Chapter Twenty: The Origin

Thunder rolled away, smoke dispersed, and the once verdant mountains and ancient trees of Mang Mountain had been reduced to scorched earth. The peaks had collapsed, and a terrifying canyon split the mountain ridge in two, as if a god had cleaved it from the heavens.

The members of the Xuan Yi Pavilion, who had retreated from Mang Mountain earlier, hurried back in search of Luo Longyu. At last, in the very center of the mountain, they found Luo Longyu half-buried in a massive, charred crater—hundreds of meters in diameter and nearly a hundred meters deep. The crater had been carved out by the lightning tribulation; the surrounding land was pitted and scorched, bearing witness to the terror of the ordeal.

They jumped into the pit, gazing at the motionless, dried-out figure of Luo Longyu. Each heart tightened; Zhan Wushuang crouched beside the completely charred Luo Longyu, reaching out to touch him. His body was stiff, devoid of any sign of life. With a sigh, Zhan Wushuang looked up at the others and said, “There’s no trace of energy left.”

“Could it be… Luo Longyu was destroyed by the heavenly tribulation?” Kong Yuxuan could hardly believe it. Luo Longyu was the ultimate weapon Xuan Yi Pavilion had searched for, the final hope against the Void Clan. If he was truly gone, the fate of Earth would be grim beyond imagination—she dared not even think of it.

The three ancient ancestors of the demon clans descended, the way cleared for them, for in this alliance between humans and demons, their status was paramount.

They stared at Luo Longyu, shaking their heads, powerless to save him.

Ju Feng watched the helpless crowd in silence, secretly relieved, then stepped forward, feigning sorrow. “Is heaven truly bent on forcing us onto a path of destruction?”

Before Ju Feng could finish, the withered Luo Longyu suddenly stood upright and seized Ju Feng by the throat. The sudden turn of events startled everyone; they recoiled in alarm.

Luo Longyu’s murderous aura soared, his eyes gleaming silver, his body blackened and demonic as he lifted Ju Feng high.

The faces around him changed drastically. With Ju Feng in Luo Longyu’s grasp, none dared act rashly—not even the three demon ancestors.

“Luo Longyu, what are you doing?” Zhan Wushuang shouted angrily. With the three demon ancestors present, Luo Longyu’s attempt to kill Ju Feng before their eyes would make it impossible for Xuan Yi Pavilion to shield him afterward.

Luo Longyu’s mind was clear now; since forging the Corpse Wheel, he could fully control his consciousness, never again lost to madness.

“Where is my mother’s corpse?” Luo Longyu’s voice was hoarse and cold, deadly intent brimming in every word, four fangs gleaming with icy light.

Ju Feng’s eyes rolled back as Luo Longyu’s grip tightened. Though Ju Feng’s demon power was formidable, his throat was held by the Corpse Dao, cutting off the flow of internal energy—he could not fight back.

But Ju Feng would not submit; he struggled, reaching out as a streak of bloody light gathered in his palm, intent on retaliation. Luo Longyu’s silver eyes flashed coldly, and with his free hand, he tore Ju Feng’s arm off. Blood splattered, the scene gruesome.

Seeing Luo Longyu act with such ruthless determination, everyone was stunned. Kong Yuxuan’s face flushed anxiously; she glanced at the demon ancestors, whose expressions had darkened, and cried, “Luo Longyu, do you realize what you’re doing? You’re making an enemy of the state!”

Luo Longyu ignored her, his gaze fixed on Ju Feng, who was nearl