Chapter 450: Cao Youqian: Don't misunderstand, I'm only stating the facts
"You stand not far from the Saint Realm. Clearly, you're no nameless figure. Might you reveal your true name?"
The Fire God Cult Master looked at the woman before him, his eyes filled with deep wariness.
Earlier, when he heard there was someone hiding in the shadows, he dismissed it as a trivial matter. But now, after feeling her oppressive aura firsthand, he realized just how terrifyingly strong she was.
Great Sage Jiaoyang's lips curved slightly in disdain. "Listen carefully. My name is Jiaoyang."
The Fire God Cult Master narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "So, you are a powerhouse from the Sacred Academy. But this is not your Wendao Academy's sanctuary—this is the domain of the Fire God Himself. No matter how strong you are, you could never match the Fire God."
"Oh, really?"
Great Sage Jiaoyang's tone was indifferent. "Then summon your so-called Fire God. I'd like to see how much strength that demonic deity of yours still possesses—and whether he can truly subdue me."
Her words instantly enraged all the Great Sages of the Fire God Cult present.
This woman clearly did not take them seriously.
"Arrogant!"
"Today, we'll show you the might of our Fire God Cult!"
"Cult Master, summon the Fire God at once!"
The Fire God Cult Master's face darkened. Though the Fire God Cult was branded a heretical sect throughout Manzhou, within the cult he was the supreme authority. Only when communing with the Fire God's divine spirit did he ever bow his head.
And now, a woman dared to humiliate him before his own followers. The insult was unbearable.
"Great Sage Jiaoyang, you brought this upon yourself!"
He lifted a black token and began chanting in the ancient demonic tongue.
As the incantation echoed through the hall, the calm altar suddenly erupted with a booming roar as a strange flame burst forth.
It was not a fire of this world.
The instant it appeared, the overwhelming aura Jiaoyang had been radiating vanished completely.
The cultists who had fainted earlier suddenly awoke, their eyes wide with fanatical devotion as they gazed upon the flame.
They began chanting loudly in unison, the demonic words reverberating around the altar.
Great Sage Babao's eyelid twitched violently. "Holy Son, that extraterritorial demon seems about to emerge. What should we do?"
Cao Youqian smiled calmly. "Let it come. We might as well witness it together."
"What?!"
Great Sage Babao couldn't believe that even now, Cao Youqian could still smile.
"Holy Son, that is no ordinary creature! Any demon able to descend into this world is at least of the Saint Realm. One worshiped as a deity by a cult like this—its power is unimaginable!"
Cao Youqian remained composed. "Uncle Master, you are already a Great Sage. You should learn calmness—and how to think."
Great Sage Babao was speechless.
As the chanting reached its peak, a massive head emerged from within the flames.
It was engulfed in fire, followed by an enormous spectral body.
The moment the demon appeared, Prince Mad Lion and the others fainted instantly under its suffocating demonic pressure.
Only one thought crossed their minds before losing consciousness—It's over. Everything's over!
"The Soul Body of a Demon Lord."
Great Sage Jiaoyang's eyes gleamed with a spark of excitement as she stared at the being.
Meanwhile, Cao Youqian quietly took out a new sword talisman gifted to him by his master, making sure no one noticed.
"Foolish mortals," the Fire Demon God rumbled, his voice deep and ancient. "How dare you gaze directly upon this god?"
Just one glance from him made Jiaoyang's spirit tremble. Had she not grown much stronger, that single look might have shattered her mind.
She sneered. "A mere outer-realm clown dares call himself a god? Do you think I've never seen a true deity before?"
A collective gasp filled the air as everyone froze in disbelief.
The Fire Demon God's eyes, however, glimmered with intrigue.
He examined Jiaoyang closely and said with a smile, "Interesting. So you possess the bloodline of a true god. And that boy beside you—he has awakened an Immortal Physique. Excellent. You will both make fine sacrifices."
He ignored Jiaoyang entirely and turned his gaze toward the Cult Master. "Yanyan, you've done well. Once I devour them, I shall grant you the chance to ascend to sainthood."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The Fire God Cult Master's eyes shone with fervent excitement.
To ascend to the Saint Realm—any humiliation he had endured before was nothing compared to that promise.
The Fire Demon God's gaze shifted from Great Sage Jiaoyang to Cao Youqian.
"Which of you will be my first sacrifice? Of course, you may resist—perhaps you'll add a little entertainment to my dull existence."
"Hahaha…"
Cao Youqian suddenly burst into laughter. His wild, fearless voice echoed across the altar, leaving everyone bewildered.
Even Great Sage Babao stared at him in confusion, a thought flashing through his mind—Had the Holy Son finally gone mad from fear?
"What are you laughing at?"
The Fire Demon God frowned. He hadn't expected such insolence from one so insignificant.
"I'm laughing at your arrogance—and your ignorance."
Cao Youqian ignored the murderous glares of the Fire God Cult's Great Sages. "Years ago, I followed my master and faced two true Saints. You may call yourself a Demon God, but your strength doesn't even come close to theirs. Seems you've been spoiled by the praise of these brainless cultists—you don't even realize your own insignificance."
With each word, the Fire Demon God's fury grew stronger. By the time Cao Youqian finished, his face had turned hideous, the flames surrounding him shifting from red to pitch-black as his demonic power reached its peak.
The Fire God Cult's members were ecstatic, their faces glowing with excitement.
They looked at Cao Youqian like he was already a corpse.
Not even a Saint could save him now!
Before the Fire Demon God could speak, Great Sage Jiaoyang added mockingly, "He's right. Compared to the Saint's Corpse and Saint's Soul we once fought, this thing is at least three levels weaker. The only thing it has more of—is a head."
"You dare to anger me!" the Fire Demon God roared.
"Don't misunderstand," Cao Youqian replied calmly. "I'm only stating the facts. It's a pity I didn't bring the image of that battle—otherwise, you could have witnessed my master's true brilliance."
"???"
Great Sage Babao looked like he was about to cry. He whispered, "Holy Son, now's really not the time to brag about Lord Qiankun. No matter how much you praise him, he won't appear here!"
"Correct," the Fire Demon God thundered. "No matter how highly you speak of your invincible master, he cannot cross realms and appear in my Fire God Cult. I have already sealed this space—no one knows what happens here.
Today marks your death, arrogant child! Demonflame Devour!"
With a deafening roar, he spat a ball of demonic fire straight toward Cao Youqian.
"Master, aid me!"
Cao Youqian's voice rang out as the sword jade in his hand burst into light.
Clang!
A sharp sword cry split the air.
From the jade, a blinding sword light erupted—one strike, and all sound ceased.
Behind that sword appeared a mighty divine figure—an invincible celestial manifestation.
The figure, like a fallen immortal, raised his sword. The blade's aura met the demon's fire head-on.
At the sword's arrival, the demonic flames vanished instantly.
The Fire Demon God's eyes widened. His fire—dispelled so easily? Instinctively, he tried to flee, but the sword was too fast.
He could only watch as it pierced toward him.
"No—!"
With a scream, the Fire Demon God's head was impaled by sword qi.
Boom!
His skull exploded, his divine soul obliterated into ash.
From the explosion, a single dark-red crystal infused with holy radiance fell toward the altar.
Great Sage Jiaoyang caught it effortlessly, then tossed it to Cao Youqian.
Cao Youqian caught the large demon crystal and slipped it into his storage ring in one smooth motion—so fast that the others hadn't even processed what had happened.
When the sword light finally faded, silence blanketed the altar.
The entire hall was frozen. Not a soul dared breathe.
All eyes stared at the scene before them, minds blank with shock.
"Sigh…"
Cao Youqian exhaled softly. "Why does no one ever believe me when I tell the truth?"
Every cultivator present instinctively turned their gaze toward him.
Cao Youqian idly toyed with the sword jade in his hand, smiling as his eyes swept over the stunned Great Sages before him.
"So then," he asked lightly, "who among you wishes to fight me next?"
Silence.
Only silence answered.
Cao Youqian's smile deepened. "Ah, since no one speaks… that must mean all of you wish to fight me, correct?"
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