Peerless Martial God Chapter 2495 - Demon King

Lin Feng selected a spot, sat down cross-legged, and withdrew into his personal world.

He spread open his palms and gazed upon the shattered jade talisman, overwhelmed by sorrow. He had once struck at the Fortune Shrine Leader. Far from fury, the Leader had gifted him his very own jade talisman! He had instructed Lin Feng, “If I die, it means that the one who’s always been deceiving you was the one who killed me. After my death, don’t forget to refine the Scepter of Destiny!”

At that time, Lin Feng had largely set aside his suspicions of the Fortune Shrine Leader. Yet, the figure he ultimately chose to trust was the Diviner. Hence, on this occasion, he brought Hou Qing Lin along solely to test whether the Diviner would betray him.

He had also arranged this to verify if Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon truly embodied his likeness. If so, that being would possess complete knowledge of him, which indeed seemed the case. Lin Feng had already gleaned some truths.

The Scepter of Destiny materialized in Lin Feng’s grasp, probed by his formidable godly awareness. A fracture lay within. Lin Feng forged a bond with the Scepter of Destiny and commenced its refinement. Upon gaining mastery, faint fluttering echoes filled the air as an image emerged before his eyes.

A grand Shrine rose majestically into the skies. Inside it stood two individuals: an elder and a youth.

The elder’s Qi flickered faintly. His form grew translucent, as though on the brink of vanishing. The youth wept bitterly.

“My son, it’s my disaster technique, don’t be sad. This time, during the battle against the Demon King, both sides suffered losses. I have one foot in the grave after I sealed the Demon King. He won’t recover for a countless number of years.”

“But I still have some ominous premonitions. I will check the secrets of the gods, it’s the best time,” murmured the frail elder. Dissolution threatened him at any moment.

“Teacher, the members of the Fortune Shrine all believe in divination, and they all have premonitions. If you use the celestial premonition technique, your soul will disperse!” the youth objected desperately. He tried to halt the elder, but a barrier of light blocked his path.

The elder declared, “I’m doomed. I can still use the premonition technique once. It doesn’t matter.”

He shut his eyes, channeling divine might to pierce the veil of time. Celestial forces gathered, forming inscribed words.

“Celestial Dao Destiny Technique!” Lin Feng murmured, trembling. Was this mere chance?

Celestial Dao inscriptions drifted around the elder. Lin Feng stared fixedly at them.

The Sky Palace, what’s the date tonight?

Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, a cave with a waterfall at its mouth!

Secret world, cultivation strength.

When the Forbidden Person appears, a god will appear.

Nobody knows what awaits them, but who can’t recognize a monarch?

Lin Feng’s heart pounded thunderously. These exact phrases were the ones he had seen in the Jade Emperor’s palace!

Lin Feng struggled to compose himself. Unbelievable! Celestial Dao Destiny Technique... Was it truly that forbidden art? A divine prophecy?

“Teacher, I don’t understand what those words mean,” the youth whispered softly, eyes on the hovering inscriptions.

“Never mind. I didn’t think that I wouldn’t understand them myself. However, remember them. No matter what they mean, they have something to do with the Forbidden Person. Maybe in the future, a Forbidden Person will appear. Remember this, you might meet the Forbidden Person someday. Remember...” the elder sighed, his figure fading further into transparency.

“Teacher!” the youth cried out, eyes bloodshot.

“This Scepter is now yours. It contains destiny strength. You can use it to protect yourself, it has the strength of a half-god. The mysteries of Heaven must not be revealed. If they are revealed, you will die. You’re the only one who knows, and you must protect the Forbidden Person. The Forbidden Person is the dusk of all gods. This time, the Forbidden Person might become a god, and I will go to a god’s grave, I have the impression that I have to go there for a reason.”

The elder dissolved into radiant light and vanished completely. The youth remained solitary, staring vacantly into the void.

“Teacher, I promise that if I face a disaster, I will sacrifice myself for the Forbidden Body!” the youth vowed softly. Hearing this, tears welled up in Lin Feng’s eyes.

That youth was none other than the Fortune Shrine Leader! True to his oath, he had fulfilled his vow. The Scepter of Destiny harbored a half-god’s strike, yet he never unleashed it, not even against rival Shrines. Instead, he passed it to Lin Feng!

Yet Lin Feng had harbored doubts about the Fortune Shrine Leader and even assaulted him. He recalled the Leader’s heartbroken expression, silent in his grief. With his very life, the Leader ensured Heaven’s secrets remained concealed from all others.

“Leader, you should know that some people already know the secrets of Heaven though...,” Lin Feng sighed. Who was Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon? How had he pierced Heaven’s mysteries?

“Demon King!” Lin Feng uttered. A century prior, rumors swirled that the Demon Shrine Leader gained a new mentor. Icefire ventured there only to return utterly defeated. A enigmatic entity dwelled in the Demon Shrine, propelling them to one of the Continent of the Nine Clouds’ three dominant powers.

Still, puzzles lingered for Lin Feng. Even if the Demon King reincarnated and grasped Heaven’s secrets, why locate him so effortlessly? Why encounter Yan Di? What significance lay in “Limitless Sky Palace, what’s the date tonight?” How did the Jade Emperor’s palace come into his possession, revealing those words? Did the Demon King wield powers akin to the Fortune Shrine Leader’s? Did premonitions guide him too?

Destiny strength proved profoundly mysterious and elusive, Lin Feng grumbled inwardly. Effortlessly, he refined the now-masterless Scepter of Destiny. Swiftly claiming ownership, a enigmatic aura surged forth. Sorrow deepened within Lin Feng as he clutched the Scepter tightly.

The Demon King—I must confront him, Lin Feng resolved, emerging from his inner world.

—

“Are you done?” Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon inquired.

“Yes, let’s go,” Lin Feng responded. Together, they soared skyward.

———

Rather than the Supreme Ancient Pit of Hell, Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon led Lin Feng to the Demon Shrine.

Deep within the Demon Shrine, Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon guided Lin Feng, past vigilant demon guards, until they reached a grand Demon King’s palace.

There, upon the throne in the main hall, sat the Demon King, exuding the majesty of an ancient sovereign.

“Before I awaken him, I have questions. Is that permitted?”

“Proceed,” Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon permitted.

“Who is Mara-Deva?” Lin Feng demanded, eyes piercing into Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon.

“He’s me,” Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon confessed.

Though puzzled, Lin Feng pressed on. “Why delay absorbing me? Why prolong this?”

“The Demon King slumbered deeply, yearning for the Forbidden Person to rouse him voluntarily. That would birth the perfect Forbidden Demon King.”

“Thus, you impersonated me, incited turmoil across the Continent of the Nine Clouds, cornered me relentlessly, then appeared, hoping I’d awaken the Demon King myself,” Lin Feng deduced.

“Regrettably, your ascent outpaced expectations. Chaos ensued as countermeasures. The Demon King lacked a fitting absorption art until Chu Chun Qiu emerged,” Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon stated flatly.

Chu Chun Qiu materialized in the hall, his Qi overwhelmingly potent—a peerless Saint from ages past, now enriched by devouring countless powerhouses.

“Chu Chun Qiu descends from King Chu. Once a mere speck, King Chu devised a commendable Sky Absorbing technique. From him and his insights, the Demon King forged a superior version,” Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon explained coolly. “Now, perish satisfied. Voluntarily awaken him, and your kin live. Force his hand, and after you fall, every friend and family member follows.”

“One final query. Wasn’t a Forbidden Body present before? Without one, why did the Destiny Wheel turn? How tracked you my every step?” Lin Feng challenged.

“All shall clarify upon your awakening as Demon King,” Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon replied serenely. Lin Feng nodded, turning toward the enthroned Demon King.

Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon dissolved into light, merging with the throne. His voice echoed to them both: “Chu Chun Qiu, return the demon imprint bestowed by the Demon King. Lin Feng, rouse the Demon King. Your loved ones remain secure eternally.”

Lin Feng and Chu Chun Qiu exchanged glances. Chu Chun Qiu’s face remained impassive, demon Qi swirling in his gaze.

“Are you happy?” Lin Feng conveyed silently through his stare, forgoing words or telepathy.

“No.” Their eyes bridged the message.

The pair advanced toward the Demon King, halting before him.

Abruptly, the Demon King extended his hands, seizing their forms. Instantly, they felt like marionettes in his grasp.

“Lin Feng, cease resistance! Merge with the Demon King!” a voice boomed in Lin Feng’s consciousness, urging surrender to the encroaching will.

Saintly Emperor Xi the Demon reveled in the shift. Slowly, wills intertwined—Lin Feng’s with the Demon King’s, and Chu Chun Qiu’s likewise absorbed!

“Can the Demon King withstand a half-god’s assault?” Lin Feng questioned. Demonic Qi erupted violently. Simultaneously, he unveiled the Scepter of Destiny, unleashing myriad destiny beams that battered the Demon King’s form.

Though he pressed the fusion, a cataclysmic force arose, only to shatter under destiny’s onslaught!

“Argh!” the Demon King roared in outrage. Lin Feng sensed his body teetering on explosion.

“Absorb!” Chu Chun Qiu bellowed fiercely. A colossal devouring force exploded outward, engulfing all in its path—including the Demon King’s will!

“Chu Chun Qiu, you dare betray the Demon King!”

“That’s my essence—I tread alone!” Chu Chun Qiu countered, unleashing a horrifying Qi that consumed relentlessly.

“You forged such a fearsome Sky Absorbing technique for yourself!?!” The Demon King evaded Chu Chun Qiu’s initial strike, but Lin Feng’s attack had weakened him first, leaving him vulnerable for Chu Chun Qiu to seize the advantage!