The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 1294 (First Ending), Seizing

Proofreader: Papatonks

Zhuo Fan was surrounded by black energy, but he was still able to listen.

“When the universe was in its primordial state, the heavens and the earth were pure and clear, all things were honest, and there was a flourishing vitality. The prevalent upright energy made it the clearest time in the entire cosmos!”

Heavenly Sovereign stood and paced, “With the coming of humanity, the world’s vitality got twisted. With humanity having demons in their hearts, the world’s righteousness was challenged by the demonic path, confusing it further. Yes, the demonic path was never a part of the world, it came from people. In other words, the heart is the root of all evil. Doesn’t that mean to cleanse the world, one has to purge the source?”

Zhuo Fan spoke from his cultivation, “Isn’t this funny, talking about eradicating the demonic path when I’m part of it.”

“It’s because you reached its peak that you understand the wretchedness of a human heart. I’m asking you in all honesty.”

Heavenly Sovereign was filled with bloodthirst, “The vile humans have only worked to doom their fate with the countless crimes. They should all die, right?”

Zhuo Fan took a deep breath, “Yes, humans are vile, but…”

“No ‘but’!  In your journey as a demonic cultivator for so many years, you’ve been seeking any little reason why humanity shouldn’t be purged. And now you became a true demon from a nobody. You see the good and bad in their hearts and know that humanity must die. Then you should be supporting me this time, right?”

[When have I gone against you? Can I even do that? This is absurd.]

Zhuo Fan was confused. Chu Qingcheng scrounge up her courage to dispute, “Humanity is evil, but also good and honorable. You can’t condemn it just because there’s some bad in them. You may be a Sovereign, but aren’t you human first and foremost?”

“Yeah, I was once a human, but ever since I attained my void path to become Heavenly Sovereign, I no longer saw myself as such. I’m cultivating the Heavenly Dao, emptiness. All my traits as a human are now void. I’m Heavenly Dao’s envoy, enacting judgment in its stead to remove any filth poisoning it. It’s my duty!”

Heavenly Sovereign sneered, “It’s because I was once human that I understand how deep this poison runs. Reap the world once so that it may be pure again. As for that honor and good you spout about, ha-ha-ha…” 

Hum~

Zhuo Fan shuddered and his strength exploded before subsiding.

Heavenly Sovereign patted his shoulder, “Well done. Demon Transformation Art is truly incredible, as the fastest cultivation method in the world. You’re already at mid Saint Stage. There’s just something I can’t fathom. Why is your cultivation regressing to the 5th layer of Foundation Establishment Stage? It’s really baffling, ha-ha-ha…”

“This is the True Self Art, having learned it from an elder in the mortal domain. At the peak of your path, you return to your origins. Isn’t this something big players like you strive for?”

“No, since I never heard any among us ten speak of such a clever cultivation method. Every Sovereign drew their cultivation method from their paths. Seize the moon and sun, block the stars, ruin the world, all of these are incredible. This True Self Art looks odd, but so plain, made for nobodies.”

Heavenly Sovereign shrugged, “Keep going. Demon Transformation Art takes everything in creation. The mortal cultivation method won’t affect it, ha-ha-ha…”

Zhuo Fan closed his eyes, ignoring his mocking.

Humph smiled and said, “Right, Miss Chu said something about honor and good. Humph, hypocrite, that honor and good you speak of are nothing but covers to hide twisted and vile hearts. It has no relation to true righteousness.”

“Humans only care about themselves, their wants, even beguiling others to stop them from targeting them. So they need a good excuse to take the main role on the stage. What purging evil and vanquishing demons? They’re nothing but excuses to invade and remove all their threats. Who’d act otherwise? You’re sort of a righteous cultivator. Think of all the times when righteousness was invoked, wasn’t it to steal or cheat, or kill some threat? Was there any time they fought for another?”

Chu Qingcheng was shaken up and Heavenly Sovereign let her be, turning to Zhuo Fan, “You know this better than most, Zhuo Fan. In dealing with Eight Emperors and Sacred Mountains, you used the moral high ground, didn’t you? It was the only way to avoid others from surrounding you when you attacked, giving them a common cause. It’s why I said you’ve done right by going to the mortal domain, turning into a full fledged demon by understanding the other’s demons and using them.

“However, I have to admit that some, the very rare kind, truly are kind like a flower.”

Hum~

Zhuo Fan shuddered and his power surged once more. He was at late Saint Stage in power and his cultivation regressed to the 3rd layer of Foundation Establishment Stage. 

Heavenly Sovereign gave him a long look, “I never denied the world not having true kind people. And? Human minds get twisted. Once this kindness gets swallowed by the filth of the world, it gets spat out as demonic, vile and abhorred. By seeing their evil, you understand this better than anyone. The human heart is the least reliable in the world. An angel can become a demon overnight, sullying the world. The kindness of humans is nothing more than the incubation period of demons. They all turn in time.”

Hu~

Thousands of Saints were now dust, with but a few still alive.

Zhuo Fan’s power grew to peak Saint Stage.

Heavenly Sovereign looked to be winning, his right eye shone in ten golden halos.

“Little brother, just like before, you have no way of convincing me. So just the same, lend me a hand and help me reach the Supreme Stage, to become the ultimate being so that I may destroy the world and rebirth it.”

Boom!

The sky changed as a huge eye appeared above everyone. Ten golden rings shone in its center.

Zhuo Fan shook and felt crushed, unable to breathe. His bones felt like they might give.

“Heavenly Sovereign, what are you doing?” Zhuo Fan cried out.

Heavenly Sovereign smirked, “Taking out the Sovereign paths those guys gave you. Divine Eye of the Void 10th stage, Void Cave!”

Whoosh~

The ten golden rings in the sky shone brighter and Zhuo Fan felt his strength boiling. His skin turned red and blood seeped out. His strength drifted outward, like something was being pulled from his being.

“Ah!”

Zhuo Fan heard a shriek, forcing his head to look with gritted teeth.

Chu Qingcheng suffered the same, looking in pain and crying out from the torment as something was being pulled away.

“Heavenly Sovereign, you had me do it so let me. Leave her alone!”

“My word is my bond. Miss Chu will be free, but I need to take something first.” Heavenly Sovereign smiled, his eyes shining golden.

A prismatic glow came out of Chu Qingcheng and flew in the sky, vanishing inside the huge eye.

“That’s…”

“Yes, Nine Serenities’ path you left on her.” Heavenly Sovereign explained.

Chu Qingcheng fell limp on the ground, pale and weak.

Zhuo Fan was worried and Heavenly Sovereign mollified, “Worry not, I only want the path, not to hurt her. She just needs some rest. Though after I rebirth the world, I can’t promise she’d survive, ha-ha-ha…”

“Heavenly Sovereign, isn’t the path for the owner to decide…”

“That’s for common people. I am Heavenly Sovereign and my Divine Eye of the Void 10th stage, Void Cave, can take anything, even a Sovereign path. 

Heavenly Sovereign chuckled at his confusion, “Of course, if she had a Sovereign’s strength, it might’ve been harder. But this is all she amounts to. Next up is you, my little brother, ha-ha-ha…”