Chapter 112: Qatar’s Demonization, Shen Yue Strikes

Bai Ting, still tending to the wounded, jolted at a sudden noise. She whipped her head around to see the remnants of a hundred thousand elite Demon Race warriors vanish into thin air. Shock coursed through her.

“If only I had such power back then, maybe Father would still be alive, and Heavenfire City wouldn’t have fallen.” Staring at Gu Xiaoyao’s back, Bai Ting’s heart churned with mixed emotions. With a sigh, she returned to healing Li Jiantian.

Meanwhile, the two hundred thousand Demon Race elites behind Qatar froze in place. Witnessing a single slash wipe out a hundred thousand of their kin—without even leaving a trace—sent chills down their spines.

Instinctively, they took a step back, their bodies screaming that retreat was the only path to survival.

Qatar sensed their hesitation and spun around, his voice a furious growl. “What are you afraid of? He’s just one man! We could drown him in spit if we wanted! No retreating!”

Before that devastating strike, the Demon Race elites had believed they could overwhelm with sheer numbers. But after witnessing it, only a fool would charge to their death.

A Squad Leader gritted his teeth and leaned close to Qatar, whispering urgently, “General Qatar, it’s not fear. This man is no ordinary foe. His techniques are bizarre. One slash, and a hundred thousand of our warriors were erased!”

“Coward! Stop making excuses for your weakness. You’re boosting his ego and crushing our morale!” Qatar roared, delivering a sharp slap to the Squad Leader’s face.

“My apologies, General. I overstepped.” The Squad Leader clutched his swollen cheek, bowing his head without a hint of defiance.

Qatar turned to Duersa nearby, barking a command. “Duersa, take a hundred thousand elites and kill that brat. He must die!”

“Understood!” Duersa saluted, then faced the troops. “Follow me, charge!”

Leading the hundred thousand Demon Race elites, Duersa unleashed their most powerful attacks. A storm of fury descended upon Gu Xiaoyao, who hadn’t moved an inch.

“Tch, I’m still not used to wielding this Extinction Sword. Guess I need more practice.” Gu Xiaoyao carefully wiped the blade, completely ignoring the oncoming horde. He let out a small sigh.

“You lot seem eager to die. Fine, I’ll send you on your way.” Gu Xiaoyao glanced up at the approaching army, his expression unchanged as he raised his head.

“Extinction Sword, Second Form: Crossing the Yellow Springs!” In an instant, Gu Xiaoyao unleashed the might of the Sword Emperor Realm at the eighth level. With a flick of his wrist, he swung his blade.

The sword’s edge gleamed like light itself, its aura slicing through the air with terrifying speed.

Duersa and his hundred thousand elites felt an unseen force pin them midair. Helpless, they watched as the horrifying sword aura tore through them like lightning, their bodies shattering before they could even gasp in shock.

The hundred thousand Demon Race warriors split apart, their bodies bursting like brilliant fireworks across the battlefield. In Sky Sword City, hidden citizens peeked out, drawn by the spectacle.

Duersa barely survived the blow, half his body torn apart, his breath shallow and fading fast.

Qatar stood dumbfounded. He’d assumed Gu Xiaoyao’s move had limits, draining his spiritual energy. He never imagined a second strike was possible.

He’d sent Duersa to attack, betting Gu Xiaoyao couldn’t repeat the feat. Yet his miscalculation cost another hundred thousand elite lives.

Gu Xiaoyao turned, letting out a sigh. “Stop testing me. With my current spiritual energy, I truly can’t unleash a third strike. So, feel free to come at me.”

Qatar’s heart leapt with glee. He hadn’t dreamed Gu Xiaoyao would admit such a thing. If this was true, capturing him now would be perfect.

Even if taking Sky Sword City came at a steep cost, it could make up for his blunders.

A glint of murderous intent flashed in Qatar’s eyes as he laughed aloud. “If that’s the case, we’ll oblige you, kid! Haha, warriors of the Demon Race, follow my lead and slay this boy!”

Qatar roared, unleashing the full power of the late Demon Emperor Realm. The remaining hundred thousand Demon Race warriors matched his energy, releasing their own cultivation in unison.

The once-still sky grew darker, heavy clouds blanketing everything. A light drizzle began to fall, washing away the bloodstains on the ground.

A crimson moon seemed to hang in the heavens. Qatar led his last hundred thousand warriors, striking with their strongest attack, rain mingling with their assault as they charged at Gu Xiaoyao.

Gu Xiaoyao watched them approach, unhurried. He sheathed the Extinction Sword with a sigh. “I did say this sword can’t manage a third strike. But that doesn’t mean it’s my only weapon. Skydome Sword, come forth!”

The Golden Greatsword within Gu Xiaoyao’s body responded instantly, materializing behind him. He drew it lightly, running two fingers along the blade.

“Divine Oracle: Annihilation.” Gu Xiaoyao took a step forward, his aura surging until it reached the first level of the Sword Saint Realm. With a twist of his wrist, he unleashed a strike.

The sword’s edge shone like pure light, cleaving through mountains and rivers. The earth trembled, and where the sword wind passed, a massive, endless chasm split open.

Qatar saw only a blinding golden light hurtling toward his face. Knowing evasion was his only chance, he gritted his teeth, sacrificing his remaining arm to barely dodge the attack.

The other Demon Race elites weren’t so lucky. They perished under the devastating blow, their existence wiped out.

Qatar turned in horror, only to see a terrifying fissure still billowing with thick smoke. He swallowed hard, dread gripping him.

On either side of the chasm, corpses piled into mountains as far as the eye could see. The stench of blood saturated the air, and nearby crows cawed excitedly from the trees.

Qatar howled in rage. “Damn you, brat! Didn’t you say you couldn’t unleash a third strike? Were you toying with me?!”

“I did say that sword couldn’t manage a third strike. But I never said it was my only blade. If you didn’t listen properly, whose fault is that?” Gu Xiaoyao dug at his ear impatiently, eyeing Qatar.

Qatar’s fury surged, blood spewing from his mouth. “You wretched brat! You tricked me into losing three hundred thousand of my elite warriors! I’ll kill you to avenge them!”

Having lost both arms, Qatar’s body wavered, on the verge of collapsing to the ground.

Nearby, a barely alive Duersa mustered his last strength to shout at Qatar. “Qatar, there’s no time! Use that move. Consume me. I’m done for anyway. If you fight him, there’s still a sliver of hope!”

“Duersa, but that will kill you!” Qatar stumbled over to Duersa’s side.

Duersa said nothing, his fading gaze fixed on Qatar, his aura flickering weakly.

Qatar bit down hard, pain etched on his face. “Duersa, I understand. I’ll avenge you all and kill that damn kid!”

Duersa closed his eyes with a satisfied smile. Qatar, suppressing his grief, opened his bloodied maw and devoured Duersa whole.

Gu Xiaoyao sensed something was wrong and hurriedly swung his sword, but it was too late. A mysterious force intercepted the strike.

As the thick black smoke cleared, Qatar’s form had grown massive. His demonization complete, his body was covered in gleaming, ink-black scales. Standing eight feet tall, horns sprouted from his head, and wings stretched from his back.

Having consumed Duersa, Qatar ascended to the late Demon Saint Realm. Waves of overwhelming power burst forth from him.

“Kid, I’ll make you pay! Feel the resolve of both of us!” Qatar’s blood-red eyes locked onto Gu Xiaoyao. His wings stirred a violent gale as he charged forward with terrifying speed.

Gu Xiaoyao felt a surge of danger. He drew his sword to block, but Qatar grabbed him by the neck, dragging him through Sky Sword City in a brutal collision.

Gu Xiaoyao prepared to unleash his strongest move, but then he saw the pitiful, tear-filled eyes of children in the residential buildings. Dropping his sword, he resorted to raw, hand-to-hand combat.

Trading blow for blow, the two leveled entire sections of Sky Sword City. Qatar seized Gu Xiaoyao’s body, hurling him toward a nearby structure.

With a thunderous roar, Qatar dove after him. Man and demon clashed again, fighting until the world seemed to darken, even headbutting each other in their frenzy.

“Damn brat, how are you so tough? Just die already!” Qatar gripped Gu Xiaoyao’s shoulders, shock flashing in his eyes.

Gu Xiaoyao spat out a mouthful of blood. “Filthy bug, the one who should die is you!”

With a fierce grunt, Gu Xiaoyao slammed his forehead into Qatar’s. The demon recoiled in pain, loosening his grip. Seizing the chance, Gu Xiaoyao leapt behind him.

He grabbed Qatar’s massive wings, ripping them off with flesh and bone in a brutal tear.

“Damn you, brat! You tore off my wings! I’ll kill you!” Qatar’s eyes blazed with agony and rage as he lunged at Gu Xiaoyao.

Gu Xiaoyao dodged with a swift movement, grabbing Qatar’s tail and flinging him with all his might. The demon crashed into Li Ji’s courtyard nearby.

The four figures locked eyes. Li Ji and Shen Qinglian stared in utter shock, nearly fainting on the spot.

“Brat, I’ll have your life!” Qatar’s form flickered as he seized Gu Xiaoyao, smashing him toward the city gate with ferocious speed.

………………

Bai Ting, having just finished treating Li Jiantian, sighed in relief. Suddenly, a heavy thud echoed nearby. She turned in horror to see Gu Xiaoyao lying in a massive crater, blood trickling from his mouth.

“Young Master Gu, are you okay?” Panic etched on her face, Bai Ting leapt into the crater to help him up.

Gu Xiaoyao roared, “Miss Bai, it’s dangerous! Get back!”

He shoved the stunned Bai Ting aside just as Qatar’s tail whipped forward, piercing straight through Gu Xiaoyao’s chest. A spray of hot blood splashed onto Bai Ting’s cheek.

In the Gu family compound, Shen Yue, eyes closed in meditation, sensed her son’s life hanging by a thread in Sky Sword City. Though she had sworn off worldly matters, Gu Qingyi and Gu Qingxiao were her unbreakable line.

Shen Yue’s eyes snapped open, rage boiling within her. “Courting death! Whoever dares to harm my son so gravely, I’ll obliterate you!”

With a whoosh, Shen Yue vanished without a trace.

………………

Bai Ting supported Gu Xiaoyao, her face pale as snow. “Young Master Gu, are you alright?”

Her hand brushed his back, feeling a scalding warmth. Pulling back, she stared at her delicate fingers, now coated in blood.

Qatar, the culprit, let out a triumphant laugh. “Brat, I’ve finally… finally killed you! Next, I’ll slaughter this girl, then raze the city!”

Qatar’s expression darkened, a lethal glint in his eyes. He raised a palm, aiming to strike Bai Ting.

A voice cut through his attack.

“Mere insect, how dare you wreak havoc among the Human Race? Paradise offered a path, yet you chose to barge into Hell. Today, I’ll send you on your way!”

A radiant figure appeared, Shen Yue’s stunning visage coming into view under Qatar’s gaze.

Qatar bellowed, “Damn human, what nonsense are you spouting? Die!”

He shot into the air, charging straight at Shen Yue in the sky.

Shen Yue’s beautiful face held no warmth. Her red lips parted slightly. “Die.”

Qatar froze midair, unable to move. A colossal force slammed him into the ground, pinning him helplessly. His organs shattered, leaving him immobile.

“King, Marshal, I’ve failed your trust. I couldn’t complete the task you gave me.” Qatar’s gaze locked on Shen Yue, his eyes dimming as his breath faded.

……………………

Demon Race and Human Race strength levels correspond as follows:

【Demon Race ranks: Demon Soldier, Demon Warrior, Demon General, Demon King, Demon Emperor, Demon Saint, Demon Sovereign, Demon God, each divided into early, middle, late, and peak stages.】

【Sword Qi Continent cultivation realms: Sword Practitioner Realm, Sword Qi Realm, Sword Sea Realm, Sword King Realm, Sword Emperor Realm, Sword Saint Realm, (Demi-God Realm), Sword God Realm, each divided into nine levels.】