Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 133 - 129 Demon Saint

Chapter 133: Chapter 129 Demon Saint

The elder from Bai Lu Academy looked toward the Peacock Demon and asked, "What do you mean?"

"You human cultivators have been entering Yun Meng Swamp for years to hunt us. Since you’re so eager to kill, why not play a fair game? What do you say?" The Peacock Demon’s sinister gaze swept over the crowd.

"Peacock, you put together such a grand spectacle just for this?" The academy elder was skeptical.

*Demon forces have erupted in rebellion, something unseen for years. To organize such an elaborate operation—they likely risk severe retaliation. If the human cultivators mobilize an army to invade Yun Meng Swamp, the backlash would surely be immense.*

*Could their actions truly be just for a ’game’?*

"Why not?" The Peacock Demon’s eyes roamed the crowd. "I simply wanted to get some fresh air—and I’m curious about your strength. It’ll be a mutual demonstration."

*But the real reason for this massive demon uprising wasn’t for ’fun.’*

*He had come under strict orders.*

The Demon Saint had claimed to have gleaned some secrets, noting that a human cultivator had ventured into Yun Meng Swamp. This particular human seemed unusual.

The Lord Demon Saint had commanded him to locate this human cultivator.

*Yun Meng Swamp was vast and endless, with the number of humans in Yun Meng City numbering in the billions. Trying to locate one individual among such a colossal population would be like finding a needle in a haystack.*

*Completing the Lord Demon Saint’s task seemed nearly impossible.*

Thus, he had devised one solution: lure the target out.

*A cultivator as unique as this one must have remarkable innate talent. If they’ve entered Yun Meng Swamp, their cultivation must be above the Refining Realm. Those below this stage entering the swamp would essentially be committing suicide.*

*Furthermore, the Lord Demon Saint had only recently sensed their presence.*

*This meant the human cultivator had likely only arrived in Yun Meng City recently and ventured into Yun Meng Swamp for trials. Their cultivation likely ranged between the Third and Fourth Realms, though it could even be Fifth Realm.*

*However, Fifth Realm practitioners are far fewer, making them easier to spot. The real challenge lies in the Third and Fourth Realms. If the target doesn’t voluntarily come forward, finding them could prove immensely difficult.*

"What’s wrong? You human cultivators spend all day hunting demons, but now you hesitate?" The Peacock Demon King taunted.

"How would this demonstration work?" A voice rose boldly from the crowd—it was one of Yun Meng City’s great practitioners.

"You humans enjoy hunting demons, and we happen to feel the same way. Let’s have a good slaughter right here. Draw boundaries and fight to the death one-on-one. Neither side interferes in the match." The Peacock Demon King’s piercing gaze locked onto the opposing side, searching for a genius among the human cultivators.

*Surely, upon witnessing human cultivators dying in battle, the target would reveal themselves.*

*If this approach failed to draw them out, other strategies might need consideration.*

*This mission must be completed.*

"Fight them!" More voices rang out from among the crowd, gazes shifting toward the elder of Bai Lu Academy. But the elder hesitated.

*After all, it wasn’t his life on the line but the lives of the cultivators being sent to battle.*

*Judging from the Peacock Demon King’s tone, this wouldn’t stop at just one or two rounds.*

*Many would undoubtedly perish on the battlefield.*

*As the academy’s representative, Bai Lu Academy disciples would also be sent into battle, with death almost a certainty.*

"You humans have trespassed wantonly in our Demon World’s Yun Meng Swamp for ages, yet when we emerge, you waver. If you don’t dare fight, then never set foot in Yun Meng Swamp again." The Peacock Demon roared in anger, his icy voice resounding—a chilling force that rang in everyone’s ears.

*His words stirred rage among the human cultivators, who, though aware it was a provocation, still felt compelled by it.*

From the crowd, cries of "Battle!" began to spread. Many cultivators seemed eager to step forward.

"How many rounds will it take?" The elder from Bai Lu Academy asked.

"Until one side can bear no more and concedes. Both sides may send participants voluntarily, but the matches must align in cultivation level—Third Realm against Third Realm, Fourth Realm against Fourth Realm. The victor remains on the battlefield while the defeated withdraws." The Peacock Demon King continued.

*Until one side concedes?*

The elder’s expression turned grim. *With such a large-scale mobilization of demons and an equally vast assembly of human cultivators, how many lives would be lost before someone surrendered?*

"So, you’re wagering on endurance rather than strength?" The elder said coldly. *If the Demon World refuses to concede and continues the slaughter, then humans will need to keep fighting endlessly.*

*Until one side breaks down completely.*

"If you humans don’t have the courage, then never set foot in Yun Meng Swamp again. Otherwise, I’ll immediately launch an army to storm Yun Meng City." The Peacock Demon King threatened coldly, his razor-sharp gaze scanning the crowd.

"Elder, human cultivators fear no demons!" Someone clasped their hands toward Bai Lu Academy and urged.

"Slay these demons until they tremble! Only then will none dare step forward." More cultivators chimed in one after another.

The elder’s expression remained solemn. *This gamble wasn’t for his life but the lives of countless human cultivators.*

*But now, they were backed into a corner. Even if the demons launched an assault on Yun Meng City at this moment, the casualties would still be devastating. In truth, he had no choice at all.*

"So be it. I’ll grant your wish." The elder from Bai Lu Academy finally spoke.

"Sound the war drums," the Peacock Demon King thundered.

Several towering Bull Demons carried a massive battle drum out to the edge of Yun Meng Swamp. The leading Bull Demon raised a war hammer, slamming it against the drum with ferocious force. An intangible wave of sound rippled outward, sending chills down the spines of those in the opposing crowd, an ominous air sweeping over like cold winds, echoing with spectral cries.

The drumbeat grew louder and louder: Thud, thud, thud... The hearts of those present pounded in sync, and the weaker cultivators felt increasingly uneasy.

"Demon drums," someone muttered, staring at the drum.

"Wrong," the Peacock Demon King sneered, sweeping his cold gaze across the crowd. "This isn’t a demon drum—it’s a human drum. Centuries ago, when your human cultivators invaded Yun Meng Swamp, countless humans perished here. We crafted this battle drum using their skin and flesh to commemorate that war. Buried within the drum are the souls of your own fallen cultivators."

His words dropped heavily, igniting fury among the humans. Their eyes burned with anger; murderous intent filled the air.

Drumskin made of human flesh.

*This revelation let many feel the unrelenting cruelty of the war between the Demon World and human cultivators.*

A brawny Bull Demon strode forward, wielding a mighty war hammer, his presence emanating an unmatched dominance. Swirling demon energy surrounded him—this was a Fourth Realm Demon. He let out a thundering roar toward the humans and asked loudly, "Who will step forward?"

A gust of demon wind swept toward the human cultivators as their gazes shifted to Bai Lu Academy’s direction.

*The first battle was crucial in establishing momentum. Consequently, no one moved hastily, instead leaving the decision in the academy’s hands.*

As expected, the fighter stepping forward for the humans was from Bai Lu Academy. The cultivator was extraordinary in demeanor, appearing around 27 or 28 years old, with a sword strapped to his back.

"Tang Mo," Duan Feng whispered to Li Fan beside him, clearly recognizing the person.

Tang Mo was known as a cultivational prodigy from the academy and hailed from Yun Meng City’s Tang Family. His talent was unmatched, and his combat skill exceptionally powerful.

"Something seems off about this Peacock Demon," Situ Kong murmured under his breath.

"What do you mean?" Duan Feng and Lin Yumo both turned their attention to him. Situ Kong focused on the opposite side and said, "To stage such a grand spectacle just for a death fight—what’s his real objective? Is he only trying to intimidate or kill human cultivators?"

"Additionally, no major incidents have occurred recently that would provoke the deeper entities of Yun Meng Swamp, like the Demon Kings."

"Who could know what these demons are planning? Let’s observe this fight first. With Tang Mo’s capabilities, killing the Bull Demon shouldn’t be an issue. Though the Bull Demon is strong, its weaknesses—such as its sluggishness—are apparent. That’s why Bai Lu Academy selected a Sword Cultivator," Duan Feng replied as the group focused their gaze on the battlefield.

The drum continued beating as a murderous aura pervaded the arena.

Before Tang Mo himself arrived, his sword had already flown into action. The Bull Demon swung its massive war hammer forward, deflecting the sword—and then thundered across the ground, causing the earth beneath to tremble as if resonating with the drumbeats.

The crowd collectively held their breaths. The sprawling armies of both humans and demons fell silent, their attention fixed solely on the person and demon clashing at the heart of the battlefield.

Li Fan also watched intently. Sword aura danced ferociously across the battlefield, with Tang Mo proving his combat prowess—his swordsmanship was formidable, fast, and savage. Yet the colossal Bull Demon wasn’t just physically overwhelming but uncannily nimble, forcing Tang Mo, even as a Sword Cultivator, to retreat strategically.

Their fight grew increasingly intense; a whirlwind of earthy tones erupted, and Tang Mo’s sword seed bloomed. Sword aura enveloped the Bull Demon’s body, threatening to shred the space itself.

"Boom..." An explosive sound echoed as the Bull Demon raised its war hammer, smashing it upward into Tang Mo’s descending sword seed. At almost the exact moment, Tang Mo’s sword pierced its body.

"It’s over!"

A wave of excitement surged among the human cultivators as they cheered for Tang Mo—truly deserving of his reputation as the academy prodigy, his swordsmanship was phenomenal.

Some even burst out in celebration.

*Yet the battlefield remained eerily quiet, with Tang Mo failing to press the advantage to finish his opponent. After his sword pierced its body, he suddenly felt an extraordinary aura emanating from the demon.*

*In the next moment, Tang Mo’s expression dramatically changed as the Bull Demon’s body transformed into gold. He immediately abandoned his sword and tried to retreat, but the Bull Demon’s cold gaze locked onto him as its war hammer swept outward.*

"Bang..."

An explosive impact rang out, causing many to shut their eyes, unwilling to witness the horror.

Tang Mo’s skull was smashed apart instantly, his body tumbling lifelessly to the ground.

The Bull Demon lowered its head and slowly pulled out the sword lodged in its body, letting out a thunderous roar. Though injured and bleeding profusely, the golden hue of its blood stood out in stark contrast.

"Golden blood," Situ Kong murmured as he stared at the golden liquid seeping from the Bull Demon’s wounds. *No wonder the Peacock Demon King had selected this creature for the fight.*

"This Bull Demon must be part of Yun Meng Swamp’s most noble demon lineage. Its veins carry golden blood; Tang Mo made the mistake of underestimating it." His tone carried regret for the loss of such a talented human cultivator.

The excitement of the demons mirrored the oppressive silence and despair among the humans. Bai Lu Academy and the Tang Family retrieved Tang Mo’s lifeless body from the battlefield.

The Peacock Demon King’s cold gaze swept across the crowd, clearly impatient for the next challenger to step forward.