"Ah! The Land of Thunder Marshes! The Ninefold Supreme Yin Body—my god! This legendary place actually exists!!" Shawn Young was utterly shocked. He remembered reading about the 'Land of Thunder Marshes' in the Codex of Ascension, but it always seemed like a wild fantasy, something out of a book of strange tales. Legend had it that the 'Land of Thunder Marshes' existed over ten thousand years ago, its exact location a mystery, and it was said to be the most sinister, cursed place in all creation—so much so that the demon clans called it the 'Cursed Land.' But after the Yellow Emperor unified the world, the Land of Thunder Marshes mysteriously vanished from history. Even in Taoist classics like the Codex of Ascension, it was treated as nothing more than an ancient myth, with no real details!
According to legend—the demons born in the Land of Thunder Marshes numbered nine in total, known as the infamous Nine Heavenly Demon Lords under the command of Demon King Chiyou! The Infernal Overlord was one of them. These nine demon gods followed Chiyou in his conquest of the world, slaughtering countless lives. During the epic battle for the fate of China between Chiyou and the Yellow Emperor, the Yellow Emperor triumphed thanks to the Nine Heavens Bagua Diagram and the help of the mysterious Nine Heavens Maiden. The Demon King Chiyou was defeated, and the Nine Heavenly Demon Lords vanished without a trace, leaving no record of their fate—a mystery lost in ancient legend. Shawn Young never expected to encounter the Infernal Overlord here today!
It was said that the nine demon lords of legend were born from nine unique clouds of Yin energy and evil mist within the Land of Thunder Marshes, self-created without parents. All nine were born on the same day, and their birth triggered a 'heavenly calamity'—the sun and moon appeared together in the sky, a phenomenon that signaled catastrophe to both demon clans and humans alike! With such origins, their magical powers far surpassed ordinary demons, making them truly fearsome and extraordinary.
"Heh—heh—heh—I've been sealed by Master Forrester of the Yellow Emperor's clan for over ten thousand years, my powers greatly diminished. That's why I loathe all Taoist disciples! You, little Taoist, I sense your qi is similar to that old bull-nosed Master Forrester. Looks like today I'll use your flesh and blood to fuel my vengeance!" The Infernal Overlord snarled viciously at Shawn Young.
"Master Forrester!! So you’re the fiend sealed by our sect’s founder! Looks like meeting you today was fate—my ancestor sent me here to subdue you, demon!" Shawn Young was stunned at first, then suddenly felt a surge of confidence. So the 'Master Forrester' the Infernal Overlord mentioned was none other than the ancient founder of the Clear Sky Order! The one who taught Shawn Young, Master Sage, was already the thirteenth generation leader of the sect. Shawn Young never imagined his own ancestor had such a grudge against the Infernal Overlord, but since Master Forrester could seal the Infernal Overlord back then, surely the Taoist arts of the Clear Sky Order would work again—Shawn Young’s confidence soared!
"Hmph—little Taoist, still wet behind the ears, yet you dare brag so shamelessly? Even if your ancestor came himself, he couldn’t touch me—and you’re just a nobody!" The Infernal Overlord sneered, his dark red eyes glinting with utter contempt.
"Heh, you fiend, quit your nonsense! If you weren’t afraid of my ancestor, why were you sealed in Chiyou’s Infernal Prison Array for ten thousand years? You’re just bluffing!" Shawn Young shot back, mocking her without a hint of fear.
"You little brat! How dare you mock me—today I’ll let you taste the agony of demonic flames scorching your body and burning your soul!" The Infernal Overlord was driven to rage by Shawn Young’s words. With a furious roar, she kicked off the ground, leaping high and hovering in midair. Shawn Young was stunned to see a pair of dazzling black wings suddenly sprout from her back, giving her an even more terrifying, unstoppable aura!
The Infernal Overlord hovered in the air for only a moment before she flicked her black wings. In the blink of an eye, she shot toward Shawn Young. He could now see her hideous demonic face up close, twisted with malice. Suddenly, her mouth split open—"Puh!"—and a thick jet of pitch-black mist blasted out, engulfing Shawn Young’s head and shoulders.
Shawn Young was instantly hit by a foul wind—the stench was overwhelming, even worse than rotten eggs or dead rats! The black mist also carried a burning, corrosive sensation. He realized right away this was a highly toxic cloud.
Without hesitation, Shawn Young retreated ten steps, quickly crossing his hands and sweeping them forward, shouting, "Heaven and Earth, Divine Guardian Shield—activate!"
A surge of spiritual energy burst forth, instantly forming a round blue barrier around Shawn Young. He flipped his hands again, sending another wave of spiritual energy from his Sea of Illusions, spreading out in all directions. The blue light surrounding the barrier grew brighter, scattering the poisonous black mist in an instant!
Taking advantage of the brief opening, Shawn Young swung his right arm and unleashed a Palm Thunder—"Boom!"—a dazzling bolt of lightning shot toward the advancing Infernal Overlord.
The Infernal Overlord was about to smash through Shawn Young’s protective barrier, but the sudden blue lightning caught her off guard. She tried to dodge, but it was too late—the bolt struck her side, scorching her and making her screech in pain.
Enraged, the Infernal Overlord leapt into the air, spinning mid-flight. Suddenly, a long, segmented black tail sprouted from her body, whipping toward Shawn Young. The tail grew to over ten meters in an instant, lashing out like a steel whip. Its tip was armed with a sinister black barb that gleamed with a poisonous light—one look told Shawn Young it was deadly!
Seeing the fierce attack, Shawn Young knew he couldn't take it head-on. He quickly gathered his spiritual energy, clapped his hands together, and—using the lingering force of the lightning attack—summoned a surge of power from his Sea of Illusions. "Boom—boom—" blue and red light flashed from his hands, gathering instantly.
"Five Lords of the Mystic Yellow, reveal the Three Realms—let the storm and fire rage, let thunder devour—Break!" Shawn Young chanted the Stormfire Thunder Spell at full power, then thrust his hands forward—"Boom!!" The twin beams of red and blue light shot out, slicing through the air with incredible speed, enveloping the Infernal Overlord’s lashing tail with the force of wind, fire, and lightning!