49: Burial Abyss, Desert of Death

In the Demon Realm, within the vast and boundless dark Star Domain, the figure of the Grand Void Demon Emperor flickered through like a ghost.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor traveled through one ancient Teleportation Array after another. The Formations were carved with obscure and difficult-to-understand Demon Runes, and each teleportation left a ripple of dark purple energy in the Void Realm.

After several teleportations, he flew across the desolate lands of the Demon Realm for a long time before finally arriving at the legendary Burial Demon Abyss.

The Burial Demon Abyss stretched across the deepest part of the Demon Realm, like a massive wound tearing through heaven and earth.

The pitch-black abyss was bottomless, appearing like an entrance to the Nine Serene Hell, with heart-palpitating Evil Qi swirling around it.

Standing at the edge of the abyss, one could hear shrill roars coming from the depths; those were the wails of countless magical creatures suppressed at the bottom of the abyss.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor took a deep breath, sensing the heavy Devilish Qi in the air, a hint of solemnity flashing in his deep eyes.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor leapt into the abyss, his black robes snapping loudly in the whistling wind.

As he continued to fall, the surrounding temperature plummeted, and the bone-chilling cold seemed capable of freezing the Soul.

Suddenly, countless hideous monsters emerged from the darkness, baring their fangs and brandishing their claws as they lunged at the uninvited guest.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor gave a cold snort, and the pressure of the ten Supreme Heavenly Mandates within his body erupted instantly, as pitch-black Devilish Qi formed an invisible barrier around him.

Those monsters were instantly hit by this pressure, their Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, while the remaining creatures scattered in terror, letting out fearful whimpers in the darkness.

After descending for a full half-hour, the Grand Void Demon Emperor finally landed at the bottom of the abyss.

The ground here was covered with bleached bones, and every step would crush several skeletons that had existed for an unknown number of years.

In the distance, a towering black demon palace stood silently, its structure entwined with blood-colored chains, exuding a suffocating sense of oppression.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor arrived before the palace and looked at the tightly closed bronze gates, which were carved with lifelike patterns of Demon Gods. He took a deep breath, his voice penetrating the layers of demon mist: "The Grand Void Demon Emperor requests an audience with the Lord of Buried Demons."

The voice echoed in the abyss but was like a stone sinking into the ocean. The Grand Void Demon Emperor's brow furrowed slightly, and his knuckles tightened unconsciously.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor had long anticipated such a result, but when truly facing it, a trace of bitterness still inevitably rose in his heart.

"The Immortal Realm army has already captured most of the territories surrounding the Demon Realm," he spoke again, his voice carrying an unprecedented sincerity. "With their unstoppable momentum, they will surely point their blades directly at the Demon Realm in a matter of days. I implore Senior to come out of seclusion to resist the external enemies together."

The abyss remained silent, as if even the sound of the wind had frozen.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor stood for a long time, the last flicker of hope in his eyes gradually extinguishing.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor gave a bitter smile, and as he turned, his black robes traced a heavy arc.

Since the Lord of Buried Demons was determined to remain in seclusion, he could only seek another way.

With a heavy heart, the Grand Void Demon Emperor's figure vanished back into the darkness, racing toward his next destination—the Death Desert... As the Grand Void Demon Emperor left the Burial Demon Abyss, the gloomy sky seemed to mourn his departure.

Clad in his pitch-black demon robes, the Grand Void Demon Emperor's eyes were as deep as a bottomless abyss, and every gesture exuded a majesty that commanded all things to submit.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor spread his massive black wings, each feather shimmering with a metallic luster. As his wings beat, a wild wind rose, kicking up dust that filled the sky.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor flew for half an hour before finally arriving at an ancient Teleportation Array.

The Teleportation Array was constructed from massive black stones, its surface covered with obscure runes that emitted a faint blue light.

The moment the Grand Void Demon Emperor stepped onto the Formation, the runes suddenly blazed with a blinding light, space distorted, and his figure vanished instantly.

Next, the Grand Void Demon Emperor used several more Teleportation Arrays in succession, each one bringing him a step closer to his destination.

Each teleportation required a large amount of top-grade demon spirit stones, but to the Grand Void Demon Emperor, it was merely a drop in the ocean.

Finally, when the Grand Void Demon Emperor stepped out of the last Teleportation Array, the scene before him made him frown slightly—a boundless desert stretched out ahead, yellow sand filled the air, the scorching sun baked the earth, and the air was thick with a decaying scent.

As he stepped out of the final Teleportation Array, the scenery before him changed abruptly.

The originally gray sky had turned blood-red, and a wave of scorching heat rushed toward him.

This was the edge of the Death Desert, where the air was thick with the smell of sulfur and decay.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor spread his wings once more and flew toward the depths of the desert.

As he went deeper, the environment became increasingly harsh. The sand beneath his feet took on a bizarre dark red hue, and white bones occasionally poked out from the sand.

Violent sandstorms ravaged the land, and the wind was laced with shrill wails, as if countless lost Souls were weeping.

The Death Desert was a Forbidden Ground that even ordinary members of the Demon Race would shrink back from. An ordinary demon could hardly survive here for even a few days, as the death aura in the air would erode their life Origin.

A black light shield appeared around the Grand Void Demon Emperor, isolating the death aura.

After flying for a full hour, the outline of a magnificent city finally appeared on the distant horizon.

The city walls were built from white bones, and the city gate was shaped like a massive demon's head.

Above the city gate hung a plaque burning with eerie green flames, with the four blood-red characters "City of Death" written upon it.

The city was bustling with activity, but the architectural style of the buildings lining the streets was bizarre and twisted—some resembled gnarled, dead trees, while others looked like flayed giant beasts.

Most of the pedestrians on the street wore black cloaks, and occasionally, one could see a few demons draped in human skins drinking heavily in the taverns. This was a paradise for outlaws and the only sanctuary within the Death Desert.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor restrained his aura and walked straight toward the tallest building in the city—the Death Demon Mansion.

The mansion was shrouded in gray mist, and eight guards in black armor stood before the gate, black demon fires flickering in their eyes.

"The Grand Void Demon Emperor requests an audience with the Death Demon Emperor." His voice was not loud, yet it exploded like thunder in the ears of every guard.

The guards trembled upon hearing this and immediately recognized this most renowned prince of the Demon Realm.

The leader of the guards knelt on one knee: "Please wait a moment, Your Highness. I shall go and report this immediately." With that, he turned into a puff of black smoke and vanished into the mansion.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor waited patiently, his fingers lightly tapping the demon sword at his waist.

This sword was named "Grand Void," a gift from his father. The blade was as black as ink and could tear through space when swung.

Before long, the guard leader returned and said respectfully: "The City Lord invites you in. I shall lead the way, Your Highness."

The Grand Void Demon Emperor's lips curled slightly; it seemed things were going more smoothly than he had anticipated. He casually took out five black Medicinal Pills and tossed them to the guard: "For your trouble."

The guard leader took the pills, his voice trembling with excitement: "Thank you for the reward, Your Highness!" He carefully tucked them away; these pills were enough to raise his cultivation by a minor Realm.

Passing through a winding corridor, numerous hideous masks were hung on the walls on both sides.

With every mask he passed, the Grand Void Demon Emperor could sense the powerful sealed Souls within them wailing.

At the end of the corridor was a quiet courtyard, with a pavilion carved from black jade in the center.

Looking from a distance, a man dressed in a gray robe sat in the pavilion.

His back was to the entrance, and he was drinking tea alone.

Although it was just a view of his back, it gave off an unfathomable feeling.

The death aura surrounding him was so dense it had almost materialized, causing even the surrounding air to distort.

"City Lord, His Highness the Grand Void Demon Emperor has arrived." The guard leader bowed respectfully and then quietly withdrew.

The Death Demon Emperor slowly turned around, revealing a face as pale as paper. His eyes seemed to contain two flickering clumps of gray fire.

When the Death Demon Emperor's gaze fell upon the Grand Void Demon Emperor, the air suddenly became bone-chillingly cold.

"Grand Void Demon Emperor..." The Death Demon Emperor's voice sounded as if it came from the depths of the Nine Serene Hell. "You and I have never had any dealings. Today you come to my door, for what purpose?"

The Grand Void Demon Emperor felt the invisible pressure and his internal demonic power circulated automatically to resist it. He steadied his mind and got straight to the point: "Senior, as you may know, the Immortal Realm has already occupied most of the territories surrounding the Demon Realm. I fear they will launch a massive invasion soon. I have come specifically to ask for Senior's help."

The Death Demon Emperor gave a light chuckle, his voice tinged with sarcasm: "The master of the Demon Realm is your father; protecting the Demon Realm is your family's business. As long as the Immortal Realm does not set foot in my Death Desert, why should I concern myself?"

"Senior," the Grand Void Demon Emperor took a step forward, "when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. If the Demon Realm falls, do you think the Immortal Realm will spare the Death Desert?"

The Death Demon Emperor set down his teacup, and the tea inside instantly froze into ice: "If you only came here to say these things, then you may leave."

The Grand Void Demon Emperor felt anxious and was about to persuade him further, but the Death Demon Emperor raised a hand to stop him: "Say no more."

Seeing the other's firm attitude, the Grand Void Demon Emperor could only turn to leave.

The Death Demon Emperor thought to himself, This kid is so naive.

Just as the Grand Void Demon Emperor was about to step out of the courtyard, a soft cough came from behind him.

"Wait."

The Grand Void Demon Emperor felt a surge of joy and immediately turned back: "Has Senior changed his mind?"

The Death Demon Emperor did not answer directly but said leisurely: "The Immortal Realm is powerful, and opposing them is fraught with danger. However... I am, after all, a member of the Demon Race. It stands to reason that I should contribute my part."

The Grand Void Demon Emperor was extremely clever and immediately caught the underlying meaning: "Whatever Senior needs, please speak freely. As long as I can do it, I will surely satisfy your requirements."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in the Death Demon Emperor's gray eyes: "I want three continents and two treasures."

"May I ask which three continents? And which two treasures?"

"The Heavenly Demon Continent, the Blood Demon Continent, and the Dragon Demon Continent." As the Death Demon Emperor spoke each name, the Grand Void Demon Emperor's expression grew more troubled. "Also, a set of armor capable of withstanding an attack from an expert with Eleven Supreme Heavenly Fates, and an offensive treasure of the same grade."

"This..." The Grand Void Demon Emperor's face changed drastically.

These three continents were all fiefs of the Demon Ancestor's confidants, and the three lords were each peerless experts with ten Supreme Heavenly Mandates.

And those two treasures were even rarer; one could hardly find a few in the entire Demon Realm.

The Death Demon Emperor enjoyed the other's shocked expression and continued: "I haven't finished. These conditions are in exchange for me taking action five times. As long as the opponent is not the Chaos Heavenly Emperor, I can strike at any time."

"Five times?" The Grand Void Demon Emperor almost jumped.

Such harsh conditions for only five strikes; it was simply an outrageous demand.

The Death Demon Emperor leisurely sipped his reheated tea: "Whether you agree or not is entirely up to you."

The Grand Void Demon Emperor suppressed his anger: "This is a matter of great importance; I must ask my father for instructions."

"Suit yourself." The Death Demon Emperor waved his hand to set up a soundproof barrier.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor took out a communication jade talisman and infused it with demonic power.

A blurry phantom of the Demon Ancestor appeared on the jade talisman.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor reported the Death Demon Emperor's conditions one by one, and the Demon Ancestor's figure fluctuated violently with anger.

After a heated discussion, the Grand Void Demon Emperor finally closed the communication.

He walked back into the pavilion and said in a heavy voice: "My father has agreed, but there is one condition: for every time Senior takes action, one requirement will be met."

The Death Demon Emperor sneered: "Trying to get something for nothing? Then please leave."

The Grand Void Demon Emperor gritted his teeth: "Senior, please calm yourself. Then we shall satisfy one condition for Senior to take action once. This is the final bottom line."

The Death Demon Emperor was silent for a moment and finally let out a long sigh. "Very well. I am, after all, a man of the Demon Realm. How about this: you first bring me a set of armor at the level of Eleven Supreme Heavenly Fates, and I will be ready to strike at any time."

The Grand Void Demon Emperor breathed a sigh of relief and nodded: "Fine. I shall return to the Ten Thousand Demon Continent immediately and send someone to deliver it as soon as possible."

The Death Demon Emperor waved his hand: "Go then." After speaking, he closed his eyes and said no more.

The Grand Void Demon Emperor took a deep look at the Death Demon Emperor remaining there and turned to leave.

As he walked out of the gates of the Death Demon Mansion, the sky was covered with dark clouds, as if foretelling the coming storm.