The First Sage of Military Strategists

"Brother Han, thank you so much for saving me. If it weren't for you, I would really be dead here." Chi Yan stood up from the bed, his words tinged with emotion.

Although he was unconscious, he was fully aware of everything that happened around him.

"You have been planted with a demonic seed by the demon lord. If it is not removed in time, in half an hour, the demonic energy emitted by this seed will spread to every part of your body, turning you into a servant of the Gluttonous Demon. At that time, no one will be able to save you," Han Qing explained.

"So that's how it is. I was having a terrible dream the whole time, and I almost couldn't wake up." Chi Yan said, still shaken.

"How come you have the demonic seed of the Gluttonous Demon in your body?" Han Qing asked.

Chi Yan fell into deep thought, and after a while said, "It was my father. He gave me a pill before, saying it was called the Blood Soul Pill, which could greatly increase my combat power. I swallowed the pill and soon fell into a coma. Two and a half days have passed since then."

"How could your father harm you? Is there some misunderstanding?" Yan Qiuling asked.

Chi Yan looked pained: "My father has a problem. His personality has changed a lot recently. I don't know what happened?"

"Has your father ever been to the South China Sea? Or have you ever come into contact with the Gluttonous Demon?" Han Qing asked.

“I’ve been there. My father said that the Gluttonous Demon is sealed in the South China Sea Abyss, which could bring disaster to the Shennong Kingdom. He went there once and brought back a lot of treasures and cultivation techniques. This Blood Soul Pill is said to have been brought back at that time,” Chi Yan recalled.

“Then there’s no problem. Your father must have arrived at the sealed land of the Gluttonous Demon. Something must have happened during that time. The most important thing now is to see your father,” Han Qing analyzed.

He had no clue how to find the Gluttonous Demon, but now he saw hope. Perhaps he could follow the trail of the King of Shennong Kingdom to find the source.

“My father has always kept to himself and never sees outsiders. Even if I wanted to see him, I couldn’t,” Chi Yan shook his head.

"That further confirms that something has happened," Han Qing said in a deep voice.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“Young master, the king has decreed that you must go to the palace immediately to meet him,” an old man said from outside.

"Uncle Zhou, I understand, I'll be there right away," Chi Yan replied.

"This old servant will wait for you," the old man replied.

Chi Yan turned his head: "Brother Han, come with me."

Han Qing nodded slightly: "Okay, but I have a special identity and will not show myself."

As he spoke, his body transformed, turning into a single strand of hair that wrapped around Chi Yan's ear, leaving Chi Yan in awe. This was the power of a mid-level Martial Saint—the ability to transform in countless ways.

The group then headed to the inner city palace. Deep within a magnificent palace, Han Qing met the King of Shennong Kingdom. The latter did indeed bear a resemblance to Chi Yan, but his demeanor was more dignified and imposing, befitting a great man.

He was dressed in a light green robe, sitting upright in a chair, toying with a green jewel in his hand, exuding a deep and dignified aura.

Han Qing activated his divine eye and suddenly saw wisps of black energy darting around inside this person's body. This was exactly the same as Chi Yan's physical condition earlier. Clearly, this Shennong King had also been implanted with a demonic seed. However, he also noticed that the king's eyes remained clear, indicating that he was not unconscious, nor did he have the fierce and cunning look in his eyes like other demonic servants. This meant that the Shennong King had not been truly transformed into a demonic servant.

"Father, you've been staying in the palace lately and won't see anyone. Is something important happening?" Chi Yan asked loudly.

While he was speaking, Han Qing was secretly using telepathy to tell him about the physical condition of the King of Shennong Kingdom.

Chi Yan's heart was in his throat. If it was true, then the person sitting in front of him was a demon. If he was found out, the demon might kill him. After all, demons are born ferocious and have the instinct to destroy everything.

The King of Shennong Kingdom said in a deep voice, "I am currently cultivating an extremely powerful demonic secret technique that requires the collection of the purest primordial yin and yang energy from young men and women. It is far more powerful than any secret technique. Before long, I will be able to break through the seventh heavenly gate, obtain the inheritance of the Gluttonous Heavenly Demon, and break through to the second stage of the Rainbow Transformation Realm in one fell swoop. At that time, my Shennong Kingdom will be able to completely break away from the Great Yu Kingdom and will no longer need to pay tribute every year and be inferior to others!"

"Young men and women?" Chi Yan's heart skipped a beat. He had recently heard that a large number of men and women under the age of fourteen had been summoned to the palace and never came out again. Now he understood that most of these people were probably dead.

This made him even more certain that something had happened to his father.

In the past, the king of Shennong Kingdom was known for loving his people like his own children. How could he possibly do something like harming the people to strengthen himself?

"My father has really become a demon?" Chi Yan felt like the sky was about to fall, but he remained calm on the surface and dared not show the slightest abnormal emotion.

"Father, your breakthrough is a great thing for our Shennong Kingdom. By the way, I wonder which sea abyss the Gluttonous Demon is sealed in?" Chi Yan said with a smile.

This was Han Qing's arrangement, to see if they could find out the exact location of the Gluttonous Demon's seal from the King of Shennong Kingdom.

"The Gluttonous Demon is an ancient and supreme true demon. With your strength, you are not qualified to come into contact with it. Recently, a large number of powerful outsiders have infiltrated my capital, intending to seize the Gluttonous Demon's inheritance. Perhaps someone will try to harm you. I will arrange a guard for you. No matter when or where you go, you must not leave his sight!" The King of Shennong Kingdom spoke with an unquestionable majesty and domineering air.

"Understood, Father!"

Chi Yan bent down and saw a young man in purple standing behind him.

"My name is Jun Xiaoyao, Young Master Chi, rest assured. With me here, no one can harm you in the slightest!" The young man had a playful smile on his face and exuded a charmingly wicked aura that made Chi Yan feel uncomfortable all over, as if he were the servant.

"If there's nothing else, you may leave." The King of Shennong waved his hand.

"Yes."

Chi Yan got up and went out, with Jun Xiaoyao following closely behind him.

The palace fell completely silent. Suddenly, the King of Shennong Kingdom showed a pained expression. A cloud of black mist rose from his head and transformed into the appearance of the Gluttonous Demon, whose size was enormous, like a towering mountain of flesh.

King Shennong breathed a sigh of relief: "Gluttonous Demon, I have found a large number of young men and women for you as you requested. You must also keep your promise and help me open the seventh heavenly gate. The seventh ancient seal must also be given to me!"

"Don't worry, this Demon King keeps his word." His deep voice echoed through the palace.

"Recently, a large number of powerful individuals have entered the capital. All of them have come for you. What are your plans to deal with this?" King Shennong frowned, deeply worried. If he could, he would rather the Gluttonous Demon be sealed away elsewhere, because Shennong Kingdom could not withstand such a great fortune; it would be a complete disaster.

Whether it's the supreme treasure of the Primordial Emperor or an ancient inheritance that can break through the shackles of the Heavenly Dao, it will attract a large number of extremely powerful enemies, none of whom the Shennong Dao Palace can contend with.

Under immense pressure, he chose to cooperate with the Gluttonous Demon. He wholeheartedly helped the Gluttonous Demon become stronger, and in exchange, the Gluttonous Demon helped him improve his strength and eliminate all powerful enemies for him.

"It's alright. Most of these people are not worth my attention, except for Han Qing, who is right next to your son and is trying to find out where my seal is located. As long as we can destroy him, the others are nothing to fear!" the Gluttonous Demon said in a deep voice.

"How do you plan to deal with him? Han Qing is one of the world's top experts!" the King of Shennong Kingdom asked.

“Jun Xiaoyao is the most powerful of my many demon servants. Let him stay by Chi Yan’s side and monitor Han Qing’s every move. As long as I can break free before he finds my seal, then everything will be fine,” the Gluttonous Demon said again.

at this time.

Chi Yan has returned to his residence.

He prepared to get up and go back to his room, but Jun Xiaoyao still followed closely behind.

"I'm going back to my room to take a bath, so don't follow me."

Jun Xiaoyao laughed, "Young Master Chi, no matter what you do, you cannot leave my sight." Chi Yan frowned, "I am the prince of Shennong Kingdom, are you not going to obey my orders?"

“Young Master Chi, I don’t care who you are. I only follow the rules ordered by the King. If you don’t listen, I have plenty of ways to make you bow your head,” Jun Xiaoyao said with a smile.

"You're too arrogant, Jun Xiaoyao," Chi Yan said through gritted teeth.

Just then, a figure flew in from a distance; it was Yan Qiuling.

"Young Master Chi, who is this?"

Before Chi Yan could answer, Jun Xiaoyao said first, "What a beautiful woman! We can have a good time tonight!"

His gaze swept over Yan Qiuling without restraint. Yan Qiuling was a demon, and she could not tolerate such a provocative act.

"you wanna die?"

She flicked her finger, and crimson flames gathered, instantly condensing into a red lotus, which she then hurled directly at Jun Xiaoyao.

The latter suddenly opened its mouth and spat out a ball of demonic energy, which directly devoured the red lotus.

"Demonic energy? Are you a demon?" Yan Qiuling frowned.

Han Qing, who had not appeared until now, suddenly transformed back into human form from her hair and landed beside Chi Yan.

"Qiu Ling, there's no need to be surprised. He has become a servant of the Gluttonous Demon. He has no humanity, only demonic nature, hence he is cruel, domineering, and lustful."

Han Qing's gaze fell on Jun Xiaoyao again, and he smiled, "The Gluttonous Demon sent you here, presumably to monitor me and target me."

Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow: "You're Han Qing?"

“That’s right,” Han Qing replied.

“My master will soon be freed. Why don’t you submit? I will bestow upon you a Gluttony Demon Seed, which will greatly increase your combat power and grant you supreme strength out of thin air!” Jun Xiaoyao said.

"There's nothing to say to a demonic servant like you. Just wipe them out!" Han Qing said loudly.

As soon as he finished speaking, he stretched out his right hand, and a ball of silver light surged from his palm, engulfing the young man in an instant.

The latter surged with demonic energy, attempting to dissipate the silver radiance around its body and escape.

However, Han Qing's combat power far exceeded his. The latter struggled desperately but could not break free. In the end, his entire body exploded and turned into a cloud of demonic energy.

"seal up!"

With another thought, Han Qing activated the Yin-Yang True Realm. This wisp of demonic energy slowly contracted and was eventually sealed by the black-gold lotus flower, transforming into a pitch-black demonic seed.

"The Gluttonous Demon sent this kind of scum to test me. It seems he's in a bad situation and has no demon servants to command." Han Qing played with the demon seed, feeling a breathtaking power contained within it.

"Brother Han, my father may have turned into a demon. What should we do now?" Chi Yan's face was full of anxiety and despair.

"It's alright. I don't think your father has truly become a demon servant. Perhaps he's just being controlled. As long as we find the place where the Gluttonous Demon is sealed and kill it completely, all the crises will naturally be resolved," Han Qing said.

Chi Yan breathed a slight sigh of relief: "Then the most important thing now is how to find its sealed location, I have no clue!"

Han Qing was also at a loss, when just then, he heard Elder Ming's voice in his ear.

“Master, this Gluttony Demon Seed is a supreme treasure. I know a secret method that can use this demon seed as fuel to combine weapons and forge armor, combining the Wild Dragon Devouring Heaven Armor and the Yuan Crystal Star Armor into one, to forge a brand new supreme armor for you.”

"Elder Ming, then let's refine these two suits of armor," Han Qing replied.

As his strength increased, the enemies he faced also became stronger. It seemed that the Dragon Devouring Armor and the Yuan Crystal Star Armor were no longer enough. Now that he could combine the two armors into one, why not?
"Chi Yan, you don't need to worry. During this time, I will go to the South China Sea to search for the sealed location of the Gluttonous Demon. As the saying goes, there's always a way out. Everything will be resolved," Han Qing said in a deep voice.

Hearing these words, Chi Yan felt much more at ease.

into the night.

Han Qing lived in a pavilion in Chi Yan's mansion. He sat cross-legged on the bed, and the boundary marker in his palm changed to the size of a palm and was slowly rotating.

Inside the Boundless Monument, Elder Ming was refining that supreme armor.

The Dragon Devouring Armor and the Star Crystal Armor were suspended in the air. One radiated golden light and was surrounded by the phantom of a golden dragon, while the other radiated brilliant starlight. Between the two armors was a black demonic seed, which was the Gluttony Demonic Seed.

Within the Gluttonous Demon Seed, wisps of black energy were drawn out, transforming into two streams of black energy that shot towards the left and right armors respectively.

The black mist transformed into flames, enveloping the two suits of armor, which then burst into flames.

Then, the two balls of black flame slowly approached each other, and at a certain moment, they suddenly merged into one.

Han Qing could sense that two extremely powerful forces were intertwined and rapidly merging at an astonishing speed.

Strange power fluctuations echoed between heaven and earth. After a while, the fluctuations gradually subsided, the black mist dissipated, and a brand-new battle armor was revealed in front of Han Qing. Its appearance was largely similar to the Manglong Devouring Heaven Armor, except that it had some more intricate and mysterious purple patterns. Outside the armor, dark purple stars floated, mysterious and vast.

Han Qing could sense that this new suit of armor was much more powerful than the previous two.

He reached out and grabbed it; in a flash, the armor transformed into a streak of light and flew into his body, quickly covering every inch of his skin. An unprecedentedly powerful force surged within him, like ocean waves.

"Master, this armor has merged the power of the two original armors, and its power has reached a whole new level." The voice of Elder Ming echoed between heaven and earth.

Han Qing nodded slightly: "It is indeed a fine piece of armor. This armor does not have a name yet, so let's call it the Demon Dragon Star Armor."

Wearing this brand-new battle armor, he moved with a thought, and a faint light appeared, directly outside the Boundless Monument.

Suddenly, he felt a strange calling from the northeast.

"Ok?"

He quieted down and carefully sensed it, discovering that it was this piece of armor that was being summoned by some mysterious force.

"Northeast direction?"

He hesitated for a moment, then took flight, determined to see what was playing tricks on him.

He flew at breakneck speed in the direction of the summons, quickly leaving the Shennong Kingdom and continuing northward, soaring over the vast South China Sea. (End of Chapter)