King Weapons were not something any ordinary Martial King could forge. It demanded not only the cultivation of a Martial King but also the realm of a Royal Robe Spirit World Master.
This was precisely why, in the Eastern Sea Region, Martial Kings were plentiful yet King Weapons remained so scarce—because there wasn't a single Royal Robe Spirit World Master among them.
The same applied to Martial Emperors. Simply becoming a Martial Emperor didn't mean one could forge an Emperor Weapon, because Emperor Weapons could only be created by Immortal Robe Spirit World Masters.
Thus, it was perfectly common for Martial Emperors to forge King Weapons. However, there was no question that among Royal Robe Spirit World Masters of equivalent caliber, those at the Martial Emperor realm produced King Weapons of far superior quality compared to those at the Martial King realm. And this Demon-Sealing Sword was most likely a King Weapon forged by a Martial Emperor.
"Chu Feng, the formation around the Demon-Sealing Sword seems to have changed," Eggy said.
Looking carefully, the formation surrounding the Demon-Sealing Sword had indeed undergone a transformation. Layer upon layer interlocked with one another, forming a total of ten rings, each radiating a different pressure.
"It hasn't been replaced—it was merely modified within the original formation. Presumably the three protectors of Netherlight did this. The question is what they're planning," Chu Feng said.
"Heh, a bunch of clowns who still dare to elect a sect master. Don't they realize the one truly fit for the role has already arrived?" Eggy said with a grin. The person she considered truly worthy of being sect master was, of course, Chu Feng.
"That's fine. We still have time anyway, so we might as well enjoy their little performance," Chu Feng replied with a faint smile, settling back as if settling in for a show.
Back then, the way Netherlight had treated him was nothing more than fear of Chu Feng's potential—afraid that if Chu Feng remained in the Night Demon Sect, it would threaten his position, and that Chu Feng's growing prestige would eventually lead him to claim the role of sect master.
But today, with Netherlight scheming for the position of sect master himself, Chu Feng was fully prepared. No matter what tricks Netherlight employed, his plans would ultimately come to nothing—because that seat belonged to Chu Feng.
"Everyone, thank you sincerely for traveling thousands of miles, leaving behind your comfortable lives to return here to our Night Demon Sect."
"I had anticipated that with the three of us old bones calling out, quite a few brothers of the Night Demon Sect would be willing to come back and reclaim the glory we once held."
"But I never expected our influence to be this great—that after all these years, a mere word from the three of us could bring back millions of brothers to our Night Demon Sect. This truly exceeds my wildest imagination."
"Beyond being gratified, I must say I am deeply moved. Thank you all—thank you, brothers of the Night Demon Sect. If the sect master's spirit watches from above, he must be gratified as well."
Netherlight rose to his feet and addressed the crowd in a tone both solemn and grateful. When he finished speaking, he actually bowed deeply to the members of the Night Demon Sect, expressing his thanks.
"Brothers! Do you remember our Night Demon Sect's rallying cry? Do you remember the oath we took when we joined?" Just then, someone in the crowd cried out in a loud voice.
"To live and die with the Demon Sect, to share its glory and its shame! When the Demon Sect prospers, I prosper! When the Demon Sect suffers shame, I suffer shame! When the Demon Sect lives, I live! When the Demon Sect dies, I die!!!"
The moment these words rang out, the crowd responded in kind. First the people in the palace roared their chant, then those in the corridors joined in, and finally, all the millions gathered in the Valley of Sin shouted together as one.
"When the Demon Sect lives, I live! When the Demon Sect dies, I die!!!"
The oath of the Night Demon Sect thundered louder than any storm, shaking not only heaven and earth but also the very hearts of every member present.
"Good! My brothers of the Night Demon Sect are all men of true blood and fire—every one of you a dragon among men."
"But even dragons cannot be without a leader, and the same is true of our Night Demon Sect."
"If it weren't for the fact that our Night Demon Sect has lacked a true leader for so many years, the Immortal Execution Archipelago would never have risen to power, let alone dared to squat over our heads and desecrate us."
"Today, the brothers of our Night Demon Sect face a crisis of life and death. We can no longer sit and wait—we must strike back. But before we can fight, we need to find a worthy leader."
"I have gathered all of you here today for precisely this purpose. I believe each of you already has someone in mind whom you consider suitable."
"And if I'm not mistaken, more than half of you have one of us four protectors in mind as the leader. And among those who want one of us four to take on the role, half would undoubtedly want Qiu Canfeng."
"That's right—when it comes to who is most qualified to be sect master, Qiu Canfeng is unquestionably the one. He is the first among the Four Great Protectors. But sadly, Qiu Canfeng has been missing for nearly two years now, and there has been no word from him whatsoever."
"Even when our Night Demon Sect went to war against the Immortal Execution Archipelago, he still didn't appear. But knowing Qiu Canfeng's character, he is not the kind of man to endure such things silently. If he knew our sect was at war with the Immortal Execution Archipelago, he would surely have been the first to stand up and seek justice for us."
"But he hasn't, and that defies all reason. I've even searched his former residence and found no trace of him. No one knows where he went."
"Qiu Canfeng would not vanish without reason. So there is only one possibility—Qiu Canfeng has most likely fallen victim to the Immortal Execution Archipelago's sinister hand," Netherlight said, his voice heavy with sorrow.
"What? Chief Protector Qiu—" Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned, finding it difficult to accept. An unspeakable grief and shock began spreading through the crowd.
"How shameless—cursing my master's death just for his own gain!" At that moment, Chu Feng cursed silently in his heart. He had truly witnessed the depths of Netherlight's shamelessness.
"This is only speculation, but it's most likely true. Qiu Canfeng is strong, but as everyone knows, the Immortal Execution Archipelago once harbored a terrifying old monster—Murong Mingtian."
"That Murong Mingtian was even able to defeat the Misty Fairy. Perhaps only the sect master himself could have opposed him in life. If he had set his sights on Qiu Canfeng, I fear even Qiu Canfeng would have been no match."
At that moment, Xue Xiyue also spoke, her eyes faintly reddened as she put on a mask of false grief.
"Avenge the Chief Protector! Avenge the Chief Protector!!!"
"Make the Immortal Execution Archipelago pay in blood! Make the Immortal Execution Archipelago pay in blood!!!"
Suddenly, someone began shouting, and immediately everyone raised their fists in unison. Their voices boomed like thunder, each word ringing with passion—proof that in the hearts of the Night Demon Sect's members, Qiu Canfeng's standing was indeed far higher than that of the other three protectors.