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“Master? What is he talking about? It can’t be Zhuo Yifan, right?”

The Enchanting Empress raised an eyebrow, “Didn’t he die thousands of years ago? Why would he be calling his name?”

The Sword Emperor looked hard at the black energy and the flaying figure, “I got it. His cultivation had been taken so extreme he went insane. He must be feeling guilty about Zhuo Yifan and is hallucinating. He wants to atone and that’s why he calls out.”

The others found it logical.

Zhao Chen had betrayed his master and gotten him killed. He had risen to his master’s position as the new Demonic Emperor, but he had always been feeling guilty for his actions.

[So this is because his cultivation went astray.]

They all enjoyed Zhao Chen’s torment and agony, even as he squirmed.

Zhao Chen wasn’t spewing nonsense out of delusions, but really asking for his master’s help. However, he should be thankful Zhuo Fan didn’t finish the degenerate himself.

“Idiot.”

Zhuo Fan sent in Zhao Chen’s ear, who flopped on the ground, “Master, save me…”

“Can you tell me now what you discovered cultivating the Demon Transformation Art?”

Help did not come, only Zhuo Fan’s question. Zhao Chen was confused.

Zhuo Fan said, “Now you know why I didn’t give you the Nine Serenities Secret Records. You’re too greedy and without restraint. The Demon Transformation Art speeds up cultivation, but do you think it’d be easy just by stealing other’s efforts? Every time you steal, you must refine and clean your Yuan Qi, especially when it comes to taking a person’s soul and regrets. It would affect your body and eat you from the inside.”

“I-I was wrong, Master. I shouldn’t have rushed it. Please save me…”

“No, you’re only half wrong.”

Zhuo Fan smiled, “Even if you trained right, the Demon Transformation Art wouldn’t show its effect on you. Because it isn’t complete.”

“What?”

“I omitted the cultivation method’s very first warning, to renounce your old cultivation before starting anew.”

Zhuo Fan sighed, “The Demon Transformation Art wants you to absorb another person’s cultivation, and for that, you must start afresh to succeed, or the old will mingle with the new and make progress impossible. The more you absorb, the more you err and the stronger the backlash.”

“Then you…” Zhao Chen exclaimed.

Zhuo Fan smirked, “Yes, I feared you’d not live up to my expectations so I tinkered with it. You never had the chance of using it right. On the other hand, you’re impatient and would’ve failed even if I gave you the real deal. I did it just to be safe.”

“Ha-ha-ha, so you came to take revenge on me!”

Zhao Chen cackled as he lay on his back, the dark energy surrounding him and disintegrating his legs. The pain was excruciating, but he had empty eyes full of despair.

The five Emperors were shocked.

[Now what’s going on? Why did he stop?]

Zhao Chen’s expression was flat, “Master, you have the strength to take revenge on all the Eight Emperors. Why did you go to such lengths?”

“Fool, you’re my disciple. It’s your duty to have a taste of the same death I had. Also, letting you practice the Demonic Sovereign’s cultivation method is to show you my inner conflict back then. Or you’d still curse me for being selfish even in death and that you were right to betray me.”

Zhao Chen’s mouth trembled as he teared up.

[The Demonic Sovereign’s cultivation method is enticing but also deadly. It looks fast, but it tests your patience. Without self-control, the ending is the same one I’m having.]

The Demon Transformation Art was the Demonic Sovereign’s top cultivation method, truly demonic.

[I should’ve cleared my mind of all demons first before even attempting it.]

“Master, I’m sorry!”

Zhao Chen cried in regret.

Zhuo Fan sighed, “Despite being late, you understand in the end. You can give the devil’s fruit to others.”

“Master, you trust me that much?”

“Fool, you think I don’t know you? What kind of Demonic Emperor would you be if not taking others down with you?”

“Ha-ha-ha, yeah, the revenge isn’t just for me alone to carry.” Zhao Chen sneered and resisted the pain as he made his ring flash to reveal a jade slip, “Let me help you, Master, in taking revenge, by dragging all these fools to hell. You’re the only one I ever respected, Master, while holding hatred for them.”

Whoosh~

Zhao Chen lifted his hand and threw the jade slip, right before the five’s eyes.

They all looked puzzled.

“Didn’t you want it? Just like thousands of years ago, humph…” Zhao Chen let out an eerie smirk.

The others scrambled to get it first.

The Sword Emperor, the eldest and the most hurt, turned out to be the fastest, holding the jade slip to his chest. The other four looked ready to fight him for it.

“Hey, Sword Emperor, don’t hog it all! We’re in this together!”

“Sword Emperor, hand it over, or you’ll be sorry…”

…

“Wait!”

The Sword Emperor shouted, startling them and barking, “We don’t know if it’s real or not. Let me check it first.”

The others agreed, but their eyes never left the old man out of their sights, afraid he might make off with it.

The Sword Emperor scanned the jade slip and his eyes lit up, “Yes, it’s the Nether Script he shouted about.”

“What are you waiting for? Let me see!”

The Wraith Emperor and the others were too impatient, but the Sword Emperor held a hand up, “Don’t get too excited. We need to clarify things first.”

“Save it and hand it over! Do you plan to have it all for yourself?”

“Stop spouting nonsense. Of course we must clarify things. Why did he just give it to us? Zhuo Yifan took it to his grave.”

Ugh!

The other looked at Zhao Chen with doubts.

Zhao Chen had the black energy disintegrating him still, “There’s nothing odd about it, but it’s the real deal. Or do you want my ring? You’ll take it anyway once I die. As I am now, I can’t take the cultivation method with me like my Master did. Might as well give it to you so the Sovereign’s inheritance isn’t lost.”

Zhao Chen threw them his ring.

They scanned it and found it empty. The Sword Emperor nodded, “All are honest before death. Zhao Chen, you’re wiser than your master.”

“Wise? Ha-ha-ha, as if. I just want to know what you plan to do with it.”

The Sword Emperor gave him a look, “Why do you want to know?”

“The Nether Script is a Sovereign cultivation method, but there’s evil hidden inside, a hungry devil for thousands of years. My death is warranted, but who among you will be next? Ha-ha-ha…”

Zhao Chen cackled like a demon from hell as the black energy turned him to dust.

The five shivered, not understanding Zhao Chen’s last cry.

Not that it mattered, since they had their wish, a Sovereign’s inheritance at long last. All their eyes were consumed by greed.

“Sword Emperor, each of us will hold a copy of it and cultivate.”

“You can’t!”

The Sword Emperor refused.

The other four glared at him, “You want it all for yourself.”

“You saw Zhao Chen’s end. Do you want to end up the same?” The Sword Emperor pointed at the ashes.

The others were solemn…