Chapter 557

Chapter 557: Demonic Energy?

Under the guidance of the Ancestor of the Sword Path, Ye Yun managed to block the true qi invading him from Jun Ruolan.

To his shock, this true qi carried a wisp of demonic energy. Though its origin was unclear, the reappearance of such energy in the Human Realm left both Ye Yun and the Ancestor deeply alarmed.

Ye Yun’s fear stemmed from the energy’s destructiveness—even this tiny strand had ravaged his arm, numbing all sensation. Had the demonic energy been slightly stronger, it might’ve corrupted his entire body in moments, covering his skin in dark webs.

The Ancestor’s dread, however, came from the energy’s mere existence. His fragmented soul still held memories of the Battle of Immortals and Demons ten thousand years ago—a time when immortal and demonic energies clashed, reducing both the human and Demon Race to fragility. Only the rise of humanity’s greatest heroes had prevented extinction.

The Demon Race, though stronger in body, had barely endured the Devil Race’s onslaught. Countless immortals perished, and sacrifices beyond measure finally drove the demons back to the Demon Realm. For millennia, the Human Realm remained cleansed… save for the lingering threat of Mental Demons.

The Ancestor frowned. His memories insisted the Devil Race had been eradicated entirely, yet also spoke of Mental Demons as seeds planted by the Demon Realm. Contradictions gnawed at him—perhaps reuniting his soul fragments would bring clarity.

Jun Ruolan’s blood-red eyes flickered as her attacks faltered. Sensing resistance, her true qi turned wild, surging violently into Ye Yun’s body.

But Ye Yun held firm. The creeping dark webs halted below his shoulders, trapped by his defenses.

Staring into Jun Ruolan’s fully crimson eyes—devoid of whites or pupils, emotion or life—Ye Yun muttered, “Is she truly being controlled? Yet you claimed Mental Demons don’t manipulate her. Why then…?”

“A Mental Demon’s puppet would’ve fully transformed,” the Ancestor replied. “Burning lifespan, converting essence blood to power—how could you withstand that?”

A glimmer lit Ye Yun’s narrowed eyes. “What if she’s partially controlled? Enhanced strength without lost consciousness?”

“JUN SHIJIE, WAKE UP!” he barked.

Jun Ruolan’s frame shuddered at his shout—then twisted into a cold smile. Her true qi thickened, attacks redoubling.

Ye Yun gritted his teeth. The dark webs inched closer to his shoulders. If they crossed that line, defending would become impossible—

Inspiration struck. True qi seeped from his pores, blooming into mist that coiled around them both. The haze contracted sharply, crystallizing into ice.

Ice Spirit Barrier!

The sudden technique cost him—the webs lurched upward, nearly breaching his shoulders—but the barrier held. Sunlight refracted through the floating ice prism, casting rainbows across the Divine Grace Palace’s protective formation where it gently settled, suspended midair.

“What’s happening?” Zhuge Chong gaped at the frozen duelists.

“Junior Brother sealed them with his Ice Spirit Barrier,” Kun Huazi fretted. “Who knows who’s winning…”

“Fools!” The Divine Feather Vulture King’s screech cut through. “Ye Yun’s destiny’s child! Waste worry on yourselves—pathetic after decades of training!”

Kun Huazi glared but stayed silent. Jun Ruolan’s Moon Goddess Palace heritage and top-quality Immortal artifacts made her overwhelming. Yet Ye Yun’s barrier had stalled her—for now. How long could it last?

“Wrong… This is wrong!”

All turned to Tongtong. The usually expressionless little girl trembled, round face pale, clear eyes wide with terror.

Shu Anshi stepped forward. “What’s wrong?”

Tongtong glanced at him and hesitated before shaking her head. "It’s nothing. I just had a vague sense something was wrong, but couldn’t pinpoint it."

Shu Anshi saw through her lie with his sharp perception, but didn’t press further. His gaze settled on the ice crystals, brows furrowing tightly.

On the Divine Grace Palace’s outer platform, Tian Yunzi and Cheng Yuweng watched falling ice crystals with mixed expressions.

"Hahaha! Jun Ruolan’s winning!" Cheng Yuweng guffawed. "Ye Yun’s arm meridians are wrecked – see those spiderweb patterns? They’ll burst any moment, rendering his arms useless!"

Tian Yunzi maintained silence, though his usual calm face showed rare concern. This inner disciple mattered greatly to his plans – Ye Yun’s success would boost Tian Yunzi’s chances of reaching the Earth Immortal realm.

Ye Yun currently faced defeat. Once Jun Ruolan shattered the ice crystals, the match would conclude. Even if he lost, their previous win and draw meant overall parity – neither side would lose their Saint’s Secret Vault shares.

Yet those dark webs on Ye Yun’s arms worried Tian Yunzi. If they destroyed his meridians, this loss could cripple his cultivation. For the first time, Tian Yunzi considered forfeiting to treat Ye Yun’s injuries immediately.

Regrowing limbs required Golden Core heavenly tribulation clearance and Nascent Soul stage attainment. Even then, new limbs started weaker, needing extensive recovery time.

CRACK!

The ice crystals suddenly blazed with blue light before exploding. Shards flew as icy light erupted. Ye Yun and Jun Ruolan shot skyward, separated now. The dark webs faded from Ye Yun’s arms while the crimson faded from Jun Ruolan’s eyes.

"Jun Shijie, how’s that move?" Ye Yun laughed. His gamble worked – the Ice Spirit Barrier’s frozen air had slowed Jun Ruolan’s attacks, thinning her demonic energy threads.

Mastering the Ice Element Law let him move freely within the ice, unleashing techniques faster. Though Jun Ruolan broke free quickly, he’d compressed his Ice Sealing a Thousand Miles technique to their clasped hands.

When she shattered the ice, their palms remained connected – exactly her goal to inject demonic energy. But her violent break freed Ye Yun instead.

Separated, Jun Ruolan’s blood aura dissipated. "I underestimated your cunning," she coldly stated. "Still, you can’t beat me."

Ye Yun smiled. "Maybe not. But I’ve discovered something… interesting."

Jun Ruolan’s eyes flashed doubt. Nobody in the Great Qin Empire should recognize demonic energy – not even Moon Goddess Palace higher-ups.

Ye Yun’s mental intent pierced her mind: *Demonic energy.*

She shuddered imperceptibly. "Call it a draw?" Ye Yun proposed, watching the vanishing webs on his arm.

"No!" Cheng Yuweng shouted. "You’re clearly losing!"

Tian Yunzi’s voice froze him: "Interfere again, Vice Sect Leader, and I’ll entertain you personally."

Jun Ruolan ignored them, staring at Ye Yun. Exposure meant becoming hunted by all races and the Heavenly Realm. Yet somehow, this nobody had seen through her perfect disguise.

*You think naming it makes it so?* she mentally retorted. *Who’d believe you?*

*Belief isn’t my concern,* Ye Yun countered. *They’ll investigate you. If real, I gain credit. If false, no harm done.*

*What do you want?*

*Swear to grant me one future request. Call this a draw.*

After prolonged silence, Jun Ruolan transmitted: *Done.*

Aloud, she declared: "Our true qi nears depletion. Continuing wastes time. This ends as a draw."

A draw?

The verdict hung in the air.