The northern land has been silent for too long. Over the long river of time, humans and demons have lived in peace for thousands of years.
During this distant period, the two races never engaged in a full-scale war.
In the past, those sporadic skirmishes and conflicts always ended with the demons retreating or being destroyed, with the balance of victory always tipping in favor of humanity.
However, it was this constant victory that sowed the seeds of overconfidence in the hearts of humans.
It wasn't until now that the cultivators realized that while humanity had been immersed in an era of peace, these demons had quietly grown to such a terrifying scale.
"This... this is simply absurd..." Lin Qingyu's pupils shrank, his voice trembling with disbelief, "These demons... they are more like a well-trained army than we are..."
Looking around, although the cultivator camp had a considerable number, it appeared uneven due to the scattered recruits from various sects.
On the other hand, the demon formation stood straight like a spear, exuding a suffocating aura of murderous intent.
Ruan Tianhe's eyes flashed with realization: "Indeed... when pushed to the brink, the will to survive in both humans and demons is the most terrifying driving force."
"You northern cultivators have been at ease for a thousand years, and your sharpness has dulled, while these demons... they are sharpening their claws with the hatred of their entire race."
This feeling was all too familiar to him—after being betrayed by the Pope all those years ago, the deep-rooted humiliation and anger still drove him to practice day and night.
"And what's even stranger, Ruan-daren, is..." Lin Qingyu lowered his voice, his Adam's apple nervously moving, "It seems like they've been preparing for this, as if they already knew we were going to attack."
Ruan Tianhe nodded slightly: "Indeed... this is very suspicious."
At that moment, a thick layer of leaden clouds suddenly descended like an iron curtain, and strange phenomena appeared on the Mo Lan River—nine figures rose from the water, their momentum overwhelming, hovering in mid-air.
At the forefront was an elderly man in yellow robes, with white hair and a youthful face, his hair neatly tied in a Taoist bun. His robes fluttered with a sense of transcendent grace.
However, upon closer inspection, his pale, paper-thin skin, the two tentacles extending from the corners of his eyes, and the pair of black, slitted pupils that seemed to be smiling yet exuded a terrifying murderous intent, all betrayed his sinister nature.
This was the master of the first cavern in the Hundred Poisons Cavern, and also the leader of the demon lords—Tianfeng Demon Lord.
"Hahaha—" Tianfeng Demon Lord laughed long and loud, shaking the heavens, "Since you've seen me, why doesn't Zhang Xuanti show up?"
Once he spoke, the other eight figures fell in like ghosts, each one a demon lord in their own right.
Among them was the Qinghua Demon Lord, the master of the second cavern in the Hundred Poisons Cavern. All the demon lords bowed their heads in respect, not daring to show any disrespect to Tianfeng Demon Lord.
Demon Lords were a peculiar level of power—though they surpassed Martial Saints, they were still inferior when facing cultivators of the Celestial Realm.
At the same time, a cloud appeared on the human side, slowly descending opposite the demon lords.
As the mist parted, five figures emerged—the five human cultivators of the Celestial Realm.
At the forefront was Zhang Xuanti, the sect master of the Sun and Moon Sect, with cultivation reaching the peak of the Celestial Realm.
Flanking him were two elder sect leaders, both white-haired. The last two figures were Luo Tao and Luo Tianyi from the Sword Treasure Pavilion.
The five human cultivators swept their gazes over the demon army, and their hearts shook.
They hadn't expected the Hundred Poisons Cavern to have grown to such a scale, no wonder they dared to provoke them and even killed two sect heirs.
If they didn't root them out today, they would surely become a future disaster!
Seeing Zhang Xuanti and the others appear, Tianfeng Demon Lord smiled broadly and clasped his hands, "Zhang Sect Master, it's been hundreds of years since we last met, you're even more impressive than before!"
"Shut up!" Zhang Xuanti shouted angrily, his spiritual energy surging, and his black hair rising without wind, "You poisonous creature, how dare you harm my son!"
"Today, I will destroy the Hundred Poisons Cavern and wipe your kind out of existence!"
What Zhang Xuanti said was no exaggeration—Tianfeng Demon Lord's true form was that of a hidden-winged insect that had cultivated into a demon!
Not only him, but all the demon lords in the Hundred Poisons Cavern were venomous creatures who had cultivated into demons, which is why the cavern was named so.
Upon hearing this, Tianfeng Demon Lord's face darkened, and he said grimly: "Indeed, I did send someone to capture your son, but I specifically instructed the Poison Demon Lord to spare his life, as he was meant to be used as a bargaining chip."
"It was someone else who killed your son... and it wasn't just him, even the Poison Demon Lord was killed!"
The Qinghua Demon Lord, standing beside him, couldn't help but interject:
"He died at the hands of one of your Sun and Moon Sect's experts, and your son was likely killed by him too. Clearly, there's an insider in your sect!"
"Nonsense!" Zhang Xuanti's brow furrowed.
"I'm not lying. That person contacted me using the Transmission Bell, and even used your sect's unique Sun and Moon Dharma!" the Qinghua Demon Lord shouted.
"Heh!" Zhang Xuanti sneered in anger, flicking his sleeve, and suddenly, a painting of a young boy appeared in the air, drawn by Jade Heng, "This is the true murderer who killed my son! Do you dare say he isn't the Poison Demon Lord in disguise?"
To his surprise, when Qinghua Demon Lord saw the painting, her face twisted in an instant: "It's him!"
Her sharp nails almost tore through the face of the person in the painting. "This bastard, he's the one I've been talking about! He's the one who killed Poison Demon!"
"Utter nonsense, my Sun and Moon Sect has no such person!" Zhang Xuanti shouted angrily, the Sun and Moon dual wheels emerging behind him. The situation was on the verge of exploding!
"Tsk tsk, it really is a bloodbath caused by a second-generation official..." Looking at the chaotic scene above, Ruan Tianhe muttered under his breath, his expression barely holding together.
One side wanted to avenge their son, the other wanted to seek justice for their sect.
The only person who probably understood the whole situation was him, and even then, he knew that everyone... was being eliminated by their own Emperor.
No, there was one more person who knew.
Standing beside Ruan Tianhe, Lin Qingyu's pupils suddenly contracted, his gaze fixed on the glowing image of the young man in the painting.
That young man, who appeared so handsome and refined, was none other than Fang Xian, who had shared a drink with him at Tianxiang Pavilion just a few days ago!
"This..." His throat moved, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.
Who would have thought that the person who was stirring up the storm between the two great forces was the same one who had so warmly invited him to dinner!
Just as his mind was in shock, a familiar voice suddenly rang in his ear: "How are things on your side?"
Ruan Tianhe's spirits lifted, and he immediately responded with his divine sense:
"Reporting to His Majesty, the human army has surrounded the Hundred Poisons Cavern, and they are now facing off with the demons. The scene is truly spectacular!"
He couldn't help but smile, "Zhang Xuanti even brought out your portrait. Both sides are blaming each other, thinking you are the other side's person. It's utterly laughable."
At this point, Ruan Tianhe's expression grew serious: "However, I must report that the demons' strength is far beyond expectations. Their overall combat power is probably on par with the human alliance..."
"Tsk... This is getting interesting, it makes me want to rush over there myself."
The voice from the other end rose with excitement, "Has the battle started?"
"Not yet, but the tension is so high that it could erupt at any moment."
"Good, proceed as I instructed. Once the battle starts, focus on taking heads, prioritize those with higher cultivation. I should be able to come over and support you soon."
"Understood!"
Ruan Tianhe respectfully answered, although in his heart, he was puzzled about how His Majesty planned to cross thousands of miles to arrive, but he knew—this mysterious Emperor must have his own methods.