Chapter 36#
The Peerless Great Demon, the Ba Serpent#
Very soon, Lu Heng got his answer. With a single dragon’s roar, the soul of the Zhulong turned out from behind the continent’s origin. A pair of dragon eyes blazed with crimson light, brimming with the madness of violent destruction. It gazed at the two of them from afar. Lu Heng braced himself, channeling his demon qi in preparation for battle.
But after that one glance, the Zhulong’s soul spun around and hurled itself at the continent’s origin. At the moment of contact, it unleashed a blinding radiance. The Zhulong’s soul had gone mad enough to detonate its own divine soul, sacrificing itself to obliterate the continent’s origin.
The variable had come far too quickly. Lu Heng had only enough time to throw up a barrier to shield himself and Shi Kong beside him. As the light faded, Lu Heng saw a tall, sturdy figure standing in front of him. Lu Heng was no fool — every doubt seemed to find its answer in that moment. The missing thread that ran through his memories, the person who was deeply entangled with this Master Shi Kong, the one he had been willing to shut away his own divine sense rather than forget — and the heart in his chest that had been beating wildly all along.
Lu Heng could no longer hold back. He wrapped his arms tightly around the man in front of him and whispered in his ear, “I’m so sorry. I forgot everything about us.”
The man before him still showed no reaction, simply standing there in silence. Lu Heng didn’t mind. Sealed divine sense, that was all — he would certainly find a solution somewhere in the ocean of inheritance memories from the Demon King.
A clamor came from above. Lu Heng came back to their current situation and, wasting no more time, took Shi Kong’s hand and retreated through another gap that had been blown open.
As for the reaction of everyone from the Sound of Brahma Temple upon arriving and seeing the incarnation within the Karmic Disc and the continent’s origin deep beneath the earth — that is a story for later. Here, Lu Heng and Shi Kong, having exited the Sound of Brahma Temple, were struck pale with shock at the sight before them.
That towering, colossal phantom — it was precisely the continent’s origin Lu Heng had witnessed deep in the earth’s core moments ago. The stone tree, whose branches propped up the sky and whose roots plunged into the ground, now bore crack after crack along its trunk. A crushing wave of sorrow swept across every living being on the continent. Every sentient creature heard the mournful cry of the continent’s origin echoing from deep within their hearts. It was its dying message:
“My children, I am gravely wounded. I no longer have the strength to sustain this heaven and earth. The continent shall collapse.”
Heaven and earth would collapse. Chaos erupted across the continent.
Several of the supreme sects in the Human Cultivation Realm jointly issued a summon, inviting all sect leaders to gather at the Sound of Brahma Temple to discuss this crisis of life and death that concerned countless living beings.
Though half of the Sound of Brahma Temple had been destroyed, its main peak remained intact, and all the prominent figures of the Human Cultivation Realm gathered here. Long rows of seats were set before the hall. Seated in the highest places of honor were Yuanzhen of the Sound of Brahma Temple, Changhe of the Lingyun Sect, Diling of the Jade Pool Palace, and Yanyun of the Sword Pavilion.
On the territory of the Sound of Brahma Temple, naturally it was Master Yuanzhen who took the lead. Yuanzhen pressed his palms together and bowed. “Esteemed benefactors, this calamity leaves the continent’s future uncertain. I hope you will generously share your wisdom and together discuss a way forward for the countless living beings on this continent.”
“Hmph. This chaos was caused by the demon race — naturally it is the demon race that should bear the responsibility.” Diling the Abbess of the Jade Pool Palace had always despised the demon race, and her opening words were laced with mockery.
“Abbess, you are mistaken. At this point, even the Demon King cannot bear the weight of so many lives. Furthermore, this matter concerns every living being on the continent. We cultivators, in all conscience, should do our part,” said Master Changhe.
Seeing Changhe seemingly speaking up for the demon race, Abbess Diling’s brows shot up and she snapped viciously, “You old brute! I knew you’ve always favored the demon race. I hear you even take in demon disciples in your sect. Those who are not of our race — their hearts must be exterminated.”
Master Changhe, however, remained gentle in his expression. “Abbess, I urge you to mind your words. The present state of peaceful coexistence between the humans and the demon race was won through the blood of our ancestors. Do not forget the great war of one hundred thousand years ago…”
As the two grew ever further from the topic, Master Yuanzhen cleared his throat to interrupt Changhe’s ceaseless flow. “Benefactor Yanyun, what is your view?”
That Sword Sovereign Yanyun had kept his eyes closed in meditation since taking his seat at the head, not uttering a single word. Upon hearing Yuanzhen call his name, he merely lifted his eyelids and uttered a single sentence:
“I will mind only my own.”
This Sword Sovereign Yanyun had reached the pinnacle of cultivation. Judging by his attitude, he intended to ascend to the upper realm when the continent collapsed. It was hardly surprising he held such an attitude — rumor had it that he had suffered a lonely and bitter youth, bullied and humiliated, living a life of hardship before he ever set foot on the path of cultivation. As such, he had never held much goodwill toward the mortal world.
“Master Yuanzhen, this humble one has a proposal, if it may be spoken.”
Yuanzhen turned toward the source of the voice and saw Qingkongzi, the sect leader of the Clear Spring Sect. This Qingkongzi had suffered severe injuries for unknown reasons a hundred years ago and now appeared as one on the verge of death. It seemed his lifespan was drawing to a close.
“Speak freely.”
“This humble one once obtained considerable secrets about the demon race from a certain demon. According to her, the demon race has a burial ground — a forbidden zone storing the bones of the great demons that fell over the millennia,” Qingkongzi said. “This humble one has been pondering whether we could use those great demon bones to mend the continent’s origin.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Someone immediately said, “This method is viable! I have heard that the bones of fallen great demons all contain the power of law — they would be the most suitable material to mend the continent’s origin.”
“But the demon race surely won’t agree.”
“Hmph, they don’t get a say in this. This disaster was caused by the demon race in the first place. All we’re asking is for them to hand over the great demon bones to mend the continent’s origin — that should be considered letting them off easy!” Abbess Diling sneered.
While the human cultivators were still embroiled in heated debate over this crisis, Lu Heng had already brought Shi Kong back to the demon race’s homeland. Out of their blind worship for their King, the demon race remained largely calm. Though some demon kings were uneasy about the matter of the continent’s origin, they held their peace and awaited the King’s summons.
For now, however, Lu Heng’s thoughts were not on that matter. His entire focus was on how to restore Shi Kong’s consciousness. He searched through the inheritance memories again and again, and finally found a method completely free of any lingering concerns.
A dual cultivation partner could pass their inner core into the body of the one whose divine sense was sealed, using the aura of the partner’s inner core as a guide, supplemented with divine sense, to awaken them from the seal. The method was simple in theory but difficult in practice. A dual cultivation partner — it had to be someone bound under the laws of heaven and earth, recognized by the Heavenly Dao.
A dual cultivation partner. Lu Heng looked toward the man sitting cross-legged inside the cave — the one who had been sitting in that same spot since they arrived.
Lu Heng walked over and sat down before Shi Kong. “Though I still cannot remember our past, my heart tells me — I love you.”
From the moment he felt Lu Heng sit down, Shi Kong had opened his eyes. Those dark, emotionless irises stared straight at Lu Heng. After hearing Lu Heng’s words, not a single flicker of change crossed his expression.
Lu Heng didn’t mind. He took one of Shi Kong’s hands and pressed it against his own chest. “Shi Kong — are you willing to become my dual cultivation partner?”
Silence once again. But Lu Heng felt the hand beneath his palm stir slightly. The corner of his lips curled into a smile. “I knew you wouldn’t refuse me.”
【System 666: I know this is a terrible time to interrupt, but I feel I must conscientiously remind you — the moment of death is approaching.】 The little assistant’s appearance shattered the sweet atmosphere.
【I want to abandon this mission.】
【You — you — you, calm down! If you abandon the mission, this world will collapse! You’ll be directly rated as a failure, and the punishment is a hundred-day tour of the Eighteenth Level of Hell!】 The little assistant was so frightened by Lu Heng that it began roaring repeatedly.
【I want to stay with him until the very last moment…】
【No, no, no — you must understand that if this world collapses, the souls of every living being in it will be scattered to ash and never enter the cycle of reincarnation! For the sake of your beloved, you must complete this mission!】 The little assistant’s database ran at full speed until it finally found a way to convince Lu Heng.
【…I was impulsive. Thank you for the reminder.】
In the end, Lu Heng remembered his identity and duty. Not only for Shi Kong’s sake — the countless living beings of this world would not tolerate such reckless self-indulgence. Burying an entire world’s population as a sacrifice for one’s own love — Lu Heng was not that deranged a man.
With the little assistant reassured, it sank back into the depths of his consciousness. Its role had always been merely to assist, provide information, and remind the executor at critical moments. Since Lu Heng had made his guarantee, and given what it knew of him, it was confident nothing would go wrong from here.
Since he couldn’t abandon the mission, Lu Heng could only adjust his plans. With a feeling that was both sweet and heavy, he began preparing for his own wedding. For cultivators, marriage was not fraught with the elaborate ceremonies of the mortal world — it was enough to bow to the laws of heaven and earth and receive the Heavenly Dao’s recognition.
Lu Heng didn’t want it to be so perfunctory, but since he was destined to leave, a grand wedding was inappropriate. After careful consideration, Lu Heng sealed off Zhaoyao Mountain, forbidding anyone from intruding.
Inside the Demon King’s private treasury, everything was available.
Lu Heng dug out two sets of crimson robes. Though Shi Kong’s frame was slightly taller than his own, these robes were magical artifacts that automatically adjusted to fit the wearer’s form — there was no need to worry about them not fitting. Lu Heng thought for a moment, then retrieved a puppet as well, a mysterious smile tugging at his lips.
The next morning.
Zhaoyao Mountain of the Demon King had never been so noisy. Long stretches of red silk ran from the foot of the mountain all the way to the peak. Along the way, every tree was hung with crimson lanterns — the entire mountain was draped in red. A long wedding procession made its way up from the base. Upon closer inspection, the musicians playing the instruments and the porters carrying the palanquin all moved with stiff, rigid gestures and blank, expressionless faces — they were all wooden puppets.
This somewhat eerie wedding procession made its grand way to the mountainside, where a man in red robes sat astride a horse. Seeing the bridal palanquin approaching, he raised his brows and smiled — all the brilliant color scattered across the mountain could not rival even half his splendor.
Lu Heng dismounted and strode up to the bridal palanquin. He stepped forward and delivered a kick. The palanquin door swung open with the blow. Lu Heng froze, slightly embarrassed. The custom was to kick the palanquin door three times — but he hadn’t controlled his strength and had kicked it open with a single blow. What now?
Lu Heng rubbed his nose, then extended a hand into the palanquin. “Ah, let’s not fuss over too many vulgar customs. My queen — ride with me.”
A single gallop, leaving dust in their wake. Two crimson figures vanished into the deep shadows of the forest.
They bowed to heaven and earth, drank from the nuptial cup, and received the Heavenly Dao’s recognition. From that moment, they were both a married couple in the mortal sense and dual cultivation partners.
The twin-dragon candles dripped long trails of wax. Lu Heng straddled Shikong’s lap, their dantians pressed together, foreheads touching. Lu Heng gazed at the handsome yet expressionless face before him, when a scene flashed through his mind — the same face, but adorned with an expression of tender affection.
Lu Heng steadied his thoughts and passed his demon core into Shi Kong’s mouth. Maintaining this position, he slowly extended his divine sense into Shi Kong’s dantian.
The long candles had burned halfway down. Shi Kong’s expression grew increasingly lucid. His eyes suddenly flew open — only to meet a pair of golden slit pupils. And then he felt himself sink into darkness once more.
This was the innate demon art of the Ba Serpent clan. Lu Heng had planted a suggestion deep in Shi Kong’s heart — that the love they shared was nothing but a fleeting dream, a heart-demon tribulation on Shi Kong’s path of cultivation. The art was not unbreakable, but the day it shattered would be the day Shi Kong severed all karmic ties, saw through all illusion, and attained Buddhahood.
“When you finally remember, I hope you can smile and let go with ease,” Lu Heng murmured softly. Then he pressed a kiss to Shi Kong’s lips and turned away.