In the seventh year of the Zhenyuan era, Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang dynasty had unified the Nine Provinces. The Great Tang entered an era of unparalleled peace and prosperity, its national strength unmatched, its stability and affluence radiant.
At the heart of the Shu Mountain forbidden lands stood the Demon-Sealing Tower, a place steeped in the densest demonic aura within the Great Tang. Encircling the tower was a Five Elements Array, with seventeen chains entwined around its structure, their ends embedded deep into the earth. Holy flames of the Five Elements flickered along the chains, sealing away myriad demons of the world.
At that moment, on the tower’s highest floor, an eerie and sinister atmosphere prevailed. Darkness cloaked the space, impenetrable to sight, save for seventeen clusters of purple ghost flames that floated silently in the air.
At the centre of these ghostly flames sat a young man clad in black robes, cross-legged in meditation. The faint glow of the flames illuminated his strikingly handsome face, though his complexion bore a slight pallor. At the centre of his brow rested a blood-red flame mark, lending an air of otherworldly allure to his countenance.
[Ding! Sign-in successful!]
[The ‘Canon of the Evil Wind’ has broken through to the seventh level!]
Upon hearing this, the young man’s lips curled into a wickedly charming arc.
The timing is perfect… After the seventh level, I can wield the ‘Spirit-Gathering Incantation’ to condense resentful spirits into tangible forms!
His name was Li Qiye. Seventeen years prior, he had transmigrated into the Great Tang, becoming the eldest son of Emperor Taizong, Li Shimin. On the day of his birth, during a yin year, yin month, and yin hour, an ominous phenomenon had occurred: two moons appeared in the sky, and within Chang’an City, chilling winds howled as a hundred ghosts roamed the night. A blood-red mark adorned Li Qiye’s brow from birth. A Buddhist bodhisattva had proclaimed:
Two moons in the sky herald the blood demon’s calamity upon the world.
Thus, Emperor Gaozu, Li Yuan, ordered Li Qiye confined to the Qin Palace. For seven long years, he languished there, shrouded in darkness, never glimpsing the sun or moon.
[Lǐ Qīyè (李七夜): The name translates to “Li, the Seventh Night.”]
Seven years later, a Taoist Celestial Master warned the new emperor, Li Shimin:
Li Qiye’s malevolent aura has ripened over seven springs; the Great Tang will perish!
And so, ten years ago, Li Qiye was banished to the Demon-Sealing Tower, the place most saturated with demonic energy in the Great Tang—a realm where demons roamed, slaughter reigned, and danger lurked at every turn. Darkness, fear, and bloodshed were its anthem.
The guards who escorted Li Qiye to the tower pitied him, declaring,
He won’t survive half an hour.
A mere seven-year-old child, how could he withstand such terrifying demons? All of Chang’an believed Li Qiye had perished. In the minds of the people, he had never existed as the eldest imperial son. They proclaimed Li Chengqian the true heir of the Great Tang.
Yet, how could one so unwilling to yield succumb so easily? Ten years ago, as Li Qiye, shackled in cold irons, was thrust into the frigid Demon-Sealing Tower, his golden finger awakened. Consumed by resentment, he fused with an evil thought beyond the Six Realms—the soul of the Evil Sword Immortal. From that moment, a single thought could shift between divinity and demonhood. Li Qiye unleashed a storm of blood and carnage within the tower. He slew demonic beasts, butchered ghostly fiends, and refined yin puppets. For ten years, he endured countless wounds and shed rivers of blood. In the end, the entire Demon-Sealing Tower bowed at his feet. Millions of demons became his vassals.
Henceforth, Li Qiye bore two identities: the forgotten eldest son of the Great Tang and the Evil Sword Immortal, commanding countless demons with power enough to shake the Six Realms.
Li Qiye extended his palm, grasping at the void. A demonic humanoid primordial spirit materialised in his hand. “What? This is… the Demon-Sealing Tower! How can this be? Was I not slain by those old Taoists of Shu Mountain? And you… who are you?” The remnant soul of the Heavenly Demon Emperor spoke, bewildered. Li Qiye gazed coldly at the soul. “With evil intent as my sword, I ascend to immortality. I am the Evil Sword Immortal! Heavenly Demon Emperor, I can grant you rebirth, but the price is your fealty.”
The Heavenly Demon Emperor snarled, “Fealty? In your dreams!”
“Do you think I am negotiating?” Li Qiye’s eyes glinted with icy resolve as his grip tightened. Instantly, the Heavenly Demon Emperor felt an overwhelming dread—a force that could dictate his life or death. Trembling, the emperor stammered, “This humble demon pledges loyalty to you, my lord!”
With a flourish of his hand, Li Qiye unleashed a torrent of malevolent energy. The Heavenly Demon Emperor, dead for centuries, felt a spark of light in his eyes. His fragmented soul began to mend, his flesh reshaping. He gazed at Li Qiye with deep wariness.
On that day, the Demon-Sealing Tower surged with demonic energy, and the Heavenly Demon Emperor, Lord of the Six Demonic Realms, was reborn. All demons across the Six Realms felt his return. In Chang’an City, at its very heart, purple qi swirled, and celestial air drifted. A grand palace of jade and gold stood resolute, exuding solemn majesty and enigma—the Daming Palace, the epicentre of the Great Tang’s power.
At the Terrace of Immortal Gazing, Emperor Li Shimin sat opposite his trusted aide, Zhangsun Wuji, the Star of Heavenly Kui. Between them lay a chessboard etched with arcane patterns. Li Shimin, holding a black piece, was poised to make his move when hurried footsteps interrupted.
The Grand Celestial Master, Li Chunfeng, appeared before the hall, bowing deeply. “Your Majesty! The Mysterious Mechanism Tower trembles! A potent demonic aura rises from the east!”
Clack!
The chess piece slipped from Li Shimin’s hand, falling onto the board. The last tremor of the Mysterious Mechanism Tower, a decade prior, had heralded the emergence of a demonic dragon from the Eastern Sea, which ravaged a dozen cities.
Li Shimin’s dragon-like brows furrowed as he demanded, “Have you discerned the cause?” Li Chunfeng’s voice quavered. “Your Majesty, forgive my incompetence. This demonic aura appeared too abruptly for a conclusion. Yet, I am certain its power far surpasses that of the demonic dragon of yore.”
Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wuji’s expressions darkened. That dragon had wrought havoc on a dozen cities; a force stronger still could imperil the Great Tang. With regal authority, Li Shimin declared, “By my decree, summon Li Jing, the Constellation of the Resisting Golden Dragon, to lead one hundred thousand Crimson Sky Troops to investigate the east at once!” “I obey, Your Majesty!” Li Chunfeng replied.
As Li Chunfeng departed, a flicker of deep unease crossed Li Shimin’s eyes. The shadow of that demonic dragon loomed large, prompting him to dispatch Li Jing, the Great Tang’s foremost general, aligned with the second star of the Azure Dragon Constellation, renowned for unmatched valour and strategic brilliance. Only with Li Jing’s involvement did Li Shimin find a measure of reassurance. Zhangsun Wuji approached, sighing softly. “Your Majesty, I fear…”