A Demon's Heart Unrepentant in Death

"Fang Yuan, hand over the Spring Autumn Cicada obediently, and I'll give you a quick death!"

"Old Demon Fang, don't even think about resisting. Today, the righteous sects have joined forces to crush your demonic lair. A net has already been cast here, and this time you will surely be torn to pieces!"

"Fang Yuan, you damned devil! To refine the Spring Autumn Cicada, you killed millions of people. You have committed monstrous sins, unforgivable and beyond enumeration!"

"Demon! Three hundred years ago, you insulted me, stole my purity, slaughtered my entire family, and exterminated my nine generations of kin. From that moment on, I've longed to eat your flesh and drink your blood! Today, I will make you wish you were dead!"

Fang Yuan, his tattered green robe in tatters, his hair disheveled, and his body covered in blood, surveyed his surroundings.

The mountain wind whipped his blood-soaked robe, making it rustle like a battle flag.

Fresh blood gushed from hundreds of wounds on his body. After standing for only a moment, a large pool of blood had already gathered at Fang Yuan's feet.

Surrounded by enemies, there was no escape.

The situation was decided; he was certain to die today.

Fang Yuan saw through the situation as clearly as if it were daylight. Yet, even as death loomed, his expression remained unchanged, his demeanor calm.

His gaze was deep and distant, like a bottomless ancient well.

The righteous heroes surrounding him were either venerable elders of prominent sects or young heroes renowned throughout the land. They had him firmly surrounded. Some roared, some sneered, some narrowed their eyes, flashing with vigilance, while others clutched their wounds, gazing at him in fear.

They hadn't attacked yet, all wary of Fang Yuan's final desperate counterattack.

They remained in this tense standoff for three hours. The sun began to set, its dying rays igniting the mountain's evening clouds, painting them in a fiery splendor.

Fang Yuan, who had been as still as a statue, slowly turned.

A stir went through the assembled crowd, and they all took a large step back in unison.

By now, the grayish-white mountain stones beneath Fang Yuan's feet had been stained a dark red by his blood. His face, pale from blood loss, was suddenly imbued with a touch of vibrant color by the sunset's glow.

Looking at the green mountains and the setting sun, Fang Yuan chuckled softly, "Green mountains and setting sun, autumn moon and spring breeze. Truly, from dark hair to white as snow in a single day, success and failure turn to naught."

As he spoke these words, various scenes from his past life on Earth suddenly flashed before his eyes.

He had been a student from Huaxia on Earth, who, through a twist of fate, had transmigrated to this world. After three hundred years of wandering and hardship, and over two hundred years of traversing the world, his five hundred years of life had passed in the blink of an eye.

Many memories buried deep in his heart came alive at this moment, vividly replaying before him.

"In the end, I failed," Fang Yuan sighed in his heart, feeling a sense of melancholy but no regret.

He had long foreseen this outcome. He had been mentally prepared when he made his choices.

The so-called demonic path was one that eschewed good deeds, engaging in murder and arson. It was a path that defied heaven and earth, facing universal enmity, yet still pursuing freedom and dominance.

"If the Spring Autumn Cicada, which I just refined, proves effective, I will still be a demon in my next life!" Thinking this, Fang Yuan couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.

"Old demon, what are you laughing at?"

"Everyone be careful, the devil is about to counterattack!"

"Quickly hand over the Spring Autumn Cicada!!"

As the crowd pressed forward, Fang Yuan suddenly detonated himself with a thunderous roar.

Spring rain fell gently, silently nourishing Qing Mao Mountain.

The night was deep, and a cool breeze rustled through the fine rain.

Qing Mao Mountain was not dark, however. From its waist to its base, numerous soft lights twinkled, as if it were draped in a brilliant sash of light.

These lights emanated from rows of stilted buildings. Though not a city of ten thousand lights, they numbered in the thousands.

This was the Gu Yue village, nestled on Qing Mao Mountain, adding a rich human presence to the vast, quiet mountain range.

At the very center of Gu Yue village stood a grand and magnificent pavilion. It was currently illuminated by countless lights, blazing brilliantly, as it was hosting a sacrificial ceremony.

"Ancestors, please bless us, and may this Aperture Opening Ceremony yield many youths with outstanding potential, bringing new blood and hope to the clan!" The Gu Yue clan leader, a middle-aged man with streaks of frost at his temples, dressed in solemn white sacrificial robes, knelt on the yellowish-brown floor. He sat upright, his hands clasped, his eyes tightly shut in sincere prayer.

He faced a tall, black lacquered altar. The altar had three tiers, upon which were enshrined the ancestral tablets. Bronze incense burners were placed on either side of the tablets, from which wisps of incense smoke curled upwards.

Behind him knelt over a dozen others. They wore loose white sacrificial robes, all elders and spokesmen of the clan, holding authority in various aspects.

After offering his prayers, the Gu Yue clan leader bowed first, spreading his hands flat, palms pressed firmly against the floor, and kowtowed. His forehead made soft thuds as it met the brown floor.

The elders behind him, their expressions solemn, silently followed suit.

For a moment, the clan's ancestral hall was filled with the soft sounds of foreheads striking the floor.

When the ceremony concluded, everyone slowly rose from the floor and quietly exited the solemn ancestral hall.

In the corridor, the elders let out a collective sigh of relief, the tension easing.

Conversations gradually began to rise.

"Time truly flies; in the blink of an eye, a year has passed."

"The last Aperture Opening Ceremony feels like it happened yesterday, still so vivid in my mind."

"Tomorrow is the annual Aperture Opening Ceremony. I wonder what new clan blood will emerge this year?"

"Alas, I hope a youth with Class A potential appears. Our Gu Yue clan hasn't had such a genius in three years."

"Indeed, Bai Jia Village and Xiong Jia Village have had geniuses emerge in recent years. Especially Bai Ning Bing of the Bai family, his talent is truly terrifying."

As someone mentioned Bai Ning Bing's name, a layer of worry appeared on the faces of the elders.

This child's aptitude is exceptionally outstanding. In just two short years, he has already cultivated to the third rank as a Gu Master. Among the younger generation, he truly stands out. Even the older generation feels the pressure from this rising star.

Given time, he will undoubtedly become the pillar of Gu Yue village. At the very least, he will be a strong individual capable of standing on his own. No one has ever doubted this.

"However, among the youths participating in the Aperture Opening Ceremony this year, there is still hope."

"Indeed, a genius youth has appeared in the Fang lineage. He could speak in three months and walk in four. By the age of five, he could compose poetry and recite verses, exceptionally intelligent and brimming with talent. It's a pity his parents died early, and he is now being raised by his uncle and aunt."

"Yes, he's precocious and has great ambitions. I've also heard about his recent works, 'Bring in the Wine,' 'Ode to Plum Blossoms,' and 'River City Tune.' He's truly a genius!"

The Gu Yue clan leader was the last to emerge from the ancestral hall. As he slowly closed the door, he heard the discussions of the elders in the corridor.

Instantly, he knew the elders were discussing a youth named Gu Yue Fang Yuan.

As the clan leader, he naturally paid attention to outstanding and exceptional disciples. And Gu Yue Fang Yuan was the most brilliant and dazzling among the younger generation.

Experience has shown that those with extraordinary talents, such as photographic memory from a young age or strength comparable to adults, often possess excellent cultivation aptitude.

"If this child tests for an A-grade aptitude, and we cultivate him well, he might even be able to contend with Bai Ning Bing. Even with a B-grade aptitude, he will surely be able to stand on his own in the future and become a banner for the Gu Yue clan. However, with his precociousness, a B-grade aptitude is unlikely; it's highly probable he'll be A-grade." As this thought arose, the Gu Yue clan leader's lips curved slightly, revealing a smile.

Immediately, he coughed and said to the elders, "Everyone, it's getting late. For tomorrow's Aperture Opening Ceremony, please ensure you get a good rest tonight and conserve your energy."

The elders were slightly taken aback by his words. A hint of vigilance flickered in their gazes as they looked at each other.

The clan leader's words were subtle, but they all understood his meaning.

Every year, the elders would argue fiercely, even coming to blows, to vie for these talented descendants.

It was time to conserve their strength and prepare for the competition tomorrow.

Especially for Gu Yue Fang Yuan, the possibility of A-grade aptitude was very high. Furthermore, his parents had passed away, making him one of the sole orphans in the Fang lineage. If he could be brought into one's own lineage and cultivated well, it could ensure the hundred-year prosperity of that branch!

"However, let me be clear upfront. We will compete honorably and openly. No underhanded tactics that harm the family's unity are allowed. All elders, please remember this!" the clan leader stated sternly.

"We wouldn't dare. We wouldn't dare."

"We will certainly keep it in mind."

"We shall take our leave now. Clan Leader, please don't trouble yourself to see us out."

The elders, each with their own thoughts, dispersed one by one.

Before long, the long corridor became quiet. The spring rain and wind blew in through the window, and the clan leader gracefully walked to the window.

Instantly, his mouth was filled with the fresh, moist mountain air, refreshing his senses.

This was the third floor of the attic. The clan leader looked out, and more than half of Gu Yue village lay before his eyes.

It was late at night, yet lights were still visible in most households in the village, which was unusual.

Tomorrow was the Aperture Opening Ceremony, which concerned everyone's vital interests. An atmosphere of excitement and tension enveloped the hearts of the clansmen, naturally making many restless.

"These are the future hopes of the family." Reflecting the scattered lights in his eyes, the clan leader sighed.

At this moment, a pair of clear eyes were also quietly observing the lights twinkling in the late night, filled with complex emotions.

"Gu Yue village, this is five hundred years ago?! The Spring Autumn Cicada really worked…" Fang Yuan's eyes were deep as he stood by the window, letting the wind and rain fall upon him.

The Spring Autumn Cicada's function was to reverse time. Ranking seventh among the Ten Great Gu, it was naturally extraordinary.

Simply put, it was rebirth.

"I've been reborn using the Spring Autumn Cicada, returning to five hundred years ago!" Fang Yuan extended his hand, his gaze fixed on his young, tender, and somewhat pale palm, then slowly clenched it, feeling the reality with all his might.

The faint sound of rain hitting the windowpanes reached his ears. He slowly closed his eyes, and after a long while, opened them again, letting out a sigh, "The experiences of five hundred years, it truly feels like a dream."

But he knew clearly that this was absolutely not a dream.

(PS: Alright, the new book is finally meeting everyone. As I mentioned at the end of "Supreme Master of Demon Control," the protagonist is quite wicked, and this book will be controversial. For the preface of this book, I hope readers will take a look and understand what kind of book this is. I've said everything I needed to say in the preface. If you like it, then let's embark on this wonderful adventure journey together. At the beginning of a new book, readers' collection, recommendation tickets, and comments are the greatest encouragement.)