Chapter Thirty-Five: Karma

The Myriad Demon Devil Heart was something Yuan Wuji was using for the first time, and he had no idea where the limits of its power lay.

"Ah... ah..." Even though Heicheng was now unconscious, the pain inflicted on his soul was a torment that struck at the very core of his being. His endless howls had no effect on Yuan Wuji, who continued to draw out Heicheng's soul.

"It feels like I've absorbed too much, but never mind." Though he had intended to take only half, it was Yuan Wuji's first time wielding the Myriad Demon Devil Heart, and he ended up absorbing two-thirds.

The soul he took from Heicheng was transformed into nourishment for his own soul, a sensation so pleasurable that Yuan Wuji couldn't help but let out a sound. He even found himself somewhat addicted to this feeling.

As Yuan Wuji absorbed Heicheng's soul, he could sense certain peculiar things within it being drawn into the Myriad Demon Golden Pellet—these were the seven emotions and six desires, a particular nuance of cultivating the Myriad Demon Technique.

When it came to absorbing primordial spirits, Yuan Wuji was already adept, extracting exactly half without error. The Myriad Demon Technique included soul arts, but as for primordial spirit arts, Yuan Wuji lacked those. He resolved to request them from his master upon returning to the Heavenly Court. After all, to nurture a powerful primordial spirit but lack the corresponding arts would be a waste of his talent. Yuan Wuji was determined to obtain them.

Heicheng had already fallen into a coma. Removing the side effects of the Blood Cloud Pellet was a simple matter for Yuan Wuji, but for others, it would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Yuan Wuji merely needed to circulate the Devouring Devil Heart to easily dispel the side effects of the Blood Cloud Pellet—a trivial matter for him. Of course, that was only true when the victim had already been subdued; if he attempted to remove the effects otherwise, it would consume a great deal of his energy, and Yuan Wuji had no intention of wasting his time or strength on such things.

"Hei Yue, come in. I've already cured Heicheng's madness," Yuan Wuji called out toward the entrance. Within a few breaths, Hei Yue appeared before him.

"Thank you, my king."

"However, after eight years, there are bound to be some problems," Yuan Wuji said, deliberately planting a seed of uncertainty regarding Heicheng's condition upon waking. That way, Hei Yue would have no grounds for complaint, as it was his own decision all those years ago.

Hei Yue's face, which had just shown joy, instantly darkened. Yet, thinking it over, he had to admit that after eight years, some issues were inevitable—he could only hope they wouldn't be serious.

With those words, Yuan Wuji departed, leaving only Hei Yue behind to untie Heicheng.

"Big brother, you're here."

"My lord."

Yuan Wuji returned to the central hall of the Five Camphor Caves, where only King Yurong and the three vanguards were present.

"What are you discussing?" Yuan Wuji took the seat of honor at the center, looking down at them.

Yuan Wuji now emitted a strange aura, especially from his right side. Even King Yurong felt a deep sense of dread, almost compelled to kneel. Only his left side retained the familiar aura from before. This contrast only intensified their fear.

"Big brother, we were discussing how to attack the other factions on Five Camphor Mountain and unify the mountain," stammered one of the vanguards, unable to speak clearly out of fear. It fell to King Yurong to answer, though he too was apprehensive about Yuan Wuji's current state.

"What's there to discuss? Kill all who refuse to submit," Yuan Wuji remarked casually.

"All... kill them all?" King Yurong was stunned by Yuan Wuji's audacity. For demons, cultivation required passing the heavenly tribulation. The more blood on one's hands, the heavier their karma, and the heavenly tribulation would become exponentially more severe. Many died under its wrath.

"Big brother, most of the powers on Five Camphor Mountain are human. Wouldn't killing them all be rash?" King Yurong couldn't help but remind him. The human body was the most favored vessel for cultivation, blessed by the heavenly way. What took demons a hundred years to achieve, humans could reach in just a few years. Killing a human was akin to slaughtering dozens of beasts, and the karma incurred was immense.

"Those who won't obey must die. What's rash about that?" Yuan Wuji shot King Yurong a look that left him visibly shaken.

How has big brother changed so much? He'd always acted in ways they couldn't fathom, but this was a complete departure. King Yurong truly couldn't understand Yuan Wuji's current methods.

"Then, big brother, I'll go rally the demon soldiers and accompany you." Though perplexed, King Yurong would not let harm come to his brother. He stood to summon the demon troops, and the three vanguards wanted to leave with him. After all, staying alone with Yuan Wuji now was terrifying.

"I can handle this alone," Yuan Wuji signaled for King Yurong to remain seated.

Before King Yurong could reply, Yuan Wuji had already appeared outside the Five Camphor Caves.

"My lord, you've emerged! It's good to see you again." After eight years, Little Jin was still on guard duty. Delighted to see Yuan Wuji, he remembered how the latter had once taken him flying with the Golden Light Art.

As soon as Yuan Wuji exited the cave, he saw a demon soldier running toward him. He vaguely remembered Little Jin.

"My lord, do you remember me?" Little Jin asked with joy, undaunted by Yuan Wuji's changed aura. Remembering how Yuan Wuji had once rescued his sister, he felt no fear.

"Of course I remember." Seeing that the first creature unafraid of him was this young demon soldier, Yuan Wuji paused, looking at Little Jin with some interest.

"My lord, where are you going?" Though Little Jin had cultivated for some years, his mind was like that of a five- or six-year-old child. He wondered when Yuan Wuji would take him flying again. Though the sheep demon could fly, it was nothing compared to Yuan Wuji's magic.

"I'm off to teach a lesson to some fools who don’t know their place. Want to join me?"

Little Jin nodded enthusiastically, not even knowing what was about to happen.

Yuan Wuji chuckled—this little fellow had no idea what he was getting into, yet nodded eagerly. Still, Yuan Wuji found him likable and decided to take him along.

"Wow, we’re flying so fast!" With the Golden Light Art, Yuan Wuji could reach the human kingdoms in just a few breaths. But seeing Little Jin's excitement brought back memories of his own first flight, and he let him enjoy it a bit longer.

"Little Jin, now we have serious business to attend to."

"Yes, yes, my lord." Little Jin had no idea what this "serious business" entailed—he only knew Yuan Wuji would never harm him.

The city of humans on Five Camphor Mountain now appeared rather desolate, lacking the former bustle and splendor. Instead, there were more patrols of soldiers, and demon troops ringed the outskirts, betraying the presence of demon encampments nearby.