Two hundred and ninety thousand demon cultivators—already more than half of Black Sky Forest’s five hundred thousand—had been wiped out. It had taken Gaius the Serpent King thousands of years to nurture that army.
Those who hadn’t achieved human form were merely called demon beasts; only those who’d formed a Golden Core and transformed could be called demon cultivators.
Half of his life’s foundation, built over millennia, had vanished in mere seconds. One can imagine Gaius’s mood—he wanted nothing more than to tear that youth in the sky to pieces.
But he also knew: that youth’s aura said late Soul-Split, but his true strength surpassed Gaius’s own early Fusion stage.
With a flicker, Gaius the Serpent King landed back atop the city wall and barked, “Everyone, fall back!”
Immediately, two hundred thousand demon cultivators surrounding Immortal Maple City retreated at speed.
“I’ll remember what you did today!”
As he left, Gaius glared at Ian Song with hatred, voice full of venom.
Ian just smirked. “Gaius the Serpent King, you really think you have a tomorrow? After causing such a disaster, you think I’ll let you walk away?”
At those words, Gaius tensed up, but also grew furious, staring daggers at Ian. “Kid, I admit you’re strong, but if I want to leave, you can’t stop me!”
Fusion experts can use blink teleportation. In his mind, no matter how strong Ian was, as long as he used blink, Ian couldn’t possibly stop him.
“Go ahead and try.”
Ian replied, voice light but carrying an indescribable confidence. Gaius grew even more uneasy, but refused to admit defeat: “Fine! Let’s see if you can stop me!”
“Is it really that hard?”
Suddenly, Ian swung his sword.
With that strike, a terrifying will locked onto Gaius, freezing his entire body—he couldn’t move at all.
“Break!”
Gaius roared, erupting his zhenyuan to break free, but to his horror, no matter how he struggled, he couldn’t escape. All he could do was watch Ian’s spirit sword descend.
“No—don’t kill me!”
As Ian’s spirit sword came down, Gaius screamed in fear.
“Relax, I won’t kill you.” Ian smiled faintly, and as his spirit sword fell, there was a soft sound—one of Gaius’s arms was severed.
“Aah!”
Gaius the Serpent King let out a piercing scream as blood gushed from his severed arm.
The demon army fleeing Immortal Maple City saw this and shuddered, escaping even faster with all their might—even the four Soul-Split demon officers were no exception.
If even Gaius couldn’t handle that youth, what hope did they have? Charging in would only end like those five late Soul-Split demon officers before them—utterly pointless.
“You little brat, may you die a miserable death!” Gaius glared hatefully at Ian, shouting in frustration.
“Heh.”
Ian smiled again, swung his sword once more, and chopped off Gaius’s other arm. Then, with a flurry of sealing hand-signs, he locked away Gaius’s primordial spirit.
Ian’s zhenyuan was now as strong as a late Fusion expert—sealing an early Fusion monarch was child’s play.
Dragging the sealed Gaius behind him, Ian soared into the air and thundered, “Everyone inside the city, stop fighting! Anyone who dares to kill again will be executed without mercy!”
If even Gaius had lost to Ian, who would dare defy his orders?
Especially those seven families who’d sided with Gaius—they were now sick with regret. If they’d known such a powerhouse was hiding in Immortal Maple City, they’d never have switched sides.
If the imperial court decided to settle accounts, their fate would be miserable.
So, the seven clan leaders quickly gathered to discuss their options. After some debate, their best bet was to escape Immortal Maple City before the court reacted.
Of course, Immortal Maple City was their foundation—once they fled, they’d never regain their former glory. But compared to their lives, that no longer mattered.
Within just one hour, the seven clans were packed and ready, sneaking toward the city’s interior.
But just then, the city’s grand protective array suddenly activated, enveloping all of Immortal Maple City.
Instantly, the seven clans were filled with despair and deep regret. To save their own skins, they’d worked especially hard to slaughter fellow cultivators.
Knock, knock!
Someone knocked at the door.
“What is it?”
Ian opened the door and asked the innkeeper who’d knocked.
“Sir!” The innkeeper bowed deeply to Ian, his manner extremely respectful. “Sir, City Lord Stone Yun’s son and daughter—Stone Hao and Stone Ling—are here to see you. Would you like to meet them?”
Ian had single-handedly saved Immortal Maple City, so every cultivator in the city was full of gratitude and respect for him.
A moment later, in a lavish room the innkeeper had specially prepared.
Thud! Thud!
Stone Hao and Stone Ling entered without a word and immediately knelt before Ian.
“Thank you, Senior, for avenging our father!”
Both kowtowed respectfully as they spoke.
“You can get up.”
Ian lifted his hand, helping them to their feet.
“Thank you, Senior!”
The siblings thanked him again.
Ian studied the siblings and saw their eyes were red—clearly, they’d been crying not long ago.
Feeling Ian’s gaze, the siblings grew nervous. After all, he’d captured Gaius the Serpent King alive and slain 290,000 demon cultivators—a peerless powerhouse.
“Is there something else?” Ian asked.
“Senior, my sister and I wish to acknowledge you as our master!” Suddenly, both knelt again.
“You want to become my disciples?”
Ian frowned slightly; he wasn’t planning to take disciples right now. After a brief silence, he said, “It’s not impossible to become my disciples, but you’ll have to pass my test!”
“Senior, please tell us!”
The siblings both showed a hint of joy.
“If you can work together and slay a Nascent Soul demon cultivator within three days, I will accept you as my disciples!”
At these words, the siblings’ faces changed dramatically. Both were only at the Golden Core stage—slaying a Nascent Soul demon cultivator was nearly impossible.
“What’s wrong? Not willing? Then you may leave.” Ian said sternly.
“No, I’m willing!” said Stone Hao.
“Me too!” Stone Ling quickly added.
Ian added, “Remember, no one can help you. Otherwise, you will fail the test!”
Immediately, Stone Hao and Stone Ling’s expressions turned grim; moments earlier, they’d indeed thought of asking Stone Hu for help.
“I’m giving you one last chance to back out,” Ian said, lifting his teacup and taking a sip.
“No, I won’t back out!” Stone Hao said through gritted teeth.
“Me neither!” Stone Ling replied firmly. After what had happened, they’d truly realized the pain of being powerless. Now, with a chance to grow stronger before them, they would risk their lives for it.