The azure ichor coalesced into Wang Lin, who, from the void, summoned forth his pouch of holding! Simultaneously, a cerulean robe materialized upon his form. With a stride, Wang Lin unleashed a series of translocations, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

His form shimmered into existence countless leagues away, Wang Lin’s course set unwavering towards the Celestial Demon City, the heart of the empire.

The Blood Soul Pill, imbibing a trace of primordial spirit and blood, would unleash its power in the direst of moments. In the embrace of death, any object intertwined with the spirit would be absorbed into the void, awaiting the rebirth when the Blood Soul’s power would reclaim all that was lost!

So it was with Yao Xixue, in days gone by.

Celestial Fortune had gifted Wang Lin a charm of preservation, yet its might could only withstand an Ascendant Spirit late-stage cultivator. The black-armored elder, towering at three zhang, though comparable in cultivation, possessed a power far exceeding that limit, in Wang Lin’s estimation.

Moreover, the enigma within the black tower, Qi Wu, further complicated matters. Even with the charm, survival remained uncertain. Thus, in a fraction of a breath, Wang Lin decided to gamble with the Blood Soul Pill!

His gamble centered on the entity within the black tower, whose sheer power left Wang Lin shaken to his core. Only the Ascending Immortal Fruit’s invigorating essence had staved off utter annihilation from the entity’s divine sense assault.

He could not subsist on a diet of Ascending Immortal Fruit for the remaining centuries within this demon realm. Such constant stimulation would inevitably lead to madness, a complete loss of reason.

Therefore, he must risk it all. Failing to cripple or slay the being within the tower meant that even the most profound teleportation arts would not shield him from its relentless divine sense.

Once the Ascending Immortal Fruit’s effects waned, the entity within the tower would unleash its divine sense once more, sealing Wang Lin’s doom.

The entity within the black tower never emerged, seemingly bound to its confines, bolstering Wang Lin’s resolve.

He now translocated, his destination the Celestial Demon City. He would enact a twofold preparation. The first step had been taken; this was the second, to seek the aid of the Ancient Demon!

“The pact made ten years hence was delayed by my Ascendant Spirit breakthrough. Though a decade has passed, the matter agreed upon was of great import; surely the Ancient Demon will not renege,” Wang Lin pondered, quickening his pace. The lingering essence of the Ascending Immortal Fruit still pulsed within his spirit. While he could easily dissipate it, Wang Lin chose to retain its power, a safeguard against the possibility that the black tower was not vital, and the entity could still unleash its divine sense!

“If so, I must prepare for a life on the run,” Wang Lin lamented. He bore no grudge against the entity within the black tower, yet it was the entity who had initiated this conflict. But in the realm of cultivation, there was no right or wrong, only power and weakness.

Upon translocation, Wang Lin was astonished to find that his celestial energy, once depleted, was instantly replenished, allowing for multiple uses of the Great Translocation Art.

This art consumed vast amounts of celestial energy, forcing Wang Lin to replenish with celestial jade after each use. Now, that concern was gone. He could barely solidify his form before leaping into another translocation.

“Doubtless, during the self-destruction, the four drops of celestial liquid merged into my body, residing within me in a peculiar fashion upon my rebirth!” After brief contemplation, Wang Lin dismissed the matter. Through repeated Great Translocations, the capital city of the Celestial Demon Prefecture drew near.

Wang Lin traversed this distance with unprecedented speed.

“Alas, the Ascending Immortal Fruit robbed me of my sanity. Otherwise, I would not have abandoned that Zi Shu’s sword energy. Yet, I recall the location of Zi Shu’s corpse; I wonder if the sword energy still lingers within it should I return,” Wang Lin mused, tempted, but this was not the time to revisit the Fiery Demon Prefecture.

On the precipice of his final Great Translocation to the Celestial Demon City, Wang Lin prepared to step forth. But then, a furious roar echoed from behind.

“I shall see where you can flee!”

A thousand zhang behind Wang Lin, an armored giant materialized, his face stern, his eyes gleaming with a ghastly light. An unholy aura of demonic energy radiated from his form.

Wang Lin’s expression shifted. He strode forth, vanishing, but not before casting a glance back at the giant, nearly eliciting a cry of shock.

“Ling Tianhou!!!”

The giant bore a striking resemblance to Sword Venerate Ling Tianhou!

Wang Lin reappeared, a hundred li outside the Ancient Demon City. His face was grim, his eyes flashing. “Not Ling Tianhou! His features are similar, yet he appears younger! Moreover, he lacks Ling Tianhou’s aura. His features are not entirely identical, merely similar… Could it be…”

At that moment, the armored giant stepped forth from the void, fixating upon Wang Lin. “Why do you cease your flight!” he boomed, extending a hand, demonic energy coalescing at his fingertips.

“Ling Tianhou, what is your relation to him!” Wang Lin demanded, his eyes glittering.

The giant hesitated, a flicker of confusion momentarily piercing the demonic fire in his eyes.

“Ling Tianhou…a familiar name…”

Wang Lin retreated, his eyes hardening. “Of the Great Luo Sword Sect, Sword Venerate Ling Tianhou!”

“Great Luo Sword Sect, Sword Venerate…” The confusion in the giant’s eyes deepened, soon warring with a look of inner struggle. Then, a demonic spirit appeared on his brow, glaring hatefully at Wang Lin, unleashing a shrill screech.

At that sound, the confusion vanished, replaced by demonic flames.

“Ancient Demon!” Wang Lin roared, retreating swiftly.

A powerful will erupted from the Celestial Demon City, descending upon Wang Lin!

“You are a decade tardy!” The Ancient Demon’s voice echoed in Wang Lin’s ears.

“Lend me your blood!”

As the words faded, Wang Lin’s pores erupted, spewing forth torrents of blood. The blood coalesced, forming a humanoid figure, the Ancient Demon’s will descending upon it.

Wang Lin staggered, having lost a vast portion of his blood. His face ashen, he consumed pills, settling into a meditative posture, drawing upon his qi to recover.

The demonic spirit on the giant’s brow stared at the bloody phantom, screeching in an alien tongue, “Beiluo, you dare obstruct me!!”

The blood phantom writhed, transforming into a being with twin horns. Its eyes radiated an arcane light. It gazed at the demonic spirit on the giant’s brow, stating calmly, “You are but one of the Nine Scattered Demons beneath the Ancient Demon. What is there to prevent me from hindering you!”

“Ancient God language!” Wang Lin muttered, opening his eyes, a contemplative expression upon his face.