Chapter 1018: Immortal Realm (2)
Yue Zhu’s expression was solemn. “I’m afraid Deputy General Chen can’t withstand the pressure.”
Shen Ping nodded. The 100,000 demon soldiers this time were not the same as last time. They were elite soldiers nurtured by the Demon Nation. The lowest demon was equivalent to a fourth-realm expert on the human side. The soldiers at the border were only at the second and third realm after training.
“Forget it. Since I have nothing else to do, I’ll make a trip.”
With that, his figure disappeared. After breaking through to the Immortal Realm, his speed in the astral winds was even faster. In just an hour, he arrived at the border of the Northern Region.
When he saw Shen Ping appear, Deputy General Chen heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly reported the situation at the front line. “According to the news obtained by the scouts, the Demon Nation has sent out the most elite tiger regiment and lion regiment this time. The others are the elites from each regiment. There are a total of 100,000 troops. They are led by twelve demons at the Earth Immortal Realm and a Demon Emperor at the Immortal Realm. They came aggressively and probably intended to destroy the northern border defense line in one fell swoop.”
Shen Ping sat at the head of the table and asked casually, “Have you found out why the Demon Nation suddenly attacked like this?”
It was rare for the Demon Nation to do this. After all, once the elites died, it would damage the country’s strength. Last time, when he killed 100,000 demon soldiers, they were mainly useless. Other than those Earth Immortals, they were not damaged much. There were many useless demon soldiers in the Demon Kingdom. Moreover, the Demon Hanging Division of the Yuhua Shen Dynasty killed more than 10,000 every year.
Deputy General Chen shook his head. “I don’t know.”
Shen Ping thought for a moment. “I’ll make a trip to the Demon Nation.”
“Marquis, don’t be rash. Back then, the Old Marquis died in the Demon Nation!” Deputy General Chen panicked.
However, Shen Ping smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I’m not the Old Marquis.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared. Deputy General Chen sighed. If he had known that the Marquis was like this, he would not have spread the news no matter what. If the Marquis died, how would he explain it to Madame Yu?
…
In the hinterland of the Demon Nation, there were lush primitive forests everywhere. Different from the Yuhua Shen Dynasty, this place could be said to be a desolate land. There wasn’t even a decent building. Only when one reached the core of the Demon Kingdom could they see a stone city. This stone city was the capital of the Demon Kingdom.
He stayed in the astral winds. With his true soul power, he could sense the auras of several powerful Immortals in Stone City. Moreover, there were even more terrifying existences underground.
As he landed, five or six Demon Emperors immediately soared into the sky from the capital and surrounded him.
Shen Ping ignored them and looked at the late-stage Immortal Realm Demon Emperor at the core of the capital. “Back then, my father died here. I’m here today to ask about the situation back then and also to find out what His Majesty is thinking.”
His voice was very faint, but it spread in all directions. Many demons in Stone City were furious and clamored to tear Shen Ping into pieces.
The Demon Emperor slowly walked out. His scarlet eyes landed on Shen Ping. “Marquis of Zhenbei, I’ve heard of you. You’re the youngest Earth Immortal in the Yuhua Dynasty. However, judging from your aura, you’ve already stepped into the Immortal Realm. Do you know that this is the capital city of our Demon Kingdom? Even Emperor Yu doesn’t dare to step foot here!”
Shen Ping did not waste his breath and slashed out with his sword. The five Demon Emperors around him were instantly killed. The entire Stone City fell silent. It was terrifyingly quiet. “If His Majesty the Demon Emperor counts on these lowly demons, I’m afraid you’ll be greatly disappointed! Now can you answer my question?”
The Demon Emperor’s pupils constricted. That sword strike just now was too terrifying. He could not even see the sword intent within, let alone sense any fluctuations. Even it would have to spend a lot of effort to kill the five Demon Emperors. It could not do it so cleanly. “Marquis Zhenbei, please come to the main hall.”
His tone changed from cold to calm, but his heart was bleeding. Five Demon Emperors. Although the Demon Kingdom had a lot of Demon Emperors, losing five at once was even more painful than losing 100,000 elites.
However, since things had come to this, he did not dare to say anything. The Marquis of Zhenbei’s strength was far beyond imagination. They arrived at Stone City’s only palace building.
The Demon Emperor ordered the vixen to serve him wine and fruits. Then, he slowly told the truth of the past. “Your father has guarded the Northern Region for many years. Although he is irreconcilable with my Demon Nation, I admire such an expert in my heart. Back then, he went deep into the Demon Nation. Although I sent six Demon Emperors to surround him, your father was very strong. In the end, three Immortals from the Northern Ice Fields came. After a tragic battle, your father killed two and was finally killed.”
Glancing at Shen Ping, he continued, “Marquis Zhenbei, you should know that after breaking through to the Immortal Realm, someone will invite you to join a faction. This faction is called the Heavenly Palace and is above all the factions in the world. According to my investigation for many years, the Heavenly Palace is very likely to be in the depths of the Northern Ice Fields.
“Your mother went to the Northern Ice Fields to investigate the truth behind your father’s death. Unfortunately, she was stopped. If you hadn’t risen, your mother would definitely have died in the Northern Ice Fields.”
Shen Ping narrowed his eyes and said, “Heavenly Palace, this faction did not come to me.”
The Demon Emperor shook his head. “You just broke through not long ago, right? Usually, after breaking through to the Immortal Realm for a few years, someone will come into contact with you.
“As for why my Demon Kingdom raised its troops, I’m also very helpless. This is an order from the Heavenly Palace. Most of the areas of the Yuhua Shen Dynasty are not suitable for the people of my Demon Kingdom to grow. Although demons eat humans, those are demons who haven’t cultivated and have developed intelligence. As long as they cultivate to the fourth level or above, they won’t eat humans because they are too low-level. Eating humans can’t satisfy their cultivation at all.”
Shen Ping asked, “Why did the Heavenly Palace give such an order? Also, could it be that there’s really a ninth-realm powerhouse in the Heavenly Palace?”
The Demon Emperor said helplessly, “Of course there is. Otherwise, why would our Demon Kingdom listen to the orders of the Heavenly Palace? And I guess the Heavenly Palace’s orders are just to consume the strength and foundation of our Demon Kingdom and the Yuhua Shen Dynasty. Such a situation has happened in previous dynasties.
“Every once in a while, our Demon Nation would receive such an order. The Heavenly Palace nominally said that they would not interfere with the secular world, but they interfered with the fate of the country.”
Speaking of this, he hesitated for a moment before saying, “Actually, there’s another reason, and that is to consume the number of living beings. This world can’t carry too many experts.”
Shen Ping was stunned. The palace world was indeed limited. If there were too many experts, it would consume the origin of the world and form a class solidification. For example, if the number of immortals reached a certain level, it would be difficult for other Earth Immortals to break through to the immortal realm.
“Is the Heavenly Palace really deep in the Northern Ice Fields?”
“Probably. The farther north you go, the worse the environment gets. There are places where even immortals can’t set foot. I can’t think of anywhere else but there.”
Shen Ping got up and entered the astral winds. Watching him disappear, the Demon Emperor heaved a sigh of relief and ordered the 100,000 elites to standby. The closer he got to the Northern Ice Fields, the stronger the astral winds became. Towards the end, the tearing power of the astral winds actually reached the level of an ordinary immortal. Moreover, the cold air below was incomparably cold. Even Immortals had to resist it with all their might.
However, this did not affect Shen Ping much. He protected it with his true soul power and opened a path with his Sword Dao. He sped all the way to the depths of the Northern Ice Fields. There was indeed a palace here. But it was not what he had imagined. There were many Immortals in the palace. Instead, there was only a powerful aura.
He landed on the palace stairs. Step by step, he stared at the cold air as he walked towards the door. He entered the palace. In the spacious hall, there was only a man in a scholar’s robe sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.
“Go back. You shouldn’t be here.”
Shen Ping had yet to speak when a voice sounded in the hall. This voice was like a demonic voice that pierced through his ears and kept exploding in his ears. At the same time, a sword intent condensed and slashed at him.
Boom.
Similarly, he unleashed a sword beam. When the two sword lights collided, the terrifying power of the Sword Dao scattered in all directions, causing a series of muffled metal sounds to burst out from the palace wall.
“T-This is the true meaning of the Taiyi Sword Dao?!”