As the thunder exploded, the entire sky began to change color.
A vast demonic aura surged upward, dyeing the entire sky overhead. The city beneath the sky was completely shrouded in this demonic energy.
The sun was now blocked. The sky turned dark and cloudless, with thunder and lightning rolling through the clouds.
In Bluesky City, the people looked up in terror at the sky.
“What is that?” some murmured, others whispering among themselves as they stared at the surging demonic energy.
In the center of the city, within the Lan Residence, a humble and low-profile manor surrounded by lush green plants, those very plants began turning pitch black.
At the heart of the residence, a hanging pendulum suddenly began to move. The pointer trembled non-stop at a certain position, ringing with metallic “zheng zheng” sounds.
Most of the Lan Clan didn’t know they were part of a demon-slaying clan. As the city’s number-one force, many clan members now felt panic.
High above, within the rolling demonic clouds, a pair of crimson eyes stared silently down over the city.
“What is that thing?” someone asked in horror.
Lan Juntian, the Patriarch of the Lan Clan, rushed to a secret space within the clan that no one else knew about.
This space wasn’t large. It contained seven simple thatched cottages.
In front of the cottages was a vast vegetable garden, filled with every type of plant.
Behind the cottages was an expansive orchard filled with ancient spirit trees, many so old their origins couldn’t be traced.
"Pluck chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, and quietly see the southern mountains", the place was peaceful, perfect for retirement.
At the front gate ran a river stretching into the horizon, disappearing far into the sky. No one knew how long it truly was.
When Lan Juntian entered this space, he saw seven elderly men sitting by the river, fishing calmly.
These elders looked ordinary, without any overwhelming aura, just like seven aging men enjoying their twilight years.
“Juntian, you’re here,” one of them greeted with a warm smile.
“Ancestor,” Lan Juntian quickly bowed in respect.
“You should know, unless it’s a matter of clan destruction, you should never disturb us,” another elder said with slight displeasure.
“I know,” Lan Juntian nodded quickly. Then, hesitantly, he said, “But the sign that was left long ago, it’s come.”
“What sign?” one of the seven hadn’t caught on yet.
But the elder sitting at the front looked to the sky. His cloudy eyes lit up with a sharp gleam. He muttered seriously, “The sky is changing.”
“Jiulin, what exactly is coming?” another elder asked, confused.
“The day of the Demon’s arrival has come,” Lan Jiulin said slowly, one word at a time.
As soon as he finished, the expressions of the other six elders changed drastically.
“The Demon arrives…” one muttered again.
They all knew what those words meant. Just like their very existence as a demon-slaying clan, it was their mission and purpose.
“It’s been so many years... Looks like the Primordial Demon Cave’s seal is starting to stir again. Another three-thousand-year cycle has passed.”
One elder sighed. “They’ve come to seize the Chaos Stone.”
“If the Chaos Stone is taken, the Demon-Sealing Lock undone, and the Demon Cave descends upon the Primordial Heartlands...” Lan Jiulin shook his head with a heavy expression. “The consequences would be unimaginable. So today, even if we have to give our lives, we must kill the demon here.”
The others all nodded with determination. These men were the ancestors of the Lan Clan, from a bygone era.
It was no exaggeration to say each of them had slain demons before.
This was the mission of the Lan Clan.
“Juntian, evacuate the entire clan and all the city residents,” Lan Jiulin ordered.
“The seven of us will face the demon.”
“Ancestor, let us stay and help,” Lan Juntian said anxiously.
“It’s useless. You’re too weak. Even numbers will only add to the casualties.”
Lan Jiulin shook his head. “Don’t worry. We’ve prepared for this. Demons have come in other eras too, and all ended up dead by our hands.”
Lan Juntian nodded firmly. “Then I await your victorious return.”
“Juntian, one day you’ll stand where we are and face a new wave of demons,” Lan Jiulin said with a smile. “Don’t worry, demons aren’t as terrifying as you think.”
The seven elders stood and stepped into the sky, leaving the hidden space behind.
…
Outside, the demonic energy had already spread, covering a hundred miles around Bluesky City.
It formed a barrier, no one could enter, and no one inside could leave.
People hid in terror, watching what looked like the end of the world.
Within the Lan Residence, Lan Ke’er stood in her courtyard, staring at the sky.
Most of the Clan didn’t know the truth about their demon-slaying lineage, but she was this generation’s chosen warrior, so she knew much more than the others.
Just then, Lan Juntian walked into the courtyard.
“Father,” Lan Ke’er greeted.
“Ke’er, how’s your training with the demon-slaying technique going?” Lan Juntian asked.
“I’ve already started,” Lan Ke’er nodded. “I’ve begun to form the Demon-Suppressing Energy.”
“Good. In times like these, our Lan Clan is like a floating weed. In the future, we’ll need you to lead the clan to glory.”
Lan Juntian looked at the raging magic in the sky and sighed. “If I had a choice, I wouldn’t want you, my daughter, to face all this. But we can’t change the selection process for demon-slayers.”
“I understand, Father. No need to explain,” Lan Ke’er said with a smile. “So, a new demon is coming?”
“Yes. But the ancestors will handle it. We don’t need to worry.”
“Hurry and pack. Go hide with the other clansmen. I need to help evacuate the city.”
As Lan Juntian left, Lan Ke’er stood silently for a long time, her eyes looking off into the far east.
She murmured softly, “What are you doing right now?”
…
Meanwhile, the seven Lan Clan ancestors stepped out from the void with overwhelming presence.