Chapter 9: Crimson Reckoning: Rise of the demon scourge.
As the Moonlit members watched in horror, Elder Lóng Wēi swiftly rushed Zhao to the Grand Hall for emergency treatment.
Just as they were about to enter the hall, Ryūjin appeared out of nowhere, feigning ignorance of Zhao's critical condition. With a dramatic flourish, he flung his arms around Elder Lóng Wēi, embracing him warmly.
Unbeknownst to the unsuspecting elder, Ryūjin had a poisonous needle concealed in his hand. With a swift, merciless strike, he pierced the needle into Elder Lóng Wēi's neck, delivering a deadly dose of the potent God Poison.
As the elder's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, Ryūjin turned to Zhao, whose eyes were wide with anguish. With a sadistic whisper, Ryūjin taunted, "You'll die, Liè Renwǒ will die, and everyone in this realm, including the Moonlit Sect, will perish."
Zhao's anger ignited, and he struggled to cry out for help. But before he could make a sound, Ryūjin ruthlessly plunged his sword into Zhao's throat, severing his head from his body.
With a calculating smile, Ryūjin flew to the Moonlit stands, pretending to be outraged. "Someone has killed Elder Lóng Wēi and Zhao!" he shouted, deceiving the crowd with his fabricated concern.
The Moonlit Sect's members were thrown into chaos, unaware of Ryūjin's duplicitous scheme. Liè Renwǒ's eyes blazed with fury as he vowed to avenge his fallen mentor.
"Who could have done such a heinous thing?" one of the Moonlit members asked, confusion etched on their face.
Ryūjin's eyes locked onto Liè Renwǒ, his gaze dripping with malice. "I suspect it was someone from the Moonlit Sect itself," he lied, fueling the flames of discord.
As tensions escalated, the tournament's outcome hung precariously in the balance. Would Liè Renwǒ be able to uncover the truth behind Zhao's tragic demise, or would Ryūjin's cunning plan succeed in destroying the Moonlit Sect?
Liè Renwǒ's eyes blazed with a fierce, otherworldly energy, his pupils glowing like embers as his cultivation power underwent a dark transformation. The air around him seemed to distort, as if the very fabric of reality was being warped by his newfound demonic energy.
The elders watched in horror, their faces pale with shock. "The power of the demon... it's consumed him!" one of them whispered.
Xiǎo Wēi tried to restrain Liè Renwǒ, but the demonic spirit coursing through his veins proved too powerful. With a snarl, Liè Renwǒ hurled Xiǎo Wēi against the wall, sending him crashing to the ground unconscious.
Tianyang witnessed the chaos unfolding before him, but he knew he couldn't intervene – not yet. Instead, he focused on reaching out to Liè Renwǒ, trying to pierce the veil of demonic energy shrouding his mind.
Liè Renwǒ, now fully embracing his dark powers, unleashed a devastating technique – the "Infernal Requiem." The blast of energy obliterated the Heavenly Above Faction's stands, sending their members fleeing into the skies.
The Heavenly Above Sect's leader, Jiǎng Huàn, and his elders hastily constructed a containment array, hoping to trap Liè Renwǒ and suppress his demonic powers. However, Liè Renwǒ proved too formidable, shattering the array with a single, explosive strike – the "Phoenix Fire Flame Little Finger Punch."
The Heavenly Above Faction Sect was thrown into chaos as the containment array's destruction sent shockwaves through the grounds. The sect's members, fueled by anger and a desire for revenge, launched a unified assault on Liè Renwǒ.
Tianyang, however, proved equal to the task. With his transcendent martial prowess, he effortlessly deflected and countered the flurry of attacks. His movements were a blur, his fists and feet weaving a complex pattern of defense and counterattack.
Jiǎng Huàn's eyes widened in astonishment as he watched Tianyang's display of martial mastery. "Who is this mysterious figure?" he demanded, his voice echoing through the grounds.
Ryūjin emerged from the shadows, his eyes blazing with malevolent intent. "He's my old friend... or at least, he was," Ryūjin sneered, his gaze locked onto Tianyang. "Now, he's just another obstacle to eliminate."
The Moonlit elders watched in stunned silence as Ryūjin's betrayal was laid bare. One of them finally found his voice, "Ryūjin, what are you doing? You're one of us!"
Ryūjin's laughter was like a cold, mirthless wind. "You fools," he spat. "I was always meant to lead the Moonlit Sect, but you elders chose Zhao over me. Today, you'll pay the price for your shortsightedness."
As Ryūjin's maniacal laughter echoed through the air, Liè Renwǒ's eyes remained fixed on him. The demonic energy coursing through his veins fueled an insatiable hunger for destruction.
Liè Renwǒ's voice was barely above a whisper, but it sent shivers down Ryūjin's spine. "You... you're the one I've been searching for."
Ryūjin's smile faltered, and for a moment, he looked uncertain. But then, his confidence returned, and he sneered, "You're no match for me, Liè Renwǒ. Not in your current state."
Tianyang watched the exchange, his eyes narrowing in concern. He knew Liè Renwǒ's demonic energy was growing stronger by the minute, and if left unchecked, it would consume him entirely.Liè Renwǒ's demonic spirit continued to rage out of control, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The Heavenly Above Faction Sect and the Moonlit Sect clashed in a fierce battle, with both sides trading blows and neither gaining the upper hand.
Xiǎo Wēi, now recovered from his earlier ordeal, charged into the fray, his fists flying as he fought to protect his fellow Moonlit Sect members.
Tianyang, meanwhile, struggled to find a way to calm Liè Renwǒ's demonic spirit. But the young warrior's rage only seemed to intensify, fueled by the chaos and destruction surrounding him.
As the battle raged on, the landscape around them began to resemble a war-torn wasteland. Buildings lay in ruins, trees were uprooted, and the once-manicured lawns were now scorched and blackened.
In the midst of the carnage, Ryūjin spotted an opportunity to strike a decisive blow. With a swift and deadly motion, he dispatched Xiǎo Wēi, leaving the young warrior's lifeless body crumpled on the ground.
The Moonlit Sect's members were thrown into disarray, their morale shattered by the loss of their comrade. Tianyang, witnessing their suffering, felt his heart heavy with concern.
With a deep breath, he steeled himself for the battle ahead. Focusing his energy, he prepared to unleash a thunderous attack. But before he could strike, Ryūjin countered with a swift and deadly slash of his metal-energy infused sword.
The blade bit deep into Tianyang's shoulder, sending him stumbling backward. Ryūjin's eyes gleamed with triumph as he pressed his advantage, poised to deliver the finishing blow.