Chapter 31: No Mercy? The Mysterious Hand Strikes Again!

At Xisha Ridge, black clouds smothered the sky, gales howling as Gou Mang’s heir and Huang Mei Demon King clashed in a frenzied crescendo. Their every move resonated with the Mortal Realm’s primal forces, unleashing cataclysms that rent mountains and churned seas. Blows traded, each side scored hits, but Li Zhi held a razor-thin edge. Gou Mang’s ancient legacy, a power from the dawn of time, seared awe into every onlooker’s soul.

Yet Huang Mei’s defiance stunned all. Qing Shi Demon King had once flexed a fraction of his might, but only against Chunyang’s Five, mere notables compared to Shu Mountain’s Five Elders. His display had hinted at the transformed Demon Kings’ terror, but Huang Mei’s stand against Gou Mang’s heir laid it bare. Gou Mang, a deity who once felled the Nether King, subdued Asuras, and pierced eighteen hells with a single palm, had reshaped cosmic order. His heir, wielding such lineage, could only narrowly best a Demon King. Two such demons, and Li Zhi would fall. The crowd trembled at the implication.

In Chang’an’s Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion, Li Shimin’s resolve hardened. The Ten Demon Kings’ full transformation would shroud Tang in demonic shadow, stripping him of sovereignty over Tang—perhaps the entire Mortal Realm. All hope now rested on Li Zhi.

Back at Xisha Ridge, Li Zhi and Huang Mei recoiled from a titanic clash, separated by ten li, both gasping. Their gazes locked, each mirrored the other’s shock. Huang Mei quailed at Gou Mang’s might; Li Zhi marvelled at the Demon King’s evolution. “No more delays,” Li Zhi murmured, steeling himself. “Father said eight more Demon Kings are transforming. Time is short.” He raised his spring-branch, summoning thousands of spirit-sparrows that swirled into a radiant silhouette—a youth in pale green robes, sparrow-crowned, crimson-gold sash at his waist, bearing a withered yet blooming bough.

An ancient aura surged, rousing mountains, rivers, flora, and fauna—every essence tethered to the earth stirred. A celestial envoy’s eyes widened. “Gou Mang’s projection!?” Chong Lou glanced over, silent but intent. Mortal Realm powers gaped, staggered that Li Zhi wielded such a trump card.

Li Zhi’s young face was set with resolve. This projection, embedded in the spring-branch by Gou Mang, could be summoned thrice. Necessity drove its use now. “Go!” he commanded. The projection’s left hand extended, a single finger thrusting forth. Boom! The heavens dimmed, all spiritual qi converging into a devastating surge hurtling toward Huang Mei.

“Argh!” Huang Mei’s eyes bulged, pushing the Earth Spirit Pearl to its limit. His wings gleamed molten gold, conjuring a ten-zhang-thick shield wall. The cyan finger met it, sparking a comet’s fall. Blinding light drowned the world, colour bleeding away, leaving only the collision’s flickering maelstrom, its oppressive might choking all breath. The cyan finger prevailed, shredding the shield. Crash! Huang Mei’s massive form hurtled back, blood trailing in his wake.

As the glare faded, colour returned, and the crowd’s scalps tingled with awe. Huang Mei’s strength was undeniable, but Li Zhi’s was greater. In the Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion, Li Shimin clenched his fists, elated. “Zhi’er, you’ve not failed me!” One Demon King down meant others could fall. The demon scourge could be quelled. Relief washed over him, the lightest moment in weeks. Shu Mountain’s Five Elders laughed heartily. “Well done!” Though not their victory, it was a triumph for the righteous path. A celestial envoy nodded. “The Mortal Realm needs no further aid.”

Huang Mei, clutching his chest, coughed blood, his face ashen. Not his weakness, but Li Zhi’s overwhelming might—Gou Mang’s heir reigned supreme in the Mortal Realm. Yet, resentment burned. He’d braved geocentric flames, nearly dying to claim this power, with grand ambitions to follow the Demon Ancestor beyond this petty realm. Now, it seemed his journey ended here.

Li Zhi descended, gazing down at the fallen demon, spring-branch raised. For demons, this wasn’t cruelty—it was rooting out evil. His eyes cautious, he gripped the branch, poised to strike. But then, the sky roiled. A titanic fissure, ten thousand zhang long, tore the black canopy. Malevolent qi poured forth, engulfing the battlefield. From the rift, a pale, slender hand emerged, its presence ominous…