The next day, all the major human sects had finally arrived. Compared to the previous days, the Demon Emperor's City grew even more bustling. It had to be said — this time, the sects had truly unleashed quite a few young prodigies to participate in the competition. The chance to cross blades with the rising geniuses of the demon race was a rare opportunity, one that came but once in a lifetime. This was a grand event, and no one wanted to miss it. Both humans and demons saw each other as whetstones — tools to sharpen their own blades. A fierce battle of titans was about to unfold.Tonight, the Demon Emperor would host a banquet for the leaders of the human sects. And once again, it was the demon general Chiyu who came to receive the Hengshan Sect. This time, however, Chiyu carried himself with far greater solemnity. Gone was the casual attire from before — instead, he donned a fiery red brocade robe. He advanced straight into the depths of the demon race's imperial palace.Finally, th

As he pressed forward, he didn't even know what he was supposed to do in this bizarre, ancient tomb. The Demon Emperor's selection of a son-in-law had no rules. And in this world, the most terrifying rule was the absence of rules. Killing could break out at any moment. How many would walk out of here alive in the end? No one truly knew.Mu Qiu's gaze swept over the rows of weathered tombstones lining his path. Some bore inscriptions long faded beyond recognition. The stones themselves were crumbling, decayed, ravaged by time. Then his steps halted before one particular stele. His brow furrowed slightly. Beneath this tombstone, a faint, flickering trace of life pulsed."Demon Emperor's Bamboo Lantern!"Only four stark characters were carved into the stone.Standing before the stele, Mu Qiu remained motionless for a long time. The faint pulse of life beneath the ground flickered in and out, making it seem unreal. Especially in such an eerie environment, it sent an even deeper chill down

The footsteps grew louder. At first, they had been scattered and chaotic. But now, they fell into perfect, rhythmic unison — like a well-trained army on the march.This time, Mu Qiu finally saw what lurked beyond the window. Emerging from the endless darkness was a mighty demonic legion. Their tattered armor and rusted weapons left no doubt — these were undoubtedly demons. The army moved with eerie precision, cutting through the howling, frigid storm as if it were nothing. The leading general held a long halberd, its blade heavily rusted. Some of the soldiers carried broken spears, their weapons shattered and useless. Their eyes were hollow, devoid of life. They didn't seem to be living beings at all.As they drew closer, Mu Qiu could distinctly smell a foul, rotting stench — utterly repulsive. The demonic soldiers emitted a faint, eerie green glow as they marched forward in perfect formation, their destination unknown. A procession of ghostly soldiers. Though Mu Qiu had never witness

Mu Qiu noticed that despite the old man's words, there were glistening drops in his murky eyes — as if tears were about to fall. Mu Qiu walked over to the tombstone in question. He waved his hand in front of the indescribable liquid, its foul stench assaulting his senses. Then, with some effort, he made out the name carved on the weathered stone tablet: Demon Emperor Xunkong.No doubt, this had once been a mighty demon emperor who shook the heavens and earth. Alas, time is the most merciless of all. No matter how peerless one may have been in life, there inevitably comes a day when even the strongest grow feeble with age.Mu Qiu, of course, couldn't be as disrespectful as the old man. In the end, he still scooped up a handful of yellow earth and added it to Demon Emperor Xunkong's grave — a gesture of reverence. For the strong, no matter the era, deserve the respect they are owed.After walking for a long time behind the disheveled old man, the elder suddenly turned and hurried back t

The vicissitudes of time. Mu Qiu felt as though an eternity had passed.As he stepped out of the wooden cabin, just like any other day, his clumsy figure suddenly froze.Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?Endless questions flashed through his mind. A glimmer of clarity pierced through his long-dulled vacant eyes. His gaze sharpened, growing clear once more."How did I end up here?"Mu Qiu lowered his head, murmuring to himself. A pensive expression settled over his face. And in that very moment, Mu Qiu — who had been numb and indifferent for so long — finally awoke. His three ethereal souls and seven earthly spirits seemed to snap back into place at once. A turbid breath escaped his lips. A sharp glint flashed from his eyes.Before him, reality blurred into illusion, as if he were drifting through clouds. He saw things that had once been invisible to him. Like those spine-chilling graves — before, they had merely appeared as ordinary mounds of earth. But now, squinting, he noticed