The Dao of Reincarnation (93-97) (Patreon)

Chapter 93: First Steps on the Demonic Path (Part 5)

Half a month later.

In a dim underground chamber.

Su Chen opened his eyes. Beside him lay a shriveled, desiccated corpse, its features completely unrecognizable. The remains belonged to Mu Yingyi.

After refining the origin essence of a prodigy, Su Chen clearly felt improvements in both his aptitude and cultivation. His current realm had caught up to where Mu Yingyi had stood: seventh layer of the Spirit Soul realm. He clenched his fist, then slowly released it. Pure white qi gathered in his palm like a condensed orb.

Such a pace of cultivation… it was simply too fast. Fast enough to intoxicate, to make one revel in slaughter, to crave the rush of growing stronger.

Su Chen's mind quickly steadied. The Heaven-Devouring Earth-Swallowing Divine Art was powerful, but it could not be used frequently. Otherwise, the technique would eventually dominate its practitioner, turning them into a mindless puppet.

The qi in his hand enveloped Mu Yingyi's corpse. In an instant, both the energy and the remains vanished without a trace.

With everything handled, Su Chen left the chamber and returned to the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land. He went straight to the mission hall to submit the completed task. The elder on duty gave Su Chen a brief, indifferent glance and nodded in acknowledgment.

After leaving the mission hall, Su Chen returned to his cave abode. Zhou Hanchan, having learned of his return, had already bustled about preparing a lavish dinner well in advance. The brother and sister savored the rare moment of warmth and peace.

After the meal, Zhou Hanchan looked at Su Chen with blazing determination in her eyes. "Brother… I want to become stronger!"

Su Chen studied her seriously for a moment before replying calmly, "With me protecting you, that's enough."

Zhou Hanchan threw herself onto him, shaking his arm and whining coquettishly, "Brother, you're already an inner disciple, and I'm your little sister, but I'm still only at the ninth layer of Spirit Gathering—I haven't even reached the Spirit Vein realm yet! I want to get stronger. I don't want to hold you back!"

Her pleading was earnest and adorable.

Su Chen rubbed his forehead, a touch helpless. "Getting stronger means enduring a lot of hardship. You'll have to suffer through endless pain and trials."

Zhou Hanchan shook her head firmly. "Brother, I'm not afraid of hardship. I'm not afraid of trials!"

In the end, Su Chen could only compromise. "Then let's talk about it tomorrow."

Zhou Hanchan's small face lit up with excitement. Her impossibly cute bun-like cheeks were too much for Su Chen to resist; he reached out and pinched them twice.

The next day.

Su Chen began guiding Zhou Hanchan on the path to greater strength.

Three days later.

Zhou Hanchan pouted miserably. "Brother, I don't want to get stronger anymore. I just want to lie flat."

Su Chen sternly refused and, for good measure, pinched her cheeks again.

Day after day passed like this. Before long, a full year had slipped by. The once-sensational death of Prodigy Ranking genius Mu Yingyi gradually faded from memory amid the relentless flow of time.

Su Chen visited the mission hall once more and accepted another assignment. After he left the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land…

Outside the sacred land's gates.

Su Chen spotted a familiar figure.

Zhou Yi stood waiting, as though he had anticipated Su Chen's departure.

"Zhou Yi pays respects to the Sovereign. The inner sect is crawling with Zhou Hao's dogs. To avoid exposing our Primordial Remnant Clan and drawing their attention, I dared not seek you out again until now. Please forgive my absence."

Su Chen was inwardly surprised.

'So there are still remnants of the Primordial Remnant Clan inside the inner sect… and ones in positions of real power!'

For Zhou Yi to know the exact timing and details of his mission so quickly, someone with authority in the mission hall must have leaked the information.

"Zhou Yi, you risked coming to find me. Is there something urgent?"

Zhou Yi nodded. "The elders hope that the Sovereign will participate in the true disciple trial one year from now and ascend to become a true disciple of the sacred land."

Su Chen frowned. "Ascend to true disciple? Isn't that a bit too soon?"

He had only recently become an inner disciple.

Zhou Yi replied calmly, "Sovereign, rest assured. The elders will help conceal your… special circumstances. The true disciple selection a year from now involves a major event within the sacred land. Your ascension will bring immense benefits. As for the specifics, forgive this subordinate for keeping it veiled. The matter is of grave importance—only a true disciple may be entrusted with the knowledge."

Su Chen nodded. He could understand the caution displayed by the clan elders of the Primordial Remnant Clan. After all, a single lapse in vigilance would have led to their complete annihilation long ago.

Having delivered the message, Zhou Yi vanished once more like a ghost.

Su Chen stared at the spot where Zhou Yi had stood, lost in thought for a moment, before continuing toward his assigned mission location.

One month later.

Xie Feng, the prodigy ranked eighty-third on the Western Regions' Prodigy Ranking, vanished without a trace—presumed dead. The Xie Clan erupted in fury. They posted an enormous bounty, vowing to hunt down and execute whoever had dared slay their clan's prodigy and avenge Xie Feng. Yet no matter how thoroughly the Xie Clan searched, they found not the slightest clue.

Some speculated that Xie Feng had provoked a formidable enemy and been slain. Others believed he had encountered a powerful demon beast and been devoured. Still others guessed he had ventured into an ancient ruin and perished there amid unknown dangers.

This continent had never lacked for tragedy. As one generation faded, new legends rose to take their place.

Su Chen returned to the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land. He submitted his mission as usual, then spent time guiding Zhou Hanchan in her cultivation. Her progress had been steady. She now stood at the fifth layer of the Spirit Vein realm, and her Spirit Vein carried a rare purple quality.

Time flowed swiftly. Another year passed.

"Brother, are you really going to compete for true disciple status?"

Zhou Hanchan looked at him with a mix of shock and worry.

Su Chen nodded.

"True disciple—I will claim it without fail."

Zhou Hanchan's small face crumpled. "Brother, it's too dangerous! You've only been in the inner sect for two years. How can you possibly compete with those senior brothers and sisters who have been here far longer?"

Su Chen rolled his eyes and reached out to knead her soft bun-like cheeks. "What's that supposed to mean? Don't you trust your big brother?"

Zhou Hanchan's voice came out muffled and garbled. "I… trust… you…"

Su Chen released her and turned his gaze toward the entrance of the cave abode. One after another, figures exuding powerful auras returned to the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land. Without question, these were all inner disciples of the sect. All of them had come for the same reason: to vie for the position of true disciple!

Chapter 94: First Steps on the Demonic Path (Part 6)

Su Chen entered the inner sect trial. The Sun-Devouring Sacred Land's inner sect trial remained as brutal as ever. All participants fought in a chaotic free-for-all. Only the final survivor would ascend to true disciple status.

Of course, it was not a battle to the death for everyone. Each inner disciple carried a protective talisman. Once the talisman shattered, the bearer would be immediately teleported out of the battlefield, preserving their life.

Su Chen stepped into the secret realm—a minor world personally created by a Saint of the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land. The sect's demonic-leaning system ensured that its disciples were a motley mix of strengths and backgrounds. Some were only at the Spirit Sea realm, while others had already reached Spirit Soul.

The moment Su Chen appeared, he drew attention.

"That kid looks like a newcomer. Let's rob him first, then eliminate him!"

Greed flashed in several eyes. Not everyone had come solely for the true disciple position. Many saw the chaos as the perfect opportunity to plunder resources. Su Chen was hardly a prominent figure in the inner sect. He rarely showed his face, so most regarded him as easy prey.

Two figures suddenly blocked Su Chen's path—one fat, one thin.

"Kid, hand over everything you've got right now. Otherwise, we'll strip you bare before we kick you out!"

The plump youth squinted his tiny green-bean eyes and brandished a mace-like spirit weapon, radiating menace.

"Exactly. Your choice: hand it over willingly, or make us take it—and then we strip you naked anyway."

The tall, lanky one had an odd appearance and gleaming eyes. "And look at that—he's actually quite handsome!"

A sudden chill ran down Su Chen's spine. With a casual flick of his hand, the sunlight seemed to vanish, swallowed into darkness. A palm resembling a black hole crushed toward the pair.

A crisp shattering sound rang out. Both figures vanished, forcibly eliminated from the trial.

Outside the secret realm.

The fat and thin duo stood frozen, still dazed. They had stumbled upon a hidden powerhouse. The odds of encountering someone playing the pig to eat the tiger were minuscule, yet fate had chosen them. They wanted to cry but had no tears.

Suddenly, they felt a draft. Around them, numerous demonic sect disciples stared with strange expressions.

"Tch… It's actually the Fat and Thin Demon Boys. Both Spirit Soul realm experts were infamous for their twisted antics in the inner sect. Never thought they'd get eliminated so quickly."

"Hahaha, serves them right!"

"…"

Inside the secret realm.

After dispatching the Fat and Thin Demon Boys, Su Chen encountered more opponents.

"This one's strong. Eliminate him first!"

Several Spirit Soul geniuses reached a swift consensus and attacked Su Chen together, hoping to remove the biggest threat early.

Su Chen raised his hand. A single sword strike erupted. Sword qi swept in all directions. Every one of the Spirit Soul geniuses was instantly eliminated.

To Su Chen, the entire secret realm was filled with nothing but rabble. He could count the number of true spirit bodies on one hand—perhaps two or three at most.

In less than three days, only Su Chen remained.

"Inner disciple Zhou Chen has passed the true disciple assessment!"

Su Chen successfully advanced to a true disciple.

The sky dimmed. A figure appeared wearing a dark purple robe embroidered with demonic patterns. Long, dark red hair cascaded down, lending an even more sinister aura to the aged, weathered face.

"This seat is Red Sun Venerable. Are you willing to take me as your master?"

Su Chen knew this must be one of the surviving members of the Primordial Remnant Clan.

"Disciple pays respects to Master."

Su Chen bowed respectfully and accepted Red Sun Venerable as his teacher. Thus, he completed the transition from inner disciple to true disciple. The name Zhou Chen now echoed as one of the rising stars within the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land.

Su Chen brought Zhou Hanchan to Red Sun Peak. She stared wide-eyed at the opulent, unfamiliar surroundings, feeling as though she were dreaming.

"Brother… you really became a true disciple?"

"Brother, you're incredible!"

Zhou Hanchan's eyes sparkled with admiration.

Su Chen remained completely unmoved.

"Starting tomorrow, your training load doubles."

Zhou Hanchan's small face immediately wilted in despair.

The next day.

Su Chen entered Red Sun Venerable's grand hall. A layer of red light curtain enveloped the two of them.

"Primordial Remnant Clan, Zhou Hongri, pays respects to the Sovereign!"

"Just now, with Zhou Hao's spies watching, this subordinate showed insufficient respect. Please forgive the offense."

Red Sun Venerable dropped to one knee and spoke with utmost deference toward Su Chen.

Su Chen remained completely unruffled. He asked calmly, "Speak plainly. What exactly do you need me to do?"

Red Sun Venerable replied, "Sovereign, we have received word that an ancient tomb will open in the near future. Buried within that tomb is one of our Primordial Remnant Clan's Saint Ancestors. That ancestor possessed the same Primordial Taotie Physique as you. If Sovereign enters the tomb, there is a strong chance of claiming the ancestor's saint artifact. With a saint artifact in hand, we will finally be able to stand against Zhou Hao."

Su Chen nodded. "I see. When the ancient tomb emerges, inform me again."

With that, Su Chen left Red Sun Hall.

Red Sun Venerable rose to his feet and watched Su Chen's departing figure, his gaze fixed and intense.

Back at his cave abode, Su Chen resumed guiding Zhou Hanchan's cultivation while steadily advancing his own.

Two months later.

An unexpected visitor arrived at the cave.

"The successor of Sunset Peak—Luo Hongying? What is she doing here?"

Su Chen listened to the servant's report, a trace of surprise flickering in his eyes. A soft chuckle drifted in from outside the door. The voice was like a blade dipped in honey—sweet yet razor-sharp.

"Junior Brother Zhou, surely you aren't refusing to welcome your senior sister?"

As the words faded, a stunning woman appeared in an instant. Her bare feet stepped lightly across the bluestone tiles. The crimson gown she wore burned like living flame, resembling an otherworldly mandala in full bloom. Her eyes flowed with liquid allure; countless sparks of starfire seemed to explode within them. Slender, flawless legs peeked tantalizingly from beneath the hem of her dress, making it impossible to tell whether she was a peerless mortal beauty or a seductive demon come to ensnare souls.

Though Su Chen had never met her before, he had heard of her reputation.

Luo Hongying! Renowned as the number one beauty of the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land—and a true disciple as ruthless and unscrupulous as they came.

Luo Hongying sat down beside Su Chen with effortless grace.

Su Chen remained unmoved. He asked coolly, "What brings Senior Sister Luo to seek out this junior brother?"

Luo Hongying let out a silvery, bell-like laugh. She leaned closer, her warm breath brushing against his ear in a soft, intimate murmur. "What if I said I simply missed you, Junior Brother Zhou? Would you believe me?"

Her gentle words carried a deeply bewitching demonic charm. Against most hot-blooded young male cultivators, this combination of allure and closeness would have long since melted their resolve, reducing them to obedient servants at her feet.

Su Chen, however, had seen countless beauties. He was not so easily swayed. Instead, a thread of caution rose in his heart.

"It seems this is the first time Senior Sister and I have met."

Luo Hongying raised a slender, snow-white finger and wagged it playfully.

"Junior Brother Zhou… your parents were once my esteemed teachers. When you were very small, we actually met once."

Chapter 95: First Steps on the Demonic Path (Part 7)

Su Chen's expression remained unchanged. "So that's how it is. Senior Sister Luo and I are practically family."

Luo Hongying nodded with a soft laugh. "When I returned to the sect and learned that Junior Brother Zhou had become a true disciple, I was genuinely shocked. After some investigation, I discovered you are the surviving son of my former teachers. In just over two years, you rose from an ordinary outer disciple straight to true disciple status. Truly…"

Before she could finish, Su Chen flicked his sleeve. Sword qi surged forth, aimed straight at Luo Hongying's neck. She did not move a muscle. The faint smile stayed fixed on her lips.

Su Chen held back from completing the strike. This woman was far too calm!

Luo Hongying casually smoothed a stray lock of hair that had fallen across her face. "Junior Brother, no need to get excited. Your senior sister simply stumbled upon a few little secrets by chance. If you kill me now… those secrets will spread across the entire sect by tomorrow morning. I'm sure you wouldn't want your secrets laid bare for all to see."

Su Chen waved his sleeve again, retracting the sword qi. He had never expected the remnants of the Primordial Remnant Clan to be so unreliable that they left behind such a glaring loose end. If his true identity were exposed now, he would die without even a grave.

"Speak. What exactly do you want me to do?"

Luo Hongying had uncovered a trace of something and chosen to keep it secret, coming here alone. Was it truly because of his parents—to offer a warning?

Su Chen was no fool. For a woman to climb to true disciple status in a demonic sect like the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land, she had to be someone who devoured others without spitting out the bones. A few words of mentorship from her teachers, or even personally slaying those same teachers—if the profit was sufficient, she would act without hesitation.

"Junior Brother is truly sharp."

Luo Hongying gave a word of praise before continuing. "Have you heard of the Primordial Tomb?"

Su Chen nodded.

Luo Hongying narrowed her eyes. "I want you to join forces with me inside the Primordial Tomb. Together, we eliminate several of the sect's ranked true disciples. If we succeed, rest assured—your secret will remain safe with me forever."

Su Chen showed mild surprise. "Senior Sister's methods are truly bold… Very well. I accept. I only ask that you keep your word."

Seeing how readily he agreed, Luo Hongying remained half-skeptical. She issued one final warning. "Then we will speak again inside the Primordial Tomb. In the meantime, Junior Brother, do not try anything clever. If I die, your secret will flood the sect the very next day."

Su Chen waved his hand with a wry smile. "Senior Sister jests. I have no desire to become the target of the entire sect. My quick agreement simply shows that I understand the wisdom of knowing when to yield."

The wariness in Luo Hongying's eyes finally faded. She rose slowly, preparing to leave the residence.

Suddenly, she turned back. "There is one thing Senior Sister still does not understand… Are you still… truly my Junior Brother?"

Su Chen frowned slightly. "What does Senior Sister mean by that?"

Luo Hongying offered no answer. She gave a light laugh and vanished from Red Sun Peak.

The moment he sensed her departure, the confusion in Su Chen's eyes disappeared completely. In their place surged an overwhelming, murderous intent that had lain dormant for thousands of years. His ancient, unshakable state of mind was finally stirred into violent waves. He could no longer remember the last time anyone had dared threaten him like this.

Moreover, Luo Hongying had vaguely touched upon his greatest secret!

"Being too clever… will get you killed."

In Su Chen's heart, Luo Hongying had already been sentenced to death. She did not know of the Primordial Remnant Clan's existence. By sheer coincidence, she had mistaken him for some ancient powerhouse who had seized a new body and begun cultivation anew. Yet… that guess was, in fact, the closest thing to the truth.

Several days later, Su Chen left the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land for a brief trip.

When Zhou Yi learned about Luo Hongying, his face drained of color. "Sovereign, rest assured. A mere true disciple means nothing. We will make her vanish from this world—along with everyone connected to her. Your secret will never be exposed!"

Su Chen cast a cold glance at Zhou Yi. For the first time, he felt genuine disappointment toward the Primordial Remnant Clan. This group might one day drag him down to his grave without even realizing it.

"All you need to do is quietly investigate Luo Hongying's contingencies. Do not act rashly. If a true disciple suddenly dies along with a large number of her associates, it will only arouse the Sacred Lord's suspicion at the worst possible moment. Everything waits until we enter the ancient tomb. Once inside, I will personally eliminate her myself."

Zhou Yi's eyes lit up. "As expected of the Sovereign—your foresight is impeccable."

Su Chen issued the orders and left. If they couldn't even handle something this minor, he would seriously question how these so-called remnants had managed to survive under Zhou Hao's nose for so long.

Back inside the sacred land, Su Chen carried on as though nothing had happened, continuing his secluded cultivation.

Half a year passed quickly. Then a single piece of news shook the entire Western Regions. After thousands of years of absence, an ancient ruin had reappeared in the world!

Entry into the ancient ruin required a key. Even among sacred land-level sects, only a handful possessed them—and only true disciples qualified to use them. Outsiders stood no chance at all. The emergence of the ancient ruin even drew successors from powerful orthodoxies in the other four domains.

As a true disciple, Su Chen naturally received a key and the right to enter. When Luo Hongying caught sight of him, she flashed a provocative smile.

Su Chen returned a faint, knowing nod. The two shared a perfect tacit understanding. This time, the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land dispatched nineteen true disciples to the ancient ruin—including both Luo Hongying and Su Chen. Every single one stood at the Profound Connection realm.

Upon reaching the site, Su Chen immediately spotted several familiar orthodoxies. Right away, he witnessed prodigies from the Western Regions and Southern Barbarian Lands clashing fiercely. After all… the Southern Barbarian Lands had nearly been destroyed two thousand years earlier. Countless geniuses and powerhouses had perished. Only after centuries of painful recovery had they regained any vitality. Their hatred toward the Western Regions ran bone-deep.

Su Chen had no intention of intervening. He simply observed the opponents from both domains who were actually worth his attention… and who might one day become his prey.

With the appearance of the ancient ruin, an enormous bronze gate rose to blot out the sky. Only then did the conflict between the two domains pause. Everyone produced their keys in unison. Guided by the bronze radiance, they stepped inside.

Inside the ancient ruin, neither Su Chen nor Luo Hongying made any immediate move. They began exploring the ruins like everyone else. While the group was busy searching for treasures, a sudden surge of terrifying auras erupted within the team.

Without the slightest warning, several figures turned on their nearest companions and attacked. Two were instantly killed. Three more suffered grievous wounds. Before anyone could react, follow-up strikes landed. The three wounded fell dead as well. In the span of a breath, five true disciples perished. The remaining fourteen looked at one another.

"Heh. I didn't expect everyone to have the exact same idea."

One of the ranked true disciples shrugged casually, meeting the stunned yet wary gazes around him.

"The fewer true disciples there are in the sacred land, the more resources each of us receives. An opportunity like this doesn't come twice. Naturally, all of you must die. As long as you perish, my path to becoming a Saint becomes clear."

A purple-eyed youth spoke with calm indifference as he regarded the survivors.

Chapter 96: First Steps on the Demonic Path (Part 8)

A new round of slaughter erupted among the survivors.

In the chaos, eight more fell. Only six remained.

The purple-eyed youth surveyed the others with a cruel, satisfied smile.

"If any of you are willing to submit—accept my soul brand—I will allow you to live."

The purple-eyed youth was terrifyingly strong. Though he lacked a divine physique, he had already slain two ranked true disciples. Now he regarded the remaining five with utter contempt. To be marked with a soul brand meant eternal enslavement—no chance of transcendence in this life or the next.

"Zhan Huntian, you dream if you think we'll kneel to you! Everyone, attack together! Kill him first! Aaahhh—"

Without warning, Su Chen and Luo Hongying struck in perfect unison. They ambushed two of the other true disciples, ending them in an instant.

The last survivor opened his mouth to cry out, "I submit! Please, my lord, spare my life!"

Su Chen's sword flashed without hesitation, severing his head. In the end, only three true disciples of the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land remained standing.

Luo Hongying eyed the purple-eyed youth warily.

"Junior Brother Zhou, let's kill him together. Once he's gone, this generation's resources will belong to the two of us alone. Then you and I can become dao companions—ruling side by side for an eternity. Doesn't that sound wonderful?"

Su Chen nodded. "Senior Sister speaks wisely. After we kill him, please don't forget our agreement."

Luo Hongying: "…"

Was becoming her dao companion really so unappealing?

Without another word, she gripped her long spear. A surge of scarlet branding erupted from within her body, spreading across her snow-white skin and coalescing into a set of spiritual armor.

"Martial Spirit Armor… a lost relic from ancient times, and it ended up in your hands."

Zhan Huntian raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise. Facing Luo Hongying's charge, he did not retreat. The two clashed at speeds invisible to the naked eye.

'No wonder this woman dared scheme against so many true disciples of the sacred land.'

Su Chen clicked his tongue inwardly. Even he had only heard legends of the Martial Spirit Armor—a war gear forged by a long-extinct race, capable of dramatically amplifying the wearer's attack power and speed. In the Heavenly Profound Domain, very few possessed such a treasure.

"Zhou Chen, are you just going to stand there watching?"

Luo Hongying gradually fell behind in the exchange. Glancing at Su Chen—who had been idly spectating—she spoke in a commanding tone laced with irritation.

Su Chen feigned helplessness and joined the fray, unleashing sword arts to share the pressure and relieve Luo Hongying.

Moments later, Zhan Huntian began to falter.

Seizing the opening, Luo Hongying executed her Blood Moon Spear Art. A single thrust smashed into Zhan Huntian's body. The impact obliterated everything within hundreds of meters, leaving only swirling dust thick with murderous intent—impossible to see through.

Luo Hongying panted heavily. A triumphant smile spread across her face as she stared into the haze.

"Zhan Huntian… he should be dead now, right?"

Unlike her elation, Su Chen frowned.

Instinct warned him that something was wrong.

Boom!

A terrifying silhouette flashed past in an instant, materializing directly in front of Luo Hongying.

When she saw who it was, her eyes widened in shock.

Zhan Huntian now stood entirely bathed in violet light. His hair stood on end like steel wires. His muscles bulged and twisted like ancient tree roots. An overwhelmingly oppressive aura naturally formed a protective barrier around him.

"Purple Extreme Heaven Art… It's the Purple Extreme Heaven Art! This technique should never have reappeared in the world. The Purple Extreme Demon Venerable died in the Southwestern Domain war—his inheritance was severed!"

Luo Hongying's face turned deathly pale.

Zhan Huntian cast a faint, mocking glance at her. "How could a little girl like you possibly comprehend the depths of this Venerable's methods? Since you forced me to reveal my true form, you can no longer be allowed to live."

He extended a finger and flicked it lightly toward her.

Luo Hongying's body suffered a devastating blow. She flew backward, smashing through range after range of mountains. The Martial Spirit Armor covering her form cracked and shattered in countless places.

In the blink of an eye, Zhan Huntian hovered above her.

Luo Hongying's robes hung in tatters. She coughed up blood. For the first time, the usual arrogance had vanished from her face. Pure terror of death enveloped her completely.

"M-My lord… I submit! I am willing to accept the soul brand and serve at your side forever! I can be your concubine, your pet—anything you desire. I will never reveal a single one of your secrets!"

Luo Hongying desperately tried to demonstrate her willingness to submit.

Zhan Huntian merely sneered in disdain. "Someone like you—this Venerable finds filthy."

Terrifying energy gathered at his fingertip. He prepared to end her once and for all, leaving no loose ends. But in that instant, a streak of sword light disrupted his motion.

Su Chen had acted. A single strike forced Zhan Huntian back. He appeared beside Luo Hongying.

Seeing who had come, a desperate spark of hope reignited in Luo Hongying's heart.

"Zhou Chen, kill him! If you kill him, I will be yours completely!"

Zhan Huntian was the Purple Extreme Demon Venerable reborn. And Zhou Chen… according to her investigations, was also suspected to be an ancient powerhouse reincarnated. Only Zhou Chen could contend with the Purple Extreme Demon Venerable!

Zhan Huntian looked at the newcomer who had charged into the fray, a trace of interest in his eyes. "You… intend to protect her? To stand against this Venerable?"

Su Chen shook his head.

"She… can only be killed by me."

His black-and-white pupils abruptly turned pitch black, transforming into twin abyssal voids that devoured all light.

Behind Luo Hongying, a gaping blood-red maw suddenly appeared. In an instant, it swallowed her whole. Her agonized scream echoed through heaven and earth.

"Zhou Chen… you can't kill me… if you do, the Sacred Lord will never let you live!"

Gradually, her aura faded away.

After devouring Luo Hongying, Su Chen's presence surged explosively. The same Martial Spirit Armor that had once covered her now manifested around him.

The sudden sight stunned even Zhan Huntian. After a long moment, he burst into wild laughter.

"So it is the Primordial Taotie Physique! It seems those old fossils of the Primordial Remnant Clan still cling to life! But truly, heaven itself aids me, the Purple Extreme Demon Venerable. Boy—your body and soul now belong to this Venerable!"

Recalling the rumors surrounding the ancient ruin, Zhan Huntian's heart surged with wild excitement. Yet in the next breath, an even more terrifying aura erupted from Su Chen's body. He raised his hand and slashed downward with a single sword.

"Return to Dust."

Sword qi pierced heaven and earth, as though it would tear the entire ruin apart.

Zhan Huntian had no time to evade. The sword qi engulfed him. Terror seized his mind. This strike was far beyond anything a cultivator of this realm should be capable of unleashing. Such mastery of the sword—even the most monstrous sword prodigies at the Profound Connection realm could never achieve it!

One sword, and Zhan Huntian was covered in wounds. Fear took root in his heart.

"This fellow is no simple character… another ancient monster in disguise!"

Zhan Huntian cursed inwardly. What kind of cursed place was the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land? How had it hidden such a terrifying "fellow cultivator" all this time?

Seeing Zhan Huntian prepare to flee, Su Chen extended two fingers forward.

"Myriad Tribulations Annihilation Finger."

One of the Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land's saint-grade martial techniques!

Heaven and earth seemed to sink into cycles of annihilation and silence. Darkness swallowed everything.

Su Chen walked slowly into the heart of that terrifying aura.

From within came a final, wretched, unwilling scream of despair.

Chapter 97: First Steps on the Demonic Path (Part 9)

After devouring Zhan Huntian's origin essence, Su Chen left the battlefield.

The Purple Extreme Demon Venerable—who had fallen during the Southwestern Domain war, leaving behind only a wisp of remnant soul that had seized the body of a Sun-Devouring Sacred Land true disciple to be reborn—had now died beyond any possibility of revival. An old monster had encountered an even older one. This was probably an outcome the Purple Extreme Demon Venerable could never have dreamed of.

The ancient ruin was said to be the battlefield of ancient Saints. A cataclysmic war that once swept across all five domains had erupted here. Countless powerhouses perished, including dozens of Saints.

Su Chen's goal was the remnant saint artifact left behind by the Primordial Remnant Clan's Saint Ancestor. Guided by the pull of his bloodline, he easily reached the place where that ancient powerhouse had fallen.

Over tens of thousands of years, the site had transformed into a vast underground world. Following the bloodline's guidance, Su Chen arrived before a tattered soul banner.

"This must be the saint artifact left by that ancestor of the Primordial Remnant Clan. Only someone with the Primordial King Bloodline can take it. Unfortunately…"

Su Chen felt a trace of disappointment. The soul banner was indeed a saint artifact, but it had suffered catastrophic damage. Even if activated, its power would at best reach quasi-Saint level. The ferocity of that ancient battle was evident—capable of shattering even a saint artifact.

"Wait… no."

A glint flashed through Su Chen's eyes.

The bloodline resonance had not faded.

Upon entering this place, the pull had split into two strands. One led to the soul banner… the other pointed toward…

Suddenly, the ground trembled before Su Chen appeared an even deeper space.

It was pitch-black and eerily cold.

At the center of this space stood a single altar. Resting upon it was a three-meter-long great blade crafted from the bone of some unknown creature. A terrifying aura emanated from within, yet to Su Chen it felt strangely familiar.

"Sacrificing the body to forge the weapon…!"

Shock surged through Su Chen's heart. Hidden here was another perfectly intact saint artifact. He stepped forward and gripped the blade tightly. The power of his bloodline surged through his body. Black flames spread across his arms. In that instant, a vision unfolded before him. A gravely wounded, supremely powerful figure murmured in a low voice.

"The Spirit Divine King… is simply too strong… I am going to die…"

"I, Zhou Tianwen, once dominated all five domains. To fall like this… how unwilling I am. I refuse to vanish with the tide of the era…"

"I sacrifice my bones to form the hilt. I sacrifice my flesh to become the edge. I sacrifice my soul to ignite the saintly might. Even in death… Zhou Tianwen will not die an ordinary death. Descendant of later generations—if you have reached this place, it means you share my blood. Take up the Heaven-Questioning Blade. Sever all obstacles. Step onto the ancient starry path. Complete the path to ascension that I could not finish!"

…

As the memory faded, a surge of respect rose in Su Chen's heart. This had been a seeker of the Dao born in the wrong era—a man of immense ambition who nevertheless perished in a chaotic war. He had abandoned everything, transforming himself into a weapon, waiting for an inheritor to carry his unfinished dream forward.

Su Chen concealed the Heaven-Questioning Blade. This was an unexpected windfall. A flawless saint artifact—one he could fully control. It would become his greatest trump card, his most reliable foundation.

Su Chen continued exploring the ancient ruin in search of opportunities. Whenever he encountered other geniuses, they became his opportunities. Death was commonplace inside this ruin. Whenever Su Chen struck, no one survived.

Within the ruin, both his cultivation and aptitude soared dramatically. He slaughtered prodigies without restraint until ordinary geniuses could no longer provide any meaningful improvement to his aptitude. Only then did he stop.

By the end, Su Chen's cultivation had reached the Void Refining realm. A young sovereign. Across all five domains, he could now rightfully be called a martial dao monster.

One year later, violent tremors shook the ancient ruin. Fragments of ancient scenes flickered across the sky like shattered mirrors. Countless terrifying powerhouses surrounded and attacked a colossal figure that towered between heaven and earth. Even this mere glimpse of the battle was suffocating.

Su Chen recognized the name of that supreme being.

Spirit Divine King!

In the outside world, Saint-level experts stood at the pinnacle, untouchable. Yet before this existence, they were no different from ants—casually exterminated.

An ancient palace materialized.

Spirit Divine Palace!

In the faded images, that invincible figure stepped into the Spirit Divine Palace… and never emerged again.

"I… stood invincible in my era. My ambition was to seize the origin of the Heavenly Profound Domain and walk the path of absolute invincibility. Yet I never expected the living beings of this domain to resist so desperately. Under the combined assault of the domain's strongest… I fell with regret."

"I have sealed my inheritance within the Spirit Divine Palace, awaiting a worthy successor. Whoever is fortunate enough to obtain my legacy must carry forward my will!"

"Invincible beneath the stars!"

Invincible beneath the stars… those four words alone were enough to drive almost anyone mad with desire! A Quasi-Emperor inheritance! This was the legacy of a Quasi-Emperor! For nearly every prodigy present, reason evaporated. A Quasi-Emperor inheritance appearing in the world—this was an unprecedented event!

"Fight… we must fight for it! A Quasi-Emperor inheritance—that is one of the supreme existences beneath the starry sky in an entire era!"

"In all of Heavenly Profound Domain's history, Quasi-Emperors can be counted on one hand. If I obtain this legacy, I could surpass my ancestors and become the strongest in Heavenly Profound Domain!"

"Hahahaha! The Quasi-Emperor inheritance is destined to be mine!"

"…"

The gates of the Spirit Divine Palace swung open.

Prodigies surged inside like a tide gone mad.

Su Chen followed closely behind, stepping into the palace. A Quasi-Emperor inheritance… the temptation was simply too great. Even if obtaining it meant ending this life right here and now, Su Chen would consider it worth the price.

The interior of the Spirit Divine Palace formed its own independent space. Su Chen and the others arrived within this vast domain.

[I was born from nothing, walked through chaotic eras, and rose step by step from a mere mortal to Quasi-Emperor. All of it rested upon a single technique.]

[Spirit Communion Emperor Scripture]

[If you pass my trial, I shall bestow upon you the complete Spirit Communion Emperor Scripture.]

Emperor Scripture!

Only those supreme techniques created by beings who had truly stood at the peak of the myriad races were qualified to bear the title of Emperor Scripture!

Everyone went berserk. Even the most iron-willed cultivators could not suppress the greed that flooded their eyes. No one could remain calm.

Except… Su Chen. As he stared at the words suspended in the starry sky, an icy chill crawled across his entire body. A bone-piercing cold shot straight to his mind.

Spirit Communion Art… Spirit Communion Emperor Scripture… Coincidence? No… thousands of years of honed instinct screamed that this was no coincidence!

That technique he had obtained long ago in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom—the very same flawed, bottomless pit of a cultivation method that had abruptly ended one of his previous lives—was undoubtedly a backhand left behind by an unimaginably terrifying existence!

Looking at the sea of frenzied, red-eyed prodigies around him, Su Chen felt a wave of sorrow and faint pity rise in his heart. Even if he spoke the truth aloud right now, not a single person would believe him. Should such a terrifying being ever reappear… it might spell the doom of the entire Heavenly Profound Domain!