Chapter 1486: I live in the hearts of all spirits in all ages, and I am omnipotent

The border between Xian Chu and the Endless Demon Realm was known as the Scarlet Plateau. This plateau stretched like a spine at the edge of the world, wide and boundless, extending for countless hundreds of millions of miles. On both sides lay abysses shrouded in a bloody mist, where a cold and bleak wind howled year-round.

Cultivators with weaker foundations risked being swept away by the fierce winds, their souls scattered to the void. For those unfortunate enough to fall into the bloody abyss on either side, even the mightiest Immortal Kings would find it nearly impossible to survive.

Now, with the ongoing battle between Xian Chu and the Demon Realm, the bloodshed on the plateau had intensified. Countless Heavenly Soldiers of Xian Chu clashed with the demon army, transforming the land into a river of blood, with corpses strewn everywhere.

This conflict had persisted for nearly half a year. Although both sides had suffered considerable losses, their extensive backgrounds meant that such casualties were far from devastating. The Demon Race was one of the largest and most numerous ethnic groups within the Xi Yuan civilization, ensuring that their resilience in battle remained formidable.

Although the Demon Court did not command all the demon clans, it wielded authority over countless formidable monsters, each with unfathomable strength. Above these great monsters were demon generals, grand demon generals, demon kings, and others, creating a complex hierarchy within the demon army.

The losses incurred by the monster army during this period were far from trivial. High-ranking existences like demon generals and demon kings had not yet fully engaged in battle; instead, they were overseeing the formations and watching from the periphery of the conflict. With their cultivation having reached the level of Immortal Emperor, and even Dao realms, these figures represented the core of each power, making their potential loss a significant blow.

For Xian Chu, the implications of this battle were primarily about managing the threat posed by the Demon Court. In truth, Xian Chu did not aim to instigate a full-blown war with the Demon Court. However, many demon kings within the court felt conflicted; they considered the demon ancestor’s aggressive approach unwise, especially given the current circumstances. Yet, the fear instilled by the power of the Demon-Gathering Whistle and the authority of the demon ancestor kept them from openly opposing his orders.

As a result, many demon monarchs refrained from truly engaging in the battle. Even when they faced the forces of Xian Chu, they held back, avoiding injuries and not exerting their full strength.

Di Kun, the Seventh Crown Prince of the Demon Court, stood on the Scarlet Plateau, clad in a black-gold cloak adorned with a golden crow pattern on his sleeves. He gazed at the fierce battle unfolding before him, his expression grim and filled with frustration. “Over the years, my father has been in seclusion, studying the Dao in the Demon Realm, while my elder brother, as a demon emperor, has been so consumed with pursuing power that he neglects to manage the Demon Court. As a result, many demon monarchs have become increasingly fearless toward the court.”

He clenched his fists, anger simmering beneath his calm facade. “No wonder Xian Chu shows no mercy this time and adopts such a tough stance. They think they can take advantage of the fact that the Demon Court has become so complacent!”

Among the nine descendants of the Demon Ancestor, Di Kun was ranked seventh, placing him in a position that was neither at the top nor at the bottom. His bloodline talent was not as exceptional as that of his eldest brother or others, and he garnered less favor than his eighth and ninth brothers. Yet, he was the most diligent and hard-working among all the heirs, putting significant effort into his political endeavors. Despite this, he still failed to capture the Demon Ancestor’s attention.

A significant reason Di Kun had grown close to his ninth younger brother, Di Wen, was to attract the Demon Ancestor’s attention during this turbulent time. His strategy had initially been successful; after forging a bond with Di Wen, he had begun to receive the recognition from the Demon Ancestor that he had long sought.

However, with Di Wen’s death, Di Kun feared he would slip back into obscurity, fading from the Demon Ancestor’s sight once more. This thought filled him with unwillingness. He aspired to become a demon emperor, yet every opportunity to showcase his talents seemed to slip through his fingers. Just as he glimpsed a flicker of hope, it had now been extinguished.

“Now that my father is in a furious state, Xian Chu will not shrink back. They refuse to hand over the murderer who killed Di Wen. Meanwhile, the demon kings are either obedient or rebellious, reluctant to fight with their full strength,” Di Kun mused, frustration etched across his face. “My elder brothers are mediocre and incompetent; they rely solely on their bloodline talents without knowing how to utilize their abilities. Now, they’re afraid of Xian Chu and won’t dare to seek revenge for Di Wen.”

A flicker of determination ignited in Di Kun’s eyes. “But perhaps this could be another chance for me.” He felt a surge of resolve as various thoughts raced through his mind. He needed to let the Demon Ancestor unleash his fury while ensuring that Xian Chu paid the painful price they deserved.

Only by taking such decisive action could he distinguish himself from his mediocre older brothers and gain the respect he craved from the Demon Ancestor. His current mission to the Longling Ancient Domain was motivated by this very ambition.

Across the Scarlet Plateau lay another ancient domain of Xian Chu, where many powerful figures were stationed, intimidating the endless demon realm from above. Among them were Dao Realm existences capable of matching Di Kun in strength. Though he had survived six Heavenly Declines, he remained uncertain whether he could truly lead the monster army to successfully capture the opposing side of the Scarlet Plateau.

“Indeed, this is your chance,” a voice suddenly echoed in Di Kun’s mind, its tone difficult to discern as either true or false. The voice was vast and distant, as if it spanned mountains and seas, carrying an eerie calmness devoid of emotional fluctuation.

“Who are you?” Di Kun asked, taken aback by the sudden intrusion. His heart raced as he turned his head to scan the surroundings, a mix of curiosity and fear swirling within him.

On the vast and boundless blood-colored plateau, only the relentless winds of crimson blew, occasionally carrying with them scattered corpses that rolled and fell silently into the abyss. The desolation was palpable, and if not for the startling clarity of the voice resonating in his mind, Di Kun might have doubted his own senses.

Relying on his ability to survive six Heavenly Declines and being on the verge of entering the Ancestral Dao Realm, he could not discern the source of this voice. It eluded him completely, lacking any detectable fluctuations or auras, as if it originated from the depths of his own heart. This unsettling realization sent a tremor through him, mingling his intrigue with an eerie sense of dread.

“It doesn’t matter who I am,” the voice continued, flat and emotionless. “What is important is that I can help you become the Demon Emperor.”

Di Kun’s expression shifted, shock and horror mingling in his features as he tried to process the implications. It was clear to him now that this voice was deeply entwined with his own thoughts and desires.

“Help me become a Demon Emperor?” he echoed, struggling to maintain composure as the weight of the words sank in.

“Don’t you want to?” The voice seemed to emit an unintelligible chuckle, devoid of genuine warmth or mirth. This only deepened Di Kun’s astonishment; such insight was beyond anyone he had encountered, even his own father. How could this presence know his innermost thoughts?

Suppressing his shock, he took a deep breath, striving for calmness. “How did you know what was in my heart?”

“As long as you have desires, I can hear them. I dwell within the hearts of all beings in the world; I am omnipotent,” the voice replied, maintaining its flat tone, devoid of any emotional fluctuations.