Chapter 362: The Dao-Defiled Tianzun Strikes—Eighty-One Demon Lords (Combined, 6k, Requesting Monthly Votes)

"Fellow cultivator, would you be willing to accompany me on a journey?"

Xiang Xuanqing smiled faintly, his aura profound and unfathomable. "I am in your debt for leading the way."

The spectral form of the Energy Conservation Demon God gave a slight nod, then turned. A bridge of pure energy extended from beneath his feet, spanning the chaotic dimensional space toward a darker, deeper void.

Xiang Xuanqing’s consciousness stepped calmly onto the light bridge and followed alongside.

Passing through Cengcengdiediedekongjianduanceng and crossing countless ruins of extinguished stars, they finally arrived at a peculiar realm shrouded in dense cyclical power.

Here, the laws of life and death intertwined, yin and yang energies mingled, and countless lingering souls and obsessions floated aimlessly, emitting silent wails.

Ordinary deities who strayed here would be instantly assimilated by cyclical power, their divine souls dissolving, forever unable to transcend.

At the end of the light bridge floated an ancient stone platform suspended within the Gui Xu.

After a long while, the chaotic currents upon the platform began to twist strangely. A formless shadow slowly coalesced into a blurred figure.

Behind Him, six divine lights emerged, forming rotating light wheels, spreading an ancient, desolate, cold aura brimming with endless transformation.

Though His face could not be discerned, He radiated a terrifyingly profound cyclical Dao rhythm—as if He were the origin and destination of all cosmic life and death.

He had no fixed form: sometimes a chasm-like maw, sometimes countless interwoven cycles of rebirth, within which faintly appeared the joys, sorrows, separations, and reunions of countless beings, their births and deaths, illusions and annihilations.

"Fellow cultivator, it has been a long time." The Cycle Demon God spoke slowly, his voice ethereal and distant, carrying the weight of eons and the indifference of cyclical change.

"Cycle, fellow cultivator, our spiritual communion has long been established."

Xiang Xuanqing’s consciousness halted before the platform, gazing calmly at the figure. "I never imagined we would meet in this manner."

"And your state seems far superior to his."

Xiang Xuanqing glanced at the Energy Conservation Demon God.

The Energy Conservation Demon God blinked sharply, then stubbornly turned his head away.

What could he do? He couldn’t win.

During the Beast Cataclysm, he never even saw Xiang Xuanqing’s face—he was killed by the Taiwei gods.

Had it not been for the Dao’s peculiar protection, he would have been truly gone.

"I am merely clinging to life."

The Cycle Demon God’s voice betrayed no emotion. "I invited you here today solely for one transaction."

Xiang Xuanqing smiled. "Please proceed."

The Cycle Demon God fell silent for a moment; the rotation of His six light wheels slowed slightly. "Do you know that all Chaos Demon Gods are manifestations of the Dao, each with their own obsessions and pursuits—not a unified bloc?"

"I am vaguely aware." Xiang Xuanqing gave a slight nod.

The Cycle Demon God continued: "Thus, our binding to Shen Ni is not as deep as it seems. Some demon gods merely seek a sliver of survival and the pursuit of eternal Dao."

"And I am one of them."

This was a lightning-fast cut.

He clarified why he had come to Xiang Xuanqing—Shen Ni was not their only option.

Xiang Xuanqing made no reply.

If Shen Ni was not their only option, then neither was he.

It seemed the Chaos-era demon gods were no simpletons.

Pangu’s opening of heaven was flexible; these Chaos demon gods were no rigid fools.

Then, the Energy Conservation Demon God beside him spoke, launching a critique of Hong Jun.

He said: "Hong Jun is unfathomable. His ambitions are vast indeed."

"If he succeeds, the fate of our remaining Chaos demon gods and the countless beings of Hong Huang hangs in peril."

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Hong Jun is the villain—we must unite.

Xiang Xuanqing understood the implication.

The Cycle Demon God said: "Regardless of whether you or Hong Jun prevails, Hong Huang will face immense transformation."

"We have chosen you because we place greater value on the transformation you bring to Hong Huang."

How he knew this, the Cycle did not say.

His voice seemed to echo from ten thousand eons past, laden with sighs and a trace of hope: "My Dao is trapped in Chaos. Though I wield Cycle, it remains a chaotic, aimless rotation—birth and death repeating endlessly, never grasping the true essence."

"In the battle to open heaven, it was horrifically brutal. Though I perished in Pangu’s hands, I glimpsed a glimmer of hope for the Dao."

The Cycle Demon God looked at Xiang Xuanqing.

In His eyes, light and shadow swirled, as if countless worlds collapsed and were reborn within: "Shen Ni’s Dao—or the pursuit of the Chaos demon gods who joined the Beast Cataclysm—is destruction and Gui Xu."

"To my Cycle Dao, this is merely the continuation of an old cage, even worse—erasing the very ‘cycle’ of motion and negating the meaning of ‘return.’"

"I have chosen you, chosen Taiwei, to help you construct a new order for Hong Huang—a harmonious order where heaven, earth, and all things rotate in balance."

"All we seek is the Dao’s further advancement."

As a Chaos Demon God, he possessed his own pride and power.

But the Dao is boundless—he too sought breakthrough.

This was what the Cycle Demon God truly cared about.

Xiang Xuanqing’s existence showed him a new possibility—a way for his Cycle Dao to escape the shackles of Chaos, even to transcend.

Why not choose Hong Jun?

Different Dao, no alliance.

They could not get along with Hong Jun.

"Aside from the Dao, what conditions do you have?" Xiang Xuanqing asked.

"Aside from the Dao?"

The Cycle Demon God pondered a moment, then said: "All I seek lies within the Dao."

"For example?"

"The Underworld!"

Xiang Xuanqing smiled.

Good. You don’t know who I am.

Then I’ll begin my persuasion—ahem, guiding the Dao’s direction.

"You wish to seize the Underworld?" Xiang Xuanqing asked.

"No. We wish to help you seize the Underworld."

"I believe that if Taiwei wants to establish a new cosmic order, it should not be limited to controlling the Zhou Tian. Heaven, Earth, and the Mortal Realm must all be included."

Thus spoke the Cycle Demon God.

That was a beautifully worded statement.

Xiang Xuanqing asked again: "What will you do after seizing the Underworld?"

He began to negotiate.

The Cycle Demon God did not answer directly, but probed: "If we help you seize the Underworld, what will you do?"

This was a counter-offer.

"Me?"

Xiang Xuanqing smiled faintly. "I believe the Underworld lacks a Cycle."

The Cycle Demon God’s eyes lit up. "And?"

Xiang Xuanqing’s expression turned solemn, yet his eyes gleamed with confidence: "I seek a balance between Chaos and the new heavens and earth."

"I believe the Cycle should become the lingering echo of Chaos—and also the pivot of Hong Huang’s True Realm and even the myriad worlds, bearing the breath of all beings and propelling the evolution of the Dao."

"Your Cycle will gain unprecedented meaning—and the potential for transcendence."

BOOM~~

Chaotic currents churned; the six light wheels behind the Cycle Demon God spun faster.

"Please, Celestial Emperor, continue," the Cycle’s tone now carried unmistakable delight.

"Look!"

Xiang Xuanqing extended his hand. In his palm, clear light swirled, slowly forming a miniature world Chuxing : life and death flowed, order maintained.

"To be honest, Taiwei does indeed have plans to annex the Underworld."

"We intend to transform the entire Underworld into the ultimate destination for all celestial deities and immeasurable beings."

"But this plan has always lacked a catalyst. Every time we projected, we failed to grasp the key."

"Until I met you—your Cycle Dao may be the optimal solution we envisioned."

Xiang Xuanqing looked at the excited Cycle Demon God and said: "I believe, within a world, the Cycle should be the foundation of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity’s operation—the arbiter of merit and sin, the bridge for true souls’ rebirth, the core of cosmic rotation, the embodiment of Daoic circulation."

"The death of all beings in the world should pass through the Cycle."

"No celestial deity, no exception."

"This is a crucial step in constructing Hong Huang’s order—it can liberate immeasurable vengeful spirits and lingering thoughts, helping them attain rebirth, and promote Hong Huang’s energy cycle."

"This is tied to energy too?" The Energy Conservation Demon God perked up, curiously staring at the world in Xiang Xuanqing’s palm.

"Of course!"

Xiang Xuanqing glanced between the Energy Conservation Demon God and the Cycle Demon God. "Isn’t the Cycle itself an embodiment of energy conservation?"

BOOM!!

The Energy Conservation Demon God’s eyes flashed bright, his spirit soaring!

"That’s right! The Cycle is an embodiment of energy conservation! Why didn’t I think of that? Why didn’t I think of that?" The Energy Conservation Demon God muttered to himself, his expression half-sobbing, half-laughing, bordering on madness.

Xiang Xuanqing turned to the Cycle Demon God and promised: "If you truly wish to aid me, you shall become the founder and master of the Cycle Order in Hong Huang’s True Realm."

The Cycle Demon God took a deep breath, and the cyclical light and shadow around him began to violently ripple, then suddenly contracted and condensed into an immense radiance.

He gazed at the embryonic world in Xiang Xuanqing’s palm, remaining silent for a long while.

As the steward of Cycle, he could sense the vigorous vitality and strict order within it—a mysterious harmony that was utterly distinct from Chaos, yet subtly aligned with it.

“The Heavenly Emperor’s conception… truly stirs the heart.”

The Cycle Demon God finally spoke: “Though I am a Chaos Demon God, I cannot bear to see the beings of Honghuang eternally sunk in oblivion, unable to transcend.”

“For Honghuang’s sake, for the sake of all beings, for the Dao’s sake—I must lend my ally a hand!”

With that, the Cycle Demon God’s form suddenly exploded apart, transforming into eighty-one deep, dark yet vibrantly alive strands of cyclical light.

Each strand of cyclical light emitted a pure essence of the Cycle Dao’s origin, along with a faint, unique imprint of the Cycle Demon God himself.

“Heavenly Emperor, these eighty-one strands of cyclical intent are our initial investment!”

“We hope we may establish a lasting partnership!”

The Cycle Demon God’s voice became scattered, echoing from each strand of cyclical light—grand and solemn.

Xiang Xuanqing looked toward the void and asked: “My friend, don’t you require me to sign some Chaos Covenant?”

A laugh came from the void: “Heavenly Emperor, no need for any covenant—we chose you, and we trust you!”

Xiang Xuanqing insisted: “No, no, no—the covenant must be signed.”

“I must honor the trust of all my fellow Daoists.”

Hearing this, the Cycle Demon God’s expression subtly shifted, revealing even greater delight.

“Since the Heavenly Emperor insists, then let us sign!”

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~~

Chaotic currents surged, and a phantom figure of a Demon God coalesced.

“Heavenly Emperor, I am the Covenant Demon God.” The Covenant Demon God appeared and produced a scroll: “Please.”

Xiang Xuanqing examined it carefully and found no flaw—it was merely a cooperation covenant, requiring mutual loyalty; betrayal would incur the Dao’s backlash and eternal sinking.

Xiang Xuanqing readily signed his title: [Taiwei Heavenly Emperor], then retrieved the eighty-one strands of cyclical intent.

“Excellent!”

The Cycle, Energy, and Covenant Demon Gods all beamed with joy.

Suddenly, the strange space trembled, and the three Demon Gods’ forms grew hazy.

“Trouble—we’ve run out of time. It seems we can only communicate with the Heavenly Emperor again next time.” The Cycle Demon God waved his hand, signaling the Energy Conservation Demon God to return Xiang Xuanqing to reality.

“Heavenly Emperor, follow me closely—or great terror will strike!”

The Energy Conservation Demon God sounded tense.

Xiang Xuanqing glanced left and right, his expression calm: “Let’s go.”

They followed an unknown path back to reality.

Outside, the Immortal Death Mountain.

“Boom!!”

With a thunderous crash, Xiang Xuanqing rose from his coffin.

“What happened?”

The Taiwei gods hurried to look.

Eighty-one strands of cyclical light circled Xiang Xuanqing once, then transformed into eighty-one Heavenly Demon Kings, standing silently behind him.

“???”

The assembly of gods froze.

Wasn’t the Heavenly Emperor supposed to use the Chaos Coffin to study the Principle of Being and Nonbeing, reversing the Supreme Void Dao?

How did he reverse it into eighty-one Heavenly Demon Kings?!

Especially Luo Hou, the Demon Ancestor, was utterly bewildered.

【Damn, the Heavenly Emperor’s demeanor makes him look more like the Demon Ancestor than I do!】

After Xiang Xuanqing left, the strange space rippled again with chaotic tides.

One by one, phantom figures appeared beside the Cycle Demon God.

“Cycle Friend, can we truly trust the Taiwei Heavenly Emperor?” one Demon God spoke, his aura immense.

The Cycle Demon God: “I glimpsed a fragment of the future—the Taiwei Heavenly Court shall rise, to govern all Dao in Honghuang.”

“Friend, how do you know you haven’t been manipulated? That might be a false future planted by our enemies!” the Demon Gods asked.

“Truth or falsehood doesn’t matter—I have few choices left.”

The Cycle Demon God said: “Actually, compared to him, I favor two other beings more.”

“Who?”

The Cycle Demon God: “The Lords of the Shanhai World—Fu Xi and Nv Wa.”

“What did you see?” the Demon Gods inquired.

“Creation and rebirth.”

The Cycle Demon God’s gaze grew distant: “If we layout Cycle to board the new era’s vessel, we may align ourselves with them.”

“Perhaps, our entire era’s glory can be rebooted through them!”

The Demon Gods fell silent.

“Then why did you bet on the Taiwei Heavenly Emperor?” the Energy Conservation Demon God asked.

The Cycle Demon God smiled: “First, the opportunity for the other vessel will emerge far later—meaning far more unpredictable variables.”

“Second, investing in the Taiwei Heavenly Emperor isn’t a loss—it lays groundwork for the next vessel.”

“And most importantly—”

The Cycle Demon God’s eyes flashed, and he spoke slowly: “The Destiny Friend told me that while the Shanhai Lords’ vessel suits us well, the Taiwei Heavenly Emperor’s vessel is far larger—so large that even my most favored beings are merely passengers on his ship.”

“What?”

The remaining Demon Gods were stunned.

“Alright, my investment is stated. Now, let’s hear yours.”

The Cycle Demon God looked around and asked with a smile: “After you left the Shen Ni vessel, which vessel did you board?”

“This… this…”

Some Demon Gods hesitated, their demeanor unnatural.

Fortunately, they were all hidden within the Chaotic Mists, so none could see each other’s expressions.

The three thousand Chaos Demon Gods were never a unified bloc.

They had merely united out of hatred for Pan Gu.

But after the Great Beast Cataclysm ended, they gradually recognized reality, changed tactics, and chose to board a vessel first, then dismantle Honghuang from within!

After all, even the Dream Team—comprising the Destruction and Order Demon Gods—had suffered crushing defeat.

Most of them were no stronger than Destruction or Order.

Chaos Demon Gods aren’t fools—why would they truly hang themselves on Shen Ni’s tree?

Besides, after the Cataclysm, Shen Ni had been branded by all Honghuang factions and the entire era.

He was the number-one terrorist, the ultimate villain.

Anyone associated with him risked being targeted and hunted by Honghuang’s sacred powers.

So Shen Ni died.

He had to die.

If he didn’t, he’d become the prime target for Honghuang’s sacred wrath.

Every evil deed, every black mark in Honghuang would be pinned on him.

With all that burden, how could the Chaos Demon Gods dare approach him?

Wouldn’t that be self-exposure?

Jin Tingshan—the Friendship Tournament ended.

The Dao Alliance won five, lost four.

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause.

The giant banner was once again raised high by the Flower Spirits, but now the words read: “Celebrating the Successful and Amicable Exchange Between the Dao Alliance and the Ten Directions Divine Palace! Congratulations to the Dao Alliance Leader on His Visit to Jin Tingshan to Guide Our Work!”

The Dao Alliance immortals stared at the banner that changed faster than flipping a page, and at Fu Xi’s calm, “I knew it all along” smile—they could only laugh and cry.

Well, they’d laid out the steps for them, giving them full face and dignity.

Yao Chi and the Three Officials exchanged knowing smiles, each already formulating plans.

The Ten Directions Divine Palace was powerful, astute, and truly a worthy ally to court.

“Fu Xi Daoist, the Ten Directions Palace is brimming with talent and deep heritage. Today’s encounter proves its reputation. Our narrow victory in this friendly match was merely luck.” Yao Chi rose, elegant and poised.

“Daoist overstates. The Dao Alliance is the orthodox of Honghuang; to exchange with you is an honor for the Ten Directions Divine Palace.” Fu Xi replied courteously.

Next, both sides held a symbolic “negotiation assembly” within the Ten Directions Divine Palace—warm, friendly, and harmonious.

At the meeting, Yao Chi of the Dao Alliance first delivered a passionate speech, lavishly praising the Ten Directions Divine Palace for its outstanding contributions since its founding: combating extraterrestrial beasts, maintaining stability in Honghuang’s east, protecting eastern hermits, and spreading the Immortal Civilization.

She declared that the Ten Directions Divine Palace’s righteous deeds were etched in the hearts of all Honghuang beings, its achievements shining as brightly as sun and moon.

Then, the Ten Directions Divine Palace’s representative, the Great God Fu Xi, delivered his own important address.

He first expressed heartfelt gratitude to Yao Chi and the Dao Alliance, and fully affirmed the Dao Alliance’s glorious achievements since its founding: integrating Immortal factions, spreading the Dao to all beings, regulating cultivation order, and nurturing pillars of Honghuang’s cosmos.

He emphasized that the Dao Alliance was the beacon for all beings, the hope of Honghuang.

After both representatives spoke, thunderous, prolonged applause erupted from the crowd.

Subsequently, both sides held “in-depth,” “candid,” and “constructive” talks regarding the formal incorporation of the Ten Directions Divine Palace into the Dao Alliance as its strategic partner in the East, jointly committed to issues such as the development of the Honghuang and the prosperity of the Immortal Dao, and reached a series of “important consensuses.”

In the western lands, Mount Sumeru.

Upon a nine-petaled lotus throne sat a figure clad in dark imperial robes, his face shrouded in chaotic mist—the Lord of the Demon Sect, [Xu Huang Daojun].

His aura was elusive, faintly present yet seemingly absent, neither wholly real nor wholly void.

Below him, several mighty demon cultivators of formidable presence sat in rows.

The first to speak was an elderly man of imposing stature, his body wreathed in thick earth-yellow demonic energy, horns sprouting from his head, his face fearsome.

He was none other than [Pan Wang Laozu], the Demon Sovereign; his voice boomed like a great bell, shaking the entire hall into reverberation: “How absurd! Those hypocrites of the Dao Alliance expand at a pace beyond comprehension!”

“Even Taihao Fuxi of the East has now groveled and submitted to the Dao Alliance!”

Beside Pan Wang Laozu sat a great demon draped in a black cloak, his entire form enveloped in dense darkness, as if even light could not escape.

“I believe Taihao Fuxi is merely a sycophant; I was foolish to once regard him as a sacred being of the Dao,” the Dark Demon God launched his critique of Fuxi.

Opposite him sat the Light Demon God.

“The Dao Alliance has drawn in eastern hermits—why can’t we draw in western hermits?”

“The titles of Taihao and Shaohao clash directly. I believe if we were to invite Bai Di Shaohao, he would not refuse.”

“Hmm, Dao friend, your words are sound.”

Finally, [Xu Huang Daojun] spoke slowly, his voice low yet carrying a solemn, soul-piercing depth: “The Dao Alliance’s momentum has indeed surpassed my expectations.”

“Securing Changliu Mountain has become our necessity.”

His gaze fell upon Pan Wang Laozu, the Dark Demon God, the Light Demon God, and another demon king whose body crackled with violent lightning energy—the Great Power of Lei Ze.

“I entrust the four of you to journey to the western extreme of Changliu Mountain. In the name of the Demon Ancestor, invite Bai Di Shaohao to visit Mount Sumeru.”

“We humbly obey the Sect Master’s decree!” Pan Wang Laozu, the Great Power of Lei Ze, the Dark Demon God, and the Light Demon God rose in unison, bowing deeply.

Without delay, their demonic energy surged, transforming into four colossal, sky-splitting rainbows that tore through the void, roaring with overwhelming demonic might, heading straight toward the western extreme of Changliu Mountain.

At Changliu Mountain, before the Palace of Bai Di.

A Daoist sat cross-legged, clad in simple robes, his face bearing sorrow, yet subtly radiating an aura of great wisdom and boundless compassion.

He was [Jie Yin Dao Ren].

Suddenly, he sensed something, slowly opening his eyes, gazing toward the eastern horizon.

There, four rivers of demonic energy—each a different hue—were surging toward him at astonishing speed, their momentum fierce, their target unmistakably Changliu Mountain.

Yet Jie Yin Dao Ren’s lips curled slightly, revealing a knowing smile.

Far from panicking, he clasped his hands together, golden light erupting from his body, revealing a towering sixteen-foot golden Buddha form.

The Buddha’s countenance was majestic, a halo of wisdom glowing behind his head, one hand holding a vajra club, the other forming the teaching mudra—mercy and authority coexisting.

“Ah, the karmic bond between Buddha and Demon has arrived at last!”

“Boom!” The palace gates swung open.

[Shaohao], clad in imperial robes, emerged, walking side by side with the golden Buddha.

“Brother, it is time we went to see the scenery of Mount Sumeru.”

————

Portal: [Monthly Tickets] [Recommendation Votes]

Combined upload; a bit late.

PS: Today is the final day of double monthly tickets. Given my efforts to add extra chapters, could you all spare a vote for Xiao Jun?

(End of Chapter)