Chapter 748

Chapter 748: Remnant Soul of the Demon God

Though Ye Yun appreciated the surrounding scenery during his journey, his mind remained preoccupied with handling the demon beast situation. If not properly addressed beforehand, he’d inevitably be flustered when the time came.

"Ancestor of the Sword Path, the destination shouldn’t be far now." The thickening demonic energy had even seeped into the spiritual soil beneath them. Closing his eyes, Ye Yun focused his spirit perception, observing the wispy black threads of energy around him. With a flick of his middle finger, he gathered the threads at his fingertip.

"This demonic energy could actually serve as decent nourishment," Ye Yun muttered, staring at the black light glowing on his finger. He then chuckled bitterly. "What’s wrong with me? Why would I say that?"

He harbored no greed for demonic energy. His cultivation techniques relied entirely on spiritual energy, making them fundamentally incompatible. Absorbing this energy would only harm him since he lacked an innate spiritual body. While Shui Yingying could safely absorb it through her Nine Yin Body, attempting the same would invite mental demons to corrupt him.

"If that happens, I might lose control. But to boost my combat power…" Ye Yun sighed, forcing himself to store the energy into the controlling magic disk. "Delving into demonic cultivation requires more consideration."

The Ancestor of the Sword Path huffed upon seeing Ye Yun’s hesitation. "Why waffle if you weren’t going to use it? I truly thought you’d take the plunge!"

"Wasted effort," the Ancestor grumbled.

"Feeding this to the demon spirit could also enhance its power. Even if we must destroy it later, strengthening it first might prove useful." Resolving himself, Ye Yun channeled the demonic energy into the disk. The Heart of Immortals and Demons absorbed a portion, but Ye Yun suddenly shuddered violently. His eyes snapped open, now cold and swirling with demonic energy as his mind teetered on the edge of corruption.

"You’ll answer for this later!" Ye Yun inwardly cursed the Ancestor, who had covertly transferred thirty percent of the disk’s demonic energy into his body using soul power. Helpless to stop it, Ye Yun now saw the world in monochrome—the once vibrant scenery reduced to hollow shades.

"Yet this power… it feels like I could reach the Earth Immortal realm." His true qi and spiritual energy surged unnaturally under the demonic influence, teetering toward rebellion.

"Chuckling, the Ancestor retorted, "Merely helping you decide! To strengthen you, I had to take drastic measures. But fear not—if you falter, I’ll crush this demonic influence myself." He aimed to prepare Ye Yun for future clashes against Demon Realm foes, where hesitation could prove fatal.

"So be it. Sooner or later, this trial would come." Ye Yun’s eyes hardened. Though barely clinging to his senses now, he knew the coming struggle would test his limits.

Unlike lifespan, demonic corruption didn’t fade—it festered. This explained why those succumbing to madness could only be saved during the initial stages. A single misstep spelled irreversible doom.

"Brother Ye… what’s happening to him?" Shui Yingying’s heart lurched as she glimpsed Ye Yun. Though his gaze lacked its former impurity, overwhelming demonic energy radiated from him, mirroring her own past ordeal with personality invasion.

"Minor issues. Keep quiet." Noticing her stare, Ye Yun turned and coldly dismissed her concern despite his inner turmoil.

"Hmm?" Before she could react, a voice echoed in her mind. Relieved, she chided, "You scared me! But don’t take reckless risks. Failure could be catastrophic!"

"What’s with her?" Ye Yun wondered.

The Ancestor snickered. "I told her you’re using the energy for mental refinement. Said we’d just destroy a supreme Immortal artifact to purge the demonic energy if things go south. No big deal."

"You’re…" Ye Yun sighed, grudgingly admitting, "Your excuse-making skills are unmatched."

"Practice!" The Ancestor grinned. Years of mischief had honed his ability to talk his way out of trouble.

"What’s everyone discussing? Ling’er doesn’t get it!" Shui Lingling blinked, lost.

"Nothing serious." Shui Yingying reassured her sister, who wore a worried frown. "Aren’t you usually so confident in Ye Yun?"

"I am! But demonic energy’s dangerous. Even with safety measures…" Lingling fretted.

"Cultivation’s path is perilous. Greater risks bring greater rewards—a harsh truth." Shui Yingying smiled. Reluctantly, Lingling nodded and resumed enjoying the view after a quick prayer for Ye Yun’s safety.

"Mo Wenxian, something’s off about Ye Yun." Blood Clothes narrowed her eyes at the eerie aura behind them.

"Perhaps he’s cultivating a unique technique. This energy resembles the dead air from the Celestial-Demon battlefield. Maybe he’s tempering himself with it." Mo Wenxian shrugged, respecting others’ privacy.

"Fine. But if he interferes…" Blood Clothes smirked. She’d relish seeing Ye Yun self-destruct. "Best he goes mad. Sparing me the trouble of crushing a Nascent Soul ant."

"Focus. The final trial approaches—Blood Qi Lord’s sealed demon soul. One misstep could be fatal." Mo Wenxian warned.

"With your Nine Palaces Heavenly Art and innate spiritual body, even a demon god’s remnant soul would hesitate." Blood Clothes waved dismissively, confident in her companion’s prowess.

"Being careful is always wise," Mo Wenxian sighed. "I’m not overly concerned about San Ying, but you, Blood Clothes, might bring misfortune through recklessness."

"Giggle~ Mo Wenxian speaks sense. Sister Blood Clothes should heed him," San Ying teased, glancing at the pouting woman in red.

"Fine! I’ll watch quietly when he confronts that Remnant Soul of the Demon God," Blood Clothes huffed, crossing her arms. Her impulsiveness had caused trouble before.

"We’re here." Mo Wenxian’s voice turned grave as they faced a colossal stone statue resembling a headless mountain beast. Its decaying bulk radiated suffocating dead air.

"WHO DARES?!" The stone beast’s voice boomed from nowhere, making the group flinch. Its active consciousness confirmed their worst fear – they’d face the most dangerous enemy yet.

Even a fractured demon god’s remnant soul could annihilate this realm. Battling such an entity meant balancing on life and death’s razor edge.

"I guard this formation! Enter if you dare!" The headless beast roared again. Mo Wenxian soared skyward, facing the mountain-sized monstrosity. Though dwarfed by its enormity, he readied himself for combat.

"Nine Palaces Heavenly Art records how Blood Qi Lord severed your head," Mo Wenxian recited coldly. "Sealed your senses, erased your will, and trapped you in this celestial prison to suffer eternally."

The stone beast ceased roaring. Oppressive silence fell like calm before a tsunami, tension crackling beneath the stillness.

"INSECT! YOU’LL BE MY NEXT MEAL!" Demonic energy erupted, unleashing hurricanes that parched rivers and crumbled mountains. Hellish flames engulfed the world.

Mo Wenxian hovered serenely amid the apocalypse. "Nine Palaces Heavenly Art – Law Forbidden!"

Earth Immortal sixth-level true qi exploded outward, nullifying the cataclysm. Sweat beaded Mo Wenxian’s brow – containing the demonic assault drained him severely.

"Interesting… Could this be the Nine Palaces Annihilation Body?" The remnant soul chuckled darkly. "Slaughter your companions, and I’ll spare you."

"Enough empty words." Mo Wenxian’s voice chilled as divine energy reignited around him. Though exhausted, he drew strength from his allies’ concern.

"What now?" Ye Yun asked Ancestor of the Sword Path as Mo Wenxian clashed with the demonic entity.

"Watch the show. Did you think I’d help? We wanted him dead in this Celestial-Demon battlefield anyway." The ancestor snorted, observing the raging remnant soul.

"Cold-hearted. I thought you respected him." Ye Yun side-eyed the spectral swordsman.

"Respect≠mercy. Better he dies here than becomes your future enemy." The ancestor chuckled mirthlessly. Though suppressing his own demonic impulses, witnessing Mo Wenxian’s sacrifice unsettled him.

Help or not? Ye Yun’s jaw tightened. Intervention meant future conflict, but inaction would haunt his cultivation path.

"I accept your terms." Ye Yun’s spirit perception pierced the stone beast’s demonic aura as it prepared to crush Mo Wenxian.

"HA! Earlier compliance would’ve spared the whelp!" A demonic head materialized in Ye Yun’s sea of consciousness, grinning viciously.

"First, display Blood Qi Heavenly Immortal’s three legacies when freed. You’ve lingered here long enough." Ye Yun demanded, unblinking.

"Simple! But why not let me eliminate this threat?" The demon gestured at Mo Wenxian’s struggling form, noting Ye Yun’s demonic energy corruption.

"Pathetic probing attempt." Ye Yun’s eyes hardened. "State your escape method, or waste both our time."

"Just lower your mental defenses. I’ll slip out harmlessly~" The demon head crooned.

"Think me a fool?" Ye Yun’s sea of consciousness suddenly erupted with soul power. "NOW!"

A soul storm engulfed the demonic entity as a black-white spirit manifest – Ancestor of the Sword Path. The trapped demon switched tactics instantly.

"Alliance? Devour the Heavenly Demon’s soul together!" it proposed hastily.

"Games won’t save you, maggot." The ancestor sneered. "You’re staying put."

"Must mortals die? You didn’t care during the war!" The demon protested.

"Human affairs≠yours. Speak your last." Murderous intent thickened.

"The dead woman’s gone! Take the Heavenly Demon’s power instead!" Desperation crept into the demon’s voice.

"Swear by Chaos." The ancestor’s smile turned predatory.

Through gritted teeth, the demon complied. As cosmic forces sealed its oath, the ancestor grinned. "Excellent. Now you’re truly trapped."

"DECEIVER!" The demon howled, lashing against soul chains.

"Quiet, worm." The ancestor’s soul power crushed resistance effortlessly. "Open the formation, or I’ll snack on your essence."

Cursing venomously, the demon complied. Its chaotic oath left no escape.

"Always the kind soul," the ancestor mock-sighed. "Pity none appreciate it." Even without the oath, he’d have devoured the demon – but verification never hurt.