Chapter 102 – Divine Ability Furnace, Refining Demons and Evil—Who's Really the Demonic Path?

Bang!

At the critical moment, Number Twelve twisted his head at an unnatural angle.

The near-ninety-degree rotation made one wonder if the bones in his neck were made of water.

Otherwise, how could he possibly execute such a movement?

Though he dodged in time, the Sword Qi from that strike still inevitably grazed his cheek.

Splat!

Number Twelve leaped aside, landing on an exposed second-floor balcony of a nearby shop, staring gravely at Lu Chen.

A large chunk of flesh on his right cheek had been sliced away by Lu Chen’s sword, revealing the bone beneath—a gruesome sight.

Lu Chen was somewhat surprised that Number Twelve had managed to evade his strike.

After all, he had just swung his sword directly at his head.

At that distance, by all reasoning, Number Twelve shouldn’t have been able to dodge.

At least, not with a human physique.

With that thought, Lu Chen’s Azure Lotus Pupils began to rotate.

Under the gaze of those eerie eyes, Number Twelve instantly felt as if he had no secrets before Lu Chen—completely laid bare.

And just as he suspected, with a mere glance, Lu Chen saw through Number Twelve’s true nature.

[Number Twelve, Black Lotus Missionary (Scaleless Snake Demon)]

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Stage, Third Layer]

[Characteristics: A cultivator who has fused with part of a snake demon’s bloodline through a special method, retaining the cultivation traits of a human while incorporating some attributes of the snake demon.]

Half-human, half-demon—this was the first time he had encountered such a being.

But… he had even slain a Corpse Dragon before, so what was a mere snake demon to him?

“Classmate Zheng, please take Classmate Chai and Classmate Xu back. I’ll handle things here.”

“Alright.”

Zheng Liu glanced at Lu Chen and Number Twelve locked in their standoff, then hurried over to help Chai Xi up from the rubble.

Although Chai Xi had suffered two consecutive attacks from Number Twelve, fortunately, as a Body Cultivator and given that Number Twelve hadn’t been serious initially, he managed to recover after a brief rest.

Then, the two of them went to Xu Jianliang, each taking an arm to carry him.

Throughout this, Number Twelve didn’t dare make a move.

He could sense that if he acted, the black Spirit Sword in Lu Chen’s hand would surely decapitate him in one strike.

He didn’t dare gamble on whether he’d be as lucky as before.

Staring at Lu Chen, Number Twelve couldn’t help but recall Number Ten, whom he had encountered at a secret meeting not long ago.

Similarly at the Qi Condensation Stage, yet possessing strength rivaling the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Since when did a small place like Luocheng suddenly produce so many Geniuses?

At this thought, another chilling realization struck him.

Given what Number Ten had displayed back then, could it be that he was also a student, just like this kid before him?!

The moment this thought arose, a wave of inexplicable jealousy surged within Number Twelve.

After all, he had put in immense effort and endured untold hardships to attain the power he now possessed.

The suffering he had endured was beyond description.

Yet, what he had barely achieved through such struggle seemed like a trivial feat to some—accomplished with mere casual ease!Damn you, unfair heavens! Why must you be so unjust!!!

Lu Chen below had no idea about Number Twelve’s inner thoughts.

Or perhaps he simply didn’t care.

Why bother with the thoughts of a dead man?

If not for needing to extract more information from Number Twelve and avoiding injuring Zheng Liu and others with his Sword Qi, he would have already cut down Number Twelve long ago – how could he have let this guy live until now?

As Zheng Liu and the other two passed by him, Lu Chen reminded them: “Head toward the ‘Ice Snow Milk Tea Shop’ later. Teacher Chen has people stationed there. Going that way, you won’t need to worry about demon attacks.”

Hearing this, both Zheng Liu and Chai Xi, who could still walk, nodded in acknowledgment.

Though severely injured and pale with pain, Xu Jianliang still seriously warned: “Be careful of his chains – that’s his life-bound Magical Artifact.”

To this, Lu Chen calmly replied: “Thanks for the warning.”

After hearing this, the three supported each other as they headed toward a certain direction on the Pedestrian Street.

Soon enough, they clearly saw numerous dismembered corpses of rodent demons scattered along the path.

Seeing this, Chai Xi couldn’t help but ask: “Xiao Liu, did Lu do all this?”

Hearing this, Zheng Liu couldn’t help but recall when she had found Lu Chen earlier and explained Chai Xi and Xu Jianliang’s situation.

How he had brought her along, cutting down demons all the way from the street entrance to the middle of the street.

She couldn’t help but admire: “Yes, I couldn’t even see what Lu was doing – all the rodent demons along the way were slain by his Sword in an instant.”

“Alright, enough about that. Rather than wasting energy talking, you should focus on recovering from your injuries.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you two were just lucky this time – fortunate that Lu arrived in time.”

“Any later, and he and I might have been collecting your corpses.”

“Two at Qi Condensation Stage trying to fight a Foundation Establishment cultivator? Have you both lost your minds? That’s not something you can handle!”

Listening to Zheng Liu’s motherly scolding, Xu Jianliang and Chai Xi could only bow their heads in silence.

After all, they couldn’t argue – everything Zheng Liu said was true.

If Lu Chen hadn’t appeared in time, they would have truly met their end.

Just because they were lucky this time didn’t mean they would be so fortunate next time.

On the Pedestrian Street.

With Zheng Liu and the others gone, Lu Chen no longer needed to worry about his attacks affecting them.

His gaze toward Number Twelve turned icy cold.

This guy’s appearance reminded him of those people he saw when he first Transmigrated ten years ago.

The exact same masks, the exact same black cloaks.

Without doubt, this Number Twelve before him was definitely from the Black Lotus Sect, just like those Demonic Heretics from ten years ago.

Thinking this, Lu Chen immediately demanded: “Tell me what your Black Lotus Sect is planning, and I might grant you a quick death.”

Number Twelve paused, then said dismissively: “Tell you? Don’t think you’ve got me figured out, kid.”

“Although you’ve mastered Sword Intent, I don’t believe it can bridge such a huge cultivation gap to kill me outright.”

“Besides… I didn’t come alone. Isn’t that right, Number Eleven, Number Six?”As Number Twelve’s voice faded, two more masked missionaries of the Black Lotus Sect appeared on the street.

Lu Chen had noticed these two much earlier.

However, they hadn’t shown themselves immediately, likely because they couldn’t discern his true capabilities.

Besides this, Lu Chen noticed something peculiar about the way Number Six was looking at him.

It seemed as if he was observing something, yet wasn’t entirely certain.

Lu Chen’s guess was correct – Number Six was indeed contemplating whether Lu Chen might be the Holy Son of the Black Lotus Sect mentioned by their superiors.

His uncertainty stemmed mainly from the vague description provided by their leaders.

According to their superiors’ account, they had located the Holy Son’s position after sensing the Ancient Immortal Aura emanating from his Awakening of the Ancient Fiend Dao Seed.

This Ancient Immortal Aura was what the Black Lotus Sect referred to as the “fragrance of flowers” – a unique scent only they could detect.

But before they could further identify exactly who the Holy Son was, the mysterious Ancient Immortal Aura suddenly vanished.

This unexpected change caught them completely off guard.

To achieve this, only two scenarios were possible:

Either the Holy Son had suddenly entered some Secret Realm, physically isolating the Ancient Immortal Aura radiating from him,

Or the Holy Son had used some special method to conceal this aura.

They believed it was likely the latter.

Because the brief display of Ancient Immortal Aura within Luocheng High School had disappeared right after they used the Black Lotus Palm to drag the entire school into the Secret Realm Space.

They didn’t think the Holy Son could be powerful enough to break free from the Black Lotus Palm without their detection.

If that were truly the case, the Holy Son wouldn’t have remained uncontrolled for a full three minutes – he should have concealed his Ancient Immortal Aura immediately.

Because of this unexpected development, they had to adjust their plans.

All the missionaries who were supposed to cause trouble elsewhere in Luocheng were redirected to Luocheng High School.

Only they could detect the scent from the Holy Son, and only they could identify who he was.

However, their superiors mentioned that although they quickly lost track of the Holy Son, they still obtained some information from the Buddha Mother:

The Holy Son was a male Sword Cultivator, and he was definitely within Luocheng High School.

Both points perfectly matched Lu Chen’s current situation.

But since they couldn’t sense any Ancient Immortal Aura from Lu Chen, Number Six still couldn’t be completely certain.

Regardless, he had to treat Lu Chen as a suspected Holy Son.

Better to capture the wrong person than let the real one escape!

“Number Twelve, Number Eleven, capture him alive.”

“Ah?!”

Both Number Twelve and Number Eleven turned to stare at Number Six in shock, as if checking whether he had been drinking.

An absurd feeling surged through them, reminiscent of when the Nine-Headed Insect ordered Benborba to capture Sun Wukong and his companions alive.

Wait, capture alive? You want us to capture this monster who has mastered Sword Intent alive?

Are you overestimating us too much?

Although I’ve been verbally belittling that Sword Cultivator kid, I know better than anyone how terrifying his swordsmanship truly is.

If we actually get hit by one of his Sword strikes, even if we don’t die, we’ll definitely be severely wounded!

And you want us to capture him alive? This is like licking blood from a Saber’s edge!

If we’re not careful, we might really die by this kid’s hands!Out of safety concerns, Number Twelve couldn’t help but say, “Bro, are you sure you want us to capture him alive?”

“That kid’s Sword doesn’t have eyes. What if we fail to catch him and end up getting ourselves killed instead?”

Number Eleven chimed in from the side, “Yeah, Number Six, this kid is a Sword Cultivator who has mastered Sword Intent. You can’t possibly not understand what those two words mean.”

“The title ‘young grandmaster’ is absolutely well-deserved for him. We might be able to defeat him, but trying to capture him alive is way too dangerous. How about…”

“I’m giving an order, not making a request.”

Hearing Number Six’s uncompromising tone, Numbers Eleven and Twelve instantly made bitter faces.

Fine, fine, fine! Capture alive it is!

You’re higher ranking, you call the shots!

Just hope you don’t hide far away when the fighting starts.

Otherwise, don’t blame us for abandoning all sect camaraderie and selling you out.

Hearing the three intended to capture him alive, Lu Chen’s suspicions were confirmed.

No mistake about it. These Black Lotus Sect members were causing such a commotion and trying to capture him because of the Ancient Fiend Dao Seed inside his body.

However, due to the ‘True Immortal Cultivation’ game, they currently seemed unable to confirm whether he was indeed their target.

Did this mean that behind the True Immortal Cultivation game, there was at least a True Immortal from the Thirty-Three Heavens involved?

Otherwise, how could True Immortal Cultivation contend against the Ancient Fiend behind the Black Lotus Sect?

Although the Black Lotus Missionaries hadn’t said much, Lu Chen still managed to glean quite a bit of desired information from their words.

Some of this information was crucial to him now, while other parts were temporarily of no use for the time being.

But since he had now confirmed the true intention behind the Black Lotus Sect’s actions,

there was no need for him to continue entangling with these guys any longer.

The same thought occurred to Numbers Twelve and the others.

Delays risk changes. Although they currently seemed to have the advantage,

there was no guarantee that teachers from No. 1 High wouldn’t arrive soon.

If that happened, forget capturing Lu Chen alive—whether they could even escape with their lives would be an unknown!

“Attack!”

At Number Six’s command, the three immediately launched a full-force assault on Lu Chen.

Although the order was to capture alive, from the start they never intended to capture a completely unharmed Lu Chen.

Because that was unrealistic.

As long as they didn’t kill him, even breaking Lu Chen’s arms and legs was acceptable.

They just needed him breathing with a hint of life left!

On the Pedestrian Street, a Human-Skin Drum appeared in Number Six’s hand.

As he beat the Human-Skin Drum, an invisible sonic attack instantly swept over Lu Chen’s entire body.

This caused Lu Chen to stagger, his face turning considerably paler.

A Divine Soul attack?!

Lu Chen looked at Number Six and instantly realized.

But before he could react, Number Twelve’s chains and Number Eleven’s iron fist were already swiftly assaulting him.

Without any hesitation, Lu Chen immediately released his Sword Intent.

Dragon Transformation Sword Intent, Accumulated Water Becomes Abyss!

Boom!

The vibrating Sword Intent spread out. Numbers Twelve and the others instantly felt as if they had fallen into a vast abyss.

An intense sense of weightlessness and a terrifying feeling of being watched by an ancient existence instantly overwhelmed all three, rendering them temporarily unable to move.Fortunately, Number Six seemed to have considerable research on Sword Intent. After only a brief daze, he resumed beating the Human-Skin Drum in his hand.

“Wake up!”

With Number Six’s assistance, Number Eleven and Number Twelve finally regained clarity from the abyss of Lu Chen’s Sword Intent.

Witnessing this, Lu Chen immediately realized that using Dragon Transformation Sword Intent against these three might not be the best choice.

After all, once Dragon Transformation Sword Intent lost its suppression effect, although it was still considerably stronger than ordinary swordsmanship, the advantage was limited.

Since that was the case…

Sword Intent… Righteous!

Boom!

As a gentle breeze swept over Lu Chen, an inexplicable aura of righteous energy emerged around him.

“Dual Sword Intent? What kind of monster is this!”

Feeling the change in Lu Chen, Number Twelve screamed in terror.

Mastering one Sword Intent at the Qi Condensation Stage already qualified as a peerless Sword Cultivator.

Yet this guy had actually mastered two! Even if he had started practicing swordsmanship from the womb, it would be impossible to reach this level!

Lu Chen didn’t give the three much time to think. He swung his sword directly at the nearest Number Eleven.

Though the strike didn’t appear particularly fast, Number Eleven inexplicably felt that he simply couldn’t evade it.

And in reality, he truly couldn’t.

Because a terrifying Sword Qi, spanning five meters in length, erupted from Lu Chen’s Ink Dragon Sword, descending upon him with righteous force.

How could he possibly dodge such massive Sword Qi with his head?

‘The Dao of Righteousness, upright and honorable.’

This was the Righteous Sword Intent Lu Chen had mastered—abandoning all flashy techniques, possessing only pure Sword Qi pressure.

If only Lu Chen had reached the Foundation Establishment Stage and could employ Sword Control Technique, this Righteous Qi Sword wouldn’t merely strike head-on.

It would descend directly from the sky!

“Help me!”

Number Eleven shouted to Number Twelve and Number Six beside him while raising his fists to block.

Faced with such a terrifying Righteous Qi Sword, the two had no time for further contemplation.

“Shield!”

Number Six slapped the Human-Faced Drum, and an invisible barrier immediately materialized around Number Eleven.

Meanwhile, Number Twelve manipulated his Black Chains, attempting to entangle Lu Chen’s Righteous Qi Sword.

But the result…

When the Black Chains touched the massive Qi Sword, they instantly emitted billowing black smoke, as if ice and snow scorched by fierce flames.

After barely hindering Lu Chen’s Qi Sword for a moment, his only chains shattered into fragments.

“Pfft!”

Number Twelve spat out a mouthful of blood, staring with both fear and heartache at the Magical Artifact he had worked so hard to obtain, now broken into scattered pieces.

Though he had lost a Magical Artifact, someone else was about to lose their life!

Number Eleven, watching the heavily descending Qi Sword, understood that he had to give his all, or he might truly perish here.

“Roar!”

Number Eleven roared, his originally slender body beginning to swell, quickly transforming into a half-human, half-bear form.

Then, channeling all the power within his body, he crossed his arms, attempting to block the terrifying attack.

Bang!

A crisp sound rang out as the Divine Soul barrier cast by Number Six on him lasted only a moment before shattering into countless points of light.

However, after these two rounds of weakening, the power of Lu Chen’s Righteous Qi Sword had diminished significantly.

By the time it struck Number Eleven, only one-third of its original force remained.

Yet even this one-third still taught Number Eleven, in his half-human, half-bear form, a bloody lesson.Pfft!

The Righteous Qi Sword effortlessly severed Number Eleven’s arms, leaving a bone-deep gash across his chest.

As for his two arms? They had already transformed into two massive bear paws on the ground.

Had it not been for the assistance of Number Twelve and Number Six, forget bear paws—the ground might have gained an additional bear head!

Trembling with post-survival terror, Number Eleven stared at Lu Chen. Capturing Lu Chen alive was the last thing on his mind now; his thoughts were wholly consumed by how to flee this monster.

But though he wished to escape, Lu Chen had no intention of letting him go.

“Divine Ability… Furnace.”

Holding the Ink Dragon Sword in his right hand and forming a seal with his left, Lu Chen gazed coldly at Number Eleven.

“Suppress.”

Boom!

Under the disbelieving stares of Number Six and Number Twelve, a towering golden Alchemy Furnace materialized abruptly above Number Eleven’s head.

Before Number Eleven could react, it crashed down upon him with immense force.

In an instant, Number Eleven was imprisoned within the colossal furnace.

As raging purple flames erupted inside the Alchemy Furnace, agonized screams echoed from within. Number Twelve and Number Six watched in horror as vast amounts of refined Qi, blood, and Spiritual Power streamed out of the furnace, converging into Lu Chen’s body.

Witnessing this scene and sensing Lu Chen’s continuously rising cultivation and aura, the two were utterly shaken.

Divine Ability Furnace, refining demons and evils… Just who was the practitioner of Demonic Heresy here?!

With methods like these, you call yourself a righteous Cultivator?!

Even our Black Lotus Sect might not be as ruthless as you!

This kid is wrong—terribly wrong!

(End of Chapter)