Chapter 138 ·Ye Chen and Feng Jiuge

Spirit ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Realm, Western Wasteland.

After ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the great battle three years ago, the Bull Demon Demon King’s underground cavern still stood here, only now there was one person missing from within.

Ye ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Chen had escaped.

Speaking ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍of it, it was also a matter of fortunate coincidence.

That ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍day, the Bull Demon Demon King received news that there had once again been disturbances at the Southern Region border. Several demonic cultivator squads under the Myriad Tribulations Demon Lord had crossed the boundary line and seemed to be investigating something.

Already ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍filled with pent-up anger because of Xuan Zhenzi—or rather, because of that old thing calling himself Tianming—the Bull Demon Demon King immediately gathered his troops and personally set out for war.

Although many demon races remained guarding the underground cavern, without that giant demon overseeing the place, everything naturally became much looser.

During the days Ye Chen had been hung there, while he learned nothing else, he thoroughly figured out the routines of the demon races within the cavern.

At what hour the guards were most lax.

At what hour the changing of shifts would involve drinking several bowls of cheap demon liquor.

At what hour those little demons gathered together to gamble.

He remembered all of it clearly.

Late that night, during the hour when the guards were most careless, Ye Chen quietly shattered the iron chains.

Speaking of it, he was rather fortunate. The iron chains had been continuously steamed by the heat from the boiling oil cauldron for so many days that they were no longer as sturdy as before.

The sound of him landing upon the ground was extremely light—

So light that the drowsy little demons failed to notice entirely.

Ye Chen did not rush to flee immediately.

Instead, he first moved toward the unconscious companion beside him and checked his breathing.

The body had long since turned cold.

Ye Chen remained silent for a moment before lowering him down and arranging his body properly. Then, without looking back, he vanished into the night.

......

Ye Chen ran three thousand miles in one breath before finally daring to stop and catch his breath.

Leaning against an ancient tree, he gasped heavily while the wounds across his body hurt so badly that he continuously sucked in cold air.

Yet within his heart was an indescribable sense of exhilaration.

Alive.

Still alive.

He hid throughout the mountain forests, traveling by night and hiding by day as he headed southward all the way.

After traveling like this for over half a month, Ye Chen found a hidden ancient cave deep within the mountains and planned to rest there for a few days to recover his injuries.

However, once he entered the cave, he discovered there was already someone inside.

The man wore white robes and sat cross-legged in meditation. One glance was enough to tell that his cultivation was not weak.

Ye Chen’s heart jolted as he instinctively stepped backward.

But at that moment, the man opened his eyes and looked toward him.

Their eyes met.

Both of them froze.

What stunned Ye Chen was that this person possessed an indescribable aura that felt strangely familiar to him.

After a moment of silence, the man spoke first.

“Who are you?”

Ye Chen cupped his fists.

“My name is Ye Chen. I’m being hunted by the demon race and accidentally entered this place. If I have disturbed you, I ask for your forgiveness.”

The man nodded.

“It’s fine. This cave dwelling does not belong to me either. I’m merely passing through and resting here.”

Ye Chen sighed in relief but still could not help glancing at him several more times.

The man seemed to notice his gaze and slightly raised a brow.

“What?”

Ye Chen hesitated briefly before finally speaking.

“May I ask your honorable name, brother? I somehow feel... feel that you look somewhat familiar.”

Upon hearing this, a strange look flashed through the man’s eyes before he replied:

“My name is Feng Jiuge.”

Feng Jiuge.

Ye Chen silently repeated the name several times in his heart, feeling it sounded somewhat familiar.

Unable to resist, he asked again:

“Brother Feng, where do you come from? What sect do you belong to?”

Feng Jiuge glanced at him, his gaze carrying subtle meaning. Only after a moment did he calmly say:

“I come from the Eastern Continent, Qingyun Sect.”

From the Eastern Continent?

Ye Chen froze before his eyes suddenly brightened.

“Brother, you’re also from the Eastern Continent? What a coincidence—I am as well!”

Feng Jiuge slightly raised his brows, seemingly a bit surprised.

Ye Chen quickly continued:

“I come from the Azure Wave Sect of the Eastern Continent. To be honest, I’ve been away from the sect for far too many years. If I tried returning now, I’m afraid I wouldn’t even recognize the way anymore.”

Hearing this, Feng Jiuge said:

“Azure Wave Sect... if I remember correctly, your sect master’s Daoist title seems to be Nether Soul?”

Ye Chen nodded repeatedly.

“Exactly! Brother Feng knows my sect master?”

Feng Jiuge shook his head.

“I wouldn’t say I know him. I’ve merely heard of him.”

“There are many sects in the Eastern Continent. Although the Azure Wave Sect is not among the top, it still possesses some reputation.”

“One occasionally hears your sect master’s name.”

Upon hearing this, an inexplicable sense of pride arose within Ye Chen’s heart.

Although he himself could not explain where that pride came from.

Feng Jiuge looked at him and asked again:

“You mentioned earlier that you wish to return to the Azure Wave Sect?”

Ye Chen nodded, his expression growing complicated.

“To be honest, my memories feel as though they’re separated by a layer of fog—everything is blurry.”

“I only remember that I came from the Azure Wave Sect. Therefore, I wish to return and ask Sect Master Nether Soul exactly who I really am.”

Hearing this, Feng Jiuge said:

“In that case, why not travel together?”

Ye Chen looked up at him.

Feng Jiuge’s expression remained calm.

“I also haven’t returned to the Eastern Continent in a long time. It’s the perfect opportunity to go back and take a look. If we travel together, we can look after each other along the way.”

Ye Chen froze briefly before becoming overjoyed.

“That would be wonderful!”

Feng Jiuge waved his hand and said nothing more.

Yet inwardly, he was far less calm than he appeared.

Azure Wave Sect.

The moment those words entered his ears, he had already become alert.

This man claimed to come from the Azure Wave Sect.

Yet Feng Jiuge had spent many years within the sect and had never seen this person before.

Of course, the sect had countless disciples, so it was impossible for him to know every single one.

But then another thought arose.

He himself had been away from the sect for quite a number of years.

This Ye Chen may very well have entered the sect only after his departure.

Then again—

How could there be so many coincidences in this world?

He happened to stop and rest within this hidden ancient cave, only to encounter someone claiming to come from the Azure Wave Sect?

Many thoughts passed through Feng Jiuge’s mind.

Yet he still did not reveal his true origins.

No matter what, since Ye Chen said he wished to return to the Azure Wave Sect, then they would travel together.

If Ye Chen truly was an Azure Wave Sect disciple, naturally nothing would happen.

But if Ye Chen were a fake Azure Wave Sect disciple, then he could simply kill him along the way.

Being more cautious never hurt anyone.

Both Feng Jiuge and Ye Chen were people of action, leaving as soon as they decided.

But once they stepped out of the ancient cave, they discovered matters were not so simple.

This deep mountain region was no ordinary wilderness.

It was a secret realm.

The two of them had entered by fortunate coincidence. If they wished to leave now, they needed to locate the hidden exit.

That search lasted an entire year.

During that year, the two traveled throughout the secret realm, climbing mountains and crossing rivers through dense forests.

They also encountered many dangers along the way, but since both possessed Void Refinement Realm cultivation, joining forces allowed them to avoid major trouble.

One year later, the two finally stepped out of the secret realm. After identifying the direction, they headed toward the Eastern Continent.

The return journey was long.

After only a few days of travel, Ye Chen discovered that Brother Feng possessed a certain habit.

Encounter demon races—kill.

Encounter demonic cultivators—kill.

Encounter evil cultivators—kill.

Encounter righteous path cultivators—still kill.

Of course, out of ten people encountered, he only killed nine.

There was always one left alive.

Ye Chen could not understand and finally asked why.

Feng Jiuge answered:

“That person did not deserve death.”

Ye Chen: “......”

Another day, the two walked along a mountain path and encountered a squad of demon soldiers head-on.

Leading them was a demon cultivator at the Transformation Spirit Realm, followed by seven or eight little demons.

Feng Jiuge did not stop walking. His sleeve moved slightly.

A streak of sword light silently swept past.

The squad of demon soldiers did not even have time to groan before they all collapsed dead.

The corner of Ye Chen’s mouth twitched.

He looked at the corpses of those demon soldiers, then at Feng Jiuge’s calm and indifferent face. After enduring for a long while, he finally could not hold back anymore.

“Brother Feng, killing them immediately without even exchanging a word... isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

Feng Jiuge paused and turned back to look at him.

Ye Chen forced himself to continue:

“I mean, perhaps there are good demons among the demon race too.”

“If we kill every single one we meet, wouldn’t that be...”

Feng Jiuge interrupted him.

“Brother Ye, rest assured.”

“I possess a divine ability that allows me to observe the karmic obstacles of others.”

“These demon races are covered in overwhelming bloodlight and burdened with heavy karmic obstacles. Killing them is not wrong.”

Ye Chen opened his mouth.

Feng Jiuge continued:

“I will not kill the wrong person, nor will I kill the wrong demon. You may rest assured.”

Ye Chen swallowed hard.

Suddenly, he very much wanted to ask:

Then what about me?

Do I possess karmic obstacles too?

But once the words reached his lips, he forcefully swallowed them back down.

What if Feng Jiuge said yes?

What if he said the karmic obstacles were severe?

Wouldn’t that be unbearably awkward?

Ye Chen laughed dryly.

“That’s good. That’s good.”

Feng Jiuge glanced at him without saying anything further and continued onward.

Ye Chen followed behind him, his heart filled with unease.

The days that followed continued like this.

Travel for a while.

Kill for a while.

Encounter little demons—kill.

Encounter great demons—also kill.

Occasionally, when they encountered demon cultivators whose cultivation was too high, such as Great Ascension Realm demon cultivators, the two could only flee.

They fled in miserable states, covered in dirt and dust.

Yet after escaping, Feng Jiuge’s expression never changed. Upon encountering demons again, he still killed them.

Sometimes Ye Chen truly wanted to ask him:

Brother Feng, with such heavy killing intent, are you really okay?

But he did not dare ask.

Because he discovered that the demon races Feng Jiuge killed truly were exactly as he described.

Every single one looked like vile creatures.

Some were wrapped in resentment.

Some were followed by vengeful spirits.

Some were outright eating humans directly in front of the two of them.

Even if Ye Chen felt the slaughter was excessive, he could not bring himself to say it was wrong.

Three years later.

Eastern Continent, Azure Wave Sect.

The mountain gate remained unchanged.

Those familiar mountains.

Those familiar waters.

That familiar grass and every familiar tree.

Ye Chen stood before the mountain gate, staring blankly.

As he stared, tears began flowing down his face.

This journey had truly not been easy.

Captured by the Bull Demon Demon King, hung inside an underground cavern with a boiling oil cauldron beneath him, tortured day after day.

Then after finally escaping, he encountered Feng Jiuge.

Encountering Feng Jiuge alone would have been fine, but this Brother Feng happened to be a lunatic overflowing with killing intent.

Throughout the three-year return journey, Feng Jiuge killed all the way while Ye Chen fled all the way alongside him.

They escaped pursuit from Great Ascension Realm demon races, escaped encirclement from old monsters at the Integration Realm, and survived countless deadly situations where they nearly lost their lives.

Ye Chen wiped away his tears. Only one thought remained within his heart.

Had he known earlier, he would have returned alone.

Heaven knew how much suffering he endured along the way.

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