Chapter Nineteen: The Demonic Clan

“So this is the territory of the ancient Scarlet City? To cross five million miles in an instant—just what kind of realm is the Celestial Human stage? No wonder they’re known as peerless figures of their generation.”

Only when a new light appeared before his eyes did Lin Fan regain his senses, realizing he was standing upon a blood-red plain. The earth was covered in crimson sand, presenting a most terrifying sight.

As the name suggests, the entire region of Scarlet City glimmers with a red hue. Even the towering mountains and dense forests glow with a scarlet radiance. Legend has it that this was once a battlefield between humans and fiends; countless powerful warriors from both sides perished here, and their blood dyed the land red. Thus, when later generations built a city here, they named it Scarlet in memory of the past.

“Among the seventy-two cities of the Heavenly Martial Domain, Scarlet City ranks near the bottom, with few truly powerful figures. There must be a reason the fiends chose to emerge here. Still, even so, Scarlet City will not be without Celestial Humans among its ranks. It seems the fiends have come in force this time.”

Lin Fan frowned, sensing grave danger in this journey.

“Since I’m here, I may as well settle in. As long as I avoid the truly powerful fiends, my life won’t be in danger. Besides, many outer, inner, and even true disciples are traversing Scarlet City—they are the main force. The Heavenly Martial Domain is not ruled by Heaven’s Capital Sect alone. With the fiends emerging, all the great and small powers will not sit idly by. Even the Lord of the Heavenly Martial Domain is likely to make a statement.”

Open-minded and clear-hearted, Lin Fan had already thought through the cause and effect, and so felt much less concerned.

A crisp hum sounded. Light flickered before Lin Fan’s eyes, and a token floated into the air, upon which was engraved a fierce azure dragon—extraordinary in its bearing.

“The Azure Dragon Token is the outer disciple’s token. Slay enough fiends to earn merit, light up the Azure Dragon, and you shall be accepted as an outer disciple of Heaven’s Capital Sect. To see the token is to see the sect itself.”

Chu Yunji’s voice echoed grandly across the entire plain, like a god-king extolling the mortal world.

“So this is the Azure Dragon Token? Light up the dragon, and become an outer disciple!”

Lin Fan was overjoyed and, without hesitation, took the floating token in hand.

A chill emanated from the Azure Dragon Token, as if it represented the supreme authority of Heaven’s Capital Sect. Holding it, Lin Fan instantly felt invigorated; his mind grew clear, and even his cultivation seemed to progress faster.

“No wonder it’s the Azure Dragon Token, with such remarkable benefits. Then the Three Dragons Token for inner disciples and the Five Dragons Token for true disciples—what must those be like? This is truly to see the token as to see the person himself. Once the Five Dragons Token appears, who in the Heavenly Martial Domain would dare not show respect?”

A surge of heroic spirit coursed through him. Lin Fan was filled with excitement—he had finally reached this step. Once he became an outer disciple and had the platform of Heaven’s Capital Sect, all his talents could shine. Only then would he have the vast seas to leap and the boundless sky to soar.

“Slay the fiends!”

Lin Fan murmured, choosing a direction with unwavering resolve. His movements were without concealment, brimming with confidence.

In the distant Scarlet City, the once prosperous metropolis had become a land of death. Corpses lay everywhere, rivers of blood flowed, and not even the elderly or infants were spared—hearts dug out, flesh devoured, in scenes too ghastly to bear.

Within the city lord’s manor, a figure two meters tall sat above the rest, his visage hideous and his body armored in scales—an Asura clan powerhouse. His presence was like a great mountain, as boundless as the sea.

“The humans are making a move?”

The Asura’s voice boomed like a great bell, deafening to hear.

“Commander Quinn, the great powers of the Heavenly Martial Domain have all sent experts to investigate. However, there are few of the Celestial Human realm among them. The domain lord himself is said to be on the move, and rumor has it that even the eminent figures of Pusa County have taken interest.”

Seated below the Asura were two distinguished figures: one from the Flame Demon clan, the other from the Bone Demon clan. The speaker was Gale, the leader of the Flame Demons.

The Flame Demons were famed among the fiends for their combat prowess: possessing immense strength and an innate affinity for fire, they were known as the sons of the Fire God.

“Benson, what news have you obtained?”

Quinn nodded, his gaze settling on the Bone Demon leader, Benson.

Benson was shrouded in a black robe, exuding an eerie air. When he lifted his head, only a skeleton was visible, with divine flames flickering in his eye sockets.

“Reporting, Commander. Not only have powerful humans appeared, but many of the younger ones at the Fleshly Body stage have arrived as well. I have already ordered their extermination. I expect fresh human hearts will soon be delivered here.”

Benson’s voice was chilling, more like an executioner addicted to slaughter.

“Good, well done. When those Celestial Human experts appear, we will launch a massacre. Their blood is the most delicious of all. Order all fiendish warriors to hunt down the humans—we must lure the Celestial Humans into action.”

Quinn rose, his aura surging forth and, in an instant, the entire city lord’s manor was reduced to dust. A blood cloud swirled above his head, winds howled with wraithlike cries, and even gods and ghosts wept in terror.

A mighty storm was about to sweep across the entire Heavenly Martial Domain. Yet Lin Fan knew nothing of this.

“That was the Bloodkill Plain; ahead lies the Ghost Bamboo Forest. It’s said the forest harbors blood-red bamboo, once a tribute from Scarlet City to Heaven’s Capital Sect.”

Within the crimson forest, Lin Fan pressed forward, recalling records of Scarlet City in his mind.

The Ghost Bamboo Forest was still a considerable distance from Scarlet City proper, which itself was surrounded by many smaller towns—its territory vast beyond measure. Only a Celestial Human overlord could possess such a great city.

Suddenly, from deep within the bamboo forest came a piercing, mournful wail, as if some wild beast were roaring in agony.

Lin Fan halted abruptly, his expression growing grave. In a flash, he leapt atop an ancient tree to peer into the distance.

“Enemies?”

He muttered to himself. Soon, he saw a billowing cloud of dust—a sign of a large group on the move.

“Fiends!”

Lin Fan’s heart skipped a beat. The distant group was hideous to behold, some nothing but walking skeletons—the Asura, Flame Demon, and Bone Demon clans.

He had not expected to encounter the fiends so soon, and so brazenly at that. The situation in Scarlet City was clearly dire.

“No, wait! They’re pursuing someone!”

Focusing his gaze, Lin Fan saw that a hundred yards ahead of the fiendish horde there were several fleeing figures, all disheveled and bloodied, their auras flagging to the point of collapse. The strongest among them was merely at the eighth level of the Fleshly Body stage—no match for these fiends, with only escape as their option.

“They’re disciples of Heaven’s Capital Sect? It seems another slaughter is at hand. I wonder what it’s like to devour fiendish flesh and blood.”

Lin Fan licked his lips, murderous intent surging. Since breaking through to the sixth level of the Fleshly Body stage, his progress had noticeably slowed. There was little hope of rapid advancement in the short term, but these dozens of fiends before him were brimming with life force. If he could devour them, the benefits would be tremendous—his stalled cultivation would surely advance, to say nothing of his physical strength.

Moreover, Lin Fan sensed the Azure Dragon Token trembling with fear—signifying that those below were indeed disciples of Heaven’s Capital Sect, at least inner disciples!