Chapter 159

But he could not withstand the other party’s high standing in the Lord’s heart, especially over the past twenty-plus years, while other demons hesitated, only Nuan and Situ wholeheartedly devoted themselves to the Lord…

In comparison, setting aside demons like Moyang Demon Lord for a moment, the importance of Nuan Shu must have grown significantly in the Lord’s heart.

If Nuan Shu were to speak ill of him in the Lord’s ear, Moyang Demon Lord would really struggle to bear it.

At this moment, Moyang Demon Lord was feeling some regret; had he known the Lord would emerge from the Great Abyss, he would definitely have been the first to rescue him.

“Hmm.”

“Hope so.”

Nuan Shu coldly snorted again, not pursuing the matter further.

Just then.

Boom.

A vast aura surged out from the space where the Vitality Spring was located, filling the entire Underground Palace.

In front of this aura, even a strong Ninth Realm limit cultivator like Moyang Demon Lord had to keep retreating, somewhat unable to withstand it.

“Lord… has the Lord broken through to the Tenth Realm?”

Moyang Demon Lord was shocked; he had already suspected as much when the Vitality Spring was being heavily consumed.

Other than striking at the legendary Tenth Realm, who else would consume the Vitality Spring like this?

For a cultivator, Heavenly Earth Vital Energy is like food.

And consuming too much food can burst one’s stomach.

Only breakthroughs in cultivation will consume massive amounts of Heavenly Earth Vital Energy to replenish oneself.

“The Tenth Realm?”

The other eight Demon Lords exchanged looks.

Since ancient times, the limit for Demonic Tao practitioners has been the Ninth Realm.

No demon had ever reached the Tenth Realm.

Twenty-five years ago, if Lin Yuan had broken through to the Tenth Realm, there would have been no business for Tianjian Sect; the entire Five Domains Mainland would have become the domain of the Demonic Tao.

While Moyang Demon Lord and the others were lost in thought,

a tall figure emerged from the space where the Vitality Spring was located.

Lin Yuan appeared, his expression calm, strolling out as if an ordinary person, devoid of any detectable aura.

Yet Moyang Demon Lord and the other demons grew even more respectful, recognizing this as the realm of returning to the primordial state.

“Lord…”

Moyang Demon Lord followed behind Lin Yuan, towards the hall of the Underground Palace.

Next.

Moyang Demon Lord started reporting on recent events as expected.

Once finished, Moyang Demon Lord could not help asking, “Lord, have you stepped into the Tenth Realm?”

As soon as he said these words,

everyone perked up their ears.

This was about the Tenth Realm.

A domain that all demons from ages past had never entered.

Even in the Five Domains Mainland, there have been very few Tenth Realm powerhouses for tens of thousands of years, not exceeding five individuals.

“The Tenth Realm?”

Lin Yuan looked down at everyone and shook his head slightly, “I am not in the Tenth Realm.”

….

Lin Yuan was indeed not in the Tenth Realm.

He was at the Fifth Rank.

Known as a ‘Continent-Sinking’ Fifth Rank Evolver in the Main World.

As for this world’s Tenth Realm… strictly speaking, it is merely comparable to the transition stage between the Fourth and Fifth Rank.

If there must be a comparison, then at least the Eleventh Realm would be equivalent to the Fifth Rank.

“Fifth Rank…”

Lin Yuan felt the immense power within him.

It was a terrifying force capable of breaking continental plates and bringing an apocalyptic end to life on a planet.

In the Main World, a Fifth Rank Evolver is revered as the strongest being on the surface, and the battle between two Fifth Rank Evolvers could lead to billions of deaths on a planet.

Some powerful Fifth Rank Evolvers could even turn a Life Planet into a Dead Star, where life would no longer emerge for tens of thousands of years.

“Just this world…”

Lin Yuan fell into thought.

The world he was in now was far vaster than a Middle-grade Life Planet in the Main World, almost comparable to a higher-grade life planet.

Its continental framework was vast and robust; only at the Fifth Stage Peak could one have the assurance to break through.

“Take it slow.”

“It’s only been thirty years.”

“There’s still one hundred and seventy years left.”

Lin Yuan was not in a rush; he still had plenty of time before he would leave this world.

…

“Not the Tenth Realm?”

Moyang Demon Lord was somewhat baffled.

Just by the immense aura Lin Yuan emitted during his cultivation, how could he still be in the Ninth Realm?

It should be noted that Moyang Demon Lord himself was at the peak of the Ninth Realm, yet even so, he could not endure the aura that Lin Yuan had just released.

How could this still be the Ninth Realm?

Moyang could not understand.

But Lin Yuan had no reason to deceive him.

Since he said he was not in the Tenth Realm, then he certainly was not in the Tenth Realm.

“Could it be a half-step into the Tenth Realm?”

Moyang Demon Lord could only guess as much.

Just a half-step into the Tenth Realm, at most stronger than him.

It couldn’t possibly reach the point of absolute suppression, could it?

“I don’t care anymore.”

“Whether the Demon Lord emerged at the Ninth Realm or the Tenth Realm, there’s no difference to me.”

Moyang Demon Lord simply stopped overthinking it.

…

Time passed.

Half a year went by.

One day, Lin Yuan was cultivating.

Nuan Shu hurriedly walked in, stopped behind Lin Yuan, and whispered, “My Lord, someone is looking for you.”

“Looking for me?”

Lin Yuan opened his eyes.

“It’s…”

Nuan Shu also seemed to find this person surprising, even inconceivable.

“It’s the Supreme Elder of Zhi Ge Sect.”

Nuan Shu hesitated for a moment, then whispered.

“Zhi Ge Sect?”

Lin Yuan fell into thought.

Zhi Ge Sect was a force in the Eastern Region, second only to Tianjian Sect, a colossal figure renowned across the Five Domains.

Each generation of Zhi Ge Sect had Ninth Realm powerhouses in charge, with a profound foundation. Twenty-five years ago, during the great battle between good and evil, Zhi Ge Sect also contributed to the suppression of Xiahou Yuan.

And the Supreme Elder of Zhi Ge Sect… although only possessing Eighth Realm strength, held a high position within Zhi Ge Sect, with even the contemporary Ninth Realm Sect Master being his disciple.

“What did he come for?”

Lin Yuan’s expression grew contemplative.

“He claims to have crucial intelligence that he will share only with the Demon Lord.”

“However, I think there’s something off about this old man, it’s very likely a ploy, my Lord should not trust him.”

Nuan Shu spoke softly.

“Let him in.”

Lin Yuan casually remarked.

According to Nuan Shu, the Supreme Elder of Zhi Ge Sect voluntarily blocked his own meridians to meet him.

Otherwise, an Eighth Realm powerhouse wouldn’t just see Lin Yuan, he wouldn’t even have been able to come to the entrance of the Underground Palace.

If Nuan Shu hadn’t confirmed that the Supreme Elder of Zhi Ge Sect posed no threat, she would not have brought him over.

A moment later.

An old man with white hair and beard entered the great hall.

On either side, nine Demon Lords cast sideways glances, while a towering figure above on the high podium looked down upon him.

“I pay my respects to the Demon Lord.”

The old man’s face remained calm as he slightly bowed to Lin Yuan.

“Interesting.”

A smile appeared on Lin Yuan’s face, “A righteous sect’s Supreme Elder coming to see a demon like me and even bowing?”

From a status perspective, the Supreme Elder of Zhi Ge Sect, upon encountering Xiahou Yuan, wouldn’t have restrained himself from attacking right there and then.

Bowing?

It was nothing short of fantastical.

“People are ignorant, only knowing that demons thrive in chaos, but you, Demon Lord, are different from the others.”

The white-haired Supreme Elder of Zhi Ge Sect confidently began to speak.

“Is that so?”

Lin Yuan slightly shook his head.

“I have lived for four to five hundred years and have seen what the Five Domains were like before the Demon Lord’s emergence.”

The white-haired Supreme Elder of Zhi Ge Sect paused for effect, then added solemnly, “Two hundred and eighty years ago, the Demon Lord appeared out of nowhere.”

“And before the emergence of the Demon Lord, the demons of the world held no fear.”

“Old man, what nonsense are you spouting?” Moyang Demon Lord’s eyelid twitched.

What the Supreme Elder of Zhi Ge Sect said was true; before Xiahou Yuan’s demonic power fully grew, demons rampaged across the Five Domains, often resulting in the slaughter of entire cities and villages.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

Sitting on the main seat, Lin Yuan asked calmly.

“I want to tell the Demon Lord that the current Tianjian Sect has become a battleground of dragons and tigers, and even if you desire revenge, you should not risk your life by going there.”

The Supreme Elder of Zhi Ge Sect said gravely.

Upon hearing this.

The Demon Lords on both sides were instantly surprised.

What had happened?

Was this Supreme Elder from Zhi Ge Sect here to deliver a message to the Demon Lord?

“Actually, twenty-five years ago, when Tianjian Zi wanted to battle the Demon Lord, I advised my disciple against it, but it was futile…”

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