“Thank you for saving our lives, Senior Brother Meng.” Chang Anguo cupped his hands. He sincerely addressed Meng Chuan as Senior Brother Meng. Godfiends respected strength. He believed that it wouldn’t be long before he had to address Meng Chuan as Uncle-Master Meng.
“Thank you for saving our lives, Senior Brother Meng,” said the other three Godfiends, including Yan Jin.
Meng Chuan continued holding Demon Slayer and allowed it to absorb the demon monarch’s blood. Three of the demon monarchs’ corpses had already been reduced to dust. Only Demon Monarch Elephant’s body remained. He was allowing Demon Slayer to grow stronger. The stronger Demon Slayer became, the better. His Essence Soul was his greatest advantage. Even if Demon Slayer was restored to peak strength, it couldn’t threaten him at all.
“How did you encounter such a powerful demon monarch team?” asked Meng Chuan in surprise.
At the same time, Liu Qiyue descended from the sky, smiled, and said, “Yan Jin, long time no see.”
Yan Jin smiled as well.
Chang Anguo said, “After we killed an ordinary demon monarch team, this powerful demon monarch team came after us when we left the county city. They deliberately chose to pursue us.”
“Weak demon monarchs are bait while powerful demon monarchs hide in the shadows?” Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue were secretly alarmed.
“We still need to go to other county cities to provide help. We won’t stay any longer,” said Chang Anguo. They still needed to help many places. The powerful demon monarch team had disrupted them midway.
“Be careful.” Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue nodded.
Yan Jin nodded slightly at Meng Chuan and his wife. Via voice transmission, Yan Jin said, “The demons are even more sinister this time. Furthermore, there are even more demon monarchs. Be careful.”
After that, Chang Anguo and the other three left quickly.
By the time the four left, Demon Monarch Elephant’s corpse had been reduced to dust since Demon Slayer completely devoured it. Meng Chuan sheathed his saber.
“This is the first time we’ve seen Yan Jin after he left the mountain,” said Liu Qiyue. “I didn’t even have time to say a few words before their team continued to rescue other places.”
“We’re all very busy now. There’s a shortage of Godfiends,” said Meng Chuan. “Let’s hurry and take everything. Archean Mountain has strict orders. We have to take away the treasures left behind by powerful demon monarchs first.”
“There are too many demon monarchs. If we leave before Earth Net arrives, the demon monarchs will probably rush over to take the treasures.” Liu Qiyue nodded as well.
Meng Chuan and his wife quickly placed the treasures—including Demon Monarch Elephant’s pillar—in their storage bags. They didn’t have the time to examine each treasure carefully. Thankfully, they had storage bags. They just needed to throw the treasures into their storage bags. After Demon Monarch Elephant died, the pillar shrank to 20 feet long. This was its normal length. Its previous large size was due to the demonic energy.
After collecting their spoils of war, Meng Chuan and his wife immediately returned.
Previously, to act as emergency reinforcements, he had traveled in a straight line. Now that he was returning, he deliberately traveled a winding route and passed by various county cities. They discovered many county cities being attacked. However, there were too few Godfiend teams and Marquis Godfiends. Many places had yet to be rescued.
“I think county cities will not be safe in the future,” said Meng Chuan as Liu Qiyue shot three arrows that killed three ordinary demon monarchs.
Liu Qiyue nodded solemnly. “There are too many demon monarchs. There’s no way to guarantee the safety of county cities.”
The duo continued to rescue several county cities. The demon monarchs rapidly retreated! This left Meng Chuan and his wife even more alarmed.
Now, the number of demon monarchs in the human world was even more astonishing. Furthermore, they attacked under a world-wide command.
Chapter 233 - One Year (2)
Three days later.
Meng Chuan and his wife streaked across the sky. Liu Qiyue pulled her divine bow and shot two fire arrows. The arrows killed the two second Firmament demon monarchs that had wreaked havoc in the county city.
“The demons are attacking daily,” said Meng Chuan solemnly as he continued to rescue cities with his wife.
“Yes, although the number of county cities that are being attacked have decreased after the first day, there are still eight cities that need rescue. Furthermore, they are quite far from each other,” said Liu Qiyue. “They are scattered in all directions, making us spend more time traveling. Furthermore, the attacks on county cities are mainly done by second Firmament demon monarchs. Third Firmament demon monarchs occasionally take action.”
Although second Firmament demon monarchs are weak, they can still massacre the mortals easily. I hate that we can only rescue cities one by one. Meng Chuan felt anxious and pained.
This world was too cruel.
When will people be able to live in peace and prosperity just like they lived 800 years ago?
Could he and Qiyue live to see a peaceful era?
…
“The fort ahead was attacked by a second Firmament demon monarch. That fort has over 2000 villagers who were unwilling to relocate. They are still staying there.” An Earth Net Godfiend saw beacon smoke rising in the distance as a wolf-headed demon monarch destroyed the village fort crazily.
“Lord, Archean Mountain strictly forbids Earth Net Godfiends from attacking demon monarchs without permission,” said his subordinate immediately. “Demon monarchs are now very cunning. On the surface, there’s only one second Firmament demon monarch. There might be a third Firmament demon monarch lurking in the shadows. Once you appear to stop the second Firmament demon monarch, I believe a third Firmament demon monarch team will soon pursue you.”
“I understand.” The Indestructible Godfiend clenched his fists as he stared at the rising smoke in the distance. All he could do was watch helplessly.
“We have already reported to the higher-ups for help. Let’s leave it to the Patrollers,” persuaded his subordinate.
“Let’s go.” The Earth Net Godfiend turned and left in agony.
…
The most obvious characteristic of this round of attacks was that the demons were more cunning. The demon monarchs who attacked the cities were all bait. If Earth Net Godfiends attacked, they would likely encounter powerful demon monarchs that would pursue them. Elite Godfiend teams—like Yan Jin’s team—would occasionally be pursued by powerful demon monarch teams.
When it came to Godfiends that were more efficient at killing demon monarchs like Meng Chuan, Marquis Godfiends, and Regis Godfiends, the surrounding demon monarchs would quickly vanish once they appeared.
“Since we can’t split ourselves, there are many places we can’t rescue in time.” Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue were also worried. Finally, the couple decided to write a letter to Archean Mountain.
“By acting alone, I can provide help faster. I can also save more cities and more people.” Meng Chuan looked at his wife, Liu Qiyue. “Qiyue, you have to be even more careful in the future.”
“I’m a sharpshooter that has reached the Realm of Dao. As long as I have a few powerful Godfiends supporting me, I can kill that Demon Monarch Elephant with one arrow. I can do better than Yan Jin’s Godfiend team,” said Liu Qiyue confidently. “If I’m really forced into a corner and have to use Phoenix’s Nirvana… I’ll have the strength of a peak Marquis Godfiend. As for you, Ah Chuan, it’s more dangerous for you to act alone.”
Meng Chuan smiled. “My current strength is comparable to an ordinary Marquis Godfiend. Don’t worry.”
The couple wrote the letter and sent it out. The next day, they received a reply from Archean Mountain.
The couple opened the letter.
“Rejected?” Meng Chuan and his wife read the letter together. A
rchean Mountain rejected their suggestion and had them continue working together.
“Your safety is of paramount importance. In this war, the demons’ true targets are Godfiends. If more than half of the Godfiends die, we will lose the human world completely. Humanity will face an extinction event. We have to ensure that every single Godfiend remains alive. Even so, Archean Mountain has lost sixteen Godfiends in the past month. They are all Godfiends from elite Godfiend teams. The two of you have to watch out for ambushes. Furthermore, you have to act together every time.”
Meng Chuan and his wife fell silent when they read the letter.
They understood the decision from Archean Mountain’s point of view. Archean Mountain would rather lower the efficiency of rescue teams so that all Godfiends’ safety was guaranteed.
From a logical point of view, this was right! Mortals reproduced very quickly. The population could rise very quickly in just a few decades. However, it was very difficult to nurture Godfiends. Every powerful Archean Mountain Godfiend consumed a lot of resources. For example, Meng Chuan consumed a lot of resources just to cultivate his baneful aura, likewise for his training in the physical body cultivation system.
The opportunities in Archean Eon Grotto-Heaven, Quiescence Frost baneful aura, Scarlet Blood Divine Pills, and so on… In addition to Meng Chuan’s talent, all these resources helped forge the current Meng Chuan.
A powerful Godfiend needed both talent and resources; neither could be done without.
Every Godfiend had to be cherished. There were too few Godfiends compared to demon monarchs. Therefore, weaker Archean Mountain inner sect disciples had returned to the mountain. Only elite Godfiend teams acted as reinforcements.
…
Time passed.
The demons and humans continued fighting. Demon monarchs attacked county cities and village forts constantly, forcing Godfiends to appear so that they had an easier time killing Godfiends.
However, Archean Mountain had set an iron rule. Earth Net Godfiends were not permitted to involve themselves in such conflicts! Most of Archean Mountain’s inner sect disciples cultivated on the mountain. Occasionally, under the leadership of powerful Godfiends, they would go out and destroy demon monarch lairs for training.
Only a group of top disciples had the qualifications to form a team and engage in battle for a long time. Even so, after a long time, some would occasionally die in battle.
Due to the frequency of such brutal battles, Archean Mountain produced two newly-advanced Marquis Godfiends in a year.
One was the famous Xue Feng. He had finally become a Marquis Godfiend realm at 43 years of age. He was considered very young. The other was Yang Huayu, who was slightly older. He had finally become a Marquis Godfiend at the age of 71.
The number of peak Great Solar Godfiends that died in battle this year had far exceeded previous years. However, they had also gained two Marquis Godfiends this year.
As for village forts, they disappeared in the past year. Mortals were scattered all across the vast world. This made their lives much safer. After all, on average, there would be one demon monarch attack a day in a county. By living separately—although they would definitely die if they encountered demon monarchs—it was fairly unlikely for them to encounter demon monarchs.
Even county cities began to empty out. This was because the demons attacked county cities too frequently. Only county cities under a Regis or Marquis Godfiend’s purview were safe. Since Meng Chuan was fast enough, the prefectures he protected—including Eastcalm Prefecture—were relatively safe. However, over half of the world’s county city population had halved. Most had moved into the wilderness.
…
Under the sea bed in the South Sea’s depths, a small grotto-heaven hidden in a mysterious spot.
A luxurious palace stood inside the grotto-heaven. Three greater demon monarchs waited outside the palace hall.
“In the past year, the demon sage has never asked about the war situation. He has finally summoned us today.”
“We’ve done quite well this year. We’ve also managed to gather sufficient information. I believe that the demon sage will be satisfied.”
“I hope so.”
The three greater demon monarchs stood outside the hall, feeling somewhat uneasy.
Finally, the hall’s door opened.
“Come in.” An ancient voice rang out.
The three greater demon monarchs entered the main hall nervously. They immediately saw a sloppy-looking elder sitting in the main hall—who was looking down at them.
“Greetings, Demon Sage.” The three greater demon monarchs knelt respectfully.
Demon sage…
In the Demon Realm, demon sages were second only to Imperial Lords. He was much stronger than the three greater demon monarchs.
“The three of you are in charge of all the demon monarchs in the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Black Sand Dynasty, and the Great Yue Dynasty.” The demon sage looked down and said, “I haven’t asked about the situation over the past year. Now, tell me how the attacks on the three dynasties have gone?”
Chapter 234 - Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue
The three greater demon monarchs exchanged looks and followed the plan. Greater Demon Monarch Emerald Toad bowed respectfully and said, “Demon Sage, I command all demon monarchs in Black Sand Dynasty. In a year, we have lost over 32,000 demon monarchs and killed 75 Godfiends. Among the deceased Godfiends, 39 were Black Sand Grotto-Heaven’s Great Solar Godfiends.”
“More than 30,000 demon monarchs died in battle?” The demon sage frowned slightly. “Only dozens of Godfiends were killed?”
“Seventy percent of the demon monarchs that died were second Firmament demon monarchs. Thirty percent were third Firmament demon monarchs,” said Emerald Toad respectfully. “Five fourth Firmament demon monarchs died in battle.”
Puzzled, the demon sage said, “The Demon Realm has ordered fourth Firmament demon monarchs not to attack in the first year. Why would five of them die in battle? Furthermore, the casualties are much higher than the Demon Realm’s expectations.”
“There are many reasons. Humans now treasure every Godfiend’s life,” said Emerald Toad. “The weaker Godfiends don’t come out of Black Sand Grotto-Heaven. The ones fighting outside are elite Godfiend teams. They even have life-preservation items. It’s very difficult to kill a Godfiend team. As for the number of demon monarchs that died… the main reason is because of King White Treasure.”
“King White Treasure?” The demon sage nodded slightly.
“Yes.” Emerald Toad said, “King White Treasure is good at scouting underground. He spends long periods underground, sweeping through many areas. Many demon monarchs have been discovered while hiding in underground abodes. He discovered all five fourth Firmament demon monarchs that died in battle. Sixty percent of the demon monarchs died to his hands. Those five fourth Firmament demon monarchs died because of him. I suggest that we think of a way to get rid of him! Otherwise, he will continue slaughtering us demons.”
Emerald Toad looked forward to it. If the demon sage were to take action personally, he could naturally kill a Regis Godfiend.
The demon sage calmly said, “It’s not the time yet.”
Before he possessed his current body, his strength was indeed that of a demon sage. However, after possessing a weak demon monarch’s body to infiltrate the human world, he had only recovered to the fifth Firmament realm after years of cultivation. In addition, most of his strength stemmed from his body!
He could say that he was nearly invincible under the Creation realm. He might be able to suppress King White Treasure, but it wouldn’t be easy to kill him. He might even be held back by King White Treasure long enough for a Creation Supremacy to arrive.
He only had 30% of his original strength. If he encountered a Creation Supremacy, he would definitely die!
Even if the combined number of demon monarchs that entered the human world were added up, they were not as important as a demon
sage. He was a demon sage! Low-level demon monarchs sprouted and died all the time. How could they compare to a demon sage?
“Yes.” Emerald Toad didn’t dare say another word.
“What about the two of you?” asked the demon sage.
“Demon Sage.” Great Demon Monarch Lofty Wood—he had tree bark-like skin—bowed respectfully. “I command all demon monarchs in the Great Yue Dynasty. Over the past year, over 21,000 demon monarchs died. Thirty percent were third Firmament demon monarchs. Two fourth Firmament demon monarchs died in battle. 83 Godfiends were killed. Among them, 41 were Two World Island’s Great Solar Godfiends.”
“That sounds better than the Black Sand Dynasty. There are fewer demon monarch casualties, but the battle results are better.” The demon sage nodded.
“In the Great Yue Dynasty, two Godfiends pose a great threat to the demons,” said Lofty Wood. “One of them is King Mirage Fog. He can form up to 10,000 fog embodiments to search for demons underground. Thirty percent of our losses are due to his existence. The two dead fourth Firmament demon monarchs were also killed because of him.
“The other is Marquis Windrain. He’s extremely fast, even faster than Regis Godfiends. He defends three states by himself. He kills several-fold more demon monarchs than ordinary Regis Godfiends.”
The demon sage nodded when he heard that. “Do you have the confidence to kill Marquis Windrain, Great Demon Monarch Lofty Wood?”
“Fifty percent,” said Lofty Wood respectfully.
Since Lofty Wood commanded all demon monarchs in the Great Yue Dynasty, it was only natural that he was a powerful fourth Firmament demon monarch that had infiltrated the human world for a long time. He had combat strength comparable to a peak Marquis Godfiend.
“I’ll bestow you with the Black Cloud Miasma,” said the demon sage.
“Ninety percent.” A look of delight appeared in Lofty Wood’s eyes. He immediately said, “As long as he doesn’t have any heaven-defying life-preservation means, he will definitely die.”
Archean Eon Art c1-766 Page 134