Chapter 172

Buzz——

The moment the yōkai of the "Hundred Demons Night Parade" shouted "surrender," the machete stopped instantly, less than a finger's height from Nura Huata's head.

Although King Douya did not use special skills such as 'Wind Damage,' the wind formed by 'immortal power' had already stirred up a storm. The yōkai of 'Hundred Demons Night Parade' were instantly knocked to the ground by the 'immortal wind,' and they kept shouting 'surrender.'

The entire group of yōkai under Nura Huata was stunned, and the hair wrapped around his head was blown loose by the immortal wind.

Gulp~

Nura Huata regained his composure and swallowed. He truly felt the presence of death just now.

If his subordinates hadn't shouted for surrender, he had no doubt that King Douya would have wiped out his entire Hundred Demons Night Parade with just one strike.

"Surrender, surrender..."

Nura Huata looked at King Douya, who was sweating as he retracted his machete.

Is this an 'immortal'? He's so much stronger than the great yōkai that there's no chance of even putting up a fight.

King Douya transformed 'Tessaiga' back to its original size, pointing at a group of great yōkai behind him with a sneer. "They wanted to see if an immortal was really that strong, just like you did."

Staring at the yōkai with his scarlet eyes that emitted a sense of oppression, he added, "...

Damn it, we only obey the righteous god of the heavens.

If it weren't for the 'immortal power' given by the 'High Heaven True Gods' to counter demonic energy, King Douya would be no different from us.

The great yōkai were all thinking of joining forces to deal with King Douya after they too received 'immortal power' from the 'High Heaven True Gods.'

Nura Huata signed the contract, and all the yōkai under his Hundred Demons Night Parade also signed the contract.

Since then, only the yōkai in the Kyoto, Shikoku, and Tono regions remained unsubdued.

Just as King Douya led Nura Huata and his "Hundred Demons Night Parade" to the Shikoku region to conquer the "Shinobi Tanuki," the sky over the Kyoto area turned into a dusky color, and the aura of death slowly spread in all directions, as if heralding the world's end.

King Douya looked at the dusk-colored sky and couldn't believe it. "That's... the breath of Huangquan. How could the breath of Huangquan come to the mortal world?"

Nura Huata took a puff from his cigarette, narrowing his eyes. "It seems you haven't heard the news yet."

"Two days ago, the aura of Huangquan appeared in the original county field.

"All humans contaminated by the aura of the underworld have died. People in Kyoto have been fleeing to other regions."

"Now, the Onmyoji clans in Kyoto are escorting fleeing humans."

"As for who caused it, according to the Onmyoji, it was the 'Hagoromo Fox' and her yōkai followers. After all, those yōkai are preying on humans who try to escape from Kyoto."

King Douya couldn't believe it. "How did they do it? This is something only gods can do."

Not even underworld yōkai can bring the power of Huangquan to the mortal realm. He had been to the underworld, so he knew such matters well.

Nura Huata's tone became solemn as he spoke. "It is said that Nue became a god in the Yellow Springs and now seeks to return to the mortal realm from Huangquan, bestowing divine power upon the yōkai of Kyoto."

King Douya was stunned after hearing this, and quickly looked at the 'Blueprint of the Gods,' but Nue's name wasn't there.

Regardless of whether they were gods, main gods, or supreme gods, there was no mention of 'Nue.'

"Whether it's true or not, we must report this to the High Heaven True Gods immediately."

The great yōkai shouted excitedly, "Alright!" Their glowing scarlet eyes were full of excitement.

Finally, they were going to meet Rex Lapis and gain 'immortal power.'

The yōkai were rebellious by nature, and while they respected King Douya, they believed his power came solely from the 'High Heaven True Gods.' If they too received 'immortal power,' they felt King Douya wouldn't be anything special.

All the great yōkai followed King Douya to Jilu City.

The territories of these yōkai, who signed the 'Initial Contract,' also became part of 'Liyue.'

Jilu City dispatched the 'Qianyan Army' and the contracted yōkai to purge the evil yōkai and ghosts infesting the newly claimed territories.

Dozens of great yōkai formed an 'army' and arrived in Jilu City, their malevolent aura darkening the sky.

In the past, such an arrival would have terrified humans, leading them to despair, awaiting their fate as prey to yōkai. But now, things were different.

There were no evil spirits or ghosts in Liyue, and certainly none in Jilu City.

Temple of Rex Lapis.

Zhongli granted the dozens of kneeling yōkai the 'immortal power cultivation method,' making them his dependents.

Although they were termed 'dependents,' Zhongli preferred to think of them as his students, much like he had done for the 'Three-Eyed and Five-Manifestation Immortals' during the Demon God War.

After the yōkai received 'immortal power,' the 'Blueprint of the Gods' appeared in their minds. They finally understood why King Douya had undergone such a significant change. They now had the chance to become 'High Heaven True Gods' in the future!

As the yōkai were celebrating their newfound strength, King Douya informed them of the events transpiring in the Kyoto region.

Zhongli looked calmly towards 'Kyoto.'

Three days earlier, he had sensed the aura from the world of the dead—the so-called 'power of the underworld'—belonging to the 'Lord of the Underworld,' who resided on the supreme throne in the divine pantheon.

"I understand. This is a tyrant attempting to usurp the throne of the 'Yellow Springs.' The divine power flowing into the mortal realm has turned the yōkai of Kyoto into god-level puppets.

"This is not something you can fight."

"Now, I give you your first divine command."

"Move all the humans in the Kyoto area safely to 'Liyue.'"

"Honor the Emperor's command!"

Dozens of great yōkai led by King Douya were eager to rush into the Kyoto area and perform meritorious deeds.

As long as they could save humans, it would be considered credit. If they could kill one of the Kyoto yōkai, their contributions would be even greater.

However, the Emperor merely asked them to save people, and they could only follow orders. The Emperor had clearly stated that the Kyoto yōkai had reached god-level strength.

Zhongli pondered for a moment. Did Master Tianli intend for him to be the one to judge the 'violators,' rather than taking action himself?

In that case, it was the perfect opportunity for the newly promoted Six Gods to demonstrate their divine power in this world.

Elsewhere.

Takumi had arrived at 'Maple Village,' named so because it was surrounded by maple trees. This village was under the protection of Kikyo, the most powerful shrine maiden after Tsubaki, though Kikyo had not yet been born.

Takumi approached the 'Tree of Ages,' pressing his hand against its trunk.

The Tree of Ages emitted a gentle green glow.

"The rules of time in this world differ greatly from those of Teyvat. Here, one can travel freely between past and future, even altering history without consequence."