Demonic Flames Burn Saint Bones, Dao Fruit Hides Profound Mysteries

Deep within the Tantai Secret Realm, spiritual mist hung like an inverted Milky Way, cascading thousands of feet. It was icy cold to the touch, yet carried an incomparably domineering Ancient Spiritual Energy —so Spiritual Qi it was almost tangible, its strands coiling around the body. Inhaling even a single breath caused a throbbing pain in the meridians, as if the energy, far exceeding the norm of the immortal Immortal Realm, was about to rupture the dantian. Ren Xiaoyao strode forward through the spiritual mist. The bluestone slabs beneath his feet, weathered by countless ages, remained intact, covered with blurred Ancient Runes, their patterns shimmering with a dim light, like Sleeping Stars. With each step, he could feel the faint, almost imperceptible, restrictive fluctuations emanating from the runes. These fluctuations, though seemingly nonexistent, carried the majesty of Ancient Great Power, as if whispering the glorious past of the Tantai Clan, who once ruled over a vast territory, their immortal might awe-inspiring, commanding the submission of all races.

He activated his Primordial Chaos Dao Power to protect his body, the pale golden power swirling around him like a thin veil, isolating him from the dense, almost liquid spiritual mist. His Divine Sense spread out like a tide, covering a radius of tens of thousands of miles, each strand of his divine thought acting like the most sensitive probe, carefully investigating any unusual movement. Although the Spiritual Qi within the Secret Realm was astonishingly abundant, it was permeated with a deathly oppressive silence—no chirping of insects or birds could be heard, no trace of life could be felt, even the wind seemed frozen, only the soft rustling of the flowing spiritual mist echoed in the vast and boundless Secret Realm, adding a touch of eeriness and solemnity, as if this land had long been forgotten by time.

After traveling approximately ten thousand miles, the spiritual mist ahead suddenly became murky. The originally pure, milky-white mist was tainted by a thick stench of blood and demonic energy, transforming into a grayish-black torrent. Like maggots crawling on bones, it burrowed into the nasal cavity, its stench pungent and nauseating. The demonic energy was as black as ink, as viscous as undissolved asphalt, carrying a terrifying power to Devour Vitality and distort the soul. It collided with the pure Ancient Spiritual Energy within the Secret Realm, stirring up visible ripples of energy. The surrounding spiritual mist, tainted by the demonic energy, transformed into black ribbons that twisted and entwined in the air, hissing. Wherever it passed, the grass on the ground withered instantly, and even the hard rocks began to develop fine cracks, exuding a decaying aura, as if even heaven and earth were being corroded by this demonic energy.

"Hmm?" Ren Xiaoyao's brows furrowed suddenly, his eyes instantly sharpening like knives as he warily locked onto the demonic mist ahead. This demonic energy was far beyond what ordinary Devil Cultivator could possess; its purity and domineering power far surpassed any powerful Demonic Dao cultivator he had encountered before—even the Blood Demon Ancestor, who had stirred up the Immortal Realm and slaughtered three thousand Immortal Domain, did not emit even a fraction of this demonic energy. What was even stranger was that within that suffocatingly dense demonic energy, there was also a faint trace of Sacred Dao Aura. The holy and the filthy intertwined, forming a chilling and eerie power, Buddhist Light and darkness were tearing each other apart within the same body, both sacred and evil, both pure and filthy.

Just then, a deafening roar came from the depths of the demonic mist ahead, like Ancient Ferocious Beast awakening from its slumber of millions of years. Wherever the sound waves passed, the spiritual mist churned violently, forming a huge vortex, and countless jagged ravines cracked open in the ground, the deepest reaching a hundred feet, as if the earth had been ripped open with Dao Wound. The runes carved on the High Antiquity bluestone slabs instantly dimmed and lost their luster, like ink that had been forcibly erased, completely losing all their spirituality. Immediately afterward, a black figure tens of thousands of feet tall stepped out of the demonic mist, its body surrounded by Demonic Flame Soaring to the Heavens. The pitch-black demonic energy condensed into fine scales that tightly covered its entire body. Each scale was covered with dark red patterns, like dried blood or writhing veins, exuding an aura of destruction and slaughter. Even the surrounding void was scorched by the demonic flames, slightly distorted, and rippling with layers of light.

The figure wore a tattered Golden Crown, its once inlaid seven-colored gems now shattered into powder, scattered among his robes. Only a few twisted gold threads barely held the crown together, yet it still couldn't conceal its former splendor and majesty. His face was withered and emaciated, his skin clinging to his bones, devoid of any color, like a dried-up corpse. Only his eyes gleamed with a scarlet light, like two burning will-o'-the-wisps, fixedly locked onto Ren Xiaoyao. His gaze was filled with a frenzied killing intent and undisguised greed, as if he wanted to devour Ren Xiaoyao alive, even his soul. Most chillingly, although his body was shrouded in thick demonic energy, a faint Sacred Dao Rosy Clouds stubbornly flickered between his brows, like a spark in the darkness. It was the aura of a half-saint—even after being Demonic Qi Erosion for millions of years, it had not completely dissipated, exuding an indomitable resilience, as if making a final stand against the Heavenly Demon flames.

"Tantai Half-Saint?" Ren Xiaoyao's heart jolted, and he instantly understood the other party's identity. To possess the cultivation of a half-saint in the Tantai Secret Realm, and to retain the unique Sacred Dao Aura of the Tantai Clan, there could be no one else but the legendary Tantai Half-Saint, who was said to be sleeping deep within the Secret Realm, guarding the Tantai Clan Inheritance. However, he never expected that this powerful figure, renowned High Antiquity and revered by all immortals, would have fallen into such a Demonic Transformation state, becoming the inhuman and ghostly figure he is today.

"Outsider... trespassing into my Secret Realm... die!" The Tantai Half-Saint spoke, his voice hoarse and dry, like two rusty iron blocks rubbing against each other. Every word carried intense killing intent and madness. The sound waves reverberated, causing the surrounding demonic mist to churn violently, forming black pillars of energy. He extended a gigantic hand covered in black scales, a hand tens of thousands of feet in size, covered in scales as hard as diamond. The instant his five fingers opened, demonic energy instantly condensed into five jet-black claws, gleaming with a chilling light, sharp enough to tear the heavens and earth apart. Wherever they passed, five long cracks were torn in the void. The pure demonic energy overflowing from the cracks caused the surrounding ground to rapidly corrode and melt, emitting plumes of black smoke, and filling the air with a pungent, acrid smell.

Ren Xiaoyao dared not be negligent in the slightest. His figure flashed, and he used the <Primordial Chaos Steps> to its fullest extent, transforming into a Golden-Azure Streamer, dodging the claw attack as if by Teleport. The claw grazed the corner of his clothes and slammed heavily onto the ground with a deafening roar. The earth trembled violently, creating a bottomless crater. The rocks around the crater were instantly corroded into dust by demonic energy and scattered by the wind. At the same time, he tightly gripped the Chaos Sword Embryo in his hand. Golden-blue Dao power surged like a rushing river, flowing wildly down his arm into the sword. The sword instantly grew to ten thousand feet in length, with Golden-Azure Dual Color Sword Qi coiling around it like two playful serpents, or like two Dao God that World Creation, radiating the vast Dao charm of the Beginning of Chaos and a terrifying aura that could tear everything apart, as it slashed towards Tantai Half-Saint's arm.

"Clang!"

The moment the Sword Qi collided with the claws, a deafening roar erupted, as if the heavens and earth were collapsing, causing the entire Secret Realm to tremble slightly. Mars flew everywhere as the golden-blue Sword Qi and Black Demonic Qi eroded and collided with each other, producing a hissing sound and scattering countless energy fragments that landed on the ground, creating small craters about ten feet deep. The claws of the Tantai Half-Saint were incredibly hard, actually managing to withstand the full force of the Chaos Sword Embryo's attack. However, under the intense impact of the Sword Qi, a tiny crack appeared on the black scales of the claws, and a trickle of Black Blood seeped from the crack, falling onto the ground and instantly corroding a fist-sized hole in the bluestone slab, emitting black smoke.

"Primordial Chaos Dao Power? Interesting..." The crimson light in Tantai Half-Saint's eyes suddenly surged, revealing a greedy look. A strange smile curled at the corner of his mouth, which looked particularly ferocious on his withered face. "By devouring your Dao Power, perhaps I can completely control this demonic flame and break through to Quasi-Saint!"

Before he finished speaking, the demonic flames surrounding him surged ten thousand feet higher once more. The pitch-black flames swept out like a tsunami, completely dyeing the spiritual mist within a radius of ten thousand miles black, plunging the world into darkness. The Sacred Dao Rosy Clouds between his brows was completely suppressed by the demonic energy, almost disappearing entirely. His aura became even more violent and bloodthirsty, like a Devil Beast that had lost its mind. He raised his hand and waved it, and the Black Demonic Qi instantly condensed into a Demon Blade ten thousand feet long. On the Demon Blade, Blood-Colored Patterns flowed like living things, constantly moving along the blade, radiating a power that could tear everything apart and destroy everything. The blade swept towards Ren Xiaoyao with overwhelming force. Wherever it passed, a long gash was ripped through the void, emitting a piercing tearing sound, as if space itself were being cleaved apart by the Demon Blade. Simultaneously, it spewed forth a mouthful of pitch-black demonic fire. This demonic fire was no ordinary flame; it was formed from pure demonic energy, carrying a bizarre power capable of destroying the soul. It ignited upon impact, instantly spreading into a vast sea of fire stretching for thousands of miles. Within this sea of fire, countless hideous demonic shadows roared and howled, each with a hideous face, lunging towards Ren Xiaoyao, attempting to drag him into the flames and refine him to nothingness.

Ren Xiaoyao's eyes narrowed, not daring to be careless in the slightest. He pushed the <Primordial Chaos Heaven Devouring Art> to its limit. Golden-blue Dao power rapidly condensed around his body, forming a massive Chaos Vortex. The vortex was tens of thousands of feet in diameter, its center as black as ink, emanating a terrifying aura that could devour heaven and earth and annihilate everything. The vortex spun rapidly, generating a powerful suction force, drawing in the surrounding Spiritual Qi, demonic energy, and even scattered energy fragments. As soon as the demonic fire and demonic shadows approached, they were instantly devoured by the vortex, transforming into pure energy that flowed along the vortex and ultimately nourished Ren Xiaoyao's dantian, making his Dao power even more abundant and its circulation speed even faster. Immediately afterward, he held the Chaos Sword Embryo, transforming it into a dazzling Golden-Azure Streamer, rushing towards the Demon Blade. On the sword's body, golden-blue Sword Qi condensed into a Sword Rainbow that pierced through heaven and earth, carrying the dual power of devouring and tearing, like a sharp blade that split the World Creation and earth, colliding with the Demon Blade with a thunderous crash.

"Snap!"

A crisp cracking sound rang out as the Demon Blade, under the fierce impact of the Sword Rainbow, developed countless fine cracks that spread like a spiderweb. After only a brief moment of stalemate, the Demon Blade shattered, transforming into Heavenly Demon energy, which was completely swallowed by the Chaos Vortex. Taking advantage of the momentum, Ren Xiaoyao closed in, his figure moving like a ghost through the demonic flames. He unleashed the profound mysteries of the <Primordial Chaos Steps> to its fullest extent, leaving behind blurry afterimages. The Chaos Sword Embryo danced in his hand, sword light raining down, each strike precisely hitting the weak points on Tantai Half-Saint's body—the gaps in his scales, the nodes of his meridians, the Breaking Point in the flow of demonic energy. Golden and azure Sword Qi tore through the demonic flames, pierced his scales, leaving deep, bone-revealing wounds on his body. Black Blood gushed out, spraying like a fountain, landing on the ground and corroding large pits.

Tantai Half-Saint roared repeatedly, his eyes burning with even greater madness. He launched a frenzied counterattack, his demonic energy condensing into countless attacks—black spears, ferocious demonic claws, and terrifying demonic flames—pouring down on Ren Xiaoyao like a storm, dense and relentless. However, Ren Xiaoyao's Primordial Chaos Dao Power countered all techniques. The demonic energy attacks struck his protective barrier like mud entering the sea, instantly swallowed and refined. Not only did they fail to harm him, but they also made his Dao Power even purer. He moved freely through the demonic flames like an invincible war god. Each swing of the Chaos Sword Embryo dealt a heavy blow to Tantai Half-Saint. The originally raging demonic flames grew weaker and weaker as the demonic energy was consumed, their color gradually changing from jet black to grayish-black.

After half a day of fierce fighting, the scales on Tantai Half-Saint's body were already shattered and covered with countless wounds. Black Blood flowed incessantly, forming a small black stream on the ground, emitting a foul stench. His demonic energy was greatly depleted, and his aura became increasingly weak, like a candle flickering in the wind, making him unsteady on his feet. Just then, the Sacred Dao Rosy Clouds between his brows flickered again, even brighter than before. The scarlet light in his eyes cleared for a moment, but was quickly suppressed by the demonic energy, making him appear to be in excruciating pain, as if he were experiencing the torment of his soul being torn apart.

"No... I cannot be completely controlled by demonic energy..." Tantai Half-Saint roared in agony, his voice filled with resentment and struggle. It was a resistance from the depths of his soul, Unbending Will within the Tantai Clan bloodline. "Outsider, if you can help me regain my senses for even a moment, I will tell you a tremendous secret! A secret concerning the structure of the Immortal Realm, a secret concerning the attainment of the Primordial Dao!"

Ren Xiaoyao's heart stirred. He could clearly sense that the Sacred Dao Aura within Tantai Half-Saint's body had not been completely extinguished; on the contrary, it was becoming increasingly tenacious in its struggle against demonic energy. Perhaps it could truly awaken him from his Demonic Transformation state. Moreover, the secret "concerning the attainment of the Primordial Dao" mentioned by the other party also piqued his curiosity—the Primordial Dao realm was the ultimate Beyond the Shore that countless cultivators dreamed of. Since ancient times, very few had been able to reach this realm. If he could learn its mysteries, it would undoubtedly be of great benefit to his future Path of Cultivation. He no longer held back his strength, and the golden-blue Dao power around him surged by tens of thousands of feet, like two suns and moons rising into the sky simultaneously, illuminating this dark world. The Chaos Sword Embryo transformed into a dazzling sword Sword Rainbow, with Golden-Azure Dual Color Sword Qi intertwined and swirling on its blade, emanating Primordial Chaos Dao Charm that purified everything and encompassed all things, slashing towards Tantai Half-Saint's brow—not to take his life, but to use primordial Primordial Chaos Dao Power to purify the demonic energy between his brows and help him regain his clarity.

"Pfft!"

The Sword Rainbow pierced precisely into the space Tantai Half-Saint's brows without causing any damage. Like spring rain nourishing all things, golden-blue Dao power slowly flowed into the space between his brows, instantly engaging in a fierce battle with the demonic energy there. The demonic energy launched a frenzied counterattack, like a hungry beast trying to devour the Primordial Chaos Dao Power. However, the Primordial Chaos Dao Power, encompassing all things and purifying all laws, like Warm Sun melting snow, gradually eroded and disintegrated the foundation of the demonic energy, slowly purifying the holy Dao power that had been polluted by the demonic energy, and reawakening its original purity.

The Tantai Half-Saint let out a shrill scream, his body convulsing violently. The demonic flames around him flickered, sometimes surging as they tried to expel the Primordial Chaos Dao Power, sometimes contracting as the purified Sacred Dao Power grew stronger. His body writhed in agony in the air, letting out roars of unwilling defiance. The Sacred Dao Aura within him resonated with the Primordial Chaos Dao Power, working together to fight against the stubborn demonic energy. The Sacred Dao Rosy Clouds between his brows grew brighter and brighter, like the rising sun, gradually dispelling the scarlet light in his eyes and revealing his original clarity.

Half an hour later, the demonic flames surrounding the Tantai Half-Saint completely extinguished, and his black scales turned to ashes, scattering with the wind to reveal his true form. He was emaciated, wearing a tattered golden Sacred Robe Sacred Robe, stained with dark red blood and black grime, clearly the result of countless painful struggles and resistance. Although his face was still withered, it had regained its clarity, and his eyes shone with Sacred Dao Rosy Clouds, like two pure Glazed Ice beads, clear and profound, without a trace of demonic energy. However, his aura was extremely weak, like a candle flickering in the wind, his meridians were broken, and his holy bones were shattered. He was clearly on the verge of death, and his ability to hold on until now was entirely due to his Unbending Will and his dedication to protecting the Tantai Clan Inheritance.

"Thank you... thank you for your help, fellow Daoist..." Tantai Half-Saint spoke weakly, his voice filled with gratitude and relief. His gaze fell on Ren Xiaoyao, filled with complex emotions—gratitude, guilt, and a hint of entrustment. "I have been Demonic Qi Erosion for millions of years, tormented day and night, and have long been unable to control my own body, like Walking Corpse. Today, I am able to be freed entirely thanks to your Primordial Chaos Dao Power. This kindness will never be forgotten by the Tantai Clan."

"You're too kind, senior." Ren Xiaoyao sheathed the Chaos Sword Embryo, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "This junior, Ren Xiaoyao, was besieged by the Profound Heaven Great Emperor and the Western Heaven Zen Sect and accidentally entered the Secret Realm. I apologize for disturbing your cultivation. May I ask why you became Demonic Transformation back then? And what happened in the Secret Realm?"

Tantai Half-Saint gave a bitter laugh, a flicker of reminiscence and intense hatred flashing in his eyes. That hatred, like a volcano dormant for millions of years, though faint, was still burning hot. His voice was hoarse as he said, "A million years ago, the ancestor of the Profound Heaven Great Emperor — the Great Emperor Xuan Ye —joined forces with the Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha Western Heaven Zen Sect, coveting the Dao Fruit inheritance of my Tantai Clan. They led a million-strong army into the Secret Realm. My ancestors had long since passed away, leaving only me to guard the Secret Realm and protect the Dao Fruit. I fought desperately, but they launched a despicable sneak attack and cast me into the Demon Abyss deep within the Secret Realm realm, where I was tainted by endless demonic energy. Although they failed to break the restrictions set by my ancestors and seize the Dao Fruit, they turned me into a demon servant, tormented day and night by the Demonic Qi Erosion. For millions of years, I have fought against the demonic energy, yet I have always been unable to escape its control, and can only watch helplessly as I gradually become a Devil Creature myself."

"Dao Fruit?" Ren Xiaoyao's heart stirred. This was the first time he had heard this term. From the tone of Tantai Half-Saint, it was not difficult to tell that this Dao Fruit was precious and extraordinary.

"Indeed, the Dao Fruit." Tantai Half-Saint, his gaze becoming incredibly solemn, as if he were recounting a matter of utmost importance concerning the survival of heaven and earth. "The Dao Fruit is no ordinary treasure, but a supreme treasure formed from the condensation of the World Laws, containing a complete and profound Dao, the ultimate fortuitous opportunity that countless cultivators dream of. Throughout history, countless exceptionally talented individuals have spent their entire lives without ever touching the threshold of the Dao, but the Dao Fruit is the shortcut to the Dao. Whoever obtains the Dao Fruit can directly comprehend the Great Dao True Meaning, break through the shackles of their current realm, and even have the opportunity to attain the Primordial Dao, living as long as Heaven and Earth Live Together, eternally immortal!"

He paused, catching his breath, and continued, "The Dao Fruit of my Tantai Clan is called the ' Heaven Burning Sword Dao Fruit,' containing the supreme mysteries of the High Antiquity Heaven Burning Sword Dao. Its power is boundless; a single strike can Heaven-Burning Emperor Formation and boil the seas, annihilating stars. This Dao Fruit was formed by our ancestors after countless years of painstaking effort, fusing their own Dao with the World Laws. It is the foundation of the Tantai Clan. Back then, Great Emperor Xuan Ye and the Ancient Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha failed to obtain it because the Dao Fruit was protected by the ' Heaven Burning Restriction ' set up by our ancestors. This restriction is infinitely powerful, using the fire of heaven and earth as a barrier and High Antiquity intent into a killing array. Only those with the bloodline of the Tantai Clan or those who can control the Power of Chaos Origin can open the restriction and witness the true appearance of the Dao Fruit."

Ren Xiaoyao was deeply shocked. He never expected that such a treasure was hidden in the Tantai Secret Realm. His Primordial Chaos Dao Power originated from the Chaos Origin. Didn't this mean that he just met the conditions to open the restriction and had a chance to obtain the Heaven Burning Sword Dao Fruit? If he could obtain this Dao Fruit, he would not only be able to break through his current mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, but also master the supreme mystery of the Heaven Burning Sword Dao. At that time, he would have more confidence when facing the encirclement and suppression of the Profound Heaven Great Emperor and the Western Heaven Zen Sect.

"Fellow Daoist's Primordial Chaos Dao Power is the key to unlocking the Heaven Burning Restriction." Tantai Half-Saint seemed to see through his thoughts, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. He continued, "But you must be careful. The Profound Heaven Great Emperor and the Western Heaven Zen Sect have never given up their covetousness for the Dao Fruit. For millions of years, they have laid countless spies outside the Secret Realm. Once they sense any movement in the Dao Fruit, they will launch another massive invasion, leading to a life-or-death battle. Furthermore, the Heaven Burning Restriction contains three trials left by our ancestors, corresponding to 'heart, skill, and Dao.' Only those who pass these trials can gain the Dao Fruit's approval. Forcibly seizing it will only result in the Dao Fruit's backlash, Death and Dao Annihilation."

His breath grew weaker and weaker, his body becoming transparent like dissipating mist, clearly on the verge of death. "My time is running out... This is the Mnemonic to activate the seal, you must keep it safe..." With his last ounce of strength, the Tantai Half-Saint condensed a golden stream of light at his fingertips. The light contained Ancient Runes and the Daoist essence of the Tantai Clan, flying towards Ren Xiaoyao's brow and firmly entering his sea of consciousness. Having done this, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes, a smile appearing on his lips, and he softly said, "The Heaven Burning Sword Dao Fruit... can finally... return to its orthodox form..."

Before he finished speaking, the body of the Tantai Half-Saint completely transformed into specks of golden light, like countless stars in the sky, slowly drifting away in the spiritual mist and dissipating into the air. Only a faint Sacred Dao Aura remained, flowing slowly through the Secret Realm, as if bidding farewell to this great being who had guarded the Dao Fruit for millions of years, and also as if blessing the new inheritor who was about to arrive.

Ren Xiaoyao clenched his fists, the Mnemonic left by the Tantai Half-Saint echoing in his mind. The Mnemonic was profound and obscure, yet it contained the key to opening the Heaven Burning Restriction. His heart was filled with emotion and determination—emotion for the Tantai Half-Saint's perseverance and tragic heroism, and determination for the responsibility and mission he shouldered. He had never expected that his intrusion into the Tantai Secret Realm would lead to such a change, not only revealing the secret of the Dao Fruit but also taking on the heavy responsibility of protecting the Dao Fruit and passing on the Tantai Clan's orthodoxy. The relentless pressure from the Profound Heaven Great Emperor and the Western Heaven Zen Sect, and the Tantai Half-Saint's dying words, all weighed heavily on him, but even more so, they fueled his boundless fighting spirit.

Ahead, deep within the spiritual mist, faint, powerful fluctuations of a restrictive barrier emanated. These fluctuations were majestic and ancient, carrying the aura of Ancient Great Power, like a slumbering behemoth, radiating a chilling pressure—clearly the location of the Heaven Burning Restriction. Ren Xiaoyao took a deep breath, his eyes sharpening like a drawn sword, its edge fully revealed. He knew a new trial was about to begin—not only must he break through the Heaven Burning Restriction and face the three trials left by his ancestors, but he must also constantly guard against the covetousness of the Profound Heaven Great Emperor and the Western Heaven Zen Sect; a single misstep could lead to utter destruction.

With a swift movement, he transformed into a streak of Golden-Azure Streamer, hurtling towards the location of the restriction. The Primordial Chaos Dao Power surged within his body like a river flowing into the sea, and the Chaos Sword Embryo emitted bursts of excited Sword Hum, as if it too was anticipating the upcoming challenge and the Heaven Burning Sword Dao Fruit that would change its destiny.

He was determined to obtain the Heaven Burning Sword Dao Fruit!