Chapter 654

Chapter 654

I Can See Through Everything

“It’s the aura of the Demon Lord of Annihilation!”

“Why is the Demon Lord of Annihilation appearing here?”

“Of course! He must have left a Soul Imprint within that Black Bone Claw. Now that he sensed Cang Jue’s death, he’s transmitting his power across space to arrive here!”

The group of mysterious figures watching the scene unfold upon the light screen were all greatly shocked.

Upon the Black Bone Claw, a domineering and awe-inspiring figure began to emerge, slowly solidifying into form.

Who else could it be but one of the top ten demon lords of the Demon Domain—the Demon Lord of Annihilation?

“What should we do? Should we step in to stop him?” one figure asked.

“Of course we stop him. Even if he’s the Demon Lord of Annihilation, if he dares to stretch his claws into our domain, we’ll chop them off!”

“That’s right. So what if he’s a demon lord? He has no right to act recklessly within our Netherworld Palace’s territory!”

“It’s just a Nascent Soul Avatar. Does he dare to break into our Trial Space?”

One after another, voices rang out in agreement.

This trial was organized by the Netherworld Palace. For the Demon Lord of Annihilation to barge in like this was blatant provocation. There was no way they could sit idly by.

As for Cang Jue’s death? That was laughable. He entered the trial willingly, and if he died inside, it was simply because he was outmatched. That was no justification for the Demon Lord of Annihilation to intrude and throw his weight around.

But just as these figures were about to move forward to intercept him, a voice suddenly resounded in all their minds at once.

At once, the figures stiffened, halting mid-step, and stood respectfully in place, listening to the instructions.

When the voice finished speaking, all of them responded in unison: “Yes, we understand!”

As the voice faded, the mysterious figures made no further move to stop the Demon Lord of Annihilation. Instead, they continued to watch the light screen, though their eyes now shone with barely contained excitement.

They hadn’t expected that the appearance of his Nascent Soul Avatar would actually alarm that great figure.

This meant the upcoming clash would be even more spectacular.

Moreover, that great figure had ordered them not to interfere for now. Could it be… he had taken an interest in the Ghost-Faced youth?

With hearts full of anticipation, they fixed their gazes firmly on the light screen.

The Black Bone Claw’s projection completed its transformation, revealing a towering figure like a mountain dozens of zhang tall, looming high above and looking down with godlike disdain.

“That’s… a Nascent Soul Avatar?” the elephant-nosed man muttered, trembling violently as terror gripped him.

Within his clan, he had learned many secrets about the Nascent Soul Realm. To transmit strength across space, bypass a secret realm, and manifest a Nascent Soul Avatar required one to have already begun comprehending the Laws of Space.

Clearly, this monstrous projection was such an existence.

Even as just an Avatar, it could crush him like an insect.

Unable to flee, the elephant-nosed man curled his massive body inward, trying to make himself as small and unnoticeable as possible, praying not to be noticed.

Not far away, the Dao Heir of Dao Xu Temple was also stupefied.

He never would have thought that after Cang Jue’s death, a being of such unimaginable power would emerge from his supreme demonic artifact.

Though he could not measure this giant demonic figure’s exact strength, he knew even his master couldn’t compare to such oppressive might.

The original body behind this Avatar had surely endured multiple Nascent Soul Tribulations, a supreme being of unmatched terror. And given the bond with Cang Jue, this incarnation had clearly come seeking vengeance.

The Dao Heir quickly suppressed his aura. Even at full strength, much less in his injured state, he would be helpless before such a foe.

Perhaps in response to their silent prayers, the Demon Lord of Annihilation didn’t spare them a glance. His Nascent Soul’s gaze swept past without pause, locking directly onto Lu Qing.

A voice like rolling thunder resounded: “Ant, was it you who slew the body of my son?”

“The body? So the demon brat didn’t perish completely? He had fragments of his soul left behind?”

Even facing such a being, Lu Qing’s expression barely shifted.

He had foreseen this moment when his Spiritual Powers had revealed the information within the Black Bone Claw. What surprised him was only the demon lord’s words.

Then he recalled his first meeting with Ye Qingzhu, when they had encountered a demonic cultivator who also possessed a Soul Division Technique. It seemed Cang Jue had mastered similar secret arts.

But Lu Qing’s composure, and the irreverent words he spoke, left everyone dumbstruck.

To remain calm—and even speak with scorn—before a being who could traverse space with an Avatar of such might? Wasn’t he far too reckless?

“Demon brat?”

Even the Demon Lord of Annihilation paused at those words. He hadn’t expected an ant to be so insolent before him.

Yet, instead of anger, he showed only cold indifference.

With a casual wave, the Black Bone Claw dissolved into black light, merging into his palm.

“Since you admit it, then die.”

His hand swelled, vast as the heavens themselves, blotting out the sky. The earth trembled as his palm descended like the end of days, shrouding all within a hundred li.

Cang Jue’s earlier use of the artifact was like a firefly compared to this sun. The difference was insurmountable.

“It’s over…” Despair filled the eyes of the elephant-nosed man and the Dao Heir alike.

This palm encompassed them as well. Their strength was nothing before such force; survival was impossible.

“I didn’t expect to provoke such an ancient monster.”

Lu Qing sighed inwardly, staring at the apocalyptic hand descending upon him.

A Nascent Soul of Seven Tribulations, wielding a supreme demonic artifact—this was power even he could not withstand.

It seemed he would be forced to use his final trump card.

“So close to the end, only to fail now…”

Just as he prepared to activate the Heaven and Earth One Qi Bag’s stone tablet to escape, he sensed something strange.

Lifting his gaze, he saw the immense palm… stop.

Not only that—the entire world within several hundred li froze. Even the flow of air fell into silence.

But what shocked him most was the figure that had appeared between him and the demon lord.

An old man, hunched, dressed in plain grey cloth. His hair sparse, his body frail, like a mortal elder nearing his final days.

Yet Lu Qing could see clearly: everything had stilled because of this man’s presence.

“Grey-Robed Venerable, you would stop me?” The Demon Lord of Annihilation’s voice thundered.

“You’ve overstepped, Annihilation,” the old man said lightly. “This is the Trial Space of our Netherworld Palace. To transmit your Avatar here is already a violation.”

“My son was lured into this trial and slain. Do you think I should not reclaim this debt?” the demon lord roared, anger finally piercing his calm.

“Your son came of his own will. No one forced him. And as a Golden Core Realm cultivator wielding a supreme artifact, he was still slain by one of equal realm. That is shame enough for your demon race.”

The old man’s tone remained even, unmoved by wrath.

The demon lord faltered. But then his voice boomed again: “We both know how he was lured here. Enough nonsense. One word—I will take this ant. Will you stand aside? If not, don’t blame me for what follows!”

The Grey-Robed Venerable lifted his head slowly, mockery in his eyes.

“Annihilation, has your brain rotted from cultivating that Annihilation Demonic Technique? You? To speak such words before me?”

His words stunned not only the demon lord but also everyone watching.

And yet he continued.

“Crossing your seventh tribulation seems to have swollen your ego. To think you’d dare provoke our Netherworld Palace? Do you believe I won’t crush this Avatar here and then march into your Demon Palace to drag out your true body and refine it into a puppet?”

“Haha! Refine me into a puppet? Old man, with your dying body and dwindling lifespan, you think yourself capable of that?” The demon lord’s laughter rumbled like thunder.

“Alone, no. But if I summon all our elders… do you think you could withstand us?” the old man asked coldly.

The demon lord’s Avatar trembled, betraying his unease.

He quickly recovered. “If your Netherworld Palace dares to break the pact and strike into the Demon Domain, you’ll spark all-out war. Can you bear that responsibility?”

“Try me.”

Silence followed.

The demon lord hesitated. The Netherworld Palace’s foundation ran deep. If they truly launched a full assault, even with aid from the other demon lords, he couldn’t guarantee survival until help arrived.

Worse still, such a war would certainly draw in the human race, eager to exploit the chaos. The Demon Domain would face attack on two fronts.

The thought gnawed at him. Retreat seemed wiser—but to withdraw now would disgrace him utterly. News of his retreat would spread, making him a laughingstock among humans, beasts, and even rival demon lords.

Caught between fury and caution, he wavered.

But the Grey-Robed Venerable had no patience for delay. He had already boasted before the other elders that he would resolve this matter decisively.

Now this arrogant demon dared to insult him, calling him a dying old man?

His expression hardened. He was ready to strike.

“Annihilation brat! Since you refuse to recognize your place, leave behind your Avatar and your claw!”

With a grip of his hand, the frozen world shifted. The stillness collapsed into a massive vortex, twisting space itself toward the demon lord’s Avatar.

“You dare attack, old man!” The Demon Lord of Annihilation was startled. The Black Bone Claw swelled, shielding his Avatar, resisting the devouring vortex.

“I gave you your chance. Now, die!” The old man’s hand seals flashed. The vortex’s power surged tenfold, tearing violently at its center.

Though a Nascent Soul of Seven Tribulations, this was still only the demon lord’s Avatar. And the old man, though his lifespan waned, was of the same rank. The result was inevitable.

Realizing defeat was certain, the demon lord snarled: “Old man, don’t get complacent! I’ll reclaim this humiliation! But my Black Heaven Demonic Claw—you’ll never take it!”

His Avatar shrank, igniting in black flames that poured into the claw. Empowered, the artifact tore free of the vortex, ripping open space, and vanished within.