Originally, Mo Fan had thought that at least some parts of the Southern Border continent had not yet fallen.
Yet when he travelled all the way east and finally saw the endless sea, he realised that the entire Southern Border had long since been conquered. Everything now belonged to Moon-Gazing Valley.
This was the first time Mo Fan had witnessed the full strength of a demon domain. They had actually managed to occupy the vast Southern Border completely.
“Brother Roc, are you truly going to the human territory?”
At that moment, a demon king with wings sprouting from his back spoke up in some surprise beside Mo Fan.
This was the Golden-Winged Demon King. His true form was a golden seabird. He was also the demon king of this coastal port city, and his cultivation was considerable, having reached the late King realm.
When Mo Fan and Xiao Huang had arrived within ten li of the city, this Golden-Winged Demon King had discovered them.
Just as battle seemed inevitable, the Moon-Gazing Token calmed all conflict and caused the Golden-Winged Demon King’s attitude towards the two demons to change dramatically.
“Of course. If my Monster Network is to advance further, the human territory is an excellent place. Does Brother Golden-Wing not agree?”
Mo Fan smiled, then added, “This is also happens to be Her will.”
Upon hearing this, the Golden-Winged Demon King’s expression turned solemn. He nodded and said, “She truly has great foresight. It seems the day when our demon race launches a counter-attack on the human territory is not far off!”
Counter-attack the humans?
Mo Fan felt a slight surprise in his heart, but he did not dwell on it. Instead he casually asked, “How about the matter I entrusted to you earlier, Brother Golden-Wing?”
“The ships are all prepared. However, the journey is long. Sailing will take who knows how many months. Are you really not willing to let me send some flying lesser demons to escort you?” the Golden-Winged Demon King asked.
“No need. I am going to gather intelligence, not to start fights. If I were to fly over ostentatiously, would you be worried that the humans might not notice?”
Mo Fan rolled his eyes.
At these words, the Golden-Winged Demon King gave an embarrassed laugh, scratched his head and said, “You think of everything, little brother. In that case, I will not escort you further. I wish you a smooth journey!”
With that, the Golden-Winged Demon King cupped his fists and bowed to Mo Fan.
“Thank you!”
Mo Fan returned the courtesy, then prepared to head towards the ship with Xiao Huang. Yet at that very moment, as if sensing something, he suddenly looked up and stared into the distant horizon.
At the edge of the vast ocean, a wisp of golden light burst forth from the clouds. As the golden light grew ever brighter, the entire world seemed to dim in comparison.
At the same time, a terrifying aura pressed down from all sides, causing even Mo Fan to feel an intense sensation of oppression.
“Buzz…”
A sword hum rang out nearby.
Mo Fan turned and saw that the swords at the waists of the two demon generals beside the Golden-Winged Demon King were trembling.
“What is happening?”
The two demon generals cried out in alarm and instinctively gripped their shaking sword hilts tightly to prevent the blades from leaping out of their sheaths.
“It is sword intent!”
“Such terrifying sword intent. It is far away on the horizon, yet it already affects us here!”
The Golden-Winged Demon King frowned. His face became extremely grave as he said in a low voice, “It seems a powerful human sword cultivator has arrived!”
At these words, every demon present revealed looks of fear.
Even Mo Fan could not help taking a deep breath. He stared fixedly at the golden light on the horizon, and saw it pierce through the clouds like a golden longsword hurtling through the sky.
It was a strand of sword qi!
As that golden sword qi approached, the sea of clouds above was torn apart. Even the originally calm surface of the sea below surged with great waves. The water rolled away on both sides, forming a visible ravine.
This single sword frightened not only Mo Fan, but even the Golden-Winged Demon King into trembling.
As the sword qi drew near, every demon, Mo Fan included, seemed frozen in place. An invisible force pressed down so heavily that they could barely breathe. It felt as though an unrivalled sword cultivator had locked onto them, rendering them completely unable to move.
At that instant, Mo Fan’s true body, which was in secluded cultivation inside the spring cave at Black Wind Mountain, involuntarily opened its eyes, a trace of horror appearing within them.
That sword was simply too terrifying. Even his true body had sensed the approach of deadly peril.
“Who on earth can unleash such dreadful sword intent and sword qi!”
Mo Fan took a deep breath, unable to calm his heart.
The scene felt somewhat familiar.
Back at the Black Water River, when Bai Xiaosu had taken her step into sainthood, a powerhouse from the Bi Xiao Sect had once sent a sword striking from the east.
Yet that sword, though seemingly ferocious, still appeared inferior to the current sword qi.
In other words, this sword was even more terrifying than the one back then!
Mo Fan gnashed his teeth. He felt somewhat unwilling. His clone had only just reached the coast, yet it already encountered such a horrifying sword cultivator. The clone would probably not survive.
However, very soon an expression of astonishment appeared on his face, as though he had realised something. He murmured, “Just passing by… Could he be heading for Phoenix Cry Mountain?!”
Southern Border, east coast, port city.
As that golden sword qi streaked across the sky above, Mo Fan’s tense heart finally relaxed.
Only then did he discover that, in that brief moment, the clothes on his back had been completely soaked with cold sweat.
Compared to him, Xiao Huang and the other demon generals were in an even sorrier state. Their whole bodies shook, and some demon generals had collapsed limply to the ground.
After watching the golden sword qi pass overhead and continue deep into the Southern Border, the Golden-Winged Demon King also let out a long breath of relief.
“What a terrifying fellow. I think I saw a human figure standing atop that golden sword qi!”
the Golden-Winged Demon King said with lingering fear.
“You are not mistaken. There was indeed a powerhouse riding the sword qi.”
Mo Fan nodded, an identical trace of shock still in his eyes.
Just now, he had seen a scruffy man dressed in coarse cyan robes, hands clasped behind his back, calmly passing over the coastal port city while standing on that terrifying sword qi. From start to finish, the man had not even deigned to glance down at them.
Mo Fan had only ever seen such an attitude of looking down upon all creation on Bai Xiaosu.
“Could that fellow be a Transformation-stage powerhouse of the human race?”
Mo Fan wondered silently. Although the man had already gone far away, the shock in his heart had yet to subside.
Earlier, he had thought this body of his was finished, yet it turned out the opponent was not aiming at them at all. He had merely been passing by.
To possess such might while only passing by, Mo Fan could hardly imagine what kind of earth-shattering scene it would be if the man actually attacked.
“A human powerhouse has brazenly intruded into our demon race’s Southern Border. This is no small matter. I must report it to Moon-Gazing Valley at once!”
The Golden-Winged Demon King suddenly came back to his senses, opened his mouth, and spat out a jade talisman, preparing to send the message.
However, Mo Fan shook his head and said, “No need. That person came so openly, without the slightest intention of concealment. I am afraid the one in Moon-Gazing Valley has already…”
“Who dares trespass upon my demon race’s Southern Border!”
Before Mo Fan could finish speaking, an ethereal voice rang out from the sky.
