Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 562: Demon-Slaying Order

The Tian Lou Saint is dead!

This news spread like a seismic shock, leaving the entire Eastern Region in a state of incomparable disbelief.

The Tian Lou Saint’s fame was already immense. He had previously challenged figures like Ye Lingyin and Xiao Tianming, amassing a remarkable record of ninety-nine victories that brought his prestige to its peak. Everyone knew the Tian Lou Saint planned to slay Su Han atop Holy Meteor Mountain. This victory would mark his one-hundredth win, a feat he intended to use to hone his Hundred-Victories Battle Intent and look down upon the other prodigies of his generation.

However, no one expected that such a powerful figure like the Tian Lou Saint would die, especially at the hands of Su Han, the biggest dark horse of all.

Instantly, tens of thousands were astonished and countless people were in an uproar. The news shook every Daozhou.

"How could the Tian Lou Saint, so powerful, possibly die? Could this be false news?"

"How could it be false? It’s being discussed in every Daozhou, so it must be true. Who would have thought that this Su Han was so powerful that not even the Tian Lou Saint was his match? I wonder if Chu Feng can still best him."

"I doubt it. Although Chu Feng is strong, he has his limits. The Tian Lou Saint was confident enough to challenge him; it was just a coincidence that Chu Feng wasn’t at the Chu Family’s estate. Now that even the Tian Lou Saint has died at Su Han’s hands, I don’t think Chu Feng is necessarily Su Han’s match either."

Martial artists everywhere discussed the matter, and various versions of the story circulated through the martial world. Although Su Han had yet to face Chu Feng, many already considered him the uncrowned king. It seemed the title of number one in the Eastern Region was about to change hands.

However, another piece of explosive news soon broke, causing public opinion of Su Han to plummet and turning his supporters into detractors. The Tian Luo Net Holy Land had made a public declaration that was displayed everywhere alongside video footage:

[Su Han has received an Evil Demon’s inheritance and has undergone Demonification. He will bring disaster to the Eastern Region. We, the Tian Luo Net Holy Land, hereby issue a Demon-Slaying Order, calling upon the martial artists of the Eastern Region to join a crusade against this Evil Demon!]

The video depicted Su Han’s demonized appearance, with scenes of black light spreading out and consuming everything. This announcement and the accompanying footage caused a massive uproar.

Although a hundred thousand spectators had witnessed the battle at Holy Meteor Mountain, they were but a drop in the ocean compared to the population of the entire Eastern Region. Most people were unaware of the battle’s specific details, but the Tian Luo Net Holy Land had released selectively edited footage to mislead the public, painting Su Han as an Evil Demon.

"I knew there was something strange about Su Han’s rapid rise to power! So he received an Evil Demon’s inheritance. Those creatures are known for killing without blinking, and they’re even rumored to eat people. I bet Su Han got so strong by devouring humans."

"That’s right! Look at that green face and vicious fangs—it’s exactly like the Evil Demons from the legends! It’s said that the Evil Demon race is cruel and bloodthirsty; the Human Race was once their food. I can’t believe an Evil Demon’s inheritance has reappeared in the world. We absolutely cannot let Su Han live."

"Let’s go to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion! We’ll denounce him and pressure them to hand over Su Han. If he lives, the Evil Demon calamity will return. It won’t just be our Eastern Region; the entire Desolate Heavenly Ancient Realm might become a colony of the Evil Demons!"

The very name ’Evil Demon’ sent chills down people’s spines. Although no one alive had ever seen an Evil Demon, their power and terror were well-documented in ancient texts. Nobody wanted to see the Evil Demon race make a comeback, so the public’s reverence for Su Han instantly curdled into fear.

As a result, branches of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion everywhere were besieged by protestors demanding they hand over Su Han. The situation escalated and spread throughout the five hundred Daozhou of the Eastern Region. The momentum of the public outrage was so enormous that even the Myriad Treasures Pavilion struggled to withstand it.

「In the Cloud Mist Hall of the Tian Luo Net Holy Land」

The Great Saints and elders gathered once again.

"The Holy Master’s move is truly brilliant," the Blood Slaughter Saint said with a grin, complimenting the Heavenly Dragon Saint. "Now, martial artists everywhere are filled with rage and are surrounding the Myriad Treasures Pavilions. Even Empress Duobao won’t be able to withstand this wave of public outrage."

Publicly issuing the Demon-Slaying Order while simultaneously stoking public fury was precisely the Heavenly Dragon Saint’s idea. This series of maneuvers had turned Su Han into a public enemy and dragged the Myriad Treasures Pavilion’s reputation through the mud. Even if Empress Duobao was enraged, the fire of public fury had been lit and could not be extinguished. Besides, if Empress Duobao wanted to move against the Tian Luo Net Holy Land, she would have to see if the other Great Emperors of the Eastern Region would even allow it.

The Great Emperor Covenant was not a mere scrap of paper; it was a pact that bound every Great Emperor in the Desolate Heavenly Ancient Realm.

"That damned Su Han, daring to kill the Saint Heir! Even Empress Duobao can’t protect him this time. He must die!" the Cyclopean Scorpion Saint spoke coldly. The death of the Tian Lou Saint was an enormous blow to the entire Holy Land, and Su Han’s monstrous innate talent gave them sleepless nights. Now that they were mortal enemies, they had to use any means necessary to destroy Su Han.

"Public opinion and public anger are not yet enough," the Heavenly Dragon Saint said, his face expressionless but his posture radiating an air of certain victory. "Continue to fan the flames of public fury. I want to see just how long the Myriad Treasures Pavilion can last!"

He believed that under the weight of public anger, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion could not possibly endure. Otherwise, its business would be ruined. Surely, Empress Duobao was well aware of what was at stake.

Unfortunately for him, he did not realize how highly Empress Duobao regarded Su Han. If he knew that the war between the Myriad Treasures Pavilion and the Demon Slayer Sect had been fought for Su Han’s sake, he likely wouldn’t be so naive.

A glint of cunning shone in the Heavenly Dragon Saint’s eyes. Although he was no match for Empress Duobao in a direct fight, he could still use stratagems against her. Moreover, he only wanted Su Han. If Empress Duobao was wise, she would naturally know how to weigh her options.

"However, ordinary public fury isn’t enough to do any real damage to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion," he declared. "Therefore, we need real power to pressure Empress Duobao!"

"Holy Master, do you intend to seek out the Slaughter Great Emperor?" the Blood Slaughter Saint quickly guessed his intentions.

Currently, if anyone bore a deeper grudge against Empress Duobao, it was undoubtedly the Slaughter Great Emperor of the Demon Slayer Sect. The previous war had not only resulted in heavy losses for the Demon Slayer Sect but had even left the Slaughter Great Emperor wounded. With an opportunity like this, he would certainly not refuse.

"Not just the Slaughter Great Emperor," the Heavenly Dragon Saint continued. "I also intend to visit the Four Great Imperial Clans and hope to persuade one or two Great Emperors. As long as two Great Emperors are willing to exert pressure on Empress Duobao, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion will have no choice but to hand over Su Han!"

The Heavenly Dragon Saint had already devised his strategy. He would use the Evil Demon as a pretext to strike Su Han down in one fell swoop. Empress Duobao might be powerful, but she was not invincible. Other Great Emperors in the Eastern Region could restrain her. Under pressure from multiple fronts, even she would be unable to hold out. Once Su Han was handed over, he had to be executed immediately to eliminate any future threat.

"The Holy Master is wise!" The Blood Slaughter Saint offered a bit of flattery, thinking the plan had great potential.

"Enough talk," the Heavenly Dragon Saint commanded. "You will continue to fan the flames of public anger while I go persuade the other Great Emperors. We will act separately. This time, we must kill Su Han!"

With the Heavenly Dragon Saint’s command, the plot to kill Su Han was set in motion.