Wandering Swordsman |

As soon as Lü Yan finished speaking, a man already standing beside Hua Tianyou slowly said, "Captain Lü, considering my background with the Flame Demon Pavilion, I must remind you, once the Demon Refining Mountain opens, anyone wishing to join midway must challenge the Venerable One to prove their strength under the witness of the Demon Lord. Only by defeating the Venerable One and demonstrating their own power can they enter the Demon Refining Mountain midway." His voice was steady and powerful, each word striking like a heavy hammer into everyone's heart. Tu Yuliang's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he fell into deep thought.

However, upon hearing this, Lü Yan became even angrier and criticized the man: "So this is your reason for betraying the Flame Demon Pavilion and betraying your lord?"

However, those who were still struggling and hesitant gradually had their confusion replaced by determination after hearing the conditions for Hua Tianyou to enter the Demon Refining Mountain midway. As a result, several people quickly walked to Hua Tianyou's side.

"Brothers, look at the current situation," the speaker continued, seeing that it had an effect. "Captain Lü and Captain Tu have now become Shen Mo's lackeys. What future do the brothers from the Flame Demon Pavilion and Blood Demon Pavilion have if they follow them? Why not follow this young hero and become the new Heavenly Demon God? We will surely open up a new world for ourselves."

Another disciple chimed in, "Yes, brothers, look, Shen Mo tried everything after discovering this cave, but still couldn't open the door. But this young hero arrived, showed a little strength, and the door reacted. This means this young hero is destined to become the new Heavenly Demon God. Following him is our only way out."

As these words spread, more and more people began to waver and turned to Hua Tianyou's side. The atmosphere in front of the cave grew increasingly tense, with everyone weighing the pros and cons and considering their own future.

Not long after, Tu Yuliang, who had been silent all along, slowly stood up and walked towards Hua Tianyou. The Blood Demon Pavilion members, seeing Tu Yuliang's actions, were initially stunned, but then, as if they had found their way, they all followed. Seeing Tu Yuliang's behavior, Lü Yan and Yue Linglong were taken aback.

Tu Yuliang's heart was filled with complex emotions. He knew he wasn't the Blood Demon Lord's biological child, and only had a special opportunity to gain a foothold in the Blood Demon Pavilion. Now, although Shen Mo was powerful, Hua Tianyou, who was even more powerful than Shen Mo, had appeared. He worried that if Shen Mo failed to become the Heavenly Demon God, his own position would be in jeopardy. Rather than that, it was better to find a new patron as soon as possible.

After regaining his senses, Lü Yan tried to persuade Tu Yuliang to turn back: "Brother Tu, we swore an oath together before our lord. How can you betray us for temporary gain?" His voice was filled with undisguised disappointment and anger.

However, Tu Yuliang only smiled faintly, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and determination: "Those who understand the times are heroes. Lü Yan, you should also recognize the current situation." He knew that sometimes choices are more important than loyalty, especially in such a volatile world.

By this time, most of the people had sided with Hua Tianyou, leaving only Yue Linglong, Lü Yan, Xie Xin, the ten members of the Moon Demon Pavilion, and a few remaining members of the Flame Demon Pavilion. The surroundings were eerily silent, save for the howling wind, which carried a sense of the coldness and indifference of the world. Those who had once fought side-by-side were now divided into two factions, as if separated by two separate worlds.

Yue Linglong watched the departing figures, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She felt a deep sense of loss, but also understood that in this martial world, everyone had their own way of surviving. Lü Yan, on the other hand, gripped his sword tightly, his eyes flashing with resentment and anger, but even more so with a sense of powerlessness.

At this moment, Yue Linglong and the others were enveloped by a feeling of isolation and helplessness. They were no longer the united little group, but had been torn apart by this sudden storm.

After a while, seeing that no one was coming any further, Hua Tianyou took a deep breath, his eyes revealing an indescribable determination.

He slowly raised his hands, and the invisible gray power once again emanated from his palms, like writhing serpents, swiftly surging towards the gate of the cave, which was isolated by meteorite iron. The surrounding air seemed to freeze; everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the mysterious stone door.

With a slight tremor, the meteorite iron gate opened completely, revealing a deep and mysterious space within. Those who had decided to follow Hua Tianyou trembled with excitement, their eyes gleaming with longing and anticipation.

Hua Tianyou turned to face the crowd, his gaze sweeping across each face like lightning. His expression remained unchanged, yet his confidence and resolve were undeniable. Then, he bent down and drew a clear line on the ground near the entrance, his tone cold and resolute: "This line is the boundary. Those who follow me may cross this line to enter the cave; anyone else who dares to cross this line will be killed!"

Having said that, Hua Tianyou looked at Lü Yan and Yue Linglong with murderous intent. There was no hesitation or pity in his eyes, only cold determination.

Seeing Hua Tianyou's actions, Lü Yan gripped his sword tightly, his face pale, filled with both anger and helplessness; Yue Linglong remained expressionless, but a complex light flashed in her eyes, revealing both incomprehension and deep worry.

Hua Tianyou ignored them and strode into the cave. His long blue robe swayed gently in the breeze, exuding both composure and domineering presence. The disciples who had chosen to follow him exchanged glances, then followed without hesitation.

Thick demonic energy permeated the air, and the light inside the cave was dim and hazy, creating a sense of oppression. However, for those determined to follow Hua Tianyou, this was not a source of fear, but rather a harbinger of their impending rebirth.

As Hua Tianyou and his group entered the cave passage, the extremely dense demonic energy grew stronger with each step they took. This power pressed down on everyone's hearts and lungs as if it were a tangible force, a nightmare for those with shallow cultivation levels.

As they went deeper, a young disciple suddenly stopped. His face turned from pale to bluish-purple, and he clutched his chest tightly with both hands, as if trying to stop his heart from leaping out of his chest.

However, all of this was in vain. He eventually bled from all seven orifices, kneeling helplessly on the ground, unable to take another step forward. His eyes were filled with despair and resentment, but in the face of this merciless demonic energy, any struggle seemed so futile. At this moment, he could only stop here; if he took even half a step forward, he would lose his life.

"Ignore him." Hua Tianyou's cold voice echoed in the narrow passage, carrying an undeniable authority. "Those who lack potential can only go this far. The rest of you who can still go, continue with me." Despite this, a barely perceptible emotional fluctuation flashed deep in his eyes. And so, as people continued to fall, only six people, including Tu Yuliang, followed Hua Tianyou to the deepest part of the cave—a vast space.