The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2378: Seizing the Master

Shangguan Wang, this ancient being, is consumed by a ravenous greed for power and harbors a profound dread of death, desperately yearning for immortality.

Among all present, save for Mr. Tu, he is the Feathered Immortal Cultivator whose innermost thoughts are most transparent to Mo Hua.

Shangguan Wang holds no regard for the Shangguan Family, the Evil God, nor the conflict between the Righteous Dao and the Demon Path; his sole obsession is the attainment of eternal life.

Upon perceiving Mo Hua's subtle whispers, Shangguan Wang's heart experienced a sudden tremor as he abruptly turned his gaze towards Mo Hua.

He observed the resolute determination burning within Mo Hua’s clear, unclouded eyes.

Concurrently, Mo Hua recognized the deep yearning and unspoken concern reflected in Shangguan Wang’s own gaze.

Mo Hua modulated his voice, adopting a gentler tone:

"You extracted the Divine Fetus from its mother’s womb, cruelly severing the bond between mother and child – a transgression of monumental sin."

"Now, the Divine Fetus stands on the precipice of completely merging with the Divine Lord. Mother and child are intrinsically linked in heart, and this profound pain will forever be etched into the Divine Lord’s being, effectively making your act as if you separated mother and son. Consequently, the Divine Lord will assuredly condemn your Divine Soul."

"Mr. Tu neglected to impart this crucial detail to you, did he not?"

"He seeks your demise; his intention is to bring about your death. This is precisely why he allowed you to engage in affairs tied to causality, directly opposing the Divine Lord... and you remain utterly ignorant of his true motives..."

Shangguan Wang's complexion drained of color upon hearing these words, a palpable chill slithering up his spine.

Whether these pronouncements held truth or falsehood remained unknown to him, yet even the faintest possibility of their veracity branded him guilty beyond any conceivable absolution.

Sensing Shangguan Wang's burgeoning fear, Mo Hua continued in a hushed tone: "However, every action carries both its detriments and its advantages..."

"Although you have committed a grave sin, without your intervention, Yu Er would never have ascended to become the Divine Lord."

"If you now cast aside all selfish inclinations and dedicate yourself wholeheartedly, pledging unwavering loyalty to Yu Er and the Divine Lord, I shall intercede on your behalf, naturally absolving your transgressions and bestowing upon you the most profound grace..."

Mo Hua's voice resonated with a sacred, solemn cadence, yet it simultaneously carried the seductive allure of spectral whispers.

He masterfully employed the inherent fear of the Evil God to cultivate Shangguan Wang’s terror, subsequently offering a beacon of hope amidst the encroaching darkness.

Shangguan Wang's emotional state swayed violently with the ebb and flow of Mo Hua's pronouncements, swinging precariously between profound fear and unbridled joy.

In that precise moment, an overwhelming urge compelled him to surrender to his primal instincts and submit entirely to Mo Hua’s guidance.

Nevertheless, his inherent suspicion and cautious nature compelled him to meticulously weigh the potential benefits against the inherent risks.

Mo Hua’s gaze hardened, becoming as icy as a winter frost: "I have instructed you to relinquish all selfish desires and dedicate yourself completely; only then can the Divine Lord perceive the true sincerity of your heart."

"Your persistent selfishness betrays a lamentably weak faith."

"With such fragile faith, your sins are deemed unworthy of forgiveness, and the Divine Lord will find no reason to preserve your existence..."

These words struck Shangguan Wang with the force of an icy wave, sending a shiver through his entire being. Without further hesitation, he complied with Mo Hua’s directive, purging his mind and body of all distracting thoughts, transforming into a peculiar, devoted adherent of the Divine Lord.

Indeed, the moment unwavering faith took root within him, his heart ceased its wavering, its fear, and its timidity.

A potent current of conviction surged through every fiber of his being.

Shangguan Wang’s gaze recalibrated, achieving a newfound steadiness:

"The Divine Lord is my ultimate master."

"Yu Er, too, is my master."

"I shall dedicate my entire being to serving my master and meticulously executing my master’s commands."

Mo Hua offered a curt nod, stating: "Your master now commands you to escort us safely from this perilous location."

"Leave?"

Shangguan Wang’s instincts momentarily flickered, suggesting an urge to harbor independent thoughts. However, as he lifted his head and met Mo Hua’s dignified, penetrating gaze – a gaze that seemed capable of piercing the very depths of one’s soul – his resolve solidified, and he dared not entertain any selfish intentions or harbor the slightest hint of disloyalty towards the Divine Lord.

"Yes..."

All decrees issued by the Divine Lord must be meticulously obeyed.

The Divine Lord currently resides within Yu Er’s physical form, therefore, all commands emanating from Yu Er must, by extension, be followed without question.

And Mo Hua, acting as Yu Er’s designated "representative," implies that all directives from Mo Hua consequently carry the weight of absolute obedience.

With a complete understanding of this intricate hierarchy, Shangguan Wang immediately executed a deep bow, proclaiming:

"I shall obey the Divine Lord’s command."

In proximity, several Demon Cultivators, numbering three or four, originating from the Yin Corpse Valley and the Demon Sword Sect – who had previously entered the grand hall alongside the venerable Old Demon Heads of their respective factions – observed Shangguan Wang's inexplicably devout and peculiar demeanor. Witnessing him bow subserviently to Mo Hua, they exchanged concerned glances, their brows furrowing. They tentatively attempted to impede his actions, uttering:

"Elder Shangguan, you must reconsider..."

Shangguan Wang reacted instantly, drawing forth a blood-red Longsword and ruthlessly decapitating these Demon Cultivators, extinguishing their lives in a swift and brutal act. He then uttered with a sneering contempt:

"You dare to interfere with my devout service to the Divine Lord? Your lives are forfeit; you deserve to perish."

Mo Hua’s eyes gleamed with evident gratification, and he promptly acknowledged his actions: "Elder Shangguan, the Divine Lord distinctly senses your fervent devotion."

Having delivered these words, he gently placed a hand upon Yu Er’s shoulder.

Yu Er’s eyes remained vacant, yet she offered a subtle, gentle nod in Shangguan Wang’s direction.

Shangguan Wang was utterly elated, having received direct affirmation from the Divine Lord himself. His devotion intensified, burning with an unyielding fervor, and all traces of dissent vanished as he bowed once more and took the lead, guiding Mo Hua and Yu Er onward.

The unfolding events also drew the attention of Mr. Tu, the Feathered Immortal Cultivators of Yin Corpse Valley, and the Old Demons of the Demon Sword Sect, who were engrossed in their brutal battle.

Witnessing the demise of fellow Demon Cultivators ignited a furious rage within the Feathered Immortal Cultivators of Yin Corpse Valley and the Old Demons of the Demon Sword Sect.

Mr. Tu's anger, however, burned even hotter.

As the Divine Lord's sole servant, his loyalty was absolute.

Yet, this Shangguan Wang dared to aspire to his position.

Even more infuriating, Mo Hua, that treacherous pawn of the Fierce God, had already usurped his place. This happened while the Divine Lord was in the midst of merging, his consciousness not yet fully awakened, allowing Mo Hua to become the closest to him.

Utterly outrageous!

With a piercing roar, Mr. Tu's flesh contorted, transforming into a four-clawed Demon Monster. He intended to charge directly at Mo Hua and Yu Er.

However, in the very next instant, a Golden Corpse materialized, blocking his advance.

The potent Demon Eye Sword Qi continued its assault, relentlessly sealing his aura.

Fury consumed Mr. Tu's heart, his eyes turning crimson. He then let out a chilling laugh, sneering, "You... intend to release the Divine Lord?"

The Golden Corpse Feather Transformation from Yin Corpse Valley responded with a cold chuckle, stating, "Our Yin Corpse Valley has long prepared the throne of ten thousand corpses to welcome our Divine Lord."

An Old Demon from the Demon Sword Sect added with fervent devotion, "The ancient true demon sword of my Demon Sword Sect yearns for a true master."

It wasn't just Mr. Tu; these Demon Sects harbored their own covetous desires for the Evil God.

They craved the widespread slaughter and the profound sins that the Evil God would bring, as well as the near-invincible Divine Power he wielded at the level of Divine Thought.