Chapter 74: What a Beautiful Demon Star

Although the two spoke in hushed voices, their proximity allowed Jiang Xiaofei to catch fragments of their conversation, making him furrow his brow. It seemed things were far more complicated than he had imagined. He had no way of knowing whether the Ghost Emperor’s strength had returned, but merely the emergence of the Demon Star was enough to give him a headache. Most troubling was the Demon Emperor himself, clad in a blood-red coat—his cultivation was utterly inscrutable, pressing upon Jiang Xiaofei’s heart like a mountain.

This filled him with a heavy sense of foreboding. If the Ghost Emperor and Demon Emperor joined forces, not only would avenging Xiao Qing by killing the Ghost Emperor be impossible, but even seizing the “Netherworld Ghost Dao, Lower Volume” would become nigh unattainable.

With this in mind, Jiang Xiaofei’s gaze darkened, and he immediately moved to act.

Lan Lianshuang quickly grabbed his hand, her voice low and wary. “They’ve already discovered us. If you follow them now, you’re walking to your death. Here’s what we should do—instead, let’s return and spread word of this. Once the experts from China arrive—those from Maoshan, Dragon Tiger Mountain, Daluo Temple, and the Mage Association—they’ll surely be able to wipe out the Demon Star in one fell swoop and thwart the Demon Emperor’s schemes.”

Jiang Xiaofei had considered this himself, but he knew that distant water could not quench present thirst. By the time those experts arrived, the Demon Star would likely have fled, or worse, been subdued by the Demon Emperor.

He shook his head. “There’s no time. Let’s follow and see how things develop. If the situation turns dire, we can always retreat.”

Lan Lianshuang, anxiety showing on her face, tried to protest, “But—”

“If you’re afraid, go back on your own,” Jiang Xiaofei replied, shaking off her hand and slipping after Takagi Aki and the Demon Emperor.

After a moment’s hesitation, Lan Lianshuang seemed to steel herself and hurried after Jiang Xiaofei.

As they pressed onward, Jiang Xiaofei noticed the path ascended, and the jagged rocks around them grew fewer but taller—some as high as several grown men, some as large as small cabins.

At what seemed the journey’s end, Takagi Aki and the Demon Emperor halted abruptly, their faces alight with excitement as they gazed ahead.

Before them lay a vast, crimson platform. On closer inspection, its surface was etched with a lifelike phoenix motif. At the platform’s center sat a woman in flowing gold garments and a phoenix crown atop her head. Her skin was fair and her beauty striking, with golden hair cascading to her shoulders, radiating nobility and an otherworldly air. Yet her face was pale, her hands pressed together as though channeling energy to heal herself.

Sensing their approach, she opened her eyes—twin golden pupils, fierce as burning suns, instilling dread in all who met their gaze.

Hiding behind a pillar of stone, Jiang Xiaofei was astounded as he glimpsed the Demon Star’s true form. In a whisper, he said, “I never imagined the Demon Star would look like this.”

Lan Lianshuang, equally shocked, murmured, “Indeed. The Demon Star is a woman. If not for her obvious injuries, I’d wonder if she could defeat the Demon Emperor.”

Jiang Xiaofei nodded slightly. “Let’s wait and see.”

Lan Lianshuang gave a silent nod, her gaze fixed on the platform.

Upon opening her eyes, the Demon Star looked coldly at the Demon Emperor and Takagi Aki. “Who are you to trespass in my domain? Leave now and I will let the past be forgotten. Otherwise, I will kill you all.”

The Demon Emperor sneered. “I am the Blood Dragon Demon Emperor. Submit to me and surrender the True Phoenix Flame, and I will spare your life and grant you endless glory and wealth. Otherwise—”

Before he could finish, the Demon Star cut him off with a furious retort. “I don’t care what ‘Blood Dragon Demon Emperor’ you call yourself. If you want my True Phoenix Flame, come and take it yourself!”

“Hmph!” The Demon Emperor snorted. “Were you at your peak, I’d never dare come here. But you’re gravely injured, your power greatly diminished. You’re no match for me. Submit now—don’t force me to act.”

The Demon Star burst into mad laughter. “All the world covets my True Phoenix Flame, not knowing I have already refined it, fusing it with my own being. If you have the skill, come take it!”

Her expression twisted with fury, and blazing, almost tangible flames seemed to writhe around her, warping the very air.

The aura made the Demon Emperor’s heart clench. He frowned, then flicked his right hand; blood-red light gathered in his palm, condensing into a spear.

It was a long spear, the metal a deep crimson, its tip gleaming with deadly light—a formidable demonic weapon.

Brandishing the spear, he barked coldly, “Since you wish to die, I will oblige and seize the True Phoenix Flame!”

With that, the Demon Emperor charged, spear dancing through the air. Its movement conjured a thousand spectral images, sealing all avenues of escape for the Demon Star.

Yet, facing this onslaught, the Demon Star showed no fear. Her eyes brimmed with murderous intent as she sneered, “You dream of killing me? Let me show you my power—Phoenix Immolation!”

In an instant, golden flames roared skyward. Under their might, the Demon Emperor’s thousand spear shadows were reduced to ash.

“Is this the True Phoenix Flame?” Feeling the oppressive power of the fire, the Demon Emperor’s face paled. He quickly retreated, barely evading the flames’ reach.

At the same moment, his spear swept forward like a dragon, clashing directly with the fire. The spear’s tip erupted with vast demonic energy, shielding him from the inferno.

Seizing the opportunity, he shouted to Takagi Aki, who watched from the sidelines, “Ghost Emperor, attack her from behind, now!”

Takagi Aki hesitated, wary. “But in my current soul form, I’m vulnerable to fire!”

The Demon Emperor barked, “If I don’t obtain the True Phoenix Flame, you can forget getting my help!”

“Very well,” Takagi Aki nodded reluctantly. With a flash, she appeared behind the Demon Star like a wraith, her face grim. Her palm moved, summoning a ghostly rune in her hand, which she hurled fiercely at the Demon Star.

Sensing the attack from behind, the Demon Star erupted in fury. She lashed out, striking Takagi Aki with a backhanded slap.

Her palm left a blazing imprint, filled with terrifying power, shattering the ghostly rune and landing squarely on Takagi Aki.

With a sickening sound, Takagi Aki doubled over, coughing blood, and crashed hard into the rock wall, cracking it with the impact.

“Utterly useless, worthless trash,” the Demon Emperor snarled, seeing Takagi Aki so easily defeated. With a sweep of his spear, he unleashed a torrent of demonic energy to counter the flames.

Witnessing Takagi Aki’s pitiful state, Jiang Xiaofei was shaken. He had once fought the Ghost Emperor himself and knew her strength, yet now she couldn’t withstand even a single blow from the Demon Star. And this was the Demon Star in a weakened state—truly unimaginable.

With a sinking heart, Jiang Xiaofei focused intently on the platform.

There, the Demon Emperor, having neutralized the flames, flew into a frenzy. Demonic energy surged around him, his presence overwhelming, his face twisted in a savage grin. “Your strength has indeed surprised me,” he roared, “but it’s time to end this.”

“Dragon-Elephant Transformation!”