Chapter 105: Disaster Strikes: The Demon Race Launches Their Invasion

In an instant, the seal shattered. Over a hundred villages were slaughtered to the last, and even Heavenfire City—an ancient stronghold that had stood for thousands of years—was destroyed by a single thousand-strong demon squad in just half a day.

The wave of tragedy swept across the entire continent. Sword Qi Continent trembled as panic gripped the hearts of its people. Still wandering aimlessly and weeping, Bai Ting heard the news and everything went black. She collapsed completely, lost in unconsciousness.

………………

Within the Jianwu Dynasty, a heavy gloom settled over the nation. Anxiety haunted every heart.

Many ministers trembled uncontrollably as they pressed their foreheads to the ground before Xie Lingtian, pleading for guidance.

“Your Majesty, the seal is broken. The Demon Race has massacred over a hundred of our human villages—ten thousand lives lost.” One minister threw himself to the ground instantly.

“Your Majesty, He… Heavenfire City has fallen. City Lord Bai Jingshan died in battle. All three hundred thousand citizens—none survived.” Another minister immediately followed suit, falling to the floor and not daring to meet Xie Lingtian’s gaze.

When Xie Lingtian heard the news, anger exploded inside him. He slammed his palm down on the dragon table, his voice shaking with fury. “Those damn demons! If I don’t avenge this, I am unworthy to call myself human. Send orders—put the entire nation on alert. Prepare for war with the Demon Race!”

“Yu Wenrong and all generals, hear my command! Go at once and prepare your troops. The day after tomorrow, we march to retake Heavenfire City!” Xie Lingtian stood with a sweeping gesture.

“We obey, Your Majesty. We will reclaim Heavenfire City!” The assembled men bowed and quickly left the palace.

………………

Demon Domain, atop Demon God Peak.

Lin Mo was stunned by the report, but his face quickly filled with satisfaction. “Qatar did exceptionally well this time. He’s brought us vital intelligence and secured a beautiful victory for our side!”

“My king, now that the humans are this weak, with only minimal losses we wiped out hundreds of thousands. Now’s the perfect moment. We should press our advantage and completely annihilate them!” Ulu watched the reporting demon soldier, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

“My king, I agree. Now is the time to end them in one strike!” Another demon general, Muyan, just stepping into the Demon Saint Realm, stepped forward and bowed.

Moran also stood up, beaming. “My king, I agree as well. With human morale in shambles, we should strike while the iron’s hot and pick them off one by one. This chance won’t come again!”

“Muyan, Moran—you have your orders. As commanders, lead a million of our demon soldiers through the breach in the seal into the human world and support Qatar and his men!” Lin Mo rose, waving his hand with barely contained joy in his eyes.

“I, Muyan, shall obey my king’s orders!” Muyan stepped forward, fists clasped in salute.

Moran grinned. “I, Moran, will follow your command, my king. We’ll sweep through the Human Race without fail!”

Lin Mo settled back into his chair and waved them off with a calm expression. “Go. I await your good news.”

“We take our leave.” Moran and Muyan bowed, shared a glance and a smile, then departed together.

Soon, the two led a massive army of a million from the Demon Domain, might and pride radiating from their ranks as they swept through the breach in the seal, marching at last toward the human world they’d longed for.

………………

At Tianwu Academy’s arena.

A month had passed. Today was the long-awaited duel between Nalan Xue and Mo Chen. The news of the demon invasion hadn’t yet reached here, and the audience was giddy with anticipation, crowding around the stage.

Nalan Xue had endured a month of grueling cultivation, working many times harder than ordinary people, and finally, her efforts paid off. She broke through to the Sword King Realm.

Fueled by his family’s resources, Mo Chen also stepped into the Sword King Realm.

Both stood atop the dueling platform, letting the wind play with their hair. They exchanged a glance and bowed to each other.

“Nalan Xue, Second Level of the Sword King Realm—please enlighten me!” Nalan Xue declared, brandishing her Plum Blossom Sword. Her presence radiated confidence as she faced Mo Chen.

“Mo Chen, First Level of the Sword King Realm—please go easy on me!” Mo Chen replied, gripping his spear and flashing Nalan Xue a relaxed, cheerful smile.

Nangong Wentian cleared his throat, his face steady. “This match is only until first contact—no fatal injuries allowed. I declare the duel begins!”

“Watch out, Junior Sister!” Mo Chen shouted, his spear flashing toward Nalan Xue like a streak of lightning.

“Tch, all flash and no substance.” Nalan Xue sidestepped, unhurried, then lifted her Plum Blossom Sword for a counterattack.

Their figures danced swiftly across the stage, weapons clashing in a shower of sparks that crackled and flashed with wild energy.

Mo Chen noticed Nalan Xue’s unsteady footing and pressed his assault, confident that victory was within reach. But in the blink of an eye, Nalan Xue had vanished from his sight.

He stared at the empty air, his smile freezing as he suddenly felt a cold blade against his neck—a sword had found its mark.

Nalan Xue quietly sheathed her sword, her gaze cool and dismissive as she looked at Mo Chen. “You’ve lost. Time to keep your promise.”

Mo Chen let out a resigned sigh and lowered his head. “I apologize to both Nalan Xue and Nalan Su. I should never have bullied you the way I did. I’ve failed as your senior brother.”

He was about to kneel, but Nalan Xue hurried to block him.

“Our grudge ends here. There’s no need for that!” Nalan Xue turned and strode away, her every movement brimming with style.

The crowd erupted with cheers, proud of Nalan Xue’s victory. Meanwhile, Mo Chen’s supporters helped him off the stage.

Nangong Wentian was just about to announce the astonishing news—

—when a disciple rushed over, whispering urgently in his ear. “Headmaster, bad news. The Demon Race is back in force. Heavenfire City has already fallen. They say the demons have sent a million-strong force through the breach in the seal.”

“What did you say?!” Nangong Wentian was so stunned, he stood there for a long time, lost for words.

At length, Nangong Wentian sighed and turned to address the crowd. “Disciples of Tianwu Academy, listen well—even after thousands of years, the Demon Race has returned through the breach to invade the world of men.”

“The latest reports say a vanguard of one thousand demons slaughtered hundreds of villages and destroyed Heavenfire City. Now, an army of one million marches toward us.” Nangong Wentian lowered his head, unable to contain his turmoil.

The academy’s students were shell-shocked. “What? What are we supposed to do? A thousand demons wiped out tens of thousands, and now there’s a million coming? We don’t stand a chance!”

Some began to sob, collapsing where they stood, their eyes empty with despair. The devastating news struck like thunder, wiping away all traces of joy from their hearts.

Nangong Wentian grit his teeth and tried to steady the crowd. “There’s no need to panic. The Demons may be strong, but we humans aren’t pushovers. If they want our lands, they’ll have to prove they deserve it!”

With the headmaster’s reassurance, the students slowly regained their composure and started to drift away.

………………

Sword Qi Continent. Eight thousand years had drifted by, and at last, the day came: humanity and the demons formally declared war. The Demon Race sent a million-strong army against the armored hosts of mankind. Battle erupted before the gates of Heavenfire City, both sides locked in a bloody clash. Neither dared a major assault, and for now the front lines didn’t budge an inch.