The Demon Sect, nestled within a range of ancient, towering forests and mountains, spans countless valleys over a hundred miles, dotted with clusters of buildings. These structures are encircled by lofty peaks and ancient trees, making them nearly impossible to detect.
At dawn, the area is shrouded in swirling mist, concealing the existence of a vast sect hidden within the mountains, unbeknownst to those unaware of its presence.
Naturally, within hundreds of miles surrounding the sect, powerful warriors patrol vigilantly.
The Demon Sect’s perimeter is heavily guarded.
At this moment, three Sky Boats, swift as lightning, streak across the sky at breakneck speed, swooping low over a mountain peak and charging into the sect’s territory.
“Intruders are breaching the Demon Sect!”
From the peak, a high-ranking Martial Lord’s booming shout echoes, reverberating across a hundred miles.
In an instant, countless warriors surge out from various valleys.
Almost in the blink of an eye, the three Sky Boats soar into the airspace above the largest valley.
This valley, spanning dozens of miles, appears to have been carved out by levelling countless peaks, clearly marking it as the core of the Demon Sect.
The three Sky Boats plunge straight into the heart of the sect’s core, halting in the low sky.
Even as the Demon Sect activates its protective array, the three Sky Boats are already enveloped within it.
“Who are you, daring to invade the Demon Sect!”
A thunderous shout rings out, and countless figures swarm from all directions, encircling the three Sky Boats.
In no time, the boats are tightly surrounded.
Powerful auras, mostly at the Martial Lord level with a few reaching the Half-Step Martial Emperor realm, envelop the Sky Boats.
The air crackles with murderous intent.
As the figures within the Sky Boats become visible, the Half-Step Martial Emperor elder who shouted trembles in shock, “Sect Master Dongfang, Sect Master Sikong, Emperor Sheng, and esteemed Martial Emperors…”
At this, the others quiver.
The three Sky Boats carry over twenty people, all elderly except for one youth. Could it be that, aside from the youth, all twenty-plus individuals are Martial Emperors?
A total of twenty-six, twenty-six Martial Emperors descending upon the Demon Sect?
At this moment, Sheng Qianyu signals to either side, and the group surges out from the Sky Boats, scattering in all directions across the valley.
Terrifying Martial Emperor auras sweep forth, toppling countless foes. In moments, the twenty-seven individuals encircle the vast valley spanning dozens of miles.
“Where is Sect Master Demon Valley!” Sheng Qianyu’s booming shout, laced with the majesty of a Martial Emperor, thunders across a hundred miles like a storm.
“You’ve finally arrived!” At that moment, a calm voice suddenly rises from behind the group.
Thirteen figures emerge from the outskirts, surrounding them.
Seeing this, Lin Xiao and his allies frown.
From the words, it seems the Demon Sect’s Martial Emperors knew they were coming?
And perhaps even anticipated their arrival?
Lin Xiao notices that, apart from the nine Martial Emperors who once attacked the Spear Dragon Sect, there are four new faces.
Two wear the Demon Sect’s attire, one dons the garb of the Evil Sect, and another bears the robes of the Nether Sect.
Along the way, he had heard from other Martial Emperors that the Nether Sect has four Martial Emperors, one of whom survived the Sacred Emperor Ruins. The four present match this count.
As for the Evil Sect and Demon Sect, each is said to have four Martial Emperors.
The Evil Sect’s Martial Emperor who entered the Sacred Emperor Ruins perished, leaving only three. Yet, four are present now. Could the Evil Sect have concealed an unknown Martial Emperor?
Or perhaps a newly ascended Martial Emperor?
The same applies to the Demon Sect. Their Martial Emperor who entered the Sacred Emperor Ruins survived, yet they should only have four. Now, five Martial Emperors stand before them. Has the Demon Sect, like the Evil Sect, hidden a Martial Emperor or recently gained a new one, unnoticed by other sects?
Lin Xiao also observes that the nine Martial Emperors previously wounded by the Spear Dragon Sect’s Supreme Elder seem fully recovered.
Even so, their side numbers only thirteen Martial Emperors.
With twenty-seven on Lin Xiao’s side, where does their confidence come from?
“Hidden well, indeed. The Demon Sect and Evil Sect each have an additional Martial Emperor!” Sheng Qianyu’s eyes flash with surprise.
The others share his astonishment.
“Your injuries have healed?” Yun Jing scans the nine from the Demon, Evil, and Nether Sects, previously wounded by the Supreme Elder, and speaks in surprise.
The Supreme Elder had said it would take at least two or three months for the nine to recover.
Given his level of strength, he could not have misjudged.
Yet, just over a month later, the nine have fully recovered?
At this thought, Demon Valley feels a pang of dread.
Without special means, they would still be unhealed. Had that force struck him directly, he would surely be dead.
Snapping back, Demon Valley’s heart surges with anger. He snorts coldly, “Hmph, mere injuries could hardly hinder us!”
“Sect Master Demon Valley, one thing puzzles me. Even with your injuries healed, you have but thirteen Martial Emperors. Why wait here to greet us?” Sheng Qianyu asks.
The hostility is clear.
“Since you’ve all come, it seems your so-called righteous cultivators and we have fully laid our cards on the table. In that case, we need hide no longer.”
A cold glint flashes in Demon Valley’s eyes as he continues, “Indeed, we are the so-called Emperor Raiders you speak of, and we are not alone.”
As he speaks, Demon Valley’s gaze shifts to the side, where four figures slowly approach.
Their attire differs from the uniform garments of the Demon, Evil, and Nether Sects.
Their ages vary.
Two are elders clad in simple blue palace robes, their auras inscrutable.
Another, dressed in bronze-yellow palace robes, appears middle-aged.
His imposing stature, bronze skin, and sharply defined features, with thick brows and deep black eyes, exude an aura of regal dominance that shakes the heavens.
At first glance, he evokes an overwhelming sense of power and nobility.
His presence surpasses even the two blue-robed elders.
The final figure is a woman in her twenties, clad in a dark robe, a seven-flower black jade hairpin adorning her hair. Her dark, slightly brown hair cascades over her full chest.
Her skin is fair as snow, her features delicate as a painting, her exquisite beauty otherworldly. Her slender, curvaceous figure sways gracefully, exuding an air of serene elegance, yet laced with a captivating allure. Her clear, blue eyes shimmer with a bewitching charm as they sweep over the scene.
