Chapter 135: Self-Destruction

I ramped up the energy of my protective barrier and, gripping my Ice Sword, struck directly at the High Priest. As I had anticipated, the serpent's body was like steel; the blade merely sparked against it. The snake, some twenty feet long, coiled around me a few times and began to constrict, clearly intent on crushing me. I channeled my true energy to set my body ablaze, and raging flames spread outward. Yet, the serpent seemed unaffected by the fire, save for its head. The High Priest held his head high as his serpentine body tightened around me.

Then the High Priest spoke, his voice like a wheezing bellows. With a disdainful curl of his lip, he sneered, "Ignorant human, do you truly think such parlor tricks can destroy me? Had my fusion not failed, your petty maneuvers would be utterly useless against me!"

As the snake constricted, I struggled with all my might but could not break free. I roared at his hideous face, "Don't think that just because you've turned into a monster, I can't finish you! I will destroy you even if it costs me my life!"

The low-level flames flickered and died out; clearly, such auxiliary skills were no match for a high-level monster. I began to circulate my true energy to condense Netherfire. Even if it meant mutual destruction, I was determined to wipe out this scum. Netherfire consumes more than just true energy—I knew all too well that once the energy is depleted, the fire does not stop. It continues to burn, a process known as "smoldering," which consumes the practitioner's own body. To burn one's body away is the end of life, and the agony of that process is unparalleled—a fact explicitly warned of in the Heavenly Demon Arts.

I wasted no more words; no amount of talk could erase my hatred. The Netherfire ignited at my will—a pale blue flame capable of reaching 30,000 degrees. Even at its first level, it could melt steel in an instant. The serpent's body loosened slightly before tightening again. "It seems I underestimated you. You have cultivated the Heavenly Demon Arts. Heaven truly favors me! I have searched so long for these techniques, and they were with you all along. With them, I can achieve an immortal body. If you had reached the third level, you might have hurt me, but alas, your skill is insufficient. Today, I shall reclaim what is mine! Hahahaha!" A sharp, chilling laugh echoed through the valley.

I scoffed, "What is yours? I fear you won't live to take it." Leng Wushuang had told me the High Priest was hunting for the remaining scrolls. I did not know where he had obtained the third, but the first must be mastered to unlock it. Fortunately, I had stolen it; had it fallen into his hands, the catastrophe would have been unimaginable.

"Then let us put it to the test!" Seeing the Netherfire fail, my heart sank. If smoldering proved equally ineffective, I would wait until it was halfway consumed and unleash my final trump card: a concentrated blast of energy. If necessary, I would self-destruct to take him with me. I was certain this explosion would be hundreds of times more powerful than a standard energy burst. Usually, I only released one percent of my true and demonic energy, with the rest suppressed in my dantian. My master had once spoken of self-destruction—a desperate act of warriors to perish with their foes. It was how the predecessor Xiaoxiangzi had saved Yujing and me.

I began to condense my true and demonic energy, forcing them into chaotic collision. The turbulence within me was agonizing, but I maintained a stoic facade. Yujing had taught me that one must never show weakness; if the enemy is strong, you must be stronger. This psychological tactic had served me well before. I felt unprecedented power swelling through my body, every cell expanding. The High Priest seemed to sense it, his expression showing a flicker of shock for the first time. "This is... you intend to die with me!"

I smiled bitterly. "And what if I do? If I can wipe out a wretch like you, what does death matter?" My resolve was absolute. If I could avenge Xu Qinghuan, I would have no regrets. Farewell, my friends! I only feared that I, Li Yunfei, would be unable to stop the cataclysm engulfing the God-Demon Continent. Yet, perhaps everything is fated; even without me, there are countless heroes. There is always someone stronger—surely a Demon God can be dealt with!

I tried to console myself, though if there were another way, I would have taken it. Even the lowest creature clings to life, and I had a future ahead of me. I was only in my twenties, unmarried, having never experienced a grand romance. My two-year relationship with Liu Tingting had ended because I never truly understood her. After crossing into this other world, I met Xu Qinghuan. She looked exactly like Tingting, and I had initially mistaken her for her, but I eventually realized the differences. I had learned to accept her, and she had replaced Tingting in my heart. Why could heaven not grant us our wish?

In this moment, I recalled so much. If this was my destiny, I was powerless to change it. Since arriving here, I had realized how little was within my control. From the moment I left my master and met Yujing, my fate had been overturned. Murong Xue’s words echoed in my ears: "We are all people who cannot control our own destinies."

Heh, how true. High Priest, next year on this day shall be your anniversary! I tensed every nerve, the turbulence within me growing more violent until I was numb with pain. The High Priest tried to loosen his coil, but I would not let him escape. I used my will to bind the serpent to me. With my true and demonic energies fully unleashed, my mental power was at its peak. It was time. I intensified the clash of energies and closed my eyes. Farewell, otherworld. Farewell, my friends!

(End of Volume Two.)