321: Abyss changes hands

A black shadow, less than five feet tall, holding a short dagger, swept past the Flame Demon King's neck like a ghost.

The Flame Demon King's massive body suddenly stiffened, and a look of disbelief flashed in his molten giant eyes: "How is this possible? Shadow Devil King? The Shadow Clan has long been extinct..."

Before he could finish, his enormous head had already rolled from his neck. The demon infant that was revealed was already covered in spiderweb-like cracks.

The black shadow paused imperceptibly upon hearing this, then vanished into the Void Realm, ultimately not uttering a single word.

Yue Li lightly waved her palm, and a roaring Water Dragon instantly engulfed the delicate Flame Demon, who resembled a porcelain doll.

"The Shadow Clan disappeared? But the King of the Shadow Clan from a million years ago is still in the world!" she murmured, then transformed into a streak of light, rushing towards another Demon King of the Calamity Abyss who was entangled in battle with a Corpse King.

By the time Xiao Zhuo's immortal power was fully restored, the fierce battle at the edge of the realm barrier was also nearing its end.

The Corpse Clan lost two Corpse Kings—Shi Jiu and Shi Eleven.

And as for the Demon Kings who attacked from the three great abysses, five of them perished.

This battle fully demonstrated the might of the Corpse Kings of the Corpse Clan.

Fortunately, all the fallen King-grade powerhouses had Dao fruit imprints remaining on their Great Dao; after a long period of time, they could be reshaped and return, not truly annihilated.

Yue Li recovered the Corpse Cores of Shi Jiu and Shi Eleven; perhaps in just a few hundred years, they would be able to regain their positions as Corpse Kings.

In contrast, among the five fallen Demon Kings, only one managed to preserve his demon infant.

In this war, the Corpse Clan could be said to have achieved a great victory.

After the battle, Yue Li immediately ordered the Corpse Clan Army to march into the Blood Prison Abyss, beginning the cleansing of the ninety-nine Demon Cities at the bottom of the abyss.

Xiao Zhuo also joined the army on the expedition.

The quasi-Saint battle between Hao Duo and the Blood Demon Venerable was still ongoing.

However, Hao Duo was unfathomable, and no one in the Corpse Clan was worried that he would suffer any harm.

The main color of the Blood Prison Abyss was a depressing dark red, and the environment was even harsher than the bottom of the Eternal Tribulation Demon Abyss, with a pungent smell of blood permeating the air.

The Blood Prison Demon Army had already been completely annihilated; the Blood God Spawn that erupted in this battle was the last reserve of the Blood Prison Abyss.

The Corpse Clan Army advanced unopposed, encountering almost no decent resistance.

Of the ninety-nine cities at the bottom of the abyss, not a single city lord chose to surrender.

Unlike the cities outside the abyss, all the cities at the bottom of the abyss were confidants of the Blood Demon Venerable, with their city lords' Soul Blood in his hands, so they dared not submit to the Corpse Clan.

However, with their main forces completely lost, the mere tens of thousands of defending Demon Race in each city were utterly unable to stop the Corpse Clan's iron hooves.

Not a single strong city at the bottom of the abyss could withstand the Corpse Clan's offensive for more than half a day.

More than ten days later, the Myriad Blood Demon City at the center of the abyss fell.

The Blood Prison Abyss thus changed hands.

And the quasi-Saint battle in the sky above continued.

During this time, the Black Sky Demon Venerable's injuries healed, and he emerged from seclusion, heading directly to the World Sea.

Just on the third day after the Corpse Clan completely controlled the Blood Prison Abyss, a terrifying fluctuation, enough to shake the entire Demon Realm, suddenly came from the direction of the World Sea!

"Boom—!!!"

It wasn't an earth-shattering explosion, but a heart-pounding sound of disintegration, as if the very Foundation of heaven and earth was being forcibly torn apart!

Before the fluctuation could subside, a gigantic rift, spanning the entire horizon, suddenly opened in the dark red sky of the Blood Prison Abyss!

An endless torrent of World Sea Chaos Qi surged in, only to be forcibly mended in an instant by an irresistible Saint-Grade power.

Two figures, like gods and demons, slowly descended from the mended rift.

The one leading them was none other than the Lord of the Corpse Clan—Hao Duo!

His aura was as deep as the sea, and although he didn't intentionally release any earth-shattering pressure, it made all living beings in the entire Myriad Blood Demon City, and even the entire Blood Prison Abyss, feel a tremor and submission from the depths of their Souls.

His green robe was spotless, as if what had just concluded was not a life-and-death struggle of quasi-Saint-Grade, but a leisurely stroll.

Half a step behind him was the Black Sky Demon Venerable, whose aura was chilling and whose killing intent was formidable.

At this moment, his black robe fluttered, and his face showed neither joy nor sorrow.

"Greetings, Revered Master/Saint Venerable!" Yue Li, Xiao Zhuo, and a group of Corpse Kings appeared in mid-air, bowing in unison.

Throughout the abyss, welcoming shouts, like mountains roaring and seas surging, followed, shaking the nine heavens.

Hao Duo nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Myriad Blood Demon City below, which was already adorned with Corpse Clan battle flags, finally resting on Xiao Zhuo with a hint of imperceptible approval.

"Blood Demon Venerable," Hao Duo's voice was calm, yet it clearly reached every corner of the abyss, "His Dao fruit is shattered, his Foundation completely destroyed, with only a remnant Soul escaping into the depths of the World Sea, his life or death unknown. The Blood Prison Abyss, from this day forward, shall be under the jurisdiction of my Corpse Clan."

Though his words were light, they heralded the end of an era.

One of the nine great abysses officially changed hands, and the Blood Demon Venerable, who had dominated the Demon Realm for millions of years, fled in defeat! Nearly perishing!

As the news spread, the remaining Demon Race in the Blood Prison Abyss finally recognized reality and successively submitted to the Corpse Clan.

Inside the Demon City's main hall.

Complex matters such as clearing out remnants and arranging defenses were presided over by Yue Li.

Xiao Zhuo, meanwhile, stood silently outside the hall, awaiting his Revered Master's summons.

A moment later, the hall doors opened silently, and Hao Duo's voice came: "Fourth, come in."

Xiao Zhuo entered the hall. Hao Duo stood with his hands behind his back in the center of the hall; the Black Sky Demon Venerable was no longer to be seen, presumably having returned to his Main Body or having other important matters.

"Revered Master," Xiao Zhuo respectfully saluted.

"I am fully aware of the course of this battle," Hao Duo turned, his profound gaze seemingly able to see through everything about Xiao Zhuo, "Your decisive actions and significant contributions to the battle far exceeded my expectations."

"This Disciple was fortunate," Xiao Zhuo did not show arrogance.

Hao Duo waved his hand: "No need to be modest. Yue Li mentioned that you wish to travel?"

Xiao Zhuo took a deep breath, looking at Hao Duo with firm eyes: "Revered Master, this Disciple dares to request! The Blood Prison is settled, and the Demon Realm's structure is initially stable. This Disciple wishes to travel to the Immortal Realm for training!"

"Oh?" A hint of understanding flashed in Hao Duo's eyes, "The Demon Realm is no longer enough for you to display your abilities?"

"Not so," Xiao Zhuo shook his head, "This Disciple's path of cultivation has progressed quite rapidly. I simply wish to travel around, witness the myriad forms of the Great Thousand World, and temper my state of mind and Foundation."

Hao Duo remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "The path of the Dao requires both intensity and relaxation, embracing all. Since you have this intention, why would I stop you? Go if you wish!"

"Thank you, Revered Master, for granting my wish!" A great weight lifted from Xiao Zhuo's heart.

"However," Hao Duo's tone became slightly serious, "the Immortal Realm is not like the Demon Realm; this Venerable is not convenient to set foot there. The Heavenly Court, Holy Land, Buddhist Kingdoms, and even numerous ancient immortal ruins are unfathomably deep and far beyond your imagination. You must be careful!"

"This Disciple understands!" Xiao Zhuo solemnly promised.

"Go!" Hao Duo waved his hand, and his figure gradually faded.

Myriad Blood Demon City · Outer City Plaza.

This place was the most bustling area of the Blood Prison Abyss, and even though the great war had just ended, there were still many people coming and going.

Xiao Zhuo gathered the Eternal Calamity Demon Generals who had followed him through life and death here, preparing to send them off.

More than thirty Demon Generals gathered in the center of the plaza, Ban Xuanji stood beside Xiao Zhuo, and Ye Zhenyu and others stood around.

The last battle was fierce, and the Old Demon General Yue Rujiu also perished in the battle of the Blood God Spawn.

Xiao Zhuo surveyed the crowd and slowly began, "Everyone, from the Place of Cessation of Grief onwards, you and I have repeatedly experienced life and death, and later fell into the hands of the Corpse Clan together. Although I was fortunate enough to become a Disciple of Revered Master and gain your Soul Blood's allegiance, I understand in my heart that you were merely forced by circumstances at the time, and not truly willing."

As soon as these words were spoken, a subtle stir arose among the crowd, and Divine Sense communications were constant.

Xiao Zhuo ignored it and continued, "Your Soul Blood can be returned today. I hope you will not forget the kindness of today."

As his words fell, almost everyone's faces showed a relieved smile, even the dozen or so Demon Generals who had long been convinced by Xiao Zhuo and followed him all along, were no exception.

After all, no matter how deep the admiration, no one wished to have their life-and-death Soul Blood forever tied to another's hands.

"Thank you, Commander Xiao! We will never forget this kindness!" Apart from Ban Xuanji, including Ye Zhenyu, everyone cupped their hands in thanks.

Xiao Zhuo nodded, saying no more.

He pointed to his glabella, and the Soul Blood of everyone, stored in his zizai world, appeared one after another, transforming into specks of flowing light, accurately floating back into the hands of their respective owners.

"With matters here concluded, I have sought Revered Master's grace, and you may all depart on your own!" After everyone retrieved their Soul Blood, Xiao Zhuo announced loudly.

"Brother Xiao!" Ban Xuanji stepped forward, sighing, "Brother, I owe my survival this time entirely to your repeated protection! You are much stronger than I imagined, and you will surely achieve quasi-Saint-Grade in the future! If not for Family ties in Eternal Calamity, I would certainly follow you!"

"Fellow Daoist Xiao! Thank you for your help this time! If you ever return to Eternal Calamity in the future, if you have any requests, you can come to the Ye Family in Zuowang City to find me!" Ye Zhenyu also stepped forward and thanked him solemnly.

Xiao Zhuo said nothing, merely cupping his hands in return.

Then he turned to Ban Xuanji: "Big Brother Ban, after this parting, I don't know when we'll meet again. How about we go and taste the fine wine of this Myriad Blood Demon City?"

Ban Xuanji laughed heartily, patting Xiao Zhuo's shoulder with force: "Haha! That suits me perfectly! Let's go!"

The two looked at each other and laughed, walking side by side towards the most luxuriously decorated restaurant next to the plaza.

The other Demon Generals, knowing that their friendship with Xiao Zhuo could not compare to Ban Xuanji's, dispersed one after another.

Only Ye Zhenyu remained standing in place, her gaze following their receding figures, lost in thought.