Chapter 84: The Second to Enter the Demon Hunting Battlefield

A low, buzzing sound filled the air as Xie Wenyuan’s hands, wreathed in golden flames, drew near the swirling cloud vortex. The vortex responded like a startled hare, emitting a piercing hum.

With a sharp crack, Xie Wenyuan’s palms pressed against the edge of the swirling cloud. To the onlookers, the jarring screech of metal against metal echoed in their ears, as though steel clashed upon steel.

The vortex, agitated by the contact, edged slowly toward the young novice monk. Its position, previously off-center from the dais, gradually corrected itself bit by bit.

Jiang Yan’s brow furrowed. The vortex’s direction was shifting, and its blade-like rotation seemed to quicken, gaining a fearsome momentum. In his eyes, the swirling mass brimmed with deadly power—should any cultivator draw too close, they risked being sucked in and annihilated, body and soul.

A heavy sigh escaped Xie Wenyuan, whose calm demeanor gave way the moment his hand touched the vortex. Now he panted heavily, sweat beading on his aged brow as if he were holding not a cloud, but a thousand-jin boulder.

Below the dais, Xu Mingyuan and Bai Tong of the Golden Flame Sect exchanged troubled glances. This year, the Demon Hunt Gate seemed different. In previous years, whenever the three of them worked together to control the gate, it was always the ancestor who acted first. He had never struggled so much before.

With a labored gasp, Xie Wenyuan’s sweat dripped like rain. In these few moments, it felt as though he had endured years. Something was odd about the Demon Hunt Gate this year; his power alone could no longer subdue it.

The vortex spun even faster, its hum growing louder, as if ready to explode. Under Xie Wenyuan’s control, the vortex even began to expand.

“This is bad!” Xu Mingyuan and Bai Tong exclaimed. Their eyes met, each recognizing the gravity mirrored in the other’s gaze. Though they were familiar with controlling the gate, they had never witnessed anything like this. Their judgment was clear: the ancestor was reaching his limit.

With twin whooshes, they appeared at Xie Wenyuan’s side. Though the two had their differences, they acted as one in the face of crisis.

Two crisp metallic claps sounded as Xu Mingyuan and Bai Tong, both Foundation Establishment cultivators, placed their hands on the edge of the vortex.

The crowd below buzzed with speculation; the Demon Hunt Gate was certainly behaving differently this year.

“Amitabha,” intoned the abbot of the Hua Sheng Monastery and the elders behind him, their solemn Buddhist chant steadying the restless crowd.

Tang Wan whispered to Jiang Yan, “Senior brother, is opening the Demon Hunt Gate always this troublesome?”

Jiang Yan gave a noncommittal reply, “It depends on the person.”

As if to confirm his words, the previously unflappable young novice finally acted. With a soft slap, both his palms touched the edge of the vortex. Yet this time, there was only a faint pop, none of the thunderous spectacle that had accompanied the three elite Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The vortex, now pressured from both sides, suddenly accelerated, its hum rising to a shrill keen. Sweat poured down the faces of Xie Wenyuan and his companions; the Demon Hunt Gate was about to transform.

But the novice monk stood serene, as if his hands pressed nothing more than an ordinary stone.

With a deafening bang, the spinning vortex abruptly changed—blinding white light burst forth, engulfing the entire square.

When the light faded, a corridor shimmering with white radiance appeared atop the dais. No matter how the cultivators below strained their eyes, they couldn’t see more than a meter into its depths.

“Fellow cultivators, the Demon Hunt Gate is open at last. The hunt begins now. Whether you survive depends on your own strength. Each sect will receive a Hundred-Treasures Pouch to store the heads of the great and lesser demons you slay. Each sect must kill at least...”

Having announced the rules, the abbot ascended the dais and addressed the assembled sects. Yet Jiang Yan stood transfixed, astonished by the gate.

Special Building: Realm Gate — Boundary of Tianyue Realm and Yunlan Demon Realm, Lingyao Valley.
Location: Between Tianyue and Yunlan Demon Realms.
Stability: Extremely low; estimated collapse in twelve hours.

“Senior brother, it’s our turn,” Tang Wan called from behind.

Jiang Yan looked up just in time to see a Golden Flame Sect disciple, face veiled, step onto the dais and vanish as soon as a foot crossed the threshold. One by one, the sect’s disciples entered the gate, each disappearing in a flash.

“Hua Mountain Sect, Layman Jiang, Lady Tang Wan, please come forward and enter the Demon Hunt Gate.” The abbot, robed and holding a Hundred-Treasures Pouch, called their names.

Jiang Yan hurried to the dais, took the pouch, and prepared to enter, when suddenly a voice rang out from below.

“Abbot, Hua Mountain was only a vassal sect before. Why do they go before our Tianshan Sect this year? You owe us an explanation. You can’t just let a minor sect enter ahead of us without reason!”

Jiang Yan turned to see Lu Tiannan of Tianshan glaring at him. Catching Jiang Yan’s eye, Lu Tiannan’s face twisted, his gaze raking Jiang Yan with hostility.

“Everyone knows the earlier you go, the better your chances of completing the hunt. Golden Flame is a third-rank major sect, so they go first—no objection. But why does Hua Mountain get the second spot?” Lu Tiannan’s protest echoed with grievance. Tianshan had always been second; to be displaced by Hua Mountain now was infuriating.

“Exactly! Why should a minor sect go before us?”
“Old monk, you owe us an explanation—why put that little sect ahead?”
“We can’t let them cut the line!”

Riled up by Tianshan’s lead, the square erupted into clamor, demanding the abbot explain his favoritism toward Hua Mountain.

“Amitabha. Fellow cultivators, if Hua Mountain is second, it is by our monastery’s design. If you have doubts, you may seek an answer with your own spiritual tools.” The young novice suddenly spoke, his voice rolling over the crowd, asserting itself above the tumult.

Lu Tiannan was dumbfounded. Hua Sheng Monastery was openly shielding Hua Mountain, utterly unapologetic. The novice’s tone was blunt: we are protecting them, and if you object, come challenge us. But after witnessing the novice’s earlier display—equal to, if not surpassing, three Foundation Establishment masters—how could mere Qi Refining cultivators contend?

In the face of overwhelming power, the crowd fell silent.

“Layman Jiang, beyond the Demon Hunt Gate lies a different world. Be careful. If you encounter disciples of our monastery in need, I hope you will lend a hand.” With the objections quieted, the novice addressed Jiang Yan sincerely.

Jiang Yan frowned. Below the dais, any second-rank sect could field a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator, while his own peak was only eighth level. Why was the novice entrusting this to him?

Noticing his confusion, the novice spoke earnestly, “This humble monk has an eye for character. You are a virtuous man, Layman. In this hunt, your gains will surely surpass the others. If our monks need help, I hope you will not refuse.”

Jiang Yan suddenly felt the Hundred-Treasures Pouch in his hand shift—apparently, the novice had slipped in two items. He looked at the novice in surprise.

“These are two jade talismans for concealing one’s presence, crafted as a pastime by a talisman-crafting friend. They will hide you from any demon below third rank. I offer them to you, and again ask that you aid our monks if needed.” The novice accompanied Jiang Yan to the gate, his tone sincere.

Jiang Yan could only sigh. Not only had the novice allowed Hua Mountain to enter second, but he had given him gifts and asked thrice for his assistance. Since the monastery had shown him such favor, Jiang Yan could only agree.

“As long as it is within my power, I shall not disappoint Master Kongse.”

The novice was delighted. “Excellent. I thank you in advance. Please, time is precious—enter the Demon Hunt Gate at once.”

Jiang Yan clasped his hands in salute, stepped forward, and entered the gate. Tang Wan, following his lead, bowed to the novice and quickly joined Jiang Yan.

As soon as he stepped through, a brilliant white light flashed before Jiang Yan’s eyes and his body felt suddenly weightless. The next moment, he found himself standing in a lush forest.

“Senior brother!” Tang Wan brushed aside branches and caught up from behind. “Where are we?”

Jiang Yan was about to reply when the sound of the Sect Leader System chimed in his ear.

Ding...