Morning arrived, though the light of dawn barely pierced through the thick, ominous clouds swirling above the mountain peak. The air was thick with the scent of blood and ash. The once-mighty Azure Cloud Sect was now nothing more than a desolate ruin, its walls crumbled, its disciples slaughtered—a graveyard of fallen cultivators.
At the center of the devastation, I sat cross-legged upon a black stone altar with my eyes closed and body radiating a suffocating darkness.
Before me lay a mountain of treasures—pills, elixirs, spirit stones, cultivation manuals, rare herbs, and the spatial rings of all those I had slain. I had looted every last resource from the sect, leaving behind nothing but corpses and shattered dreams.
And now—it was time to ascend.
My fingers moved in a slow, deliberate motion as I swept up the highest-grade pills and treasures, swallowing them one after another. The energy within them surged through my meridians, burning like liquid fire.
My body trembled. My veins turned black. My meridian twisted, expanding—devouring.
But it wasn't enough.
My eyes flickered open, crimson like pools of blood. I turned my gaze to the floating mask beside me.
"Crimson Veil. Release the souls."
The demonic mask pulsed with dark energy, as if savoring the moment. Then—a shriek echoed through the ruins.
Hundreds of souls—twisted, broken, and filled with unwilling resentment—spilled out like a flood of black mist, swirling around me like a raging storm.
Their faces contorted in agony, their spectral forms writhing. Former elders, disciples, and even the sect master—all now reduced to nothing more than fuel.
I inhaled deeply.
The souls rushed toward me, funneling into my body.
My meridians burned and my bones cracked, reshaped. My aura expanded—growing, twisting, mutating into something more sinister.
Mid-stage King Realm… Late-stage… Peak…
Then—
A thunderous boom shook the heavens.
Demon Emperor Stage!
A terrifying force erupted from within me, shaking the land. The skies darkened as a blood-red vortex spiraled above, forming a massive shadowy demon behind me—an illusory manifestation of my demonic path.
The earth trembled beneath my might. Azure Cloud Sect was no more, yet its destruction had birthed something far greater.
I slowly opened my eyes. My body felt lighter, stronger, limitless. I flexed his fingers, feeling the raw, untamed power surging within.
But my work was not yet complete.
I turned toward my sword, Heaven's End, which lay embedded in the ground beside me.
"Come. Feast."
The black blade quivered in response.
From the pile of loot, I lifted the weapons of the fallen—a collection of swords, spears, halberds, and sacred artifacts. They were once wielded by the strongest cultivators of Azure Cloud Sect—yet now, they would serve a far greater purpose.
With a flick of my wrist, the weapons flew toward Heaven's End.
The black sword trembled in anticipation. Then—it devoured.
Each weapon shattered into shards of energy, absorbed into the blade's core. The once-brilliant treasures of Azure Cloud Sect screamed as they were consumed, their spirits torn apart and reforged into something darker.
The moment the last weapon was absorbed, Heaven's End pulsed violently. Its blade darkened further, the surface now adorned with crimson runes that pulsed like veins. A terrifying aura surged from the sword—an overwhelming presence of death and destruction.
Then, from within the blade, a voice echoed—deep, cold, and filled with ancient authority.
"It has been centuries… Finally, I can take form once more."
Simultaneously, Crimson Veil trembled.
The mask released a seductive chuckle, its voice dripping with amusement.
"Ahh~ It feels wonderful to be whole again…"
Then—they manifested.
From the floating sword, a tall man emerged—cloaked in flowing black robes, his long hair tied loosely behind him. His eyes were deep and unreadable, his presence commanding yet eerily quiet.
From the mask, a woman draped in crimson and black silk appeared, her figure alluring yet filled with a deadly, predatory grace. Her lips curled into a knowing smile, her eyes gleaming with ancient secrets.
I narrowed my eyes. "Who are you?"
The black-robed man stepped forward first, placing a hand on the hilt of Heaven's End.
"I am Xuanyuan Shen." His voice was calm, yet carried a weight that seemed to shake the air. "Once, I was the master of the Divine Abyss Sword Sect. They called me the 'Godslayer' before they betrayed me and sealed my soul within this blade."
His gaze met mine. "You are the first worthy wielder in a thousand years."
I turned my attention to the woman.
She chuckled softly, tracing a finger along her delicate collarbone.
"I am Chi Mei." Her voice was smooth as silk. "Once the 'Blood Phantom Empress' of the Scarlet Moon Sect… before my beloved disciples feared me, betrayed me, and sealed my soul within that wretched mask."
Her lips curled as she stepped closer, her scent intoxicating yet laced with danger.
"You, little demon… You are quite fascinating."
I exhaled slowly. A sword spirit and a mask spirit—both once supreme cultivators, now bound to me.
A dark smile crept onto my lips.
I had not just gained a weapon and a relic, but two ancient masters of slaughter.
And this was only the beginning.
I sat in the heart of a quiet forest, the morning mist curling around the trees like whispering phantoms. The scent of damp earth and fresh leaves filled my senses, a stark contrast to the massacre I had left behind.
The remains of the Azure Cloud Sect were long behind me, reduced to nothing more than ashes scattered in the wind. Yet, the power I had claimed from them still surged within me, a reminder of my ascension.
Across from me, two figures stood beneath the shade of an ancient tree.
A man in black robes, his presence calm yet suffocating, eyes as sharp as a blade.
A woman draped in crimson and black, her lips curved in a knowing smile, eyes filled with amusement.
Xuanyuan Shen. Chi Mei.
The spirits of Heaven's End and Crimson Veil.
I studied them in silence, my fingers resting against the hilt of my sword.
"So," I finally spoke, my voice steady. "You were both betrayed. And now, after centuries, you've finally returned."
Xuanyuan Shen's gaze remained impassive. "And you, Mo Wuyuan. What will you do with this power you've claimed?"
"Whatever I desire." My lips curled into a smirk. "The world abandoned me first. I am simply returning the favor."
Chi Mei let out a soft chuckle, stepping closer, her fingers brushing my shoulder. "How delightful. A man who walks the path of demons without hesitation." Her crimson eyes glowed. "You are the most interesting master I've had in centuries."
I stood, brushing off the leaves from my robes.
"We'll continue this later. There's something I need to take care of first."
With that, I turned, walking away from the clearing.
It was time to return to the inn.
The scent of freshly brewed tea greeted me as I stepped into the small, dimly lit inn. The wooden floor creaked beneath my boots, and the soft chatter of travelers filled the air.
I made my way upstairs, stopping in front of the room I had rented. With a flick of my wrist, the door slid open.
Inside, Ziyan sat by the window, her silver hair reflecting the morning light. She turned at the sound of the door, her violet eyes meeting mine.
"You're finally back." Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of relief in it.
I leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "I see you're awake."
She nodded. "You left without saying anything."
"Had some things to deal with."
Ziyan studied me for a moment before sighing. "You don't need to keep secrets from me, Wuyuan."
I smirked. "Some things are better left unsaid."
She didn't argue. Instead, she stood and stretched, her movements fluid and graceful. "I'm starving. Let's go eat."
The scent of roasted duck and steamed buns filled the air as we sat at a small wooden table in the inn's dining area.
Ziyan wasted no time, grabbing a dumpling and taking a bite, her expression softening slightly as she chewed.
I poured myself a cup of tea, letting the warmth seep into my fingers.
For a brief moment, there was peace. No bloodshed. No battles. Just the simple act of eating breakfast with a familiar face.
Ziyan glanced at me. "So, what's the plan?"
I took a slow sip of tea before answering. "We keep moving. There's a place I need to go."
She raised an eyebrow. "And where is that?"
"You'll see."
Ziyan sighed. "You're really terrible at answering questions."
I smirked. "You're still here, aren't you?"
She rolled her eyes but didn't argue.
We finished our meal in silence.
But as soon as we stepped out of the inn, I felt it.
A presence.
No—multiple.
My eyes flickered to the side, and I caught sight of a group of men lingering near the entrance of an alley. Their gazes were locked onto me, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons.
And at the center of them—a familiar face.
A boy, barely past twenty, dressed in fine robes embroidered with golden patterns. His hair was tied neatly, his expression twisted in a mix of arrogance and hatred.
I recognized him immediately.
Lin Yuren.
The little brother of my former fiancée.
A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips.
"It's been a while, Yuren."
The boy sneered. "Mo Wuyuan… I never thought I'd run into you here." His eyes darkened. "You have quite the bounty on your head."
I exhaled slowly, glancing at the men surrounding him. "Let me guess. You're here to capture me?"
Yuren's smirk widened. "Not just capture. I'll personally deliver your head to the sects."
I chuckled. "Adorable."
Yuren's expression twisted in anger. "Kill him!"
The men lunged.
I smiled.
This would be fun.