In a hazy daze, Lin Yuan's consciousness gradually resurfaced.
But his mental power seemed to be corroded and suppressed, leaving his awareness muddled and unable to fully awaken.
It was unknown how much time had passed before his mental power instinctively circulated and finally expelled the invading aura.
As a result—
Lin Yuan woke up.
"Ugh..."
He felt a splitting headache.
At the same time, he began to process information from the outside world.
"Huh? You actually survived?"
"To live through the corrosion of a 'demon'... that’s rare, truly rare."
An old voice came from nearby, tinged with surprise.
Boom!
Countless memories surged through Lin Yuan’s mind—memories from the “original owner” of this body.
"This world is filled with endless demonic presence... ‘demons’ are immortal and indestructible, ever-present in the world. To resist them, one must become a cultivator? And I’m a cultivator from the Qingyun Sacred Sect?"
Lin Yuan quickly made sense of his current situation.
This world was vast and boundless, and demons had not existed since the beginning—they had emerged from a great upheaval that occurred billions of years ago.
Back then, cultivators ruled the world, holding absolute power. But after that cataclysm, demonic energy filled the land, obstructing cultivation and gathering in massive quantities to give birth to terrifying 'demons.'
The Qingyun Sacred Sect, where the original body resided, had once been a top-tier cultivation force before the upheaval, dominating the surrounding realms.
After the upheaval, it had withstood several great demon assaults on its mountain stronghold.
But compared to its former glory, the sect had declined greatly.
With demonic energy permeating the world, cultivation became far more difficult. Fewer strong cultivators were born, and as the old generation fell to the demons, the sect now teetered on the edge of decline.
Lesser sects with weaker foundations had already perished long ago.
"Hmm?"
Lin Yuan opened his eyes.
He saw a scruffy old man standing nearby, looking him over with curiosity.
"Elder Fang," Lin Yuan moved his lips and spoke.
The scruffy elder was an elder of the Qingyun Sacred Sect, responsible for treating disciples injured by demons.
"Since you're awake, I'll take my leave."
Elder Fang studied Lin Yuan a bit longer before turning and leaving.
"This body..." Lin Yuan watched him disappear, then began to examine the details of his physical form—and immediately noticed something unusual.
As a martial arts progenitor, Lin Yuan’s perception of the body had reached unfathomable levels. The body he now inhabited, though weak, held nearly limitless potential.
"I'm not a special case... this must be one of the effects of that great upheaval."
He thought silently.
After the upheaval, although terrifying demons had emerged, life in this world had also changed—physical bodies were enhanced, their strength and potential far surpassing what existed before.
A powerful body directly equated to enhanced strength. Though demonic energy slowed down cultivation, bodily improvement had accelerated significantly.
This was one of the crucial factors enabling cultivators to resist the demons.
Without this advantage, the Qingyun Sacred Sect would have perished during one of the earlier demon assaults.
"A body with this kind of potential... if cultivated to the limit, it might surpass even those from the Chaos Void or the First Source World?" Lin Yuan was astonished.
Whether in the Chaos Void or the First Source World, his physique had already reached terrifying levels. Yet this world’s physical bodies might even exceed them? Even more incredible—this kind of body was now ‘commonplace’ here?
Of course, since the people here couldn’t fully tap into their potential, they had bodies of limitless potential but didn’t know how to use them.
It was like primitive tribes wielding nuclear weapons—yet using them like stones.
Lin Yuan adjusted his breathing and soon recovered slightly, managing to sit up from the bed with some effort.
At the same time, a series of images flashed through his mind.
"Senior Brother Li has... fallen into demonhood?"
Lin Yuan frowned slightly.
The severe injury he’d sustained was directly related to Senior Brother Li’s corruption.
Senior Brother Li was the top disciple of the Qingyun Sacred Sect and often led others in purging nearby demonic energy.
When demonic energy gathered in large amounts, it would give rise to terrifying demons. So sect disciples routinely patrolled the area to disperse this energy and prevent new demons from forming.
But in a recent mission, Senior Brother Li had secretly begun absorbing and consuming a dense source of demonic energy.
The original body had witnessed this—so Senior Brother Li struck first, corrupting his mind and soul with demonic energy to fake a death by demon attack.
The original consciousness had indeed been consumed—but Lin Yuan had replaced it. With his formidable mental will, he naturally resisted further corrosion, which was why Elder Fang believed he had miraculously survived.
"Falling into demonhood..."
Lin Yuan’s thoughts expanded.
After the upheaval, the influx of demonic energy had deeply impacted cultivators. After witnessing the demons' power, two schools of thought emerged among them.
One clung to the traditional cultivation system—these were known as orthodox cultivators.
The other embraced demonhood—becoming corrupted.
These cultivators believed demons were indestructible. The only way to fight demons... was to become one and use their power against them.
Thus arose the path of demonization.
To fall into demonhood meant abandoning everything and embracing demonic energy, undergoing its baptism and corruption.
"Demonhood... is essentially using a cultivator as a vessel to nurture a powerful ‘demon.’"
Lin Yuan recalled the Qingyun Sacred Sect’s stance on such matters.
As a traditional sect, they strictly forbade demonization. While becoming a demon could grant rapid strength in the beginning—
Over time, the corruption intensified. The mind would twist, and the person would ultimately transform into a true demon.
"My priority now is figuring out how to deal with Senior Brother Li."
Lin Yuan’s expression turned grave.
Senior Brother Li had corrupted the original to silence him and prevent word of his demonization from spreading.
If he discovered that Lin Yuan had survived, he certainly wouldn’t let things go.
"Senior Brother Li is a Dominance Stage cultivator. In my current state, I’m no match for him."
Lin Yuan shook his head.
And after his demonization, his power had grown further—possibly enough to rival the Chaos Stage.
Against such strength and murderous intent, Lin Yuan had no way to resist.
Unless he used boundary-breaking source energy.
But that kind of power was a trump card—not to be used lightly. Especially in an unfamiliar Source World, reckless use could bring unpredictable consequences.
"Forget it."
After some thought, Lin Yuan immediately contacted Elder Fang.
"What is it?"
Elder Fang reappeared quickly, looking at Lin Yuan. "You've recovered well. Why did you call me?"
"Elder Fang, I have something important to report to the Sect Master."
Lin Yuan was fairly certain Elder Fang wasn’t working for Senior Brother Li—otherwise, Li would already know he had survived and likely be on his way by now.
So Elder Fang could be trusted.
"Something important?"
Elder Fang glanced at Lin Yuan. "What is it?"
"It concerns the demons."
Lin Yuan said.
With no way to face Senior Brother Li himself, the only support he could rely on was the Qingyun Sacred Sect.
"The demons?"
Elder Fang’s expression turned serious.
Given that Lin Yuan had been injured by demonic energy, his claim carried weight—not without basis.
"Are you sure it’s important? Disturbing the Sect Master over something minor will bring punishment."
Elder Fang reminded him.
The Sect Master spent most of his time in seclusion, cultivating to withstand repeated assaults from the great demons.
"I’m sure."
Lin Yuan nodded.
"In that case, follow me."
Elder Fang prepared to take him away.
"Elder Fang," Lin Yuan added, "This is important—please don’t tell anyone else."
He was worried Elder Fang might casually mention it to Senior Brother Li, causing unnecessary trouble.
"Relax."
Elder Fang glanced at him. "I know what’s at stake."
Whether Lin Yuan truly had something important to say or not, Elder Fang wouldn’t say anything until the Sect Master confirmed it.
"Follow me."
With one step, Elder Fang took Lin Yuan with him.
Space and time shifted—
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at a grand hall.
At its head sat a middle-aged man in a cyan robe.
The man opened his eyes and looked toward them.
"Sect Master."
Elder Fang gave a slight bow and briefly explained Lin Yuan’s situation.
"What is it?"
The Sect Master of Qingyun Sacred Sect looked at Lin Yuan and spoke calmly.
"Sect Master."
Lin Yuan glanced at Elder Fang standing beside him.
"I’ll take my leave."
Elder Fang paused slightly, then turned and left.
Now only Lin Yuan and the Sect Master remained in the hall.
"Speak. What’s the matter?"
The Sect Master said.
"Senior Brother Li has fallen into demonhood."
Lin Yuan didn’t mince words.
"Qing’er... fallen?"
The Sect Master’s pupils shrank as he rose from the throne.
"How do you know this?"
His eyes narrowed, and the surrounding space turned faintly oppressive.
Li Qing, Senior Brother Li, was the top disciple of Qingyun Sacred Sect—groomed to be the next Sect Master. Hearing Lin Yuan’s accusation, the Sect Master was naturally skeptical.
"I was attacked by demonic energy because I caught Senior Brother Li absorbing it in secret," Lin Yuan said calmly.
The Sect Master remained silent, simply staring at him.
"Sect Master, if I’m lying, I’ll accept any punishment."
Lin Yuan added.
"I understand."
The Sect Master closed his eyes.
Jade Pure Hall.
This was the residence of the top disciple—second only to the Sect Master’s abode.
Inside, Li Qing sat cross-legged.
"If the Qingyun Sacred Sect is to survive, I must borrow the power of the demons."
He thought to himself. As the top disciple, no one cared more about the sect’s survival than him.
But demons were growing stronger. Orthodox cultivators were struggling more with each assault. The last attack had nearly exhausted the sect’s foundation.
Li Qing knew the risks of demonization—but it was the fastest way to gain power.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, he sensed something—space and time shifted in the Jade Pure Hall, and overwhelming pressure descended.
"Not good!"
His face changed drastically. He tried to flee but was tightly bound by the power of the grand formation.
"Master?"
He was stunned—the only one who could command the sect’s entire grand array was the Sect Master—his own teacher.
Crash—
Space twisted.
Li Qing was instantly brought before the grand hall—
Where he saw the Sect Master high above, and Lin Yuan standing at his side.
"You’re not dead?"
Shock filled Li Qing’s eyes—Lin Yuan had survived the demonic corruption.
"Qing’er, stop resisting."
The Sect Master looked at him. "As long as I confirm you’re untainted, that’s all that matters."
Though the Sect Master didn’t believe his disciple would fall, he had to prepare for the worst.
A full inspection would do no harm.
"Master..."
Li Qing’s tone was complicated. "I have fallen into demonhood."
The moment he saw Lin Yuan, he knew he couldn’t hide it.
With a matter this grave, the Sect Master would investigate thoroughly no matter who raised the alarm.
"Qing’er, you..."
The Sect Master shook his head, grief in his eyes. "Don’t you know what this means?"
"I do," Li Qing said. "But I also know that without demonization, how long can our sect hold out against the next assault?"
"Sect Master, you must see—our sect might survive the next wave... but the one after? Or the one after that?"
"If we don’t embrace demonhood, we’ll eventually fall. But if we do, there’s still a sliver of hope."
"Demonization will only create a stronger demon for this world," the Sect Master replied coldly.
"Master, please believe me—I can resist its influence!" Li Qing pleaded.
"You’re already corrupted," the Sect Master said, disappointed. With a wave—
Boom!
The sect’s grand array crushed down with boundless might, nearing perfection of the Chaos Stage.
"You don’t believe me... you really don’t believe me!"
Li Qing’s eyes erupted with deep demonic energy, pushing back against the crushing force.
But it was useless.
He couldn’t withstand the full might of the sect’s defensive array.
Soon, he was completely erased.
The top disciple of the Qingyun Sacred Sect—its brightest hope of reaching the Chaos Stage—was gone.
Lin Yuan stood beside the Sect Master, silently watching.
Li Qing’s words were genuine—Lin Yuan could sense that he truly wanted to save the sect.
Otherwise, as the leading disciple and future Sect Master, even if the sect fell one day, Li Qing could have fled.
"This world..."
Lin Yuan felt, more than ever, the depth of despair the beings of this world faced.
...
20 chapters ahead on patreon: patreon.com/David_Lord
36