"Grand Elder Xue Tong, I absolutely did not betray you. All of this is the result of that treacherous, deceitful human stirring up trouble."

Hei Yao was stunned. He had been dreaming that this merit would catapult him to the peak of demonic life and allow him to marry the demoness.

He never expected Cao Youqian, that damned human, to cause such a turn at the moment of death.

Grand Elder Xue Tong narrowed his eyes and glanced at Hei Yao, then turned his gaze toward Cao Youqian.

"Young one, such crude schemes of provocation are useless on me. Put away your petty thoughts."

Cao Youqian answered casually, "I did not expect you to believe me anyway. Lead the way, Senior; I'd like to see what the main altar of your Fire God Cult looks like."

Grand Elder Xue Tong and Hei Yao were dumbfounded. For a moment they could not figure out what this brat was up to.

Mad Lion and the others were completely stunned. If they were not afraid of drawing Grand Elder Xue Tong's attention, they really wanted to shout a warning.

Holy Son, don't play around — the demon lair is a one-way road, one of them wanted to say, but kept silent.

"Young man, perhaps you should listen to what you're saying?" Grand Elder Xue Tong demanded, inwardly vexed. They had come to capture this WENDAO Holy Son, yet without protest he was willing to accompany them to the Fire God Cult's main altar, which grated against his sense of accomplishment.

"I of course know what I'm saying." Cao Youqian paused deliberately. "Isn't your purpose to take me to the Fire God Cult's main altar?"

"Indeed." Grand Elder Xue Tong found no fault in that, but an odd unease settled in his heart. If the sentries outside the valley had not reported no troops following Cao Youqian's group, he might have suspected the boy of using them as bait to discover the Cult's location.

"What are you waiting for then?" Cao Youqian adopted a fearless demeanor, as if Grand Elder Xue Tong and the others were his subordinates. He spoke with a confidence that unnerved the demonic escorts.

Grand Elder Xue Tong barked angrily, "If you're so eager to visit my Fire God Cult's main altar, I'll indulge you—just heed this warning: don't try any tricks, or I will make you witness my methods. Move out!"

Cao Youqian turned to those behind him and said, "Let us go." The others rose, trembling.

Mad Lion crept closer and whispered, "Holy Son, this is like lambs entering a tiger's den!" He feared for their lives but dared not defy the WENDAO Holy Son.

Cao Youqian smiled and said, "Little Lion, listen carefully. I won't repeat myself." Mad Lion shuddered and hastily nodded, "Understood."

The rest dared not say more. If the Holy Son abandoned them, escaping a Grand Elder would be nearly impossible.

The demonic escorts of the Fire God Cult led Cao Youqian's party onward through eerie woods and across a river of blood. They then passed through a demon-blade formation and crossed a sea of demonic flames and marshland.

After several hours, they arrived outside the main altar of the Fire God Cult. Before them loomed a strange, otherworldly palace, pitch black and towering, with a lifelike giant demon carved above. Its mere sight unsettled everyone and caused cold sweat to break out.

Cao Youqian examined the structure and thought it odd that the Cult would erect such an elaborate palace, as if to advertise its lair. He then turned to Grand Elder Xue Tong and said, "Senior, thank you. Without your escort, passing through that Five Elements demonic terrain would have been nearly impossible."

"You…" Grand Elder Xue Tong bristled, wanting to strike the brat for his infuriating words. To him, Cao Youqian's tone made them seem like those who had led wolves into their own lair.

Yet to ensure the boy's body and soul remained intact, Grand Elder Xue Tong swallowed his anger and snarled, "Boy, once you step onto the altar, let's see how arrogant you remain!"

Cao Youqian shrugged and replied, "Then let us go to the altar. I would also like to meet your Fire God Cult's leader and the other Grand Elders."

"I…"

Grand Elder Xue Tong glared at Cao Youqian through clenched teeth, silently reminding himself not to argue with the soon-to-be-dead. The Cult Master had ordered that the boy must be brought back alive and intact.

Cao Youqian asked playfully, "Senior, don't tell me you've forgotten the way?"

"Hmph!"

Grand Elder Xue Tong decided not to speak further. If he kept engaging, he was certain this brat would drive him to madness. He strode up the stone steps with heavy steps. Now that they had reached the Fire God Cult's main altar, there was no need to fear escape.

Cao Youqian followed behind with calm leisure, his pace light and unhurried. The attendants, though trembling, forced themselves to keep up.

They climbed the long stairway and entered the grand palace.

On both sides of the hall stood two rows of cultists, armed with gleaming weapons and clad in black armor. Their murderous aura filled the air.

Their eyes were sharp as blades, as though they could pierce flesh with a single glance.

Prince Mad Lion and the others broke into cold sweat at every step. Their bodies trembled uncontrollably; every pace forward felt like walking through hell.

After a long and suffocating walk, they finally arrived before a massive altar.

Around the altar stood countless disciples of the Fire God Cult. Across from it, on a high platform, stood several figures exuding the aura of Grand Elders.

As soon as Cao Youqian's group appeared, all eyes turned toward them.

Greed, bloodlust, and malice filled those stares, making Prince Mad Lion and the others' scalps tingle. Their skin crawled as if ants were creeping over their bodies.

Cao Youqian, however, looked up calmly, studying the seven Grand Elders on the platform. His small gesture did not escape their sharp eyes.

A loud voice boomed from above.

"Insolent brat! How dare you not kneel before us?"

At once, Prince Mad Lion and the others were so terrified they dropped to their knees.

Only Cao Youqian, Grand Elder Babao, and Song Zhaoyi remained standing as though nothing had happened.

Cao Youqian took a step forward, blocking Song Zhaoyi behind him. A mocking smile curved his lips.

"You expect me to kneel? You overestimate yourselves far too much."

"Hm?"

A Grand Elder's eyes flashed with fury as a heavy wave of Saint Realm pressure crashed toward Cao Youqian.

Cao Youqian shrugged. "You can try harder. At this level, it doesn't even tickle."

The Grand Elder's face twisted in rage. "Arrogant fool! You're at death's door and still dare to spew nonsense here?"

Cao Youqian laughed lightly. "With just you eight old relics, you think you can capture me? You truly overrate yourselves."

"Hmph!"

The Fire God Cult Master seated at the center sneered. "Boy, do you think bringing two Grand Elders makes you untouchable?"

The words struck the hall like thunder. The Grand Elders' gazes turned instantly toward Babao and Song Zhaoyi.

The terrified Prince Mad Lion and others finally felt a hint of relief. With two Grand Elders at their side, perhaps they still had a chance.

Grand Elder Babao stepped forward with a pleasant smile. "Cult Master, what sharp eyes. You saw through my identity with a single glance."

Before the Cult Master could respond, a proud voice resonated around the altar.

"It wasn't he who saw through you—it was what lies within the altar."

Everyone looked around in shock.

Above Cao Youqian and his group, a blazing sun slowly appeared, radiating boundless light.

The instant it emerged, its terrifying pressure knocked most of the demonic cultivators unconscious. Only a few dozen managed to stand firm.

Even the Fire God Cult's Grand Elders turned pale, cold sweat trickling down their foreheads.

The Cult Master's expression darkened as he unleashed his own aura to resist the crushing pressure.

"Since you're here, Daoist friend," he said coldly, "why bother with such tricks? Show yourself and fight openly."

"As you wish."

The radiant sun stirred, and from within stepped out a woman—confident, beautiful, and utterly arrogant.

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