I Truly Am The Villian Chapter 2210: 2209: Monitoring the World, the Undying Demonic Item

“Back then, the Buddha Lord left behind an item, stating it was a treasure from the Demonic Race. He instructed that if the Demonic Race were to ever appear, this item should be returned.”

The Barefoot Monk explained.

“You are unaware of this?”

“The Cloud Interval Temple’s purpose, aside from preserving the last vestiges of the Buddha Country’s bloodline, is also to safeguard this particular item.”

Xu Zimei gave a slight nod.

He responded, “I had no knowledge of this matter, but since I am here, I might as well inspect this so-called item?”

The Barefoot Monk then led the way to the rear of the temple.

There, behind the temple, stood a massive bronze cauldron, filled to the brim with incense ashes.

This cauldron had initially served as a vessel for burning incense. However, as the amount of incense grew, it eventually filled the entire cauldron and was consequently relocated behind the Jade Buddha.

Observing the bronze cauldron, Xu Zimei detected nothing out of the ordinary.

He watched as the Barefoot Monk plunged his hands into the ashes. Instantly, the ashes swirled upwards. The monk sifted through them, eventually retrieving a jade box.

He presented the jade box to Xu Zimei.

“I have never opened this item before. The Buddha Lord commanded us to treat it with utmost care,” he stated. “As for its true contents, I remain uncertain.”

Upon receiving the jade box, Xu Zimei meticulously examined it. A faint pulsation of life emanated from within. While subtle, it was a sensation most would fail to perceive. Even when it resided within the bronze cauldron, Xu Zimei had not detected it. Only now, with the box in his grasp, did he sense a faint vital essence, akin to a heart's rhythmic beat.

“Intriguing,” Xu Zimei remarked, unable to suppress his curiosity. “How long has this box been in your Cloud Interval Temple’s possession?”

“For as long as I can recall, this jade box has been under the care of our Buddha Country,” the Barefoot Monk replied. “I am not entirely certain of the exact duration, but I have only heard that it has been passed down through generations of Buddha Lords.”

The Buddha Country, having endured until the present era, must possess an incredibly ancient history. Despite its current decline, its continuous preservation speaks volumes. In terms of historical longevity, few factions can rival the Buddha Country.

And this life essence contained within the jade box, persisting from the era of the Demon’s Advent all the way to the present moment, must have witnessed countless ages. Yet, it still persists, exhibiting signs of life. This fact alone rendered Xu Zimei rather astonished.

He proceeded to open the jade box, but its surface seemed to bear a seal, actively repelling external forces. Only Demonic Qi appeared capable of penetrating its defenses. Without hesitation, Xu Zimei channeled a steady stream of Demonic Qi into it. After a short while, as if an internal mechanism had been activated, the box automatically sprung open.

Upon witnessing the revealed contents, Xu Zimei’s brow furrowed slightly. The box contained a clump of demonic soil. Such pure demonic soil is a rarity in the current world.

Resting upon the black soil was a worm. Though its size was comparable to an ordinary earthworm, its scales were intricately detailed, appearing as if meticulously carved. Its head was held high, eyes tightly shut, and two small horns adorned its brow.

“This is…” Xu Zimei mused, a slight frown creasing his forehead.

He promptly transmitted this information to the Divine Continent, confident that some Demon Generals would recognize it. Despite the worm’s diminutive size, the pure demonic energy it contained was irrefutable proof of its extraordinary nature.

Upon seeing the worm, Bai Meng exclaimed with palpable excitement, “Master, this is your former Demon Worm!”

“The Undying Demon Worm, once a paramount treasure of our Demonic Race.”

Xu Zimei, having already formed some preliminary conclusions, inquired, “What purpose does this Demon Worm serve?” He sensed that its combat prowess was not substantial, yet its standing within the Demonic Race appeared to be exceptionally high.

“Master, the Undying Demon Worm possesses the ability of self-replication and can propagate indefinitely,” Bai Meng explained. “Its primary function is intelligence dissemination. During its zenith, the Undying Demon Worm numbered in the billions, its presence spanning the entirety of the Nine Domains World. Any subtle disturbance, anywhere, could be known to us firsthand.”

Hearing this, Xu Zimei grasped the worm’s true significance. Consider the vast expanse of time within the Nine Domains! Even now, after the Holy Court’s prolonged dominion over the Nine Domains World, they remain confined to the Robbery Immortal Domain. Establishing a comprehensive intelligence network transcends mere financial investment; numerous complexities are involved.

First, there is the matter of funding. Second, ensuring the loyalty and diligence of all operatives, rather than their idleness, is crucial, given the unpredictable nature of human disposition. Furthermore, even with ample finances and manpower, it is often insufficient. The transmission of intelligence itself requires time. Once information is uncovered, by the time it is relayed, the Holy Court might only receive it half a month later, rendering the opportunity lost.

Speed, efficiency, and accuracy – these are the fundamental challenges inherent in any intelligence network.

While these problems might pose a significant hurdle for many, the Demon Worm offers a unique solution.

The Demon Worm's prodigious ability to propagate seems to resolve the inherent instability of human nature.

This is because, regardless of their sheer numbers, the Demon Worms remain singularly loyal.

They stand in stark contrast to humans, who are swayed by a multitude of complex emotions and various temptations.

The Demon Worms exist in their purest form.

Secondly, consider their speed of transmission.

With their shared consciousness, the Demon Worms can instantly relay information the moment an event transpires.

Should the Holy Court have had access to the Demon Worms, they would have been able to track Xu Zimei's every move.

This is the truly formidable power of the Demon Worm.

If Xu Zimei's ambition was merely to defy the heavens, the Demon Worm might not be of much assistance.

However, if his goal is to govern a world, then the Demon Worm becomes an unparalleled and indispensable tool.

No matter where in the world an incident occurs, Xu Zimei will be privy to the information.

Gazing upon the Demon Worm, Xu Zimei perceived it as an invaluable treasure.

In the beginning, Xu Zimei's command over his Divine Continent was robust in its broad strokes.

Now, with the Demon Worm, he can exercise control even over the minutest details.

The next step involves the Divine Continent itself.

He could deploy the Demon Worms to meticulously monitor the Divine Continent and any other matters that pique Xu Zimei's interest.

Observing the Demon Worm, despite its current vitality, it appeared remarkably dormant.

Alternatively, perhaps the Demon Worm had entered a unique state of being.

Xu Zimei directed a question to the Demon Generals: "How can it be roused from this state?"

"The Master must nourish it with Demonic Qi," replied Bai Meng.

"Both for awakening and for propagation, the Demon Worm requires Demonic Qi; the purer it is, the better."

"Previously, the Master had to personally provide this nourishment."

Xu Zimei offered a slight nod.

Demonic Qi evidently serves as the wellspring of the Demon Worm's power; without it, their propagation would not occur spontaneously.