Chapter 377: Varying Demonic Body, Ninefold Thunder Tribulation

The Dragon Blood Demonic Tree's massive body loomed like a collapsed mountain; the closer Wang Yu approached, the more insignificant he felt, prompting him to proceed with caution.

First, he helped the Netherworld Grievance Puppet replenish its energy.

Only then did he enter the demonic tree through the torn opening. The Demonic Dragon Tree Heart resembled a weathered boulder, its surface covered with wrinkled skin. Numerous fibrous strands connected to it, supplying energy to the Dragon Blood Demonic Tree. Since it was far too large for him to swallow, that method was certainly out of the question.

He drew out the Netherworld Demonic Sword and severed all the connections. Opening his mouth, he unleashed an endless stream of ice breath, thoroughly freezing the demonic tree's interior. The Glazed Ice Heart Pagoda slowly rotated out, enveloping both Wang Yu and the tree heart.

Meanwhile, outside the tree, having lost its core, the Dragon Blood Demonic Tree's life also came to an end. Generally, the lifespan of plants is undefinable; only spiritual plants that develop sentience acquire the concept of a lifespan. However, this merely symbolizes the loss of personality and memories. Taking the Dragon Blood Demonic Tree as an example, if it were to develop sentience, as soon as that personality formed, it would transform into a powerful demon, simultaneously acquiring the lifespan limit for that realm, namely, sixteen hundred years. After its demise, everything from its former self would vanish. Its true form would revert to a Dragon Blood Demonic Tree, continuing to grow rooted in the earth, and after some years, it might reawaken its intelligence. However, it would be an entirely different individual from its previous life, just like a seed sprouting anew.

When plants transform into demons, they are called spirits or sprites, entirely different from the avian, beast, or scaly creatures of the demon race. They are closer to natural elements like rocks or metals. The Dragon Blood Demonic Tree, despite having 'demonic' in its name, actually refers to its bloodthirsty and ferocious nature, while fundamentally remaining a tree. To grow to such a size, it must have lived for many years, even thousands of years, or more. For ancient trees of this kind to develop sentience is incredibly difficult. Yet, this tree heart was a rare and unusual treasure, often possessing transformative properties. It had a certain chance of nurturing a demon spirit.

This was the reason Wang Yu wanted to extract it while it was still 'alive'. With the puppet guarding the outside and the Glazed Ice Heart Pagoda encasing the inside, Wang Yu, in his four-year-old child's body, felt as if he had passed through a thin membrane. He actually walked directly into the tree heart itself, which contained a jelly-like demonic tree essence. This essence was likely a unique condensation, formed from its roots in this area and its absorption of the dragon's corpse's power.

Upon entering, that vital force automatically surged towards him. It healed the internal injuries he had just sustained. At the same time, special currents of power surged into his body, forming red and green tree patterns on his skin. This was the benefit of extracting it 'alive'.

Since forming the Innate Demonic Embryo, aside from a significant improvement in his demonic cultivation aptitude and the spiritual body's enhancement of his demonic divine abilities and spells, nothing else had manifested. This differed from Wang Yu's understanding of spiritual bodies. Even the Blood Demon Body possessed a special innate ability: the power to control blood. While seemingly insignificant, this ability provided an absolute advantage in internal conflicts among blood path cultivators. This was also the real reason why the three Blood Nether Demons couldn't contend with the Sect Master previously. The Blood Demon Body created by the Blood Spring Evil Art was clearly incomplete. It was like a rusted, decaying sharp sword; it still had some sharpness, but it was missing too much compared to its original form. Wang Yu believed that what was missing were the words 'Innate'.

Simply put, the Innate Demonic Embryo lacked an innate ability of its own, like the bloodline divine abilities possessed by all demons, yet it had none... This was very strange. He had only gradually realized this point when he was in Fengzhou Prefecture City. Afterward, he thought it might be related to the Fiendcelestial's malevolent thoughts, perhaps a latent ability concerning emotions or the mind. However, nothing of the sort materialized. Yet, the Innate Demonic Embryo was definitely complete; he felt it clearly in his body and knew he couldn't be mistaken. It wasn't until he encountered the Dragon Blood Demonic Tree and saw the Demonic Dragon Tree Heart that he had a sudden realization.

All ancient tree hearts had a chance to nurture a symbiotic demon spirit. The tree heart, like a womb, could gestate life, which made Wang Yu draw a connection. After the Innate Demonic Embryo successfully formed, did it need to grow? Just like its name suggested, a 'demonic embryo' needed to develop to become a 'demonic body'. Thus, he extracted the tree heart while it was still alive and personally entered it to experience it.

The tree patterns appearing on his body at that moment were actually one of the characteristics of a demon spirit. After his Innate Demonic Embryo constitution absorbed this power, it perfectly manifested them. It was like a form of replication, or a transformation art. This was the profound mystery of spiritual bodies. He knew very little about the Innate Demonic Embryo, and since it wasn't innate to him, he lacked the instinctive mastery. Thus, he could only rely on himself to gradually grasp its abilities.

After experiencing this characteristic, Wang Yu suddenly recalled another characteristic of Fiendcelestials, besides manipulating emotions and influencing minds: Fiendcelestial Myriad Transformations! The innate ability of the Innate Demonic Embryo should lie in these two words: 'Myriad Transformations'. As for how to 'transform,' that would have to be explored later.

Feeling the dissipation of the demon spirit bloodline power, Wang Yu's bodily changes rapidly receded; the tree patterns, pointed ears, emerald eyes, green hair, and the faint demonic aura all vanished. However, he could still feel that he could transform into a demon spirit form at any time. This kind of 'theft' truly aligned with the essence of a Fiendcelestial. Perhaps it could evolve into a Myriad Transformation Demonic Body?

Of course, this was merely Wang Yu's speculation. The immediate priority was to use the power of the Demonic Dragon Tree Heart to break through to the fourth stage of Body Refinement, as his injuries had already healed in a short time. Wang Yu simply relaxed his mind and wholeheartedly absorbed the essence of the spiritual material enveloping him. This refined vitality and dragon blood collectively flowed into his dragon spine, causing his divine marrow to glow brightly with silver light. His qi and blood began to surge dramatically, and the elusive bottleneck became increasingly clear. Sounds like surging rivers resonated within his body, which was actually his qi and blood coursing through him.

Boom—

In the Dragonfall Valley, after the flames had extinguished, thick layers of ice had congealed everywhere. At this moment, black clouds gathered in the sky, gradually forming swirling thunderclouds. The might of the heavens was awe-inspiring, a sign that a lightning tribulation was imminent. This also indicated that Wang Yu's breakthrough was proceeding very smoothly. His accumulated foundation was exceptionally solid, and he had repeatedly surpassed his physical limits. From the perspective of a Body Refinement cultivator, his strength was among the top ranks in his stage. Thus, the transformation of his divine marrow into silver blood and the condensation of his dragon spine into demonic bones proceeded relatively smoothly. The Netherworld Demonic Dragon Art was a body-refining demonic art. The immortal bones it condensed were naturally demonic bones, possessing attributes leaning towards corpse path and the netherworld.

The Demonic Dragon Tree Heart helped him achieve a qualitative leap from quantitative accumulation. The lightning tribulation for breaking through to the fourth stage also increased from three to nine layers, each more powerful than the last. Compared to his last tribulation, Wang Yu had absolute confidence in himself this time. He also coveted the opportunity to temper his body with the lightning tribulation, so he no longer prepared any means to avoid it. He intended to face the tribulation's baptism head-on.

Boom—

Another peal of thunder reverberated, and fine lightning began to breed within the black cloud vortex in the sky, its accumulated power rapidly increasing.

Until a certain moment, Wang Yu, in his four-year-old body, burst out of the demonic tree, and the first bolt of lightning tribulation struck down from the sky. The two collided in mid-air, forming a sphere of flashing lightning that was driven into the ground by the impact.

Immediately after, the second and third bolts of lightning tribulation descended.