Ling Xiao’s martial soul clone couldn’t feel soul pressure, but seeing the other three collapse, he couldn’t just stand there, so he pretended to fall as well.
He didn’t dare act rashly, needing to first gauge the Plague Demon King’s true strength.
“Gaga gaga!”
A strange sound echoed as a eerie human face appeared on the mass of dark green liquid.
“Little ones, since you’re here, why rush to leave? The Emperor’s revival still needs sacrifices, so you lot can stay.”
“Master, shouldn’t we first check their martial arts talent? Haven’t you always wanted a perfect vessel?” the Demon General said.
“These four, the best among them is merely a Celestial Treasure Body, utterly inadequate. For my revival, I need at least a Divine Treasure Body. Unfortunately, on this continent, it’s likely impossible to find a physique better than that, probably due to some stripped laws,” the Plague Demon King said, glancing disdainfully at Ling Xiao and the others, showing no interest in their bodies.
“You’re absolutely right, Master, but I’m incompetent. That Yuehua Sect disciple named Ling Xiao is a bit strange. Without my body, I’m no match for him,” the Demon General admitted. If he fought Ling Xiao desperately, it might end in mutual destruction, but he couldn’t afford injury. To him, fighting to a draw with someone doomed to die was utterly foolish, so he fled, hoping to use the Plague Demon King’s power to subdue Ling Xiao.
“Hmph, a mere half-step master scared you like that? Useless!” the dark green liquid snorted coldly. Suddenly, an overwhelming, terrifying aura swept over again, this time aimed directly at Ling Xiao.
In an instant, the entire underground palace turned dark green, filled with ghostly wails and howls, as if they’d fallen into a demonic realm. Most terrifyingly, Wanyan Jun, Chen Zui, and Shangguan Lei, already soul-wounded, felt the ground shake, as if it were the end of the world.
This immense power left Wanyan Jun, Chen Zui, and Shangguan Lei trembling. “Ling Xiao got us into this! The Plague Demon King has clearly regained his strength, how could we possibly be his match?” Wanyan Jun wailed, looking at the Plague Demon King and begging loudly, “Your Majesty, spare us, spare us! I can provide countless secrets of the Yuehua Sect and even offer my body for the Demon General’s use.”
“I’m willing too! I’ll give up my body, just please spare my life, Your Majesty,” Chen Zui added. For Mortal Realm warriors, as long as their soul remained, they could survive in another body for a time, though not long—within a year, they’d need a new vessel, or they’d rapidly age. But Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui didn’t care about that now; they just wanted to live, even if it meant suffering, better than dying.
Better to live in shame than die. Who knows, serving the Plague Demon King might grant them terrifying power.
“Fools!” Ling Xiao cursed inwardly. Intimidated by the opponent’s aura, they’d completely lost their composure—utterly foolish. If they observed carefully, with Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui’s discernment, they’d see the Plague Demon King was just bluffing. If he were truly powerful, he wouldn’t keep intimidating with aura but would’ve already captured the four and sent them to the altar via the Demon General.
Even without the Mountain and River Martial Soul, Ling Xiao could see this. Did fear really make people lose all sense?
What Ling Xiao hadn’t considered was that Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui genuinely wanted to join the Plague Demon King. They’d forgotten the True Demon Empire’s cruelty, remembering only its power. That empire could rival the once-mighty Human Holy Dynasty, while the current twelve sects and Holy Dynasty were far weaker than before. What future was there in staying with the Yuehua Sect? At best, they’d reach Mortal Realm Third or Fourth Layer, a master at most. But serving the Plague Demon King, with the True Demon Empire’s secret techniques, they might achieve the Celestial Realm.
Fear and greed drove Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui to betray instantly. Shangguan Lei, however, hesitated. He feared death but wasn’t as shamelessly decisive as the other two.
“Heh heh, very good. Those who know the times are wise!” the Demon General laughed. “To be honest, my master is the Plague Demon King, one of the nine Demon Kings under the True Demon Emperor. His power was unmatched back then, save for your Holy Dynasty’s Holy Lord—no one else could rival the nine Demon Kings.”
“Serving the Plague Demon King is the wisest choice. We can preserve your souls and even craft stronger bodies for you, as long as your loyalty is genuine!”
It was indeed the Plague Demon King. Ling Xiao made up his mind.
“I, Wanyan Jun, swear loyalty to the Plague Demon King, willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty!”
“I, Chen Zui, swear loyalty to the Plague Demon King, ready to serve with utmost devotion!”
The two were utterly broken, completely convinced by the Plague Demon King’s terrifying aura and the Demon General’s words.
Ling Xiao knew the Demon General spoke truthfully. Back then, the nine Demon Kings were so fearsome that only the Human Holy Lord could defeat them. Even the seventy-two Demon Generals under the Plague Demon King were at the level of sect supreme elders or leaders.
But that was then. Now, the Demon General was only at the peak of Mortal Realm Third Layer, still weak. As for the Plague Demon King, likely revived by this Demon General, he was even weaker, probably also at Mortal Realm Third Layer peak at most.
If the four of them united, they could absolutely crush these remnants of the True Demon Empire. But what a pity—Wanyan Jun and Chen Zui had lost all courage before even acting. Shangguan Lei, though not yet defecting, was wavering, with no will to fight.
Shangguan Lei glanced at Ling Xiao. At this moment, he felt he could only rely on him. Perhaps with Ling Xiao’s ability, they could still escape alive. He didn’t want to die or serve demonic beings. To Shangguan Lei, Ling Xiao’s calm mind and mysterious strength were utterly convincing. Sometimes he wondered how Ling Xiao grew under the oppression of Hei Suo and Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign—didn’t that prove his capability?
On this mission, without Ling Xiao, they’d all be dead already. Though Shangguan Lei didn’t know why Ling Xiao was so strong, did it matter? No, it didn’t.
