Chapter 254: 162, Kill! Kill! Kill!
"A demon! Shi Yuyan has succumbed to demonic cultivation."
The remaining powerful experts from the various sects were shocked when they saw this scene.
Killing someone and stealing their heart definitely belonged to the highest echelons of the demon way. Only demonic techniques could possess such unpredictable power, distinct from orthodox Cultivation.
It was just that they couldn’t understand why Shi Yuyan, having succumbed to demonic cultivation, didn’t suffer a backlash and still maintained her sanity.
The Cauldron Heart Technique...
Xu Xing and Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun exchanged glances, recalling the Cauldron Heart Technique found in the Storage Bag of the East Sea Dragon King.
At that time, after he and the Three Great Demon Immortals had killed the East Sea Dragon King, they had each made a copy of the Cultivation Methods the Dragon Lord carried. Among them was the Cauldron Heart Technique.
Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun muttered to herself, "Outer Cauldron succumbs to demonic transformation, Inner Cauldron preserves the sacred heart. She cultivates the Universal Salvation Sacred Law of the Universal Salvation Religion and has combined the two techniques... Indeed, she is a genius of extraordinary talent. Otherwise, she would not have been entrusted by the various sects with the grave responsibility of selecting the True Dragon Emperor..."
In eighty years, Shi Yuyan had cultivated both techniques, achieving a level of mastery that surpassed even Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun’s by more than a little.
Xu Xing remained silent. This path is difficult to tread. Using an outer cauldron for demonic power while maintaining sanity with an inner cauldron... Relying on demonic transformation to increase strength and then using the inner cauldron to keep the mind from being eroded. This is a deviation from the orthodox path of Cultivation. Even if this method increases one’s power much faster than ordinary people, one will eventually pay the price for today’s choice. Every cause has its effect; this is the irrefutable principle of heaven and earth.
Had it not been for King Li Hong of Chu’s Golden Body, which, though large, was impure and riddled with weaknesses despite its terrifying appearance, Shi Yuyan might not only have failed to kill King Li Hong of Chu but could have perished herself.
If it were the King Li Hong of Chu from eighty years ago, Shi Yuyan might not have been able to kill him today...
Xu Xing knew this very well.Upon succumbing to demonic transformation, some cultivators experience an increase in their power, while others see it diminish. Although King Li Hong of Chu used the Heavenly Demon Copper Scroll to increase his Cultivation, the Golden Body Realm he pursued was actually the path of bloodline purification. Having taken a divergent path, even if King Li Hong of Chu’s power increased, his weaknesses became glaringly obvious. His impure Golden Body was easily shattered when facing an expert like Shi Yuyan. Furthermore, King Li Hong of Chu lacked the Cauldron Heart Technique to maintain his mental state, so although he didn’t completely lose his mind after his demonic transformation, he lacked the strategic thinking of a normal expert. If I were King Li Hong of Chu, the moment my Golden Body shattered, I would have definitely chosen to flee first. Only after gathering intelligence on my opponent would I have considered engaging again.
「...」
「...」
After killing King Li Hong of Chu, Shi Yuyan’s fierce aura receded. Her white clothes were soaked with fresh blood, staining half her body. The golden pupils, reminiscent of an immortal from the moon, faded from her eyes, and her almond-shaped eyes revealed a hint of bewilderment. She stepped onto the layers of flesh and bone fragments covering the ground, then recoiled several steps in fright, her expression helpless. She looked like a pitiful, sheltered young girl who had accidentally stumbled into this horrific scene.
She’s suppressing her demonic thoughts and is exhausted...
Kill her!
For the past hundred years, disciples from various sects have been disappearing, their hearts gouged out. It must be this demonic woman’s doing!
Several remaining experts communicated via Divine Sense, intending to seize the spoils from killing King Li Hong of Chu and wrest the Demonic Technique from Shi Yuyan while she was weak. A Demonic Technique that allows one to regain sanity after demonic transformation—its value was immeasurable. To justify their actions, they began to slander Shi Yuyan, attempting to brand her as a universally despised demonic woman.
However, Xu Xing, who had been waiting, took action. He released his Outer Dao Golden Body. Although not as massive as King Li Hong of Chu’s, in the past twenty years, it had surged to over ten feet tall, and it was even purer and more radiant than King Li Hong of Chu’s Golden Body. If King Li Hong of Chu’s Golden Body was like a Great Sun, then Xu Xing’s Golden Body was more like the Great Sun at the very peak of its Ultimate Sublimation, a state his Golden Body constantly maintained.
He stood before Shi Yuyan, blocking the killing intent of the experts from the various sects. Their various attacks landed on his Golden Body as if merely scratching an itch. While maintaining his Golden Body, he moved through the battlefield as if taking a leisurely stroll. His Carp Dragon Flying Sword, directed by his Divine Sense, pierced the skulls of one expert after another.
"We are killing this demonic woman to uphold justice for Heaven!"
"Sir, do you think you can act so wantonly just because you are strong? Know this: justice resides in the hearts of the people! If you kill us today, you will surely be reviled by all living beings!"
In less than Three Breaths, thirty percent of the experts from the various sects preparing to besiege Shi Yuyan had fallen. The remaining members of the various sects wore ugly expressions. Some, their minds racing, began to invoke lofty principles of righteousness to pressure Xu Xing into stopping.
"The person King Li Hong of Chu wanted to kill just now was me!" Xu Xing offered no further explanation. After uttering this single sentence, he resumed the slaughter.
These forces surrounded in Nanchuan Valley were all top figures from their respective sects, revered as masters and patriarchs within their organizations. Yet, at this moment, they were like bound cattle and sheep, easily slaughtered one by one.
"No, don’t kill me! I wasn’t part of the siege against Shi Yuyan! I... I was just... just scouting for information..." Several people kowtowed, begging for mercy.
Under the crushing weight of such unparalleled power, all schemes and calculations seemed pale and futile. Begging for mercy to save their lives was far better than confronting Xu Xing.
But before they could finish speaking, Xu Xing’s Carp Dragon Flying Sword had already pierced their foreheads, instantly ending their lives.
"If you want to take advantage, be prepared to die," Xu Xing stated, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.
From raising his banner at Mount Siming until now, the number of people he had ordered killed was in the tens of thousands. As an Emperor, he usually didn’t act personally but issued orders for executions. But when he did kill with his own hands, he showed no mercy. Perhaps there were good people among those I slaughtered. After all, Shi Yuyan’s demonic transformation is a fact. But how can matters under the sky be simply distinguished by ’good’ and ’bad’? Ultimately, it depends on whose side you’re on.
Before long, the battlefield was swept clean, leaving only Xu Xing, Shi Yuyan, and Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun.
Those who tried to escape from Nanchuan Valley were hunted down one by one by the Eight Tribulations Ghost Immortal, Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun, who showed no mercy whatsoever.
If King Li Hong of Chu hadn’t interfered today, and if Xu Xing and I were just overseeing things at the Fox Heavenly Palace, my Heavenly Fox Clan might have been slaughtered by these people.
"She’s fainted... Is it... a transformation?"
As Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun reached Xu Xing’s side, Shi Yuyan, who was several hundred paces behind Xu Xing, swayed and was about to collapse. Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun quickly supported Shi Yuyan, examined her, and then spoke. For a warrior of the Physical Martial Way, their entire essence is fundamentally concentrated in the heart. Since Shi Yuyan had devoured King Li Hong of Chu’s Origin Energy, it was natural for her to undergo a transformation now.
Xu Xing, observing this, also examined Shi Yuyan’s condition. He used his Magic Power to perceive the operational trajectory of Shi Yuyan’s Cultivation Method, which was similar to the Cauldron Heart Technique. Indeed, these are traces of the Cauldron Heart Technique... Inner Cauldron, Outer Cauldron.
"Friend Xiang... when we go to the outside world, take her along." Xu Xing hesitated for a moment, then his resolve firmed.
Although I intended to sever my connection with Shi Yuyan, to remain unmoved by external affections and focus solely on Cultivation, I cannot forget how she risked her life to save me this time... One should strive to repay the life-saving grace of even a stranger, let alone Shi Yuyan, my mother in this world. Succumbing to demonic transformation is, after all, not the righteous path. In the Bloodline World, it’s difficult to find a way to help Shi Yuyan. Immortal Path Cultivation Methods are mostly balanced and moderate. Instances of demonic transformation are rare in the Flying Feather Immortal Palace. Besides, our cultivation paths differ, so even if the Flying Feather Immortal Palace has methods to dispel demonic thoughts, they might not be suitable for Shi Yuyan. The world beyond this Bloodline World, capable of producing an expert like the War God, must surely be a vast and magnificent one.
"This is as it should be," Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun nodded her elegant head slightly, agreeing to Xu Xing’s decision.
Shi Yuyan’s victory over and killing of King Li Hong of Chu this time demonstrates that her strength cannot be underestimated. One more expert means a greater chance of establishing a foothold in the outside world. Furthermore, Shi Yuyan can control her demonic thoughts with the Cauldron Heart Technique, making her virtually indistinguishable from an ordinary person. There’s no need to worry about her indiscriminately attacking friend or foe.
"Dai Feng and Ding Zong are here?"
Just as Xu Xing and Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun were preparing to return to the Fox Heavenly Palace, she sensed something. Looking up at the western sky, she saw four or five streaks of Escaping Light speeding towards Nanchuan Valley.
When my Heavenly Fox Clan was in trouble... they just stood by and watched. Now that they see we’ve won, they finally show up. After so many years of acquaintance, the actions of Dai Feng and Ding Zong are truly contemptible. Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun sneered coldly. Adversity reveals true character, and hardship tests true feelings. She and Blood Snake King Dai Feng had been friends for many years. Yet, when the Heavenly Fox Clan faced peril, Blood Snake King Dai Feng did not come to their aid... Of course, everyone makes their own choices; she couldn’t force them. But since Blood Snake King Dai Feng, Purple Rat King Dingzong, and the others chose to be mere onlookers... they shouldn’t blame her, the Heavenly Fox King, for being ruthless. She would no longer share the secrets of Moyun Palace with these individuals. From now on, they would only be friends on the surface.
"We heard the Heavenly Fox Clan was in trouble and rushed over. We apologize for our lateness, Friend Xiang. We hope you don’t mind..." Blood Snake King Dai Feng was the first to arrive. His eyes swept across the battlefield. Combining this with the wisp of Divine Sense he had left near Nanchuan Valley, he quickly surmised what had transpired.
They lacked Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun’s good fortune of receiving Lady Xiao Xiao’s opportunity, which had allowed her to reach the Eight Tribulations Ghost Immortal Realm. Eighty years had passed, and they had only reached the Seventh Tribulations Ghost Immortal Late Stage, still one step away from advancing to the Eight Tribulations Ghost Immortal Realm.
"Moyun Palace actually manifested in Nanchuan Valley instead of Lonely Cloud City by the South Sea! It seems we made a trip for nothing," Purple Rat King Dingzong and several other Demon Immortals said, casually offering a plausible excuse.
Their relationship with Heavenly Fox King Xiang Jun wasn’t that deep anyway. Maintaining superficial appearances was enough.
"However, now that King Li Hong of Chu is dead..." Blood Snake King Dai Feng looked intently at King Li Hong of Chu’s corpse, licked his lips, his heart filled with anticipation. King Li Hong of Chu was the master of the Jiang Dynasty and a hegemon of this world. His possessions must be extraordinary. That Gold Armor alone is priceless!
"Could it be that Blood Snake King Dai Feng intends to rob my mother and me?" Xu Xing glanced at Blood Snake King Dai Feng with an amused expression, the Carp Dragon Flying Sword in his palm still wet with fresh blood.
The combined strength of these Great Demon Immortals was indeed not insignificant. This was likely why Blood Snake King Dai Feng dared to speak up. However, my true Realm is far beyond what they perceive.