54: The fifth disciple, a born rebellious demonic brat.

Eastern Wasteland, the Western Demonic Lands.

This was a land abandoned by the Heavenly Dao.

The sky was a perennial, unyielding blood-red, and the earth was a scorched black where not a blade of grass could grow. The air was filled with the pungent smell of sulfur and a nauseating stench of blood.

" Rip — — "

Space was easily torn open by a hand as white as jade, as if ripping through a fragile scroll.

Li Daoxuan stepped out from within. That spotless white robe formed an extremely stark contrast with this hellish environment.

" Tsk, tsk, tsk. "

Li Daoxuan frowned and used his sleeve to fan the air in front of his nose.

" This smell is too overpowering. "

" System, are you sure this kind of backwater can produce a good seedling? "

【 Ding! The target is three miles ahead! Please head there immediately, Host; the target is in an extremely dangerous state! 】

Li Daoxuan curled his lips, too lazy to complain anymore.

His figure flickered, and in an instant, he covered the three-mile distance, appearing atop a hill built from white bones.

Then.

He saw a scene that made even him raise an eyebrow.

Below the hill, corpses were strewn everywhere.

Thousands of bodies of Demonic Path Cultivators and Righteous Path Cultivators were piled layer upon layer, their blood pooling into rivers, dyeing the earth even blacker.

And in the very center of that mountain of corpses and sea of blood.

A youth stood.

He looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old. His black martial attire was already tattered, and his body was covered in hideous wounds. The deepest one had almost gutted him, and one could see the black heart beating within.

But he still stood straight.

Like a javelin that would rather break than bend.

He clutched a black scythe taller than himself, and blood was still dripping from its blade.

His slightly immature face was stained with blood and grime, making his features indiscernible, but his eyes were terrifyingly bright.

What kind of gaze was that?

Arrogant, insane, bloodthirsty, and... filled with bone-deep hatred for the entire world.

Under his feet, he was stepping on the head of a Golden Core Stage Righteous Path Elder.

And around him, hundreds of Righteous Path and Demonic Path Cultivators were surrounding him, their expressions heavy, yet none dared to step forward first.

" Su Mo! You Demonic fetus! Why don't you surrender! "

A Righteous Path Cultivator roared, his voice trembling despite his fierce words.

" You are surrounded! Today, you cannot escape even if you had wings! "

Another Demonic Path giant also spoke insidiously: " Brat, hand over your natural Demonic heart, and this old man can give you a quick death! "

The youth, who was Su Mo, heard these words and, far from being afraid, threw his head back and laughed wildly.

" Hahahaha! "

" The Righteous Path wants to kill me, saying I am a demon! "

" The Demonic Path also wants to kill me, wanting to take my Demonic heart! "

" Since this world does not tolerate me, then I shall... defy this world! "

" Want to kill me? All of you, get over here... and die! "

Su Mo roared, dragging that huge scythe, and actually charged toward the place where the most people were gathered!

In that instant, his aura surged violently, and black Devilish Qi shot into the sky like smoke from a beacon, his whole being seemingly transformed into a young Demonic god crawling out of the Nine Nether Hell.

" You seek death! "

The crowd was furious, and various Magic Treasures and Divine Abilities rained down like raindrops.

A tragic battle broke out once again.

Li Daoxuan stood on the hill, watching this scene with great interest, as if he were watching an exciting action movie.

" Interesting. "

" This brat has quite the explosive temper. "

He opened the System panel to check the attributes of this " good seedling ".

【 Name: Su Mo 】

【 Identity: Natural Demonic Fetus (Born from the malice of Heaven and Earth) 】

【 Fate: Heaven-Defying Person, Demonic Path Supreme (Not yet Awakening) 】

【 Potential Rating: SS Rank 】

【 Current Status: Fighting against the masses, Spiritual Qi exhausted, critically wounded and dying, at the end of his strength. 】

Li Daoxuan looked at the labels " Natural Rebellious Streak " and " Heaven-Defying Person " and, far from frowning, he actually became happy.

" Not bad, not bad. "

" Having taken in the previous few who were either bitter and deep-seated in hatred or honest and simple, they were about to turn me into a caring big brother. "

" I was just missing a thorn like this with a natural rebellious streak to add some vitality to the Sect. "

" This kid, I like him. "

Seeing that Su Mo below was already swaying, with several more bone-deep wounds added to his body, and about to be submerged by the human wave tactics.

Li Daoxuan finally decided to make a move.

He didn't put on any earth-shattering show.

He simply walked down from the hill.

He walked very slowly.

But with every step he took, those Cultivators besieging Su Mo felt as if their hearts had been fiercely squeezed by an invisible giant hand.

" Who?! "

Someone sensed this heart-palpitating aura and turned back in terror.

They saw a Youth in White Robes who, without them knowing when, had already passed through the battle circle and walked to the very center of that mountain of corpses and sea of blood.

The blade lights, sword shadows, Spells, and Divine Abilities around him, when they were three feet away from him, would disappear without a sound as if they had encountered their nemesis.

Immunity to all techniques!

" Who are you?! " A Nascent Soul Stage Demonic Path giant shouted sternly, " How dare you interfere in our affairs?! "

Li Daoxuan ignored him.

He simply walked straight to Su Mo, who was barely able to stand, tilted his head, and sized up this blood-covered youth.

Then, he asked a question that left the entire scene stunned.

" Do you want to live? "

Su Mo panted heavily, using that scythe, which was taller than himself, to support his body so he wouldn't collapse.

He raised his head, staring fixedly at Li Daoxuan with those bloodshot eyes, his mouth curling into a mocking arc.

" Another one? "

" Old thing, do you also want to take my Demonic heart for Alchemy? "

He thought Li Daoxuan was also one of those hypocrites coveting his talent.

" Old thing? "

Li Daoxuan was stunned, then laughed in spite of himself.

He touched his own face, which was handsome enough to provoke the jealousy of gods and men.

Does this face of mine have anything to do with the word " old "?

" Kid, your mouth is quite foul. "

Li Daoxuan was not angry, but rather felt this kid was becoming more and more interesting.

" However, I like it. "

He extended a finger and shook it.

" First, I am not an old thing. "

" Second, I have no interest in that black heart of yours; it's too fishy. "

" Third... "

Li Daoxuan paused, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes.

" It is I who want to save you. "

" To give you a chance to live, and even... to become stronger. "

Su Mo heard this, was stunned at first, and then laughed wildly, laughing until tears streamed down his face.

" A chance? Stronger? "

" Stop pretending to be a good person here! "

" The people in this world either want to kill me or want to use me! Do you think I would believe your ghost stories?! "

" Get... away from me!! "

Su Mo roared, exhausted his last bit of strength, swung that huge black scythe, and, with a sharp whistle that tore through the air, fiercely slashed at Li Daoxuan's head!

This slash was enough to split a small mountain!

The surrounding Cultivators all wore expressions of watching a good show.

This idiot who popped out of nowhere actually dared to provoke this little madman? He's dead for sure!

However.

Facing that slash capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks.

Li Daoxuan didn't even lift an eyelid.

He just stood there quietly, letting the black blade grow larger and larger in his pupils.

" Clang — —!!! "

A loud noise!

That huge scythe stopped one inch away from Li Daoxuan's forehead.

It wasn't that Su Mo stopped; it was... it couldn't be slashed down anymore!

It was as if an invisible wall of Qi was blocking Li Daoxuan.

That immense force capable of splitting a mountain was easily dissolved into nothingness.

Su Mo widened his eyes, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He used all his strength, his face flushed red, but the scythe remained motionless, as if it had slashed onto a piece of immortal divine iron.

" This... how is this possible... "

Just in the moment he lost his focus.

A hand.

A hand as white as jade, appearing to have no strength, gently pressed onto the top of his head.

The movement was just like an Elder petting a Junior's head.

" I told you, don't have such an explosive temper. "

Li Daoxuan's voice, carrying a hint of helpless laughter, came from above his head.

" Young man, you must know how to respect the old and cherish the young. "

Su Mo stiffened all over, feeling an indescribable, irresistible, and terrifying force instantly spread through his whole body from the top of his head.

His Devilish Qi, which he was so proud of, was like snow meeting the sun in front of this power, instantly melting away.

The scythe in his hand fell to the ground with a " clatter ".

His legs went soft, and he uncontrollably knelt down.

" Alright, now we can talk properly. "

Li Daoxuan pressed on Su Mo's head, just like pressing on a disobedient kitten.

He turned his head and swept a glance at the surrounding Righteous Path and Demonic Path Cultivators who were already scared silly, the corners of his mouth hooking into an evil arc.

" Just now, who was it that said they wanted to kill my Disciple? "

Disciple?

The crowd was stunned.

Li Daoxuan patted Su Mo's head, his tone flat, yet exuding an unquestionable dominance.

" From today on, this kid is under my protection. "

" If you want to touch him, ask me first if I agree. "

Then, he lowered his head, looking at Su Mo who was kneeling on the ground, his face full of unwillingness and humiliation, and chuckled:

" Kid, don't look at me with those eyes. "

" I know you are unconvinced, I know you want to defy the heavens. "

" But relying on yourself alone, it won't work. "

Li Daoxuan's voice was full of temptation, like a demon's whisper.

" Take me as your master. "

" I will teach you how to kill. "

" I will make you... the greatest demon in this world. "