Chapter 105: True Power Unleashed

What the monarch said was indeed the truth. Typically, a demon's body can only harbor one type of demonic energy. Even if a demon were to use the "Soul-Devouring Art" to seize the power of others, within a few hours, it would be assimilated and synthesized into their own inherent energy.

Ye Sansi, however, possessed a unique constitution. Perhaps due to the infusion of Nüwa's spiritual power during the Heavenly Tribulation, he was able to absorb these foreign energies without assimilating them. Multiple streams of power intertwined and clashed within him, only growing stronger through their discord.

Having realized the uniqueness of Ye Sansi's constitution, the monarch was reminded of a story regarding the true power of the "Soul-Devouring Art."

When Ye Sansi heard that mastering this art could allow one to contend with celestials and gods, he was filled with curiosity. The monarch began, "My father once told me a story. Ten thousand years ago, a great demon was wounded in battle. His arm was poisoned, so he hacked it off. Upon his return, the Demon King, seeing him one-armed and inconvenienced, found him a replacement."

"Blood? What use is that?"

The monarch smiled. "Brother Sansi, you are not a demon, so you do not fully understand us. A demon can only contain one type of demonic energy. If there are more, the forces will fight, and regardless of who wins or loses, the host suffers."

"Suffers? My own demonic energy is complex, and it even contains divine power from the Heavenly Tribulation. While these forces clash, I only feel a sense of comfort, not harm."

As he spoke, the monarch slowly walked out of the palace gates, with Ye Sansi following. Looking out over the serene landscape, the monarch continued, "That arm was crafted by the great demon’s arch-rival. When the rival learned that the Demon King had bestowed such an arm upon the great demon, he was displeased. But he could not defy the King’s command, so he snuck in and added something to the arm."

"Poison?"

"Not poison. It was his own blood."

Ye Sansi quickly asked, "Brother King, you just mentioned the true power of the 'Soul-Devouring Art.' What is it exactly?"

"Hahaha, Brother Sansi, don't be impatient. Let me tell you slowly. After attaching that arm, the great demon became invincible. He fought for the King and achieved great merit, eventually becoming a grand general of the Demon Realm. Yet, he treated his rival with kindness, recognizing his strength and repeatedly promoting him despite their private grievances. Brother Sansi, do you know why the great demon did this?"

"To win people's hearts? No—to win the hearts of demons."

The monarch laughed heartily. "That is precisely because of your constitution, Brother Sansi."

"And in the end? Did the great demon survive?"

"After attaching the arm, the great demon suffered agonizing pain. The King wanted to have it removed—which was exactly what his rival had hoped for—but the great demon refused. He told the King he could endure it. The King had no choice but to concede. The great demon was truly ruthless; he endured three days of heart-rending pain and held on. Surprisingly, the two forces did not fuse; they occupied half the body each..."

The monarch chuckled. "In the Demon Realm, there is no such thing as winning people over through virtue. Whoever has the strongest fist is right. The old Demon King already considered that general exceptionally heroic, and with the support of the demonic masses and control over the army, he was the natural choice. However, pressured by his own brother, the King was hesitant. With the officials constantly petitioning and the public sentiment backing the general, the old Demon King felt it was the popular will, and with official support, even the nobles dared not stir up trouble."

"So, in the end, that general ascended to the throne of the Demon King."

"Exactly. The old Demon King personally taught him the Soul-Devouring Art. A thousand years later, during a battle against the Heavenly Army, he discovered the true power of this technique."

"Hahaha, indeed. Once the Demon Realm was stabilized, the old Demon King, worn down by years of warfare and lacking an heir, sought to appoint a successor. There were six factions at the time—one led by the great demon, one by his rival. The great demon’s faction was not the strongest; it ranked in the middle. Even as a grand general with a powerful army, he could not compete with the titled nobles."

The monarch stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance. "The rival's faction consisted of demon officials—civil servants who were all silver-tongued. They, remembering the great demon’s mercy in sparing them and his subsequent promotions, used their influence to lobby in waves, arguing that the great demon had conquered half the realm and was loyal to the King, unlike the nobles who were all plotting for themselves."

Ye Sansi chimed in with a smile, "With reasons like that, even if the King found them logical, it wouldn't be enough to convince everyone."

"True. After the war, the general pondered for a long time and pored over historical records. He reached a conclusion: for a demon with impure energy, mastering the Soul-Devouring Art could extract the core power of an opponent. If you were to learn this art, Brother Sansi, it would be truly formidable."

Ye Sansi scratched his head and replied, "Brother King, this technique is ingenious. I only learned the first move and already found it useful, let alone mastering the whole set. Looking at the hundreds of moves you demonstrated, each is a display of extraordinary skill. It won't be easy to learn. Once the demon army is dispersed, I must leave. I hope you won't mind the trouble of teaching me a bit more over these next few days."

The monarch frowned, his joy vanishing. He asked softly, "Brother Sansi, are you leaving? Since you acknowledge me as a brother, I can secure you an official position in the Other-Demon Realm, grant you the title of Marquis, and have you settle here. Isn't this place more peaceful than the outside world?"

"What is it?"

"Our Soul-Devouring Art was originally intended to absorb demonic energy for one's own use. But that general, in the heat of battle against the Heavenly Army, accidentally cast the spell and discovered it could drain their divine power. Though it could not be absorbed, it stripped them of their ability to fight. That was why the Demon Realm won such a resounding victory in that war."

Ye Sansi exclaimed in wonder, "It's that powerful?"

The monarch laughed, "Hahaha! Very well. Since you have a family, I understand and will not force you to stay. But if you have free time, you must come back to visit the Other-Demon Realm."

Ye Sansi agreed, "Brother King, I will remember. Fortunately, I have some time now to stay here for a few days and practice the arts with you. Just thinking about it brings a sense of peace. The Demon Realm is truly despicable for wanting to take revenge on the Other-Demon Realm and destroy such tranquility."

"Hahaha," the monarch laughed. "Brother Sansi, let us not speak of that. How about I show you the treasury of the Other-Demon Realm?"

Ye Sansi bowed. "Brother King, I came here without telling my master. If I don't return soon, I fear he might grow suspicious. And... and..."

"And what? Just say it!"

"And on the Immortal Island, my wife and child are waiting for me. If I am gone too long, I fear she will worry."

The monarch laughed. "Indeed. This path leads to the residences of the elders and some of the greater demons. Our treasury is built inside the mountain, and your quarters are behind a massive stone gate. One must use magic to open it to enter the mountain's interior."

"Hahaha."

"Brother Sansi, what are you laughing at?"

At the mention of the "treasury," Ye Sansi remembered something. *Oh no,* he thought, *Tao Xiao still owes me the return of the Su-Jade Bracelet. Now that I'm not on Fangcun Immortal Island, he might just decide not to return it at all.*

Though he realized this, there was nothing he could do. If he rushed back now, it would be hard to explain, and he wasn't even sure he would find Tao Xiao. He let it go and replied to the monarch, "Very well. I love rare things. The treasures of the Other-Demon Realm must be even more interesting than those of the mortal world."

Following the monarch, Ye Sansi exited the rear hall of the palace. He recognized the path; it led to his own residence. Puzzled, he asked, "Brother King, this path..."

Ye Sansi followed the monarch into the mountain as the giant gate slowly closed behind them. Suddenly, flames ignited, illuminating the space. Ye Sansi looked around at the various stone shelves, which held many treasures he had never seen before.

Seeing this, Ye Sansi was delighted, skipping around like a child. The monarch laughed heartily, "Brother Sansi, no need to rush. Follow me and look at your own pace. I can explain the utility of these artifacts, and if you see anything you like, I will gift it to you to take with you."

Ye Sansi asked excitedly, "Brother King, you will really give them to me?"

"It's nothing. I just find it fascinating. This Other-Demon Realm is built on a mountain peak, and the palace is carved into the mountain. If someone told me this was possible in the outside world, I would have thought them insane. I realize now that my own knowledge was shallow."

Hearing Ye Sansi's self-deprecating comment, the monarch could not help but smile. "Brother Sansi, there are many novel things in this world. You find the Other-Demon Realm miraculous, but I find the gadgets of the human world rare and interesting. If I weren't a monarch, I would love to go and play in the human world, hahaha."

Chatting and laughing, the two arrived before a massive stone wall. This was where the residences were located. The monarch swept his hand, and the stone wall split down the middle like a door, opening slowly.

Ye Sansi had only been joking, and he was astonished that the monarch was serious. He scratched his head and said with a laugh, "Brother King, I was only kidding. How could I accept such a thing? These artifacts are precious; how could I be worthy of them? Besides, there are over a thousand items here—how could I possibly carry them all? You are too kind, I shall just look around."

"Very well. But if you see anything you like, you must tell me. Do not hold back."

Ye Sansi nodded repeatedly with a smile. They began to view the collection from the start. As they passed each treasure, the monarch explained its origin and function. Ye Sansi was mesmerized, yet he truly did not want to accept the monarch's gifts. Firstly, these items were too valuable, and he felt ashamed to take them. Secondly, he would eventually leave the Other-Demon Realm, and if he owed a favor, he would have concerns.

"Truly. I am a monarch; how could I lie?"

Ye Sansi squinted and smiled. "Then, Brother King, how many pieces can I take at most?"

The monarch laughed loudly. "If you like them all, Brother Sansi, take them all! These items are useless sitting here in the Other-Demon Realm. It is better to gift them to you so that you may make use of their powers."

Despite his reservations, every time Ye Sansi heard the function of an artifact, he would consider if it had any practical use. Most of these treasures came from the Demon Realm, stolen by the demon subjects at the monarch's behest. Some were incredibly powerful and domineering, but they did not suit Ye Sansi's taste. After looking at a hundred items, he didn't find a single one he felt was practical.