Vol 5 Chapter 55: Devil's Delight

Freedom.

The Lunar Yin Physique prodigies present had resigned themselves to their fate, believing they would forever remain tools of Lady Nethersoil. Yet when another Lunar Yin Physique was recently taken away by Lady Nethersoil, a spark of hope for freedom had reignited within them.

Though the chance was slim, at least one of their kind had succeeded. They never expected hope would arrive so quickly.

Lin Jing, deputy city lord of Xianlin City from the Cultivation Alliance... Just who was this person who could take them from Lady Nethersoil's grasp? These Lunar Yin Physique holders had been isolated here for years, completely unaware of the outside world, knowing nothing of the Heaven-Earth Sect or any acting city lords.

"I won't go! I wish to serve Lady Nethersoil forever! She has treated us well, imparting secret techniques and providing resources. We've merely contributed some effort to operate the grand formation - how could we abandon her after all her nurturing?"

"We can never repay Her Ladyship's kindness! At least let us serve her for another thousand years!"

Among the Lunar Yin Physique holders, a beautiful female cultivator suddenly spoke up, plunging both Lady Nethersoil and the others into contemplation. If looks could kill, this woman would have died a hundred times over by now.

"What was your name again?" Lady Nethersoil inquired.

"Feng Lingwan," the female cultivator respectfully replied.

"Feng Lingwan... Excellent. The Nethersoil needs loyal talents like you. But whether you stay with me or go with City Lord Lin makes little difference. If your heart is true, then follow City Lord Lin faithfully." Lady Nethersoil declared, "Enough talk - prepare the 'Ten Shackles Yin-Gathering Immortal Formation'!"

The Nether Physique holders sighed in relief. This formation... using Immortal Sources as its core and Lunar Yin Physiques as its channels, would extract a portion of Yin origin power from each participant to strengthen the main operator's corresponding power. Operating it was relatively easy - far simpler than reviving the dead.

They had performed this formation several times before to strengthen Lady Nethersoil's spirits, becoming quite proficient. Yet this time, they couldn't discern the main operator's identity, obscured as they were by swirling dark mist. For the sake of their impending freedom, their only task now was to perfectly execute this final grand formation.

..........

One year later.

A rumor began circulating.

Someone had discovered Mo Yu - who had been severely wounded by Sheng Kun years ago - was attempting soul usurpation in a hidden cave dwelling. Upon hearing this, both righteous and demonic factions, along with mountain spirits and wild monsters, all mobilized!

Though some found it suspicious - if Mo Yu truly belonged to the Meteor Spirit Beast or the Cultivation Alliance, why would he choose some random location for soul usurpation? Surely it was a trap. Yet Mo Yu remained an irresistible target.

As someone valued by the Demon Sect's Sacred Son, he must possess numerous treasures. Even if he had nothing, his demonic bloodline alone made him coveted by many factions. Regardless of the rumor's veracity or potential traps, hordes of people descended upon the rumored location to hunt for Mo Yu, confident their strength would protect them from harm.

The demonic sect members turned out in greatest numbers, enticed by the bounty. Successfully killing Mo Yu would bring tremendous rewards. Within the Heavenly Demon Sect, not only had Sacred Son Sheng Kun issued a warrant for Mo Yu, but even the sect's upper echelons had ordered his execution. It was said whoever killed Mo Yu and extracted his demonic bloodline would almost certainly receive assistance from the sect's mighty ones to fuse with that bloodline, replacing Mo Yu as the new demonic entity.

Few demonic cultivators could resist such temptation.

"According to divination, Mo Yu was severely wounded by the Sacred Son and escaped with only his primordial spirit. It's reasonable he'd be preparing for soul usurpation - this might be genuine."

"In primordial spirit form during the critical usurpation moment - this is the perfect time to kill him. Miss this opportunity, and once he obtains a new body, eliminating him will become far more difficult."

"Indeed. I've also received intelligence from beyond our realm - they intend to send a new Sacred Son into the Origin Realm to seize premium Immortal Sources. Currently this new Sacred Son is still strengthening himself, receiving teachings from the sect's Demon Emperors. Once he arrives, we'll lose our chance at Mo Yu."

Demonic cultivators converged on the false location Lin Jing had spread, while deep in the void, a nine-tailed fox incarnation's eyes gleamed with bloodlust. Having received enhancements from dozens of Lunar Yin Physique holders, his dark power had fully revived, perfectly merging with his complete demonic energy to form terrifying dark demonic force.

In terms of strength, aside from the Four Heavenly Kings, no opponents remained. The cultivators coming to kill Mo Yu were, in Lin Jing's view, utterly insignificant - even if they united!

However, just as Lady Nethersoil had deduced the connection between Mo Yu and Lin Jing through the Dark Emperor, others might too. Lin Jing currently had no intention of revealing his incarnation had usurped the Dark Emperor's identity. Maintaining this deception was simple - he merely needed to avoid appearing in person.

Changing forms or using illusions would be unnecessarily complicated.

Slaughtering these cultivators required no personal appearance from Mo Yu.

As more and more cultivators gathered, everyone suddenly looked up toward a massive fissure appearing in the sky.

A gigantic arm phantom radiating terrifying demonic energy slowly descended from the heavens, gripping an executioner's sword condensed from substantial demonic qi..... Kill. Enjoy.

Heavenly Demon Realm.

This realm gathered over a hundred Seeking the Way cultivators with demonic bloodlines. Those without demonic heritage, even if they reached the Seeking the Way Stage, could never enter the demonic core, remaining forever as peripheral members.

The Heavenly Demon Assembly.

This supreme meeting of the Heavenly Demon Sect required both demonic bloodline and Seeking the Way cultivation to attend. Whenever the Heavenly Demon Realm received instructions from higher realms or needed new decisions, the Assembly would convene.

"We've heard that impostor claiming to be Demon Emperor Tianchou's successor has reappeared, committing massacres in the Origin Realm. Our sect has lost many disciples because of him."

"That stray demonic bloodline must be recovered. Send the new Sacred Son to eliminate him immediately..."

"After voting, our next invasion target will be the Tianyuan Realm. Years ago we sent an outstanding non-demonic disciple to infiltrate it, though he ultimately failed. According to his intelligence, the Tianyuan Realm suffers constant warfare with fragmented legacies and scattered resources - its strongest being merely a Postnatal Immortal Physique cultivating fortune."

"Our demonic armies could conquer it anytime, hence... we merely placed it on the invasion list without special attention, waiting its turn."

"Now we're advancing the schedule because the Tianyuan Realm has produced an exceptional talent - Lin Jing of the Longevity Body, currently a prominent figure in the Origin Realm. Once the Cultivation Alliance establishes teleportation arrays there, invasion will become difficult. Thus we must conquer the Tianyuan Realm with utmost speed."

"Which Demon Emperor will lead the expedition..."

"I'll go. Alone is sufficient." Among the Demon Emperors, a female spoke up: "Trapped in the Star Abyss so long, my sword's grown rusty. The Tianyuan Realm... barring unexpected delays, I can reach it within sixty years. Hopefully you'll have dealt with that impostor claiming my legacy by my return."

"Demon Emperor Tianchou..." The other Demon Emperors looked at her. No one voiced objections.