Even Yun Jin was stunned by the Netherfire Phoenix's sudden shift in attitude.
Seriously? That fast?
As it spoke, the Phoenix even sneaked a few glances at her. The moment she met its gaze, it plastered on a kind smile, like it hadn't just tried to attack her a moment ago.
Yun Jin stayed silent for a while, then withdrew her spiritual energy.
Only then did the Netherfire Phoenix finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Good grief.
If he really fought that monster of a woman, this wisp of his soul might get completely annihilated. Handling the Demon Soul's problem, at least, didn't risk his life.
"Senior Phoenix! W-what's the meaning of this?!" the Demon Soul shouted, panic creeping into his voice.
He was even more conflicted than Yun Jin right now!
Yang Yun, on the other hand, looked overjoyed. "Thank you, Senior Phoenix!"
The Netherfire Phoenix glanced at the Demon Soul, a flicker of irritation flashing across its face.
The hell's he asking me for an explanation? Did he think Yun Jin was that easy to kill? Wasn't this fool just trying to drag me into a mess?
Or maybe…
He actually wanted to pit me against that woman so we'd both end up crippled?
The Phoenix's expression turned dark as it stared at him coldly.
"Listen here," it said in a low, stern tone, "the one who cultivated the Nirvana Codex is this half-human, half-demon hybrid, not you. So when it comes to requests, it's his words that count."
The Demon Soul froze.
Sure, that made sense—but you weren't saying that earlier! Was this bird always this good at picking sides?!
The Netherfire Phoenix sized the Demon Soul up and then said to Yang Yun, "Destroying this thing isn't difficult. He's just a soul body, and my flames are made to restrain such beings. One strike, and he's gone."
The Demon Soul's entire body stiffened.
Yang Yun's eyes lit up even more.
"But," the Phoenix continued lazily, "you and he share a symbiotic bond. If he dies, you die too. So unless you want to die along with him, maybe you should reconsider your request."
It stared at Yang Yun with a disturbingly expectant look.
Cold sweat instantly broke out down Yang Yun's back. He stammered, "Senior Phoenix, I—I still wanna live!"
The Phoenix's expectant gaze vanished in an instant. "Then there's only one way."
There's actually a way?
Yang Yun's eyes brightened with hope.
The Netherfire Phoenix spoke lazily, "Once I destroy the Demon Soul, you'll die almost instantly. To buy yourself some time, you'll have to absorb as much spiritual energy as you can before we start. The more you absorb, the longer you'll last.
At the same time, I'll use the Fire of Purification to burn your demonic bloodline. He's a demon, and because you carry demon blood, he's able to exist inside you. If you want to completely escape his control, you'll need to abandon that demonic bloodline. Once it's gone, he'll vanish along with it.
After that, you'll need a tremendous amount of life force to sustain your body. My estimate is, if you can last seven days and seven nights, you'll survive."
The Phoenix laid out the plan neatly.
Yun Jin, standing nearby, listened quietly. It all made sense now. So this was probably what happened in her past life too.
No wonder.
So that's why Yang Yun, once the Demon Sovereign, slaughtered his own kin and became the so-called hero of the human race. He must've devoured the entire demon race just to survive those seven days and nights.
"Life force... where the hell am I supposed to find that?" Yang Yun asked nervously.
"There's life force everywhere," the Netherfire Phoenix replied meaningfully. "The plants around us contain it, though it's hard to absorb from them. But aside from plants, aren't there countless cultivators all around? In my estimation, if you drain every cultivator within a radius of ten thousand miles, that should be enough to keep you alive.
If you succeed, my Fire of Purification will transform your body, making you the most perfect vessel for cultivation in this entire realm, a true prodigy of the Dao."
Yang Yun's eyes lit up instantly.
Right!
How could he have forgotten? These cultivators were walking life force containers!
Ten thousand miles...
If he wiped out everyone in the Xuandan region, that should meet the requirement.
"If you're ready, I'll begin," said the Phoenix. A spark of flame appeared in its claws, trapping the Demon Soul inside.
Just as it claimed, its fire specialized in burning soul bodies. The Demon Soul screamed in agony, unable to do anything but writhe helplessly.
Yang Yun's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, and he was just about to nod eagerly when Yun Jin's lazy voice cut in.
"What, did you two really think I'd just let you decide to drain the entire Xuandan region like I'm not even here?"
Her tone was calm, but her words dripped with ice.
Yang Yun turned toward her, still calm and collected. He even smiled politely. "Sect Master Yun, you heard him. Once I complete this process, I'll become fully human."
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "And then?"
Thinking she didn't quite get it, Yang Yun hurried to explain, "Sect Master Yun, think carefully! I was the Demon Sovereign, but I'll become human. With my understanding of the Demon Race, leading humanity to destroy them would be effortless!
When I join the humans, I'll be one of you. Senior Phoenix said it himself—I'll become a prodigy. Once I cultivate to success, won't I be adding glory to the human race?
With me around, humanity can conquer the Demon Realm with minimal loss. The only sacrifice needed would be the cultivators within this ten-thousand-mile radius. Without me, when the Human-Demon War begins, the losses will be far greater.
You're a smart woman, Sect Master Yun. You can see the logic in this, can't you?"
He spoke eloquently, confident that she'd weigh the pros and cons.
Yun Jin chuckled softly but said nothing. Instead, Tai'a Sword appeared in her hand.
Yang Yun's expression changed. "Sect Master Yun, wait! I know you have a good relationship with the people from Xuandan Gate! I promise, I won't touch them. I'll only drain the strangers, the ones who don't matter. How about that?"
He actually thought that was a fair deal.
Before he could finish his sentence, a flash of sword light shot straight toward him.
His pupils shrank in horror.
Bound by the Heavenly Dao, the Netherfire Phoenix had no choice but to block it, gritting its beak in frustration.
"Sect Master Yun, what's the meaning of this?" Yang Yun snapped, anger flaring.
He was already giving up his throne as the Demon Sovereign and joining the humans!
How could she still be so unreasonable? Wasn't his existence worth far more than a few ordinary cultivators?
Yun Jin's voice was cold and expressionless. "They might be strangers, but that doesn't mean they're insignificant."
With another swing, her sword flashed again.
Cold sweat rolled down Yang Yun's forehead. "Sect Master Yun, have you really thought this through? If you insist on killing me, I'll give up on joining humanity! When the Human-Demon War starts, the death toll will be unimaginable! You'll regret this one day!"