Chapter 816

Chapter 816: The Black Demon Beast

"Ancestor, this consumption rate is utterly unreasonable." Ye Yun’s black robe fluttered as he landed lightly on a massive boulder. The surrounding demonic energy now flowed like raging rivers, violently assaulting him. His protective Immortal spirit energy drained endlessly, forcing him to constantly crush Immortal Spirit Stones from his Storage Treasure to buy fleeting moments of safety. When the Ancestor noticed Ye Yun’s questioning gaze, he sighed, "This can’t be helped. Even I can’t use Soul Power to repel this demonic energy here. There’s likely something formidable hidden nearby. Consider this… an expensive lesson."

Though frustrated, Ye Yun quickly accepted reality. His eyes swept the area—no visible traces of demon creatures remained, yet subtle distortions within the thick demonic energy warned him this place held deeper dangers.

"If my guess holds, whatever lurks here isn’t ordinary. It’s probably a high-ranking Devil Race expert." Through the Ancestor’s spirit perception, Ye Yun observed the cracked seals where once-peaceful Immortal patterns had been fully corrupted by invading demonic energy. He shook his head helplessly—some situations defied even his efforts.

"Reviving this array would demand absurd amounts of Immortal Spirit Stones. A hundred billion might buy mere moments of operation." The Ancestor’s tone turned dry as he watched Ye Yun’s pained expression.

But such concerns meant little now. Their true mission was finding the magic source crystal buried in this demonic-infested cavern. Without it, even mountains of top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones would prove useless. The Ancestor’s spirit perception kept scattering against the dense demonic tides, leaving both man and spirit equally blind—an irony not lost on the old guide.

"Forward it is. Waiting in darkness solves nothing." With no better options, Ye Yun leaped down. His Immortal spirit energy caused faint ripples in the corrupted earth where he landed, but these fragile traces vanished instantly under the demonic onslaught once he moved.

"Purification alone won’t work. We must drain at least eighty percent of this place’s demonic energy first. Otherwise…" Ye Yun eyed the rapidly fading spiritual traces, then pressed deeper into the cavern.

He passed countless skeletons—mostly Eighth or Ninth Level Earth Immortal demons, but also human and even Demon Race remains. This graveyard hinted at ancient desperation: a rare alliance between mortal enemies against a greater threat. Ye Yun’s chest tightened imagining that battle—outnumbered defenders sacrificing everything against overwhelming darkness.

Humans viewed demons as beasts; demons saw humans as vermin. Yet Ye Yun knew both perspectives held truth. While some demons possessed intelligence, most relied on primal instincts rather than human-like discipline. Humanity’s weakness bred ingenuity and unity—traits allowing their survival despite frail bodies. Sects protected mortal communities not just from kindness, but necessity: countless ordinary hands supported the few cultivators who shielded them. Such mutual dependence rarely survived first contact with true power.

"Ancestor, circling blindly helps nothing. Can you draw out whatever’s hiding here?" Ye Yun entered a new cavern littered with shattered weapons. A single Black Hammer stood intact among the debris, subtly absorbing surrounding demonic energy.

Intrigued, Ye Yun approached. This anomaly likely held answers—perhaps even the magic source crystal itself. "If analysis fails, refining it to essence might reveal secrets." Simple, crude, but effective.

The Ancestor chuckled, reading his thoughts. "Planning to melt it down? I considered that too, but…" His voice trailed off meaningfully.

Ye Yun grimaced. Right—his current mortal shell couldn’t withstand such reckless methods. "Then brute force remains." Lightning crackled around his left hand as a Thunder Spirit Immortal Sword materialized. The blade struck the Black Hammer in a shower of sparks… yet left no mark.

Undeterred, Ye Yun’s eyes flashed with twin ice lotuses. A colossal frost hand slammed into the hammer, followed by a blizzard that froze the cavern floor. He gripped the ice-encased handle, muscles straining—but the hammer refused to budge.

"Persistent, aren’t you?" Activating the Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique, Ye Yun channeled ambient Immortal spirit energy into his body. Distant rumbles warned of approaching threats, but the hammer’s faint vibrations urged him onward.

"Deal with the demon souls first!" The Ancestor barked as shadowy figures swarmed closer.

"Two minutes!" Ye Yun growled through clenched teeth. His veins bulged as ice spiritual power surged—enough to flash-freeze a lake, yet the hammer barely trembled.

The first wave of demon souls hit like a tsunami. Frost and flames erupted simultaneously as Ye Yun unleashed Fire Flame Triad: Sea of Heavenly Fire. Icy winds and scorching tides devoured the attackers, their silent screams battering uselessly against his fortified mind.

CRACK!

The frozen hammer handle shattered. Ye Yun staggered as the cavern quaked violently. From collapsing debris emerged a mountainous black beast—two horns curving skyward, wings spanning thousands of feet. Tenth Level Earth Immortal aura crushed down, yet the Heavenly Destruction Seal in Ye Yun’s palm stayed unused.

"Corrupted guardian spirit…" Ye Yun murmured. This creature once protected mortal realms, now reduced to a demonic puppet. Before he could act, a thunderous voice shook the cavern: "DARE YOU?"

The beast cowered instantly, wings folding submissively. White light flashed as Ye Yun reappeared elsewhere, analyzing the scene. "A preserved demon god’s soul? Or clever illusion?" Either way, time pressed harder than any enemy.

Roaring anew, the beast resumed devouring demonic energy—its aura inching toward the demon god realm. Ye Yun’s hand hovered near his boundary-breaking symbol… then paused. This crisis might yet become an opportunity.