In the sky, two golden lights converged, each emanating a sacred majesty.
Wu Tian and Qing'er's expressions were exceptionally solemn.
This was the move that would decide the victor; neither side wanted to lose, so they had to proceed with utmost caution.
Time seemed to stop flowing at this moment, and everyone watched the barrier with bated breath, not knowing what would happen next.
Suddenly, their eyes widened, and the immortal energy they had gathered erupted forth!
Fierce energy waves surged out like tides, and amidst this astonishing tremor, the angelic phantom raised its golden longsword and slashed towards Wu Tian!
"Go!"
Wu Tian also shouted, and the Saint Dragon Demon Slaying Sword immediately transformed into a golden stream of light, shooting towards the angel!
Boom!
As they collided, a violent explosion occurred. Golden light raged within the barrier, filling the entire sky with its brilliance!
"My heavens..."
The terrifying commotion caused almost everyone to close their eyes, their hearts filled with profound dread.
Light scattered everywhere, crackling with explosive energy. Cracks, thousands of feet long, spread through space, threatening to shatter it!
Immense pressure simultaneously bore down on Wu Tian and Qing'er, their faces changing, etched with hardship.
Clearly, such a clash was not an easy feat for either of them.
As immortal energy continued to be poured in, they resisted, neither the golden longsword nor the Saint Dragon Demon Slaying Sword able to push the other back even an inch.
It was unclear how long this stalemate would last, but at this moment, something peculiar began to happen in the black mist.
As if a light had been switched on, dozens of pairs of scarlet eyes lit up within the black mist!
Then, an incredibly terrifying aura erupted from the black mist.
More than a dozen tentacles swiftly pierced through the black mist and bound Wu Tian and Qing'er!
"What is this?!"
Both were greatly alarmed, but they were still in the midst of battle, making it impossible for them to deal with this sudden turn of events.
The reactions of Demon Subduing Heavenly Venerate and Rescue Heavenly Venerate were the fastest. Such a development caused their expressions to change drastically.
"Not good!"
They cried out in alarm and were about to make a move.
But the tentacles suddenly retracted, pulling both Wu Tian and Qing'er into the black mist!
Following that, the black mist rapidly receded, disappearing without a trace within a hundred-mile radius.
Wu Tian and Qing'er were dragged by the tentacles and only stopped after a considerable time.
Both were peak experts, so their ability to cope was naturally strong.
They immediately severed the tentacles and quickly scanned their surroundings.
This was indeed the interior of the black mist, with swirling black qi everywhere.
The black qi carried potent corrosive power, but because they were protected by immortal energy, they were not greatly harmed.
This sudden turn of events left them both in a state of great surprise.
Wu Tian frowned and asked, "What is going on?"
"What was that thing that brought us here?"
Qing'er remained silent. Having grown up in the Chaotic Demon Sea Domain, her vigilance towards demons was much higher than Wu Tian's.
She still held the gleaming golden longsword, her beautiful eyes scanning the surroundings, filled with solemnity.
Blood-red eyes lit up from all directions, accompanied by cackling laughter like the calls of crows, filled with an eerie sense.
Suddenly, Qing'er's longsword swept sharply to the side, and a beam of golden light shot out, disappearing into the black mist.
A scream rang out, and several pairs of blood-red eyes vanished.
"Who are you?" Qing'er said coldly. "There's no need to hide from me; reveal yourself."
Just as Wu Tian was confused by her words, a soft, sinister laugh echoed.
Then, black light shot out from the mist and coalesced into a human figure.
It was a man who looked exceptionally effeminate, a smile playing on his lips, his mouth thin as a blade.
Despite his smile, Wu Tian still sensed an extremely dangerous aura emanating from him.
At this moment, the effeminate man smiled at them with a devilish charm and said, "My esteemed guests, welcome to the domain of demons."
"I am the Yin Demon Emperor—of course, you can also call me Yin Tian Demon Emperor now."
"Yin Tian Demon Emperor?!" Hearing this, Wu Tian was greatly shocked.
Among the demons, those who bore such a title were beings of the Demon Emperor level!
Had he encountered another Demon Emperor?
Qing'er also gave a slight start, then said in a low voice, "Yin Tian Demon Emperor? There is no such existence among the Twelve Demon Emperors."
"Who exactly are you? Your pretense before me is useless."
Yin Tian Demon Emperor smiled slightly and said, "I am indeed not one of the Twelve Demon Emperors, because I am a newly ascended Demon Emperor!"
"What?!" Wu Tian was shocked again.
This reaction seemed to please Yin Tian Demon Emperor. He smiled and said, "Human, you need not be so surprised."
"Since the demons retreated to this place, so many years have passed, it is only natural that new Demon Emperors should be born."
"However, speaking of which, after cultivating for so many years, I never thought I would have hope of advancing, but thanks to you, I have successfully ascended to Demon Emperor!"
"What do you mean?" Qing'er said coldly. "What does your demon race's affairs have to do with us?"
Yin Tian Demon Emperor laughed and said, "Do you know why the demons suddenly came out to cause trouble during this period? It is because I needed you to engage in battle."
"I can absorb the energy generated by combat, so your previous demon-repelling actions were merely fueling my energy."
"But honestly, that energy was still too little for me."
"Yet, I did not wish to lose too many of my kin in the process, so I had been troubled by this."
"But who would have thought that such an intense battle would suddenly erupt amongst you!"
"The fiercer you fought, the more abundant the energy I absorbed!"
"And when you launched your final assault, that immense energy directly helped me achieve my breakthrough."
"Tell me, should I not be thanking you?"
Yin Tian Demon Emperor's speech was slow, but every word seemed to weigh like a thousand pounds, pressing down on Wu Tian's heart.
He never dreamed that this competition would lead to such grave consequences.
Although Qing'er's expression remained indifferent, anyone could tell that her heart was far from calm.
This competition was her idea, and she had insisted on completing it.
If things were truly as Yin Tian Demon Emperor said, wouldn't she have become the prime culprit?
She gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, the sword trembling slightly from the excessive force.
Wu Tian suppressed his inner shock and said to Yin Tian Demon Emperor in a deep voice, "Then what do you mean by bringing us here now? Is it just to tell us you've advanced to Demon Emperor?"
"Or do you have another purpose?"