Demon-Suppressing City was situated at the main exit of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range facing human territory.
Due to geographical necessity and the unique existence of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, it had gradually evolved over hundreds of years into the largest and most important town in the region surrounding the mountain range. Numerous mercenary groups, merchants, and adventurers were permanently stationed there, making it a bustling hub of activity with a constant flow of traffic.
In recent days, terrifying roars had been heard from within the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, suspected to be from a super demonic beast comparable to a Martial God realm expert going berserk. This was also suspected to be the beginning of a demonic beast uprising, leading to much tighter security. Hundreds of thousands of troops were arrayed before the mountain range, standing ready for battle.
Even the royal capital had dispatched a super expert at the Martial God realm, causing unease among the towns near the mountain range. Many people scrambled to leave this dangerous area, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire once the uprising began.
Despite this, the ancient city of Demon-Suppressing City maintained its usual prosperity and vitality. Countless adventurers still arrived daily, with numerous mercenary groups and merchant caravans coming and going.
The rumors of a demonic beast uprising did nothing to diminish the prosperity of this ancient city that had stood for hundreds of years. On the contrary, even more people flocked to the city, not just from Xia Feng Kingdom, but also adventurers from other nations.
The reason for all this was naturally the immense benefits that followed an uprising.
Perhaps a demonic beast uprising was a disaster for many, as every occurrence in history had resulted in widespread devastation and heavy casualties. However, for quite a few people, it was also an opportunity to profit from the catastrophe.
After every demonic beast uprising, alongside heavy human losses, countless demonic beasts also fell and died, leaving behind precious flesh, blood, and bones. This was a windfall, a fortune gained without labor.
Selling these remains would bring immense wealth.
The lucky ones might even obtain the flesh and blood of Xiantian-level demonic beasts or even precious demonic cores—a true windfall.
Naturally, accompanying the great wealth was immense danger. Only those who survived could obtain such riches.
Great profits often attract countless people. It was precisely for this reason that numerous adventurers from across the land not only refused to leave but instead risked their lives to flood into this ancient city, all for the benefits that awaited the survivors.
Amidst the dense flow of pedestrians and vehicles entering Demon-Suppressing City, there was a solitary, youthful figure drifting along with the crowd, entering the city.
This person was Ye Chen.
Clad in a black robe, he walked into this city teetering on the brink of chaos alongside other adventurers who had heard the news.
After bidding farewell to Vivian and her group, Ye Chen had lingered in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range for three days before finally choosing to leave.
He sensed an oppressive atmosphere gradually and clearly emerging within the mountain range—a sign that an uprising was about to begin. Large flocks of birds were rapidly departing, and the roars of demonic beasts rang out incessantly.
Moreover, this came from his intuition, which was never wrong.
As Martial God An Yang had said, a terrifying demonic beast uprising was about to occur in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, and it wouldn't be long. Everything was quietly approaching.
The longer he stayed in the mountain range, the more dangerous it would become later on, even for him. The more demonic beasts he killed, the heavier his killing aura would become, potentially alerting the super demonic beasts deep within the mountains to his presence and prompting them to attack and eliminate him.
Although he wasn't afraid, it would be troublesome. Thus, he chose to leave.
Naturally, during those three days, more Xiantian-level demonic beasts had died by his hand.
After leaving the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, he saw from afar this city that would bear the brunt of the attack—Demon-Suppressing City. Its black city walls stood a hundred meters high, towering and majestic, the rock hard and sturdy, having been continuously repaired and reinforced over the years.
To defend against demonic beast uprisings, Xia Feng Kingdom had always spared no effort.
On the vast plain ahead, a full three hundred thousand heavily armored troops were assembled, a dense, dark mass of heads training under the scorching sun, sweating profusely, preparing for battle.
Many legions were also setting up traps on the plain, establishing buffer zones aimed at the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.
Ye Chen gave these armies a wide berth. Walking directly from the mountain range to Demon-Suppressing City was not a good idea; he would be questioned by the soldiers. Although he wasn't afraid, he didn't want unnecessary trouble.
He entered Demon-Suppressing City via another route, also wanting to understand the current situation.
Although he had been in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range before, he didn't have complete information. Only by reaching the outside world could he learn more news about how Xia Feng Kingdom planned to resist the demonic beast uprising.
Even with three hundred thousand heavily armored troops assembled and stationed, Ye Chen believed this couldn't be Xia Feng Kingdom's only measure. This kingdom, which had experienced numerous large-scale demonic beast uprisings over its thousand-year history, understood better than anyone that three hundred thousand troops alone couldn't completely withstand an uprising. The emergence of a single super demonic beast would cause unpredictable and terrifying destruction.
A demonic beast uprising would never lack super experts at the Martial God realm level.
Xia Feng Kingdom must have further measures yet to be deployed, merely hidden and waiting for the right moment to strike.
Walking into the city, the streets were bustling with people and traffic, extremely lively.
Shops lined both sides of the street—taverns and restaurants, inns for lodging, and stores selling various weapons, as well as medicinal herbs and pelts from demonic beasts.
Although the place was prosperous and bustling, few dared to cause trouble. It was said the city lord of Demon-Suppressing City was a super expert nearing the Martial God realm. He had strictly ordered that troublemakers be severely punished. Even some of the kingdom's famous major powers and sects didn't dare to stir up trouble casually.
This was not only due to the city lord's formidable strength but also because of Xia Feng Kingdom itself—a great nation that, in its wrath, could even annihilate rebellious forces.
The hundreds of thousands of troops stationed here also served as a deterrent.
Ye Chen ascended to a relatively high-class tavern in the city, called for the waiter to bring the best wine and delicacies, and then dined alone. He observed his surroundings and listened carefully, gathering various pieces of information about the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.
Places like taverns, with their dense flow of people, often gathered all sorts of individuals and were also the best places to collect all kinds of information, often yielding much useful intelligence.
"Sigh, another demonic beast uprising. Who knows how many will die when it comes? It's the same every time," an elderly man with white hair and dressed in black sighed at a nearby table. Although the table was laden with delicious food and wine, his face was full of worry, and he had no appetite.
He was a native of Demon-Suppressing City, having lived in this ancient city for many years. His ancestors had been here too, and he had deep feelings for the place, unwilling to see it destroyed by a demonic beast uprising.
Sitting opposite the black-clad elder was another elderly man, dressed in brocade yellow robes. His attitude, however, was different from the black-clad elder's, seeming rather indifferent. "Every demonic beast uprising in history has been accompanied by heavy casualties. It's been this way since ancient times, unchangeable. What's there to sigh about?"
There were several other elders at the table, all apparently acquainted, eating and chatting casually, discussing the matter of the demonic beast uprising.
Ye Chen focused his attention, listening carefully.
"Hmm, isn't it strange, this upcoming demonic beast uprising? Don't you all think so?" the yellow-robed elder said.
"Why is it strange?" the others asked, puzzled.
"Haven't you noticed? Historically, a demonic beast uprising occurs almost every one hundred and fifty years. This has basically become the norm. But now, it's only been one hundred and eight years since the last uprising. There should still be forty-two years to go. Why has it happened early this time?"
"Right, it's a full forty-two years early. That is strange."
"Such things are hard to say. But according to reliable internal information obtained, this demonic beast uprising might be the largest-scale one in history," the black-clad elder suddenly interjected, catching Ye Chen's attention.
"Why?" The others were greatly shocked. The most terrifying demonic beast uprising in history? Wouldn't that be far more severe than any previous one?
Every demonic beast uprising in history had caused tens of thousands of deaths and heavy casualties. If the largest-scale uprising ever were to erupt, wouldn't even more people die?
This immediately drew the focused attention of the others.
"This is what my son told me. He's a deputy general in the army and overheard this confidential information by chance. You must not leak it," the black-clad elder seemed to have some reservations. He first cautiously glanced around, and after receiving everyone's assurances, continued in a low voice, "I heard the root cause of this demonic beast uprising is that a certain treasure was stolen from within the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, causing the demonic beast kings to become enraged. They suspect it was done by our human race, hence they're launching this uprising. It's even said that when the real uprising begins, a legendary Beast God surpassing the Martial God realm might appear. Who knows if it's true or not."
The others immediately changed expressions, wanting to refute it. But the black-clad elder's son was a high-ranking officer among the three hundred thousand troops, often accompanying the commanders, so he often obtained reliable intelligence.
Thus, this matter was most likely true.
But the more this was the case, the more worrying it became.
"If such a Beast God appears, it would be a calamity of heaven-shaking proportions. Who could match it? Would we need to invite an invincible Heavenly God?"
The table of elders was filled with worry, concerned that this historically most terrifying demonic beast uprising might level Demon-Suppressing City, this ancient city that had weathered several major uprisings.
After all, this uprising wouldn't just involve super demonic beasts at the Martial God realm; even the legendary Beast God might truly appear.
The Beast God was a demonic beast overlord surpassing the Martial God realm. Its power exceeded worldly expectations, its strength immeasurable.
It was said that such an existence, with just a casual move, could easily annihilate armies of thousands, and leveling vast lands spanning thousands of miles would be no difficult task.
All this was because they possessed divine power surpassing the mortal realm; otherwise, they wouldn't be honored with the title "Heavenly God."
If Xia Feng Kingdom didn't have a corresponding Heavenly God-level expert to intervene, this demonic beast uprising might become the most terrifying in history, causing incalculable damage and losses to the entire Xia Feng Kingdom, beyond remedy.
At the neighboring table, Ye Chen's expression darkened completely. He had thought the demonic beast uprising was terrifying enough, but he hadn't expected it might develop into the most terrifying one in history, with a Heavenly God realm Beast God possibly emerging.
All this was beyond his expectations.
He subconsciously thought of the mysterious bone fragment within Old Yan's ancient ring. Just what kind of treasure map fragment leading to which divine trove was this, that it could provoke such importance from the beings within the Demonic Beast Mountain Range?
Then he thought of the Martial God Hall, an ancient and mysterious superpower, an underground force comparable to the three great empires and the one great academy, which had also sent Martial God An Yang to seize the bone fragment.
Clearly, both the Demonic Beast Mountain Range and the Martial God Hall likely knew where this bone fragment led.
It was just a pity that this bone fragment had ultimately fallen into Ye Chen's hands.
But none of this was the main issue at the moment. The most important thing was dealing with the arrival of the demonic beast uprising. He feared none of it. With the mysterious old fossil Old Yan by his side, protecting his path, he had no need to worry about his life regardless. However, his family back in Luo Feng City gave him some concern.
After gathering sufficient information, Ye Chen paid for his wine, turned, and left. The first thing he did was take up a brush and write a letter, briefly outlining what he knew. He offered a heavy reward to have someone deliver it day and night to Luo Feng City a thousand miles away.
He hoped his father could take appropriate precautions. Otherwise, this demonic beast uprising could truly be extremely terrifying and might destroy the entire Luo Feng City.
However, he believed Xia Feng Kingdom wouldn't stand idly by. There would surely be true super experts emerging to block this overlord-level Beast God from the deepest depths.
Seeing the worry in Ye Chen's brow, Old Yan suddenly spoke, "Do you want to return to Luo Feng City to guard against this demonic beast uprising?"
Ye Chen acknowledged with a sound, not hiding it at all. If it truly became necessary, he would rush back to Luo Feng City at the first moment. Even if he couldn't stop the disaster, he could at least lead his parents, Huan'er, Ye Zimei, and other important people away to escape the catastrophe.
Old Yan looked at Ye Chen with some gratification. He could tell that although Ye Chen seemed aloof and indifferent, keeping his distance from women due to his past life's personality, he was still a good man who valued loyalty and righteousness.
He smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about that. Before leaving Luo Feng City, I left a strand of divine sense on your parents. It can protect them, and if anything happens in Luo Feng City, I'll know immediately."
Ye Chen was slightly taken aback. He hadn't known Old Yan had left such a backup measure. With Old Yan's capabilities, if anything happened to his parents, he could tear through space and return instantly. There was no need to worry about his parents' safety. A warm feeling flowed in Ye Chen's heart. "Old Yan, thank you."
Old Yan laughed heartily, "What's there to thank? After all, you're the one I'm protecting on your path, and the one who will resurrect me in the future. This is only right. I don't want anything happening to your parents to affect your Dao-heart."
Ye Chen said nothing more. Someone like him wouldn't easily voice words of gratitude. What mattered more was repaying the kindness through future actions.
Over the next few days, an extremely terrifying oppressive atmosphere spread overwhelmingly from the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, filling the entire sky.
Endless dark clouds obscured the heavens, a pitch-black mass blotting out the sun and sky, leaving not a single ray of sunlight shining upon the earth.
Countless people within Demon-Suppressing City could feel that oppressive atmosphere, as if the air itself was being sucked away, making it hard to breathe.
Everyone was terrified, feeling that the most terrifying demonic beast uprising in Xia Feng Kingdom's history was about to erupt any day now.
Outside the city, facing the direction of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, the three hundred thousand heavily armored troops stood guard day and night, ready for battle. Numerous traps had long been set up quickly, and buffer zones were being prepared to cushion the initial fierce onslaught of the uprising.
Additionally, columns of troops were rapidly rushing from the borders to the various towns at the foot of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.
Although the main breakout point from the mountain range was Demon-Suppressing City, other towns would also become targets of destruction during the uprising, requiring armies to be dispatched for reinforcement.
Everything was in readiness, the atmosphere filled with tension and oppression.
But the demonic beast uprising hadn't fully begun yet. In the last two days, even the roars of demonic beasts from within the mountain range had decreased, becoming eerily quiet and oppressive.
Ye Chen occasionally appeared at the highest point in the city, gazing into the dark Demonic Beast Mountain Range. Each time, he saw terrifying blood energy soaring into the sky from within the mountains, rumbling and roaring like some ancient slumbering ferocious beast awakening, boundless in its terror.
The great battle would break out soon.
Night gradually deepened. Dark clouds blotted out the sky, the moon invisible. Although the city was brightly lit, it lacked its usual atmosphere, all because of the terrifying oppressive feeling emanating from the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.
Panic was in the air!
Ye Chen entered quiet cultivation. To him, all this seemed irrelevant, something he paid no heed to.
As the night grew deeper, Ye Chen, in the midst of his quiet cultivation, suddenly opened his eyes. He soared up from the inn where he was staying, landing on its rooftop. His eyes shone brilliantly as he gazed towards the Demonic Beast Mountain Range dozens of miles away.
Boom—
A deafening roar suddenly shattered the silent night sky, echoing across the empty plain, countless times louder than spring thunder, waking countless people from their sleep.
Inside and outside the city, countless people awoke, left their rooms, and climbed to the highest points, all looking towards the direction of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range. There, they saw endless light suddenly erupting, illuminating the landscape for a thousand miles, bright as day, as if the sun itself hung in the sky.
From within the mountain range, a terrifying demonic beast roar shook heaven and earth—
The people were horrified. Had the most terrifying demonic beast uprising in history begun!?