Demonic Ghost Realm
The Demon Nether Domain is located on a continent between the Great Thousand Domain and the Southern Continent.
Its area is roughly five times the size of the Great Thousand Domain.
Therefore, the entire Demon Nether Domain has five major First-Rank forces.
The Sacred Demon Sect, where the Mahayana Stage demonic cultivator killed by Chen Yuan belonged, is one of them.
It originally had two Mahayana Stage experts presiding over it, but now one has fallen, along with three Body Integration Stage experts, resulting in a devastating loss of Origin Qi.
Excluding the Sacred Demon Sect, the other four sects are the Nine Yin Sect, the Heaven Refining Gu Sect, the Joyful Union Sect, and the Blood Transformation Sect.
Above the five major First-Rank forces of the Demon Nether Domain, there is also a Super First-Rank force named the Demon Nether Palace.
The current Palace Revered Master of the Demon Nether Palace is a Second-Rotation Tribulation Transcendence Stage expert, and internally, there is also a Third-Rotation Tribulation Transcendence Stage Old Ancestor presiding.
(The Tribulation Transcendence Stage is divided into One to Nine Rotations. Each Rotation represents a Major Step, and a Lightning Tribulation must be undergone every three Rotations.)
The Demon Nether Domain, Demon Nether Palace.
Inside the majestic and imposing Great Hall, Devilish Qi swirled, and the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.
Seated upon the highest White Bone Throne was a figure shrouded in darkness—the current Palace Revered Master of the Demon Nether Palace, the Venerable You Sha.
Below, five figures with powerful auras stood, who were the Power Holders of the five major First-Rank forces in the Demon Nether Domain.
Among them, the representative from the Sacred Demon Sect was another Mahayana Middle Stage Old Ancestor. His expression was ugly, and sweat beads were faintly visible on his forehead.
The Sect Masters of the remaining four sects had varied expressions—some indifferent, some gloating, and some scrutinizing.
"Trash!"
Venerable You Sha's frigid voice broke the silence, chilling them to the bone and causing everyone below to tremble internally.
His gaze, like two tangible, dark flames, was fixed upon the Sacred Demon Sect Old Ancestor.
"Without this Venerable's permission, you dared to mobilize a Large Army and Cross-Boundary to attack the Eastern Barrens! And what was the result? Your Sect Master fell, you lost one Mahayana expert and three Body Integration experts! The Sacred Demon Sect's Ten Thousand Years of accumulation is severely damaged! Who gave you the audacity?! Hmm?!"
The terrifying Undergoing Tribulation Pressure pressed down on the Sacred Demon Sect Old Ancestor like a mountain, making him almost unable to breathe. He quickly bowed and offered a strained defense:
"Palace Revered Master, please calm your anger! Our Sect Master... he also wanted to expand territory for our Sacred Clan and seize the initiative. He never expected that the Xuantian Sect would conceal such Methods..."
"Seize the initiative?" Venerable You Sha's voice grew colder, laced with sarcasm. "Startling the Snake by Beating the Grass, Suffering Losses in Troops and Generals—is this the initiative you seized?!
This Venerable has been confronting those Old Undying Ones in the Southern Continent for many years, barely managing to maintain the situation. We currently require the combined pressure of all forces!
But you acted on your own, causing losses to the High-End Combat Power of my Demon Nether Domain, and even alerting the Eastern Barrens!"
He suddenly slammed the armrest of the Throne, causing the entire Great Hall to tremble:
"Now that the Sacred Demon Sect's strength is greatly damaged, how can the plan originally assigned to your sect and the Joyful Union Sect—to contain the Eastern Barrens—continue? Should this Venerable personally Divide Forces, or should I make the other three sects fill your Gap?!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the representatives of the Nine Yin Sect and the other three sects' eyes flickered slightly. Clearly, none of them were willing to take over this Mess for no reason.
The Sacred Demon Sect Old Ancestor's face was ashen. He knew that not only had the Sacred Demon Sect suffered heavy losses this time, but its internal status in the Demon Nether Domain had also plummeted. From now on, they would likely have to rely on others' goodwill.
Venerable You Sha took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and stated coldly: "Issue the Decree! For the next century, the Sacred Demon Sect must surrender seventy percent of its Resources to compensate for this transgression! In the direction of the Eastern Barrens, all large-scale operations are temporarily suspended, focusing primarily on Infiltration and Division!
The current primary target remains the Southern Continent!"
"Yes! We respectfully obey the Palace Revered Master's Decree!" Everyone below responded in unison, no one daring to dissent.
The Sacred Demon Sect Old Ancestor's heart bled, but he could only grit his teeth and accept the order.
Following this battle, the Demon Nether Domain's plan to invade the Eastern Barrens from the north was forcibly put on hold.
Xuantian Sect, Ziqing Peak, Leng Youmeng's Sleeping Quarters.
Not long after Chen Yuan returned to his Residence, he received a Sound Transmission from Leng Youmeng, instructing him to come immediately.
Stepping into the familiar Sleeping Quarters, which carried a cool Lotus Fragrance, Chen Yuan saw Leng Youmeng standing with her back to him by the window, gazing at the floating Sea of Clouds outside. Her moon-white Daoist Robe outlined her graceful, ethereal figure.
"Revered Master," Chen Yuan greeted her with a Cupped-Hand Salute.
Leng Youmeng slowly turned around. No emotion could be discerned on her cool, stunningly beautiful face, but her eyes, deep as a Cold Pool, stared directly at Chen Yuan.
"Chen Yuan." She spoke, her voice still cool, but laced with a hint of complexity. "Can you tell your Revered Master where that Method of instantly possessing Late Mahayana Stage Cultivation came from?
Your Revered Master has searched Ancient Records and has never heard of any Secret Treasure or Medicinal Pill that allows one to cross so many major Realms without any subsequent Side Effects."
Chen Yuan had long been prepared. He showed a look of sincerity: "Revered Master, Please Understand. This was granted by a mysterious Talisman that this Disciple accidentally obtained in an Ancient Ruin many years ago.
The Talisman has completely dissipated. This Disciple does not know its name or origin, only that it was a Life-Saving Item that perhaps could only be used once in a lifetime."
He pushed all responsibility onto the vague and ethereal Ancient Ruin and the one-time mysterious Talisman.
Leng Youmeng listened quietly, her gaze lingering on his face for a long time, seemingly trying to discern the truthfulness of his words.
Finally, she sighed softly and did not press further.
Everyone has their own Opportunity and Secrets. Although she is his Revered Master, it is inconvenient to pry, so long as she confirms it is harmless to Chen Yuan.
However, she changed the subject, and her tone became slightly subtle, carrying a faint, elusive chill:
"Then... what is going on between you and Shu Han? I see she seems quite dependent on you."
Chen Yuan's heart sank, thinking, 'Here it comes.'
He rubbed his nose and chuckled awkwardly: "Revered Master, Senior Sister Shu Han and I fought side-by-side on Demon King Mountain, and feelings developed between us. She... has already agreed to be my Dao Companion."
The temperature inside the Sleeping Quarters seemed to drop instantly by several degrees.
Leng Youmeng's eyes narrowed slightly, and the cool Qi around her seemed to materialize into Frost. She took a step forward, closing in on Chen Yuan. They were so close they could almost feel each other's breath.
"Oh? Dao Companion?" Her red lips parted slightly, her voice carrying a hint of danger. "Then what about your Revered Master? Where do you place me?"
Chen Yuan could clearly see the fleeting hint of Resentment and Jealousy in her eyes, making her seem completely different from his usually cool and aloof Revered Master.
He felt both slightly amused and a surge of warmth and apology.
He reached out his hand and boldly grasped Leng Youmeng's slightly cool, Slender Hand, looking at her sincerely:
"Revered Master, your status in my heart is irreplaceable. Neither Shu Han nor... anyone else can compare to you in the slightest.
It's just that... where feelings arise, they are difficult to control. I hope Revered Master can understand."
His words were clever, expressing Leng Youmeng's unique importance while not completely denying his relationship with other women, leaving room for maneuver.
Leng Youmeng's delicate body trembled slightly when he held her hand. Hearing his Scoundrel-like Words, she wanted to rebuke him, but meeting his apologetic eyes, the words caught in her throat.