Chapter 185: Demon Knife

The mark on Lu Yang's palm read "one," while the mark on Gu Zha's palm read "eighty-seven." After Lu Yang killed Gu Zha, the mark changed to "eighty-eight."

"Is this the fabled demonic blade? Its hosts are all killed by it; Gu Zha was the only temporary exception?"

Gu Zha clearly lacked any sense of morality, casually discarding items that Lu Yang had to pick up for him.

The demonic blade was dark red. Its hilt seemed to be crafted from the horn of a giant monstrous beast, and a deep red gem, resembling an eye, was embedded where the hilt met the blade.

Apart from its peculiar appearance, Lu Yang found nothing special about it.

"Hmm, this blade is quite interesting. Its hilt is made from a flood dragon's horn, its body from refined steel, and the dark red gem is actually the eye of the beast 'Fei'."

Fei is a powerful monstrous beast that lives in the wilderness, with a body like an ox, a white head, a single eye, and a snake's tail.

The Immortal Fairy finally served as a helpful guide, explaining the blade's mystical properties to Lu Yang.

"The blade's materials are excellent. If forged properly, it could develop sentience. However, the blacksmith's skill was subpar; they only forged a mere shell without imbuing the blade with sentience."

"Even as a mere shell, it's a rare and valuable magical artifact."

"This blade instinctively craves sentience. Thus, it's bloodthirsty and murderous. The more it kills, the more likely it is to develop sentience."

"How does one bind it as a master?"

"A blood-binding ritual is sufficient," the Immortal Fairy advised. "However, I don't recommend it. This blade is insatiable. The more blood you feed it after becoming its master, the more it will want to devour you. But if you don't feed it blood, it will still turn on you."

Similar artifacts existed in ancient times. The Immortal Fairy had seen many arrogant geniuses who believed they were special and could subdue such artifacts. In the end, only a handful succeeded.

"I see," Lu Yang finally understood why several previous hosts of the demonic blade had been killed by it. This demonic blade never intended for its masters to live. "It's quite an interesting blade."

"Gu Zha wasn't devoured by the demonic blade simply because he held it for too short a time; it hadn't yet reached the point of backlash."

Lu Yang then asked, "If the demonic blade develops sentience, what would its quality be?"

The Immortal Fairy said disdainfully, "It wouldn't even be good enough to be my stepping stone."

Lu Yang let out an "Oh," realizing the demonic blade's quality must not be very high.

The Senior Sister said nothing from beginning to end, quietly reading her book.

She believed that with the abilities of the three of them, winning the championship in this competition would not be difficult.

As they spoke, the mark on Lu Yang's palm changed again, jumping twice from "eighty-eight" to "one hundred thirty-one."

Drunken Monk had been specifically targeted by many and failed to snatch the Ginseng Fruit. Two lesser-known Foundation Establishment cultivators managed to get them, but without exception, they were all poisoned to death.

The other two Ginseng Fruits were also coated with potent poison. At such a distance, Lu Yang couldn't sense the state of his Ginseng Fruit clone.

Lu Yang deactivated his clone state, returning to his original height.

He put the demonic blade into his storage ring and looked for the next target.

The storage ring was something he had prepared temporarily; after all, it would be too arrogant to use his Dao Inquiry Sect identity jade token as a storage ring within the Immortal Cult's territory.

"Hmm? Whose blood is this?" Lu Yang noticed several drops of fresh blood on the ground not far away, as if someone had been injured and left it while fleeing.

"Let's follow and see."

After being injured, one's combat strength would inevitably decrease. This was an easy catch for points.

Just as Lu Yang expected, as he closed the distance to the injured person, the bloodstains became more evident, changing from a few drops to a puddle. Clearly, the person was severely wounded.

Finally, Lu Yang saw the injured person: it was Drunken Monk!

At that moment, Drunken Monk stretched out a large hand, gripping someone's neck. With a snap, the person's neck was twisted.

"Another one I lured in," Drunken Monk said with a cruel smile.

During the Ginseng Fruit scramble, he had feigned defeat and injury, fleeing to lure several participants into pursuit, whom he then ambushed and killed one by one.

"My reputation is too fearsome; if I didn't do this, I wouldn't find anyone," Drunken Monk explained with a laugh.

As one of the three most outstanding seed candidates, others would simply flee upon seeing him, leaving him no chance to fight.

It was better to reveal a weakness and let the fish take the bait.

Drunken Monk let out a soft "Huh?" "You look familiar. Never mind who you are, if you see me, just consider yourself unlucky!"

He looked familiar because the Ginseng Fruit clone resembled Lu Yang greatly, like father and son, though Drunken Monk didn't immediately make the connection.

Drunken Monk clenched his fist, tensing his muscles, and his bleeding wound immediately healed. He then took out his golden alms bowl, intending to ensnare Lu Yang.

Lu Yang silently took the demonic blade from his storage ring, crouched down, and dabbed it in the blood Drunken Monk had left.

The demonic blade immediately acknowledged Drunken Monk as its master.

The demonic blade floated in the air and, with a whoosh, stabbed towards Drunken Monk.

Perhaps the demonic blade had never encountered such a generous master and wanted to give him a warm embrace—with its blade.

Drunken Monk was horrified. Where did the demonic blade come from? Why was it stabbing him?

The golden alms bowl, which had accompanied Drunken Monk for a long time, was directly pierced. Drunken Monk struggled to fight.

Lu Yang clicked his tongue from the side: "This level of skill doesn't seem like something the Hanging Temple would be interested in."

The Hanging Temple, known for having the fewest disciples among the five great immortal sects, only recruited exceptionally talented individuals. With Drunken Monk's talent, he'd barely qualify as a chore runner for them.

"The Hanging Temple claims everyone has a chance to enter, so I naturally had a chance to enter the Hanging Temple. It's just that I gave up that opportunity!" Drunken Monk said while fighting.

"...You're really good at flattering yourself."

Drunken Monk was useless; he couldn't defeat the demonic blade and was instantly stabbed through the heart.

The demonic blade was once again without a master.

"How pitiful. A newly acknowledged master, gone in an instant."

Lu Yang picked up the demonic blade and continued on his way.

"Blood Drown Yellow Springs!" Someone targeted Lu Yang, launching a sneak attack!

A crimson ocean surged towards Lu Yang, carrying a bloody scent; one sniff was enough to know it was blood.

Lu Yang, unhurried, took out the demonic blade again. As someone with a Sword Spirit Root, he had an innate affinity for blades and swords, making it easy to comprehend blade techniques.

He displayed the blade technique he had just created.

"Master-Binding Blade Technique!"

The demonic blade slashed towards the crimson ocean, like a shark smelling blood, flashing with an eerie red glow, and once again stabbed the person who had ambushed Lu Yang.

"Raging Waves Blood Palm!"

"Master-Binding Blade Technique!"

"Blood Skull!"

"Master-Binding Blade Technique!"

As expected of a demonic sect, their spells were either related to malevolent spirits and skeletons or to blood and lost souls, making them perfect for the demonic blade to choose its masters.

Lu Yang relied on his single "Master-Binding Blade Technique" to become invincible against all foes.

Unfortunately, the masters of the demonic blade were, without exception, short-lived, perishing from its backlash within three seconds.

Lu Yang shook his head regrettably. He just wanted to find a master for the demonic blade; why was it so difficult?

"Such a good magical artifact, yet you're not fated to enjoy it."

More and more people became aware of Lu Yang's presence. Now, rumors were spreading that Lu Yang had become the demonic blade's master, killing indiscriminately and being even more ruthless than Gu Zha.

Some also recognized that Lu Yang and the Ginseng Fruit clone looked very similar and, associating this with the poisoned victims, figured out that the Ginseng Fruit was a deception.

In the dense forest, after the demonic blade, as usual, stabbed another master to death, Lu Yang encountered Meng Jingzhou.

Meng Jingzhou looked at Lu Yang, gritting his teeth.

"Well done, disguised as the Ginseng Fruit and fooled everyone!"