Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Black Blade

Myriad Treasures Pavilion had nine floors above ground and three levels below. The lower levels housed its storerooms and treasury, which were heavily guarded by numerous Formations and inaccessible to outsiders.

Due to her high status, Tongyan was able to easily escort Su Han, an outsider, into the heavily secured storerooms. After passing through numerous checkpoints, they finally reached their destination.

A stir in his Heart Spirit drew Su Han’s gaze involuntarily to a particular blade. In the depths of the storeroom, a black blade floated in mid-air, surrounded by manifested Formation Patterns that resembled chains, binding the weapon tightly.

The blade was three feet and seven inches long and entirely black. It was not an ordinary black, but a profound darkness that seemed to swallow all light, like a Black Hole devouring countless splendors. The spine of the blade was not particularly thick—only about half a finger’s width—and its edge showed no sign of keenness, as it was too dark to reflect any cold gleam. Furthermore, the blade’s body and hilt were a single, seamless piece, as if forged by nature itself.

What a blade! Even without touching it, Su Han knew it was exceptional. It was also, without a doubt, a Demonic Blade.

Gazing upon it was like staring into an abyss. He felt as if his very Heart Spirit was about to be devoured, destined to become a Blade Slave under its command, no longer master of his own Life and Death. This was with the Formation Patterns still binding it; he couldn’t imagine what sort of Demonic Nature the blade would unleash once freed.

A chill went down Su Han’s spine, yet he felt no fear. Instead, a strange excitement surged within him. I cultivate a Demonic Technique. This Demonic Blade is perfect for me!

”This blade has no name,” Tongyan began, introducing the black blade. ”It is a Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact, so ancient that its creator is unknown. Whenever it appears, it starts a bloodbath, for it can control its wielder.

”The person it controls becomes mentally deranged, turning into a humanoid beast that knows only slaughter. However, because its Grade is low, the damage it can cause is limited. Myriad Treasures Pavilion acquired it by chance and initially intended to sell it, but every sale resulted in the wielder dying in a crazed frenzy, so the blade was always returned. To this day, it has yet to find its true master.”

If the blade weren’t so difficult to sell, it wouldn’t be locked away here. The fact that Tongyan had brought Su Han to see it, however, made it clear she believed he had a chance of mastering it.

”Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact!” Su Han was taken aback. He hadn’t expected such a fine weapon to be a mere Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact. Although the Grade was low, its power was surely unquestionable.

”May I try to handle it?” Su Han asked, feeling an inexplicable excitement for the dark blade. Even if its Grade was low, he still wanted to try.

”If you are controlled by this blade, I will be forced to kill you. Do you still want to try?” Tongyan asked, her gaze fixed intently on Su Han.

”I do.” Meeting Tongyan’s gaze, Su Han nodded solemnly. To become stronger, I must accept risks. If this Demonic Blade truly suits me, my odds of killing the Great Crown Prince will increase.

”Very well.” Tongyan nodded, saying no more. With a flick of her finger, the Formation Patterns unraveled, revealing a path.

His eyes locked on the black blade, Su Han took a deep breath. With a resolute gaze, he stepped within the Formation Patterns.

Without the barrier of the Formation Patterns, he confronted the blade directly. The sensation of gazing into an abyss intensified to its absolute limit. He felt as if he were adrift in a realm of total darkness. Before him lay an enormous, boundless abyss, and compared to it, he was as insignificant as an ant. At that moment, the abyss seemed to transform into a monstrous maw, preparing to swallow him whole.

Devouring Heaven Demonic Art!

Su Han knew the blade was attempting to control him. He immediately activated the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art. Icy Demonic Qi coursed through his body, and his spiritual power, brimming with Demonic Nature, burst forth.

In an instant, Su Han felt himself transform. He was no longer a person but a black vortex. The vortex spun endlessly, gradually morphing into a Black Hole capable of devouring all things. This was the very essence of the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art!

It was a contest between a black hole and an abyss—a confrontation of demon against demon. The abyss was mighty, obscuring the heavens and seeming to occupy the entire firmament. But the Black Hole Su Han had become was not weak; with each rotation, it grew larger and larger.

SWOOSH!

At some point, a vague figure materialized out of thin air from within the black hole. The figure was cloaked in pitch-black, its true face and even its gender indiscernible. On its face, however, it wore a Ghostly Face Mask with an expression that was neither crying nor smiling.

The Cruel Demon Emperor!

Su Han realized with a start, guessing the figure’s true identity.At that very moment, his vision blurred and his consciousness returned. He was still standing within the Formation Patterns, but his right hand was now firmly grasping the hilt of the black blade. Su Han felt like a fish returned to water or a tiger that had grown wings. It was as if this blade was born for him. The black blade trembled slightly, also conveying a sense of joy.

”Congratulations, you have successfully subdued the blade,” Tongyan’s voice rang out, showing little surprise.

She flicked her finger once more, and the surrounding Formation Patterns gradually dissipated until they vanished completely. Su Han stood holding the blade, completely free of its control.

”This blade suits me perfectly. I’ll take it,” Su Han declared. Although it was only a Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact, he felt there was nothing simple about this blade. After all, it had provoked the appearance of the Cruel Demon Emperor. Perhaps the blade holds another secret I must uncover, just like the eighteen seals on the Ghostly Face Mask.

”Although this blade is a Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact, Myriad Treasures Pavilion has expended considerable effort on it. A price of ten thousand Spirit Stones should not be considered expensive.” Admiration was one thing, but business was business, a distinction Tongyan kept very clear.

”It’s more than worth the price,” Su Han said with a smile, showing no intention of haggling. Remembering what Tongyan had said earlier, he decided to name the weapon. Since this blade is nameless, I’ll call it the Black Blade!

A black Demonic Blade—hence, the Black Blade.

Having acquired the Spirit Nurturing Flower and the Black Blade, on top of earning fifty thousand Spirit Stones from selling his treasures, Su Han was very satisfied with his trip to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion—with the sole exception of Qin Feng’s appearance.

I’ll use you to test the Black Blade!

Having completed his business with Tongyan, Su Han bid her farewell and left, knowing full well that Qin Feng was still waiting for him outside.

After Su Han departed, an old man materialized beside Tongyan, his expression one of clear confusion. He was Tongyan’s Protector, and he had accompanied her to the Tianqing Dynasty to investigate their primary target: the Great Crown Prince, who possessed the Dragon Phoenix Saint Body. As for Su Han, they had heard his Dragon Soul was stolen and considered him a lost cause.

”Young Miss,” the old man asked, ”our objective on this trip was to investigate the Great Crown Prince. Why are you treating Su Han with such special regard?”

”Elder Kui, you know that my Origin Technique is the Qi Observation Technique, which allows me to see the Destiny of others,” Tongyan said, her expression unchanging as she posed a question of her own. ”Do you know what I saw in him?”

”What was it?” Elder Kui asked, puzzled.

”Destiny has colors. Demonic is black, and sacred is gold. The Great Crown Prince’s Destiny is pure gold. But the Destiny I saw radiating from Su Han was black and gold.”

”So, is he a saint... or a demon?”