Chapter 388 - Battle For The Demon Emperor Sword

The day that everyone had been looking forward to finally arrived. The fight for the Demon Emperor Sword was also considered the fight for the Palace Lord position. In the past, the rule was that every Heavenly Demon Palace disciple had the right to fight for the Demon Emperor Sword. However, that rule had been adjusted—only disciples who had received Traceless Demon Shadow or the Demon Seed Planting Technique were qualified.

Receiving Traceless Demon Shadow meant they had received the recognition of their elders, while receiving the Demon Seed Planting Technique meant that they possessed outstanding talent. Only four people were qualified, which were Yang Danfeng, Yang Jun, Murong Yu, and Long Chen. Today, Yang Danfeng was still not present.

The people of the Heavenly Demon Palace arrived on the other side of Demon Emperor Mountain. This was a forbidden area behind the mountain, and usually no one was allowed here. This was the base of the sword.[1]

There was a vast, flat platform for the audience. All the people of status in the Heavenly Demon Palace had a seat on it, with Zhao Qingyun sitting at the top and the three Demon Elders beneath him. Thirty meters away, opposite Zhao Qingyun, was a black rock ten meters tall. This rock was tall, thin, and sharp and roughly resembled a sword. Suddenly, the runes that covered the whole rock lit up and rippled, making it look even stranger.

“The Demon Emperor Sword is hidden in this rock.” When everyone remembered this, they all gulped. It was a Heaven-tier weapon; even if the person wielding the Demon Emperor Sword was trash, they could still kill someone many tiers above them. However, taming the sword was no easy feat, and few people were confident they could.

“Yang Jun seems to have withdrawn from the competition. Only you and Xiao Yu will fight for the sword. Make me proud, kid,” said Zhao Qingyun, turning around with a smile.

Long Chen nodded, then he looked up to see Murong Yu standing behind the Second Demon Elder. There was something different about her. She looked much stronger, but also colder. It was as if no one could get close to her, and despite that, she still attracted many stares.

Especially from younger males, whose eyes lit up when they saw the goddess-like girl, wishing they could burn her image in their eyes.

“Senior Murong Yu has covered her face with a veil for many years. I heard she was very pretty, and based on her face shape now, I know she’s even more attractive. Plus, being at the Ninth River Stage, she is the chosen one ... I have personally seen a goddess with my own eyes ...”

“In the past, the only person who could compete with Senior Murong Yu was Senior Yang Danfeng. However, it seems like Senior Yang Danfeng really isn’t coming today. The rumors must be true ...”

“Shh! Keep it down! The three Demon Elders have already told us not to discuss this matter!” reminded one of the disciples.

While they discussed Murong Yu, she turned to glance at Long Chen. There was only coldness and determination in her eyes. Every trace of familiarity was long gone.

What’s the matter with Murong Yu? What the hell did the Demon Elders do to her for her to be like this?

Long Chen was puzzled. It was as if she was a different person.

As he pondered about it, it was almost time for battle. Zhao Qingyun waved and said, “In the beginning, there were three candidates to compete for the Demon Emperor Sword. Yang Jun has withdrawn, so only Murong Yu and Long Chen remain. The final victory will likely belong to any one of them, but also not! The Demon Emperor Sword won’t let anyone who is not strong enough control it!”

Who would get the Demon Emperor Sword? Everyone was looking forward to the battle. Long Chen was rumored to have killed Yang Danfeng, showing that he was strong. However, Murong Yu had reached the Ninth River Stage, which was unheard of. Her terrifying strength had surpassed Long Chen.

“If it all goes as expected, the winner of the Demon Emperor Sword will be Senior Murong. Do you want to bet?”

“Who would take that bet? Isn’t it obvious who will lose? If you’ve got the guts, bet that Long Chen will win! I feel like Senior Murong will win because it hasn’t been long since Long Chen received Traceless Demon Shadow and the Demon Seed Planting Technique. Murong Yu received them much earlier than him, right? Also, it’s difficult to fill the large gap between their cultivation levels.”

Discussions started to form, and the Demon Elders strained their ears to listen. They felt cheerful when they heard that most people thought Murong Yu would win.

“Everyone, quiet down. Chen’er, Xiao Yu, follow me,” said Zhao Qingyun in a low voice. When the Palace Lord spoke, everyone fell dead silent. Zhao Qingyun stood up and walked up to the large black stone. Long Chen quickly followed him, along with Murong Yu.

Along the way, Long Chen glanced at Murong Yu next to him and said, “Hey, is there anything you want to say to me?”

Murong Yu continued walking with her head low, as if she hadn’t heard him. Since he did not receive a reply, he rolled his eyes and did not talk to her anymore. Everyone watched as Long Chen and Murong Yu stopped in front of the black rock. It was actually a very normal-looking rock, but the rippling runes made it look extra mysterious and scary.

“The Demon Emperor Sword is hidden in this rock. You may not know this, but the Demon Emperor Sword and this rock are merged into one. More specifically, the rock grew out of the Demon Emperor Sword. I have not used the Demon Emperor Sword in more than five years, so that is why there is so much rock covering its surface.”

How bizarre!

Long Chen had never heard of rocks growing on the surface of a sword after a period of disuse. Even the stony-faced Murong Yu looked surprised.

“Hehe. The Demon Emperor Sword has always been a special weapon. Although it is classified as an elementary Heaven-tier weapon, it is likely more powerful than other divine weapons of the same tier,” Zhao Qingyun explained.

“Master, is there a reason why the Demon Emperor Sword forms rocks on its own surface?” Long Chen felt like the runes on the rock were not so simple.

“Out of the two divine weapons, the Imperial Sword is filled with the Qi of emperors, and is the manifestation of justice and magnificence. On the other hand, the Demon Emperor Sword is filled with Killing Yin Qi. It is synonymous with evil and massacre. That is why when no one is using it, rock slowly forms on its surface to cover its violent aura. You can’t really feel it now, right?” Zhao Qingyun smiled faintly.

It was true. Long Chen was standing next to the Demon Emperor Sword, but it felt like a normal rock.

“I haven’t used it in five years. Right now, the Demon Emperor Sword is in a master-less state, so it is overflowing with very thick killing Qi. As long as you successfully take control of it and make it serve you willingly, you’ll be able to use and control its power. Then you’ll be able to suppress its killing Qi to its minimum, and this evil sword can be used for justice,” Zhao Qingyun explained patiently, looking at Long Chen.

When Zhao Qingyun said this, he completely ignored Murong Yu, who was slightly surprised.

It looks like Zhao Qingyun is very confident in Long Chen. He doesn’t think my Ninth River Stage strength is enough.

She eyed Long Chen carefully and found that both Long Chen and Zhao Qingyun seemed to be cheerful and calm. They did not look worried or scared.

“Alright, now I’ll tell you two the rules of the competition,” Zhao Qingyun suddenly said. His words attracted the attention of both Long Chen and Murong Yu, who listened intently.

“In a moment, your bodies will enter the Demon Emperor Sword within the rock. There is a small miniverse within the Demon Emperor Sword, and once you enter, you will both face a mysterious opponent. If you beat the opponent, you will receive the recognition of the Demon Emperor Sword and will have the right to own it!

“... And if you both succeed, then both of you will have to battle to determine the final victor. Of course, we will not be able to see the process. We will only see the final outcome. After this black rock explodes, whoever is holding the Demon Emperor Sword will be the final victor!

“Do you guys understand what I said?” Zhao Qingyun asked.

“Master, who is the mysterious opponent?” Long Chen was puzzled.

“You’ll see when you enter. Do your best. This is a difficult obstacle. Many Eighth River Stage cultivators in history have failed!” Zhao Qingyun said mysteriously.

Murong Yu didn’t look confused. Long Chen guessed that the three Demon Elders had probably told her who the opponent was a long time ago. She was probably very prepared for this.

Zhao Qingyun didn’t tell Long Chen not because he was too square, but because he trusted Long Chen to face any opponent confidently.

“Do your best, kid! Remember this: if you want to be recognized by the Demon Emperor Sword, you must do something very important, which is to conquer yourself!” Zhao Qingyun patted Long Chen’s shoulder with a hopeful look.

“Conquer myself?” Long Chen froze, then he committed it to memory.

“I’ll take you two in now.” Zhao Qingyun nodded approvingly. Then he grabbed one person’s arm in each hand and jumped hard. Long Chen felt a powerful force throwing him outwards, and he was traveling at a speed similar to Blood Warp. After a second, he slammed into the black rock.

Instead of shattering to pieces, everyone watched as both Long Chen and Murong Yu sank into the rock.

1. TL Note: Based on the mountain’s description in earlier chapters, Demon Emperor Mountain looks like a sword. The author is referring to the point where this ‘sword’ is buried in the ground ☜