Chapter Nine: Soul Seizure

During these past fifteen days of cultivation, Cao Yun encountered several puzzling incidents. Whenever he hunted to supplement his food, the spiritual essence of the prey he killed would be swept away by a red light emanating from the center of his brow.

This phenomenon baffled Cao Yun greatly. He tried various methods to uncover the cause, even channeling his spiritual energy to investigate his brow, but to no avail.

This mysterious occurrence left Cao Yun both helpless and curious.

Cautiously, Cao Yun made his way through the Abyssless Valley and passed the boundary marker of the Myriad Demons Forest. Upon entering the forest, he immediately sensed its extraordinary nature.

The trees in the Abyssless Valley were tall and dense, yet they paled in comparison to those here. Each tree here was so massive that even a dozen strong men holding hands could not encircle one. Some of the larger trees stretched like walls across the landscape. The spiritual energy here was several times more concentrated than outside, promising far greater cultivation gains.

Due to the immense size of the trees, Cao Yun chose to travel along their broad branches. Walking in this unfamiliar environment was even more perilous.

The branches crisscrossed in every direction. Some were as wide as cobblestone streets in a town, while others resembled narrow rural paths. The intersections formed a labyrinth of forked routes. To avoid getting lost or wandering into dangerous areas, Cao Yun carefully marked each path he came from.

As he proceeded with full concentration, a sudden deafening roar erupted from an unknown direction. The sound thundered across the sky, shaking the very air.

Startled, Cao Yun nearly lost his footing on the branch. He swiftly steadied himself and scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes, searching for the source.

Soon, a massive beast’s growl followed, mingled with the calls of various birds. These overlapping sounds were warnings of the forest’s danger and terror. A heavy sense of oppression pressed down on him, quickening his heartbeat. Taking a deep breath, Cao Yun forced down his unease and pressed on.

Some branches were perpetually shaded by thick foliage, never touching sunlight. They were covered in slippery moss, forcing even Cao Yun—an expert in lightness skill—to tread cautiously.

He stepped lightly, wary of slipping.

After about two hours of exploration, Cao Yun gained a preliminary understanding of this region.

During those two hours, he encountered numerous strange and grotesque demonic beasts. Their horrifying appearances and formidable auras made clear they were not to be trifled with.

He knew he had to remain vigilant at all times to survive in this perilous forest.

Deciding to continue his exploration along this route the next day, Cao Yun noted that although he had mastered night vision, the difference between day and night was still vast.

Demonic beasts and wild animals alike typically hunted during the day, and only then could one truly glimpse the face of the Myriad Demons Forest.

Cao Yun understood that only by thoroughly familiarizing himself with his environment could he hope to adapt to it.

Just as he was about to exit the forest’s depths, a streak of light like a comet suddenly tore through the night sky and slammed into a nearby tree trunk, scattering wood chips and leaves. Alarmed, Cao Yun turned sharply, his gaze locking onto the source.

To his surprise, it was the same male disciple from the Green Mountain Sect, who had previously hunted him. But this time, the man looked utterly different. Gone was the ethereal, refined figure with profound cultivation; instead, he appeared disheveled, ragged, and battered, as if he had endured endless suffering.

“Run, young friend!” the disciple urged urgently. Before finishing, his body transformed into a streak of light and fled desperately toward the forest’s edge, as if pursued by some terrible presence.

Instinctively, Cao Yun leapt lightly from the branch to the ground and unleashed his mundane lightness skill to its utmost. Though he could not match the disciple’s speed, he moved swiftly through the dense woods.

After a grueling escape, Cao Yun finally reached the boundary marker of the Myriad Demons Forest. Panting, he halted and surveyed the area cautiously.

There, leaning against the marker, was the Green Mountain Sect disciple, blood continuously pouring from his mouth and nose, barely clinging to life.

Cao Yun did not approach rashly. Instead, he stood aside, watching the man who had once hunted him with wary interest.

Suddenly, a giant wild boar several dozen feet in size burst from the dense trees. It leaped at least thirty feet, baring ferocious tusks. Upon landing, it stirred up dust and debris, roaring angrily at the disciple by the marker. Yet it dared not approach, as though some invisible barrier forbade it.

After circling in frustration, the wild boar let out a final angry roar before retreating back into the forest.

“We… young friend… could you… do me… a favor…” the disciple called weakly, as if death was imminent.

Cao Yun crossed his arms and smiled, nodding gently but remaining rooted in place, watching him with keen amusement.

“Thank you… young friend… if not for you… I would have surely met my doom…” The disciple’s voice suddenly rose, his tone shifting to one of fierce anger.

Cao Yun raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Oh? An immortal recognizes me? Pray tell, what help do you require?” His voice carried a trace of mockery.

The disciple’s eyes flashed with rage and helplessness. Drawing a deep breath, he endured the searing pain and exhaustion, as if resigned to fate. “Fine. I never expected to die at the hands of a brat like you. Come then, if you’re a man, give me a proper fight.”

Cao Yun’s lips curled into a playful smirk. “Ha! Your immortal airs are laughable. Even children from the imperial city’s guard would have mastered that by age three.”

The disciple’s face darkened further. Glowering at Cao Yun, he spoke deliberately: “Very well. Seeing you, I have no will to live. Let’s settle this once and for all—this time, it’s your life or mine!”

Just as Cao Yun suspected the disciple was bluffing, a shocking event occurred. A gleam shot from the disciple’s brow like lightning, piercing straight into Cao Yun’s forehead.

Cao Yun felt a surge of overwhelming power flood his body, catching him off guard and plunging him into a brief dizziness. Inwardly, he thought, this is bad.