Chi Ming’s expression was cold and imposing. The demon dragon beneath him roared restlessly, its blood-colored eyes burning with a fierce will to fight.
White smoke billowed from its nostrils...
It was trying its best to suppress its hunting instincts.
Just as Chi Ming was currently doing his best to restrain himself.
A fierce battle of wills was raging within his mind.
If he acted, the High Priest would surely lose, and the Demon Abyss would be left leaderless, forced to continue the status quo of the past several millennia, lingering on the brink of death.
If he did not act, the High Priest would surely win, the Demon Abyss would be shaken to its core, and the Heavenly Demon race would fall from their pedestal.
The Demon Abyss would undergo a change of regime, which might bring a new turning point, though it could also become even worse.
But how much worse could it really get?
The transition between the old and the new.
To preserve the past and seek stability.
Or to pioneer and seek change.
He was caught in a dilemma.
This was a upheaval unseen in four thousand years, a turning point for the future of the Demon Abyss regardless of who won or lost.
Now, the power of decision had somehow been handed to him.
Today, Chi Ming had witnessed the High Priest’s true strength.
He had lived for a very long time, and he possessed self-awareness.
Before today, he had always felt that if he fought with his life on the line, he was confident he could defeat this girl. But now, he knew clearly that he was no match for the High Priest.
Today was his only chance to defeat her. If he continued to choose to be a bystander...
Given the High Priest’s temperament, she would not make things difficult for him in the future, and he could live out his days in peace.
He also never minded the Heavenly Demon race being dragged down from their pedestal, provided the price was worth it.
But what he feared was that the High Priest would eventually turn around and open that Nether Gate.
At that time, without the restraint of the other demon gods and the seven families, he would be unable to stop her.
He did not dare to gamble.
Because he knew very well that Jin Qing would stop at nothing to achieve her goals.
Bai Mang had been missing for nearly two months, and no one knew if he was still alive.
Having lost a rising star like Bai Mang, Jin Qing would certainly gamble.
Using the Nether Gate as a stake, she would wage a massive gamble against the entire world.
But he did not dare to gamble.
Hesitation, wandering, confusion, pain, struggle—countless thoughts churned and clashed within his mind.
He knew he truly had to act.
The answer was clear.
Faced with the uncertainty of the unknown, he preferred things to be certain. At the very least, he did not wish to see the Demon Abyss perish within his lifetime.
Whether it was selfishness...
Or cowardice.
It no longer mattered.
...
Beneath the Nether Pool, Xu Xian also felt somewhat nervous and apprehensive. In his heart, he did not want Chi Ming to intervene.
It was not because he hoped the High Priest would win, but because he did not want the High Priest to die.
Nor was it because he wanted to see the High Priest truly change the Demon Abyss and make the demon race great again.
It was simply because he could not do without the High Priest in his upcoming plans.
So...
He hoped Chi Ming could withstand the pressure.
He had always believed that someone who could keep the High Priest and Small Priest wary must have some extraordinary quality. Chi Ming might truly be able to sway the battle.
Unfortunately.
His opinion did not count.
The matters and interests involved were far too complex to be explained in a few words.
The demon gods were urging the Crimson Demon to act in the name of the Heavenly Demon race, in the name of profit, and in the name of the greater good of the Demon Abyss.
The Small Priest was advising the Crimson Demon to think clearly in the name of the demons, in the name of their friendship, and in the name of grand ambitions.
Only Jin Qing remained silent. Only she knew in her heart that he would act. Regardless of what they said, he would intervene.
It was not out of personal grudge, nor because she had touched the interests of the Heavenly Demon race.
It was simply because she would open the Nether Gate.
She never denied that she would open the Nether Gate, whether or not Bai Mang could be found, and whether or not the Demon Abyss had nether fire. Whether for self-preservation or for the great cause of the demon race’s rise.
If the Nether Gate did not open and the Nether Beasts did not emerge, the entire Demon Abyss was destined to have no power to resist in the coming catastrophe.
She did not want to sit by and watch the Demon Abyss become history. She had to take this chance. Even if she lost, she would do so without regrets.
She understood Chi Ming.
And Chi Ming understood her just as well.
She could certainly lie to him, but he would never believe her. It was as simple as that.
At a certain moment, thunderclouds surged around Chi Ming, and flames quietly rose. He had finally made up his mind and ceased his hesitation.
"Since the storm has arrived, let us bring all of this to an early end."
He whispered, biting the tip of his tongue. Eerie green essence blood seeped out, which he smeared across his forehead. After an ancient incantation sounded...
[Phantom Demon Atavism] was activated.
He also transformed into a giant demon, a red-haired, blood-winged giant demon just like Chi Yan had once been, only he was much larger, and his energy fluctuations were far stronger.
Most importantly, he also had four pairs of wings—four pairs of wings as crimson as fresh blood.
Phantom Demon stage two!
At that moment, everyone noticed this scene.
Their first reactions were identical: sheer shock.
That the Crimson Demon possessed four pairs of wings was completely outside their expectations.
It turned out that it wasn't just the High Priest who had been hiding her strength; the Crimson Demon had done the same.
Amidst the shock, the thoughts of the demon gods varied. Some felt fortunate and happy.
Since Chi Ming had four pairs of wings, they would surely win with his participation.
Of course.
There were also those who were distracted, worried, anxious, and afraid...
Chi Ming was the only surviving member of the original Demon Dragon Guards.
If he was this strong and also possessed a demon dragon king, would he eventually replace the High Priest and become the new hegemon?
Would the Chi family step over them in the future?
If the Chi family became the sole power, what kind of fate would await their own families?
These questions flashed through their minds almost simultaneously.
But at this point, they had no choice. Even if Chi Ming truly had such ambitions, that was only a possibility, a potential threat, whereas the High and Small Priests were threats right in front of them.
They were clear on which was more important.
As for the Small Priest and the High Priest, their emotions were not as complicated.
They only had extremely grim expressions.
Even Jin Qing had a trace of panic quietly flicker through her eyes.
She had expected Chi Ming to eventually act, but she truly had not expected that Chi Ming could also manifest four pairs of wings.
This meant his strength was enough to be evenly matched with her own.
She couldn't help but find it ironic. Who would have thought that Chi Ming, who always had a fiery temper and a straightforward personality, would hide himself so deeply?
She couldn't help but suspect that everything in the past had been a deliberate act for her benefit, just as she had done herself.
Could it be that even the heavens were unwilling to stand on her side this time?
After Chi Ming manifested his primordial demon form, he spoke softly to the two priests.
"My apologies!"
Then, with a shake of his four pairs of wings, raging flames rose to incinerate the heavens. Within a hundred miles, the rain evaporated without a trace, leaving only the sizzling sound of rising heat...
He moved, charging toward Jin Qing.
The Black Dragon King also moved, lunging toward the golden giant dragon.
It wasn't just the people who wanted to rise in rank; the dragons felt the same. If it killed the golden giant dragon, it would be the only dragon in the Nether Capital, the sole king of all demonic beasts.
It couldn't do it before, as it was no match in a fight, but today was different. They had the numbers. Such an opportunity was one in a thousand years.
The Small Priest cursed in frustration, "Damn it!"
The Yellow Demon, on the other hand, was gloating as the tide of battle turned. "You crazy woman, you've lost. Surrender."
Jin Qing ignored him and faced Chi Ming directly.
"Uncle Chi, you’ve hidden yourself so deeply!"
"As have you!"
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