Volume 1 Volume 6 Chapter 143

Volume 6 Chapter 143: Demon Ancestor (Part 3)

With the Demon Ancestor’s question, the atmosphere suddenly became tense. The Demon Ancestor’s deep eyes fixed intently on Xu Qingfan. Though the tone was calm, it carried great authority, making the sky seem dark and the earth tremble. Even the wind timidly stopped its wandering. It was a question, but the tone left no room for doubt.

Xu Qingfan never expected that a person’s presence could be so powerful. As the Demon Ancestor’s power radiated once more, Xu Qingfan felt that under this immense pressure, his heart stopped beating for a long time.

Under the powerful pressure, Xu Qingfan instinctively wanted to agree. However, when he accidentally turned to glance at Ting’er, who was staring closely at him, he saw the deep reliance in her dark eyes. His heart softened, and his trembling heart began to calm. He shook his head at the Demon Ancestor, indicating he did not agree.

Seeing that Xu Qingfan actually disagreed with his suggestion, a hint of surprise flashed in the Demon Ancestor’s eyes. In the previous question, he had already used a mystical technique to influence Xu Qingfan’s mind, not expecting Xu Qingfan’s resolve to be so strong.

The Demon Ancestor asked, "What? Don’t you want your niece to return to normal?"

"I do," Xu Qingfan forced himself to look directly into the Demon Ancestor’s eyes, showing no fear. "But I don’t want to hand her over to you."

"What do you mean?"

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s firm answer, the presence of the Demon Ancestor seemed to lessen a bit, but the gaze exchanged with Xu Qingfan grew deeper as he slowly asked.

"We all know Ting’er’s situation. She has a natural affinity for demonic energy, and with her somewhat stubborn personality, she can be seen as a natural demon cultivator. Perhaps her talent in demonic cultivation is even comparable to that of the Demon Ancestor from years ago."

Looking into the Demon Ancestor’s eyes required great willpower and courage. Under immense pressure, Xu Qingfan felt cold sweat dampening his clothes, yet he still spoke clearly and slowly.

"I can tell you that her talent in demonic cultivation is even higher than that of the Demon Ancestor. As long as she practices with me, there is even a chance that through this path, she could reach the unprecedented Soul Changing Stage."

The Demon Ancestor said.

"This is precisely why I cannot entrust Ting’er to you, senior," Xu Qingfan replied. "I can sense that you mean no harm to me. Otherwise, with your strength, it would be easy to kill me, and you wouldn’t have taken the time to guide me so much just now. However, even though you have left the ‘Underworld’ organization, you are still from ‘Earth’. To be honest, I respect you, but I do not trust you. Since we are meeting for the first time, I cannot hand Ting’er over to you just because of your high level of skill. Also, since you understand the ways of demonic cultivation so well and wish to take Ting’er as a disciple, I suspect that you are also a demon cultivator. I can guess your intentions; you likely want to use Ting’er’s talent to revive the demonic path. However, I do not want Ting’er to shoulder such a heavy burden, nor do I want her to become involved in the endless conflicts of the cultivation world because of your ambitions. I just wish for Ting’er to live peacefully. Most importantly, once Ting’er begins her demonic cultivation and loses control of her Demonic Thought, she will no longer be Ting’er. Rather than becoming like those crazy demon cultivators of the past, I would prefer she stays as she is now."

"So you don’t want her to return to normal? You’d rather let her stay lost forever?"

The Demon Ancestor looked deeply at Xu Qingfan and asked.

Xu Qingfan straightened his body and said, "I don’t need to belittle myself. Although my strength is not comparable to yours, I am still a skilled cultivator in this world. It does not mean I will always be weaker than you. I have merged with the ‘Demon Pearl’ and my current lack of understanding of demonic energy does not mean I won’t understand it in the future. I cannot bring Ting’er back to normal right now, but with my hard work, I will surely be able to restore her in the future. I cannot hand Ting’er over to you just because I want her to recover sooner; I won’t change her life like that."

The Demon Ancestor truly wanted to take Ting’er as his disciple. This was the first time he felt this way since starting his journey in cultivation. It is worth noting that during the height of the demonic path, he had only taken a few named disciples. Now, hearing Xu Qingfan’s firm tone, he was unexpectedly rejected without hesitation, and his brow slightly frowned.

"It seems I shouldn’t have asked you nicely. Your skills are quite impressive, but it’s a pity that you met me. Since I have this intention, whether you agree or not no longer matters."

The Demon Ancestor sighed slowly and began to take steps toward Xu Qingfan. His seemingly leisurely pace covered the distance of a hundred meters in an instant. At the same time, the immense pressure around him increased several times, making Xu Qingfan feel as if he couldn’t breathe. Yet, Xu Qingfan still stood behind Ting’er, stepping back slowly while channeling his Spirit Qi, warily watching the approaching Demon Ancestor, ready to fight back at any moment.

As the Demon Ancestor kept closing in, two thoughts constantly battled in Xu Qingfan’s mind. A cold feeling deep inside kept telling him that in this moment, saving himself was the most important thing. What happened to Ting’er’s future had nothing to do with him.

Xu Qingfan was terrified to feel such overwhelming coldness seep into the depths of his soul. The thoughts it produced were so strong that he struggled to suppress them. He felt panic for this chilling indifference, surprised to discover how profoundly the "Demon Pearl" had affected him.

At the same time, he silently reminded himself that Ting’er was his only blood relative in this world, and because of him, she had become this way. He must not sacrifice her because of his weakness. After repeating this to himself, Xu Qingfan finally managed to suppress the cold indifference that had almost become instinct. His gaze became resolute once again, calmly watching the increasingly close Demon Ancestor.

Seeing the struggle and hesitation in Xu Qingfan’s eyes, the Demon Ancestor slowed his steps while intensifying his pressure on Xu Qingfan. He thought that under the increased pressure, Xu Qingfan would give up resisting. However, in an instant, Xu Qingfan regained his determination. A flicker of admiration crossed his eyes, but then it turned very cold. With a wave of his hand, the world began to tremble, and it seemed he was about to attack Xu Qingfan.

However, at that moment, Ting’er moved.

Ting’er quickly stepped in front of Xu Qingfan. As the Demon Ancestor began to show hostility toward Xu Qingfan, the kindness Ting’er had once felt for him vanished, replaced by deep animosity. Endless black flames surrounded her as she growled softly at the Demon Ancestor, resembling a small beast threatening a hunter intruding into her home.

Seeing Ting’er act like this, the Demon Ancestor was a bit surprised. He didn’t expect Ting’er to have such deep feelings for Xu Qingfan. Even when she was lost in thought, she still protected him. Taking an apprentice should be a mutual choice, and with Ting’er protecting Xu Qingfan like this, it didn’t seem right to just take her away from him.

Just as the Demon Ancestor hesitated slightly, Xu Qingfan steadied his thoughts and spoke, "Senior, you just said that you no longer wish to get involved in the matters of the cultivation world. But by doing this, aren’t you just creating more problems? Your skills are profound, and even though you practice dark magic, you have already surpassed it. Deep down, you should know that the decline of dark magic is inevitable. Even if Ting’er increases her powers in the future, she will face the entire human race as soon as she emerges. Are you taking Ting’er as your apprentice just to bring her disaster? Besides, you can see that Ting’er doesn’t want to leave with you. Taking an apprentice should be a mutual decision. Even if you were to kill me and forcefully take Ting’er, she wouldn’t be able to walk the path you imagine without her willingness. I ask you to think carefully. If you insist on taking her as your apprentice, although I am far from your match, I will have to fight you with my life on the line."

While speaking, Xu Qingfan controlled the life and death energy within him, starting to operate the cultivation method called "Formula of Life and Death." This was the only method he could use in this situation.

Soon, black and white mist began to appear around Xu Qingfan. In an instant, it gathered together and transformed into a Taiji symbol, slowly rotating around him. With the appearance of the Taiji pattern, Xu Qingfan, who had been keeping a low profile in front of the Demon Ancestor, suddenly burst forth with an immense aura. It clashed with the aura of the Demon Ancestor, causing a resonating roar to echo in the air. The sky darkened and the ground shook fiercely. A deep crack appeared in the earth between the two, creating a chasm that seemed bottomless.

Even just the clash of auras produced such a powerful force.

After the clash of auras, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but take several steps back, nearly falling to the ground. His face, covered in black patterns, turned pale, and his dark, cold eyes lost their luster. A small trickle of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Xu Qingfan reached out to wipe the blood from his mouth, continuing to stare at the Demon Ancestor.

The overwhelming aura of the Demon Ancestor was the strongest Xu Qingfan had seen since he began his cultivation. He knew that clashing auras head-on was an act of humiliation, yet he had to do it to show his determination.

As Xu Qingfan’s powerful aura crashed forward, the Demon Ancestor felt nothing, as if a mere fly had bumped into him.

However, in response to Xu Qingfan’s provocation, the Demon Ancestor did not fight back but stood there, seemingly lost in thought, as if remembering Xu Qingfan’s words.

As the energies of the Demon Ancestor and Xu Qingfan clashed, Ting’er gasped and turned to look at Xu Qingfan with concern. When she saw that Xu Qingfan was okay, she felt relieved and let out an angry roar, charging at the Demon Ancestor with endless flames of magic.

"Ting’er, no!"

Seeing this scene, Xu Qingfan was shocked. Although Ting’er had absorbed a lot of demonic energy and now possessed Golden Core Stage power, compared to the Demon Ancestor, she was like an ant. If the Demon Ancestor just gently counterattacked, even using just a fraction of its power, Ting’er would instantly turn to ash.

Luckily, Xu Qingfan’s fears did not come true. When the Demon Ancestor faced Ting’er’s attack, it merely waved a hand lightly, and there was no sign of Spirit Qi stirring in the air. Ting’er was frozen in mid-air and could not move.

Seeing this, Xu Qingfan breathed a sigh of relief and stopped his attack, turning to look at the Demon Ancestor.

He saw the Demon Ancestor, after hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, looking up at the sky with its hands behind its back and after a long time, finally let out a deep sigh.

Just as Xu Qingfan had said, although the Demon Ancestor began in the dark path, its power had long transcended the limits of darkness. Looking back, it understood the pros and cons of the dark path clearly. Demon cultivators might not unite like righteous cultivators, nor did they possess the same diverse talent as evil cultivators, but there was no doubt that dark path cultivators were the strongest, a fact that both the righteous and evil paths could not deny.

However, because of the dark path’s nature of producing success at the cost of many lives, it was also the most intolerable to the world. When the dark path flourished, there were often dark path cultivators who would slaughter cities and destroy sects to gain power. It could be said that the rise of the dark path brought humanity closer to extinction, as humans were the foundation for demon cultivators. If humanity perished, demon cultivators would also perish, trapped in a vicious cycle. Without sacrificing other human cultivators, the dark path could not grow strong, but if it continued to massacre humans and cultivators to gain strength, it would be the start of its own downfall.

When the Demon Ancestor realized this point many years ago, he felt an overwhelming sense of despair. He discovered that the dark path he had created had such a fundamental flaw, making it impossible to escape the fate of destruction. Because he understood this, even though the Demon Ancestor had longed for revenge against the cultivators over the past ten thousand years, he had not planned to revive the dark path. Although reviving the dark path would be the greatest revenge against the cultivators and humanity.

The dark path was the result of his life’s work, and the Demon Ancestor could not bear to see it face destruction again.

However, Ting’er’s talent for dark magic was exceptionally high, even stronger than his own. This made the Demon Ancestor feel delighted, and he instinctively forgot the flaws of the dark path. He wanted to take Ting’er as his disciple and secretly hoped that this highly talented Ting’er could achieve what he could not—find a way to solve the dark path’s problems.

But Xu Qingfan’s words brought the Demon Ancestor back to reality.

The destruction of the dark path was predetermined, whether in the future or the past; the only difference was whether it would take countless living beings as companions in death or be eradicated by the beings of the world. Since this is the case, why bother to dream of reviving the dark path?

"You, even though you have already decided to stay out of it, still cannot see through the situation. Even just a glimmer of hope is enough to cause you to lose your composure and break your previous vows."

The Demon Ancestor said to himself quietly.

After a long time, the Demon Ancestor sighed and with a wave of his hand, the trapped Ting’er instantly regained her freedom.

"Ting’er, come back!"

When Xu Qingfan saw Ting’er free from trouble and about to attack the Demon Ancestor, he shouted. He faintly sensed that the old man before him no longer insisted on taking Ting’er as his disciple.

As Ting’er returned to Xu Qingfan’s side, the Demon Ancestor gave Xu Qingfan a glance and then paused for a moment on Ting’er, a hint of regret flashing across his face, and said, "Forget it, I won’t insist on you anymore. Just pretend I was never here; I should not exist in this world with the dark path."

Although the words were light, they carried a sense of hopelessness.

As he spoke, the Demon Ancestor’s body flickered and seemed about to vanish.

"Please hold on, senior. I have one more question to ask."

Seeing this scene, Xu Qingfan quickly stepped forward and said.

However, the Demon Ancestor ignored Xu Qingfan’s plea, and he was almost completely disappearing from Xu Qingfan’s sight.

"Senior, for the sake of your wish to take Ting’er as your disciple, please tell me how to help Ting’er regain her true memories!"

As the Demon Ancestor’s body completely vanished, Xu Qingfan’s voice echoed through the world.

Although Xu Qingfan had just spoken many bold words to the Demon Ancestor, he still couldn’t bear to see Ting’er lost in her own nature. At that moment, he felt confused about Ting’er’s situation, and in the end, he couldn’t help but ask the Demon Ancestor.

However, as the Demon Ancestor completely vanished, Xu Qingfan’s voice echoed throughout the world. Even after the echo faded, he still waited for a response from the Demon Ancestor.

After a long time, Xu Qingfan thought the Demon Ancestor was unwilling to answer, sighed quietly, and turned to look at Ting’er, who was nervously tugging at his sleeve like a little animal beside its mother. A feeling of compassion arose in his heart as he whispered, "Ting’er, don’t worry, I will make sure you regain your memory and true self."

Just then, the voice of the already departed Demon Ancestor suddenly appeared in Xu Qingfan’s heart.

"If you do not want Ting’er to practice the magical cultivation method, then I cannot help you restore this girl’s lost nature, but I can tell you the reason; you will have to find a way yourself."

"She absorbed too much demonic energy and forcefully broke through to the Golden Core Stage. However, in order to break through in the cultivator’s realm, one must not only accumulate power within but also understand the Heavenly Way. Only then can a cultivator control their own power. Sadly, Ting’er’s affinity for demonic energy is too strong, and without enough understanding of the Heavenly Way, she relied solely on her inner demonic energy to reach the Golden Core Stage. As a result, the situation reversed; instead of her controlling her own power, her power began to control her, leaving her consciousness completely suppressed, relying only on instinct."

"Additionally, since we are somewhat connected, I will warn you of two things. First, the so-called Demon Thought is an obsession in your heart that has expanded infinitely, leading you to take extreme measures. Ting’er’s obsession may be her dependence on and concern for you, so be careful; she may act extremely in the future. Second, do not think that a righteous artifact can completely neutralize the ‘Demon Pearl’ that has merged with you. The mysteries of the ‘Demon Pearl’ and demonic energy are not as simple as you imagine. I will say no more; you must consider the rest yourself. Do not speak of my matters to others. From now on, I will only be an observer, and this will be my last time intervening in the cultivation world’s affairs."