At that precise moment, Lü Dongbin truly panicked.
Who could have imagined that, as one of the Eight Immortals, he would ever have the chance to take a "walk" through Netherworld? If that were the only issue, it might have been tolerable. The problem was that the other six Demon Sorcerers were still trapped there, and right now, they were staring at him like starving wolves.
Ten million years of accumulated resentment had transformed into crimson glares, locking onto him with terrifying intensity.
He finally understood the gist of the situation. He Xiangu had likely been sealed away in another location by Tso Lan, the Moon Demon. A demon capable of defeating an Immortal Deity was no fool; he certainly wouldn't have killed her.
So... why wasn't he the one sealed elsewhere?
He had no desire to engage in an "in-depth exchange" of unknown duration with these six demons. Of course, the primary issue was his strength. As an Immortal Deity, he was accustomed to brandishing his sword with carefree abandon, but that confidence was specifically tailored to counter Shendu.
The Eight Immortal Deities and the Eight Demon Sorcerers existed in a state of perfect opposition. From the dawn of time, Lü Dongbin was born specifically to suppress Shendu. Now, however, he had just endured a grueling battle, and Shendu's dark chi curse was still binding his powers. That curse, unleashed by the ultimate Demon Sorcerer at his peak, was something Lü Dongbin could not break after being cast into the Netherworld.
In his current state, he was no better off than the demons who had been eroded by the Netherworld for eons. Furthermore, there were six of them, and only one of him. Even a three-on-one would have been preferable.
Hsi Wu, the Sky Demon, spread his wings and soared through the blood-colored haze of the Netherworld, his eyes fixed on the Immortal.
"I say we divide this fellow up," Hsi Wu chirped. "One portion for each of the six brothers and sisters."
His words caused Lü Dongbin's heart to sink to his stomach. Before he could even react, Po Kong spoke up, her voice trembling with excitement: "Po Kong wants the biggest piece!"
At this, Lü Dongbin's hand on his sword hilt gave a slight, involuntary quiver. He wanted to flee. But this was the Netherworld, unless one possessed the authority of a specific Demon Portal, there was no path to heaven and no door to the earth.
As the stone levitation platforms carrying the demons drew closer, their gazes became predatory. They were sworn enemies, and this was the demons' home turf. Though Lü Dongbin loathed to admit it, he had to acknowledge that after ten million years of imprisonment, this realm belonged to the demons.
"And what benefit is there in carving him up? Hmph!" Dai Gui, the Earth Demon, snorted coldly.
A female voice followed immediately after: "Why don't we ask him how he got in here first?" It was Bai Tza, the Water Demon.
Then, Xiao Fung, the Wind Demon, who had remained silent until now, spoke: "We cannot kill him. If Lü Dongbin dies, the Noble Chi will simply give rise to an even more powerful successor."
"Tso Lan and Shendu are still on the outside. We must trust in our eldest brother's promise and not cause him unnecessary trouble."
Xiao Fung's logic brought the other demons to their senses. Hearing this, Lü Dongbin felt a momentary flicker of relief, but it vanished instantly as Xiao Fung looked at him with a cold, hollow gaze.
"However... the torment that we brothers and sisters have endured? You shall not be spared a single drop of it!"
Among all the siblings, Xiao Fung was the one whose wisdom and emotions had eroded the least. The stone platforms carrying the demons slowly came to a halt, surrounding Lü Dongbin in a tightening circle of overwhelming pressure.
The other five demons nodded in grim agreement with Xiao Fung. The next moment, their eyes converged on the Immortal as they spoke in terrifying unison:
"So, are you prepared to face ten million years of our fury?"
The Netherworld was an empty, desolate void. Even the simplest entertainment to pass the time was an unattainable luxury. But now, their ancient enemy was right before them, fallen into their clutches.
His fate would be... exquisite.
…
Meanwhile, in the mortal realm.
Having reclaimed his lost power, Shendu surveyed his surroundings with deep interest. His gaze turned unblinkingly toward the azure planet beneath him.
There lay his former dominion. Everything from the ancient era.
Countless times, he had craved escape from that place without sky or land. Yet he had been constantly sealed or banished, even losing his physical form for a time. One "hero" after another, draped in halos of righteousness, had shattered his hopes, leaving him to beat his head against the unbreakable wall of destiny.
But now, everything he desired, his freedom and the glory of the ancient era, had finally been restored through the help of his eldest brother.
No one could truly grasp his current state of mind. But Shendu was certain of one thing: Tso Lan, the Moon Demon, was just as he had always been, truly keeping the fate of his brothers and sisters in his heart.
"This world returns to our hands once more, Brother!" Shendu declared, his voice ringing with triumph.
"Of course," Zoran replied calmly, giving a slight nod. "I told you before, this glory of freedom is not something I shall enjoy alone."
Now, two fully powered demons walked the world once more. There was no doubt, this was the Age of Demon Chi.
While Shendu was overwhelmed by excitement and joy, Zoran was thinking much further ahead. This was a world where Good and Evil, Yin and Yang, naturally balanced one another. This rule was etched into the very fabric of reality. It was an immutable fact; no matter how powerful they became as demons, they could not shake this fundamental law, for they themselves were born from that same essence.
Once, the Eight Demon Sorcerers rampaged through the ancient times, only to be sealed by the Eight Immortals. The Demon Chi represented by the demons hit rock bottom, while the Noble Chi took the upper hand for a long duration. The Immortal Deities had exploited a loophole in the rules of sealing to achieve that result.
Having witnessed their experience, Zoran had learned to use that same method. Banishing He Xiangu to the dark side of the moon and sealing Lü Dongbin in the Netherworld was his strategy.
Seal them, but do not kill them. Exactly as the Immortals had done to them.
By letting He Xiangu and Lü Dongbin occupy the "slots" of the Noble Chi, he could suppress the birth of even more powerful forces of justice. It was a classic case of "repaying them in kind."
Yet, even this was not a permanent solution. A seal might last a thousand years, or ten thousand, but what happens after? The lifespan of a demon is infinite; a measurement of ten million years is no guarantee of safety. He could not be certain if his and Shendu's current victory was merely the "Demon Chi" side of the world's pendulum swinging back after hitting the bottom.
The rules of this world were cold and terrifying. Perhaps the world itself could ascend and grow stronger through the eternal struggle between Light and Darkness. But the cost of that cycle was too cruel for the demons. One side withers as the other flourishes. In this endless loop, the ultimate price would be the eventual erasure of both the Demons and the Immortals.
Zoran did not need that, nor did he wish to see it. There were only two ways forward. Either fundamentally change the rules of this world... or rescue the rest of the siblings from the Netherworld as quickly as possible and leave this world entirely.
Zoran intended to try both. As the eldest, he had to consider every contingency; he could not afford a single misstep.
He looked at Shendu and said, "Do not forget our other brothers and sisters."
"Of course, my brother," Shendu laughed heartily.
He wouldn't forget. He would not make the same choices he had made in the past. The Eight Demon Sorcerers were of one blood; they should face hardships together and share in the glory.
He looked at Zoran with a burning, sincere gaze.
"I believe in everything you do, Brother Tso Lan."
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