Ethereal World: Vicious Cannon Fodder's Immortality Road - Chapter 824

Chapter 824: The First Demon Emperor-Shen Anshuang (2)
“Xian’er, heed my words: never allow love to cloud your heart. Never place your trust in another soul if you wish to avoid the fate that befell your mother, the Empress. Be merciless, and be unwavering in your resolve.” The voice resonated through the grand throne hall, where an abundance of diamonds, rare gems, and treasures glittered in the dim light.

The imposing figure, draped in regal attire, exuded an air of authority that seemed to eclipse the very essence of life.

Although she bore the monumental title of the first female lord to wield supreme power over the vast realms, she shunned the designation of Demon Empress. Instead, she insisted on being addressed as the Demon Emperor.

Her intention was clear: she aimed to remind the world that a woman could govern a domain dominated by men, that she could shoulder the formidable power typically reserved for them.

However, fate took a dark turn. After enduring grave wounds in a fierce battle against the supreme cultivators from the various realms, the Demon Elders, once her allies, cowardly manipulated the narrative.

They revised the recognition of her strength, branding her illegitimate and proclaiming that only men could hold titles of power. Thus, her title was diminished to that of ‘Demon Prince’ or ‘Demon King,’ a reflection of their male supremacy.

The Demon Emperor, at the pinnacle of her might, faced an onslaught that proved her vulnerability. The collaborative forces from the eight realms conspired to eradicate her, intent on silencing the threat she posed.

They knew that should she summon her power from the depths of the Demon Realm, they stood no chance against her formidable strength.

With a facade of righteousness, they aimed their weapons at her, proclaiming, “Your existence endangers the realm. As guardians of justice, we must protect the eight realms from your malevolence.” In their hypocrisy, they sought to exclude her essence from the world.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

Young Shen Xian, heir to the legacy of the Demon Emperor, stood by helplessly, his heart forged in the crucible of his mother’s trials. The countless nightmares that shaped her life rendered him emotionally distant and devoid of attachment.

At that tender age, he was powerless to intervene, watching as his mother endured relentless suffering, ultimately leading her to embrace self-destruction, dragging their enemies into oblivion. Yet, she lacked the strength to extinguish them entirely, for their powers mirrored her own.

In the aftermath of that devastation, Shen Xian disappeared from the Demon Realm, shrouded in mystery. When he resurfaced to claim his rightful throne, he emerged transformed; a force of unparalleled strength that compelled those who once conspired against him to submit in fear.

His power was on par with that of the previous Demon Emperor—his own mother—which was why the other cultivators refrained from causing any trouble for him.

Their ancestors had sustained grave injuries from the self-destructive power of the first Demon Emperor, making Shen Xian unbeatable for the time being.

The memories concluded here. Back in the present, those who had witnessed these memories reacted in various ways.

Xiao Meng reflected inwardly that the first Demon Emperor had been far too trusting. Despite facing betrayal time and again, why had she chosen to trust others again? If it were her, she would forever remain cautious and never open her heart again.

But…whenever her mind drifted to Shen Xian’s enchanting visage, a wave of longing engulfed her. If only she possessed the extraordinary strength of the former Demon Emperor, wouldn’t His Majesty be within her grasp?

A torrent of avarice and yearning surged within her, fueling her resolve to eliminate anyone who dared to hinder her pursuit of what she craved.

Tai Hua Lei viewed the first Demon Emperor as a remarkable and formidable woman. He respected her resilience in rising from betrayal and despair repeatedly. He pondered whether he could muster the same strength if he were in her position.

Di Xiuyu maintained a composed expression, but her heart raced with excitement. Securing the inheritance of the first Demon Emperor would mean her mission was complete. She could finally escape the life of a pawn to the system and that overpowering entity.

Determined not to end up like the first Demon Emperor, she resolved to adopt a ruthless approach. She longed for respect and fear from others, so none could belittle her or use her for their own gain.

Unbeknownst to them, their hidden thoughts were not as private as they believed—someone was listening. The shadow, cloaked in invisibility and seated upon the throne that once marked her first stronghold, absorbed their innermost musings with an impassive demeanor.

The thoughts echoed similarly amongst them—their sentiments were all intertwined. Until her gaze flickered towards the figure standing in the corner of the throne hall, head bowed, and her expression shifted.

Shenlian Yingyue kept her gaze lowered, eyes shut as she reminisced about the first Demon Emperor’s legacy.

What a kind, resilient, and beautiful spirit she had. What a remarkable journey she had traveled. What heart-wrenching yet beautiful experiences had shaped her life.

She inhaled gently, a smile gracing her lips as she looked upon the throne that was built by the Demon Emperor, the embodiment of power and strength.

The shadows deepened around the her piercing eyes, glinting with a dangerous intensity. What did this person mean by such gaze and thoughts? She continued to delve into the musings of Shenlian Yingyue.

In Shenlian Yingyue’s heart, the first Demon Emperor, Shen Anshuang, represented a dazzling spirit. Time and again, she had been betrayed, yet she never laid waste to the innocent.

Her vengeance was reserved solely for those who had wronged her, yet the world labeled her as malevolent.

Few bothered to inquire about her past, her trials and tribulations; instead, they hastily judged her as a threat.

As the ruler of the Demon Realm, she chose to remain aloof from worldly conflicts. Even in her relentless pursuits for treasures and resources, she avoided chaos, engaging with others on equal footing.

Those avaricious souls, cloaked in righteousness, proclaimed that the treasures belonged to the eight realms; they insisted that the demons had no rightful claim.

But treasures, by nature, were unowned; the heavens and earth were vast, and who were they to dictate right from wrong?

Over time, she had witnessed both the virtuous and the vile. The wicked masqueraded as altruistic saviors of the realm while hiding their true, selfish motives. In the light of day, they engaged in charitable acts, yet in the shadows, they dealt in human suffering to amass power.

Such actions echoed through the ages. Many so-called righteous cultivators targeted Shen Anshuang; a lingering threat could not be allowed to persist.

Time after time, she offered them mercy, choosing to walk away rather than taint her hands with their blood. Yet, they continuously pursued her.

When finally she could no longer bear their provocations and struck out, the masses denounced her as a brutal tyrant. But in their misguided fury, did they reflect on their own culpability?