Chapter 112: Usurpation of the Throne

After nine years of practicing demonic arts, Chu Yucai realized that no matter what he did, he could hardly make any further progress. Ten years was indeed a significant milestone. Simply retreating into seclusion for cultivation was no longer effective.

So, Chu Yucai left the waterfall and began to travel around. When he reached a nearby country known as the Tianyun Kingdom, he was struck by a thought. He recalled that a certain Taoist once claimed to be the national master of Tianyun Kingdom. Perhaps visiting him could lead to a breakthrough. Without hesitation, he went to seek an audience.

The steward of the national master’s mansion soon appeared, respectfully welcoming him and escorting him deep into the palace. Chu Yucai then noticed that although it was just the residence of a national master, it was fully equipped and magnificently maintained—comparable even to the king’s palace. He was taken aback by the grand scale.

At that moment, the Taoist swiftly emerged, laughing heartily: “Ten years without seeing you, Dao Brother, you still look as elegant as ever.”

Chu Yucai was led to the main hall, where, instead of officials, over a hundred beautiful maidens were dancing exquisitely, their gazes filled with suggestive intent. Startled, Chu Yucai became even more curious about the Taoist and asked, “May I know what path of cultivation you practice?”

The Taoist smiled but did not answer directly. Instead, he said, “These are the most beautiful women in the Tianyun Kingdom. I have brought them to display their beauty to its utmost. Dao Brother, why not appreciate them carefully?”

Chu Yucai looked on and found the women indeed exceptionally stunning, every movement and dance graceful and flawless. The Taoist then drank a cup of wine and said, “Dao Brother, these are the finest earthly beauties, but the key is not to be captivated by their appearance. Have color in your eyes, but none in your heart.”

Chu Yucai nodded thoughtfully, impressed by the Taoist’s profound insight and the unique path he cultivated. After drinking several cups, the Taoist suddenly laughed boisterously. “Dao Brother, I have a favor to ask.”

“Please speak,” Chu Yucai replied.

The Taoist said, “Most officials in Tianyun Kingdom are under my control. With a single order, countless men would die for me. But to ascend to the grand ceremony, I still lack three parts of fortune. I wonder if you could assist me?”

Chu Yucai was shocked and could hardly believe his ears. Was this Taoist plotting a coup? Meanwhile, the women seemed oblivious, continuing their dance. The Taoist laughed again, “Since you say one family mourns, why not all the way? Let us change the world with our hands, purge all corrupt officials, and realize your grand ambitions. What do you say?”

He then handed Chu Yucai a cup of wine. “If you agree, please drink this.”

However, his gaze turned icy, as if refusal would lead to immediate confrontation.

Chu Yucai said, “If so…” and took the cup to his lips.

The Taoist’s eyes brightened. Chu Yucai drank it all, then turned the empty cup toward the Taoist.

The Taoist burst into loud laughter, vibrating with joy.

“Why do you laugh?” Chu Yucai asked.

“I laugh because you’ve finally fallen into my trap!” The Taoist suddenly tore his body open, revealing the demon enchantress from ten years ago, and said fiercely, “Did you really think you killed me back then?”

Chu Yucai’s expression remained calm. “As expected, you didn’t die ten years ago but possessed this Taoist’s body.”

“You already know?” The demon enchantress was startled.

Chu Yucai smiled faintly, then spat out the wine in a spray. “This poison wine is colorless and tasteless, able to devour all magical arts. Fortunately, I was prepared. From the start, I found it strange that this mansion was as grand as a royal palace. How could a national master be so ostentatious? And the hall full of beauties—this is not the way of a true Taoist. Moreover, when I killed you before, the Taoist’s face was full of righteousness, while you were blinded by lust.”

The demon enchantress’s expression turned cold. “You truly are different. I can’t deceive you, Chu Yucai!”

The mention of “Chu Yucai” burned with fury in her eyes.

Chu Yucai’s body trembled slightly at her words. “I never said my name before, yet you know it. So… you really are the Locust Demon!”

“Indeed.” She stretched her body, immediately transforming into the old woman from before.

Chu Yucai looked puzzled. “Since you know I am Chu Yucai, why have you not killed me all these years, knowing I’ve been cultivating in the mountains?”

The demon enchantress sneered coldly. “Because I wanted to explore the secrets of this world! Though my original demonic lamp was destroyed by Yan Yunfei, why was I able to be reborn here—and even meet you?”

Chu Yucai suddenly understood, but his confusion about the Turtle Dragon Mountain River Pearl deepened. The Locust Demon had truly been reborn in this world, retaining her previous consciousness. Why? What power did this Pearl possess to achieve such a feat? To make the dead live and the flesh return?

What secrets did this Turtle Dragon Mountain River Pearl hold?

Yet Chu Yucai quickly suppressed his doubts. He knew that to pass this trial, to break through to ten years of demonic arts, and to obtain the technique that could freely switch between demonic and Taoist arts, he must kill the Locust Demon before him.

Seizing the moment when she sneered, he struck fiercely.

At that moment, he wielded the Fish Scale Blade, unleashing a curse upon the Locust Demon.

In this space, the first use of the Turtle Dragon Mountain River Pearl each day did not consume Yang energy.

The dragon and serpent’s qi surged wildly, as if to obliterate heaven and earth and advance relentlessly.

The Locust Demon was prepared, holding a blood-red eye in her hand, and activated her own curse. Instantly, the heavens and earth darkened; only the blood-red eye flickered, nullifying all of Chu Yucai’s demonic arts.

Both curse weapons were bronze-grade, but the Locust Demon’s abilities far surpassed Chu Yucai’s. His curse was instantly reflected back, and the blood-red eye blazed brightly, striking Chu Yucai and severely wounding him.

Then, laughter echoed through the hall: “In these ten years, I have uncovered secrets—this space itself. You are a trial participant, and your ultimate goal is to kill me. Your cultivation is too low; you’re no match for me. So I have no hurry to deal with you. What I need is to improve myself as much as possible. After killing you, I will seize control of this space and be reborn here!”