Chapter 1817

"Teacher?"

Xu Jingming sensed something unusual in Venerable Minghuang's gaze and called out softly.

Only then did Venerable Minghuang snap back from her shock.

She took a deep breath, and a complex expression flashed across her stunningly beautiful face.

There was shock, there was relief, and also a trace of complexity that even she herself had not noticed.

She had never imagined it.

The second Xuan Yu Minghuang of the demon race would manifest in such a manner.

"The True Demon Form consumes an enormous amount of divine power; you should withdraw first."

Her voice remained clear and cold.

Yet Xu Jingming keenly perceived that his teacher's attitude toward him seemed to have improved considerably.

"Yes."

He nodded, and with a shift of his will, the purple-black radiance enveloping his body converged.

That pair of enormous wings dissolved into motes of light and dispersed, and the phoenix-shaped mark in his pupils also gradually faded away.

The berserk power receded like a tide, revealing his original form.

Still a towering demon body of four meters six, scales pitch-black, muscles knotted.

But upon closer inspection, one could discover faint purple-black spatial runes flowing across the surface of the scales.

The aura around his body was also even more domineering and sharp than before, carrying the unique noble pressure of the Xuan Yu Minghuang.

This is the constant demonification brought about by the system's optimization of the *True Demon Canon*!

Similar to the Purple Nightmare Demon Body he had cultivated before.

Yet it completely eliminated all side effects, allowing his strength to remain at its peak state at all times.

And only if he completely released the demonification would his true human original body be revealed.

"Not bad."

Venerable Minghuang gave a slight nod.

Even with her exacting eyes, at this moment she had to admit.

This disciple had indeed given her far too many surprises.

She immediately continued:

"You have entered the *True Demon Canon* and successfully activated the True Demon Form.

You have thereby met the assessment conditions; from today onward, you are my, Minghuang's, sole personal disciple.

Henceforth, you will follow me in cultivating the *True Demon Canon*."

"Wonderful!"

Elise at his side instantly beamed with joy, her purple eyes curving into crescents.

She floated lightly to Xu Jingming's side.

Intimately linking her arm through his, her peach-heart tail wagging happily.

She is a demon of the Blood Demon Palace.

Xueyuan cultivates together with her mother.

This also means that from now on, every day she will be able to stay together with Xueyuan.

'This girl......'

Venerable Minghuang sighed inwardly.

Where in the Elise before her eyes was there any trace of that cold, aloof demeanor of the past?

And facing Elise's delight, Xu Jingming instead spoke with some hesitation:

"Teacher's deep kindness, your disciple is infinitely grateful.

However, before formally following Teacher in cultivation.

Your disciple wishes to first return to his hometown for a trip."

"Return to your hometown?" Venerable Minghuang's willow brows furrowed slightly.

She had originally not planned to accept a disciple; that harsh condition of absorbing over ninety percent of the essence blood within a year.

Was originally set casually, a test almost impossible to complete.

Yet this disciple not only achieved it, but even reached a shocking ninety-nine percent compatibility.

Beyond her shock, she had truly given birth to the intent to nurture him carefully.

After all, this is, besides her, the only second Xuan Yu Minghuang bloodline in the demon race today!

"Xueyuan, you want to go back? Why?"

Elise also froze, lifting her stunningly beautiful face, her purple eyes full of bewilderment.

"Yes."

Xu Jingming's voice was steady as he explained:

"Your disciple has been away from his hometown for a long time and wishes to return for a period.

To handle some trivial matters, and afterwards follow you wholeheartedly in cultivation."

This was naturally a lie.

The bloodline secret art's hidden danger was resolved, and the *True Demon Canon* had also been cultivated to completion.

He should also find an opportunity to return to the human race's territory.

"How long will you need?" Venerable Minghuang mused.

"Roughly two or three years' time," Xu Jingming said.

"Very well."

The Nether Phoenix Venerable did not obstruct him; a flicker of understanding passed through her black eyes.

Upon reaching the World Venerable level, two or three years truly pass in the blink of an eye.

She paused slightly, her jade finger lifting gently.

A dark-blood-colored phoenix-shaped jade pendant materialized out of thin air, drifting before Xu Jingming:

"This is my divine nation's token.

Holding it allows free passage through most forbidden areas of the Blood Demon Palace.

In case of emergency, it can also be used to send me a message."

"Thank you, Master!" Xu Jingming received it solemnly.

"Your peak treasure is currently in transit; it should arrive in about three or four days."

She paused, then added:

"Until then, I will remain on this continent.

During this time, if you have any questions about your cultivation, you may come to me at any time."

As her words faded, her blood-colored figure gradually dissolved, as if merging into the void.

Before departing,

she glanced at the obediently standing Ilis beside her, yet did not call her to come along.

A mother knows her daughter best.

This girl's heart is now entirely consumed by the Blood Abyss; she likely cannot be swayed.

After the Nether Phoenix Venerable left, only Xu Jingming and Ilis remained in the courtyard.

"Blood Abyss, you're amazing!"

Ilis's purple eyes sparkled brightly, her peach-shaped tail wagging happily.

She lightly flung herself into Xu Jingming's embrace.

Her ample bosom pressed firmly against his hard scales, her voice soft and sweet:

"99% compatibility! Even Mother Venerable was astonished!"

"Just luck."

Xu Jingming chuckled low, wrapping his arms around her slender waist.

Feeling her soft warmth in his arms, his mind nonetheless turned to another matter.

The Deep Blue System's simulation and optimization of the *True Demon Treasure Canon* consumed a full 800,000 quality points!

Now he has only 3,530,000 quality points remaining.

The quality points needed to break through the Sovereign stage are still far off.

This expenditure must naturally be recouped from Ilis.

Thus, over the next few days, Xu Jingming settled into a life of diligent, uninterrupted cultivation.

Ilis's Demonic Holy Body feedback is astonishing; each union loosens the bottleneck of his Immortal Peak.

The two sometimes cultivated in the courtyard, sometimes returned to the small pavilion to discuss secret arts, their days passing without shame or restraint.

It is worth noting that the Phantom Demon Sovereign has still not departed.

She remains in the recuperation zone with her daughter, Lin Yin.

Clearly, she wishes to return to the Phantom Demon Star Field together with Xu Jingming.

Xu Jingming readily agreed to this.

After completing the first layer of the *True Demon Treasure Canon*,

he is confident that an ordinary Immortal Sovereign should not be difficult to defeat.

Thus, he does not mind helping Vera take revenge en route before returning to the human race.

After all, Vera has served as a photographer for so long; though she may lack merit, she has certainly endured hardship.

Fourth day, morning.

Xu Jingming had just rested after a fierce morning drill.

He was holding Ilis's soft, delicate body as they lay on the couch.

Suddenly, ripples spread through the space outside the courtyard.

"Blood Abyss."

The Nether Phoenix Venerable's voice came in, calm and undisturbed.

Xu Jingming immediately rose, and Ilis quickly tidied her disheveled clothes.

When the two arrived in the courtyard, the Nether Phoenix Venerable was already waiting there.

She still wore her blood-colored long robe, dignified and magnificent, her exquisite face showing no emotion.

Yet Xu Jingming keenly sensed.

As her gaze swept over him and Ilis, a faint hint of helplessness flickered within.

"Master." Xu Jingming bowed respectfully.

"Mother."

Ilis also called out obediently, though a faint blush still lingered on her pretty face.

The Nether Phoenix Venerable did not inquire further, directly waving her jade hand.

A long spear materialized out of thin air, hovering in midair.

Instantly, the temperature of the entire courtyard plummeted!

A terrifying aura spread out, as if a slumbering ancient ferocious beast had awakened!