His temper had grown increasingly frayed. The only reason he had maintained his lucidity before was not because the malevolence and resentment within him had vanished, but because he had forcibly suppressed them using the might of his Cosmic Will. However, quantitative change had precipitated a qualitative one. It was becoming harder and harder to contain the rebellious malevolence and resentment that had begun to revolt.

Though he was growing stronger, it was never enough to match the accumulation of that negative energy. Knowing this well, he relentlessly pressed Lei Dong, demanding the artifact spirit of the Chaos Pagoda, for only within that spirit resided the formation capable of eliminating the internal malice and resentment.

“Lei Dong, if you refuse to yield and offer your neck for the slaughter,” the Azure Dragon Emperor could no longer hold back, roaring his threat, “I will return and slaughter every last one of your kin and loved ones.”

“It matters not,” Lei Dong’s voice boomed back from afar, full of vigor. “If I obediently offer my neck, my loved ones will not survive anyway; they will only be tortured by you. Rather than that, I’d prefer to stay here and continue cultivating. Once my strength far surpasses yours, I will avenge them.”

“Despicable and shameless! Are you even human anymore? You care nothing for the deaths of your loved ones?” the Azure Dragon Emperor shrieked in rage.

“Don’t treat me like the same kind of fool you are,” Lei Dong replied coldly from the distance. “I believe that even if they die, they will understand my actions. After I kill you, I will naturally self-detonate my body to reunite with them. I don't need tiresome babbling from a cold-blooded animal like you.”

The Azure Dragon Emperor was left with no choice but to plunge back into the contest of Devouring. His only hope now was to quickly consume all the vengeful spirits in this Sea of Chaos. If he managed it without his soul being (rebounded against/consumed) by the resentment, then Lei Dong would be the unfortunate one.

But the Azure Dragon Emperor had gravely underestimated the danger posed by this Sea of Chaos and the Void Tides. Over countless epochs, an immeasurable number of vengeful spirits had accumulated within these waters.

The more he devoured, the more the Azure Dragon Emperor’s consciousness sank into delirium, as malevolence and resentment gradually began to erode his mind. It was like an addiction to narcotics; once started, it was exceedingly difficult to stop.

Meanwhile, Lei Dong thrived within this environment, relying on the perfection of his Samsara Eye. Years and years passed, time becoming irrelevant, until finally, a maddened shriek erupted from the Azure Dragon Emperor’s position.

The moment had finally arrived.

In truth, Lei Dong dared not delay any longer. He had heard that Wan Yan’s consciousness might dissipate at any moment. If he obtained the Heart of Chaos only for Wan Yan’s awareness to vanish, it would be a sorrow beyond tears.

Fortunately, the Azure Dragon Emperor’s consciousness finally gave way. Consumed by madness, the Azure Dragon Emperor was driven purely by instinct: only to devour, and devour more. He was even more frantic than when he was previously suppressing the energy. His current instinct was to consume every last vengeful spirit—if he succeeded, Lei Dong was truly finished.

Alas, he did not hold out long enough. By now, the vengeful spirits in the Sea of Chaos were less than one-tenth of their peak strength.

By this time, Lei Dong’s strength had also increased considerably. Although he still couldn't match the current Azure Dragon Emperor, dealing with an unsober, wild beast was an entirely different matter.

Employing every manner of sneak attack and attrition tactic, it took Lei Dong several long years to truly shatter the Emperor’s physical form. He seized the spirit in the air with an empty press of his hand, unleashing the Samsara Eye to begin refining it.

As Lei Dong refined him, the malevolence within the Azure Dragon Emperor’s soul began to dissipate. At this point, the Emperor gradually regained consciousness and was utterly astonished when he saw his situation. He pleaded desperately, but how could Lei Dong possibly pay him heed?

“Lei Dong, you will regret this,” the Azure Dragon Emperor suddenly burst into manic laughter. “You’ve fallen for the tricks of that slut Wan Ling. She is ten thousand times more cunning than you imagine. What did I tell you when I was the Cosmic Consciousness? Think carefully about whatever decision you make.”

“This is my decision. No matter how cunning she is,” Lei Dong stated flatly, “your death is certain.”

...

Far, far away, the Mother of All Spirits, half-asleep, slowly opened her eyes, a flicker of joy crossing her lips. She murmured softly, “I knew you could do it, Husband. I await your return.”

If Ding Wan Yan were to see her like this now, she would surely be stunned. For the Mother of All Spirits currently looked exactly like her; she seemed to revel in the guise, her tone, cadence, and expressions growing increasingly similar.

While it was natural for her to act when in front of Lei Dong, now, with no one else around, she had no need for pretense. This left only one possibility: to successfully deceive Lei Dong, she had completely replicated Ding Wan Yan’s memories and entire physical form, treating those memories and life factors as her own.

Although she still possessed her own consciousness and memories, she was inevitably influenced by Ding Wan Yan’s memories and body, which gradually affected her own thought process and philosophy. In short, a second personality—one extremely similar to the real Ding Wan Yan—was emerging within her consciousness.

This root of disaster did not originate now; it had been planted the moment she took that initial step long ago.

However, the Mother of All Spirits was worthy of her title. Even at this moment, she managed to snap herself awake instantly. Her expression turned cold as still water, reverting to the Mother of All Spirits' own persona, and her facial features gradually shifted back to hers. “Hmph, Lei Dong, when you return, I will let you witness what true suffering is. I have captured all your loved ones, kin, and subordinates. You belong to me, Lei Dong. I will kill your lovers one by one.” Her expression turned sinister.

What Wan Ling did not know was that just as she had appeared as Ding Wan Yan moments before, a faint, ethereal figure had nearly approached her, calling out to her.

But upon seeing her sudden transformation, that phantom figure immediately halted its movement. It slowly retreated backward until it reached the entrance of this hidden minor world, then quietly slipped away.

Perhaps the news she received had shocked her too much, causing a moment of tension where she grazed a forbidden boundary, alerting the Mother of All Spirits.

“Who?” the Mother of All Spirits roared, her voice a mixture of shock and fury. “Who dares trespass upon my Myriad Spirit Space? You court death.”

Under the Mother of All Spirits' perception, a beautiful figure slowly materialized out of thin air, revealing a woman of unparalleled beauty clad in flowing immortal robes. This woman was none other than Tantai Bing Yun, unseen for a long time.

Tantai Bing Yun had been deep in secluded cultivation in her own way over the years. However, the Heavenly Demons responsible for resource distribution, grateful for Tantai’s repeated assistance, had never failed to send her allocation through roundabout means.

Upon awakening from seclusion, Tantai Bing Yun discovered that the Three Realms had undergone tremendous change. After a brief investigation, she learned that Lei Dong had advanced to the Supreme level and led forces to attack the Myriad Spirit Palace.

She rushed over only to find the Myriad Spirit Palace nearly reduced to ruins. Finally, relying on her Heaven-Cycle Breath Concealment Art and the miraculous Azure Wave Illusionary Technique, she located this hidden minor world, believing she had rescued Wan Yan. Unexpectedly, this person was merely an illusion crafted by Wan Ling to entrap Lei Dong.

In her haste to flee, she made a momentary error.

“I wondered who it was—the Heaven-Cycle Breath Concealment Art, the Azure Wave Divine Skill. It seems you are the inheritor of the Azure Wave Immortal Maiden,” the Mother of All Spirits said coolly. “Azure Wave and I were old acquaintances, though sadly, she died too soon, or she surely would have become a Supreme. You might not know this, but your Heaven-Cycle Breath Concealment Art was something I created at the zenith of my power, utilizing the ultimate understanding of Spatial Laws. My technique can fool even Supreme-level beings. You utilize it quite well; you almost deceived even me today. However, speaking of which, you should call me something pleasant. Azure Wave always called me Sister Wan Ling.”

“Scram!” Tantai Bing Yun felt a surge of anger the moment Wan Ling mentioned this. A look of disdain crossed her face, which otherwise appeared exquisitely celestial. “Mother of All Spirits, to think that you, a dignified Supreme respected by all spirits, are such a base and despicable woman! You incited and instigated my Master to curry favor with the Underworld King Elder, even teaching her the Heaven-Cycle Breath Concealment Art as preparation to steal the Underworld Banner and the Chaos Pagoda at the right moment. My Master, misled by you back then, believed the Underworld King Elder was a villain. When she discovered the Elder’s true intentions and grand aspirations and tried to refuse the mission, you used her master and kin as leverage, forcing her to commit an act she regretted for the rest of her life. My Master was haunted by it and died of grief.”

“You do not understand. For the sake of the grand design, anything can be sacrificed,” the Mother of All Spirits stated indifferently. “Out of respect for Azure Wave, I shall spare your life. Be obedient and let me seal you within this minor world.”

“Wan Ling, you vile creature,” Tantai Bing Yun, usually serene in temperament, had never cursed before, but she could not restrain herself now. “You ruined my Master’s life, and now you plot against Lei Dong, holding Wan Yan hostage! You are a disgrace to peerless experts.”

“Go,” the Mother of All Spirits didn't bother with her further and tossed her into the sealed minor world. Sealing an (Sub-Saint) level being was as insignificant as performing a trivial chore. Casually reclining, she lapsed into a state of feigned slumber.

Yet, her face would occasionally shift, transforming into the gentle, generous, and tender Wan Yan, and then revert to the cold, pained visage of the Mother of All Spirits.

After an unknowable amount of time, when a faint ripple manifested in the space around her, the Mother of All Spirits instantly assumed the complete appearance of Ding Wan Yan—every feature, every expression, becoming hers. In that moment, she felt as though she had truly become Ding Wan Yan.

When Lei Dong, utterly exhausted, appeared before her, she greeted him like a devoted wife who had waited long for her husband, gently and solicitously saying, “Husband, you’ve suffered. I’ve waited so long for you.”

Seeing her safe and sound, Lei Dong embraced her with concern, whispering comfort, “Wan Yan, I was gone too long this time. Forgive me for making you wait.”

... (To be continued)RQ