Chapter 753: Chapter 772: Demon Gathering
Eight great gateways, four gates of death, and four of life, only the illusory gates of life and death offer a sliver of hope. This is also the sole vulnerability of the Chaos Absolute Heaven Array, and it requires the presence of four Quasi-Saints to make up for this flaw.
Even the Heaven and Earth Absolute Formation is not without its imperfections; there are always weaknesses to exploit, and the other three Heaven and Earth Absolute Formations are no different. The sole vulnerability of the Chaos Absolute Heaven Array is precisely these illusory gates of life and death, and the responsibility to address this will fall upon the four Quasi-Saints.
When the Eight Gates open as one, burying all creation, they are replete not only with endless malevolent spirits but also with the supreme ferocity that can overturn Yin and Yang, Heaven and Earth.
Flag Casting, Refining the Extreme Array, on this day the Thirty-Three Layered Heaven trembles, and the breath of Sealing Heaven and Trapping Earth spreads. No one can glimpse the scenes within the Thirty-Three Heavens, for the Heavenly Court must complete the Cultivation of the Chaos Absolute Heaven Array before the Demon Gathering commences.
Time rushes by, years pass swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, a millennium has elapsed. The Thirty-Three Heavens have reclaimed their tranquility, and the aura of Sealing Heaven and Trapping Earth gradually fades.
Demon Kings and Immortals from all corners of the Thirty-Three Heavens disperse, each showing a weariness on their faces, yet their eyes are filled with a fierce light.
Above the Heavenly Vault, amidst the void.
Ye Xuan sits crossed-legged here, with three Quasi-Saints standing to his left and right, a repressed atmosphere quietly burgeoning.
“Heavenly Emperor, the Demon Gathering is about to commence. Are you truly prepared for this battle?” Lord Lao Zi’s eyes are profound, his voice slightly deep.
“As long as Donghuang Taiyi and Emperor Jun dare to come, then let this Emperor herald the start of this great calamity between Heaven and Earth,” Ye Xuan says with a cold laugh.
Heaven and Earth are astir, all laws are clear and empty.
The Three Realms plunged into chaos by dancing Demons, all things silent and still, for countless members of the Demon Race are flocking to the Ancient Demon Court, as a meeting of the Demon Race like never before is about to commence. The Ancient Demon Court is set to reclaim its dominion over the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, symbolizing the resurgence of the Demon Race within Heaven and Earth.
It is a Demon Race assembly that captures the attention of the world, an unprecedented event within Heaven and Earth. Quasi-Saints from all quarters come to offer their congratulations, as do leaders of various Daoist lineages, and even Saint Nuwa herself intends to grace the Demon Gathering with her presence. All of this elevates the Ancient Demon Court’s prestige to an all-time high.
Yet, just as the Demon Gathering is about to begin, a piece of news, neither too significant nor too trivial, spreads: the Thirty-Three Layered Heaven has invited all Quasi-Saints and great Daoist lineages to attend a grand assembly in the Heavenly Court.
They even dispatch envoys bearing invites from the Heavenly Court, but the Quasi-Saints and powers scoff in their hearts, hardly expecting Ye Xuan to continue resisting at this juncture. Naturally, they have no intentions of attending this so-called feast at the Heavenly Court.
For everyone knows that the Heavenly Court led by Ye Xuan will soon become history; after the Demon Gathering concludes, the Ancient Demon Court will assuredly obliterate the Heavenly Court. This act is not simply about reclaiming the proper rule of Heaven and Earth but also about demonstrating the might of the Ancient Demon Court.
It is said that a new official sets fires upon taking office, though it is an old saying among mortals, it precisely encapsulates the momentum of the Ancient Demon Court. Simply commencing the Demon Gathering is not the goal of the Ancient Demon Court; only by extinguishing the Heavenly Court can they truly showcase their power.
Demon energy surges to the heavens, and verdant clouds billow. Daluo Immortals from all around visit, sporting nearly prostrate demeanors. Even some Daluo Golden Immortals and Great Demons, who may have past feuds, are now all smiles as they welcome each other.
The rise of the Demon Race is an unstoppable force; billions of Demons across the Three Realms pledge their allegiance. These are not mere words; this is bound to become one of the most terrifying forces between Heaven and Earth.
Before the Ancient Demon Court made its appearance, the Demon Race was nothing more than scattered sand. But with the emergence of the Ancient Demon Court and the strong support of Saint Nuwa, the Demon Race has become as solid as an iron barrel, exhibiting an incredibly formidable unity.
Buddhas of the Western realms, the group of Immortals from both Chan Sect and Jie Sect, the Underworld’s Five Ghost Emperors and the Ten Palaces Yama, all descended upon the Ancient Demon Court along with a myriad of Daluo Golden Immortals. Even the Independent Immortals from the Earth Immortal Realm arrived, virtually encompassing all forces large and small within the expanse of Heaven and Earth.
All the Quasi-Saints had gathered, every Quasi-Saint of some renown emerged into the world and made their way to the Ancient Demon Court. However formidable these Quasi-Saints might have been, under the imposing presence of the two great Heavenly Emperors of the Demon Race, they too had to shed their pride and dared not overstep in the Ancient Demon Court.
An unprecedented grand assembly, unparalleled in history, had commenced. Except for the Witch Clan who remained in sworn opposition to the Ancient Demon Court, nearly every other famous force had already arrived to offer congratulations to the Ancient Demon Court.
The starry nebula was vast and boundless.
Rows of white jade desks were arranged across the clouds, adorned with various Immortal Brews and Spirit Fruits, while the harmonious sound of stringed instruments played. Shrouded in swirling mists, it was a sign that the Demon Gathering was about to begin.
Ancient Demons sat surrounded on all sides, Daluo Demon Kings discussed affairs with great enthusiasm, while the several great Buddhas of the Western realms smiled warmly, engaging amiably with various Great Demons. Where was now their former might to subjugate and vanquish demons?
“Haha, isn’t that Shen Gongbao? How come your Jie Sect Immortals aren’t in that Fake Heavenly Court swearing fealty to Ye Xuan? Instead, you’ve run here to congratulate the Ancient Demon Court on taking control of the Three Realms?”
The Nanji Immortal, brimming with pride and a rosy complexion that showed how well he had been living recently, couldn’t help but scoff upon seeing Shen Gongbao leading the crowd of Jie Sect Immortals.
Shen Gongbao, bearing the cold Sword Immortal on his back, merely let out a cold snort, his eyes revealing a shade of shame and indignation. He ignored the mockery of the Nanji Immortal, feeling extremely aggrieved inside.
He hadn’t wanted to come to this Demon Gathering. When he led the Jie Sect Immortals away from the Heavenly Court, he had no wish to participate in the conflicts of the Three Realms. But the Heavenly Sect Master had commanded him to come and offer congratulations to the Ancient Demon Court. With no other choice, he could only act according to the Dharma Decree of the Sect Hierarch.
“Humph, if it weren’t for the existence of the Heavenly Sect Master, your mere Jie Sect would surely face destruction.”
Watching Shen Gongbao taking his seat at the Demon Gathering, the Nanji Immortal let out a mocking sneer and turned away with a sleeve flourish to greet other arrivals, his eyes brimming with a sense of triumph.
Subjected to such humiliation, Shen Gongbao slammed his hand down on the desk, his face reddening with fury. Yet, he couldn’t start a fight, for it would certainly bring disaster upon the Jie Sect.
“Let it go for now. Since Chan Sect now has the support of the Ancient Demon Court, we can only endure for the time being,” the Golden Spirit Saint Mother said with a sigh, trying to comfort Shen Gongbao.
“Ah!” Shen Gongbao sighed deeply, his whole demeanor downcast, his spirit showing signs of dejection.
This scene, of course, did not escape the eyes of the guests from all quarters. Everyone shook their heads in resignation; the Jie Sect had just begun to rise, but the emergence of the Ancient Demon Court and the revival of the Chan Sect suggested that the era of the Jie Sect was inevitably over.
“The Heavenly Emperor has arrived.”
The sounds of eighty-one bell tolls echoed through the clouds, as two towering figures approached the Demon Gathering. Their arrival instantly quieted the bustling and lively assembly, and countless gazes focused on the two great Heavenly Emperors.