Redemption of a Born Demon

Chapter 344 - 254: Surprise Attack, a Void Divine Object as a Spirit Treasure (Part 1)

Then, the phantoms of the others began to shatter, severing their connection to the Lotus True Realm.

The entire Lotus True Realm fell quiet once more.

Lotus’s gaze grew profound.

’Yi Beidou... His progress is simply too fast. He actually managed to kill that person. Even though he was just a lowly Daoist Child operating under the Alchemist’s name, he was still a genuine Ancient One.’

’He will definitely come to the Mediterranean Region and wade into these troubled waters. If I get the chance, I must eliminate him. Better yet, I should capture him alive.’

Lotus muttered to himself.

Just as the others had predicted, the Pioneer Group had indeed volunteered to take the lead and offer materials for substitutes at an extremely low price for a reason. They had their own agenda.

And the target of their agenda was none other than Yi Beidou.

The Alchemist, after all, was one of their own.

Others only knew that Yi Beidou had killed an Ancient One in a Secret Realm. But they knew perfectly well that it was no ordinary Secret Realm.

It was the great Penglai Immortal Mountain, a large-scale ancient Earth Immortal Ruins. And even though that person was merely a substitute and Daoist Child for the true Alchemist, in a place like that, he should have been able to use Immortal Forbidden Level Techniques at the very least.

Yet an existence like that had died at Yi Beidou’s hands. It was simply inconceivable.

This meant that Yi Beidou had likely mastered Immortal Forbidden-level power.

’How long has it even been?’

Lotus had encountered Yi Beidou shortly after his Ascension to the Saint Realm and knew his strength back then quite well.

’The man’s growth rate is simply too fast. What kind of secrets is he hiding? Perhaps I’ll be able to find out this time.’

Lotus’s expression was grave.

It wasn’t Yi Beidou he feared, but the person backing him.

...

...

「Meanwhile.」

Intelligence agents from all over the world were pouring into the countries along the Mediterranean coast. Even many reporters had caught wind of something and were heading to the Mediterranean Region to set up stakeouts.

After all, in the current climate, nations were beginning to promote their powerful Martial Arts Dao representatives like dazzling celebrities. Their every move garnered immense attention.

Yet these very people were now all rushing toward the Mediterranean. There are no secrets in this world, and an anomaly of this scale could not escape the notice of those in the know.

Rumors were even beginning to spread online.

"The Starry Sky Country’s three Saint Experts, known as Sea, Land, and Air, have arrived in Rome! What?! You’ve never heard of the Sea, Land, and Air trio? They’re the strongest Saint Experts of the Starry Sky Country’s younger generation! You know Devi Punk, right? The first human to walk in space! A symbol of the future galactic age! He’s the ’Air’ representative!"

"Saint Experts from Pusaka Country have also entered Tunisia! They’re currently staying somewhere along the Mediterranean coast, but the exact number is still unknown!"

"People from Donghua have arrived, too! Heard they first entered Syria, but their current whereabouts are unknown!"

"..."

These reports spread like wildfire through relevant online communities, sending shockwaves through the world of Martial Arts Dao enthusiasts.

In today’s world, the existence of the Saint Realm was no longer a secret, and the names of certain Saint Experts were beginning to echo across the globe.

The Starry Sky Country’s Sea, Land, and Air trio; Donghua’s Zhou Qingchen and Ding Huiyuan, who were among the younger generation that once shone in Modu; the Four Great Gods of Beisha Country; the "Four Heavens" of Pusaka Country; and the "Three Pillar Gods" of Egypt—their names were becoming household knowledge.

Now, most of these individuals were converging in the West.

"The Mediterranean Region! I’ve already mapped out their positions based on current intel. Take a look—all these experts seem to be gathering in the Mediterranean Region!"

"Oh my God, it’s true! There are Saint Experts staying in countries all over the Mediterranean Region! What in the world is going on?!"

"People have been debating who the strongest Saint Expert in the world is for ages. Some even called for a global, Olympic-style martial arts tournament. This couldn’t be something like that, could it? All these experts are gathering on the Mediterranean coast... are they planning to have a showdown?"

"..."

The internet erupted with speculation. Everyone sensed that something major was about to happen, an event that could perhaps change the entire era.

So many Saint Experts gathering in the Mediterranean Region... their purpose was definitely anything but simple.

"What about Yi Beidou? The Great Demon King, Yi Beidou? He hasn’t been seen in public since the incident in Japan. He didn’t even show up when the Emperor of Japan and ’Number One’ made their public apologies. Isn’t he going to show up for this Mediterranean thing either?"

"Is he really okay? There are rumors that he was involved in the deaths of the previous Emperor of Japan and Number One, but those are just rumors. The fact is, he hasn’t made a single public appearance since he vanished from the public eye."

"I bet he was seriously injured dealing with Japan’s offensive. If there’s really going to be a war between Saint Experts in the Mediterranean, he probably won’t be able to join in."

"..."

Meanwhile, many people around the world were watching for any news of Yi Beidou.

How was the man who once fought an entire nation single-handedly? Would he also be heading to the Mediterranean Region?

In the midst of all this, it wasn’t just public opinion that was brewing; tourism along the Mediterranean coast skyrocketed in a short amount of time.

It wasn’t just ordinary people and enthusiasts, but also a growing number of professional Martial Artists.

Although in Yi Beidou’s eyes the threat of an ordinary Saint Expert was now quite limited, to the average Martial Artist, they were still untouchable beings.

For a martial arts practitioner, receiving their guidance or earning their favor was a life-altering event, a chance to ascend to a new social class.

In the current state of the world, the status of those who pursued Cultivation was rising rapidly.

With so many Saint Experts gathered in the Mediterranean Region, many Martial Artists didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

「The European City Madrid.」

On the rooftop of a building, across from a large assembly hall.

Two figures in plain clothes stood quietly, gazing toward the assembly hall.

"The target is inside the assembly hall, but it looks crowded. There are probably a lot of reporters in there, too. Are we really just going to waltz in there openly?"

A tall figure asked.

"What’s there to be afraid of? It’s just a substitute. There’s no risk. Besides, the Pioneer Group was right. We haven’t made a public move in far too long. So long that some people have forgotten their place and now dare to covet things they have no right to. Isn’t this the perfect opportunity?"

"It’s time to make the Mortal World understand that some lines should not be crossed. Once they are, the consequences will be more than they can bear."

The other man, who was of average height, said with a smile.

"With the two of us working together, it should be foolproof. We can minimize the wear on this substitute and extend its operational time, which might help in the coming struggle. I have to admit, the Pioneer Group is truly formidable. The materials they use for their substitutes are getting more and more powerful. It’s almost on par with the candidates I’ve specifically groomed to be my own substitutes."

The tall man clenched his fist, sighing in spite of himself.

The Pioneer Group was indeed a terrifying organization. Most Secret Organizations like theirs struggled to change their ways and couldn’t integrate with this new era, but the Pioneer Group had managed it.

That was why, despite being relatively new, their achievements in recent years had been the most eye-catching and frightening.

Still, their foundation was weak. In the end, their achievements could be put to use by others.

"So, the target is a newly ascended Saint? Seems like a waste to just kill him. Why don’t we spare him and find a way to turn him into our dog?"

The tall figure said.

"A waste? How will the world learn to feel pain if no blood is shed?"

The man of average height replied with a smile.

At that moment, the assembly hall was packed to the rafters, overflowing with people.

Many of them even had some level of Cultivation and had paid a hefty price for a ticket just to get in.

All eyes were fixed on the stage.

A meet-and-greet was being held in the grand auditorium today. The person everyone had come to see was a new Saint Expert from Europe.

Dortlem.