265: Chapter 265 Desolation

“This siege is almost over,” Jiang Shuo said.

He hadn't made a single move in this war, simply guarding the city wall.

This was a tacit understanding between the humans and the demons.

Since the start of the war, it had always been King Class against King Class, Xiang Realm against Xiang Realm, while martial artists of other ranks engaged in a chaotic melee on the battlefield.

Cangming's intervention last time was actually a violation of the rules.

Yu Juezhi looked at the battlefield in the sky. “That slave of yours did quite well. She held back at every turn in her fight against Commander Ye Liufeng, and she was very mindful of her impact, ensuring none of her attacks fell onto the battlefield below to cause casualties among our troops.”

Shen Xingchen followed his gaze and saw the figure in the red dress.

Compared to the savagery of other demons, the Royal Class seemed more "human." This was a matter of intelligence; some of the Royal Class were more cunning, like Youji, while others were more emotional, like Youyue.

Demons inherently lacked a sense of belonging. As a slave, Youyue could neither be a purely self-serving demon nor integrate into human society... It wasn't easy for her.

Sensing Shen Xingchen's gaze, Youyue turned her head to look at him, her eyes seemingly filled with a trace of resentment and grievance.

Shen Xingchen had seen Youyue make a move during the "Cangming assassination," but Commander Ye Liufeng had mistaken it for an attack on himself and blocked it.

Was she complaining?

Shen Xingchen asked, “Is it possible to enslave a large number of demons and have them slaughter one another?”

Yu Juezhi said, “Someone once proposed a similar concept, which led to the creation of a class called Demon Tamer. However, because the requirements were too harsh and couldn't be replicated on a large scale, the team eventually disbanded.”

Right in the middle of their conversation,

Shen Xingchen suddenly felt himself locked onto by a powerful force.

It was a Sun and Moon Rotation Diagram spanning across heaven and earth, adorned with countless stars around it. From afar, it looked like the most fundamental laws of the world.

From within the Sun and Moon Rotation Diagram, a star suddenly separated and crashed down toward Shen Xingchen's position.

Before Shen Xingchen could even react,

a pure golden light flashed in Jiang Shuo's eyes, and a golden spear suddenly shot forth.

The golden spear contained the power of destiny. From the moment of its creation, it flew straight toward the falling star, relentless until it hit its mark.

Boom—

The golden spear shattered the falling star, causing it to explode.

Instantly, stars fell like rain, crashing onto the battlefield below.

“Youji, as a King Class, do you really enjoy bullying children this much?” Jiang Shuo said, looking toward the demonic mist deep within the Northern Border.

A "figure" slowly walked out from it.

Unlike before, Youji's eyes had turned a deep black, and the sun and moon were now borne on his back, making him look like a ruler in control of the sun, moon, and stars.

Even more different was his aura, which was as deep as the ocean; a simple movement from him exerted immense pressure.

His appearance made the very air of the battlefield turn viscous, bending the spines of countless humans and demons alike.

Youji chuckled. “Forgive me, Mr. Jiang. My hands were just itching, so I casually threw out a few attacks. I wasn't targeting anyone in particular.”

Jiang Shuo snorted coldly. “Hypocrite!”

He could guess the other's thoughts with his toes; having observed from the rear for so long, Youji merely wanted to test his strength.

Yu Juezhi also had a cold expression. “You are as disgusting as ever!”

Youji continued to smile. “Oh, isn't this Marshal Yu? We haven't met in days, have things been going well for you?”

It was hard not to sigh at the fact that these two, who had fought a great battle just days ago, were now worlds apart in realm.

Yu Juezhi's expression turned grim.

Youji quickly added, “Mine is merely a shortcut. It cannot compare to Marshal Yu's solid progress in cultivation. I suppose if Marshal Yu were to reach the King Class, even without an Authority, I would have to keep my distance!”

Black and white threads wound around Jiang Shuo's hands. “No need to wait for the future. I can satisfy you right now.”

Youji smiled and said, “Mr. Jiang's divine might is unrivaled. How would I dare to contend with you?”

Jiang Shuo said coldly, “Do you know that you look a lot like a bootlicker right now?”

Youji didn't get angry, still wearing a face full of smiles. “I came this time just to see our wielder of the Time Authority. Look at his age, barely over eighteen, yet already holding supreme power. His future is bound to be limitless.”

Shen Xingchen sneered, “Compared to a creature like you who ate his own grandfather, he is indeed much better.”

He had heard from Youyue that this demon Youji possessed the remains of a King Class dragon bone. Relying on this, he had first devoured You Ye, and after his strength surged, he further swallowed Xuan Xiang.

Devouring one another was not uncommon among demons, but being the first to eat two King Class beings was a first.

Especially since one of those King Class beings, the old demon You Ye, was Youji's ancestor... What a display of filial piety!

Youji didn't defend himself either; perhaps he felt such things were perfectly normal.

He continued, “I hope the next time we meet, I will see you looking worthy of the Time Authority.”

Jiang Shuo chuckled. “By then, you'll probably be close to your death!”

Youji smiled. “I look forward to it!”

This statement was somewhat ambiguous. Was he looking forward to death, or looking forward to Shen Xingchen reaching the King Class?

If it was the former, it would seem rather bizarre, but for Youji, it fit his usual style.

Jiang Shuo barked, “Aren't you going to get lost? Do you want to stay and have a grand battle?”

Youji: “Why must you keep people at such a distance, Mr. Jiang? I mean no harm, it's just idle chatter.”

Jiang Shuo: “Don't force me to make a move!”

“Alright, alright, this junior will get lost now.”

Although Youji spoke words of submission, there wasn't a hint of fear in his tone, which remained completely calm and unbothered.

However, he didn't linger for long.

After saying this, Youji's body transformed into the alternating rotation of the sun and moon, and he flew away.

At the same time,

the demon army began a full retreat. From afar, it looked like a black tide rising and falling.

They came quickly and left just as fast.

All the demonic creatures, including the Demon Generals, quickly vanished.

Youyue cast a meaningful glance in Shen Xingchen's direction.

Shen Xingchen nodded in response.

Yu Juezhi looked in the direction where Youji had disappeared and asked in confusion, “Making such a grand entrance only to retreat with his tail between his legs—what on earth does he want?”

Jiang Shuo dispersed the black and white threads in his hands. “Neither of us is certain of defeating the other.”

He could feel the towering demonic energy hidden within Youji. Based on his current display, Youji's surface strength was merely the tip of the iceberg.

“What a pain!” Yu Juezhi said.

Jiang Shuo patted his shoulder. “Don't think too much about it. Now that Youji has tested the waters, he will definitely lie low for a while. You also need to hurry up with your cultivation.”

This time, Yu Juezhi didn't say much, only clenching his fists even tighter.

Shen Xingchen said, “Once this great war is over, my school term will be starting.”

Jiang Shuo pondered for a moment. “Leave after the Conferment Ceremony.”