Chapter 392 The Demon Emperor
Chapter 392 The Demon Emperor
A towering mountain loomed ahead, its peak disappearing into the clouds.
The mountain stood tens of thousands of feet tall, and its silhouette bore a striking resemblance to the peak where Sky Sanctuary was located.
This kind of terrain was perfect for gathering the energy of the dragon veins, drawing in the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, and channeling it into the mountain itself.
Such a structure would undoubtedly provide immense benefits to any practitioner living here, aiding their cultivation significantly.
To occupy a place with such ideal feng shui was a clear testament to the strength of the Sect that resided here.
But...
Timothy frowned slightly.
As he walked along the mountain path, he could feel an overwhelming presence of demonic energy.
Though everything appeared normal on the surface, the chilling, oppressive aura of this energy seemed to envelop the entire area, as if it had taken over the very sky and earth.
"Something's off. This place feels... strange."
Even Azura, who had reverted to her human form, couldn't help but show a hint of unease on her face as she gazed at the mountain.
For a Dragon King like her to feel this way, the Sect that resided here must be incredibly powerful.
At that moment, Timothy's eyes glowed faintly with a golden light as he looked up toward the peak of the mountain. There, he saw the name of the Sect that stood atop this formidable place.
"Netherspire Citadel!"
"So that's what this is."
It all made sense to Timothy now—why this place felt so extraordinary.
Netherspire Citadel was the foremost Demonic Sect, having risen above countless others. Its power and reputation were enough to inspire fear.
Among the many Demonic Sects, Netherspire Citadel held a status comparable to Sky Sanctuary's position among the righteous Sects.
Even though the influence of Demonic Sects had been significantly suppressed in recent times, no one dared to provoke Netherspire Citadel lightly.
It was feared by the righteous Sects and revered by the Demonic ones.
Despite practicing dark arts and being the top Demonic Sect, Netherspire Citadel rarely engaged in outright evil deeds.
When it came to competing for magical treasures or secret realms, they were certainly more ruthless than other Demonic Sects. But they seldom targeted ordinary people or righteous practitioners.
As a result, even though Netherspire Citadel's influence had grown steadily over the years, it hadn't triggered a united crusade from the righteous Sects.
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In fact, because of its status as the leading Demonic Sect, it had brought many smaller Demonic Sects under its control, preventing numerous conflicts and curbing the reckless behavior of some practitioners.
Among the common folk, aside from a certain level of fear, Netherspire Citadel actually had a fairly decent reputation.
However...
As Timothy looked up at the mountain, he could sense a distinct hostility hidden within the thick demonic energy.
This Sect, which had a relatively good reputation for a Demonic Sect, clearly didn't have much goodwill toward him.
"I am Timothy of Sky Sanctuary, here on behalf of the Goddess to deliver a letter."
Facing the peak, Timothy clasped his hands together in a polite gesture.
Though his manner was respectful, there was no trace of fear in his demeanor.
Rumble.
After a moment of silence, a mechanical sound echoed from the mountain above.
The dense forest that had blocked the path split apart, revealing a long road made of steel that led up to the summit.
There was no verbal response, but it seemed to be an invitation for Timothy to ascend the mountain.
Despite the cold, hostile atmosphere, Timothy didn't hesitate. He stepped onto the steel road without a second thought.
Azura quickly followed, her unease evident as she gently hooked her arm around Timothy's.
Though the path had been revealed, the road to the summit was lined with sharp weapons—daggers, arrows, spears, and even skulls that sent a chill down one's spine.
And that wasn't all. The demonic energy on either side of the path began to coalesce, forming grotesque monsters and skeletal figures.
They floated around Timothy, their eerie whispers sending shivers through the air.
The eerie sounds around them were like the wails of vengeful spirits, mixed with the cries of cursed infants.
As they ascended step by step, the blades hanging from all directions began to move, sliding unpredictably. Many of the weapons were stained with blood—clear evidence that they had pierced human flesh at some point, though it was impossible to tell when.
The suspended blades, the ghostly mist swirling in the air—this bizarre scene seemed to warp the very space around them, distorting reality and unsettling the minds of those who dared to walk this path.
The long road ahead felt like a path to death itself, twisting the thoughts and emotions of anyone who attempted to climb it.
The intensity of the mental assault was unnerving.
Even a powerful practitioner from Ocean's Gate could lose their mind here, overwhelmed by fear, and possibly driven to madness.
For many practitioners, this road could very well be the end of their journey—both physically and mentally.
Even those with strong cultivation and a stable mind would find it nearly impossible to pass through unscathed.
It was clear that Netherspire Citadel's reputation was well-earned. This path was far more dangerous than it appeared on the surface.
Life and death hung in the balance on this road, and passing through it was far more difficult than it seemed.
Yet, despite the ominous "road of death" before him, Timothy's steps remained steady. His gaze never wavered, not even for a moment.
He stared straight ahead, his eyes filled with an unshakable resolve, as if nothing in the world could deter him.
The swirling blades, the howling spirits, the terrifying illusions—they all assaulted his mind, but none of it could slow him down, not even for a second.
At one point, Timothy even took a moment to reach out and gently ruffle Azura's hair.
"Phew, that was close. This Dragon King almost got scared back there," Azura muttered, her voice betraying a hint of relief.
Her earlier fear and confusion vanished completely as Timothy's touch sent a soothing golden light into her body, calming her nerves and dispelling her panic.
The long, steel road ahead no longer seemed so terrifying.
"Roar!"
Finally, as the summit's mist came into view, a massive ghostly creature, formed from thick black fog, lunged at Timothy with a deafening roar.
But Timothy didn't flinch. He didn't dodge or even break his stride. He simply took the final step forward.
In the next instant, the enormous ghostly figure passed through his body and dissipated like smoke, vanishing into thin air.
The entire steel road had been conquered, and Timothy stood at the peak, his gaze unwavering, as if he had never been affected by the horrors along the way.
"To pass through here so easily... Not bad. It seems you're worthy of seeing me in person."
A cold, indifferent voice echoed from the distance.
Timothy's expression remained calm as he looked toward the summit of Netherspire Citadel.
On either side of the path stood rows of demonic cultivators, their faces twisted with malice. Their eyes were filled with hatred, but there was also a trace of fear and respect for the source of the voice.
At the center of the gathering, seated on a throne and surrounded by these fearsome demonic cultivators, was a man with long black hair, draped in dark robes.
This man was none other than Zalroth, the Demon Emperor of Netherspire Citadel!