Chapter 292: To Master the Demonic Path, One Must Descend into Madness

  The atmosphere grew painfully awkward.

  Dantai Xuan couldn’t crush the Dao Tear.

  Not only was Dantai Xuan himself stunned, but everyone watching from outside Wolong Ridge was dumbfounded by his attempt.

  Tang Xiansheng was at a loss for words, his wrinkled face creasing further as he couldn’t hold back a chuckle.

  The Northern Xuan King... truly had a unique aura about him.

  Perhaps it was this refusal to conform to the mundane ways of cultivation that made Tang Xiansheng favor the Northern Xuan King and choose to back him.

  Switching hands, he squeezed with all his might several times.

  Still unable to shatter the Dao Tear, Dantai Xuan gave up trying.

  He glanced at the tear in his palm, his lips trembling. This was something he’d spent over ten million taels of silver to acquire, yet he couldn’t even use it. A wave of inexplicable bitterness stabbed at his chest.

  “Damn this twisted stroke of fortune!”

  Dantai Xuan couldn’t help but curse.

  It felt like this opportunity was deliberately toying with him.

  The heartbreak dulled the terrifying pressure emanating from the Nine Prisons Gate, as if it had faded significantly.

  Shrouded in bewildered imperial dragon aura, Dantai Xuan slowly retreated.

  Onlookers couldn’t contain their laughter at his actions.

  Dantai Xuan kept a straight face—he’d been through embarrassments like this plenty of times.

  “What’s so funny? Keep laughing all you want, but the Dao Tear is still in my hands, and none of you are getting it.”

  He swept his gaze across the crowd and bellowed.

  Several Xuanwu Guards shielded him, utterly unprepared for this turn of events.

  The guard who had suggested Dantai Xuan use the tear himself felt overwhelming guilt.

  He never imagined the king wouldn’t be able to crush it.

  How could it not shatter?

  Dantai Xuan was furious but didn’t leave.

  He pondered what to do next with the tear—perhaps wait for the Xuanwu Guard commander to arrive.

  If this tear could cultivate a peak Body Repository or even Heaven Lock realm commander...

  Then maybe the ache in Dantai Xuan’s heart would ease a little.

  Hope for the Dao Stele was lost.

  Many turned their attention to the Nine Prisons Secret Realm.

  Beyond the stele, this refreshed Wolong Ridge held the Nine Prisons Gate—perhaps another rare cultivation ground?

  Noble families exchanged glances.

  Since Nie Changqing and others had already entered...

  The families wasted no time.

  Cultivators under various patriarchs prepared and stepped into the First Prison Gate.

  They knew reaching the Second required passing the First.

  Many Qi Core realm cultivators buckled under the gate’s pressure, collapsing before even approaching.

  Patriarchs watched coldly.

  Those who couldn’t reach the First Gate had flawed Qi Core cultivation.

  The gate’s pressure was a test in itself.

  Finally, figures vanished into the gate.

  ...

  Tang Yimo stared at the Dao Stele, his mind enveloped in strange fluctuations.

  Memories surfaced.

  Being bullied, living in the Tang family woodshed, body aching, toiling under servants’ scoldings...

  Everything replayed.

  He recalled the massacre in the Tang manor.

  Cold blood seemed to awaken his demonic nature.

  Tang Yimo felt lost, doubting the path of protection he clung to.

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  He remembered defending Southern Prefecture against the southern barbarians.

  Was he a good person?

  No, he wasn’t—for his loved ones, he’d do anything.

  Buzz...

  As he comprehended...

  Demonic qi surged around him, coiling tightly.

  Demonic technique!

  Eight Meridians Escape Armor Demonic Technique!

  Thick demonic qi roiled, but Tang Yimo sank deeper into insight.

  His visions differed from Ye Shoudao and Du Longyang’s.

  No past events, no washed-away cultivation path.

  In his mind: the heavens crumbling.

  White Jade Capital vanishing.

  From the shattered sky, terrifying beings descended.

  Like the southern barbarians invading Southern Prefecture.

  Slaughter rained down; countless powerhouses fell, blood soaking the earth.

  Corpses everywhere, rivers of blood.

  In the horror...

  Tang Yimo saw Tang Guo and his mother crushed into pulp by a claw.

  His heart convulsed.

  He saw Tang Xiansheng in his rocking chair, eyes closing slowly, obliterated—only splintered wood left.

  Boundless demonic qi erupted.

  Tang Yimo roared, voice piercing the heavens.

  Transforming into a demon, two meridians opened—but no match for the creature.

  He pushed his technique to the limit, blood seeping from his skin, fearless.

  Yet sometimes, rage can’t bridge power gaps.

  Tang Yimo lost.

  Behind him, Southern Prefecture in ruins.

  He knelt like a failure amid the wreckage.

  His strength couldn’t protect what mattered.

  Suddenly...

  From the ruins...

  A black-robed figure strode through the air, steps firm.

  A towering presence, demonic qi sweeping.

  Bleeding profusely, Tang Yimo looked up, face blank.

  “Who are you?”

  His voice hoarse.

  “The world calls me the Demon Lord.”

  The figure spoke softly, like a breeze.

  “You cultivate demonic arts, but you don’t grasp the true essence of demons.”

  “You’re just skimming the surface of the Eight Meridians Escape Armor Demonic Technique...”

  The Demon Lord said.

  “Immortal cultivation is superficial dabbling, but demonic cultivation... demands deep emotion.”

  “That’s why you’re stuck at a bottleneck.”

  Tang Yimo froze.

  Immortal, demonic.

  “Immortals are the front; demons, the back.”

  “You claim to protect, but it’s just words.”

  “To truly master the Eight Meridians and walk the demonic path... risk your life for it. Bind your fate to theirs. Without madness, how can you protect?”

  The Demon Lord’s calm words shook Tang Yimo to his core.

  The figure twisted and vanished; the vision shifted.

  Now...

  Tang Yimo’s eyes blazed red, body swelling massively, skin crimson, scarlet spiritual energy exploding.

  Facing the claw at Tang Guo and his mother, he became a monster, armored in bizarre flesh.

  The battle shook the world.

  The outcome brutal, yet Tang Yimo felt clarity.

  His body cracked, blood gushing; he lay staring at the sky.

  The Demon Lord appeared, back turned.

  “Without madness, how to master demonic arts.”

  “Without madness, how to grow stronger.”

  The faint laughter echoed.

  Then, steps shaking heaven and earth, he vanished.

  Tang Yimo’s eyes emptied, pupils unfocused.

  Finally...

  Light gathered, solidifying.

  One last vision.

  No epic fights, no slaughter.

  Deep night.

  Moonlight dim.

  In a rundown woodshed, young Tang Yimo punched diligently.

  Back then, he sought strength to shield his sister and mother from harm.

  Buzz...

  Invisible waves rippled.

  Tang Yimo opened his eyes, heart oddly calm.

  On the Dao Stele...

  Mysterious fluctuations enveloped him.

  Du Longyang and others opened their eyes; even Ye Shoudao, who’d grasped intent, glanced back.

  At the stubborn youth.

  Overlord and Liu Yuanhao turned, staring...

  Had Tang Yimo comprehended it?

  Du Longyang, the Empress, and Young Master Tianxu felt unconvinced.

  As Infant Transformation experts, they hadn’t grasped intent—why this Foundation Building youth first?

  Outside Wolong Ridge...

  Chatting with Dantai Xuan, Tang Xiansheng shuddered.

  Not just him—patriarchs watching their cultivators enter the gates turned to the stele.

  New text emerged:

  “Tang Yimo, Fifth Sequence Intent: Intent of Protection.”

  It clashed with Ye Shoudao’s inscription, rising and falling in contest.

  Seeming to vie for superiority.

  Many gasped.

  Ye Shoudao narrowed his eyes.

  Du Longyang and the Empress grew curious.

  This Foundation Building cultivator’s intent rivaled Ye Shoudao’s?

  Infant Transformation experts were proud, unyielding—especially blade masters like Ye Shoudao.

  Tang Xiansheng’s face twitched, beard quivering.

  His heart unrested.

  “Intent of Protection.”

  He shook his head, understanding why.

  All of Tang Yimo’s protective resolve?

  Tang Guo, his mother—what he’d always guarded.

  Wonder if it included Southern Prefecture.

  Same fifth sequence, yet they ranked.

  Finally...

  Tang Yimo’s couldn’t surpass Ye Shoudao’s Heartless Intent.

  Ye Shoudao relaxed, almost pleased.

  Others sighed in regret.

  On the stele...

  Tang Yimo’s inscription settled second.

  “Intent of Protection?”

  He murmured, unbothered by rank—intents could improve.

  A bitter smile.

  “Not Guardian Intent... My level can’t grasp it yet.”

  “What sequence would Guardian Intent be?”

  He whispered.

  Overlord was shocked.

  Tang Yimo had comprehended intent.

  He didn’t know its exact benefits.

  But something Lu praised so highly must be vital on the path.

  Overlord gritted his teeth, jaw clenched.

  He resumed.

  Tang Yimo’s comprehension continued.

  His aura surged.

  Booming drew thick clouds.

  Seated on the mat, he growled, veins bulging on his neck.

  Essence, qi, spirit soared.

  Two meridians opened; the third hit a wall.

  “This kid’s technique... interesting.”

  “Neither fully righteous nor evil, impenetrable... but undeniably powerful.”

  Du Longyang and Tianxu commented.

  Not ordinary—rivaling the Martial Emperor Scripture or Tianxu Art.

  No wonder it nearly suppressed Ye Shoudao’s intent.

  In their view, as Infant Transformation, their first intent grasp should outshine a Foundation Building’s.

  Tang Yimo’s feat stemmed from strong intent and technique.

  His skin reddened, vital blood thundering inside.

  Impacting the third meridian.

  “Break!”

  Spiritual energy exploded.

  Roar!

  Hair standing, beastly bellow.

  Purple patterns emerged on crimson skin...

  Boom!

  Like a membrane shattering.

  Third meridian opened; another vessel pulsed.

  Three Meridians Realm!

  Equivalent to Heaven Lock.

  Tang Yimo gazed skyward, eyes flickering.

  But clouds gathered... then dispersed quietly.

  “Hahaha... With the Dao Stele here, even thunder tribulation fears to strike.”

  Young Master Tianxu laughed.

  Tang Yimo pondered, then shot off the mat, leaving the area.

  Soon...

  In Wolong Ridge...

  Thunder crashed down.

  Heaven Lock tribulation’s pressure was real.

  But to Du Longyang and others, mild—they’d survived Infant Transformation ascension tribulations.

  ...

  On the lake island.

  White Jade Capital pavilion.

  Dantai Xuan’s failure saddened Lu slightly; Tang Yimo’s breakthrough pleased him.

  “Pity, not Guardian Intent.”

  “But Guardian is at least third sequence—with his realm, normal he can’t grasp it.”

  “He needs more trials.”

  Lu understood: intent comprehension fused experience, soul, and character.

  Mind stirring...

  His soul’s Dao Stele showed Protection Intent.

  Fifth sequence; he fused it with Soul Extinction Intent.

  No ripples.

  Intent unchanged—still fourth sequence.

  Unbothered.

  White robes fluttering in the breeze, Lu sat calmly on the Thousand Blades Chair, listening to wind and rustling bamboo.

  His mind shifted to the Nine Prisons Gate.

  Something explosive had emerged inside.