Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

”A Holy Artifact!”

Su Han’s pupils constricted in shock. He hadn’t expected to find a Holy Artifact hidden in this valley.

At the same time, Tongyan’s pretty face changed slightly, her expression filled with immense surprise.

In the valley, a black banner hung suspended in mid-air. It was pitch-black, and a dragon shadow emerged upon its surface. This dragon shadow was not static; on the contrary, it coiled and moved as if it were alive.

”The Dragon Slaying Demon Banner… I finally succeeded!”

Upon seeing the black banner, Soul-Enticing’s face lit up with excitement.

This Dragon Slaying Demon Banner was not something he had refined. Rather, a thousand years ago, when the Dragon Palace Ruins were last open, a prodigy from the Demon Slayer Sect had entered. After discovering this Dragon Fiend Valley, he placed his Dao Artifact here and set up an Artifact Refining Great Formation to refine it using the valley’s rich Dragon Fiend Qi.

A thousand years had passed. That prodigy from back then was now a powerful Seven Kills Saint within the Demon Slayer Sect, and he had not forgotten the banner he had left behind. This time, he had taken the initiative to find Soul-Enticing and his two companions, tasking them with retrieving the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner for him.

The Seven Kills Saint had already taught Soul-Enticing’s trio the Manipulation Method for this Material Wealth Heavenly Treasure Formation and the technique to control the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner. This was how they were able to activate the Great Formation and reveal the banner.

Having absorbed a thousand years of Dragon Fiend Qi, the banner had evolved from a Dao Artifact into a Low Grade Holy Artifact. Its power was unimaginable.

Soul-Enticing and his companions were also extremely excited to see the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner. Although they ultimately had to return it to the Seven Kills Saint, they would still receive a generous reward. Besides, they would be the ones controlling the banner before leaving the Dragon Palace Ruins, which would greatly enhance their strength and allow them to compete for more opportunities. Such prospects naturally thrilled the three of them.

”Soul-Enticing, hurry up and collect the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner, lest any delays cause trouble!” Huang Shu said sharply, seeing Soul-Enticing lost in his excitement and jolting him back to reality.

The Dragon Slaying Demon Banner was a Holy Artifact. If others discovered it, it would surely attract unwanted trouble. The only sensible thing to do was to secure it quickly.

”You’re right. I’ll collect it now!”

Soul-Enticing suppressed the excitement in his heart and continued to operate the Material Wealth Heavenly Treasure Formation. Instantly, the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner burst forth with a horrifying demonic light. At the same time, the dragon shadow on it suddenly opened its mouth and inhaled.

WHOOSH!

Like a great whale drawing in water, all the rolling black smoke within the valley was sucked into the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner by the dragon shadow. This made the banner’s Demonic Might even more intense, as if one were facing a true demon dragon—unconquerably powerful.

”Collect!”

Soul-Enticing quickly employed the Manipulation Method taught by the Seven Kills Saint, attempting to retrieve the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner.

SWISH!

Just then, a brilliant golden light flew from afar. Like a golden meteor, it was resplendent and eye-catching as it streaked across the sky, impossible to miss. A powerful Holy Might washed over the area, causing the complexions of Soul-Enticing and his companions to change drastically.

Within the golden light was a nine-story Golden Pagoda. The pagoda was ten meters tall and shimmered with a dazzling golden radiance, emanating an intense Holy Might. It was none other than the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda.

”A Holy Artifact!”

Soul-Enticing and the others were dumbfounded at the sight of the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda. Holy Artifacts were incredibly precious; many experts in the Supreme Realm didn’t have one, let alone those in the Heavenly King Realm. Furthermore, Huang Shu had been keeping a vigilant watch on their surroundings. How could a Holy Artifact appear so suddenly?

What in the world is going on?

The three of them were completely baffled. Before they could understand, the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda streaked faster than lightning, flying directly into the valley and landing within the Material Wealth Heavenly Treasure Formation.

The Qian Palace opened, and a formidable suppressive force burst forth from the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda, smashing directly down onto the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner.

Both were Low Grade Holy Artifacts, but one was righteous while the other was evil. Moreover, the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda was being actively controlled, whereas Soul-Enticing had not yet gained control of the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner. When the two collided, the victor was immediately clear.

CLANG!

An earth-shattering boom, like the tolling of a great bell, exploded outward. The resulting shockwave spread like a tide, whipping up a furious storm that sent sand and stones flying throughout the valley. Soul-Enticing and his companions were struck by the sonic blast. Their faces turned deathly pale as they swiftly retreated, having sustained minor injuries.

Despite the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner’s strength, it was now suppressed by the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda. The black dragon shadow on the banner roared repeatedly but was utterly incapable of breaking free from the pagoda’s suppressive power.

WHOOSH!

Two figures rapidly approached from the distance, transforming into long rainbows of light. They flew into the valley and appeared before the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda.

”Who dares to interfere with the plans of my Demon Slayer Sect!”

Soul-Enticing’s gaze was sharp, fixed intently on the two unwelcome visitors. His aura surged violently as his killing intent flared. This was a place they had found only after painstaking effort, and their task was on behalf of the Seven Kills Saint. If it were to be snatched away, how could they possibly report back?

At the same time, Soul-Enticing also felt a sliver of fear. Their adversaries had concealed themselves too well; the trio hadn’t noticed them at all on their journey, and even Huang Shu’s keen perception had failed. This suggested their opponents’ strength was far from ordinary. Furthermore, one of them actually possessed a Holy Artifact. This person was definitely no ordinary prodigy.

Only the most elite prodigies, like Saint Heirs or Imperial Sons, could possibly possess a Holy Artifact. But shouldn’t all those top-tier prodigies be in the Core Area competing for the Dragon Transformation Pool? Why would they appear here? Besides, this isn’t the Dragon Burial Valley. How could such elite prodigies have been following us?

Soul-Enticing couldn’t figure it out. But regardless of the reason, they could not allow the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner to be taken. Otherwise, upon their return, they would likely face the terrifying wrath of the Seven Kills Saint.

Soon, Soul-Enticing recognized the faces of Su Han and Tongyan, which made him pause slightly.

The Fifth Sequence of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion? And Su Han from Qingzhou?

Tongyan’s fame was considerable, so Soul-Enticing naturally recognized her. As for Su Han, he had made a name for himself throughout the ruins, so Soul-Enticing had heard of him as well. He identified the two of them at a glance.

This greatly surprised Soul-Enticing. He had assumed some top-tier prodigy had learned of the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner and was deliberately targeting them, but he never expected it to be these two. He also recalled the Nine Palace Golden Pagoda—it was the Holy Artifact of the Tian Lou Saint. So Su Han was the one who obtained it. No wonder the Tian Lou Saint harbors such killing intent toward him.

Having recognized Su Han and Tongyan, Soul-Enticing felt slightly relieved. If they were facing top-tier prodigies, their trio might struggle to prevail even if they joined forces. But while Su Han and Tongyan were not weak, their cultivation realms were not high. Tongyan was merely at the First Layer of the Heavenly King Realm, while Su Han was only in the Divine Power Realm.

Although rumors claimed Su Han had slain several Heavenly King Realm experts from the East Sea Demon Clan, Soul-Enticing hadn’t witnessed it personally and found it hard to believe. Moreover, with three of them present, they had the numerical advantage. Three against two, how could they not gain the upper hand?

”Collect!”

At that moment, Su Han acted swiftly. He used the Secret of the Soldier Character to control the Dragon Slaying Demon Banner, directly storing it inside his Bronze Ring.

Seeing this, the murderous intent in Soul-Enticing’s eyes intensified.

The Dragon Slaying Demon Banner could not be lost.

”Heaven has a path, but you refused to take it. Hell has no gate, yet you have barged right in. The two of you will die here today!”