Feng Ya trembled with fury as he looked unblinkingly at Steward Jiang's corpse. "We need to hold Xia Ji accountable for this!"

Chen Mang's expression was unchanged as he stared thoughtfully at the retreating figures of Xia Ji and Wu Ruochou.

"They're still our brothers. If it comes to punishing him, it's not something we can decide on our own. We should report this to our father first," replied Chen Mang calmly.

He then ordered his men to remove Steward Jiang's body and prepared to leave the premises.

Once they departed, the guards in the estate noticed that Xu Qingsong had yet to leave.

Ge Shao stepped forward and bowed. "Young master, my lord is currently unable to host guests. Perhaps you could—"

"Oh, it's fine," Xu Qingsong said with a smile.

Giving Ge Shao an appraising look, he casually tossed him a mid-grade spirit stone.

Ge Shao was taken aback. "What's this for?"

Xu Qingsong grinned. "If anything happens to Sword Leader Fang, I hope you can send word. I'm staying at the Exquisite Jade Tower, which isn't far from here."

Ge Shao thought for a moment, then pocketed the spirit stone with a slight smile. "Rest assured, if there's any news, I will definitely send someone to inform you."

Xu Qingsong nodded and turned to leave.

"Ge Shao, that guy seems to be from the Great Expansion Dao Gate. Sword Leader Fang has always been at odds with them. That spirit stone you just took might be a bit too hot to handle," remarked one of the guards.

Ge Shao chuckled. "What's so hot about it? Free spirit stones shouldn't be turned down. As for him wanting me to relay messages, that's just wishful thinking."

"Are you not afraid of retaliation? After all, he's a cultivator from the Great Expansion Dao Sect…" questioned one of the guards.

"We're the celestial soldiers of the Corrosive Dragon King Manor; how could we fear him?" another replied.

"That's true…"

Xia Ji stood anxiously outside a quiet room, his expression tense.

Wu Ruochou gently reassured him, "Junior Brother, Young Master Fang is favored by the heavens. He survived through Grand Xia's extermination, so this mere calamity is nothing to worry about." řÂ𝐍őВÊŠ

"That's true in theory, but I'm still a bit scared. How about this? You guard here for me, and I'll go meet a few people to borrow some mid-grade spirit stones. I need to check if I can buy a Vast Origin Fruit at Jade Universe Hall," said Xia Ji.

Wu Ruo Chou's eyes flickered with interest. "Junior Brother, I heard that a few years ago at the Ancient Demon Wasteland, someone claimed that Young Master Fang and the Greenwood Sect's ancestor were both disciples of the Heavenly Cloud Emperor. If you want a Vast Origin Fruit, perhaps the Greenwood Sect…."

Xia Ji shook his head."There's no time! The Greenwood Sect is too far from the capital. Even a round trip would take at least several months. Fortunately, with the connections from the Corrosive Dragon King Manor, I've made some friends these days. I can borrow some mid-grade spirit stones to gather the needed amount."

After giving Wu Ruochou a few instructions, Xia Ji asked Ge Shao to lead a dozen guards to stay at the quiet room's entrance before leaving the estate in a hurry.

Three Thousand Dao Realm.

Fang Chen sat cross-legged on the ground, with the black and white paper figures standing on both his side, their ominous gazes reflecting a hint of seriousness.

The black mist around Fang Chen thickened increasingly, and his aura grew more malevolent. If this continued, there would only be one outcome—he would become a demon

The black paper figure pondered aloud. "Why isn't he using the Skin Peeling Technique to remove his own karma and resolve the calamity?"

The white paper figure considered for a moment before replying softly, "The Skin Peeling Technique is indeed useful, but if he can withstand the calamity through his own strength, it can serve as a trial for his Dao heart."

The black paper figure tilted its head slightly, concerned. "What if he can't endure it?"

The white paper figure smiled lightly. "Isn't that why we're here? We can also perform the Skin Peeling Technique."

***

The dark sea roared with waves, and Fang Chen glanced down to see the water up to his knees. He stood in the endless sea of suffering, a place he had visited during his time at the Great Qian Profound Void Temple.

Looking up into the distance, it appeared that this space had no end; aside from the black water, there was nothing else.

"You have good talent, and the Demon Lord has taken a liking to you. How about becoming a demon?"

Suddenly, the water surged and formed a tall figure over ten feet high, silently gazing at Fang Chen.

Fang Chen asked in curiosity, "This is my Sea of Suffering. You can come here too?"

"The demon is formless and invisible, free to go wherever it pleases," replied the figure with a smile.

Fang Chen scrutinized the figure for a moment before asking suddenly, "The Demon Lord you just mentioned—who is that? Oh… it should just be a figment of my imagination; you're merely a part of my own mind. So, you are the Heart Demon, aren't you?"

The figure chuckled. "Imagination? Is that what people think of demons? How laughable."

Its expression shifted into something more profound.

The figure scoffed, its laughter filled with disdain, and then said indifferently, "You still haven't answered me. Do you wish to become a demon? If you embrace the path of a demon, this Sea of Suffering will transform into a vast Sea of Demons, with countless demonic energy at your disposal. Your future will be a smooth journey, free from hardship."

"What if I don't want to become a demon?"

The figure chuckled. "What if you don't want to become a demon? Then you will be trapped here for eternity, until you finally succumb and become one. Because you have caught the attention of the Demon Lord, you are now entwined with his karma. I know you have means to sever it, but if this thread of karma originates from the Demon Lord, external forces will be of no use to you."

Fang Chen paused slightly, realizing the figure was referring to the Skin Peeling Technique. He had indeed prepared for that moment, intending to use that technique if he couldn't overcome the calamity on his own.

Fang Chen replied with a faint smile, "Indeed, you are merely a product of my imagination, which allows you to know my thoughts. As for the Demon Lord's karma? I have never heard of such a being throughout my cultivation. Your words won't scare me."

To verify his thoughts, Fang Chen slowly closed his eyes, intending to leave the Sea of Suffering and directly employ the Skin Peeling Technique to sever his karma.

Moments later, he heard the figure's mocking voice again: "You can't escape, can you?"

Fang Chen opened his eyes once more, revealing a contemplative expression. "Are you planning to keep me trapped here and keep waiting?"

"Not quite. After all, this is your Sea of Suffering. If you can find your own shore, you may leave freely."

The figure's voice was laced with intrigue, as if it were testing Fang Chen's resolve.

"However... I made a little adjustment, and the gods will no longer appear."

The other party laughed with great pride, then gently waved his sleeve. A massive island appeared in Fang Chen's sight, rising from the tumultuous sea in the distance.

"As long as you reach that shore, you can become a demon. You should know that countless would-be demons have struggled to find this shore. It is the Demon Lord who values you, which is why you have this opportunity," lamented the figure.

Fang Chen's eyes shifted. "As long as I reach the shore, I can leave this place?"

"Yes." The figure nodded gently. "Go ahead, and become a demon."

"The shore related to immortal gods cannot manifest here?"

"Naturally."

"I understand."

Fang Chen nodded lightly but turned to walk in a different direction.

The other party's eyes were full of ridicule. "If you go that way, you'll never reach the shore."

Fang Chen chuckled. "You don't get to decide that."

In the next moment, a massive island slowly emerged, adorned with countless lights like stars.

The other party was slightly taken aback, a look of confusion flashing in his eyes. "This is just a... mortal island..."

Fang Chen nodded with a smile. "Yes, this myriad of lights is my shore."

His form changed, and he was already standing on the island, gazing at the demon in the sea.

"It seems I... have failed..."

The other party smiled bitterly and transformed back into the waters of the sea, merging into the ocean.

At the same time, Fang Chen opened his eyes, a hint of clarity emerging within him.

The black and white paper figures exchanged a surprised glance.

"Lord, have you passed your Demonic Calamity?"

Fang Chen sensed his own condition and nodded lightly. "I should have."

The white paper figure had a complex expression. "That was... too fast."

Fang Chen's eyes flickered, and he softly asked, "Little White, Little Black, have you ever heard of the Demon Lord?"