Volume One: Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 54: Mystery

That long banner drifted through the void, untouched by the surging waters from all directions. In the depths of the sea, it was as if a true vacuum had formed. They seemed to witness the changing of sun and moon, the rise and fall of tides. The ancient demonic weapon was indeed extraordinary!

Suddenly, one of the demon gods vanished without a trace. The other sneered and blocked Wang Chuan’s way. With a long howl, he addressed Xu Sheng, “Don’t forget, you’re a demon too!” Demons do not fight demons; under no circumstances should he join forces with Wang Chuan against his own kind. After all, Xu Sheng had not yet been branded a traitor.

Xu Sheng stood motionless as if those words had reached him, yet he remained unmoved. Seizing the ancient demonic weapon would be enough to suppress Wang Chuan! But seeing Wang Chuan stir and slip away at the fastest speed, it was clear he was intent on claiming the weapon even sooner.

“What a perfect opportunity!” The demon god realized immediately that the two of them, working together, could easily overpower Wang Chuan—provided Xu Sheng behaved himself. The demon god would settle accounts with him later.

Sensing Wang Chuan in pursuit, the second demon god struck toward the void in rapid succession, four strikes in a single instant, enveloping Wang Chuan’s path. The other demon god quickly joined in, and soon Wang Chuan faced a joint assault.

“Enough! Will this never end? You’ve made trouble for me again and again. Today, I’ll cut you down once and for all, so you know true pain and despair!” Wang Chuan sneered, one hand forming a palm, the other a claw, and lunged into the fray. “So what if you’re demon gods? You’re nothing but wretches clinging to life!” With utter fearlessness, he reached out with both hands to seize them, his power rising, his techniques even more refined.

Under the crushing force of his might, the two demon gods had no strength to resist and were about to be sealed, struggling desperately yet to no avail. Any onlooker witnessing this fierce battle would surely be shocked to the core. Now that Wang Chuan was suppressing the two demon gods, his power seemed immense, yet such dominance could only last so long.

“Wang Chuan, do you want the demonic weapon below, or this ancient estate?” Xu Sheng asked directly. He had no intention of helping the two demon gods, nor was he yet opposed to Wang Chuan. Wang Chuan, too, shared this sentiment. Could he have it all? Impossible. He might subdue the two demon gods alone, but to take on Xu Sheng as well would be overreaching. After all, these were but avatars of the demon gods.

“You choose,” Wang Chuan replied, showing equal sincerity. They were, after all, kindred spirits, mutual admirers, almost like confidants.

Xu Sheng quickly made up his mind. He summoned the Demonic Tower and helped suppress the two demon gods, then ascended above. Wang Chuan chose to pursue the demonic weapon below.

“Xu Sheng, you traitor!” the demon gods roared in fury. But Xu Sheng was unmoved, the Demonic Tower crashing down, further restraining their demonic power and abilities, a mighty force rolling forth. In the abyss, the demonic banner seemed a world unto itself. Wang Chuan, though not a master of water-based arts, felt a deep affinity with the weapon—an enormous advantage.

“Xu Sheng, there’s something that’s been on my mind. We received word in the Divine Continent that the Martial Academy will soon reveal itself, appointing those who may enter the sacred mountains,” Wang Chuan sent a message to Xu Sheng.

“I know something of your Martial Academy,” Xu Sheng replied. “After the great war, before the ancient saints vanished, they founded it to spread the Way. Even now, countless warriors believe they remain closely tied to those primordial saints. But this news has nothing to do with our demon clan—though perhaps the rumors aren’t groundless.”

If the rumors were fabricated, what was the reason? Was someone stirring up trouble using the Martial Academy? Yet only a handful of people remained here, and the one behind the scenes had yet to appear. If the rumors were true, where were the Academy’s people?

Of all those present, Xu Sheng was the most suspect, perhaps luring many warriors here for a grand sacrifice. But if he claimed not to be involved, Wang Chuan believed him—pride alone made Xu Sheng trustworthy, unless there was some deeper secret. The other two demon gods were even less likely, having no presence in the Divine Continent. Should a power at the sacred level arise, it would shatter the boundaries of the continent, ushering in disaster. The demon clan’s sole influence in the Divine Continent was the Holy Demon Sect. This was all deeply intriguing.

None of it mattered now. Wang Chuan focused intently, reaching for the demonic banner. But at that moment, the two demon gods joined forces, breaking free of their bonds.

A thunderous crash—the Demonic Tower shuddered violently under their assault, on the verge of shattering. Xu Sheng acted again, retrieving it.

“How foolish, Wang Chuan, to think you can claim the demonic banner? Ancient weapons such as this cannot be tamed; only by earning their recognition can you wield them, and even then, only in limited ways. Even at our level, we dare not act recklessly. And you, who became a saint in ages past, do you truly not know this? Just what is your origin?” a demon god sneered.

“If I am what you say—a saint with a sacred weapon—what is a mere demonic artifact to me? Those who submit will flourish, those who resist will perish!” Wang Chuan replied, his words carrying an irresistible power, laws manifesting as he spoke. “Moreover, in the age of the ancient saints, those who reached that realm bore the order of the Sacred Ruins, fated to shatter the void and depart. A mere demonic weapon must be reforged to become truly great! Xu Sheng, perhaps I’ll need your help—let’s temper this weapon together, with the power of the world!”

The Demonic Tower spun, drawing in all the demonic energy. The world seemed to dissolve into a void of chaos, yet their physical strength allowed them to weather it. “This weapon cannot be subdued by force! One can easily leave it behind. Its demonic and baleful energies are overwhelming, impossible to restrain. Wang Chuan, let us refine it! Ten thousand years matters little. Unlike humans or demons, who are born with sentience, demonic artifacts are the inverse,” Xu Sheng said calmly. “In ancient times, we could all shatter the void and depart, but here, the rules bind us. Whom should we blame? Those who first forged the great path, who crossed the river by building bridges, then pulled the planks away, cutting off the way for those who came after. Wang Chuan, are you truly a figure from that ancient era?”

“Reincarnation—how many have you truly seen?” Wang Chuan laughed coldly. “If so, then let us build new bridges, or simply wade through the waters ourselves. We who defy the heavens never sought to walk others’ shortcuts.”

“You’re right. This cycle of cosmic calamity brings immense opportunity,” Xu Sheng nodded.

Xu Sheng invoked the power of heaven and earth, refining the demonic banner. Wang Chuan’s figure flickered as he entered the heart of the banner, attacking from within. Once inside, he found himself in a labyrinth, surrounded by thick crystalline walls, space and time in disarray. Some walls writhed, as if to consume all flesh, and demonic energy surged everywhere, like being cast into an endless ocean.

“Xu Sheng, now’s our chance to refine Wang Chuan! We must seize this rare opportunity!” the demon god called out. “We are demons, after all. Let’s destroy Wang Chuan—either the banner or the estate, you can have them both.”

He enticed Xu Sheng, offering terms. Xu Sheng stirred, his robes fluttering, as if tempted. “Still, it’s not wise. Among demons, the strong rule and brothers often turn against each other. Why should I? Our clan is ruthless by nature. If given the chance, you’d betray me as well. It’s all naked self-interest.”

Xu Sheng pondered, then shook his head. “But I prefer to act openly. I maintain honest relationships. Just now, before Wang Chuan descended, he told me a story: among mortals, tomb robbers work in pairs, bound by life-and-death trust—one goes down, one holds the rope above. Yet the one above may betray the other and keep the treasure for himself. In such a situation, is trust really possible?”

“And now, Wang Chuan has made such a choice. I doubt you would ever act so toward each other.”

“Ridiculous! Xu Sheng, you’ve known Wang Chuan only a short while and already grown sentimental?” the demon god sneered. “How can our clan have someone as shameless as you?”

“That’s my path. I’m not like you; different paths cannot be shared,” Xu Sheng replied, his hands moving faster to refine the banner.

“Well then! You upstart, so arrogant—don’t blame us for cleaning house. If you’re so stubborn, you’ll regret it!” the demon gods shouted in fury. They channeled their demonic power, finally linking to the ancient weapon. The immense banner shrank a hundredfold, its internal spaces and crystalline walls collapsing, plunging all into chaos.

Chaos engulfed everything. This ancient weapon could surely contend with the divine.

“Is this all you can do?” Xu Sheng laughed coldly, pressing down with both hands. Heaven and earth converged. The ancient estate began to collapse, ultimately dissolving into nothingness as he continued to draw energy from it.

“Heaven and earth as one—how many demon gods have dreamed of this state? You, Xu Sheng, have actually attained it!” The demon god finally understood Xu Sheng’s arrogance. “As for you, Wang Chuan, though you were struck down in the great war, it has granted you a realization that may never be attained even in eternity. You truly have a chance to return to the peak!”

Why bring this up again? Wang Chuan did not deny it, but saw no need to elaborate. He focused below, intent on claiming the banner.

At that moment, a figure emerged from within the banner. Both Wang Chuan and Xu Sheng were startled—there was someone else? What unsettled and amazed them most was that this person had concealed himself so thoroughly as to escape their notice, and his sudden appearance radiated such power that it made them want to flee. Even the demon gods were caught off guard.

The newcomer was exceedingly tall, dressed in ancient, scholarly robes, with broad shoulders and a stature as upright as a mountain peak. With a single stride, he seemed to stand before them all, reaching out as if to support the very heavens.

One hand to uphold the sky itself?

Xu Sheng’s momentum in refining heaven and earth was forcibly interrupted. He paused, frowning, as if unaffected, yet hesitated—should he stop this or not?