###
The tension in the air remained palpable as the battle subsided. Bodies littered the ground—some from Yang Bei's rebellious faction, others from the loyal sect members. High Heaven Pavilion had suffered, but it had not fallen. Yet, amidst the settling dust, a sharp, lingering unease filled the atmosphere.
Shiv stood at a distance, his eyes locked on Yang Bei, who still radiated defiance despite his dwindling forces. Shiv's True Element Boundary aura pulsed softly within him, but he kept it contained, unwilling to reveal too much too soon. He had learned patience in his reincarnated life—rushing in would only complicate things.
From the corner of his eye, Shiv noticed Su Yan stepping up beside him. Her icy aura still shimmered from her earlier battle, but her expression was calm. "This isn't over," she said quietly, her voice cold yet assured.
Shiv nodded in agreement. "Yang Bei still has something up his sleeve. He's not the type to go down without a final move."
Elder Mo and the other elders had begun to converge on Yang Bei's position, but even they seemed wary. It wasn't simply Yang Bei's cultivation at the **True Element Boundary – Fifth Stage** that unnerved them; it was the aura of confidence he still carried.
Yang Bei's lips curled into a twisted smirk. "You think you've won? You fools have no idea what's coming. The future belongs to those with power, not to weaklings like you."
As he spoke, a sudden surge of energy erupted around him, dark and foreboding. The air itself seemed to ripple with malice. Shiv's eyes narrowed—he recognized that energy. In the original timeline, Yang Bei had made a desperate alliance with a mysterious power, one that had promised him unrivaled strength in exchange for his soul.
**The Demonic Qi.**
Shiv clenched his fists. He had known this moment was coming, but witnessing it firsthand was different. The demonic influence had turned Yang Bei into a dangerous and unpredictable force. His aura was now saturated with the twisted energy, amplifying his strength but also slowly consuming him.
The elders reacted swiftly, but they were hesitant. They had faced many threats before, but the demonic arts were a rarity in this region. Few understood the true nature of the energy, and fewer still had ever faced it.
Yang Bei laughed, the sound distorted by the demonic power coursing through him. "I am the future of this sect! And I will tear it apart if that's what it takes!"
He raised his hand, summoning a massive wave of dark energy that pulsed outward, crashing against the protective barriers the elders had set up. The force of the attack was overwhelming, shaking the very foundations of High Heaven Pavilion. The elders struggled to maintain their defensive formations.
Shiv's eyes narrowed as he watched the scene unfold. He knew that the demonic energy was dangerous, but it also carried immense risks for the user. Yang Bei was stronger now, but the more he relied on the demonic Qi, the more his soul would become corrupted.
"We need to act now," Su Yan whispered, her gaze fixed on Yang Bei. "If we let this continue, the sect will be destroyed."
Shiv nodded. "We can't let him rampage any longer."
---
### The Clash of Forces
As Yang Bei's demonic energy swelled, the elders prepared their counterattack. Elder Mo and the others gathered their strength, forming a barrier of light that shimmered in the air, aimed at containing the darkness that Yang Bei had unleashed.
"Form the array!" Elder Mo commanded, his voice echoing with authority. The elders moved swiftly, channeling their cultivation into a protective formation meant to suppress Yang Bei's demonic Qi.
But Yang Bei only grinned. His eyes glowed with a sinister light as he gathered even more power. "Too late! I've already surpassed you all!"
With a roar, he unleashed a torrent of demonic energy, breaking through the elders' defensive lines. The barrier shattered, and several disciples were thrown backward from the force of the explosion.
Shiv's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the sect's defenses crumble. This was the moment—the critical point where Yang Bei could turn the tide if left unchecked.
He stepped forward, his own aura flaring to life. "Yang Bei!" he called out, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Yang Bei's eyes snapped to Shiv, and for the first time, there was a flicker of recognition—and perhaps fear. "You," Yang Bei spat, "the supposed weakling who crawled out of nowhere. What can you possibly do against this power?"
Shiv didn't respond immediately. Instead, he focused inward, channeling his cultivation to its peak. The power of eternal life coursed through him, strengthening his body and soul. This wasn't just about raw strength anymore—this was about control.
Yang Bei might have gained power through the demonic arts, but Shiv had something far greater power of eternal life.
---
### The Fight Begins
Without another word, Shiv launched himself at Yang Bei, his movement swift and precise. His aura flared with golden light as he unleashed a barrage of strikes, each one aimed at disrupting the flow of demonic energy around Yang Bei.
Yang Bei snarled, his demonic energy rising to meet Shiv's attack. The clash of their forces sent shockwaves through the air, shaking the very ground beneath them.
But Shiv had already anticipated Yang Bei's movements. With each strike, he probed the weaknesses in Yang Bei's defenses, forcing him to expend more and more of his demonic energy just to keep up.
In the midst of the battle, Shiv's eyes gleamed with cold determination. He could feel his body pushing its limits, but he was ready. **This was the moment to test his newly acquired skill.**
Drawing upon the power of eternal life, Shiv activated the technique that allowed him to sacrifice his lifespan for an explosive surge in strength. His aura intensified, golden light enveloping him as he struck out with renewed vigor.
Yang Bei, caught off guard by the sudden increase in power, faltered. His demonic energy flared wildly, but it was clear that the corruption was beginning to take its toll on him.
"You think you can beat me?" Yang Bei growled, his voice distorted by the demonic Qi. "I am invincible!"
Shiv didn't respond. His focus was entirely on the battle, on the intricate dance of energy between them. He knew that Yang Bei was burning through his power far too quickly. The demonic Qi was powerful, but it was also unstable. It couldn't last.
With a final burst of speed, Shiv broke through Yang Bei's defenses, landing a decisive blow that sent him crashing to the ground.
Yang Bei gasped, his body trembling as the demonic energy began to unravel. The corruption had eaten away at him from the inside, leaving him vulnerable and weakened.
Shiv stood over him, his aura still glowing with golden light. "This is the end," he said softly.
Yang Bei, his arrogance shattered, could only stare up at Shiv in disbelief. The demonic energy around him flickered and faded, leaving him powerless.
As the battle came to a close, Shiv turned away, his mind already focused on the next challenge. He knew this was just the beginning—the sect had been saved, but greater trials lay ahead.