Chapter 283: Unexpected Gains
"Wu Lao! Xiao Wu!" Xiao Yan and Xiao Wen's expressions shifted dramatically as they watched the scene unfold. They hadn't anticipated that the demon king would have such a hidden trump card.
"I... I'm fine."
Xiao Wu's face showed pain, but he managed to maintain control. Yet, a faint, unsettling gleam of madness flickered in his eyes.
The Demon Soul's Corruption
"It's a wisp of demon soul," Xiao Wen said grimly, his gaze fixed on Xiao Wu. "It has fused with your soul."
Xiao Wu froze momentarily but then laughed arrogantly.
"A mere remnant soul? Even if that demon revives fully, I'll still cut it down!"
Though his words brimmed with confidence, Xiao Yan and Xiao Wen exchanged deeply concerned glances.
Xiao Wu had always been headstrong, but he was rarely this brash. For him to casually claim he could take on a Dou Sheng level entity on his own was a stark shift in personality.
The Diagnosis
Concerned, Xiao Wen gripped his brother's hand and carefully examined him with his soul power.
Moments later, Xiao Wen's expression grew heavier, and he shook his head slowly.
"I can't believe it. This was the demon king's true plan all along."
"Brother," Xiao Wu said, irritated by Xiao Wen's constant head shaking. "What's that supposed to mean? Do you think I can't handle a measly demon soul?"
"I'm telling you, this thing is nothing to me!"
Xiao Yan, observing Xiao Wu's exaggerated confidence, sighed inwardly.
"He's in deeper trouble than we thought."
While Xiao Wu's current state wasn't beyond saving, it was evident the demon soul had already begun affecting his personality. Returning to the Xiao Clan to seek expert treatment was now imperative.
Exploring the Depths
Hoping to change the subject, Xiao Yan turned his attention to the rubble filled canyon.
"Wu Lao," he said calmly, "since you seem fine, why don't we explore the depths of this place? There might still be secrets hidden about the extraterrestrial demons here."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu perked up, his demeanor shifting back to eagerness.
"Now that's the kind of trust I like, Young Master!"
He glanced at Xiao Wen smugly. "See, brother? The young master knows what I'm capable of!"
Without hesitation, Xiao Wu leaped into action. With a single motion, two massive, hundred foot wide hands of Dou Qi manifested in the air, clearing away the rubble like a giant shovel.
In mere moments, the debris was cleared, revealing a deep, pitch black tunnel leading further underground.
"Young Master, the path is clear. After you."
Xiao Wu gestured grandly, a cocky grin on his face.
Xiao Yan nodded, giving Xiao Wu a small, approving smile. However, inwardly, he resolved to ensure Xiao Wu received proper treatment as soon as they returned to the clan.
A Mysterious Underground Relic
The three descended into the tunnel. Xiao Yan summoned a plume of seven colored flames to illuminate their path, revealing a vast underground space.
To their astonishment, a massive, ancient structure stood before them, spanning over a thousand feet in diameter.
The cavern was filled with thousands of statues that resembled terracotta warriors, yet they bore an uncanny resemblance to humans. Upon closer inspection, Xiao Yan realized these weren't just statues they were once people, encased in a resin like crystalline substance.
Time had weathered some of the figures, leaving them eroded and incomplete, but many remained eerily intact.
At the center of the cavern stood an ancient altar, and upon it rested a stele inscribed with intricate carvings. Beside the stele stood a middle aged man of striking appearance, his expression frozen in time.
The Inscription on the Stele
Xiao Yan's gaze shifted to the inscriptions on the stele, which seemed to detail the history of this place:
"In the 45,000th year of the Continent's calendar, the traces of emperors have vanished.
Yet, the extraterrestrial demon race remains unyielding. The final Holy Demon War has begun.
In the Northwest Continent, seven branches of extraterrestrial demons emerged. Among them, the Soul Demon Clan invaded our Spring God Sect with their most sinister tactics.
In this battle, all disciples above the Dou Zong level of the Spring God Sect sacrificed their lives. Their deaths sealed this branch of the Soul Demon Clan.
Should anyone in the future discover this, seek out a master of high level Heavenly Flames to burn away the remnants of these demons. Otherwise, if even one escapes, calamity will follow.
We of the Spring God Sect gave our all. May future generations do even better to protect our world."
Spring God Sect, Third Sect Leader, Li Yuchun
Paying Respect to the Fallen
After reading the stele, Xiao Yan fell silent. His eyes scanned the rows of encased warriors before stepping back and bowing respectfully toward them.
These warriors had sacrificed everything to seal the extraterrestrial demons, and Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a deep sense of reverence for their bravery.
Burning the Remnants
Rising from his bow, Xiao Yan summoned his Heavenly Flame. The brilliant seven colored fire spread across the cavern, engulfing the terracotta figures.
As the flames consumed the warriors, faint wisps of black mist emerged from the statues. Despite being sealed for thousands of years, traces of the extraterrestrial demons still lingered.
Xiao Yan quickly incinerated the mists, ensuring they could not escape. The resilience of these demonic remnants was a chilling reminder of their vitality even after 4,000 years, they persisted.
Finally, Xiao Yan turned his attention to the sect leader's body on the altar. With a solemn expression, he burned the remains.
As the flames enveloped the body, the ancient stele near the altar began to shimmer and melt.
A Hidden Treasure
Xiao Yan paused, surprised by the stele's reaction to the heat. A glint of excitement appeared in his eyes.
"It seems my actions weren't entirely in vain. Could there be a hidden treasure within?"
(Chapter End)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/LightKira10