Chapter 930: Unexpected News
Ling Zhan had already expected this outcome regarding the noble clans.
These noble families had once held vast resources.
In fact...
Their ancestors had been warriors who fought valiantly for the Lower Realm.
Though those ancestors probably never imagined their descendants would grow up to squander their legacy.
Now, noble families with significant contributions could be counted on one hand.
Even in the Ten Thousand Demons Continent, noble houses formed alliances of their own.
Wherever people exist, there will be politics.
In this sense,
The Ten Thousand Demons Continent wasn't much different from the Sacred Continent.
Since noble families controlled many resources, Kingdom leaders remained accommodating toward them.
Perhaps this leniency made the nobles overconfident.
They lost sight of their own position.
But it didn't matter.
Ling Zhan didn't indulge them.
In fact, after the Demon-Slaying Corps took Lemoris Fortress, there was no longer any concern about resource supply.
Besides…
These noble families were all bark and no bite.
If they really crossed him, Ling Zhan wouldn't hesitate to wipe them out in one go!
Who would believe that, after centuries, these noble houses didn't have skeletons in their closets?
The authorities simply turned a blind eye because of their size.
But Ling Zhan was no longer a mere university student from Tianyan Academy.
He was the head of the Demon-Slaying Corps!
Even the Sacred Court elders had to show him respect.
If he wanted to target the noble clans, they'd be left wailing.
Their dark expressions now were just a sign of anger—but once they considered Ling Zhan's status, they'd realize their foolishness.
Even if they had a hundred times the courage, they wouldn't dare utter another complaint in front of him.
Naturally, word of this reached the Demon-Slaying Corps.
Their reaction? Laughter.
"Ha! These bastards mocked us, said we were heading to our deaths. Now they can't even get in. Feels good!"
"Instructor Ling is the best! He's not afraid of those so-called noble clans!"
"What a joke! With Instructor Ling's current strength and status, even world-class powerhouses treat him with respect. What right do these noble houses have to protest? Keep it to yourselves!"
"So satisfying! They laughed at us before—now we laugh at them for missing out on the biggest merit haul!"
"..."
The Demon-Slaying Corps was in high spirits.
Honestly…
Had those noble offspring followed Ling Zhan, the merit would have elevated their family status even more.
But they missed it because of cowardice.
Clearly,
Glory is earned in moments of life and death.
Members of other legions also wanted to join the Demon-Slaying Corps.
But the corps' standards were too high.
One had to be young and highly talented—otherwise, don't even bother.
Ling Zhan had made it clear: he was raising a pride of tigers strong enough to tear through the Ten Thousand Demon race—not some random mix of cattle and snakes.
For now, the noble family issue was settled.
At least, they stopped stirring up trouble.
The next step was launching an offensive on the remaining twenty-nine fortresses.
But then came a shocking turn of events—all twenty-nine fortresses were ordered by their respective Ten Thousand Demon Lords to self-destruct!
The entire Demon army retreated into the Ten Thousand Demons Abyss!
At the abyss's entrance, they constructed the largest Demon Fortress in history!
"What..."
Everyone who heard this was stunned and in disbelief!
No one expected such a sudden and drastic move from the Ten Thousand Demon race!
The Sacred Court immediately called another emergency meeting.
There was no choice…
Plans never kept pace with changes.
The battlefield was always fluid and unpredictable.
"So those Ten Thousand Demon Lords chose this path? Seems the Demon Abyss's Overlord is clever—he knew once Lemoris fell, the others would too. Might as well abandon them."
Prince Rowe of the Amethyst Empire smiled faintly.
The other Sacred Court officials frowned deeply, lost in thought.
As Prince Rowe said…
The Demon Overlord was smart.
Of course…
This referred to the acting Overlord of the Abyss—not the actual Lord of Ten Thousand Demons.
If the true Lord of Ten Thousand Demons were present,
The Ten Thousand Demons Abyss wouldn't be struggling under assault—it would've counterattacked long ago.
In ancient times, when the Abyss first descended, one move from the Ten Thousand Demons Lord could obliterate a Kingdom.
When the Hundred Ghosts Lord of Takamagahara struck, he wiped out half of Fusang.
These beings were far beyond level 200.
They weren't foes that mortals could challenge.
Back then, humans and other races had accepted their fate—expecting annihilation.
But after one brief appearance, such terrifying beings vanished entirely.
To this day, the Sacred Court speculated that the true Lord of Ten Thousand Demons was no longer in the Abyss.
That was the confidence the Kingdoms needed to launch a counteroffensive.
So now,
The self-destruction of the twenty-nine fortresses was understandable.
Better to destroy them than let the enemy take them.
If the national legions seized them, it would strengthen their position and expand their frontline—an undeniable advantage.
"Looks like the Ten Thousand Demons Abyss wants to bring the final battle forward!"
"According to scout reports, a massive new Demon Fortress has risen at the Abyss entrance."
"Its scale, manpower, and defenses are unprecedented."
"All Demon Lords are expected to take command there."
"For us, this is good news!"
"Even if we don't take the twenty-nine fortresses!"
Old General Su of the Dragon Kingdom said solemnly.
"So, what's our next move?"
a top official asked.
The room fell silent.
Yet…
Every gaze instinctively turned to the one silent figure who had not said a single word from start to finish.