Only I Am A Reader

As they approached the remodeled battlefield, the forces of the righteous faction couldn't help marveling at the sight of the Heavenly Strength Society's army.

It was undeniable that they couldn't compete in numbers with the righteous faction that covered the entire zhongyang, but even then they didn't look that small in comparison. However, what mattered the most was the quality of these numbers, it was a terrifying sight to look at for temporary allies.

Rows behind rows of Martial Artists that were at least 1st rates! For the young Martial Artists, it was a disorienting experience to see the people who were usually a sect or a family's main force being used as the most basic foot soldiers, plenty as the endless grass under their feet…

Setting all of that aside, the true terror lay within what was hidden amidst that grass. The Peak Martial Artists that could actually start a whole new sect on their own, there were over a hundred of them standing under the Heavenly Strength Society's banner!

The strongest forces naturally didn't have just one Peak Martial Artist each. However, these numbers were simply too exaggerated! The 10, 20, or even fifty peak Martial Artists that could be found in the ten Great Sect and nine Grand Families barely surpassed that amount when combined!

Instead, the Transcendents of the Heavenly Strength Society were as much as the Peak Martial Artists of the other forces. The fearsome Unrestrained powerhouses couldn't be counted on one hand either.

Just by looking at the size of the two armies, the allied righteous forces looked more intimidating, but it was full of 2nd and 3rd rate cannon fodder. In reality, the two sides were equal in force if the Society's army wasn't already stronger…

'It's still great to stand on this side.'

The wide contrast was obvious. The reason the Righteous and the Evil Faction had united in the old Demon War was that the hegemon known as the Heavenly Demon Cult couldn't be repelled in any other way. If all of Murim didn't stand in their face, the entirety of Zhongyang would have already been under their rule!

Despite being one of the youngest around, Leo, Yeon, Sohee, and Yong were pretty high on the power ladder, only standing under the powerhouses at the Unrestrained Stage. Befitting its privileges, the position of a Scarlet Sky Warrior was very limited in number, only two dozens existed within this humongous army.

The tension was still there but seeing the forces that had gathered at the center of the flat plains where the Demon Lord was supposed to descend, some people felt relieved. This was almost 75% of the fighting power left in murim, and they were all here to stake it out for one last stand!

"It's getting worse, Ho."

However, Yeon was getting goosebumps all over. Unlike the Heavenly Demon who had perfect control of his abilities, the awakening of the Scarlet Sky within Yeon was still unstable. If she was acting like this, then the Demon Lord was quite close.

During the last month and a half, Cheon Jeong had made sure her two little girls were ready, while Cheon Yong alternated between training under the Fist Lord and Iyeolhan just like Leo alternated between him and the Absolute Spear. All four were in perfect shape, but no preparation could be considered enough no matter what.

"It will be okay, all of this will end soon. Just focus on circulating your energy."

Yeon's genius and the method she practiced were the ones that were causing these side effects, but they were also her way out of it. The role that was being activated on its own wasn't his role just yet, the Heavenly Demon was here for that!

All the monsters in the vicinity had long been swept away, so the current stage consisted of nothing other than waiting. Everyone had to conserve their strength and wait for the decisive moment. Most stuck to Internal Energy Meditation like Leo and Yeon did, but the calm didn't last for long.

"Hey, watch it!"

The tension was more than enough to start trouble within one organization, so a few fights were bound to break out when so many forces were gathered together in one place.

Fortunately, those that started the fights or their opponent eventually dismissed the situation knowing the gravity of the matter, but there were still times when the higher-ups of each force had to interfere to bring the conflict to a close.

Although the first day was relatively peaceful, the threads holding everything together were quickly slipping away. The human mind was very fickle and the situation was a fertile ground for overthinking.

Was everyone here for the same reason? Were they really here to fight some ultimate threat?

What if this was just a trap set by the Heavenly Strength Society by drawing out all the fighting force into their home ground? What if they were exactly hoping for conflict to start from the righteous faction's side?!

They had definitely been active on clearing monsters, but everything could have been just a cover. If the demons' desire to conquer the murim had been reignited, then half a dozen years of acting were a cheap price to pay to set up the stage!

Perhaps they did know something about the monsters, but it could be that the cracks were finally going to stop appearing, making for a perfect opportunity to take the wounded world by surprise.

More hostile stares gathered on the Heavenly Strength Society's army. Who knew when they were going to attack after tiring them out to lower their guard? No matter what, this couldn't end as the Society's win!

Screak!

However, just as the more paranoid forces were gathered to prepare for a surprise attack of their own, a sound similar to that of breaking glass resounded within the wide field.

"Huh?!"

The killing intent that filled the field suddenly dispersed as all gazes turned to the source of the sound…

"Foolish natives! Bow before your new lord!"

What they had been waiting for had finally descended!