Becoming the Demon Lord: Taming the Demon Queen Begins

"Wow, it's so dazzling. There must be something incredibly valuable hidden up there."

"I want it. I really want it."

Even though the air was thick with a terrifying pressure, someone, completely entranced, started walking toward the golden staircase, step by step.

Their greedy eyes were locked on the brilliant light above, and they had completely lost control of themselves.

But the moment they set foot on the golden steps—

Boom!

It was as if they were struck by lightning. Their bodies trembled violently, as if they were being crushed by an overwhelming, boundless force.

A wave of intense pressure rippled outward, and they snapped back to their senses, immediately retreating in panic.

"What... what is this?!"

Even after stepping away from the stairs, their faces were still filled with shock and fear.

If they had been just a second slower, they had no doubt their bodies would have been torn apart.

Even though they managed to pull back in time, many of them stumbled and fell to the ground, clutching their feet and howling in pain.

Their feet were covered in bloody wounds and deep gashes.

Just one step on the staircase, and their feet were already mangled, nearly destroyed.

Looking at the golden staircase that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky, those who had narrowly avoided stepping on it were filled with dread.

They had thought their luck had finally turned, that they were about to claim a priceless treasure.

But now, no one dared to take another step forward.

This terrifying power was far beyond anything they could handle!

Forget about climbing the golden staircase—just standing nearby, the immense pressure made the weaker practitioners feel like they were suffocating.

"Does no one outside know about this?"

"It seems like this place is cut off from the outside world. No one should have discovered it yet..."

The strange scene within this forbidden area had gone unnoticed by the outside world, but even though this seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, no one dared to take the risk.

After all, those who had nearly lost their lives—or worse, had already lost their legs—were still lying on the ground, clutching their mangled limbs and crying out in agony.

The practitioners exchanged uneasy glances. These were people who had once been willing to risk their lives for rare treasures, but now, every single one of them was filled with fear, too scared to take another step forward.

The golden light in the sky grew even brighter, but at the same time, the oppressive force, like something from the depths of an abyss, made everyone feel like they were being crushed.

Who in their right mind would dare to go any further in a place like this?

No matter how valuable the treasure might be, life was still more important!

But just as everyone was frozen in fear, too scared to move, a graceful figure appeared, descending from the distance.

Without hesitation, she stepped onto the golden staircase.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"She actually stepped onto it!"

Someone gasped in disbelief, and all eyes were immediately drawn to her.

Sizzle.

The sound of searing heat filled the air, but the woman only furrowed her brows slightly. She didn't back down.

Instead, she took another step forward.

The immense pressure around her body continued to ripple and crush down on her, but it couldn't stop her from moving.

Each step was incredibly difficult, but she showed no sign of giving up.

"Selene! That's Holy Maiden Aeliana's sister!"

Someone immediately shouted in recognition.

Everyone knew the name of Holy Maiden Aeliana, and Selene's strength was also well-known among many practitioners.

"Of course. Who else but the Holy Maiden's sister could make it this far?"

"She's unbelievably strong. To endure this much pressure... she's almost at the level of a Holy Emperor. But if she keeps going..."

One step, two steps, three steps...

Selene had already climbed seven steps.

Each step was harder than the last, and her legs were starting to tremble slightly, but she gritted her teeth and kept going.

Sweat trickled down Selene's forehead, a testament to the immense pain she was enduring.

Each step on the staircase felt like crossing an insurmountable chasm. It was as if a mountain, thousands of meters high, was suspended above her, crushing her body and making it nearly impossible to breathe.

Even though she was giving it her all, it seemed like even she was reaching her limit.

"Miss Selene, it's been a while."

A voice suddenly echoed from the distance.

Moments later, a figure approached at an astonishing speed.

Without hesitation, the figure stepped onto the staircase.

One step, two steps, three steps...

Though it was the same staircase, Timothy didn't seem to feel the same overwhelming pressure.

The crushing force surged from all directions, as if trying to stop him in his tracks.

"Activate the fourth meridian of the Ancient Saintly Body."

With Timothy's determined steps, molten-like patterns began to flow across his arms, and a faint golden light flickered in his eyes.

His entire body seemed to radiate an ancient, profound power, brimming with untold strength. Explore more adventures at empire

The pressure howled around him, but it was powerless to break through the seemingly impenetrable defense surrounding him.

And Timothy's pace up the staircase was shockingly fast.

"He's already at the tenth step!"

"Now the twentieth!"

"How is this even possible? Is he even human?!"

When they finally got a clear look at Timothy's face, everyone struggled to contain their shock.

"Sky Sanctuary's Timothy!"

Even the practitioners at the lowest levels had heard the countless rumors about Timothy that had been circulating recently.

He had personally slain Holy Emperor Thunderflame, obliterated the body of a Holy Emperor in the early Ascension Phase, and there were even whispers that he was romantically involved with Goddess Sylvia.

While these rumors seemed more outlandish with each retelling, watching him now, they couldn't help but start believing—well, maybe not the last one, but everything else seemed plausible.

"This trial is the Trial of Endless Flames."

After the twentieth step, a sea of roaring flames surged toward him.

But Timothy paid it no mind. He didn't even slow down, walking straight through the fire as if it wasn't there.

"This trial is the Trial of Mountain and River Suppression."

In the sky, towering mountains and massive waves appeared as phantom images, but the oppressive force they brought down couldn't stop Timothy's advance.

"This trial is the Holy Emperor's Calamity."

Suddenly, the sky darkened, and a figure clad in golden armor appeared before him—a Holy Emperor.

"You think this can stop me?"

Timothy finally lifted his head.

At the same time, a colossal golden Sacred Form materialized behind him, towering over everything.

The Sacred Form stretched across the sky, and with a single palm, it struck down.

Boom!

The golden-armored Holy Emperor standing in Timothy's way was obliterated in an instant, without any resistance.

The path ahead was clear, and Timothy took another step forward.

It was as if nothing could stand in his way—he moved as though the trials were nonexistent.

Watching this unfold, Selene, who had been struggling and nearing exhaustion, couldn't help but smile confidently.

"Yes, this is how it should be.

Only by defeating someone like Timothy will it truly be worth it!"