Su Han did not keep everyone waiting long and soon appeared in everyone’s field of vision.
"The Nineteenth Prince has arrived!"
As soon as Su Han appeared, he attracted countless gazes. After all, he was one of the protagonists of this life-and-death duel, naturally drawing much attention.
The name of the Nineteenth Prince had already made waves in the Central Plains due to King Yama’s Palace and the martial arts competition, earning him a dark horse status. The New Demon-Slaying Alliance had consistently labeled the Nineteenth Prince as the Black Demon, and though there was no evidence, the suspicions remained.
The dual identities of the Nineteenth Prince and Black Demon made Su Han even more mysterious, inciting curiosity and anticipation among the crowd.
"Saint Realm Fourth Layer, the Nineteenth Prince’s progress is unbelievably rapid. I remember he was only at the Supreme Realm Ninth Layer during the martial arts competition!"
"It seems the talk of him being the Black Demon isn’t unfounded. Even if opportunities abound in the Heavenly Medicine Blessed Land, it shouldn’t be this easy to achieve Instant Sanctification, let alone advance to the Saint Realm Fourth Layer."
"Whether he’s the Black Demon or not will certainly be revealed in today’s battle!"
Su Han revealed his Saint Realm Fourth Layer level, causing a stir among the crowd. From the time of the martial arts competition to now, only half a year had passed. Even for the Imperial Son and Emperor’s Daughter, achieving Instant Sanctification in such a short time is challenging, yet Su Han not only sanctified but advanced four small realms consecutively.
This terrifying cultivation speed naturally led to suspicions among the crowd, and many began to accept the notion of him being the Black Demon in their hearts.
However, the fact that the Nineteenth Prince had picked up a White Tiger Immortality Elixir was undeniable, which could explain such significant advancement, possibly attributed to the elixir.
Whether the Nineteenth Prince is truly the Black Demon does not concern everyone as today’s battle will reveal everything because, in a life-and-death duel, no one can afford to hold back.
"Big fool, why did you really come? This is a disaster!"
Upon seeing Su Han appear, Liu Xu stomped her feet anxiously. She had never seen Prince Zhong Kui before, only heard of his notorious reputation, but seeing him today brought a suffocating feeling, making her feel hopeless.
In her heart, she believed that even running away without a fight was better than courting death by arriving here. Now that Su Han had indeed arrived, her world felt as if it had suddenly turned dark.
"Brother Yang!"
Prince Nangong gazed at Su Han with piercing eyes, feelings mixed in his expression. He befriended Su Han due to their shared enemy, King Yama’s Palace. But now that Su Han was engaged in a life-and-death duel with Prince Zhong Kui, he could only watch from the sidelines.
Prince Nangong felt anger and resentment, wishing he could become stronger so he would be qualified to challenge Prince Zhong Kui. But now, he could only bitterly observe from the side.
At that moment, countless eyes focused on Su Han, forming an invisible pressure substantial enough to cause a mental breakdown and unrest in one’s Heart Spirit.
However, Su Han remained calm as if bathing in the spring breeze, entirely unperturbed. Instead, he flew through the air, his entire being like a light of a sword tearing through the sky.
This time, Eunuch Sun accompanied him, and apart from Eunuch Sun, several other Saint Realm experts followed, all of whom were powerhouses from the imperial palace to protect Su Han this time.
Su Han did not directly enter the Great Name Lake but raised his head, staring intently at the center of the lake, where Prince Zhong Kui stood, his gaze like a sword piercing through the sky.
"Hand over my people!"
Su Han spoke coldly without a hint of emotion, like the whisper of the Grim Reaper, chilling to the core.
"The Nineteenth Prince is indeed a man of deep affection and loyalty. Since you dare to answer the challenge, we naturally won’t harm your people!"
The one-armed Flame Calamity Saint responded to Su Han. At this moment, he made a grabbing motion, and a rune cage appeared in an instant.
Inside the cage were two figures, none other than Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue.
Though they were not missing any limbs, they were covered in wounds, their clothes stained with blood. Furthermore, their spirit was waning, lying on the ground, barely alive, as if they had endured harsh torture.
Swish!
The Flame Calamity Saint directly threw the rune cage to Su Han but did not unlock it, clearly on purpose.
Crack!
Su Han pointed fingers like a sword, slashing through the air, and instantly a sharp Sword Qi split the rune cage open, with Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue weakly falling down, even lacking the power to fly.
Su Han supported them and immediately took out two drops of Life Spring Water, feeding them with it.
The Life Spring Water was a Healing Holy Medicine and rapidly transformed into pure energy to heal their injuries once they swallowed it.
Very soon, Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue regained some strength, opening their eyes to look at Su Han, their eyes filled with guilt and self-blame.
"Your Highness, I’m sorry to have worried you!"
Li Mingliang spoke with difficulty, already understanding the situation and realizing they were merely pawns.
"Your Highness, I’m sorry!"
Li Qingyue’s beautiful eyes dimmed, filled with self-blame. If they hadn’t been captured, Su Han wouldn’t have had to agree to this life-and-death duel.
"No need to apologize. I will avenge your grievances. For now, focus on healing!"
Su Han was ruthless towards his enemies but exceedingly gentle towards his own people. At this moment, he smiled, comforting Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue’s emotions.
"Qingyue, I have a gift for you. I hope you’ll like it!"
Su Han communicated through Divine Sense, simultaneously sending the Mountain Soul into Li Qingyue’s Sea of Consciousness.
Soon, through her communication with the Mountain Soul, Li Qingyue understood its origins, her beautiful eyes widened, filled with surprise, intense shock, and gratitude.
She never expected Su Han would give her such a great gift. With the Mountain Soul, she’d be able to avoid many detours, equivalent to having guidance from an unrivaled master, which is no ordinary opportunity.
"Eunuch Sun, I’ll trouble you to take care of them!"
Su Han smiled softly at Li Qingyue, then entrusted the two to Eunuch Sun.
"Rest assured, Your Highness, this old servant will take good care of them!"
Eunuch Sun, ever respectful, took over the two from Su Han, with Holy Might covering, deterring the surroundings.
With Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue safe and sound, the stone in Su Han’s heart finally fell, but the smile on his face disappeared, reverting to an icy expression.
Su Han stepped forward, heading towards the lake center, ignoring the Flame Calamity Saint. However, he had marked the Flame Calamity Saint on his must-kill list.
Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue’s injuries were obviously inflicted by the Flame Calamity Saint. This enmity must be avenged.
But today was the life-and-death duel with Prince Zhong Kui. Once settled, he would find a chance to seek revenge on the Flame Calamity Saint.
No one from the New Demon-Slaying Alliance deserves to escape!
At this moment, Prince Zhong Kui stood in the lake center, watching Su Han approach. His face showed neither joy nor sorrow, as if merely gazing at an ant by his feet.
When Su Han finally reached him, Prince Zhong Kui spoke his first words:
"Seeing this prince, you still haven’t knelt to beg for mercy?"