From the fake emperor to the concubine

“An interesting idea.” The Demon Tiger nodded. “Perhaps the King would be interested in your idea.”

After traveling for another two days, they finally arrived at the core area of ​​the Demon Realm—the Demon King City.

This is a massive city built entirely from the bones of demonic beasts, with walls hundreds of feet high, exuding a terrifying demonic aura.

At the city gate stood two enormous demonic beasts at the Golden Core stage. They were as still as statues, but the oppressive aura emanating from them was not to be underestimated.

"We've arrived." The demon tiger stopped. "This is Demon King City, the sacred land of our demon race."

Qi Yang looked up at the magnificent city, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

"Is the Demon King inside?"

“That’s right, but you’ll need to pass many more tests before you can meet the King,” the demon tiger reminded him. “Are you ready?”

“Of course,” Qi Yang said confidently. “I’m not afraid of any test for my goal.”

After saying that, he strode confidently toward the Demon King City.

The gates of the Demon King's City slowly opened, and a dense demonic aura rushed out.

Qi Yang followed the demon tiger into the city and was immediately shocked by the scene before him.

The city was far larger than he had imagined, with buildings standing side by side and wide, clean streets. Most surprisingly, the monsters in the city all retained human form; some were tall and mighty, while others were petite and delicate, but without exception, they all exuded powerful demonic energy.

"This is the capital of our demon race," the demon tiger explained. "The city is inhabited by powerful demons at the Transformation stage or above, with even the weakest possessing the cultivation of the early Golden Core stage."

"Transformation stage?" Qi Yang's heart skipped a beat.

The fact that demonic beasts can transform into human form indicates that they have at least reached the Golden Core stage. And the fact that such demonic beasts are ubiquitous in this city demonstrates just how terrifying the overall strength of the demon race is.

"Human cultivator, you reek of blood." A burly minotaur approached, sniffing the air. "You've killed quite a few people, haven't you?"

"I did kill some," Qi Yang readily admitted, "but they were all people who deserved to die."

"Hahaha! I love this direct answer!" the minotaur laughed. "Much better than those hypocritical human cultivators!"

As Qi Yang walked along the main street, he noticed countless eyes scrutinizing him.

Most of these demons were hostile to humans, but upon seeing the demonic aura emanating from Qi Yang, their hostility was mixed with a touch of curiosity.

"The royal palace is just ahead," the demon tiger said, pointing to a magnificent palace in the distance. "However, if you wish to see the king, you will need to pass the final test."

"What kind of test?" Qi Yang asked.

"Fight our demon clan's leader," the demon tiger said solemnly. "Only by proving your strength will you be qualified to meet the king."

"Hall Master?" Qi Yang narrowed his eyes. "How strong is he?"

"Mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, and one of the most skilled warriors among our demon race," the demon tiger warned. "Are you sure you want to challenge him? If you lose, you'll die."

"What if we win?" Qi Yang countered.

"If you win, you will not only meet the king, but also gain the respect of our demon race," the demon tiger said. "In the demon race, strength is everything."

“Very well, I accept the challenge,” Qi Yang said without hesitation.

Soon, the news spread throughout the entire Demon King City. A human cultivator challenging a demon clan leader was unprecedented in the history of the demon race.

Countless demons rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, eager to witness the battle firsthand.

Thousands of demons quickly gathered in the square in front of the palace, including many powerful demons at the Golden Core stage. They discussed among themselves, most of them pessimistic about Qi Yang's chances.

"A mere human cultivator dares to challenge our hall master?"

"He's utterly courting death! Blood Eagle Hall Master is the God of War of our demon race!"

"Just wait and see this arrogant human get torn to shreds!"

Just as the demons were discussing, a blood-red figure descended from the sky and landed in the center of the square.

This was a slender woman, but her arms were actually a pair of enormous, blood-red wings. Most striking were her eyes, which were completely blood-red, like two beads of blood.

"The Blood Eagle Hall Master has arrived!"

Upon seeing this woman, all the demons fell silent, their eyes filled with awe.

"So you dare challenge my human cultivators?" The Blood Eagle Hall Master looked at Qi Yang with icy eyes. "You've got some nerve."

"My name is Qi Yang. Please enlighten me, Master," Qi Yang said, bowing slightly, but his tone showed no fear.

"Instructions?" Blood Eagle Hall Master sneered. "I will use your blood to wash away the insults humanity has bestowed upon us!"

As soon as she finished speaking, her figure vanished from the spot.

Qi Yang was startled and immediately released his divine sense to search for the Blood Eagle's location. But to his astonishment, the opponent's speed was beyond imagination, and his divine sense could not detect it.

"Here it is!"

A cold voice rang out behind Qi Yang, and blood-red claws reached for his back.

Qi Yang didn't have time to turn around and could only rely on his instincts to dodge to the side.

"Rip!"

The claws grazed his shoulder, leaving several deep scratches on his clothes.

"So fast?" Qi Yang was secretly surprised.

His reaction was quick enough, but he was still nearly hit. The Blood Eagle Hall Master's strength was indeed not to be underestimated.

"Human cultivator, is this your strength?" The Blood Eagle Hall Master vanished again. "You've disappointed me greatly!"

This time, Qi Yang was prepared. He closed his eyes and focused intently on sensing the changes in the surrounding airflow.

When the Heart-Eating Demon Art was activated to its limit, a protective shield of blood-red demonic energy formed around him.

"Blood Demon Protection!"

Just as the Blood Eagle's claws were about to touch him, Qi Yang suddenly opened his eyes and met the attack with a palm strike.

"Blood Demon Heart-Devouring Palm!"

The blood-red palm print and the sharp claws collided, creating a deafening sound.

The Blood Eagle Hall Master was forced back several steps, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Interesting. Your magical powers can actually keep up with my speed." She licked her lips. "Looks like I can get serious now."

After saying that, she spread her wings and rose into the air.

"Blood Feather Flying Blade!"

Countless crimson feathers shot out from her wings, each one gleaming with a sharp light, densely packed towards Qi Yang.

Qi Yang dared not take the attack head-on, and his figure flashed, leaving behind a series of afterimages on the square.

But those blood-red feathers seemed to have a life of their own, constantly changing direction to pursue him.

"A mere trick!" Qi Yang scoffed. "Blood Demon Devouring!"

He spread his arms, and the demonic energy within him surged out wildly, forming a huge blood-red vortex in front of him.

The moment those crimson feathers touched the vortex, they were immediately sucked in and transformed into pure demonic energy, which was then absorbed by Qi Yang.

"What?!" Blood Eagle Hall Master exclaimed in shock, "Your demonic arts can actually devour my demonic power?"

"The 'Heart-Devouring Demonic Art,' as the name suggests, is meant to devour everything," Qi Yang said smugly. "Whether it's the spiritual energy of humans or the demonic power of demons, it's all nourishment for me!" This was indeed the unique feature of the "Heart-Devouring Demonic Art." As an evil cultivation technique, it could devour and transform various energies, including demonic power.

"Good! Very good!" The Blood Eagle Hall Master laughed instead of getting angry. "Finally, I've met an interesting opponent!"

She abandoned her initial disdain and began to take things seriously.

"Blood Eagle's True Form!"

With a sharp whistle, the Blood Eagle Hall Master's body began to change.

Her arms transformed into blood-red wings, her body became more slender, and most importantly, her aura surged several times over.

"This is my true form, human cultivator. It's already quite remarkable that you forced me to use my true form," the Blood Eagle Hall Master's voice became even more ethereal. "However, you are about to die!"

"A sea of ​​blood raged to the heavens!"

With a flap of her wings, countless crimson energies erupted from her body, instantly engulfing the entire plaza in a sea of ​​blood.

Qi Yang felt as if he were in a real sea of ​​blood, surrounded by the stench of blood. What was even more terrifying was that this sea of ​​blood was constantly draining his demonic energy.

"As expected, he possesses the strength of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator." Qi Yang's expression turned grave. "It seems we'll have to get serious now."

He took a deep breath and began to mobilize all the demonic energy within his body.

"Since you've used your true form, then I won't hold back!"

Qi Yang's body began to change; blood-red lines emerged from under his skin, and his eyes turned deep red.

This is a special form of the "Heart-Eating Demon Art" after it has been cultivated to a high level - demonization.

"Demonic transformation?" The surrounding demons were shocked. "This human cultivator can actually undergo demonic transformation?"

In his demonized state, Qi Yang's strength surged. Not only did his power and speed increase dramatically, but more importantly, his ability to perceive and control various energies reached a new level.

"A sea of ​​blood? You're still too green to play with blood in front of me!"

Qi Yang stretched out his hands and began to frantically absorb the energy of the surrounding sea of ​​blood.

"Blood Demon Under Heaven!"

This is one of the ultimate secret techniques of the "Heart-Eating Demon Art," which can convert all absorbed energy into one's own attack.

As Qi Yang absorbed the blood, the Blood Eagle Hall Master's Blood Sea began to be controlled by him in reverse.

"Impossible!" The Blood Eagle Hall Master stared in disbelief at the scene. "How could you possibly control my Blood Sea?"

"Nothing is impossible," Qi Yang sneered. "Bloodlust is my greatest strength!"

After saying that, he condensed all the blood sea energy he had absorbed into a huge blood sword and slashed at the Blood Eagle Hall Master.

"Blood Demon Heaven-Slaying Sword!"

This sword strike contained terrifying power, as if even space itself was about to be torn apart.

The Blood Eagle Hall Master felt the threat of death and had no choice but to defend himself with all his might.

"Blood Feather Shield!"

Her feathers instantly hardened like iron, layer upon layer, forming a huge shield in front of her.

"boom!"

The blood sword struck the blood feather shield, unleashing a deafening roar.

The entire square was shaking, and countless demons were forced to retreat by the aftershocks.

When the smoke cleared, the demons witnessed a scene that shocked them.

The Blood Eagle Hall Master knelt on the ground, most of the feathers on his chest severed, and blood flowed continuously. Qi Yang, though also greatly exhausted, remained standing steadily.

"I lost?" Blood Eagle Hall Master looked at his injuries in disbelief.

"You flatter me." Qi Yang withdrew from his demonic state and returned to normal. "The Hall Master's strength is indeed formidable; I only won by chance."

"A fluke?" The Blood Eagle Hall Master smiled bitterly. "Your demonic arts are indeed formidable, capable of devouring and converting my demonic power—an ability I've never seen before."

The surrounding demons fell into a deathly silence.

They never expected that the Blood Eagle Hall Master would actually lose, and that he would lose to a human cultivator.

"Impossible! How could the Blood Eagle Hall Master have lost?"

"Just who is this human cultivator? How could he possess such terrifying strength!"

"His demonic arts are too wicked; they can even devour the power of our demon race!"

Just as the demons were discussing this, the palace gates suddenly opened.

A voice, majestic and deep, echoed from within the palace: "Interesting human cultivator, come in and see me."

As soon as the voice appeared, all the demons fell silent and respectfully bowed towards the direction of the royal palace.

"The King summons you!" the demon tiger exclaimed excitedly to Qi Yang. "You've succeeded!"

"Thank you." Qi Yang cupped his hands in thanks to the Blood Eagle Hall Master. "Hall Master, I am deeply honored by your kindness."

"Victory is victory, and defeat is defeat." Despite his injuries, the Blood Eagle Hall Master maintained his arrogance. "I, Blood Eagle, never make excuses. However, you are indeed worthy to meet a king."

Qi Yang nodded and strode towards the palace.

The palace was even more magnificent inside than it appeared from the outside, with precious monster bones and gemstone decorations everywhere.

After walking through the long corridor, Qi Yang arrived at the main hall of the palace.

The main hall was enormous, capable of holding tens of thousands of people. And at the very back of the main hall, there was a throne made of dragon bones.

Sitting on the throne was a man who looked to be in his thirties, but Qi Yang could sense that the demonic power emanating from him was as vast and boundless as an ocean.

This is definitely an existence that surpasses the Golden Core stage.

"Qi Yang, a human cultivator, pays his respects to the Demon King!" Qi Yang said respectfully.

"No need for formalities." The Demon King's voice was calm, yet carried an unyielding authority. "Judging from your battle just now, your demonic arts are indeed formidable."

"Thank you for the compliment, Demon King," Qi Yang said.

"You've traveled a great distance to my demon realm; surely it wasn't just to demonstrate your strength?" the Demon King asked directly. "Speak, what is your purpose?"

Qi Yang took a deep breath, knowing that the crucial moment had arrived.

"Your Majesty, I have come here hoping to establish a cooperative relationship with you," he said sincerely.

"Cooperation?" A hint of amusement flashed in the Demon King's eyes. "A human cultivator wants to cooperate with my demon race? That's quite novel."

"Demon King, although humans and demons have always been at odds, those are narrow-minded prejudices," Qi Yang said eloquently. "In my view, both humans and demons share common interests."

"Tell me about it." The Demon King seemed intrigued.

"The human cultivation world is currently rife with internal strife, with various forces scheming against each other," Qi Yang analyzed. "If the demon race could intervene, they would undoubtedly reap enormous benefits."

"And I can become the representative of the demon race in the human world."

After listening, the Demon King did not answer immediately, but fell into deep thought.

After a long silence, he finally spoke: "An interesting suggestion. However, cooperation is mutual. What can you offer my demon race?" (End of Chapter)