Ling Tian Sword God

Chapter 457: Chapter 456: Saint Child_1

”What? The Invincible Demon Lord?”

Upon hearing it was the Invincible Demon Lord, prominent figures of the Saintess Hall, like Elder Beiming, showed grave expressions. One by one, they all knelt before the Demon Image.

The Invincible Demon Lord, a Demon Path Ancestor, was the very founder of the Saint Witch Religion. He deserved such reverence from everyone.

Even Sikong Yi, Xuanjizi, and the Black-robed individuals who had been sent flying, harbored no resentment and immediately knelt.

”I, Sikong Yi, seventeenth Sect Master of the Saint Witch Religion, pay homage to the Sect Founder!” he declared humbly, cupping his fist.

”Are you the current Sect Leader?”

The Invincible Demon Lord gazed down at Sikong Yi. Even as a mere Demon Image, it exuded immense pressure on him.

Sikong Yi felt sweat trickling down his back. If the Invincible Demon Lord says something detrimental, like abolishing my position as Sect Leader, the consequences will be dire. Even if I don’t step down immediately, my prestige will plummet. Many Experts might then question my legitimacy and could even betray me.

”HUMPH!”

The Invincible Demon Lord snorted coldly, and the entire Sky Demon Peak seemed to tremble. Many felt their spirits shudder, their hearts pounding in terror.

”This young man has received my inheritance. Theoretically, he should be the most important disciple of the Holy Church. Yet, it seems you wish to put him to death?”

Clearly, there was an accusatory tone in the Invincible Demon Lord’s words.

”I will not hide it from the Sect Founder. This Ling Chen has ties to the Righteous Path. He indiscriminately slaughtered our Geniuses of the Demonic Way in the Sky Demon Tower. I suspect he is an infiltrator from the Righteous Path, which is why I ordered the Black-robed to cleanse our ranks.”

Sikong Yi had been Sect Leader for over a decade. Even facing the Invincible Demon Lord’s interrogation, he remained composed and spoke methodically.

”Nonsense!” Just as Sikong Yi finished speaking, Elder Beiming interjected, ”The young master is the Saintess’s son! How could he possibly be a spy for the Righteous Path? Sikong Yi fears the young master threatens his position, so he wants to kill him to eliminate future trouble!”

”Rubbish!” The Ghost God Honorific sneered. ”With the Sect Leader’s power, why would he fear a mere boy like Ling Chen? Respectable Ancestor, do not be deceived by this old man. He is slandering the Sect Leader!”

”You!” Elder Beiming was enraged. Just as he was about to speak further, the Invincible Demon Lord waved his hand, silencing him.

”Regardless of the reason,” the Invincible Demon Lord stated coolly, ”Sikong Yi, I command you: do not trouble Ling Chen further. From this day forward, he is no longer an ordinary disciple of the Saint Witch Religion. He is the Saint Child, equal to you in status.”

What? The Saint Child? A flicker of shock crossed Sikong Yi’s eyes. The Saint Witch Religion has only ever had a Saintess. What is this Saint Child nonsense? And on par with the Sect Leader in status? The Invincible Demon Lord forbidding the kill was one thing, but to not only spare Ling Chen but also appoint him Saint Child... Isn’t this a direct slap to my face, the Sect Leader?

”Ling Chen has been with the Holy Church for less than two months and has made no significant contributions. By what virtue or merit can he hold such an important position as Saint Child?” Xuanjizi quickly interjected.

If Ling Chen truly becomes the Saint Child, who in the Holy Church would dare to touch him? Even we old demons would have to treat him as an equal, perhaps even with utmost respect!

”Ling Chen has inherited my legacy. I originally intended for him to become Sect Leader. What? You object even to him being named Saint Child?”

The Invincible Demon Lord’s gaze was glacial. ”My decision is final! If anyone dares to object again, I will obliterate them instantly!”

In his eyes, Ling Chen was not just a Genius of the Demonic Way who had received his inheritance. What truly astounded him was that Ling Chen’s body also carried a sliver of the Human Emperor’s will! This meant Ling Chen’s future path was destined to be extraordinary. Perhaps his achievements would not be confined to the Five Kingdoms, nor to this small Cloud Outland. Ling Chen’s stage would be the entire Continent.

”We wouldn’t dare!” Sikong Yi and the others felt a chill pierce their hearts. They knew the Invincible Demon Lord wasn’t joking. If we dare to object again, he will likely annihilate us completely—even me, the Sect Leader.

So overbearing, Ling Chen thought, equally astonished. The Invincible Demon Lord is only at the half-step Saint Realm, yet with a mere will-manifested Demon Image, he can eliminate Sikong Yi, a powerful Expert at the Fifth Level of Sky Apex Realm.

This means the Invincible Demon Lord is no ordinary half-step Saint Path cultivator, but a peak half-step Saint Level Strength who has forged the formidable Saint Body.

As for Xuanjizi, the Ghost God Honorific, and others, they dared not utter another word. Anyone who dared to voice dissent would undoubtedly face obliteration.

”We shall obey the Sect Founder’s decree!” Around Sky Demon Peak, all Demon Way Experts bowed respectfully, signifying their obedience to the Invincible Demon Lord’s command. Not a single voice of opposition was heard.

”Then it is decided. The Saint Child need not participate in sect affairs. However, he shall have access to mission locations and confidential information. He may come and go as he pleases. No one, not even you, Sect Leader Sikong Yi, is to cause him trouble.” The Invincible Demon Lord’s eyes fixed intently on Sikong Yi, as if peering straight through his thoughts.

”Yes.” Though intensely unwilling, Sikong Yi knew that at this moment, with the arrow nocked, it had to be fired. Under such absolute power and authority, he had no right to refuse.

”All of you must remember my words. Otherwise, it will be considered an act of treason. Any member of the Holy Church may execute such a traitor.”

The Invincible Demon Lord’s voice resonated profoundly. After speaking, his Demon Image gradually faded, completely vanishing into thin air.

Instantly, the oppressive pressure that had weighed upon everyone dissipated, allowing Sikong Yi and the others to finally release a breath of relief.

”Congratulations, young master, on becoming the Saint Child!” As the Invincible Demon Lord’s Demon Image vanished, a young Expert from the Saintess Hall, standing behind Ling Chen, knelt on one knee and offered his congratulations with a cupped fist salute.

”Congratulations, Saint Child!” All members of the Saintess Hall knelt on one knee, paying their respects to Ling Chen.

Following this, most of the Demon Way Experts on Sky Demon Peak knelt on one knee, offering their congratulations to Ling Chen.

However, a wry thought crossed everyone’s mind: the Saint Child, an existence on par with the Sect Leader. It seemed that in the future, they would all have to treat this young man with the utmost respect.

”Damn it!” The Ghost God Honorific’s face was ashen, his eyes flickering indecisively. He immediately turned and cupped his fist towards Sikong Yi. ”Sect Leader, the Invincible Demon Lord’s power has completely vanished! If we act now, we can still eliminate that boy!”

”We cannot act now,” Sikong Yi said gravely. ”The Invincible Demon Lord himself announced Ling Chen’s appointment as Saint Child. Everyone here heard it. If I kill him now, it would be a desecration, an act of disrespect towards the Invincible Demon Lord. My authority would be severely undermined, and it could even lead to the Holy Church’s collapse.”

”For now, we observe. His strength is still shallow, after all. You are all Experts of the Sky Apex Realm. If you truly resolve to act and kill him yourselves, there will always be ample opportunity.”