Chapter 54: The Phantom Demon

The entire hall fell into a deathly silence. Every eye was wide with shock, unable to believe what they had witnessed.

"Who would have thought that the renowned Drifting Cloud Wanderer would end up in such a wretched, inhuman state?"

"Even more unbelievable is that the one who turned him into this was none other than his own disciple, the highly esteemed Xiang Yingtian."

"How blind we all were, not to see earlier that Xiang Yingtian is a beast in human guise."

The crowd below the stage unleashed a torrent of condemnation. Their scorn, once aimed at the Drifting Cloud Wanderer, had now shifted entirely to Xiang Yingtian. His crimes far surpassed those of his master.

"Hero Xiang, how does it feel to be cursed by thousands?" Drifting Cloud Wanderer spat out the word "hero" with biting sarcasm.

Xiang Yingtian acted as if he hadn't heard, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on the elder lying on the ground. His voice, sharpened by fear, rang out, "No, you can't be human. You're a ghost!"

After his initial panic, he quickly regained his composure and shouted harshly, "Who could have guessed your life would be so tenacious, old man? Not even this could kill you!"

Now that his schemes were exposed, Xiang Yingtian shed his mask completely, revealing his true colors. "In that case, I'll send you to your grave myself!"

With those words, he raised his palm and struck down toward the Drifting Cloud Wanderer's head with full force, revealing his deadly intent.

But how could Drifting Cloud Wanderer and Fu Hongxue allow him to succeed? They moved as one, intercepting his attack.

Their original intent had been to unmask Xiang Yingtian in full view of the public. Now, with their purpose achieved, there was no reason to let this scourge continue his reign of terror over the martial world.

Facing their combined assault, Xiang Yingtian's face turned grim. Drifting Cloud Wanderer's martial prowess was unfathomable, and with Fu Hongxue at his side, even Xiang Yingtian felt the immense pressure.

Within just a few exchanges, Xiang Yingtian was forced onto the defensive, barely able to parry.

No, if this continues, defeat is inevitable.

Desperately seeking a way out, Xiang Yingtian's eyes darted around the room.

Drifting Cloud Wanderer and Fu Hongxue noticed his intentions, their attacks growing even more relentless, sealing off every possible escape.

Under their furious assault, Xiang Yingtian's strength quickly waned.

Both Drifting Cloud Wanderer and Fu Hongxue were swift to seize the opportunity. In perfect harmony, one with a blade, the other with a strike, they shattered the inner energy that cloaked Xiang Yingtian's body.

A flash!

Another flash!

Two hideous wounds appeared on Xiang Yingtian's body, blood spurting in all directions. The gashes were so deep that bone was visible, and blood flowed in torrents, soaking the front of his robes. His face grew paler with every passing moment.

Drifting Cloud Wanderer seized the chance and delivered a vicious kick to Xiang Yingtian's chest.

There was a sickening crack as ribs broke.

Xiang Yingtian's body flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground. The aura that had once radiated from him now flickered weakly.

The Drifting Cloud Wanderer watched this unfold with undisguised satisfaction.

Cautiously, Drifting Cloud Wanderer and Fu Hongxue advanced. Though Xiang Yingtian was gravely wounded, even a cornered rat will fight back—especially a venomous snake.

Xiang Yingtian struggled to sit up, blood surging within him. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his ashen face growing even paler.

He looked at Drifting Cloud Wanderer and Fu Hongxue, who were approaching slowly, and a glint of malice flashed in his eyes.

If you want death, I'll grant your wish!

The subtle shift in Xiang Yingtian's expression did not escape Drifting Cloud Wanderer. He reached out to block Fu Hongxue beside him.

Fu Hongxue shot him a puzzled glance, but Drifting Cloud Wanderer did not explain. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Xiang Yingtian, then after a moment, smiled lightly and said, "Your last trump card must be the Phantom Demon you have been nurturing, isn't it?"

At these words, Xiang Yingtian's pupils shrank to the size of pinpricks, his expression beyond astonishment.

The Phantom Demon was a secret art from the Western Regions. A concoction of a hundred poisons was brewed into a medicinal soup, in which a living person was steeped to strengthen their flesh and bones while erasing all sense of self, turning them into a monstrous creature—neither man nor ghost—utterly subjugated to its master's will. When complete, it had to be fed daily with the fresh blood of living victims.

Xiang Yingtian had stumbled upon this method by chance, then secretly began his work. He failed over a hundred times, spending three full years before succeeding at last.

In the years that followed, the Phantom Demon helped Xiang Yingtian eliminate many of his enemies in the martial world.

No one knew of this secret except Xiang Yingtian himself—not even his most trusted confidants.

So how did Drifting Cloud Wanderer know?

"Xiang Yingtian, you fiend! To think you would breed such an abomination!"

"So you are the mastermind behind the grisly murders that have plagued the martial world in recent years!"

"You deserve death a thousand times over!"

Xiang Yingtian struggled to his feet, his eyes on Drifting Cloud Wanderer, a cruel smile curling his lips. "I don't know how you discovered the Phantom Demon, but since you wish to witness its power, I’ll gladly oblige!"

"Very well," said Drifting Cloud Wanderer, with keen interest. At this moment, nothing intrigued him more than the Phantom Demon.

"Drifting Cloud Wanderer, the Phantom Demon is no trivial matter. Let us face it together," Fu Hongxue advised.

Drifting Cloud Wanderer slowly shook his head. "No need. I alone am enough."

He looked Fu Hongxue up and down, a smile in his eyes. "Though, there is one thing I must ask of you."

"Speak freely, Brother Yun. You helped me find my grandmaster and exposed Xiang Yingtian's true nature before all. I owe you a debt I can never repay. If you need me to walk through fire or tread upon blades, I will do so without hesitation."

"It's nothing so dire. I just wish to borrow your blade."

Fu Hongxue's impassioned words were interrupted by Drifting Cloud Wanderer's helpless interjection. Embarrassment flickered across Fu Hongxue's face, but he handed his sword over without hesitation.

The blade was three feet and five inches long, its body jet-black, gleaming with a chilling light under the sun.

Drifting Cloud Wanderer swung the blade a few times. To his surprise, it felt perfectly balanced, as if crafted for his hand alone.

"Many thanks. Please stand by and ensure Xiang Yingtian does not escape."

"Rest assured," Fu Hongxue replied with conviction, quietly retreating to the side to give Drifting Cloud Wanderer space.

"Come then! Let me see if the Phantom Demon is truly as formidable as the legends claim!" Drifting Cloud Wanderer brandished the long blade, pointing it at Xiang Yingtian with heroic confidence.

Xiang Yingtian gave a chilling laugh. "Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll grant your wish!"

He pressed his thumb against his forefinger, brought them to his lips, and blew with all his might.

A strange sound wave radiated out from him.

Everyone heard the whistle and scanned their surroundings, waiting for the Phantom Demon to appear.

Yet, as moments dragged on, nothing out of the ordinary happened.

What was Xiang Yingtian up to? Was he just stalling for time, hoping to escape?

But with his grievous injuries, and with Elder Hong present to bear witness, slipping away under such watchful eyes would be harder than scaling the heavens.

As the crowd waited, time ticked by in silence.

Suddenly, a startled cry shattered the hush.

"Look—over there..."