Demon Heart (Part Two)

Having a demonic body is nothing more than a demonic body, a mere shell without a corresponding Demon Heart, and cannot be considered a true Demon Person. However, if one merges with Demon Heart, it is a different story. At that time, one will have abandoned one's human identity and transformed into a true demon, thus completely entering the demonic path. Once one's cultivation is sufficient, one can break through the shackles of Heaven and Earth and escape into the Demon Realm!

Today, the Nine-Orifice Demon Heart lies before him. Whether to merge with it or not is a matter of a single thought. Even Zhuge Xiang did not make a hasty decision. Instead, he held the Demon Heart in his hands, his brows slightly furrowed, pondering the pros and cons of merging with it...

Regarding the distinction between immortals and demons, Zhuge Xiang didn't have much of a feeling about it. To him, becoming a demon wasn't something he found hard to accept. However, once he chose between the immortal and demonic paths, he had completely chosen a side, and there would definitely be some trouble in his future journey.

In the Great Qin Empire, for example, the people were known for their fierce and unruly nature, and the distinction between immortals and demons did not have a profound impact. However, in the Great Tang Dynasty, this concept was much stronger. Generally, Demon Cultivator did not have a good reputation, and some were even the targets of others' efforts to Exorcise Demon the righteous path.

What this Heaven and Earth has no shortage of are those who claim to be defenders of morality and fight against Exorcise Demon.

After careful consideration of the consequences of merging with the Demon Heart, Zhuge Xiang finally revealed a Zhang Kuang smile. As his cultivation grew stronger and he learned more, it seemed that his concerns had actually increased. What had he sought when he first entered the Cultivation World?

Food and shelter! Freedom from bullying! This was Zhuge Xiang's purpose in joining the Asura Sect and resolutely stepping into the Cultivation World. But now? Why hesitate? As long as he possesses great power, naturally no one can bully him. As for the so-called distinction between immortals and demons? With enough strength, why fear others coming to Exorcise Demon demons and protect the righteous path?

Besides, Exorcise Demon his own way is in line with Zhuge Xiang's Zhang Kuang personality. So what if he fights against those hypocritical guys? Zhuge Xiang's so-called "not being bullied" doesn't mean he has to cater to other people's ideas, but rather he has to defend himself with his own fists.

"Alright! I'll take this Demon Heart! I'll trouble you Imperial Uncle..." After a moment's thought, Zhuge Xiang nodded emphatically and said to Imperial Uncle Li Batian.

If Zhuge Xiang were to merge with the Demon Heart, his strength would undoubtedly be further enhanced, transforming him into a demon, which would provide ineffable benefits to his cultivation.

The fusion of the Demonic True Body and the Demon Heart can transform into Demon Person; the fusion of the innate Innate Dao Body and the Immortal Soul can transform into Immortals; and the fusion of the Bodhi Dharma Body and the Śarīra can transform into Golden Body Arhat. At this stage, they have all shed their mortal form and, in essence, are no different from the Gods and Buddhas of all Heavens and the demons of the Nine Netherworlds. If one must distinguish them, the only difference is their sheer strength.

"Good! This Nine-Orifice Demon Heart is a top-grade Demon Heart, worthy of you..." Upon receiving Zhuge Xiang's reply, Imperial Uncle Li Batian's eyes flashed with astonishment as he nodded and smiled.

As he spoke, he took the Nine-Orifice Demon Heart from Zhuge Xiang's fingers, and with a flick of his palm across Demon Heart, an indescribable, Profound Mysteries power flashed by.

Thump... thump... thump...

Originally, the Nine-Orifice Demon Heart was nothing more than a dark, stone-like object. However, as Imperial Uncle Li Batian cast his spell, this dark stone began to radiate life, turning from deep black to dark red. The lifeless heart even began to beat, emitting a powerful thumping sound.

"How should I fuse with this Demon Heart?" Looking at the Nine-Orifice Demon Heart and hearing the powerful sounds of its struggle, a longing arose within him. Involuntarily, he revealed his Demonic True Body. Zhuge Xiang's Demonic True Body had a deep-seated, primal desire for the Demon Heart, making it hard to resist.

"Don't worry, as long as you open your heart..." Upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's words, the Imperial Uncle spoke up. As he spoke, he suddenly attacked, raising his palm to form a blade, and slashed directly at Zhuge Xiang's chest.

His Demonic True Body unfolded, unleashing a fierce demonic might that made his palm resemble a sharp cleaver. The terrifying Demonic Qi erupted, making it seem as if one were facing a demon king emerging from the Nine Netherworlds. The terrifying aura rendered one unable to even move a finger.

"Li Batian! Is this the power of a top-level expert in the Demon Sealing Tower?" Not to mention Zhuge Xiang, even Zhu Wan'er, Spider Demon at the Demon Monster level, was unable to move under this terrifying aura. She stared at Imperial Uncle in horror. Although she knew that there must be a huge gap between the two sides, she never expected that the gap would be so large.

Pfft!

Zhuge Xiang was rendered immobile by the overwhelming and terrifying aura of the Imperial Uncle, blood splattering everywhere. The Imperial Uncle's hand, like a blade, was pierced into Zhuge Xiang's chest, the gesture suggesting he wished to tear Zhuge Xiang's chest apart...

"Huh? This body is so strong." With a single palm strike, only the knuckles of his fingers sank into the flesh, causing the Imperial Uncle to be slightly taken aback. He stared at Zhuge Xiang in surprise, and then his eyes were filled with admiration.

With a mere Void Core Stage cultivation level, yet possessing a physical body so powerful that it rivals that of the Body-Refining Void Realm expert, is truly astonishing. This is the Great Strength Bull Demon Technique from the Great Sage of the Demon Realm, and even he was horrified.

Tear...

However, although Zhuge Xiang's physical strength was beyond the Imperial Uncle's expectations, with a single tear, the Imperial Uncle ripped open Zhuge Xiang's chest. At the same time, the Imperial Uncle grabbed the Nine-Orifice Demon Heart and, tyrannically and brutally, pressed it into Zhuge Xiang's chest...

The pain was excruciating, like his chest had been ripped open. The pain was enough to make someone faint. Zhuge Xiang gritted his teeth, his gums bleeding. His Demonic True Body trembled uncontrollably from the pain, and his body was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat. But he endured it, wanting to see exactly how this fusion with the Demon Heart was done.

"Alright..." Enduring the excruciating pain, as he watched his Imperial Uncle help him fuse with the Demon Heart, Zhuge Xiang's mind suddenly cleared, as if he had instantly broken through some kind of barrier. His Demonic True Body also radiated an indescribable vitality. At the same time, his Imperial Uncle withdrew his blood-stained hand and said to Zhuge Xiang.

"All done?" Upon hearing the words of the Imperial Uncle, Zhuge Xiang lowered his head. His chest was completely flat, without a single scar. It was as if he had just been disemboweled. The Imperial Uncle's hands were also yellowish-brown, wrinkled old hands, but there was not a trace of blood. The intense pain just now seemed like an illusion.

"Ding! Successfully fused with the Nine-Orifice Demon Heart. The Demonic True Body and the Demon Heart resonate with each other, merging into one and transforming into Demon Body!"

"Demon Body: The body of a demon from the Nine Nether Demon Realm, possessing the bloodline of a demon, permanently increasing physical strength and defense by 50%."

Power! Below the Second Layer the Great Strength Bull Demon Technique, Zhuge Xiang's physical body was already terrifyingly strong. Now, with the complete Demon Body, his physical strength was boosted by 50%. At this moment, Zhuge Xiang could feel the supreme power contained within his Demon Body, as if it could easily shatter mountains and rivers...

Knock knock!

Without hesitation, Zhuge Xiang clenched his fists, unleashing his full physical power. He slammed his fist into the Void, unleashing a force of billions of jun (a unit of weight), causing the Void where Zhuge Xiang's fist struck to ripple with layers of fine ripples, creating spatial fluctuations! Zhuge Xiang was able to create spatial fluctuations with just his physical strength!

"So powerful..." Zhuge Xiang murmured, unable to hide his joy as he withdrew his fist and felt the strong, powerful throbbing of the Demon Heart in his chest. Although the spatial fluctuations caused by his fists were very weak, far from the ease with which the Golden Winged Corpse King could Space Rend and move freely, this was still something that ordinary Void Returning Stage cultivators could not do.

"Not bad, such power even at the initial fusion stage. As long as he is not corrupted by demonic thoughts and becomes a walking corpse, his future achievements will be limitless..." The Imperial Uncle, having witnessed the power of Zhuge Xiang's fists firsthand, nodded in appreciation and praise and spoke up.

"This guy is even stronger..." Looking at Zhuge Xiang, who could create spatial ripples with his hammer without mobilizing any True Essence, Zhu Wan'er was even more horrified. Zhuge Xiang's strength had increased, so her wish to kill Zhuge Xiang was naturally even more remote.

Seeing Zhuge Xiang's physical strength, Zhu Wan'er was secretly furious and couldn't help but want to curse him out loud. This guy was a complete freak. He had the appearance of someone with only the cultivation level of the Void Core Stage, but he possessed strength comparable to Void Returning Stage expert, and even stronger than ordinary Void Returning Stage Cultivator. If this guy were to use tricks, who knows how many people would be deceived by his Void Core Stage appearance...

"Thank you for your help, Imperial Uncle. However, I have another matter to ask for your assistance with, concerning the legitimacy of the Great Tang Imperial Family's Imperial Uncle..." After experiencing the power of his Demon Body after merging with the Demon Heart, Zhuge Xiang remembered the important matter he had to attend to in the Demon Sealing Tower that day and spoke up.

"Are you referring to the current emperor, not to the affairs of my Li Family?" However, before Zhuge Xiang could finish speaking, the Imperial Uncle interrupted Zhuge Xiang.

"You know about this Imperial Uncle?" Now it was Zhuge Xiang's turn to be surprised. The Imperial Uncle actually knew about this?

"Otherwise, why do you think I would hide in the Imperial Palace under an assumed name?" The Imperial Uncle calmly countered Zhuge Xiang's astonishment.

"That's right, "Zhuge Xiang nodded inwardly upon hearing this. No wonder the Imperial Uncle had disguised himself as an ordinary Old Man Li and hidden within the Imperial Palace. Zhuge Xiang had been puzzled at first, but now it seemed that the Imperial Uncle had known about this matter all along, and thus concealed his identity to investigate in secret?

"Since Imperial Uncle already knew this, did you find any useful clues?" Thinking of Imperial Uncle's abilities and how long he had been secretly investigating, Zhuge Xiang asked with shining eyes. (To be continued...)