Chapter 175: The Return of the Demon Kings

Seeing the three Demon Kings turning back to counter-attack, Li Hao's heart sank straight to the bottom of the valley.

"Didn't expect it, did you? We've come back for a counter-kill!"

The Wanshan Demon King grinned, his expression exceptionally ferocious. Having seen Li Hao's bizarre posture earlier, he had guessed it was some kind of secret technique and had retreated decisively.

But there was no doubt that regardless of what secret technique it was, such an exaggerated boost in power could not possibly be maintained for long.

Thus, he waited for the energy on this side to subside before turning back to strike a counter-blow, intending to devour all three of them to avenge his brother and son!

"I haven't eaten Water Qilin meat yet, fellow Daoist."

The Dragon Lord looked toward Song Song Qiumo, a smile appearing on his face, but this smile was somewhat chilling.

Song Song Qiumo and Feng Feng Bo Ping's expressions were grim, but they stood up immediately, their auras surging as they revealed an unyielding stance, blocking Li Hao behind them.

It was just that, at this moment, they were at the end of their rope, with little power remaining.

Song Song Qiumo's expression was complex; she was also in the Fate-Defying Realm, but her opportunity to defy fate had long since been used up, otherwise, she could have relied on her own strength to slightly hold back these three Demon Kings.

"It's nothing but a facade, kill!"

The silver-robed youth stepped out first, intending to strike, but suddenly, a vast and majestic aura swept over.

Only to see the blood-covered youth behind Song Song Qiumo and Feng Feng Bo Ping, his body cracking once again, his bones clicking like they were shattering, and his body, which had not yet healed and was covered in cracks, began to slowly expand again at this moment.

Feeling this aura, Feng Feng Bo Ping and Song Song Qiumo both turned their heads in shock, only to see Li Hao's crimson eyes, blood rolling down, his body constantly cracking and spraying large amounts of blood.

"Hao'er..." Feng Feng Bo Ping gasped.

Li Hao slowly took a step forward, the previously dormant immortal Qi mobilized once more, borrowing the power of heaven and earth.

His body, on the verge of collapse at any moment, looked up and stared directly at the three Demon Kings in the sky, saying coldly: "You wouldn't think that I can only use this secret technique once, would you?"

The Wanshan Demon King and the other two were all shocked. The silver-robed youth stopped his steps; he looked at the youth whose body seemed ready to disintegrate at any moment, feeling a terrifying collapsing power from that body, and he dared not act rashly.

The Black Bird Demon King had died inexplicably earlier, and he still hadn't figured out the cause of death.

The longer one lived, the more one cherished their life. Facing this unheard-of bizarre situation, he chose to act cautiously.

"It's just a show, hmph!"

The Wanshan Demon King snorted coldly. Although he was angry inside and already had thoughts of retreating, his face appeared disdainful. He suddenly raised his hand, unleashing a vast demonic palm that slapped down.

The rolling demonic Qi was like smoke and clouds, intending to wipe out everything within several hundred meters.

Li Hao's Long Xiao Sword in his hand, however, erupted with a sharp cry, and he slashed down fiercely with one sword strike.

The Dragon Soul soared into the sky, colliding with the demonic palm, then tearing it apart. Countless scales within the Dragon Soul ejected, turning into countless sword Qi.

The Wanshan Demon King's expression changed slightly, and he quickly slapped out again to block these sword Qi, while rapidly retreating and fleeing once more:

"Kid, you just wait!"

The silver-robed youth also quickly followed him away. Only the Dragon Lord felt slightly puzzled; although he felt that the power Li Hao erupted with at this moment was extremely formidable, comparable to the peak of the Dao Heart Realm, there seemed to be no reason to be afraid.

However, since the Wanshan Demon King had chosen to retreat, there was no need for him to stay either.

"It seems it will have to be next time."

The Dragon Lord felt regretful in his heart, glanced at Song Song Qiumo, turned around, and fled rapidly.

The three great Demon Kings came quickly and left quickly.

In the blink of an eye, the sky was clear again, and the demonic Qi dissipated.

Li Hao spat out a mouthful of blood, hurriedly closing his pores, sealing his entire body, and cutting off heaven and earth once again.

But this time it was even more strenuous. Feng Lao and Song Song Qiumo also struck again, squeezing out some power to prop up a barrier for Li Hao.

Fortunately, this exchange was not intense. After half an incense stick of time, Li Hao barely managed to control his disintegrating body, but compared to before, this second disintegration caused greater damage; the flesh on the surface of his body had already fallen off, dissolving into heaven and earth.

If it happened again, he feared he would be nothing but skin and bones.

His internal organs and the like would all be exposed.

The caution and cunning of these Demon Kings were definitely not something ordinary people could compare to.

Li Hao endured the extreme pain, but tried his best to maintain peace, slowly entering a state of biding his time, stopping the injuries all over his body.

"We must leave quickly, they will definitely come again!"

Seeing Li Hao's aura stabilize and that there was no immediate danger to his life, Feng Feng Bo Ping said immediately.

Song Song Qiumo also nodded slightly. Although she didn't know why Li Hao could still unleash this bizarre secret technique, there was no doubt that if it happened again, Li Hao would not be able to bear it.

They could only take advantage of the present to leave quickly.

Li Hao did not refuse. He also knew that staying here was useless and would only bury them all in this Tianmen Pass.

That promise, he feared, could not be kept.

Thinking of this, his heart, which had recovered its peace, fluctuated, nearly breaking his state of biding his time.

However, just as the three of them retreated into the pass, suddenly, the ground began to shake.

When he had previously entered the "Immortal Transformation" state, the many hidden lines Li Hao had laid out a hundred miles outside the pass had all dissipated; he had no remaining strength to maintain those hidden lines buried far away.

At this moment, this vibration of the ground could only be felt through the body.

"It's a demon tide!"

Feng Feng Bo Ping was the first to investigate, withdrawing his fingers from the ground, his expression changing as he said: "A hundred miles away, the speed is very fast, they can be here in a minute!"

Song Song Qiumo supported Li Hao's bloody body, her fingers touching the sticky, disintegrating flesh, which gave her a feeling of palpitation and unbearable pain. At this moment, her eyes were filled with hatred, and she said immediately:

"Leave at once!"

She was about to fly toward another place with Li Hao, but suddenly, three figures appeared as if teleporting, blocking their path forward; it was precisely the three Demon Kings who had left earlier.

"It seems this secret technique takes a great toll on oneself."

The Wanshan Demon King noticed Li Hao's appearance, which was even more miserable than before, and immediately understood that this secret technique caused great damage to the body, fearing he couldn't use it many more times, and his heart felt at ease.

"Didn't expect that the 'next time' I just mentioned would come so soon."

The Dragon Lord wore a smile, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

Feng Feng Bo Ping's expression sank. He transmitted his voice to Song Song Qiumo: "You take Hao'er and leave first, I will hold them back."

"You..." Song Song Qiumo looked at him, her expression changing slightly, as if she knew what he was about to do.

Li Hao's expression was grim. He saw the intention of these three Demon Kings, attempting to trap them here, relying on the demon tide to exhaust their power, and finally striking to kill them.

Cruel, cunning, making one feel despair.

Perhaps, he could only release everything completely, without any reservations, entering the final moment of Immortal Transformation.

That was the limit of the body merging with heaven and earth, with only a sliver of consciousness remaining, but it was also the strongest moment!

Perhaps at that moment, his power could overwhelm the three Demon Kings, winning a path of survival for Feng Lao and the others.

Thinking of this, Li Hao took a deep breath. He looked at Feng Lao, who had quietly stepped forward to block him, and said slowly: "You guys go, I'll handle this."

Feng Feng Bo Ping said in a deep voice: "Hao'er, you still have a bright future, listen to me this time."

Li Hao pulled a smile at the corner of his mouth: "It was my business to begin with, and it has implicated you all. Listen to me this time."

As he spoke, he was about to release the immortal Qi again to guide the power of heaven and earth.

But just at this moment, the ground suddenly began to shake again, gradually intensifying.

More demons?

The three of them changed their expressions slightly, but realized the vibration sound came from the direction of the Longguan Road within the border.

The Wanshan Demon King and the other two changed their expressions slightly and turned to look.

Only to see that along with the vibration of the ground, bursts of battle cries gradually came, from far to near, from faint at first to grand in momentum at the end, sweeping across the entire Tianmen Pass! "Kill! Kill!!"

"Young Tianren Zongshi Hao, we are here!!"

"It's demons, hurry up!!"

Only to see a group of figures galloping over on horses, wearing clothes of various styles, coming from all parts of the Nineteen Provinces.

And above their heads, there were also those in the Fifteen-Li Realm flying in the air, as well as Heavenly Human Grandmasters! In addition, there were surprisingly two in the Three Imperishable Realms among them, also rushing over.

However, when those two in the Three Imperishable Realms saw the three Demon Kings in front of Li Hao, their originally angry expressions suddenly stiffened, feeling somewhat stunned, their bodies not knowing whether to advance or retreat for a moment.

They had anticipated a demon king attack, but didn't expect there to be three! The remaining figures on horseback only saw the appearance of the three Demon Kings, but did not detect the strength of the Demon Kings' auras; after all, the realms were vastly different.

Following the galloping of ten thousand horses, a large number of figures poured into the pass and galloped into the camp.

When they saw the dilapidated scene in this camp and the mess everywhere, the crowd that had rushed over was also astonished, not expecting that this land outside the pass would be so tragic!

"Tianren Zongshi Hao, we are here!"

Many figures in the Heavenly Human Realm flew over, and when they saw Li Hao's skin torn and flesh exposed, looking like a bloody man, they were all shocked.

Earlier on the Longjiang Dao Discussion Platform, this youth had suppressed all the grandmasters of the world with one finger, peerless in elegance, shaking the past and dazzling the present; now, he had become so miserable.

"These three demons are..."

Someone detected the auras of the three Demon Kings, which were extremely unusual, with a feeling of fear that made one's heart jump, and couldn't help but have a terrifying thought emerge.

Could they be Great Demon Kings to be able to force Li Hao to such a state?!

"We are late."

In the crowd, the figure of Bai Bai Chunhai stepped out, and beside him was another Great Tianren Zongshi, Lin Lin Qingfeng.

Since parting at Dayue City earlier, they had learned that Li Hao had killed the Little Wanshan Demon King, and guessed that Li Hao might be retaliated against by the Wanshan Little Demon King, so they had all paid close attention to this youth who had saved their lives.

At the same time, they had also inquired about the details of the battle in Qingzhou City from various sources, as well as Li Hao's promise to guard Tianmen Pass.

Thus, many people rushed over, gathering in Liangzhou, hoping to come to Tianmen Pass to contribute.

In this way, it was both to repay the country, guard the border, and to help Li Hao, repaying this life-saving grace. It just so happened that recently, news spread from somewhere that the Wanshan Demon King was going to attack Tianmen Pass, so they gathered manpower in nearby cities and rushed over.

At this moment, it seemed they had arrived just in time.

Seeing these figures galloping over, Li Hao's expression changed slightly, and he said immediately: "This is not a place you can come to, leave quickly!"

"Are these three Demon Kings?"

Lin Lin Qingfeng had already sensed that the auras of the Wanshan Demon King and the other two were restrained and terrifying. His expression changed slightly; if he had known this earlier, he might have considered it carefully, but right now...

They had already come.

If they retreated again, it would be somewhat unsightly.

Moreover, looking at the two figures beside Li Hao, he recognized one of them; it was that Demon King from the Tan Palace Academy.

Many years ago, many of them had graduated from the Tan Palace Academy.

He was no stranger to this Demon King.

As for the other one, although he didn't recognize him, he seemed to be a powerhouse in the Four Standing Realms as well. Calculating this way, it might not be impossible to fight.

"Young Tianren Zongshi Hao, we will block that demon tide, you leave first!"

A grandmaster stood out. The other party had almost been surrounded and killed by demons while guarding the city, but was reinforced by Li Hao's Long Xiao Sword, piercing through seven demons with one sword and saving him.

He knew that Li Hao might not remember him, it was just a casual act, but he remembered this grace.

As a grandmaster, although he also feared life and death, he was not a truly cowardly person.

"The strongest young grandmaster of my Emperor Da Yu Divine Dynasty for thousands of years cannot die here. Tianren Zongshi Hao, you leave first!"

"Brothers, aren't we here to build merit and establish a career? Now is a great opportunity!"

"Let us also resist the wind and snow of this border!"

"I also want to let this Tianmen Pass carve my name!"

In the crowd, many people roared with indignation.

There were also people who retreated, quietly moving to the edge of the crowd, harboring complex thoughts, preparing to find an opportunity to leave.

While the crowd was gathering, several signal flares shot into the sky from the crowd, turning into several purple smokes rising into the sky. This was the most urgent city-attack distress signal! The flares soared into the sky, and all who saw them rushed to help! One side responded, and ten thousand people echoed!

The Wanshan Demon King's expression changed slightly, and his gaze quickly looked toward the back of the crowd. He didn't care about this rabble in front of him, but he was worried that there were people from the Li family among them.

After all, this human brat in front of him had that Divine General Mansion behind him.

For such a monstrous fellow, he thought it unlikely that the older generation of the Li family wouldn't be secretly following and protecting him.

At the same time, the demon tide outside the pass had already swept over; they were all demons from the Wanshan region, subordinates of the Wanshan Demon King.

As for the Dragon Lord, he had only come himself and had not sent a large army to stay and prepare for battle.

Seeing the demons outside the pass, the crowd that had rushed over quickly took out their weapons, preparing to fight, but suddenly discovered a thing: where was the city that should have been here? No city, no array, only an empty camp! The crowd immediately realized something, and while shocked, couldn't help but feel the tragedy of that bloody battle.

So guarding the border was actually so bitter! And this youth, who amazed the entire Emperor Da Yu, was guarding this bitterness alone, silently bearing it.

One person guards a lonely city, one person guards the Heavenly Pass!

Some people who had originally hesitated and retreated couldn't help but feel ashamed at this moment. As martial artists, their hot blood was hard to cool.

Standing at the border of the country's territory at this moment, they suddenly seemed to be able to feel the hardships and blood and tears of their ancestors when they opened up this territory! The bloodline passed down through thousands of years of history seemed to be worn on them at this moment.

Today, it was they who defended this place.

"Kill!!"

Many grandmasters rushed out first. Without a city, without an array, they themselves were the city, they were the array! The soaring roars sounded, and among them were young heroes who had heard the news and came to pursue fame, wanting to build merit and leave a good name, all rushing into the demon tide, fighting regardless of everything.

"Tianren Zongshi Hao, we are going too."

Bai Bai Chunhai bowed slightly to Li Hao, then turned around solemnly and rushed toward the battlefield at the pass.

Lin Lin Qingfeng nodded slightly to Li Hao, then also flew away with his sword, the long sword emitting a light sound, breaking through the void.

"Didn't expect that I would also have a day to serve the dynasty."

Zhou Zhou Haitang smiled at Li Hao, then turned around and rushed toward the battlefield.

He had come alone, without bringing his disciples or daughter, having anticipated the danger of this battle, and had settled his daughter and wife properly.

A man has no worries, why fear spilling blood and tears?! "Tianren Zongshi Hao, you protected the heroic souls of my Zhao family, there is no way to repay you, may our strength be able to carve out a bloody path for you!"

"My Feng family's ancestors' heroic souls were protected by you. Although the Feng family is small, we are grateful for generations!"

"My Grandpa Wei's heroic soul made me join the army, these demons came just in time!"

"My Yan family has received great kindness, willing to contribute to Tianmen Pass!"

In the crowd, besides the grandmasters saved by Li Hao in Dayue City, there were many other grandmasters, or those in the Fifteen-Li Realm.

Although they had never met Li Hao, they had all rushed over from ten thousand miles away, just because Li Hao had defended Dayue City, preserved the three Martial Temples of Dayue City, and also preserved the many heroic souls in those Martial Temples.

These heroic souls came from many aristocratic families and sects; some descendants had already declined, but hearing this news, they had all rushed over, willing to contribute a meager effort! In addition, there were also garrison generals and deputy generals from Dayue City in the crowd, all having brought troops to reinforce!

Only then did this grand momentum form, a vast crowd of people.

Feng Feng Bo Ping and Song Song Qiumo's auras were always locked on the three Demon Kings, but seeing these many figures who had come to meet Li Hao, they couldn't help but feel a bit of sigh and complexity.

These people all came because of this youth, willing to fight and die with him!

In the past, when the youth stepped out of the most magnificent and noble Divine General Mansion in the world, at the most desolate moment, many students scrambled to see him off.

Now, the youth sits alone in the wind and snow of the border, and countless people are willing to rush to their deaths for him.

Perhaps, this is the attraction that this youth beside him carries.

"It's just a bunch of trash!"

The Wanshan Demon King's eyes were gloomy. He had originally wanted to rely on the demon tide to hold back Li Hao and the others and exhaust them. If they struck to kill the demon tide, they would definitely reveal flaws, and they could take advantage of the situation.

It would be best to use the demon tide to completely exhaust Li Hao's bizarre state.

But now, the demons under his command were blocked outside the pass and could not get close to this youth.

"A matter of one slap."

The Dragon Lord said softly, raising his hand to slap toward the many figures fighting the demons outside the pass.

But just as his palm was raised, he felt a killing intent locked onto him; it was Feng Feng Bo Ping and Song Song Qiumo below.

Although the two were at the end of their rope at this moment, they still maintained their combat power.

If the Dragon Lord struck, they would definitely take advantage of the gap to launch a thunderous strike! The Dragon Lord sensed the killing intent of the two, his brows furrowed slightly. The other party was already at the end of their rope, but the more so, the more they made people wary, not knowing if they would be forced into a dead end and unleash some irreversible attack, dragging them down with them.

They had practiced all the way here, experiencing countless battles over ten thousand years. While experienced, because of their broad knowledge, they also had a bit more caution and concern.

After all, if they were seriously injured, even if they solved Li Hao and the others, they might be swallowed by others later.

Although the three Demon Kings were allies for the time being, they were not of one mind and all had such concerns, which was why they didn't choose to fight Li Hao and the others to the death; otherwise, without that concern, they would have long since struck with all their might.

The killing sounds outside the pass were earth-shaking, but here, the three of them were confronting the three Demon Kings, yet none of them took action.

Each other's auras were locked on the other, just waiting for a gap and an opportunity.

If the demons outside the pass reached Li Hao and the others at this moment, it would be the opportunity for the three Demon Kings to launch an attack.

But the killing continued, and neither side took action.

Compared to the intense fighting outside the pass, it seemed even the sounds here were exceptionally quiet.

This killing was still continuing, and the number of grandmasters who came to reinforce was not small; after all, more than half of the grandmasters who had gathered to discuss the Dao in the world had come.

However, the number of grandmasters under the Wanshan Demon King was not that many, mainly relying on the few Great Demon Kings in the Three Imperishable Realms inside to lead the charge, causing grandmasters to fall one after another and be defeated outside the pass.

The Wanshan Demon King squinted and took a look, seeing that his own army had the upper hand, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

But just at this moment, outside the Longguan Road, a burst of horse hoofbeats galloped over.

The Wanshan Demon King's expression changed suddenly, and he looked up, only to see more reinforcements, and a grand flag gradually became clear on the Longguan Road, fluttering in the wind.

It was surprisingly a regular army that had come to reinforce! The Wanshan Demon King's expression was grim. After all, this was the border of the Emperor Da Yu Divine Dynasty, and it was not strange for troops to come to reinforce, but he didn't expect them to come so quickly.

The previous signal flares would cause nearby reinforcements to arrive one by one. The longer it dragged on, the more unfavorable it would be.

"Want to try?"

The silver-robed youth took a look and said to the Wanshan Demon King with a frown.

What he meant was to let the Wanshan Demon King strike first and test Li Hao's bizarre attack.

If the Wanshan Demon King didn't strike himself, he and the Dragon Lord naturally couldn't charge for him; after all, it wasn't their own biological son who was dying.

The Wanshan Demon King's expression was grim. Brother Gao's death earlier had left him with lingering fears, feeling as if he had been smashed to death by a mung bean, dying inexplicably.

But he also knew that if he didn't break this stalemate, dragging it on would only mean retreating.

And the reason he had gathered his army without stopping was precisely because he didn't want to give the other party a chance to catch their breath.

After all, this time, Brother Gao had died, their combat power had already decreased, and if they waited for the human side to catch their breath next time, there would be no chance for revenge!

"I'll do it!"

Thinking of his dead child, the Wanshan Demon King shot a fierce light from his eyes, roared, and broke the stalemate first.

His body swelled, releasing monstrous demonic power, revealing his true form, then fiercely slapped his palm toward the ground.

Feng Feng Bo Ping and Song Song Qiumo both changed their expressions. Their current state could not withstand this palm. If they struck, the two Demon Kings beside them would take the opportunity to attack them.

Li Hao took a deep breath and offered the Sacred Heart Treasure Talisman bestowed by that Majesty.

The treasure talisman absorbed a bit of his power, quickly activating the runes, erupting with ten thousand zhang of divine light, turning into a brilliant sun that rose in front of Li Hao, covering the three of them and blocking the demonic hand that covered several hundred meters.

(End of chapter)