Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

Under Jiang Yun's gaze, the Demon Slayer Token seemed to be absorbing the remnant soul of the Sky Demon Emperor for the first time. After a moment of silent calm, it suddenly trembled, exploding with golden light. The token, originally black, now shimmered with golden hues. 

At the bottom of the token, the former designation of a low-level Demon Slayer disappeared, replaced by three characters emitting a golden glow, exuding an aura of majesty: Demon Slayer King!

The Demon Slayer Token from Da Qian Palace could accumulate Demon Slayer Points by killing extraterrestrial evil beings. These points could be exchanged for many valuable items within the Da Qian Palace, even quasi-legendary sacred artifacts, needing only a few thousand Demon Slayer Points.

One Demon Emperor equaled ten thousand points. With four Demon Emperors here, Jiang Yun naturally wouldn't miss this chance to gather points.

"Hahaha, our Great Thousand World has another Demon Slayer King!" Fu Tu, the Ancestor, couldn't help but smile deeply as he looked at the successful Jiang Yun. 

Da Qian Palace had existed since ancient times, so Fu Tu understood the significance of a Demon Slayer King. Unquestionably, every Demon Slayer King in Da Qian Palace held an essential position in the Great Thousand World, a status that could shake the world with their mere presence.

Although Jiang Yun had resorted to tricks to become a Demon Slayer King, Fu Tu firmly believed that Jiang Yun's own strength was also up to the task. Moreover, it wouldn't be long before even Sky Demon Emperors would become Jiang Yun's prey.

"Junior, you've helped me suppress the Blood Congealed Sky Demon Emperor. What reward do you seek?" Fu Tu asked gently, looking at Jiang Yun in satisfaction. If Jiang Yun were a disciple of the Fu Tu clan, his unmatched divine skills would have someone to inherit them.

Suddenly, Fu Tu remembered that he was but a remnant thought and that Jiang Yun's cultivation wasn't far inferior to his own peak. He had nothing to offer as a reward! 

Feeling a bit awkward, Fu Tu hesitated. Retracting his words would hurt his pride as a senior.

"Senior, it's every citizen's duty of the Great Thousand World to slay demons. I need no reward. I see your remnant soul can't sustain much longer. I cannot learn your divine skills as I'm not of the Fu Tu clan. However, losing such skills would be a significant loss for the Great Thousand World. 

"I know a bit about the path of life and death and can help you maintain your remnant thought for a while. After dealing with the three remaining Demon Emperors in the Four Sacred Towers, I can go to the Fu Tu clan and help you find an outstanding successor to prevent the loss of such divine skills!"

Jiang Yun's upright and enthusiastic demeanor deeply comforted Fu Tu. Looking at Jiang Yun with utter satisfaction, he wished Jiang Yun were part of his own clan to bestow all his knowledge upon.

But it didn't matter, Fu Tu thought. There were enough outstanding descendants in the clan to find someone suitable for Jiang Yun. 

"I didn't expect to see my clan's future after tens of thousands of years of death. Very well, as you say, when we reach the Fu Tu clan, I will give you a satisfactory reward," Fu Tu said excitedly.

Seeing Fu Tu's sudden change into a wise elder full of anticipation, Jiang Yun was puzzled but nodded. With an endless force of vitality in his palm, he condensed a jade stone into which Fu Tu's remnant thought flowed.

After everything was settled, Jiang Yun looked around and, finding no living beings, grabbed the space that had just refined the Blood Congealed Sky Demon Emperor. In the next moment, he slowly disappeared, heading to the other three layers of the Four Sacred Towers.

While Jiang Yun swept through the Four Sacred Towers, his actions shook the Great Thousand World. His name echoed throughout the world, causing even greater commotion than his earlier fame.

"Buzz… buzz… buzz!"

On this day, the towering Demon Slayer Monument in the center of Sacred Abyss City began to tremble violently. Golden light burst forth from its top, making it shine like a golden sun.

In the Da Qian Pavilion, Elder Lu, meticulously wiping a delicate jade bottle, suddenly trembled. He looked up sharply, his previously cloudy eyes now bright, fixated on the monumental Demon Slayer Monument. He murmured, "This… this is the sign of a Demon Slayer King's emergence. Who is it? Qin Tian or Fu Ai Qing?"

"What's happening?"

"Why is the Demon Slayer Monument trembling?"

"Is it an invasion by the extraterrestrial evil beings?"

This unexpected tremor shocked many. Countless powerful figures in the city sensed it, casting suspicious glances at the monument. It was evidently the first time they had seen it react this way.

Above the Da Qian Pavilion, the space began to ripple extensively, and the hidden powerful figures emerged from their seclusion.

"Elder Lu," a group of Supreme Sovereigns arrived together, all looking grimly at the monument with questions in their eyes.

"Haha, a good thing, indeed. Look, it's about to be revealed!" Elder Lu laughed heartily, hiding his excitement as he fixed his gaze on the monument.

Just as countless people were puzzled, a dazzling golden light appeared at the top of the monument, glowing like a golden blazing sun. 

The golden glow enveloped the entire city, making all the Demon Slayers within it feel an almost imperceptible pressure.

The golden light lasted for over ten minutes before gradually fading. As it dissipated, all eyes turned to the monument. In an instant, the once-noisy city fell silent.

In the city's center, the Demon Slayer Monument, now containing its golden radiance, displayed a brand new name shimmering with purple-gold light above the renowned high-level Demon Slayers like Qin Tian and Fu Ai Qing:

Demon Slayer King!

Jiang Yun!

This name, as if crowned with royalty, stood at the very top of the Demon Slayer Monument. Bathed in sunlight, it exuded a chilling aura of nobility.

The few characters caused a massive uproar in the city. The silence was finally broken, and a resounding chatter filled the air. The sudden emergence of a Demon Slayer King left everyone dumbfounded.

Most people in Sacred Abyss City were Demon Slayers from Da Qian Palace and knew well what the title of Demon Slayer King meant.

It was a goal many strived for their entire lives. Becoming a Demon Slayer King meant entering the upper echelons of Da Qian Palace, holding an extraordinary position. Even when traveling across the Great Thousand World, they would receive considerable respect and hospitality from various superpowers.

Unquestionably, a Demon Slayer King in Da Qian Palace could be equated in prestige with the leaders of top superpowers.

Countless Demon Slayers worked toward this goal, but the ten thousand points required in this era of relative peace seemed unattainable.

Ten thousand Demon Slayer Points translated to about two hundred lower-level Earth Sovereigns, one hundred upper-level Earth Sovereigns, fifty Earth Sovereign consummates, four Demon Emperors, two Mysterious Demon Emperors, or one Sky Demon Emperor.

Though slaying one Sky Demon Emperor would suffice for instant promotion, clearly, no one entertained this idea.

Even the Sacred Supreme Sovereigns of the Great Thousand World, unless facing mortal danger, wouldn't venture into the Demon Domain to kill a Sky Demon Emperor. That was practically suicide!

Due to the remote possibility of becoming a Demon Slayer King, the sudden appearance of a completely unfamiliar name on the Demon Slayer Monument left these Demon Slayers deeply shocked and incredulous.

After a moment of silence, discussions erupted.

"Jiang Yun— that name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?"

"You forgot? Just a few days ago, this individual gained widespread fame. They took the sacred flame from the Fire Spirit Clan, then defeated the Immortal Supreme of the Mohe Ancient Clan, and left unharmed."

"So, it's that fierce figure! The Mohe Ancient Clan plus the entire Fire Spirit Clan couldn't stop him. Now he's a Demon Slayer King. I wonder what expressions the Mohe Ancient Clan must have now!"

"Hahaha, perfect, Jiang Yun! Who would've thought you'd make such a grand move right upon arrival. Truly impressive!" Elder Lu laughed heartily, looking at the name of the Demon Slayer King.

"Boom~~~"

As everyone marveled at Jiang Yun's new title, the Demon Slayer Monument trembled again within a quarter hour, releasing another round of dazzling golden light, and it happened three consecutive times.

The remnant souls of the four Demon Emperors catapulted Jiang Yun's Demon Slayer Points past forty thousand, raising his name even higher, crushing every high-level Demon Slayer below him.

Now, his name shone like a blazing sun, far ahead of the other Demon Slayers!

"What's happening? The Demon Slayer Monument trembled four times. Jiang Yun becomes a Demon Slayer King? It's fine, but how could he surpass everyone else by such a margin? What did he do?"

"Did he annihilate four Sky Demon Emperors? Impossible!"

"No way! Absolutely not! In the Great Thousand World, no one can consecutively kill four Sky Demon Emperors. Impossible!"

Chaotic discussions arose, echoing through Sacred Abyss City. The entire Great Thousand World buzzed with Jiang Yun's name, all mystified by his sudden rise.

"What did you do, Jiang Yun?" Elder Lu gasped at the sight, losing his earlier joy, looking at the elevated name, face twitching, almost blacking out.

"Elder Lu, there's something odd about this!"

"Indeed, Jiang Yun causing four consecutive tremors in the monument is just not possible!"

"It is possible, according to ancient records. The only way is by killing four Sky Demon Emperors in a short period, but that's just legendary!"

"The four sacred towers in the Sacred Abyss Continent imprison four Demon Emperor remnant souls. Did Jiang Yun annihilate them?" 

"We should investigate and verify this new Demon Slayer King's position."

"Right. This has caused quite a stir. If it's a mistake, it'll be the biggest joke in years for Da Qian Palace!"

In Da Qian Pavilion, many Supreme Sovereign elders were arguing. The newly promoted Demon Slayer King should have been good news, but the unclear situation led to disagreements.

"Boom—"

With a tremendous tremor, the final Sky Demon Emperor in the Four Sacred Towers fell to Jiang Yun's hands. He turned to a middle-aged apparition, Tai Ling the Patriarch, and said, "Senior, the four Demon Emperors are now eradicated. I have a way to preserve your remnant soul so we can find a successor once we return to the clan."

Jiang Yun had already collected three fragments of Supreme Sovereign inheritance, just needing Tai Ling the Patriarch's, akin to summoning a dragon. (Enter laugh)

Tai Ling smiled at Jiang Yun and said, "The Tai Ling Ancient Clan differs from the Fu Tu Clan. I don't need to find a successor; you are the best candidate!"

Slightly taken aback, Jiang Yun shook his head, laughing, "I believe my skills are no less than the Tai Ling Tong Tian Aura. Thanks for the offer, but gaining those forty thousand Demon Slayer Points is reward enough!"

"Stubborn child," chuckled Tai Ling, sighing, "To think I'd find such a perfect heir, only to be turned down in my old age."

With that, Tai Ling, like Fu Tu, entered the jade stone prepared by Jiang Yun.

"All matters done, time to see Grandfather!" Jiang Yun whispered, feeling his heartbeat quicken.

As Jiang Yun prepared to leave, his eyes sharpened toward the far dark horizon of Sacred Abyss Continent, nearing the extraterrestrial evil territory.

"Be careful, a Demon Emperor is crossing realms, and it's no ordinary one!" Qing Ming's grave voice echoed in Jiang Yun's mind.

Jiang Yun nodded, his expression becoming serious. Though not yet here, he already sensed the soul-crushing pressure of the approaching Sky Demon Emperor. (Chapter end)