On the eve of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
Inside the Divine Son Palace.
Jiang Ye sat quietly before a divine jade table, a small cauldron swirling between his fingers, his entire being calm and indifferent, yet a faint smile hung on his lips.
The Blood Fiend Cauldron.
“It seems Xu Qiye has temporarily settled down.”
Since Xu Yongchun left the Divine Son Palace, there had been no major disturbances within the Jiang Clan for several days.
Blatant provocations and schemes, like those from Xu Qing and Xu Yang before, had not reappeared.
Jiang Ye knew that Xu Qiye had become wary after suffering a setback at his hands.
After all, he had tested it before.
Even against Xu Qiye’s Origin Clone, Jiang Ye could use the Blood Fiend Cauldron to inflict a Demonic Qi contamination curse upon his Origin Divine Soul.
Now, Xu Qiye had not only developed a huge rift with the Xu Family but was also tainted with Demonic Qi, considered a rebel by the Xu Family.
If he wished to act again, he could only be more cautious and discreet, moving into the shadows, no longer openly jumping out as before.
Jiang Ye’s eyes were deep, and new plans were brewing in his mind.
“However...”
“If he truly believes I will stop here, then he underestimates This Divine Son.”
“Taking advantage of this opportunity, it’s only right to get more dirt on Xu Qiye...”
“Offense is always the best defense.”
“Kicking a man when he’s down, that’s what a villain does!”
At this moment, he summoned You Sha, the Second Palace Master of the Hidden Killers Pavilion.
The Void Realm trembled slightly, and a black shadow silently stepped in.
He was gaunt, expressionless, with a pair of dark golden eyes that held a profound killing intent, like an Asura who had emerged from an endless land of death.
“Your Highness, Divine Son!”
You Sha knelt on one knee, respectfully awaiting Jiang Ye’s command.
“You Sha.”
Jiang Ye’s voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority: “This Divine Son asks you, have you ever Cultivated Demonic Path methods?”
You Sha’s body trembled slightly at the words, a hint of complexity flashing in his eyes beneath his misty, black face.
He said in a deep voice: “Reporting to Your Highness, Divine Son, when this subordinate roamed the myriad heavens in his early years, in order to survive in dangerous places, he did indeed make use of some Demonic Techniques for Cultivation.”
“But later, this subordinate forcibly reverted to orthodox Cultivation.”
Jiang Ye nodded, not surprised by You Sha’s answer.
In fact, many Cultivators in the myriad heavens without powerful backing had more or less come into contact with Demonic Techniques, considering it a viable path.
Even his mother, Su Hongye, had many secret arts that bore traces of Demonic Techniques.
He waved his hand, and an ancient bronze cauldron, exuding a bloody aura, appeared in mid-air.
The Blood Fiend Cauldron was wreathed in wisps of Devilish Qi, emitting a chillingly evil fluctuation that seemed capable of stirring the deepest desires within one's heart.
“Very good.”
Jiang Ye gently flicked the Blood Fiend Cauldron in his hand, its chime echoing, Demonic Light faintly overflowing.
“Can you use this cauldron?”
You Sha’s heart skipped a beat; he felt the terrifying Devilish Qi contained within the Blood Fiend Cauldron, knowing it was no ordinary item.
He meticulously examined it for a moment with a solemn expression, then finally responded in a low voice: “It can be used! This cauldron incorporates Soul Refining forbidden patterns; if combined with Demonic Techniques, it can subtly lay down Demonic Arrays in places the target passes through. Once the array is formed, it can refine their flesh and blood, suppress their Dao Foundation, extinguish all life, and annihilate both form and spirit!”
Jiang Ye smiled: “Very good.”
“I hear that Xu Mang, the first in line of the Xu Family, wishes to attend This Divine Son’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony. A few days ago, I made the Xu Family suffer a bit, and he seems to disapprove, wanting to come to the Jiang Clan to regain face...”
“You are to immediately take this Blood Fiend Cauldron, and using the Demonic Cultivation methods you learned in the past, go intercept and kill Xu Mang!”
As soon as these words were spoken.
You Sha’s heart pounded violently; he understood Jiang Ye’s objective in this action.
This was to sever all ties between Xu Qiye and the Xu Family, turning them into complete enemies.
And with the Blood Fiend Cauldron making an appearance, it would undoubtedly brand Xu Qiye as a person of the Demonic Path in everyone's minds.
However, the difficulty of execution was very high.
He pondered for a moment and said, “Divine Son, Xu Mang will certainly have highly Cultivated Dao Protectors by his side!”
Jiang Ye said noncommittally: “I have only one requirement: even if Xu Mang doesn’t die, he must be infected by the Blood Devilish Qi, and his Dao Foundation must be damaged!”
“No evidence must be left behind in this matter.”
You Sha was overjoyed upon hearing this and said, “With the Blood Fiend Cauldron, Xu Mang will inevitably be invaded by Devilish Qi. As long as I don’t have to kill him, I have full confidence in escaping, after all, we have the element of surprise, and the Xu Family is unprepared for their journey...”
He was already skilled in stealth and escape techniques, so he was very confident in this mission.
Jiang Ye’s expression was calm, as if he didn’t take it to heart, and said, “Go now.”
After You Sha received his orders.
His figure flickered, transforming into a streak of light and vanishing from the palace.
Jiang Ye’s expression was calm, as if he didn’t take it to heart.
Actually, whether Xu Mang lived or died had little impact on the overall plan; what he wanted was for Xu Qiye’s Demonic Path reputation to be solidified!
...At the same time, in the Eastern Domain, Sky Abyss Ridge.
Under the vast starry sky.
A magnificent spirit boat cut through the air, its hull carved with the Xu Family emblem, flowing with radiant light and brilliance, soaring high like a blazing sun, its momentum extraordinary.
Aboard the spirit boat, Xu Mang sat cross-legged in the cabin, his blood and Qi like a Dragon, exuding the majestic aura of the True King Realm peak.
There was a hint of impatience between his brows, unable to conceal the burning Battle Intent in his heart.
“Hmph! According to Elder Xu Yongchun, that Jiang Ye has already reached the True King Realm before his Coming-of-Age Ceremony. I want to see if his True King Realm is truly worthy of its name!?”
Xu Mang felt indignant in his heart.
His talent was unparalleled; he considered himself destined to become a Great Emperor in the future, yet now he had to attend Jiang Ye’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony as a visitor.
As the first in line of the Xu Family, he didn't necessarily have to participate.
But recent events made Xu Mang feel it was necessary to get involved.
Firstly, to spar with the Divine Son of the Jiang Clan and test his strength, as no other Disciple within the Xu Family could contend with him.
Secondly, the matter of Xu Qiye made him feel a subtle, inexplicable threat.
A thought arose in his mind: it would be best to find and kill Xu Qiye, otherwise, he might very well become his formidable enemy in the future.
At this moment, the spirit boat suddenly shook!
“Enemy attack!”
The array spirit roared, and the entire spirit boat sharply tilted, an astonishing bloody aura spreading out!
Outside.
Just as the spirit boat was traversing an ancient Star Domain, a sudden change occurred!
Dark clouds suddenly rolled in, and a pitch-black figure appeared in the Void Realm, its sleeves billowing, Demonic Qi surging, actually sealing off the entire sky domain with a secret art!
A dazzling blood-red light suddenly flared in the Void Realm, not the usual immortal Dao glow, but a strange red radiance with a strong, pungent smell of blood!
“Who goes there!?”
Xu Mang roared, transforming into a streak of light and rushing out of the spirit boat, divine brilliance erupting all around him as he struck out with a palm, shaking heaven and earth!
However, the black figure had already made preparations.
He slapped the Blood Fiend Cauldron in his hand, its chime vibrating, and Demonic Runes immediately spread across the Void Realm, forming a crimson array diagram that unfolded in the high sky!
“Blood Refining Demonic Array, rise!”
Countless blood-colored runes appeared out of thin air, as if alive, twisting and circling, instantly interweaving into a colossal Blood Forbidden Soul Devouring Array!
The grand array silently opened, instantly engulfing the spirit boat and the surrounding Void Realm, like a Vicious Beast opening its bloody maw, ready to devour everything!
The array diagram transformed into countless blood patterns that drilled into the Void Realm, turning into soul-eroding blood-red light, sweeping towards Xu Mang!
“Ugh!”
Xu Mang screamed, countless Demonic Runes appearing on his body, his aura plummeting, the sea of Dharma within his Dantian turbulent, and his Dao Foundation showing signs of faintly shattering!
“Who are you!?” he roared, asking.
You Sha smiled coldly, his expression indifferent, devoid of any pity.
But just as he was about to unleash his second Divine Ability.
From deep within the spirit boat, an old voice, imbued with boundless majesty, suddenly rang out.
“Who dares to be so presumptuous here!”