Immortality Begins with Krypton Life

Chapter 157 The Inner Demon StrikesXu Changze waved his hand again, and the Power Of Will surged like a tide, transforming into several hideous tentacles that attacked the two from different directions.

Before the tentacles even arrived, that will mixed with pleading, fear, and numbness had already struck and shaken their minds.

Qi Huan’s pressure multiplied. His Five Cloud Hands were struggling to parry, and he had already sustained several wounds on his body; his clothes were corroded, and his flesh was festering, emitting wisps of black Qi.

He gritted his teeth and held on, knowing that if his mind were to lose its defense and be invaded by this Power Of Will, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Chen Mu’s expression was grave. He operated the Soul-Loss Art at full power to stabilize his soul sea and resist the pervasive mental intrusion. His figure flashed rapidly within the hall, and his soul-slaying blade continuously hacked at the tentacles and the bell shadow, emitting explosive sounds.

However, the effect was limited. The Power Of Will tentacles were severed, but they quickly regenerated within the gray mist. The bell shadow was exceptionally sturdy; Xu Changze was like a venomous snake hiding in a tortoise shell, continuously launching attacks with the Power Of Will to drain their strength.

This could not go on.

Chen Mu took a deep breath. The Hunyuan Astral Qi within his body circulated frantically, and the dark light on the soul-slaying blade receded, replaced by a layer of dark golden luster.

This was a killing move formed by the Fusion of calamity power and Astral Qi after the Hunyuan Wuji Calamity Body reached Perfection. Once unleashed, its power would be heaven-shaking, but the consumption was equally immense, and it might even damage his Foundation.

Just as Chen Mu was preparing for a desperate struggle, Xu Changze’s offensive suddenly slowed. The Power Of Will tentacles gradually retracted, circling around him, and the light from the official seal above his head also dimmed.

Xu Changze stood within the bell shadow, the surging murderous intent on his face gradually fading, and he put on a look of almost sincere friendliness once again.

This abrupt change stunned Qi Huan, who was defending with all his might, and also caused Chen Mu’s impending attack to pause.

”Alright, the probing ends here.”

Xu Changze brushed off non-existent dust from his body, his tone becoming peaceful.

”Chen Mu, Qi Huan, if I truly wanted to kill you, I would not have held back just now. Given my current state, combined with the power of the people’s grievances and the official seal, if I were to exert my full strength, even with your skills, you would either be dead or crippled by now.”

Qi Huan gasped for breath, clutching a wound on his shoulder. He looked at Xu Changze with suspicion, not knowing what kind of medicine he was selling in his gourd.

Chen Mu stood holding his blade, the Hunyuan Astral Qi circulating slowly within his body to repair his injuries. His gaze remained cold, waiting for what was to come.

Xu Changze’s gaze was burning; the appreciation in his eyes no longer seemed entirely feigned.

”Chen Mu, I admit that I underestimated you before. No, everyone has underestimated you.”

”To be able to slay a Heart-Awakening Realm City God and kill Nie Feng with only Dao Entry Realm cultivation—such talent, such combat power, such Heart-Nature—let alone Yunmeng, even looking at the entire Prefecture, or even the capital, how many of your peers can compare?”

He paused, his tone becoming more earnest, even tinged with a sense of speaking from the heart.

”What I said before about cherishing talent was not entirely empty words. It’s just that your blade is too sharp and too difficult to control; I had to use some methods to temper and sharpen it.”

”But now, I have changed my mind.”

Xu Changze took a slight step forward.

”Chen Mu, look at the situation clearly. I now possess the grievances and faith of an entire city. Although it is stolen and slightly impure, the Foundation has been established. Furthermore, I have the imperial official seal, protected by the legal authority and Luck of the dynasty.”

”Given time, once I completely refine the Power Of Will and stabilize my Realm, reaching the Middle Stage or even Late Stage of the Heart-Awakening Realm will be within reach. By then, let alone Yunmeng, even in this Jingnan region, I will have a place.”

”And you.”

Xu Changze pointed at Chen Mu.

”You have peerless talent, yet you come from a humble background with no roots or support. You and Qi Huan killed Nie Feng; Wen Jingxing will never let this go. You have already formed a blood feud with the powerful figures of the Prefecture. Looking at the world, besides me, who would dare to use you? Who could tolerate you?”

When Qi Huan heard this, his brows furrowed deeply, and the muscles on his face spasmed.

Although he hated Xu Changze to the bone, he had to admit that the other party’s words hit the deepest worries in his heart.

The death of Nie Feng, the wrath of Wen Jingxing, the exclusion by the Prefecture’s System—these were all swords hanging over their heads.

Xu Changze, standing to the side, took in Qi Huan’s expression and became even more confident, continuing to persuade Chen Mu with kind words.

”Follow me, and everything from before will be wiped clean. I promise you the position of Deputy Envoy of the Demon Suppression Division, and all resources within Yunmeng will be yours to use. The method I am Cultivating, which uses the Power Of Will, is an ancient secret. Although it involves the divine path, it points directly to a path of longevity and strength, and I can discuss it with you.”

”Once my Foundation is stable and my influence expands, you will be the number one fierce general under my command. Establishing a fiefdom and carving out territory is not beyond imagination.”

His voice was full of temptation, and his eyes were incredibly intense.

”Chen Mu, you are a smart person. You should know that this world is never just black and white. Righteous Path? Evil Path? Surviving, becoming stronger, and controlling your own destiny is what matters. I can give you this path to the heavens, otherwise...”

Xu Changze’s tone turned cold, and the Power Of Will and the golden light of the official seal around him rose again.

”Otherwise, in your current state, it is not difficult for me to keep you both here forever. I truly value your talent, and it is because I cherish talent that I am giving you this final opportunity.”

”I hope you... do not bring about your own destruction!”

The hall was deathly silent, with only the sound of Qi Huan’s slightly heavy breathing.

Xu Changze said no more, just quietly looked at Chen Mu, waiting for his reply. Qi Huan also turned to Chen Mu, his lips moving, the look in his eyes extremely complex.

He hated Xu Changze and despised his actions even more. But the reality and future painted by Xu Changze, as well as the suffocating gap in strength, could not be ignored.

He knew Chen Mu’s character well, but at this moment, he was extremely worried.

Chen Mu remained silent.

His hand gripping the soul-slaying blade was as steady as ever, his gaze lowered, looking at his own calm, ripple-free face faintly reflected on the blade.

Xu Changze’s words laid out the pros and cons, threats, and temptations, all nakedly exposed.

Like a hook, it precisely probed into the most secret desire in his heart.

Coming to this bizarre world where demons and monsters ran rampant, his initial motivation was merely to survive, the sliver of murderous intent born from unwillingness when he was forced into a dead end by Li Feiyu.

But with every life-and-death struggle, every killing of a strong enemy, every plundering of Lifespan, watching the numbers on the System interface jump, and feeling the power growing wildly within his body, a deeper, more primitive desire had long since quietly sprouted.

Longevity, power, control over his own destiny.

Was this not exactly what he was assiduously seeking?

Although the future Xu Changze described was vague and even carried a scent of blood, it realistically pointed out a path toward becoming stronger and living longer.

The method of the Power Of Will, pointing directly to a path of longevity and strength...

The System he possessed was indeed miraculous, able to infuse martial arts with Lifespan, but this was ultimately just a technique, a tool to increase strength.

But what about the Dao? Where was the fundamental method to reach a higher Realm, or even touch the legendary Realm of longevity?

Although the Hunyuan Wuji Calamity Body was strong, it seemed to focus more on the tempering of the body and the enduring of calamities. Where was its end? He was still lost.

Moreover, the reality Xu Changze pointed out was chilling.

He and Qi Huan had killed Nie Feng, and Wen Jingxing was already a blood enemy. The power structure of the Prefecture was intricate and intertwined; to those high-and-mighty big figures, a variable that could kill a Heart-Awakening Realm guard was far more threatening than valuable.

Besides this Xu Changze in front of him, who also could not see the light of day and needed to rely on his martial strength, who else in this vast Yunmeng, or even the Jingnan region, would dare to take them in?