Chapter 106: The Land of Fading Light (Completed at Dawn!)
A pair of black and white illusory halos slowly rotated behind him; within his dual pupils—one black, one white—radiant light shimmered. Li Ju floated midair, maintaining his human form. Black stripes coiled around his arms, and a white orb emitting intense heat was embedded in the center of his forehead.
“Skill: Hundred Poisons Vajra Body (Red Demon Form) → Corona Demon Body.”
“Skill: Corona Demon Body (?): A peculiar demonic form forged by the fusion of demonic energy and the power of the Corona Orb. It is an ascended form based on the Red Demon Body, born from the intense clash of these forces. (Source: Demon Might Unmatched · Li Ju)”
“Corona Demon Body…”
The strange aura surrounding Li Ju gradually dissipated as he descended to the ground. He hadn’t anticipated that his breakthrough into the Minor Three Yuan realm would stir such a reaction within his demonic form, nor that the conflict between the Corona Orb and his demonic energy would elevate his original Red Demon Body to this new Corona Demon Body.
“A peculiar state.”
Li Ju sensed a unique balance forming inside him between the demonic energy and the power of the Corona Orb. The two forces coexisted without encroaching upon each other, flowing harmoniously within his body.
By harnessing the equilibrium of these two energies, he unleashed a might far surpassing that of relying on either one alone. When he first attained the Red Demon Body, he had a rough grasp of its power ceiling; now, having achieved the Corona Demon Body, even he did not know the true extent of his strength.
“Fortunately, my sea of consciousness remains untainted by the demonic energy.”
Li Ju thought with lingering unease. Without the Corona Orb’s protection, the sudden surge of demonic energy within him might have ravaged his consciousness in an instant. What might have happened if that corruption had occurred was beyond his imagination.
Judging by the nature of demonic energy, it would surely have been catastrophic.
Despite the perilous breakthrough, he had turned misfortune into blessing, gaining a power far stronger than his former Red Demon Body.
“With such strength, it’s time to complete my mission objectives.”
Clenching his power-filled hands, Li Ju thought thus. The three objectives once nearly impossible for him were now mere trifles.
This was the transformation brought by increased might.
Once all objectives were fulfilled, he would hold a position in this realm from which he could advance or retreat at will.
“First stop—the Land of Afterglow.”
Li Ju’s figure shot off swiftly toward the distance.
***
Two days later.
Li Ju appeared within a valley inside the borders of Chen Kingdom.
“According to the records of the Corona Orb, the Land of Afterglow was once a wondrous place where the sky knew no day or night—it remained in a perpetual twilight.”
“Later, the ancient Bosuo Kingdom discovered it and altered it so that the vitality loss of living beings inside slowed dramatically. The life energy consumed there was equivalent to only a year’s worth in the outside world. It can be called a treasured place for prolonging life.”
“However, because time itself slows for creatures in the Land of Afterglow, martial cultivation is impossible within. No matter how one trains there, one’s cultivation cannot advance; at best, only combat skills can be practiced.”
Standing in the valley, the Corona Orb on Li Ju’s forehead flickered faintly. The scene before him gradually faded and transformed into a space where only twilight remained in the sky.
“When the Cang Martial Spirit King supported local warriors in Chen Kingdom to explore the secrets of the demonic cult, he opened the Land of Afterglow here, providing it as a base for those he backed.”
“Master Qisan, nurtured by the Cang Martial Spirit King, has hidden within the Land of Afterglow for years. While remotely directing the Qisan Sect’s resistance against the demonic cult outside, he concealed himself to avoid capture.”
As the scenery fully shifted to the Land of Afterglow, a panel of information appeared before Li Ju’s eyes.
“Mission Objective: Enter the Land of Afterglow (Completed).”
“Next is to seize control of the entire Land of Afterglow.”
Runes surfaced in Li Ju’s eyes. He closed them, standing silently as if communicating with something.
After a moment, he opened them. At this moment, he had attained control over the Land of Afterglow.
The Land of Afterglow was a legacy of the ancient Bosuo Kingdom, and as the legitimate heir holding the Corona Orb, Li Ju was entitled to the highest control privileges.
Images of various locations within the Land of Afterglow appeared continuously before Li Ju. Using his supreme authority, he searched for his target—the whereabouts of Master Qisan.
“Found it.”
Unexpectedly, there was also a generous reward.
Suddenly, Li Ju smiled and looked toward a direction before vanishing from his spot.
***
“Master Qisan, I never thought that after over eight hundred years, your strength has not improved one bit!”
Zhuge Huang laughed wildly, wielding the Shadow Demon Blade.
“Sure enough, our founding teacher’s assessment of you was correct…”
Clang!
The blade clashed against a whisk, producing a metallic ringing.
“You’re nothing but a worthless rat hiding in the sewers!”
Zhuge Huang pushed forcefully, sending his opponent reeling.
“You, a mere junior, dare to speak so arrogantly…”
The man facing Zhuge Huang had rosy complexion, white beard, and wore a Taoist robe, holding a whisk. He bore the aura of an immortal sage.
“If you didn’t wield the Shadow Demon Blade, boy, you’d never be my match!”
Master Qisan glanced at the blade in Zhuge Huang’s hand with displeasure.
“Weapons are a reflection of strength.”
“Only the weak make excuses for being outmatched!”
Zhuge Huang licked the blade’s edge, eyes cold and ruthless as he stared at Master Qisan.
Feeling the immense pressure, Master Qisan fell silent, focusing entirely on defending against Zhuge Huang.
Around them, several Minor Three Yuan masters from the Qisan Sect clashed fiercely with members of the demonic cult. The once beautiful Land of Afterglow was now stained with blood.
“I didn’t expect you all to be here. What a surprise.”
Suddenly, a voice caught the attention of Zhuge Huang and Master Qisan.
“How did you get here!”
Zhuge Huang stared in astonishment at the figure standing nearby with arms crossed.
Master Qisan didn’t recognize the newcomer but, seeing Zhuge Huang’s expression, also became wary.
“Master Qisan, Shadow Demon Blade—both are here after all.”
“This is truly…”
“Wonderful!”
A broad smile spread across the newcomer’s lips.