Chapter 339: Climbing the Stage

The massive demonic serpent thrashed wildly, black radiance faintly seeping from its already dark-red scale seams.

The purple-gold flames grew even more furious.

In its rolling, the earth beneath it turned entirely to charred wasteland.

Its shrieks echoed without pause.

As the Demon Emperor of the Thousand Demon Caves, it knew better than anyone the power of the Ghost-Tail Spear; now its mighty demonic energy surged uncontrollably, all to digest the Ghost Light within its body.

Fortunately, its demonic body was incomparably stronger than Liu Jingyuan's.

In its desperate thrashing, the dark-red scales slightly opened and closed, and the black radiance leaking out began to recede.

"Sss!"

The Crimson Heart Snake Emperor emitted a sharp female voice: "You don't actually think holding this spear makes you it, do you? I'll tell you—you're dead!"

What it said was, in fact, correct.

Spirit-Linking Artifact Forging was merely a crude, minor technique.

No matter how many years Shen Yi had spent refining it using demonic lifespans, he could never truly turn this spear into a part of his body like the Ghost-Tail Emperor had.

Thus, he had always used the most brutal thrusting.

Even when the Ghost-Tail Spear, sensing danger during his fight with the Green Feather Emperor, automatically released Ghost Light to block the Green Feather's attack—Shen Yi still couldn't replicate it.

"It really is the Ghost-Tail Spear."

Tong Xinchuan slightly furrowed her brow, feeling a touch of awe at the youth's audacity.

He not only dared steal the old dragon's tail bone, but also dared to bring it out within the Thousand Demon Caves.

He's insane.

"Last time it got the worse of it; this time it'll surely summon other demon emperors."

Yu Chaoan gazed into the distance, his eyes holding a hint of wariness.

Don't be fooled by how arrogant they seem now—that's only because the Thousand Demon Caves is a peculiar force.

Though they appear unified, they're not friendly toward each other at all; some even hope for stronger demon emperors to perish so they can move into better caves.

But all this assumes they don't disrupt the Thousand Demon Caves' crushing dominance over Mount Wutong.

If anything major happens, the situation will be entirely different.

When all thousand demons unite and emerge, even Mount Wutong would feel its scalp go numb.

Take the Ghost-Tail Emperor, for instance.

To reclaim its tail bone, it would pay any price—even inviting several of the top ten cave emperors to act isn't impossible.

If such a scenario arises, even Brother Nie would have to retreat.

"Truly a vast and wealthy domain."

Thinking of this, Yu Chaoan couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

A group of demonic beasts, each with their own hidden agendas, even fond of killing each other—and yet they still manage to oppress human cultivators.

They occupy this most fertile land, making others envious yet helpless.

Mount Wutong is their only thorn in the flesh, their sole eyesore.

Thus, my fellow disciples and I, though possessing the deepest cultivation, remain bound and restrained, terrified of truly provoking the Thousand Demon Caves and bringing disaster upon the world.

Found two allies.

One follows heretical paths, with too low a ceiling to affect the grand picture.

The other spends all day hoping to replace Mount Wutong and continue living peacefully with the Thousand Demon Caves.

"Should I help him out? After all, he's an ally."

Yu Chaoan watched as the giant serpent was nearly suppressing the Ghost Light and said casually.

The youth's identity isn't much of a secret.

Last time seeing that three-zhang-tall Golden Body might have warranted speculation, but this six-zhang-plus dark-golden law form—only the Great Qian could afford to nurture such a thing.

"The two you just killed were also your allies."

Tong Xinchuan glanced sideways coolly, yet slowly raised her hand.

Yu Chaoan raised an eyebrow and sighed: "They say demons are stupid, kill each other, and wallow in comfort—but what's the difference between us?"

"Bai Chi."

Tong Xinchuan sneered.

Has Xuan Guang Cave oppressed the Great Qian for so many years, and now we're expected to hold those Yin Spirit cultivators to the standard of sages, and forgive all grievances with a smile?

The alliance has long been a hollow formality—this is an undeniable fact.

Fortunately, several of my senior brothers and sisters are all like dragons, each with potential to break through to the Return to Void realm, among whom Xuan Jian and Ling Xi are closest to that level.

The situation isn't too bad.

"..."

To Tong Xinchuan's surprise, Yu Chaoan didn't argue this time—he just stared blankly downward.

He too looked down.

The Crimson Heart Demon Serpent had stopped struggling; instead, its gaze fixed on the Golden Body law form blocking its path.

Fixed by those crimson eyes.

Jiang Qiulan's body tensed again; no matter how strong her will, she could not resist the crushing pressure of realm.

It was an instinct carved into her bones.

At that moment, five dark-golden fingers slowly closed, blocking the Emperor's gaze from her.

"..."

Jiang Qiulan adjusted her ragged breathing and looked up again, puzzled.

Even if the other was Shen Yi's friend, could this be too kind? At a time like this, why not go help? Could it be that he feared injuring himself?

"Elder…"

Lady Qinghua lifted her head and gazed coldly ahead.

She gave no explanation whatsoever.

Since her reconstruction, this was the first time her master had chosen to strike first at a cultivator rather than a demon when both were present.

The reason, most likely, was that this girl had been imprisoned.

Recalling the beautiful woman the crimson serpent had previously transformed into, Lady Qinghua still felt immense pressure.

She must become more sensible.

She could not require her master to point out every single thing.

"Huh."

Shen Yi exerted both arms, finally driving the entire length of the spear into the crimson serpent's skull.

He looked down in silence.

He raised his palm again, then clenched it instantly!

"Shriek!"

In an instant, a crimson spiritual bird's phantom surged behind him, spreading its wings in fury.

Its magnificent feathers radiated blinding emerald light.

Shen Yi swung his fist and slammed down with a thunderous crash.

Boom—

A moment earlier, the massive demonic serpent had been fixed on the Golden Body manifestation, poised to break free.

The next, its sky-obscuring head was crushed downward, splitting the land with a vast chasm.

Boom—boom—boom!

Emerald light blazed from Shen Yi's fingertips, instantly spreading across the serpent's body like countless blades, neatly piercing through its scales.

At the same time, the black radiance previously infused into its body could no longer be suppressed—it erupted forth!

The Crimson Heart Emperor was suddenly struck by a punch, his mind still dazed, then immediately sensed the crisis of life and death.

He desperately pushed his demonic power, trying once more to suppress the Ghost Light.

Unfortunately, the agonizing pain of his body being torn apart came in unceasing waves like a raging river.

The entire serpent body slowly writhed on the ground until it fell utterly still, its skin split open in perfect, orderly lines.

【Slain: Crimson Heart Serpent Emperor, Mid-Soul Transformation. Total lifespan: 83,000 years. Remaining lifespan: 42,000 years. Absorption complete.】

"…"

Shen Yi watched the Ghost Light surge from the pile of flesh, reached out, and grasped it in his palm.

Though also Mid-Soul Transformation, the Crimson Heart Serpent Emperor of the Twenty-Third Cave was far more difficult to kill than the two Xuan Guang Cave cultivators.

He must have been very close to Soul Transformation Late Stage.

The Golden Body manifestation opened its palm, preparing to send Jiang Qiulan over.

But Shen Yi did not retract his spear—he still stood atop the serpent's head, his dark eyes slowly gazing toward the heavens.

(End of Chapter)