271: Battle of the Demon King

Ban Xuanji was extremely quick in selecting new recruits, possessing a sharp eye. Moments later, eighteen new Profound Demons, including Xiao Zhuo, each with different auras but all exuding powerful fluctuations, stood behind him.

Compared to other Demon Generals who were still deliberating, his side had already settled.

"Go!" Ban Xuanji waved his hand, and a gentle yet irresistible force enveloped Xiao Zhuo and the others. The space twisted slightly, and everyone's vision blurred. They had already left the noisy and chaotic drill ground.

The next moment, they appeared in an even more desolate area.

The buildings here were no longer rough black stones, but obsidian fortresses gleaming with a metallic cold light, arranged in a strict order. The air was filled with even purer Devilish Qi, as well as the Evil Qi precipitated from bloody campaigns.

Giant demonic flame banners fluttered, emblazoned with a ferocious black demon head—the symbol of the Eternal Calamity Demon Army.

This place was the Third Battalion's station in Black Edge Fortress's main camp.

Ban Xuanji led everyone to an open training ground and waved his hand to release the force.

He turned around, his eyes, deep as an abyss, sweeping over the eighteen new recruits. His gaze lingered on Xiao Zhuo for an extra moment.

"Welcome to the whetstone of the abyss—the Third Battalion of Black Edge Fortress, Eternal Calamity Demon Army." Ban Xuanji's voice was low and powerful, carrying the scent of gunpowder unique to the battlefield. "Here, there is no tenderness, only the law of the jungle, only tempering by blood and fire. All of you are at least Heavenly Demon Realm; outside, you might be considered somewhat powerful. But here, 'somewhat powerful' is far from enough!"

He paused, and an invisible pressure made the air a few degrees heavier: "You need to become sharp blades, chariots, fangs that can tear through the enemy's defenses! Comfort and hiding your true strength are paths to death here."

His gaze fell on Xiao Zhuo again, with a pointed meaning: "You all must have seen the conflict just now. Hei Fang Luowu, that idiot from the First Battalion, why was he so eager to challenge the new Profound Demon, even resorting to a killing move like 'Six-Armed Black Demon Shattering Prison'?"

Everyone was silent, but their eyes showed contemplation.

Xiao Zhuo's heart stirred. Combining Hei Fang Tianyu's domineering attitude and Ban Xuanji's protection, he vaguely had a guess.

Ban Xuanji snorted coldly: "Because a great Opportunity, one that concerns the future and even the lives of all of you, is about to arrive!"

He scanned the crowd, enunciating each word as he delivered the bombshell news: "The command center of Black Edge Fortress's main camp has just issued a military order: before the main army sets out for the Tianjue Mountain front line, a Battle for the Profound Demon Leader will be held! The main camp will select the strongest Profound Demon from all Profound Demon Realm warriors!"

"This person will be conferred the title of 'Demon General'!"

As soon as these words were spoken, even the resolute Profound Demons present couldn't help but let out a low gasp, their eyes instantly bursting with fervent light.

Demon General!

That was an existence on par with a Golden Immortal, a true pillar of the Demon Realm, a symbol of power and status!

"Of course, this Demon General is not that Demon General," Ban Xuanji poured a bit of cold water, but also ignited greater ambition, "it does not mean true Demon General Realm cultivation. But the title itself represents the highest recognition from the main camp, representing supreme glory! More importantly, it will bring tangible, envy-inducing resource allocation!"

His voice carried a strong temptation: "Those who obtain this title will instantly receive a massive amount of merit, enough to exchange for top-tier Demonic Techniques, Divine Weapons, and even life-saving Secret Treasures from the military supply depot! More crucially, your names will directly enter the sight of the main camp's command center and receive focused cultivation! What does this mean?"

Ban Xuanji's voice suddenly rose: "It means that your path to the true Demon General Realm will be greatly shortened! Qualifications for immersion in the Abyssal Demon Pool, personal guidance from Demon General-level powerhouses, priority in obtaining the most perilous yet most rewarding missions, and even the benefits from the Secret Realm that triggered this war... these resources, normally you wouldn't be able to snatch even a shred of them even if you fought to the death!"

On the training ground, heavy breathing rose and fell.

Even Xiao Zhuo's eyes sharpened a few degrees.

"That idiotic younger brother of Hei Fang Tianyu, challenging to establish dominance early, was just trying to plant seeds of fear in the hearts of you newcomers, to strike at your confidence, and at the same time solidify his own unyielding Dao Heart, so as to gain a psychological advantage in the Leader Battle." Ban Xuanji sneered disdainfully, "Unfortunately, he hit a steel plate and made a fool of himself."

His gaze once again locked onto Xiao Zhuo, carrying scrutiny and a hint of expectation: "Kid, your name is Primal Beginning, right? To be able to directly withstand Hei Fang Luowu's Six-Armed Divine Ability, and even almost cripple him, this strength is top-notch among the newcomers. You have a chance to contend for the Leader Battle."

Xiao Zhuo bowed slightly, his voice still calm and unruffled: "This subordinate will do his best."

He didn't boast, but the confidence contained within that calmness was more powerful than any grand declaration.

He had held back considerably in his previous move.

Previously, he was unwilling to expose himself for fear of attracting unnecessary scrutiny.

But now, the allure of this "Demon General" title was too great, and it was a legitimate way to acquire resources, making it worth the risk of revealing some of his strength.

After all, the military's merit points were genuinely good things; even if he didn't exchange them for anything else, one hundred thousand merit points sold to others would be worth at least two hundred thousand demon crystals, enough for him to cultivate his bixue to the Saint-Grade.

"Not just do your best, you must!" Ban Xuanji said in a deep voice, with an unquestionable forcefulness, "The Leader Battle will be held on the Commander's Platform on the day the army sets out! The specific rules will be announced then. You only have one day to adjust your state, familiarize yourselves with camp regulations, and receive standard equipment. Then, before the expedition, fight hard and earn me some Face!"

He waved his hand, and several fierce-looking Profound Demons, clearly veterans, emerged from the shadows, holding standard blood-colored waist tokens and black battle armor emitting a faint glow.

"Take your identity tokens and battle armor; someone will lead you to your respective barracks." Ban Xuanji gave everyone a final glance, his gaze lingering longest on Xiao Zhuo, carrying a hint of warning and expectation, "Remember, in the Third Battalion, fists are reason, strength is status. If you want to live well, if you want to climb high, then fight! Compete! The Leader Battle is your first hurdle. Don't embarrass me, especially you, Primal Beginning!"

With that, his figure flickered, disappearing as if melting into the shadows.

With the heavy standard battle armor and cold waist token in hand, Xiao Zhuo clenched his fist, his eyes deep.

The waist token felt heavy in his hand, cold to the touch. It was engraved with complex demonic patterns, a numerical code, and a small character ' Three' (three), representing the Third Battalion.

The battle armor, on the other hand, emitted faint Devilish Qi fluctuations. Its defensive power was clearly much stronger than his shattered black robe, but compared to his own blood god armor, it was like scrap metal.

A scarred veteran stepped forward and said in a gruff voice, "Newcomers, follow me."

He glanced at Xiao Zhuo, his eyes carrying a hint of imperceptible awe—clearly, the aftermath of the battle on the drill ground had already spread to those who paid attention.

Xiao Zhuo silently followed, moving with the flow of people towards the barrack area.

His mind, however, was rapidly working.

"Hei Fang Luowu... that was just the beginning." Xiao Zhuo sneered inwardly, "The real opponents are those veteran Profound Demons who have fought in the Demon Army for many years, and perhaps... there are others like me who hide their strength. Commander's Platform... Buried Immortal Abyss..."

He looked up at the Black Edge Fortress's sky, perpetually like dusk, shrouded in thick demonic clouds.

Beneath the shadow of his hood, a silver eyebrow slightly arched, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"This Demon General title, I will have it."

One day passed in a flash.

The atmosphere in Black Edge Fortress's main camp became invisibly more solemn and fervent.

Countless gazes, overt and covert, were focused on the Commander's Platform, which was about to open.

And Xiao Zhuo, the mysterious Profound Demon Primal Beginning, who had stirred up waves upon entering the military camp, had undoubtedly become one of the most anticipated figures in this Leader Battle.