Within the Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion, the Great Tang’s foremost institution of divination, forty-eight of the empire’s most eminent Celestial Masters had gathered, presided over by the Grand Celestial Masters, Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang. Emperor Li Shimin entered, accompanied by his eight Star Ministers.
Yuan Tiangang stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “Your Majesty, all Celestial Masters of the Pavilion are assembled, and the Mysterious Mechanism Tower has been reactivated.” Li Shimin nodded. “Well done. I am indebted to the efforts of all the Celestial Masters.” “Your Majesty speaks too highly. It is our duty to serve with utmost devotion,” Yuan Tiangang replied, bowing again before returning to his place.
At that moment, the fifty Celestial Masters sat cross-legged upon lotus cushions, their hands forming intricate seals as they chanted in low, resonant tones. Before them loomed the Mysterious Mechanism Tower, its silver surface etched with arcane patterns.
Hum!
A low vibration pulsed through the air as the Celestial Masters channelled their energies, fifty streams of power converging upon the tower. Ripples of energy emanated from its structure, and at its apex, a starry chart materialised, interwoven with countless threads of karmic causality.
Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang altered their hand seals, shouting in unison, “Reveal!” A brilliant light erupted from the starry chart atop the tower. Images began to unfold within its glow. First came ten streams of inky smoke, roiling with demonic aura, within which a million lesser demons gnashed and clawed. At the forefront stood the ten Demon Kings, adorned with belts of human bones and hides, their bodies radiating ferocious bloodlust—a sight of abject terror.
The onlookers’ scalps prickled with dread. Li Shimin and the eight Star Ministers, though already acquainted with the Demon Kings’ terror, found their hearts pounding anew as they beheld them through the tower’s celestial gaze. These were the Mortal Realm’s most infamous scourges—beings so mighty that the jiaolong dragon, which once ravaged the Great Tang, would scarcely serve as their appetiser. Should these fiends unleash their wrath upon the empire, it would herald a cataclysmic disaster. Gasping for breath, Li Shimin issued a resolute decree. “Investigate! The convergence of the ten Demon Kings is no mere happenstance. Uncover the truth, down to the last detail!”
Yuan Tiangang glanced at Li Chunfeng, and with a shared nod, they called out, “Fellow Taoists, combine your strength to trace the source of the Demon Kings’ gathering!” “Understood!” the Celestial Masters replied. They poured forth their inner energy once more. The starry chart shifted, revealing a pitch-black expanse. Murmurs arose among the assembly. “What place is this?”
“Such overwhelming demonic aura… stronger even than the ten Demon Kings!”
“Could this be the lair of the Demon Emperor?” Confusion gripped the Celestial Masters, while Li Shimin and his ministers could only await the outcome. As the vision progressed, the strain on the Celestial Masters intensified, their energy depleting rapidly.
Li Chunfeng’s voice was grave. “This is a sealed domain. Forcing the celestial gaze here consumes tenfold the energy of probing the outer world!” Yuan Tiangang gritted his teeth, resolute. “We are but a step from the truth. Even if it costs a decade of cultivation, we must uncover the root of this chaos! Fellow Taoists, lend your strength!”
With a collective sigh, the Celestial Masters redoubled their efforts, their meridians throbbing with the strain of their inner energy. The starry chart grew clearer, revealing a man kneeling on one knee, his form exuding a demonic aura as deep as an abyss. “The Demon Emperor!” the assembly gasped, recognising him instantly. His aura was unmistakable, blazing like the moon in a night sky, impossible to ignore. His form shimmered, still in the process of reformation.
Zhangsun Wuji, the Star of Heavenly Kui, narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. “Your Majesty, the ten Demon Kings must have converged upon the Great Tang due to this Demon Emperor’s rebirth.”
Li Shimin nodded, his mind racing. Yet, the questions persisted: Who was this Demon Emperor? Where was he? And what purpose drove him to summon the ten Demon Kings? Fear cast a shadow over every heart, the atmosphere thick with tension. Li Shimin issued another command. “Press on! Whatever true essence is expended today, I shall repay tenfold!”
The Celestial Masters, their meridians aching, pushed their energies further. The starry chart sharpened, revealing the Demon Emperor’s visage—a man indistinguishable from a human, save for his pallid complexion, golden-brown lips, and hair that gleamed as if brushed with gilded ink.
But what sent a chill through the assembly was this: above the Demon Emperor’s crown hovered a hand, slender and pale as jade, its owner’s gender indiscernible. From that hand poured a torrent of dark energy, knitting the Demon Emperor’s form.
“What is that—” Before the Celestial Masters could probe further, a terrifying force surged forth.
Crack!
The starry chart shattered. The fifty Celestial Masters spat blood, collapsing backward. The eight Star Ministers, reacting swiftly, channelled their stellar energies to stabilise the tower, countering the devastating backlash. Exhausted to the point of collapse, they barely quelled the storm.
The assembly stood petrified, souls shaken. Li Shimin’s eyelids twitched as he stammered, “Beside the Demon Emperor… there is another. It is they who refashion his form!” Not only had this figure restored the Demon Emperor, but their power had wounded fifty Celestial Masters and required the full might of the eight Star Ministers to withstand its aftershock.
Zhangsun Wuji, weakened, spoke hoarsely. “Your Majesty, that hand’s power is beyond comprehension—like facing a mountain whose peak cannot be seen!” Du Ruhui, the Star of Left Assistance, shuddered. “Your Majesty, that hand’s power seemed restrained by some barrier, else we could not have escaped unscathed.” Fang Xuanling, the Star of Right Assistance, added gravely, “Your Majesty, I suspect the Demon Emperor, who summoned the ten Demon Kings, is but a pawn!”
Li Shimin felt a chill pierce his spine.
Whose hand is it? What manner of power can it wield? Why have they restored the Demon Emperor and summoned the ten Demon Kings?
…………………………………………………………………………….
The Celestial Masters were carried away to recover, but the turmoil lingered. That pale hand haunted Li Shimin like a nightmare. As his heart raced, a palace guard’s voice broke through. “Report! Your Majesty, General Li Jing sends word…”
In the Demon-Sealing Tower, the Heavenly Demon Emperor’s reformation neared completion. Li Qiye withdrew his pale hand, allowing the Emperor to gather demonic aura independently. The ten Demon Kings had been summoned by the Emperor to serve as pieces on a cosmic board, channelling the world’s demonic energy to aid his rebirth.
Moments earlier, a minor disturbance had occurred. Seated upon the Throne of the Evil Emperor, Li Qiye’s eyes glinted with cold malice.
“Were it not for the tower’s barrier, I would make those prying rats pay with their lives!” he declared, his gaze soon calming. Such petty spies were beneath his concern. Yet, a pang of regret lingered—his cultivation remained at the seventh level, confining him within the tower. Even on a full moon, when yin energy allowed a brief venture outside, he could not stray beyond seven li.
Li Qiye regarded the Heavenly Demon Emperor coolly. “Your performance henceforth is your own to determine. Prove your worth, and I shall name you my First Protector. Fail, and the eighteen levels of the Demon-Sealing Tower await your choice.”
The Heavenly Demon Emperor’s heart quaked. Redoubling his efforts to condense demonic aura, he sent a faint soul-whisper beyond the tower. Across the Great Tang, the ten Demon Kings received their lord’s message…