Chapter 104: So there's two demons now?

The sun had long set, casting serene darkness over the vast garden where the duel between Dao Wei and Wei Jun continued. For hours now, the two brothers had exchanged over a thousand blows. Yet, in the midst of the raging storm of ethereal swords and clashing auras, neither seemed to have moved an inch. Their feet rooted firmly to the earth, their expressions light and playful—two masters of their craft, neither willing to yield nor press for an advantage.

To an outsider, this battle might have seemed as if it were choreographed, each strike, each movement harmonizing in a deadly, yet graceful, dance of swordplay. But to Lu Shen, the scene unfolding before him was nothing short of spectacular. New techniques were being born, conceived in the very heat of the battle, as effortlessly as sipping Spirit Wine. This wasn't a fight to the death but a practice ground, where two prodigies of the Sword God Sect refined their skills in real-time, pushing each other further toward perfection.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The metallic clang of their swords clashing echoed through the vast expanse of the garden, resonating with an almost supernatural hum. The air shimmered, alive with the sharpness of their intent, while the trees trembled as if in fear of being caught in the crossfire. The ethereal swords danced in the sky above, flickering with an eerie light, as though the stars themselves had descended to watch this duel.

Lu Shen, sitting comfortably in his chair on the far side of the garden, observed the scene with keen interest. His cup of Spirit Wine swirled lazily in his hand as he tried to decipher the brothers' movements. It wasn't just the clash of techniques that fascinated him—it was the way they were refining the Spirit Wine they had consumed through the battle. The more they fought, the less the risk of overburdening their bodies with the potent, thunder-laced wine. This fight was benefiting them in more ways than one.

He took another sip, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "This… this is something you don't see every day," he muttered under his breath.

However, amidst the chaotic beauty of the fight, something else was happening, something far more profound and dangerous. By this time, Wei Jun had already been so consumed by the intensity of the duel that he failed to notice the subtle changes taking place within his body. His strikes had become sharper, his movements swifter, and his aura—more oppressive. Unbeknownst to him, the Spirit Wine had catalyzed something deep within, pushing him toward a breakthrough.

All the core disciples of the Sword God Sect had reached the Nirvana Realm, a monumental achievement that signified immortality in body, though not yet in spirit or soul. Wei Jun, however, was still in the Second Change of Nirvana, a stage where only his body had reached full immortality, except for two vital organs—the heart and the brain. Both still bound by the limitations of mortality, these organs were the final hurdle before he could ascend further.

For years, Wei Jun had been preparing for the birth of his Martial Soul, a momentous event in any cultivator's journey. It was a process that could take decades, even centuries, to perfect. Though his spirit and soul were nearing the point of immortality, he had yet to complete the Second Change. Now, with the sheer potency of the Spirit Wine coursing through his veins, the time had come.

The air around him grew thicker, denser, as if the heavens themselves were bearing down on him, threatening to crush him beneath their weight. But Wei Jun remained oblivious, his focus still locked on Dao Wei. 

Suddenly—Bang!—a surge of power erupted from Wei Jun's body, a violent shockwave that rippled outwards, threatening to consume everything in its path.

"Woah!" Lu Shen nearly spilled his wine as he jolted in his seat, his eyes widening in surprise. "Seems Brother Wei Jun is about to break through." A grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "This… this is going to be interesting."

The energy emanating from Wei Jun was palpable now, a tidal wave of power that made the very ground tremble. Ambient Qi, which had once been scattered and invisible, now gathered around him, drawn like moths to a flame. The garden, once peaceful despite the battle, was now a storm of swirling energy. Leaves and dirt were lifted into the air, suspended in the violent winds that whipped through the area. 

The pressure increased, pressing down on everything around Wei Jun, and his aura grew more domineering with each passing second. His once-playful demeanor had vanished, replaced by something far more intense, primal even. A myriad of lights began to dance around him—reds, blues, silvers, and golds—each representing the elemental energies that had gathered to witness the birth of a Martial Soul.

"Here it comes," Lu Shen's smile grew wider as he leaned forward in anticipation.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion rang out as the earth trembled beneath Wei Jun. Trees and plants nearby were uprooted, flung aside as if they were mere blades of grass in the face of the storm. Even the rocks, once firmly planted in the earth, were lifted and tossed by the sheer force of the breakthrough.

The energy converging around Wei Jun intensified, twisting into a vortex of power. The sky above, once clear, had turned dark and ominous, swirling with clouds that crackled with thunder. 

Rumble!

A bolt of lightning struck the ground mere feet from Wei Jun, causing the earth to splinter. The heavens themselves seemed to be reacting to the birth of his Martial Soul.

And then, slowly, a colossal figure began to materialize behind him, its form so massive that it dwarfed everything in the garden. At first, it was little more than a shadow, a vague outline against the stormy sky. But as the energy coalesced, the figure grew clearer.

Boom!

Another shockwave erupted as the figure solidified, its sheer presence enough to make even the most seasoned cultivator's heart race with fear and awe.

It was the War God—a towering presence of pure might. The air trembled in response to the god's oppressive power. Every inch of his plated armor glistened with the sheen of countless battles, engraved with ancient runes long forgotten. Muscles bulged beneath the armor, each movement a promise of devastation. The War God's molten gold eyes glowed with an insatiable hunger for battle, his scowl deepened by the weight of centuries spent in relentless warfare. Two colossal swords on his back pulsed with bloodthirsty intent, eager to taste the essence of their enemies. 

The War God's very existence was an oppressive force, its presence was suffocating, his aura dominating everything within sight bending the reality around them. The ground quivered beneath Wei Jun's feet, unable to bear the sheer weight of the god's power. The sky, seemingly aware of the impending conflict, began to ripple, the clouds parting to make way for the immense forces gathering below. The sky above crackled with lightning, each strike sending tremors through the ground as the Martial Soul fully emerged.

"Woah!" Lu Shen had to shift in his seat, his usually calm demeanor replaced by genuine awe. A War God is not just any Martial Soul, but one of the rarest and most powerful from the ancient world. He chuckled to himself, unable to hide his excitement. "Brother Wei Jun, it seems you've outdone yourself this time."

Wei Jun stood at the center of the storm, his eyes closed, his breathing steady as his body adjusted to the overwhelming power of the War God. The aura of the Martial Soul flowed into him, merging with his spirit, his soul, and his body. 

For a brief moment, everything went still. The winds stopped, the lightning ceased, and the very earth seemed to hold its breath. 

Then—

Boom!

The War God let out a roar, a deafening sound that shook the heavens and earth. It was a roar of dominance, of strength unmatched, of a power that transcended mortality. Wei Jun's breakthrough had finally come to fruition, and the garden had become the stage for this phenomenal transformation.

Dao Wei, who had been watching silently for the past few moments, let out a low whistle. "Not bad, refined cargo," he said with a grin, though his voice was softer, almost respectful. "A War God martial soul, huh? You're definitely not holding back anymore."

Wei Jun opened his eyes, the light within them shining with a new brilliance. He looked down at his hands, feeling the immense power coursing through him. It was as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders, replaced by the indomitable strength of a god.

Lu Shen raised his cup in a mock toast, his grin as wide as ever. "Congratulations, Brother Wei Jun," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "You've just stepped into a realm few can even dream of."

Wei Jun, still adjusting to the new power, let out a deep breath. "It's... just the beginning," he muttered, though a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "But I think I'm starting to get used to it."

Elsewhere…

The moonlight shimmered softly over Peacock Peak Garden, casting a serene glow on the peaceful surroundings. Under the cover of night, the garden's beauty became almost ethereal, the delicate fragrance of blooming flowers mingling with the cool breeze. Three figures sat close together on a stone bench, the soft sound of their laughter breaking the stillness of the night.