Chapter 7: The Fiend God's Revelation
I. The Descent Into Madness
Darkness swallowed the arena.
The air itself warped, reality bending as the Fiend Gate's seals shattered like glass. The surviving cultivators—Leng Xueyi, Princess Luo Ying, Mei Ling—collapsed to their knees, their Genomes whimpering in terror.
Only Xiao Chen remained standing, his Abyss-Shell Predator now the size of a small fortress, its spiked shell pulsing with chaotic energy.
Then—a hand emerged from the Gate.
Not a claw. Not a monster's limb.
A human hand, pale and perfect, its fingers long and elegant.
It gripped the edge of the Gate, and the Fiend God pulled Himself into the world.
He was beautiful.
Tall, draped in robes of living shadow, His face androgynous and hauntingly serene. His eyes—twin voids—locked onto Xiao Chen.
"Little Sovereign," the Fiend God murmured, His voice like a lover's whisper. "How you've grown."
Xiao Chen's Heavenly Demon Genome stirred, its power recoiling in primal fear.
"You… know me?"
The Fiend God smiled.
"I made you."
II. The First Truth
The world froze.
The Fiend God flicked His wrist, and time rewound—
—to a burning village, seventeen years ago.
A white-haired infant wailed in the ruins, his red eyes glowing as Fiends bowed around him.
"You were born from my essence," the Fiend God said, watching the memory. "A failed experiment to create a vessel strong enough to hold My power."
Xiao Chen's fists clenched. "Lies."
"Is it?" The Fiend God gestured, and Xiao Chen's veins burned black, revealing Fiend runes beneath his skin. "Your infinite inner space? My design. Your Heavenly Demon? A shackle to keep you from awakening too soon."
Leng Xueyi staggered forward, her frost blade trembling. "Xiao Chen, don't listen—"
The Fiend God glanced at her.
Her Frost Phoenix exploded into gore.
"I wasn't speaking to you."
III. The Choice
The Fiend God extended His hand.
"Join me. Rule this world as My heir. Your women will live. Your Genomes will ascend beyond mortal limits."
Xiao Chen laughed.
Then—he attacked.
His Abyss-Shell Predator slammed into the Fiend God, its Worldbreaker Charge detonating like a black sun.
The impact shattered the arena, sending debris flying for miles.
When the dust cleared—
The Fiend God stood untouched, His robes unruffled.
"Disappointing."
He flicked His fingers.
Xiao Chen's ribs imploded, his body hurtling through the academy's ruins.
IV. The Heavenly Demon's Price
Xiao Chen woke in his inner space, the Heavenly Demon looming over him.
"You cannot win as you are," it rumbled. "But I can."
"At what cost?" Xiao Chen spat blood.
The Demon leaned down, its blade-fingers carving a contract into his chest.
"Your body. For one hour, I fight unrestrained."
Xiao Chen gritted his teeth.
"Do it."
V. The Unshackling
Reality shattered as the Heavenly Demon took control.
Xiao Chen's body twisted, his bones elongating, his skin hardening into obsidian armor. Four blade-arms sprouted from his back, and his red eyes bled into pure void.
The Fiend God finally looked intrigued.
"Ah. There you are."
The two clashed, their battle erasing the sky.
VI. The Aftermath
When Xiao Chen woke, the academy was gone.
Only a crater remained, its edges glowing with molten rock.
Leng Xueyi cradled his head, her face pale with shock.
"You… you tore His arm off."
Xiao Chen looked down.
Clutched in his hand was the Fiend God's severed limb, still twitching.
[9/10 highborn lives consumed.]
[Heavenly Demon's control: 12%.]
Princess Luo Ying collapsed beside him, her Solar Phoenix feebly flapping one wing.
"Well," she croaked. "That was fun."
Mei Ling knelt, pressing her forehead to his chest. "My king."
VII. The Empire's Response
Above them, the Vermilion Bird Emperor's flagship descended, its cannons charging.
A projected voice boomed:
"Xiao Chen. You are hereby charged with high treason and collusion with Fiends. Surrender or be erased."
Leng Xueyi stood, her frost blade reigniting.
"Guess we're rebels now."
Xiao Chen rose, the Fiend God's arm dissolving into his flesh.
"Good."
Chapter 7 End