Chapter 483 Conquest (Two in One)
Hong Yu's eyes were tear-filled and blurry, her voice choked with sobs and immense grievance; she had truly been tormented these past few days.
Various "tortures" were inflicted upon her in turns, countless despicable people appeared one after another, and they even ganged up on her in a relay battle.
She was now no different from an ordinary person, and had long since become mentally exhausted beyond recognition.
Yet, Jiang Qing, that madwoman, had stuffed her mouth and kept asking, "Will you talk or not? Will you talk or not?"
She just wouldn't ask about the main business!!!
Damn it, can't someone just give her a quick end!!
Hong Yu was going crazy; she even suspected these women had something wrong with their brains.
If their brains were fine, then hers must be the one with problems.
Gu Yun's expression also became quite interesting upon hearing this.
He turned to look at Jiang Qing, who was innocently blinking her big eyes.
Jiang Qing scratched her head: "Uh-huh, I think I forgot."
"You, you…"
Gu Yun gently poked her head.
"Where's your aunt?"
"Auntie went to cultivate!"
"She said that ever since she followed Your Highness, her strength has advanced by leaps and bounds, but she's still worried about not being able to keep up with Your Highness's pace, so she doesn't dare to slack off for a single step."
"It's a pity I don't have my aunt's perseverance."
"It's alright, I can give you special tutoring."
"Really?!"
Jiang Qing's eyes lit up: "How do we do it?"
"Standing or sitting?"
"Lying down or prone?"
"You do it or I do it?"
"Not now."
"Go find your aunt and learn from her properly."
Gu Yun's face darkened, and he gently patted Jiang Qing's backside, sending her away.
"Oh."
Jiang Qing mumbled, leaving with a wronged expression.
"This girl."
Gu Yun looked at Hong Yu, his expression returning to seriousness: "Have you thought it through?"
"I've thought it through."
"Wait… what are you doing?"
"Didn't you say you'd thought it through?"
"You!"
Hong Yu's pretty face flushed, hazy these past few days, the scene from that day always resurfacing in her mind.
Now, Gu Yun's actions seemed to pull her right back.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore."
"You know my patience is limited; to have spent so much time with you is already the utmost benevolence."
"Demonic Cult members are to be executed by everyone; whether you want to turn over a new leaf depends on your choice."
Gu Yun's voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable majesty, like a high and mighty deity giving a sinner one last chance to choose.
It would be better if his hand wasn't placed there.
"You want to know about the Demonic Cult, that's fine, but you have to do one thing for me."
"Speak."
"Kill Gu Changge."
"Impossible."
"Why? Jiang Lan said you saved everyone in the Gengjin Dao Domain. Why would someone like you associate with a demon like Gu Changge?"
Hong Yu's emotions became agitated, her alluring eyes wide with confusion and anger.
According to Jiang Lan, although Gu Yun was a member of the Gu Family, he possessed a benevolent heart.
If he knew what Gu Changge had done, he would surely choose to uphold justice even against his own kin.
"Demon? You call yourselves the Demonic Cult, and yet you dare call others demons?"
Gu Yun sneered.
"In troubled times, severe measures must be used; evil people should be dealt with by evil people."
"If that's your reason for indiscriminately slaughtering the innocent, then the entire Devouring Heaven Demonic Sect can disappear, and you are no exception."
"…What about Gu Changge? Didn't he also slaughter the innocent?"
"My parents, relatives, and clansmen all died by his hand."
"Did you see it with your own eyes?"
"With my own eyes."
"That's what the Demon Sect Leader told you."
"This…"
"How would you know?"
"I know everything."
Gu Yun looked at Hong Yu, his expression calm.
Hong Yu's delicate body trembled slightly; even though all of her already belonged to the man before her, seeing him again still made her tremble all over.
Why, she was the Demon Sect Leader.
No… in front of him, she was just an ant to be slaughtered at will.
"I was still young then."
"So I was easily deceived."
Gu Yun did not give Hong Yu any face at all.
"How can I believe your one-sided story? The Demon Sect Leader showed me back then; that power, only Gu Changge possessed it."
"Power can be disguised, and memories can also be altered."
"You also said that back then, you were still young."
"No, impossible. Why would the Demon Sect Leader deceive me? Why would he…"
Hong Yu felt a splitting headache, but her body was suspended in mid-air, unable to move a single inch, only swaying back and forth.
Her subconscious urged her to believe Gu Yun's words, yet years of seeking vengeance told her she couldn't let go of her hatred.
"Everything in the world boils down to profit."
"Your Demon Sect Leader is not an easy person to deal with; there are probably countless people like you."
"A carefully cultivated, hate-filled, and absolutely loyal pawn, isn't that much more useful than those old schemers with ulterior motives?"
"Your talent is indeed good; cultivating the Heaven Devouring Demonic Art for so many years has brought you to your current achievements."
"No wonder he targeted you back then."
He reached out, his fingertips swirling with a faint, yet supremely majestic, purplish-gold light—the purest bloodline aura belonging to the direct descendants of the Gu Family.
"Feel it. Does this power bear any resemblance to the power of 'Gu Changge' in your memory?"
That purplish-gold light was not strong, yet it carried a grand, righteous, and boundless will that commanded all directions, completely different from the tyrannical, destructive power in Hong Yu's memory!
Hong Yu's struggles abruptly ceased. She stared blankly at the wisp of purplish-gold light, feeling the magnificent aura within it that completely contradicted her understanding, her pupils contracting violently.
"No… it's not the same… completely different…"
She murmured to herself, her face instantly turning ashen.
A terrifying thought, like a venomous snake, slithered into her mind, frantically gnawing at the beliefs she had held for countless years.
Could it be… could it be that she really… hated the wrong person?
Had her entire life been lived within a meticulously woven lie?
All her persistence, all her efforts, all her… sins, had they all become a joke?
Even… Hong Yu dared not continue thinking; that outcome was too cruel for her.
"Ah—!!!"
She let out an extremely shrill scream, tears gushing out like a breaking dam: "No, no…"
Gu Yun reached out and untied the red ropes on her body.
The little Demon Sect Leader, now looking fragile, fell into Gu Yun's embrace: "It's all over."
"From now on, you don't have to live bearing hatred, because I will avenge you."
"You… Your Highness…"
Hong Yu looked up at the young man's confident and resolute expression, and something deep within her heart was fiercely touched.
She could no longer hold back and threw herself into Gu Yun's arms, beginning to wail loudly.
"Great Host, you're so bad."
Xi Tong's voice echoed in Gu Yun's ear. What righteous and magnificent purplish-gold imperial aura? How could Gu Changge possess such power?
It was merely a disguise created by Gu Yun using the Myriad Transformation Power.
"As long as it's effective."
Gu Yun didn't care about these things; he had long since changed the imprint in Hong Yu's heart, so she would subconsciously trust his words more.
Everything now was simply a matter of course; it was just that the willpower of the favored female protagonist was far beyond what ordinary cultivators could compare to, so it took a little more time.
As for the truth of the past, once the Demon Sect Leader was apprehended, the matter would naturally be settled.
The two embraced tightly. After a long while, Hong Yu struggled to support herself. She no longer had her previous arrogance, kneeling properly before Gu Yun in an unprecedentedly humble posture, pressing her forehead against the tip of Gu Yun's boot.
"Your servant Hong Yu… is willing to serve Crown Prince as my master."
"For this life and this world, I shall only obey my master's commands… I only ask my master to grant me… the power to seek the truth and exact revenge!"
Her voice was very soft, yet it carried a resolute determination to sever the past and burn her bridges.
"Your servant… huh."
Gu Yun smiled softly, taking off his boots.
Hong Yu watched the young man's actions, swallowed, and then, suppressing her disgust, hugged them tightly.
…
"Master, you're such a scoundrel, actually using a spatial-temporal treasure."
Hong Yu, seeing the light of day again, almost felt the sky was falling.
She had endured so much torment before, yet only a single day had passed in the outside world.
In other words, if she had truly refused to yield, she didn't know how much longer she would have suffered. The thought alone was terrifying, and her delicate body couldn't help but tremble.
At this moment, she was held in the young man's arms, a greenish-blue power flowing through her entire body, making her feel incredibly warm.
The little Demon Sect Leader, who had grown up in cold slaughter, felt warmth from another for the first time. Even with internal resistance, she inevitably developed a growing dependence on Gu Yun.
Unlike the Demon Sect Leader who had brought her into the Demonic Cult and then neglected her, Gu Yun was actually sharp-tongued but kind-hearted, treating her and the other sisters very well.
"For enemies, that place is a sunless prison, but for our own people, isn't it a rare cultivation sanctuary?"
"Little Demon Sect Leader, do you want to be one of us, or…"
"Your Highness~~ look at what you're saying."
"From head to toe, which inch of Hong Yu doesn't bear Your Highness's mark?"
"Given all this, isn't Hong Yu already Your Highness's person?"
Her fingers gently traced circles on Gu Yun's chest, her alluring eyes like silk, her voice soft and sweet, with a hint of flattery and testing.
That enchanting and alluring demeanor seemed to have returned somewhat.
After all, she was a little Demon Sect Leader; old habits die hard.
Moreover, having just tasted romance, her heart was burning with desire.
Gu Yun looked down at her in this state, his fingertip hooking a strand of her silver-purple hair to play with, a teasing smile on his lips: "Oh? Is that so? Then let me check, to see if every single inch… truly bears my name?"
His gaze was extremely aggressive, and Hong Yu's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. Her body instinctively tensed, yet she forced herself to relax, even subtly puffing out her chest to meet his gaze, her voice trembling but striving to maintain its allure: "Master… you can check however you… wish…"
"Just, if possible, not here."
She looked around; the dense forest was secluded and rarely visited, but to be so exposed, even she felt incredibly shy.
"Heh, this place is secluded; no one will come."
Gu Yun chuckled, rolling over and pressing Hong Yu onto the grass.
Hong Yu's pupils constricted, and she held her breath, yet she offered no resistance. She closed her eyes, the blush on her face impossible to hide.
Three days later.
"Your Highness… I… mmph…"
"Shh, quiet, someone seems to be coming."
Gu Yun covered Hong Yu's lips, whispering softly.
Hong Yu's pupils suddenly constricted. She bit her lower lip fiercely, not daring to make a sound, her body stiff as she felt the weight of Gu Yun pressing down on her.
"Damn it, I didn't expect the security within the Supreme Divine Dynasty to be so strict now."
Bai Li's blood-soaked figure stumbled out of a spatial rift, falling heavily onto the soft grass, splashing a few drops of crimson blood.
He gasped for air, his chest heaving violently, his face ashen, his left arm twisted at an unnatural angle, clearly suffering from a severe injury.
He had originally thought completing the system task would be easy, but he almost lost his life.
"Cough, cough…"
Bai Li coughed up a few mouthfuls of clotted blood, struggling to sit up.
"System, my mission should be considered complete, right?"
[Ding! Detected Host has killed ten Dao Body Realm cultivators and plundered their origins. [Mission: Restore Strength] completed.]
[Ding! Detected Host has suffered severe injuries; current state is very poor. Releasing mission: Restore Strength.]
[Mission Description: Acquire the origins of ten Dao Body Realm / one hundred cultivators above the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm to recover from current weakened state.]
[Mission Reward: One thousand Demonic Essence, stable Demonic Body.]
[Failure Penalty: Cultivation returns to Peak Dragon Transformation.]
[Mission Time Limit: Three days.]
"You damn it."
Bai Li cursed under his breath, enduring the intense pain, and with his still-movable right hand, he tremblingly took out several healing pills from his storage ring and put them into his mouth, barely stabilizing his injuries from worsening.
"My injuries aren't even serious, why are you arranging a damn killing mission?"
[Ding! Detected Host insulting System. Mission modified: Slay twenty Dao Body Realm cultivators to recover from current weakened state.]
[Mission Reward: Five hundred Demonic Essence, stable Demonic Body.]
[Failure Penalty: Cultivation returns to Dragon Transformation Sixth Change.]
[Mission Time Limit: Two days.]
"You…"
A national curse almost slipped out, but Bai Li quickly covered his mouth.
The consequences were vivid in his mind; the Demonic God System was his only hope for a comeback now, and he dared not go against it.
"I'm going to die. In my current state, how can I slay twenty Dao Body Realm cultivators?"
He looked around, and the graceful red-clad figure appeared in his mind.
"That's right, Hong Yu! Since she wants to bring me into the Demonic Cult, she can't possibly stand by and watch me die!"
"She still needs to lead me to the Demonic Clan headquarters; she definitely won't leave just like that."
"Maybe she's hiding somewhere, watching me make a fool of myself!"
Bai Li muttered to himself, having some understanding of Hong Yu's unpleasant personality.
"Hong Yu, come out! I know you're there!"
He looked around, speaking coldly.
Hong Yu, hidden in the dark, almost had her little heart jump out of her chest, but luckily Gu Yun helped her press it back in.
"What are you doing? He'll find us."
Hong Yu whispered, wanting to grab but unable to.
"Don't worry, he's just bluffing."
"Let's continue; pay him no mind."
"Ang~~"
Hong Yu responded weakly, her hands clutching Gu Yun's back with force, her long nails digging into his flesh.
And Bai Li, as Gu Yun expected, called for a long time without a response.
He frowned slightly: "How could this be? It shouldn't be. She said she would recruit me, so why has she disappeared now?"
//484//
Chapter 484: The Deeply Hidden Heaven Devouring Demon Cult, a Small Town on the Edge (Two in One)
At this moment, the Child of Destiny was caught between a rock and a hard place; he had just caused quite a stir, attracting a lot of attention.
If he were to repeat the same trick, he would undoubtedly have to pay an even more tragic price.
By then, he might have to restore his Demonic Body again, repeating endlessly!
Bai Li's heavy calls echoed in the quiet mountain forest, but unfortunately, they only startled a few birds and received no response.
"Could it be... something happened to her?"
A thought flashed through his mind, but he immediately dismissed it.
Hong Yu's strength was unfathomable, and she was a Hall Master of the Devouring Heaven Demonic Sect; in the outer regions of this Supreme Divine Dynasty, who could easily move her?
The place he lived was the Imperial City, where everyone was like a dragon, and experts were as numerous as clouds.
Coming from there, even a Dao Body Realm cultivator was enough to lord it over in a small city; did they really think Saint Realm experts were cabbages, found everywhere?
"Or... was she lying to me from the beginning?"
Another, more terrifying conjecture surfaced in his mind, sending shivers down his spine.
Bai Li's mind was uneasy; he couldn't even trust his own parents, let alone Hong Yu, an outsider who had appeared by chance.
With his legs crossed, the young man's only option for now was to try and recover from his injuries.
But his mind remained restless, essentially making no progress.
"Damn it!"
"Could it be that without Demonic Essence, I can't even recover from my injuries?!"
Bai Li was quite unwilling, burning with anger, but the system's prompt in his mind showed no mercy.
It still sounded coldly—
"Ding! Warning! Host's injuries are worsening, please complete the mission as soon as possible to replenish your origin!"
"Mission remaining time: one day and ten hours."
Bai Li's face grew even uglier; feeling the emptiness of Demonic Essence in his body and the constant sharp pain, a huge sense of despair almost drowned him.
Twenty Dao Body Realm cultivators!
In his current state, this was simply an impossible mission to complete!
"No... I can't die here..." He gritted his teeth, a hint of madness flashing in his eyes, "I must find a way... I must..."
He struggled to stand up, staggering towards the edge of the mountain forest.
"The strength of a Dao Body Realm cultivator is too great; forcing it in my current state might lead to further injury."
"I can only slay ten times the number of Dragon Transformation Realm cultivators as a substitute!"
A bloodthirsty glint appeared in Bai Li's eyes, and his vital energy surged.
Affected by the Demon God System, he no longer needed to concern himself with right or wrong.
...
In the dense forest, a space isolated by layers of restrictions.
"Hmm... Master... he, he seems to have left..."
Hong Yu breathed slightly, listening to the movements outside, and after confirming that Bai Li's shouts and aura had gone far away, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"What, do you want to help him now?"
"No, Master, Hong Yu will be Master's person from now on, with no more ties to the Demonic Cult."
Hong Yu leaned intimately into the young man's arms, her cheek pressed tightly against his chest; for her now, Gu Yun was her everything.
She only had two obsessions left in her heart: to find the truth of what happened back then, to avenge her parents and relatives, and then—to stay by His Highness's side, becoming the little maid who understood His Highness's heart the most.
As for Bai Li, she had no deep feelings for him. If it weren't for the Demon Sect Leader's recent death order, requiring them to recruit talented individuals into the Demonic Cult, she wouldn't have bothered to feign compliance with a complete stranger.
"That won't do; your identity is still useful to me."
"Don't say such things again later, lest you reveal a flaw!"
Gu Yun patted his rear and stood up, and Hong Yu also rose, though she staggered and almost fell, thankfully having Gu Yun to lean on.
"Be careful."
"Mm..."
Hong Yu's pretty face was flushed: "Does His Highness mean he wants me to be an undercover agent in the Demonic Cult?"
"Something like that. By the way, have you seen your Demon Sect Leader recently?"
Hong Yu shook her head: "No."
"The Demon Sect Leader's whereabouts have been very strange recently; even the closest Twelve Sequences cannot ascertain his location, let alone us outer Hall Masters."
"Previously, a high-level meeting was held every month, but ever since the Demon Sect Leader formulated the strategy to deal with the Supreme Divine Dynasty three months ago, no such meeting has been held."
"Dealing with the Supreme Divine Dynasty?"
"What is your specific plan?!"
One could only say that this Demon Sect Leader's ability to choose timing was not weak. With the Her Majesty the Empress personally leading an expedition to the Northern Border battlefield, the Supreme Divine Dynasty's interior was indeed at its most vulnerable.
If these petty villains had any ambitions, now was indeed the best time.
Gu Yun had anticipated this point, and precisely because of his presence, such ridiculous schemes could not succeed.
"The specific details should only be known by the Demon Sect Leader and the Twelve Sequence Lords."
Hong Yu shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness: "We Hall Masters are only responsible for executing our respective orders, for example, my mission is to survey the terrain and, at the same time, recruit new blood for the Demonic Cult as much as possible."
"The Demon Sect Leader... seems to have something he needs to do. The reason for attacking the Supreme Divine Dynasty is because the Divine Dynasty and the Gu Family are closely linked, and before achieving the ultimate goal, the Gu Family's wings must be clipped."
"As for other matters, I am not too clear."
"I see..."
Gu Yun frowned slightly. He had originally thought it would be a power-building Child of Destiny, the kind that develops in the later stages.
In that case, the opponent's scheme would undoubtedly be extremely meticulous, but now... things seemed to be getting interesting.
"Hong Yu, since that Demon Sect Leader is not currently in the Demonic Cult, isn't that a good thing for you?"
Gu Yun chuckled softly.
"A good thing... Master, you might not know, but within the Demonic Cult, the Demon Sect Leader's whereabouts are unfathomable, and his strength is extremely powerful. The cult members all revere him, but few truly know his appearance."
"Normally, the twelve Sequence Lords manage the Demonic Cult."
"Below the Twelve Sequences, there are also one hundred and eight Protectors."
"They are all at least quasi-Emperor level in strength, and Hall Masters like me, in the Saint Realm, are as numerous as cattle; seemingly glorious, but in reality, we are nothing special."
"It truly is a behemoth."
"To have lurked in my Supreme Divine Dynasty for so many years without anyone noticing, how interesting, truly interesting."
A cold smile played on Gu Yun's lips; this strange development reminded him of some special genres.
"Among the Twelve Sequences, how many Great Emperors are there?"
Gu Yun looked at Hong Yu.
Hong Yu shook her head: "I don't know. This is a secret, and the Demonic Cult controls it very strictly. It is said that even many Protectors are unaware."
"I failed to help Master; I hope Master will punish me."
"It's fine, ignorance is no crime."
"The information you've provided is already enough."
Gu Yun gently stroked Hong Yu's smooth chin.
"With such strength, you shouldn't just be active within the Supreme Divine Dynasty, right?"
"Mm..."
"The hidden influence of the Demonic Cult spans across the three great Eternal, Chaotic, and Grand Luo Dynasties. It is said that they are currently infiltrating the Eternal Imperial Dynasty and have achieved some success."
"Now, the Her Majesty the Empress of the Supreme Divine Dynasty is engaged in a three-way battle with the Eternal Imperial Dynasty and the Ziwei Imperial Dynasty, unable to extricate herself, which is why the original plan was changed."
"It seems your Demonic Cult's ambition is not as simple as merely overthrowing the Supreme Divine Dynasty and subverting the Gu Family."
Gu Yun chuckled, staring into Hong Yu's eyes: "To bring the entire Three Thousand Dao Domains into his grasp, that is the ultimate goal of that Demon Sect Leader."
"What are you saying, Master? How can you say that? Hong Yu was just ignorant before, deceived by villains, and went astray."
"Now that I have met Master, that is truly finding my way back."
Hong Yu nestled in Gu Yun's arms, looking up with a pretty face full of dependence and relief, her voice soft and sweet.
"Alright, you enchantress, what you're thinking, how could I not know?"
Gu Yun chuckled and toyed with her; after his thorough guidance and instruction, Hong Yu's not-so-deep sense of belonging to the Demonic Cult had long since vanished into thin air.
"But I still need to wade through the waters of the Demonic Cult."
"Now, take me to the branch you belong to."
"I will personally help you disguise your identity."
"Yes, Master, Hong Yu understands."
Hong Yu obediently responded, but at the same time, she was somewhat worried: "It's just... the Demon Sect Leader is immensely powerful, I'm worried..."
"Don't worry, not to mention he isn't even in the Demonic Cult."
"Even if he were, he wouldn't be able to discover anything; I've already taken care of the control in your mind."
"Control!!"
Hong Yu's beautiful eyes widened: "How did I not know?"
"What do you think... was the purpose of that Demon Sect Leader offering the Heaven Devouring Demonic Art, such a powerful cultivation technique, for you all to cultivate?"
"The flesh and blood, and cultivation of ordinary people are merely common ingredients."
"Only the power of those who cultivate the Heaven Devouring Demonic Art, like yourselves, is truly a great tonic!"
"If you continue to stay in the Demonic Cult, sooner or later all of you will become nourishment for that Demon Sect Leader."
"What?!"
Hong Yu gasped, feeling a chill rush from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, her whole body turning cold, filled with lingering fear.
She had never imagined that the cultivation technique she painstakingly practiced was merely a wedding dress for someone else, and she herself was nothing more than 'medicinal material' kept in captivity by others!
If that were the case, then the Demon Sect Leader's relentless efforts to expand the Demonic Cult were probably also part of this scheme.
How could such a person be a savior?
As expected, there was another hidden truth to what happened back then, and her choice of Master was indeed correct.
Look, now all of this, under Master's infallible calculations, will turn into nothing!
"Master~~~"
Hong Yu's voice trembled as she tightly embraced Gu Yun, her body pressing against him with an unyielding determination and resolve.
"Wait, didn't we just..."
Gu Yun frowned.
A smile played on Hong Yu's lips: "Master~~~ Hong Yu just wants to properly repay Master."
"Master, you wouldn't... be unable to, would you?"
Her small hands mischievously explored the young man's body, a dazed smile on her face.
Feeling the enchantress's restless small hands and increasingly bold actions in his arms, Gu Yun raised an eyebrow, a dangerous flame igniting in his eyes.
"Unable to?"
He let out a low chuckle and grabbed Hong Yu's small hand: "It seems the 'guidance' just now was too gentle, giving you the illusion that you could provoke me?"
Hong Yu was not afraid; instead, taking advantage of her closer proximity to Gu Yun, she directly met him, with an all-consuming passion and resolve.
"Wait a moment, not here."
Gu Yun's heart stirred, and with a flash of his figure, the two disappeared from the spot.
...
At the same time, Bai Li, staggering out of the mountain forest, looked at the faint outline of a small city in the distance, his eyes gleaming with even greater bloodlust.
"Dragon Transformation Realm... only two hundred Dragon Transformation Realm cultivators..."
He muttered to himself, as if possessed.
The Demon God System's cold voice and his constantly worsening injuries pressed him like a death warrant.
He reined in his aura, trying to make himself look like an ordinary, down-and-out cultivator.
Small cities in these peripheral areas of the Supreme Divine Dynasty, with their low-level cultivators, were his ideal hunting ground.
Now severely injured, with only a tenth of his strength remaining, Bai Li knew he had to strike ruthlessly and recover his strength as soon as possible to activate the system's functions for a chance to rise again.
Dragging his heavy footsteps, Bai Li endured the tearing pain in his meridians and soon arrived at the gates of the small city.
The city gates were sparsely guarded, with only two yawning Dao Palace Realm cultivators. These individuals, who were kings in the lower realms, were nothing more than minor officials guarding a remote small city when they came to the Supreme Divine Dynasty.
Bai Li lowered his head and entered the city, blending in with several other travel-worn rogue cultivators.
"Have you heard? The war in the north is getting tense, and it seems they're going to deploy troops in our area soon!"
"Sigh, this world, it's changing."
"What can ordinary cultivators like us do?"
The city streets were narrow, the air mixed with the scent of spirit herbs and demon beast flesh. The cultivators' realms were generally not high, mostly Four Extremes and Dao Palace Realm, with Dragon Transformation Realm already considered skilled. Occasionally, one could sense the aura of Dao Body Realm cultivators, but they were all hidden within a few somewhat grand buildings in the city, not easily moving about outside.
"Damn it, even a place like this has so many Dao Body Realm cultivators. If I couldn't contact Hong Yu, I would have left the Supreme Divine Dynasty!"
Bai Li cursed under his breath. In his current physical state, dealing with Dragon Transformation Realm cultivators was manageable, but once he encountered a Dao Body Realm cultivator, it would again be a near-death experience.
For safety's sake, he had almost reached the edge of the Divine Dynasty, yet he didn't expect the quality of cultivators to still be so high.
"Then I'll lower my requirements. Four Extremes and Dao Palace Realm cultivators also work, it's just a little less effective, but as long as I kill a few more, I can still recover my strength!"
Bai Li licked his chapped lips, his eyes bloodshot.
His gaze swept over the pedestrians on the street like a hawk, quickly locking onto his target...
"What?!"
In the City Lord's Mansion, a roar of anger and shock shook dust from the beams.
The City Lord of Blackstone City, a burly, bearded man in the late Dao Body Realm, suddenly stood up from his wide, fur-covered chair, clutching an emergency communication jade slip that had just been presented, his face ashen.
Below, several trusted generals and stewards were silent, not daring to breathe.
"In just two hours! Over fifty Dragon Transformation Realm cultivators have disappeared! And nearly a hundred Four Extremes and Dao Palace Realm cultivators are missing! What are you all doing?!"
The City Lord's voice was like rolling thunder, filled with towering rage.
A general bravely stepped forward: "City Lord, please calm your anger! The perpetrator's methods are extremely strange and ruthless; all the deceased had their essence blood and cultivation sucked dry, turning into mummified corpses, and almost no traces were left at the scene. If not for the surge in numbers and the scattered bodies being discovered one after another, we probably..."
"Useless!"
The City Lord smashed a jade paperweight on the table to pieces. "This is a provocation! A blatant provocation! To kill so wantonly in my Blackstone City, this is a slap in my face! A slap in the face of the Supreme Divine Dynasty!"
He secretly glanced at the woman in black robes beside him, fear growing in his heart.
Breathing heavily, his eyes were filled with murderous intent.
//485//
Chapter 485 Shadow Guard Deployment, Bai Li's Escape (Two-in-One)
He looked fierce on the outside but was actually terrified on the inside.
"Search! Everyone, give it your all to search!"
"Effective immediately, seal all four gates. Only entry is allowed, no exit! Activate all surveillance formations within the city! All cultivators above the Dragon Transformation Realm, mobilize and search inch by inch!"
"Even if we have to dig three feet deep, we must find this lawless fiend!"
"Yes!" The generals hurriedly acknowledged the order and left in a rush.
The City Lord finally breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the black-clad woman beside him: "It truly was as Shadow Guard adult predicted; a demonic cultivator indeed took this opportunity to stir up trouble."
His attitude was extremely respectful. This was a significant figure from the Imperial Capital, a true powerhouse he would ordinarily never encounter in his lifetime.
And that Shadow Guard's gaze was icy cold, her demeanor stern. She glanced at the Blackstone City Lord and said indifferently: "Hmph! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's insight is like a torch; how could you mere mortals possibly fathom it?"
"If not for that, your Blackstone City would likely have become a ruin, a truly dead city!"
Her aura was restrained, yet it gave off an unfathomable feeling.
"Yes, this subordinate was derelict in his duty, allowing this fiend to run rampant in the city and alarming Shadow Guard adult! Please, adult, give your instructions!"
Cold sweat seeped from the Blackstone City Lord's forehead as he hurriedly bowed.
"Rats hiding in the dark are the most troublesome. Now that he has shown himself, he is naturally nothing to fear."
"With me here, your Blackstone City will naturally be safe."
The Shadow Guard's gaze swept across the city, which was already under martial law outside the window, and she said indifferently: "Proceed with your original plan, and by no means reveal my presence!"
"Yes! This subordinate understands! This subordinate will fully cooperate with Shadow Guard adult!"
The Blackstone City Lord felt as if he had been granted a great pardon and repeatedly assured her.
The Shadow Guard woman said no more, her figure seemingly melting into the shadows, quietly disappearing from the main hall.
Only then did the City Lord truly relax, slumping back into his chair, his back soaked with cold sweat.
Facing someone from the Imperial Capital, the pressure was indeed immense.
This damned demonic cultivator really caused him a lot of trouble!
Originally, he was living a comfortable life, lording it over this border area. This was truly an unexpected disaster.
...
On the other side, Bai Li, who had just dragged a late-stage Dragon Transformation Realm cultivator into a dark alley and was about to devour him, suddenly felt several powerful divine senses sweep across the area, and his expression instantly changed.
"Discovered?!"
He did not hesitate, immediately interrupted the devouring, quickly stuffed the still undrained corpse into a corner, and fully activated the concealment method granted by the Demon God System, clinging to the wall's shadow like a gecko, not daring to breathe.
"Could it be that those bodies were discovered?"
"Impossible, I clearly hid them very well."
Bai Li was very puzzled. After all, it was just a few missing cultivators. Only a few hours had passed; how could anyone associate it with a massacre?
What if they went out of the city to hunt demonic beasts? That's also very reasonable.
As for the place where he disposed of the bodies, precisely because he couldn't properly deal with them, he specifically found an extremely secret corner to handle the corpses, yet he never thought he would be exposed so quickly.
"No, I must leave as soon as possible."
"There's something strange in this city!"
Even if leaving now and heading to the next small city would force him to waste a lot of time, Bai Li still made this decision.
If the other party could find the bodies he meticulously hid, they might also find him. If he stayed any longer, he would be found out sooner or later.
It's better to make a strategic retreat!
Thinking this, Bai Li's movements were unusually swift. Taking advantage of the gap during the patrol team's changeover, he moved like a ghost through the shadows, stealthily heading towards a corner of the city wall that he remembered as being relatively weak in defense.
However, at this moment, the city wall was already enveloped in the light of formations, and the density of patrol teams had increased severalfold.
Just as he was about to approach the city wall, a five-person patrol team suddenly turned a corner ahead. The leader was actually a captain at the Dao Body Realm Peak!
Seeing the city wall right in front of him, Bai Li was anxious, his movements extremely fast, and naturally, he didn't think about concealing his aura.
Both sides were caught off guard and met face to face!
"Who's there?! Stop!"
The ninth-transformation Dragon Transformation Realm captain reacted extremely quickly, shouting sternly while his spear glowed with spiritual light, pointing directly at Bai Li.
The four team members behind him, all around the third transformation of the Dragon Transformation Realm, immediately spread out, forming a simple battle formation, blocking his path.
Bai Li cursed inwardly, knowing he couldn't hesitate any longer.
Once he was entangled, attracting more guards, or even alarming the Dao Body Realm experts in the city, he would truly have no wings to fly!
"Get out of the way!"
He roared, the small amount of demonic energy that had just recovered within him burned wildly, his speed instantly exploding to its limit, pouncing towards the small team like an arrow from a bowstring!
"Form up! Stop him!"
The Dragon Transformation Realm captain was startled but not flustered. He shouted loudly, his spear like a dragon, piercing towards Bai Li's heart with a fierce gust of wind.
The other team members also attacked simultaneously, their blades and swords instantly weaving into a net of light, covering the somewhat exhausted Bai Li.
If he were in his prime, Bai Li could easily break such an attack.
But at this moment, his injuries were not healed, and his demonic energy was scarce. Facing a combined attack from five people, he dared not be careless.
His goal was a quick battle, with no intention of getting entangled with them, so he immediately unleashed a decisive killing move!
A fierce glint flashed in Bai Li's eyes. He didn't dodge or evade, allowing the captain's spear to pierce his heart, while simultaneously forming his hands into claws, bringing with them a chilling demonic sound, directly aiming for the throats of the two team members on his left and right!
Pfft!
Crack!
Almost simultaneously, the captain's spear accurately pierced Bai Li's heart.
And Bai Li's claws, like a hot knife through butter, instantly tore through the two team members' protective spiritual light and their throats!
Devour!
The system instantly activated, and two streams of pure energy surged into his body.
"Ding! Devoured two third-transformation Dragon Transformation Realm cultivators, gained +20 Demonic Energy Points!"
The attacks of the other two team members also landed on Bai Li, but they only tore his clothes, leaving shallow white marks on his skin, unable to cause effective damage.
"Hmph, exchanging injury for life, is it?"
"Truly a foolish choice, fiend. You are now in Blackstone City, and our reinforcements will arrive soon. How many can you kill?!"
"Exactly, you damned fiend! Why don't you surrender? Do you still want to indiscriminately kill the innocent?!"
The two surviving team members were also terrified. If Bai Li's attack had landed on them just now, their fate would probably be the same as their unfortunate comrades.
Fortunately, the captain's attack was still barely able to cause him some damage, and the two of them only needed to provide flanking support. Thinking this, they both retreated slightly.
It was only a job worth tens of thousands of spirit stones; why risk their lives?
"Are you... scratching me?!"
Just as everyone was making threats with a fierce but inwardly timid demeanor, Bai Li burst into laughter.
He saw him twist his body sharply, the muscles in his heart, where the spear had pierced, Wriggling strangely, actually clamping the spear tightly.
At the same time, using this twisting force, his other hand shot out like a venomous snake, as fast as lightning, directly striking the captain's face.
"Not good!"
The captain was terrified and wanted to abandon his spear and retreat, but it was already too late.
A battle between experts is decided in an instant.
Puff!
His five fingers, like hooks, instantly pierced through his skull!
Devour!
"Ding! Devoured one Dao Body Realm Peak cultivator, gained +40 Demonic Energy!"
The last two remaining team members were scared out of their wits and turned to flee.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Bai Li's voice was hoarse, like a roaring ghost. His figure swayed, and he caught up to one person, his claw striking down!
The other person hadn't run many steps before being struck in the back by a black demonic energy blasted from a distance. He screamed, fell to the ground, and quickly shriveled up.
In a flash, a full-strength Dragon Transformation Realm patrol team was completely annihilated!
Since he had already acted, he had to completely eradicate them!
Bai Li's injuries were not yet healed, and given such an opportunity, he would never let it go easily!
He gasped for breath, feeling the power within him grow a little stronger and his injuries slightly alleviated. A confident smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Glancing around, he didn't stop for a moment. He pushed off the ground, rushing towards the city wall, burning demonic energy, his fists pounding on the formation light curtain like a storm!
The formation vibrated violently, its light flickering erratically!
"Over there!"
"Quick! Surround him! Don't let him escape!"
Countless shouts and sounds of rushing air rapidly approached from all directions.
A powerful late-stage Dao Body Realm aura, like a wolf smoke, soared into the sky and quickly sped over.
Bai Li's expression changed drastically, and his aura surged even more, not hesitating to aggravate his injuries again!
"Break for me!"
The city wall's formation was forcefully blasted open by his brute strength, leaving a huge gap.
At this moment, the late-stage Dao Body Realm aura had already approached within a hundred feet. A fierce and unparalleled sword light slashed through the air, locking onto his back!
Bai Li didn't even think, directly throwing a still undrained dried corpse behind him, while he himself shot out of the gap like an arrow from a bowstring!
Swoosh!
The sword light shredded the dried corpse, its momentum slightly reduced, but it still struck Bai Li's back!
Puff!
Bai Li spat out a mouthful of blood, a terrifying, bone-deep sword wound appearing on his back. But he used this impact force to increase his speed even further, falling heavily onto the barren land outside the city. He then didn't stop, transforming into a distorted black smoke, frantically fleeing towards the distant mountains and forests!
"Fiend, don't run!"
The Dao Body Realm commander roared as he rushed out of the gap, his face ashen as he watched Bai Li's rapidly disappearing back.
He didn't expect the other party to be so fearless, nor did he expect his physical strength to be so abnormal, able to escape after taking a direct sword strike from him!
"Report immediately! The culprit is heavily injured and has fled, heading northeast into the mountains and forests! Request support, expand the search area!"
He shouted sternly at his subordinates who had rushed up behind him, while he himself followed the bloodstains and lingering demonic energy, leading the pursuit.
Bai Li ran for his life, the intense pain from his back injury pulling at him. The sword energy of a late-stage Dao Body Realm cultivator was extremely difficult to dissipate, frantically destroying his meridians. Every time he used a bit of demonic energy, it was like being cut by a knife.
But he dared not stop for a moment.
The powerful aura behind him was getting closer and closer. Once caught, he would surely be doomed.
"Damn it!"
Bai Li cursed inwardly. He never thought he would be so unlucky. He shouldn't have been greedy for that little bit of time back then. He should have completely destroyed the bodies, leaving no trace, and then he wouldn't have fallen into such a desperate situation.
But it was too late to say all that now. Bai Li's top priority was to save his life.
"System!"
"System, help me!"
"Ding! Insufficient demonic energy, unable to provide assistance."
"Damn it, you think I won't pay you back if I'm short on demonic energy?"
"Hurry up, don't waste my time. This damn mission of yours is going to kill me, I * * *"
His mouth was so sweet that the Demon God System felt a little shy, remaining silent for a moment.
"Ding! Consumed one thousand demonic energy points, thoroughly burned host's demonic blood, current combat power increased threefold."
"Ding~~ Demon God System's system value decreased by 100 points."
"Hahaha, hahahaha!"
Feeling the surging power within him, Bai Li couldn't help but laugh wildly. He now wished he could rush back and fight the commander for three hundred rounds.
But the rationality in his heart told him that he must not act on impulse. Such a mysterious secret technique must be extraordinary, but it was also very likely to cause irreversible damage to him.
He had to escape as soon as possible. The young man's speed suddenly increased dramatically, and the blood-colored escape light he transformed into was more than three times faster than before!
Almost in the blink of an eye, he had widened the distance from the Dao Body Realm commander who was chasing him from behind!
"What?!"
The commander, who was in hot pursuit, turned pale with shock. He had almost caught up to Bai Li, but this sudden change hit him like a hammer!
"Commander, if he escapes..."
"What nonsense are you talking about?! Can you catch him directly? Hurry up and chase!"
"This madman dares to burn his own essence blood; he must be at the end of his rope. With continuous consumption, I don't believe he can last much longer!"
His face was grim, and he also sped up.
If he failed the mission, he would definitely be punished. There was a big shot in the city, and he knew about her identity. He had to perform well; if he could gain her appreciation, he would soar to success!
And so, one fled and one chased, neither giving way.
Bai Li's speed had already soared to its fastest, yet he was still locked onto by a powerful aura.
"Shadow Guard adult was right; your strength, young man, is lacking, but your methods are bizarre and unpredictable."
"As expected of a demonic cultivator, truly troublesome!"
A figure appeared out of thin air, blocking Bai Li's path.
Bai Li was caught off guard and had no choice but to condense spiritual power in his palm and collide with it fiercely.
But the other party's aura was astonishing, and he was protected by an extremely powerful treasure robe. Bai Li was no match and was sent flying backward.
Just at this moment, the commander and others also caught up, surrounding Bai Li.
"City Lord adult!"
The commander bowed slightly: "I didn't expect City Lord adult to have broken through to the Dao Body Realm Peak."
"I imagine it won't be long before you become a great expert of the Immortal Platform, congratulations, congratulations!"
He said with a smile.
"Oh, why say such a thing? You and I both work for adult."
"Now that I have such an opportunity, how could I forget my old brother's benefits in the future?"
The Blackstone City Lord laughed.
"Go, capture him. I'll give this credit to you!"
"Then many thanks, City Lord adult."
The commander was not vague either. They had worked together for many years and held leverage over each other; the best outcome was for both to be promoted.
He stepped forward, about to apprehend Bai Li.
"Heh heh, do you think you've already won?!"
"I didn't want to fight you, I didn't!"
Bai Li looked up, his eyes becoming incredibly cold and piercing.
//486///
Chapter 486: First out of the wolf's mouth, then into the tiger's den (two in one)
Trapped in a desperate situation, Bai Li no longer harbored any illusions. He was somewhat hysterical, and the blood-red demonic flames burning around him did not diminish; instead, they became even more turbulent and surging.
The burgeoning aura made all the cultivators present tremble with fear.
"Facing death, you still dare to speak so wildly. Today, right here, I will slay you, this ignorant Demon!"
The Great Commander snorted coldly, his longsword twirling a Sword Qi, its sharp Sword Qi locking onto Bai Li's vital points.
Although he was surprised by Bai Li's sudden burst of aura, he believed even more that the opponent was at the end of his rope. How long could he last by burning his vital blood?
"Kneel and be executed!"
The Great Commander roared, and the sword light poured down like a waterfall.
This sword strike contained all of his Dao Body Realm late-stage cultivation, aiming for a single, fatal blow.
The City Lord of Black Stone City stood by with his arms crossed. He knew his old comrade's combat power all too well. Under such an attack, how could Bai Li, a mere Dao Body Realm early-stage cultivator, withstand it?
Even if he clung to life by means of that body-overdrawing secret technique, he wouldn't last much longer.
However, facing this certain-kill sword strike, Bai Li surprisingly did not dodge or evade. The moment the sword light was about to strike him--
"Devour!"
Bai Li let out a low growl that sounded inhuman. The black vortex spinning around him suddenly expanded, generating a powerful pulling force. The Great Commander's originally incredibly condensed and incomparably sharp sword light, upon touching the edge of the black vortex, seemed to fall into a quagmire. Its trajectory subtly deviated, and the immense spiritual power contained within the sword's momentum was even slightly stalled by the distorting force, showing signs of scattering.
"What?!!!"
A hair's breadth difference allowed Bai Li to escape danger.
He didn't hesitate for a moment, disappearing from his original spot the next second.
"Such speed."
All the cultivators present were shocked. This young man, who was supposedly at the end of his rope, could still unleash such combat power.
Soon, the claw, enveloped in dense demonic energy, was already approaching the Great Commander's chest. The Great Commander's pupils constricted, and he hastily blocked with his sword. However, the power in his body strangely fluctuated again. The sound of clashing metal rang out as the longsword was directly blocked by Bai Li, and the demonic claw brazenly headed straight for the Great Commander's chest.
"City Lord, save me!!"
The Great Commander shouted in a panic.
The City Lord of Black Stone City, quick-witted, also rushed to help. Unfortunately, it was too late. Bai Li's attack was too bizarre. Without any prior intelligence, the Dao Body Realm late-stage commander was almost defenseless.
In an instant, his five fingers, like hooks, pierced through the protective spiritual light and plunged fiercely into the Great Commander's heart!
"Devour!!"
Bai Li didn't hesitate, directly activating the complete "Heaven Devouring Demonic Art"!!
The effect of the Devouring Heaven Demonic Body was activated, and the devouring power was more than ten times stronger.
"Ugh ah—!"
The Great Commander let out a shrill, desperate scream, feeling his cultivation, life force, and even his comprehension of the Dao being crazily drained away like a bursting dam.
He wanted to resist, to break free, but with his heart controlled and the demonic skill invading his body, he couldn't muster any strength. He could only watch helplessly as he rapidly shriveled.
"How is this possible?!!!"
All the cultivators present were shocked.
The City Lord of Black Stone City arrived late, his war halberd piercing through Bai Li's back, impaling both the young man and the Great Commander.
"You..."
With his last breath gone, the Great Commander lost all power to resist.
"I'm sorry, this is the only way. You know I had no choice."
Watching his old comrade's aura gradually fade, the City Lord of Black Stone City breathed a sigh of relief and consoled him, "Don't worry, rest in peace."
"After you die, I will take care of your wife and children. With the merit of slaying a Demon, I will surely rise to prominence, perhaps even gaining the opportunity to step into the Xiantai Realm."
"By then, I will bring them to a large city, and they will all have a bright future."
[Ding! Devoured one Dao Body Realm late-stage cultivator! Gained Demon Energy Points +200! Gained partial Sword Dao comprehension!]
"You old geezer, how could you say such a thing?!"
Bai Li, who was devouring the Great Commander, turned around, a mocking sneer in his cold eyes: "To kill a friend for glory, and to say it so righteously, your skin must be thicker than these Blackstone City walls!"
"You..."
His thoughts exposed, the City Lord of Black Stone City was both shocked and enraged.
But seeing Bai Li, despite being impaled by his war halberd, still moving freely, the shock in his heart was immeasurable.
He suddenly tried to pull out the halberd, but found it seemed welded into Bai Li's body, firmly held by a strange devouring force, not budging an inch!
The gruesome wound, which had been pierced through, gradually began to wriggle and heal at a visible speed.
New flesh rapidly grew, even coiling around the spiritual energy attached to the war halberd.
[Ding! Devoured spiritual power (partial) from a Dao Body Realm Peak cultivator. Gained a trace of earth-attributed spiritual power!]
The system's notification made the sneer on Bai Li's face grow wider.
"I am here to thank City Lord for his generous gift!"
His voice was hoarse, filled with endless mockery.
Immediately, the City Lord of Black Stone City felt a chill rise. He clearly sensed that his palm seemed to be infected by demonic energy, and was now gradually turning pitch black.
This Demon, he couldn't be judged by common sense!!
"Let go!"
He made a decisive move, abandoning his war halberd and retreating rapidly.
"Heh, trying to leave now?!"
"Too late!!"
Trying to escape when things looked bad?
How could Bai Li give him that chance!!
He suddenly pushed the Great Commander's corpse, almost completely drained dry, forward, sending it crashing into the City Lord of Black Stone City. At the same time, the war halberd that had been impaled in his chest was forced out of his body by his muscles and demonic energy, bringing with it a trail of black blood.
The wound healed instantly.
He took a step, his figure like a ghost, instantly appearing before the retreating City Lord of Black Stone City.
Having devoured the Great Commander and part of the City Lord's power, his aura now surged instead of diminishing, with demonic flames reaching the sky!
This is how demonic cultivators are; they are hysterical and completely insane during battle, never caring about their own condition. This is also a major reason why many people are unwilling to face demonic cultivators!
"My old friend has passed away, you go join him too!!"
Bai Li attacked with both claws. His left hand, enveloped in devouring black light, clawed directly at the City Lord's face. His right hand, fingers together like a sword, imbued with the trace of Sword Dao comprehension he had just absorbed, pointed towards the City Lord's Dantian!
The City Lord of Black Stone City was terrified. In a hurry, he conjured an earth-yellow shield to block in front of him. At the same time, the spiritual light on his official robe flickered, forming another layer of protection!
Rip!
The devouring black claw struck the shield. The shield instantly dimmed, losing much of its spirituality, and the sword-finger accurately struck the weakest point of the official robe's spiritual light.
The City Lord of Black Stone City was in excruciating pain, his eyeballs bulging: "You bastard, how dare you..."
"Those who kill will be killed. Before you attacked me, you should have thought of today's outcome!!"
"No—! Shadow Guard, save me!!"
The City Lord of Black Stone City let out a desperate roar. At this moment, he no longer cared about his dignity; he only wanted to live.
However, silence surrounded him, with only the wind responding to his cries for help.
The mysterious Shadow Guard seemed to have never appeared.
"Foolish fellow, no one can save you now!"
Pfft.
The demonic claw grabbed the City Lord of Black Stone City's head without any obstruction.
Another terrifying devouring force emanated.
"Ugh ah ah ah—!"
A shrill, desperate scream echoed through the forest. The City Lord of Black Stone City's body trembled violently, rapidly shriveling. His Dao Body Realm Peak cultivation and comprehension of laws poured into Bai Li's body like a floodgate opening!
[Ding! Devoured one Dao Body Realm Peak cultivator! Gained Demon Energy +300! Gained Earth-elemental Law Comprehension (Minor Accomplishment)!]
With immense power surging through his body, Bai Li couldn't help but let out a comfortable, long howl.
Devouring two Dao Body Realm powerhouses in a row, one of whom was at the Peak, brought him immense improvement!
Although it went against his initial plan, at least he had barely achieved his goal.
His gaze swept over the other cultivators from the City Lord's Mansion who had caught up, like a hungry beast scrutinizing lambs.
A sinister smile spread across his lips. If he devoured all these people, he would not only recover to his peak state and complete the system mission, but he might even make further progress!
This City Lord of Black Stone City was truly his lucky star, having gathered so many Dao Body Realm cultivators all in one place, saving him the trouble of a long search!
"De... Demon Lord, spare our lives!"
"We are willing to surrender! We are willing to serve the Demon Lord as our master! We beg the Demon Lord to spare our lives!"
Feeling Bai Li's undisguised greed and killing intent, the remaining seven or eight Dao Body Realm early- and mid-stage commanders and over fifty Dragon Transformation Realm personal guards completely collapsed, kowtowing like pounding garlic, tears and snot streaming down their faces.
Even the City Lord and Great Commander were easily slaughtered and devoured; how could they still have any courage to resist?
However, how could the demonic claws, already stained with blood, spare innocent beings?
Moreover... they were not innocent!
Bai Li floated in the air, demonic energy swirling around him, like a Demon God who commanded life and death. He looked coldly at the cultivators begging for their lives below, a sneer on his lips.
"Spare your lives? When you chased me out of Blackstone City, did any of you ever think of sparing my life?!"
"Damn Demon, you will not die a good death!!"
A Dao Body Realm early-stage guard stepped forward, glaring angrily, and immediately attacked.
Seeing that Bai Li would not let them go, the others also pulled out their weapons, fighting to the death.
"Heh, instead of escaping, you dare to come at me head-on?"
"Foolish, truly foolish!!"
His palm was like a death-inducing charm; whoever he touched died, and their bodies would be drained dry in an instant, a truly tragic death.
In a short while, almost all the cultivators present were slaughtered.
Bai Li licked the remaining blood from his hand, a cold arc forming at the corner of his mouth: "Blackstone City is a good place to go."
"System, have I completed my mission?"
[Ding! Detected that the host has killed cultivators and plundered their origins, meeting the recovery conditions. "Mission: Recover Strength" completed.]
[Ding! Detected that the host is severely injured and currently in a very bad state. New mission issued: Recover Strength.]
[Mission Description: Absorb the origins of ten Dao Body Realm / one hundred Dragon Transformation Realm or higher cultivators to recover from the current weakened state.]
[Mission Reward: One thousand Demon Energy, stable Demonic Body.]
[Failure Penalty: Cultivation returns to Dragon Transformation Peak.]
[Mission Time Limit: One day.]
Bai Li: "..."
Hearing the exact same mission prompt for the third time, Bai Li felt like he was going crazy.
"Damn you, you motherf**ker, tell me, does this mission make any sense?"
"Again and again, I've already completed it twice! I want a reward, a reward, do you hear me!!!"
Only this time, the system seemed powerless to respond to Bai Li, falling into permanent silence.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it, everyone wants to go against me, damn it, damn it, damn it!!!"
Bai Li's demonic nature had not yet dissipated, and he almost fell into madness.
The system value being frantically plundered also forced the Demon God System to adopt such extreme methods to help him recover.
The result of this was further exploitation of the host, but under Gu Yun's deliberate manipulation, this would only become a vicious cycle.
Bai Li fell into hysteria, but the crisis was not over.
He was about to leave and find the next hunting ground when several terrifying auras emanated from the surroundings.
This instantly sobered the frenzied Bai Li, and his expression became extremely solemn.
"Who is it?!!!"
"Hiding in the shadows, why don't you get out here now!!"
"Demonic cultivator, how dare you be so arrogant!"
A cold female voice, as if from the Nine Nether Cold Hell, carried a chilling killing intent, instantly pulling Bai Li back to reality from the brink of madness.
He sharply turned his head, only to see a woman dressed in black tight-fitting clothes, with a stern face, slowly walking out of the shadows.
Her aura was not outwardly aggressive, yet she gave off an uncanny sense of unfathomable depth, as if she was one with her surroundings, as if she was inherently part of the shadows.
It was none other than the Shadow Guard who had arrived in Blackstone City earlier.
"Demon, nearly a hundred cultivators in Blackstone City, from top to bottom, all died by your hand. Your crime deserves death!"
"Surrender now!!"
The black-clothed woman's gaze was like a knife, sweeping over the ground full of corpses, her disgust and killing intent undisguised.
"Hehehe, wanton killing of the innocent?"
"Your strength is so great, yet when they were chasing me, why didn't I see you come out to uphold justice?"
"Now that I've fought back and killed, I'm guilty of a heinous crime? Is this your rule? Truly hypocritical to the extreme!!"
"Your glib tongue cannot change your fate today. Cultivators of demonic arts are to be executed by all, let alone that you have already gone on a rampage in Blackstone City!"
"Today, you will surely die!!"
"Hahahaha, then come and try! Today I have drunk the blood of so many people, I was just looking for someone to test what other power I have!!"
Bai Li laughed wildly. He had gone berserk with killing. The woman in front of him clearly had Xiantai Realm cultivation.
But he was not afraid in the slightest. Instead of wasting time looking for Dao Body Realm cultivators, it was better to go all out!
Even the spiritual origin of a Great Power Realm cultivator would exceed the total of ten Dao Body Realm cultivators!
The previous deficit would surely be made up in one battle!
As for whether he could take her down, since he could instantly kill the Dao Body Realm Peak City Lord of Black Stone City, he definitely had the power to fight even a Great Power Realm cultivator.
In this border region of the Supreme Divine Dynasty, where would high-level cultivators come from?
They were just some imperial city inspectors, so killing them was no big deal!
"Arrogant!!"
The Shadow Guard was furious, and her aura erupted with a roar.
Bai Li, who had been arrogant and self-confident, suddenly fell silent, his gaze fixed on the Shadow Guard, his voice trembling: "S-Saint, how is this possible?!!!"
"In this small border town, how can there be a Saint Realm powerhouse?!!!"
//487//
Chapter 487: Hong Yu takes action to win the trust of the Destiny Child (two in one)
"A Sage?! How... how could a Sage descend upon this remote borderland?!"
Bai Li's wild laughter abruptly ceased, replaced by an expression of disbelief and terror.
He had originally thought the opponent was, at most, a Great Power Realm cultivator. With his recently surged strength and the strange Demonic Cultivation Method, he might not only be able to fight but even counter-kill!
Even if her strength was greater, at the Quasi-Sage level, he could still use his techniques to maneuver and escape her grasp.
But a Sage?!
That was a completely different level of existence. With four Sendai built, they had the foundation to connect with heaven and earth. Every Sage was a terrifying existence capable of holding down a region and establishing a sect!
Although there were many Sages in the Supreme Divine Dynasty, he had seen many in the Bai family.
But this was just a border region of the Divine Dynasty, where spiritual energy was scarce, and even battles rarely occurred. Other Imperial Dynasties had no interest in such land. It was one thing to have a few Sendai first or second-stage cultivators acting arrogantly, but how could there be a Saint Realm cultivator guarding it?!
Damn it, damn it all!!!
This goddamn system really caused a lot of trouble!
Bai Li's guts were turning green with regret now. If it weren't for this ridiculous system mission, would he have bothered to confront a Saint Realm powerhouse head-on?!
"A Sage?"
The Shadow Guard sneered, offering no further explanation.
The pressure emanating from her body was like a tangible sky, crashing down.
Vast and irresistible!
This was the true Sage Might, possessing absolute suppressive power over cultivators below the Small Saint Realm.
Bai Li was no exception. The blazing blood-red demonic flames around him instantly turned into a flickering candle in the wind, leaving only a thin layer clinging to his body.
He himself felt as if he had been struck by an invisible giant mountain. His bones groaned under the unbearable weight, and he was forced to bend at the waist, almost collapsing to the ground!
"Ding! Child of Destiny Bai Li has been humiliated. Destiny Value decreases by 2000 points. Villain Value increases by 4000 points."
He desperately activated his demonic energy, attempting to resist the Sage Might, but in the face of an absolute disparity in realms, all his efforts seemed futile!
The ground beneath his feet cracked inch by inch, and his legs sank deep into the soil, utterly unable to break free from the invisible restraint!
A powerhouse of the Saint Realm was truly terrifying to this extent!!!
"Pfft—!!"
The intense pressure had already damaged Bai Li's internal organs. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face as pale as paper.
"A frog in a well, how can you know the vastness of heaven and earth?!"
"Do you truly believe that by cultivating some evil techniques and devouring a few Dao Body Realm cultivators, you are qualified to be arrogant?"
The Shadow Guard's voice remained cold, carrying a hint of faint mockery: "Remember, in my Supreme Divine Dynasty—"
"Demonic cultivators are forbidden!!"
She slowly raised her hand, not even using any spells, but simply pressed down gently in the air.
Boom!
Bai Li felt an irresistible force coming from above his head, as if the entire sky had collapsed!
"Crack... crack..."
His entire skeleton emitted a teeth-grinding sound of shattering, and he was forcibly pressed to his knees, his knees smashing the rocks to dust.
His demonic energy was completely suppressed, unable to be mobilized even a trace.
The power of devouring was firmly locked within his body by the Sage Might, unable to leak out even a bit.
"System, System!!"
He continuously called out in his mind. In this situation, it was his last straw.
The system did not respond, but some power still faintly emerged from his body to resist, barely protecting his vital heart meridian and ensuring Bai Li's basic survival.
Despair!
Complete despair spread. Before a Sage, all his previous struggles, all his madness, all his reliance, had become a ridiculous joke!
The opponent didn't even need to use real methods; merely relying on Sage Might was enough to crush him countless times!
"Ugh ah ah ah—!"
Bai Li let out an unwilling roar, his eyes bloodshot, desperately trying to raise his head, but unable to move even a single finger.
"Demonic cultivation devours its master, and your nature is deranged. I cannot let you live."
A murderous glint flashed in the Shadow Guard's eyes. Her pressing hand tightened slightly, about to crush Bai Li into dust.
Just at this critical moment!
A delicate female voice suddenly sounded in the void.
"Oh my, little fellow, it's been a while, how did you get yourself into such a mess~~~?"
"Who's there?!!"
A power capable of contending with her Sage Might transmitted over, causing a sense of alarm to rise in the Shadow Guard's heart.
Her gaze instantly swept towards the source of the sound, only to see a Red-Skirted Woman with a graceful and lithe figure slowly stepping out from the void.
"Shattering the void, you are a Quasi-Emperor Realm powerhouse?!!"
The Shadow Guard became extremely wary, her voice turning icy cold.
Her full Sage Might erupted, firmly locking onto the suddenly appearing Red-Skirted Woman, not daring to show the slightest negligence.
One must know that her cultivation was not merely the so-called Saint Realm, but—a Great Saint!
However, the aura of the woman before her was no weaker than hers, even subtly suppressing her. She was definitely not an ordinary Xiantai Realm powerhouse!
However, the Red-Skirted Woman seemed not to feel her tension and hostility, covering her lips with a bell-like giggle, her eyes flowing with captivating charm: "Quasi-Emperor? Hehehe... This young lady, your eyesight is quite good, but unfortunately... I'm still a little bit short~~~"
"Hmph, I observe your aura; you appear to be just over three hundred years old. Are you still trying to act like an elder with me here?"
"Since you are not a Quasi-Emperor Realm powerhouse, do you think you can definitely take me down?"
"Oh my, why would I need to take you down? Wouldn't it be enough to just take this little fellow away?"
Hong Yu's lips curved into a faint, mocking smile, making the Shadow Guard clench her fist tightly.
Bai Li, on the side, finally breathed a sigh of relief: "You're finally here. I thought... you were going to abandon me too."
After saying this, he actually fainted directly.
Whether it was giving him hope in adversity, guiding him in difficult situations, or appearing to help him in desperate circumstances, Hong Yu had already occupied an absolutely important position in his heart. It could be said that the current Bai Li was willing to do anything for Hong Yu!
"Pah..."
Suppressing the nausea in her heart, Hong Yu still had to finish this good show.
At least, she couldn't let the Shadow Guard, who hated evil as much as she did, see any flaws.
These were all her master's arrangements. When she returned to the Demonic Cult, she must help her master and absolutely not drag him down!
"Hmph, wishful thinking!"
The Shadow Guard's eyes were sharp as knives, and her Sage Might was no longer held back, becoming even more vast and boundless than before!
As a Shadow Guard of the Supreme Divine Dynasty, it was her duty. She absolutely could not stand by and watch a demon who had slaughtered nearly a hundred of her colleagues be rescued right under her nose!
"Today, this fiend must die! If you obstruct me, then stay with him!"
She flipped her jade hand, and a short blade flowing with a dark shadow aura appeared in her palm. The blade hummed, cutting through the void, clearly a high-grade Sage Weapon!
"Oh my, how fierce~~~" Hong Yu pretended to be scared, patting her ample chest, but her eyes held a chilling hint of playfulness. "But... if you want to keep me, just you... I'm afraid it's not enough~~~"
Before her words finished, her figure suddenly blurred, disappearing from her original spot like a ghost.
The next instant, she appeared directly in front of Bai Li, her slender jade fingers blooming like an orchid, lightly tapping the invisible Sage Might pressing down.
Pop ~
A soft sound, like a bubble bursting.
The terrifying Sage Might, which Bai Li couldn't shake even with his dying efforts, was easily shattered by her seemingly casual touch, turning into a gentle breeze and dissipating!
"What?!"
The Shadow Guard's pupils contracted sharply, her heart filled with shock.
The way she broke her Sage Might was too easy and effortless. This was definitely not something an ordinary Great Saint could do.
"Let's go ~ little fellow ~"
Hong Yu chuckled, not even looking at the vigilant Shadow Guard. With a casual wave, spiritual energy enveloped the unconscious Bai Li, and she was about to tear through space again to leave.
"Stop!"
How could the Shadow Guard let her succeed? She let out a sharp cry, and the dark shadow short blade in her hand cut through the sky. An extremely condensed, pitch-black blade light silently struck towards Hong Yu's back!
This strike contained all of her Great Saint Realm cultivation, and it was also infused with the Dark Shadow Law, malicious and sharp, enough to severely injure a cultivator of the same rank!
However, Hong Yu seemed to have eyes in the back of her head. Without turning back, she simply flicked her sleeve casually.
Boom!
A pink, enchanting fragrant breeze suddenly swirled up from nowhere. The incomparably sharp, pitch-black blade light crashed into the fragrant breeze, and like a mud ox entering the sea, it was instantly dissolved and assimilated, without even a ripple appearing.
"This..."
"What kind of move is this again?!!"
The Shadow Guard was shocked again. Her full-power strike was so easily resolved; she had never experienced such a thing in her life.
"The game ends here, little sister. I hope to see you again in the future."
Hong Yu finally turned her head, winked at the Shadow Guard, her smile enchanting and dangerous.
Then she stepped directly into the crack, and in the blink of an eye, the spatial rift completely closed, and the figures of the two disappeared without a trace.
Thud!
The Shadow Guard collapsed to the ground, exhausted, gasping for breath, her clothes soaked with cold sweat.
"Quasi-Emperor, this Demonic Cult Enchantress must be a Quasi-Emperor."
"I must report to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
She turned to leave.
But she bumped into a broad figure. The Shadow Guard looked up, slightly stunned. How could this person be so handsome?
After being infatuated for a moment, Gu Yun chuckled: "What, you don't recognize this Prince anymore?"
The Shadow Guard then came back to her senses. She quickly retreated, knelt on one knee, and respectfully said: "Shadow Seven greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!!"
"You may rise."
"I told you, there's no need to kneel to me when we're outside."
Gu Yun reached out, and a gentle spiritual force slowly helped Shadow Seven up.
Behind him, another enchanting and beautiful figure appeared.
Upon seeing this, Shadow Seven quickly bowed again: "Shadow Seven greets Senior Shadow!"
As Shadow's strength broke through to the Quasi-Emperor Realm, her status had long since risen, subtly showing a trend towards taking charge of the entire Shadow Guard.
Even a senior like Shadow Seven had to be respectful to her.
Shadow nodded slightly, returning the greeting, then looked at the young man: "Your Highness, Senior Shadow Seven, she..."
"Don't worry, I'm not here to assign blame. That Demonic Cult Enchantress is powerful, but Shadow Seven still faced the danger bravely and diligently performed her duty. You did very well."
Gu Yun wore a friendly smile as he looked at the still-shaken Shadow Seven, his tone gentle.
Shadow Seven felt a little relieved upon hearing this, but still expressed guilt: "Your Highness overpraises me. Your subordinate is incompetent for letting that Demonic Cult Enchantress rescue the person. Please punish me, Your Highness!"
"Punish you?" Gu Yun chuckled and shook his head, "That enchantress's strength has reached the peak of Great Saint, half-step Quasi-Emperor, and she has a strange demonic cultivation method protecting her. It was already not easy for you to contend with her for a moment. What crime have you committed?"
"Moreover, this time, you have rendered a great service."
"Great service?"
Shadow Seven was utterly confused, truly not knowing what Gu Yun was planning.
"Shadow!"
Shadow understood. Her figure swayed as she stepped forward, gently tapping Shadow Seven's forehead with her finger.
In an instant, a vast and boundless power entered her sea of consciousness.
Shadow Seven was overjoyed.
"Your Highness... this..."
"These are some insights from when I broke through to Quasi-Emperor. I imagine they should be of some help to you."
Shadow Seven felt the vastness of the law insights in her mind, like a sea of stars yet incredibly clear. She froze in place, her beautiful eyes filled with unbelievable ecstasy and shock!
This... this was more than just "some help"!
The Path of Shadows that Shadow cultivated was identical to hers. The opponent was now an absolute powerhouse at Quasi-Emperor Fifth Stage. Her experiences and insights from breaking through to Quasi-Emperor were simply immeasurable in value!!!
Now, merely experiencing it for an instant, Shadow Seven felt an unprecedented transformation occurring within her.
"Your Highness! This... this is too precious! What virtue and ability do I possess..."
Shadow Seven's voice trembled, so excited she was almost incoherent.
As a Shadow Guard, although she was fiercely loyal to the imperial family, she also deeply understood the preciousness of such an opportunity.
"You don't have to be like this. I always reward based on merit. When I say you've rendered a great service, it's certainly not an empty boast. Alright, go back and cultivate well."
"Today, your engagement with that Demonic Cult Enchantress must have given you many insights. Combined with this power Shadow has given you, I hope that within the ranks of the Shadow Guard, another Quasi-Emperor can emerge as soon as possible."
"Shadow Seven will not fail Your Highness's trust!!"
Shadow Seven bowed, her figure slowly merging into the shadows and disappearing.
She had originally thought this was a thankless task, and many of her sisters were unwilling to come. She believed that suffering was a blessing, and she never expected it to truly come true!
She needed to immediately find a safe place to go into seclusion and digest this immense opportunity.
After Shadow Seven left, Shadow could no longer hold on. Her figure swayed, and she collapsed softly into Gu Yun's arms.
"You've worked hard."
Gu Yun gently stroked the hair from her forehead, speaking softly.
For Shadow, who was in the Quasi-Emperor Realm, stripping away her own insights was not a simple matter. The portion she gave to Shadow Seven even carried a trace of her own origin, but for Gu Yun, she was willing to give her all.
"It's not hard. Doing things for Your Highness, Shadow only feels joy."
"Only this way can I feel that I am still by Your Highness's side, and not... a useless vase."
She stared intently at Gu Yun, her voice gentle and serene. That enchanting face only completely revealed itself in front of Gu Yun.
"Shadow... don't worry, how about I help you retrieve the origin you lost?"
Gu Yun smiled and directly picked Shadow up by the waist, a faint smile gracing his lips.