter.
The black-clad figure spoke slowly, “Ah Hetai, you have indeed not disappointed the Beast God. You’ve seized the Bone Jade and the Black Staff.”
Subconsciously, Ah Hetai tightened his grip on the staff, which did not go unnoticed by the figure. Behind him, the crimson flames seemed to growl in anger.
The black-clad figure raised a hand, and the flames calmed slightly. “Ah Hetai, it seems you are not willing to honor your promise to the Beast God and hand over the sacred relics.”
Ah Hetai’s expression flickered, torn between fear and desire. The Beast God was a terrifying presence, but in the end, greed prevailed.
“Ha!” Ah Hetai sneered, his eyes narrowing. “With the Black Staff and Bone Jade, I possess the sacred relics that once nearly destroyed the Beast Demon. If you are not afraid to die, come and try!”
The black-clad figure fell silent for a moment before speaking, “So, you have truly betrayed the Beast God.”
Ah Hetai brandished the staff, feeling the power surge through him, making him feel as if the world was within his grasp. He laughed wildly, “What of it? Do you think I don’t know that without the five sacred relics, the Beast Demon cannot resurrect in the Demon Subduing Cave? Without him, even you and the evil dragon behind you are nothing compared to my sacred relics! Ha ha ha ha…”
The crimson flames behind the black-clad figure roared angrily, but the figure remained calm, his gaze fixed on Ah Hetai. “You forget the true origin of these sacred relics. You and your people can only harness a fraction of their power. If not for this, how could you have taken them from the old Miao Sorcerer?”
His voice grew colder, his tone icy, “This is your final warning: do not defy the Beast God!”
Ah Hetai felt a sudden chill, even noticing his own body trembling. But after a moment, he tightened his grip on the staff once more.
“Die!” With a fierce glare, he waved the staff, and a jet of black flame shot towards the black-clad figure, leaving a trail of scorched earth in its wake.
The black-clad figure merely grunted, and the black flames were halted by an invisible force. Unfazed, Ah Hetai realized that this had been a mere test, confirming that the staff could amplify the sorcery the Beast Demon had taught him tenfold. Normally, it would take him hours to summon such a powerful black flame, but now it was effortless.
Feeling even more triumphant, Ah Hetai laughed again, dismissing the black-clad figure.
The black-clad figure watched Ah Hetai’s arrogant display, unimpressed. “The Beast God knew you were treacherous, and that you would betray him once you had what you wanted.”
Ah Hetai’s laughter was manic, “And what of it? There are countless powerful demons in the Demon Subduing Cave, but who else but you could escape? With your meager powers, do you think you can take the sacred relics from me?”
The black-clad figure scoffed, reaching into his robes and pulling out a small object. As soon as it left his hand, it emitted a faint glow, revealing a black, luminous orb. In the pitch-black night, it was almost imperceptible.
Ah Hetai’s confidence wavered, though he hid his unease. Though the Witch Demon was not particularly powerful, he was one of the Beast Demon’s most trusted aides, and no one knew what secrets he held.
As he contemplated whether to strike, the black-clad figure clenched his fist, and with a snap, crushed the orb, the fragments falling like sand.
Startled, Ah Hetai readied himself, wary of the Witch Demon’s poison. But the wind carried the fragments away, and nothing happened.
Ah Hetai laughed, “What tricks do you have up your sleeve? Can you do anything to me…?”
His words were cut short as a sudden, blinding light erupted from his body, illuminating the surroundings. In an instant, beams of light shot out from his body, creating grotesque, burning holes. His mouth agape, he stared in horror.
The black-clad figure, hovering in front of him, spoke coldly, “The Beast God anticipated your betrayal. When he gave you the black flames, he left behind the ‘Black Flame Essence Pearl.’ Once destroyed, the black flames will turn on their master, ensuring your death by the very power he gave you!”
Ah Hetai’s eyes were filled with terror and regret. He gasped, and moments later, the black flames roared from his body, consuming him in a blaze.
Soon, the ambitious man was reduced to ashes, the Bone Jade Black Staff lying quietly among the remains.
The black-clad figure floated over, drawing the staff to his hand with a smirk. He turned, sensing something in the darkness, and called out, “Who is there?”
From the shadows, a figure emerged, gray-haired and wrinkled, unmistakably Shangguan Ce of the Fragrant Valley.
The black-clad figure, surprised to see an old acquaintance, spoke, “We haven’t seen each other in eighty years, old friend.”
Shangguan Ce, his face etched with deep lines, responded, “So, you finally decided to come out?”
The black-clad figure’s voice was serene, “The Beast God is growing impatient.”
Shangguan Ce, recalling past vows, fell silent. The black-clad figure smiled, “We each serve our masters. Be careful, old friend.”
With that, he vanished into the darkness, leaving Shangguan Ce alone in the valley, his long howl echoing into the night.
In the aftermath, the Seven Li Dong, once a thriving land, was now engulfed in flames, filled with cries of despair. The revered Miao Sorcerer lay grievously wounded, and Ah Hetai, the hope of the Li, had vanished. Foreigners, including a terrifying figure, had appeared, and both the Li and Miao tribes were left in disarray.
Amidst the chaos, a new battle raged in the sky, with the young prodigies of the Middle Earth, Lu Xueqi and Gui Li, locked in a deadly duel.
Lu Xueqi’s Tianya sword gleamed with a blue light, cutting through the air, while Gui Li’s Shi Xue Zhu radiated a malevolent red. The two fought fiercely, each displaying their formidable powers.
As the battle raged, a sudden, sharp sound interrupted, and a jade ruler, wielded by Li Xun, pierced through Gui Li’s shoulder. Torn between pain and rage, Gui Li’s eyes burned with a furious light.
The final clash was imminent, with the ancient curse of the “Divine Sword Thunderbolt Technique” invoked by Lu Xueqi. The heavens themselves seemed to respond, gathering immense power, and a massive bolt of lightning descended, striking Gui Li with a devastating force.
In the end, the darkness of the night deepened, and the once peaceful valley was forever changed.
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