Chapter Ten: The Killing Intent of Vashak, the Star Demon God

Humankind knows very little about the demons. Even though the two races have fought for six thousand years, humans still do not understand the depths of the demon race. Not even the purpose of the demons’ arrival is clear to them. To put it plainly, the strength of humankind pales in comparison to that of the demons.

After Bai Nianxuan was acknowledged by the Sword of the Light Dragon God, the two maids withdrew. Bai Yue’s eyes flickered with a complicated emotion. “It’s late. Nianxuan, sleep with me tonight.”

“Alright!” With a wave of her hand, Bai Nianxuan made the golden longsword vanish from this world. Now that the sword had recognized its master, it would transform according to her will. The divine sword possessed its own space.

Lying on the bed, Bai Yue watched Bai Nianxuan’s tranquil sleeping face, her heart weighed down by unspeakable sorrow. She feared that the Demon God Emperor would take an interest in Nianxuan, destroy her, and leave her a cripple.

Bai Yue placed her hand by Nianxuan’s head, her gaze full of tenderness. Her heart was filled with endless worry. Hatred was one thing, but fear could not be denied. Bai Yue knew very well that they could not resist the Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu, and thus could only accept his arrangements.

She was gratified by Nianxuan’s talent, yet terrified that misfortune would befall her. To have the divine sword recognize her before even a sacred awakening proved her talent was among the finest of all humanity. Bai Yue was proud of Nianxuan’s gift.

With a deep sigh, Bai Yue vowed to protect her sister with her life.

…

Demon Imperial Palace, Hall of Governance.

The Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu sat upright upon a golden throne. Standing below him was the Star Demon God Vasak, whose long blue hair and handsome face carried a trace of indolence.

“Third Brother, what brings you here so suddenly today?” Feng Xiu cast a cool glance at Vasak.

Vasak was known for his reclusive nature and seldom involved himself in demon affairs. Yet his importance to the tribe was unquestionable. Whenever something momentous occurred among the demons, he would confer with Feng Xiu to ensure the future of their race.

“Big Brother, I am here to tell you something.” Vasak spoke. “Earlier, that golden radiance piercing the darkness was from the divine sword our tribe obtained ten thousand years ago. No one had ever been acknowledged by it, so the sword remained shrouded in dust. Now, it has chosen a master, which means this person’s talent is exceptional. The demons, being inherently of the dark attribute, cannot be recognized by a sword of light, so this person must be a human of the light attribute.”

“I observed the star chart and saw a brilliant star appear in the sky. Without even prophesying, I can surmise that this person is likely humanity’s second Sword God of Light, Ye Wushang.”

For six thousand years of conflict between demons and humans, the latter have always been at a disadvantage. Yet their endurance owes much to the emergence, every century, of a prodigiously gifted individual who turns the tide and stabilizes the crumbling human alliance.

Of course, the demon tribes of Sun, Moon, and Star have at times held back their full power, but the excellence of humankind is worthy of recognition.

Feng Xiu’s expression remained unchanged. “You mean to say I should kill this human preemptively?”

“Yes, Big Brother.” Vasak’s handsome face was marked by complex emotion, his voice soft and cold. “This person’s talent may well surpass that of Ye Wushang, the Sword God of Light. Moreover, she has gained the approval of our tribe’s divine sword of light.”

“If not for the sword’s centuries of neglect, causing the sword spirit’s power to wane, it would not have become a mere artifact. It is, in fact, a supreme artifact.”

This was precisely why, despite its light attribute, the demons had preserved the sword for so many years—because it was a supreme artifact. Once the sword recognizes a master, if the master nourishes it with their power, it will return to its peak.

The divine sword of light recognizing a master was, in Vasak’s eyes, a momentous event. He knew the sword had been kept in Feng Xiu’s treasury. Thus, anyone who could access the sword must be connected to Feng Xiu.

Feng Xiu smiled faintly. “A divine sword of light, even as a supreme artifact, is useless to our tribe.”

“As for your concerns, I do not share them. The master chosen by the sword is a girl not yet ten years old.”

“No matter how gifted she is, it will take her a century to mature. Ye Wushang took fifty years to become a ninth-tier powerhouse, and his talent was already unparalleled in humanity. For her to surpass him would be exceedingly difficult.”

When the golden light appeared, Feng Xiu already knew Bai Nianxuan’s talent was extraordinary. He had been watching Bai Yue’s reactions through the water mirror, and heard Nianxuan’s rebellious and bold words. It was the first time he sensed such fearless resolve in a child.

“Big Brother, what is this child’s relation to you?” Vasak was startled, gazing at Feng Xiu with a complicated look.

At present, Feng Xiu was in his prime and already had two children. Vasak wondered if this could be the emperor’s illegitimate daughter. But no, the innate attributes of children follow their parents’ bloodlines. This child could not be the emperor’s offspring, so why was Feng Xiu intent on protecting her? Once she matured, humanity would surely battle the demons, making things difficult for the demon side.

Rather than wait for her to grow powerful, it would be better to nip her in the bud.

“She is the niece of my beloved and my wife.” Seeing Bai Nianxuan’s face, so reminiscent of Bai Lingxuan, Feng Xiu felt both a blur of memory and a surge of tenderness.

He would never harm Bai Nianxuan. To him, she was the continuation of Bai Lingxuan’s will. Bai Lingxuan’s regrets could be fulfilled through Nianxuan.

He watched Bai Yue’s actions through the water mirror, refraining from interference for precisely this reason. He had given Bai Yue the sword; if she wished to pass it to Nianxuan, it was her choice, and he would not meddle.

“Ah?” Now it was Vasak’s turn to be perplexed.

“But she’s still an outsider, isn’t she?” Vasak truly did not understand. The niece of his beloved wife—that was simply the daughter of his wife’s brother. There was no blood relation, only a tenuous kinship.

To risk the demon tribe’s future for such a connection seemed unnecessary to Vasak. The future of the race was paramount.

Feng Xiu gazed at him deeply. “This is one of the few things I can still do for her.”

“If I were to harm even the child of her brother, what face would I have left to meet her again?”

“The sword’s recognition is this person’s fate. A divine sword of light left in the demon tribe is nothing but scrap metal. Better to let her take it and use it.”

“I understand, Brother.” Vasak bowed his head, comprehending Feng Xiu’s intent: he would not lay a hand on this girl.

“The emperor is only fifty thousand spiritual power away from a million. Even if she is given a hundred years, humanity cannot escape the grasp of the demon tribe.”