Wing Clan Royal City!
Before dawn the next day, the Wing Clan King returned to the royal city and met Princess Di Nie and A Shi Li Ren.
He was a hero, and could even be called the backbone of the Demon Clan.
When they were in the Northern Wilderness, after the previous Wing King died in battle, he had always led his people in resisting the powerful Demon Tuo Empire.
With a population of one million, the Wing Clan had resisted the Demon Tuo Empire, which had a population of several hundred million, for decades.
But he was also a violent, stubborn, ruthless dictator who recognised no family ties.
It was he who forcibly separated the Wing Clan Crown Prince from his wife, and it was he who ordered the Wing Clan Crown Prince’s daughter to be burned to death. That was his own granddaughter.
Therefore, over the past few years, although the Wing Clan Crown Prince had reluctantly continued to fulfil his duties, he had completely stopped speaking to his father, the Wing Demon King.
The father looked down on his son, believing that he was useless.
The son hated his father and would never forgive him.
It was because the Wing Clan was in its most difficult period that the Crown Prince could not simply abandon his responsibilities. However, once the situation of the Wing Clan improved, he would definitely resign from the position of Crown Prince immediately.
The Wing Clan Demon King’s appearance was that of a fierce ruler.
His body was more than two metres tall, with muscles knotted like steel, a masculine face, eyes like raging flames, and a tall, straight, prominent nose.
The hair on his face was extremely thick, almost covering most of his face. Both his hair and beard were red, while his beard was as hard and thick as steel spikes.
However, even the greatest hero would grow old.
Now, the Wing Demon King was already old.
“What qualifications do I have to call myself a Demon King? Which Wing Clan King has ever lost his wings?” the Wing Demon King sighed.
Even when he spoke in a sorrowful and low voice, his voice was still extremely loud.
He truly had no wings. During the great war against the Demon Tuo Empire, his wings had been severed by Prince Di Sha.
As a result, when the Wing Demon King heard of the Earth Fiend King of the Southern Wilderness, he regarded him as an enemy as well, simply because their names sounded similar.
“Isn’t being a ruler about one’s heart and will rather than one’s wings?” Li Ren said. “You possess a will as strong as steel. Her Majesty the Queen has always regarded you as her most honoured comrade-in-arms.”
The Wing Demon King downed a large cup of wine in one go and said loudly, “Of the Eight Great Demon Kings of the entire Southern Wilderness, I look down on all of them, and even regard them as enemies. Only your Demoness Queen has my respect, even my admiration. She is the true backbone of our Demon Clan, worthy of being the person with the closest bloodline to His Majesty the Demon Emperor. During the decades I fought against the Demon Tuo Empire, she sent ten expeditionary armies, and a full three hundred thousand warriors of the Demoness Kingdom died in the Northern Wilderness, on land that originally belonged to my Wing Clan. Not only that, when I led my people south in our flight, the other Demon Kings were not only unwilling to take us in, they even wanted to drive us away by force. Once again, it was your Demoness Queen who lost her temper in public and declared that anyone who dared refuse to let my Wing Clan enter would have to go to war with her. It was precisely because of this that my people, numbering more than a hundred thousand, finally had a place to live. After we established ourselves, your Demoness Kingdom continued to provide us with food and supplies. No words can express my respect and gratitude towards your Queen. Her kindness is something we can never repay, even across generations!”
A Shi Li Ren said, “Her Majesty the Queen was willing to make these sacrifices because she respects you and respects the sacrifices made by the warriors of the Wing Clan.”
The Wing Demon King said, “That is why our two clans are the true brothers and sisters who can rely on each other. Of the remaining seven clans, some have become dispirited, while others have betrayed us. They are no longer worthy of being subjects of His Majesty the Demon Emperor.”
Then the Wing Demon King said, “My beautiful little Li Ren, whatever matter you have, tell me. Whether it can be done or not, as long as you ask, we will go through fire and water without hesitation!”
A Shi Li Ren said, “The Sky Fiend King wants to unify the Southern Wilderness and establish a unified front for the Demon Empire. He came to Demoness City to invite Her Majesty the Queen to join his side.”
The Wing Demon King said, “Did your Queen agree?”
A Shi Li Ren said, “More than a month ago, Saintess Ji Xiuning of the Dragon Sacred Temple led the Heavenly Guard Knights through the Aurora Gate into the Southern Wilderness. They came to the Sea of Misfortune to capture the so-called remnants of the Ghost King, but they were discovered by the patrolling Blue Sea Banner Lord, Lord Lan Qi. The two sides then fought, and Lord Lan Qi killed the entire Heavenly Guard Knights and captured Saintess Ji Xiuning of the Dragon Sacred Temple!”
“Good! Good!” the Wing Demon King said. “That is how the sons and daughters of the Demon Clan should be. That is how the finest subjects of His Majesty the Demon Emperor should behave.”
A Shi Li Ren said, “However, the Dragon Sacred Temple sent White Wolf, commander of the Heavenly Guard Knights, into the territory of the Blue Sea Banner. He killed Lord Lan Qi and rescued Saintess Ji Xiuning. Her Majesty the Queen was furious and swore that she would avenge Lord Lan Qi. Therefore, she declared that whoever dared to tear up the non-aggression treaty with the Dragon Sacred Temple and restore the state of war, she would join that side. The Six Great Demon Clan Alliance backed down, while the Sky Fiend King tore up the armistice agreement with the Dragon Sacred Temple in front of her. Therefore, Her Majesty the Queen agreed to join his unified front of the Demon Empire!”
The Wing Demon King frowned. “My dear little Li Ren, I hate the Sky Fiend King. I do not trust him at all. But…”
He hesitated for a long time before saying, “I believe that your Queen does not trust the Sky Fiend King either. She simply supports whoever is willing to turn against the Dragon Sacred Temple. I deeply respect your Queen. Wherever she stands, I will stand there too.”
A Shi Li Ren said, “It is a great honour to fight alongside you.”
The Wing Demon King said, “However, I want to make one thing clear in advance. Even if the Southern Wilderness is unified and the Demon Empire is established, the Sky Fiend King cannot become Emperor. The position of Demon Emperor must remain vacant. At most, the Sky Fiend King can serve as regent.”
“Good!” Princess Di Nie walked in.
The Wing Demon King immediately frowned, expressing intense displeasure.
Did I ask you to come in? He already disliked the Sky Fiend King, so he had only been speaking with A Shi Li Ren. Yet before their conversation was even finished, the Sky Fiend King’s representative had simply walked in so openly.
However, after seeing Princess Di Nie, the Wing Demon King’s eyes widened. He looked at Di Nie’s eyes in disbelief, then at the magnificent wings behind her.
This… was this an ancient Demoness? A true ancient demon bloodline belonging to His Majesty the Demon Emperor?
“No wonder the Sky Fiend King is so impatient…” the Wing Demon King said. He then stood up and gave Princess Di Nie a half bow. “Go and tell the Sky Fiend King that after the Southern Wilderness is unified, his son cannot succeed him. You will succeed him instead!”
Di Nie said, “That is how it should be.”
The Wing Demon King said, “I am joining this unified front of the Demon Empire. Whenever you need troops, simply have the Demoness Kingdom send someone to tell me how many troops are required!”
Once again, it was a verbal agreement without any formal terms.
Yet this verbal agreement was also more sacred and authoritative than any written treaty!
Princess Di Nie nodded, gave the Wing Demon King a half bow, then vanished in an instant.
A Shi Li Ren was also about to take her leave.
The Wing Demon King suddenly said, “Little Li Ren, there is something I do not know whether I should say.”
A Shi Li Ren said, “Please speak, Your Majesty.”
The Wing Demon King hesitated for a while, then waved his hand. “Forget it, it is nothing, nothing…”
He had originally wanted to ask for a marriage proposal on behalf of his son. In his view, the Wing Clan Crown Prince had become so dispirited because of one woman that he had almost completely lost his will to carry on.
Perhaps a new relationship could save him. A Shi Li Ren was so beautiful and outstanding that perhaps she could help his son escape his depression.
But after thinking about it carefully, he knew it was unrealistic. First, the Wing Clan generally did not marry people from outside races. Secondly, the Demoness Queen valued A Shi Li Ren so highly, and the Demoness Kingdom had a system in which the Queen was chosen as ruler. In the future, A Shi Li Ren might very well become the Queen’s successor.
If he asked A Shi Li Ren to marry his son, he would be ruining Li Ren’s future.
“Then I will take my leave,” Li Ren said.
“I will see you out!” the Wing Demon King personally escorted A Shi Li Ren out of the Wing Clan royal city!
With this, the unified front of the Demon Empire was formed.
The situation of the civil war on the Southern Wilderness continent was formally settled. The attacking side was the unified front of the Demon Empire led by the Sky Fiend King, consisting of roughly two and a half Demon territories. The defending side was the Demon Alliance, consisting of the Six Great Demon Clans!
……
Of course, the super civil war in the Wilderness World would not affect the Black Demon Banner territory for the time being. There was not even a trace of civil war in this territory yet.
At this moment, the only major event hanging over the Black Demon Banner was the duel between Lan Ling and the Black Demon Banner Lord.
This was the most unequal duel in history in terms of strength. It was also the duel with the least suspense, yet it would determine the fate of countless people.
One day remained before the duel!
But almost all the spectators had already arrived.
Representatives from Rakshasa City, the Cave of Misfortune, Fire Demon Mountain, and all martial artists above the Great Demon Warrior realm in the Black Demon Banner territory.
Several thousand people had gathered to watch.
The duel would take place in the square of Black Demon City!
Princess Sha Yan did not want to come, so when she left, she said directly to the Black Demon Banner Lord, “I will not come to the duel. I do not want to watch that clown Lan Ling’s performance. Kill him and send his skull to Rakshasa City.”
In her view, there was no way Lan Ling could win.
Although Lan Ling had created many miracles, for him to propose this duel, he was either a complete madman or had some kind of scheme.
But regardless of which one it was, she did not want to participate. At this moment, no words could describe her disgust towards Lan Ling.
With only one day remaining before the duel, she still remained in Rakshasa City.
However, the Little Rakshasa King suddenly sent someone to deliver a message: Do you want to show contempt for the authority of the Heavenly Demon Blood Oath?
Princess Sha Yan immediately became furious. Her elder brother’s meaning was very clear. He wanted her to attend the duel and witness it.
But this duel was so absurd. It was completely a clown-like performance by Lan Ling. She absolutely did not want to go. She found even looking at Lan Ling’s face disgusting.
His so-called miracles might simply have been the result of deceiving the centaurs into pledging allegiance to him through tricks and deception. Apart from that, his martial arts were completely worthless.
In the Southern Wilderness, martial cultivation was the most important thing. Lan Ling’s cultivation was simply a complete mess.
What was even more outrageous was that he had actually tried to reach above his station and propose marriage.
Therefore, in Princess Sha Yan’s view, even looking at Lan Ling one more time was disgusting. She did not even want to breathe the same air as him.
But…
She could not disobey the Crown Prince of the Rakshasa Clan’s order, even as his younger sister.
With no other choice, she could only ride a Dragon Eagle, protected by thirteen Black Blood Demon Riders and one thousand Dragon Eagle Knights, and head towards Black Demon City in a grand procession to attend the duel between the Black Demon Banner Lord and Lan Ling’s army!
……
The next day, the day of the duel between Lan Ling and the Black Demon Banner Lord finally arrived!
The square of Black Demon Castle was packed with people.
All the important figures of the Flame Demon Tribe were present, including Suo Mo, Duo Duo, Duo Long, and all the Centaur Khans.
Lan Ling’s side alone had more than a thousand people!
The Cave of Misfortune, Rakshasa City, Fire Demon Mountain, Black Demon City forces, and others numbered more than three thousand people!
More than twenty thousand centaurs had all gathered in the streets of Black Demon City!
The parties involved in the Heavenly Demon Blood Oath once again repeated their vows.
Lan Ling: “If I lose, I will be reduced to ashes, disband the centaur army, surrender Black Demon City, surrender the Black Demon Banner territory, and surrender the Silver Alliance.”
The Black Demon Banner Lord: “If I lose, I will unconditionally surrender the Black Demon Banner territory. Chief Lan Ling will become the sole master of this land, and the Black Demon Banner will be renamed the Flame Demon Banner.”
Princess Sha Yan: “If Lan Ling wins, I will unconditionally marry him!”
When Princess Sha Yan said these words, she completely closed her eyes and blocked her ears.
Although she had come, she would not look at Lan Ling or listen to a single word he said. Even hearing one word from him would be an insult to the dignity of the noble Princess Sha Yan.
Not only her, even the fake Princess Jade Butterfly beside her did the same, using small pieces of crystal to block her ears and closing her eyes.
Although she had come to the scene, she would not watch the duel either, because that too would be an insult. This was completely Lan Ling’s clown-like performance.
Next, the Cave Lord of Misfortune, all the elders of the Black Demon Banner, all the experts above the Great Demon Warrior realm in the Black Demon Banner territory, all the leaders of the Flame Demon Tribe, and the entire centaur army knelt down.
“We acknowledge the Heavenly Demon Blood Oaths of the three individuals and are willing to carry them out!”
The Heavenly Demon Blood Oaths had been repeated. The duel officially began!
……
Lan Ling and the Black Demon Banner Lord, the two opponents considered to be the most unequal in history, stood on the same arena.
Everyone looked towards the sky, waiting for the sun to reach its highest point!
Apart from the Flame Demon Tribe, almost everyone had only one thought. The duel would end very quickly, perhaps within one second.
The only possible outcome was instant defeat!
Even now, no one had figured out why Lan Ling had proposed such a duel. Had he completely lost his mind?
Even the senior leaders of the Flame Demon Tribe did not dare to have confidence in Lan Ling. After all, the difference in strength between the two sides was simply too great.
The only ones with absolute confidence in Lan Ling, even absolute confidence that he would win, were the centaur warriors.
In the eyes of the centaurs, their god was omnipotent.
The sun reached its highest point!
The Cave Lord of Misfortune smashed the crimson crystal!
“Boom…”
With a tremendous explosion, the crimson crystal suddenly shattered.
The duel began!
Princess Sha Yan and the fake Princess Jade Butterfly both put on completely black masks and ear coverings.
They were showing that they would neither look at the duel nor hear a single word!
……
The Black Demon Banner Lord said, “Lord Lan Ling, although I still have not figured out why you proposed this duel, I… will not hold back!”
“Do not,” Lan Ling said.
The Black Demon Banner Lord said, “You attack first!”
Lan Ling said, “I would be honoured!”
Then he closed his eyes, and a powerful energy surged out from deep within his bloodline.
At the same time, all the dark, bloodthirsty energy within a radius of several hundred li began to rise into the sky and gather!
This was Hell Lightning borrowing the power of heaven and earth.
A fierce battle had taken place just over a month ago, with more than several hundred thousand people dying.
Therefore, beneath this land were countless traces of bloodshed and countless lingering souls!
All the dark, bloodthirsty energy floated up from underground and gathered towards the summit of Black Demon City, gathering, gathering, gathering!
In just a short moment, several thousand kilometres of blood-coloured dark clouds completely covered Black Demon Castle.
Outside, the sky was clear for ten thousand li, while Black Demon Castle was shrouded in darkness and blood!
The scene looked like a bloody apocalypse.
In an instant, everyone stared at Lan Ling in disbelief.
This… what exactly was this?
Originally, the Cave Lord of Misfortune and the Black Demon Banner Lord had not taken this duel seriously at all.
They had thought it was merely an absurd and extremely unequal duel, simply a performance by a madman.
However…
At this moment, they were shocked.
Had Lan Ling summoned these blood-coloured clouds?
Not only that, powerful dark demonic energy had already surged from Lan Ling’s body.
It was actually… the Demon Sect realm.
One star, two stars, three stars, four stars, five stars…
The Black Demon City Lord, the Cave Lord of Misfortune, and the others could hardly breathe.
This… how long had it been? Lan Ling had actually broken through to the Demon Sect realm, and was even a five-star Demon Sect?
This… was simply too crazy, too shocking, too unbelievable!
Previously, the Black Demon Banner Lord had been completely relaxed. Now, he could not help but gather all his demonic power and construct a powerful energy barrier.
He was going to take this seriously.
Of course, the outcome of the duel would still not change.
Even if Lan Ling were a five-star Demon Sect, it would be meaningless. This was merely the same cultivation level as his wife, yet Lan Ling would still suffer the fate of being defeated instantly by him.
His cultivation was simply far beyond that of a five-star Demon Sect!
“Lord Lan Ling, you have shocked me greatly and surprised me greatly, but it is still meaningless,” the Black Demon Banner Lord said. “Even if you are a five-star Demon Sect, your only fate will still be to be defeated by me instantly. Use all your strength to attack me, because this is your only chance to make a move!”
“Good!” Lan Ling said.
Then…
The astonishing Hell Lightning suddenly erupted!