Demon Flame Valley.
That morning, the valley trembled as its supreme ruler stepped out from seclusion. With a single command, more than half of the valley's Dou Huang and Dou Wang experts gathered in the grand square.
"Old Ancestor has emerged!" The First Elder, Fang Yan, stepped forward excitedly, bowing deeply. "Does Old Ancestor wish to lead us against another faction?"
The wrinkled corners of the old ghost's lips twisted into something that might have been a smile—though it looked more painful than pleasant. His voice was coarse, aged, and heavy like grinding gravel.
"Jia Nan Inner Academy!"
Fang Yan froze for half a second, then his expression flared into fanatic zeal. "As you command!"
He turned to face the gathered crowd, spreading his arms wide as his voice rang through the valley. "The Earth Demon Ancestor—boundless power and divine might—marches to Jia Nan!"
Instantly, hundreds of voices echoed in deafening unison:
"The Earth Demon Ancestor, boundless power and divine might—marches to Jia Nan!"
"…"
The Earth Demon Old Ghost sat back, utterly satisfied, soaking in the flattery that rolled like thunder. Ever since that humiliating loss to Mang Tianchi, he had grown fond of these ceremonial chants—they restored his long-lost sense of superiority.
After all, Demon Flame Valley was his domain—his word was law. As a 7-Star Dou Zong, why shouldn't he enjoy a bit of worship?
That night, however, his amusement turned to calculation.
He had only half-believed the Protector from the Hun Clan's Hall of Souls when the man came offering temptation: a colossal bounty for capturing a boy named Xiao Yan. But after a month of gathering information, the facts lined up neatly.
Xiao Yan—born in a second-rate empire, protected by a mere Dou Huang-level guardian. Nothing impressive. To someone of the Earth Demon's caliber, such an opponent was no more than a slightly sturdier ant.
The boy was said to study at Jia Nan Academy, the very place founded by his old rival Mang Tianchi. The thought alone made his eyes burn with malicious delight.
"Mang Tianchi…" he muttered, grinning eerily. "This ancestor will visit your academy, seize your precious student, and exchange him for the reward that will push me past Dou Zong… into Dou Zun! Heh heh heh…"
His dry laughter echoed through the valley, sharp and shrill like ghostly wailing in the wind.
A moment later, he waved his hand, composure returning to his gaunt face. "Prepare to move."
The command was simple, but in Demon Flame Valley, it was law.
The old ghost stepped into a bamboo palanquin, where four hulking Dou Wangs immediately lifted him aloft.
"The Earth Demon Ancestor, boundless power and divine might—marches to Jia Nan!"
With another unified roar, the entire force burst into the skies, wings of Dou Qi unfurling like a swarm of black bats. The mighty formation swept toward Jia Nan Inner Academy in thunderous flight.
---
Meanwhile, peace reigned over the Inner Academy.
Elders went about their duties, students cultivated or sparred in the courtyards, laughter mingling with the hum of energy in the air. None had the faintest clue that calamity was about to descend upon them.
In the serene back mountain, a quiet pavilion stood amidst lush greenery. There, reclining in a rocking chair with a cup of tea in hand, was the Academy's Grand Elder—Su Qian.
He took a lazy sip, sighing in contentment. "Another quiet, peaceful day."
Then—
BOOM!
A thunderous, raspy voice tore through the calm sky, echoing across the academy like a storm splitting the heavens.
"Brats of Jia Nan Academy! This Ancestor has arrived—why hasn't anyone come to welcome me? Is this how Mang Tianchi taught you manners?!"
"Pffft!"
Su Qian's mouthful of tea sprayed violently across the porch. His eyes bulged wide with disbelief.
"That crazy old fossil! Why in the heavens is he here? Shouldn't he be rotting away in Demon Flame Valley?"
He jumped to his feet, wrapping his Dou Qi around the cup to set it safely on the nearby table. It was his favorite cup—he couldn't bear to see it shattered.
Then, his figure blurred, vanishing from sight.
A breath later, Su Qian appeared high above the Inner Academy, hovering in the air.
One after another, streaks of light flared through the sky as elders and instructors soared up to join him. Each wore a grave expression, their eyes all turning toward the direction the voice had come from.
Su Qian's gaze was equally cold. Beneath his sleeves, his fists clenched tightly.
"Earth Demon Old Ghost…" he muttered darkly.
The words had barely left his lips before the distant sky erupted with the roar of breaking wind. Tiny black specks rapidly grew larger until an imposing group appeared on the horizon—led by a crimson-haired elder seated arrogantly in his airborne palanquin.
All around him, vicious-looking Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs flew in tight formation.
"The Earth Demon Ancestor, boundless power and divine might—marches to Jia Nan!"
The chant thundered once more, rattling the very skies above the Inner Academy.
A suffocating aura descended. While the elders in the air could endure it, many of the students below turned pale, their bodies trembling under the oppressive weight.
Su Qian's brows furrowed. He lifted his gaze, meeting the blood-haired old ghost's eyes across the void. "So many years have passed," he said evenly. "I see your strength hasn't dulled… though your arrogance certainly hasn't changed either."
"You must be Su Qian," the Earth Demon croaked. "To think that the little Dou Huang from back then has also reached the Dou Zong realm. Not bad."
Before Su Qian could respond, the old ghost waved his hand dismissively. "I didn't come to trade pleasantries. I've come to catch a thief. Your student, Xiao Yan, dared to steal a treasure from my Demon Flame Valley. Since Mang Tianchi can't teach his disciples, I, the Earth Demon Ancestor, will teach him myself!"
Su Qian's expression darkened instantly. He knew the boy's circumstances well—still only at the 9-Star Da Dou Shi level, far too weak to rob a place like Demon Flame Valley. The accusation was laughable.
With a cold smirk, he replied, "Heh. Empty words are cheap, Old Ghost. If a mere student could steal from your valley, then perhaps your grand Demon Flame Valley has already turned into a sieve."
A flash of malice glimmered in the old ghost's eyes. His sleeve flicked sharply, his voice dropping to a menacing chill. "Are you saying this ancestor would falsely accuse a junior? Hmph! Hand him over—whether you agree or not."
"If Mang Tianchi's here, then bring him out! I'll ask him myself what kind of students he's raising!"
Su Qian's smile turned razor-thin. "You dare speak that name so lightly? If the Headmaster were here, you wouldn't have the courage to step within ten miles of this academy."
The taunt made the old ghost's killing intent surge like a flood. "Don't think I fear Mang Tianchi! In our day, we were equals. Who are you, little Dou Zong, to interrupt me?"
"If you refuse to hand over Xiao Yan, then even if Mang Tianchi accuses me of bullying juniors—I'll make sure your Inner Academy never stands again!"
The moment those words fell, the sky tensed with killing intent.
Every elder behind Su Qian glared at the old ghost, flames of Dou Qi flickering around their bodies.
The peaceful Inner Academy had just become the stage for an imminent storm.
(End of Chapter)
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