I Can Fix My Talent in Hundred Lives-Chapter 358 - 288: In the Hall of Seven Slaughters
The main hall of the Seven Kills Saint Sect is grand and imposing, with sinister demon patterns carved on the black pillars, and a huge blood-colored glazed lamp hanging from the ceiling. The flickering lamplight casts a dark red hue throughout the hall.
At this moment, dozens of Demon Monarchs dressed in various magic robes have gathered here. What should be a solemn and austere meeting place has turned into something like a marketplace due to the clamor of the crowd.
"Where is the Seven Kills Saint Monarch? If he doesn’t show up soon, our sect is going to be completely wiped out by that Sword Cultivator!"
A burly Demon Monarch with a fierce face slammed his palm on the stone table in front of him, making the teacup on the table buzz. His eyes were filled with anxiety and discontent, and his voice boomed like thunder.
"Exactly! Your venerable self is the chief of our Saint Dao, and that Sword Cultivator has just broken through to mid-stage Nascent Soul. If you take action, you will surely be able to cut him down. We can’t just watch him act so recklessly!"
Another Demon Monarch in a blue magic robe, with a sinister look on his face, hurriedly echoed, his tone carrying a sense of urgency, mixed with deliberate flattery.
A Demon Monarch beside him, holding a folding fan and appearing cultured, gently shook his head, a hint of barely perceptible complaint in his voice:
"Ah, speaking of which, at the last Grand Demon Assembly, we all heeded the Saint Monarch’s call to return, and what happened? That Sword Cultivator suddenly appeared and directly caused the fall of five Nascent Soul True Monarchs!"
As soon as he said this, the hall immediately quieted down a bit, and many Demon Monarchs showed expressions of agreement on their faces.
A Demon Monarch from a small country muttered to himself:
"If I had known that Sword Cultivator was so powerful, I shouldn’t have come back in the first place. Now, our sect could be targeted at any moment. How are we supposed to live like this?"
The Demon Monarch of Absolute Evil, who was maintaining order, stood on one side of the main hall, wearing black tight-fitting clothes with a curved blade at his waist, his expression stern.
As a disciple of the Seven Kills Demon Monarch, he knew well that his master’s ambition was to unify the Demon Countries and establish an enduring great power.
Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation was just the foundation; it was also necessary to accumulate enough prestige and power. The last Grand Demon Assembly was a strategy by his master to win over the Demon Monarchs of the various countries.
Now, seeing the crowd growing increasingly agitated and even faintly resentful, the Demon Monarch of Absolute Evil hurried forward a step, speaking steadily:
"Fellow Daoists, please remain calm. The Saint Monarch has personally gone to the scene of that Sword Cultivator’s activities to investigate the situation. He will surely give everyone a satisfactory explanation."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the space in the center of the main hall suddenly rippled violently, spreading like water.
Following this, a figure dressed in a blood robe slowly appeared, embroidered with intricate Seven Kills patterns.
With his appearance, a powerful oppressive force instantly enveloped the entire hall. The previously noisy crowd fell silent at once, their eyes turning to this man, whose mere presence commanded respect—none other than the Seven Kills Demon Monarch.
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch’s face was resolute, with a hint of profundity between his brows, his eyes as deep and tranquil as an ancient well, showing not a ripple of emotion.
As soon as he appeared, the Demon Monarchs hurriedly gathered around, speaking all at once.
"Saint Monarch, you’re finally back! That Sword Cultivator is about to turn our Demon Countries upside down. Please, think of a way!"
"Yes, Saint Monarch, our sect’s Protection Array can’t withstand him. If this continues, it will be breached sooner or later!"
"Saint Monarch, you said last time that you had broken the Sword Cultivator’s swordsmanship. This time you must stand up for us!"
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch silently stood in place, allowing the crowd to surround him and speak. His face showed no impatience. He slightly lowered his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the anxious faces until the noise in the hall gradually subsided.
Everyone looked at him eagerly, waiting for him to make a decision. Only then did the Seven Kills Demon Monarch slowly raise his head and deeply bowed three times to everyone.
This action shocked the Demon Monarchs, causing them to step back, their faces full of disbelief.
"Saint Monarch, what are you doing? You are a Great Cultivator of late-stage Nascent Soul. Why offer us such grand courtesy?"
The burly Demon Monarch from earlier hurriedly spoke, his tone full of astonishment.
An elderly Demon Monarch stroked his graying beard, pondering to himself:
"The Seven Kills Saint Monarch is usually so proud, yet today he bows to us three times. There must be significance. Could the situation be even more serious than we imagined?"
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch slowly straightened up, with a hint of apology on his face, his voice deep and powerful:
"The first bow is in memory of the five fallen Dao friends. They returned because of the Grand Demon Assembly, yet now they’ve met this fate. It’s because I, Seven Kills, failed to foresee the Sword Cultivator’s threat. This is my fault."
As soon as he finished speaking, sighs echoed throughout the hall, and the friends of the fallen Demon Monarchs had tears welling up in their eyes.
"The second bow is because I underestimated the growth speed of the Sword Cultivator’s power, causing you all to be on edge during this time, with your sects disturbed. I feel guilty."
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch continued, with a tone of self-reproach.
"The third bow is because, facing the current situation, even Seven Kills finds himself helpless."
These words exploded in the ears of the Demon Monarchs like a thunderbolt. They immediately burst into a commotion, their faces full of panic.
"Saint Monarch, what did you say? Even you can’t handle that Sword Cultivator?"
"How can this be? You are a Great Cultivator of late-stage Nascent Soul!"
"Does that mean we have no way out?"
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch raised his hand, indicating for silence, and then slowly spoke:
"There is something you don’t know. That Sword Cultivator has extraordinary talent, far beyond ordinary imagination."
"His comprehension of the Penetration Dao Rhyme has already reached a profound realm, and he can even slay Nascent Soul cultivators from afar. His destructive power is no less than that of a Great Cultivator like myself."
The crowd listened with their hearts pounding. A Demon Monarch swallowed hard, his voice trembling as he asked:
"Saint Monarch, then... what should we do now? We can’t just sit and wait for death, can we?"
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch’s eyes flashed with a complex look as he slowly said:
"Moreover, that Sword Cultivator is extremely cautious. Though he has such power now, he only operates in remote areas and never sets foot in stronger countries."
"Even if we wish to unite and send troops for rescue, there’s simply no chance of finding his whereabouts."
He paused and continued:
"From my observations, that Sword Cultivator is unlikely to confront me face to face before advancing to late-stage Nascent Soul. So, it’s not that I don’t wish to act; it’s just that given the current situation, I am powerless."
Upon hearing this, the Demon Monarchs’ faces displayed despair. A Demon Monarch slumped in his chair, murmuring to himself:
"Do we have to retreat to the Great Wilderness again? But that’s not a long-term solution."
Another Demon Monarch sighed and said:
"What else can we do besides that? We can’t just wait for the Sword Cultivator to come to us, can we?"
In the end, after a series of helpless discussions, the Demon Monarchs had to accept reality. They took their leave of the Seven Kills Demon Monarch, preparing to retreat to the Great Wilderness once more.
