Fengyun Wuji could hardly imagine how far the minds of the earliest humans had decayed and degenerated after living in numb repetition for millions of years. Glancing once more at the stern and serious expression on Moli's face, he made a silent decision in his heart: "Humanity in this world needs new blood."
Expressionless, he gave a slight nod and found a corner to sit down. Moli nodded in satisfaction. It was the duty of the early humans to educate those who came after them—to prevent the destruction of the entire race, whether they were willing or not.
But Fengyun Wuji felt deeply unsettled, as if countless invisible needles were pressing against his skin, trying to pierce inward. The oppressive sensation was unbearable. He flicked his fingers, releasing a strand of sword energy—what should have been three fingers wide was now reduced to a mere thread.
"Perhaps the old man was right. A world will instinctively reject those from another one," he thought silently, activating the "Ninefold Life and Death Mystical Art." The energy had grown over twentyfold stronger than before, spreading out into the surrounding air as he carefully sensed the environment.
Tiny wisps of spiritual energy seeped into his body through his meridians—so faint, they were even weaker than the energy he could absorb in the lower realm before his ascension.
"How could this be?" Even though he had prepared himself, Fengyun Wuji was still overwhelmed by shock.
Thud, thud, thud…
Heavy, thunderous footsteps echoed down the corridor outside the water dungeon. Fengyun Wuji looked up to see towering, grotesque demon creatures armed with strange weapons rushing down the passage, quickly filling what had been an empty hallway.
"Get up! Time's up!" Demons with wings on their backs slammed their weapons against the iron bars, their voices cruel and shrill. Iron plates separated each cell, preventing him from sensing what was happening next door, but he could clearly hear the clatter of chains from the neighboring cell.
Fengyun Wuji looked toward Moli in confusion. Moli sighed and slowly placed his trembling hands on an iron door where a grotesque, horned idol was embedded. A faint white glow flowed from his arms into the mouth of the beast-shaped idol.
Howl—
The idol's maw suddenly clamped down on Moli's wrist, its four iron fangs sinking deep into his flesh. Moli's face twisted in pain as his blood flowed into the beast's mouth through its silvery fangs. After a moment, the iron teeth slowly released, and the eerie, hollow mouth let out a satisfied gulping sound from within the darkness.
Pale and drained, Moli slumped. Fengyun Wuji flashed behind him and placed a palm on his back, channeling energy into his body. Moli regained a trace of color in his cheeks before gently pushing him away. "It's your turn…"
"You! Human! You're next—get up there!" a demon barked, having seen Fengyun Wuji help Moli. He cracked a long whip in the air, sparks flying as it sliced through.
Fengyun Wuji remained silent, eyes flickering as he stared at the sea of demons outside the cell.
"Hurry up!" Moli shouted sharply from behind. "Do you want to get everyone here killed?"
Turning around, Fengyun Wuji saw that although Moli looked so frail he might be blown away by a breeze, his expression was stern and unyielding.
With a long sigh, Fengyun Wuji stepped forward and thrust his hand into the beast idol's mouth. A surge of razor-sharp sword energy burst from his palm.
Howl—
A piercing cry rang from the beast's mouth as a blast of black smoke erupted outward. Blood-red veins crawled across the idol's iron-cast face and even spread to its metallic fangs.
"What's happening?" a demon outside the gate cried in panic.
"The soul beast is dead! His energy is too sharp—the beast couldn't absorb it!" came a shout from down the corridor, where a demon's voice echoed through the halls.
A winged demon leader, his body wreathed in dark energy, stared coldly at Fengyun Wuji. Without warning, he lashed out with his whip. It struck Fengyun Wuji's back with a sharp crack, tearing through his clothes and flesh. Blood quickly soaked through the shredded fabric.
Agony shot through Fengyun Wuji—not just pain of the flesh, but pain that seemed to lash at his very soul. He couldn't suppress a cry of torment.
"Behave, human," the demon growled, his violet eyes gleaming with malice. He snapped the whip back around his wrist and barked at the others, "Bring another! Use the ancient beast instead!"
Then, turning back to Fengyun Wuji, he snarled, "Try again. Feed it your energy. Now!"
Fengyun Wuji's eyes flared with fury, no less fierce than the demon's. Just as he was about to strike, a rough hand landed on his back. He turned and saw Moli's weathered face.
"Go. Don't do anything reckless. There's no escaping this place." Moli pointed toward a nearby puddle of filthy water. "See that? The skulls in the water are proof enough."
A trace of blood surfaced in Moli's eyes. Tears blurred his vision. He wiped his face with a grimy sleeve and stared silently at the floating black skulls in the water. A murky tear slid down his cheek.
Boom!
Fengyun Wuji felt a jolt of thunder strike his soul. When he first arrived, he hadn't noticed the mass of skeletons submerged and mingled with the murky water.
He slowly stood up again, walked to the demon idol, and extended his hand. A powerful suction pulled from within. Without expression, Fengyun Wuji let the beast drink its fill, then quietly withdrew his hand and sat down beside Moli, unmoving and silent.
Outside the cell, the swarm of demons slowly receded down the passage. In the vast underground dungeon, all fell into eerie silence. Fengyun Wuji hugged his knees and stared blankly at the floating, twisted skulls drifting in the water, saying nothing. No one knew what he was thinking...