Time passed.
On this day, humanity finally stood before the Demon King’s Throne.
Endless demonic energy, like a waterfall, cascaded down from the massive Demon Emperor’s Eye, pouring into this world.
Beneath the Demon Emperor’s Eye, a bloody array formation was inscribed, exuding an aura of primal antiquity.
Crimson patterns rose from the grand array, and demonic energy frantically converged towards those patterns, solidifying into substance, eventually forming black rectangular prisms streaked with flowing crimson lines.
Countless black rectangular prisms, at this moment, transformed into a wall, a city.
A… ancient throne belonging to the Demon King!
An overwhelming demonic pressure washed over them.
Even at a safe distance, with no enemies attacking, many felt their hairs stand on end, their legs go weak, overwhelmed by an indescribable, immense fear.
That was the Demon King’s Throne.
Standing before it was like facing the Demon King himself!
“Demon King tier…”
“Even gravely wounded and on the brink of death, the pressure it radiates is no weaker than in its prime…”
Rumina looked at the Demon King’s Throne, gripping her divine spear tighter.
The final enemy was right there.
This arduous journey, this long trek, was all for the purpose of slaying the figure seated upon that throne.
To end this era of demonic invasion.
The Demon King’s Throne was quiet.
Or rather, silent.
Like the silence upon a ruined earth after the world’s destruction, after civilization’s collapse.
It induced a feeling of intense suffocation.
Everyone understood clearly that this silence was merely superficial.
Within the Demon King’s Throne, there were still three Demon Dukes.
Countless elite demons awaited them inside.
The final battle would only be more difficult than any fight before.
They might all stain the Demon King’s Throne with their blood.
After several reconnaissance missions, Rumina gathered the top combatants of the expeditionary force for a meeting.
“It’s been fully confirmed. The Demon King’s Throne is constructed from demonic energy.”
“The demonic energy, guided by the Blood Demon Array, transforms into black rectangular prisms, forming structures akin to city walls.”
“Its defensive power naturally can’t compare to the Holy-Demon Wall.”
“A full-power outburst from a Heaven’s Guardian realm cultivator is enough to blast a large hole in it.”
Rumina said, “But a problem arises—”
“What constitutes it is precisely demonic energy.”
“Originally, the demonic energy became stable, solid black prisms, its power completely internalized.”
“But once we break it, that stability will instantly collapse.”
“The demonic energy will unleash its full power in that instant.”
“The slightest misstep, and a Heaven’s Guardian could perish there.”
“Not to mention, three Dukes and countless demons are waiting for us.”
“Therefore, the plan for the final battle is as follows—”
“Everyone will split into three groups, advancing towards the Demon King’s Throne from three different directions, halting and waiting at designated positions.”
“Three Heaven’s Guardians will approach the Throne’s outer wall, await my signal, and be ready to unleash their full power at any moment to shatter the wall.”
“The moment the outer wall explodes is the moment we charge into the Demon King’s Throne for the final life-or-death struggle with the Demon King.”
“The three Heaven’s Guardians have already been selected.”
Rumina called out the names of the three.
All three had entered the Heaven’s Guardian realm many years ago and enjoyed considerable repute within the human faction.
Choosing them was partly due to their formidable strength and rich experience.
Another reason was that they had no hope of further breakthroughs; in a few more years, they would reach the end of their lifespans.
This was the result of discussions between Rumina and them.
“Seniors, please be careful when the time comes.”
Rumina bowed deeply to the three.
“It’s what I should do.”
“If I can see the Demon King’s Throne shatter in my lifetime, this life will have been worth it.”
The three spoke, smiling faintly.
It seemed they did not fear death.
***
Next, Rumina divided the teams.
“The overall strategy is set. Does anyone have a better idea or disagree with certain decisions?”
Rumina inquired.
At that moment, a figure slowly raised a hand.
Everyone looked in the direction of the hand and saw Solaris.
“Miss Solaris,” Rumina addressed her.
“I disagree with the choice of wall-breakers.”
Solaris stated:
“I believe, although the three seniors claim to be old and unlikely to break through, making a desperate attempt here worthwhile…”
“Their significance and role for all of humanity are still immense.”
“Rather than having them take the risk, it would be better for younger Heaven’s Guardians to step up and shoulder this responsibility.”
“Valkyrie, don’t you think I’m right?”
“!”
Her words caused everyone to freeze for a moment.
Younger Heaven’s Guardians…
They understood Solaris’s meaning.
Solaris actually wanted Lu Mo to replace one of them in destroying the wall.
That Solaris and Lu Mo had a poor relationship was no secret.
But this was the first time Solaris had so openly, on such a significant occasion, suggested sending Lu Mo to the most dangerous position.
“Solaris!”
Cecilia exploded upon hearing Solaris’s words.
She glared fiercely at the standing Solaris, wishing she could reduce her to ashes with a “Specium Ray”!
This woman…
Even at a time like this, she’s still thinking of targeting Miss Lu Mo?
“Sounds reasonable.”
“Young people need some tempering…”
“It’s for their own good.”
“What regrets could young people have?”
Some voices in the crowd chimed in, agreeing with Solaris.
After all, they weren’t the ones going to blow up the wall.
Just stand on the moral high ground and point fingers—easy.
Lu Mo looked up, glancing at Solaris.
Solaris ignored her, just looking at Rumina with a face full of sincerity.
Rumina also knew Solaris’s intent.
But naturally, she wouldn’t fall for it: “Miss Solaris, actually…”
But then, an elder cut in first:
“Shut up, all of you!”
His temper was somewhat fiery.
“One after another, now you’re standing on your moral high ground, pontificating about other people’s regrets, huh?”
“Fine! I’ll give you my spot! All of you who just spoke, come with me to detonate the wall! Will you go?”
His words instantly changed many people’s expressions.
The previously chattering crowd fell deathly silent.
“Speak up! Cat got your tongue?”
“Aren’t you all younger than me?”
“No regrets, right?”
The elder’s gaze swept over the crowd, then landed on Solaris:
“What about you? Want to come with me?”
“Senior… I…” Solaris’s face instantly flushed with embarrassment.
Then, without even looking at her, the elder snorted coldly and closed his eyes.
“Alright, alright.”
Another elder spoke up; he was a high-ranking human official.
“Let’s all calm down.”
“Of course, we all know there are younger Heaven’s Guardians.”
“But our thinking is this—”
“We’re old bones, can see the end clearly.”
“If we were truly useful, we wouldn’t have failed to kill the Demon King and end the demon invasion by now.”
“But the young… they have infinite possibilities…”
“We belong to the old era; they belong to the new.”
“The future needs the young, not us.”
“Rather than letting them take the risk, it’s better for us to make a desperate attempt, to create a better tomorrow for them.”
Another Heaven’s Guardian elder nodded.
“With a great enemy before us, it seems rather petty to still be dwelling on personal grudges.”
He spoke without reservation, essentially delivering a direct blow to Solaris.
…
Solaris’s face instantly alternated between red and white.
Those who had echoed her earlier now hung their heads even lower, wishing they could find a hole to crawl into.
“Does anyone else have thoughts?”
Seeing the situation, Rumina quickly spoke up, shifting the awkward topic.
…
Solaris was the first, and the last, to voice dissent.
After her, no one else raised any different opinions.
After confirming the final plan, the meeting was adjourned.
Solaris left in a hurry, quickly disappearing.
Lu Mo, holding Cecilia’s hand, prepared to leave.
“Miss Lu Mo.”
Suddenly, someone called out to her.
“Senior?”
Lu Mo turned to see the elder walking towards her, his expression kind and benevolent, without any hostility.
“About earlier, thank you, Senior.”
Lu Mo hadn’t expected the elder to publicly criticize Solaris in front of so many people.
“No need for thanks. It was simply what I should do.”
The elder smiled.
“The future of humanity still depends on you all.”
“You flatter me, Senior.”
Lu Mo also smiled.
Although… she might not have much of a future left.
After a brief exchange, she prepared to bid the elder farewell.
“Miss Lu Mo, your swordsmanship… did you have a master?”
Seeing Lu Mo about to leave, the elder suddenly asked.
In the end, he still wanted to clarify some things.
He had seen Lu Mo’s sword more than once.
No fixed forms, no set patterns, yet perfectly natural, each casual strike capable of unleashing terrifying power.
He suddenly remembered a conversation many years ago with an old friend about this very path of swordsmanship.
But sadly, his comprehension was limited; he couldn’t grasp it.
And that old friend of his had his cultivation realm destroyed in a battle long ago, forever unable to explore further.
“The Unbreakable Sword.”
Lu Mo didn’t hide it, answering him.
“As I thought…”
The elder spoke, suddenly laughing.
“Is that old coot still alive?”
“Alive is good… alive is good…”
“He taught a fine student.”
The elder looked at Lu Mo again, his gaze appreciative.
“Next time you go back to see him, give him my regards for me.”
He added.
But Lu Mo shook her head:
“I can give you my teacher’s address, Senior.”
“If you wish to see my teacher, why not go yourself after the Demon King battle is over?”
“I believe my teacher would also very much like to catch up with you.”
…
The elder was stunned, seemingly never expecting Lu Mo to say such a thing.
After a long while, he recovered, smiling, appearing even more pleased than before:
“Good… good…”
Good!
But, I’m old, my eyes might not see the road clearly.
When the time comes, I’ll have to trouble Miss Lu Mo to point the way for me.”
“I will,” Lu Mo replied.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”