Rearing Demons
Chapter 51: A Larger World

Chapter 51: A Larger World

The many Lords fell silent.

"Are you saying... your successor was... killed?" The Azure Lord, usually composed, gawked at the old man. "Someone that powerful?"

"That place is meant for the strongest." The old man’s gaze remained indifferent, as if unbothered by the conversation. "All we know is the name of the one who killed him."

"Who was it?" they all wondered. "It must have been someone from another race—"

"It was a human," the old man interrupted. "A pure human."

"Who?" Impatience flickered in their eyes.

"Someone named Zane." The old man clenched his fists. "They say he’s likely the most powerful being in this competition—stronger even than Tiara of the Hell Clan."

"What?!" Everyone gasped. "Stronger than that tyrant?"

A burst of discussion erupted.

"Then it makes sense our candidate was killed," they all nodded.

"So, what’s the plan now?" the Azure Lord asked.

They had all hoped for good news from this unknown competition, yet they had received nothing but a grim reality.

"Strengthen your successors," the old man said. "Unlike the outside world, our methods are far too weak. Though our successors are stronger than their peers here, in the greater world, they amount to nothing."

"But..." They all sighed. "The war with Zulmasharr..."

"Push the war forward," the old man commanded. "In the next ten years, I want to infiltrate Zulmasharr. They have resources we lack, and we need them."

"Ten years..." The Lords exchanged glances.

Though it sounded like a long time, in reality, it was barely enough.

Zulmasharr was a dangerous place, filled with demons at least as strong as them—some even stronger. Attacking such a place would be difficult... nearly impossible.

"The meeting is adjourned," the old man declared. Then, as the others began to leave, he pointed to three individuals. "Azure Lord, Black Lord, stay behind." His gaze shifted to an energetic Lord with abyssal-black hair. "Abyss Lord, you too."

The rest departed swiftly, some casting pitying glances at the three who remained.

Once the room was empty, the old man turned to the Abyss Lord. "Your side is the only one capable of beginning an infiltration. I want you to start war preparations, but do not send anyone in yet. Have the Guardian Sect on your side join you." He tossed a black badge toward him. "A messenger from the Originals came—our world has been granted permission to send someone into the Trench."

The Abyss Lord caught the badge, his face paling. "You want me to go?" A hint of fear crept into his voice.

"What? Are you unwilling?" The old man’s sharp eyes narrowed.

"I—" He was unwilling. Yet, how could he admit that? "I-I’ll go." His face fell, dejection weighing him down.

"Good. Leave now. I’ll summon you when the time comes."

The Abyss Lord nodded and vanished.

Next, the old man turned to the remaining two. "From what I’ve gathered, your successors have the most potential."

Neither of them spoke.

"Regardless, they need to be prepared," the old man continued. His gaze settled on the Black Lord. "Your successor is already attracting the attention of the Demonic Cultivators. I want him sent into Zulmasharr immediately."

"Understood," the Black Lord replied without hesitation.

"His task will be to uncover which demon is in cahoots with the Demonic Cultivators." The old man’s expression darkened. "We must find the source... and eliminate it."

"Consider it done." With that, the Black Lord vanished.

Only the Azure Lord remained.

"I have a special task for you, Azure." The old man handed him a crystal badge, its material entirely unfamiliar.

"What is this?" the Azure Lord asked.

"First, send a message to your successor." The old man rose from his throne. "I know he is with Aglazeth, that little prince. I want him to use Aglazeth to locate the Heir of Zulmasharr."

"We’re already—" The Azure Lord began, but the old man silenced him with a gesture.

"The Heir is somewhere near the Barren Canyon." The screen above the table shifted, revealing a map. In the centre of many marked regions, one area was conspicuously missing—Barren Canyon.

The Azure Lord narrowed his eyes. "I see."

Few knew much about the Heir, but the old man had access to many secrets. As one of the oldest and most powerful Lords, the Azure Lord was among the few privy to such knowledge.

"We must capture the Heir," the old man commanded. "Do not let him die."

"I understand, Guardian." The Azure Lord bowed.

"Now, you must be wondering about that badge." The Guardian’s gaze remained unreadable. "There is a particular stage in this competition that requires powerful beings from the universe. Since the number of candidates is so high, additional forces are needed. The Main World refuses to send their people for such a trivial task, so the burden falls on us."

"You want me to participate?"

"Yes." The Guardian nodded. "You are the most suitable. It will last around a thousand years, so ensure your successor receives everything they need before you depart."

A flicker of dismay crossed the Azure Lord’s face. Still, he nodded. "I understand. I’ll make the necessary preparations."

"Good. You are dismissed."

The Azure Lord vanished, leaving the grand hall silent.

For the first time, the old man sighed, a trace of emotion slipping through his otherwise stoic demeanor.

"Zane... is he the rumoured one?"

————————————————————————

Back in Aglazeth’s castle, Celis hung from the ceiling.

Lacerations and gashes covered his body, deep wounds exposing missing chunks of flesh. His face was now unrecognizable.

If not for Aglazeth forcefully keeping him alive, he would have long been dead.

"Any news?" The Prince sat on his throne, casually mushing a few wailing imps beneath his fingers.

"N-no, sir." The slimy demon kneeled, its body trembling. "We have completely sealed off the Land of the Mother, yet our search remains fruitless. We have expanded into the surrounding regions, deploying forces everywhere."

"What about the Eyes of Dripping Blood?" Aglazeth asked.

"We have destroyed all the Antic Towers along the borders and are systematically scouring the land. Aside from a few stray humans, we have found nothing of significance," the demon reported, its voice quivering.

The Prince frowned, irritation flickering across his face.

What to do... what to do...

He tapped his fingers against the hard stone of his throne, lost in thought.

"P-Prince... if I may..." The slimy demon hesitated but still spoke up.

"What?" Aglazeth’s gaze darkened.

"Our forces are already stretched thin, searching every corner of your territory. Why not wait for the Heir to reveal itself?" the demon suggested. "It is only a few weeks old... sooner or later, it is bound to make a mistake."

Hearing this, Aglazeth nodded. "For now, that seems to be the best course of action. However, continue the search—just make sure it remains hidden. The moment the Heir appears, we will eliminate it immediately."

"As you command." The demon scampered away.

Celis, though barely conscious, had heard everything from above.

Celis!

Just as he watched the Prince leave the room, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

Master?

Idiot! You let yourself get captured by a Prince?

Hearing the anger in his master’s voice, Celis felt tears well up. Despite holding onto his anger, the pain was unbearable. Yet, the sound of his master’s voice was soothing.

Stop crying.

Task? What task?

The Heir of Zulmasharr is somewhere in your region. Put everything else aside and find it.

But we’re already searching... Celis sighed inwardly. The sect had given them this task long ago. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t been trying.

Well, we now have more concrete information. His master continued. The Heir is somewhere near the Barren Canyon—or at least close to it. The Prince and the titled demons are after it as well. Use them to your advantage.

Celis recalled the conversation between Aglazeth and the demon slave.

They had made no progress... but they had manpower.

I don’t have much time, so listen carefully. Do whatever it takes to find the Heir. I will be leaving for an extended period and will not be available.

Where are you going, Master?

Don’t concern yourself with such details.

Suddenly, Celis felt a searing burn on his forehead. Then, just as quickly, it faded.

I’ve linked you to the Azure World. You can now enter and leave whenever you wish. It holds enough resources to push you to an extremely high realm.

Master, what’s going on?

He knew of the Azure World. He had entered it a few times before. It was a special place—created by his master.

It was also where he had become the Successor.

You’ll find out soon enough. But for now, I’ll heal you. Enter the Azure World and get strong enough to find the Heir.

I understand.

This was exactly what he needed.

Closing his eyes, Celis felt his body ignite. A moment later, he reappeared in a world filled with blue flames.

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