Chapter 788

Chapter 788: Cultivator Tianqing

"Ye Yun, use Born as a Sword to break this Barrier created by the demon god. Otherwise, I fear this youngster might fall for the wicked one’s schemes inside," the Ancestor urged, watching the radiant divine power erupting from below that forcibly pushed the demon god into retreat. The terrifying combat power displayed made the Ancestor value this talent even more.

"How many types of spiritual power need merging this time?" Without questioning the Ancestor’s decision, Ye Yun drew his Purple Shadow Divine Sword again. The destructive aura of heavenly judgment thickened around them.

"Ending this with one sword strike seems excessive," Ye Yun remarked dryly. His eyes hardened as he swung the blade downward. The devastating force tore through the air like a giant dragon’s charge, instantly obliterating the demon god’s Barrier trapping the black-haired man.

The black-haired man, still locked in combat, sensed the destructive wave rushing toward his back. Spotting Ye Yun’s smiling figure holding the Purple Shadow Divine Sword, he barely registered the rescue before Ye Yun materialized before him, grabbed his arm, and vanished.

When they reappeared five miles away, a destructive gale followed. Even using teleportation, Ye Yun barely outpaced the Sword Might’s spread.

"My thanks, fellow Daoist." Noticing Ye Yun’s pallor, the black-haired man produced a white pill radiating intense medicinal fragrance. "A humble creation of mine. Please take it if you’ll accept."

Ye Yun recognized the pill’s extraordinary quality. The man’s self-deprecation made him inwardly chuckle – was this accidental mockery? His own abandoned dream of becoming an alchemist resurfaced briefly.

"Why do you look at me with such regret?" the black-haired man asked, uncomfortable under Ye Yun’s stare.

"My buried aspiration was alchemy. Seeing a master alchemist so young… it stings my pride," Ye Yun jested, recovering the ninety percent of essence drained by that single sword strike.

"You jest! If you truly wish to learn, I’ll teach you. It’s poor repayment for saving my life, but…" the black-haired man offered earnestly.

"Unnecessary. Any righteous cultivator would act likewise against demons. You’d do the same," Ye Yun deflected, amused by the contrast between the man’s current cheer and earlier battle coldness.

"Still, your power astonishes me. Master always said ‘there’s always greater talent,’ but I doubted – until now. I’ve been a frog at the bottom of a well!" The black-haired man’s eyes shone with fervor. "Your swordsmanship – could we spar someday?"

"Sparring? That strike left me nearly empty. Another might trigger qi deviation," Ye Yun declined wryly. Truthfully, even at full strength, facing this Eighth Level Earth Immortal realm peer – likely his age – gave little chance of victory.

"May I ask your Master’s name? I’d seek guidance when possible," Ye Yun probed.

"My lineage’s solitary – no sect, just wandering cultivators. Today was my debut into the world, yet I immediately met that Faceless Demon. Quite the inauspicious start," the man deflected, clearly relishing conversation after years of monastic training under an aloof Master.

Through Ye Yun, he learned of Lingyao Continent’s social intricacies. "Then I’ll join your Nine Demons Burning venture. Experiencing worldly affairs aligns with my goals."

"Tianqing, reconsider. Sealing the Demon Race risks death. Their threat nearly matches the Devil Race’s," Ye Yun cautioned, though valuing the companionship.

"Worry not! My Master charged me with slaying demons and eliminating evil. Meeting someone as formidable as you, how could I not assist? Even without debt, I’d help!" Tianqing insisted brightly.

"Very well. But how skilled are you at concealing aura?" Ye Yun pressed. They couldn’t have Tianqing’s Eighth Level Earth Immortal realm cultivation alerting their targets.

"Master taught me thus…" Tianqing’s aura suddenly muted. "Well? Detectable?"

"Ancestor, why does his temperament seem… younger?" Ye Yun mused at Tianqing’s childlike grin.

"Typical of potent innate spiritual bodies. Their mental refinement requires time," the Ancestor replied.

"Then we’ll partner. I need the aid." Ye Yun nodded, pleased by Tianqing’s concealment skills. This journey unexpectedly gifted both an ally and glimpse of staggering talent – though Ye Yun felt no jealousy, only anticipation for future adventures beyond Earth Immortal realm.

"But where is Nine Demons Burning? Master described demonic beings but never specifics. He warned they deceive through innocent guises," Tianqing inquired eagerly as Ye Yun recovered.

"This is indeed correct, but perhaps it’s precisely why the Demon Race hates our clan. After all, we humans hold the advantage now. Though I’m hardly qualified to say this, if we meet less violent demons, we should solve things peacefully without cruelty." Ye Yun spoke earnestly to Tianqing, his first true friend, aiming to guide him. Noticing Tianqing’s confusion, Ye Yun grinned, "If one punch can kill, never use a second kick. Understand?"

"Ah! Now I get it!" Tianqing laughed, enlightenment dawning. He remembered Ye Yun’s earlier advice about instantly destroying enemies upon reaching Nine Demons Burning.

"Aren’t you ashamed of tricking him?" The Ancestor glared at Ye Yun, who kept smiling at Tianqing. "Jealous because his natural physique surpasses yours?"

"Why state the obvious?" Ye Yun chuckled.

"Tch! Heaven rarely lets such talents live long. That innate spiritual body’s already reached divine body level while he’s still an Eighth Level Earth Immortal. His Master must’ve known this, hiding him all these years."

Ye Yun nodded. Tianqing’s physique could obliterate him instantly unless Ye Yun reached Earth Immortal realm. The truth stung, but denial served no purpose. With three months left of lifespan, worrying about others seemed wasteful.

Closing his eyes to sense spatial laws, Ye Yun watched Tianqing marvel at sudden spatial pressure. "We’re heading straight to Nine Demons Burning. Conceal your aura."

"Easy! I’m an expert at hiding auras." Tianqing’s energy vanished completely. Spatial laws enveloped them, and they disappeared.

Arriving in scorching heat, Tianqing stared at crimson lava streams. Dipping his hand, he grinned, "Fascinating! I expected nothing special, but this place delivers."

"This is just the beginning." Ye Yun remained tense. His casual lava-freezing had drawn an Eighth Level Earth Immortal Great Demon King last time.

"Fool! You froze entire sections of the lava river! Should they wait until you ice the whole thing?" The Ancestor snapped.

"I retreated after freezing one-third upstream. Almost got killed." Ye Yun’s innocent expression infuriated the Ancestor, who’d suggested testing the waters.

"Suddenly it’s my fault?" The Ancestor watched Ye Yun prepare spatial laws. "Stop! Massive spatial fluctuations will alert every beast king and Great Demon King nearby."

"Explain." Ye Yun paused.

"Big disturbances attract high-level demons. Remember last time’s Great Demon King? Move carefully. Stay undetected."

"Seems our only choice." Ye Yun sighed. The Ancestor had masked their presence this time. Next, he’d face demons alone.

"Tianqing, avoid fighting if possible. If discovered, we’ll face endless hordes."

Tianqing molded lava creatures with divine light, crushing them playfully. "Don’t worry. I can wipe out swarms below Great Demon King level. Even Seventh Level Earth Immortal beast kings wouldn’t risk confronting me."

"Save that for later. Now, stealth is key. My mission must succeed." Ye Yun knew Tianqing had tricks, but their priority was resealing the area. Provoking Great Demon Kings would force them to flee rather than complete the seal. Monitoring underground movements, Ye Yun stayed alert.