Chapter 526: The Dark Emperor Takes Action

Upon Yi Yan's command, those hidden underground swiftly activated the Yang Spring.

The Yang Spring, opposite of the Yin Spring, emitted Earthly Yang Qi, which was far hotter than ordinary fire. This place had been a dormant volcano, but Yi Yan, well-versed in geography and astronomy, had long identified it and made the necessary preparations.

He had merely been waiting for the endless Corpse-Eating Ghost Insects to enter the trap.

Now, countless Corpse-Eating Ghost Insects had entered the predicted area. Yi Yan naturally opened the gates of hell.

Earthly Yang Qi erupted, blazing skyward with an infinite burst of fire.

The fire surged so rapidly and fiercely that the ground below shattered, sending flames roaring upwards towards the endless swarm of black insects.

These black insects were far weaker than the legendary Six-Winged Golden Cicadas of ancient immortals. While ordinary fire might be resisted, the Earthly Yang Qi was their ultimate nemesis.

The Earthly Yang Qi surged, and the sky was suddenly dyed a brilliant red by the flames.

Surrounding the area, strong wind spells cast by Yi Yan's arranged forces swiftly whipped up a storm, driving any escaping insects back into the inferno.

Burn, burn furiously!

Yi Yan's strategy was to use fire. To fight these black insects with an army would be foolish. Only fire could destroy them.

At the center of the swarm, a golden insect, terrified, transformed into Mr. Insect's appearance amidst thousands of other insects.

Mr. Insect had not anticipated Yi Yan's fire attack and was now in a panic. The body formed by countless insects had been mostly destroyed. The remaining insects regrouped, but their strength was greatly diminished.

Escape! There was no choice but to flee!

Mr. Insect had hoped to shock the world with a single battle, to annihilate the Da Xia Dynasty. But now, it seemed his campaign was off to a disastrous start. He had nearly died and had only managed to kill the zombie army.

Or not even that. Mr. Insect's zombie army consisted entirely of dead bodies. Up to now, apart from killing two of the city lord's guards, he hadn't killed anyone from the enemy side!

He had killed two of his own men, yet hadn't taken down a single enemy. His plan had fallen apart miserably.

Mr. Insect felt a surge of frustration, bordering on tears. This was a far cry from shocking the world—he'd become a laughingstock instead!

Escape?

In his current state, did he still think he could escape? Yi Yan's strategy was meticulous, with every move anticipated. For Mr. Insect, there was no escape. Yi Yan's two hundred thousand soldiers were ready.

The endless flames erupted, obliterating Mr. Insect completely.

This battle hadn't ended with Mr. Insect shocking the world but rather elevated Yi Yan. The terrifying zombie army had initially raised Mr. Insect's status, but Yi Yan swiftly brought him down.

It was clear that Mr. Insect had unwittingly paved the way for Yi Yan to shine.

Yi Yan's formidable tactics nearly made some forget his fearsome prowess. This battle once again established him among the top military strategists of the Divine Continent. A flawless victory, with no casualties, a remarkable achievement.

Simultaneously, the Da Xia Dynasty, under which Yi Yan served, drew the attention of all. Especially its emperor, Zhong Shan.

What kind of person was Zhong Shan?

The spies from various factions quickly disseminated the news. Those receiving the information were destined for sleepless nights.

Meanwhile, Mr. Corpse, relying on his depleted skeleton army and regenerated zombie army, slaughtered everyone in Liuhe City.

Other armies of Da Xia also moved towards major cities.

A one-sided massacre ensued.

The Da Xia Dynasty's army was overwhelmingly powerful.

Wherever the Da Xia army marched, none could stand against them!

After another round of conquests, Zhong Shan's fearsome reputation had instilled terror in the remaining seven immortal cities of the Da Guang Dynasty. Both the populace and the military were stricken with fear.

Cities were practically empty, with only one out of ten households still occupied, and even deserters were appearing.

The unstoppable might of the Da Xia Dynasty had deeply imprinted itself on countless minds.

In Tian Guang City of the Da Guang Dynasty:

In the imperial court, the ministers were filled with fear, trembling in their boots. Han Ji Guang continued to attend court, remaining calm in the face of turmoil.

Mr. Insect was dead, but Han Ji Guang still had an ace up his sleeve—Crystal Old Demon, a powerful curse master.

In the forbidden area of the imperial palace's backyard:

Only Emperor Han Ji Guang and Prince Han Chuang were allowed near. Guards could only stand watch from afar, witnessing a brilliant light emanate from within every seven days.

Inside the forbidden area was a large platform. Atop the platform sat a strange man in white robes, his body normal, but his face was like glazed glass, giving him an extremely grotesque appearance.

This man was the Crystal Old Demon.

Seated cross-legged with his eyes closed, the Crystal Old Demon seemed to be muttering something. In front of him were six straw dolls, each with a talisman affixed to it.

Each talisman bore a name: Zhong Shan, Lin Xiao, Yi Yan, Mr. Corpse, Shui Wuhen, and Shui Jing.

Only the talismans for Lin Xiao and Shui Wuhen had birth dates inscribed.

A green lantern sat atop each doll's head and at their feet, casting an eerie light.

The Crystal Old Demon chanted for a while before suddenly opening his eyes. His eyes were sunken, like deep, hollow pits, making him look even more hideous.

With a flip of his hand, six more talismans appeared. He made a series of hand signs, and the talismans ignited, burning brightly. He threw the burning talismans at the dolls. Strangely, the straw dolls did not catch fire but emitted a blinding light.

As the light faded, the Crystal Old Demon resumed his cross-legged position and continued his incantations.

At the same time, on the battlefield:

Lin Xiao was leading his army in a massacre.

"Puh~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

Lin Xiao suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his body becoming incredibly weak. He quickly drew his sword to support himself, his face turning extremely pale.

"Commander!" his guards exclaimed in alarm.

"Continue the massacre. Once the city is cleared, take me to the Emperor!" Lin Xiao ordered weakly.

"Yes!" The guards, though terrified, responded immediately.

Similarly, at Shui Wuhen's location:

"Commander!" his guards shouted in shock.

"Continue the massacre. The Zhong Army never fails a mission. This is the last city. The Fifth Legion must not fall behind. Finish the slaughter, then take me to the Emperor!" Shui Wuhen said with difficulty.

After speaking, Shui Wuhen collapsed.

"Yes!" The guards responded, tears streaming down their faces.

The fourth round of city massacres had commenced.

After the fourth round of city massacres, the Da Guang Dynasty completely fell apart, leaving only the capital, Tian Guang City.

Zhong Shan's central army marched straight to Tian Guang City, unstoppable along the way. They halted only at the outskirts, where the various legions regrouped.

Inside the central army's main hall:

Zhong Shan looked at Lin Xiao and Shui Wuhen lying on stretchers.

"This is curse magic!" Mr. Corpse declared with certainty.

"Can you break it?" Zhong Shan asked.

"It's the Seven-Seven Nail Arrow Curse! A powerful curse that doesn't require proximity, only the target's birthdate and name. Every seven days, a fire talisman is burned, and after forty-nine days, the curse kills the target. However, there's a flaw: if the curse caster dies during this period, the curse is lifted!" Mr. Corpse explained.

"Then we kill the curse caster!" Zhong Shan's eyes flashed with determination, his hatred for Han Ji Guang intensifying.

In Tian Guang City:

"Big brother, the Crystal Old Demon is truly formidable. His curse magic has indeed halted Zhong Shan's army," Han Chuang exclaimed.

"So what if they've stopped? The Da Guang Dynasty is finished. Zhong Shan's army is incredibly fast, too fast!" Han Ji Guang sighed.

"What does it matter? Once the Crystal Old Demon curses Zhong Shan and his men to death, won't the Da Xia Dynasty collapse? Then we can reclaim our territory," Han Chuang said.

Han Ji Guang gave Han Chuang a cold look but said nothing. Reclaiming their territory? Easier said than done. Countless forces and eyes were watching. Would they really allow him to reclaim his territory? When he founded the Da Guang Dynasty, it was done in secret.

"Come on, let's check on the Crystal Old Demon," Han Ji Guang said.

The two walked towards the forbidden area in the palace, the place that emitted a brilliant light every seven days. Protected by a strange formation, it prevented any spiritual probing.

As they entered the area:

"What's going on? How can this be?" Han Chuang suddenly screamed, rushing towards the large platform.

Han Ji Guang felt something was wrong and appeared on the platform in a flash.

The platform was in disarray. The straw dolls were gone, and the Crystal Old Demon's body was riddled with seven or eight holes.

He lay in a pool of blood. His Purple Palace, Dantian, forehead, and Mud Pill Palace were all pierced through.

It was a brutal murder, leaving no doubt that the Crystal Old Demon was dead.

How was this possible? Who could silently kill the Crystal Old Demon?

Han Ji Guang's ace, dead in such a humiliating manner?

"Crystal Old Demon. Crystal Old Demon!" Han Chuang muttered, looking around in paranoia. From the scene, it seemed the Crystal Old Demon was killed in one strike and then brutally slaughtered dozens of times. Who could have done this? Who could enter this formation unnoticed? It was terrifying. Could the assassin still be lurking?

Han Ji Guang approached the corpse, taking a deep breath. He extended his right hand, a drop of blood emerging from his fingertip, drawing a strange symbol in the air before touching the Crystal Old Demon's body.

"Whoosh!" The Crystal Old Demon's eyes opened.

"Alive?" Han Chuang was astonished.

"It's just a last gasp. He can't be saved," Han Ji Guang shook his head.

The Crystal Old Demon looked at Han Ji Guang and suddenly spoke, "Dark Emperor, he's called the Dark Emperor. He took my 'Heavenly Evil Curse'. Avenge me!"

With that, the Crystal Old Demon's eyes lost their focus, and his soul dispersed, leaving him truly dead.