Yuanxi Kingdom is located at the extreme west of the cultivation world, one of the four great cultivation nations of the lower realm. Although, because it is far from Yun Tian Sect and close to the territory of Lianyou Sect, it is not familiar to Xiao Lingyu, in Xiao Lingyu’s impression from his previous life, the royal family of Yuanxi Kingdom cultivated unique techniques, and their strength was formidable, not inferior to ordinary sects in the cultivation world. Not to mention that Yuanxi Kingdom had vast territory and fierce folk customs—even Lianyou Sect was unwilling to easily come into conflict with Yuanxi Kingdom. However, at this moment, the entire Yuanxi Kingdom was shrouded in a mass of black qi. From afar, black mist coiled, heaven and earth changed color, and everything within was unclear.
Xiao Lingyu stood within the capital city of Yuanxi Kingdom. This place was also where demonic qi in the extreme west was most concentrated. The bustling scene of carriages flowing like water and crowds weaving like fabric in the past had long since vanished. The entire capital was empty, without a trace of human presence. Dense demonic qi pressed overhead like dark clouds; wherever the eye reached, all was dim and murky.
Xiao Lingyu spread out his divine sense and did not detect the slightest trace of human activity. Within the range of his divine sense, all people had darkened faces and had fallen into a deep sleep. With each breath they took, strands of faint white mist rose from their mouths, slowly gathering together, accumulating more and more, and finally all flowing into the center of the capital. And at the very center of the capital, which Xiao Lingyu could not see, the Creation Pearl enshrined within the imperial palace breathed like a living being—exhaling and inhaling—drawing in the gathered white mist, transforming it into black mist that spread across the sky above the entire Yuanxi Kingdom.
“Demonization!” Jing Zhan explained to Xiao Lingyu what was happening in Yuanxi Kingdom.
“Demonization?” Xiao Lingyu repeated.
Jing Zhan gave a hum, his expression grave. “Using the Creation Pearl to absorb the life force within the human race, then converting it into demonic qi and reinfusing it into the human bodies, ultimately transforming humans into demons.”
Xiao Lingyu was astonished. He knew that humans and demons did not get along, but this was the first time he had heard that humans could be transformed into demons.
The Old Ghost Head had been ignored by Jing Zhan the entire way and had been holding it in for a long time. Now he finally seized the chance to speak. “It’s just turning them into low-level demons—mere cannon fodder.”
Jing Zhan glanced at him with ridicule. “You do know quite a lot.”
The Old Ghost Head wanted to retort. He opened his mouth, but in the end swallowed his words unwillingly, repeatedly telling himself not to lower himself to Jing Zhan’s level.
Xiao Lingyu stepped forward helplessly to mediate. “What should we do now?”
Jing Zhan focused his gaze toward the center of the capital. There, the imperial palace resembled a black vortex, absorbing the life force of the entire Yuanxi Kingdom. With each cycle of inhalation and exhalation of the vortex, Jing Zhan seemed to sense the Creation Pearl’s current delight.
A trace of coldness flashed in Jing Zhan’s eyes. Leng Qin must have gone mad. With such large-scale transformation into demons, not to mention him—even Jing Zhan himself might not be able to control the Creation Pearl.
Xiao Lingyu noticed the gravity on Jing Zhan’s face and instinctively felt something was wrong. However, glancing at Zhu Yurong, who was still asleep, Xiao Lingyu made up his mind that no matter what, he had to obtain the Creation Pearl.
Jing Zhan noticed Xiao Lingyu’s gaze. After thinking for a moment, he pointed a finger at Zhu Yurong. Watching Zhu Yurong shed his human form and transform into his true body, Xiao Lingyu looked at Jing Zhan in surprise. Jing Zhan’s expression did not change. “There may be danger later. His true form is more suitable for you to protect the Lingxi Pig.”
Xiao Lingyu instinctively felt something was strange, but Jing Zhan’s reasoning made sense, so he said nothing more and silently followed Jing Zhan toward the direction of the imperial palace.
When Jing Zhan and Xiao Lingyu entered Yuanxi Kingdom, within the imperial palace, Yuan Baihua was gazing thoughtfully at the shattered soul jade in his hand.
“What happened?” As a cold voice sounded, a mass of black qi slowly condensed into a human shape before Yuan Baihua.
Yuan Baihua looked at the gradually forming figure with disgust. “Can’t you appear in a different way in front of me?”
Under Yuan Baihua’s disdainful gaze, the figure finally transformed into Lin Yi’s appearance. Lin Yi paid no attention to Yuan Baihua’s expression and simply asked again, emotionlessly, “What happened?”
Yuan Baihua lightly tapped the broken soul jade in his hand. “Quan Wanjie is dead.”
“Dead?” Lin Yi seemed somewhat surprised, then returned to his usual expressionless face. “Who did it?”
Yuan Baihua waved his hand, scattering the crystalline fragments across the ground. “Who did it is not important. What matters is that Quan Wanjie is dead. There is one less person at the Ancestor’s side. Our plan can begin.”
Lin Yi ignored Yuan Baihua’s words and suddenly asked, “Has the news of the lower realm collapsing been confirmed?”
Yuan Baihua nodded. “Yun Tian Sect has gathered all sects to discuss countermeasures. It seems this news is already confirmed.” Seeing Lin Yi’s silence, Yuan Baihua sneered. “Don’t tell me you still hold illusions about the Ancestor? Don’t forget, it was you who first reminded me something was wrong with him.”
Lin Yi frowned. “I’m only worried about cooperating with the human race.”
Yuan Baihua let out a cold laugh. “Relax. Even if we cooperate with the human race, Yun Tian Sect may not send Li Changfeng. You’re worrying too much.”
Lin Yi’s face darkened completely, but Yuan Baihua remained unaffected. “If we want to cooperate with the human race, we must first deal with the Ancestor. Who would have thought the Ancestor has completely gone mad? Ignoring the state of the lower realm, single-mindedly wanting to exterminate the human race. And after that? Should our race perish together with the lower realm?”
Lin Yi said nothing. Yuan Baihua’s words echoed exactly what he had been thinking. As someone raised to believe the demon race was above all, Lin Yi could understand the Ancestor’s hatred toward humans. He could even understand the Ancestor’s urgent desire to prove himself after learning that the Ancestor was merely a wisp of remnant soul of the ancient demon Jing Zhan. But what Lin Yi could not understand was that, knowing the lower realm was about to collapse, the Ancestor still only cared about exterminating humans, completely disregarding the survival of the demon race.
To Lin Yi, the revival and continuation of the demon race was paramount. The Ancestor’s actions had crossed his bottom line. Lin Yi thought that, for the sake of the demon race’s revival, since he could abandon everything before, abandoning one more Ancestor meant nothing.
These thoughts passed in an instant before Lin Yi spoke. “When does the plan begin?”
Yuan Baihua revealed a strange smile. “That depends on how long Leng Hanyuan can hold on.”
Lin Yi understood immediately. “You gave Leng Hanyuan the Soul Stabilizing Pill?”
Yuan Baihua laughed mockingly. “Without the Soul Stabilizing Pill, the Ancestor would have already come out of seclusion.”
Lin Yi turned to glance at the main hall where the Creation Pearl was enshrined, a complicated emotion flashing in his eyes.
Inside the main hall, the Creation Pearl was placed high above, and beneath it, a figure sat cross-legged, enveloped in black mist.
Through the mist, it could be vaguely seen that the figure was none other than Leng Hanyuan. However, his eyes were tightly shut, his expression twisted, sweat rolling down his face as if he were struggling against something.
“Not willing! I’m not willing!” Leng Hanyuan shouted within his mind, desperately pushing toward the sea of consciousness ahead. That place had originally been his, but now it was occupied by Leng Qin. Looking at Leng Qin’s identical face, hatred burned deeply in his eyes.
He finally understood the mockery in Yuan Baihua’s gaze. He had always thought he was the Ancestor’s most favored junior, had taken pride in sharing the same appearance, had basked in the Ancestor’s undisguised fondness. Now he realized how foolish he had been. The Ancestor had never favored him—he was merely a body carefully crafted for the Ancestor.
But he had realized it too late.
Leng Hanyuan repeatedly slammed his consciousness against Leng Qin’s, trying to reclaim his sea of consciousness, to remain himself rather than vanish forever.
Leng Qin looked at him with irritation. He could not understand why a mere low-level demon like Leng Hanyuan had such a stubborn soul, able to resist him until now.
Leng Hanyuan, with a twisted expression, kept crashing forward recklessly, while Leng Qin hesitated—he did not want to damage this perfect body he had painstakingly cultivated.
Finally enraged, Leng Qin struck back with his consciousness. Pain surged through the sea of consciousness, and Leng Hanyuan’s consciousness shrank into a small cluster, hovering at the edge.
Leng Qin sneered, then suddenly stood up and swallowed the Creation Pearl.
Demonic qi surged into his body instantly. He roared in agony, punching wildly. Black qi turned into blades, slicing space into countless cracks.
After venting, the explosive feeling subsided. Satisfied, Leng Qin sat down again, his consciousness returning inward. He grinned viciously at Leng Hanyuan—this body would be his alone.
Leng Hanyuan curled tightly, sensing danger. Just as he desperately calculated how to survive, Leng Qin suddenly froze and looked toward the hall entrance.
At that moment, a massive crack silently appeared. Jing Zhan stepped through, glanced inside, and sighed—he was too late.
Xiao Lingyu followed his gaze and saw the shadowed figure—it was Leng Hanyuan.
Jing Zhan sneered. “Stay here. Don’t come out.”
Xiao Lingyu nodded. He had no intention of going in anyway—the demonic qi was overwhelming.
Soon after, Jing Zhan stepped out.
Leng Qin opened his eyes in shock. “You escaped?!”
Jing Zhan smiled faintly. “Disappointed?”
They clashed instantly.
“Boom!”
The palace shook violently.
Yuan Baihua and Lin Yi rushed over, only to freeze in shock.
“Ancestor Jing Zhan?!”
They hesitated only briefly before turning their attacks on Leng Qin instead.
A chaotic battle erupted.
Seizing the moment, Jing Zhan thrust his hand into Leng Qin’s chest and ripped out the Creation Pearl.
Leng Qin grinned maliciously.
Leng Hanyuan screamed in terror. “No! I don’t want to die!”
A blinding explosion followed.
The hall collapsed. Space destabilized. Void energy flooded in.
Xiao Lingyu grabbed the Old Ghost Head and retreated, watching in horror as the palace—and then the entire capital—was swallowed into the void.
“Xiao Yuzi…” the Old Ghost Head muttered.
“Lingyu!” Chu Mingwei’s voice rang out.
He arrived with Qing Ming.
Before Xiao Lingyu could react, Chu Mingwei had already pulled him close, scanning him anxiously.
Soon after, Jing Zhan reappeared with Yuan Baihua and Lin Yi.
Without warning, Jing Zhan pressed the Creation Pearl into Zhu Yurong’s forehead.
“What are you doing?!” the Old Ghost Head shouted.
“The lower realm is collapsing,” Jing Zhan said coldly. “Only the Lingxi Pig can save it.”
Everyone froze.
Zhu Yurong trembled, whimpering softly.
But his power was insufficient.
“We need more spiritual energy,” Qing Ming said.
“Only Xiao Lingyu is suitable—but it’s far from enough,” Jing Zhan replied.
At that moment, Cang Ye arrived with the Demon Emperor.
“I’ll repay this debt,” the Demon Emperor declared.
Even at the cost of his life.
He poured immense spiritual energy into Zhu Yurong.
Jing Zhan activated a formation.
A radiant core emerged from Zhu Yurong’s forehead, bursting with power.
Light collided with the formation.
Everything trembled.
When it finally settled, Xiao Lingyu felt something profound.
The lower realm floated like a transparent sphere.
Nearby, a new world was forming.
Time, life, laws—everything took shape.
The two worlds connected, forming a cycle.
A voice echoed faintly:
“Yin and Yang cycle, endless life.”
Xiao Lingyu stared in awe.
Jing Zhan tossed Zhu Yurong back to him.
Holding the now peaceful Zhu Yurong, Xiao Lingyu looked at Chu Mingwei—and slowly smiled.
—— End of Main Text ——