Chapter 75: Challenge
Yao Shen had a general idea of how the Demonic Path Cultivators technique worked as he hurriedly chased after him. He himself had utilized his soul form to great effect in the fight against the cultivators of the former Divine Mountain Sect and Sacred Flame Palace. Escaping his physical body and choosing to fight directly with his soul offered him a plethora of advantages.
A Soul Emperors soul was resilient enough to gain a corporeal form. It gave him the ability to control his divine sense to frightening degrees, allowing him to use concentrated, unrestrained blasts of divine sense that were enough to knock weaker Nascent Soul Cultivators out cold. Furthermore, without the limitations of his physical body, Yao Shens perception expanded to such a terrifying degree that he could evade dozens of attacks launched in quick succession with incredible ease.
However, shedding his physical body also came with severe drawbacks. The physical body and the soul existed in harmony. When the former was removed from the equation, every emotion Yao Shen felt was amplified to the point of emotional instability.
When Yao Shen had fought cultivators that were decidedly weaker than him, it had not been a major problem. But at the same level, not being able to hold a check over your own emotions could be a fatal weakness. Another fatal flaw of engaging in combat whilst in soul form was that any Qi empowered attacks would directly impact his soul, instead of his physical body.
A Soul Emperor could survive even if their physical body was destroyed, but that did not mean that it was ideal to do so. Moreover, when Yao Shen had been fighting the Elders, his physical body had largely been undefended, surviving unscathed only because of the overwhelming difference in strength between him and the Elders.
It was not a move that he could employ in actual combat against an enemy that posed a threat to him.
But the same was not true of his enemy.
On first impression, Yao Shen thought that the demonic cultivator had used his Blood Cultivation to shift to a mist form that was anchored to his soul.
But when the blood mist had evaded a wind blade that he had shot out by splitting in two halves and letting his strike pass through the middle, he knew that his assumption had been wrong.
The soul should have taken the strike directly, but his wind blade had simply carried on into the distance unfettered.
No, that would have been too obvious a weakness.
So, Yao Shen asked himself how he would have designed an escape skill if he was in the demonic cultivators position.
The blood mist had to be anchored to the soul, of that Yao Shen was certain. He had himself experienced the freedom of movement his soul form offered, a blinding speed that was unrestricted by his physical capabilities.
So, it was likely that the demonic cultivators soul led the way while the blood mist trailed after him. Except unlike Yao Shens soul form, which was as visible as it was corporeal, his was invisible.
A Blood and Soul Cultivator likely having reached the Major Dao stage in both. That was who he was up against.
There was a counter to his invisible soul and if Yao Shen had a few minutes, he could cast a web of divine sense outwards with him as the epicenter. It was inevitable that he would face resistance from a corporeal soul, even if it had the means of rendering itself invisible. But all Yao Shen had was a few seconds, at best.
Damn it, Yao Shen thought to himself as he closed the distance between himself and the blood mist.
He knew what this was.
The Demonic Cultivator could act as whimsical as he wanted, but his intentions were obvious. The birth of a new Soul Emperor was not a fact that the Azlak Plains had the ability to conceal. Consequently, it was also the entrance of a new power on a continental level, one that wielded a little understood power.
He had expected the Demonic Sects to probe his strength eventually, but it shouldnt have been this fast. Powerful Demons were supposed to be kept in check by the Righteous Path alliance and indeed, had been for hundreds of years otherwise the Azlak Plains of today would not exist.
What price had the demon paid to be here?
Unfortunately, the little time Yao Shen had to deliberate on the matter had just run out, as the blood mist disembarked in the middle of the apartment district.
Yao Shen watched as the Demonic Cultivators body reformed in an instant, in all its disturbing glory. His hand shot out and wrapped around a Core Formation Disciples neck, hoisting her aloft with a single hand.
Yao Shen came to a grinding halt fifteen meters before the Demonic Cultivator, his expression grim as he waited for an opening.
Tell me, kid, he asked with a provocative smile tugging at his visage. The girls dainty features warped in horror, her eyes going wide from shock as she met the demons gaze. Her fuchsia coloured hair, a unique blend of deep pink and purplish-red, was one that he recognized to belong to a legacy family of the Flame Division. Who here is the Soul Emperors disciple?
At the same time as he said those words, the Demonic Cultivator transmitted a message to him via his divine sense one that Yao Shen chose to accept.
Soul Insight.
No, Yao Shen thought reflexively, as the Demons pupils turned gray for a single moment.
I see, The Demonic Cultivator replied, even though the Core Formation Disciple was too paralyzed by her fear to frame a response. He didnt need her to respond, after all only to visualize the answer to his question, one that almost everyone in the modern sect knew.
Then, he simply lobbed her forward with enough force to instantly disintegrate her body upon impact.
In response, Yao Shens Nascent Soul Artifact, Cumulus shot forward the cloud construct providing enough cushioning to dampen the incredible force behind the throw. Even Cumulus was forced back a few paces, but not a scar marred the now unconscious girls body.
With a wave of Yao Shens hand, Cumulus shot into the distance, taking the girl away from the site of combat.
I challenge you to a duel, single combat, Yao Shens visage returned to a state of cold composure as he said those words.
Ah, The Demonic Cultivator stopped in his tracks, You saw through me, he conceded, as he slowly turned around.
In his left hand was a polished, blood-red mirror.
A communication mirror.
You agree that you ask for his duel without any duress and that neither party will be responsible for any injuries sustained in combat? The Demonic Cultivator asked, the grin on his visage replaced by an almost business-like smile.
I agree, as long as I am allowed to choose the location, Yao Shen replied calmly.
Which is? The Demon asked after a pause.
Near the border of the Nayun Forest, He stated.
And if I refuse?
Then I swear on my honor as a cultivator, on my Dao that I have spent centuries refining and the Heavenly Dao itself, to carve the meaning of regret onto your tainted soul, Yao Shens warning was delivered without an ounce of anger or frustration, merely a declaration that he would ensure came true, regardless of the cost.
The Demonic Cultivator raised both his hands in the air disarmingly, before replying, Now, now, that would be rather inconvenient, even for me. Very well, I accept.
There was a brief lull as the challenge was issued and then accepted, a calm that heralded the storm to come.
Then the two Soul Emperors flickered out of sight and peace returned to All-Havens construction site.
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