Chapter 697

A world‑ending flood, a stretch of Avīci hell.

Under the demon ancestor's sword, slaughter is the sole theme.

The Yao Marshal Báizé and the Yao Master Kunpeng, even though they jointly performed the splendid colors of civilization and the gorgeousness of the world, still perished under such sharpness; the recoil even traced back to the attacker, causing the ancient god Báizé to cough blood and retreat, shattering swaths of starry sky; it caused the Great Sage Kunpeng to fall into the sea of vital energy, flopping a few times before rising again.

Give up!

You can't do it!

The Nether River Demon Ancestor strode leisurely, his demonic might swelling, shocking the world: "Although you have joined forces, there is a bit of merit to it… compiling history, enlightening vital energy, shaping civilization, bearing some resemblance to the scene when Fuxi accomplished great merit for the human Dao."

But unfortunately, you've met me.

Your cultivation is inherently inferior to mine, and you dare to try to restrain me with the rules of merit—hmph…

How about my sword that bears the killing fate?

Behind the Nether River Demon Ancestor lay a sea of karmic fire, reflecting the blood and sorrow of fallen beings, boundless sin.

Among all karmic sins, killing life is foremost!

When the whole world fell into the frenzied rhythm of slaughter, the previously advocated practice of merit became mere illusion.

Even at the beginning, karmic force needed merit to be acknowledged, as a means of reward and punishment wielded by the sovereign who governs heaven and earth.

Merit is good, but karmic force is also indispensable.

Thus, when the authority of merit came into being, karmic force also came into being… and among the sources of karmic force, slaughter is foremost!

The way of merit brings about killing fate, with a distinction of lord and vassal; but if the lord is weak and the vassal strong, it will reverse and overcome it!

Today, the Nether River Demon Ancestor appeared and expounded the Dharma, causing all gods to awaken—this demon ancestor truly lives up to being a demon, for he is actually walking a subversive path.

Upon first manifestation, his ferocious might is boundless.

"Nether River, you have great ambition." Báizé wiped the blood from his mouth, sighed softly, "You actually intend to break convention, reversing lord and vassal."

"Having cultivated silently to this level, then taking advantage of an age when slaughter rampages, he draws upon the whole of Honghuang's momentum, fundamentally overturning the original principles of heaven and earth, using killing fate to overcome merit."

"Excellent ability! Great courage!"

Báizé clapped, eyes full of praise, "You are using the road left by the August Emperor of old to hone your sword… a fine ambition! I support you in spirit!"

"No no no!" Upon hearing this, the Nether River Demon Ancestor hastily waved his hands, being very humble and courteous, "That old friend's achievements are still beyond my reach, so how could I have such presumptuous ideas?"

"I am merely telling you a fact!"

"Speaking of understanding merit, I am the foremost beneath Pangu in this era."

"As for you, don't challenge me with that shallow insight."

"Obediently acknowledge that I am the highest achievement of the gods of this era on this path, the greatest destined recipient of the merit authority… the opportunity sent by the August Emperor, I will surely claim!"

"Once I obtain what I wish and grasp this authority, perhaps I may even spare you two groups of witches and demons."

The demon ancestor smiled, making such a proposal.

"You are dreaming." The Great Sage Kunpeng inhaled and exhaled deeply, possessing a vast, surging vital energy stored within his form, as if seeking to encompass all of Honghuang's intangible qi within himself; he stirred his blood and qi, the principles of the Great Dao penetrating existence and non‑existence, revealing ever greater grandeur and transcendence.

This is gathering strength.

Quite evident.

When he strikes next, it will surely be a shock to the ages, an earth‑shattering, heaven‑startling blow.

The Nether River is indeed strong.

Yet he is not strong to the point of absurdity; compared to those who once reached the peak—Hongjun, Nüwa, the Azure Dragon, and the various witch‑demon clans' foundational strengths—Pangu's true form, the Zhou Tian Grand Formation—he seems lacking by much, missing a decisive, commanding power.

Although he seems unbeatable, one can still contend with him a bit; he is not so strong as to cause despair.

But.

This is only the present.

The Nether River Demon Ancestor has made his intentions clear; as the master of karmic force, he now comes to contend for the authority of merit!

Who knows how far his strength will reach when he gets his wish?

Karmic force is heaven's punishment and slaughter; merit is the Dao's blessing; life and death, reward and punishment go hand in hand… then the Nether River will be the uncrowned emperor of the entire Honghuang cosmos!

"Anyone can be this destined one—except the Nether River!"

Báizé and Kunpeng exchanged a glance, both arriving at this realization.

Not only them!

Even the four supreme beings currently gang‑beating the Eastern Emperor alone halted their steps, ceased hostilities, turned abruptly, with unfriendly eyes.

Of course, among them some are genuine, some are feigned… that is another matter.

"It really is one big show after another…"

The human emperor Fengxi stood solemn, looking worried, as if the Sea of Blood lineage had risen in arms today, yet it had nothing to do with him.

"Just now the Azure Dragon seized the Dao, sparking the Daoist contest, with the Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the Eastern Hua Emperor both as victims."

"Next, the demon ancestor has set his sights on the merit authority, about to reach the summit!"

Yandi sighed, deeply moved, his voice neither loud nor soft, just audible to some 'concerned ones'—like the Golden Mother Yuanjun, the Great Elemental Holy Mother, and similar ancestral witches of the Nüwa emperor's inner circle.

"Karmic force plus merit… wonderful! wonderful! wonderful!"

"This is indeed a proper, glorious path to the summit; is it within that Majesty's expectations?"

"Nether River Demon Ancestor, have you already reached some secret agreement with the August Emperor Heavenly Emperor?"

"Now it erupts, seizing the momentum… perhaps this is that Majesty's hidden move!"

Fengxi, the great prophet of wind, investigated and slew the Iron Wolf of the Nether River Demon Ancestor, linking it to Xihuang's scheming, spreading a mist to conceal himself.

All right!

This prophet himself is also an Iron Wolf, merely a good one.

All his actions are merely to clear his name.

After all, the August Emperor Heavenly Emperor sent down divine troops, clashed with the human Dao, led a version update… with Xihuang's image of long‑standing persecution in the gods' minds, who knows how many conspiracy theories have sprung up, though no one speaks of them aloud.

But everyone keeps it in mind, always thinking of looking into things… As for this, the conscience of the Human Dao says it's too difficult.

——We need some troublemakers who stir up shit!

Speaking of stirring up trouble…

Is there a more suitable target than the Demonic Sect and Demonic Dao?

The time has come; rise up today!

Destined for a great upheaval, the rights to qi fortune and merit will be laundered, securing a name for the Human Dao for an age.

The Qi Fortune Dao Lord, concealing his true identity, solemnly invited several other Dao Lords to join, using the Human Dao's authority as a guarantee, so they could all hide behind masks and do as they pleased.

What?

You say the Severed Fortune Dao Lord has been running amok, killing everywhere and blowing up a secret realm of the Heavenly Court, suspecting it was the work of Lingbao Tianzun?

Bullshit!

Guaranteed by the Human Dao!

Lingbao Tianzun, this good comrade, has been diligently sitting in Kunlun Mountain, never going anywhere!

No criminal record, and an alibi— the Human Dao covers it all!

——As for saying, thus increasing suspicion?

The conscience of the Human Dao pondered, with Nüwa's intelligence, by now it should be clear that the Human Dao and the August Emperor are not clear-cut.

Still afraid of adding more suspicion?

Since many ancient gods and sages would inevitably think that Xihuang is plotting a conspiracy, we might as well give an 'answer' so everyone knows in their hearts and won't indulge in wild thoughts.

Even if…

At least this time, it wasn't plotted by the Great Sage Fuxi!

——It's me, Fengxi!

True and false, false and true.

Fengxi has invested heavily here.

The Sea of Blood sends troops, the Asuras cause trouble!

The Great Sage of the Nether River steps forward this time to draw fire… this isn't without cost.

And put on a full show.

Fengxi also brought out the true Qi Fortune Great Dao and merit authority, as chips, placed on the betting table.

After all, we need to calculate with so many great supernatural beings; without putting out some real stuff, how can we?

Each of them is an old fox, none will act unless they see a rabbit.

Moreover, a very dangerous place— is the Nether River Demon Ancestor himself.

The merit authority used as bait is genuine.

In the unseen dark where the gods cannot see, the Qi Fortune Dao Lord and the Severed Fortune Dao Lord have agreed on a pact; everyone is just acting, merit is not actually exchanged, it's just a feint to the east to strike west.

The Qi Fortune Dao Lord gathers the qi fortune of heaven and earth, unifying it.

The Severed Fortune Dao Lord uses the gods to hone his sword, purely using the Killing Dao, attempting to prove Pangu.

Each takes what they need.

But…

If the Nether River Demon Ancestor tears up the agreement midway, declaring he wants everything, truly seizing the merit authority, merging with karmic force, usurping the qi fortune law, practicing the way of sagely virtue, ruling heaven and earth as the Heavenly Emperor, then using human strength to overcome heavenly power to suppress the Heavenly Dao— this is also a Pangu path, directly taking the fruition of the Wu Clan's practiced path!

This is also the image and purpose that the Nether River presents to everyone's eyes right now.

Acting and reality are sometimes just a thought apart.

Fengxi mobilized the Nether River, letting this most vicious blade sweep and clear the mountains and rivers of Honghuang, break the Wu-Yao stalemate, lure with profit, induce the tiger to devour the wolf… this is a high-risk gamble.

His opponent has never been merely the Wu and Yao, but… all the Great Luo divinities!

【This… is what's exciting!】

Fengxi steps on a tightrope, walking on a road that could collapse at any moment, to grasp his own destiny for the Human Dao's myriad beings.

【To avoid the Wu-Yao compromise, the Wu clan's path has deteriorated, jointly suppressing dissent, hoping to endure this version where the leader is eliminated, so that the blood of the myriad beings who have made it to today flows in vain……】

【Simply, I'll also place a bet, completely overturn this already half-flipped chessboard!】

A calm, sensible heart, yet his mouth speaks the most solemn serious topic… As a figure with background, Fengxi naturally won't die instantly like ordinary demons who know too much; at least he can finish speaking.

「August Emperor Haotian, his plans are as boundless as heavenly horses galloping through the sky— beyond our ability to fathom. 」

「However, if he really has made a move, wanting to do something… facing the Wu and Yao clans, relying solely on you, the Nether River Demon Ancestor, is obviously still not enough. 」

The Human Emperor grips his sword; the bright divine sword points at the demon ancestor, its supreme dignity causing the Nether River to frown slightly, 'Are there any other helpers?'

Why keep hiding? Come out altogether!

The Human Emperor's words made the starry sky suddenly fall silent.

Countless cries of killing faded away quietly, and heaven and earth returned to peace.

Of course this is only because, as the main fighting force and the most mighty group of Wu-Yao great supernatural beings, they ceased their attacks, dragging their exhausted battle-worn bodies, gazing at this place.

「Not bad. 」

The demon ancestor looked at the Human Emperor, not sparing praise, nor sparing killing intent.

Since you sincerely request, I will fulfill this wish of yours.

The Nether River raised his head, his qi deep and heavy, 'Too long!'

「Time has passed too long! 」

「So long that this world has already forgotten the former glory of my demon sect! 」

「Today! 」

「I will retrieve that nightmare which once made myriad beings remember for countless years! 」

The Human Emperor gazed in astonishment; the face of Minghe Mozu, who was freely exercising his power, inexplicably turned strange.

He seemed to have figured something out, and inwardly he couldn't help but sigh, "What a player."

"Luohou is already pitiful enough!"

"Just let him go!"

"Stop always making him the scapegoat!"

The Human Dao's conscience now feels a bit of pain.

He had a premonition of certain things.

He was unable and powerless to stop it; he could only watch it unfold.

With Minghe Mozu's soft utterance, a vast flood was awakened, surging between the boundless mountains and rivers.

It is a spirit, it is an idea, it is a trait… being written—Demon!

Demons descend upon the world, sweeping across the eight wildernesses.

Minghe Mozu's murmuring grew ever stranger; with the demon ancestor's authority, he released something, awakened something, and like a notice, made certain noises of this era suddenly become loud and uplifting.

"... This era, those fellow Daoists unwilling to remain obscure!"

"Let us unite under the banner of Fellow Daoist Luohou, fight for his great aspiration, destroy the corrupt Heavenly Court and Wu Clan, and build a world belonging to our Demon Path!"

"The Wu and Yao have lost virtue, with no virtue to repay Heaven!"

"Let us follow Fellow Daoist Luohou's program, shatter this era, and usher in an age of freedom as we wish!"

Minghe Mozu raised the banner of Demon Ancestor Luohou, using it to command the world, letting all those great experts who were unwilling to be mere benchwarmers and could not break into the core of the Wu and Yao clans rise up and fight side by side with him!

As for how to fight?

Naturally…

As the Eighty-One Days Demon Lord!

These days, among true top-tier experts, who doesn't have a few nominal trumpets in the Demon Path?

At this juncture, we ought to honor the last wish of Demon Ancestor Luohou, letting demonic influence stain the mountains and rivers, and carry out slaughter across the world!

"Today we raise troops, to pacify the world!"

As soon as Minghe Mozu's words fell, there was a response; a furious shout rang out between heaven and earth, filled with the hot-blooded vigor of 'young people', and one could tell at a hearing that it came from someone who rarely suffers beatings.

An inscrutable and indefinable qi mechanism, accompanying the angry shout, stretched across heaven and earth; it was an extraordinary Great Dao, able to seize a thread of the Heavenly Dao's law, grasp a sliver of vitality, and bestow blessings upon oneself.

Along with this principle of law, a sword artifact flashed across the sky, cleaving the primordial heaven and earth, reforging earth, water, fire, and wind, and slashing toward this place!

"Clang!"

Zhulong Dasheng's eyes stared upward, the power of time swept forth, shaking open the sword artifact, and he loudly shouted, "Who goes there?"

"Under Demon Ancestor Luohou, I am Jieyun Daozhu!"

The guise-changed Lingbao Tianzun came brandishing a sword, seemingly wanting to become that kind of person who wields a watermelon knife, hacking from the Southern Heaven Gate to the Northern Heaven Gate!

(End of chapter)