’Chen Xuanba is the former Demon Child. His status is unique. He could have shown up at any time, but he chose now of all moments. Could it be... that Qin Xuan’s ability to cultivate this far is the Sect Leader’s will?’

The thought weighed heavily on him.

Fan Luming and Wei Jieyue, however, looked relatively calm. They bowed in unison. "Greetings, Elder Ao. We were not aware you would be gracing us with your presence. What are your instructions?"

Ao Lie let out a great laugh, his voice like a great bell, so loud it made one’s eardrums ache.

"It’s nothing. I just can’t stand seeing people pull shady tricks. Just wandering around and enjoying the show. You all cast your votes. Just act like I don’t exist!"

"As you command," the Demon Monarchs replied in unison, though each harbored their own ulterior motives.

With this Evil God present, who would dare make a reckless move?

The scene instantly became strangely quiet.

Blood Demon Ming Zhan, who was presiding over the event, swallowed hard. He tried to suppress his shock and said, "The Illusion Heart Prison assessment has concluded. I will now announce the rules for the next round of the Demon Child selection."

"The score for this round will be a combined total of points from Sword Runes and votes from the Demon Monarchs. One Sword Rune is worth one point. One vote from a Demon Monarch is worth ten points from the Sword Talisman Prison! The top three with the highest total points will advance to the final selection of the Demon Child trial."

"In case of a tie in points, the one with more votes from the Demon Monarchs will have priority. Those with no Demon Monarch votes will be eliminated, and the next person in line will take their place!"

Immediately after, Ming Zhan announced the base scores from the first round in the Sword Talisman Prison.

"Qin Xuan, twenty-one Runes, 21 points."

"Wei Qingyi, thirteen Runes, 13 points."

"Sun Miao, eleven Runes, 11 points."

"Ji Boying, ten and a half Runes, 10.5 points!"

...

By placing first in the Sword Talisman Prison, Qin Xuan had an advantage equivalent to one vote.

But any fool could see that the real deciding power lay in the hands of the Demon Monarchs.

If no Demon Monarch voted for him, Qin Xuan’s lead would vanish in an instant!

"Demon Monarch voting, begin!" As Ming Zhan’s voice fell...

BOOM!

Nine beams of black demonic light shot down from the void.

The Demon Monarchs’ Divine Thoughts, filled with the vast aura of the Nascent Soul realm, surged forth, connecting with the Nine Prisons Reincarnation Tower and invoking the Laws.

Almost instantly, three beams of demonic light flowed into Liu Mobai’s body without hesitation.

The light flared brilliantly!

"Liu Mobai receives the approval of three... no, four Demon Monarchs! For a total of forty-eight points!"

Ming Zhan’s voice, like a great bell, echoed through the Illusion Heart Prison.

Liu Mobai’s score instantly soared to 48 points, leaving everyone else in the dust!

The hearts of the Purple Mansion Demon Cultivators on the scene leaped into their throats.

There were only nine Demon Monarchs in the entire Holy Sect, and Liu Mobai had taken four votes by himself. This meant he had firmly secured one of the spots.

Jiang Cheng thought to himself, ’As expected of the reserve Demon Child, a reincarnated Venerable... Even with Qin Xuan’s incredible talent and fortune, four Demon Monarchs still favor Liu Mobai.’

Liu Mobai immediately dropped to one knee, looking to the sky and clasping his hands. "Many thanks to the four Demon Monarchs. Mo Bai is endlessly grateful!"

Luo Li shook his head, a bleak feeling rising in his heart. ’It seems reincarnation is the way to go. The status of a Mud Seed in the Holy Sect is lower than a dog’s!’

The crowd had mixed feelings.

BOOM!

Another beam of demonic light descended.

However, when they saw where it landed, everyone was dumbfounded.

The demonic light ignored Sun Miao’s state—gravely injured, on the verge of death, his Dantian destroyed—and shot straight into his body.

’So shameless!’

At that moment, those two words popped into the minds of nearly every spectator.

It was self-evident who this vote had come from!

Ming Zhan, expressionless, announced loudly, "Sun Miao, with the approval of one Demon Monarch, for a total of twenty-one points!"

BOOM! BOOM!

Afterward, two more beams of demonic light tore through the air.

They landed in Wei Qingyi’s body one after the other.

Ming Zhan shouted, "Wei Qingyi, with the approval of two Demon Monarchs, for a total of thirty-three points!"

Wei Jieyue smiled faintly. Her gaze shifted to Ao Lie before her, as if she sensed something. The golden bells on her ankle chimed, their sound crisp and clear.

"Jieyue thanks you, Elder Aao!"

Qin Xuan’s heart skipped a beat. His eyes widened as he looked at the Elder Blood Flood Dragon beside him.

"Elder, you..."

Ao Lie stroked his beard and smiled. "I told you, I’m just here to enjoy the show. Naturally, I wasn’t going to vote for you."

Qin Xuan’s expression froze.

’Liu Mobai has four votes, Wei Qingyi has two, and Sun Miao has one... That means there are still two Demon Monarchs left?!’

Immediately after, another beam of demonic light fell, entering Luo Li’s body.

"Luo Li, with the approval of one Demon Monarch, for a total of twenty points!"

Luo Li himself seemed a bit surprised. Then, a delighted smile spread across his sinister face as he dropped to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly. THUD! THUD!

"Thank you, Master!"

It was obvious his vote had come from Ma Miaoyin.

At this moment, the scores were:

Liu Mobai: 48 points (Secured)

Wei Qingyi: 33 points

Sun Miao: 21 points

Qin Xuan: 21 points (Base Score)

Luo Li: 20 points

Ji Boying: 10.5 points (Eliminated)

Of the Demon Monarchs who had yet to vote, there was only... the very last one!

And this final vote would directly decide whether Qin Xuan would squeeze past Sun Miao or Luo Li with his base score advantage, or be kicked out of the running entirely.

Everyone’s hearts were in their throats!

All eyes were glued to the last beam of black demonic light, which hovered in the air, yet to choose its recipient.

The black demonic light trembled slightly in the air, its aura icy cold, as if burdened by countless calculations and considerations.

It hovered between Qin Xuan, Sun Miao, Luo Li, and Wei Qingyi, as if scrutinizing them.

The air was frozen solid, like ten-thousand-year-old Profound Ice.

Finally, under the gazes of countless eyes, the black demonic light tore through the air and shot toward... Sun Miao!

Sun Miao’s face split into a grin, and he let out a savage laugh.

Qin Xuan’s heart filled with despair.

’Damn it. Did I still lose in the end?’

The very instant Qin Xuan lowered his head, a celestial voice suddenly rang in his ears.

"Qin Xuan, with the approval of one Demon Monarch, for a total of thirty-one points, places in the top three."

Qin Xuan looked up in delighted surprise.

He saw the final beam of demonic light abruptly change direction and shoot toward him!

Ming Zhan scanned the crowd below and announced in a clear voice, "I now declare the three candidates for the final selection of the Demon Child."

"Liu Mobai, Wei Qingyi, and Qin Xuan!"

BOOM!

The entire Illusion Heart Prison erupted.

Qin Xuan’s eyes lit up, and he stared intently at the beam of demonic light that had entered his body.

’This last vote... which Demon Monarch did it come from?’

"Not bad. You’re a sensible one, kid. Got a good eye."

Ao Lie laughed, seeming to know who it was.

"However... I’m taking Qin Xuan with me now. He has the bloodline of the Dragon Lord, which creates a great karmic bond with me. Before he reaches the Golden Core realm, don’t you get any ideas about him."

With that said, Ao Lie ignored the varied expressions of the other Demon Monarchs. His Blood Flood Dragon Dharma Aspect unfurled, wrapped around Qin Xuan, and transformed into a blood-red streak of light, leaving the Reincarnation Tower in an instant.

...

「In a hidden Cave Mansion shrouded in dense Spiritual Qi.」

The Cave Mansion’s furnishings were simple and archaic, but a faint dragon’s might permeated the air.

"Well, kid, wasn’t today interesting?"

Ao Lie sat sprawled on a stone chair, looking at Qin Xuan with a playful smile.

"No. I never want to experience something like that again."

Qin Xuan took a deep breath, knelt, and bowed his head. "Qin Xuan of the Huaizhong Altar thanks you for your aid, Elder. I can never repay this great debt of gratitude."

"HAHAHA! You have deep fortune, kid. A trial like this was bound to happen," Ao Lie roared with laughter.

Qin Xuan asked curiously, "Elder, do you know who the last Demon Monarch to vote for me was?"

Ao Lie gave a mysterious smile. "No rush. You’ll find out in due time. Is the Blood Flood Dragon Pearl I gave you before still with you? Take it out."