C1150 Its True Origin

He was certain that in his past life, he had no ties or dealings with the enigmatic Demon Phoenix, a creature of both male and female essence and the most mysterious of the demon race's supreme beings.

So, where did this sense of familiarity come from? And why had it persisted for tens of thousands of years?

The answer was self-evident.

In his first life, the one he had yet to awaken to, he must have held a significant position within the Divine Soul Sect, perhaps even as one of its leaders!

Only then would he have been able to become acquainted with the Demon Phoenix and earn the right to know it.

After all, the Demon Phoenix had always stood unchallenged at the summit of the highest mountain, its supreme status unshaken by the passage of time.

Without being one of the Divine Soul Sect's luminaries, how else could one gain the Demon Phoenix's recognition and foster a sense of familiarity?

"Who, who am I?"

Amidst the dense fog, Yu Zhu's massive demonic form reached a certain threshold, then rapidly condensed and transformed into her human shape.

Her voice, laced with unease, was intended solely for Yu Yuan.

Yu Zhu was stunned upon discovering that the supreme Demon Palace had slain her mother in the remote depths of the Outland Star River.

She had always held the Demon Phoenix of the Demon Palace in high esteem, even worshipping it sincerely.

She was aware that her favored status and accomplishments today were due in part to that very being's unseen influence.

Yet now...

A sudden, inexplicable panic penetrated her marrow. The reverence and admiration she once felt for that individual had, in that instant, morphed into an overwhelming pressure that nearly suffocated her.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Meanwhile, she continued to rapidly diminish in size.

Before long, Yu Yuan glimpsed Yu Zhu in her initial form amidst the corrosive, toxic smoke, as they had first met in Chilly Wind Valley.

Her bones, translucent and lustrous like finely carved jade and gemstones, fanned out in a kaleidoscope of colors, reminiscent of a peacock's splendid tail.

The vibrant, toxic mists swirled ceaselessly within the crystalline bones.

Before the iridescent bones stood a slender young girl, her eyes a haunting shade of green, emanating a light that sent chills down one's spine.

Compared to her time in Chilly Wind Valley, the young girl's complexion was now much fairer, and her once-flat nose had become more pronounced. Her sharp jawline appeared to have been gently re-sculpted, softening into a more natural shape. Now, Yu Zhu was undeniably more beautiful than she had ever been before.

Whoosh! The toxic smoke that enshrouded her swiftly converged behind her, solidifying into a crystal-like carapace over her chest, serving as a natural shield.

Yu Yuan narrowed his eyes, recognizing that the carapace was primarily to prevent the power of the blood-colored crystal from the Great Demon God Grec from leaking out, as well as to stop the fragmented crystal from escaping.

"Why have I taken this form?" Yu Zhu pondered, her soul voice reaching Yu Yuan as she lifted her gaze to the now composed Golden Elephant Ancient God and shook her head slightly.

The Golden Elephant Ancient God, who had been on the brink of slaying Cao Yi, reined in his intentions, reassured by Yu Zhu that Cao Yi had not meddled underhandedly.

At that moment, the assembly of demons and the practitioners from the Devil Palace, along with the Demon Phoenix, watched her in amazement. Tan Junshan and Chen Qinghuang exchanged knowing looks, both admiring the Demon Phoenix's discerning eye.

Yu Zhu's ability to instantly crush and assimilate the blood-colored crystal, much to their surprise, was extraordinary. She lacked something like the Life Altar within Yu Yuan's body and was not an expert in the Blood Devil Clan's secret arts like Cao Yi. How then could she so quickly shatter the blood-colored crystal, methodically extracting the exquisite essence of blood hidden within?

"Your mother," Yu Yuan began after a brief hesitation, sharing the backstory through their unique soul connection, "was the eight-legged spider that Ann Wen left with you in the Absence Relic. The miraculous growth of your powers there and your possession of a domain suitable for Dao Integration were due to that being your mother's blessed land. It was this special place that nurtured your mother and where you were born."

"I came to know her through my intensive study of the secret arts of poison and my refinement of poison pills. After giving birth to you in the Absence Relic, she entrusted me with your care, instructing me to find a discreet location for you to gradually build up your bloodline. That's why I carved out a special place for you in the Jade Peak Mountain Range."

"The miasma-filled swamp is where I found you and aided your growth."

"She was soon dispatched by the Demon Palace to the Outland Star River to join the battle. The Demon Palace later reported that she was ambushed and killed by an alliance of alien races during a skirmish."

"Of course, you've now uncovered the truth hidden deep within her bloodline."

Yu Yuan paused briefly.

After a moment's hesitation, he added, "She entrusted me to look after you, to take you from the Absence Relic to the Jade Peak. She mentioned that your father hailed from the Iridescent Cloud Miasma Sea. Given your innate talent for controlling poison and your ability to strengthen yourself by absorbing miasma, you've probably figured that out."

"However, she wouldn't disclose his identity. The Iridescent Cloud Miasma Sea is shrouded in mystery, inhabited by beings as peculiar as the God of Plague and the Peach Madam, among others. Moreover, numerous beings from the Iridescent Cloud Miasma Sea have quietly infiltrated the Outland Star River, never to be seen again."

"Though she was a member of the Demon Palace, her death at the hands of that individual, I suspect, may be connected to the other source of your lineage."

"..."

Yu Yuan was forthright, sparing no detail and patiently helping Yu Zhu dispel any doubts she had, informing her of her true origins and heritage.

Yu Zhu listened in silence.

After a short time,

An impatient Cao Yi, pointing to the fading astral power in the chest of the Gallow Demon Corpse, urged, "If we don't leave now, once the gathered energy dissipates, even the Dragon Slash Platform won't be of any use."

Upon hearing this, the Golden Elephant Ancient God, Tan Junshan, and Chen Qinghuang all turned their attention to him.

"Understood."

Yu Yuan gave a curt snort, standing within the Evil Cauldron, and gestured decisively to Yu Zhu, "Come here and join me."

This command sparked curious glances among the great demons of the Demon Palace.

Yu Zhu, a great demon of the Demon Palace, was to accompany Yu Yuan. What did this mean?

"It's of no consequence."

Contrarily, the Golden Elephant Ancient God appeared unconcerned with these trivial matters. He nodded at Yu Zhu, saying, "For tens of thousands of years, despite numerous disputes and covert battles with the cultivators of the Heavenly Source Continent, we've always been able to forge a strong alliance in the face of external threats. Our current priority is to thwart the resurrection of the Great Demon God Grec. That is what matters most."

Upon his advice, Yu Zhu cast aside her hesitation and her slender frame darted towards the Evil Cauldron.

Within the cauldron, just as Yu Yiyi, who had refined her demonic form, was about to enter, she vanished in a flash into the miniature universe inside.

It was as if she preferred to maintain a distance...

The instant Yu Yiyi stepped into the cauldron, through her eyes and perception, Yu Yuan witnessed Yuefei, who had been dragged in and cleansed by the Devil Souls and malevolent thoughts of countless devils, appear to lose her own sentience.

Feeling Yu Yuan's gaze, Yu Yiyi communicated from within the cauldron, "Like Rend Armor and the black woman, she can now be summoned by me to join the battle alongside the other devils."

On the tenth layer, the Ice Concubine, ranking at the top, radiated an intense chill and remained utterly still.

"Alright, you handle the arrangements."

With that thought left behind, Yu Yuan, gripping the Dragon Slash Platform, abruptly entered the hollow chest cavity of the Gallow Demon Corpse, following Cao Yi's guidance.

"Mo Yan, don't come with me. Rejoin another team," the Mighty Spirit King urged in a hushed tone.

Mo Yan's brow furrowed. "Why?"

"If you come along, Yu Yuan might seize the chance to kill you," the Mighty Spirit King explained with a sigh.

Mo Yan's face turned pale.

At that moment, Yu Yuan, having descended into the chest cavity of the Gallow Demon Corpse, cast a glance his way. The eerie smile that crept across his lips sent a chill through Mo Yan, as if he were plunging into an icy abyss.

"I welcome you to join us," Yu Yuan said with a sinister chuckle.

...

Today is New Year's Eve, and the following days mark the Lunar New Year. I will be taking time to celebrate with my family and children, so I'll be updating once a day. Please accept my apologies and thank you for your understanding.