Chapter 35: Chong Lou Descends to the Mortal Realm, Stirrings in the Demon-Sealing Tower

Li Qiye’s earth-shattering finger sent tremors through the Six Realms, far fiercer than before. Last time, only Mortal Realm elites witnessed the apocalyptic strike, but now, with Gou Mang’s heir drawing countless eyes, the shockwave was seismic. Yet, the instigator, Li Qiye, remained oblivious to the chaos he’d unleashed.

In the Demon-Sealing Tower, darkness reigned, broken only by seventeen flickering purple ghost flames drifting silently. Li Qiye sat cross-legged on an obsidian platform, channelling the Evil Wind Codex

, absorbing the Nine Calamity Stars’ yin essence. Pop! His hand seals shifted, dispersing a wisp of dark qi. Opening his eyes, a fleeting glint flashed in his clear pupils—his power had advanced another step.

To his surprise, a delicate, miniature sword-embryo glimmered in his sea of consciousness. Probing with his soul, he navigated past nine yin mountains to inspect it. Unformed, it was merely a nascent blade. “Evil intent forges a sword, attaining immortality—this is the Evil Wind Codex’s eighth layer?” Li Qiye’s narrowed eyes sparkled with excitement. This sword-embryo was his evil blade, though it required nurturing. Musing, he murmured, “The thirteenth layer holds a Demon-Suppressing Sword… if I could use it to temper my evil sword…”

Rustle!

 The Heavenly Demon Emperor dashed forward, kneeling. “Master, Demon Lord Chong Lou’s aura has appeared in the Mortal Realm!” Li Qiye’s eyes narrowed. He’d sensed Chong Lou’s presence during his strike. Rising, he said coolly, “Ignore him. To the thirteenth layer.”

In the Mortal Realm, at the Jialuo Mountains, snow swirled and winds howled. The frigid air rippled like a dragonfly’s touch, and a horned, blood-haired man stepped through—Demon Lord Chong Lou. His arrival unleashed a tidal wave of abyssal demonic qi, blanketing the heavens. Unrestrained, he saw no need to cloak his presence. Brow furrowed, he surveyed the land. Rushed and directionless, he knew not where to find the hand’s master, yet regretted nothing. His gaze settled south to Yangzhou, where the strike had landed. Whoosh! He vanished.

In Chang’an’s Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion, Great Celestial Master Li Chunfeng lectured disciples when the Mysterious Mechanism Tower quaked, its star array whirring unbidden. “What!?” “The tower activates—some great terror descends?” “Last time was the Ten Demon Kings’ upheaval!” Disciples buzzed with alarm. Li Chunfeng, unflinching, steadied the array. A parchment-like star chart rose, starlight dancing, revealing a towering, red-haired figure exuding abyssal might.

“That’s… Demon Lord Chong Lou!” Li Chunfeng’s cry rang out, his face ashen, as if facing a spectre. The lord’s aura prickled his skin, its terror leaping from the chart. Ruler of the Demon Realm, master of the Formless Demon Lands, commander of countless demon legions—Chong Lou’s influence dwarfed the Heavenly Demon Emperor’s, rivalling Celestial Realm gods. Li Chunfeng had feared another Demon King surge, but Chong Lou outclassed them all, capable of crushing them with a finger. “Why is he here!?” Sweat beaded on his brow, fists clenched. No time for speculation—he had to warn the Emperor.

In the Demon-Sealing Tower’s thirteenth layer, a vast, grim world unfolded, rife with demons and scourged by yin winds. Slaughter and bloodshed defined every moment, a hellish crucible. In a shadowed corner, a girl in a flowing, sky-blue immortal skirt fled a horde of demons. “Heh, stop running, girl!” “From the twelfth to the thirteenth layer, you’ve made us chase!” “A rare human beauty in the tower—play with us!” “One by one, we promise!”

The demons’ taunts echoed as a bee-demon fired steel-like stingers. Dodging while running, the girl was overwhelmed, soon bloodied and battered. A sting to her calf sent her sprawling; it was a pitiable sight. The demons, far from human, surged forward, frenzied at her fall, swarming like hornets. A mortal woman would’ve perished, but a crimson flash erupted, blasting hundreds of demons skyward, some cleaved in two.

The red glow faded, revealing a blood-red silhouette—the same girl, her beauty now chilling. Her hair, wings, lips, and gown had turned scarlet, her eyes cold as frost. “Until I find my lord brother, I, Dragon Kui, will not die,” she vowed earnestly.