It was almost laughable that he only made a move now, but given the opponent was at the peak of Divine Transformation, he had no choice.
A flash of spell swept past. Nearby, the golden miniature sword hovered, twitching its blade like it was trying to sigh.
With that kind of backbone, no wonder he's just a side character.
Still, as long as the guy didn't harm her master, he could do whatever he liked.
The golden sword buzzed faintly, settling in to watch the show.
…
Half an hour later, Mo Yuan was completely drained, slumped on the ground. The demonic energy in his body was nearly exhausted, and he immediately began meditating to recover.
As for the Demon Sovereign trapped in the Sword Dao Domain, there hadn't been a single sign of movement in a while.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng's aura had grown even more powerful, vast and unfathomable. Though her eyes were still closed, each breath she took stirred a strange Dao resonance that pulsed softly around her. Within a ten-mile radius, everything had become peaceful and full of vitality.
The Sword Dao Doman was still intact. Incredibly, it had not vanished and remained brimming with power.
"Phew…"
Letting out a breath tainted with blood and turbid qi, Song Wanníng finally opened her eyes. A flicker of joy sparkled in her gaze.
During the gradual balance of Yin and Yang, she had actually comprehended a thread of Dao rhythm. It was an indescribable feeling, subtle and elusive, but undeniably real.
Although her cultivation was still at the mid-stage of Divine Transformation, her combat strength was now vastly different. At the very least, if she had to face the Demon Sovereign again, it wouldn't be such a struggle.
She scanned her surroundings, her mind quickly taking everything in. Then she rose to her feet.
Seeing this, Mo Yuan quickly stood as well.
"Senior!"
He strode over in three quick steps, eyes full of excitement.
"Is he dead?"
The Demon Sovereign had been silent for far too long.
Song Wanníng frowned and shook her head. "His Yuányīng is still hiding inside a talisman."
"What? He's still not dead?"
Mo Yuan's expression darkened. He cursed outright. "Truly a plague that lingers for a thousand years! Even after all that, he still clings to life!"
"No need to rush. He's doomed either way."
Song Wanníng gave a calm smile and said, "For now, go back to the cave. The Demon Sovereign won't just sit still. He'll either try to possess someone or self-destruct. One way or another, he won't let us off easy. If he tries to self-detonate his Yuányīng, transfer him to the Demon Cavern immediately, understood?"
Her smile deepened. Sending Gu Qingyuan and Ye Chuxue a farewell gift just before the Demon Sea closed—surely they'd be grateful, wouldn't they?
"I'll handle it right away. Be careful, Senior!"
Mo Yuan swallowed his emotions and killing intent, then vanished in a flash.
Song Wanníng remained where she was, staring deeply at the Sword Dao Domain. After a long pause, she suddenly raised her hand and severed the flow of demonic energy.
In that instant, the Sword Dao Domain vanished like a bubble bursting.
What remained was a storage ring and a wooden talisman lying on the ground. As for the Demon Sovereign's body, it had already vanished without a trace.
Song Wanníng feigned excitement, hurrying forward to collect the storage ring and talisman. Just as she was inspecting them, a Nascent Soul shot out of the talisman and lunged toward her Sea of Consciousness.
It was the Demon Sovereign.
After being bombarded by heavenly thunder, his body had been utterly destroyed, reduced to ash. Not even a single bone was left.
Fortunately, years ago he had discovered a divine-grade soul talisman in the demon clan's treasury. It allowed his Nascent Soul to hide temporarily, sparing him from total annihilation.
Now that an opportunity had presented itself, he wasn't going to waste it. With ruthless determination, he surged toward Song Wanníng's Sea of Consciousness, intent on taking over her body.
He thought he had succeeded.
But the moment he entered her mind, a golden sword came slashing across.
A Yuányīng was incredibly fragile. To seize control of a consciousness, he would need to destroy the host's Primordial Soul. But this golden sword not only existed within her mind, it could actually harm his soul.
Even before they clashed, he felt an overwhelming killing intent. Panicking, he immediately turned and fled from her Sea of Consciousness.
Cursing inwardly, he changed direction and bolted elsewhere.
If Song Wanníng wasn't a viable host, he'd find someone else. Surviving came first.
"Did I say you could leave?"
A voice suddenly echoed out. A moment later, a surge of flame rushed at him. It was the Shenyou Mystic Flame, deadly to Primordial Souls and the nemesis of Yuányīng.
The Demon Sovereign was struck with panic and bolted blindly in desperation.
But the Shenyou Mystic Flame was too fast. It transformed into a massive net that sealed off the entire surrounding area.
"Zzz—"
The Demon Sovereign's Yuányīng slammed straight into the net. Searing energy burned through him, and he let out a tortured scream. He tried to bear the pain and break through, but the net rapidly tightened, giving him no room to escape. His soul began to corrode at a terrifying pace, its power draining away.
"You wretch! All of you deserve to die!"
The Demon Sovereign fell into complete despair. He truly couldn't escape. Madness flickered in his eyes. He stared at Song Wanníng with a look filled with bloodlust.
"If I can't live, then I'll drag you all to hell with me!"
With a final scream, he made his choice—exactly as Song Wanníng had predicted.
He detonated his Yuányīng.
If he was going to die, he would take his enemies down with him.
"Hahaha—Die with me!!"
The Demon Sovereign let out a final, maniacal laugh as his soul rapidly swelled. His eyes were full of scorn and mockery.
"See? No matter how hard you struggle, you still have to die with me. That's your fate!"
But just as the explosion began, Song Wanníng suddenly smiled.
The Demon Sovereign froze.
The next instant, his surroundings twisted, and he found himself in a place overflowing with demonic flames.
At that exact moment, he exploded.
"No—!"
His eyes went wide with rage and regret.
"BOOM—"
His roar was swallowed entirely by the explosion. It echoed through the Demon Cavern, then vanished completely.
A once-feared peak Divine Transformation cultivator, the Demon Sovereign was finally dead. The massive shockwave tore through the Demon Cavern, blasting apart surrounding rock and fire.
Gu Qingyuan and Ye Chuxue, both unconscious, were caught in the blast as well. But as fate would have it, they survived—though their injuries deepened and their bodies were flung far away.
At last, silence returned.
The Demon Sovereign was no more.
Mo Yuan stood in the cave, dazed and stunned. A burden that had haunted him for years was finally lifted. His eyes reddened with tears as he gazed into the void. His mother had been the one who loved him most in this world. Childhood memories had carried him this far.
Now, he had finally avenged her.
"Mother… that monster is dead. You can rest in peace."
Two streams of tears slid from his eyes, disappearing into the fabric at his collar.
Mo Yuan clenched his fists tightly. A cold light flickered in his gaze.
"Next, I'll take back everything that belonged to you. And those who betrayed you… they all deserve to die."