C1909 Killing Intent

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Greenish-black beams of light materialized from nowhere, swiftly assembling into black tiles and stones that piled up to construct a majestic and solemn palace in mere moments.

Once the palace was upheld by the beams, the Evil Gods from the Abyss transformed into seemingly normal forms.

They dispersed, emitting soft, malevolent chuckles beside the beams.

The Shadow Evil God morphed into a seductive Shadow Clan woman, her hands delicately holding a small prism as if she were applying makeup in a mirror, carefully crafting her unfamiliar form.

She did this to avoid causing panic in the world once the Abyss Gate shattered, allowing her to move about unnoticed.

Her true form would bring inconvenience and label her as a heretic in that world.

Her plan was to first dominate the Shadow Clan, earning the recognition of all its members with her divine visage, and then gradually extend her influence to the other creatures of that world.

The Devourer assumed the guise of a gaunt Dark Elfkind man, bearing a striking resemblance to the deceased Diggs.

Diggs of the Dark Elfkind had once entered the Origin Realm and devoted his worship to this Evil God, not the Origin Realm God.

The pus-covered Spiritualist transformed into an alien beast resembling a Raymon Beast. His pustules became mere bumps, still unsightly but not as revolting.

The other Evil Gods underwent similar changes, some becoming human, others taking the form of Star Race individuals, Silver Scale Clan warriors, or battle-hungry Asuras.

These Evil Gods were well-versed in the diverse life forms of the Vast Expanse and had already devised their plans.

They were prepared for how they would operate once the Abyss Gate fell apart.

"Sir, please head back first."

Inside the sealed Evil God Temple, Yu Yuan gestured politely, prompting his Yin God to depart immediately.

He gazed at the temple abutting the greenish-black canopy of the sky, aware that Youyu, Matina, Wagner, and Andrea were all confined within.

With only the strength of a Ghost King, his Yin God seemed powerless to assist Youyu.

He contemplated carefully whether to return to the Realm of Demons first.

...

In the Realm of Demons, rooted by the ancient vine tree, coveted by Han Qi for its shadowy soil, stood not only Yu Yuan and Andrea, but also Yu Yiyi, who had been guided there. Alongside them were Wagner's Skeleton Horse and Fernand.

The Origin Realm Gate stood open, yet the circumstances within remained a mystery, deterring any spirits from venturing deeper.

The Origin Realm Gate, bridged to the Sea of Hearts by Youyu, now appeared as a horrifying black hole to the formidable spirits.

Ghosts nearing the gate felt their very souls might be shredded.

Yu Yuan and the other spirits sensed something amiss, though the truth eluded almost all.

Andrea was the exception.

"Your Yin God was summoned to the Abyss by Extreme Intelligence. Despite warnings against it, you wouldn't heed them."

"The new Abyss Evil God is more formidable than before. They seem to have struck a deal with Extreme Intelligence, heeding his commands."

"I, Matina, and the other Evil Gods are all awaiting your return from the Abyss with Extreme Intelligence."

"..."

"You've returned!"

"You seem hesitant. Whatever you faced in the Abyss has left you with a weighty contemplation."

"Extreme Intelligence launched a sudden attack, trapping Youyu with a barrage of lightning."

"He, along with the Origin that entered the Abyss, has returned much stronger. The vast Origin has transformed into a green-black canopy in the Origin Realm, reminiscent of our Divine Soul Sect's Heaven Sealing Soul Transformation Formation!"

"This is troubling. Youyu is ensnared, and we... we've been abandoned in the Origin Realm by Extreme Intelligence."

"You're still hesitating over something."

"..."

Beneath the ancient vine tree, Andrea, towering with the stature of the Great Demon God Beilstein, radiated vigor as she relayed the events unfolding in the Origin Realm.

Her narration informed Yu Yuan, Yu Yiyi, and the Skeleton Horse of the current predicament.

"Extreme Intelligence has declared that Han Qi has gained the approval of the Vast Expanse's Will. He is to govern the Realm of Demons, for Wagner and Matina, the two Ghost Gods, have been left stranded in the Origin Realm by Extreme Intelligence, possibly never to return."

Andrea shifted her gaze from Yu Yuan to the ancient vine tree, maintaining her composure as she spoke, "Losing one of my Devil Souls in the Origin Realm is merely a minor setback for me. But for Wagner, and your chosen Matina, if their souls were to perish in the Origin Realm..."

She shrugged nonchalantly, seemingly taunting the Undead Ruler, "They would be... dead, wouldn't they?"

Rustle!

The Undead Ruler, manifesting in the form of the ancient vine tree and deeply rooted among the malevolent spirits and vicious souls, was visibly unsettled by Andrea's words.

It was as if its eyes were opening amidst the leaves, searching throughout the entire Realm of Demons for something.

"I will find Han Qi immediately!"

In a cluster of leaves.

Han Qi was situated near the Shinra Net, within one of the many Dark Mountains. His gaunt and tall frame huddled beneath a massive cactus.

His form was blurred, as if obscured by the refined Yin energy he wielded, making him appear as another peculiar cactus.

He was closely monitoring the movements of the Shinra Net, seemingly in anticipation of someone crossing it to become his powerful ally, aiding him in securing victory in the Realm of Demons.

"Han Qi!"

"What is he waiting for?"

Fernand and Yu Yiyi exclaimed in unison.

From beneath the ancient vine tree, Yu Yuan peered through the leaves at Han Qi's demeanor and frowned, "He's likely waiting for other supreme beings from the Vast Ocean."

Han Miaoyuan was well aware of the precise location of the Demon Territory's entrance and exit. The human race's leader could instruct many supreme beings to enter the Demon Territory in secret.

Tan Xiaotian, the Desolate God, Qin Luo, Zu Ann, and even Lin Daoke were all potential candidates.

"Kill him. Once Yu Yuan's Yin God returns, I will assist him in forging a Ghost God in the Realm of Demons. Once the Ghost God is established, not even I, the Undead Ruler, can destroy it."

The ancient vine tree conveyed its message through Soul Sound.

Its vast canopy slowly expanded, enveloping everyone except Andrea, including Yu Yuan, Yu Yiyi, and the Skeleton Horse.

It had gathered all those it deemed capable of contributing to the effort to eliminate Han Qi.

Fernand, however, was left out of its plans.

"I'll take you there."

In the realm of the Demon Territory, space and distance seemed to vanish under the dominion of the Undead Ruler.

Yu Yuan and his companions, sheltered beneath the ancient vine tree, suddenly noticed their surroundings blur, as if countless different scenes had materialized in a mere moment.

Yu Yuan instantly realized that the Undead Ruler had transported them through the void.

Sure enough, in just a moment's distraction, he found himself reappearing near the Shinra Net, directly in front of Han Qi.

"They've actually found us."

Han Qi's expression turned grim. With a cold huff, he shook the bell and attempted to use his command over the Ghost God's power to teleport away.

This time, however, it was to no avail.

Innumerable dense threads of Yin energy, like supple strands of cotton, filled the vast emptiness.

The Soul Arts that Han Qi had mastered, along with his connection to the Grim River, were rendered ineffective by the arrival of the ancient vine.

The omnipresent Yin energy of the Demon Territory, the flowing Grim River, were no longer at Han Qi's disposal.

With the Undead Ruler's presence, and its intent to kill Han Qi, all the Yin energy in the vicinity, every stream of the Grim River, had to obey its command.

Han Qi's power was significantly diminished.

"Great Yin! You should be helping me. Once your Yin God returns, you'll surely realize we're allies!" Han Qi cried out in desperation, his gaze darting towards the Shinra Net, anticipating the emergence of a formidable ally.

"We hail from the same origin, we're both human; we should unite as one!"

Han Qi yelled, moving closer to the Shinra Net, seemingly eager to make another attempt.

He was desperate to escape the Demon Territory.

He was well aware that if the Undead Ruler harbored murderous intent and sought to eliminate him within the Demon Territory, he would be at a considerable disadvantage.

"No one can enter now; I've sealed off the Demon Territory."

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