Fate-Defying Demon Emperor-Chapter 272 - 259: The Chase Begins

"Su Han has undergone Demonification? That's impossible, isn't it? With his innate talent and strength so formidable, how could he possibly undergo Demonification?"

"I went to see the great battle at Qingmo City, and it seemed like Su Han was indeed practicing Demonic Techniques. Moreover, his rise to power was too rapid. If he were using normal means, how could he be so fast? He must have taken a sinister and deviant path."

"So you're saying that Su Han has been cultivating Demonic Techniques through cruel methods unknown to us, and that's why his power has advanced by leaps and bounds? Thinking of it that way, it's not impossible. Alas, what a pity. After more than three hundred years, Qingzhou has finally produced a prodigy of monstrous talent, only for him to be cultivating Demonic Techniques!"

As soon as the Seven Stars Sect issued the Demon-Slaying Order, the entirety of Qingzhou erupted into turmoil.

Su Han's fame was immense. For the past six months, all anyone had heard was news about him—how he killed Qian Xuan to become Qingzhou's number one prodigy, and how he slew the Blood Poison Little Demon Lord to become the premier prodigy of the Qingmo Province. Add to that his sneak attack on the Heavenly Demon Cult's lair, his ascent to the prodigy list, and the recently concluded great battle at Qingmo City. All of these events had brought Su Han's reputation to its absolute pinnacle, but before people could even cheer for him, a Demon-Slaying Order was issued, leading to this unexpected outcome.

"We, the Tianyun Dynasty, solemnly abide by the Demon-Slaying Order and shall commit all our efforts to execute Su Han!"

Although Tian Yunshan was dead, the Tianyun Dynasty still stood. The new Tianyun King swiftly voiced his stance, taking the lead in declaring his position.

"We, the Great Qian Dynasty, likewise adhere to the Demon-Slaying Order. It is our unshirkable duty to exterminate demons and eliminate evil!"

The former Great Qian Dynasty had long since disappeared. After a period of struggle between warlords, a new Great Qian Dynasty emerged and likewise expressed its support for the Seven Stars Sect.

Soon, every nation and major power in Qingzhou declared that they would follow the Demon-Slaying Order and assist the Seven Stars Sect in executing Su Han. In no time, a sweeping demon-slaying campaign was launched, with major powers dispatching large forces to search the lands. The moment Su Han appeared, he would find himself facing an endless manhunt.

"Good! This is just too good! It's as if heaven itself is aiding me!"

In the Tianqing Dynasty, Wang Tianqing was overjoyed the moment he received the Demon-Slaying Order, desperate to execute Su Han immediately and rid himself of his Heart Demon. He had always been unable to move against Su Han; it was not others he feared, but the Seven Stars Sect. Now that Lei Ming was sealed and the Seven Stars Sect had issued the Demon-Slaying Order, Su Han's protective umbrella was gone. He could finally hunt him down without restraint.

Wang Tianqing issued his orders swiftly. "Issue my royal decree! Mobilize the army to search for Su Han throughout the nation. Upon finding him, there is no need to report back—execute him on the spot!" At his command, the armed forces and local government offices of the Tianqing Dynasty mobilized in unison.

Wang Tianqing smirked, his smile ghastly and his eyes brimming with intense killing intent. "This opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I can't waste time here. I must go out and search myself. With any luck, I might encounter him. Then I can personally send him to Hell to reunite with his mother!" Su Han had become his Heart Demon, his nightmare; he thought day and night about how to eliminate this dire threat.

WHOOSH!

Without further delay, Wang Tianqing left the palace, setting off on the path to hunt down Su Han.

News spread like the wind. Mozhou was right next to Qingzhou, and with the long-standing feud between the two provinces, the various powers of Mozhou quickly became aware of the Seven Stars Sect's Demon-Slaying Order.

Within a certain estate, the Great Qian King had just returned from Qingmo City. Before he could even catch his breath, he heard the news of the Demon-Slaying Order.

"Just as I expected, the Seven Stars Sect has abandoned him. Su Han, oh, Su Han, without the protection of the Seven Stars Sect, I'd like to see who can save you now!"

The Great Qian King's eyes gleamed as he laughed heartily. He had waited far too long for this moment. Without the protective umbrella of the Seven Stars Sect, Su Han, no matter how monstrous, was merely a Physique Realm Martial Artist. In contrast, the Great Qian King was a mighty expert at the Heavenly King Realm Ninth Level, his power far exceeding Su Han's. If he encountered the boy, he could crush him to death with a single hand.

"Issue my command! All troops, advance! Pursue and kill Su Han, and do not rest until he is dead!"

Although the Great Qian King had left Qingzhou, he still had many elite subordinates with him, including a three-thousand-strong royal guard. At his order, the guard instantly broke into smaller units and dispersed, spreading out to find any trace of Su Han.

"Su Han, you killed my son, destroyed my hope, and forced me to hide in this godforsaken place! This is a debt I will have you repay with your blood and your life!"

The Great Qian King's eyes were bloodshot, like those of a Fierce Ghost, as his Heavenly King pressure burst forth, stirring the winds and clouds into a frenzy. He had just stepped over his own threshold, but he immediately turned and left. Su Han must die!

「In the Poisoned Mire Swamp, within the Heavenly Demon Cult.」

The once-shattered Heavenly Demon Cult had been completely restored. Both the Five Poisons Ghost-Eating Formation and the Tian Luo Net Seven Kills Formation had been reinforced to prevent such a tragedy from recurring. However, the Demon Cult's treasure vault had been thoroughly emptied. Though the Intermediate Grade Spirit Vein underground hadn't completely dried up, only a third of it remained—a similarly bleak sight. All of this was thanks to Su Han, and for that, the entire Heavenly Demon Cult hated him to the bone.

"Good news! We just received word from Qingzhou! The Seven Stars Sect has issued a Demon-Slaying Order, commanding the major powers in Qingzhou to execute Su Han!" Toad Poison Venerable exclaimed, running excitedly into the Sect Leader's Hall to share the news.

Inside the Sect Leader's Hall, Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign, Qin Wushuang, Leng Rufeng, and the other elders of the Heavenly Demon Cult were all present. Twelve Supreme Realm powerhouses were gathered to deal with a single person—a level of attention that was likely unprecedented, even for Su Han.

"Su Han defeated Zi Qiong and utterly ruined his reputation. I expected he wouldn't return to the Seven Stars Sect, so this outcome was within my calculations," Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign said, his gaze burning, having already anticipated this result. "It's just that I didn't expect Lei Ming to be so foolishly loyal as to dare go back alone. Now he's been suppressed by Ye Chuanfeng under Yaoguang Peak, leaving Su Han completely without his protector.

"Su Han and Lei Ming share a deep bond. If he learns that Lei Ming has been suppressed and sealed, he will surely try to rescue him. I'd guess he is still in the Qingmo Province, perhaps even hiding in plain sight.

"This Su Han killed our True Disciples, looted our treasury, destroyed our Spirit Vein, and foiled our plan to annihilate the Seven Stars Sect. He must die.

"The battle in Qingmo City also revealed his innate talent and monstrous potential. This boy cannot be spared. Since he has become our enemy, we must eradicate him as soon as possible!"

After speaking, Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign's gaze swept across the others.

"This is a rare opportunity. Neither the Seven Stars Sect nor the Tian Lou Saint can shield him anymore. Killing him will be as easy as flipping a hand. I will remain here to guard the sect. The rest of you, disperse and hunt for Su Han. You must completely annihilate him!"

An opportunity like this was fleeting, and Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign had no intention of missing it. Thus, the Heavenly Demon Cult mobilized almost its entire force.

"Rest assured, Sect Leader, we will certainly bring back Su Han's head!" Qin Wushuang, Seven Injuries Devil Honorable, and the others replied, their faces alight with excitement as they quickly accepted their orders and departed.

This time, within the Qingmo Province, countless forces and innumerable experts were all hunting Su Han. His predicament was unprecedentedly perilous.