Chapter 75:Fall of The Rising Stars

The atmosphere inside the Neutral Palace had already become strange.

The clan patriarchs, sect leaders, nobles, merchants, and martial artists who had gathered for the tournament were slowly departing. The grand arena that had been overflowing with cheers only hours ago now felt eerily quiet.

After witnessing the death of the Black Tortoise Elder and the rise of the Devil, nobody wanted to linger any longer than necessary.

From a high platform overlooking the city, Lucifer watched them leave.

His black robes fluttered in the wind.

Beside him stood Elizabeth.

Her crimson eyes followed the retreating figures.

"Aren't you letting too many of them go?" she suddenly asked.

Lucifer glanced at her.

"What do you mean?"

Elizabeth folded her arms.

"They've seen your strength."

"They've seen what you've become."

"They'll return to the Murim Alliance."

"They'll unite against us."

A cold breeze swept across the ruined arena.

For a moment Lucifer simply stared at the horizon before shrugging.

"So what?"

Elizabeth frowned.

"So what?"

Lucifer laughed.

"Do you think I'm invincible?"

His answer surprised her.

"After fighting the Black Tortoise I'm wounded."

"My meridians are damaged."

"My ki reserves are nearly empty."

"If every clan patriarch, sect leader, and elder attacked together right now..."

He smirked.

"...I'd probably die."

Elizabeth blinked.

The answer was far more honest than she expected.

Lucifer stretched his arms lazily.

"You shouldn't bite off more than you can chew."

"That's how people die."

As he turned to leave, Elizabeth suddenly spoke again.

"Or..."

"You let them go because Ock is with them."

Lucifer stopped.

For a brief second silence lingered between them.

Then he slowly looked over his shoulder.

A mischievous grin spread across his face.

"Who knows?"

"Maybe I did."

"Maybe I didn't."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

"You're impossible."

"That's what everyone keeps telling me."

They continued walking.

Neither noticed the group waiting further ahead.

Five Dragons.

Two Phoenixes.

The future stars of the Murim Alliance.

The moment they saw Lucifer, the atmosphere became tense.

Nobody moved.

Nobody spoke.

Hatred flashed through their eyes.

Lucifer had killed their comrades.

Destroyed their plans.

Humiliated the Murim Alliance.

They wanted nothing more than to cut him down.

Yet none dared make the first move.

Finally the First Dragon stepped forward.

His eyes burned with determination.

"Maybe you've won today."

"But remember this, Lucifer."

"One day I'll surpass you."

"One day I'll defeat you."

"And when that day comes..."

His gaze hardened.

"I'll take Sue away from you."

Lucifer stared at him.

Then looked around.

Left.

Right.

Behind him.

Above him.

The First Dragon frowned.

"What are you doing?"

Lucifer sighed dramatically.

"Good."

"What?"

"Sue isn't here."

Before anyone could react—

CRACK.

A blood-red chain exploded from the ground.

The chain wrapped around the First Dragon instantly.

Then another.

And another.

Within seconds all Seven Rising Stars were bound.

The chains tightened.

Their expressions changed immediately.

"WHAT IS THIS?!"

The First Dragon struggled.

Nothing happened.

Lucifer had already reached Sovereign Third Realm after absorbing the Black Tortoise.

The gap between them was now overwhelming.

To him, they were children.

"You really are an idiot."

The First Dragon's face twisted.

"What did you say?!"

Lucifer sighed.

"I was planning to let you leave."

"Then you decided to threaten me."

The chains tightened further.

Bones cracked.

Screams echoed.

The other Dragons immediately panicked.

"WAIT!"

"STOP!"

"We surrender!"

"PLEASE!"

Lucifer ignored them.

The First Dragon finally realized what was happening.

Fear appeared in his eyes.

Real fear.

"You can't kill us!"

"We're the future of the Murim Alliance!"

"Exactly."

Lucifer smiled.

"That's why I'm killing you."

The chains crushed inward.

One body.

Two bodies.

Three.

Blood exploded into the air.

The screams lasted only moments before silence returned.

Then Sin of Gluttony activated.

A dark vortex appeared around Lucifer.

The corpses dissolved.

Blood vanished.

Bones vanished.

Even their spiritual essence disappeared.

Nothing remained.

No evidence.

No witnesses.

No graves.

Just emptiness.

Elizabeth stood frozen.

Even after everything she had witnessed...

She still felt chills.

"Didn't you make a blood oath with Sue?"

Lucifer chuckled.

"I said I'd save them from the collapsing dimension."

"Not that I'd let them live forever."

His smile widened.

"Words are important."

Elizabeth stared at him.

For the first time she truly understood.

The Devil didn't break promises.

He simply twisted them.

A far more terrifying trait.

"It's better to remove trouble before it grows."

He looked at her.

"Don't tell anyone."

Elizabeth nodded immediately.

"I won't."

"Good."

They continued walking.

Soon they arrived at the center of Neutral Palace.

Lei Xin.

Tsuru.

Zhong Yu.

And Sue were already waiting.

The moment Tsuru saw them she narrowed her eyes.

"What were you two doing together?"

Lucifer answered instantly.

"Adult things."

Silence.

Then everyone's faces turned red.

Even Elizabeth nearly choked.

"HE'S LYING!"

she shouted.

Zhong Yu laughed.

"Sounds like Lucifer."

Lei Xin nodded.

"Definitely sounds like Lucifer."

Elizabeth covered her face.

"Why am I surrounded by lunatics..."

Not long afterward they boarded the dragon that would take them back to the Demonic Cult.

The giant beast soared into the sky.

Clouds drifted beneath them.

For once things were peaceful.

Lucifer lay lazily across the dragon's back.

Half asleep.

Then Sue suddenly spoke.

"I figured it out."

Lucifer opened one eye.

"Figured out what?"

"Your killing intent."

Everyone immediately paid attention.

Lucifer became interested.

"Oh?"

"Go on."

Sue took a deep breath.

"When you release your killing intent..."

"You aren't actually killing people directly."

Lucifer smiled.

She continued.

"First."

"You overwhelm the enemy's mind."

"The fear becomes so intense that their brain can't process it."

"The mind shuts down."

"The victim becomes effectively brain dead."

Lucifer nodded.

"Good."

"But that's only half."

Sue pointed at him.

"You use blood manipulation afterward."

"Once their mind collapses they lose control of their ki."

"Their blood becomes vulnerable."

"You detonate it from within."

"That's why they explode."

Silence followed.

Everyone stared at Lucifer.

Then at Sue.

Lucifer began laughing.

"Hahaha!"

"Impressive."

"Very impressive."

"I never thought someone could understand it after seeing it once."

Sue looked proud.

Then Lucifer raised a finger.

"But there's a flaw."

"What flaw?"

"Three flaws."

He sat upright.

"First."

"If the target is much weaker than me..."

"They explode."

"Second."

"If they're around my level..."

"They'll only be affected by fear."

"Not death."

"Third."

"If they're stronger than me..."

"It won't work."

Sue nodded slowly.

"That's why you didn't use it against Black Tortoise."

"More like I didn't want to."

"It consumes a ridiculous amount of mental energy."

Everyone finally understood.

The terrifying technique wasn't unbeatable.

It simply looked that way because Lucifer was usually stronger than his opponents.

By the time the discussion ended, the dragon had already reached the Demonic Cult.

But something felt wrong.

The moment they landed—

Thousands of disciples surrounded them.

Weapons drawn.

Killing intent filled the air.

Lei Xin immediately panicked.

Tsuru grabbed her weapon.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes.

Lucifer simply yawned.

"Well."

"This is certainly a warm welcome."

The crowd parted.

A figure floated forward.

The Demon Physician.

One of the Four Great Evils.

His expression was ice cold.

"Lucifer."

His gaze shifted toward Sue.

"Why have you brought a Murim Alliance disciple into the Demonic Cult?"

The disciples tightened their grip on their weapons.

Lucifer finally understood.

"So that's why everyone looks ready to kill me."

The Demon Physician nodded.

"The law is simple."

"Murim Alliance members are enemies."

"Enemies are executed."

"You know this."

Lucifer shrugged.

"I'll explain it directly to the Heavenly Demon."

The Demon Physician's eyes narrowed.

"Impudent."

"You continue breaking the rules because the Cult Leader favors you."

"But today—"

His aura erupted.

"I'll teach you your place."

The attack shot forward.

Then—

BOOM.

An overwhelming pressure descended from the Demonic Palace.

The attack shattered instantly.

Every disciple fell to one knee.

Even the Demon Physician froze.

The Heavenly Demon's aura.

A voice echoed across the entire mountain.

"Let him speak."

The Demon Physician clenched his fists.

"My Lord."

"If he continues disregarding the rules..."

"The disciples will lose faith."

"The weak must respect the strong."

"That has always been our law."

Silence.

Then a far greater pressure descended.

The sky itself darkened.

The Demon Physician immediately dropped to both knees.

Blood leaked from his lips.

"Are you questioning my order?"

The Heavenly Demon's voice was calm.

Yet terrifying.

The Demon Physician lowered his head.

"Never."

"If I have offended you..."

"I shall sever my own head."

The pressure vanished.

The Heavenly Demon spoke once more.

"I will hear Lucifer's explanation."

"But if it wastes my time..."

"I will kill him personally."

The disciples immediately stepped aside.

A path opened toward the palace.

Lucifer grinned.

"See?"

"Everything worked out."

Nobody found that reassuring.

As he walked forward, the Heavenly Demon spoke again.

"Only Lucifer and Sue."

Everyone else remained behind.

Lucifer and Sue entered the palace.

The massive doors slowly opened.

Inside sat only two figures.

The Heavenly Demon.

And beside him—

The Sword Demon.

The ruler of the Demonic Cult sat upon his throne, calmly drinking sake.

His presence alone felt heavier than mountains.

The Sword Demon stood nearby like a silent guardian.

Lucifer looked around and laughed.

"No matter how many times I come here..."

"This place never gets old."

The Heavenly Demon lowered his cup.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"So."

"You've finally arrived."