From the fake emperor to the concubine

"A Foundation Establishment cultivator killing a Golden Core cultivator in the early stages?!" Qingshanzi exclaimed incredulously, "How is this possible?"

“I also find it hard to believe, but the source is very reliable, so it should be true,” the elder said.

After a long silence, Qingshanzi slowly spoke: "It seems the cultivation world is about to change."

"Valley Master, what should we do?" the elder asked.

"What else can we do?" Qingshanzi smiled bitterly. "We must immediately send someone to the Zheng family to express our Qingye Valley's willingness to reconcile with them."

"Yes!"

Heavenly Serpent Sect.

"Sect Master, something terrible has happened!" A disciple rushed into the hall in a panic.

"What's the matter that you're in such a panic?" Serpent Lord asked, frowning.

"Qi Yang is dead! The Demon Heart Sect is completely finished!" the disciple said breathlessly.

"What?!" Serpent Lord jumped to his feet. "How is this possible?"

"It's true! And the person who killed Qi Yang was Zhang Yunfan from the Zheng family!" the disciple continued, "It's said that this person's strength is extremely terrifying; even a Golden Core stage hall master from the demon race is no match for him!"

The Serpent King's face turned pale instantly.

He recalled what had happened a few days ago. Qi Yang had arrived at the Heavenly Serpent Sect with two mysterious, powerful figures, forcing him to rejoin their side. Faced with such intimidation, he had no choice but to submit.

But now, those two mysterious experts are dead, Qi Yang is dead, and the Heavenly Serpent Sect has offended the Zheng family by returning to the Demon Heart Sect.

"It's over. It's all over now." Serpent King slumped into his chair, looking utterly dejected.

Having offended the currently powerful Zheng family, the fate of the Heavenly Serpent Sect is predictable.

"Sect Master, what should we do now?" an elder asked.

"What else can we do?" Viper King smiled bitterly. "Let's prepare to run away."

"Running away?" Everyone was shocked.

"What are we waiting for if we don't run? Are we waiting for the Zheng family to wipe us out?" Viper King said desperately. "We have no other choice."

Similar scenes were constantly playing out among various forces in the southwestern part of the cultivation world.

Some factions chose to actively curry favor with the Zheng family, hoping to gain forgiveness. Others chose to flee to distant lands, avoiding the Zheng family's wrath. Still others simply disbanded and sought their own way out.

But one fact remains unchanged: the Zheng family's position is now firmly established.

The turning point in all of this was the appearance of Zhang Yunfan.

The Zheng family mansion, Zhang Yunfan's training room.

Zhang Yunfan sat cross-legged, consolidating the gains he had made in the battles of the past few days. Although his cultivation was still at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, his understanding of swordsmanship had become much deeper.

"Senior, I feel as if I have touched the threshold of sword intent," Zhang Yunfan reported to Zheng Yi through his divine sense.

"Sword intent?" Zheng Yi was somewhat surprised. "You've already grasped it so quickly?"

“Yes,” Zhang Yunfan nodded. “In the process of fighting those enemies, I gained a deeper understanding of the way of the sword.”

"Very good," Zheng Yi praised. "Sword intent is a crucial threshold for sword cultivators; once grasped, one's strength will experience a qualitative leap."

"However, comprehending sword intent cannot be rushed; it requires time and effort. Your main task now is to improve your cultivation level—to the mid-to-late Foundation Establishment stage, or even the Golden Core stage."

“This disciple understands,” Zhang Yunfan said respectfully.

"By the way, what are your thoughts on the demon race?" Zheng Yi asked.

"I believe that the demon race's interference in human affairs is definitely not as simple as revenge," Zhang Yunfan analyzed. "They likely have a much larger scheme."

"Your analysis is correct," Zheng Yi said seriously. "Although conflicts between the demon race and the human race occur occasionally, large-scale intervention is indeed rare. Their high-profile involvement this time must have deeper reasons."

"Then how should we deal with this?" Zhang Yunfan asked.

"We'll meet force with force, and we'll dam water with earth," Zheng Yi said calmly. "No matter what their schemes are, as long as we are strong enough, we have nothing to fear from any challenge."

"Therefore, the right path is to seize the time to improve our strength."

"This disciple understands." Zhang Yunfan nodded.

Just as Zhang Yunfan was cultivating, there was a knock on the door.

"Yunfan, it's me." Zheng Chengbai's voice came from outside the door.

"Brother Chengbai?" Zhang Yunfan opened his eyes. "Please come in."

Zheng Chengbai pushed open the door and entered. Seeing that Zhang Yunfan was safe and sound, a relieved smile appeared on his face.

"Yunfan, I'm so glad you're alright," Zheng Chengbai said with concern. "I heard you were exhausted from saving me."

"It's nothing," Zhang Yunfan waved his hand and said, "It's good that you're back safe and sound, Brother Chengbai."

"This is no small matter," Zheng Chengbai said earnestly. "If it weren't for you this time, I might not have made it back. I, Zheng Chengbai, will never forget this kindness."

“Brother Chengbai, we’re family, it’s too formal to say such things,” Zhang Yunfan said with a smile.

"We're family," a complex look flashed in Zheng Chengbai's eyes. "Yes, we're family."

"By the way, Brother Chengbai, what did you gain from this trip?" Zhang Yunfan asked.

"What did we find?" Zheng Chengbai thought for a moment. "We did make some discoveries."

“First of all, the fact that Qi Yang was able to find me so accurately suggests there might be a problem within our ranks,” Zheng Chengbai said seriously. “Someone has leaked my whereabouts to the enemy.”

"A traitor?" Zhang Yunfan frowned.

“Very likely.” Zheng Chengbai nodded. “I have already reported this matter to the clan leader, and I believe we will have a result soon.”

"Secondly, this incident has shown me the true colors of many people," Zheng Chengbai continued. "Some people who seem loyal in ordinary times turn out to be unreliable in crucial moments. On the other hand, some unassuming people have offered a helping hand in times of crisis."

"Human hearts are unpredictable," Zhang Yunfan sighed.

“Yes, people’s hearts are unpredictable.” Zheng Chengbai deeply agreed. “However, this experience has also helped me grow a lot. At least now I can see the complexity of human nature more clearly.”

"Finally, I think our Zheng family needs to be even more careful." Zheng Chengbai's expression turned serious. "The demon race's intervention is no accident; they will definitely have follow-up actions."

"That's what I think too," Zhang Yunfan nodded. "However, our strength is vastly different now, so there's no need to worry too much."

“You’re right.” Zheng Chengbai looked at Zhang Yunfan with admiration in his eyes. “With you here, our Zheng family really doesn’t need to worry too much.” The two chatted for a while longer before Zheng Chengbai took his leave.

Meanwhile, deep within the distant territory of the demon race, a pair of cold eyes were watching the direction of the human world.

"Blood Eagle and Black Flood Dragon are dead?" A deep voice rang out, filled with boundless rage.

“Yes, Your Majesty the Demon King,” a respectful voice replied, “they died at the hands of a young human named Zhang Yunfan.”

"A mere human junior?" The voice burned with even greater rage. "A mere human dares to kill my demon clan's hall master?"

"Your Majesty, that Zhang Yunfan is indeed extraordinary. With only early Foundation Establishment cultivation, he was able to kill a Blood Eagle and a Black Flood Dragon, both mid-Golden Core cultivators. His strength is terrifying."

"Hmph! No matter how terrifying, they're still just humans!" the Demon King sneered. "It seems it's time to let the humans know what the wrath of the demon race truly means!"

"Your Majesty, do you mean..."

"Send the order: gather the elite forces of all tribes and prepare for a massive attack on human territory!" The Demon King issued a terrifying command. "This time, I will make the entire human race pay the price for the deaths of the Blood Eagle and the Black Flood Dragon!"

"Yes, Your Majesty the Demon King!"

Three days after Qi Yang's death, dark clouds suddenly filled the sky, and a suffocating demonic aura descended from the sky, enveloping the entire Black Cloud Peak.

At the Demon Heart Sect headquarters, the disciples, who were already filled with fear, felt this terrifying aura and knelt down on the ground, trembling with fear.

"What kind of demonic aura is this?" Second Elder Mo Wuhen asked in a trembling voice. He could sense that the owner of this demonic aura was far more powerful than they had imagined.

"The demon race has arrived." Elder Mo Tianxing's face was ashen. "And these are definitely not ordinary demons. This kind of pressure is at least from the late Golden Core stage, and might even be from the Nascent Soul stage!"

"Nascent Soul stage?" Everyone present gasped in shock.

What does it mean to be a Nascent Soul stage demon cultivator? Even in the entire southwest of the cultivation world, there are very few Nascent Soul stage cultivators. An existence of this level could destroy their entire Demon Heart Sect with a single thought.

"Boom!"

With a deafening roar, the Demon Heart Sect's protective array shattered instantly, unable to withstand the impact of this terrifying demonic energy.

Immediately afterwards, a huge black shadow appeared in the sky. It was a gigantic monster, hundreds of feet long, covered in black scales, with eyes as red as a blood moon.

On the back of the behemoth stood a tall man. He had a handsome face, but a chilling aura emanated from his brows. He wore black armor and held a blood-red spear, exuding a terrifying and dangerous presence.

"Human ants! I am Blood Butcher, General of the Third Legion of the Demon Race!" The man's voice boomed like thunder throughout Black Cloud Peak. "Where is Qi Yang? Come out and pay your respects at once!"

Blood Butcher, a general of the Third Legion of the Demon Clan, possesses the cultivation of a peak Golden Core cultivator, only one step away from the Nascent Soul stage. Within the Demon Clan legion, he is renowned for his cruelty and bloodlust, and is one of the Demon King's most capable generals.

The members of the Demon Heart Sect trembled with fear upon hearing this name. Blood Butcher's infamous reputation was known even among humans.

“Reporting to the General,” Mo Tianxing said tremblingly as he flew up, “our sect leader Qi Yang has… has already perished.”

"What?" A flash of anger crossed Blood Butcher's eyes. "Qi Yang is dead? Who killed him?"

“It’s Zhang Yunfan from the Zheng family,” Mo Tianxing answered, trembling.

"Zhang Yunfan?" Blood Butcher chewed on the name, his killing intent growing stronger. "That human junior who killed Blood Eagle and Black Flood Dragon?"

Yes, yes.

"Very well." Blood Butcher sneered, "Now that Qi Yang is dead, what use are you remnants of your army?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Tianxing's heart sank, and he quickly said, "General, please calm down! Although our sect leader is gone, our Demon Heart Sect is willing to continue serving the demon race!"

"Effect??" Blood Butcher sneered. "With trash like you?"

"General, although we are not strong, we have a good understanding of the human race," Mo Tianxing pleaded. "Moreover, we also know some secrets of the Zheng family, which will definitely be useful for the demon race's grand cause!"

Blood Butcher's interest was piqued upon hearing this: "Tell me about it."

"That's right," Mo Tianxing hurriedly reported. "The reason the Zheng family has achieved its current strength is mainly because they have a mysterious ancestor. This ancestor's strength is unfathomable; it's said he has already reached the Nascent Soul stage."

"Nascent Soul stage?" A hint of apprehension flashed in Blood Butcher's eyes, but it quickly returned to its cold indifference. "Just a Nascent Soul stage human, he can't cause any trouble. And what else?"

"And then there's Zhang Yunfan. His background is very mysterious," Mo Tianxing continued. "To kill a demon clan leader at the mid-Golden Core stage with only early Foundation Establishment cultivation is absolutely abnormal. I suspect he has some secret."

"A secret?" Blood Butcher's interest was piqued. "What secret?"

"Well... we're not entirely sure either," Mo Tianxing said somewhat awkwardly, "but one thing is certain: this person is definitely not an ordinary cultivator."

Blood Butcher's face showed disappointment after hearing this: "That's all?"

"This..." Mo Tianxing didn't know what to say.

"Useless is useless; you can't even provide a single piece of useful information," Blood Butcher sneered. "In that case, you have no reason to exist."

"General! Please give us another chance!" Mo Tianxing pleaded hastily. "We can definitely provide the demon race with more useful information!"

"An opportunity?" Blood Butcher sneered. "What I hate most is trash begging for mercy."

"Since you're no longer useful, then make the most of your remaining time."

After saying that, Blood Butcher addressed the demonic beast behind him: "Shadow Dragon, let's begin."

"Roar!"

The enormous beast roared, opened its blood-red maw, and a powerful suction force instantly enveloped the entire Black Cloud Peak.

"No! What is this?" Mo Tianxing cried out in terror as he felt his life essence being forcibly extracted.

"This is my Blood Devouring Technique," Blood Butcher said indifferently. "The essence and blood of you human cultivators can be used to enhance my cultivation."

"General, spare us! General, spare us!" The disciples of the Demon Heart Sect begged for mercy, but it was all in vain.

Faced with the Shadow Dragon's Bloodthirsty Technique, these cultivators, whose highest level was no more than Foundation Establishment, had absolutely no ability to resist.

"No! I'm not reconciled!" Mo Wuhen used his last bit of strength to try and escape using a secret technique.

But before he could make a move, a flash of blood appeared, and his body was cut in two.

"Trying to run away from me? You're courting death," Blood Butcher said coldly.

As time passed, the cultivators of the Demon Heart Sect fell one by one. Their life essence was completely drained by the Shadow Dragon, and their corpses turned into mummies.

"No, no!" The Third Elder, Mo Xinyan, was the last one. She looked at the corpses of her companions around her in despair, her eyes filled with fear.

"Don't worry, the pain will subside soon," Blood Butcher smiled cruelly. "Your deaths will only make me even more powerful."

Soon, Mo Xinyan followed in the footsteps of the others. (End of Chapter)