Chapter 1920 — 1920: Smoldering Desert

"This is my first time hearing about such a demon. Can you tell me more about it?" Yuan asked.

Sun Ling Cai nodded and said, "Then let me tell you what the Nine Heavens Law and Order told us. They claimed this demon was only at the Spirit King level when they first encountered it. Yet, this demon was able to overpower several immortals who have restricted their cultivation to the Divine King realm."

"The demon wielded two Soul Weapons, a spear and a sword. They even claimed the demon was able to use Enhanced Sword Aura. They also claimed that this demon was able to regenerate from complete annihilation and even had the aura of a beast. Ridiculous, isn't it? Who would believe that such a demon would exist?"

It was common knowledge that demons don't use weapons, let alone Soul Weapons, and if they did, these weapons would be crafted from their own blood. Moreover, a demon using Sword Aura was unheard of, much less Enhanced Sword Aura.

"I have never heard of a demon using Soul Weapons before," Yuan remarked.

"Right?"

Sun Ling Cai suddenly fell silent.

After a slight pause, she looked at Yuan with a doubtful expression and spoke, "Now that I think about it, are you suppressing your true cultivation? There's no way you're only at the second level of Spirit Enlightenment, right? After all, you were able to overpower those Demon Worshippers, who were all Divine Lords."

"I'll leave that to your imagination," Yuan calmly responded.

"..."

'Even if he's suppressed his cultivation, it still wouldn't make sense how he was able to fight several Demon Worshippers who were four realms stronger than him…' Sun Ling Cai thought to herself.

Even if Yuan were a Cultivation God, since he suppressed his cultivation to Spirit Enlightenment, his prowess would only be around that level. Even if his techniques were superior, it would be extremely hard to compensate for four entire realms of power difference.

'His prowess is similar to that demon…'

Although Sun Ling Cai compared Yuan's fighting prowess to the demon, she didn't entertain the possibility that they were the same individual, even for a split second.

Sometime later, they arrived at the Smoldering Desert, a vast, desolate expanse where the air shimmered with intense heat and the landscape stretched endlessly with blazing sand dunes.

There was no sign of civilization—only scorching winds, searing sunlight, and the ever-present danger of magical beasts that had long adapted to the harsh environment.

"How are you feeling? If the heat becomes too unbearable, let me know," Sun Ling Cai said as she veiled her body with a thick layer of spiritual energy that was constantly being melted away from the intense heat.

"I'll be fine," Yuan calmly responded. Due to his Fire Harmony, not only did he not feel the heat, but it was even comfortable for him.

'The way the heat is naturally being absorbed into his body… no way… he's achieved Fire Harmony…?' Sun Ling Cai swallowed nervously after realizing this.

There was almost no doubt in her mind that Yuan was hiding his true cultivation, as she couldn't fathom someone at the Spirit Enlightenment achieving Fire Harmony.

"Once we arrive at our destination, if we encounter any demons, please let me handle them. I'm not doubting your ability to seal demons, but I am on a mission, and I am technically your senior. However, if there is more than one demon, I'll probably need your help," Sun Ling Cai said as they neared their destination.

Yuan nodded, "I'll deal with the Demon Worshippers and secure the kidnapped victims—if they are still alive—while you deal with the demon."

Sometime later, Sun Ling Cai stopped the flying treasure above an empty area and said as she looked down, "They are beneath the sand. I can sense them. Out of the 42 presences I sense, only three of them have demonic energy. It's safe to assume that the other 39 are all kidnapped individuals."

She continued, "As for the three with demonic energy… I'm certain that one of them is a demon. The other two are just Demon Worshippers, but they are both at the Divine Ancestor level. I'll leave them to you."

"Sure," Yuan agreed without hesitation.

"I'm going in."

Sun Ling Cai tilted the flying treasure, angling it sharply until its front pointed directly toward the ground.

Without hesitation, it plunged downward, cutting through the sand like a blade through silk.

As they descended, the surface layer of sand gave way to reveal a hidden subterranean chamber—a spacious area filled with towering pillars of compressed sand, sculpted over time.

To their surprise, the scorching heat of the desert vanished almost instantly upon entry. Down here, the air was cool and still, a stark contrast to the inferno above, as if they had crossed into an entirely different world beneath the sand.

The 42 individuals also came into view.

Thirty-nine of them were bound tightly by black chains, their spiritual energy completely suppressed, leaving them weak and unable to resist. They sat or lay scattered across the sandy ground, expressions filled with exhaustion, fear, or quiet defiance.

Not far from them, two humans stood watch. However, they seemed relaxed, their postures casual and unfocused—as if they didn't see the captives as a threat, nor expected any kind of interruption.

"I'll leave them to you," Sun Ling Cai said.

"Of course."

Yuan immediately jumped off the flying treasure, landing between the two Demon Worshippers and the captives. Meanwhile, Sun Ling Cai flew toward the demon, who was slumbering not too far away.

"What the fuck?! Who are you?! And how did you find this place?!" The Demon Worshippers were immediately alerted by their sudden invasion, but they quickly relaxed upon seeing Yuan's cultivation base.

"Your friends from the Red Saber Mountain told us," Yuan said as he retrieved Number One Under Heaven, seemingly intent on finishing this as soon as possible.

"The Red Saber Mountain?! Bullshit! There's no way they would betray us!" The Demon Worshippers exclaimed as they also withdrew their weapons.