Chapter 81: The Transformation of Yue Sansi

A soft moonlight gathered in Hongyun’s palm, making it translucent and bright. With a slight tremor of his body, he caught the Heart-Calming Staff that was hurtling toward him.

“Do you still wish to exchange another blow with me?”

Hongyun fixed his gaze on Yue Sansi, speaking each word with deliberate clarity. “If the Demon King hadn’t entrusted you to me, with your current attitude, I would have already taught you a lesson to make sure you remember it well.”

The moment Hongyun grasped the Heart-Calming Staff, Yue Sansi was taken aback. He couldn’t understand why his strike had yielded such a result. Though he was puzzled, it didn’t shake his confidence in his own strength.

So that’s why he’s been sitting there cultivating in silence all these days—he must have learned some illusionary arts of the demons. If this force isn’t enough to shatter the illusion before me, then I’ll just use even greater strength!

“Break!”

He bellowed, ignoring Hongyun’s words. Power surged from his waist as he tried to wrench the staff back, intent on beating some sense into the man who insisted on talking reason.

But no matter how hard he pulled—once, twice, and even with all the strength he could muster—Hongyun remained unchanged, not budging an inch. Finally, Yue Sansi’s expression shifted.

“This is impossible!”

His eyes widened. He released the staff and staggered back several steps. Once he’d put enough distance between himself and Hongyun, he summoned the power of his bloodline. Eight arms unfurled from beneath his ribs, and the demonic aura around him surged to the very limit of the Nirvana stage.

“Break for me!”

With a furious roar, he swung his fists. The air exploded with thunderous booms, golden fists tearing through the sky toward Hongyun. He truly could not fathom why Hongyun refused to acknowledge his strength...

Hongyun narrowed his eyes, sensing the incoming attack. With a thought, the cloud wings on his back unfurled and moved to block the blows. Though the attack caused him no real harm, its power was formidable. Forced into a defensive stance, he was battered backward by the onslaught.

In a single breath, Yue Sansi unleashed over a hundred punches, each infused with lethal energy. The surrounding clouds for miles around were scattered clean away, so that anyone on the ground looking up would see a vast circle carved out of the sky.

When his strength was almost spent, Yue Sansi paused and looked toward Hongyun, certain that he had finally subdued him. But seeing Hongyun stand there, unscathed, Yue Sansi felt as if his entire worldview had been shattered.

I don’t believe it!

He screamed inwardly, and the look he cast at Hongyun was now filled with peril. Raising a hand, he reached for the tuft of golden hair atop his head.

Just as he was about to touch it, Hongyun sensed a dangerous intent. Without hesitation, he unfurled his wings and, gripping Yue Sansi’s own Heart-Calming Staff, struck back.

Yue Sansi heard a rush of wind and looked up—just as darkness overtook him.

Was that too heavy a blow?

No, surely not...

He touched his chin absentmindedly, uncertain; after all, he’d held back thirty percent of his strength at the last moment.

Hongyun glanced at the felled Yue Sansi, then summoned the distant flying vessel and tossed him onto it. Sensing that Yue Sansi’s breathing was steady and his demonic energy circulating naturally, Hongyun was relieved.

As he sat down to meditate, he realized the Heart-Calming Staff was still in his hand. He weighed it thoughtfully, then tossed it beside its owner.

He had to admit, it was a satisfying weapon to wield.

...

Who am I?

Where am I?

What was I trying to do?

Yue Sansi blinked open his eyes, dazed, staring at the drifting clouds above. Confusion filled his heart.

Wait—the scoundrel Zhao Jingcheng!

He bolted upright. The first thing he saw was the Heart-Calming Staff planted beside him, and in the distance, Hongyun deep in cultivation. Everything came rushing back.

Just as he tried to move, the aftermath of his blackout struck—a splitting headache.

“Zhao Jingcheng, I can’t believe you resorted to such lowly tricks to ambush me!”

Clutching his head, Yue Sansi glared at Hongyun, who ignored him. His anger demanded release.

“I was careless before. Do you dare face me in another contest?”

Hmm?

Hongyun, still meditating, heard someone call his host’s name and instinctively glanced at Yue Sansi. Seeing him lively as ever, Hongyun withdrew his attention and calmly replied, “I have no time.”

“Zhao Jingcheng, do you dare—”

Eh?

Yue Sansi’s words died on his lips. Seeing Hongyun ignore him and return to his cultivation, he ground his teeth in frustration.

You think you can avoid a beating just by ignoring me? Impossible. Today, I’ll thrash you no matter what my father said about treating you gently. Even if my father himself were here, it wouldn’t matter. I said so.

He steadied himself, gripped the Heart-Calming Staff, and was about to step forward when a sudden pain in his head brought him up short. The sensation was oddly familiar.

Something like this happened before...

He struggled to recall, frowning as he looked at the staff. The scene before he’d blacked out replayed itself in his mind.

Feeling the lingering ache and dizziness, hesitation flickered across his face. At last, he slung the staff over his back.

From childhood, Father taught me to stay calm and unruffled, to be magnanimous and let go of grudges. That is the true bearing of a great demon.

Right now, he’s cultivating and unprepared—wouldn’t an attack be taking advantage? As a demon, I should show tolerance. I’ll let him off this once, so that he’ll be grateful to me.

Thinking this, Yue Sansi finally suppressed his urge to challenge Hongyun again.

It’s not that I’m afraid because I can’t beat him right now—I’m simply enduring humiliation for a greater cause.

With that thought, he noticed a sneaky little demon flying toward them. He was about to rush over and slay it, but as soon as he reached for his staff, his head throbbed again.

That’s right, I’m merciful by nature.

Comforted by this, Yue Sansi entered his own meditative state. I’ll reach the Butterfly Transformation stage before you—and then I’ll make sure to give you a proper thrashing!