Chapter 112: Discussion of Counterattack, Abyss Strategy
The thunderous light of the Demon King Salvos's annihilation had not yet fully dissipated, and the battlefield was filled with the scent of gunpowder and blood. The allied Soul Masters began to clear the battlefield and treat the wounded, but everyone's eyes involuntarily turned toward the gate of hell in the center of the valley. It still emitted an ominous blood-red light, yet no more demons poured out. They also looked at the two figures standing proudly in the air before the gate—Yu Yuanchen and Qian Chongxiao.
Qian Chongxiao, holding the slightly dimmed Angelic Sacred Sword, looked at the violently shaking gate of hell that seemed as if it would collapse at any moment. He said in a deep voice, "Little Friend Yuanchen, the Demon King has been slain and the portal is unstable. Now is the time to completely destroy it and eliminate the future trouble forever!" Having said that, he prepared to gather divine force and swing his sword at the distorted spatial rift.
"Enshrined Qian, wait a moment," Yu Yuanchen suddenly raised his hand to stop him, his voice calm.
Qian Chongxiao paused and looked at him in confusion. "Little Friend, what is the meaning of this? If this gate is not destroyed, it will remain a major threat."
Yu Yuanchen gazed deeply at the gate of hell and said slowly, "Destroying this gate would certainly resolve the immediate crisis. However, the connection points between the Demon Plane and our Douluo Plane are likely far more than just this one location. Those 'Demon Seeds' hidden throughout the continent, as well as Soul Masters with evil Martial Souls, are all potential portals. Blocking is less effective than channeling; it's impossible to guard against everything."
He paused and turned to Qian Chongxiao, his eyes flashing with wise light. "I have a thought that might turn our passive position into an active one, and even... secure a long-term benefit for our Spirit Master's world. However, I need to make use of this gate."
Qian Chongxiao's brow furrowed slightly, his heart filled with uncertainty. Long-term benefit? Use the gate of hell? This boy's thoughts were truly unfathomable. But having witnessed Yu Yuanchen's strength and foresight, he pondered for a moment and suppressed the urge to destroy the gate immediately, saying, "What brilliant idea do you have, Little Friend? Feel free to speak."
Yu Yuanchen said no more and willed it. The purple-gold thunderous light around him surged again, more concentrated and oppressive than when he had killed the Demon King!
"Holy Dragon Prison Tribulation, Seal!"
He let out a low shout, formed hand Seals, and pressed forward into the air! In an instant, a massive pillar of light over twenty zhang in diameter, composed purely of purple-gold lightning, descended like a Nine Heavens lightning punishment. It landed unerringly, completely covering and clogging the entire entrance of the gate of hell!
Buzz—!
The moment the lightning pillar contacted the gate of hell, a piercing sound of energy friction erupted! The churning blood-red energy inside the gate frantically struck the lightning pillar, but it was like hitting a wall of steel, unable to cross even an inch! On the surface of the lightning pillar, countless intricate lightning runes flowed, emitting a powerful suppressing and binding force. Not only did it block the flow of energy, but it also seemed to temporarily freeze the space behind the gate!
This was not a Seal, but something even more domineering—blocking the door! With power nearly reaching that of a god, he had forcibly blocked this planar passage! Unless there was a force that could strike down this lightning pillar from the inside, the existences of the Demon Plane could forget about setting foot on the Douluo Continent again!
Qian Chongxiao felt the vast power and exquisite Laws contained within that lightning pillar—Laws that made even him, a Limit Douluo holding a Divine Artifact, feel a sense of palpitation. His heart shook once more. This boy's control over power had already reached the Transcendent level! He completely dismissed any thoughts of doubt and nodded, "Excellent method! In that case, we shall follow your intent and temporarily leave this gate. First, let us clear out the remaining enemies!"
With that, the two figures flickered and joined the cleanup of the remaining demons.
Having lost the Demon King's command and the support of the gate of hell, the remaining demon army, though still fierce, had become like rootless duckweed, in utter chaos. Under the sweeping strikes of the allied experts—especially Yu Yuanchen and Qian Chongxiao—they quickly collapsed.
The battle lasted for about an hour. Except for a few Azure Flame Demons and Great Demon Cavalry that Yu Yuanchen had deliberately left half-dead—all with strength at the Super Douluo level—the demons in the valley had been completely cleared out.
After the battle, the allied forces began to rest, treat the wounded, and tally the casualties. Meanwhile, Yu Yuanchen approached the few demon prisoners he had specifically spared.
In his eyes, purple-gold light flowed, and the vast Spiritual Power of the Peak Spirit Domain Realm spread out like a physical substance, causing the nearby experts like Qian Chongxiao to feel a wave of trepidation.
"Soul Searching Technique!" Yu Yuanchen chanted in his heart. This was a method he had developed himself during his closed-door cultivation, referencing the unique Soul skills of a certain Guest Elder from the Ye Family who possessed a Spiritual-attribute Martial Soul. By relying on his own powerful Spiritual Power of the Spirit Domain Realm, he could forcibly flip through a creature's memories. However, it required extremely high Spiritual Power from the caster and caused immense damage to the subject, going against the natural order, so he rarely used it. But at this moment, to obtain key intelligence, he couldn't afford to care. Besides, these demons weren't even human, so Yu Yuanchen felt not even a shred of sympathy.
He pointed his fingers like a sword, touching the forehead of a dying Azure Flame Demon. His powerful Spiritual Power pierced into its chaotic and evil Soul like a sharp blade, ignoring its painful wails as he forcibly flipped through its memory fragments.
Scene after scene of the cruelty, chaos, and bloodiness of the Demon Plane flooded into Yu Yuanchen's mind. The Law of the jungle, slaughter and devouring, scarce planar resources, harsh environments... At the same time, he also captured information regarding the top-tier powers of the Demon Plane.
"As I thought..." A look of realization flashed in Yu Yuanchen's eyes. Through the patchwork of fragmented memories, he confirmed that this Demon Plane was exactly the one from his past life's memories in Dou 3 that was tied to the Fallen Angel Martial Soul lineage.
Its top-tier rulers were known as "Demon Kings," with strength comparable to demigods (existences that surpass ordinary Limit Douluos and touch the threshold of the Divine Rank). However, limited by the Laws of the plane, at most five Demon Kings could coexist in the same era! Salvos, whom he had killed, was one of the five kings! Now, four demigod-level Demon Kings remained behind the gate!
"Four demigods..." Yu Yuanchen calculated in his heart. With his current Peak Rank 98 strength, but with actual combat power far exceeding an ordinary demigod (Qian Chongxiao with a Divine Artifact could be considered a demigod-level combatant, and Yu Yuanchen was confident he could steadily suppress him or even easily fight two ordinary demigods), combined with top combatants like Qian Chongxiao and Tang Chen, as well as the allied elites, they were not without the power to fight! Especially since the Demon Plane's environment was harsh and demons lacked trust, fighting among themselves constantly; if he could exploit this...
A bold plan gradually took shape in his mind.
Just then, the leaders of the various factions who had finished clearing the battlefield—Yu Boxuan, Tang Gan, Ning Zhiyuan, Feng Zaiyun, Dai Jingxuan, Shi Feng, Qian Chongshan, Gold Crocodile Douluo, as well as Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen—all gathered. Everyone looked at the gate of hell blocked by the lightning pillar, then at the few captured demons, and finally turned their puzzled gazes toward Yu Yuanchen.
Supreme Pontiff Qian Chongshan spoke on behalf of the group, "Young Sect Master Yuanchen, the Demon King has been executed, and the remaining enemies are nearly cleared. I wonder what deep meaning you have for leaving this gate and capturing these demons?"
Yu Yuanchen looked around at everyone, knowing it was time to show his hand. He took a deep breath and solemnly informed everyone of the key intelligence he had obtained through the Soul Searching Technique:
"Everyone, from the memories of these demons, I have learned that the Demon Plane connected behind this gate is a medium-sized material plane with scarce resources and a harsh environment. Its strongest beings are 'Demon Kings,' whose strength is comparable to demigods." He specifically looked at Qian Chongxiao, "Enshrined Qian, holding a Divine Artifact, can be considered at the same level."
Everyone was solemn upon hearing this. Demigods! Those were existences that surpassed ordinary Limit Douluos!
Yu Yuanchen continued, "Fortunately, the Laws of that plane are flawed; at most five Demon Kings can coexist in the same era. One has already been slain by me. Behind the gate, there should be four demigod-level Demon Kings remaining."
Four demigods! Everyone gasped! If such a force came out in full strength, it would be enough to sweep through the current Douluo Continent! If not for the presence of top combatants like Yu Yuanchen and Qian Chongxiao, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"However," Yu Yuanchen changed the subject, his eyes flashing with sharp light, "the Demon Plane is in constant internal strife; the four Demon Kings are by no means a united front. While their overall strength is great, it is not impossible to resist. More importantly, are we going to stay on passive defense forever, waiting for them to strike every time before we hastily respond and suffer losses?"
His voice rose with an unquestionable decisiveness. "I believe that passive defense is by no means a long-term solution! The demons' desire to destroy us will never die. Though this gate is blocked, the hidden danger remains. Rather than sitting and waiting for them to open a portal again at an unknown time and place, it's better... if we initiate the attack!"
"Initiate the attack?!" Everyone was shocked by this bold idea! Counterattacking the Demon Plane? This was simply unheard of!
"Yuanchen, you mean... we charge into the Demon Plane through this gate?" Tang Chen's eyes widened, his breathing quickening. Instead of being afraid, he showed an extremely excited expression.
"Exactly!" Yu Yuanchen said decisively. "Strike while they are unprepared! If we can defeat or even slay one or two Demon Kings, we will surely deal a heavy blow to the Demon Plane's Origin Qi, making it unable to invade again for a long time! Furthermore... if we can control some of the Demon Plane's resources, it will also bring infinite benefits to the future development of our Spirit Master's world!"
Silence fell over the hall. Everyone was shocked into silence by Yu Yuanchen's world-shaking plan. Counterattacking another plane? What kind of courage and strength did that require?!
Seeing that everyone still had doubts, Yu Yuanchen dropped the last piece of information, the one most likely to touch some people's nerves: "Additionally, from the Soul search, I also learned that under one of the Demon Kings, there exists a special legion—they are not pure-blood demons, but rather... beings with dark wings who use the power of fallen darkness... Fallen Angels!"
"What?!"
"Fallen Angels?!"
The father and son, Qian Chongxiao and Qian Daoliu, both cried out in surprise simultaneously! The Angelic Sacred Sword in Qian Chongxiao's hand vibrated violently, erupting with angry Holy Light! Qian Daoliu's face turned even grimmer, his golden eyes burning with raging fury!
Angels! That was the source of their Qian Family's Bloodline, the symbol of holiness and light! To think they were desecrated by demons and converted into fallen pawns! This was simply a humongous humiliation! It was the greatest disrespect to the god of angels!
Just as Qian Daoliu was fuming with rage, the Angelic Brand on his forehead suddenly burned hot, and a holy thought entered his mind—the Fourth Angelic Trial had begun!
[Fourth Angelic Trial: Glory Shall Not Be Profaned (I).]
[Trial Content: Enter the Demon Plane and personally slay ten demons whose strength has reached the Titled Douluo level.]
[Trial Time Limit: One year.]
[Trial Reward: God Position affinity increased by ten percent.]
The arrival of the Gods Trial was like the final catalyst! Qian Daoliu no longer hesitated. He stepped forward, his voice cold and firm, "Father, Brother Yuanchen! The matter of the Fallen Angels cannot be tolerated! This is a desecration of my Angel Lineage! I am willing to go to the Demon Plane to purify the filth and defend our glory!" The appearance of the Gods Trial meant that the god of angels also approved of this operation!
Yu Yuanchen looked at Qian Daoliu and nodded slightly. He had long guessed that the information about the Fallen Angels would definitely stir the full support of the Angelic Family.
"If Old Qian is going, how can I fall behind!" Tang Chen laughed loudly and slapped his chest hard. "Yuanchen, how can such an exciting thing as fighting another plane be missing Tang Chen! Count me in!"
Qian Chongxiao looked at his son's firm gaze, then at the unfathomable Yu Yuanchen and the heroic Tang Chen, weighing the pros and cons in his heart. Four demigod Demon Kings were certainly powerful, but with a freak like Yu Yuanchen leading—whose strength likely already surpassed an ordinary demigod—combined with his own assistance with a Divine Artifact, as well as the top combatants like Daoliu and Tang Chen, and the support of the allied elites, they were not without a chance of victory. More importantly, this was indeed a golden opportunity to resolve the demon threat, and even to seize benefits and wash away the shame for Spirit Hall (the Angel Lineage)!
He took a deep breath and finally made a decision, saying in a deep voice, "Fine! Little Friend Yuanchen has great foresight, and what you say is correct. Being passively beaten is ultimately not a good strategy. The demons desecrated divine grace; their crime is punishable by death! My Angel Lineage is willing to give its full support to this counterattack!"
Seeing that the leaders of the three strongest parties—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Spirit Hall (Angel Lineage), and Clear Sky Sect—had all agreed, the other Sect leaders looked at each other. They knew this matter concerned the future of the continent and that opportunities and risks coexisted. Ultimately, they all expressed their support.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to lend a hand!" Ning Zhiyuan was the first to speak.
"The Wind Sword Sect seconds the motion!"
"The White Tiger Sect is willing to go!"
"The Black Tortoise Sect is duty-bound!"
"The Fire Leopard Sect awaits orders!"
The grand plan to counterattack the Demon Plane was initially set at this moment!
Yu Yuanchen looked at the group that had reached an agreement, his heart settling. His gaze turned once more toward the gate of hell blocked by lightning, as if he could already see that chaotic land full of opportunities behind the gate.
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