Chapter Seventy-Three: Blood Heaven's Seizure of the Body

Dragged back by Xu Changye, Chen Mu regained his composure. Now, the remaining number of people was only one hundred and ninety-one. After the trial ended, the already sparse forces of Great Xia lost another nine, making them the most ravaged group, except for the Qingyun Mountain Sect.

The once largest group, the forces of Great Xia, now had only fifty-six people left. The alliance of the Mingyue Empire’s royal family and other sects, excluding the Nine Nether Sacred Land, totaled seventy-one, while the remaining sixty-four belonged to the Nine Nether Sacred Land.

The Nine Nether Sacred Land had suffered heavy casualties, dwindling from over two hundred to sixty-four, yet even so, it remained the strongest single force. The fifty-six from Great Xia represented several factions combined, as did the Mingyue Empire. Though the Nine Nether Sacred Land had two parts—the War Demon Hall and the Night Shadow—they originated from the same source.

Originally, the Nine Nether Sacred Land could be counted as part of the Mingyue Empire’s forces, but the Empire had openly severed ties, and the other sects clearly leaned toward the Empire. Thus, the Nine Nether Sacred Land would no longer associate itself with the Empire.

Thus, the slaughter ended, and everyone received their due rewards. Chen Mu, having slain the most and ranking first in overall trial scores, was granted an unrivaled secret art from the Demon Clan.

This secret art, called “Blood Ignition Transformation,” allowed one to burn their own vital energy to greatly boost their power for a short time. It was extremely domineering and required a formidable physique and abundant blood energy; a careless excess could burn all one’s vitality away, leaving only a withered corpse.

Though its consumption of vital energy was severe, Chen Mu possessed the “Nine Tribulations of the Ancient Wilderness,” which enabled him to absorb external spiritual energy and convert it into blood energy. Thus, using “Blood Ignition Transformation” briefly was feasible.

As everyone asked Xue Tian to teleport them out, Xue Tian spoke slowly: “No need to hurry. Let the champion of the trial claim what is rightfully his. May I ask your name, young friend? This old servant, Xue Tian, wishes to serve you as his master.”

Hearing this, everyone looked at Chen Mu with envy and jealousy, wondering why such fortune hadn’t fallen on them. Yet Chen Mu’s next words astonished all.

Chen Mu firmly refused, not even revealing his name: “I appreciate your kindness, senior, but I only wish to leave. Let the Dark Demon Soul Crystal go to someone else; I cannot afford such enjoyment.”

Chen Mu’s intuition told him he must not get involved with Xue Tian, so he decisively rejected the temptation.

Xue Tian pondered for a moment, surprised at Chen Mu’s caution, but still pressed on: “Do you not wish to become the strongest in this world? Do you not wish to ascend to the Immortal Realm and witness a broader world? With my assistance, all would be as you desire.”

Chen Mu replied quietly, “I do wish to ascend to the Immortal Realm, but I already have guidance and support. Your goodwill is appreciated, senior, but I must decline.”

Xue Tian was furious. Clearly, this boy saw through something and wanted no contact. Outwardly, Xue Tian feigned disappointment: “If you refuse to strive, who will lead me out? I am willing to serve as master to whoever brings me out, making them the strongest in the world.”

At these words, the crowd’s excitement surged. They looked at Chen Mu as if he were a fool, unable to believe he would so easily abandon such an opportunity.

At this moment, Chen Mu urgently communicated with Xu Changye and the others, urging them not to get involved. He felt certain that any interaction with Xue Tian would bring disaster.

Xu Changye and the others frowned but, trusting Chen Mu’s judgment after their time together, led the Nine Nether Sacred Land members to withdraw.

After much argument, Xue Tian chose a Yuan Core stage cultivator named Xiahou Shang from the Great Xia royal family.

Xiahou Shang was overjoyed, transported to the central array where the Dark Demon Soul Crystal lay. Without hesitation, he reached for it.

The crystal surged with dark energy, engulfing Xiahou Shang. A consciousness poured forth from within, flooding into Xiahou Shang’s body—a possession.

Xue Tian let out a bizarre laugh: “Finally! I am finally freed from this damned seal!”

Because Xiahou Shang had claimed the crystal, everyone was teleported out of the trial site, including the possessed Xiahou Shang—now Xue Tian.

Seeing Xiahou Shang holding the crystal, the crowd was both envious and jealous. Only Chen Mu scoffed.

But soon Chen Mu noticed something amiss: Xiahou Shang’s eyes radiated black energy, ignoring his royal kin’s inquiries and concern. When someone impatiently tried to place a hand on Xiahou Shang’s shoulder, Xiahou Shang twisted the man’s neck, saying, “Lowly humans dare lay hands on us demons? Truly ignorant of death!”

The people nearby were horrified—Xiahou Shang was not himself!

Xue Tian, now Xiahou Shang, cackled: “How wonderful to be free! How many years has it been since I saw the sky? You fools really believed I would serve you? That was merely a pretext for my escape.”

Now everyone understood: Xiahou Shang was gone, replaced by Xue Tian’s voice, a legendary possession.

Wasn’t Xue Tian the spirit of the array? How could he possess a living person?

Xue Tian, sensing their confusion, was in a cheerful mood—perhaps from centuries of solitude—and began to speak at length: “You believed I was an array spirit? I am no such thing, but a genuine demon! I was betrayed by a villain, my body destroyed, my soul severely wounded, sealed within the Dark Demon Soul Crystal. Its nourishment allowed my soul to survive until now, but the crystal is failing, and soon I will perish with it. Yet fate favored me—you fools returned to this trial site. I used the three-stage trial to gather enough blood to break the crystal’s seal, then waited for the strongest cultivator to approach for possession. But that sly boy saw through my plot and refused! Damn him! In truth, even without claiming the crystal, you would have been teleported out safely. But with so many fools present, I chose a strong one to possess temporarily, finally escaping my cage! Yet I am dissatisfied with this body. Your continent’s cultivators are weak; the first stage only allows thirty-six spiritual veins at most. Yet the boy who took first place opened one hundred and eight veins—unbelievable! Therefore, I will possess him next, devouring his soul to avenge my humiliation!”

As Xue Tian rambled, terror grew among the crowd. They realized they had released a dreadful demon. Had they not claimed the Dark Demon Soul Crystal, they could have left safely, avoiding the legendary demon from the mythic age.

The Nine Nether Sacred Land members were grateful for Chen Mu’s warning; otherwise, one of them would surely have been possessed. Now, their priority was to escape.

Seeing Xue Tian targeting Chen Mu, all factions hostile to him hurriedly cleared a path. Xue Tian ignored them, walking straight toward Chen Mu.

Xue Tian regarded Chen Mu with certainty: “Boy, will you finally tell me your name? I will live in this world in your place; you should feel honored! You will become one of the demons—only it will be me living for you! Hehehehe.”

Chen Mu’s face was ashen. He had tried to avoid Xue Tian, yet was still targeted.

The body Xue Tian had just possessed was only at the mid Yuan Core stage, and the possession was unstable. Chen Mu could resist, as long as he avoided close contact—if the demon managed to possess him, it would be over.

Chen Mu retreated rapidly, but Xue Tian chased him, demonic energy billowing and terrifying all, who dared not intervene.

Seeing everyone scatter, Xue Tian licked his lips, and with a wave of his palm, drained the blood energy from nearby cultivators in an instant.

Witnessing how easily Xue Tian killed several people, both righteous and demonic cultivators felt chills. His current strength did not seem extraordinary, but his methods were bizarre and unpredictable, causing panic.

Xue Tian sneered: “Don’t bother running. Become my blood food. Rest assured, boy—you are special. I won’t feed on your blood, since your whole body will be mine!”

At these words, Chen Mu felt a surge of revulsion. He could not let Xue Tian possess his body; if that happened, his soul would be devoured, with no hope of reincarnation.

Thinking quickly, Chen Mu began to strategize. He remembered Xue Tian had said his soul was badly damaged, barely surviving due to the crystal’s nourishment.

Didn’t Chen Mu acquire the Soul Suppression Tower in the first trial? Perhaps he could use it to harm Xue Tian’s soul.

He immediately summoned the Soul Suppression Tower, directing it at Xue Tian’s brow. Xue Tian halted in agony.

It worked. Chen Mu promptly called out to Xu Changye and the others: “I’ll hold him off. Attack from afar and kill this demon! Keep your distance, or he’ll possess you!”

Xu Changye, seeing Chen Mu had a way to counter Xue Tian, quickly coordinated with Yan Chong and the others to launch spells from afar. Xue Tian’s left arm, surging with demonic energy, swept away their attacks.

It seemed impossible to kill Xue Tian, so Chen Mu urged Xu Changye to lead the others away; he would catch up later.

The Nine Nether Sacred Land members, though unwilling, nodded and sped toward the Mingyue Empire.