Two Trials

"Oh, you're not a disciple of the Pill King Pavilion? Then where did you obtain this Flame Emperor Ruyi Cudgel?" Old Man Flame Emperor asked, somewhat surprised.

Yuan Ming hesitated. To explain the origin of this cudgel, he would have to reveal that he had come from the abyss.

The abyss seemed to be a very special place. Unless absolutely necessary, he did not want others to know he came from there.

"Forget it. If you do not wish to speak of it, there is no need to force yourself. The fact that you obtained this cudgel means you have an affinity with me and with the Pill King Pavilion. Even as a Rogue Cultivator, you are qualified to inherit the Pill King Pavilion's legacy. But before that, there is something I must clarify. Demonic qi resides within you, and the tempering of your body also bears the characteristics of the Devil Race. What is your relationship with the Three Realms Cult and the devil realm?" Old Man Flame Emperor asked gravely, a trace of killing intent in his voice.

Yuan Ming immediately felt a chill run through his body, as though he had been stripped naked and thrown into ice and snow in the depths of winter. Everything about him lay exposed before the Mummified Corpse.

His thoughts raced, and he hurriedly said, "This junior has absolutely no connection to the Three Realms Cult or the devil realm. The reason demonic qi resides in my body is that I obtained a body-tempering technique from the devil realm in my early years. It is the result of cultivating that technique."

Old Man Flame Emperor said nothing. He raised his right hand, whose index finger wore a ring set with a white gemstone.

A flash of red light flickered across the