Chapter 31 The Great Demon Ranking Competition

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

When the first ray of dim morning light pierced through the layers of demonic clouds shrouding the Heavenly Demon Sect, the atmosphere of the entire Sect had already become completely different. An Aura of a brewing storm permeated the air, making it hard to breathe.

In the central area of the Sect, in the giant square that was usually relatively empty, it was now a sea of people, the clamor reaching the heavens!

The square was an irregular circle, paved with massive stones of an unknown dark blood-red color. The stone surfaces were stained with deep brown marks that could not be washed away, emitting a faint scent of blood, as if silently recounting the tragic slaughters that had once taken place here. Around the square stood nine giant stone pillars, each a hundred zhang tall. Their bodies were wrapped with statues of various hideous, unknown demonic creatures, which breathed out ghostly blue demonic flames, casting a somber light over the entire square.

At the innermost side of the square was a grand viewing platform rising over ten zhang above the ground. The platform was made entirely of incredibly sturdy obsidian, its edges carved with complex patterns of demon gods at war, radiating a heart-palpitating majesty. On the platform, several large jade thrones were arranged according to rank, appearing somewhat sparse. That would be the viewing area for the Sect's high-level officials and the Peak Masters of each Peak.

At this moment, tens of thousands of Heavenly Demon Sect Disciples had already gathered on the square. They were clustered in different areas according to their respective Peaks and factions. The noisy waves of voices rolled incessantly like a tsunami:

"Look, that's the War Demon Peak team! Their Evil Qi is so strong!"

"And the people from the Hall of Discipline are here too. Each one of them is radiating Yin Qi; it makes me feel uncomfortable just looking at them."

"The Demon Medicine Peak has brought very few Disciples again. Well, they aren't usually good at direct combat; they're more interested in cultivating medicinal herbs and studying the Dao of Poison."

Some people couldn't help but wonder: "Where are the people from Heartless Peak? Why are there so few? It's said Peak Master Luo's cultivation has recovered, so she surely won't miss this Grand Competition. I'll finally be able to catch a glimpse of Peak Master Luo's peerless beauty again."

"Hmph, so what if she's recovered? It's just a flash in the pan! I heard her Disciple named Xiao Ming is also participating in the heavenly demon ranking this time. He's been quite popular lately. Heh, a trash who rose to the top by relying on a woman, and he dares to come here and embarrass himself?"

"Shh! Lower your voice! Do you want to die? Haven't you heard about what happened in front of the Vice Sect Master's palace a few days ago..."

Various discussions, speculations, provocations, and even undisguised Killing Intent spread through the crowd. Countless gazes—some burning, some cold, some curious, some greedy—constantly scanned the entrance passages, searching for targets of interest.

Within the War Demon Peak Disciple area, a particularly sharp Killing Intent condensed around them like something tangible. The dozens of people at the front were all shrouded in bloodlust; clearly, they had all reached the Golden Core stage, and a few had even stepped half a foot into the Nascent Soul realm. Their eyes were sharp, and most of them glanced toward the area where the Heartless Peak Disciples were staying, cruel sneers on their lips. Some of them even arrogantly made a throat-slitting gesture with their hands, which drew low chuckles from the surrounding Disciples of different Peaks. Clearly, they had already received instructions that if they encountered anyone from Heartless Peak on the stage, especially the newly rising Xiao Ming, they would show no mercy!

Meanwhile, the Hall of Discipline Disciples were in the very center. Their area was dead silent; they were all dressed in black robes, their Auras cold and gloomy, their faces hidden under hoods like lurking venomous snakes.

On the other side, in an area where the crowd was relatively sparse, the Qingtian Peak Disciples gathered in groups of twos and threes. These Peak Masters didn't much like taking Disciples; even if they did, it was no different from letting them grow wild. One must know that demonic Cultivators don't care about feelings, let alone master-Disciple bonds.

Unlike the bloodiness and gloom of War Demon Peak and the Hall of Discipline, Qingtian Peak's overall Aura was much more reserved. In front of this group of Disciples, a figure in green stood quietly, particularly eye-catching.

This person was none other than Lin Fan!

He still wore a faded, ordinary green-black Disciple robe. Compared to the surrounding Disciples in fine clothes or black robes, he appeared quite plain. However, on his ordinary and determined face, his eyes were strikingly bright. His Aura was refined and thick, having reached the Late Golden Core Stage, seemingly just a step away from the Peak. In this place where Geniuses gathered, his cultivation was not considered top-tier, yet he possessed a steady and unfathomable air, like a mountain. He stood with his hands behind his back, calmly scanning the scene with eyes as still as an ancient well, showing no sign of emotion. But if anyone could peer into the depths of his eyes, they would surely find a fire of hatred and a towering rage capable of incinerating everything.

"Senior Brother Lin's cultivation is becoming more and more unfathomable." A pretty female Disciple with a curvaceous figure approached from behind him, her voice sweet enough to drip honey. Seeing her bashful manner as she pressed her curves against him, it was clear she and Lin Fan had shared a few casual trysts. As she spoke her compliments, she boldly extended her fingertips to rub Lin Fan's firm chest, her provocative intent obvious as she slowly reached downward.

"Junior Sister recently obtained a set of Immortal Robes. After this Grand Competition ends, could Senior Brother... guide Junior Sister's cultivation again?"

Normally, Lin Fan might have enjoyed this feeling, and even wanted to take the Opportunity for a quick fling. Although this woman's appearance and figure were far inferior to Luo Li's, she was barely acceptable as a diversion from cultivation to vent his lust.

'Guide your cultivation... sure!' Malice surged in Lin Fan's eyes. Looking at this somewhat enticing body and her increasingly bold actions, he couldn't help but feel a surge of wicked fire. Then, he thought of that cold, peerless, and high-above figure who haunted his dreams, whose robes he couldn't even touch, and the images overlapped! A violent impulse grew wildly in his heart: 'How can this common, vulgar woman even be compared to Luo Li? However, she's decent enough for venting. Damn it, I can't get the woman I want, but you sluts come crawling to me one by one! How cheap, you bitch! And that bitch Luo Li too—one day I will pin her beneath me and ravage her to my heart's content!'

He then reached roughly into the woman's dress and wandered about wantonly, showing no restraint. Seeing the look of pain and pleasure on her face, Lin Fan's own expression became one of enjoyment and satisfaction. Finally, just as the woman's legs grew weak and she was about to lose her footing, he pulled his hand back.

Amidst the woman's heavy groan of pain, Lin Fan roared in his heart: 'The Zhang family! Zhang Kuang! If not for your Zhang family repeatedly hunting me down and forcing me to hide everywhere, how could I, Lin Fan, have ended up like this! If not for you, I would have already...' Thinking of how the Zhang family's power was still hunting and assassinating him within the Sect, and how Zhang Xiaotian had even demanded he 'come and plead for forgiveness,' Lin Fan wished he could immediately uproot the entire Zhang family—extracting the souls of the men and refining their spirits, and for the women... he would cripple their cultivation and humiliate them at will!

His pathological feelings for Luo Li and his bone-deep Killing Intent for the Zhang family and Xiao Ming reached a boiling point! A terrifying flash of blood-red malice flickered in the depths of his eyes. He almost lost control and wanted to take this woman right there, tearing her clothes and pinning her down to trample her in the most brutal and humiliating way to vent the negative emotions threatening to burst out of him!

However, he was ultimately a person with Great Luck! With destiny upon him, he forcefully suppressed this dangerous impulse at the last moment.

Lin Fan pushed the flushed woman behind him and turned his gaze back to the distance, the fire of lust temporarily forced down.

'Luo Li... Xiao Ming... and the Zhang family... just you wait. Everything you owe me, I, Lin Fan, will surely pay you back a hundredfold!'

On the other side, within the Yin Yang Peak area, a man stood at the front. He wore a lavish dark black brocade robe embroidered with golden threads in the pattern of a baring-clawed Demonic Flood Dragon, which made him look even taller. This person was Zhang Xiaotian. He casually wrapped his arm around the slender waist of a woman beside him, while another woman in a pink dress was feeding peeled fruit into his mouth. Zhang Xiaotian's chin was slightly raised, his face full of ease as he scanned the surrounding Disciples with an arrogant and condescending gaze, a blatant, contemptuous smile hanging on his lips.

He did not restrain the half-step Nascent Soul Aura radiating from his body, which spread like a scorching wave, showcasing his identity and strength as a leading figure of Yin Yang Peak and a ranked expert on the Core Ranking.

The one currently snuggling in his arms was Liu Feier.

By now, she had long since shed that pathetic bit of purity from before and was dressed enchantingly. A tight-fitting, off-the-shoulder rose-red dress revealed her full bosom and willow-like waist, with the skirt slit extremely high, exposing her snow-white skin as she moved. Her hair was adorned with several expensive ornaments, and her face was meticulously made up. With every glance, a seductive charm emanated from her.

However, beneath this carefully crafted seductiveness, a hint of superficiality and effort was hard to hide. She clung to Zhang Xiaotian like an octopus, a fawning, pleading smile on her face, occasionally standing on her tiptoes to whisper sweet words into his ear. Zhang Xiaotian seemed to enjoy it quite a bit, his hand rubbing her exposed thigh without any reservation, drawing a suppressed, trembling giggle from Liu Feier as her body pressed even more softly against him.

This scene of public intimacy fell into the eyes of many Disciples, immediately drawing bursts of whispers and strange looks. There was envy, but of course, also a hint of disdain and undisguised contempt.

"Tch, she really did climb a high branch. Look at that slutty appearance..."

"Hmph, she's just a plaything. Once Senior Brother Zhang gets tired of her, he'll kick her away sooner or later."

"Hey, have you heard? She used to have some unclear relationship with that guy from Heartless Peak, what was his name, Xiao Ming? It seems to be the same Xiao Ming who's been popular lately. Now she's sticking to Senior Brother Zhang quite closely."

Although these discussions were low, everyone gathered here was a Cultivator, so how could they not hear? The harsh words reached Liu Feier's ears, causing the smile on her face to stiffen for a moment. A flash of panic and humiliation crossed her eyes, but she quickly masked it, instead clinging even tighter to Zhang Xiaotian, as if only then could she gain a pathetic sense of security. Her gaze darted away, not daring to meet the mocking eyes around her. In her current state, she could only hold onto Zhang Xiaotian's leg firmly; she must never fall back into the mire of the past! As for Xiao Ming... that trash was already a thing of the past; he probably wasn't even fit to carry Senior Brother Zhang's shoes! Even if he had some Opportunities lately, in Liu Feier's heart, he still couldn't compare to Zhang Xiaotian. She simply refused to admit she was wrong!

Zhang Xiaotian looked relaxed and satisfied, not caring about the surrounding discussions at all; instead, he enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention.