Dark energy surged from the ring, wrapping around Ye Fan like a living shadow.
A sharp pain pierced through his chest.
"Ah—!"
Ye Fan fell to his knees as a cold force invaded his body. It felt as if something was tearing him apart from the inside.
The ancient voice echoed again.
"This is the price of power… endure it."
Black mist flowed into Ye Fan's meridians, forcefully opening pathways that had never been activated before. His body trembled violently.
So this is… power?
He gritted his teeth, refusing to scream.
"I won't… back down…"
The pain intensified.
For a moment, he felt like his body would collapse completely.
Then suddenly—
Everything went silent.
Ye Fan found himself standing in a dark, endless space.
"This is…" he muttered.
"The Devour Space," the voice replied.
A faint shadow figure slowly formed in front of him.
"The core of the Art of Devour."
Ye Fan stared at the figure.
"Are you really… the Dark Emperor?"
The shadow chuckled.
"Only a remnant."
Then his voice turned cold.
"If you wish to survive in this world… you must become stronger than everyone else."
Ye Fan clenched his fists.
"…Teach me."