Becoming the Demon Lord: Taming the Demon Queen Begins

"Rest assured, my lady! We will hold the line here. No matter what, we won't let the skeleton army advance even an inch!"

The decision made by the Holy Emperors was unanimous, and no one dared to defy it.

The practitioners all cupped their hands in respect, showing their determination.

Sylvia put away her piccolo and gave a cold nod.

The practitioners from various sects had already formed their battle lines, ready to face the oncoming skeleton army.

Without further delay, Sylvia took to the skies, riding the wind as she headed deeper into the Sepulcher of the Sacred.

Timothy Azura and the three Holy Emperors followed closely behind.

"Roar!"

Angry roars echoed from all directions. The skeletons seemed to be completely enraged, throwing themselves forward with all their might to block the way.

But the practitioners stood like a wall, blocking their path, preventing the tide of skeletons from advancing even a step.

The chaotic battle had officially begun. Weapons clashed, and the light from various magical artifacts flickered across the battlefield.

Countless practitioners fought with blood and sweat, doing everything they could to hold back the skeleton army in front of them.

Perhaps the sects had once fought over cultivation resources or magical treasures. Maybe some practitioners had personal grudges against each other.

But at this moment, they all understood one thing clearly.

On the continent of Elant, there might be room for conflict.

But once inside the Sepulcher of the Sacred, every practitioner from Elant had to stand united against a common enemy.

Because what they were facing was a force that could potentially destroy the entire continent.

Their only hope was to hold back the skeleton army with everything they had, allowing the four Holy Emperors to reach the depths of the Sepulcher of the Sacred and resolve the strange occurrences within.

"Charge!"

Holy Emperor Starwind, spear in hand, led the charge with a powerful shout.

"Charge!"

The cry was echoed by countless practitioners, who threw themselves into the fight with all their strength, ready to give their lives.

"We fight for Goddess Sylvia!"

Even in the face of the overwhelming skeleton army, there were few who retreated. They were determined to hold the line!

...

Following Supreme Emperor Verena's guidance, the five people and one dragon entered one of the many paths.

But as they stepped into the canyon, the scene before them was completely different from what they had encountered upon entering the Sepulcher of the Sacred.

It was as if a line had been drawn, dividing two worlds.

Outside the canyon, the air was thick with the stench of blood, and the sky was a deep, ominous red. But inside the canyon, the sky was a clear blue, with only a few dark clouds scattered across it.

A gentle breeze blew, carrying a faint, refreshing fragrance.

The narrow canyon was filled with flowers and grasses, swaying softly in the wind.

It was peaceful, serene—nothing like the eerie atmosphere of the Sepulcher of the Sacred.

In fact, it seemed like an ordinary, yet beautifully tranquil, natural scene.

Though simple, it had a quiet charm that was hard to resist.

But despite the calm surroundings, Timothy didn't let his guard down for a second.

Seeing such a peaceful scene inside the Sepulcher of the Sacred didn't guarantee safety. In fact, it was more likely that countless dangers were lurking beneath the surface.

"Don't linger here, everyone. If you want to reach the depths of the Sepulcher of the Sacred, come forward. If not, you're free to turn back."

At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared in the center of the canyon.

It was a man with a refined and scholarly appearance.

He wore a long blue-gray robe, and his jet-black hair flowed freely.

He looked like a poet wandering through the mountains, exuding an air of elegance and sophistication.

But what caught everyone's attention the most was the chessboard laid out in front of him as he sat cross-legged.

"The Enigma Chessboard!" Sylvia's eyes flickered with recognition.

"You know him, honey?" Timothy's gaze sharpened as he sensed the unusual aura surrounding the man.

Sylvia nodded slightly. "Yes, I've read about him in the records.

It's said that there was once a Holy Emperor who pursued the way of chess with single-minded devotion. His Enigma Chessboard could simulate the vastness of the heavens and earth.

This Holy Emperor, known as the 'Chess Emperor,' was Aldric. True to his name, he was arrogant and proud. Though he was usually refined and easygoing, he refused to believe that anyone could surpass him in the art of chess.

In the end, he even challenged the heavens themselves, daring to play against the very forces of nature.

Ultimately, he perished in his battle against the will of the heavens."

"Holy Emperor Aldric, huh? Seems like he lived up to his name."

Though he met his end, challenging the heavens with nothing but his chess pieces, the Chess Emperor was certainly worthy of respect.

"So, none of you dare to play a game with me?"

Aldric, seated at the chessboard, suddenly smiled, his expression filled with confident arrogance. "If any of you can defeat me, you may pass through here and enter the depths of the Sepulcher of the Sacred."

"I'll—"

"I'll do it."

Holy Emperor Luminis, who had some knowledge of chess, had barely spoken when he was interrupted.

Timothy patted him on the shoulder with a grin. "Let me handle this. After all, we're dealing with the Chess Emperor here. You don't want to get in over your head, kid."

"I am not a kid! I'm a Holy Emperor!" Luminis was nearly beside himself with rage.

Other than Timothy, who else would dare mock him for his youthful appearance?

"Are you sure you can beat the Chess Emperor?" Timothy asked, smiling.

"Well…"

Luminis hesitated for a moment.

He was certainly more skilled in chess than the average practitioner. But when it came to facing the legendary Chess Emperor Aldric, who was renowned across the entire Elant continent, he knew he didn't stand a chance.

If he lost, it would be even more embarrassing than not trying at all.

"Fine, if you insist on going, be my guest. But don't blame me if I laugh at you when you lose."

Luminis huffed, clearly pleased with himself.

Though he didn't think he could beat Aldric, he was even more convinced that Timothy couldn't either. How could a young man barely twenty years old have the experience and strategic insight to master the Enigma Chessboard?

Did Timothy really think he could win?

"Alright, leave it to me. You just sit back and watch, kid. Maybe practice your breathing exercises while you're at it." Timothy gave Luminis another pat on the shoulder.

"You bastard! I'll fight you right here and now…!"

If he weren't so eager to see Timothy make a fool of himself, Luminis might have lost his temper completely.

"Be careful," Sylvia said softly, her usually calm face showing a hint of concern as she watched Timothy prepare to face Aldric. "If it gets too difficult, let me take over."

"You know how to play chess, honey?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Timothy remembered.

Aside from cooking, it seemed like Sylvia was good at… well, everything.

"Don't worry. I've got this. Just sit back and watch me work my magic."

Timothy smiled as he sat down across from Holy Emperor Aldric.

Between them lay the Enigma Chessboard, filled with endless mysteries and profound meaning.

"I'll give you a handicap—one piece. How about that?"

As Aldric's voice fell, the chessboard suddenly shimmered, and a massive illusion appeared above it.

The illusion spread rapidly, and in an instant, it encompassed the entire canyon.

There were mountains and rivers, an endless sky above, and a vast earth below.

The Enigma Chessboard had transformed into a miniature world!