RIIDMDR chapter 171

The sky suddenly darkened. All the demons, whether inside the mountain or outside, noticed it. The sun and moon were both obscured, leaving only the bottomless, constantly expanding heavenly cave.

At the same time, it became particularly obvious that the heavenly cave was absorbing spiritual energy from the demon realm. The demons felt that the previously abundant spiritual awareness was on the verge of depletion. Some demons’ hair turned white, some developed wrinkles, and a few experienced pain in their internal organs. Panicking, they belatedly used the small amount of spiritual power within them to resist the cave’s devouring.

While the demons of the demon realm were thrown into chaos, Nan Xu and Tingchuan stood atop the mountain, showing no abnormal reactions. Although terrifying, the situation was nothing compared to the disaster three thousand years ago. Perhaps because they hadn’t absorbed spiritual energy for over three thousand years, the cave’s effects were delayed.

According to prior arrangements, the demons had already gone to the main peak and the four surrounding peaks. The Bird Clan was naturally at the foot of the main peak. Old White Phoenix held her staff and looked up at the ever-expanding heavenly cave. Demons from territories in the central continent surrounded her. Though they were panicked, seeing the Bird Clan remain calm helped to calm them.

On the eastern peak, You An put away his lazy demeanor and led nearly a thousand demons from the eastern region. They waited solemnly. There were fewer demons in the west, so the canine clan joined them. Their former territory was also in the west. Zhi Xing and the Bai couple organized the various demons and formed a strict line.

Neither the South nor the North had a dominant clan leading them, presenting two different extremes. Even without Jingyuan, the demon races of the South Sea remained calm and showed no signs of panic. They had mentally prepared themselves for the journey, sending every able-bodied member of each clan. They were prepared to perish if they failed, leaving no way out.

In contrast, the north was nearly chaotic from the moment the spiritual veins were released until the appearance of the heavenly cave. The demons were consumed by greed for the spiritual energy in the four peaks.

Nan Xu stood atop the main peak, as if he could reach the sky with his hand. He was naturally closest to the heavenly cave. His body endured the impact of the spiritual energy, and he gazed at the four surrounding peaks. Those peaks had been the sites of former formations. Now, demons from all corners of the demon realm stood there, each in a different situation.

Nan Xu stood quietly, sensing the struggle between the demon realm’s natural spiritual energy and the heavenly cave. He waited for the anticipated opportunity.

At the foot of the mountain, Old White Phoenix coughed up a mouthful of blood. Her hand trembled incessantly as she held the staff, covered in veins. She was already weak and aged, to the point that she could barely withstand the initial pressure of the heavenly cave. She pushed aside the young bird demons who hurried to help her and shook her head. “You need not worry. Even if I fall, you must prioritize the future of the demon realm.”

Her stooped back prevented her from lifting her head. Looking at the young members of her clan, she sighed. The weakness of a moment three thousand years ago, and the helplessness after three thousand years—her life would likely always carry regret.

Suddenly, she saw a beam of light carrying the force of a thousand troops shoot into the sky. The overwhelming spiritual energy briefly suppressed the heavenly cave.

Of course, it was only momentary. The intense spiritual energy quickly transformed into a flexible web of countless threads, attempting to mend the heavenly cave.

The beam of spiritual power came from the main peak. She did not recognize it and assumed it was not Tingchuan’s doing. It seemed that the young demon who had suddenly appeared in the mountains had a higher level of cultivation than a great demon.

At the same time, another stream of spiritual power with a faint purple glow followed closely behind. In the dark sky, it was barely visible and also emanated from the main peak.

The actions of Nan Xu and Tingchuan were like a signal. All the demons at the foot of the main peak and the surrounding four peaks immediately mobilized. Various spiritual energies surged toward the heavenly cave. Some demons gave their all, while others tried to preserve their lives by secretly slacking off in the chaos.

This was inherent in their nature. Nan Xu had no better way to awaken those pretending to sleep and didn’t have the energy to manage much more. His spiritual energy was vast. Compared to the other demons’ weak cultivation, he was like a hundred men in one. However, the heavens never intended for the power of a single demon to save the demon realm. Among the millions of strands of spiritual power, his contribution was only slightly more conspicuous.

The demon realm’s spiritual energy was resisting, and the pressure released by the heavenly cave was approaching balance. Nan Xu wanted to take advantage of the cave’s incomplete unleashing, make one more effort, and continue until the disaster ended before the cave became irreparable.

He did not want the past situation to be repeated. At that time, the demon realm could have been saved, but they missed their chance. He could only make the most helpless choice, which resulted in countless corpses and blood that soaked the boundless land and penetrated hundreds of meters underground. This led to the demon realm’s spiritual energy thinning and near annihilation.

Now, facing it again, he was determined to try harder. Three thousand years of refinement without sunlight should not be wasted. The demon realm’s resolve should not be betrayed.

He exerted all his strength, as did Tingchuan beside him. He had emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. In the following thousands of years, he had witnessed the coldness and ruthlessness of nature too many times. Naturally, he did not trust others’ power. He did not believe the demon realm could do better than before, nor did he trust their resolve.

But Nan Xu believed, and he was willing to accompany him to give their all.

Nan Xu believed and he was willing to accompany him and give his all.

It was unclear if the newly awakened heavenly cave was too weak or if there were simply too many demons like Nan Xu. Either way, the two sides were locked in a stalemate. This prolonged standstill was not good for the demons. The spiritual power they could draw from the demon realm’s veins was limited, and it was difficult to quickly convert it into their own energy. If this continued, they would inevitably exhaust themselves first.

Everyone understood this principle. Seeing the momentum tilt toward the demons, some shouted to encourage each other while others called on nearby demons to unleash their full strength. Echoes resounded throughout the peaks.

As time passed minute by minute, Nan Xu grew increasingly anxious. He accelerated the absorption of spiritual energy. The vast expanse of mountains burst with life as if the essence of life itself were burning frantically.

From daybreak to nightfall and from nightfall to daybreak, demons fell one after another. Some struggled at the brink of death, their eyes filled with defiance and unwillingness.

Perhaps at first, there were those who hoped to take advantage of the chaos. But under such circumstances, with the scales constantly shifting, who could remain indifferent and powerless?

Courage was not lacking in this world. Even if someone lacked it initially, they would inevitably be inspired by those around them.

When the first demon charged into the fray, the others might have hesitated. But when all the nearby demons fought recklessly, the fear of death seemed to vanish and cowardice was forgotten. Their blood boiled with passion. In this way, no life was wasted.

At some unknown point, Nan Xu’s eyes turned red from exhaustion. In the human world, they say: “Strike with a single effort; the second falters, and the third is exhausted.” He dared not stop nor allow the demons fighting alongside him to doubt the demon realm’s ability to succeed.

“Ancestor!” In the valley, a panicked shout shattered the silence like thunder. All eyes turned to Old White Phoenix. Her staff had fallen to the ground. The white-haired elder seemed to have had all the life drained from her. She collapsed to the ground with her eyes tightly closed and a faint smile on her lips.

She had held on until now. Even if she would never see the day when the demon realm thrived with spiritual energy, she had no regrets.

She remembered a scene from her youth: Golden Crow Yun Yi, clad in red and standing firm amid the chaotic demons with a long spear. At the time, she had been terrified and had been unable to understand why a demon would fight with death as the premise. But now, as she closed her eyes, she seemed to understand.

This moment felt freer and more relieving than the thousands of years she had lived before. She had died in battle, completely giving herself back to the demon realm. Even if she was old, so what?

The Bird Clan wept. The Old White Phoenix had been the pillar of their clan. No matter the matter, great or small, seeking her guidance provided clarity. Nearly every demon in the Bird Clan had been taught by her. She was kind yet strict. Her gentleness and strength made them forget her advanced age and frail body. They believed she would live a long life. Now, suddenly facing her passing, they could hardly believe it. Waves of grief followed.

Countless demons had fallen in this battle. Old White Phoenix was only one of them. Even in mourning, the Bird Clan held their positions, helping the demon realm survive and renew. This was no longer just Old White Phoenix’s faith; it had become the clan’s purpose, and they were willing to risk life and death to achieve it.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, Nan Xu finally felt his spiritual power completely depleted. His mouth tasted of blood. He saw more and more demons on the surrounding peaks fainting. His vision slowly blurred.

Just when he thought the demon realm might gain the upper hand, the heavenly cave seemed to harbor an endless supply of power to resist them.

Is it not enough? Is it still not enough?

This was all the demons could offer. Had the heavens truly left them no path to survival?

Despair pressed upon them. The world itself seemed to lose color. Just as the heavenly cave seemed about to rise again, the northern peak suddenly trembled. The northern demons panicked as a crimson halo shot toward the heavenly cave. Then, a flash of white light appeared at the western peak. Nan Xu widened his eyes and rubbed them quickly, recognizing the spiritual power as incredibly familiar.

He forgot to exclaim. Climbing forward in a daze, he tried to get closer, ignoring the chasms between the peaks. Just as he stepped on loose stones, a pair of hands grabbed him and prevented him from falling into the abyss.

“Tingchuan, that…that is…” Nan Xu grasped Tingchuan’s arm and pointed at the two peaks. He was too awestruck to form complete words.

Tingchuan replied, “They are helping us. Let’s not disappoint them either.”

Nan Xu nodded rapidly. The emptied space of his spiritual awareness seemed capable of yielding energy again. Eagerly, he cast spells, chasing after the two unstoppable streams of spiritual power.

Tingchuan comforted Nan Xu, his heart pounding as he looked at the three beams of light in the sky. He didn’t want his spiritual energy to lag behind theirs.

The demons, startled by the trembling earth, gradually sensed something. Most had never seen the legendary predecessors or witnessed their extraordinary talents. But as the spiritual power shot skyward, they clearly recognized whose it was.

Zhi Xing looked at the spiritual power rising before him.

With forces from all sides contributing, how could the South Sea afford to lose face? The demons exerted their full strength, gathering and entangling thousands of streams of spiritual energy around the Heavenly Cave.

Five thick streams of spiritual energy struck the cave simultaneously, as if a floodgate had opened. Tens of thousands of spiritual powers converged on the cave—it was impossible to distinguish between the living and the dead.

Finally, a massive golden light flashed. Its brilliance forced all the demons to close their eyes. As Nan Xu collapsed to the ground, a lighthearted voice rang out: “Three thousand years of training, and this is all you can do? You still need our help. Little demon, you’re still just a little demon!”

Another gentle voice said, “Don’t always bully him.”

“Then can I bully you?” A mischievous tone was evident.

The gentle voice fell silent for a moment, growing softer and tinged with shyness. “You always do this.”

Then came the carefree laughter, as before.

“I’m leaving!” the voice said. “I won’t be able to help you anymore. You’ll have to cultivate on your own!”

“Leaving with no promise of meeting again.” The gentle voice carried a trace of melancholy.