Chi's sneak attack had failed.
The news rippled out swiftly, felt by the demon gods stationed in Minlin and Lisha—
for the auras of the Chi Dragon and more than ten water-element demon gods had all vanished.
"Damn it! That bastard Chi—how could he fail even like this?!"
The demon god of Lisha spat out a mouthful of blood, eyes filled with hatred.
Before them, though the Azhdaha was covered in wounds, the power of the earth's leylines endlessly replenished his strength.
Here, upon the land itself, his endurance in battle even Morax could not match!
Moments ago, a massive surge of energy had erupted from the direction of Guili Plains—
the tremor had been so powerful that even here, deep within Dunyu Vale, it could be clearly felt.
Coupled with what these demon gods had said, Azhdaha could more or less guess what had happened at Guili Plains.
Jiang Yan… well done.
Azhdaha let out a cruel grin. Around him, the surrounding demon gods were already beginning to waver.
Elemental power surged within him once more—lightning, flame, water, and ice flaring around his colossal form.
The demon gods watching him could only gape in disbelief.
What the hell is this monster? How can he still keep going?!
The demon god of Lisha roared in fury, forced once again into battle with Azhdaha.
And amidst the clash and thunder of war, a faint yet commanding voice echoed—
"None of you will leave this place alive today!!"
Far away, Guyun Stone Forest.
The sea roared and heaved, the waves betraying its inner turmoil.
Jagged stone ridges thrust up from the ocean, and countless rock spears jutted like a forest of blades.
Standing atop one of the spear shafts, Morax surveyed the scene coldly. A trace of blood marked his lip as he faced three battered demon gods.
"Osial—" his voice was calm, almost mocking. "It seems your little plan has failed."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. The cataclysmic energy surge from Guili Plains had been unmistakable,
and through Guizhong's divine transmission, he already knew what had happened there.
Osial and the others exchanged glances, their eyes filled with venomous jealousy.
"That fool Chi! Always ruining everything!" Osial roared, eyes burning with spite.
Morax… that name gnawed at his pride.
Powerful beyond reason, destiny itself seemed to favor him.
Around him gathered an army of gods and champions—
the mighty Azhdaha, peerless among demon gods,
and even the mysterious Wood Spirit Immortal Lord, who had held off more than twenty demon gods at Guili Plains alone.
Why him? Why Morax?!
A twisted hatred coiled in Osial's heart.
In the next instant, his true form burst forth—his body stretching across the sea, water shadows rising with him like a storm.
"Morax! I'll kill you!!"
"Hmph! Arrogant fool!"
Morax stepped upon a massive stone hand, rising high into the heavens.
"Let's see who dies first!"
With a single motion, his hand swept upward—
and the skies themselves blazed with golden light.
Countless falling stars, long prepared, rained down in a storm of radiant stone spears, crashing mercilessly toward the three demon gods.
The battle resumed.
The clash of four top-tier demon gods shook the firmament, nearly shattering the clouds themselves.
Meanwhile, back in Guili Plains, the land was slowly beginning to recover now that Chi Dragon and the others were gone.
The aftermath of the ambush had left everything from the plains' center to Dihua Marsh in utter ruin.
Many of the surviving people had begun to organize themselves, rebuilding their shattered homes.
But that deep, straight sword mark—
the scar that split the land—could not be erased.
The resentment of the slain demon gods lingered there, mingled with the sword's energy, forming a strange equilibrium.
It prevented the corruption from spreading, yet if that balance were ever broken, the release of those ten demons' wrath would annihilate everything in Guili Plains.
Even glancing at that scar made one's spine turn cold.
Every villager who saw it felt a deep sense of relief.
If that sword—if such power—had belonged to the enemy instead of their own immortal…
none of them would have survived.
Three days later, Jiang Yan's eyes fluttered open.
"Ugh… I fell asleep out of nowhere…" he muttered groggily, sitting up.
"You're awake!"
A delighted voice came from his side.
There sat a blue-haired girl with delicate features and twin horns atop her head—Ganyu, beaming with joy.
"Ah… Ganyu…" Jiang Yan mumbled.
"Mhm! You should get up now—ah!"
Before she could finish, Jiang Yan suddenly pulled her into his arms.
"Mmm… don't wanna get up," he murmured, burying his face into her soft, squishy chest.
Ganyu's cheeks flushed bright red as she struggled weakly.
"S-stop that! Everyone's waiting for you outside…"
"Don't wanna…" Jiang Yan mumbled stubbornly, refusing to move.
"Unless…"
A mischievous smile crept onto his lips.
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