"Such dense demonic miasma!"
Huikong inhaled sharply. "A Great Demon lurks here—at least Divine Sea Realm!" The churning darkness over Luowangdu suggested multiple such entities.
"The elites of all sects should've suppressed this by now… Why does the capital still reek of hell?"
———
Inside the Capital
Deserted streets. Occasional demons prowled, but the true source of miasma pulsed from the Imperial Palace.
As they advanced, frost spread like venom across the stones. At its epicenter stood a woman in azure robes—curves lethal as poisoned honey, eyes dripping with temptation. If not for the demonic aura coiling around her, she'd be a goddess sculpted from ice.
"Oh?" The demoness's gaze locked onto Chen Ye. "A peerless beauty among humans… Be my honored guest?"
Xiao Qingluan snarled, "Shameless!" Her Phoenix Sword Art lashed out—only for the flames to freeze mid-air and shatter.
Huikong summoned his Vajra Phantom, swinging a demon-subduing pestle.
Crack! It too froze instantly.
The demoness laughed. "A Vajra Body and… a Phoenix Holy Body! Killing you will please my king greatly—"
Ice spears materialized, raining down like hell's hailstones—
WHOOSH!
Chen Ye unleashed Pure Yang Fire, a golden inferno swallowing the ice.
"GAAAH!" The demoness recoiled, skin blistering. "Pure Yang Fire?! You're the Pure Yang Holy Body!" Fear warred with greed in her eyes—his primordial yang energy could catapult her to Demon King rank!
"Little brother," she purred, "Humans chain themselves with morals. Demons embrace freedom… and pleasure. Join me. I'll gift you kingdoms… and ecstasy beyond imagining." Her voice dripped with pheromonal poison.
Huikong flushed, chanting sutras. Chen Ye tilted his head. "Are you a succubus?"
"No… but I'll fetch you a dozen if you wish."
"Pity. Seduction requires finesse." Chen Ye's palm erupted in solar flames—
SCREECH—!
The demoness vaporized mid-scream.
Xiao Qingluan huffed. "Hussy! How dare she tempt Senior Brother!" Then, recalling Chen Ye's question, she tugged his sleeve anxiously. "Senior Brother… When I grow up, I'll be far more beautiful than any succubus!"
Chen Ye blinked. Jealous? He ruffled her hair. "Of course. My junior sister will outshine every being in the Myriad Dao Continent."
(Truthfully, he'd only been curious about succubi legends—not enthralled.)
———
Jun Han's Struggle
Deeper into the capital, they found Jun Han and Luo Tian leading Azure Cloud Sect disciples against a lava-skinned demon.
BOOM!
Streets shattered as demonic magma clashed with Jun Han's Five Elements King Body. Sweat drenched his brow—this foe neared the 7th-level Divine Sea Realm!
"Hold the formation!" Luo Tian shouted, sword carving runic barriers.
Chen Ye observed calmly. Time to intervene.