Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

Zhang Daojing bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the peach wood sword.

Lightning surged on the peach wood sword, transforming it into a colossal, heaven-piercing thunder sword.

"Five Thunder Orthodox Method: Mind Thunder Breaks!"

With a single thrust, carrying the power to destroy the heavens and the earth, the sword was aimed at the vital spot of the Crowned Demon Emperor.

A hint of fear flashed in the eyes of the Crowned Demon Emperor. He tried to dodge, but his massive body was bound by the lightning net and he could not escape at all. He could only concentrate all his demonic power at his seven-inch mark to form a thick layer of black armor.

The thunderous greatsword fell, unleashing a blazing light as intense as the sun.

"Snap!"

A crisp cracking sound rang out.

A fine crack appeared on the armor.

Immediately afterwards, the cracks became more numerous and denser, spreading rapidly in all directions.

"break!"

Zhang Daojing let out a low shout, and the Thunder Giant Sword grew another ten feet, piercing through the black armor with a thunderous crash.

"roar--!"

The Crowned Demon Emperor let out a agonizing roar, its massive body convulsing violently as black blood gushed from its wounds, corroding the ground and creating numerous pits.

But it is, after all, a demon king-level being, and even if it is severely injured, it will not be easily killed.

It twisted its body wildly, and its thick tail lashed out at Zhang Daojing.

"Bang!"

Zhang Daojing was sent flying and crashed into the mountain wall with a loud "boom," creating a large crater in the wall, from which rubble buries him.

"Celestial Master!"

Inside the valley, the aftershocks of their fierce battle had created a scene of utter devastation, and everyone stopped to watch the battlefield.

Upon seeing this, he couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

"I'm not going to die yet."

The rubble fell away, and Zhang Daojing stood up again, still gripping the peach wood sword tightly in his hand.

His breath quickly faded, his hair turned snow-white again, and his face was covered with deep wrinkles, as if he had aged decades in an instant.

The cultivation gained from burning one's essence is rapidly fading.

But he still kept his back straight.

Looking at the Crowned Demon Emperor struggling in pain, he revealed a weak smile, slowly sat down cross-legged, formed hand seals, and used his last strength to cast a series of runes.

"seal up!"

In the sky, the Dark Erosion Demon Emperor roared and transformed into a black line, swooping down.

"Stop him!"

Lou Junbo shouted, and together with Lu Guangling, they attacked from the front and back, locking onto him tightly and buying time for Zhang Daojing.

Seeing that the Crowned Demon Emperor was about to be sealed again, the four demon kings roared and wanted to rush over to help.

"Don't even think about it!"

Li Yuan and the others tried their best to stop him. They couldn't let the opportunity that the Old Master had risked his life for go to waste.

Zhang Daojing's hands moved faster and faster as he poured all the remaining mana in his body into the formation. Under his urging, the broken rune chains began to operate again.

The golden light shone brightly once more.

Chains of runes extended from all directions, wrapping around the massive body of the Crowned Vermilion Demon Emperor, dragging it back into the seal bit by bit.

"Hiss! No!"

The Crowned Demon Emperor roared in unwilling anger and struggled frantically, but Zhang Daojing's sword had injured its very core, and its power was rapidly dissipating, making it impossible to break free from the runes' restraints.

"boom!"

With a deafening roar, the Crowned Demon Emperor was dragged back into the seal.

The formation closed perfectly, emitting a buzzing sound.

The valley was completely silent.

The operation failed, and the four demon kings lost their will to fight and their fighting spirit was completely gone.

"The Celestial Master is mighty!"

Someone shouted something, and then everyone cheered in unison, the sound echoing through the sky.

Zhang Daojing leaned weakly against the rock wall, looked up at the gradually dissipating dark clouds in the sky, and revealed a relieved smile.

His cultivation has been completely ruined.

Life is almost over.

But he doesn't regret it!

The Dark Eclipse Demon Emperor hovered in mid-air, watching helplessly as the Crowned Vermilion Demon Emperor was resealed, a sinister glint in his eyes.

"What a piece of trash!"

The plan has completely failed. It is impossible for the Crowned Demon Emperor to break free of the seal anytime soon. Staying here will only put him in danger as well.

He snorted coldly, his black robe billowed, and his figure transformed into a streak of light, shooting towards the horizon and disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Lu Guangling got up to chase after him, but Lou Junbo stopped him.

"Don't pursue a desperate enemy."

His gaze fell upon the four demon kings.

They were now completely surrounded and had no way to escape. Even the Dark Erosion Demon King had fled. How could they possibly fight back?

Tiger Cave Demon King roared and turned to break through, but was forced back by Luo Wei's sword. Seeing that the situation was not good, the Azure Scale Demon King quickly shrank his body and turned into a small snake the size of a palm. He tried to burrow into the ground to escape, but Li Yuan was quick to catch him and nailed him to the ground.

The Crocodile Dragon Demon King, with its thick hide and reckless charge, tried to break through the encirclement with its brute force, but Liu Huang and more than a dozen demon-hunting guards bound its limbs with demon-locking chains, leaving it only able to let out helpless roars.

The Misty Demon King was the most cunning. It quietly transformed into a wisp of black smoke, trying to drift away with the wind, but Ji Fanghua kept its aura locked on.

"Space Cage!"

A flash of light, and it was locked in place, with no way to escape.

"Those who surrender will be spared!" Lou Junbo declared loudly. "Those who resist to the end will be killed without exception!"

"Awooo!"

Tiger Cave Demon King roared in resentment, brandishing its mountain-splitting axe, wanting to fight again. Li Yuan cleaved the axe handle in mid-air with a single slash and kicked it in the chest.

Its massive body crashed to the ground, struggling to get up, but a dozen swords were already at its neck.

In the end, three of the four demon kings surrendered and one was captured, bringing the months-long battle of Xuefeng Mountain to a close.

However, the price paid by the Demon Suppression Division was equally heavy.

Thirty-seven members of the Demon-Slaying Guard were killed, more than sixty were seriously wounded, and countless others were slightly wounded.

Lu Guangling suffered a severe blow, but the greatest loss was to Zhang Daojing, who sacrificed his life's cultivation in exchange for resealing the Crowned Demon Emperor by burning his own essence.

Lou Junbo walked up to him, slowly took off his helmet, and bowed respectfully.

"Master Zhang, on behalf of the Demon Suppression Bureau, the Tang Dynasty, and the countless people here, I thank you for your righteousness!"

Looking at Zhang Daojing's white-haired appearance, Lu Guangling was filled with self-reproach: "Brother Dao... it's my incompetence that caused you..."

Zhang Daojing weakly waved his hand: "Fellow Daoist Guangling, there is no need to blame yourself. I have cultivated the Dao for a thousand years, and it is my blessing to be able to do one last thing for all living beings before my death."

He smiled and said, "Lord Lou, I have another request."

"Please speak, sir."

"This humble Taoist wishes to return to Longhu Mountain."

Zhang Daojing gazed into the distance: "I have spent my life vanquishing demons and monsters. Now that my time is up, I wish to return to the mountain for one last look before departing in peace."

Lou Junbo remained silent for a long time, his eyes slightly red: "I will personally escort the True Immortal back to the mountain."

"No need," Zhang Daojing shook his head. "Lord Lou has a heavy responsibility and many follow-up matters need to be handled."

He turned to Li Yuan: "Young brother, would you be willing to see me off on this journey?"

"It is my great honor."

Li Yuan immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Seeing that Zhang Daojing was determined, Lou Junbo did not press the matter further. He turned to Li Yuan and whispered, "You escort the Master back to the mountain. Make sure he is safe along the way. There's no need to rush."

"After delivering it, there's no need to return to Xuefeng Mountain. Go directly back to Chang'an to report back, and I will ask Lord Ye for credit on your behalf."

"Your subordinate obeys."

Lou Junbo turned his head and looked behind him: "Han Kuo, the three of you come along too."

"yes!"

The three responded in unison.