Chapter 235 - 197: The Traitor

On him, the Demon Master had realized that he was truly getting old, his heart not as hardened as before.

When the Nine-headed Insect left home of his own accord, it was actually with his silent consent. He had thought that if the Nine-headed Insect could go far away and never return to Luzhou in the North, then he would abandon the plan he had devised.

Let the young one have a life of his own, but fate turned out to be so laughable.

In the end, the Nine-headed Insect still chose to return to Luzhou in the North.

Thinking of this, the Demon Master’s heart gradually hardened, and he stared at the Nine-headed Insect with a burning gaze, "Now is the time, you should carry the great banner for our Demon Clan."

With those words, he took the Nine-headed Insect deep into the valley, where a mysterious altar had long been prepared, surrounded by carvings of various demon beasts, and in several corners of the altar, a variety of items were placed.

Some were masks, others merely a feather, and some even a weapon.

In the center of the altar was a great banner embroidered with the character for "demon," its bright red color seemingly dyed with fresh blood.

The banner was somewhat tattered, with holes in it.

But the moment the Nine-headed Insect saw the banner, his heart involuntarily started thumping wildly.

On that banner, he seemed to see countless members of the Demon Clan sacrificing their heads and shedding their warm blood, and he also imagined the Demon Emperor’s ragged and challenging journey, leading the rise of the Demon Clan in Luzhou in the North.

He was momentarily lost in a trance.

The Demon Master beside him was also staring blankly at the banner, filled with emotion. For many years, every time he gazed upon this banner, he would feel a surge of passion.

This was the standard of the Demon Court, and of the Demon Clan. The Demon Emperor had once held this banner high, constantly gathering the Demon Clan under his rule.

Throughout the ages, this banner had been the spirit of the Demon Clan. He once believed it would flutter above the Nine Heavens.

"This is our Demon Clan’s great banner; the one who carries it will be the Emperor of the Demon Clan," the Demon Master said with a sigh.

"Are you ready to carry this banner?" The Demon Master’s words rang in the Nine-headed Insect’s ears, pulling the somewhat bewildered monster back to reality.

He looked at the quietly waving banner on the altar, revealing a bitter smile, "Can I refuse?"

After saying this, he turned to look at the Demon Master.

The Demon Master gently shook his head, "This is your destiny."

The Nine-headed Insect immediately showed a bitter smile, "Yes, this is destiny, my destiny, how laughable it is!"

He let out a hysterical laugh, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Looking at the Demon Master, he spoke with regret, "I once considered you the most precious family in this world, but in the end, you chose to abandon me."

"You shouldn’t have come back," the Demon Master couldn’t face the child he had raised. This destiny indeed shouldn’t be his to carry.

"Yes, I shouldn’t have come back." A bitter smile appeared on the Nine-headed Insect’s face.

"But I have already returned." As he spoke, his eyes gradually became more resolute.

He slowly approached the altar, his gaze firmly fixed on the banner before him.

It was not long before he arrived beneath the banner. With mixed emotions, the Nine-headed Insect raised the sacred banner.

In an instant, the altar that was originally dim and lightless began to burst forth with a resplendent glow, numerous mysterious runes shimmered with light, and a few items in the corner emitted dazzling radiance, converging upon the Nine-headed Insect.

At that moment, the Nine-headed Insect felt an overwhelming power surge into his body. His body, which he prided himself on, began to swell, as if it were about to be burst by this force.

However, in this very perilous moment, his bloodline started to stir wildly within him, instantly alleviating some of his agony.

And the consciousness of the Nine-headed Insect, at this very moment, connected with that of a great being, one whose face could not be seen.

Enveloped in nine strange lights, he stood in the void as if he were the master of all Heaven and Earth.

The always rebellious Nine-headed Insect felt fear for the first time at this moment, his body involuntarily wanting to submit to this person.

And the familiar aura that was transmitted let him recognize the owner of this great will—it was the previously fallen Demon Emperor.

"As expected, I am just a vessel for your resurrection," the Nine-headed Insect said with a bitter laugh.

In the realm of consciousness, the figure of the Demon Emperor gradually descended from the high sky, approaching the Nine-headed Insect step by step.

The overriding consciousness of the Demon Emperor oppressed the Nine-headed Insect, giving him a sensation of near asphyxiation. He was keenly aware that when his own consciousness completely dissipated, his body would no longer belong to him, and the Demon Emperor could then achieve resurrection through it.

"But did you ever ask for my consent?" the Nine-headed Insect suddenly roared.

His consciousness fiercely rushed towards the oncoming Demon Emperor, but the vast difference in strength made all his efforts futile. No matter how hard he tried, there was no sign of the Demon Emperor’s consciousness weakening.

"You speak, why must I bear all this, why must I accept such a fate!" In the space of consciousness, the Nine-headed Insect howled as though crazed.

He sought an explanation from the Demon Emperor, after all, the person before him was likely the source of his own bloodline, and perhaps he should call him father.

However, the consciousness of the Demon Emperor remained silent, as if a life form devoid of emotion, merely following the guidance of instinct, drawing closer to the Nine-headed Insect.

In that moment, a look of despair spread across the Nine-headed Insect’s face, and he said to the Demon Emperor, "You think you can control the fates of others, but today I will tell you, no one has the right to toy with the fates of others. I refuse to accept such an end."

No sooner had he spoken than he suddenly recited a strange incantation.

Meanwhile, in the outside world, the Demon Master suddenly saw a black brilliance burst forth from the Nine-headed Insect’s body. It was an extremely malevolent breath, emanating from the resentment of all living beings.

For the Primordial Spirit, this kind of power was like poison, capable of contaminating one’s soul with just a touch, leading to a fall into wickedness and transformation into a demon.

Yet at this moment, the resentment of all beings erupting from the Nine-headed Insect was so terrifying that even he dared not approach it.

"Divine Exorcist Great Saint!" the Demon Master suddenly exclaimed through gritted teeth.

This method of collecting the resentment of all living beings was a Dharma Technique the Divine Exorcist Great Saint was most proficient in, and only he could produce such an enormous amount of the resentment of all beings.

At this moment, the Demon Master finally realized who the betrayer of the Demon Court was—it was that usually silent and reticent Divine Exorcist Great Saint.

And at that time, the Divine Exorcist Great Saint stood within the Lingxiao Treasured Palace, a slight cold smile on his face, "At this time, the Demon Master should have discovered my identity."

"It’s just a pity, everything is a bit too late."