C102 The Demon Enchanter!

In the desolate wilderness, shrouded in silence and biting cold, Yu Yuan unleashed a roar.

The raging winds enveloped him like a frenzied storm, as if he were at the heart of a tornado.

"Evil Body Refining Skill!"

Yu Yuan clung to his core, his spirit unwavering, refusing to succumb to the excruciating pain that threatened to tear his body apart.

"Crack!"

The brittle snap of bones echoed from within him. His face twisted in agony, his consciousness fading, as his bare flesh split open.

Had anyone been present, they would have witnessed the brutal Spiritual Qi burrowing into his pores, snaking through his mouth and nose like a relentless python beneath his skin.

Yu Yuan's meridians and muscles quivered uncontrollably.

At last, blood erupted from the gaping wound in his chest.

Seated upright one moment, he collapsed the next—into a crimson pool of his own blood.

The tempest of Spiritual Qi that had raged around him dissipated in an instant.

Yu Yuan lay in the blood, gasping for air, each breath a struggle, death looming over him.

His left hand gripped the Demon Core with such intensity, it seemed he wished to embed it into the very flesh of his palm.

"The violent Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth, the Evil Body Refining Skill, the Demon Core."

Despite the excruciating pain that made every breath a shudder of his bones, his mind remained piercingly sharp, his gaze serene, as though he awaited something in quiet anticipation.

He could sense the Qi and blood of the Demon Core being drawn in by the "Glorious Heavenly Wheel," flooding into him with the force of a breached dam.

"Not far from the forbidden area, and here I am, alone," Yu Yuan assessed internally. "The Moon Demon's perception surely surpasses my own, even beyond that of the soul sacrifice ball. If I'm not mistaken, the Moon Demon will eventually detect the path to the forbidden area."

With this thought, he continued to voraciously absorb the Qi and blood of the Demon Core, ever-prepared for what may come.

Time seemed to stand still in the frigid, hushed expanse, where he appeared to be the sole survivor.

After an indeterminate period, a sudden heat surged through the sword light branded on his arms.

A realization dawned on Yu Yuan, affirming the accuracy of his judgement.

"It's here!"

A mile away lay a deep crater, forged from the remnants of a Moon Fragment. At its rim, a massive stone cave had been hastily carved out.

This cave sat a mere seven or eight meters from the wilderness, with five broad steps leading swiftly up to it.

Inside, Lee Yu, Yan Lu, Su Yan, Zhan Tianxiang, and all the other surviving trialists huddled together in solemn anticipation.

Hovering at the cave's mouth was the soul sacrifice ball, casting a soft, luminous glow.

The light served as both a barrier and a beacon, sealing the entrance while illuminating the interior with its ethereal radiance.

"The soul sacrifice ball's ability to shield our soul's perception is the only trick I have up my sleeve right now," Lee Yu said, noticing the unease among the group. "Yin God Stage cultivators, with their Yin Gods roaming, won't be able to detect us. Unless a Yin God stumbles upon us by chance, we're undetectable."

"But can the strongest Moon Demon really not sniff us out with its soul sense?" Zhan Tianxiang remained skeptical.

"It's highly unlikely," Lee Yu assured them. "We'll stay put and await Yu Yuan's signal. The moment Yu Yuan loudly seeks help, it'll mean the strongest Moon Demon has revealed itself."

"This time, no one should hold back any longer," Su Yan's eyes fixed on Fan Li. "If we fail to kill the Moon Demon now, we may never get another chance."

"Don't worry, I know what to do," Fan Li responded, his tone even.

Since Lee Yu had called him out for his reservations, the other survivors had subtly shunned him, preferring not to associate with him.

Even his attempts at friendly conversation were met with cold shoulders.

Eventually, Fan Li ceased his efforts.

He came to realize that Yu Yuan, once his enemy, had imperceptibly earned the respect and trust of Lee Yu and the rest, while he, the Lim family, and Lim Zhuyun still harbored ill will towards Yu Yuan for reasons of their own.

"There's a stir."

Lee Yu suddenly rose and approached the soul sacrifice ball floating at the cave's entrance.

With a furrowed brow, he studied the orb. "While the soul's perception is veiled, the soul sacrifice ball can't detect other souls' movements. But I... I can hear something."

Upon hearing this, the others crowded around the cave entrance, each straining their ears to listen.

The soul sacrifice ball only obscured their soul vibrations; their voices remained clear and unaffected.

Thus, any significant commotion or conflict outside was audible to them.

Even if the voices were a bit louder, they could still make them out.

"Hmm."

Yu Yuan, clutching the Demon Core, rose slowly, feeling the intense heat of the sword light within his arm as he fixed his gaze calmly forward.

Seconds and minutes ticked away.

The Moon Demon was cautious, approaching gradually without rushing to reveal itself.

Meanwhile, Yu Yuan, with the Demon Core in hand, harnessed its medicinal power to rapidly heal his previously wounded body with a surge of vital energy.

Such recovery was possible only with the Demon Core; he wouldn't dare to be so reckless with an Elemental Pill.

Half an hour more slipped by.

The Moon Demon, seemingly certain that no one else was lurking nearby, quickened its pace.

The burning sensation from the sword light in his arm signaled to Yu Yuan that the Moon Demon would soon make its appearance.

And sure enough.

A young man with a pallid complexion, dressed in a brown robe, arrived as if borne on the wind, his presence quiet and unannounced.

His eyes, a striking shade of green, were conspicuously visible; he made no attempt to hide them.

It was as if he knew that against Yu Yuan, who had earned the ancient sword intent's approval, any disguise would be futile, so he chose to appear openly and unabashedly.

"My master has sent me to claim your life."

The young man's words were awkward, his speech stilted, as he conveyed his intent to Yu Yuan.

Yu Yuan heard him, and so did Lee Yu and the others below.

Silence fell upon the cave.

"Isn't that the Moon Demon?"

Su Yan sketched in the dirt with a stick, her eyes seeking confirmation.

Zhao Yafu and Yu Feifei turned to Lee Yu, their expressions filled with urgency.

Lee Yu shook his head slightly and etched into the ground, "He warned me, unless it's that particular Moon Demon, we must not act rashly."

Yu Feifei shook her head vigorously and moved closer to Lee Yu, tugging at his sleeve gently, urging him to join the fight.

Zhao Yafu approached as well, taking Yu Feifei's hand, her eyes questioning, "Did he really say that?"

Lee Yu nodded in acknowledgment.

With a fierce glare, Zhao Yafu fixed her eyes on Lee Yu and traced a message on the ground with her finger, "If he hasn't mentioned it and Yu Yuan is in trouble, you'll be held responsible. Even if you're Lee Yu, we won't spare you."

Lee Yu nodded once more in response.

Consequently, Zhao Yafu forcefully pulled Yu Feifei away from his side.

Others, like Su Yan and Yan Lu, cast puzzled glances at Lee Yu.

The reason was straightforward: Yu Yuan, in his attempt to bait the Moon Demon, had deliberately practiced the Evil Body Refining Skill, which resulted in grave injuries, leaving him on the brink of death.

It was a well-known risk for those practicing the Devil Spell to inadvertently succumb to demonic possession.

Yu Yuan's strategy was to make the Moon Demon believe that there was a flaw in his cultivation, creating an opening for an attack.

But if Yu Yuan were at his peak, effortlessly wielding his sword, would the mightiest Moon Demon be deceived?

To their surprise, the Moon Demon did indeed appear, but it was not the most formidable one; rather, it was a lieutenant of that entity.

In such a scenario, a hasty charge to join forces with Yu Yuan could certainly lead to a successful kill.

Yet, such an action would also be akin to startling the snake, ensuring that the most powerful Moon Demon would not be duped.

Without intervention, could Yu Yuan, who had intentionally inflicted severe injuries upon himself through his cultivation, survive?

Everyone harbored deep doubts.

​