Chapter 64: Zhao Eradicates the Shadows

The demon beast stared at the vital essence before him, his mind ensnared, unable to tear himself away. He clenched his jaw, breathing heavily, and slowly uttered two words:

“I refuse.”

To resist such temptation meant there was something else he valued more deeply—whether familial bonds or hatred. Hong Yun, observing his demeanor, ceased teasing him and allowed a new thought to take root:

“This vital essence is the most refined portion extracted from the lethal core of You Ming Huan, one of the Five Elders of the Howling Moon Wolf Clan. With his cultivation at the peak of the Nirvana stage, just a single drop could elevate your bloodline.”

“What?”

The demon cultivator was stunned, a flash of delight crossing his heart. He looked up at Hong Yun’s smiling face, his voice trembling:

“Senior, are you saying You Ming Huan…”

Hong Yun, seeing his reaction, felt his suspicions confirmed and tested further:

“That’s right. The strange phenomena from days past happened because I slew You Ming Huan and collected this essence from his lethal core.”

You Ming Huan is dead!

Hearing this, his body went rigid, as if petrified. Only after a long moment did he recover, disregarding Hong Yun beside him and bursting into laughter until tears streamed down his face.

But he knew this was not the time to vent his emotions so openly. He restrained himself, stood upright, and bowed solemnly:

“I, Huang San of the Xue Rong Dog Clan, greet you, Senior. For this alone, I pledge myself at your feet, to follow you unto death!”

“To follow unto death?”

Hong Yun, hearing his earnest words, weighed them carefully. He released his aura with a playful smile:

“Xue Rong Dog Clan? Never heard of it! Does your clan boast any demon beasts at the late Nirvana stage? If not, I could destroy you with a wave. Of what use are you to me?”

Seeing the little demon fall silent and bow even deeper, Hong Yun guessed there must be deep enmity with the Howling Moon Wolf Clan. He tossed the jade vial before him once more, standing with hands behind his back.

“You, a mid-stage Treasure Body demon, are rare even in an entire province. Your arrival here must be due to the disturbance that day. If you truly wish to serve me, swallow this vital essence and refine your bloodline. Your Treasure Body stage is too weak.”

Huang San’s breath quickened as he stared at the jade vial. After a moment’s silence, he gripped it tightly.

“Yes.”

Without further hesitation, he swallowed the vial whole, not bothering to open it. With a grating crunch, he bit through it, and his aura began to transform.

On his brow, the crescent moon mark grew more radiant. His canine head and human body shifted, morphing into a demonic form—his eyes, claws, and fur gradually resembling a wolf.

So quickly? It truly acts on kin and clan.

Hong Yun watched the transformation with intrigue, clicking his tongue in wonder. He noted the surrounding clouds stirred by the change, and gathered them with a wave to conceal the scene from prying eyes.

Such matters are best hidden from those with ill intent.

...

Within Mirror City, Mirror Seven stood atop a floating mirror, observing Chai Xiaoyue’s diligent practice. Since her arrival in the city, he had noticed the girl. For reasons unknown, his once quiet heart felt a subtle comfort whenever he saw her.

Suddenly, something caught his attention. He reached out, and a mirror appeared before him. Within it, he saw a cloud cluster spanning over ten miles.

He attempted to peer further but frowned. The Mirror Clan’s surveillance extended only within Mirror City and a hundred-mile radius beyond. The location he discovered was just outside their range.

Could someone be provoking the Mirror Clan, deliberately trying to vex him?

He wished to rush over, scatter the clouds, and slaughter those within...

The thought crossed his mind, but he shook his head, moving the mirror aside and returning his gaze to Chai Xiaoyue.

Forget it. Since it’s outside the range, it matters not.

...

Excellent, excellent. Under the influence of this small vial of Howling Moon Wolf Clan essence, not only had his bloodline been further refined, but his cultivation advanced a minor stage, reaching the late peak of the Treasure Body realm.

One step away from the peak of the Treasure Body stage; once he passed the tribulation, he would become a Nirvana demon beast!

“Excellent. Now you are of some use.”

Hong Yun watched as the new fur shed from him, his form nearly devoid of canine features, looking every bit a Howling Moon Wolf. He clapped with laughter.

The other, regaining his composure, reverted to a demonic head and human body, bowing deeply.

“I, Huang San, am willing to serve you, Senior... even unto nine deaths without regret!”

“No need for declarations of loyalty. Spare me the empty words.”

Hong Yun waved dismissively, sizing him up:

“Huang San, Huang San, that name is truly unpleasant. Most of the Howling Moon Wolf Clan bear the surname ‘You.’ Since you dislike it and wish not to keep it, why not take my surname Zhao, and be called... Zhao You. How about it?”

Zhao You?

He instinctively resisted, but after a moment’s thought, bowed with hate-filled eyes:

“In your presence, Senior, I am Zhao You. But I dislike the name. If I must have one, I would prefer Zhao Destroy-You.”

Hong Yun did not refute him, merely nodding in agreement.

He pondered, offering no further instruction, but imparted some experience in refining moon essence with a flick of his finger.

Without waiting for another bow, Hong Yun shrouded them both in murderous clouds and sped deep into the mountains. Once they arrived in the wilderness, he released Zhao You and turned to leave:

“You are of no use to me now, so I ask nothing of you. For now, I need only for you to grow stronger.”

With those words, his figure gradually faded:

“Remember this: should you see a woman summon a Kui Niu cloud-patterned great seal, she is the one you must swear to protect!”

“Zhao Destroy-You will never forget!”

He growled, kneeling for two incense sticks’ time, then rose, gazing at the endless mountains, eyes ablaze with hatred:

Howling Moon Wolf Clan, when my mother died wretchedly, you showed only cold-blooded contempt, calling her a worthless mongrel. When I return, I shall present you with... the gift of annihilation!