Chapter 678: Desperate World

In a daze, Lin Yuan's consciousness gradually recovered.

Only his mental will seemed to be eroded and suppressed, causing his consciousness to be slightly chaotic and unable to wake up completely.

Not knowing how long had passed, Lin Yuan's mental will instinctively operated, finally expelling that eroding aura.

The result caused by this.

Was that Lin Yuan woke up.

"Mm—"

Lin Yuan only felt a splitting headache.

At the same time, he also began to receive outside information.

"Eh? You can actually still survive?"

"Surviving under the erosion of the 'Demon', rare, truly rare."

An aged voice came from beside him, revealing a sense of surprise.

Boom!

Countless pieces of information instantly surged into Lin Yuan's mind; those were the memories of the 'original body'.

"This world is filled with endless Demons. The 'Demon' is immortal and indestructible, existing forever in the world. To fight against the Demon, can one only become a practitioner? And I am a practitioner of the Qingyun Saint Sect?"

Lin Yuan quickly sorted out his current situation.

This world is boundless, and the Demon did not exist since ancient times; it originated from a great upheaval of heaven and earth hundreds of millions of years ago.

Hundreds of millions of years ago, practitioners ruled the world and dominated everything, but after that great upheaval of heaven and earth, the existence of the 'Demon' appeared in the world. The aura of the 'Demon' filled the space, hindering practitioners from Cultivate, and at the same time, a large amount of the 'Demon' aura gathered, breeding terrifying 'Demons' one after another.

The Qingyun Saint Sect where the 'original body' belonged was a top practitioner force before the great upheaval of heaven and earth, and it was the overlord giant of the surrounding infinite territories.

After the great upheaval of heaven and earth, it even survived multiple attacks on the mountain by great demons.

However, compared to before the great upheaval of heaven and earth, the Qingyun Saint Sect had declined a lot.

The infinite aura of the 'Demon' permeated, increasing the difficulty of Cultivate for practitioners, and the number of born Experts decreased. Along with the successive fall of older-generation Experts at the hands of the 'Demon', the Qingyun Saint Sect already had a trend of failing to connect the generations.

Forces with slightly insufficient foundations simply could not pass down their Legacy to the present.

"Hmm?"

Lin Yuan opened his eyes.

Seeing a slovenly old man standing beside him, the other party was looking at him with full curiosity at this moment.

"Elder Fang."

Lin Yuan moved his lips and said.

The slovenly old man was an Elder of the Qingyun Saint Sect, responsible for treating Disciples injured at the hands of the 'Demon'.

"Since you have woken up, I will take my leave first."

Elder Fang continued to observe Lin Yuan for a while and turned to leave.

"This Physical Body—" Lin Yuan watched Elder Fang disappear and began to feel the subtle details of his body, instantly finding something wrong.

As the Martial Dao Ancestor, Lin Yuan's comprehension of the Physical Body had reached an unimaginably high height, and the Physical Body he occupied at the moment, although weak, faintly contained nearly endless potential.

"I am not an isolated case; this is one of the impacts brought by that great upheaval of heaven and earth."

Lin Yuan thought in his heart.

After the great upheaval of heaven and earth, although incomparably terrifying 'Demons' appeared in the world, the Physical Body of the lives in this world was likewise nourished and made up for. Regardless of intensity or potential, it far exceeded that before the great upheaval of heaven and earth.

The strength of the Physical Body would bring a direct increase in strength. Although affected by the aura of the 'Demon', the speed in terms of Cultivate became slower, but the improvement of the Physical Body became a large chunk faster.

This was also one of the key points for practitioners to resist the 'Demon' after the great upheaval of heaven and earth.

Without this aspect of blessing, the Qingyun Saint Sect would have long perished in the successive attacks of great demons on the mountain, and could not have persisted until now.

"A Physical Body with such potential, if cultivated to the extreme, is estimated to surpass the Physical Body of the Chaos Void and the First Source World?" Lin Yuan exclaimed in his heart.

Whether it was the Chaos Void or the First Source World, Lin Yuan's Physical Body was already very terrifying, but the Physical Body of this Origin World could still surpass the first two? What was even more incredible was that such a Physical Body had already been 'popularized' in this world?

Of course, because they could not achieve perfect excavation, the lives of this world had a Physical Body with infinite potential in vain, but simply did not know how to utilize it.

It was equivalent to primitive society life obtaining nuclear weapons, yet treating nuclear weapons as stones to smash with.

Lin Yuan adjusted his breathing, quickly recovered a little, and managed to sit up from the bed.

At the same time, pictures flashed through his mind.

"Senior Brother Li actually entered the demonic path?" Lin Yuan slightly knitted his brows.

The reason why he suffered such heavy injuries was related to Senior Brother Li entering the demonic path.

Senior Brother Li was the Great Senior Brother of the Qingyun Saint Sect, who often led many Junior Brothers to disperse the nearby Devilish Qi.

A large amount of Devilish Qi gathering would breed terrifying 'Demons', so Qingyun Saint Sect Disciples would regularly patrol the surrounding area, dispersing the gathered Devilish Qi to prevent the birth of the 'Demon'.

And during the most recent Devilish Qi dispersal operation, Senior Brother Li, who led the team, after discovering a source of dense Devilish Qi, actually secretly absorbed and devoured it.

This scene was discovered by the 'original body', so Senior Brother Li directly made a move, eroding the mental will of the 'original body' with Devilish Qi, creating the illusion of dying at the hands of the Demon.

The mental will of the original body should indeed have been completely eroded and perished by Devilish Qi, but it was immediately replaced by Lin Yuan. With Lin Yuan's mental will, he naturally blocked the subsequent erosion of Devilish Qi, and thus 'came back to life' in Elder Fang's eyes.

"Entering the demonic path."

Lin Yuan's thoughts spread out.

After the great upheaval of heaven and earth, endless Devilish Qi surged into the world, causing unprecedented impacts on practitioners. After witnessing the strength of the Demon, two voices gradually appeared within the practitioners.

One was to persist in the current Cultivate system, and this category was called traditional practitioners.

And the other was entering the demonic path, becoming those who entered the demonic path.

In the eyes of this portion of practitioners, the Demon was immortal and indestructible. To fight against the Demon, the only way was to become a Demon and use the power of the Demon to fight against the Demon.

Therefore, there was entering the demonic path.

The so-called entering the demonic path was practitioners giving up everything and beginning to endure the baptism of Devilish Qi, during which they would be affected by many influences of Devilish Qi.

"Entering the demonic path? In essence, it is nothing more than taking a practitioner as a carrier to Cultivate a powerful 'Demon'."

Lin Yuan thought of the evaluation of those who entered the demonic path by the Qingyun Saint Sect.

The Qingyun Saint Sect was a traditional Cultivate force, and entering the demonic path was strictly prohibited. Initially entering the demonic path could indeed obtain a powerful strength increase.

But as time passed and the erosion by Devilish Qi aggravated, the minds of those who entered the demonic path would rapidly twist, thereby approaching the true 'Demon'.

"Now the top priority is how to deal with Senior Brother Li."

Lin Yuan reined in his thoughts, his expression solemn.

Senior Brother Li eroded the mental will of the 'original body' with Devilish Qi, the purpose of which was to silence him and prevent the matter of his entering the demonic path from spreading out.

Once he found out that he was not dead, he definitely would not let the matter rest.

"Senior Brother Li is the Great Senior Brother of the Qingyun Saint Sect, possessing Sovereign Realm strength. With my current state, I am not his match."

Lin Yuan gently shook his head.

What's more, Senior Brother Li's strength after entering the demonic path would still surge by a large chunk, probably even able to rival the Chaos Realm.

Under such circumstances, facing Senior Brother Li's murderous intent, Lin Yuan simply had no ability to resist.

Unless he used the Boundary-Breaking Source Power.

But means like the Boundary-Breaking Source Power should definitely not be used unless necessary; it belonged to the trump card among trump cards.

Especially under the condition of not knowing the specific depth of this Origin World, rashly using the Boundary-Breaking Source Power might bring some hidden dangers.

"Forget it."

Lin Yuan thought for a moment and immediately contacted Elder Fang who had just left.

"What is the matter?"

Elder Fang appeared again very soon, looking at Lin Yuan, "Recovering nicely, why are you looking for me?"

"Elder Fang, I have a major matter to report to the Sect Master."

Lin Yuan was very sure that Elder Fang should not be Senior Brother Li's man; otherwise, the moment he woke up, Senior Brother Li would have known, and by now would probably have rushed over.

Therefore, Elder Fang could be considered trustworthy.

"Major matter?"

Elder Fang glanced at Lin Yuan: "What major matter?"

"A major matter related to the Demon."

Lin Yuan said.

Under the condition of confirming that he was definitely not Senior Brother Li's match, the only thing he could rely on was the Qingyun Saint Sect.

"Demon?"

Elder Fang's expression turned solemn.

Lin Yuan was originally injured at the hands of the Demon; these words were quite persuasive to Elder Fang.

At least it was not completely baseless.

"Are you sure it is a major matter? Ordinary matters disturbing the Sect Master will be punished." Elder Fang reminded.

The Qingyun Sacred Sect Master spent the vast majority of his time in seclusion to improve his strength, facing the attacks of great demons on the mountain again and again.

"I am sure."

Lin Yuan nodded.

"Since that is the case, follow me."

Elder Fang immediately intended to take Lin Yuan and leave.

"Elder Fang," Lin Yuan said: "This matter is very important, make sure not to leak it out."

Lin Yuan was worried that Elder Fang would unintentionally reveal it to Senior Brother Li, adding variables for no reason.

"Rest assured."

Elder Fang swept a glance at Lin Yuan: "I know the weight of the matter."

Regardless of whether Lin Yuan really had a major matter, before getting confirmation from the Sect Master, Elder Fang definitely would not speak of it externally.

"Follow me."

Elder Fang took Lin Yuan and stepped out in one stride.

Space-time changed.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at a grand hall.

Above the grand hall sat a middle-aged man wearing a cyan robe.

At this moment, this middle-aged man opened his eyes and looked towards Elder Fang and Lin Yuan.

"Sect Master."

Elder Fang slightly bowed and roughly explained Lin Yuan's matter.

"What is the matter?"

The Qingyun Sacred Sect Master looked at Lin Yuan and said in a calm tone.

"Sect Master."

Lin Yuan glanced at Elder Fang standing aside.

"Then I will leave first."

Elder Fang was slightly stunned and immediately turned to leave.

For a moment, only Lin Yuan and the Qingyun Sacred Sect Master were left in the grand hall.

"Speak, what is the matter."

The Qingyun Sacred Sect Master spoke.

"Senior Brother Li has entered the demonic path."

Lin Yuan did not beat around the bush and said directly.

"Qing'er entered the demonic path?"

The Qingyun Sacred Sect Master's pupils constricted, and he stood up from the throne.

"How do you know?"

The Qingyun Sacred Sect Master narrowed his eyes slightly, and the surrounding space-time faintly became oppressive.

Senior Brother Li Qing was the Great Senior Brother of the Qingyun Saint Sect, cultivated as the future Sect Master. When Lin Yuan directly said that Senior Brother Li entered the demonic path, the Qingyun Sacred Sect Master naturally did not believe it.

"The reason why I was eroded by Devilish Qi was because I noticed Senior Brother Li swallowing and absorbing Devilish Qi." Lin Yuan looked at the Qingyun Sacred Sect Master and spoke.

The Qingyun Sacred Sect Master did not respond, only quietly looking at Lin Yuan.

"Sect Master, if this matter is false, I am willing to suffer any punishment."

Lin Yuan said.

"I understand."

The Qingyun Sacred Sect Master closed his eyes.

Yuqing Hall.

This was the Immortal Cave grand hall of the Great Senior Brother of the Qingyun Saint Sect, second only to the Sect Master's Immortal Cave.

At this moment inside the grand hall, Li Qing sat cross-legged.

"To preserve the Qingyun Saint Sect Legacy, the only way is to borrow the power of the Demon."

Li Qing thought silently in his heart. As the Great Senior Brother of the Qingyun Saint Sect, he desired more than anyone else that the Qingyun Saint Sect could be passed down continuously.

However, the 'Demons' between heaven and earth were becoming more and more numerous and powerful. Traditional practitioners found it increasingly difficult to resist the Demon. The last attack of great demons on the mountain had almost exhausted the foundation of Qingyun Mountain.

Li Qing was very clear about the hidden dangers of entering the demonic path, but this was the fastest way to increase strength, without exception.

"Hmm?"

Just at this moment, Li Qing was astonished to find that the grand array of Yuqing Hall suddenly shifted space-time, and a vast space-time power suppressed down.

"Not good!"

Li Qing's expression changed drastically, wanting to rush out, but he was firmly imprisoned under the omnipresent power of the grand array.

"Master?"

Li Qing found it hard to believe; the only one who could mobilize the power of the entire Qingyun Saint Sect grand array was the Qingyun Sacred Sect Master, which was his Master.

Swish swish.

Space-time changed.

Li Qing instantly arrived outside the grand hall.

He saw the Qingyun Sacred Sect Master high above, as well as Lin Yuan standing beside the Qingyun Sacred Sect Master.

"You're not dead?"

In Li Qing's eyes, incredulity welled up; Lin Yuan had actually survived under the erosion of Devilish Qi.

"Qing'er, give up resisting."

The Qingyun Sacred Sect Master looked at Li Qing and said: "As long as I confirm that you have nothing to do with the Demon, that will be enough."

Although the Qingyun Sacred Sect Master did not believe his own Disciple would enter the demonic path, such a matter certainly had to be considered towards the worst-case scenario.

Anyway, letting him thoroughly check once was not a bad thing either.

"Master."

Li Qing looked at the Qingyun Sacred Sect Master, his tone slightly complex: "I have indeed entered the demonic path."

The moment he saw Lin Yuan, Li Qing realized that the matter of his entering the demonic path could no longer be hidden.

Involving such a major matter, no matter who said it, the Qingyun Sacred Sect Master would definitely have to confirm it with him.

"Qing'er, you?"

The Qingyun Sacred Sect Master slightly shook his head, his expression revealing a sorrowful look: "Don't you know what entering the demonic path means?"

"Master, I know."

Li Qing nodded: "But I know even more that if I do not enter the demonic path, how long can my Qingyun Saint Sect persist in the upcoming attacks of great demons on the mountain?"

"Master, you should also be clear that with the current foundation of my Qingyun Saint Sect, even if we persist under the next attack of great demons on the mountain, what about the time after next? What about the time after that?"

"Without entering the demonic path, the Qingyun Saint Sect will sooner or later fail to block the great demons. But by entering the demonic path, the Qingyun Saint Sect has a glimmer of survival."

Li Qing said.

"Entering the demonic path will only create an even more powerful 'Demon' for this world." The Qingyun Sacred Sect Master shook his head and said.

"Master, you must believe me, I will definitely be able to block the influence of Devilish Qi." Li Qing said eagerly.

"Li Qing, you have already been influenced by Devilish Qi." The Qingyun Sacred Sect Master's gaze was disappointed, and he waved his hand.

Rumbling.

The majestic power of space-time crushed toward Li Qing. This was the power of the Qingyun Saint Sect guardian mountain array, almost reaching the Chaos Realm Perfection level.

"Master, you actually don't believe me, you actually don't believe me!"

In Li Qing's pupils, incomparably deep Devilish Qi suddenly burst forth, eroding the space-time power suppressing from all directions.

But very obviously.

The current Li Qing simply could not block the Qingyun Saint Sect guardian mountain array, and was soon worn away into nothingness.

The contemporary Great Senior Brother of the Qingyun Saint Sect, the Disciple with the most hope of stepping into the Chaos Realm, thus perished.

Lin Yuan stood beside the Qingyun Sacred Sect Master, quietly watching this scene.

The words Li Qing said were indeed the truth, and Lin Yuan also felt that Li Qing really entered the demonic path in order to save the Qingyun Saint Sect.

Otherwise, with Li Qing's identity as the dignified Great Disciple of the Qingyun Saint Sect and the future Sect Master with infinite prospects, even if one day the Qingyun Saint Sect was truly breached by great demons, Li Qing would still be able to escape.

"This world—"

Lin Yuan more and more profoundly felt the despair faced by the living beings within this world.