Chapter 207: Baptism Ceremony
The originally azure sky turned into a blood-like red, and even the cold moon was tinged with a touch of crimson.
Not a hint of green could be seen on the ground, only an endless barren wilderness.
The ground was crisscrossed with chasms and fissures, and from time to time, one could hear the clamor of brawls.
The Demon Clan loved to fight, and the blood-colored moonlight stirred this instinct to its greatest extent.
Nearly every inch of land bore the marks of the Demon Clan fighting to the death.
When the Holy Daughter's carriage passed by, the Demon Clan would tacitly cease their battles, and as soon as the carriage departed, the sounds of slaughter would immediately resume.
This was Shi Nian's first time witnessing the real Demon Clan.
The members of the Demon Clan heading to Ling Country seemed much more normal compared to those here.
The All-Worlds Communication flickered slightly.
As soon as Shi Nian opened it, she saw a private message from Lu Zhuoyan.
"The lower the rank of the demon, the more they are controlled by the desire to fight. The blood moon of the Demon Realm also amplifies this. In the true Demon Realm, every day is a bloodbath. The demons of Ling Country are one, out of the influence of the blood moon, and two, those who can now go to Ling Country are relatively more capable and, relatively speaking, better off."
"The Demon Clan in Ling Country has adopted a city system and even established a management system with a City Lord, attempting to change the chaotic state of the demons. They are trying to learn from the Human Clan and start to establish some order. The hundred cities of Ling Country are a test ground for the Demon Clan."
Shi Nian revealed an expression as if deep in thought.
So.
Although the demons of Ling Country still adhered to the philosophy of the survival of the fittest, they certainly weren't as frenetic as those from the Demon Realm.
Shi Nian poked her head out and glanced at the blood moon overhead, feeling an indistinct sense of oppression in her heart.
There was an uncomfortable atmosphere in the Demon Realm.
It was as if the force that formed this Demon Realm was innately antagonistic towards her.
Shi Nian couldn't help but frown.
She didn't understand why she had such an inexplicable thought.
But this thought was incredibly vivid.
The Demon Clan really needed to be dealt with swiftly, preferably annihilating the entire Demon Realm altogether.
Otherwise, her mind couldn't be at ease.
Passing through the Demon Realm, in its deepest part,
A vast blood-red lake stretched out, boundless to the eye.
This lake was constantly churning, with an immense amount of Demonic Qi hidden within it.
Normally, this Demonic Qi was invisible.
It was only occasionally that some would leak out.
But just the small amount that did escape was enough to cause profound fear.
The closer one got to the Demon Pool, the more solemn Shi Nian's expression became.
She couldn't sense the specific situation yet, but even the scattered Demonic Qi she felt was somewhat beyond her expectations.
Was this the Demon Pool that birthed the entire Demon Clan?
Could she really destroy such a colossal entity?
"Xiaotong, aren't you always very confident? Tell me, can I destroy this Demon Pool?" Shi Nian couldn't help but ask Xiaotong.
Xiaotong was silent for a while before saying, "We need not be too fearful of the existence within that Demon Pool. Although she is hiding in this Demon Pool using some method, her power limit will not exceed the extreme limit of the Human World. However, this Demon Pool... its origin is unknown, and it can even spawn life. This is definitely not something within the power of the Human Realm. The Demon Pool might be an entity from a higher dimension projecting downwards. Host, with our current capabilities, we probably can't destroy it."
Shi Nian nodded her head.
She had already anticipated this.
The Demon Pool was probably not going to be resolved so easily.
"However, let's first inflict some damage on the Demon Pool," said Xiaotong, "to slow down its expansion rate."
Shi Nian's expression changed slightly: "It's still expanding?"
Xiaotong spoke in a subdued tone: "Yes. The rate of expansion is very slow, but it is indeed expanding. The overall Demonic Qi of the Demon Pool is also growing at a slow pace. Therefore, if the Demon Pool remains, the Demon Clan will only grow stronger by the day, and it will become an inexhaustible and relentless threat."
Shi Nian gazed at the sprawling Demon Pool below and fell into total silence.
Destroying the Demon Pool, eradicating the Demon Clan—could she truly accomplish that?
However.
Having come this far, she no longer had any other choices.
The carriage soon came to a halt on a vast expanse within the center of the Demon Pool.
"Holy Daughter, please step off the carriage," the voice of the Demon Clan Elder resounded.
Shi Nian exchanged a glance with Lu Zhuoyan, then she disembarked with him in tow.
Upon the great plain.
All eight Supremes had arrived.
The eight of them occupied eight positions, while the ninth position was filled by no less than ten Mahayana from the Demon Clan.
The nine positions linked, forming a gigantic Array, and at this moment, Shi Nian was at its central point.
"Mo Yin, the Holy Daughter, I didn't expect us to meet so soon," Charming Spirit Demon Venerable said with a coquettish laugh.
"Holy Daughter Mo Yin is truly charming. The outside world claims the Holy Daughter never leaves the side of a pretty boy, I somewhat doubted it, but now I do believe," Greedy Demon Venerable glanced at Lu Zhuoyan.
"It's just a bit of fun during my leisure time," Shi Nian replied nonchalantly.
Lu Zhuoyan gave her a look, remaining silent.
"Holy Daughter, the baptism ceremony is up next. I'm afraid this male demon cannot stay with you throughout," Abyss Demon Venerable stated.
"Oh. Speaking of which." Shi Nian smiled slightly: "I have a request in bringing him here. The Venerables must have noticed, my little pet here is a Mortal Demon, naturally unable to cultivate Demonic Qi. His Mortal Demon physique just can't withstand too much trouble, always cutting the joy short."
Lu Zhuoyan: "..."
Shi Nian continued to smile: "I've heard that if one receives the core baptism of the Demon Clan, even a Mortal Demon can gain the ability to cultivate. I'm quite fond of this little pet at the moment, I wonder if the Venerables could grant him the opportunity for a baptism as well."
The several Demon Venerables exchanged glances.
A baptism for the Holy Daughter, with a Mortal Demon in tow?
There's never been such a precedent.
But still.
This Mo Yin, the Holy Daughter, is different from the others.
The entity within the Demon Pool has been particularly attentive to her, continuously urging us to expedite the process over these past days.
"Agree to her request." Suddenly, a voice both urgent and impatient echoed simultaneously in the minds of several Demon Venerables: "That Mortal Demon is insignificant. Start the baptism process at once! I can no longer wait to possess Mo Yin's body."
The expressions of the eight Demon Venerables changed slightly.
Charming Spirit Demon Venerable spoke with a smile: "Since the Holy Daughter has made a request, there's no need for us to deny such a small favor; the Holy Daughter may bring this male demon with her into the Array."
Shi Nian nodded in satisfaction, and threw a sideways glance at Lu Zhuoyan: "Aren't you going to thank this Holy Daughter?"
Lu Zhuoyan: "..."
He quickly adopted an earnest and apprehensive expression: "Thank you, Holy Daughter."
Shi Nian chuckled secretly, feeling a moment of mischievous pleasure.
Although aware that her little martial uncle held grudges and would definitely seek retribution afterwards.
But still!
Who cares!
Enjoy the moment first.
Soon, both Shi Nian and Lu Zhuoyan stood at the core of the Array.
The accompanying demons from the Demon Clan bowed and exited the Demon Pool.
Within the Demon Pool, only the eight Demon Venerables remained, along with the ten Supreme Beings who supplied power to the same spot.
And then, there were Shi Nian and Lu Zhuoyan.
The baptism ceremony officially began.