Chapter 113: The Bait

As Hong Yun gradually deepened his mastery over the calamity aura enveloping his body, reaching a state of final stability, he emerged from seclusion.

Originally, when he first began to control the calamity aura, it was early spring—a time when warmth was tentative, and chill still lingered.

When he stepped out once more from his secluded retreat, his expression was momentarily stunned.

It was snowing.

Not just a mere dusting, but snow spreading across the entire expanse before him, nearly covering half of the demon realm.

The snow did not fall hurriedly; it was carried gently by the breeze, imparting an unusual significance.

Such a scene was rare.

As for Luan Seventeen, he remained asleep in the secluded place, unaware even after Hong Yun awoke.

Though Hong Yun’s footsteps stirred him slightly, he did not rise—at most, he merely cracked open one eye.

“Master!”

The moment he saw Hong Yun, he instantly brightened, shaking off sleepiness and waddling over to his feet.

Looking at this dumbfounded and silly expression, Hong Yun was momentarily reminded of Chai Xiaoyue. Compared to that, his mood lightened considerably.

Noticing the subtle changes forming in the other’s eyes, Hong Yun understood it was caused by the slight overflow of calamity aura on his own body, so he did not speak of it directly.

For Luan Qingliu to accompany them, a phoenix of treasured body at peak realm, was already rare. Moreover, keeping him close clearly implied an unspoken intent—to let him learn something, consciously or unconsciously.

Hong Yun naturally did not object. On the contrary, his mood was quite good: his calamity aura points had reached 441. Although he had not actively explored its uses, having more of it in hand was never a disadvantage.

“You little one, if you had met me earlier, you might have learned a few techniques. But now, it’s a bit late. I suppose it won’t be long before I leave this place.”

Leave this place?

Luan Seventeen’s mind spun rapidly upon hearing this, filled with some confusion he dared not voice.

Seeing his expression, Hong Yun did not speculate on his thoughts. Instead, he commanded him to shrink and jump onto his shoulder, then produced the compass.

This was the very compass bestowed upon him by Ji Zhange, said to directly lead to the Human Emperor’s location. Now, with his calamity aura fully harmonized, there was no need to wait any longer.

Besides, under his calamity-inspecting eyes, he could clearly sense where the needed calamity type lay. Being able to go there and speak in person was naturally ideal.

He fixed his gaze on the compass, recalling its purpose, but remembered Ji Zhange had not explained everything, causing him to frown slightly.

Yet, sensing the aura emanating from it, he hesitated briefly before channeling some of his calamity aura into it.

Once the aura entered, a familiar energy surged forth. The compass spun rapidly, and before Hong Yun’s surprised eyes, it gradually fragmented and scattered in all directions, eventually forming an array from which a towering pillar of light shot up to the heavens.

When the light faded, the scenery had transformed.

He raised his eyes and saw a farmer working in the field look up and smile warmly at him.

“Before you came, I had some doubts. But now that you’ve arrived, I can see clearly.”

Hong Yun looked toward the man and felt waves of calamity aura emanating from him. Understanding dawned, and he bowed slightly.

“So, this is the Great Martial Human Emperor in person? The wanderer Cloud Guest greets you.”

“Cloud Guest?”

The old farmer did not refute the title of Great Martial Human Emperor. Instead, he studied Hong Yun carefully for a moment before shaking his head.

“If that’s truly your name, it’s not wrong. Between heaven and earth, no trace remains. Clad in calamity aura yet pure, in the five elements there is nothing, and the treasured vial shatters—there must be a flaw...”

He spoke vaguely and mysteriously. Seeing Hong Yun’s expression unchanged, he ceased further words, hung his hoe in the corner, and sat down, rubbing his waist.

“Since you appeared before, I’ve sensed a faint presence. But it was the old demon who truly told me of your existence. After all, you seldom appear in the human domain. I have rarely tracked your movements.”

Hong Yun did not doubt the man’s words. Instead, he studied his smiling expression and shook his head faintly.

“Since you can sense my aura, then you must understand my purpose here. What lies beneath this place—I need it.”

The man’s gaze deepened. After a moment of silence, he shook his head.

“Of course I sense you and understand your state. But I wonder how you swallowed this ‘bait’ without any mishap.”

He patted the soil on his hands, stood, and stepped lightly on the ground. Without a sound, the earth silently cracked open. Something wrapped in earth slowly rose, eventually controlled by an unknown technique. His voice trembled slightly.

“This thing is the ‘bait,’ a deadly matter for us. Every time a wisp of its calamity aura is torn off and absorbed, the feeling of impending disaster intensifies within.

“At the dawn of the demon heavens, the Kui Wood Bull tribe bit this bait and was annihilated. The bait was then split in two.

“The once proud Heartfire Phoenix tribe first uncovered its secret. Six demon emperors poured their hearts and souls into forging six different imperial artifacts, each reaching peak feather-exchange realm. Yet, bitten by the bait, they attempted a desperate gamble and ended up forced to rename themselves as mere phoenix birds.

“The Seven Orifices Stone Spirit, renowned for knowing all fate and death, was also destroyed, leaving few records—even the bait eventually became a human possession.

“The Underworld Water Serpent, said to be immortal and unique, claiming to be above all emperors in this realm, also perished in a celestial pool because of this object.

“To approach this thing means life is no longer at will, death no longer by fate. Do you dare to take the bait?”

So they were aware of this object’s existence...

Hong Yun looked at the thing before him, feeling its aura. He narrowed his eyes. That they knew of calamity aura was unsurprising—after all, transforming killing intent into calamity aura was a fundamental practice in this world.

But that they were willing to give it to him...

Seeing the man’s earnest expression, Hong Yun felt a strange sensation but did not step forward to seize it. Instead, he glanced into the distance.

“Could it be that there are others here with the Great Martial Human Emperor?”

Just now, he sensed a faint calamity aura fluctuation. Upon opening his calamity-inspecting eyes, he saw a dazzling cluster of calamity aura.

“There are no humans here. After all, I am no longer human.”

As the words fell, an arm stretched out, tearing open a rift. Emerging was an ape demon.

He raised his eyes to fix on Hong Yun, grinning broadly like the Great Martial Human Emperor, holding a mass wrapped in various metallic ores.

“I came here to deliver bait as well. Are you willing to take the hook?”