The dim room was filled with a dark, pervasive aura.
Strange formations were carved into the floor, upon which numerous black crystals were placed. The crystals and formations connected, generating an arcane energy that pulsed with a continuous surge of deep black qi.
A slender youth in a white robe sat cross-legged in the center of the room. A black lotus mark adorned his forehead, absorbing the unending dark energy, emitting an eerie black glow. Bathed in this sinister radiance, the youth appeared like a dark deity, exuding an intensely cold presence.
"Someone stole my Holy Son position?"
After a moment, the youth slowly opened his eyes, and the lotus mark on his forehead vanished. The surrounding formations shattered with a deafening roar. A terrifying aura dispersed, filling the dark room with hurricane-like black flames.
"Enter and explain what happened!" the youth's voice dripped with bone-chilling coldness, making one feel as though they had fallen into an ice cellar.
As soon as he spoke, a disciple of the Shimo Sect, clad in black robes, rushed in.
"Senior Brother Chen, I heard from Elder Xu. A disciple from the Yellow Springs Demonic Sect in the Eastern Wasteland has snatched the Holy Son spot that was originally designated for you!" the Shimo Sect disciple stammered.
"Eastern Wasteland, Yellow Springs Demonic Sect..." the youth's eyes narrowed. A sharp glint of killing intent, mingled with annoyance, flashed through his mind. When had a disciple from a mere fledgling sect dared to contend for the Holy Son position? It was laughable.
"Does trash from such a desolate land have the right to vie for my position?" the youth continued, his voice laced with disdain. The Shimo Sect was a top-tier demonic cultivation power in the Central Continent, immensely powerful, with numerous subordinate factions. Each year, they selected talented disciples from these factions for cultivation within their own ranks. It was this constant influx of new blood that had produced countless prodigies.
"Reporting to Senior Brother Chen, it is said that the disciple possesses astonishing talent. Furthermore, while still in the Life and Death realm, he has already killed a Saint of the Saint realm..." the Shimo Sect disciple continued.
The youth's eyes narrowed again, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Great talent? Does our Shimo Sect lack talented disciples? I'd very much like to see how long this fellow can cause trouble in our Shimo Sect..."
"Senior Brother Chen, should we make some arrangements to give that fellow a taste of hardship?" the Shimo Sect disciple ventured.
The youth cast him a dismissive glance. "There's no need. I'm not that petty. It's just a Holy Son position. Let the Heavenly Poison Woman play with him..."
Upon hearing this, the Shimo Sect disciple's face paled, as if recalling something terrifying.
"Senior Brother Chen is magnanimous. I shall make the arrangements at once..." the disciple replied, then swiftly departed the room.
...
Eastern Wasteland.
Yellow Springs Demonic Sect.
Purple Bamboo Forest.
Within the Purple Bamboo Forest, Ye Tian was a bloody mess, his wounds bleeding profusely. A formidable devouring power erupted from within him, greedily absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy to mend his injuries. The entire forest seemed caught in a vortex of spiritual energy, its numerous spirit plants appearing on the verge of being torn apart.
"As expected of the Heaven Swallowing Divine Body. Even bound by the Saint Restraining Ropes, it can still devour ambient spiritual energy, and at a faster rate than I can," Jiang Li observed the spiritual energy storm with a glint in his eyes.
After a while, Ye Tian's injuries had recovered significantly, and a hint of color returned to his face.
"Let's talk. What do you need to discuss with me?" Jiang Li asked, seeing Ye Tian's improved condition. Tang Siqi, holding Jiang Li's arm tightly, also looked at the bloodied Ye Tian.
Ye Tian took a deep breath and said solemnly, "I want you to accompany me to the Valley of Death. The master of the Valley of Death wishes to meet you!"
Jiang Li was taken aback. "Is this why Ye Tian sought me out?"
"What if I refuse?" Jiang Li asked. Though he didn't know why the Lord of Death wanted to see him, such a forbidden existence was terrifying. If the Lord of Death harbored ill intentions, his demise would be certain.
"Then I will follow you until you agree!" Ye Tian replied without hesitation, as if he had anticipated Jiang Li's response. Jiang Li looked at Ye Tian with a strange expression. If it were a cute girl, it would be one thing. This… had the Demon Emperor Reborn lost his mind?
"In that case, I shall kill you!" Jiang Li said with a smile.
"Whoosh!!!" With that, Jiang Li unleashed the Spear of the Underworld God. The spear, carrying a world-destroying aura, shot towards Ye Tian.
"No problem, if you can kill me!" Ye Tian faced the approaching spear with no trace of fear, calmly.
"Boom boom boom!!!" The Spear of the Underworld God struck Ye Tian, tearing him into pieces. Golden blood and flesh splattered everywhere. Jiang Li's pupils contracted as he looked at Ye Tian's shredded remains. He felt no joy, but rather immense caution. He hadn't heard the system's notification, which meant Ye Tian was not dead. A premonition of misfortune washed over Jiang Li. This method was likely orchestrated by the Lord of Death. What did they want? The thought of being targeted by such a terrifying, forbidden entity made Jiang Li deeply uneasy.
...
On a peak not far from the Purple Bamboo Forest, a young man in black combat attire materialized from the void.
"This… is the power of destiny?" Ye Tian murmured, looking at his unharmed body. A white spiritual light within Ye Tian's body suppressed even his Heaven Swallowing Divine Body, causing it to dim slightly. "Who… exactly is the Lord of Death?" countless cold thoughts surfaced in Ye Tian's mind. Such power was completely beyond his comprehension. It wasn't an external manifestation or a puppet spirit body… this power was utterly unfathomable. But why did she want him to bring Jiang Li there? With such abilities, wouldn't anything be attainable with ease… Forget it, such a figure is beyond my understanding. I will simply fulfill my end of the bargain with her.
...
ps: [Busy the past two days, only one update, qaq…]