Flesh Against Steel, a Living Fell Weapon, Imperial Killing Intent, Refining in the Chaos Furnace

The pitch-black fell weapon, Ten Directions Annihilation, hovered in midair.

It had not assumed human form, retaining its strange shape, neither saber nor sword, its entire length wreathed in ominous black light.

That was the ultimate killing intent accumulated after it had followed the Demon Emperor of Primordial Antiquity into battle across the Nine Heavens, slaughtering billions of living beings.

A mere wisp of its naturally seeping aura sliced the surrounding void into fragments that remained unable to heal.

Ye Tian stood in the void, his robes fluttering, his black hair lustrous.

His deep eyes were fixed on the fell weapon.

Deep within them, a flicker of delight danced, impossible to conceal.

"A fine weapon. A truly fine weapon."

Ye Tian murmured his praise, yet his voice carried the composure and dominance of a hunter sizing up his prey.

"Savage, brutal, pure."

"Though you have drunk blood beyond measure and are steeped in demonic nature, you were forged from a blend of Primordial Tribulation Gold and Abyssal Black Iron, materials rarely seen in this world."

"Leaving such a treasure buried in this sunless mine truly is a wanton waste of heaven's gifts."

This weapon was far more powerful than either the Hellhound or the Blood-Devouring Demon Vine he had encountered earlier.

Though those two were great fiends of God Venerable Rank, they were ultimately creatures of flesh and blood. Ten Directions Annihilation, however, was the weapon with which the Demon Emperor had attained his Dao, refined through offerings of his own heart's blood.

Even with its artifact spirit damaged, even after being sealed for endless ages, it still retained that supreme strand of imperial Dao law.

"Destroying you would be a pity."

"But keeping you risks having you devour your master."

A cold curve lifted the corner of Ye Tian's