Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: The Rise of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult
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The Phantom Demon had more than enough ability to pull that off. The very idea of forming a cult probably originated in his mind as well.
"Phantom Demon? I don't recall that alias. Doesn't sound like much of a powerhouse."
The Sword Demon shook his head.
"He's strong. Incredibly strong. And smart to boot, which makes him a tough opponent. After all, he's one of the few the Heavenly Demon acknowledged."
If the Sword Demon spoke of him that highly, he truly must be exceptional.
"The world is about to be turned upside down. That said, from what we see here, Heavenly Demon Fortress doesn't seem to harbor any ill intentions toward the Henan Escort Bureau at all. I mean, they've turned Heochang into their holy site."
Zhuge Lin quietly listened to the others' chatter as she gathered her thoughts. Indeed, this Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had a high chance of success depending on how the Heavenly Demon played his cards. That also meant the terror of the Golden Demon Art was shaking the demonic cultivators to their core.
"Once the principles of the Golden Demon Art become known, it'll spread even wider. It stimulates and collapses the impure energies of demonic arts, so even if it falls into demonic hands, they won't be able to analyze it and find a countermeasure."
Everyone fell silent at Zhuge Lin's words. They all knew how brilliant she was. Now was the time to heed her counsel.
"And the Heavenly Demon will likely exploit that. The more the Golden Demon Art spreads, the easier it'll be to unite the demonic cultivators."
It was a sound argument. And the Phantom Demon would certainly make it happen.
"Looking at this doctrine, it seems they'll initially bind the demonic cultivators with the Golden Demon Art, but later use the cult's teachings to hold them together. A gradual indoctrination."
"This is bad."
The Sword King muttered despite himself. Demonic cultivators uniting was no small matter. Demonic arts devoured one's humanity but granted immense power in return. Those who practiced them could unleash far greater strength than orthodox martial artists.
"Exactly. It's a disaster. If things go wrong, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult could conquer the entire martial world."
It wasn't an absurd claim. With demonic power, it was entirely possible. And if they resolved the Golden Demon Art issue holding them back, it would be even more terrifying.
"But the Golden Demon Art won't make it that easy. Once it spreads widely, even the demonic cultivators won't move freely."
"But we've already overcome the Golden Demon Art."
"Only ten people a year. They can't do anything meaningful. Even gathering for a century yields just a thousand. And that's assuming they survive among the demonic hordes."
Zhuge Lin scanned the room before continuing.
"The Phantom Demon isn't aiming for martial unification. He wants balance and peace. If I'm right, he's not like other demonic cultivators."
The Sword Demon nodded at her words.
"You're right. He's very different from the rest. If I hadn't seen him wield demonic arts myself, I wouldn't believe it."
"So what does he gain from all this? Isn't balance and peace already maintained?"
Umun Hye asked with a puzzled look. Zhuge Lin gave a wry smile in response.
"If we leave it alone, sure. But the Martial Alliance has no such intentions. Their movements clearly signal a massive purge of demonic cultivators."
Everyone was stunned by her statement.
"Why would the Martial Alliance? Driving them to Xinjiang and Qinghai was hard enough!"
"The situation's different now. More people are learning the Golden Demon Art. Plus, the Alliance Leader seems to be mass-training warriors specialized in it. Mastering it fully takes time, but for minor effects, it doesn't."
A chill ran through the Sword King at her words.
"Sacrificing countless lives to purge the demonic cultivators! If he truly does that, the Alliance Leader is a fearsome man."
Zhuge Lin shook her head at the Sword King's hasty judgment.
"It's just my speculation for now. No one's decided, and nothing's started yet."
"But you saying it means that's the most likely path."
The Sword Demon asked sharply. Zhuge Lin hesitated briefly before nodding.
"In any case, Heavenly Demon Fortress clearly read the Martial Alliance's moves. Otherwise, they couldn't have made such a bold play. The Heavenly Demon coming here in person is a life-or-death gamble."
She was right. The Heavenly Demon had sneaked into Heochang. If caught by the Martial Alliance, mere hardship wouldn't end it. And he'd met Dan Hyeong-u—the very man he feared most. That alone was akin to staking his life.
"So what should we do?"
"Watch the situation a bit longer. But..."
Zhuge Lin trailed off, glancing at Dan Hyeong-u, who stood motionless like a statue. Amid the heated debate, he'd spoken only once, despite being at the center of it all.
She turned back to the group.
"If my thinking is correct, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult isn't something to worry about. And the Escort Bureau will suffer no harm—quite the opposite, it'll benefit."
Zhuge Lin took a deep breath before continuing.
"The real problem is the Martial Alliance."
The world was in turmoil.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!
A massive religious organization encompassing most demonic cultivators in Xinjiang and Qinghai had emerged. Heavenly Demon Fortress, its foundation, now stood as the cult's heart, uniting all demonic forces.
Demonic cultivators banding together was unprecedented—deemed impossible. Yet the Heavenly Demon had achieved it, using the Golden Demon Art and Dan Hyeong-u.
The entire martial world buzzed with the news, but the fiercest reactions came from the Martial Alliance and the Righteous Heaven Alliance.
Bam!
A table shattered with a thunderous crash.
"Those mad bastards finally did it! A demonic cult? No sane person would create such a thing!"
The Martial Alliance elders gulped at the wreckage, having never seen Alliance Leader Dugun Un this furious.
"Alliance Leader, calm yourself. Rage won't solve this."
"How can I stay calm? Tens of thousands! Tens of thousands of demonic cultivators united! What becomes of the martial world's future? What was our Martial Alliance doing while they plotted this?!"
The elders bowed their heads. His anger was understandable. Few in the alliance truly guarded against demonic threats; the elders especially dismissed them as vermin, certain they could never unite.
"I still can't fathom how those vermin managed it."
One elder shook his head, only for Dugun Un to glare fiercely.
"So what now? Speak your countermeasures."
His aggressive tone was new; the elders struggled to adapt. But they couldn't complain—the issue was grave, and his aura was overwhelming.
"We should observe a bit more..."
"Hmph."
Dugun Un turned away. Furious as he was, he had no sharp solution. He missed the Righteous Heaven Alliance's forces now. United, they'd fear no demonic union.
"Enough for today. Develop your plans and reconvene."
The elders rose wearily. It was the best they could do. The cult's rise had shocked them deeply.
Once alone with Strategist Jegal Jung-cheon, Dugun Un asked,
"What's your take?"
"It's ominous. Only the Golden Demon Art could rally them like this."
"As I feared."
Dugun Un scowled. Their worst fear had come true—the Heavenly Demon had cracked the Golden Demon Art.
"I can't understand it. How did he overcome it?"
Currently, only Dugun Un and the Demon Extermination Squad practiced it in the martial world, with Dugun Un understanding it most deeply.
Even he hadn't found an escape. He wasn't as versed in demonic arts as the Heavenly Demon, but decades of practice couldn't be undone in days, genius or not.
"The key now is that demonic cultivators are flocking like clouds."
"We need precise intel."
"Spies are infiltrating, but it'll take time. Heavenly Demon Fortress isn't easy."
"True enough."
Dugun Un nodded gravely. If the cult rose around the Heavenly Demon, it'd be a massive threat at their doorstep.
"We're short on time."
Jegal Jung-cheon wryly agreed.
"Yes. A few more months, and we could've launched."
Dugun Un eyed him somberly.
"It still weighs on you."
"Sacrificing lives isn't easy. I've made peace with it, but timing is ironically cruel."
Dugun Un nodded.
"Same here. With this turn, let's buy time and replan."
"Understood."
Jegal Jung-cheon withdrew. Dugun Un stared at the spot long after, lost in thought.
If the Martial Alliance was thrown into chaos by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Righteous Heaven Alliance was no less upheaved. And though not apparent, one place stirred even more.
"The Heavenly Demon's finally made his move."
The Blood Demon spoke, and Shadowless prostrated deeper before the curtain, body trembling faintly.
"I never anticipated it, so I took no action."
The Blood Demon waved it off.
"Enough. Even I didn't foresee it. But things have tangled oddly. Uniting demonic power was Blood Shadow's task."
He glanced sideways at Blood Shadow, who stood grim-faced, head bowed. Unable to subdue the Blood Shadow Sword, shame kept her gaze low.
"The Heavenly Qi Master isn't easy prey. He wouldn't leave the Blood Shadow Sword unguarded. There's a hidden secret—uncover it; that'll be faster. Right?"
Blood Shadow had no choice but to agree. Despite every trick, the sword eluded her. Awakening its true power clearly required something special.
"I'll investigate."
She thought of Moon Shadow. For this, Moon Shadow far surpassed her. She'd surely point the quickest path.
'The issue is infiltrating the Paeng family.'
Recent visits to see Moon Shadow demanded utmost vigilance. The Paeng formations and defenses grew ever tighter and deadlier—undoubtedly Moon Shadow's work, but no grounds to complain. She too wanted her haven secure.
"The Heavenly Demon's move implies he's unlocked the Golden Demon Art's secret..."
Bloodlight flickered in the Blood Demon's eyes.
Then Shadowless cautiously spoke from the floor.
"Rumors say the Sword Demon at the Henan Escort Bureau escaped the Golden Demon Art recently. It's nearly confirmed."
"The Sword Demon?"
The Blood Demon frowned. Dan Hyeong-u was there. He'd likely provided the key—after all, the Heavenly Qi Master's disciple.
"That guy's involved again. Things tangle when he is. How's the Blood Demon Squad's seclusion?"
Blood Shadow bowed.
"Thanks to Moon Shadow's new formations, they're advancing rapidly. Soon they'll withstand Heavenly Thunder."
Faint surprise lit the Blood Demon's eyes.
"Impressive. Withstand Heavenly Thunder? Good. Until they emerge, just watch him. We'll seize the martial world with his death."
"Understood."
Blood Shadow and Shadowless bowed in unison. The bloodlight in the Blood Demon's eyes deepened as he regarded them.