Seeing Zhang Ruochen poised to execute Teng Gu and the others, the Black Demon Realm experts turned to Mo Sheng, awaiting his final decision.
Even with their vast resources, losing hundreds of Saint Kings, including five top-tier Nine-Step Saint Kings, would be a painful blow.
Mo Sheng’s gaze sharpened. For someone to humiliate their experts so brazenly in his presence stirred anger, despite his usually detached demeanor.
Zhang Ruochen was the first in years to dare threaten him like this.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes were equally fierce, meeting Mo Sheng’s gaze without fear.
Invisibly, their wills clashed, piercing through boundless void into a strange white space.
Their wills, like two nebulous clouds of chaos, collided fiercely, each striving to crush the other.
*Boom.*
After a dozen collisions, both wills shattered.
*Buzz.*
The space trembled, ripples spreading outward.
Both the Blood God Sect and Black Demon Realm experts felt a powerful shock, retreating involuntarily.
“What was that…?”
Both sides’ experts were stunned, unsure what Zhang Ruochen and Mo Sheng had done.
Zhang Ruochen’s body quivered slightly, a peculiar smile curling his lips.
Mo Sheng stood unmoved, but his eyes narrowed.
The brief clash of wills finally made Mo Sheng take Zhang Ruochen seriously.
He was confident in defeating Zhang Ruochen, but capturing him would be no easy feat.
“This one’s growth is terrifying,” Mo Sheng thought.
If Zhang Ruochen continued unchecked, few below Great Saint could rival him.
Of course, reaching this level made further progress arduous, and many stalled here—a common fate.
Mo Sheng’s gaze fixed on Zhang Ruochen. “Fine, Zhang Ruochen. I’ll wager with you. Let’s see what tricks you have.”
“That’s the spirit of a Black Demon Realm leader,” Zhang Ruochen said, smiling, lifting his foot from Teng Gu’s shoulder.
Zhuo Gu and the others were puzzled, wondering why Mo Sheng changed his stance.
Given his ruthlessness, he shouldn’t care much for Teng Gu’s lives—sacrifices were often necessary.
With a wave, Zhang Ruochen summoned a dark demonic light, forming a several-zhang-high black stele.
The stele exuded a terrifying demonic aura, dense demonic energy forming thick black clouds above, nearly collapsing the sky.
“Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription.”
The Black Demon Realm cultivators buzzed with excitement.
Zhuo Gu’s eyes blazed, itching to seize it.
The stele depicted a war-armored demon king wielding a demonic spear, piercing a great world. Towering, the world seemed tiny before him.
The image was awe-inspiring, prompting wonder if such an invincible demon king existed in ancient times.
“Heavenly Demon Tyrant Spear Diagram,” Zhuo Gu muttered, his gaze fervent.
He cultivated this diagram, achieving rare heights in the Black Demon Realm’s history.
Yet, he felt his demonic technique was incomplete, likely due to studying only a copied diagram.
Obtaining the true *Tyrant Spear Diagram* could elevate his technique, potentially surpassing Mo Sheng as the top below Great Saint.
Zhuo Gu had come to the Blood God Sect after learning this inscription might be here.
His trip was proving worthwhile.
Zhang Ruochen placed a hand on the stele, smiling faintly. “Our sect holds four *Heavenly Demon Stone Inscriptions*. How many do you have?”
“Four? Likely more. The *Heavenly Demon Blood Axe Diagram* Jie Canghai won at auction is probably yours,” Mo Sheng said coolly.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “Perhaps. First, tell me how many you’ve got.”
“Coincidentally, I have five,” Mo Sheng said, flipping his hand to reveal a several-zhang-high stele.
It depicted a ferocious greedy wolf, lifelike, as if ready to leap out.
The wolf’s howl shattered a starry sea, countless stars breaking—an apocalyptic scene.
“Heavenly Demon Greedy Wolf Diagram,” Zhang Ruochen murmured, his eyes glinting.
He doubted Mo Sheng’s claim. With the Black Demon Realm’s resources and time in Kunlun, they’d likely collected more than five.
Long ago, the 36 *Inscriptions* were scattered, held by the Black Market, Blood God Sect, Moon-Worship Demonic Sect, and others.
Zhang Ruochen recalled two in Saint Ming’s treasury, their fate unknown.
The *Inscriptions* were vital, one of Kunlun’s six great books, each containing profound legacies, sustaining Kunlun’s demonic path.
They were also potent weapons, their power immense when paired with corresponding techniques.
Zhang Ruochen knew seizing all the Black Demon Realm’s *Inscriptions* was unrealistic.
His goal was to take what he could, disrupting their plans—a satisfying prospect.
After quick deliberation, he said, “Then let’s wager five rounds. The rules are simple: each side sends a cultivator of equal realm, each carrying one *Inscription*. Whoever seizes the opponent’s *Inscription* by any means wins. If you win, I’ll release some captives as a bonus. How’s that?”
“Agreed. But will you, Zhang Ruochen, fight?” Mo Sheng asked.
Zhang Ruochen scanned the Black Demon Realm experts, chuckling. “If I fight, who among your Path’s Anterior Realm cultivators can match me?”
The Black Demon Realm’s Path’s Anterior experts bristled, unaccustomed to such disdain.
Despite their anger, they cooled, acknowledging Zhang Ruochen’s unmatched feats.
“How about I be your opponent?” Mo Sheng said softly.
His words stunned the Black Demon Realm cultivators, catching them off guard.
Mo Sheng was their strongest Saint King, nearly peerless in history.
To them, Zhang Ruochen, though formidable, didn’t warrant Mo Sheng’s personal intervention.
Zhang Ruochen studied Mo Sheng, then laughed. “Good. I want to see if the Black Demon Realm’s leader is as great as rumored.”
“But you’ll need two *Inscriptions* as stakes. Otherwise, I’d rather face peers.”
Mo Sheng’s eyes narrowed, then he nodded. “I agree. Let’s begin.”
“For fairness, both sides retreat far to give the fighters an open battlefield. For the first round, I’ll send a Path’s Anterior Realm expert,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Mo Sheng nodded silently.
Mounting the Blood-Eyed Demon Wolf, he sped away.
The Black Demon Realm cultivators followed without hesitation.
As they retreated, many in the Blood God Sect sighed in relief.
Their numbers were too few for a direct clash, which would be costly.
“Little Junior Brother, you’re really fighting Mo Sheng? I sense terrifying power in him, far beyond me,” Luo Chen said gravely.
As a third-tier below Great Saint, his sensitivity to power surpassed others.
His words sparked worry among the others, who felt Zhang Ruochen was too reckless.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. “Mo Sheng’s strong, but not invincible. Trust me, I don’t act without confidence. Now, we need four more fighters besides me.”
This wager was critical, demanding careful selection.
“Little Junior Brother, let me fight. I’ve long wanted to crush those demonic brats,” Bao Lie volunteered first.
Jin Yu shook his head. “Fifth Brother, you’re not suitable. Besides Mo Sheng, they have at least three Near-Path Realm experts stronger than you. Even I’m not confident.”
“Then what?” Bao Lie said, anxious.
He wanted to ease Zhang Ruochen’s burden but feared losing and handing the *Inscriptions* to the Black Demon Realm.
Silence fell as everyone pondered.
“I’ll fight,” Mu Lingxi said, breaking the quiet.
Han Xue followed, “Master, I’ll fight too.”
Han Xue, returning from the Netherworld at Greater Rule Heaven, had reached Path’s Anterior Realm after a decade with the Sundial.
Her cultivation nearly matched Zhang Ruochen’s.
Zhang Ruochen looked at Mu Lingxi and Han Xue, seeing their resolute determination, knowing he couldn’t sway them.
He nodded. “Alright, you two are in. The remaining two will be Fourth Brother and Xiao Hei.”
“Agreed,” Luo Chen said without hesitation.
Xiao Hei turned away, grumbling, “What? Me fighting those demonic brats? With my status, they’re unworthy!”
“Don’t you want to vent on the Black Demon Realm? Or do you not care if the *Inscriptions* fall to them?” Zhang Ruochen countered.
Xiao Hei glared. “Am I that petty? Fine, I’ll deal with their younglings. But how do we ensure our *Inscriptions* aren’t taken?”
Zhang Ruochen produced a scroll. “This spatial teleportation scroll lets you escape if you’re outmatched. Winning their *Inscriptions* is ideal, but if you lose, we can’t let ours go.”
“You planned to cheat from the start? Nice, my style,” Xiao Hei chuckled.
Zhang Ruochen felt no shame. Against the Black Demon Realm, honor wasn’t required.
Seeing the scroll, the others relaxed.
It safeguarded the *Inscriptions* and, crucially, the fighters’ safety.
Handing the scroll and an *Inscription* to Mu Lingxi, Zhang Ruochen said earnestly, “Be careful. Don’t push yourself. I don’t want you hurt.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll bring back an *Inscription*,” Mu Lingxi said confidently.
She darted to a towering snow peak, three thousand miles from both the sect and the Black Demon Realm’s new base, neutral ground where interference was difficult.
Atop the peak, her robes fluttering, Mu Lingxi gazed toward the Black Demon Realm. “Who will face me?”
“Senior Brother Mo Sheng, let me take the first round,” Xiao Wuchang said, stepping forward.
Having obtained the true *Heavenly Demon Blade-Drawing Diagram*, he was arguably the top Path’s Anterior Realm expert in the Black Demon Realm.
Mo Sheng nodded. “Don’t disgrace us.”
Xiao Wuchang produced his own *Inscription*, a trump card as much as a stake.
Zuo Li stared at the black stele beside Mu Lingxi, his eyes burning with desire.
It depicted a demonic dragon emerging from the sea, stirring colossal waves to drown a world—a striking image.
“Junior Brother Xiao, you must seize that *Inscription*. I’ll reward you handsomely,” Zuo Li said, trembling.
The true *Heavenly Demon Mad Dragon Diagram* was his obsession.
Xiao Wuchang touched his *Blade-Drawing Diagram*, smiling. “Relax, Senior Brother. I’ll bring back the *Mad Dragon Diagram* soon.”
He transformed into a sharp blade light, streaking toward Mu Lingxi’s snow peak.
The first wager battle was about to begin.
Both the Blood God Sect and Black Demon Realm watched eagerly.
Meanwhile, more cultivators gathered near the sect.
The commotion, coupled with Mo Sheng’s appearance at the Merit Sub-Station, drew attention.
These cultivators observed from afar, wary of meddling in the conflict.
“Why’s the Black Demon Realm playing nice, wagering *Inscriptions* one-on-one? Why not storm the sect?” one asked.
“The Blood God Sect was founded by a god. Even weakened, it’s a lean camel bigger than a horse. Who knows what trump cards they hold? The Black Demon Realm’s cautious,” another replied.
“In a wager, they’re more likely to win *Inscriptions*. The sect’s resources can’t match theirs.”
“Not so simple. When has Zhang Ruochen ever lost? This wager will be interesting.”
