Chapter 104: The Art of Yuan Devouring

The two conversed, and before they realized it, they had arrived above the outer defensive line. Here stood a very sturdy stone wall, with a guard stationed every ten paces, all alert and tense, their eyes fixed steadily on the front hall.

Seeing Peng Immortal touch upon a sorrowful topic, Ye Sansi quickly diverted the conversation. “Brother Peng, with me here, I will do my utmost to protect the beings of the Strange Demon Realm without worry. Meanwhile, could you tell me about the cleverness behind this defense arrangement? I’d like to learn.”

Peng Immortal smiled. “There’s nothing particularly clever about it. This formation is straightforward—the guards stand atop the city wall, watching the front hall from afar. If enemies approach, they’ll see them and sound the horn.”

“But this place is shrouded in mist, making it hard to see the front hall clearly. If the guards sound the horn, wouldn’t that just attract the enemies?”

“You misunderstand, Brother Sansi. This is the mountain cloud realm. When the horn is sounded, the sound disperses and echoes continuously. The horn’s call will resonate throughout the mountains, making it difficult for the enemy forces to discern their direction.”

Ye Sansi nodded, smiling. “That’s indeed a clever tactic. When all the horns blow together, echoing through the mountains, it will sound like a vast army approaching. It will surely instill fear in them; our morale has already gained the upper hand.”

Peng Immortal narrowed his eyes and laughed. “Haha, Brother Sansi, you misspoke a little.”

“Oh? Which part? Please correct me, Brother Peng.”

“We of the Strange Demon Realm do have thousands of troops. If we were to fight the demon army head-on, it wouldn’t be a problem. But what worries us are the innocent minor demons behind us—if the enemy soldiers break through, they will be persecuted.”

Ye Sansi smiled. “Since the Strange Demon Realm has such strength, there’s no need to worry. I see that within this defense are a thousand households, their residences orderly—it must be the great demons you mentioned, Brother Peng. If I’m right, this is the ‘thousands of troops’ you spoke of?”

“Haha, it seems nothing can escape your eyes, Brother Sansi. You are correct. These thousand households are ancient great demons, far stronger than the demon army soldiers, each capable of taking on ten foes. But during defense, it’s impossible to guarantee no demon slips through. If the enemy reaches the ten thousand households behind, those minor demons will be in danger.”

Hearing Peng Immortal’s concern, Ye Sansi quickly said, “Brother Peng, if the demon army breaks through to the thousand households, leave them to me. I have the Sword Rain technique and can split my sword to block some of their forces—no problem. Besides, since I’m staying, I must have a purpose. I can’t use magic between these mountains to help, but if you allow me to protect those ten thousand demon folk, how about it?”

Peng Immortal was troubled. This defense was too important to take lightly, and Ye Sansi was an outsider. How could he be put in such danger? The matter was critical, and Peng Immortal was unsure how to proceed. He could only smile and say, “Brother Sansi, this isn’t for me to decide. I must report it to the king.”

Before Ye Sansi could reply, a voice came from the clouds behind: “Young hero Ye, I have granted you permission, but I have one condition.”

It was the voice of the king of the Strange Demon Realm. Ye Sansi turned and bowed. “May I ask, Your Majesty, what is your condition?”

“Come to the hall and speak.”

Ye Sansi leapt from the clouds Peng Immortal had taken form in, riding his sword named Heavenly Wrath, hovering in the air. “Brother Peng, I’ll go first. Though the clouds are soft and comfortable, standing too long feels odd. I’ll ride my sword there and not delay you any longer.”

Peng Immortal narrowed his eyes and smiled slightly, nodding. Ye Sansi rode his sword to the king’s hall. The door was open, and a voice called out, “You may enter on your sword; no formalities needed.”

Ye Sansi acknowledged and flew ten paces inside, then slowly landed. Heavenly Wrath returned to his side. Ye Sansi stood firmly, faced the monarch, and bowed. “Your Majesty, please state your condition. If I can fulfill it, I will do my best.”

“From now on, when you meet me, no need to bow. You brave danger to bring news to the Strange Demon Realm and deserve my respect and gratitude. Though your ties to this realm are but fleeting, you offer great help. I will protect your safety and will not let you take risks for us.”

“Sansi is fearless…”

Before Ye Sansi could finish, the king interrupted. “I know you are fearless, but with your current strength, you cannot repel the enemy breakouts. If you are harmed or killed, that would be the Strange Demon Realm’s fault. I, Elder Peng, and the thousands of demons cannot bear that… So you must agree to one condition.”

“Very well. What is the king’s condition?”

The king stood, descended the steps, and approached Ye Sansi, speaking softly: “From now on, you will train with me in the Devouring Essence Technique. Once you master it, I will grant you permission to defend against the demon army. How does that sound?”

Ye Sansi nodded confidently, puffing out his chest. “When do we start, Your Majesty? And where will we train?”

“If you have no other matters, we can start now. This hall is spacious enough—let’s practice here.”

“Very well.”

The king gestured for Ye Sansi to step back a few paces and then began to perform the Devouring Essence Technique.

The Devouring Essence Technique is the supreme magic of the demon realm, practiced only by demon kings. The king of the Strange Demon Realm had been the chosen successor to the demon king but refused to slaughter humans, finding them full of spirit and charm, wishing to befriend them instead. This attitude led to his exile.

One day, betrayed by his own younger brother under false charges, driven out of the demon realm, and targeted by assassins, the king had no choice but to create this peaceful sanctuary for pitiful demons like himself to survive.

He was harsh even with himself, splitting his own heart into two halves, transforming them into stone statues—one in the human world’s village, the other in the Strange Demon Realm—allowing passage between the two.

At the time, he had not considered how to retrieve them, so they remain immobile underground. Should the demon army discover and unlock their use, a large-scale invasion of the Strange Demon Realm would mean disaster for all living beings.

The king’s younger brother was exceptionally clever, surpassing him in magic and strategy. When the old demon king chose the successor, it was unexpected to be this unremarkable elder brother rather than the younger one, who then grew jealous and bitter, forgetting brotherly bonds.

Half an hour after demonstrating the Devouring Essence Technique, Ye Sansi watched attentively, repeatedly expressing admiration. Squinting, he praised, “Your Majesty, this technique is truly formidable. To wield demon power to such an extent—if I master it, it will be of great use.”

The king laughed heartily. “Haha, Young Hero Ye, you must study this magic carefully. If you learn it, you will wield it no less skillfully than I.”

“Your Majesty, what nonsense! Even if I master it, I won’t match you in the slightest. This technique is exquisite; mastering it well will take more than a few months or years. Besides, reaching your level takes hundreds or thousands of years. Please don’t mock me.”

The king smiled and patted Ye Sansi’s shoulder. “Good lad, you’re truly humble. Others might believe such words from you, but they won’t fool me.”

“Sansi does not understand—what lies did I tell Your Majesty?”

The king laughed. “You said mastering this technique would take some time, but as I demonstrated it, you were learning alongside me. I sensed your internal energy was balanced and well-regulated, your timing in releasing and reclaiming demon power skillful. Your progress is akin to what took me a hundred years to achieve.”

Ye Sansi scratched his head with a smile. “You flatter me, Your Majesty. I had already learned some of this Devouring Essence Technique before, and found it powerful. When I lay awake at night, I’d think about how to make it stronger. Now, seeing your demonstration, I grasped it instantly and practiced with you—it really works.”

“Young Hero Ye, you amaze me. In a hundred years, you will have extraordinary progress and may surpass me. How about I, like Elder Peng, call you Brother Sansi? You can call me ‘Brother King.’ How does that sound?”

“Your Majesty… this… how can it be? You are the monarch of the Strange Demon Realm; I am but a mortal. How could I address you as brother? It cannot be…”

The king turned away and said, “Why not? You are a mortal, yet I like mortals—their possessions, customs, liveliness, and laughter. How could I not call you brother? Is it that you are unwilling and are deliberately refusing me?”

Ye Sansi hurriedly waved his hand. “No, no! To call you brother is a blessing I have earned through many lifetimes. I just feel my humble origins unworthy. If Your Majesty wishes it, I will obey.”

“Then stop hesitating and say it.”

“Brother King, I salute you.” Saying this, Ye Sansi knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and bowed deeply to the king.

The king quickly helped Ye Sansi to his feet, laughing heartily. “Good brother! Good brother! Rise quickly. Brother King will demonstrate the Devouring Essence Technique for you once more. Watch carefully.”

Another half hour passed. The king finished and approached Ye Sansi, asking gently, “Brother Sansi, your internal demon power is complex. What are its sources? Tell Brother King.”

“Of course. The first is the demonic plague energy absorbed from Lingzhou. The second comes from a great demon elder of the Fangcun Immortal Island. There is also some scattered demon power absorbed unintentionally from contact with demons…”

The king rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. Ye Sansi remained silent, not wanting to disturb him.

After a moment, the king patted Ye Sansi’s shoulder. “Excellent, excellent.”

“Brother King, what’s excellent?”

“Brother Sansi, your complex demon power is perfectly suited for practicing the Devouring Essence Technique. The late king once said that those with mixed demon power in their bodies can unlock the true power of this technique. If you master it, your potential is limitless. Even if an army from the Celestial Realm attacks, you alone need not fear them.”

“True power? That powerful? Not afraid of celestial beings?”

…