Chapter 5784 - 5790

With a single punch shattering the demonic claw, Chen Ping’s figure moved without the slightest pause, like a ghost, causing the space to ripple slightly.

The next instant, he appeared directly before the Soul Fiend, who was momentarily stunned by extreme shock.

Before the Soul Fiend could recover from the shock of his attack being so easily thwarted, and before his pupils reflected Chen Ping’s cold face, Chen Ping retaliated with a slap!

This slap was incredibly fast, exceeding the limits of divine sense!

On his palm, chaotic immortal power and true dragon blood intertwined. Although it lacked a grand display, it contained a tremendous force capable of shattering mountains, and carried a trace of the true dragon’s pressure originating from the pinnacle of life!

“Slap—!!!”

A crisp, extremely loud slap resounded like thunder, exploding in the silent battlefield!

The sound was so clear, so piercing, as if it had directly struck the souls of all the cultivators who witnessed this scene!

Soul Fiend was sent flying like a rag doll flung away by a tremendous force, utterly powerless!

Half of his cheek swelled up visibly, turning a deep purple-blue, revealing a clear, brand-like five-finger mark!

Several teeth stained with black demonic blood, mixed with saliva, gushed from his mouth!

He tumbled several times in the air before crashing heavily onto the scorched, broken earth below, creating a shallow crater and kicking up dust.

Soul Fiend struggled to get up, but due to his injuries, exhaustion, and the sudden, unprecedented humiliation, his blood surged, and he spat out another mouthful of blood.

He raised his head, his swollen, deformed face filled with utter bewilderment, humiliation, horror, and a blank stare as if his worldview had been completely shattered.

He, the Sect Master of the Myriad Souls Demon Sect, a giant of the seventh rank of the Celestial Immortal Realm, who had dominated the Ten Heavens for ten thousand years, was infamous and feared by countless cultivators.

Yet… he was actually… slapped hard across the face by a mere seventh-rank Celestial Immortal Realm junior in front of hundreds of thousands of disciples from both sides, in front of his mortal enemy, Ling Yunzi?!

A humiliating disgrace!
Unprecedented!

An unprecedented and utterly humiliating disgrace!

At this moment, all sect interests and deep-seated hatred seemed to be temporarily overwhelmed by this immense sense of shame. Hun Sha’s mind went blank, leaving only the burning pain on his cheek and the still-echoing sound of the slap.

The entire battlefield fell into an absolute, deathly silence.

You could hear a pin drop.

Whether they were disciples of the Myriad Souls Demon Sect or cultivators of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect, everyone seemed to be frozen in place.

They stood there, eyes wide, mouths agape, like clay sculptures, staring blankly at the Demon Sect Master struggling in the shallow pit, looking like a defeated dog.

Then they looked at the young man floating in mid-air, his blue robes fluttering, his expression indifferent, as if he had only done something insignificant.

This scene was deeply imprinted into the soul of every witness, indelible for eternity.

Ling Yunzi’s throat bobbed, feeling a strange numbness in his cheek.

His gaze towards Chen Ping was no longer apprehensive, but rather tinged with…fear?

This young man was far too terrifying!

Not only was his strength unfathomable, but his actions were also utterly unrestrained, domineering, and ruthless!

Chen Ping stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering, looking down at the Soul Fiend below, who was struggling to his feet, filled with shame

and indignation, his eyes filled with confusion, and spoke coldly. Chen Ping’s voice was like ten thousand years of ice, reaching the ears of the Soul Fiend and everyone else: “This slap is for the disciples of the Myriad Beasts Sect who died in Rock Valley, and for the countless innocent lives that were harmed and had their souls refined by your Myriad Souls Demon Sect.”

“Soul Fiend, if you hadn’t fought so fiercely with Sect Master Ling today, exhausting yourself to the point of near collapse, I would have taken your dog’s life and utterly razed your demonic lair!”

“Now, take your men and return to your Crimson Blood Plains. Also, tell Soul Devourer that I’ve come to the Tenth Heaven to find him!”

“Let him wait and see; I’ll make sure his soul is shattered.”

Chen Ping’s eyes suddenly sharpened like swords, and an even more terrifying killing intent instantly enveloped Soul Fiend, making him feel as if he’d fallen into an ice cellar, his body stiffening. “You’d better also make that old ghost Soul Devourer get out of the Myriad Souls Demon Sect, otherwise, the next time we meet, it won’t be my slap, but my sword. At that time, the Myriad Souls Demon Sect will have no reason to exist.”

Soul Fiend trembled violently with rage, his demonic energy surging wildly within him, almost causing him to go berserk.

He stared intently at Chen Ping, the resentment in his eyes almost solidifying.

He wished he could pounce on Chen Ping immediately and devour him alive.

“Kid, so you’re looking for the Lord? Aren’t you a bit too arrogant? Don’t you even know what realm the Lord is in?”

Soul Fiend coldly said to Chen Ping.

“Damn, what realm? He was beaten so badly by me in the Ninth Heaven that he ran to the Tenth Heaven!”

“Only you little demonic cultivators treat the Soul Devouring Lord like a trifle. I’ll beat him every time I see him…”

Chen Ping sneered, his face full of disdain.

After saying that, Chen Ping realized that his old habit of showing off had resurfaced.

If the Soul Devouring Lord really came now, he’d probably get beaten up again.

But the words were already spoken, and he couldn’t take them back, much less back down.

Soul Fiend was furious, while Ling Yunzi, hearing the words “Soul Devouring Lord,” frowned.

“Young brother, is the Soul Devouring Lord you’re talking about the overlord of the Ninth Heaven ten thousand years ago, the one who disappeared ten thousand years ago?”

Ling Yunzi asked.

“That’s right, it’s him!” Chen Ping nodded!

Upon hearing this, Ling Yunzi gasped, his face turning extremely grim.

“That demon actually escaped from the place of suppression?” Ling Yunzi asked in bewilderment.　”What? You know that Soul Devourer too?”

Chen Ping asked, somewhat puzzled. Ling Yunzi was from the Tenth Heaven; how could he know about the Soul Devourer?

“Of course. Our Xuantian Sword Sect was once a sect of the Ninth Heaven. Back then, when we suppressed the Soul Devourer, my master also fought against him, but was severely injured and died. The Xuantian Sword Sect then fell into my hands.”

“After ten thousand years of development, our Xuantian Sword Sect has reached the Tenth Heaven. Unexpectedly, ten thousand years later, the Soul Devourer escaped and even entered the Myriad Souls Demon Sect.”

“This is troublesome. With the Soul Devourer in charge of the Myriad Souls Demon Sect, our Xuantian Sword Sect is in trouble.”

Ling Yunzi looked worried.

“What are you afraid of? I injured the Soul Devourer; he’s still recovering, and his strength is far less than before.”

“I chased him from the Ninth Heaven to the Tenth Heaven. I will definitely kill that Soul Devourer and make him beg for mercy on his knees.”

Chen Ping comforted Ling Yunzi.

Hearing Chen Ping’s words, Ling Yunzi was completely stunned!

A mere seventh-grade Human Immortal, yet he boasted that he would beat the Soul Devouring Venerable to his knees and beg for mercy.

“Fellow Daoist, do you know the Soul Devouring Venerable’s strength? If I’m not mistaken, he’s probably already at the eighth, or even ninth, Heavenly Immortal realm, or higher.”

“His strength is such that he could easily go to even higher worlds.”

“You, a seventh-grade Human Immortal, can defeat the Soul Devouring Venerable? I find it hard to believe. Are you perhaps a young master from some powerful family, with someone protecting you?”

Ling Yunzi asked.

Hearing this, Chen Ping, seeing an opportunity to back down, quickly nodded and said, “I didn’t expect Sect Master Ling to discover this. Actually, I’m the heir of a reclusive family. The powerful figure behind me could wipe out the entire Tenth Heaven with a wave of his hand.”

Chen Ping’s words immediately drew countless scornful glances.

Even Ling Yunzi was somewhat helpless, feeling that Chen Ping’s boasting had gone too far.

Annihilated ten heavens with a wave of the hand?

What kind of power does that require?

Unthinkable.

“Kid, don’t brag. Your powerful backer can wipe out ten heavens with a wave of his hand?”

“Do you think we’re fools? Dare to call out your powerful backer?”

“I’ll slap his shit out…”

An elder of the Myriad Souls Demon Sect, completely disbelieving Chen Ping’s plan, shouted loudly.

Upon hearing the other party say he would slap Mr. Shi’s shit out, Chen Ping laughed.

“Hahaha, you’re finished, you’re finished…”

Before Chen Ping could finish speaking, an almost imperceptible light instantly arrived from the distant void.

No one noticed, let alone saw it.

And the shouting elder of the Myriad Souls Demon Sect fell straight down, without a sound.

Seeing this scene, everyone was stunned.

Even Hun Sha and Ling Yunzi were bewildered.

They didn’t understand how the elder suddenly died?

Could it really be the work of Chen Ping’s powerful backer?

But they clearly hadn’t sensed any aura at all.

“Well? Believe me now?”

Chen Ping sneered.

None of those who dared to say they beat Mr. Shi to death are still alive.

“Sect Master, don’t believe him. I don’t believe this kid’s nonsense.”

“I just checked, Elder Mo probably died of a sudden heart attack. It was just a coincidence. There’s no expert behind him.”

At this moment, another elder followed Hun Sha’s words.

“What? You don’t believe me? Since you don’t believe me, then why don’t you curse my backer?”

“With your character, I can kill you without my backer even lifting a finger!”

“Want to try?”

Chen Ping said disdainfully to the Ten Thousand Souls Demon Sect elder.

“You…”

“Stop!”

Soul Fiend stopped his elder.

Although he desperately wanted to kill the arrogant Chen Ping

, his remaining rationality told him he couldn’t!

He was in terrible shape, his face swollen like a pig’s head, his demonic energy chaotic, and his internal injuries severe.

Meanwhile, the strange Chen Ping opposite him possessed a steady, unfathomable aura, and the strength he had just displayed was terrifying.

If he stayed any longer, forget revenge; he might actually die here today!

Moreover, Ling Yunzi’s strength was clearly recovering after a short rest. As long as

he was alive, he could fight again! He would repay this humiliation a hundredfold in the future!

“Chen—Ping—!!”

Soul Fiend roared through his swollen, leaky mouth, his voice hoarse and unpleasant, “I’ll remember you! For the rest of my life, I will fight to the death! If I don’t avenge this, I, Soul Fiend, swear I’m not human! Let’s go!”

The last three words were practically squeezed out from between his teeth, filled with endless resentment and hatred.

He could no longer bear to remain there. He abruptly turned, transforming into a crooked streak of demonic light, abandoning all pretense of politeness, and fled hastily towards the headquarters of the Myriad Souls Demon Sect. With

their sect leader defeated, the Demon Sect disciples’ morale had already collapsed. Now, as if granted a pardon, they abandoned their opponents and followed Soul Fiend in retreat like a tidal wave.

The scene was chaotic, devoid of the overwhelming ferocity they had displayed upon arrival.

On the Xuan Tian Sword Sect’s side, Ling Yunzi watched the Demon Sect army flee like stray dogs, then glanced at the unfathomable Chen Ping, who stood proudly in the void. His thoughts raced, but ultimately, he could only let out a silent sigh.

He did not order a pursuit. After a series of bloody battles, the Sword Sect disciples were also exhausted, suffering heavy casualties, and desperately needed rest.

Moreover, Chen Ping, who had suddenly appeared, slapped Soul Fiend away, and turned the tide of battle, possessed an unclear stance and terrifying strength, posing a great threat and creating uncertainty for Ling Yunzi.

A hasty pursuit at this moment might not yield any benefits and could even trigger new variables.

Moreover, Ling Yunzi had also realized that Chen Ping was likely behind all of this.

Now, upon closer examination, the so-called evidence couldn’t withstand scrutiny.

Seeing the Soul Fiend flee and the Demon Sect army rout, Chen Ping turned his gaze to the complex-looking Ling Yunzi, casually cupping his hands in a salute, his tone still calm:

“Sect Master Ling, with this matter settled, the Demon Sect, after this battle, should be unable to attack your Sword Sect again in the short term. I take my leave.”

Chen Ping wanted to leave, after all, he had orchestrated this event, causing heavy losses to the Xuan Tian Sword Sect.

“Wait a minute…” Ling Yunzi called out to Chen Ping!

Just as Chen Ping was about to turn and flee, he heard Ling Yunzi’s voice stopping him. His heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm, secretly becoming vigilant.

He slowly turned around, looking at Ling Yunzi, his tone calm yet questioning: “Sect Master Ling, is there anything else?”

Could it be that Ling Yunzi had realized he had sown discord and was looking for revenge?

Chen Ping’s chaotic immortal power circulated silently within him, ready to deal with any potential conflict.

Although he wasn’t afraid of the weakened Ling Yunzi, the Xuan Tian Sword Sect still outnumbered him, and a fight would be troublesome.

However, Ling Yunzi’s next words took him by surprise.

Ling Yunzi forced a slightly complicated but not hostile smile onto his face, cupped his hands, and said, “Fellow Daoist Chen, please wait. Although the cause of today’s battle was strange, your appearance and your palm strike… well… startled the Soul Fiend, objectively relieving the urgent crisis of my Xuantian Sword Sect and preventing greater casualties among my disciples.”

“Regardless of your initial intentions, on behalf of the entire Xuantian Sword Sect, I, Ling Yunzi, thank you for this.”

Chen Ping raised an eyebrow slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Ling Yunzi continued, “Fellow Daoist, your strength is unfathomable, your origins extraordinary, and you are even connected to the great demon, Soul Devourer, from ten thousand years ago… This matter concerns the safety of the Tenth Heaven and even the lower realms. I have many questions in my mind and would like to ask you for clarification.”

“I wonder…would you do me

the honor of visiting my Xuan Tian Sword Sect for a few days?” “I will certainly treat you with the utmost respect, without the slightest neglect, and I will not do anything detrimental to you because of what happened before. I swear on this with my inner demons!”

As he spoke, Ling Yunzi’s expression became solemn, and he actually raised his hand, as if to make a vow.

Chen Ping’s mind raced.

Go to the Xuan Tian Sword Sect?

He now preferred to return to the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect to check on the situation.

After all, although the Demon Sect had retreated, the hidden dangers remained. Moreover, it felt awkward and embarrassing for him, the mastermind behind the instigation, to visit the home of the victim he had been used.

“Sect Master Ling, I appreciate your hospitality.”
Chen Ping returned the greeting with a cupped hand, making an excuse to decline, “However, I have urgent matters to attend to and must return to the Myriad Beasts Sect immediately. If I have time in the future, I will certainly pay you a visit…”

“Fellow Daoist Chen!”

Ling Yunzi interrupted Chen Ping with a firm attitude, his tone polite but carrying an undeniable air.

“This matter concerns the Soul Devourer Venerable and the overall structure of the Ten Heavens,

and is by no means a personal matter for me.” “Since you are an enemy of that demon, you are on the same path as my Xuan Tian Sword Sect and even the righteous path of the Ten Heavens.”

“I urge you to return to the sect with me for a discussion and share the information you have about the Soul Devourer Venerable. Otherwise…”

Ling Yunzi paused slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Chen Ping: “Otherwise, the strength and methods you displayed today, as well as your achievement in instigating a war between the two sects, will likely attract unnecessary interest and attention from other forces in the Ten Heavens towards you and your Myriad Beasts Sect.”

His words already carried a hint of a threat, albeit a soft one.

The meaning was clear: Chen Ping, you’ve caused such a commotion today, displayed such bizarre strength, and you’re even connected to the Soul Devourer. If you don’t cooperate, my Xuan Tian Sword Sect might not be able to do anything to you for the time being, but once the news spreads, people will naturally come looking for trouble for you and the Myriad Beasts Sect.

Chen Ping frowned slightly, somewhat displeased, but he had to admit that Ling Yunzi was right.

He had indeed been too high-profile today, slapping Soul Fiend away and mentioning the Soul Devourer; it was hard not to attract attention.

If this brought more trouble to the Myriad Beasts Sect, it was definitely not what he wanted.

Seeing Chen Ping hesitate, Ling Yunzi’s tone softened, assuring him, “Fellow Daoist Chen, rest assured, I, Ling, guarantee with the ten-thousand-year reputation of the Xuantian Sword Sect that my invitation is solely to discuss how to deal with the Soul Devouring Venerable and the Myriad Souls Demon Sect. There is absolutely no ill intent.”

“Once we have reached a consensus, whether you stay or leave is entirely up to us. Furthermore, our sect is willing to form an alliance with the Myriad Beasts Sect to jointly address the threat posed by the Demon Sect.”

Having said this, if Chen Ping were to forcefully refuse further, it would only appear hesitant and could immediately escalate the conflict.

He sighed inwardly, helpless. Sure enough, trouble followed this show of bravado.

“Since that’s the case…”

Chen Ping nodded, a seemingly helpless smile on his face, “Then I, Chen, will trouble Sect Master Ling for a few days.”

“Hahaha, good! Fellow Daoist Chen is indeed a reasonable person!”

Ling Yunzi smiled, inwardly relieved.

He was indeed filled with curiosity and apprehension towards Chen Ping, but he also genuinely wanted to obtain information about the Soul Devouring Venerable from him.

This demon, who had wreaked havoc on the Nine Heavens and even higher levels ten thousand years ago, had reappeared, and he couldn’t afford to be careless.

“Clean up the battlefield, treat the wounded, and return to the sect!”

Ling Yunzi ordered, then gestured for Chen Ping to follow, “Fellow Daoist Chen, please come with me.”

Chen Ping nodded, glancing one last time in the direction of the Myriad Beasts Sect, a faint unease creeping into his heart.

But for now, he could only suppress it, following Ling Yunzi, transforming into two streaks of light, heading towards the Xuan Tian Sword Sect of the Myriad Swords Mountains.

…

Meanwhile, on the road leading from the Crimson Blood Plains to the headquarters of the Myriad Souls Demon Sect

, the atmosphere was extremely oppressive as the defeated army of the Myriad Souls Demon Sect retreated.

They had come with overwhelming force, but returned like stray dogs. More importantly, their sect leader, Soul Fiend, had been publicly slapped by a mere seventh-grade Immortal Realm junior.

This humiliation hung like a heavy cloud over the hearts of every disciple of the Demon Sect.

Soul Fiend had taken healing pills, and the swelling on his face had subsided somewhat, but the clear five-finger mark was still faintly visible.

He remained silent the entire way, his eyes blazing with resentment and killing intent. The oppressive aura emanating from him terrified the elders accompanying him, who dared not speak easily.

“Sect Leader…” a trusted elder finally forced a smile and cautiously began, “This defeat is all due to that cunning and treacherous beast Chen Ping’s instigation! If this grudge is not avenged, how can my Myriad Souls Demon Sect maintain its standing in the Tenth Heaven?”
Hun Sha abruptly stopped his escape, turned around, and stared intently at the elder who was speaking with his scarlet eyes, startling the latter so much that he almost fell from the sky.

“Revenge? How can we take revenge?!”

Soul Fiend’s voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping. “I am not yet fully recovered, and nearly 30% of our sect’s elite forces have been lost! Although the Xuan Tian Sword Sect has also suffered considerable casualties, with that strange Chen Ping around, attacking the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect now would be tantamount to walking into a trap!”

The trusted elder swallowed hard, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes, and whispered, “Sect Master, that Chen Ping knows how to sow discord, causing our sect and the Xuan Tian Sword Sect to suffer heavy losses. Why can’t we use his own methods against him?”

“Oh?”

Soul Fiend’s gaze narrowed slightly. “Explain in detail.”

“Sect Master, as far as I know, the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect is not a monolithic entity.”

The elder smiled sinisterly. “The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect reveres pure-blooded beastmen, but there is also a group of them who are descendants of humans or demons who have fused with beastmen, known as the Fusion Beast Clan.”

“The Fusion Beast Clan?” Soul Fiend frowned; he had heard of them before.

“Exactly,”

the elder continued. “It is said that due to the laws of heaven and earth, although these fused beasts are born with strong physiques and can even inherit some of the talents and supernatural abilities of both parents, their intelligence is generally underdeveloped, or rather… their minds are flawed, making them prone to stubbornness and impulsiveness.”

“They have a low status within the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, often ostracized and discriminated against by pure-blooded beast races, and can only perform menial and lowly tasks, harboring resentment for a long time.”

“You mean…” A dangerous glint began to flash in Soul Fiend’s eyes.

“We can secretly contact influential figures among the fused beast race, offer them great rewards, and incite them to rebel against the rule of the pure-blooded beast races like Rift Sky!”

The elder became increasingly excited as he spoke. “We can promise that as long as they can control the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, my Ten Thousand Souls Demon Sect will recognize their status and form an alliance with them, sharing resources!”

“We can even… help them overcome their intellectual deficiencies!”