Chen Jiuyang was dressed in opulent robes, his aura appearing relaxed and scattered, like that of an ordinary mortal.
The children at home had long since gone to sleep.
His many consorts remained in their rooms, knowing Chen Jiuyang had matters to attend to.
Yet, before him, the great cultivators who had reached the Venerable Realm, Divine Transformation, and Void Return stages stood with profound respect, daring not to show the slightest hint of insolence in his presence.
"December 1st, a fine day."
Chen Jiuyang seemed to ponder for a moment, as if recalling, then stated calmly,
"Depart."
He stepped out the door.
The Han clan's territory was covered in a blanket of white snow, illuminated by numerous lights, presenting a serene and beautiful scene that calmed the mind.
The waiting convoy immediately opened their doors.
If Chen Jiuyang did not move, who would dare?
The Demonic Path placed great importance on rules.
After conquering the Origin Demonic Sect, he intended to frequently visit the Lesser Immortal Realm and tread the path of the Human King to advance his cultivation as soon as possible.
Advancing martial cultivation was indeed far more difficult than immortal cultivation; even a prodigy like him was stuck at the peak of the second layer of the Venerable Realm.
He stepped into the carriage, and after a while, the luxurious convoy slowly departed from the Han clan's territory, heading towards the Origin Demonic Sect.
Where was the Origin Demonic Sect located?
In the Demon Capital.
Chen Jiuyang had never been to the Demon Capital before this.
The journey from Suzhou and Hangzhou to the Demon Capital was a mere two hours.
What met his eyes were the never-sleeping neon lights, and the people passing by were indulging in extravagance, all dressed in vibrant attire.
However, Chen Jiuyang was not in the mood to appreciate the scenery of the Demon Capital.
He closed his eyes, feeling a touch of irritation.
He had not engaged in a full-fledged battle since his last encounter with Hattori Jiro, and it had been a long time since he had a satisfying fight.
This made him somewhat displeased.
"I hope this time the Origin Sect can provide me with a good fight."
Among the Nine Sects of the Demonic Path, the Origin Demonic Sect considered itself the most noble, and their strength was bound to be extraordinary.
Passing through the bustling downtown of the Demon Capital, they continued upwards, arriving at a deserted mountainous area.
At this point, the road ended.
Everyone alighted from the vehicles.
An elder of the Origin Demonic Sect, clad in expensive, ornate robes, floated in the void. His expression was indifferent and condescending as he spoke, "Members of the True Saint Sect, please follow me."
This demeanor suggested that the Origin Demonic Sect was not inviting them for tea.
However, everyone knew that the Sect Master Chen Jiuyang was here for the Saint Path contention.
A situation of life and death.
The crowd ascended into the sky with indifferent expressions, their hearts not entirely at peace.
The Nine Sects of the Demonic Path had ancient lineages, and each sect possessed its own formidable aspects.
The techniques the Sect Master had used previously would certainly have defenses prepared by the Origin Demonic Sect, and they would no longer have the opportunity for a surprise attack.
Chen Jiuyang ascended step by step, his aura undergoing a dramatic transformation as he walked. Demonic energy permeated and coiled around his body, gradually condensing into an ancient black robe of the Nine Dragons Guifun.
His long hair fluttered, and a cold, terrifying, and vast, unfathomable aura surged from Chen Jiuyang.
A mighty aura erupted, and Chen Jiuyang's indifferent voice spread forth:
"True Saint Qanyang arrives at the Origin Saint Sect today, seeking the Saint Path contention!"
"Rumble!"
The sound was like thunder, immediately echoing throughout the entire Origin Demonic Sect.
Moments later, many figures appeared.
Leading them were the five Grand Elders of the Origin Demonic Sect, each exuding an aura of noble inviolability.
Under the gloomy sky, the two forces faced each other in the air.
Dark clouds gathered, and the weather was cold.
This familiar weather caused Chen Jiuyang's expression to flicker with a moment of daze.
It was as if he had returned to years ago, to the thousand-mile bloody path of interception that began in the Qinling Mountains.
The weather was also similar to today.
He felt a strange sense of nostalgia.
As soon as both parties appeared,
"We respectfully request the Saint Artifact!"
Chen Jiuyang turned and bowed to the void.
"Whoosh!"
The void was torn open, and the Saint Artifact scroll of the True Demonic Sect appeared.
"Request the Saint Artifact!"
The noble-looking Saint Son of the Origin Demonic Sect respectfully bowed to the void behind him.
"Rumble!!"
A terrifying aura, incompatible with heaven and earth, suddenly descended upon the scene.
The void ripped open.
A lampstand with ancient patterns, a green lotus, appeared.
This was the Saint Artifact of the Origin Demonic Sect.
Chen Jiuyang still knew little about Saint Artifacts.
After a brief exchange between the two Saint Artifacts,
The ancient voice of the 'Green Lotus Lampstand' sounded: "The Saint Path contention is a rule long established by the Saint Sect."
"Since preparations are complete, let us begin."
Chen Jiuyang stepped forward, his indifferent voice spreading: "I am Qanyang. I wonder which Saint friend from the Origin Saint Sect will first engage me in combat."
A 'young' man with an exceptionally handsome appearance gracefully floated forward, his voice calm: "I am 'Du Xing'. I shall be the first to spar with you, junior!"
"Du Xing the Old Demon!"
Immediately, someone transmitted a secret message to Chen Jiuyang: "Sect Master, Du Xing the Old Demon is skilled in soul and inner demon divine abilities..."
Information about Du Xing the Old Demon was instantly conveyed to Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Jiuyang's expression remained calm, his eyes narrowed slightly.
He then cupped his fists in greeting. Unlike their previous battles, the opponent did not manifest a Dharma form.
This Du Xing the Old Demon was a rare practitioner of inner demon divine abilities in the Demonic Path, requiring no Dharma form.
The next moment.
Chen Jiuyang unleashed a powerful punch!
Du Xing the Old Demon's figure instantly split into over a hundred illusions.
With a single punch, Chen Jiuyang instantly destroyed more than a dozen illusory projections.
"Hehehe, junior, your martial prowess is high, but when you encounter me, you will only regret it here."
"You should not have, should not have, attempted the Saint Path contention with your lowly bloodline! You are not qualified!"
Du Xing the Old Demon's venomous voice drifted upwards.
Then.
A formless, great terror descended upon the scene, not upon the physical body, but as a spiritual attack upon the soul.
The members of the True Demonic Sect immediately looked solemn.
Du Xing the Old Demon's soul and inner demon attacks were the most difficult to resist. They wondered how the Sect Master would counter them.
Suddenly.
Countless malicious voices echoed in Chen Jiuyang's ears, and the residual souls and malevolent thoughts of everyone he had killed floated before his eyes.
"Chen Jiuyang! May you die a terrible death!"
"You demon, heaven and earth will not tolerate you!"
"Chen Jiuyang, why did you kill me too? I was your comrade."
"Chen Jiuyang, I died because of you. How can you still have the face to live in this world!"
As inner demons arose, even Chen Jiuyang's breathing became disordered.
"This feeling of anger, I haven't experienced it in a long time."
In an instant, Chen Jiuyang felt as if he had returned to the time when he was an ordinary person, facing enemies without power, unable to protect his family.
But this feeling vanished in a flash.
"Pure Lotus Sacred Fire."
The divine Pure Lotus Sacred Fire surged from Chen Jiuyang's body, enveloping him.
These residual souls of inner demons were instantly incinerated.
Chen Jiuyang had entered the Dao through martial arts and had created his own Yuan Dao. He had already experienced qi deviation during his Yuan Dao stage, and later, during his tribulation, he had no inner demons.
Du Xing the Old Demon's inner demon divine abilities could not be more potent than the inner demons of a heavenly tribulation.
Chen Jiuyang looked at the dozens of illusory figures of Du Xing the Old Demon before him.
He drew his long saber and his indifferent voice rang out:
"If this is all the strength you possess."
"Allow me to send you on your way, senior."