198: Deadly Siege

Northeast of Shanyin City.

The deepest part of the Guyin Mountain Range.

A massive valley surrounded by natural rock walls.

The atmosphere here was starkly different from the bloody, slaughter-filled battlefield on the outskirts, yet it was even more suffocating.

In the center of the valley, on a relatively flat clearing.

Thousands of Demonic Evils of various forms were prostrate on the ground in a dense mass.

Their auras varied in strength, but at this moment, without exception, they all had their heads pressed deep into the cold, damp ground.

Their bodies trembled slightly with excitement, not daring to make the slightest sound.

At the center of their worship stood a natural stone platform.

Aloft the platform, five figures stood tall and imposing.

The energy fluctuations they emitted were like a tangible tide of darkness, pressing down so hard that all the Demonic Evils below struggled to breathe.

These five were none other than the true masterminds behind this "Night Parade of a Hundred Demons" anomaly!

The one in the center was a massive beast covered in a dark red, lava-like carapace, breathing out sulfurous fumes—the vanguard general under the Incinerator, the Flame Skull Demon!

The remaining four were also subordinates of the Incinerator.

These five Abyssal Emissaries had all reached the seventh rank in strength!

Their very existence was a catastrophe!

“Raise your heads, ants!”

The Flame Skull Demon let out a low growl like muffled thunder, as waves of scorching sound swept through the entire valley.

The prostrate Demonic Evils shivered and raised their heads in terror.

“Today, the power bestowed upon you is no free gift!”

“It is for the execution of the great Lord Annihilator's will! For the glory of the Abyss!”

“You shall receive power to slaughter, to destroy, and to utterly crush that human ant named Chen Nian!”

“Offer up your loyalty and slaughter to please the various Abyssal Overlords!”

“Now, accept this grace!”

As the words fell, the five Abyssal Emissaries raised their arms simultaneously, releasing vast and pure Abyssal fel energy.

Like five dark red pillars of light, it crashed into the prostrate crowd of Demonic Evils below!

“Arghhh—!”

The chosen Demonic Evils immediately let out howls that were a mixture of agony and ecstasy!

Their bodies expanded, twisted, and mutated at a speed visible to the naked eye!

Muscles bulged and knotted, bone spikes burst through their skin, scales became thicker, and a terrifying blood-red light exploded from their eyes!

Power—an unprecedented sense of power flooded every part of their bodies!

“Power! I feel infinite power!”

“Thank you for the gift, Lords! Thank you for the gift of the Abyss!”

“For Lord Annihilator! For the Lords! We are willing to be ground to dust!”

Feeling the power surging and roaring within them, the Demonic Evils were excited to the point of madness.

The way they looked at the five emissaries on the platform was filled with the most primal worship and awe, as if they were looking up at true gods!

However, right at that moment—

“Boom—!!!!”

An extremely muffled yet heart-palpitating explosion sounded.

It came faintly from the far distance, even penetrating the valley's shielding to clearly enter the ears of every Demonic Evil!

Following that, an energy fluctuation that was still palpably majestic, domineering, and destructive despite the distance.

It spread out like a ripple, causing the air in the valley to freeze!

The movements of the five Abyssal Emissaries stiffened simultaneously, and their gazes all turned toward the direction of the fluctuation.

For the first time, a hint of solemnity and surprise appeared on their faces.

The Flame Skull Demon's lava-like brow furrowed:

“Hmm? This power fluctuation...”

“There's no mistake; such pure and domineering power must be that Chen Nian!”

“He really did come!”

The Thousand-Faced Demon Spirit's twisted body fluctuated, its voice carrying a trace of disbelief:

“What strong power...”

“To have such a clear sense of pressure from so far away.”

“Is this really power a human can possess?”

The Soul fire in the Withering Bone Demon's eye sockets flickered violently:

“No wonder the Abyssal Devourer fell at his hands.”

“No wonder the various Lords take him so seriously.”

“This boy is indeed strange!”

The Corrupting Behemoth let out a low grunt:

“It seems the intelligence was correct; as long as we create enough chaos, we will surely attract him.”

“I just didn't expect him to come so quickly and with such high efficiency.”

“The cannon fodder on the outskirts has likely been mostly cleared by him already.”

The Flame Skull Demon snorted coldly, suppressing the surprise in its eyes as its voice returned to being tyrannical:

“Coming so fast has indeed disrupted our original plan of gradual progression.”

“However, no matter!”

“Coming fast is even better; it saves us some effort!”

“Plan change, execute the second protocol immediately!”

It turned its head sharply to look at the Demonic Evil leaders nearby and barked:

“You! Immediately lead your subordinates to set an ambush in 'Soul Burial Valley'!”

“Activate the 'Purgatory Soul-Burning Grand Array' according to the prearranged plan! At all costs, trap him, wear him down, or even kill him!”

At that moment, a Demonic Evil leader knelt on one knee and reported in a hurried yet respectful tone:

“Reporting to the Emissary Lords! The Soul Burial Valley ambush team is fully in position!”

“The three 'Soul-Burning Altars' have been activated, the array runes have been inscribed, and energy infusion has reached ninety percent!”

“All ambush personnel have entered their designated positions, and the concealment Barriers are fully open!”

“Everything is ready! We only wait for the target to step into the trap!”

Hearing this, the five Abyssal Emissaries all showed satisfied expressions.

The Flame Skull Demon's massive fist slammed onto the stone platform, creating a roar:

“Excellent!”

“No matter how many tricks that Chen Nian has, today he will surely be buried here, his body and Soul utterly destroyed!”

“Move out!”

The Demonic Evil leaders' eyes burned with fanatical Battle Intent as they roared in unison: “Yes, Lord!”

The sound made the valley hum.

Their confidence was bursting at this moment, and they couldn't wait to tear that so-called human powerhouse to shreds!

For a moment, fel energy surged and demonic shadows flickered within the valley.

A violent army of Demonic Evils began to assemble rapidly.

Like a black tide, they surged toward the direction of Soul Burial Valley!

A carefully planned fatal ambush against Chen Nian had officially begun!

On the stone platform, the five Abyssal Emissaries glanced at each other, cold and confident light flashing in their eyes.

Then, they slowly turned around and looked toward the back of the platform together.

There was no rock wall there, but a dark red vortex suspended in mid-air, slowly rotating.

The center of the vortex was dark and profound, emitting powerful energy fluctuations that made one's Soul tremble, along with pure Abyssal aura.

It was the spatial rift they were using to welcome the descent of the Incinerator.

Normally, this world possessed a solid world Barrier and Heavenly Dao rules, which strongly rejected Abyssal power.

Therefore, the various Abyssal Overlords could not easily descend; they had to pay a huge price to find spatial weak points and construct stable channels to do so.

But today, on the day of the "Night Parade of a Hundred Demons," the spatial Barrier had been significantly weakened and become extremely thin.

They only needed to use the most common descent ritual to welcome the arrival of Lord Annihilator!

And their summoning ritual, after sacrificing a massive amount of blood Qi and Souls from living beings, had reached the final step.

They would soon be able to stabilize this channel and allow Lord Annihilator's will and Divine Might to descend here!

Just then, a grand consciousness that was scorching, tyrannical, and filled with destructive aura.

Like a waking volcano, it suddenly erupted from deep within the vortex, vibrating throughout the valley:

“How is the execution of the plan?”

It was the Incinerator!

The Flame Skull Demon's massive body trembled violently, and it immediately led the other four emissaries to kneel on one knee, saying with utmost respect:

“Welcome, Lord Annihilator! Everything has been prepared according to your will, only waiting for you to descend with Divine Might and crush that arrogant human insect!”

The Incinerator's consciousness carried a satisfied fluctuation, but even more so, an endless killing intent:

“Very good. You have worked effectively. When I descend, there will surely be great rewards!”

“As for that human named Chen Nian...”

“His Soul shall become the most delicious sacrifice to celebrate my descent into this realm!”