Chapter 106 - 72: What of Demonic Evil?

Chapter 106: Chapter 72: What of Demonic Evil?

In the void, there were few points of reference.

Xuzhuang, wrapped in a white rainbow, sped toward the Profound Yellow Realm. He didn’t know how far he had traveled, only that the faint lights in all directions had become streaks of color rushing past him. It seemed he had reached an unimaginable speed.

That goose-yellow glow, the hazy Profound Yellow World, had been there since time immemorial. It seemed unchanged for ten thousand years, for a hundred million years. As Xuzhuang raced toward it, it remained perfectly still, not even growing larger in his field of vision.

Xuzhuang faltered for a moment. Then, his pupils contracted violently as a terror transcending life and death rose from his heart.

He scanned his surroundings and found that, at some point, the light trails of the others had vanished. The stardust to his side was exactly as it had been a moment ago. He had, it seemed, subconsciously ignored all of it.

Xuzhuang’s heart sank. ’The title of the Great Freedom Profound Monarch Six Marvelous Jade Muddy Heavenly Son flashed through his mind.’

Xuzhuang reached into his sleeve and touched the Ming Venerable’s Image Pendant. His fingertips were met with a startling heat.

The moment his finger touched it, a faint spiritual consciousness within the pendant conveyed a slight sense of joy. A clear stream flowed out from it, traveling from his finger to his chest, and from his chest to his head. Xuzhuang’s muddled mind instantly cleared, and the world before his eyes transformed.

Only then did Xuzhuang realize he was surrounded by a dark, oppressive sky, as if trapped in a Demon Sea. Eye demons stared grimly, tongue demons drooled, demon generals brandished their weapons, and beast demons sharpened their claws... They were infinite in number and endless in variety.

These demons drooled over Xuzhuang, yet they were also extremely wary, circling him uncertainly, hesitant to advance.

Suddenly, from among the myriad demons, came the tune of some unknown instrument. It was a grating, squealing melody that filled the air. The moment it reached his ears, alarm bells screamed in Xuzhuang’s mind. The Ming Venerable’s Image Pendant throbbed frantically, pouring out a stream of clear light to protect his consciousness.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xuzhuang activated the talisman left by the Mixed Element Child. A profound, dark light immediately rose from the crown of his head, unfurling in mid-air to form a magnificent parasol that cast down streams of brilliant light.

In that instant, Xuzhuang felt a sense of ’detachment’. It was as if, protected by this parasol, he had leaped beyond the Three Realms and was no longer within the Five Elements. No disaster, tribulation, demon, malevolence, spell, art, blade, or weapon from the outside world could touch him!

At that moment, Xuzhuang felt the demonic chaos was completely blocked out. His body and mind were utterly serene. Gazing upon the infinite demons baring their fangs and brandishing their claws in all directions, he now only found them to be a nuisance, unable to stir his heart in the slightest.

"The Primordial Treasure Lotus Parasol! How incredible!"

As expected of a Divine Technique from a True Form Treasure, it gave Xuzhuang a sliver of security, allowing him to finally breathe a sigh of relief. However, his caution didn’t waver in the slightest. His mind raced as he desperately searched for a way to escape.

Just then, as the bewitching Demonic Sound played, the demons before him parted. A procession of imposing Demon Soldier Warriors appeared, clearing a path with long spears and painted halberds. Behind them, enchanting Celestial Maidens scattered golden flowers, waved banana-leaf fans, shook golden bells, and danced to the music.

Following the Demon Soldiers and Celestial Maidens, a treasure palanquin approached gracefully. It was attended by them and adorned with embroidery, pearls, jade, tassels, prayer beads, and coral. It was carved with figures of people, birds, beasts, gods, demons, and ghosts. Resplendent in gold and jade, it was incomparably luxurious.

A demon beneath the palanquin, who looked almost human but wore clothes and a hat like a monkey in ceremonial dress, shouted, "How audacious! You see Emperor Zizai, yet you do not bow!"

Xuzhuang’s heart tensed, but he maintained a calm facade. He replied coolly, "I bow to Heaven and Earth. I bow to my grandmaster. I bow to the Great Dao. Does an outer-path heretical demon deserve my bow?"

"What?" The demon flew into a rage, but then it suddenly trembled and shrank back.

A calm voice drifted from the palanquin, saying, "Xuzhuang, your Dao is yet incomplete. Are you willing to perish? Accept my demonic seed and become the Crown Prince under my command. Only then can you live."

Hearing this, Xuzhuang was stunned.

’It’s true. I’ve cultivated for over a century to reach my current level. But is a mere Top-grade Golden Core truly the extent of my ambition?’

’To achieve the Primordial Spirit and live a long life, to refine Pure Yang and attain eternal life...’

’Having not yet even touched the Great Dao, how could I be willing to perish?’

’Besides, if I die at this demon’s hands, forget escaping with my soul to reincarnate. I’d likely be turned into a demonic puppet, driven by it in a stupor, my nature warped into something demonic, even taking pride in being a slave to this heretical path...’

’A fate worse than death... Wouldn’t it be better to accept its demonic seed? I could return to the Profound Yellow world, and perhaps find a chance to reverse this in the future.’

’Maybe I could ask my grandmaster for help, or I might have a chance to overcome this demonic tribulation myself, or maybe I’ll eventually succeed in my Dao...’

Xuzhuang closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and shouted, "Heretical demon, enough of your sophistry!"

With those words, Xuzhuang’s heart truly settled. Cultivating the Dao was cultivating the truth. If he were to bend to a heretical path, how could he ever hope to see the true nature of reality?

’The mere terror of life and death is something to be faced head-on!’

The Great Dao is long and arduous; steadfastness is all that matters. Even facing a hopeless situation with no chance of survival, Xuzhuang would still choose the path his heart pointed to.

As soon as Xuzhuang’s voice fell, two sounds rang out simultaneously across the cosmos.

The demon in the palanquin said grimly, "Good!"

Xuzhuang shuddered. The Treasure Lotus Parasol above him erupted with boundless light. Within its radiance, the Primordial Talisman, five-colored clouds, and golden branches with jade leaves all materialized and flickered. The small world within the Primordial Treasure Lotus Parasol began to tremble and whine, like the Dharma Origin Grotto Heaven in the palm of the Yinji Primordial Spirit.

Meanwhile, from somewhere far beyond this gloomy sky, a cry of praise came at the same time, instantly shaking the entire cosmos: "Excellent!"

While the Primordial Treasure Lotus Parasol strained to protect Xuzhuang, a boundless, bright light tore through the gloomy sky. It was like the rising sun piercing through heavy clouds to illuminate a land of ice and snow. Wherever the light passed, countless demons were struck with terror. Before they could even wail, they melted away like snow touched by Pure Yang. The light swept over the luxurious palanquin as if it were nothing, passing through without a moment’s pause. All sound from within instantly ceased.