Madness

Madness...

Qin Wentian's expression grew grave as demonized creatures surrounded him, their eyes emanating a sinister crimson glow. Their very blood was being forcefully tainted, giving off a malevolent aura.

The Fiend Transformation Art uncontrollably surged through Qin Wentian's body as his Mandate of Demons exerted its influence. A wave of demonic energy erupted from him.

Members of the Blood Cloud Sect and the Ecliptic Sect retreated hastily, putting distance between themselves and Qin Wentian. Xu Feng pulled Ji Xue back a few steps, and Ji Xue peered at Qin Wentian with concern. "Brother Qin?"

"I'm fine. It's just that one of my Mandates is the Mandate of Demons," Qin Wentian replied heavily. "We need to get out of here."

The group nodded in agreement, realizing they had walked into a well-orchestrated ambush. This demonic spirit was intelligent and cunning.

"GO!" Qin Wentian shouted, and at that moment, the demonized creatures surged toward the cultivators. The confined space made it difficult for them to evade the attacks.

Xie Yu of the Ecliptic Sect unleashed his Astral Nova, summoning nine arms that obliterated one of his companions who was undergoing demon transformation. He then shot toward the exit, each of his nine arms creating a barrage of punches that shook the heavens.

Ji Xue sprung into action as well, her Immortal Binding Chains extending in all directions, restraining the monsters. Xu Feng, by her side, carved a path toward another exit with his long spear. His spearwork was so fluid that nothing could impede him. The monsters attempted to dodge his spear, but Xu Feng deftly manipulated the weapon, breaking it into three segments, locking onto the target, and sending it flying. However, the creature wasn't dead yet; it quickly climbed back to its feet and moved to block Xu Feng.

"These monsters are indestructible, and they don't fear pain either," Leng Tu from the Blood Cloud Sect quivered. The crimson demonic spirit led these beasts, and with every step it took, the hearts of the cultivators pounded harder as a bestial malevolence surged uncontrollably within them.

"We're done for," despair filled the faces of the cultivators. The demonized humans were seemingly invincible, and the demonic spirit made them feel utterly powerless in its presence.

The crimson eyes of the demonic spirit swept over them, causing those in its gaze to experience a maddening sensation. Their veins bulged as their blood boiled, and a deathly aura enveloped the entire area.

"Xie Yu and Leng Tu, you two hold off these monsters while we deal with that demonic spirit. Otherwise, we're all toast," Xu Feng commanded.

After assessing the dire situation, both Xie Yu and Leng Tu nodded in agreement. It was clear that this was the only viable option.

The battlefield erupted into chaos as Qin Wentian and the rest of the group advanced toward the formidable demonic spirit.

Beside Qin Wentian, Little Rascal emitted a regal aura. It cast a fleeting glance at the demonic spirit before turning its gaze to Qin Wentian. The baleful light in its eyes intensified as it emitted a series of low barks.

"Purgatory wants this demonic spiritual body?" Qin Wentian mentally communicated with Little Rascal.

Little Rascal nodded, and the intensity of the Purgatory Vermilion Bird's spirit in its eyes grew stronger. A faint, flickering manifestation of the bird appeared above Little Rascal.

Qin Wentian extended his hand, his eyes filled with tenderness as he gazed at the ethereal image of Purgatory. "If you need it, I'll make sure to get it for you. That's my promise."

After conveying his message, he turned to face the crimson-eyed demonic spirit, his battle intent soaring.

The group cautiously approached the demonic spirit. Xie Yu and Leng Tu had successfully dealt with the various monsters by now. Ji Xue's bloodline surged, her long hair billowing in the wind, and her eyes gleamed with starlight. Her Immortal Binding Chains transformed into countless threads that shot toward the demonic spirit. Despite the spirit's earth-shaking roar, it remained ensnared by Ji Xue's Astral Nova.

Xu Feng released his Astral Nova, and he shot forward like a lightning bolt, wielding a long spear. A silvery radiance filled the air as the spear extended threefold, creating an astral black hole at its tip aimed directly at the demonic spirit's eyes.

The demonic spirit turned its head to deflect the attack with its hardened skin. It struggled violently, and Ji Xue's Immortal Binding Chains seemed on the verge of breaking. The black hole on the spear's tip whirled madly into the spirit's flesh, yet no blood was visible.

Xie Yu unleashed nine golden arrows simultaneously from his nine bows. In the blink of an eye, he vanished and reappeared in front of the demonic spirit. With nine distinct palm imprints, he delivered a thunderous blow that seemed to tear apart the heavens and earth as it landed on the spirit's head.

Leng Tu of the Blood Cloud Sect donned a blood-red glove adorned with menacing thorns. He thrust a punch towards the demonic spirit's forehead, channeling his Mandate of Blood into the creature's body.

"HOWL!" The demonic spirit raised its head and let out a furious roar. A peculiar red radiance emanated from it, piercing into each of the attackers. This demonic spirit lacked offensive capabilities but sought to transform the cultivators into demons.

Qin Wentian moved forward step by step. With each stride, an aura befitting a demon overlord surged from him. The demon blood within him appeared to awaken in response to the red light emitted by the demonic spirit.

Little Rascal mirrored Qin Wentian's transformation. Its dormant demonic bloodline stirred to life.

Qin Wentian's figure flickered, closing the distance in an instant. A massive black sword in his hands thunderously struck the demonic spirit's head. However, the creature's eyes continued to radiate the same red light, and its expression remained ice-cold, as if impervious to their attacks.

Simultaneously, Little Rascal lunged at the spirit, sinking its fangs into the creature's neck and devouring its energy.

"AO..." The demonic spirit seethed with fury. The immortal binding chains could no longer restrain its intense struggles and retracted. If Ji Xue had continued to hold on, her Astral Nova would have been shattered.

"BOOM!" The demonic spirit stamped its foot, releasing a malevolent demonic qi that swept over everything. Leng Tu and the others' eyes began to gleam with demonic light as their blood was controlled by the spirit. With a fierce snarl, they were ruthlessly hurled through the air.

Face to face with the demonic spirit, Qin Wentian sensed a torrent of demonic qi attempting to take control of him. At this crucial moment, his own demonic bloodline surged uncontrollably, manifesting a colossal, ancient primordial demon that loomed over the invading demonic qi.

"BANG!"

A fearsome third eye scanned over the spirit, causing it to tremble as if on the verge of collapse.

"Pu..." However, Qin Wentian was the first to succumb to the energy clash. He spat out a mouthful of blood, sent hurtling backward by the impact, his entire body convulsing.

The demonic spirit's eyes gleamed with opportunity. It leaped into the air and slammed forcefully back onto the ground. Little Rascal, still clinging to its neck, finally released its grip.

"Roar, roar, ROARRR!" The demonic spirit unleashed a series of enraged roars, then swiftly retreated. The demonized humans began to converge in the area, cutting their way through the chaos.

Despair etched itself onto the faces of Xu Feng, Xie Yu, and the others. Faced with such overwhelming power, their own strength appeared feeble and futile, incapable of withstanding even a single blow.

The oppressive pressure bearing down on them drained the color from Ji Xue's face. "Are we truly going to meet our end here? Even if I have to die, I refuse to become a monster like that."

"I WON'T ACCEPT THIS," Leng Tu muttered icily, his reluctance palpable. Dying in this manner was something he couldn't abide.

Xu Feng and Xie Yu wore grim expressions, aware that they were utterly defenseless.

However, Qin Wentian discerned that the demonic spirit had singled him out as its target. Despite the creature's newfound intelligence, it still retained the instincts of a normal demonic beast. Sensing the potent demon blood within Qin Wentian, it sought to absorb him.

Qin Wentian turned his gaze toward Xu Feng and the others, proposing, "Since we're allies, I'll lure the demonic spirit away. There are two exits in this cavern; I'll take one while you take the other. Hopefully, we can uncover the treasure this creature is guarding. If you manage to find it, I want a share. What do you say?"

Xie Yu and the others hesitated, their eyes fixed on Qin Wentian. He remained audacious even in the face of danger, still thinking about treasure.

"Very well. If you can draw the demonic beast away, and we find the treasure, we'll give you a share," Xie Yu agreed.

"Agreed," Xu Feng and Leng Tu chimed in. Qin Wentian then shifted his gaze to the crimson-eyed demonic spirit and, employing Stellar Transposition, sprinted toward one of the exits.

As expected, the crimson-eyed demonic spirit immediately gave chase, disregarding everything else. Xie Yu and the others breathed sighs of relief, their hope of survival rekindled.

"This guy..." Ji Xue watched Qin Wentian's retreating figure and remarked, "Let's eliminate these demonic monsters first, and then send someone from our sect to report this incident to the experts."

Leng Tu nodded in agreement. With the demonic spirit away, these strange monsters were no longer invulnerable.

Meanwhile, Qin Wentian raced ahead with all his might, but the demonic spirit was even swifter. Thankfully, his mastery of Stellar Transposition allowed him to maintain a certain distance. Little Rascal still clung to the demonic spirit's throat, feasting on its flesh and blood, its primal instincts fully unleashed.

Finally, Qin Wentian reached the end of this space. There, he discovered a cave with a pool of seething blood. The pool emitted an overwhelming demonic aura that sent shivers down Qin Wentian's spine.

"Could this be where the demonic spirit was born?" Qin Wentian wondered, but his contemplation was interrupted as the crimson-eyed demonic spirit howled in madness. Bony spikes sprouted from its back, aimed at impaling Little Rascal. With a yelp, Little Rascal disengaged and darted toward Qin Wentian.

The crimson-eyed demonic spirit, infuriated beyond measure, unfurled wings and bared razor-sharp fangs. Its eyes gleamed with malevolence as it focused its hateful gaze on Qin Wentian. As it advanced, an irresistible force seemed to seize hold of Qin Wentian, as if his very blood were eager to burst forth from his veins.

A buzz filled the air as the demonic spirit lunged forward once more. This time, it exuded an aura of pure malice, its razor-sharp claws slashing through the surroundings. In response, Qin Wentian wielded the scarlet demonic halberd with unwavering determination. As he struck, a surreal dreamscape unfolded, but it had no effect on the spirit. Being a spirit, it lacked the vulnerabilities of a heart, rendering it impervious to attacks of this nature.

A thunderous collision forced Qin Wentian into the pool of blood. Simultaneously, the demonic spirit's claws pinned Little Rascal to the ground, its eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

The power gap was insurmountable, leaving them helpless.

Within Qin Wentian's body, his demonic bloodline began to stir, hungering for the energy emanating from the blood pool. The pure demonic energy surged forth, flooding into him in torrents.

"RELEASE IT!" Qin Wentian shouted as he waded through the pool of blood, radiating a demonic glow. He realized that his only options to subdue the demonic spirit were the Demonic Divinity Sacrificial Transformation or the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay. However, using the Demonic Divinity Sacrificial Transformation would eventually necessitate the use of the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay to counter it, or else he would be condemned to roam the world as a demon – an outcome he sought to avoid.

Directly employing the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay wasn't feasible either, as there wasn't enough energy in his body to sustain it without resulting in his demise.

Then, a revelation struck Qin Wentian. He contemplated the pool of blood and realized the immense energy it contained. In that moment, a terrifying brilliance illuminated his eyes. White flames ignited around him as he tapped into the pool's boundless demonic energy. This energy source might just be sufficient to replace the Demonic Divinity Sacrificial Transformation and enable him to unleash the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay without sacrificing his own life.