Chapter 497

Chapter 497: Fang Lie Fights the Ox Demon King

The demon army outside the city wasn’t intimidated by the miles-wide sea of flames. Under the Three Great Demon Kings’ orders, they recklessly charged into the fire, trying to smother it with their flesh and bone.

But they’d underestimated the Fire Birds. No one knew how much terrifying flame these creatures held. From the moment they appeared, the Fire Birds never stopped spewing fire.

Whenever demons stamped out one patch of flames, the birds instantly created another. Burning demon corpses became fresh fuel, making the fire spread wider and fiercer. The thousand Fire Birds single-handedly halted the million-strong demon army. Losses piled up until many demons grew fearful.

Truthfully, a single Fire Bird transformed by Fang Lie only matched an ordinary Wind Tribulation Immortal in combat strength without treasure support.

But his Eighth-Rank altar changed everything. This supportive treasure amplified the Fire Birds’ power while constantly feeding them Spiritual Energy. Unless overused, they could fight indefinitely.

Each enhanced Fire Bird now equaled two Wind Tribulation Immortals. With a thousand birds, Fang Lie essentially deployed two thousand Wind Tribulation Immortal-level fighters.

The city originally had just a thousand Wind Tribulation Immortals. This sudden doubling of combat power not only stopped the demon beast tide but began pushing it back.

Seeing this, the surviving Human Tribe cultivators rallied. They exterminated remaining demons and formed groups under respected elders to reinforce defenses.

The battle’s momentum shifted. Humanity gained breathing room – even hope of victory.

The Three City Lords stared in shock. Though individually stronger than Fang Lie, none could summon such an army of Fire Birds to turn the tide.

Flower Sword, who’d previously scorned Fang Lie, gaped openly. "Impossible! Even Fire Tribulation Immortals can’t summon so many Fire Birds! What divine skill is this?"

"His altar’s work," Immortal Wulian observed sharply. "That’s definitely an Eighth-Rank Treasure. Possibly High-Grade."

"Eighth-Rank High-Grade treasures aren’t this potent!" Immortal Qingning countered. "These Fire Birds persist endlessly. The Magic drain would empty a Fire Tribulation Immortal in minutes. Yet Fang Lie remains unaffected – that altar’s sustaining everything."

Flower Sword’s eyes widened. "A Ninth-Rank Treasure?"

"Eighth-Rank," Immortal Wulian insisted. "But it’s a large-scale supportive treasure."

"Large-scale? Eighth-Rank High-Grade?" Flower Sword spat. "If offensive, it’d defy the heavens! East Kunlun restricts such treasures to Thunder Tribulation Immortals! Why would Mo Sect give this to a mere Qi Sea cultivator?"

"Mo Sect didn’t," Immortal Qingning said bitterly. "Fang Lie’s own plunder. His hoard rivals veteran Thunder Tribulation Immortals. Of course he has such treasures."

"Who’d dare steal from him?" Immortal Wulian snorted. "With his undying nature and unstoppable theft skills? He’d welcome the excuse to rob more!"

"After this rescue, West Kunlun owes him," Immortal Qingning stated. "None will challenge him now."

"Rescue?" Flower Sword sneered. "He schemes against us!"

"Were that true, he’d have fled," Immortal Wulian retorted. "Instead he faces Three Demon Kings and millions alone."

"True salvation requires defeating the Three Kings," Flower Sword scoffed. "Impossible solo."

As the lords argued, the demon commanders halted their slaughter.

Blue Butterfly Demon King frowned. "We need elites, not fodder."

"Send Ox King’s earth-armored troops," Black Flame Demon King suggested. "Soil counters fire."

"Suicide!" Ox Demon King roared. "Humans regrouped. Charging alone gets us killed!"

"Water demons then?" Black Flame snapped.

"Too slow," Blue Butterfly countered. "These Fire Birds burn endlessly. Human reinforcements come within days. We must end this today!"

"Then we must show our skills!" The Black Flame Demon King frowned. "But those three scoundrels inside, though half-dead, aren’t ordinary. Each has desperate methods. Charging in might cost us dearly."

The Three Great Demon Kings were cunning. They’d avoided attacking personally earlier, fearing the Three City Lords’ disposable treasures crafted by Thunder Tribulation Immortals. One misstep could doom them all.

Thus, they’d preferred letting their underlings exhaust the City Lords rather than risk themselves.

But now, they had no choice. To breach quickly, they had to act.

Still reluctant, the Blue Butterfly Demon King declared, "Wait! These Fire Birds can’t belong to the City Lords. Another expert might control them. Perhaps we can convince them to leave!"

She shouted, "Which esteemed one visits us? Show yourself!"

Hearing this, Fang Lie sneered. He controlled his altar to rise above the sea of flames. "So you three fools dare threaten this city?"

Seeing him, the Three Great Demon Kings exhaled in relief.

"Pah! I expected a master, not some snot-nosed brat!" The Ox Demon King scoffed.

"A mere Qi Sea realm whelp acts so bold? Youth grow weaker by the day!" The Black Flame Demon King snorted.

The Blue Butterfly Demon King tittered, "What an odd lad with wings! Are you one of us demons?"

Fang Lie’s face darkened. "You’re the winged freak! Your whole clan’s shameless bird-people!"

The Blue Butterfly Demon King’s rage erupted. "Wretched child! You court death!"

"Kill me? With your pathetic skills? I’ll skin you for boots!" Fang Lie jeered.

"Insolence!" The Three Great Demon Kings stepped forward, fury blazing.

But their pride halted them—ganging up on a junior would invite mockery.

The Blue Butterfly Demon King snapped, "Enough! Ox Demon King—make his death gruesome!"

"Agreed," growled the Black Flame Demon King. "Don’t let him perish swiftly!"

"Hah! I’ll grind his bones!" The Ox Demon King lumbered toward the fire sea.

Inhaling deeply, he bellowed, "ROAR!"

His body ballooned to fifteen feet—a bull-headed titan gleaming with condensed earth element spiritual energy.

Fang Lie smirked. "An earth-ox demon? Lowly trash. But your meat looks tender—perfect for roasting!" He licked his lips hungrily.

The Ox Demon King’s eyes bulged. "DIE, MAGGOT!"

His thunderous roar shattered the air. The sea of flames parted for miles under the shockwave.

Fang Lie was first to suffer. His skull burst like ripe fruit, flesh shredding as he collapsed—a mangled corpse.