n

n

nChapter 526, True Demon

nTranslator: StarReader

nEditor: Elitecoder

n

n

nA deathly silence ensued, everyone put up their guards, with eyes darting everywhere for any incoming blow. As the stalemate continued, the pressure only mounted, visible from the sweat pouring out of them.

nBam!

n

n

nIt was an 8th layer of Bone Tempering cultivator who gave the start, flying all of a sudden and landing dead. The others jerked and saw Kui Lang letting his hand down.

n“If you don’t fight, I will do it for you until I reach the quota. As for who the poor devils are, time will tell.” Kui Lang’s eyes glinted.

n

n

nGulp.

nThe crowd tensed harder, their eyes turning crazy.

n“Ah!”

n

n

nSomeone took out a demonic treasure and hacked around him while the rest unleashed their power and picked their closest neighbor.

nWails, shouts and cries set the stage for the blood spurting everywhere, dying the lit cavern an eerie red.

nCorpses littered the ground as they fell, yet their eyes did not have the panic or shock one would assume, but only fear mixed with madness.

nZhuo Fan took it all in with a critical eye. It is madness born out of dread and horror. What started as a fight for survival has devolved into this fanatic killing into oblivion, forgetting even their goal.

n

n

nIn a slaughterhouse like this, their inner demons took control while they only played along as puppets on a string to kill and kill with empty minds consumed by a sick thrill.

nThis was the Asura Circle, a place where one became demons and stopped being human…

nWhoosh!

nOne 3rd layer of Profound Heaven expert lost his mind in the madness and targeted Zhuo Fan, despite the obvious three layer gap.

nZhuo Fan was tranquil while standing there, breaking his bones and tendons with practiced ease.

nBut not even that agony could wipe the manic grin on the corpse’s face.

nZhuo Fan shook his head, his mind lacking sadness or joy, only having serenity.

n

n

nHe just stood there among the fanatic killings, unmarred and untouched by its corrupting influence. Only making a move when an overzealous killer went for him.

nAs if he was the eye of the storm, despite the frantic winds lashing at his clothes, his steel will never wavered.

nAt the same time, he was glaringly obvious in the circle.

n“What’s with him?” Kui Lang frowned, pointing Zhuo Fan out, “Such a bloodthirsty arena makes even my blood boil a bit, so why is he the only one unaffected? It’s like he isn’t even here.”

nYue Ling frowned, “He is truly an oddity, unlike how a demonic cultivator should be, or any cultivator for that matter. This stage would make even righteous cultivators turn to bloodlust, but he… “

n“He’s a true expert.”

nElder Yuan rubbed his beard, staring at Zhuo Fan with a deep look, “Everyone has their demons. As demonic cultivators, we draw them out and refine them to achieve enlightenment about the inner workings of the world. But most people only glare at the surface of their demons, resulting in being consumed by them in a bloodbath like this. Except him, having understood the root of his demons and having tempered his heart to another level, a true demon. The inner demon has no hold over him, while he has it in complete control.”

nElder Yuan sighed, “So young, yet he has such a deep heart. It will bring him a limitless future.”

nElder Yuan was full of praise, making Kui Lang and Yue Ling speechless.

nWhen did the old timer turn into a sage? And why is he talking gibberish?

n“Old Yuan, have you lost it?” Kui Lang stared at him.

nElder Yuan chuckled, finding himself under their scrutiny, “Ha-ha-ha, it’s just my feelings. Please don’t mind it. I was just saying that Zhuo Fan is special, someone you should get close to.”

nBam!

nKui Lang decked Elder Yuan and spat, “So your act is to have us look after him? Think you’re an expert with your aphorisms?”

n“Ha-ha-ha, yeah, I won’t ever do it again.” Elder Yuan smiled.

nThe two shared a glance and shrugged.

nThe old foggie wasn’t much to look out, yet his act and preaching almost had them.

nIt gives credence to the saying, the old are hypocrites. And this old guy must’ve made it into an art…

nAn hour into the killings, the Asura Circle’s reverberating roars and shouts of murder never let up, time in which the ever collected Zhuo Fan figured he could do some fishing among the chaos while waiting.

nKui Lang figured the killing was enough and sounded the bell.

nThough it wasn’t that easy pulling their minds out of their demons’ control.

nNo choice but for Kui Lang and Yue Ling to let their voices out, “Cease at once!”

nThe thunderous sound echoed in the cave so much even the ground shook. The two’s powerful soul, along with their voices, yanked their minds into collapsing.

nThe crazed killing field turned deathly silent.

nThe living participants held their heads and groaned while flouncing around. The dead forever remained still among the pool of blood; their eyes open, bloodthirsty yet empty.

nKui Lang saw Yue Ling’s nod and said, “This should last them two months.”

nYue Ling returned the nod, having a rare smile on her lips…

nBut just then, Kui Lang’s smile froze and his eyes widened.

n“What’s wrong?” Yue Ling raised an eyebrow.

nKui Lang lifted a shaky arm to point.

nYue Ling found herself experiencing the same shock as him.

nThere, Zhuo Fan stood just like before, watching his neighbors with self confidence.

n“That’s not possible. We used Bewitching Whispers together. Why is he still standing?” Yue Ling couldn’t make sense of it.

nKui Lang surmised, “Since a Profound Heaven cultivator’s soul has no chance of being stronger than ours, it leaves only one option, he has a soul demonic treasure!”

nYue Ling nodded, having reached the same conclusion.

n“I have said he is special. Sirs should take good care of him.” Elder Yuan jumped in.

nThe two nodded after a pause.

nNot anyone could just have a soul demonic treasure. He’s just a 6th layer of Profound Heaven cultivator. Someone must be watching his back to possess such a bauble.

nThe two held Zhuo Fan with higher regard on the spot.

nYet behind this misconception, one’d find Zhuo Fan a freak of nature with a soul so strong, not even peak Radiant Stage could top it.

nAs for backing, ha-ha, Xie Wuyue did invite him here, but his immense confidence in himself left him to his own devices; i.e. he had none.

nAlas, Zhuo Fan was neck deep in mysteries and good at keeping others away…

nAhe-hem…

nMoving on, Kui Lang turned to the rest of the survivors with a shout, “Grats, people, you have survived another Asura Circle. You are now free to go. There are many tasks that await you tomorrow.”

nKui Lang and Yue Ling had others collect the corpses as they left.

nThe lucky men here who still lived left overjoyed at their new lease on life. While only Zhuo Fan sneered, “They’re no different from cattle.”

n“But they are different. They have a hint of hope.” Elder Yuan smiled, coming over and seeing everyone gone, “Men are selfish and men’s hearts have demons. Uprising has no chance of success and the sect would’ve long since removed the Labor Office if it didn’t serve its purpose. But to keep that from happening, the sect gave them a slim hope, to cultivate hard and they would come out as executive elders at some point. That’s why they fight, so that one day they’ll excel, while making Labor Office fulfill its purpose in the meantime.”

n“In truth, it’s not the sect rearing them, but they are locking themselves inside their pen.” Elder Yuan’s eyes glinted with disdain, “Which is perfect. In a world where strength is everything, even here, only the strong make their way forward. As for the weak, the stragglers, death becomes them.”

nZhuo Fan nodded.

nThe world was cruel, its creatures nothing but fodder. It went double for demonic sects.

nLabor Office was hell, the supplier for the sect’s disciple’s cultivation needs while also being the place where the strong transformed. The survivors of this hellhole were crucial pillars of the sect, having gone through one culling after another.

nIt only went to show its importance to the Demon Scheming Sect.

nThe Labor Office was empty of anything humane, reduced to mere survival or death. But unlike the world outside that had the same nature, this was a corner of the world free of hypocrisies.

nZhuo Fan’s eyes flashed as his heart and mentality grew, as he understood more about the world he was part of…

n