Chapter 262: Battle Against the Old Devil of Demon Flame Valley
Demon Flame Valley was located in the northern reaches of the Black-Corner Region, hidden deep within a mountainous canyon. The valley spanned a massive area, not much smaller than a city. Its population was dense, with most being outer disciples. Only about one-tenth of them, the elite handpicked from the rest, qualified as inner valley members. Despite its long existence, Demon Flame Valley had never lost its influence in the Black-Corner Region.
Naturally, this was due to its founder—the Old Devil of the Earth Demon, a Seven-Star Dou Zong. His strength gave Demon Flame Valley the confidence to act with impunity.
Since the old devil's reappearance, Demon Flame Valley had returned to its previous arrogance, no longer subdued after losing its three elders to a mysterious Dou Huang.
The enormous valley looked as if it had been carved directly from a mountain. Its surrounding cliffs were made of jet-black rock with a metallic sheen—Obsidian Steel, hard enough that even Dou Wang experts would struggle to crack it. This entire mountain range seemed to be a massive ore vein, and Demon Flame Valley's headquarters sat right on top of it.
Today was the most crowded day in years. In a plaza deep within the valley, countless powerful members of the sect had gathered.
At the front of the crowd stood about twenty elites, each exuding powerful auras—clearly above Dou Wang level. Yet even they stood reverently before an old man in a yellow robe adorned with skeletal patterns, his hair blood-red.
The old man's face was gaunt, practically skeletal. Deep-set eyes glowed faintly like ghost lights, making his appearance eerily sinister.
He floated midair, silently gazing down. Each sway of his sleeve sent subtle ripples through the air—evidence of his immense Dou Qi.
This was none other than the founder of Demon Flame Valley—the Old Devil of the Earth Demon. Even Elder Su Qian held great apprehension toward him.
Today, they had gathered for revenge on Jia Nan Academy!
Though the real killers of their three elders remained unknown, the academy would serve as a convenient scapegoat.
Before the old devil could speak, his brow furrowed sharply.
"I was wondering why the valley's defenses felt so lax. So all the strong ones are gathered here!"
A sudden laugh rang out, stunning everyone. Heads turned toward the plaza entrance—where a group of figures surged forward, exuding murderous auras.
At their head walked a handsome youth in white robes, smiling as he walked casually through the air.
Beside him: Xiao Yan in black, Little Doctor Immortal in white, and Elder Su Qian also standing in midair.
Two Dou Zong experts!?
The people of Demon Flame Valley were shaken.
Many stared at Xiao Yuan. He didn't even look twenty—early twenties at most—and yet he was a Dou Zong?
How was that possible?
Sensing their surprise, the Old Devil coldly snorted and unleashed his aura.
Boom!
A terrifying wave of pressure swept the square as his Seven-Star Dou Zong strength silenced the air.
Feeling the intense pressure, Su Qian frowned and said, "So many years have passed, and yet your strength has grown even more."
"You must be Su Qian," the old devil said coolly. "Didn't expect you to reach Dou Zong either. Last I saw you, you were just a peak Dou Huang elder. Looks like I don't need to make a trip to your academy—you've come to me."
Su Qian sneered, unbothered. "Heh. Old Devil, after today, Demon Flame Valley will be erased from the Black-Corner Region!"
"What arrogance!" The old man waved his sleeve. "I've no interest in talking to you. Bring out Mang Tian Chi to speak with me."
Su Qian smirked with contempt. "You joke. If the dean were here, he'd have wiped out your valley alone. You wouldn't even be alive to hear this."
The words stung. A cold glint flashed in the old devil's eyes. "Don't think I fear Mang Tian Chi! Even if I once did, you aren't worthy to speak to me like that. After today, Jia Nan Academy will cease to exist in the Black-Corner Region!"
The academy elders turned grim, flames of anger rising.
"Heh, you claim not to fear the dean, but your cowardice shows clearly. And after all these years, you're still only a Seven-Star Dou Zong? You've wasted your life, old fool!"
Xiao Yuan stepped forward, voice sharp and unrelenting.
The old devil fumed.
"A sharp tongue for a brat who just reached Dou Zong. Su Qian, are all your students this arrogant?"
Though he was inwardly surprised by Xiao Yuan's strength at such a young age, the insult was too much to bear.
"Xiao Yuan is the dean's personal disciple. He knows his own limits. Back then, you weren't the dean's match—and now, you probably can't even handle someone under twenty!"
Su Qian added fuel to the fire.
A thick killing intent burst from the old devil.
"No wonder you're so annoying—you're Mang Tian Chi's brat. Always the same! I'll enjoy killing you!"
With that, his fingers flexed, and five piercing streams of freezing Dou Qi shot toward Xiao Yuan's head.
Xiao Yuan intended to dodge, but with elders behind him, he changed plans. Dark-gold flame surged from his palm, forming five sword beams that neutralized the attack.
Still, he was forced back a step.
Facing a Seven-Star Dou Zong with only Two-Star Dou Zong strength… he was pushing it.
"Hmph. Looks like your strength doesn't match your mouth," the old devil mocked.
Xiao Yuan remained calm. With a thought, he activated the Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations. Four fused Heavenly Flames burst out, his aura soaring to Five-Star Dou Zong.
Not unexpected. The quality of his flames had improved, but so had the Dou Qi demands of his cultivation method. Still, this boost startled the old devil.
"Now let's see who's tougher—you or my fists!"
Xiao Yuan vanished in a flash of blue lightning, reappearing behind the old devil. His Dou Qi exploded, hot and wild with Heavenly Flame.
As Xiao Yuan charged, Xiao Yan, Little Doctor Immortal, and Su Qian led the rest into battle. Though Demon Flame Valley had numbers, they were immediately overwhelmed.
The old devil was caught off guard by Xiao Yuan's speed. He hastily released frigid Dou Qi, forming a protective layer behind him.
But the defense was useless.
Xiao Yuan's dark-gold flame punch shattered it like paper and slammed into the old man's back.
Lightning cracked, flames roared, and with just this one blow, the old devil coughed blood and tumbled downward.
Humiliated and injured, he surged with dark energy, chilling the air around him.
"Brat… such strange movement skills, terrifying flames, and even high-tier power-enhancing arts… If I let you live, you'll become my doom. I'll kill you today. Mang Tian Chi's brat—how satisfying it'll be to end you!"
With his roar, black snowflakes fell. Everyone's Dou Qi began to slow.
But not Xiao Yuan.
His body was shielded in Heavenly Flame, incinerating the snow before it could reach him.
He summoned a spear of lightning and fire—blue lightning wrapped in dark-gold flames. Each swing made space ripple.
He dashed forward, aiming straight at the old devil's throat.
The old devil sneered, fingers flicking.
"Thousand Illusion Mystic Ice Spike!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Countless black ice spikes erupted from his fingers, raining down on Xiao Yuan like a deadly storm.
Each spike carried deadly force—any single one could kill a Dou Huang.
Xiao Yuan's face remained calm. Wind and thunder Dou Qi surged, his spear dancing like a dragon, shattering the ice spikes.
But the old devil wasn't done.
"Ice Condensation Sword Technique!"
The remaining spikes merged into a massive black sword, which thrust toward Xiao Yuan.
"Hmph. You dare show off in front of me?"
Xiao Yuan sneered, raising his spear to the sky.
Boom!
Thunder rumbled. The sky darkened, black snow melting.
A silver bolt of lightning struck his spear. It shimmered with silver light and pulsed with blue lightning arcs. Xiao Yuan's eyes blazed like a thunder god's.
His spear darkened with black lightning—destructive Black Demon Lightning now infused.
Shing!
With a flash, his spear shattered the black ice sword and barreled toward the old devil.
The old man's expression darkened. He recognized the technique.
Nine Tribulation Demon Thunder Spear!
Of course. This boy was Mang Tian Chi's disciple—he even inherited that top-tier skill.
Time to get serious.
As Xiao Yuan closed in, icy Dou Qi flared from the old man. The surrounding air froze black with frost.
(END CHAPTER)
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