Chapter 2460: Demon Source

Chapter 2460: Demon Source

"Bang."

Just as he was about to remove the space ring, a white light flashed before his eyes, and Xiao Hei was sent flying backward by the strike.

After tumbling three times, Xiao Hei groggily climbed to his feet, his eyes darting around the room as he searched. "Who? Who dares ambush this emperor?"

Confirming that there was no third cultivator in the room besides Zhang Ruochen and Gu Shejing, Xiao Hei breathed a slight sigh of relief and muttered to himself, "White light... no, it looked like a tail or something. What was that?"

Xiao Hei looked left and right, then approached Zhang Ruochen again.

This time, he was much more cautious.

He released his Undying Divine Flame and slowly extended his claw toward the space ring on Zhang Ruochen's finger.

Just as he was about to grab the ring, Xiao Hei deliberately paused, and when the "white light" didn't reappear, he relaxed a little.

"That must have been some protective treasure of Zhang Ruochen's acting up. It was probably a one-time thing and has already been used up. This time... ah..."

Xiao Hei chuckled, but before his laughter could fade, he let out a scream.

The white light appeared again, striking him in the face, sending him flying sideways, his cat face swelling up considerably.

"Who? Come out and face this emperor! Hiding and skulking—what kind of hero is that? If you've got the guts, fight me fair and square!"

Xiao Hei covered his big round face with his paw, fuming and roaring.

How infuriating! He had been ambushed twice in a row.

As the Heaven-Slaying Earth-Destroying Emperor, he was the one who ambushed others, never the other way around!

"Not coming out, huh? Once this emperor gets angry, even heaven and earth will tremble."

Xiao Hei's pupils blazed with flames, his claws clenched tightly, and a powerful sacred might erupted from his body. Puffing out his chest, he strode toward Zhang Ruochen on the bed.

He suspected that the attacker was hiding somewhere on Zhang Ruochen's person.

When he was still three feet from the bed, the void trembled, and the white light shot out again.

Xiao Hei's eyes widened, and he finally saw clearly—the white light was indeed a tail, thick, long, and pure white and smooth.

"Slap!"

Like a whip, the tail lashed toward Xiao Hei's chest.

Xiao Hei was prepared this time. He leaped backward, dodging the strike, and landed at the edge of the concealment formation, laughing heartily. "Come on, come on! Hit me, hit me! You can't, you can't..."

"Slap!"

The white tail appeared silently above Xiao Hei's head and struck down hard.

Xiao Hei's entire body shuddered violently, a tuft of feathers knocked from the top of his head. It felt as if his three souls and seven spirits had been scattered, and he collapsed limply to the ground.

"Idiot."

Zangjin Baihu emerged from the void, striding over with a tiger's gait, and gave Xiao Hei's head a vicious stomp.

...

An unknown amount of time passed before Zhang Ruochen's shattered sacred soul re-coalesced, and he awoke.

The moment he opened his eyes, he sat up abruptly on the bed and examined his hands and body.

The physical injuries had healed on their own.

Suddenly, a piercing pain shot through his head.

Zhang Ruochen gritted his teeth, clutching his head with both hands. After a long while, the twitching muscles on his face relaxed.

Taking a deep breath, he murmured, "The gap between me and a Supreme Realm Great Saint is still so vast. Even borrowing a sword energy from Uncle Nether King, the residual force from the collision of two powers nearly destroyed my demigod body."

"My sacred soul, stored in the Divine Light Qi Sea and protected within the sacred source, was almost shattered."

"The difference in realm is truly not so easy to overcome. Wait... my Qi Sea..."

Zhang Ruochen examined his Qi Sea internally and was shocked to find it covered in cracks.

Even the four sacred sources within the Qi Sea were fissured.

Zhang Ruochen smiled bitterly. Injured to this extent, he didn't know whether to be relieved or frustrated.

At least his Qi Sea and sacred sources were still intact, and his cultivation hadn't been crippled.

"Awake?"

Xiao Hei's large cat head cautiously leaned in.

Zhang Ruochen glanced at him, a strange look on his face. "Why do you have a white cloth wrapped around your head?"

Xiao Hei stared at Zhang Ruochen, trying to figure out if he was pretending not to know or if he had just woken up.

"Ah! Nothing serious. I got a little hurt fighting Wuma—just a minor injury, no big deal." Xiao Hei waved a claw dismissively.

"Oh."

Zhang Ruochen felt that Xiao Hei was acting a bit odd.

Xiao Hei's gaze shifted to Zhang Ruochen's lower body, and he asked mysteriously, "Your body now... it's a bit different from before, isn't it?"

"Hmm? What are you trying to ask?" Zhang Ruochen said.

"Does your new body have a tail?" Xiao Hei asked seriously.

Zhang Ruochen's face darkened. Seeing that he was completely naked, he quickly took a sacred robe from his space ring and put it on. "I was unconscious for so long—didn't you check for yourself?"

"Who wants to look at your butt... no, I mean tail."

Xiao Hei had been whipped by that tail several times and didn't dare get close to Zhang Ruochen.

But now that Zhang Ruochen was awake, the white tail hadn't reappeared. So Xiao Hei mustered his courage, circled behind Zhang Ruochen, and stared at the area below his waist, examining it closely. "Doesn't look like it could hide a tail."

As he spoke, he extended a claw...

"What are you doing?"

Zhang Ruochen spun around and glared at him.

Friendship was one thing, but this was crossing the line.

Xiao Hei shook his head slightly, then suddenly thought of something. He looked at Gu Shejing, who was lying on the bed, and a thoughtful expression crossed his face. "Could it be her? Zhang Ruochen, does she have a tail?"

"How would I know?" Zhang Ruochen said.

"I'll go check."

After taking two steps, Xiao Hei stopped abruptly, a hint of wariness in his eyes.

He turned and said to Zhang Ruochen, "You go."

Zhang Ruochen was curious. "What exactly are you looking for?"

"A tail!"

"What kind of tail?"

Xiao Hei naturally couldn't tell Zhang Ruochen the truth. His eyes darted around, and he said seriously, "Do you trust this emperor?"

Zhang Ruochen knew that at the critical moment of his duel with Wuma Jiuxing, it was Xiao Hei who had saved him.

Given their friendship, they could certainly trust each other.

Zhang Ruochen looked at Gu Shejing. "She can't have a tail. The only one here with a tail is you."

"How do you know without checking? This demoness is cunning—don't let her fool you. This emperor suspects she's hiding her strength, that she got injured on purpose to achieve some ulterior motive."

Then, Xiao Hei secretly transmitted his voice to Zhang Ruochen. "She's a successor of the Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm, appearing once in ten thousand years. She must have inherited the true teachings of the Demon Ancestor lineage. Getting close to you is definitely for the 'Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription.'"

Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred. "How do you know she's after the 'Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription'?"

Xiao Hei puffed out his chest and laughed. "Do you know the source of the demonic path?"

"The demonic path originates from the way of darkness?" Zhang Ruochen said.

Xiao Hei shook his head. "This emperor isn't talking about that. Although the demonic path originates from the way of darkness, one of the nine eternal paths, it has surpassed darkness itself in martial combat techniques."

Zhang Ruochen understood what Xiao Hei meant.

It wasn't that the demonic path was stronger than the way of darkness, but that it had surpassed it in one aspect.

For example, the way of life originated from the way of light, one of the nine eternal paths, but in healing, the way of life had surpassed the way of light.

Xiao Hei continued, "What I mean by the source of the demonic path refers to the three most powerful figures in demonic history. They expanded the demonic path, founded sects and teachings, and created various world-shaking combat techniques, spreading demonic cultivators across the universe."

"Although there are now many demonic factions and schools, large and small, they all trace back to these three lineages."

"Which three?" Zhang Ruochen asked.

Xiao Hei said, "The Demon Ancestor of the Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm, the Heavenly Demon of the Kunlun Realm, and the Great Demon God of the Pangu Realm. These three can be called the demonic sources."

"Since Gu Shejing follows the Demon Ancestor lineage, how can you be sure she's after the 'Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription'?" Zhang Ruochen said.

Xiao Hei said seriously, "Because the three demonic sources each took different paths. Though all are powerful, each has its flaws. The Demon Ancestor cultivates the body and mind, the Heavenly Demon passes down techniques and arts, and the Great Demon God steals from heaven to seek the way."

"What does that mean?" Zhang Ruochen said.

"It means the Demon Ancestor lineage focuses on body cultivation, forging an invincible demonic body, using physical demonic power to suppress the ages. Cultivating the mind means using the demonic heart to perceive heaven and earth while also controlling the body's power."

"In short, the strongest aspects of the Demon Ancestor lineage are the demonic body and the mind."

Zhang Ruochen smiled. "I don't think her demonic body is that impressive. Besides, she seems to mainly use demonic sacred arts, rarely using physical strength."

"That's exactly what worries this emperor! What does that mean? It means she's been pretending, hiding something, and must have a secret agenda."

"The Demon Ancestor lineage cultivates the body, but that doesn't mean they don't practice demonic sacred arts and techniques. Just like the Heavenly Demon lineage, while cultivating techniques and sacred arts, they also train the demonic body. Each has its strengths."

"This demoness only uses demonic sacred arts, which the Demon Ancestor lineage isn't known for, without using her physical strength—that's very telling."

Xiao Hei continued, "That's why, when she was unconscious, this emperor wanted to probe her and see if she had truly cultivated a demonic body. But I got hit by a tail."

As he spoke, Xiao Hei unwrapped the white cloth from his head, revealing a swollen scalp.

A large patch of feathers had been knocked off, leaving him somewhat bald.

Zhang Ruochen suppressed his laughter and looked at Gu Shejing, who was lying on the bed with her jade-like body exposed. His expression grew serious. "You're saying she cultivated a demonic body, grew a tail, and even injured you?"

"Exactly."

Xiao Hei held a grudge and was determined to find the owner of that tail.

He wouldn't rest until he got revenge.

Zhang Ruochen knew Xiao Hei too well. This owl could fool others, but it was hard to deceive him about when he was lying or telling the truth.

He had already communicated with Zangjin Baihu and learned the truth.

The so-called tail was actually Zangjin Baihu's.

However, Xiao Hei's suspicion of Gu Shejing made Zhang Ruochen cautious.

If this demoness had truly inherited the Demon Ancestor lineage and cultivated an extraordinary demonic body with immense physical power, why hadn't she used it when fighting Wuma Jiuxing?

"You're right. We should check," Zhang Ruochen said.

Gu Shejing was severely injured, with a sword wound stretching from her right shoulder down to her lower abdomen. Her red dress was soaked in Great Saint blood, and she had lost a lot of blood, her body pale and almost translucent.

The technique she cultivated was the "Nether Spirit Diagram," and the demonic energy within her was filled with deathly aura.

Zhang Ruochen's fingers touched the wound on her chest.

Xiao Hei hid in the distance, anxious, and growled, "Not the wound—the tail, the tail!"

"Chi!"

A sword energy seeped from the wound, cutting Zhang Ruochen's finger.

Zhang Ruochen quickly withdrew his hand, looking at the bloody cut. "Such a fierce sword energy. It can easily break through my demigod body's defense. Gu Shejing was struck by a single sword strike, and the sword energy and sword path rules are constantly eroding her body, severing her sacred path rules. Yet she's still alive—truly remarkable."

Xiao Hei was impatient. "Stop muttering. Your demigod body lacks rule support; it's just stronger in blood energy and power. Others' Supreme Dharma Bodies are forged from trillions of sacred path rules and are no weaker than yours. The tail—first check if she has a tail! It might be hidden with some secret technique. Search carefully."

Zhang Ruochen ignored Xiao Hei, resting his chin on his hand as he thought deeply.

If Gu Shejing had deliberately gotten injured to trick him into giving her the "Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription," it would be too risky.

After all, taking a sword strike from Wuma Jiuxing could easily be fatal.

Who would dare do that?

But her demonic body was indeed powerful. The sword energy entered her body but couldn't break it down, and she was still alive.

What was going on?

"Forget it. I won't rush to treat her. Let's see if she's faking it. If she is, when her injuries worsen enough, she'll have to drop the act," Zhang Ruochen thought.

Xiao Hei couldn't take it anymore and walked over. "What are you standing there for? Didn't I tell you to check her tail? Are you afraid? You're Zhang Ruochen—what beastly thing haven't you done? Just take off her skirt, flip her over, and you'll know for sure."

"No need. I already used my Truth Eye to look. She does have a tail... a white one," Zhang Ruochen transmitted.

Xiao Hei was furious, trembling as he said, "This emperor knew it, this emperor knew it! Zhang Ruochen, let's team up and kill her. Keeping her around will only bring trouble."

"No, keep her for now. She's still useful."

Zhang Ruochen's initial plan was to use Gu Shejing to restrain Bai Qinger, preventing her from searching for the Origin Divine Temple alone.

But the battle at the Mechanism Sacred Mansion had raised many doubts.

First, since Bai Qinger was herself a source master and had stolen the top-grade source divine crystal, why hadn't she immediately gone to find the Origin Divine Temple?

Second, Zhang Ruochen could understand Bai Qinger wanting the top-grade source divine crystal, but why was she so insistent on getting Seven-Hand Old Man?

Third, Bai Qinger had no enmity with him, so why had she been relentlessly targeting him since the Fate Divine Domain? Was it just to keep the news from spreading?

No!

Zhang Ruochen had a guess: Bai Qinger might not have the top-grade source divine crystal at all.

If so, Seven-Hand Old Man must have lied.

With that thought, Zhang Ruochen's eyes turned cold, and he immediately wanted to open the world gate of the Qiankun Realm to have a serious talk with Seven-Hand Old Man.

But as soon as the space power in his Qi Sea stirred slightly, the cracks in the Qi Sea wall rapidly expanded.

A sharp pain shot through Zhang Ruochen's brow, spreading deep into his brain.

"The damage to my Qi Sea and sacred sources is too severe. It seems I'll have to wait until I'm fully healed before reopening the Qiankun Realm."

Zhang Ruochen's face was pale. He slowly sat cross-legged on the ground, then suddenly thought of something and gently touched his brow.

During his fight with Wuma Jiuxing, he had sensed space esoterica flowing out from the Divine Martial Mark on his brow.

Thinking of this, Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes and carefully sensed the various powers within his body, searching for the aura of esoterica.

Found it!

In his Qi Sea, it flowed along with the space rules through the Tongtian River, in greater quantity than the Truth Esoterica.

"Ninety-nine ten-thousandths."

Zhang Ruochen opened his eyes again, a look of ecstasy on his face.

But soon, he suppressed that joy and felt puzzled.

"Why does the Space-Time Divine Martial Mark contain space esoterica? And why exactly ninety-nine ten-thousandths?"

Zhang Ruochen knew that if the way of truth could gather one percent, it would undergo a transformation. The cultivator could then use the esoterica alone to mobilize power to contend with gods.

If the amount of esoterica didn't reach one percent, it couldn't directly mobilize power, only assist in comprehending rules or amplifying the power of sacred arts.

Zhang Ruochen wasn't sure if the same applied to space esoterica, but for the way of truth, one percent was the dividing line.

The Space-Time Divine Martial Mark releasing ninety-nine ten-thousandths of space esoterica didn't seem coincidental to Zhang Ruochen.

"Could it be that my Space-Time Divine Martial Mark didn't come from the divine realm during the sacrifice, but was bestowed upon me by someone, like Xumi Saint Monk?" Zhang Ruochen thought.

Since he began cultivating, Zhang Ruochen had known about "martial authority bestowed by the gods."

Any being wishing to cultivate martial arts had to communicate with the so-called divine realm through sacrifice on the winter solstice, receiving a Divine Martial Mark from the gods to embark on the path of cultivation.

Zhang Ruochen had always harbored doubts about this.

The Divine Martial Marks of cultivators clearly didn't come from the gods of the Hell Realm or the Heavenly Court Realm. Where did they come from? Was there really a so-called divine realm?

These doubts probably couldn't even be answered by the gods.

Those Divine Martial Marks might not come from any divine realm at all. They were likely just a sacrificial phenomenon, a way to communicate with the heavenly way through sacrifice, thereby opening the path of cultivation.

It was just that the Kunlun Realm had suffered a great calamity, and all its gods had fallen, so cultivators spread the rumor of "martial authority bestowed by the gods."

That was the only reasonable explanation Zhang Ruochen could think of.

If there really was a divine realm, with the power of the gods in the Hell Realm and the Heavenly Court Realm, they would have crushed it long ago. Why would they allow it to dictate who could cultivate and who couldn't?

If they could take away the Divine Martial Marks, wouldn't even gods be reduced to their original forms, unable to cultivate?

If restricted to such an extent, all beings in the world, including gods, would be reduced to slaves of the divine realm, worse than beasts. What would be the point of cultivation?

Zhang Ruochen shook his head, casting aside that distracting thought.

For now, healing his injuries was the priority.

...

Regarding the "Divine Martial Mark," readers can refer back to Chapter 2 of this book.