Chapter 146: Principle

Chapter 146: The Law

She quickly composed herself, concealing the shock in her eyes, and gently shook her head. The face beneath that mask could not possibly be Murong Ci—at best, there was a faint resemblance.

For the woman who had ruled the Demon Clan for nearly a century had long been dead.

However, though Murong Ci had perished, she lived on in another form. Her will remained an invisible shackle, controlling Demon Lord Fentian and every member of the Demon Clan.

"Hmph, merely a crude imitator," Fentian sneered, his face obscured by a black mask, revealing only a pair of piercing crimson eyes.

He did not believe this person could stir up any trouble—just another fool rushing to their demise.

But before the Immortal Clan's hostages arrived, watching this spectacle was harmless—at least it wouldn't be dull.

Fentian dismissed the thought of turning off the projection and settled into the chair at the center of the hall, his gaze mockingly fixed on the unfolding scene.

Meanwhile, Chou Qianling, upon seeing Murong Ci appear, her eyes widened in disbelief. Was she dying? Otherwise, why was she hallucinating?

It wasn't until a weight settled on her shoulders, the warmth confirming this was no illusion.

But how had Murong Ci escaped the cemetery? Or did someone as powerful as her possess methods Chou Qianling knew nothing about?

Chou Qianling's mind raced, but upon hearing Murong Ci speak up for her, her doubts vanished, replaced by an almost violent surge of joy.

It was like finding the sole reliable anchor in a world of overwhelming adversity.

She struggled to her feet, stumbled, and fell into the other's arms, looking up to see only a cold white mask. Her voice trembled slightly, "...Master."

This was the first time she had addressed her with such heartfelt sincerity.

Chi Jing's eyes curved into a smile, her voice gentle, "You have done exceptionally well."

Chou Qianling suddenly realized Murong Ci had witnessed their earlier battle and was instantly mortified. Struggling to explain, she blurted, "If I had already broken through to the Golden Core Realm, they wouldn't stand a chance against me!"

Chi Jing nodded slightly, "Good, then I shall remain here and protect you as you ascend." With a wave of her hand, the Guardian Spirit Pearl transformed into a pale golden shield, enveloping them both.

The protective barrier made it difficult to discern her identity, but the Realm-Breaking Pen was absolutely out of the question.

Moreover, she already had a better plan to deal with these lackeys of the Immortal Clan.

Chou Qianling trusted Chi Jing's power implicitly. Even with the Golden Core Nine glaring at them, she unhesitatingly sheathed her blood blade, retrieved her Heavenly Spiritual Root, and sat down to cultivate, oblivious to her surroundings.

The onlookers grew furious—did these two truly hold them in such contempt?

A Golden Core Realm cultivator roared, "You're courting death!" His spirit sword shot forward like lightning, striking fiercely at the protective shield.

Chi Jing remained serene, standing perfectly still.

The sword light crashed against the shield but failed to penetrate it, leaving not even a faint mark.

The other eight were astonished. Where did this demon come from? Even a late-stage Golden Core Realm cultivator couldn't breach her defense?

Exchanging glances, they attacked her in unison. They refused to believe that all nine of them together couldn't shatter her shield.

Yet, no matter how swift and fierce their assault, the demon within remained utterly composed, as if everything was under her complete control.

Logically, the combined might of the Golden Core Nine should rival a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, and each attack should significantly drain the demon sustaining the shield. Yet she appeared entirely at ease, showing no sign of diminishing demonic energy.

Such unfathomable cultivation was truly terrifying.

If this demon possessed power beyond the Nascent Soul Realm, then overcoming the level suppression would be utterly impossible for them.

Furthermore, the Golden Core Nine had already expended most of their spiritual energy battling Chou Qianling. Now, facing this unyielding demon, their energy was nearly depleted—they were at their last gasp.

But admitting defeat and letting go of the spirit stones and the woman they had captured was unthinkable. They could only grit their teeth and persevere.

The male cultivators watching from the sidelines saw sword lights of various colors weaving through the air, each collision with the shield sparking countless points of light that rained down like glittering jewels—a spectacular sight.

They all assumed the demon was struggling and would soon lose, cheering and shouting their support.

Mu Chen, Bai Xiu, and the other captured humans couldn't discern the situation within the sword lights, but seeing the male cultivators' jubilant expressions, they too believed the demon was losing. Their hearts swelled with resentment and despair.

Only Liu Xiaozhi, familiar with his subordinates, had long seen through their bluster and knew they couldn't hold out much longer. A sense of unease settled in his heart.

If they lost, would the Immortal Clan on the Cloud Ship intervene to suppress this demon? He held little hope.

The Immortal Clan was too haughty to stoop to cleaning up his mess.

But this demon was formidable, seemingly at least a Demon King-level figure. Wasn't it overstepping her bounds to interfere in human affairs?

A ruthless glint flashed in Liu Xiaozhi's eyes as he shouted at the demon, "The Demon and Immortal Clans have a peace agreement. By wantonly interfering in human affairs, are you attempting to unilaterally break the treaty and declare war on the Immortal Clan?"

If she admitted it, the Immortal Clan couldn't ignore it, and she would have no way to explain herself to the Demon Clan.

Hearing this, the Golden Core Nine knew further attacks were futile. They sheathed their swords and began to verbally assail Chi Jing. "The Governor is right. This is a critical time for peace talks between the Immortal and Demon Clans. We won't fight you, demon. If you know what's good for you, leave now!"

Chi Jing looked up at them, her voice calm. "No, I have no interest in interfering in human affairs. I merely dislike you bullying my dear disciple."

Liu Xiaozhi scoffed, "A proper member of the Immortal Clan actually apprenticing herself to a demon—how utterly disgraceful. In that case, take this traitor and get out of Zhongzhou!"

The cultivators on the Cloud Ship fell silent, their gazes filled with contempt for Chou Qianling.

Mu Chen lowered her eyes, her gaze dimming. As expected, no one could resist the authority of Zhongzhou's Governor. Even if someone could, they wouldn't help them. This escape was destined to fail.

But rather than be captured and turned into a soulless puppet like her mother, she would rather fight to the death, denying them any chance to seize her Spirit Pearl.

Just then, a scrutinizing gaze fell upon her. She looked up and met a pair of crimson eyes, her heart pounding—it was the demon.

The demon's gaze was cold and detached, as if humans were beneath her notice.

As if to confirm her suspicions, the demon spoke coldly, "The lives of humans are indeed irrelevant to demons, but we will protect every member of our clan—"

Her voice was not loud, but everyone heard it clearly, as if spoken directly into their ears. It was crisp and cold, like water striking ice, jolting their minds awake.

All eyes turned to the white-horned demon bathed in golden light.

Even Fentian straightened up, and Ying Huang held her breath.

Chi Jing looked at Mu Chen. "So, do you wish to join the Demon Clan?"

"What?" Mu Chen was stunned, then quickly understood. "I do!"

Before this, she had vaguely learned from Luo Yuan about the methods to become a demon: one was to cultivate demonic arts, the other was to temper her spiritual root with demonic energy.

But both methods were arduous and painful, with the slightest misstep leading to being consumed by demonic energy and perishing.

She looked bewildered. "But... how do I join the Demon Clan?"

The white-horned demon's eyes curved into a smile. She raised her hand and snapped her fingers. "Allow me to rewrite the laws of this world for you."

As she finished speaking, a string of crimson runes appeared, swirling around her before coalescing into a massive blood-red pattern. It soared over everyone’s heads, flew past the Cloud Ship, and imprinted itself against the azure sky, radiating a dazzling red glow.

Everyone looked up at the sky, stunned by the enormous blood-red pattern.

An inverted pear shape, with curved arcs extending from both sides—what in the world was this?

"Law One: Those who use a man’s heart's blood to draw demonic patterns on their bodies shall fall into demonhood," a dangerous, seductive voice followed.

What? What kind of absurd law is this?

Wait, does this demon truly believe she’s a god? Modifying the law? How utterly ridiculous!

Liu Xiaozhi had thought the demon was about to use some demonic art to transform Mu Chen into a demon. Hearing this mystical nonsense, he burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha, stop trying to be amusing. Take that traitor and get out of here. Otherwise, if you provoke a war between immortals and demons, you won't be able to bear the responsibility, will you?"

A male Golden Core Realm cultivator chimed in, "That’s right, demon, get lost! Stop spreading your insidious influence here. We don't welcome you!"

The moment he finished speaking, a blinding white light flashed before his eyes, followed by excruciating pain in his chest as his spiritual energy drained violently. Looking down, he saw a crimson blade plunged into his heart.

Chou Qianling, who had been meditating, had opened her eyes—no one knew when—emanating the aura of the Golden Core Realm.

The male cultivator gaped in disbelief, "How… how could you possibly advance…?"

Chou Qianling slowly rose to her feet, extending her hand toward the blood blade. The blade, still thirsting for blood, wobbled reluctantly but pulled itself out of the male cultivator’s body and flew back into her hand.

The male cultivator was still alive, clutching his chest as he knelt on the ground.

Chou Qianling scanned the crowd and sneered, "Who wants this man’s heart's blood?"

She had no doubt about Chi Jing’s words.

Mu Chen stood frozen, her eyes filled with internal struggle. Was it truly… truly possible?

From deep within, a voice challenged her: Are you truly prepared to betray humanity? Can you really step on their blood to become a demon? Can you endure humanity’s scorn and curses, living forever in the sunless demon lands?

Her forward steps halted.

In that moment of hesitation, another figure rushed past her.

It was Bai Xiu.

She plunged her hand into the male cultivator’s chest, retrieved the heart's blood, and hastily drew a demonic pattern on her exposed forearm.

Those nearby were still processing what had happened.

By the time they regained their senses and raised their swords to deliver a killing blow, the solidified demonic pattern on Bai Xiu’s arm erupted in a blinding blood-red light. Everyone instinctively squinted, and when they opened their eyes again, Bai Xiu was gone.

In her place stood a tall, powerfully built demon with two sharp, curved black horns on her forehead.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, their breathing catching in their throats. The demon’s words had actually come true!

She had truly modified the Law!

Their faces grew increasingly grim, none able to accept the reality before them.

Mu Chen’s sword hand trembled slightly, her heart surging with inexpressible thrill and excitement. Yes, this was exactly what she wanted!

In the ancient palace, Fentian shot up from his seat. "This is impossible!"

Ying Huang appeared calm on the surface, but inside, she was reeling. She turned and led the demons toward the palace gates.

Fentian bellowed, "Where are you going?"

Ying Huang glanced back coolly. "The demon race does not abandon its own."

Since Bai Xiu had become a demon, they now had every reason to retrieve her from Zhongzhou.

Fentian was struck speechless, unable to voice any further objection.

With a gust of wind, Ying Huang and the demons swiftly vanished through the palace gates.