Soul Devouring and Boundary Breaking: I Embark on the Path to Immortality in the Era of Demon Chaos

The wind through the city gate, carrying the dust and grime of the wilderness outside, made one's skin feel tight. Wang Er, arms crossed, with an arrogant air, was like a gluttonous toad, its cheeks puffed out as it chattered incessantly. The amount of two hundred and twenty taels of silver that he spat out seemed to splatter on the ground, creating an invisible crater that could bury someone alive.

Lin Yan's fingertips pressed against the cold hilt of the knife, his inner energy slowly circulating within him, a dull ache throbbing from the wound on his right arm. He lowered his eyes, looking at Wang Er's greasy, yellowish face, its wrinkles like cracks in a dried-up riverbed, each line etched with greed and deceit. This face was more repulsive than the demonic tree in the Misty Ancient Forest.

Lu Ling stood a step away from Lin Yan, his breathing heavy and labored, like a broken bellows. The veins on the back of his hand, gripping the knife hilt, bulged, and his nails almost dug into his flesh. Wang Dashan clenched his teeth, his cheeks taut like two iron lumps. Zhou Fu remained silent, but his usually calm eyes now held a chilling glint. Zhao Si, standing guard beside the stretcher, was flushed red, his fingers unconsciously twisting the ropes securing the stretcher, his eyes glaring at Wang Er as if spitting fire.

Seeing their angry but silent demeanor, Wang Er grew even more smug, his triangular eyes gleaming with a cat-and-mouse-like light. He took a half step forward, almost touching Lin Yan's nose, and lowered his voice, just loud enough for the surrounding people with their ears perked up to hear: "What? Can't produce it? If you can't, then get out of here! Don't block my way and tarnish the reputation of Qingzhou Prefecture!" He raised his hand, as if to shove Lin Yan's shoulder.

Just as that hand with its filthy, blackened nails was about to touch Lin Yan's clothes—

Lin Yan raised her eyes.

Those eyes, usually calm as a deep pool, suddenly became sharp and profound, as if an icicle had been thrown into them. He didn't look at Wang Er's outstretched hand; his gaze was fixed directly on Wang Er's triangular eyes, which were filled with arrogance and contempt.

With a slight thought, the dormant divine consciousness within Wang Er's Niwan Palace, like a slender snake awakened by the spring insects, quietly emerged. This wisp of divine consciousness was extremely subtle, carrying no trace of murderous intent, yet it condensed his rudimentary application of the powers of "illusion" and "divine awe" gleaned from the tree demon's core, and was further mixed with a trace of a cold, predatory aura originating from his Soul-Devouring Body, which he himself had not fully understood. Silently, like an invisible spider silk, it entangled Wang Er's unsuspecting mind.

There was no earth-shattering momentum, no dazzling brilliance.

Wang Er felt the figure of the disheveled, pale-faced young man before him blur for a moment. Then, an inexplicable pang of fear gripped his heart without warning, as if he had been stripped naked and thrown into an ice cellar in the dead of winter, the chill instantly penetrating to his very bones!

"roar--!!!"

A deafening roar, as if from a primordial wilderness, exploded without warning in the deepest part of his mind! The sound carried the majesty, ferocity, and endless bloodlust of the king of beasts, shaking his very soul!

The scene before my eyes has been completely transformed!

City gates, crowds, weapons, sunlight... all the familiar scenes shattered, distorted, and reassembled like a water mirror tossed with pebbles!

What appeared before Wang Er was no longer the silent and reserved young man, but a colossal tiger with towering white forehead and bulging, mountain-like fur, its body rippled with muscular muscles and its fur as vibrant as flames! The tiger crouched on the ground, its amber vertical pupils cold and merciless, fixed on him. It opened its blood-red maw, revealing dagger-like white fangs, and a low, deadly roar rolled from its throat. A stench of blood and savagery swept over him, almost suffocating him!

Even more terrifying was the indescribable, primal, and terrifying pressure that gripped his soul like an invisible giant hand! It was the absolute crushing of a predator at the top of the food chain over a creature at the bottom, the ultimate fear of death etched deep in his blood!

"Ah—! Tiger! Insect! Help—!!!"

Wang Er let out a piercing, distorted scream, completely inhuman! His whole body trembled violently, as if he had malaria; his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud, even uncontrollably sliding backward, scrambling on his hands and feet in a pathetic state. Even more shameful, a dark, foul-smelling wet patch quickly appeared in his crotch—he had actually lost control of his bladder from fright!

"Hahaha!"

"Look at that cowardly look!"

"Oh my goodness, what's wrong with Wang the Skinflint? Is he seeing a ghost?"

"What the heck? He peed his pants! Hahaha!"

After a brief silence, the onlookers erupted in deafening laughter. Some pointed at the wet stains on Wang Er's crotch, laughing so hard they were doubled over; others clutched their stomachs, unable to straighten up; still others whispered amongst themselves, their gazes towards Wang Er filled with undisguised contempt and glee. Wang Er, who usually acted arrogantly and exploited passing merchants and commoners, had long incurred the wrath of both heaven and man. Seeing him make such a fool of himself now, everyone felt a sense of satisfaction.

The guards looked at each other, wanting to laugh but not daring to, wanting to go forward to help but feeling ashamed. They stood frozen in place, their faces embarrassed.

Wang Er collapsed onto the cold stone floor, the warmth of his urine contrasting sharply with the icy stone. The shrill laughter around him felt like countless needles pricking his face. He stared blankly, his eyes wide. Where was the magnificent tiger? Only the young man named Lin Yan remained, standing quietly, a perfectly measured hint of feigned concern on his face. But the terrifying, soul-devouring scene, the oppressive force that had almost frozen his soul, was so real it shattered his spirit. His lips trembled, trying to speak, but only escaping with gasps. His face turned from yellow to blue, then from blue to white, finally settling into a deathly ashen.

Just as the room was filled with laughter and Wang Er was utterly humiliated—

"Da, da, da..."

The crisp, rhythmic sound of horses' hooves drifted slowly from the official road within the city. Though not loud, the sound carried a heavy weight, instantly drowning out the clamor at the city gate.

The laughter of the crowd seemed to be choked, quickly subsided, and spontaneously dispersed to both sides.

A group of about ten black-armored cavalrymen, protecting a man in the middle, slowly approached. The knights' armor was gleaming, their swords were at their waists, and their eyes were fixed straight ahead, exuding a silent, chilling aura of battle experience.

The man in the center of the crowd was about forty years old, with a lean face and a meticulously trimmed three-strand beard. He wore no armor, only a dark blue brocade robe over which was a matching soft armor, and rode a magnificent blue steed. He looked more like a refined scholar, yet when his slightly lowered, seemingly gentle eyes swept lightly across the scene before the city gate, everyone—from the limp, disheveled Wang Er to the silent, trembling civilians and guards—felt an invisible, heavy pressure. His gaze was calm, yet it seemed to pierce through every corner of the heart.

Lin Yan's gaze met the person's in mid-air for a fleeting moment before parting. A slight chill ran through him—he couldn't fathom this person's cultivation level! It was definitely above the Profound Realm, and very likely already at the Core Formation stage! Moreover, the faint, obscure fluctuations emanating from the other person, slightly sluggish in their flow of spiritual energy with the surrounding world, caused a faint, yet real, rejection and tremor within Lin Yan's Devouring Spirit True Essence.

"Your humble servant... Your humble servant Wang Er greets... Headman Liu!" Wang Er, who was lying on the ground, seemed to have grasped a lifeline. He scrambled to his feet, not caring about the cold wetness in his crotch. He staggered to the front of the horse, bowed deeply, and his voice trembled with sobs and lingering fear.

Liu, the head constable... Liu Xiong, the head constable of the Demon Suppression Division of Qingzhou Prefecture!

Lin Yan's heart tightened instantly. The "Master Liu" in Qian Lu's secret letter, the mastermind Su Qingyao suspected, vaguely overlapped with the refined, smiling face in front of him.

Liu Xiong nodded slightly, his gaze not even lingering on Wang Er's wet crotch, as if it were just an ordinary roadside stain. His gaze passed over Wang Er and landed on Lin Yan, pausing particularly on Lin Yan's right arm, wrapped in bandages and stained with blood, and on the unconscious Su Qingyao on the stretcher behind him, and Li Tie being supported. Finally, his eyes settled on Lin Yan's face. A perfectly timed, gentle smile curved his lips, like a thawing spring stream, clear yet carrying a chilling edge.

"What's all this commotion about?" Liu Xiong asked, his voice not loud, but clear enough to reach everyone's ears, carrying a magnetic quality that made people unconsciously hold their breath.

Wang Er, like a drowning man grasping at a piece of driftwood, blurted out, "Reporting to the Commander! It's...it's this group! They claim to be from the Demon Suppression Division of Black Stone Town, wanting to enter the city, but...their behavior is suspicious. I checked them according to regulations...!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiong remained noncommittal, only glancing at Lin Yan with his smile unchanged: "Blackstone Town... is that the Blackstone Town at the foot of Canglang Mountain? This constable seems to have heard of it. Some time ago, it seemed there were demonic wolves causing trouble?"

His tone was calm, as if it were just a casual greeting. But Lin Yan could sense that beneath that calmness, an invisible net was slowly tightening.

"Indeed." Lin Yan bowed respectfully, his posture neither humble nor arrogant, subtly ignoring the brief clash of souls that had just occurred. "Blackstone Town was indeed attacked by demon wolves recently, but fortunately, thanks to the unity of the townspeople, the wolf scourge has been temporarily quelled. I, Lin Yan, have come to the Demon Suppression Division branch of Qingzhou Prefecture on the orders of the acting garrison commander of Blackstone Town and the acting commander of the Blackstone Guard, to report the details and handle official business." After speaking, he once again presented the Blackstone Town token with both hands.

This time, Liu Xiong did not ignore it. A close attendant dismounted, took the token, examined it carefully, and after confirming that it was genuine, returned it to Liu Xiong with both hands.

Liu Xiong took the wooden plaque, its edges worn smooth from being touched. His fingertips lightly traced the words "Black Stone," and a fleeting, almost imperceptible glint flashed in the depths of his eyes, as quick as a ripple on an autumn lake, before being covered by an even deeper, gentle smile.

"Hmm, the token is correct." He handed the token back to his attendant, who then passed it on to Lin Yan. His gaze shifted to Wang Er, his tone still calm, yet carrying a subtle hint of criticism, "Captain Wang is dedicated to his duties and concerned for the city's defenses; his intentions are commendable. However…"

He changed the subject, looking at Lin Yan again, his smile seeming more genuine, as if he truly cared: "A country has its laws, and a department has its rules. Although the Demon Suppression Division is a unified entity, each branch has its own regulations. The Demon Suppression Division branch in Qingzhou Prefecture has an unwritten rule. When new members join the branch or come on official business, subordinates and colleagues, in order to show their solidarity in fighting demons and evil, and also... well, to better get to know their colleagues in the branch, usually need to prepare a small gift as a token of their appreciation."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yan's wounded arm and the tattered clothes of his team members, revealing just the right amount of "understanding": "I, the head constable, see that you have come from afar, covered in dust, and have companions in urgent need of medical attention. You must have endured many hardships on your journey, and your demon-slaying achievements must be considerable. Let's skip the usual gifts of gold and silver."

A hint of resentment flashed across Wang Er's face, while the people behind Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

Liu Xiong's next words, however, made him suddenly choke on his words.

"However, rules cannot be broken. As brave warriors who have rendered meritorious service in slaying demons for our Demon Suppression Division, this 'entrance gift' should be in exchange for demon cores, which is most appropriate and best reflects the true nature of us cultivators." Liu Xiong smiled slightly, extending three slender, fair, and well-maintained fingers. His tone was gentle yet firm, brooking no argument. "According to custom, newcomers must present ten Body Tempering Realm demon cores as a gift. Considering your new arrival and the inconvenience it may cause, I, the head constable, have specially granted you... permission to present them within ten days."

Ten Body Tempering Demon Cores! Ten days to go!

A collective, suppressed gasp filled the air. For low-level cultivators and soldiers, a tempered demon core was a cultivation resource and a certificate of merit earned through risking their lives; its value and significance far exceeded that of an equivalent amount of gold or silver. With a casual remark, Liu Xiong set a seemingly respectable but actually far more cunning and demanding threshold—he wanted to seize your potential spoils of war, verify your so-called "merits," and give you only ten days to force you to either fight for your life in unfamiliar territory or leave the city, or give up everything you have.

Wang Er suddenly realized, his gaze towards Liu Xiong filled with awe. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! So much more sophisticated than his own blatant extortion!

The anger in Lu Ling and the others burned even brighter. This Liu the constable was far more insidious than Wang Er! He was a wolf in sheep's clothing, a killer who could kill without drawing blood!

Lin Yan listened quietly, looking at Liu Xiong's refined, smiling face. The last trace of doubt in his heart vanished, leaving only a deep chill. This man was definitely not a kind person, and his knowledge of the Blackstone Town affair was far more than just "somewhat heard of." This "entrance ceremony" was a show of force, a test, and the beginning of relentless pressure.

He met Liu Xiong's unfathomable eyes, his face showing neither sorrow nor anger, and calmly cupped his hands: "Thank you for your consideration, Commander. However, we have come in haste and have nothing of value. Our primary tasks are to submit official documents and treat our companions. I'm afraid this gift of ten Body Tempering Demon Cores is insufficient..."

"Oh, Brother Lin, you're too modest," Liu Xiong interrupted with a smile, his tone becoming even gentler, but his eyes as deep as an ancient well. "To escape the demon scourge of Black Stone Town and arrive safely in Qingzhou Prefecture is a testament to your abilities. Ten days is neither a long nor a short time. There are many places where demons breed within a hundred miles outside the city; and demon cores are occasionally traded in places like the 'Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion' and the 'Exotic Treasures Pavilion' within the city. With your abilities, hunting or buying them shouldn't be difficult. If you really have trouble getting enough..." He paused for a moment, as if genuinely trying to help Lin Yan, "you could borrow a few from a colleague you know in the branch. However, that's the rule, and with everyone watching, while I'm willing to be understanding, I can't openly show favoritism. I hope Brother Lin will understand."

His words were watertight, leaving no room for retreat, and he also raised the banner of "following the rules" high.

"Alright," Liu Xiong said no more, turning to Wang Er, who was still shaken and whose crotch was cold and wet, and said in a calm tone, "Captain Wang, since we are colleagues, let them go according to the rules. Brother Lin and the others have come a long way and have had a hard time. After they enter the city, they should be properly settled and no further complications should be caused."

"Yes! I understand!" Wang Er felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly turned around to shout, "Did you all hear that? Chief Liu has ordered that they be allowed to pass! Let them pass immediately!"

The spears blocking the way were removed, and the passage was reopened.

Liu Xiong nodded slightly to Lin Yan, his face still bearing that impeccable, gentle smile: "Brother Lin, I have official business to attend to, so I'll take my leave first. I look forward to seeing your 'heartfelt wishes' at the branch headquarters in ten days. Please."

Having said that, he lightly lifted the reins, and the green horse strode forward. Surrounded by a group of black-armored cavalry, the horse's hooves clattered as it passed through the city gate and headed into the bustling depths of the city, where buildings stood in disarray and people thronged. He left behind a calm and unfathomable figure.

After a brief silence at the city gate, noise gradually rose again.

Lin Yan took a deep breath of the air, which was filled with the smell of dust, urine, and cold stone bricks. He turned around and whispered to his teammates behind him, who were staring at him with burning resentment, "Let's go."

The group lifted the stretcher, helped the wounded, and silently passed through the tall, deep doorway, leaving behind the wilderness outside the city, the fishy wind of the swamp, and the stench of Wang Er's urine.

Suddenly, a wide street opened up before me, lined with shops, bustling with people, and teeming with noise. The autumn sun finally shone down without obstruction, illuminating the glazed tiles on the eaves and the gold paint on the signs, creating a magnificent and prosperous scene.

But beneath this dazzling light and shadow, Lin Yan felt a silent and viscous chill, even more intense than the deathly stillness deep within the Bone Swamp, quietly seeping in from all directions.

Liu Xiong... Qingzhou Prefecture...

The real storm of wind and frost is only now slowly beginning to unfold.

Those ten tempering demon cores, the ten-day deadline, were the first chilling boundary casually drawn by the other party.