Chapter 676

Chapter 676: The Four Great Demon Kings

On the eighth day, the sea demon tribes finally realized this terrifying flame couldn’t be defeated through sheer numbers. The more troops they deployed, the stronger the flame’s power grew—like trying to extinguish fire with firewood, it only worsened the situation.

After grasping this, they swiftly adjusted tactics, halting further sea demon advances toward Qingyu Island and opting instead to detour widely around both flanks.

Since the Netherworld Ghost Fire now spanned a million-mile radius, the detour became absurdly long, severely delaying the sea demon army’s march and shattering their orderly formations. The main force facing Qingyu Island was squeezed sideways, colliding with other demon groups and plunging the ranks into chaos!

Yet this wasn’t the worst blow. What truly infuriated the sea demons was the humiliation.

For millennia, the Sea Demon Disaster left nothing alive in its wake—no chickens, dogs, or even blades of grass remained. No Human Tribe cultivator dared resist.

Occasional obstacles were crushed beneath the endless sea demon tide. Never once had their army been forced to divert its path!

But now, a mere Qingyu Island—barely a few thousand miles across—had compelled their forces to reroute. To the Sea Demon Tribes’ leaders, this was a stinging slap to their pride.

Deep in the endless sea, a thousand-mile-wide Ninth-Rank Mysterious Turtle advanced under guard by elite sea demons. On its back stood sprawling palaces crafted from Fourth-Rank materials like emerald and White Jade—a mobile fortress reserved solely for Sea Demon Kings.

These Kings were Tenth-Rank Great Demons, their combat power rivaling Human Tribe Semi-Immortals.

In the tallest palace, hundreds feasted. Though humanoid, most bore horns or scales—signs of incomplete transformation. Their banquet reeked of blood: live fish, shrimp, sea demons, and even hundreds of cleaned Human Tribe cultivators lay displayed.

Demon Kings periodically snatched cultivators—their cultivation sealed, bodies immobilized but voices intact—and devoured them alive. The more desperate the victims’ screams, the more the demons reveled, treating the cries as proof of freshness.

At the head table sat four fully human-shaped Demon Kings indistinguishable from mortals.

First left: Iron Shark Demon King, a bare-chested armored man with metallic-black muscles, looking more like a butcher than a king save for his Golden Crown.

Second left: Dream Lure Demon King, a nation-toppling beauty clad in translucent pink silk.

Third left: Shadowflash Demon King, a skeletal old man in black robes, motionless as stone.

Far right: Malice Demon King, a charming middle-aged figure who inspired instant, fanatical loyalty.

These four commanded the Sea Demon Disaster.

Mid-feast, white light flashed—the Kings stiffened, receiving urgent news.

"Trouble already?" Iron Shark Demon King snarled. "Which fool failed? I’ll feast on his flesh!"

"Let’s see the situation first," Dream Lure cooed. "If there’s such an idiot, I claim the first bite!"

The other two remained silent, eyes glinting with bloodlust and greed. Among demons, devouring high-ranking peers trumped cultivation for power gains. But Seventh-Rank and above demons had protectors—they weren’t easy prey.

Especially Eighth-rank demons, who could almost be called kings. They formed the core strength of the demon army and held high positions. Even Tenth-rank Emperor-level Great Demons couldn’t casually devour them, as that might trigger an emperor-level war!

However, during the Sea Demon Disaster, exceptions were made. The Four Great Demon Kings held authority to punish any incompetent subordinates. With proper justification, they could devour them without consequences.

This was why leadership of the demon army during each Sea Demon Disaster became fiercely contested – it offered rare opportunities to consume Eighth-rank demons without repercussions.

Eighth-rank Great Demons could already take human form. Having cultivated for over ten thousand years and absorbed countless heavenly treasures, their bodies became premium materials. Even Tenth-rank Great Demons could enhance their cultivation by devouring them.

Hearing their forces were being repelled, the Four Great Demon Kings showed greed rather than anger, each considering devouring an Eighth-rank demon.

But when the water screen displayed the battlefield, their expressions darkened.

The scene showed Qingyu Island’s defense – terrifying silver flames engulfed the endless sea demon army, transforming them into humanoid candles. The fire spread wildly like burning plains, growing fiercer by the moment.

Seeing this, the Demon Kings realized their subordinates weren’t failing, but facing overwhelming opposition.

Though authorized to punish failures, they couldn’t act without cause. Other Sea Demon Kings watched closely – any misstep could cost them command positions. They wouldn’t risk losing grander feasts for mere snacks.

"Is that Netherworld Ghost Fire?" Dream Lure Demon King wondered. "But why silver?"

"The aura matches Netherworld Ghost Fire," Iron Shark Demon King said gravely. "It burns Spiritual Energy like Flame of Burning Spirits, but with vastly enhanced power. This must be an upgraded version!"

"Where is this? Which human faction holds it?" Dream Lure Demon King demanded.

"Great King, this is Mo Sect’s Fang Lie’s territory," a subordinate Demon King answered.

"Of course!" Dream Lure Demon King snapped. "Fang Lie’s humanity’s top talent. He stole Ghost Realm Sect’s treasures and had Xuan Sect forge them into a large treasure weapon. This fire must be that creation!"

"A mere Qi Sea Realm junior dares block our army?" Iron Shark Demon King roared. "Let’s crush him!"

"No!" Dream Lure Demon King countered. "We command billions! Should we jointly attack a Qi Sea cultivator? You might tolerate shame, I won’t!"

"Afraid of meeting old lover Mo Qianxun, not shame?" Iron Shark Demon King sneered.

"Seeking death?" Dream Lure Demon King’s voice chilled. Invisible blades materialized, storming towards Iron Shark Demon King.

The male Demon King desperately defended but soon dripped sweat, outmatched.

"Enough!" Malice Demon King interjected. "Fighting before battling humans? Pathetic!"

Dream Lure Demon King withdrew her power, warning: "Guard your tongue. Survive this disaster, I’ll still end you afterward!"

Iron Shark Demon King snorted resentfully but stayed silent.

Malice Demon King mediated: "Fang Lie’s formidable, but unworthy of our joint action. One Demon King should suffice."

"One’s insufficient!" Dream Lure Demon King argued. "He defeated Zhu Xian’s Three Thunder Tribulations decades ago. With terrain advantage, five Demon Kings minimum!"

"Agreed." Malice Demon King smiled at subordinates. "Volunteers? Fang Lie’s Mo Sect’s richest – possesses over twenty Eighth-rank Treasures!"

Demon Kings’ eyes glinted hungrily. Poor at alchemy and refining techniques, most only possessed their life treasure. Human treasures meant power boosts.

Isolated in seas, they knew major sects but not distant details. Fang Lie? A Qi Sea Realm junior? How strong could he be?

Greedy Demon Kings stood shouting: "I’ll go!"

"Excellent!" Malice Demon King pointed. "You five. Bring Fang Lie’s head for my wine. Keep other treasures. Fail, and your heads become my cups. Clear?"

"Understood!" The five Demon Kings stepped forward eagerly.