NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 39: He's a Demon!
The eerie crimson object floated in Wen Ran's dantian, its sinister glow casting an otherworldly light over the vast ocean of spiritual energy within him. This thing… it's vile. If it's in my dantian, then it must be tied to one of the techniques... but which one? His grip on the black sword tightened as tension coiled through his body like a spring ready to snap. For now, it's only illuminating the ocean, but that aura… it's far too dangerous to ignore. If I'm not careful, it could consume me. He exhaled slowly, steadying his nerves. Once this is over, I'll study it thoroughly. I have to figure out what it is before it's too late.
His gaze shifted toward the palace, his ears catching the frantic shouts of guards and servants echoing through the corridors. The entire city was in chaos, and Wen Ran's heart burned with a singular desire—a relentless hunger for power, no matter the cost.
His body moved without hesitation, rushing to fulfill his goal. But I need something… something to serve as a catalyst. I need to burn this place to the ground…
BOOM!
CRASH!
The sound of destruction roared in the distance, forcing Wen Ran to pause, his attention drawn to the chaos erupting beyond the palace walls.
The source of the commotion was a small army of cultivators that had reached the town gates in secret. At their forefront stood a familiar figure—if Wen Ran had been there, he would have instantly recognized the arrogant fool from the town square. True to his promise, the man had returned, this time with reinforcements, intent on forcefully taking Fang Jinyao.
A middle-aged man clad in ornate battle armor, adorned with phoenix and dragon motifs, stepped forward to stand beside Wu Xiaohui. His posture was respectful, his hands clasped in a formal bow, but his face betrayed uncertainty, and a glint of fear flickered in his eyes.
"Young Master, must we truly go this far? Provoking the Fang Clan could spell disaster, especially if the clan head gets wind of this…" His voice wavered with hesitation, and he didn't dare meet Wu Xiaohui's gaze. "And the tribulation lightning—those clouds still haven't fully dispersed…"
Wu Xiaohui sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. "My father has no control over me. If I want to destroy the Fang Clan, then so be it. Who dares to stop me?" He raised his voice, his confidence unshaken. "I, Wu Xiaohui, am a disciple of the Azure Dragon Sky Sect. Who in this wretched region would dare deny my will?"
The middle-aged man's jaw tightened, but he remained silent, unable to argue further.
Wu Xiaohui's voice boomed across the ruined city like a decree from the heavens. "Bring me Fang Jinyao and her filthy servant, and I may consider sparing this miserable town! Even the heavens have punished you—a clear sign to submit to the Wu Clan!"
The declaration sent a chill through the hearts of the townsfolk. From one calamity to another, they had barely recovered from the back-to-back tribulations, and now this. Despair settled over the city as its people cursed their misfortune, their hopes dimming under the shadow of impending destruction.
The streets of the town bore witness to chaos, and amidst it all, a young figure moved with calculated purpose. No older than thirteen or fourteen, the boy wore a black cloak, his steps careful and deliberate as he scanned the surrounding destruction. His sharp eyes seemed to take in everything, every detail, every broken building, every terrified scream. His lips moved, barely audible, muttering to himself.
"Sect Master will not be pleased with this…" His tone was laced with worry. "I must report the situation immediately." Without wasting another second, he disappeared into the shadows, vanishing as if he had never been there.
His disappearance was almost caught by Fang Jinyao, who rushed through the crumbling town, her long golden hair flowing behind her as she pushed herself forward. Her mind was still reeling, trying to piece together everything that had transpired. That can't have been my Wen Ran. No... it's impossible. I need to find him. I need to know the truth before something terrible happens to him.
As she passed through a dark valley, a faint aura caught her attention, just barely brushing past her senses. She froze, her heart sinking. That presence... it's familiar... but... no, it can't be… Her breathing quickened as dread clawed at her chest. I hope it's not the who I think it is... if it is, Wen Ran... he might not survive.
Elsewhere, amidst the destruction, the main culprit reveled in his handiwork. Wen Ran walked through the ruined palace, his black sword dripping with blood. He killed mercilessly, his aura growing stronger with every life he claimed. However, the weaker the cultivators, the less energy he could absorb from them, and this frustrated him to no end.
"These people are pathetic," he muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the fleeing crowds. Some ran in terror, clutching their belongings, others screamed in panic, fearing the wrath of the heavens or the Wu Clan's incoming forces. None of them suspected that the true harbinger of destruction was the young man stalking through their streets.
Wen Ran moved swiftly, his predatory gaze falling on a small group of men and women gathered near the palace gates. They seemed to be discussing their next move, likely planning to appeal to the palace master for protection.
"Why hasn't anyone from the palace come out yet?" one of them asked, confusion evident in their tone.
"Wait… isn't that the clan mistress's slave?" another said, hesitantly pointing at the approaching figure. The aura radiating from Wen Ran was undeniable, and it struck fear into their hearts. But how can it be? That slave was supposed to be a cripple…
Before they could act, Wen Ran lunged forward, his killing intent crashing down on them like a tidal wave. The sheer pressure made their legs tremble as they stared at him in horror.
"N-no!" Their screams barely lasted a moment before their heads separated from their bodies, blood spurting into the air like fountains. The crimson liquid floated unnaturally, swirling in the air as if controlled by an unseen force. Onlookers froze, their eyes wide with terror.
"Demon!" one person screamed, their voice shaking.
"He's a demon! Run for your lives!" another yelled, spurring the crowd into a frenzied panic.
To them, Wen Ran wasn't human anymore. He was a demon god, a force of destruction that could manipulate blood like a twisted artist painting a canvas of death. Those who were too slow to escape found themselves cut down, crimson blades slicing through them with ruthless efficiency.
Wen Ran moved like a predator, hunting his prey with unrelenting speed. Each kill replenished the spiritual energy he had expended, strengthening his cultivation base with every life he extinguished. The once-chaotic energy within him grew more stable, his foundation solidifying amidst the slaughter.
Those foolish enough to fight back found themselves utterly outmatched. None could land so much as a scratch on him. His movements were too fast, too precise, and his aura too overwhelming.
That day marked the beginning of the Fang Clan's destruction. Wen Ran's one-sided massacre would become the stuff of legends, and soon the world would know his name. The name of the demon who single-handedly obliterated an entire town full of cultivators.