Chapter 1485: Burning Nether Holy Lord

“It’s you.”

The man on the throne was none other than the two-horned god demon who was killed by the golden-armored god.

“It is I.”

The two-horned god demon leaned lazily against his throne while looking down on Ye Qing. “You are my successor, so you should know my name. I am Burning Nether, lord of the Thirty Six Hells of Burning Nether. They called me the Burning Nether Holy Lord.”

“I greet you, Burning Nether Holy Lord,” Ye Qing replied with a bow. He looked calm and collected.

He could tell that the man before him was just a wisp of divine intent, of course. He was not the real Burning Nether Holy Lord as he had been dead a long time ago. Also, the voice calling out to him earlier was most likely this wisp of divine intent.

He did not know why the divine intent had called for him. Although he didn’t sense any malice from the person, he did not dare to lower his guard.

Of course, he wasn’t afraid even if the divine intent was plotting against him, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

“Hahaha... you remain calm and fearless despite facing me.” Some people might interpret Ye Qing’s behavior as rudeness, but the Burning Nether Holy Lord actually looked delighted by it. “Good. Very good. As expected of the successor I chose.”

“You do not need to be on guard against me. I am dead, and this version of me is but a wisp of my divine intent. Forget that there is nothing I can do against you, I am unwilling to trample over my own dignity.”

“Why have you called me here, Holy Lord?” Ye Qing asked curiously.

The Burning Nether Holy Lord laughed. “You are my successor. Naturally, I have called you over to grant you boons and opportunities.” “What has this junior done to deserve such a favor from you?”

Ye Qing did not succumb to excitement or delight. A god demon’s inheritance was tempting, but there was no such thing as free lunches in this world. All things came with a price attached, so he did not believe that the god demon would grant him so-called boons and opportunities without some strings attached.

“Because you are fated with me. The fact that you are able to obtain my heart and come all the way here is proof of that.”

The Burning Nether Holy Lord smiled. “Your fate proves your worthiness. Hence, I shall grant you my boon.”

Ye Qing asked another question, “What price do I have to pay to obtain it?” If the price was too big, he would rather give it up.

“Hahaha... calm and rational. I approve of it.”

Burning Nether Holy Lord laughed. “You’re mistaken though. I do not require any price from you.” “Hmm?” Ye Qing lifted his eyebrows. He did not hear anything resembling malice or falsehoods from the Burning Nether Holy Lord, but he couldn’t quite believe the man.

“You don’t believe me?” The Burning Nether Holy Lord asked as if he could read Ye Qing’s mind.

Ye Qing nodded honestly. “Not quite, yes.”

“You have your own personality. I’m liking you even more.”

The Burning Nether Holy Lord asked, “Are you perhaps worried that I will ask you to kill the Starshaker Monarch and take revenge for me?” Ye Qing did not say anything. The Starshaker Monarch the man spoke of was most likely the golden-armored god who killed him.

“Our duel is a fair and square one. I was killed because I am inferior to him. I have long accepted this fact and harbor no resentment toward him. Naturally, I do not need revenge.”

The Burning Nether Holy Lord said, “Besides, it has been countless years since that duel. The Starshaker Monarch is probably as dead as I was. What revenge can I have if that is the case?”

“Oh, there is one small thing I would like to ask your help with. If you care to see it done, then please do. If not, it’s fine by me either.”

Ye Qing held out his hand. “Please, tell me.”

“I ask that you destroy my body after I have disappeared completely.” The Burning Nether Holy Lord said in disgust, “I do not wish for my remains to decay for eternity, nor do I approve of the defilement of those filthy, disgusting creatures.”

Ye Qing asked, “Can’t you do it yourself, Holy Lord?”

“I cannot.” The Burning Nether Holy Lord sighed. “I am a natural god demon. I was born in the Burning Nether and raised by nature. All of my power originates from my bloodline, and the essence of one’s bloodline is the heart. However, I have lost my heart, so my bloodline runs dry like a tree without roots, and a body of water without a source. Because of this, I can no longer move my body.”

“If I had any remaining strength, I would have destroyed my own body all those years ago. I would not have allowed it to decay and be defiled like this.”

“However, you have brought back my heart. Once I have taught you the way to channel my power, you can use it to destroy this body.”

So, you’re now a mere weapon who cannot command yourself, huh?

Ye Qing thought to himself while saying, “So, this opportunity you wish to bestow me is the method to control your power, Holy Lord?”

“That’s right.” The Burning Nether Holy Lord nodded. “All of my power and Magia originates from my bloodline. It is as natural as breathing. Since you possess the essence of my bloodline, my heart, you simply need to learn the method to use it to be able to absorb my power. You can also replace your bloodline and gain the ability to master my power and Magia.”

Ye Qing saluted in understanding. “I won’t disappoint you, senior.”

“Hahaha... very good! Very good!” The Burning Nether Holy Lord guffawed. Even before he was done laughing, both his body and his throne abruptly dissipated into countless wisps of fire. They all flooded into Ye Qing’s body.

Ye Qing did not try to avoid the flame or stop them. That said, he didn’t let down his guard. He continued to protect his mind with the Earthly Sovereign Bell just in case.

The worst case scenario he was imagining did not happen though. It would seem that the Burning Nether Holy Lord was as true as his words.

After the demonic fire flowed into his body, they entered his heart and caused it to become more translucent and clear than before. As profound patterns criss-crossed each other, and the spear wound that prevented the god demon heart from healing all this time began to heal slowly.

At the same time, the knowledge and experience necessary to use the god demon heart slowly surfaced into Ye Qing’s mind like shoots.

Ye Qing slowly became absorbed in the task.

......

Back in the real world, Old Man Profound Firmament was studying the two different god demon powers on the Ghost Dragon Boat. At some point, he slowly opened his eyes, and the golden light and black light in his eyes were replaced by ink black darkness and unfathomable depths.

Slowly, Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou’s silhouettes appeared in the darkness.

It was blurry and indistinct at first. But gradually, their silhouettes grew clearer and clearer. Old Man Profound Firmament’s pupils were becoming increasingly dark and deep as well.

He was also smiling. It wasn’t an amiable, carefree, and lazy smile like the one he often wore, however. It was full of scorn, ridicule, and scheming.

The next moment, Old Man Profound Firmament’s smile stiffened on his face.

It was because Feng Qingyou’s silhouette abruptly disappeared from his pupils like a bubble.

“It really is you!” On the Ghost Dragon Boat, Feng Qingyou opened her eyes and stared at the Sage.

“Yep. It’s me.” Old Man Profound Firmament sighed, though he did not deny the accusation. “When did you find out?” “From the moment you send Reverend Danxia away.”

Feng Qingyou replied calmly, “Though if you’re talking about suspicion, then it was far earlier.”

Old Man Profound Firmament grew curious. “Oh? When did you begin to suspect something?”

Feng Qingyou thought for a moment. “From the moment Princess Yue Ling appeared on Gold Island.”

“Yue Ling?” Old Man Profound Firmament frowned even as his curiosity deepened. “And how did you know about my connection to Yue Ling? No one knows about her second identity, much less her relation to me.”

That’s right. Old Man Profound Firmament was the mastermind behind the City of No Return. He was also the one Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou had been watching out for this entire time.