Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1390: 747: Devilish Thought Invades the Body (Part 2)

“Master, help me!” The Mountain Dragon, Little Gold, shrieked as he dashed toward his master, desperately tearing away the dark tentacles that entwined his frame.

“Maintain your composure! Immediately circulate your demonic power to pin down the devilish thought.”

Guided by his master’s voice, Little Gold regained his focus. His physical form surged, expanding dozens of times in size until he became a dark gold titan reaching seven to eight zhang into the air, his skin etched with shimmering patterns.

A massive pressure rolled off him, casting a brilliant yellow radiance in every direction. This light acted as a blade, slicing through the murky tentacles with ease.

Moments later, after a violent tremor of his flesh, the various ruptures across his skin sealed shut. The invading devilish thought was suppressed by a concentrated mass of demonic power, preventing it from seizing control of his mind for the time being.

Yet, this wisp of devilish thought was exceptionally treacherous. Despite being contained, it relentlessly ate away at its surroundings. Demonic power, divine thought, physical tissue, and bloodline—everything tangible or abstract—was being "corroded" by this darkness, slowly shifting into a foul, black sludge.

Because Zhao Xuanjing and Little Gold shared a symbiotic contract, their lives were woven together as one. In that critical moment of life and death, Zhao Xuanjing had successfully diverted half of the devilish thought into Little Gold’s body, barely preventing his own primordial spirit from being consumed.

This was a mere stall, however. If the devilish thought wasn't purged, his primordial spirit would eventually serve as a permanent vessel for the corruption.

“Master, are you alright?” Little Gold asked anxiously, his breath hitching as he checked on Zhao Xuanjing.

“I am stable for now, but if this lingers, the situation will change,” Zhao Xuanjing replied, masking his inward shock with a steady tone.

Feeling a small sense of relief but still trembling with fear, Little Gold inquired, “What exactly was that thing earlier…”

Zhao Xuanjing let out a heavy sigh. “Alas, I was far too reckless! That strand of devilish thought likely originated from a Tribulation Demon Venerable. My primordial spirit is tainted; I fear I cannot endure this for long.”

A Tribulation Demon Venerable is the demonic counterpart to a Human Clan Tribulation Crossing Venerable, ranked by the number of tribulations they have survived. On the Taiyi Merit List, defeating a one-tribulation Demon Venerable grants three hundred Heavenly Merits. Since a single Heavenly Merit is worth one hundred Great Merits—enough to buy a True Form Spiritual Treasure like the Taiyi Demon Slaying Sword—the sheer value of such merits highlights the danger of the foe.

“This is terrible! What can we do?” Little Gold paced nervously before suggesting, “Master, we must return to the Spirit Realm immediately. Your master, the Yellow Dragon Venerable, surely possesses a way to cure a body invaded by devilish thoughts.”

“That is our only path,” Zhao Xuanjing agreed with a nod, though he kept his private doubts hidden. While Yellow Dragon Venerable was his master, their relationship was distant, and such assistance would surely come at a steep price. Furthermore, he worried the Venerable might already be deployed to the front lines. He chose not to burden Little Gold with these concerns.

Relieved, Little Gold signaled toward the ground. A pillar of yellow light rose, sweeping up Baili Shouguang and the other human Cultivators, carrying them toward the pair.

Pop, pop, pop!

Sharp pains jolted the heads of Baili Shouguang and his companions, snapping them out of their stupor. As they blinked back to consciousness, a high-pitched, youthful voice echoed: “Pay attention, all of you…”

…

Within the depths of the Yuxu Cave Mansion, an ocean of thunder light churned, casting out flickers of law divine light. The Taiyi Merit Stele stood amidst the Jade Pond, wrapped in source energy that resembled glowing clouds, radiating the silent essence of the Dao.

Zhao Sheng sat in a meditative trance before the Immortal Stele, focusing his mind on the principles of Five Elements transformation. As his intent shifted, the sea of thunder manifested lifelike tigers, dragons, birds, and fish, each possessing a strange, vibrant vitality.

Time passed unnoted until the Taiyi Merit Stele suddenly flared with a brilliance that filled the cave like molten silver. Zhao Sheng’s eyes snapped open, locking onto the Immortal Stele. Two streaks of light shot out from the radiance, resolving into the figures of Zhao Xuanjing and Little Gold.

Zhao Sheng stood to greet them, but his smile died instantly. His expression grew wary as he sensed something deeply wrong with the duo.

“Jing Ancestor, you…”

Realizing he couldn't hide the truth, Zhao Xuanjing spoke plainly, “I was caught in an ambush and had to retreat. Do not worry; I have the Devilish Thought under control for now, so my life is not in immediate peril.”

Beside him, Little Gold looked at his master with visible apprehension. Zhao Sheng took a sharp breath; he knew Zhao Xuanjing was incredibly powerful. If he couldn't even return to the Spirit Realm, the Devilish Thought must be terrifying indeed—especially if a Half-Immortal of the Void was mentioning a threat to his life.

Zhao Sheng’s mind raced. Two beams of Divine Light shot from his eyes, his Original Spirit tracing the light to inspect Zhao Xuanjing. A moment later, he recoiled in shock. “What a malevolent Devilish Thought! What did you face in there? Was it a Cave Void Realm Demon Emperor?”

An Alien Demon Clan Cave Void Realm Demon Emperor is the equivalent of a Human Integration Realm powerhouse, though far more difficult to deal with.

“Oh! It was ten times worse than that, we—”

“Little Gold!” Zhao Xuanjing cut off his servant before he could lament further.

Looking at Zhao Sheng, Zhao Xuanjing sighed. “My own carelessness led to this.” He then gave a brief summary of the encounter.

Zhao Sheng finally grasped the severity of the situation. Without Little Gold sharing the burden, Zhao Xuanjing would have already been turned into a puppet for the Alien Demon.

“Don't lose heart! I will head back to the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect at once. There must be a remedy there,” Zhao Xuanjing said, trying to offer comfort despite his pale face.

Zhao Sheng nodded, but then a sudden memory surfaced in his mind.

“Wait, Jing Ancestor, stay. I possess a Demon Refining Heart Technique that might be of use.”

He was being modest; this technique originated from a True Immortal and was capable of refining the thoughts of high-level demons. Zhao Xuanjing was skeptical but willing to listen. Before he could ask for details, Zhao Sheng transmitted a Divine Thought containing the full technique and his personal realizations of it.

The thousand-word text was profound beyond measure, each word glowing with hidden meaning. As the vast information settled in his mind, Zhao Xuanjing’s face transformed with emotion. This was a miraculous lifeline in his darkest hour.

He recognized the incredible value of the Demon Refining Heart Technique immediately. He looked at Zhao Sheng, his gratitude too deep for simple words, and merely gave a solemn nod.

Zhao Sheng smiled. “Time is of the essence. I shall stand guard while you begin.”

“I am in your debt,” Zhao Xuanjing replied. Little Gold, sensing his master’s sudden hope through their connection, began jumping with joy.

Shortly after, Zhao Xuanjing sat suspended in the air, chanting ancient, rhythmic incantations. Light surged around him, clashing with the gray devilish smoke swirling within his body. Circles of Will Light Flame began to orbit him, consuming the devilish smoke bit by bit as the chanting continued.

Though he started calmly, the Devilish Thought fought back violently against the searing flames. Zhao Xuanjing’s features twisted in agony, his brow furrowing as wisps of black smoke were forced out of his pores.