Chapter Thirty-One: True Divine Power

A blood-red elixir appeared before the Cat Demon.

"This is the Blood Cloud Pill. Taking one will greatly advance my cultivation," said Yang Pioneer, unable to hide the longing in his eyes.

"Then, Brother Yang, you should hurry back and refine it. Don’t waste your time here."

"Being with you never feels like a waste," Yang Pioneer replied. It was the first time he had spoken so openly to the Cat Demon. When he first achieved his demon core, he had wanted to confess his feelings, but hesitated. Now, with the Blood Cloud Pill promising a further leap in power, Yang Pioneer felt worthy of declaring his intentions. He believed the Cat Demon reciprocated his affection and would not reject him.

"Cat Sister, once I refine this Blood Cloud Pill, I will surely become your Dao companion."

"Mm," the Cat Demon answered softly, her cheeks flushed crimson.

…

Unlike Yang Pioneer, Wolf Pioneer was brought to Black Moon’s lair.

"Hei Cheng, how are your injuries?" Black Moon asked the recovering Wolf Pioneer before him.

"Uncle, a few of my inner bones were broken, but the King has already helped me set them. I believe once I refine this Blood Cloud Pill, my cultivation will advance and my wounds will heal completely," Hei Cheng replied, gazing longingly at the pill in his hand.

"I've examined this Blood Cloud Pill. The aura within is overwhelmingly domineering. With your current injuries, refining it might not only fail to boost your cultivation—it could kill you," Black Moon said, scrutinizing the pill, his expression clouded. He couldn’t fathom its depths.

"But Uncle, isn’t it true that with your help, I’ll be safe? I must refine this pill immediately, otherwise, Yang Ta will get ahead of me, and Cat Sister might truly become his," Hei Cheng said anxiously. Only King Yu Rong and Yuan Wujie knew of his relationship with Black Moon in Five Camphor Cave; the other demons were oblivious, which was why Yang Ta dared confess to the Cat Demon so early.

Black Moon was steward of Five Camphor Cave, his apparent strength only at the Great Demon level, but he was not comparable to mere pioneers like Yang Ta who had developed demon cores.

"If you are so determined, I won’t stop you. I’ll lend you my strength," Black Moon hesitated, then decided to assist Hei Cheng in refining the Blood Cloud Pill, fearing Hei Cheng would succumb to temptation and attempt it alone, risking disaster.

"Thank you, Uncle!" Hei Cheng replied, his face alight with excitement.

Meanwhile, at the central hall of Five Camphor Cave, Yuan Wujie toyed with a Blood Cloud Pill in his hand. For the pioneers like Yang Pioneer, it was a treasure; for Yuan Wujie, it was nothing but waste. Even consuming one required effort to expel its impurities. Yet, to the four demons at the early stage of their demon core cultivation—whose original forms were mere beasts—even the impurities from a pill refined by the Bear King, a Heavenly Immortal, posed no harm.

What truly attracted Yuan Wujie was the pure essence of wild ancient bloodlines and the refinement brought by the Devouring Demon Heart.

"Only one day remains. It seems I must act personally," Yuan Wujie murmured, his gaze fixed far ahead. In the next moment, he vanished from the central hall.

The Bear King’s forces were proving unruly; not a hint of movement had surfaced so far.

With the three-day deadline approaching, the three factions grew restless, especially in the territory of the Giant Python King.

"Hiss… My lord, I’ve heard the Bear King may have perished at the hands of the Divine Ape King. Lately, Tiger Ji, the Bear King’s subordinate, has come seeking an alliance more than once," reported a cobra respectfully beside the Giant Python King.

"If the Bear King died at the Divine Ape King’s hand, Tiger Ji, the second lord of the Bear King’s domain, is a coward who fears death. He wouldn’t dare surrender," the Giant Python King gestured for the cobra to continue.

"An envoy from the human kingdom has also visited, regarding the alliance."

"Humans have secretly tried to assassinate Five Camphor Cave’s pioneers, but they escaped. Now Five Camphor Cave has gained a Divine Ape King stronger than King Yu Rong. The cleansing of the human kingdom is only a matter of time. If I’m not mistaken, Tiger Ji will ally himself with the humans. But with his capabilities, the Bear King’s territory will eventually fall to the human emperor," the Giant Python King mused, well-informed about the power dynamics around Five Camphor Mountain. He had not allied with any side, confident in his own strength.

"My lord, if the Divine Ape King and King Yu Rong join forces and attack us…"

"Even if a demon king comes, I can defend my territory. Let alone mere Great Demons like the Divine Ape King and King Yu Rong."

"My lord’s might is unparalleled—"

"Giant Python King, come out and face me!" The cobra’s flattery was abruptly cut off by a thunderous shout.

The shout startled every python in the Giant Python King’s territory, sending them slithering out in dense masses that made one's skin crawl.

"Who are you?" The cobra, following the Giant Python King to the center of the snake swarm, shouted at the figure in the sky.

"Giant Python King, I told you to hand over your territory within three days. It seems I must take action myself," declared the figure in the sky—Yuan Wujie.

"So it’s the Divine Ape King. I never said I’d give you my land. If you have the ability, come and take it," the Giant Python King hissed, his voice echoing in Yuan Wujie’s ear.

"Then let me see what you’re capable of," Yuan Wujie replied. The Storm Surge Chainmail was always worn on his body, and now he directed the tip of the Water Spirit Blade at the Giant Python King.

Though the Giant Python King’s cultivation was only at the mid-stage of Heavenly Immortal, he gave Yuan Wujie a sense of unease. A strange aura radiated from him, making caution necessary.

With a swift motion, the Giant Python King’s massive body surged out from the snake swarm. Yuan Wujie’s physique was robust among apes, but in comparison to the Giant Python King, the visual impact was staggering.

Facing the oncoming Giant Python King, Yuan Wujie activated his internal Geng Metal Core, infusing the Water Spirit Blade with Geng Metal energy.

He unleashed the subjugation technique of Dragon and Tiger. The dragon’s might within the technique was especially effective against serpents. Yet, the technique lacked the true dragon and tiger souls, preventing it from reaching full mastery. Only by refining the Tiangang Core could one merge the souls and achieve the genuine subjugation technique. Thus, cultivating the Tiangang and Disha transformations without the cores meant the techniques were always imperfect, never true divine abilities.

Indeed, the dragon’s aura emanating from Yuan Wujie impeded the Giant Python King’s attacks, making them awkward and restrained. Yet, the scales on the Giant Python King’s body, refined through unknown means, resisted even the Water Spirit Blade, empowered by Geng Metal, leaving only pale scars.

The Giant Python King’s enormous body struck with astonishing speed, but the dragon’s might hampered each attack, leaving openings that Yuan Wujie seized upon for his own strikes.