Great Villain: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate

'Next, the Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill!' Without hesitation, Jiang Chen immediately began practicing the second cultivation method.

In terms of the Great Dao of Metal, he had already delved deep into its profound teachings. He had nearly mastered the principles related to 'Sharpness'.

Moreover, his theoretical grasp of the Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill had attained the great accomplishment-level.

Thus, the remaining energy in the Wordless Heavenly Jade proved ample.

The procedure for practicing the cultivation method mirrored his previous endeavors.

A wave of mystical energy emanated from the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Some seeped into his soul, while the remainder melded with his body.

In an instant, Jiang Chen had honed the Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill to the perfect-level stage.

Having perfected two Transcendence realm cultivation methods to this apex stage, one could surmise, even without direct observation, that Jiang Chen's combat capabilities had escalated to an awe-inspiring tier within the Early-stage Transcendence realm.

Should his cultivation base progress, the efficacy of these two methods will undoubtedly reveal even more potent effects.

Jiang Chen pondered, 'For the time being, I've reaped ample rewards from these methods.'

'Considering my other skills, like the invisibility granted by the Death Eclipsed Moon Dao Embryo, my dragon-human hybrid form, and the Burning World Raging Flames, vanquishing an average Early-stage Transcendence cultivator would be child's play!'

'Nether Soul Demon Clan, I trust you won't let me down. I anticipate you'll present numerous powerhouses from the Transcendence realm.' A spark of eagerness danced in Jiang Chen's eyes.

Promptly, Jiang Chen set about arranging the other treasures he'd gleaned from the inheritance peak.

Among them were pills safeguarded by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning's secret art, complemented by a selection of array, alchemy, and crafting manuals.

Jiang Chen reflected, 'The caliber and traits of these pills are fairly rudimentary; they're somewhat superfluous for someone of my stature.'

'I'd be wise to reserve them for my Dao Palace realm allies.'

'If any among them can ascend to the Transcendence realm, it would bolster my standing.'

'Regarding the array, alchemy, and crafting manuals, with the presence of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, there's no pressing need for me to pore over them just yet.'

'I might contemplate immersing myself in them when the reservoir of the Wordless Heavenly Jade brims with surplus.'

Concluding his review, Jiang Chen stowed them away in the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring.

Next, he activated the transmission jade token and reached out to Ji Mingxiu.

From their conversation, Jiang Chen gathered that the formidable demons and demonic cultivators of the Vibrant Blaze Domain had been neutralized. Those who could be seized alive were imprisoned, and for those resistant to capture, utmost care was taken to preserve their bodies unscathed.

Currently, only a smattering of weaker demonic cultivators lurked in the shadows of the Vibrant Blaze Domain. These insignificant adversaries were designated for the disciples to manage.

In addition, Ji Mingxiu and his squad had pinpointed the conduit the Nether Soul Demon Clan used to breach the Vibrant Blaze Domain.

The Nether Soul Demon Clan had enlisted specialized tunneling demonic beasts to carve out an expansive subterranean corridor, employing it to spring a covert assault on the Vibrant Blaze Domain, situated alongside the Everflowing Truth Domain.

This aligned with Jiang Chen's foresight. Evaluating the situation, he mulled, 'With the Vibrant Blaze Domain largely secured, our next step should be to obliterate the subterranean corridor and position a Dao Palace realm cultivator to oversee it.'

'Wu Qian is suited for this role. Given his prowess to manifest Peak-stage Dao Palace realm combat strength swiftly, he can stand his ground for an extended duration, even if the Vibrant Blaze Domain faces another onslaught.'

'As for the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea, the underwater caverns in the Black Wood Island vicinity needn't be a concern at present.'

After reflecting briefly, he directed Ji Mingxiu to proceed with the stipulated preparations.

Jiang Chen next asked about the conditions in the Doomsday Cave Heaven.

The Cave Heaven was undeniably vast, but even its extensive reach couldn't resist the scrutiny of a multitude searching it all at once.

As time passed, the treasures within the Doomsday Cave Heaven had been exhaustively unearthed.

Many cultivators had gained immense rewards from it.

Learning of this, a pleased smile formed on Jiang Chen's face.

The Immortal Martial Continent would now be better prepared to fend off the demon race's onslaught.

At this moment, Ji Mingxiu relayed another update. After leaving Wu Qian behind, they had ventured into the Doomsday Cave Heaven and were now gearing up to head back to the Purple Heaven Holy Land.

People like Bao Xunwu from the Golden Proud Cult and Lu An from the Nine Heavens Tower had expressed their wishes to go back to their own sects.

Jiang Chen, of course, saw no issue with that.

Before long, Ji Mingxiu and the seven other Dao Palace realm experts parted ways within the Doomsday Cave Heaven, each heading to their respective territories.

'The entry points to the Doomsday Cave Heaven can be sealed for now. We can always reopen them when needed.' Jiang Chen contemplated. Following this, he extracted the unique key that governed access to the Doomsday Cave Heaven, infusing it with his Dao Yuan Power.

Without delay, all entryways to the Doomsday Cave Heaven clamped shut, the main portal included.

...

Elsewhere, in the Pure Frost Domain, biting winds screamed and a thick snow danced in the air.

Yet, this wasn't ordinary snow – it bore streaks of black.

Stretching across the sprawling landscape, a dominating black-red glow covered everything. Every lifeform had been tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi!

On the Clear Frost Moon Plucking Peak, successive powerful Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect cultivators were turned into demonic practitioners, yielding before the ghostly figures of the Nether Soul Demon Clan.

At that time, inside the central hall of the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect, a number of influential Nether Soul Demon Clan members convened.

One voiced out, "The Vibrant Blaze Domain has fallen back into human hands!"

"Ji Junhao met his end in that mysterious human Cave Heaven."

"He was truly reckless. It was evident that place belonged to the humans, and yet he brazenly ventured in with a pair of inept companions."

"We were forced to assist with a covert strike on the Vibrant Blaze Domain, leading to its swift capture. Ji Junhao sure has a knack for complications."

"With the Vibrant Blaze Domain reclaimed by humans and other domains on alert, staging another stealthy onslaught will become challenging."

Members of the demon race assembled in succession, deliberating over the humans regaining control of the Vibrant Blaze Domain.

Even though they were already privy to the situation, hearing it again made them scorn the departed Ji Junhao.

After a bout of contempt, silence enveloped the group once again.

"Enough about the Vibrant Blaze Domain." A Dao Palace realm demon interjected, "Our demon race's main army is mobilizing."

He went on, "The spatial passage in the Bottomless Abyss is widening too. Once our main force lands, the Immortal Martial Continent's conquest will be imminent."

"Isn't that obvious?" Another Dao Palace realm demon retorted, his face grave. "But if our main army arrives and witnesses the chaos we've caused, wouldn't that be shameful?"

Another demon from the Dao Palace realm chimed in, "We were the vanguard. Many of us arrived here."

"We initially assumed we'd effortlessly traverse a good portion of the Immortal Martial Continent, setting the stage for the main force. But the current state is far from that."

He hesitated, then remarked apprehensively, "I'm even fearful the Demon Lord might execute us."

"Indeed, before our main army gets here, we must show our worth!" Another agreed gravely.

"Show our worth? How now? By launching a direct assault on the Purple Heaven Holy Land?"

"That's bound to ignite a fierce confrontation. Some of us might meet the same fate as Long Tianlu and perish."

As the conversation progressed, the demons became deeply engrossed in the discussion.