So close yet worlds apart!

That was the final stage of footwork intent, the stage where one's footwork would be at the fastest. At this stage, nothing could stop one's advance. The Sky Measuring Step was definitely a top-tier god-grade technique. The moment one comprehended it, one would automatically enter the third stage of footwork intent, gaining a speed defying human understanding.

For Xiang Shaoyun to comprehend this technique so fast, apart from his intelligence, his deep comprehension of footwork intent also played a great role. Thus, he was able to quickly reach initial mastery in the Sky Measuring Step, allowing his footwork to reach a level far beyond many of his peers.

He could not contend against peak Saints or Great Saints in terms of speed. If he still had his wind energy, he might really surpass Great Saints. After all, wind energy had the greatest affinity with the Sky Measuring Step. Only with wind energy would he perfectly display the speed of the so close yet worlds apart stage.

Xiang Shaoyun moved faster and faster before eventually arriving at his original position. He howled with laughter and said, "It truly is surprising that I would obtain a god-grade footwork technique accidentally. As the saying goes, after great danger, fortune comes in strides."

As Xiang Shaoyun descended from the sky, his hair whipped about, and his body carried an overwhelming bearing. A uniquely attractive fiendish aura radiated from his body, as though the prince of devils was descending from the sky. At this moment, he proved fatally attractive to all women.

As he waved his arm, the items of the three Saints he killed started flying toward him, including the Emotionless Sword, the Heaven Suppressing Sacred Flag, and the eight rings. They were all his spoils of war.

He kept them all away before returning to the Fox Range. With one step, he arrived before the central mountains. He said, "Please open the barrier or don't blame me for being impolite."

He was being extremely overbearing because he now had the strength to back his words.

He had gained much from his battle with the three Saints. His comprehension of the devil dao had become even deeper. Even without using the Imperial Nether Clan's abilities, he could still contend against peak Saints. He was now far stronger than all the Imperial Nether Clan's Devil Saints. Even the strongest princes would not have his combat strength at the same cultivation level. 

The energy barrier around the demonic foxes faded away. Several figures flew out, with Hu Detian in the lead.

"You're very strong, but if you really want to take my daughter away by force, us demonic foxes are no pushovers either," said Hu Detian gloomily.

No matter what, he was unwilling to let Hu Meihui leave. She had awakened the eight-tailed bloodline and would be the one to lead the demonic foxes to rise in power in the future.

"She's my woman. She naturally has to come with me," said Xiang Shaoyun as the Yin Mother Sword appeared in his hand once again. He looked ready to attack.

His action gave Hu Detian and the fox elders a great fright. Even if all of them worked together, they might not be this devil's match.

Hu Detian trembled in anger as he roared, "Don't force me to awaken the grand elder. No matter how strong you are, he'll suppress you!"

"Cut the nonsense. Hand Meihui over or don't blame me for using force," said Xiang Shaoyun firmly.

After repeated battles, his confidence was on a brand new level. Nobody could make him retreat, and he would welcome all battles. Hu Detian was infuriated. This was probably the most overbearing son-in-law in existence. Just as a fight was about to break out, a figure rushed over. It was a Demon Sovereign from the fox race.

"Patriarch, I bring the latest news," said the Demon Sovereign.

"Say it," said Hu Detian.

"We have just received news that the humans have stopped hunting Xiang Shaoyun. They claim that he is not a devil. Rather, he is the direct disciple of a certain lord guardian," said the Demon Sovereign.

As he spoke, he glanced at Xiang Shaoyun before quickly looking away. Clearly, he knew that this young man was the so-called Xiang Shaoyun. Xiang Shaoyun blanked out slightly before reaching for the Demon Sovereign.

"Stop!" Hu Detian roared and clawed at Xiang Shaoyun, afraid that Xiang Shaoyun would kill his clansman.

However, Xiang Shaoyun was too fast. Hu Detian's hand only struck an afterimage while Xiang Shaoyun already had the Demon Sovereign in his hand. He asked, "What did you just say? Repeat it!"

When the Demon Sovereign sensed Xiang Shaoyun's terrifying strength, he paled from fear. While trembling, he said, "Th-the humans have w-withdrawn your wanted status and also clarified that you're not a devil but a true human."

"Are you sure?" Xiang Shaoyun was becoming excited.

"Xiang Shaoyun, withdraw your aura. Are you trying to kill him?" Hu Detian shouted.

The demonic fox in Xiang Shaoyun's hand was on the brink of collapse. Xiang Shaoyun's aura was too suppressive for him to endure.

Finally, Xiang Shaoyun withdrew his aura and released the demonic fox in his hand. "Tell me everything you know."

Xiang Shaoyun spoke in a commanding tone, projecting his dominance directly to the demonic fox's heart. The demonic fox did not dare to disobey and told Xiang Shaoyun everything he knew.

It turned out that the Dragon Phoenix Academy's lord guardian had personally delved deep into the Devil Domain and slaughtered five Devil Gods. All by himself, he suppressed the Western Desert's Devil Domain entrance, alarming the entire dominion.

With five Devil God corpses in his hand, the lord guardian declared to the world that Xiang Shaoyun was his direct disciple, not a devil. Xiang Shaoyun had merely refined some devil blood to obtain the Imperial Nether Clan's abilities. If a God Realm cultivator dared to lay a hand on him ever again, the lord guardian would slaughter the God Realm cultivator like he had slaughtered the five Devil Gods.

At the time, someone questioned the lord guardian for protecting a devil. But he had barely finished asking his question before he was completely obliterated. The lord guardian had acted domineeringly, instantly attracting the attention of the numerous superpowers. They all started spreading the news to avoid their own people from offending the lord guardian.

The number of lord guardians in existence could be counted on one hand. Each of them was the guardian of the dominion. Thanks to them, the masses were able to live a stable life in the dominion. Such a person had the blood of countless devils in his hands. Thus, the disciple of such a person was naturally no devil. Perhaps the lord guardian was right. Xiang Shaoyun had merely refined some devil blood and gained some devil abilities, resulting in him being misunderstood as a devil.