Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 811: The Demon

All things stem from the Dao and dwell inside the Dao.

The sword possesses its Sword Dao, just as fire holds its own Fire Dao.

Commanding the Fire Dao means dominating every flame beneath the heavens.

Be it Phoenix Divine Fire or Samadhi True Fire, in the face of fire's origin, they have no choice but to yield.

That's an unbreakable law.

A law of blistering heat and reduced ashes, though it shouldn't truly be labeled as fire.

Fire is just the term that living creatures assign to this law.

Yet the law stands undefined on its own; it simply reveals itself through its governing form.

"Stop!"

A savage bellow erupted from Chen Huaian's throat.

It echoed fiercely through the Divine Souls of both the Phoenix and the Vermilion Bird.

Boom—!

Like waves crashing across a turbulent pond, the Divine Souls of the Phoenix and Vermilion Bird quivered violently, on the brink of shattering apart.

They unleashed agonized shrieks, while the Phoenix Divine Fire and Samadhi True Fire pulled back like retreating waves under this explosive force.

Within Chen Huaian's body, only a single flame persisted.

Its forefront gleamed pallid like parchment, its rear loomed shadowy and deep, as if crafted from myriad contorted threads.

The Phoenix and Vermilion Bird fixed their gazes on that flame, their faces etched with sheer terror, resembling frightened quails before a prowling elder feline.

"This is... the origin of fire?" The Phoenix stared at the flame, her voice quaking. "How did the Dragon Soul inheritor achieve it? He truly seized hold of the origin of fire?"

"Hmph! As the Dragon Soul inheritor, chosen by the Ancestral Dragon himself, how could he lack something extraordinary to claim that role?" The Vermilion Bird's tone dripped with self-satisfaction. "Our clash may look like a quarrel, but in truth, we're handing him a chance. These were all my deliberate trials! How could you and that ancient brute Azure Dragon possibly comprehend?"

The Phoenix gaped at the Vermilion Bird, who brazenly claimed every bit of glory, leaving her utterly at a loss for words.

"Fight!"

In that instant, Chen Huaian uttered the command.

His Yang Spirit materialized next to the origin flame. That thread of blaze, infused with the laws of ruin and searing intensity, settled meekly into his hand like a subdued avian.

"Why stop now? Weren't you enjoying yourselves moments ago?"

Chen Huaian eyed the Phoenix and Vermilion Bird with icy detachment.

He held deep regard for these Auspicious Beasts.

After all, they offered their very flesh and souls without reservation to aid others, satisfied to linger as Remnant Souls in the confined space of his dantian.

If it were up to him, he could never perform such a selfless and honorable deed.

Respect aside, though, that didn't allow them to walk all over him!

They had transformed his body into a warzone. Did these Auspicious Beasts hold any esteem for him, the Dragon Soul inheritor?

In the past, when other Auspicious Beasts griped about his feeble power, he accepted it since he was indeed weak, yet they at least acknowledged his position somewhat.

Except for this Vermilion Bird and this Phoenix.

This was downright intolerable.

"Inheritor brother, I was mistaken." The Phoenix shifted to a submissive voice, bowing her head and confessing sincerely. "I won't repeat it. It was entirely this Vermilion Bird's doing. The moment she arrived, she aimed to dominate. I merely sought to shield brother from harm, so I stepped in right away. But she pushed further, and I... I simply lost control..."

Her statements rang sweet, yet the heavy manipulative edge sent chills crawling over Chen Huaian's scalp.

Aren't you far too ancient for such tricks? An Auspicious Beast spanning thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of years, still playing the coy sprite in a fit? Utterly repulsive?

The Vermilion Bird, true to her blazing disposition, skipped the pretense. "What's that supposed to mean? Brat, you believe you can scold me?

Listen here, without my sacrifice, could your power have surged to the pinnacle of Void Shattering realm?

Without my sacrifice and tussle against this wretched Phoenix, could you have fathomed the Dao and claimed the origin of fire?

You owe me gratitude! Address me as 'big sister,' and I'll overlook your insolence!"

Chen Huaian's lip curled in a twitch.

He promptly hurled a filament of origin fire her way.

At the sight, the Vermilion Bird yelped in panic, spun around, and bolted, hurling insults at Chen Huaian as a monster while escaping.

Chen Huaian observed the spectacle with keen amusement.

The Azure Dragon had declared him the Dragon Soul inheritor, with every Auspicious Beast, even the Ancestral Dragon, pinning their hopes on his eventual triumphs.

He represented their sole beacon.

And from the instant he ascended as inheritor, his standing soared beyond these Auspicious Beasts.

Thus, the Vermilion Bird was merely exploiting his leniency.

Previously unaware, he tolerated it. But now enlightened, how could he permit the Vermilion Bird to strut so boldly before him?

Nevertheless, with the origin fire firmly in his grasp, he could freely manipulate fire's laws inside his body at will.

For instance, he might retain the searing quality while stripping away the ruinous aspect. In that case, the flames would merely warm without inflicting damage.

Such a law carried inherent conflict, since fire's warmth demands fuel.

So, where would that fuel come from?

After some time, the Vermilion Bird returned to Chen Huaian, her plumage scorched bare, wearing a woeful expression as she perched. Her haughty crest drooped, and she emitted a grudging murmur. "Inheritor, I've erred. Please call back your Divine Ability! My feathers sprout bit by bit, only to char away. The blaze refuses to fade. How will I ever face the Azure Dragon?"

To recognize one's error and amend it marks true excellence.

Noting the Vermilion Bird's genuine remorse for the gravity, Chen Huaian recalled the origin fire.

The plumage, which had fueled the blaze, promptly sprouted anew across the Vermilion Bird's form.

Both the Vermilion Bird and Phoenix existed as Divine Souls. Provided their Divine Souls endured unharmed, they could reshape their appearances with near-total liberty.

"Inheritor, Zhu Huai lingers still. Once you compel Zhu Huai to offer itself to the Taotie, the ninth Well of Heaven shall fully unlock."

The Vermilion Bird smoothed her feathers, her voice turning utterly grave. "With all nine Wells of Heaven unsealed, the bounds imposed by heaven and earth will likewise dissolve.

For you, this presents both a golden prospect and your harshest ordeal. Are you aware of why?"

Chen Huaian inclined his head. "I'm listening."

"We deem it a prospect because the world's Spiritual Energy will swell to astonishing density. Ancient-era resources and marvels, long vanished, will flood forth during this phase.

Nearly every few days, exquisite heavenly materials will emerge. Over time, this burst of riches and assets will settle into equilibrium.

And you, Inheritor, may harness these bounties to swiftly bolster your might and forge your own faction."

"You've covered the downsides already. Now the upsides?"

Chen Huaian's remark caused the Vermilion Bird to falter.

What does he mean by 'covered the downsides'...

Aren't these purely benefits?

Don't all those resources spell advantage?

She remained oblivious that, to Chen Huaian, abundant resources also empowered his foes to grow formidable.

The Vermilion Bird cast Chen Huaian an odd glance and pressed on, "The peril lies in the gateway between the Immortal Realm and mortal realm swinging wide. The deities, buddhas, and immortals from your childhood tales can now descend with ease. The divide separating the Immortal Realm from the mortal world vanishes. They merely endure a minor toll to enter the human domain. Your peril for survival will intensify beyond measure."

Visions of icons like Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li, Erlang Shen, Tathagata Buddha, and Guanyin sprang instantly to Chen Huaian's thoughts.

Owing to countless TV shows viewed in his youth, he reflexively queried, "Aren't these gods and immortals benevolent? Why..."

"Benevolent? Heh." The Vermilion Bird snorted derisively. "They're nothing but fiends who gobble folk whole, bones and all!"