Chapter 342 - 190: Five Years Later, Full-Scale Offensive

On the right-hand side were several Great Demon Kings, led by Fu Yan.

However, the seats on both sides of the conference table were much sparser than during their last secret meeting.

Both the heads of the Shadow Division and the Great Demon Kings had lost forces during the first full-scale offensive several months prior.

The empty seats were a silent testament to the price paid for the Human Race's tenacious counterattack.

"Report on the situation in your respective areas over the last month."

Wujing Demon Saint's fingertips tapped lightly on the cold metal armrest, his calm voice breaking the silence.

"Reporting to the Demon Saint," Great Demon King Fu Yan, seated first to Wujing's right, spoke almost immediately, his deep voice laced with a suppressed urgency.

"Ever since that human, Li Wen, was promoted to Marquis-level, his actions have grown increasingly rampant. He uses his astonishing mobility to provide reinforcements everywhere, causing our recently deployed new members and our existing sleeper agents to suffer heavy losses.

According to our tallies, the number of our agents he has personally killed now accounts for nearly thirty percent of our total losses last month. If this cancerous growth isn't excised soon, it will severely hinder our race's future plans!"

Fu Yan's words were filled with unconcealed hatred for Li Wen. After all, this was the man who had killed his direct descendant, Fu Ye.

"Li Wen?" Wujing Demon Saint's eyelids drooped slightly, his gaze seeming to pierce through the virtual image and land on Fu Yan. "Is that the human whelp who killed your descendant, Fu Ye, in Xilin City?"

"...Yes, Demon Saint." Fu Yan's breath caught in his throat. He felt a sliver of pressure under Wujing's gaze, but he quickly added,

"I am not speaking rashly out of a personal grudge. The threat this boy poses far exceeds that of a King-level expert. His growth rate and actual combat strength are both highly unusual. If we allow him to continue developing, the consequences will be dire."

'A newly-ascended Marquis causing this much carnage in such a short time... That is indeed unexpected.'

Wujing Demon Saint's fingers stopped tapping. He seemed to be weighing something, and a trace of interest finally crept into his tone.

"Your insight is clear, Lord Demon Saint!" Fu Yan immediately seized the opportunity. "This boy's combat strength has already become a serious threat. The sooner we eliminate him, the better it will be for our race! I implore you, my lord..."

"Difficult." Wujing Demon Saint cut Fu Yan's plea short, his tone reverting to its previous calm.

"The Human Race's high command would never leave such a prodigy without heavy protection. They've likely already laid a trap, waiting for us to walk right into it."

He shook his head slightly, having made his decision. "For now... let him be. Pass down the order. Our operatives are to avoid the regions he's responsible for reinforcing. We need to reduce unnecessary losses."

"...Yes." A flicker of resentment crossed Fu Yan's eyes, but faced with Wujing Demon Saint's indisputable authority, he could only lower his head in compliance.

"I understand how you feel." Wujing Demon Saint seemed to see through Fu Yan's resentment, offering a rare explanation.

"The Talisman Emperor has already made arrangements. Li Wen's death is a certainty. Just... not yet."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping even lower, yet it carried a chilling power.

"I am only one final step away from recovering my full strength as a Demon Saint. When I reclaim my power, that is when the Human Race will face true annihilation. Then, all obstacles will be crushed."

Great Demon King Fu Yan snapped his head up, his downcast eyes suddenly erupting with astonishing light. "Thank you, my lord! I understand!"

Wujing Demon Saint gave a slight nod and said no more.

The hall fell silent once more, but an invisible undercurrent surged in the heart of every attendee.

Wujing Demon Saint's subtext was crystal clear.

Why had the Demon Race been unable to launch a thunderous, all-out final offensive?

The core reason was the lack of a pinnacle power in the Human Realm capable of slaying the Human Race's King-level experts.

The Human Race's Kings were stationed in major strategic cities, acting like unshakeable pillars that made it difficult for the Demon Race's Demon King Level experts (equivalent to the humans' Marquis-level) to run rampant.

Once Wujing Demon Saint recovered his full strength, even as a regular Demon Saint, it would mean the Demon Race would finally possess a strategic-level power in the Human Realm—one capable of swiftly and directly assassinating Human Kings.

At that point, all of the Human Race's Kings would be forced to retreat and consolidate for self-preservation, no longer able to guard their respective territories as freely as they did now.

Without the Kings' powerful suppression and mobile support, the Demon Race's armies of Demon Kings could advance unopposed, delivering an all-encompassing, unavoidable, and devastating blow to the human defensive lines.

That was the moment the Demon Race was waiting for.

To overwhelm the Human Race with absolute power, openly and directly, forcing them into an inescapable predicament where their only choice was to face a battle they were doomed to lose with catastrophic casualties.

To ensure that moment came to pass, enduring some losses and allowing Li Wen to remain active for the time being was, in Wujing Demon Saint's eyes, an acceptable price to pay.

His sights were already set on a much grander endgame.

...

...

「Galactic Calendar Year 242, June 1st.」

Deep within a secluded, primeval mountain forest on the outskirts of Changning City.

No birds sang, no beasts roared. A silence so profound it felt tangible blanketed the valley.

An invisible, sharp intent permeated the air, so potent that even the wind seemed to tiptoe around the area.

In a clearing at the bottom of the valley, Li Wen's figure flickered in and out of sight.

He wasn't deliberately erupting with power. Every swing of his blade was natural and fluid, as if he had become one with the surrounding stones and vegetation.

Yet, wherever the edge of the blade passed, fine ripples spread through the very air.

The light of his blade was no longer mere lightning or flame, but a concept—an intent—condensed to its absolute limit.

At times, it was like the first light of dawn—gentle and silent, yet containing the life force of all creation. At others, it was like the heavens collapsing, carrying an overwhelming weight and the promise of utter destruction.

"VMMMMMM—"

The clear, lingering ring of the blade was not a piercing shriek, but a low hum that resonated deep within the soul.