A loud explosion rang out as the gate of the heavenly prison was blown open. The heavy door shattered into countless wooden splinters, and Michael Bolton's cheek was cut. He stared wide-eyed in shock.

A figure stepped out from within the prison. This person wore tattered prison clothes, his hands and feet bound with iron chains, hair disheveled and wild. He hunched his back, gasping for breath.

He lifted his head, and beneath the messy black hair appeared a pair of white, pupil-less eyes, glinting coldly in the darkness.

“Ghost Eyes... Evil King...”

A guard stammered, then collapsed to the ground in fright.

Demon King strode forward. The iron chains on his feet were still wrapped around a jailer's neck, dragging the man's body out from the darkness. The jailer was still alive, his eyes bulging, face flushed red, hands gripping the chain desperately, struggling to break free.

When Michael Bolton saw this, his eyes turned red with rage. He immediately drew his sword and charged at Demon King.

Demon King suddenly lunged in front of him, locking his right hand around Michael Bolton's neck and slamming him violently to the ground, sending shards of stone flying everywhere.

Michael Bolton nearly lost consciousness, his internal organs severely injured, blood spurting uncontrollably from his mouth.

Demon King grinned, his smile twisted and ferocious, like a demon on earth.

Just as he was about to finish off Michael Bolton, the sound of a flute abruptly ceased, and a voice drifted over: “Don’t forget the main task.”

Hearing this, Demon King stopped, leaped high into the air, dragging the jailer entangled in iron chains into the woods, and quickly disappeared.

A large number of jailers ran out from the prison, most of them injured. A middle-aged officer rushed to Michael Bolton and checked his wounds.

Michael Bolton stared fixedly in the direction where Demon King had vanished, his heart full of frustration. He had thought himself strong enough, but never expected to be defeated so easily in a single encounter.

……

Inside the room, the oil lamp flickered.

William Carter was meditating and cultivating when he suddenly felt uneasy, as if something was about to happen.

He opened his eyes and thought, “No croaking of frogs tonight—there must be killing intent in the air.”

Sensing the surging true energy within his body, he felt a bit more at ease.

The enemy shouldn’t be much stronger than Reverend Mason, otherwise he would have been killed outright already.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn—

William Carter suddenly heard shouting from the foot of the mountain, but it was too far away for even a cultivator like him to make out clearly.

Could the enemy be planning a direct assault?

William Carter frowned at the thought. After all, this was the capital, and this temple was appointed by the emperor himself. If things got out of hand, the emperor would surely investigate.

At the same time—

On the mountain path halfway up, Demon King walked up the stone steps, gripping a Taoist priest by the neck in each hand. The jailer dragged behind him by iron chains was covered in blood, barely recognizable as human.

Under the moonlit night, thunderclouds suddenly gathered. A bolt of lightning split the sky, turning the capital as bright as day. For an instant, Demon King's face was illuminated—twisted and terrifying.

“How dare you! You dare to force your way into Longqi Temple!”

An angry shout came from above. A Taoist priest charged down, sword in hand, leaping through the air. His sword slashed through the night, a cold gleam flashing.

Demon King snapped the neck of the priest in his right hand, then struck out with his palm. True energy erupted, transforming into a bloody wind that crashed head-on into the sword-wielding priest.

Pfft—

The priest was struck by the bloody wind, spat blood, and was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, crashing onto the steps. He clutched his chest, trying to stand, but the surge of blood overwhelmed him and he fainted.

“Longqi Temple? Is that all? You’re just favored by the true dragon, nothing more.”

Demon King sneered, his hoarse voice dripping with disdain.

He quickened his pace, darting up the mountain like a ghost.

……

The door burst open. Stephen Reed rushed in, exclaiming in terror, “Senior brother, intruders are attacking the mountain! The senior brother orders you to go support him!”

Upon hearing this, William Carter immediately got up and left the room with Stephen Reed.

Arriving in the courtyard, William Carter leapt and vanished into the night. Stephen Reed stood stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth and hurried after him.

In front of Longqi Temple’s main gate, Demon King stopped, releasing his grip. Two corpses fell to the ground.

Thunder flashed across the night sky, illuminating the stone steps behind him, which were strewn with bodies. Blood flowed down the steps, spreading into the darkness.

Inside the gate, Charles Foster stood on a small bridge, sword in hand, glaring angrily at Demon King. He shouted in a deep voice, “Who are you? Why are you slaughtering the people of Longqi Temple?”

Demon King grinned and said, “A dying man just wants to take a few down with him. Since Old Mason isn’t here, you’ll die first!”

He suddenly charged at Charles Foster with the force of thunder. Charles Foster's expression changed as he quickly swung his sword, sending out waves of sword energy to meet the attack.

Demon King struck with his palm, the force shattering the sword energy and sending Charles Foster flying, crashing through the wall of the pavilion behind, raising clouds of dust.

“A bunch of useless fools. Who would have thought my last battle would be slaughtering chickens and dogs.”

Demon King withdrew his hand, snorting disdainfully. He walked toward Charles Foster, but after a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

Chapter 7: Divine Leg Shakes the Capital, Sword Control Technique

Rumble—

Thunderclouds rolled, and rain began to fall in the night, growing heavier and heavier.

The third disciple of Longqi Temple, Grace Foster, stood in front of Demon King with her sword, blocking his path. Rain soaked her Taoist robe, but though she was a woman, there was no trace of fear on her beautiful face.