Qian Daoliu suppressed the Raging Waves in his heart, his golden eyes locked onto the dark red portal within the distorted space, while the secret lore of the Angel lineage flashed rapidly through his mind.
"Hell Gate... Demon Plane..." he muttered to himself, his tone grave to the extreme.
According to the records, the universe is vast, and planes are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. The Douluo Continent is located in a massive, stable, and resource-rich "Large Material Plane." The portal before him was connected to a "Medium Material Plane"—the Demon Plane—which belongs to the same category of "Material Plane" as the Douluo Continent but is far inferior in scale!
Between Material Planes, the rules are stable, making it difficult for them to devour or merge with one another; they are more like independent "islands." Therefore, regarding invasions from such medium-sized material planes, as long as it does not involve the direct participation of God-level powers or reach the extent of mass death on the Douluo Plane, the Gods who reside high in the God Realm and govern the rules usually do not intervene directly.
Gods are not babysitters, and humans are not giant infants; they prefer to dispatch "Divine Envoys" or "Great Angel Consecrators" who hold their inheritance on that plane to lead humanity in handling the matter themselves, as the Gods rarely act personally. Of course, if those "Energy Planes" composed purely of energy (such as the Abyss Plane that invaded in Dou San, which is actually a supplement to the God Realm) appear in the vision of the God Realm, the God Realm will certainly "tearfully" accept this gift from heaven.
However, this does not mean the threat of the Demon Plane is small! On the contrary! Precisely because they cannot directly devour the Douluo Continent like an Energy Plane, their method of invasion is more cruel and destructive—plundering resources, slaughtering living beings, and spreading chaos and despair!
"These damned plunderers!" Cold fury ignited in Qian Daoliu's eyes. The inherited memories told him that this was not the first time the Demon Plane had invaded the Douluo Continent! Throughout the long history, they have been like greedy hyenas, attempting several times to pry open the "back door" to this rich world!
Every invasion brought deep disaster to the living beings of the continent. Especially in the early days when human Soul Master forces were relatively primitive and top-tier powerhouses were scarce, they were the priority targets for the demons (after all, the soul beasts had many Fierce Beasts sitting in command, making them harder to chew). Fortunately, the Angel God left an inheritance on the Douluo Continent, and the successive Great Angel Consecrators shouldered the responsibility of protection, stepping forward each time to fight in blood, eventually managing to repel the invasion and sever the passage.
But these demons are extremely cunning! They know of the existence of the God Realm and dare not go too far, lest they provoke the wrath of the Gods. Therefore, every invasion is controlled within the scale of "plundering" rather than "world-ending," stopping while they are ahead. Most detestably, when they were repelled during the first large-scale invasion, they took advantage of the chaos to scatter countless "Demon Seeds" across the Douluo Continent.
These seeds either lurked in certain special bloodlines, forming what is known as an "Innate Evil Martial Soul," whose possessors are like tiny, unstable seeds of a Hell Gate that will eventually open a Hell Gate as their cultivation level rises; or they transformed into invisible curses, scattered across the continent, growing slowly by absorbing the resentment, blood, and negative emotions of living beings. Once the conditions are ripe, they can transform into a new Hell Gate passage!
Although the Great Angel Consecrators, having gained experience after the first time, increased their vigilance and successfully intercepted more seeds that the demons attempted to plant in subsequent invasions, the toxic remnants of the first time have yet to be completely cleared! The source of those strange and powerful evil martial souls on the continent mostly lies here!
"The portal before me is clearly a Demon Seed that has been dormant for who knows how many years, having just gestated into form after absorbing enough energy!" Qian Daoliu instantly assessed the situation. The portal was not highly solidified, and although the aura it emitted was evil and vast, the passage was still unstable, clearly having just formed.
However, the entity guarding behind the gate possessed terrifying strength! The strike from across the distance just now contained a level of power that definitely reached the standard of a Titled Douluo! That was at least a Demon King level existence! With it in command, given Qian Daoliu's current Level 97 strength, it was very difficult to bypass its defense and destroy the unstable Hell Gate!
"I must immediately send the message back to Martial Soul Hall! No, Martial Soul Hall alone may not be able to handle this; the Demon Plane might have reinforcements, and we need to assemble the top powers of the continent!" Qian Daoliu made a prompt decision. He took a deep look at the portal that was continuously leaking evil aura, then flapped his six wings, transforming into a streak of golden light, and soared into the sky at maximum speed, rushing toward Martial Soul Hall! He didn't even care about the consumption of his Soul Power, pushing his speed to the limit!
Not long after, he arrived at the nearest Main Hall of a large city and had them use the special communication method of Martial Soul Hall to send the shocking news—"Demon Plane invasion, Hell Gate first appeared in the Savage Beast Hills, guarded by a Demon King"—back to Martial Soul City with the highest emergency priority.
Once the message was received, the upper echelons of Martial Soul Hall were shaken! The current Pope immediately ordered the activation of the highest emergency plan, on one hand mobilizing the elite forces of Martial Soul Hall, and on the other, sending urgent requests for aid to the newly ranked Upper Three Sects, Lower Four Sects, and the two great empires at the fastest speed! A demon invasion concerns the survival of the continent; it is no longer a matter for one sect or one hall alone!
As for the Great Angel Consecrator Qian Chongxiao, the moment he received the message from his son Qian Daoliu, he was awakened from his seclusion. He didn't even have time to make arrangements, leaving only the words "Assemble all forces, come to support quickly" for the Pope before his figure instantly vanished from the Main Hall, rushing madly toward the Savage Beast Hills! He knew better than anyone the horror of a demon invasion!
However, the distance between them was not something that could be crossed in an instant, even for a Titled Douluo. Although Qian Chongxiao traveled at full speed, it still took nearly a day to get from Martial Soul City to the remote Savage Beast Hills!
For Qian Daoliu, who was guarding the outskirts of the Savage Beast Hills, this day felt like years!
His departure to report and his return at full speed took only half a day. But when he arrived back at the outskirts of the Savage Beast Hills, the sight before him made his heart sink to the bottom!
That Hell Gate was twice as solidified as before! The gap in the portal had also widened slightly, and the evil aura pouring out was even more dense! Even more terrifying was that in the previously barren valley in front of the portal, thousands of demons had gathered in a dense swarm.
These demons were of various forms, hideous and terrifying:
The lowest tier were the "Lesser Demons," short in stature with dark red skin and sharp claws and teeth, their aura equivalent to a human Soul Elder. They were the most numerous, surging like a tide and emitting ear-piercing shrieks.
Slightly stronger were the "Inferior Demons," tall with knotted muscles and bone blades, and the "Blade Demons," agile with arms like blades emitting cold light. Their strength was comparable to a Soul Ancestor, forming the backbone of the demon army.
There were also dozens of "Hell Demons" over three meters tall, covered in bone armor and emitting a fierce aura, their strength reaching the level of a Soul Emperor! They acted as minor leaders, driving the low-tier demons.
The entire valley was filled with towering Demonic Energy and deafening roars, having already become a nest for demons!
Qian Daoliu's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He could not let them continue to expand! Without hesitation, he manifested his Six-winged Angel true form, held the Angel Sacred Sword, and charged into the demon horde!
"Holy Purify!"
The brilliant Holy Light spread like a tide. Wherever it passed, the low-tier Lesser Demons and Inferior Demons shrieked and turned into fly ash like snow meeting the sun! The Blade Demons and Hell Demons also let out painful howls, black smoke rising from their bodies as they died screaming.
Qian Daoliu was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, his Sacred Sword swinging, each strike taking the lives of dozens of demons. The restraint effect of the Angel Divine Power on demons was extremely significant.
However, the number of demons was simply too great! Moreover, as if sensing his threat, seven powerful figures suddenly rushed out from the Hell Gate!
These were seven tall demons riding Nightmare Warhorses burning with ghostly blue flames, clad in pitch-black heavy armor and wielding massive horse-slaying blades! Their aura was condensed and evil, clearly reaching the level of ordinary Titled Douluo! They were the elites of the demon army—Great Demon Knights!
What was more troublesome was that these seven Great Demon Knights were clearly proficient in combined attack techniques! They surrounded Qian Daoliu in a fan shape, their blade light continuous and their Demonic Energy intertwined, forming a massive web of death. Their offensive was like a storm, their cooperation seamless, and they actually managed to trap Qian Daoliu firmly!
Although Qian Daoliu held the upper hand by relying on his holy attribute restraint and exquisite swordsmanship, every time his Sacred Sword collided with a horse-slaying blade, it left deep scorch marks on their armor and even snapped their weapons. But these Great Demon Knights had extremely tenacious Life Force; after being wounded, their Demonic Energy would surge, and their wounds would slowly heal! Furthermore, they cooperated perfectly, integrating offense and defense, and for a time, Qian Daoliu could not quickly defeat any one of them, and the battle fell into a stalemate!
He was anxious but helpless. He could only circle with the seven Great Demon Knights while continuously releasing area-of-effect Holy Light to clear out the low-tier demons attempting to approach, delaying the expansion of the demon army. But his efficiency was greatly reduced.
Just as Qian Daoliu was struggling in battle, at noon on the third day, the sky suddenly brightened! A vast, majestic, and powerful pressure filled with holy aura shrouded the entire valley like a canopy!
"Evil creature! How dare you invade my Douluo!"
A roar exploded like thunder from the nine heavens! The figure of Qian Chongxiao had finally arrived! His hair and beard stood on end, his white robes fluttered, and he held a long sword that was entirely golden, emitting endless light and holy fluctuations—a Divine Artifact, the Angel Sacred Sword!
The terrifying pressure of a Titled Douluo, mixed with the supreme Divine Might of the Divine Artifact, caused all the demons in the valley to pause, emitting fearful shrieks! Even the seven Great Demon Knights surrounding Qian Daoliu slowed down instantly, revealing openings!
"Father!" Qian Daoliu's spirit lifted.
"Die!" Qian Chongxiao did not waste a single word, his eyes filled with cold killing intent. As he swung the Angel Sacred Sword, a golden sword aura that spanned the heavens and earth descended like a waterfall, slashing toward the seven Great Demon Knights and the vast demon army behind them!
Before the sword aura even arrived, the pure power of purification had already vaporized countless low-tier demons!
However, at this critical moment!
"Roar—!"
A roar filled with brutality and madness came from the depths of the Hell Gate! The portal, which had been trembling continuously, suddenly erupted with blinding blood light! The gap in the portal widened abruptly! Following that, a huge, hideous, dark red figure emitting a terrifying aura far exceeding that of a Titled Douluo squeezed out from the passage that had not yet fully stabilized!
It stood over ten meters tall, with curved giant horns on its head, tattered flesh wings on its back, and its body covered in thick, dark red scales. In its hand, it held a giant axe burning with Hellfire! It was the Demon King guarding behind the gate! Seeing Qian Chongxiao arrive with a Divine Artifact and posing a huge threat, it did not hesitate to sacrifice the Life Force and souls of a large number of its demon subordinates to forcibly ripen the passage and descend ahead of schedule!
"Birdman! Don't be arrogant!" The Demon King roared, swinging its Hellfire giant axe to meet Qian Chongxiao's Angel Sacred Sword!
Boom—!!!!
The holy sword aura and the Hellfire axe collided violently! A terrifying energy storm instantly swept through the entire valley, the earth cracked, and space distorted! Countless low-tier demons nearby, along with the seven Great Demon Knights, were torn into pieces like paper in the aftermath of the collision!
Qian Chongxiao's figure swayed slightly, but he stabilized himself, his eyes cold. The Demon King staggered back several steps, leaving deep footprints on the ground. Its scales were cracked in many places, magma-like blood flowed out, and a clear gap was left on the fire axe. In the first exchange, Qian Chongxiao, holding the Divine Artifact, clearly held the upper hand!
"Evil shall be purified!" Qian Chongxiao pressed his advantage relentlessly, the Angel Sacred Sword blazing with brilliant light as he unleashed a storm of attacks! His swordsmanship was grand and sweeping, every strike imbued with the supreme will to purge evil, forcing the Demon King to retreat step by step, barely holding on by relying on its formidable Demon Body and eerie Hellfire.
However, Qian Chongxiao's brows gradually furrowed. This Demon King was extremely cunning! Having learned the lethality of the Angel Sacred Sword from that previous strike, it focused most of its energy on dodging or parrying the sword's direct slashes. As for the Sacred impact and Soul Skill attacks accompanying Qian Chongxiao's strikes, it avoided them whenever possible or blocked them; if it truly couldn't dodge or block, it would simply Resist using its powerful Demon Body!
Although Qian Chongxiao kept it suppressed and left many wounds on its body, none were fatal. The Demon King's Life Force was terrifyingly tenacious, and its wounds slowly healed under the nourishment of the Demonic Energy.
This won't do... If this continues, it will drag me into a stalemate! Qian Chongxiao felt a surge of anxiety. He had suffered a severe Hidden Injury in his youth; despite years of recuperation, the root cause remained, preventing him from engaging in prolonged, high-intensity combat. If the battle dragged on, once his old injury flared up or his Soul Power Consumption became too great, the situation would take a sharp turn for the worse!
His peripheral vision swept across the battlefield. Although Qian Daoliu had temporarily shaken off the encirclement and was clearing out the scattered demons, the number of demons remained massive, and new ones were constantly pouring out of the Hell Gate! If they fought a war of attrition, even if he managed to finish off the Demon King, he would likely be exhausted afterward. With only Qian Daoliu left, it would be impossible to break through the blockade of the demon army to reach the portal!
Unless... he was willing to risk his life and pay a heavy price to forcibly unleash the full might of the Angel Sacred Sword. Perhaps he could briefly erupt with power approaching the god-level to destroy both the Demon King and the Hell Gate in one blow! But at best, he would suffer severe damage to his Cultivation Level; at worst, he would lose his life.
This thought flashed through Qian Chongxiao's mind. But immediately, he thought of the Nine Angel Trials that Qian Daoliu was currently undergoing, and the cruel final trial mentioned in the inheritance records that required the sacrifice of a close relative... If he died in battle now, what would happen to Liuer's god trial? What would happen to the inheritance of the Angel lineage?
A trace of selfishness gnawed at his heart like a Viper. He was unwilling to die! At least, not now! He had to watch his son complete the god trial and inherit the godhood!
God Ancestor above, forgive Chongxiao for his cowardice and selfishness... Qian Chongxiao prayed silently in his heart and made his decision.
He suddenly intensified his offensive, the Angel Sacred Sword erupting with blinding light, forcing the Demon King to retreat repeatedly. Seizing the opportunity, he sent a telepathic shout to Qian Daoliu: "Liuer! The demons are too strong, and the portal is too hard to break! Retreat first and regroup with the reinforcements to fight again!"
Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu was stunned. He looked at his father and instantly understood his concerns and his choice. He gritted his teeth; although he was unwilling, he knew this was the most rational choice at the moment. Fighting head-on alone offered little chance of victory.
"Retreat!"
Qian Chongxiao feinted with his sword to force the Demon King back, then flashed to Qian Daoliu's side. He grabbed his son's shoulder, and as the Power of Space fluctuated around him, he tore through space instantly, vanishing from the spot with Qian Daoliu.
The Demon King let out a roar of frustration but did not pursue. It had just forcibly descended and consumed a vast amount of energy; it also needed time to stabilize the passage and recover its strength. Its crimson eyes stared in the direction where Qian Chongxiao and his son had vanished, filled with cruelty and greed.
"Hmph! Run, then! Ants! Once this King completely stabilizes the passage and the army descends, this fertile land will eventually turn into a purgatory!"
In the valley, the roars of demons rang out once more, filled with triumph and being Arrogant. The Hell Gate flickered with blood-red light as more demons poured out, beginning to spread toward the outskirts of the Savage Beast Hills...
In this first battle, the human side retreated a step due to delayed intelligence, insufficient support, and Qian Chongxiao's hidden concerns. The crisis of the demon invasion had fully erupted! The fate of the continent now rested in the hands of the approaching Coalition of Seven Sects!
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan