The darkness of the left tunnel swallowed the expedition party whole.
As they descended deeper into the Void Desolate Ruins, the ambient temperature plummeted. The jagged stone walls were slick with a foul, viscous moisture that smelled of rotting iron and ancient blood.
The heavy, chaotic aura of the Eight Desolate Demonic Halberd grew stronger with every step, pressing down on their shoulders like a physical weight.
I walked at the front, his pristine white robes glowing faintly, entirely repelling the ambient filth.
My innate demonic nature secretly rejoiced in the dense, corruptive energy, absorbing it seamlessly, though outwardly I maintained the flawless aura of a righteous, untouchable cultivator.
Ye Liuli stayed practically glued to my right side, her breathing slightly labored under the oppressive spiritual gravity.
On my left, Su Qingge mirrored her steps, her veiled face betraying no emotion, though her fingertips occasionally brushed against my sleeve, acting as a silent, desperate anchor in the dark.
Trailing behind the elite guards, Ye Chen coughed violently.
His shattered meridians screamed in agony as the invasive demonic energy seeped into his weakened body. Every step was pure torture.
Yet, his bloodshot eyes remained fixed on the glowing compass in Ye Liuli's hand.
He recognized the shifting energy patterns from the ancient texts his master had once taught him.
'This is my chance,' Ye Chen thought, gritting his teeth as a spark of desperate hope ignited in his chest.
'The Demonic Illusion Array is ahead. Liuli's compass will fail. If I can guide them through the safe zones, she will finally see my worth. She will realize Gu Changge is just a pampered young master who knows nothing of true survival!'
Suddenly, the narrow tunnel widened into a massive, circular cavern. The floor was paved with cracked black jade, inscribed with swirling, blood-red runes that pulsed with a sinister, rhythmic light.
The moment the vanguard guards stepped onto the jade, a series of deafening cracks echoed through the cavern.
Thick, black mist erupted from the runes, rapidly forming towering, grotesque phantoms armed with rusted scythes.
The guards shouted, raising their spears, but the oppressive demonic aura instantly suppressed their cultivation bases, forcing them to their knees under the crushing pressure.
"The compass is completely blinded!" Ye Liuli gasped, her face draining of color as she gripped her artifact, which was now spinning erratically.
"Do not panic, Liuli!" Ye Chen suddenly shouted, pushing past the struggling guards with a manic gleam in his eyes. He stumbled onto the edge of the black jade, ignoring the tearing pain in his chest.
"This is a profound illusion array tied to the ancient demonic veins! The raw force of the Upper Realm cannot break it. You must step exactly where I tell you, or the phantoms will devour your souls!"
He turned to look at Ye Liuli, panting heavily, desperately waiting for her look of awe and gratitude.
Instead, I let out a soft, melodic chuckle that cut through the chaotic roaring of the phantoms like a silver bell.
"Ye Chan," I said smoothly, my dark eyes curving into a smile of absolute pity. "You read too many outdated texts."
Before Ye Chen could process the insult, I lazily raised my right hand.
A terrifying, overwhelming surge of golden spiritual energy erupted from my palm. I did not bother deciphering the array, nor did I care about the ancient mechanics of the trap.
I simply utilized the absolute, crushing power of my cultivation.
A massive, golden palm print manifested in the air, radiating a divine, sacred light that completely eradicated the surrounding demonic mist.
With a casual flick of my wrist, I brought the palm crashing down onto the cavern floor.
BOOM!
The black jade shattered into a million pieces. The blood-red runes were instantly vaporized. The towering phantoms shrieked before dissolving into nothingness.
The unstoppable shockwave sent Ye Chen flying backward, crashing violently into the stone wall like a discarded ragdoll.
He slumped to the ground, vomiting a mouthful of black blood, his vision swimming in agonizing circles.
'Impossible,' Ye Chen thought, his mind completely short-circuiting as he stared at the pulverized array.
'You cannot just break a profound array with brute force... it violates the fundamental laws of cultivation!'
"A true genius does not need to walk through a maze," I remarked softly, stepping over the rubble with elegant strides. I did not even bother to look at the bleeding boy.
"He simply destroys the walls."
Ye Liuli looked at the massive crater, her beautiful eyes trembling with sheer awe.
The ancient array that had terrified her was nothing but dust beneath Gu Changge's feet. She turned to glare at Ye Chen, her voice dripping with extreme disappointment.
"Are you trying to get us killed with your foolish showboating, Ye Chen?" she scolded coldly.
"If Young Master Changge had followed your slow, pathetic instructions, the guards would have been severely injured. Stay in the back and keep your mouth shut!"
[System Notification: Ye Chen's mentality has suffered a devastating blow. Fortune Points decreased by 300. Destiny Points increased by 1500]
The system prompt chimed pleasantly in my mind, bringing a genuine, warm smile to my lips.
Within the jade ring at my waist, Yan Ji shook her head, her crimson spiritual eyes filled with deep disdain.
'Foolish boy. In the face of absolute power, petty tricks and ancient riddles are completely meaningless. He still thinks he is the center of the world.'
Su Qingge walked quietly past Ye Chen, not sparing him a single glance. Her body, however, betrayed her.
The overwhelming display of Gu Changge's power sent a familiar, thrilling shiver straight down her spine, making her thighs press together tightly under her robes.
'He is terrifying', her secondary soul whispered, a dark, breathless excitement echoing in its voice.
'Yield to him completely. He is the only master worthy of us.'
Su Qingge's primary consciousness recoiled at the internal voice, terrified of the bottomless abyss that was Gu Changge.
Yet, a faint flush colored her cheeks beneath her veil, and her feet moved entirely on instinct, quickening her pace to remain close to his side.
'No... I cannot surrender my mind to him,' she told herself desperately, even as her trembling hands and racing pulse proved her body had already knelt before his absolute dominance.
-x-X-x-
The deeper they descended, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.
The air was heavy, vibrating with the latent, killing intent of a weapon that had bathed in the blood of countless cultivators.
Ye Chen dragged his feet, his breathing ragged. The internal injuries he sustained from Gu Changge's shockwave were gnawing at his cultivation base, but a strange, magnetic pull was beginning to dominate his senses.
He could feel it. The Eight Desolate Demonic Halberd was calling to him, recognizing the dormant power within his bloodline that he had yet to fully unlock.
'It recognizes me', Ye Chen thought, his eyes wide with a manic, flickering light.
'The aura... it's not attacking me. It's waiting for me. If I can reach the central altar before they do, I can claim it. Once I hold that weapon, I will have the power to crush him. I will have the power to take everything back!'
I strolled forward, my expression one of polite curiosity, though my divine sense was locked onto the artifact's location with the precision of a predator stalking prey.
I saw the shift in Ye Chen's body language, the desperate eagerness in the way the boy's gaze darted toward the sealed stone door at the end of the corridor.
I knew exactly what the protagonist was thinking. I did not mind. In fact, he encouraged it.
"This location seems to be the true core of the ruins," I remarked, my voice smooth and detached.
I glanced at Ye Liuli, who was still slightly shaken by the previous explosion.
"Miss Liuli, the restriction on this door is ancient and complex. It is likely a test of one's lineage and cultivation. I have no particular interest in taking whatever legacy lies behind it, but perhaps your cousin might have more success. He seems... quite determined."
Ye Liuli frowned, her gaze shifting toward Ye Chen, who was struggling to stand straight.
"He is barely holding himself together, Young Master Changge. He will only get in the way."
"Let him try," I replied with a benevolent, indulgent smile.
"It would be a pity if his knowledge of the ruins went to waste. If he can open it, we shall enter. If he cannot, we shall move on."
Ye Chen stiffened, hearing the words. 'He is underestimating me again, ' he snarled internally, a surge of adrenaline masking his pain.
'He thinks I am just a tool. I will show him. I will show all of them.'
Ye Chen pushed past the guards, ignoring the mocking stares of the Gu family retainers. He approached the colossal stone door, which was etched with thousands of complex, interlocking runes that seemed to pulse like a living heart.
He placed his trembling, blood-stained palm against the cold surface.
'Open,' he commanded in his mind, channeling the faint, scattered fragments of his energy into the runes.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the runes began to glow a deep, abyssal crimson. The door groaned, stone grinding against stone with the weight of ages, as it slowly began to shift inward.
Ye Chen gasped, his heart leaping into his throat. It was opening! The artifact was accepting him!
"It is working!" he shouted, turning back to glare at me with a triumphant, crazed smile.
"You see? You cannot force your way through everything with brute strength! Some things require the right touch!"
I stood with my hands behind my back, expression composed and unimpressed. I watched the door open with a faint, chilling glint in my eyes, as if I were watching a performer reach the climax of a play.
Su Qingge stood just behind me, her head bowed.
She felt the heavy, suffocating pressure of the treasure behind the door, but her focus was entirely on my back.
Her fingers were curled so tightly into her palms that her nails dug into her skin, drawing small beads of blood.
She felt a sickening mix of terror and arousal at his calmness. He was not surprised. He knew this would happen. He was letting Ye Chen believe he was winning, only to inevitably crush him when it mattered most.
'He is toying with him,' she realized, a cold shiver racing down her spine.
'He is letting Ye Chen do all the work to unlock the seal, just so he can take the treasure for himself. He is the most terrifying person I have ever seen.:
Within the jade, Yan Ji watched the seal open, her crimson eyes narrowing. She could sense the backlash building within the array.
'Idiot,' she scoffed internally, her voice devoid of any warmth.
'He thinks he is unlocking a treasure. He is merely feeding his life force into a trap that has been dormant for ten thousand years. He is walking into his own grave, and he is too blind to see it.'
The door slid open, revealing a vast, dark chamber. In the center, suspended in the air by massive, glowing chains, was the Eight Desolate Demonic Halberd. It was a weapon of pure, carnage, and its presence alone made the very air in the room crackle with violent, unstable energy.
Ye Chen stepped into the chamber, his eyes fixated on the weapon like a starving man looking at a feast.
"Finally," he whispered, his voice trembling with euphoria. "Finally, I am complete."
He did not notice that the moment he crossed the threshold, the stone door slammed shut behind him, sealing him inside with the weapon and the hidden, ancient, and extremely hostile guardian of the chamber.
Inside the sealed chamber, the air was stagnant and thick with the metallic stench of ancient blood.
Ye Chen stood frozen in the center of the room. The euphoria of finally reaching the Eight Desolate Demonic Halberd vanished the exact moment the heavy stone door slammed shut behind him.
He spun around, pressing his bloody hands against the cold, unyielding stone.
'Open!' Ye Chen screamed in his mind, channeling what little spiritual energy he had left into the rock.
'Open, damn you!'
The stone remained completely unresponsive. The crimson runes that had glowed so invitingly just moments ago were now dead and black. He was trapped. He was entirely alone with the chaotic, murderous aura of the halberd.
A low, grating rumble echoed through the chamber, vibrating up through the soles of his boots. It did not come from the weapon.
It came from the shadows directly beneath it.
The darkness seemed to detach itself from the floor, rising and twisting into a towering, grotesque shape.
Two massive eyes ignited with a sickly, spectral green flame. It was a Demonic Shadow Beast, an ancient guardian formed from the residual killing intent of the halberd itself.
The creature let out a deafening roar that sent a shockwave of raw, unfiltered demonic energy crashing into Ye Chen's chest.
Ye Chen was thrown backward, skidding across the black stone floor. He coughed up a terrifying amount of blood, his internal organs feeling as though they were being crushed in a vice.
'I cannot fight this,' Ye Chen realized, sheer panic finally overriding his delusional confidence.
'My meridians are shattered. I have no artifacts left. Master is completely unresponsive.'
He scrambled backward like a frightened animal, his eyes wide with unadulterated terror as the massive beast took a slow, deliberate step toward him, raising a clawed hand dripping with corrosive black energy.
Outside the chamber, the heavy thud of the sealing door had sent a wave of shock through the guards.
Ye Liuli rushed forward, striking her palm against the stone, but her spiritual energy harmlessly dissipated against the ancient wards.
"He locked it!" Ye Liuli exclaimed, her voice trembling with a potent mix of disbelief and mounting fury.
"He intentionally triggered a sealing array to keep us out! He wants to claim the legacy for himself!"
I stood a few paces back, adjusting the cuffs of my pristine white robes with leisurely grace.
He did not look surprised. He looked like a man watching a predictable, albeit amusing, play unfold.
"Greed is a profound poison, Miss Liuli," I said smoothly, my tone laced with gentle sorrow.
"It clouds the judgment of even the most well-meaning cultivators. I fear Brother Ye's desire to prove himself has blinded him to the reality of his own limits."
Ye Liuli bit her lip, her hands balling into tight fists. She had spent years idolizing the memory of the kind, selfless boy who had saved her in the Lower Realm.
That image was now shattering into a million irreparable pieces. The man behind that door was reckless, selfish, and utterly pathetic.
"I am so sorry, Young Master Changge," Ye Liuli whispered, her head bowed in deep shame.
"I brought him along, believing he could be useful. Instead, he has done nothing but insult you and attempt to steal the very treasures you so graciously allowed him to approach."
[System Notification: Ye Liuli's affection and respect for the Protagonist have plummeted. Fortune Points decreased by 400. Destiny Points increased by 2000]
I offered a warm, forgiving smile. I stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You bear no fault, Liuli," I murmured softly, dropping the formal title just enough to create a sense of manufactured intimacy.
"A person's true nature is only revealed in the face of absolute temptation. It is better you see his true colors now, rather than later."
Behind them, Su Qingge watched the exchange with hooded eyes. Her heart pounded a frantic rhythm against her ribs.
'He orchestrated all of this', her secondary soul whispered in awe.
'He knew the door would seal. He knew Ye Chen would try to steal the artifact. He is using Ye Chen's own greed to utterly destroy his image in the princess's eyes.'
Su Qingge felt a sudden, desperate urge to kneel at Gu Changge's feet. The sheer perfection of his cruelty was intoxicating. He did not just defeat his enemies.
He dismantled them from the inside out, stripping away their dignity, their allies, and their sanity until there was nothing left but an empty shell.
Her logical mind screamed at her to flee from this peerless monster before she was entirely erased. Yet, staring at his unbothered, commanding back, her pulse raced with a helpless, submissive thrill that she could neither comprehend nor stop.
'He is a demon in white', she thought, caught in a terrifying deadlock between acute mental resistance and complete physical capitulation.
Within the jade ring, Yan Ji remained silent, though her spiritual form pulsed with cold approval. The boy inside was reaping exactly what he had sowed.
Suddenly, a muffled, agonized scream echoed from behind the thick stone door. Ye Liuli flinched, her eyes widening.
"The guardian," I noted casually, folding my hands behind my back.
"It seems Ye Chan has found the true master of this chamber. A pity. He is far too weak to survive even a single strike from an ancient Demonic Shadow Beast."
"We have to help him!" Ye Liuli blurted out, old habits momentarily overriding her new disgust. But she hesitated, looking at the impenetrable door. "But the array..."
I sighed, stepping up to the sealed entrance. My dark eyes flashed with a cold, predatory light that nobody else could see. It was time to finish the performance. I would not let Ye Chen die just yet.
The boy still had too many Fortune Points left to harvest.
"I cannot stand by and watch a companion perish, regardless of his transgressions," I declared, my voice ringing with absolute, unshakeable righteousness.
I raised my right hand. A terrifying, oppressive aura erupted from my body, turning the air in the corridor suffocatingly heavy.
A divine, golden sword intent manifested around my fingers, vibrating with the power to sever the heavens themselves.
"Stand back," I commanded calmly.
I drove my palm forward. The golden sword intent slammed into the ancient stone door with the force of a falling meteor.
The indestructible sealing runes, which had stood firm for ten thousand years, shattered like cheap glass.
The door exploded inward, sending a shockwave of dust and rubble tearing into the chamber.
-x-X-x-
The billowing dust cleared to reveal a scene of absolute devastation.
Inside the central chamber, the colossal Demonic Shadow Beast stood frozen, its razor-sharp claw hovering mere inches from Ye Chen's terrified face.
The violent shockwave from my explosive entry had violently disrupted the creature's dark energy, forcing it to roar in frustration as it turned its glowing, emerald eyes toward the shattered entrance.
Through the settling rubble, I stepped forward.
My expression was a perfect tapestry of urgent concern and righteous determination.
The destructive golden light fading from my fingertips left a faint, celestial aura, making me look less like a mortal cultivator and more like an immortal deity descending into the mortal dirt.
"Liuli, stay behind me," I commanded softly, my voice steady and calm despite the terrifying pressure radiating from the ancient guardian.
Ye Liuli hurried after me, her eyes completely skipping over the bleeding, pathetic form of her cousin on the floor.
Her gaze was locked entirely on Gu Changge's broad, dependable back. The sheer contrast between the two men was sickening.
One was a sniveling thief trapped by his own hubris, while the other was a peerless noble risking himself to clean up the mess.
"Roar!"
Sensing the immense threat radiating from Gu Changge, the Demonic Shadow Beast abandoned the half-dead Ye Chen.
It lunged forward, its massive body dissolving into a hurricane of corrosive black mist, aiming to tear the interloper to shreds.
I did not even blink.
To an ordinary cultivator of the Lower Realm, this ancient beast was a harbinger of death. To me, it was nothing more than an unrefined mass of residual negative energy.
Slowly raising my left hand, I formed a simple palm seal.
I carefully suppressed his innate Primordial Demonic Arts, instead channeling a massive surge of the Gu Family's signature cosmic energy.
A transcendent, radiant barrier manifested instantly, blocking the beast's corrosive claws with a sharp, metallic screech.
BANG!
The impact rippled through the cavern, but I remained rooted to the spot, my white robes fluttering slightly, completely unblemished by the dark mist.
With a casual flick of my wrist, I transformed the barrier into a barrage of golden spiritual swords.
The divine blades pierced through the shadow beast's torso, pinning its smoky form to the black jade altar behind it.
The beast shrieked, its spectral form beginning to dissolve under the purifying light of the golden swords.
Ye Chen watched the entire display from the dirt, his mouth hanging open as fresh blood trickled down his chin.
His mind was an absolute vacuum of despair. The ancient beast that had shattered his remaining meridians and stripped away his dignity had been neutralized by Gu Changge with a single, casual movement.
'Why?'Ye Chen screamed internally, his fingers clawing desperately into the stone floor until his nails cracked and bled.
'Why is the gap between us so vast? I am the one chosen by destiny! I am the one meant to hold the halberd! Why does he get to play the savior while I am cast into the dirt like a dog?'
I turned my head slightly, my dark eyes looking down at the broken protagonist.
The look in my eyes was not one of hatred or malice. It was far worse. It was the absolute, indifferent pity one might show to a dying insect.
"You were far too reckless", I said, my tone carrying a heavy, disappointed sigh.
"Had I been a breath slower, your life would have been forfeit. The path of cultivation requires a steady heart, not blind greed."
Hearing those words, Ye Chen felt a supreme surge of humiliation clog his throat.
He wanted to scream, to expose Gu Changge's hypocrisy to the world, but the severe internal injuries combined with the absolute suppression of his pride caused his vision to go black.
[System Notification: Ye Chen's mental fortitude has completely collapsed. The Protagonist's aura is severely damaged. Fortune Points decreased by 500. Destiny Points increased by 2500]
The pleasant chime of the system echoed in my mind, causing the corner of my lips to twitch upward in a hidden, triumphant smirk.
The remaining fragments of the Demonic Shadow Beast dissolved into nothingness, leaving the chamber in a tense, echoing silence.
In the center of the room, the Eight Desolate Demonic Halberd began to hum violently.
The crimson runes etched along its dark blade pulsed like a dying star, releasing waves of chaotic, suffocating energy that threatened to collapse the entire cavern.
I stepped toward the altar, my brow slightly furrowed in an expression of grave solemnity.
I turned to Ye Liuli, my voice carrying a note of urgent protectiveness.
"The seal on this demonic weapon has been completely broken by Brother Ye's reckless actions," I said, my tone heavy with concern.
"The malice within it is far too potent. If it escapes these ruins, it will bring absolute disaster to the surrounding living souls."
Ye Liuli paled, staring at the terrifying weapon. The oppressive aura made her blood run cold.
"Young Master Changge, can we destroy it?"
"We cannot," I replied, shaking my head with a sigh.
"An ancient artifact of this caliber cannot be broken by our current cultivation bases. The only option is to forcibly suppress it and bring it back to the Upper Realm, where the elders of my Gu family can safely purify it."
I paused, looking deeply into her eyes, making her heart skip a beat.
"However, the spatial coordinates around this altar are highly unstable. Liuli, I need your help. The unique bloodline talent of your Ancient Immortal Ye Family possesses the power to anchor the void.
If you can use your family token to stabilize the perimeter, I can focus entirely on subduing the weapon without risking a spatial collapse."
Ye Liuli felt a sudden surge of profound honor and responsibility. Gu Changge was not just protecting her, he was actively trusting her to stand by his side during such a critical moment.
"Leave it to me, Young Master Changge!" she exclaimed eagerly.
She immediately stepped forward, retrieving a radiant, golden jade amulet from her robes.
Biting her fingertip, she dropped a bead of her pristine bloodline essence onto the artifact.
A brilliant, sacred domain expanded from the amulet, locking the fluctuating space around the altar into absolute stillness.
She poured every ounce of her spiritual energy into the task, her face turning slightly pale from the exertion, entirely consumed by the desire to be useful to him.
I smiled gently at her, a look of warm approval that made all her fatigue vanish.
'Stupid girl,' I thought, 'You are the perfect cover. With the righteous aura of the Ye Family anchoring the room, no one will ever suspect the true nature of what happens next.'
As I approached the hovering halberd, the weapon instantly recognized the terrifying presence of the Inheritor of the Demonic Arts.
The chaotic, murderous intent of the blade vanished in a fraction of a second, replaced by a desperate, submissive trembling. It wanted nothing more than to fly into my hand.
To maintain the illusion for Ye Liuli and the guards, I secretly sent a cold strand of divine sense into the weapon, commanding it to resist.
Outwardly, I erupted with a blinding, majestic explosion of golden cosmic energy. He reached out, my hand wrapping around the shaft of the halberd.
Instantly, a massive clash of golden light and dark crimson mist filled the chamber, creating the illusion of a desperate, life-or-death struggle between a righteous savior and a malevolent curse.
On the floor, Ye Chen groaned, his eyelids fluttering open as the intense light pierced his vision.
The first thing he saw through his blurred, bloodshot eyes was Gu Changge, bathed in divine light, grasping the very weapon that was meant to be his destiny.
Worse still, he looked to the side and saw Ye Liuli. His beloved cousin was gritting her teeth, her face drenched in sweat, willingly burning her own bloodline essence to ensure Gu Changge could claim the treasure safely.
"Liuli... no..." Ye Chen croaked, his voice nothing more than a pathetic, bloody whisper that was completely drowned out by the roaring energy.
'Why are you helping him? That is my weapon! You are supposed to be my family!'
[System Notification: Ye Chen has witnessed his destined treasure being claimed with the direct assistance of his primary heroine. The Protagonist's mindset has suffered an irreversible fracture. Fortune Points decreased by 600. Destiny Points increased by 3000]
With a final, theatrical shout, I slammed the butt of the halberd onto the altar floor.
The crimson mist was violently sucked into my sleeve, hidden away entirely within my inner core, while the golden light faded to reveal the weapon looking completely dormant and subdued in my grasp.
I let out a forced, heavy breath, swaying slightly as if exhausted by the monumental effort.
Ye Liuli immediately let go of her amulet, stumbling forward to catch his arm, her eyes filled with immense anxiety and devotion.
"Young Master Changge! Are you alright? Did the demonic energy hurt you?"
"I am fine, Liuli," I murmured softly, allowing myself to lean slightly into her touch, ensuring she felt the proximity.
"Thanks to your flawless assistance, the demonic aura has been successfully sealed. You did wonderfully."
Ye Liuli's face flushed a deep crimson, her heart fluttering so wildly she could barely breathe.
She felt a profound sense of shared victory, completely oblivious to the fact that she had just willingly helped the greatest villain in the Upper Realm secure his most devastating weapon.
-x-X-x-
The heavy crimson glow of the Eight Desolate Demonic Halberd completely faded, leaving the dark chamber illuminated only by the faint, residual golden light of Gu Changge's lingering spiritual energy.
I casually rested the massive halberd against my side, my expression returning to its usual serene, peerless calm.
As he looked down at the crumpled, blood-soaked figure of Ye Chen, a familiar, cold mechanical chime echoed exclusively within his consciousness.
[System Notification: The Protagonist Ye Chen's Fortune Points have dropped to zero.
The path of destiny has been completely severed. Activating final liquidation mechanism]
[System Notification: Congratulations to the Host for successfully killing the destiny of the first Son of Fortune. Rewards distributed: Obtained an Absolute Destiny Treasure Chest, 10,000 Destiny Points, and the prototype of the World Seed]
The golden aura surrounding Ye Chen, visible only to me through the systemic interface, had entirely vanished.
The boy was no longer a chosen child of the heavens; he was merely a broken cultivator with shattered meridians, completely stripped of any cosmic protection or value.
'A total extraction,' I thought, my lips curving into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile of supreme satisfaction.
'A protagonist whose value is completely drained is no longer worth the effort of keeping alive.'
I turned my gaze toward Ye Liuli, my eyes softening into a display of gentle, refined worry.
I stepped back from the altar, leaning slightly as if the burden of suppressing the weapon was taking a physical toll on my body.
"Liuli, I am afraid we have a far graver issue to handle," I said, my voice carrying a tone of deep, somber regret. I pointed a slender, elegant finger toward the twitching form of Ye Chen.
"Look at his wounds."
Ye Liuli, still panting slightly from exhausting her bloodline essence to assist him, turned her head to look. Her beautiful eyes widened in immediate horror.
Black, viscous tendrils of corruptive mist were actively seeping out of Ye Chen's pores, wrapping around his throat and face like living parasites.
To anyone watching, it appeared as though the pure, malicious energy of the Demonic Shadow Beast and the halberd had completely infected his shattered foundation.
In reality, it was a minute strand of Gu Changge's own demonic energy, secretly implanted during the initial explosion, now flaring up to put on a flawless final performance.
"He... he has been corrupted by the demonic path?" Ye Liuli gasped, taking a voluntary step backward, her face turning entirely pale.
"I fear so," I sighed, stepping forward to gently block her view of the grotesque sight.
"When Brother Ye forced open the seal out of desperation, his shattered meridians left his soul entirely unguarded.
The malice of the ruins has taken root. If we leave him like this, he will transform into a mindless demonic puppet, trapped in eternal, agonizing torment."
"No... it cannot be..." Ye Chen croaked from the dirt, his voice sounding like dry stone grinding together.
He raised a trembling, blackened hand toward his cousin, his bloodshot eyes filled with a desperate, dying plea. "Liuli... he is lying... it is him... Gu Changge is the one..."
"Be silent, Ye Chen!" Ye Liuli interrupted fiercely, her voice trembling with a mixture of intense disgust and profound grief.
"Young Master Changge risked his life to shatter the seal and rescue you from the beast. Even now, he is looking for a way to save your soul, while you do nothing but spit venomous slander at your savior! You have truly fallen into madness!"
The absolute rejection from his own flesh and blood acted as the final nail in Ye Chen's coffin.
His outstretched hand fell limply into the dust. The last spark of light in his eyes flickered, completely overwhelmed by the crushing weight of his absolute isolation.
"Allow me to grant him peace, Liuli," I murmured softly, my tone echoing with the boundless mercy of a true saint.
"It is the final kindness we can offer to your family line."
Ye Liuli closed her eyes, turning her back to the scene, her shoulders trembling as she gave a silent, submissive nod.
I stepped closer to the dying boy. I knelt down gracefully, placing a gentle, warm palm over Ye Chen's forehead.
To the onlookers, it looked like a purifying ritual. To Ye Chen, it was the cold embrace of the true abyss.
"Goodbye, Ye Chan," I whispered, my voice incredibly low, meant for the protagonist's ears alone. My dark eyes flashed with a terrifying, malicious amusement.
"Thank you for the weapon. And do not worry about your cousin. I will take excellent care of her."
Ye Chen's eyes went wide with pure, unadulterated terror.
He tried to scream, but the absolute, crushing power of Gu Changge's primary demonic signature flooded his skull, instantly vaporizing his soul and shattering his remaining lifeforce into absolute nothingness.
The black mist instantly dissolved, leaving behind only a cold, silent corpse on the stone floor.
Within the jade ring at my waist, Yan Ji watched the light entirely leave the boy's body. A profound, icy silence filled her thoughts.
'A magnificent play,' she mused internally, her crimson eyes reflecting a strange mixture of awe and chilling realization.
'The world believes a hero died trying to steal a curse, and a saint gave him a merciful end. In the presence of a true master of manipulation, even destiny itself is nothing but clay to be reshaped.'
Su Qingge stood perfectly still by the entrance, her hands clasped tightly in front of her dress. Her primary soul was locked in a state of absolute, paralyzed dread.
She had seen the brief, fleeting shift in Gu Changge's expression right before he touched Ye Chen. It was the face of a predator that had finally finished playing with its food.
Yet, looking at his clean, white robes, completely unstained by the blood or the dirt of the tomb, her secondary soul surged with an overpowering, intoxicating sense of absolute reverence.
'He is magnificent,' her inner voice whispered, the resistance in her mind fading into a helpless, terrifying compliance.
'He has conquered everything without a single blemish on his name.'
Su Qingge lowered her head, her breath catching as she quietly walked over to stand just behind his right shoulder, her body completely accepting its place within his shadow.
I rose to my feet, casually dusting off my sleeves. I turned to the weeping Ye Liuli, pulling a pristine silk handkerchief from my robes and offering it to her with a comforting, flawless smile.
"The danger has passed, Liuli," I said smoothly, voice a perfect balm to her shattered nerves. "Let us leave this wretched place. The Upper Realm awaits our return."
The expedition party emerged from the collapsing ruins into the blinding light of the Lower Realm's sky.
The massive, golden ancient battleship of the Gu family hovered majestically above the clouds, waiting to receive its master. Hours later, within the luxurious, sprawling guest palace of the local supreme sect, a quiet stillness settled over the pavilion.
Ye Liuli sat by the carved stone window, her gaze fixed aimlessly on the sea of clouds outside.
In her pale hands, she tightly clutched the white silk handkerchief Gu Changge had given her.
Though her rationality entirely accepted that Ye Chen had become a greedy, degenerate thief who brought about his own ruin, a persistent, hollow ache remained in her chest.
She could not completely erase the memories of her childhood.
She still remembered the young, dirt-covered boy in the Lower Realm who had shared his meager rations with her, protecting her from wild beasts when she was entirely helpless.
The stark contrast between that pure, courageous savior and the grotesque, blackened corpse left behind in the ruins made a solitary tear slip down her cheek.
A soft, rhythmic rustle of silk interrupted her melancholy.
I stepped into the pavilion, my movements fluid and soundless.
I had already changed into a fresh, loosely fitting robe of moon-white brocade, long black hair cascading elegantly over my shoulders.
My face bore an expression of gentle, perceptive concern as I noted the tear on her cheek.
"Are you still mourning him, Liuli?" I asked softly, his voice carrying the perfect weight of empathetic understanding.
Ye Liuli flinched, quickly wiping her face as she stood up in a panic.
She felt a sudden, sharp pang of guilt. Young Master Changge had done everything to protect her, yet here she was, secretly weeping for the criminal who had slandered his name.
"Young Master Changge," she stammered, lowering her head in shame.
"I... I am sorry. I know he deserved his fate. It is just that the memories of the past are difficult to sever entirely."
I walked closer, stopping just a polite distance away. I let out a low, comforting sigh, my eyes reflecting a profound nobility.
"Human emotions are not spiritual stones, Liuli. They cannot be discarded at a whim," I said gently.
"It only proves that your heart is pure and righteous. However, you must not neglect your own well-being.
Today, you forcefully burned your bloodline essence to help me suppress the demonic halberd. If left untreated, the damage to your foundation will affect your future breakthrough to the God King realm."
Hearing him prioritize her health over his own achievements made Ye Liuli's heart throb with an overwhelming warmth. The lingering melancholy in her chest was instantly replaced by a wave of intense gratitude.
I paused, my expression turning slightly solemn and secretive. I lowered my voice, creating an atmosphere of exclusive intimacy.
"I have a supreme-grade pill refined from the marrow of a heavenly dragon, along with a specialized secret technique from my family that can perfectly restore your bloodline without any side effects. However, the refinement process requires absolute privacy and a quiet environment."
I looked directly into her beautiful, trembling eyes, my gaze steady and reassuring.
"Come to my chambers tonight. Aside from healing your foundation, there is also a highly important matter regarding the current political factions of the Upper Realm that I wish to discuss with you. It concerns the future safety of your Ancient Immortal Ye Family."
Ye Liuli's breath caught in her throat. Going to a man's private quarters at night was a highly sensitive matter for a young lady of her status.
Yet, looking at Gu Changge's completely upright, faultless countenance, she felt no suspicion whatsoever.
He was a peerless gentleman who had saved her life and defended her honor. If he said it was important, it was undoubtedly a matter of life and death.
"I understand," Ye Liuli whispered, her face flushing a faint, delicate pink. She bowed her head respectfully, her heart fluttering with a nervous, yet deeply compliant excitement.
"I will come to your room tonight, Young Master Changge."
"Good. Rest well until then," I replied, offering a warm, final smile before turning to leave the pavilion.
The moment my back was turned to her, the gentle warmth in his dark eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating amusement.
'The hook is completely set,' I thought, a mocking smile gracing my lips.
'Once her foundation is tied to my spiritual energy, the entire Ancient Immortal Ye Family will naturally become a shield for my future plans in the Upper Realm.'
Standing in the shadows of the corridor outside, Su Qingge stood quietly, holding a tray of freshly brewed spiritual tea.
She had overheard every single word of the exchange. Her fingers tightened around the jade tray, her knuckles turning stark white.
Her primary soul felt a chilling, suffocating wave of jealousy mixed with acute terror.
She knew exactly what happened to the women who walked into Gu Changge's private domain.
They were dissected, manipulated, and entirely remolded into his obedient tools.
Yet, as she watched his elegant figure walk down the hallway toward his chambers, her secondary soul surged with a heavy, breathless anticipation.
The visceral thrill of watching him ensnare another prideful princess made her pulse race violently.
Her body trembled under her robes, a helpless, intoxicating heat spreading through her veins.
'Tonight, she will realize what it truly means to be at his mercy,' her dark inner voice whispered, her mind helplessly aligning itself with his looming shadow as she prepared to follow him inside.