Ascending the Demon Realm

The forest teemed with swarming insects thriving in every damp crevice, descending voraciously upon any intruder.

"Even if you're a true Saint Realm expert, don't dare underestimate Wei Xiaowen!" Her fearful gaze hardening into fierce determination, Wen Xiaowen stared down the smirking youth.

Hostile glares converged on Qin Yun from both the crowd and the four divine pavilions' occupants.

"Enough chatter!" Shi Chen's voice cracked like thunder. "Sixty-first candidate - step forward!"

Liu He met Li Hanxue's gaze without flinching, his eyes reflecting not fear but solemn reverence for power.

Beyond weekly masses, the chapel hummed with confession booth appointments and wedding preparations throughout the week.

Unaware of brewing storms, Lin Feng arrived at the Holy Temple after daylong travels.

Imagine scoring equal marks yet watching others enter universities while you're barred - what torment!

Xia Ming's shoulders slumped. "Escape's impossible." The presence of Wu Huntian, Void Piercing Realm expert, sealed their fate.

"Godclan's glory built on crushing countless races foretells their inevitable collapse," Li Hanxue stated coldly.

Behind wolf-brush soldiers and squad leaders stood four spearmen bearing monstrous fifteen-foot lances. 

Tian Xuanzi's footwork blurred, evading twin curved blades only to confront a black-clad assailant. A sudden crouch and yank sent the attacker crashing into comrades.

Tai Qing's diamond snare met catastrophic failure against Hong Rong's spatial-shattering sword aura, space fragments raining against celestial curtains.

"Since you know this is Ten Thousand Demon Cave, surely Piao Lingzi recorded an exit?" Turtle Elder pressed. Tian Xuanzi remained silent.

The Frostspirit Toad's value dwarfed surrounding spirit herbs. Its demonic core alone could forge peerless artifacts - who'd care for lesser prizes like Zhuling Ginseng now?

"Grew a bit longer? We'll trim it later." Li Lingyi smiled as Annie stabilized after bloodline inheritance.

West Street's clearing hosted archery ranges and ring-toss booths amidst bustling vendors.

Gu Wanku staggered, baffled by his delayed reaction to an avoidable palm strike. Something crawled beneath his skin...

Conan gaped at Natasha's azure eyes until Li Xiaohui's cough broke the spell. 

The Queen of Hearts flung open her tent flap, paused, then retreated inexplicably - leaving Yang Yi sweating with aborted ambush plans.

His shock curdled into terror upon seeing the divine puppet's soulless gaze, phantom body chilling despite lacking flesh.

While few noticed, major sects' public newspaper feuds enthralled the martial world's masses.

All demonic invaders froze, staring at the lean youth whose frail frame belied earthshaking power.

Unlike Porsche-driving classmates, Daniel needed his gregarious, well-connected roommate to avoid social exile.

Zi Yu dove intermittently, talons and tail whipping deadly gusts that forced the martial artist into desperate evasion.

As pressure waves vanished, Wu Shouyi's blade shot forth like a comet piercing moonlight.

As rare Soul Enlightenment Martial Monarch, his peerless strength paled before his fanatical devotion to the Demon Suppression Army.

Wang Dao hovered midair, fist retracting then blasting forward. A translucent fist-projectile disintegrated three meters out, scattering stardust as his form flickered faintly.