Protect Our Patriarch

……

While Qi Hongzhao and the two Emperors were conversing in the sanctuary, a flying boat was swiftly approaching the extreme west from the northern skies, still some distance away.

This was a private flying carriage shaped like a boat, with intricate runes carved into its hull, giving it an aura of mystery.

In terms of size, this flying carriage was much smaller than the Yun Yao flying boats used for transporting goods, yet compared to standard flying carriages, it was a behemoth.

The hull bore the blood-red emblem of the True Demon Hall.

Pulling the carriage were two massive tenth-order Netherworld Demon Dragons.

The Netherworld Demon Dragon was a unique dragon species of the Red Moon Demon Dynasty, with a colossal body and formidable defense. Each of its dark, metallic-glossed scales had the defensive power comparable to a Purple Mansion Treasure.

The enormous hull was entirely crafted from red spiritual wood, and under the branding of the runes, it emitted a radiant treasure light.

There were no masts on the hull, only an exquisitely crafted pavilion with soaring eaves and luxurious red pillars.

Hanging under the curved eaves were glowing spirit lamps, whose brilliant light created a stark contrast with the dark sky.

It was like a lavish aerial palace, flaunting the might and wealth of the Red Moon Demon Dynasty to all who beheld it.

Inside this flying palace.

There was a room exuding an eerie aura.

From the walls to the floor, and even a throne, everything was the color of blood.

To be precise, they seemed to be formed from fresh blood, flowing and transforming into every object.

On the grand blood-red throne sat a person.

It was a childlike figure in a blood-red robe, appearing to be seven or eight years old, with white pupils and silver hair, short limbs, resembling a jade doll.

However, this jade doll exuded a thick bloody aura, like a ghost from the blood pool of hell, sending chills down one's spine.

This was the infamous Blood Child Demon Lord of the Red Moon Demon Dynasty. Despite his childlike appearance, he was a three-thousand-year-old monster.

In his youth, he accidentally swallowed a Heaven and Earth Dao Fruit, which drastically transformed his bloodline, elevating him to the level of a Peerless Prodigy. However, his bodily functions were sealed in childhood.

After joining the True Demon Hall, he defeated countless opponents as if he were cheating, eventually becoming the heir to the True Demon Hall's "Blood Demon Codex" and receiving meticulous training.

Today, he had become a fearsome Demon Lord, one of the top powerhouses even among the many Demon Lords of the True Demon Hall.

Yet his actions were erratic and tyrannical, causing many to fear and hate him, swearing eternal enmity.

But he continued to thrive, thanks to his immense strength and numerous blood puppet avatars aiding him in battle. Even a legendary true demon might not be able to kill him.

Thus, while his enemies and rivals perished one by one, he remained lively and unscathed.

"Blood Child Demon Lord," a sultry female voice echoed, "we're nearing the Yinsha Sect. Normally, such a trivial matter could be handled by me and Gu Xiang. Why bother coming to such a remote place yourself?"

The speaker was a seductive beauty with red hair and snow-white skin.

She wore a crimson gauze dress, her slender waist like a water snake's, swaying gracefully as she walked. A man with less self-control might find himself half-weak just from a glance.

But the most striking feature about her was her pair of golden snake eyes.

In the bright room, her black pupils contracted into slits, exuding a cold and sinister aura typical of reptiles.

She was the Yin Snake Demon Concubine.

Another infamous Void Realm demon of the Demon Dynasty, she inherited the "Nether Serpent Demon Codex" from the True Demon Hall, possessing formidable and cunning strength, excelling in stealth and swift movements.

Anyone targeted by her would live in constant fear, never knowing when the Yin Snake Demon Concubine might appear behind them for a lethal strike.

And the Gu Xiang she mentioned.

Was another Demon Lord—[Gu Xiang Demon Lord], a burly, towering figure like an iron tower, with dark skin and muscles knotted like metal, exuding a fierce aura as if from ancient wilderness.

He was from the True Demon Hall, cultivating the Ancient Elephant Battle Demon Body, capable of dismantling cities barehanded, an invincible Void Realm body cultivator on the battlefield.

The three major Void Realm demon cultivators of the True Demon Hall were all present.

This was bound to be a significant event.

A cold gleam flashed in the silver eyes of the Blood Child Demon Lord, his voice carrying an ancient tone: "Yin Snake Demon Concubine, you're still too young, having just ascended to the Void Realm for a mere one or two hundred years. It's reasonable not to understand the intricacies."

"The Jin and Qin nations and the Yinsha Sect, though nominally respecting the Demon Dynasty and True Demon Hall, are in reality far away and accustomed to ruling in remote areas."

"If only you and Gu Xiang come, they might agree on the surface but secretly delay, possibly even harboring rebellious thoughts. Our plans are too crucial to allow any mistakes."

Yin Snake Demon Concubine asked, "Then what does the Demon Lord intend?"

"Heh heh~ This Demon Lord will make them understand the simple truth that those who follow me will prosper, and those who oppose me will perish." A surge of bloodthirsty energy filled his eyes, "Anyone who dares to obstruct my path to ascension will be utterly destroyed."

"Boom!"

The flying palace was instantly bathed in a crimson hue, as if a demon god had opened an eye.

……

Meanwhile.

At the Lingyun Holy Land of Daqian.

The group returning from the Immortal Dynasty finally arrived at the Holy Land.

At the forefront, Yunyang Daoist donned a meticulously prepared new outfit, standing with hands behind his back, his robes fluttering, openly displaying the aura of a Divine Realm cultivator.

"Lingyun Holy Land! Heh heh heh~" Yunyang Daoist let out a hearty laugh, "As they say, one should not walk at night in fine clothes. I, Yunyang, have finally returned."

"Langya, you old dog, you humiliated me, insulted me, and even fought me for our senior sister. These over two hundred grudges, from today, I will repay you a hundredfold."

Not far away.

A group of juniors watched this scene, sweating profusely.

What exactly did that Langya do to Yunyang Daoist back then to make him hold such a deep grudge?

Jiang Xingyuan nudged Gongyang Ce, curiously asking, "Brother Gongyang, isn't Langya your master? Haven't you heard anything about his feud with Yunyang? Fighting over a senior sister, that's a grudge that can't be forgiven."

Gongyang Ce was equally bewildered, muttering, "I've never heard of such a thing. My master has been single all his life..."

"These old seniors, always entangled in romantic affairs, are truly not the righteous path for humanity," Yao Chengchao remarked, deeply disdainful of these old seniors.

This time, Yao Chengchao had also come to Lingyun Holy Land, partly to witness the spectacle, as the Holy Son Struggle wasn't something one could see every day.

And partly because he heard Wang Shouzhe was also at the Holy Land. Having suffered heavy losses, he wanted to ask Wang Shouzhe how to settle the account, hoping for some compensation at least.

"Yunyang and the senior sister must have been deeply in love, but Langya the scoundrel interfered, leading to... Now, the senior is back to settle the score," Lan Wan'er imagined a heart-wrenching love story with twists and turns.

Even Wang Lici felt her blood boiling. Her master treated her so well, how could she tolerate the senior sister being taken away? Even if it meant skipping a meal, she would avenge her master.

Amidst the various speculations.

A flying carriage streaked across like a meteor, and a cheerful, confident voice came from within: "Oh, isn't this Yunyang? I heard you took your disciple on a tour of the Immortal Dynasty? Not bad, not bad, you've ascended to the Divine Realm. Our Longzuo Academy is finally making a mark."

As the voice faded.

An old and a young figure emerged from the flying carriage, landing before the crowd. The older one was, of course, the current Dean of Longzuo Academy—Tianhe Daoist.

However, Tianhe Daoist had become so engrossed in his work that he had delegated most of the academy's authority to his beloved disciple, Wang Liyao. He claimed it was to give Liyao more experience, to gain an advantage in the future Holy Son Struggle.

And the other, a young woman with a celestial demeanor, was the renowned prodigy of Daqian—Wang Liyao.

She was the Peerless Prodigy admired by many young people in Daqian and the Holy Land. It was said her bloodline had reached the level of a great prodigy, making her a top contender in the current Holy Son/Saintess Struggle.

"Tianhe old... Oh, isn't this the Dean?" Yunyang Daoist almost called him an old ghost, then glanced at Wang Liyao beside him, frowning, "Is this ethereal young lady your disciple, Wang Liyao?"

Even while in the Immortal Dynasty, he occasionally received some intelligence reports. It was said that after he left, the academy saw the rise of Wang Liyao, not only qualified to compete for the position of Saintess but also the hottest candidate.

"Liyao greets Vice Dean Yunyang." Wang Liyao gracefully saluted while hovering in the air.

"Indeed, she is extraordinarily talented, no less than my disciple Wang Lici," Yunyang Daoist remarked, not missing the chance to praise Wang Lici, "Lici, after such a long time apart, aren't you going to greet your sister?"

Before Wang Lici could speak, Wang Liyao flew over, respectfully saluting, "Liyao greets Sister Lici. It's been over a hundred years, and Sister Lici is as radiant as ever."

"Sister Liyao, when I went out for training, you were just a little girl," Wang Lici was equally excited, holding her sister's hand like a long-lost reunion, "I still remember, I always gave you delicious treats, but Fourth Uncle watched me like a hawk, afraid I'd give you something strange to eat."

That call of "Sister" seemed to take Wang Lici back to the past, recalling the days when she ruled among her peers in the Wang Clan, feeling nostalgic.

Time flies so fast, eating and eating, and so many years have passed, even Liyao has grown so much.

"This fairy is quite something," not far away, Jiang Xingyuan stared at Wang Liyao, his eyes sparkling, "Brother Gongyang, is this your greatest rival, Wang Liyao? Her aura and beauty, even in the Immortal Palace, she would be the adored Liyao Fairy."

Gongyang Ce replied calmly, "Life is a journey of trials, whether success or failure, it's not in vain. However... Brother Jiang, if you dare to fawn over her, we will immediately sever ties."

"Don't worry, don't worry, I, Jiang Xingyuan, have my principles. She's your opponent after all," Jiang Xingyuan said, though his eyes couldn't tear away from Wang Liyao.

At this moment.

Yunyang Daoist erupted in rage: "Is it true? Old Jiang actually harbors malicious intent, planning to cheat? Hmph, that old fellow, does he really think he can treat the Holy Land as his own?"

"Yunyang, who are you calling an old ghost?"

In the sky, space was torn apart as Jiang Zhencang shattered the void and arrived.

……