Wandering Swordsman |

Seeing that Yue Linglong had also entered the Demon Refining Mountain, everyone's faces showed undisguised surprise and joy. A young disciple excitedly shouted, "Senior Sister Linglong!" The others also gathered around, expressing their surprise and delight all at once.

"Senior Sister Yue Linglong, how are your injuries?" Xie Xin was the first to rush forward, tightly grasping Yue Linglong's hand, her eyes full of concern.

"Senior Sister, it's so good to see you!" another disciple said, her voice slightly choked with emotion. "We all thought you would stay at the Moon Demon Pavilion to recover from your injuries."

Although Yue Linglong was extremely weak, her eyes remained resolute. "Thank you for your concern," she said softly, "but my injuries will take time to heal. At least three months. But the situation is urgent now, not the time for catching up. Please disperse. Don't worry about me, because I will be working with Captain Shen from now on."

Upon hearing this, a hint of worry flashed in everyone's eyes, but they knew that Yue Linglong's determination was unwavering. However, after learning that Yue Linglong would be traveling with Shen Mo, everyone felt much more at ease. So, they quickly dispersed and hurried deeper into the Demon Refining Mountain.

......

As the forces under the command of the Flame Demon Lord and the Blood Demon Lord entered the Demon Refining Mountain, led by Lü Yan and Tu Yuliang, the other members of the Heavenly Demon God Sect, not directly under the three Demon Lords, also stepped into this mysterious and dangerous land, each with their own dreams and expectations. Some of them yearned to use this opportunity to soar to great heights, while others simply wanted to try their luck and see if they could find a breakthrough in the Demon Refining Mountain. The entire scene was both intense and exciting, everyone knowing that this was an unprecedented challenge.

As the last disciple stepped through the heavy stone gate, the Flame Demon Lord, the Moon Demon Lord, and the Blood Demon Lord simultaneously stretched out their hands, their fingertips shimmering with light, converging into a powerful force. With their combined push, the gate leading to the Demon Refining Mountain slowly closed, emitting a heavy and long rumble, as if bidding farewell to these brave souls.

After the gate closed, silence returned to the surroundings, leaving only the three Demon Lords, the Twelve Venerables, and a small number of servants standing in place, silently watching the tightly closed stone gate.

After a moment, the Blood Demon Lord sighed softly, his tone tinged with regret: "Alas, I was born at the wrong time. I wasn't even born when the current Heavenly Demon God was becoming the Heavenly Demon God in the Demon Refining Mountain. How wonderful it would be to personally experience that legendary era and enter the Demon Refining Mountain!"

Upon hearing this, the Flame Demon Lord gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and said, "Blood Demon, you should be glad we weren't born in that era. It's said that after the current Heavenly Demon God achieved his Heavenly Demon God status at Demon Refining Mountain, he was the only one who walked out of Demon Refining Mountain alive."

The Moon Demon Lord listened quietly to the conversation between the two demon lords, his eyes deep and his voice filled with determination: "Flame Demon, Blood Demon. Our responsibility now is to strictly follow the Heavenly Demon God's pre-departure instructions and ensure that a new generation of Heavenly Demon God can be born from here."

......

Inside the Demon Refining Mountain, Lü Yan led the Flame Demon Pavilion members to quickly rendezvous with the Blood Demon Pavilion team led by Tu Yuliang. Thick demonic energy permeated the surroundings, seemingly alive, churning and surging in the air, adding an ominous aura to this mysterious place.

"Strange, where are the people from the Moon Demon Pavilion?" Lu Yan frowned and looked around, but failed to find any trace of the Moon Demon Pavilion disciples.

Tu Yuliang looked down at the messy, scattered footprints on the ground, a cold smile playing on his lips: "It seems they realized we would be a threat to them, so they chose to split up."

Lu Yan sneered, "Since that's the case, we don't need to rush to catch up with them. In these five years, let them grow slowly on their own. When the time is right, we'll use our heaven-defying divine skills to take their power for ourselves."

The two exchanged a glance, their faces bearing fake smiles, each harboring their own agendas. Lü Yan patted Tu Yuliang on the shoulder and laughed, "Indeed, Brother Tu is absolutely right. Within this Demon Refining Mountain, let's join forces for now. As for the people from the Moon Demon Pavilion, let them roam freely for the time being."

However, behind their seemingly intimate conversation, the occasional flashes of cold light in their eyes revealed their true thoughts.

Lu Yan thought to himself: Since Tu Yuliang is here, then after his strength improves, perhaps I can find an opportunity to absorb his power with my heaven-defying divine skill and make it my own forever.

Tu Yuliang shared the same thought. On the surface, he chatted and laughed with Lü Yan, but in reality, he was always wary of this potential rival.

"Alright, Brother Lü, then our alliance is settled!" Tu Yuliang patted Lü Yan's shoulder, his voice carrying a hint of deliberate intimacy.

Lu Yan smiled and nodded in agreement, but behind his gentle smile lay a profound strategy. "Of course, brothers should look after each other."

Subsequently, Lü Yan led more than 400 people from the Flame Demon Pavilion and more than 300 people from the Blood Demon Pavilion led by Tu Yuliang, embarking on a grand journey into the depths of the Demon Refining Mountain.

At first, the journey went smoothly, with everyone chatting and laughing. Occasionally, one could hear disciples quietly discussing the various opportunities and challenges they might encounter here over the next five years.

However, as they entered a dense valley forest, the once bright sunlight was completely blocked by the thick canopy, and the surroundings became dark and damp. A faint stench of decay permeated the air, making them feel uncomfortable.

Lu Yan and Tu Yuliang both noticed the change in the environment, but they didn't pay too much attention to it. They simply gave each other a few words of advice to stay vigilant.

Suddenly, a disciple in front screamed, followed by several more cries of agony. The entire group instantly descended into chaos. "What's going on?" Lü Yan demanded sharply, his figure flashing forward as he appeared at the front.

Several disciples lay on the ground, their bodies riddled with deep, bone-revealing wounds, blood staining the ground crimson. Not far away, a gigantic black shadow slowly rose. Its body was as tall as five adult men, covered in hard scales, its eyes flashing with a bloodthirsty red light, its appearance utterly terrifying. Its enormous, ferocious form stood out starkly in the dim forest, like a demon crawling out of the depths of hell.

Fear swept over them like a tidal wave, and many disciples were frozen in place, terrified by the sudden sight. Some stared wide-eyed, as if their souls had been ripped from their bodies; others began to tremble uncontrollably, their hands trembling as they lost their grip on their weapons. "What kind of monster is this!" one disciple murmured, his voice filled with despair and helplessness.