Chapter 278: The Demon Lord

At that moment, all the surrounding cultivators were still focused on contending over the Blood Fiend Formation at the core of the battlefield. So when someone suddenly made a move to snatch the reward, it instantly provoked outrage from both sides.

But the black figure didn’t stop—not even for a moment.

It had already appeared before the core of the Blood Fiend Formation.

Chen Fei immediately forced Qian Kuan back with a strike and, without hesitation, turned and ran!

Leng Yue, who had been locked in combat with the Peach Blossom Enchantress, also wasted no time. The Cold Moon behind her burst forth, filling the space with a chilling frost as she appeared at Chen Fei’s side in a flash.

Peach Blossom swept her hand, summoning a scene of full-bloom peach trees to block the oncoming cold, but her brows furrowed as she watched Chen Fei and Leng Yue retreat.

Knowing Leng Yue, who had always been a blade tip facing her own, she would never retreat without reason.

Unless…

The black figure approaching the red-black banner was not simple.

Peach Blossom turned her head. By now, the figure had grasped the Blood Fiend Command Banner, letting out a strange growl before yanking it free.

In that instant, the entire Soulcrush Slope trembled.

Chen Fei’s heart pounded with unease—there was no mistake.

That black shadow was the same Wanderer who had appeared when they first entered the Tianzhang Mountain secret realm!

The Blood Fiend Formation was worth an enormous reward—100,000 contribution points, enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

But Chen Fei had given up without a second thought.

Because he trusted his instincts.

“Many thanks to Holy Son Chen for saving us!”

“If it weren’t for him today, we’d have been sacrificed to the evil cultivators for sure!”

In his earlier clash with Qian Kuan, Chen Fei had taken the chance to free the captives. Now, seeing him leave, they quickly followed behind.

Just as Chen Fei was about to speak, the ground began to shake violently.

“Damn it!”

He turned back immediately.

A dense black mist erupted into the sky and quickly descended like an overturned funnel, sealing everyone within Soulcrush Slope!

Leng Yue had yet to understand what was happening, but she trusted Chen Fei’s judgment.

Now, sensing the dark energy drifting through the space, her expression turned grim.

“You recognize that figure?”

Chen Fei let out a bitter laugh.

“A Wanderer. And not just any—an incredibly powerful one.”

Leng Yue’s face darkened further.

Wanderers were not uncommon in Tianzhang Mountain—many people even hunted them, hoping for random rewards.

But this one was different. The sheer sense of dread in the air told everyone the truth.

“Holy Son Chen! What do we do now?”

All eyes turned to him instinctively.

Chen Fei’s mind flashed back to that pair of icy, soulless eyes from the secret realm’s entrance.

This was not a moment he wanted to step forward.

“When the heavens collapse, let the tall ones hold them up,” as the saying went.

But fate had other plans—it had made him the tall one today.

“This Wanderer’s strength is extraordinary. By my estimation… he may have already surpassed the Mystic Realm,” Chen Fei said seriously.

A collective gasp echoed through the crowd.

“Surpassed the Mystic Realm?!”

Even a Mystic Realm cultivator could annihilate everyone here.

If not for the earlier battles with Peach Blossom and Leng Yue serving as reality checks, many would’ve mocked Chen Fei’s claim.

He took a deep breath, rapidly considering any possible way to escape.

“Just surviving this may already be the best outcome…”

Suddenly, a furious voice roared:

“Mo Chi! Return my spine!”

A deafening boom followed.

Blood sprayed from the noses and mouths of everyone present—even Leng Yue, a Mystic Realm expert, paled.

Chen Fei felt an overwhelming impact, but his Void Heaven Cauldron trembled lightly, absorbing most of the force.

“Come out! I know you’re here!”

The shout rang again as a massive black-red spear thrust into the air. Wherever its tip pointed, the sky shattered.

The crazed Wanderer wielding the spear rampaged like a demon incarnate, shaking heaven and earth with each strike.

Chen Fei knew one thing for sure—if this kept up, none of them would survive.

But how could they stop this madman?

As he frantically searched for a plan, a calm voice echoed:

“We humbly invite the Patriarch to subdue this demon!”

It was Peach Blossom.

The next moment, a bald elder materialized in the air.

Leng Yue’s face turned cold.

“Master Xu He! These evil cultivators came prepared!”

It was now clear: they had always intended to take the Blood Fiend Formation. Peach Blossom had forcibly entered the secret realm through blood sacrifice, and now a Demon Lord had personally appeared.

If Chen Fei and Leng Yue had forcibly seized the formation earlier, they would’ve been facing this Demon Lord instead of the Wanderer.

Xu He’s gaze swept across them, then narrowed as he turned to face the Wanderer.

“Interesting…”

His eyes gleamed with curiosity, like a chef eyeing a prized ingredient.

He raised his hand and struck.

The Wanderer swung his long spear in response, clashing with Xu He’s palm strike.

Xu He’s brows rose.

“Wretched spawn! You still resist? Why not listen to this old man and ascend peacefully to Elysium?”

His tone was laced with hypnotic charm.

But the Wanderer remained completely unaffected—his crazed expression only grew wilder. The long spear, formed from the black-red command banner, danced in a deadly arc toward Xu He.

“Madman!”

Xu He snorted.

“If you had your mind intact, even I might not be able to deal with you.

But now… you’ll become my blood food!”

With a roar, Xu He’s hand turned crimson and lunged at the spear.

But—

“Die.”

That one word, cold and simple, came from the Wanderer.

Yet the killing intent behind it made everyone’s hearts seize in terror.

Even though it wasn’t aimed at them, it felt suffocating.

Xu He, ever confident, suddenly felt a chill.

Especially when his hand finally touched the black-red spear.

Too late!

The spear twitched violently, its tip drawing a perfect arc and shattering the crimson aura around Xu He’s hand.

And then—it didn’t stop.

It pierced straight toward Xu He’s chest!

“Impudent!”

Xu He’s eyes flared in rage.

He was a true Demon Lord, not some low-tier fool.

Just as the spear touched his chest, his form shifted—transforming into a massive black beast that lunged at the spear with bared fangs.

The clash of titans had only just begun.