Chapter 84: Fight Between Disciples! Sudden Explosion!

Though he had practiced demonic techniques before, their side effects had always been relatively mild.

This was the first time Chen Xuan had used a true demonic art, and the results were surprising.

If not for his powerful cultivation and high state of mind, he might have already descended into madness.

Even though he had anticipated some backlash, the intensity still caught him off guard.

Of course, Chen Xuan knew very well that the Heaven-Swallowing Scripture was different from ordinary demonic techniques.

Its power was equivalent to an immortal art.

As such, the backlash the user had to suffer was countless times more terrifying than that of common demonic methods.

’Still, the point remains the same. I need to be cautious when using this technique in the future. If I rely on it too heavily, I might really lose myself.’ Chen Xuan concluded.

However, its effects were absolutely worth it.

Sensing the subtle transformation in his Physique, Chen Xuan couldn’t help but break into a smile.

But soon, he regained his composure.

His divine sense sank into his body and focused on the Blood Essence sealed within him.

’Let’s give it a try...’ he whispered inwardly, pressing his right hand against his chest.

The Heaven-Swallowing Scripture was immediately activated.

It didn’t affect his body, but instead targeted the Blood Essence of the Azure Dragon and the Phoenix.

Initially, the seal restraining the Blood Essence had been flawless. Yet after his "battle" with Tang Yuechen, a tiny crack had formed along its surface.

It was not enough for the blood to riot and go out of control.

However, it was just big enough for him to try and "siphon" away a trace of its power.

As the devouring force of the Heaven-Swallowing Scripture descended upon the Blood Essence, a tiny wisp escaped through the crack.

Just like the essence of the corpse before it, it rapidly split into countless strands and spread throughout Chen Xuan’s body.

The amount of "stolen" essence was minuscule, not even one-thousandth of the Blood Essence’s total volume.

Yet the moment it coursed through his body, Chen Xuan felt its terrifying potency.

Crackling noises echoed from within his body.

His skin trembled while his bones rattled, producing a soul-stirring clamor.

Chen Xuan shut his eyes and consciously worked to refine the Blood Essence’s effects.

Bit by bit, he watched as his Physique evolved.

The Dragon Essence merged into the Yang aspect of his Yin-Yang Spirit Body, while the Phoenix Essence fused with the Yin.

As if destined for each other, the two quickly fused.

--

Meanwhile, while Chen Xuan was tasting the benefits of the demonic path, and the Heaven-Swallowing Scripture in particular, two young women were having a far less pleasant time.

The sound of mining echoed through a dark tunnel within the Spirit Stone mine, accompanied by a resentful voice.

"It’s you! It’s all your fault! Master would have never punished me if it weren’t for you!" Huo Ling’er complained as she swung her pickaxe into the ore wall, sending Spirit Stones flying.

Yet despite collecting these "treasures, she looked miserable.

Feeling that her cultivation was sealed and sensing the soreness coursing throughout her body, she looked deeply aggrieved.

The glare she directed at Chi Yao only became increasingly hostile. It was as if everything was her fault.

Facing that gaze, Chi Yao felt speechless.

She had the urge to smack this madwoman to death.

Unfortunately, when her eyes fell upon the crimson band linking their wrists, restricting their cultivation while preventing them from attacking one another, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

’Who would have thought that one day I’d be punished by a mere Core Formation cultivator? And forced to spend time with a madwoman as a result...’

Recalling Chen Xuan’s order for them to mine eighteen hours a day for the next week, Chi Yao gritted her teeth.

’Is this the tribulation I must go through in this life? Did I commit too many sins in my past life and now have to atone for them?’ she wondered as she raised her pickaxe and struck at the mineral.

She wanted to move farther down the tunnel to escape Huo Ling’er’s nonstop complaining, but the moment she exceeded a certain distance, the crimson band on her wrist tightened.

A bolt of lightning erupted from it and struck her body, as if it were a punishment.

’Is the limit only ten feet?’ she judged.

Lifting her head, she glanced at Huo Ling’er, who continued mining while cursing under her breath, and an idea surfaced in Chi Yao’s mind.

Raising her pickaxe high, she slammed it into the ore in front of her with all her strength, sending Spirit Stones scattering everywhere.

The tunnel’s floor trembled faintly.

But before Huo Ling’er could react and check what was happening, Chi Yao suddenly shouted.

"Be careful! There is a demon here!"

Her cry startled Huo Ling’er. Instinctively, she dropped her pickaxe and fled.

Yet before she could go far...

Tug!

The band around her wrist tightened. Arcs of lightning burst forth and struck her body, causing her to collapse onto the ground and to start convulsing.

The punishment was not painful, but it was uncomfortable enough to force a groan from her lips.

Moments later, Huo Ling’er opened her eyes and exhaled a puff of smoke, only to see Chi Yao staring at her with teasing eyes.

"You—you!"

The expression on Chi Yao’s face made Huo Ling’er want to smash her skull in. But recalling the previous punishment, she merely snorted coldly and returned to "work".

She planned to teach her a lesson in the future!

Bang! Bang!

Her pickaxe repeatedly struck the surrounding ore, leaving Chi Yao satisfied.

Watching this madwoman suffer while being unable to retaliate against her made her surprisingly happy.

Yet just as she turned around with a smile, a shout rang behind her.

"Be careful! There is a demon here!"

"Hmph! Trying to fool me with my own trick—" Chi Yao sneered dismissively.

But before she could finish her sentence, both the ground and the walls around them began to tremble.

The next instant, the ceiling collapsed.

A large amount of Spirit Stones came crashing down upon them, as though a mountain had crumbled.