Wandering Swordsman |

Hua Tianyou's gaze slowly swept over everyone, his dark eyes seemingly able to penetrate their souls, causing everyone to shiver involuntarily.

A suffocating sense of oppression permeated the cave, the air seemingly filled with unseen threats. Tu Yuliang clenched his teeth, trying to calm his inner fear and unease, but his gaze remained fixed on Hua Tianyou.

Finally, after a series of tests, Hua Tianyou revealed a rather satisfied smile. However, when he spoke slowly in a hoarse voice, that familiar feeling vanished instantly: "This body is barely acceptable."

In an instant, the six men's expressions changed drastically, their eyes filled with disbelief. They almost simultaneously gasped, staring in horror at the seemingly familiar figure before them. The voice was not Hua Tianyou's at all; it was deep and hoarse, as if from another world, carrying an indescribable eeriness and strangeness.

"Move!" A disciple's voice was shrill with fear, his hands clenched into fists involuntarily, his knuckles white, as if forcibly commanding his body to flee. The others also showed shocked expressions, their eyes filled with confusion and panic.

Tu Yuliang's face was as pale as paper, and a hint of despair and anger flashed in his eyes. "Who...are you?" Although he tried his best to keep his voice calm, he still couldn't hide the turmoil in his heart.

Hua Tianyou—or rather, the being occupying his body—smirked coldly, as if reveling in their panic. "This body of his merely passed the test I gave him. From now on, I will be the eternal Heavenly Demon God of your Heavenly Demon God Sect!" he said contemptuously, his voice brimming with unquestionable confidence. "And I am merely the Heavenly Demon Qi that has taken over his body."

Upon hearing this, the six men's expressions twisted even more, as if they couldn't accept what was happening before their eyes. Their minds were in chaos, filled with countless questions: What on earth was going on? Could it be that the Heavenly Demonic Qi of the Heavenly Demonic Sect actually possessed consciousness?

"This is impossible..." another disciple muttered to himself, his voice so faint it was almost inaudible. His eyes were wide open, staring intently at Hua Tianyou, as if trying to find a trace of familiarity on that unfamiliar face, but in the end he could only lower his head in disappointment.

The atmosphere inside the cave became even more oppressive, as if the air itself had solidified. Everyone felt an invisible pressure, making it hard to breathe. Tu Yuliang's heartbeat echoed in the silent space, and various possibilities flashed through her mind as she tried to find a way out.

"Now that you have seen the truth, you should understand even more that following me is the only way to survive. Once I successfully leave Demon Refining Mountain, I will bestow upon you a wisp of Heavenly Demon Qi, granting you the strength of the Heavenly Demon Gods of all ages." The voice rang out again, carrying an undeniable majesty.

Upon hearing Hua Tianyou's words—or rather, the entity possessing his body—the six people all wore expressions of confusion. Their eyes were filled with disbelief and deep doubt, as if trying to comprehend this incredible proposal. "Just a wisp of demonic energy, and he can become as powerful as the successive demon gods of the Heavenly Demon God Sect?" one disciple murmured to himself, his voice trembling slightly.

A complex mix of emotions surged within each person. On one hand, they craved power, yearning to establish themselves after leaving Demon Refining Mountain; on the other hand, the scene before them defied common sense, filling them with immense unease and fear. Tu Yuliang clenched his fists, his eyes flickering, his heart churning with inner turmoil: if all this was true, then following this mysterious being might indeed be an opportunity to change their fate; but if it was a trap, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"How is this possible?" another disciple murmured, his eyes fixed on Hua Tianyou, trying to find a flaw. "Which Heavenly Demon God of the Heavenly Demon Sect didn't undergo countless trials to achieve that status?"

However, as time ticked by, the hesitation on everyone's faces was gradually replaced by a resolute determination. They realized that in this place full of unknowns and dangers, only by seizing the opportunity before them could they possibly survive. Tu Yuliang, in particular, knew that he was not the Blood Demon Lord's biological son, but had only been able to gain a foothold in the Blood Demon Pavilion through special circumstances. Now, faced with such a potentially life-changing opportunity, he decided to take the gamble.

A moment later, Tu Yuliang took a deep breath, bracing herself against the immense pressure of the Heavenly Demon aura, and resolutely knelt down. Her movements were firm and decisive, as if she had made up her mind. "Eternal Heavenly Demon God," she raised her head, looking directly into Hua Tianyou's eyes, her tone filled with a hint of awe, "Since you possess such great power, I am willing to follow you."

Seeing this, the other five immediately made their decision. They exchanged glances, then knelt down along with Tu Yuliang, bowing their heads in submission. "Eternal Heavenly Demon God, please accept our allegiance!" one disciple shouted, his voice filled with expectation and hope.

The atmosphere inside the cave was unusually solemn. Tu Yuliang knelt on the ground, his hands clasped in front of his chest, his head bowed, displaying absolute loyalty to Hua Tianyou. His eyes showed no wavering, as if he had completely entrusted his fate to the mysterious figure before him.

Hua Tianyou—or rather, that mysterious being—slightly raised the corners of his mouth, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. "Very good," he said slowly in a hoarse voice, "Your choice was wise. From this moment on, you will become my trusted confidants, receiving the power I bestow upon you."

Upon hearing this, Tu Yuliang and the other five finally showed a hint of relief on their faces. Although the fear in their hearts still remained, they knew that at this moment, they had made their choice and had to bear the consequences.

"Is he Hua Tianyou?" Suddenly, these words came from the entrance of the vast space. The voice wasn't loud, but it echoed in the silent space, as if carrying some invisible force, causing everyone's heartbeats to pause.

Hua Tianyou and Tu Yuliang quickly turned to look in the direction of the sound. They saw Shen Mo standing at the entrance to the huge space, his gaze sharp as lightning, pointing directly at Hua Tianyou, while turning his head to look at Lü Yan beside him and asking a question.

At that moment, Tu Yuliang and the others' hearts leaped into their throats. He couldn't help but wonder: Had Shen Mo overheard his pledge of loyalty to "Hua Tianyou"? But then he thought, since they had already broken off all pretense, there was no need to care about Shen Mo's gaze anymore. So, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes, and he drew his weapon, preparing to deal with whatever might happen next.