Chapter 19: Bound
A jolt of pain surged through my body, a sensation unlike any I had ever encountered. It felt as though chains forged from the heaviest ore bound me, forcing me to my knees. My vision was consumed by darkness, not even a flicker of light to be found.
"Ah, I see I have been ensnared by peculiar chains that gradually sap my energy," I mused inwardly, surprisingly calm amid the chaos surrounding me. Figures loomed before me, radiating immense strength, their presence saturated with a vile energy that seemed to seep from the very depths of the abyss. I smiled, contemplating my fate, powerless before their overwhelming might.
"This child possesses a sweet fragrance emanating from his soul," an elder remarked, his soulless eyes gleaming with sinister brilliance.
"My mouth yearns to consume his soul; only then shall I attain the Brahma Devil Body," rasped another voice—aged, commanding, exuding unfathomable power.
"Indeed, if I were to encounter a soul akin to mine, I too would seek to consume it," I chuckled inwardly, bound and awaiting my fate.
"Demon Fist, how dare you act with such arrogance before this venerable one?" another voice rang out, melodic yet laced with menace.
"I shall reclaim him for the Three Body Art Hall of Seduction." Her lips curled into a wicked smile, demonic lust radiating from her as her gaze remained fixed on me.
"Such a foolish woman," I thought, bound and defenseless as ancient demons contended for my bones and blood. Yet among them stood a young sage whose proposal brought a smile to my face—I reveled in the cleverness of his plan.
Wearing the smile of an angel amidst madness, I tilted my face to the sky.
"Has this child lost his mind?" some chuckled, pointing fingers in mockery.
"Look at that succumbing smile on his face. I hope you maintain it while I refine you in my cauldron," one man jeered, his insults like stones thrown at my chained form.
"This boy is peculiar; he is unnervingly calm, even laughing as we conspire against him—very strange," one demon contemplated, his gaze locked onto me. Suddenly, he rose with elegance, his voice bold and commanding.
"Fools, you know not what you do! The Heavenly Demon summoned us here for a reason! And you dare to insult his name, attempting to snatch his treasure? Hah! A pack of foolish dogs—you all deserve death!" His voice thundered, plunging the hall into silence.
"Well said, Devil Lord of Deceit," a familiar voice echoed—one that sent waves of fury crashing through my mind as his footsteps echoed through the chamber.
"It's his voice."
I struggled against my restraints as the assembly bowed in submission.
"We welcome the Heavenly Demon!" they chanted in unison.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the air.
"My lord, have mercy!" A man engulfed in flames begged for his life, the scent of roasted flesh filling the hall as no one dared to lift their heads.
"Ah, such an aroma!" I laughed, reveling in the chaos and the melody of his screams.
"Please, I beg you! Douse the flames, my lord! I meant no disrespect!" he cried, his voice trembling with terror.
Blaire advanced slowly.
"Fist Demon, you sought to consume the soul of my treasure—the one diamond amid the refuse," he taunted, his anger filling the hall. My body trembled. His energy was far more brutal and vast than before.
"That man is far scarier than I anticipated," I admitted, my anger subsiding like a receding tide.
"Today, I relieve you of your position," the Heavenly Demon declared.
"Devil of Deceit, bring me his head!"
The white-haired man rose with elegance, his blade gleaming. As he moved, as the cloth binding my eyes fell away. I found myself surrounded by formidable figures, men and women bowing before the Heavenly Demon as another writhed in agony nearby.
"This is truly amazing," I whispered, a rush of ecstasy washing over me.
"This is indeed a kill-or-be-killed system, where the strongest reign supreme."
The chains that once shackled me now cradled me in a peculiar sense of liberation.
As the Heavenly Demon's gaze returned to me, the fat man's head soared through the air.
"Supreme Elders and Elders, you may all be seated," Blaire said smoothly.
"I apologize for my rude gestures, but no one touches my treasure and lives."
He cleared his throat, his voice resonating through the hall.
"You see, during my travels, I discovered a tiger cub lost among dogs. I couldn't sit back and watch the cub perish." He bent down, lifting my chin so our eyes met.
"So I snatched him up. A tiger should be with tigers."
Shivers ran down my spine as I felt my energy surge within, intertwining with something unfamiliar—a power I could not yet harness due to the chains.
He leaned closer, whispering secrets that piqued my curiosity toward the chains.
Then, standing tall, he continued:
"A deliverance performed by my mercy." He pressed his left arm—resembling that of a devil—against his face as he pushed his hair back.
"You're mine now," he said, his tone calm yet commanding , sending chills to my bones as I shivered.
Uncontrollable laughter ignited within me.
"You speak of ownership as if I were a mere toy." My gaze fell upon his arm, which had not yet fully healed.
"What is this?" I laughed, interrupting his monologue. But he remained unfazed, smiling as he approached a lone table where a single black cup awaited him.
"And because he was born among dogs, his arrogance swelled—vast as the ocean," the Heavenly Demon remarked, examining the contents of the cup.
My expression darkened with anger.
"Do not worry; you will learn to obey," he smiled, advancing toward me. The elders and supremes watched in hushed awe as he pried my mouth open and poured the contents of the cup down my throat.
Instantly, I felt multitudes of small creatures skittering within me, my veins swelling under the pressure.
"You bastard! What have you done to me?" I roared, fury erupting from my throat.
"Fear not, child—it's just Jun worms," he smiled gently.
"I know you understand, but this must be done."
The Heavenly Demon turned to the assembly.
"I'm sure you all know of the Jun Worm—also known as the Head Popper."
Laughter spilled from his lips as whispers rippled through the crowd.
"As long as you comply, no harm will come to you."
The elders exchanged glances, their confusion palpable.
"But my lord, who is this boy?" one of the supreme elders inquired respectfully.
"That is of no concern. All you need to know is that he is my direct disciple."
Gasps erupted through the hall.
"The Heavenly Demon has never taken a personal disciple. Why a change of heart?" they whispered.
Another elder stepped forward.
"My lord, does this imply you are selecting an heir?" The hall fell silent once again, awaiting his response.
"He is my disciple. The seat of the heir concerns none of you," the Heavenly Demon stated, extending his hand toward me.
My hollow yet alert eyes suddenly heard a sweet voice calling out.
"Master! Master! Oh master, you're awake! I sensed strange creatures like worms coursing through your bloodstream. Should I subdue them?"
Joy surged within me, though my expression remained void-like.
"Wait—just prevent them from reaching my brain," I commanded silently, calming my once-boiling blood.
"As long as you obey, you shall not lose your head," Blaire said unsettlingly.
"But one thing I will never tolerate is betrayal." His gaze bore into me, chilling to the bone.
"Elder Yun!" he called.
A woman with sharp, dark green hair appeared instantly, her curves and demonic beauty drawing many hungry eyes.
"My lord, you summoned me," she bowed.
"Take him to the Outer Sect, to the Hall of Cleansing."
Gasps erupted as unrest buzzed through the hall.
Yet I sensed not carnal lust from this woman, but a deeper hunger for something far more sinister.
"Yes, my lord!" she exclaimed, gripping my shoulder.
Before she could move, the chains binding me fell away. Power surged through my veins—the sensation of Æth was truly addictive. Laughter escaped my lips as I attempted to break free.
Her grip was firm, but I had trained my body since childhood, mastering the "Unbreakable Jester Body"—an art that allowed me to manipulate my bones and harden my flesh like stone.
I slipped from her grasp, activating Crazed Steps—a sophisticated movement technique. As smoke like illusions of my self emerged from my body dancing around me, this bewildered the female elder as multiple versions of myself surrounded the stage.
The elders erupted in astonishment.
"What technique is that?" they exclaimed, some scrambling to document my movements.
"Who is this boy?" they whispered, their curiosity intensifying.
The Heavenly Demon laughed heartily.
"Witness this madness—the madness of my disciple!" he declared, levitating into the air.
Feeling their gazes upon me, I accelerated. My afterimages scattered as demons lunged, but each illusion vanished into smoke. Though I was but an ant to these beings, they regarded me with amused interest.
However, some gazes bore hatred and disdain.
"If any of these elders grab me, I'll be killed on the spot," I thought, my eyes locking onto an exit.
"A way out!"
Suddenly, a chilling gaze froze me in place.
"That bastard is above me!"
In a flash, he materialized beside me,my eyes following him but my body to slow to react, "he is too fast !" He smiled at me as he flicked his hand into my ribcage, shattering it like brittle glass sending my body crashing into a wall.
"Damn—had I not concentrated my muscles, that would have killed me," I groaned as blood spilled from my mouth as I forced my self to stand on my feet.
Then his voice rang out—not for me, but for the elder.
"You couldn't even contain someone who has just entered the Æth Baptism Realm? How shameful," Blaire chastised.
Panic spread across Elder Yun's face.
"Did the lord just say... he's in the Æth Baptism Realm?" she whispered, glancing at me.
"Take him to the Hall of Cleansing. And this time, do not let him escape!" he commanded.
Elder Yun hoisted me up as if I were weightless.
"My lord, he is in good hands," she assured, darting away with astonishing speed.
As we departed, the supreme elders surrounded the Heavenly Demon, their curiosity burning with questions regarding my origins.