SWDnovel Chapter 145 The True Demon
Chapter 145 The True Demon
The shadowy figure seemed to sense his presence, turned around, and stared at him with blood-red eyes.
Its lips curled up slightly, revealing a strange smile.
"Zhou Ning, you've finally arrived."
The shadowy figure's voice was hoarse and deep, like a broken bellows, or a wail coming from the depths of hell.
"My master has been waiting for you for a long time."
Zhou Ning coldly said, "Your master is the extraterrestrial demon?"
The shadowy figure nodded.
"The Master is the end of all things, eternal annihilation. Everything in this world will eventually return to the Master."
It raised its black spear, the tip of which glowed with an eerie black light.
"And you are the sacrifice my master desires most. Your righteous spirit will greatly benefit my master's cultivation. Today, I will take you to see my master."
Zhou Ning sneered and unleashed a direct sword strike.
A purplish-gold sword aura shot out from the tip of the sword, like a giant purplish-gold dragon, heading straight for the dark figure.
Wherever the sword energy passed, the air seemed to be torn apart.
The dark figure snorted coldly, swung his spear, and a black spear aura rushed forward.
"boom!"
The two forces collided, producing a deafening explosion.
The land on the wasteland was ripped up, stones flew everywhere, and dust filled the air.
Zhou Ning was forced back several steps, his hands and feet going numb.
The shadowy figure also took a step back, a hint of surprise flashing in its eyes.
"Your strength is considerably greater than last time. It seems you've made another breakthrough, but I've also been strengthened."
Zhou Ning did not answer, and instead unleashed another sword strike.
This time, he combined the "Demon Slayer Technique" and the "Sky-Splitting Slash," splitting the sword energy in the air into two, then into four, transforming into four sword energies that attacked the shadow from four directions simultaneously.
The shadowy figure swung its spear to parry, shattering the three sword energies, but the fourth sword energy grazed its shoulder, leaving a deep wound from which black blood gushed out.
"ah--!"
The dark figure let out a scream and staggered backward.
Its eyes were filled with resentment as it stared intently at Zhou Ning.
"You...you actually managed to hurt me? That's impossible."
Zhou Ning gave it no chance to breathe, concentrating all his Nascent Soul power at the tip of the sword and unleashing the ultimate move of the "Demon Slaying Technique".
A dazzling purple-gold light shone on the Qingfeng Sword.
The light grew stronger and brighter, like a small sun, dispelling all the surrounding darkness.
"cut!"
A massive purple-gold sword aura shot out from the tip of the sword, heading straight for the head of the dark figure.
The shadowy figure tried to dodge, but the sword energy was too fast; there was no time to react.
"Pfft!"
The sword energy pierced through the shadowy figure's head, and black blood gushed out.
The dark figure stared wide-eyed at Zhou Ning in disbelief before collapsing to the ground, turning into countless black fragments that dissipated into the air.
Zhou Ning sheathed his sword, panting heavily, and walked to the crack.
Deeper into the crack, the evil aura grew even stronger.
He could feel a pair of eyes watching him from the darkness, cold, cruel, and full of malice.
"Extraterrestrial demons..." Zhou Ning murmured.
Just then, a deep voice came from the depths of the crack.
The voice wasn't heard through his ears, but resounded directly in his mind, carrying an irresistible majesty.
"Zhou Ning, you are very powerful. But to me, you are not powerful enough. When you are powerful enough, I will come to see you in person."
Zhou Ning felt a chill run down his spine and gripped his Qingfeng sword tightly.
"An extraterrestrial demon?"
The voice laughed, a laugh filled with mockery and contempt.
"I am your ultimate enemy. I am the end of all things, eternal annihilation. You may call me 'The Demon King.'"
As soon as he finished speaking, the crack began to shrink.
One hundred feet, eighty feet, fifty feet...
Finally, the crack closed completely and disappeared into the sky.
Zhou Ning stood still for a long time.
"The Heavenly Demon..."
He turned and walked south.
The moment the crack closed, silence returned to the world.
Zhou Ning stood on the wasteland, gazing in the direction where the huge rift had disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.
The voice of the Heavenly Demon still echoed in his mind, carrying an irresistible majesty, yet also a hint of inexplicable allure.
The feeling was strange, as if an invisible hand was gently plucking at his heartstrings, trying to instill fear or submission in him.
"The end of all things... eternal annihilation..." Zhou Ning murmured to himself, gripping the Qingfeng sword tightly.
A warm sensation emanated from the sword, and the sword spirit emitted a deep hum, as if soothing its master's mind.
Zhou Ning took a deep breath and suppressed those distracting thoughts.
He looked down at the calming talisman on his chest; the talisman paper had dimmed considerably, and its spiritual light had almost dissipated.
Without it, the whispers of the demons might have had a greater impact on him.
"It's time to go back."
He turned and walked south.
The journey back was much longer than the journey there.
Although the black fog over the wasteland had thinned somewhat, a faint stench of decay still lingered in the air.
Zhou Ning circulated his true essence throughout his body, forming a layer of purple-gold protective qi that isolated him from external erosion.
His steps were somewhat heavy; the continuous fighting and long journey had greatly depleted his physical strength.
The nascent soul in his dantian had also dimmed somewhat and needed time to recover.
When Zhou Ning returned to Qingfeng City, the people in the city surrounded him as soon as they saw him.
Their faces were filled with concern and worry, and they asked questions all at once.
"Young Master Zhou, how's it going up north?"
"Has the crack been sealed?"
Will those black monsters come back?
Zhou Ning waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.
His voice was a little hoarse, but still steady and powerful.
"Don't worry, folks. Good will prevail over evil. We will win this battle."
The people nodded repeatedly, expressing their deepest gratitude.
Han Wei came down from the city wall and walked to Zhou Ning's side.
His complexion was much better than a few days ago, and the bandage on his left arm had been removed, so it seemed that his injury was recovering well.
"Young Master Zhou, you've worked hard."
Han Wei patted him on the shoulder.
"Let's go to the base and rest for a bit."
Zhou Ning nodded and followed Han Wei into the headquarters of the Demon Suppression Division.
The guards prepared hot water and food. Zhou Ning took a bath, changed into clean clothes, and ate a hot meal before he felt he had regained some strength.
"Lord Han, what is the situation with the other fissures in the North?" Zhou Ning asked.
Han Wei said, "The rift west of Luoxia Town has been sealed by Daoist Xuanzhenzi and his men. The rift over Cangmang Mountain has also closed on its own. The northern region is currently safe, but no one knows when the next rift will appear."
Zhou Ning was silent for a moment, then said, "Lord Han, I need to return to Lanruo Temple to report the situation in the North to my master. I entrust the defense of the North to you."
Han Wei nodded: "Don't worry, go ahead. I'll take care of things here."
Zhou Ning bid farewell to Han Wei, left Qingfeng City, and returned to Lanruo Temple.
Qingyun Mountain, Lanruo Temple.
"Master, your disciple has returned."
He entered the main hall.
Yan Chixia was meditating when he heard footsteps and opened his eyes.
His gaze fell on Zhou Ning, and he frowned slightly.
Are you injured?
Zhou Ning shook his head: "No. It was just too much of a drain on my energy. I went deep into the northern lands, saw a void rift, and even encountered an extraterrestrial demon."