Chapter 731

Chapter 731: Blood Sea and Crimson Lion

"It seems Brother Wenxian remains quite occupied even in ordinary times." Ye Yun chuckled dryly as he watched Mo Wenxian move to console the girl in the red dress. "Yet since ancient times, heroes never lack fair companions. You’ve fine luck indeed, Brother Wenxian."

"Brother Ye mocks me again. Those who walk the cultivation path should devote themselves wholly to it. I truly haven’t the leisure for other distractions." Mo Wenxian answered with a bitter smile when teased.

The burly man sighed heavily. "Just as I feared – complications arise." Two of their six-member group now refused further discussion about the demon god’s soul. Both San Ying from the Other Shore Heaven’s summit and Blood Robe from Slaughter Heaven’s peak required combat power at the Third Level of Earth Immortal realm to breach those domains.

As for the remaining three, they served merely as supporting players. The true exception was Mo Wenxian himself – the man who’d once shaken Nine Palaces Heaven’s elders by conquering the Nine Palaces trials at Seventh Level of Nascent Soul stage cultivation. Even Fourth Level Earth Immortal geniuses needed multiple supreme Immortal artifacts to attempt such feats, yet he’d single-handedly forced his way through using only a black-flamed supreme artifact.

From that day, the sect elders hailed him not merely as an extraordinary genius, but as the Nine Palaces Heavenly Immortal reborn. His physique matched perfectly with their sect founder’s – an impossible coincidence that cemented his status as heir apparent. Whether true reincarnation or not mattered little; Mo Wenxian carried himself with the natural authority of one born to greatness.

"Enough debate." Ye Yun cut through the tension. "Clear the path if you’ve nothing further."

"Have you truly prepared for the demon god’s soul in the Demon Abyss?" Mo Wenxian inquired calmly. "Your hidden methods are formidable, Brother Ye, but do you mean to face that entity alone?"

"Where did you learn of this?" Ye Yun’s gaze sharpened.

"My physique grants certain… sensitivities." Mo Wenxian tapped his chest. "Demonic presences sing to my blood. Useful for avoiding ambushes. But I’m more curious about your own preparations."

"Some secrets keep best." Ye Yun turned away, Shui Yingying and Shui Lingling falling into step behind him. When San Ying moved to block their path, Mo Wenxian’s subtle headshake stayed her hand.

The massive stone door groaned under Ye Yun’s touch. Fire Spirit Qi erupted from his palm, twin jets of flame scouring the ancient portal until its surface blackened and crumbled. Blood Robe’s eyes narrowed as stone fragments pattered down – she’d dismissed this Fourth Level Nascent Soul cultivator earlier, but the precision of his flame control gave pause.

A dangerous smile curved her lips when she glimpsed Ye Yun’s impassive profile. "Intriguing," she murmured, letting the trio pass unchallenged.

"Shouldn’t we stop them?" San Ying fretted, retreating from the terrifying soul pressure radiating off Ye Yun. "If they claim the Heavenly Immortal inheritance first…"

"Let them scout the path." Mo Wenxian’s eyes glinted with anticipation. "I’ll secure what Blood Robe needs. The demon god’s remnant soul makes fine prey – overcoming it shall forge our foundation for what follows." His confidence hung palpable in the air as he strode forward, the others following without question. Their faith required no explanations; Mo Wenxian’s path ever burned brightest.

Darkness swallowed the trio. Shui Lingling gripped Ye Yun’s sleeve tighter, skull carvings leering from shadowed walls. "It’s too dark!" she protested, pressing closer to his Fire Spirit Qi’s glow.

"The demonic energy thickens ahead." Ye Yun scanned the encroaching blackness. "Can you both endure it?"

"Ling’er’s not scared!" The girl jutted her chin, then glanced at her sister. "But Yingying must be terrified! Why isn’t she hiding in Brother Ye’s arms?"

"Wishful thinking?" Ye Yun chuckled.

"Enough nonsense." Shui Yingying swatted her sister’s arm, though her lips twitched. "These skulls lose their menace after the hundredth one."

Boredom soon replaced fear. When distant light pierced the gloom, Shui Lingling darted ahead despite her sister’s warnings, footsteps echoing through the ancient passage.

“Don’t worry, how could danger appear so coincidentally? It’s all Yingying overthinking things.” Shui Lingling chuckled while gazing ahead. Yet when the blood sea materialized before her, her legs froze mid-step. A shiver ran through her as the thick, bloody scent assaulted her senses, regret bubbling within.

Was this supposed to be a Heavenly Immortal’s inheritance site or a demon god’s? Why did the blood sea radiate such sinister sentience, as if alive? Ye Yun’s expression hardened as he reached Shui Lingling’s side, staring at the churning crimson expanse.

“Fascinating. Some Heavenly Immortal must’ve extracted a demon god’s essence blood to forge this coagulation array,” remarked the Ancestor of the Sword Path, his insight surpassing all present. He studied the essence blood pool before Ye Yun with amusement. “Reaching such a scale is no small feat.”

“You’ve studied such things?” Ye Yun glanced at the Ancestor, puzzled.

“In my prime, I dabbled in many obscure arts during my endless leisure,” the Ancestor replied. “This Heavenly Immortal shows skill, extracting essence blood from iron-fleshed demon gods. Even these few drops here are priceless.”

Sensing lingering demonic will within the blood, the Ancestor’s interest stirred. “But stay vigilant. Getting dragged into that sea would be… inconvenient.”

“What else lurks here?” Ye Yun unleashed his mental energy, probing the blood sea for life. Yet his efforts yielded nothing—each attempt rebounded uselessly into his sea of consciousness.

Mimicking him, Shui Lingling channeled her soul power into the depths. Star power erupted from her palms, flooding the blood sea. The crimson waves twisted violently as a colossal blood titan emerged before them.

“Ling’er was just testing! Why such a big reaction?” Shui Lingling gaped at her accidental summon. “Don’t blame me—take it out on Ye Yun instead!”

“You imp.” A flaming whip materialized in Ye Yun’s grip. As Fire Spirit Qi surged through him, an inferno roared to life behind him, ready to scorch the blood sea dry.

“Reckless brat!” The Ancestor watched Ye Yun’s bold move with wary admiration, shielding him with Soul Power against potential backlash.

*Gurgle!*

Magma met blood, boiling crimson bubbles frothing across the surface. Ye Yun crushed a hundred top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones without blinking, replenishing his spiritual power completely.

Revitalized flames magnified the inferno behind him. The headless blood titan burned like dry tinder under intensifying heat, its form dissolving under Ye Yun’s merciless assault.

“Wow, it’s really working!” Shui Lingling’s earlier anxiety vanished as she marveled at the blazing spectacle.

“The real test begins now.” Ye Yun’s voice turned grave as the blood sea trembled. “Ling’er, Yingying—stay clear of the sea. Something worse approaches.”

“Another giant beast? Leave it to Ling’er!” she chirped, anticipation sparkling in her eyes.

*ROAR!*

A blood lion erupted from the waves, its mane dripping crimson malice. “Human cultivators,” it boomed, towering over them. “I’ve awaited you by my master’s decree.”

“A guardian spirit of the blood sea?” Ye Yun smiled thinly. “Do you block our path or offer guidance?”

“Obviously he’s here to fight!” Shui Lingling interjected.

“Let’s hear his terms first,” Ye Yun chided gently.

“Clever words won’t save you, Nascent Soul brat.” The lion’s jaws split in a mocking grin. “You think mere Fourth Level cultivation intimidates me?”

“If there’s a trial, begin it. We’re pressed for time.” Ye Yun’s tone remained courteous. “Though I’d appreciate leniency.”

“Hilarious!” The lion’s laughter shook the air—an opening Ye Yun exploited instantly. Spatial laws teleported him before the beast’s maw, Purple Shadow Divine Sword slashing downward.

*Clang!*

Teal sword arcs sparked harmlessly off the lion’s hide. Undeterred, Ye Yun summoned his Fire Dragon Whip. “Try weathering this.”

Heavenly Fire rained down, magma droplets vaporizing blood sea patches. The lion yawned theatrically. “This is your grand strategy?”

“Merely the prelude.” Ye Yun’s smile turned icy. The inferno coalesced into a single cataclysmic strike that sheared off half the lion’s body.

“Victory?” Ye Yun panted.

“Hardly.” The lion inhaled deeply, blood sea torrents refilling its form. “Without restraining the demon god’s essence, you’ll never win.”

“We’ll see.” Ye Yun’s eyes blazed with fighting spirit as the lion doubled in size, its bulk now millstone-huge.

Blood ripples trailed the beast’s charge. White light flashed—Ye Yun teleported away, taunting, “Persist, and I’ll stop holding back.”

“Brave words for a weakling!” The lion manipulated the blood sea beneath, preparing a crushing wave.

“Overcomplicating things hastens defeat.” Ye Yun dismissed his whip, Purple Shadow Divine Sword humming with Thunder Spirit energy.

“Your essence fluctuates beyond Fourth Level Earth Immortal strength,” the Ancestor warned as Ye Yun gathered power. “Certain of this?”

“Interfere, and you’ll spoil my fun.” Ye Yun’s grin turned feral. Sword met claw as he roared:

“BORN AS A SWORD!”