Death Valley
Word spread fast that Son Gohan had killed the young master of the Blade Demon Clan.
Once the demons in the valley learned what Gohan looked like, anyone who crossed his path immediately gave him a wide berth.
That was the Blade Demon Clan one of the strongest demon races in the First Heaven.
And the one he killed wasn't some nobody. It was their heir.
"Stop right there!"
With a flash, Gohan used Instant Transmission and appeared directly in front of a fleeing demon.
"My lord… please spare me… I didn't offend you, I swear!"
The demon trembled violently, dropping to his knees and begging.
Gohan frowned.
"Tell me. Why does everyone run the moment they see me?"
The demon blinked, then realized something horrifying.
This monster… didn't even know what he'd done.
"My lord, the news that you killed the Blade Demon Clan's young master has already spread through Death Valley. Who would dare fight you now?"
"Blade Demon Clan?" Gohan asked blankly. "Are they that strong?"
The demon hurriedly explained the Blade Demon Clan's status and power in the First Heaven.
At the same time…
Inside the Blade Demon Clan
"Someone come here!"
The Blade Demon Clan Head could no longer suppress his fury.
"Send the order. Every warrior who can still fight is to gather at the entrance of Death Valley!"
Second Heaven
"A mere First Heaven demon race dares interfere with our selection trial?!"
The War Demon Clan leader's face darkened with rage.
Whoosh!
The Blood Demon Clan leader appeared in front of him instantly, blocking his path.
"Hehe. Why are you so worked up?"
The tables had turned.
"You're stopping me?" the War Demon leader growled, fury spiking.
"Hehe. Anything that makes you miserable makes me feel wonderful."
The Blood Demon leader threw his earlier humiliation right back in his face.
"You believe I won't punch you?"
"Punch me all you want. I won't let you go down there."
…
Death Valley, First Heaven
As time passed, the number of demons in Death Valley plummeted.
A few fools who didn't know better still tried their luck and Gohan casually blasted them into dust.
At the same time, he deliberately restrained his power, trading blows instead of ending fights instantly, memorizing their movements and stealing anything useful.
His battle power didn't rise much these enemies were simply too weak.
But the way bottom-tier demons fought like cornered beasts still made his eyes light up.
A life-or-death fight didn't care about "dirty" or "shameless."
If it helped you live, it was a good technique.
At the valley entrance
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Thousands of terrifying demonic auras descended.
At the front stood the Blade Demon Clan Head his demonic energy blotting out the sky, killing intent boiling over.
His icy gaze locked on the entrance like a guillotine.
It looked as though whoever stepped out first would be cut down on the spot.
Then a voice dropped from the Second Heaven.
"Blade Demon. I know you're in pain."
The Blood Demon Clan leader spoke with cold authority.
"I'll allow you to execute only the true culprit. But anyone else who passed the trial touch even one of them, and you answer to me. Understood?"
The Blade Demon Clan Head clenched his fists… then forced them to relax.
"I understand."
His voice was frozen steel.
But in his heart, another vow burned.
One day… I'll fight my way into the Second Heaven myself.
Time ticked on.
Inside Death Valley, the crowd thinned further and further, while the story of the Blade Demon heir's death spread like wildfire.
"Hey, you heard? That giant demon with the spiked-up hair killed the Blade Demon heir!"
"Of course. They said the 'genius' didn't even leave a body behind he was smashed into minced meat!"
"Stay far away from that region…"
Ten days later
Dong!
A bell toll echoed between heaven and earth.
"The selection trial is over. Barrier, open!"
The seal around Death Valley dissolved.
"Finally. That was boring as hell…"
Gohan stretched and yawned, drifting toward the valley entrance.
Outside the valley
"Blade Demon warriors, hear my command!"
The Blade Demon Clan Head's rage had long since drowned out reason.
"Anyone who comes out of Death Valley kill them. Not a single one leaves!"
"Understood!"
The Blade Demon warriors answered in unison.
He didn't care about the Second Heaven's selection trial anymore.
He only wanted revenge.
Second Heaven
"Heh. Old bloodsucker this is getting a little ridiculous, isn't it?"
The War Demon leader smiled, half-mocking.
"He's clearly ignoring your orders."
The Blood Demon leader's face turned iron-dark, veins bulging along his arm.
"That bastard… he dares defy me?"
His figure vanished.
When he reappeared
He was already in the First Heaven.
The Blood Demon leader had descended personally.
"Interesting."
The War Demon leader wasn't in a rush now.
"Time to enjoy the show."
The Blade Demon Clan Head's command had basically ground the Blood Demon leader's pride underfoot.
First Heaven
"Blade Demon."
The Blood Demon leader manifested, voice glacial, killing intent erupting so violently it seemed a sea of corpses and blood rose behind him.
"You've got some nerve."
"B-Blood Demon Lord…"
The Blade Demon Clan Head froze, then swallowed hard.
"I…"
"You what?"
The Blood Demon leader stepped forward. A monstrous pressure poured from him.
"I told you to execute only the culprit. Do you have objections?"
Thud!
The Blade Demon Clan Head dropped to his knees instantly.
Just then, a lazy voice cut in.
"Ohoho… old bloodsucker, getting this angry will ruin your health. Don't be mad."
The crushing pressure vanished neutralized.
The Blood Demon leader's eyes narrowed.
"War Demon, you really are determined to oppose me."
The War Demon leader laughed loudly.
"I'll return your own words to you."
"Anything that makes you miserable makes me feel great!"
"Hahahaha!"
A cough came from the valley entrance.
"…Uh. Looks like I came out at the wrong time."
Son Gohan stepped out first and immediately faced a scene ready to explode.
The War Demon leader spoke first.
"Kid, you finally came out. I like what I see."
The Blood Demon leader withdrew his aura, then his eyes flicked, mind turning.
He smiled cold and sharp.
"Blade Demon."
"Your son's killer is right in front of you. What are you waiting for?"
The Blade Demon Clan Head's eyes went bloodshot.
"It's you… you killed my son?!"
Gohan's expression stayed calm.
"Looks like it was me, then."
He tilted his head slightly, arrogance bleeding through every word.
"So… what are you going to do about it?"
The surviving contestants who had just begun filing out of the valley went pale.
This kid's mouth… was unreal.
The Blade Demon Clan Head roared.
"You're dead!"
He lunged straight at Gohan.
Boom!
What shocked everyone wasn't Gohan moving
It was the Blade Demon Clan Head getting blasted backward, slamming into a distant mountain range.
Gohan glanced up at the two great clan leaders.
"Aren't you two going to stop him? Attacking a talent who passed the selection trial?"
The War Demon leader chuckled.
"Kid, demons worship the law of the jungle."
"I've already held old bloodsucker back for you."
"As for Blade Demon handle him yourself."
The Blood Demon leader snorted.
"Hmph."
But he didn't object.
After all, Blade Demon's earlier order had indeed made him lose face.
Gohan spread his hands.
"Then I guess I'll handle it myself."
He turned to face the Blade Demon Clan Head and the entire Blade Demon force behind him.
"I'll give you two choices."
"One: a duel. You lot duel me one versus one."
"Two: a gang beatdown."
"I alone… gang up on all of you."
He even tossed in a playful grin.
A Blade Demon elder couldn't help stepping forward.
"Arrogant brat. How is that any different?!"
The Blood Demon leader's eyes narrowed.
"The more I look at you, the more annoying you are."
The War Demon leader laughed harder.
"Ha! That's the kind of arrogance I like."
Gohan's smile vanished.
"No difference."
"The ending is the same."
"You all die."
The instant the words fell
His body disappeared.
Boom!
The Blade Demon elder exploded into a cloud of blood mist.
Gohan now stood where the elder had been.
"Elder!!"
"You bastard! You dare kill the Elder!"
The Blade Demon warriors erupted in fury.
Shing!
Bone-blades and bone-swords extended from arms and elbows as they charged.
Gohan's grin returned dark, sharp, delighted.
"Game on."
War Demon and Blood Demon rose into the sky together, sheltering the other nineteen surviving contestants behind them.
The slaughter was about to begin.