At the edge of the divine realm, one step further would lead to a barrier forged by the laws of heaven and earth, separating this world from the next.
That world was known as the Immortal Realm, yet since ancient times, no one besides Yao Xi had ever reached it.
Though the gods yearned for that world, the Three Pure Ones, who were above all gods, had always kept that world isolated from this one.
Of course, their isolation was redundant. Unless one was an anomaly like Yao Xi, possessing an innate cheat, there was no way to break through the suppression of heavenly laws and ascend to the Immortal Realm.
At this moment, Yuan Shi and Ling Bao stood at the edge, and soon, a divine soul descended.
"Junior Brother, the body you desired has been found!"
With that, Yuan Shi handed over Bi Chen's physique.
"This child was already a powerhouse of the Immortal Path realm in life. His body is exceptionally perfect; it must be the perfect body you require!"
Upon seeing the body, Tong Tian remarked, "It's passable. Actually, what I desired most was the Demon Ancestor's body!"
"Forget about that. His body possesses terrifying demonic power. Aren't you afraid it will devour your divine soul?"
This statement prompted Tong Tian to say, "It is truly a pity. In the battle ten thousand years ago, my body was destroyed by him! Now, I can only use this passable body to house my divine soul!"
Even though Bi Chen's body was one of the Immortal Path, he was still not entirely satisfied, as his original body, before its destruction, was far superior to Bi Chen's.
At this point, Yuan Shi urged, "Junior Brother, hurry and merge! The Demon Ancestor has already gained momentum. If he progresses further, it will be our turn to despair!"
"Alright!"
Tong Tian declared, "Elder Brothers, assist me. In at most a month, I will be able to fully control this body!"
"Good!"
The two nodded and began to help Tong Tian integrate his divine soul.
...
In the Heavenly Demon Hall, Yun Fan, after nearly a month's time, had finally recovered, thanks to the protection of the Heaven-Battling Power.
Thus, his recovery was rapid, and not only did he recover, but his strength also advanced further. However, for the divine realm, this was the limit.
To break through further was difficult. The pressure of the heavenly laws alone was enough to make him tremble.
Even though his breakthroughs did not require tribulation, the laws of heaven and earth had suppressed this world, making it impossible to achieve immortality within it.
The best way to leave this world was to become an immortal.
Subsequently, he went to Bi Yao's room.
"Master, you've recovered?"
Bi Yao asked excitedly.
Yun Fan nodded, "I have recovered!"
"What about Mistress?"
She asked Yun Fan, implicitly referring to Nu Wa as his mistress.
Yun Fan replied, "She is still far off, currently in a dormant state. The final battle has not yet arrived, so I will teach you for now!"
"Please guide me, Master!"
She said respectfully.
In reality, her strength surpassed Yun Fan's. With Yun Fan's current strength and knowledge, there wasn't much he could teach her.
However, after several days with little progress, Bi Yao directly told Yun Fan, "Master, I have decided to take a risk!"
"What risk?"
Yun Fan asked, confused. He was not the Yun Fan of ten thousand years ago; his strength was inferior, and his knowledge was even more limited.
Bi Yao then said, "I want to use your power to perfect my own realm!"
This statement greatly startled Yun Fan. He thought Bi Yao was too audacious!
He knew his power was the Heaven-Battling Power, but it was called demonic power for a reason.
Its terrifying devouring nature was ubiquitous. He never expected Bi Yao to attempt this. He had considered allowing his women to integrate this power in the past.
But he had abandoned the idea because this devouring force was too dangerous. Aberrations could be purged by the devouring force.
However, once this devouring force was attached, it could not be removed, unless he personally intervened. But after removing it, one's strength would undoubtedly be greatly diminished.
Therefore, he intended to dissuade Bi Yao.
However, Bi Yao countered, "Master, even if we haven't tried it, it doesn't mean it won't succeed. What if it succeeds! What if the Empress of ten thousand years ago also experimented with this power?"
This argument made Yun Fan reconsider. After all, he had long forgotten. For Yao Xi to stand out, she must have had her own methods.
At this moment, Yun Fan asked, "Are you truly determined to try?"
"Yes, yes! I am truly determined to try!"
Hearing Bi Yao's tone, it seemed she was set on this course.
Thus, Yun Fan said, "Very well! I will give you a trace of my power and see if you can integrate it into yours!"
"Thank you, Master!"
Yun Fan actually didn't want to do this. If something were to happen to Bi Yao, how would he contend with the Three Pure Ones?
The final battle was imminent. Of course, if Bi Yao succeeded, then his other women might also be able to use this method.
Thinking this, Yun Fan became eager to try. Even if Bi Yao were in danger, he would be by her side.
At worst, he could withdraw his power in time.
Indeed, they finally decided on this course of action.
Ultimately, he bestowed a trace of power upon Bi Yao. As his demonic power entered her body, Bi Yao felt her very being was about to be torn apart by this force; it was truly terrifying.
But she persevered, preparing to refine this power.
Yun Fan asked worriedly, "Can you handle it? If not, I'll withdraw my power!"
If Bi Yao were truly consumed by this trace of his power, it would be disastrous.
However, Bi Yao insisted, "Master, I believe I can do it!"
"Good!"
Yun Fan said no more, but he could feel Bi Yao's immense pain at that moment, not just physical, but also agonizing to her very soul.
Yet, Bi Yao did not give up, so he did not withdraw his power.
At this point, Bi Yao's seven orifices bled. Clearly, even she could not withstand the devastation of this demonic power.
And this was only a diluted demonic power from Yun Fan. If it were the purest demonic power, Bi Yao would likely have perished on the spot.
Seeing the dire situation, Yun Fan quickly said, "I'm withdrawing my power!"
"No!"
Bi Yao cried out, "I'm about to succeed, I must persevere!"
"Impossible!"
Yun Fan knew that if he didn't withdraw now, something catastrophic would occur.
Unexpectedly, at that very instant, a powerful surge of energy emanated from Bi Yao's body, a result of her power colliding with Yun Fan's.
*Boom!*
Yun Fan was sent flying by this blast of energy.
It took him a long time to rise. Looking at Bi Yao, though disheveled, she stood in place, and without a doubt, she had succeeded.
Her strength had increased significantly compared to before.
"I succeeded, I succeeded!"
Bi Yao exclaimed excitedly.
She felt the power within her, now immense, almost at the peak of what she could bear.
And the one who bestowed this power upon her was Yun Fan.
Even she had not expected such immense benefits.
"Master, I succeeded!"
She said to Yun Fan with great emotion.
Yun Fan nodded, "Do you feel any discomfort?"
"No!"
Bi Yao immediately replied, "Once I fully integrate this power, please bestow more upon me, Master!"
"No problem!"
For Yun Fan, there was no loss. The power he lost could be replenished. However, it was worth noting that Bi Yao had lived up to his expectations and had indeed succeeded.
However, Bi Yao herself had not transformed into a demonic physique, suggesting that demonic physiques were innate.
This meant that this power could make Bi Yao stronger, but it could not turn her into someone like him.
Even if she became like him, she would only achieve a low-level demonic physique like Bai Qi's, which would be inferior to Bi Yao's original constitution.
However, since it had been achieved with Bi Yao, Yun Fan prepared to embark on a new round of experiments. Of course, he would observe for a few days before experimenting.
What if Bi Yao encountered problems during this time? Yun Fan dared not experiment casually now.
Thus, for several days, Yun Fan continued to grant Bi Yao power. Each time, Bi Yao suffered immensely, on the verge of death, tormented by the demonic power.
But after each success, Bi Yao reaped boundless rewards. During this period, Nu Wa emerged from her seclusion.
When Yun Fan told her that Bi Yao was refining demonic power, Nu Wa was greatly astonished.
Subsequently, after observing Bi Yao, she remarked, "She is now comparable to Yao Xi from ten thousand years ago!"
"What?"
Yun Fan was shocked. Unintentionally, he had stumbled upon a scene from ten thousand years ago. This meant that Yao Xi from ten thousand years ago had also used this method to achieve ultimate power.
The mystery was finally solved. He now understood why Yao Xi had been able to ascend to immortality ten thousand years ago. With this continued growth, Bi Yao would have no problems, and ascending to immortality would be within reach.
One day, Bi Yao arrived again.
According to custom, Yun Fan was to give her a purer trace of demonic power, but today, she refused.
"Master, I don't want this demonic power anymore!"
"Why?"
Yun Fan asked, bewildered. "Aren't you in need of more power right now?"
However, Bi Yao replied, "I have already gained the ability to refine demonic power. Further refinement will have little effect on me!"
"Oh!"
Yun Fan nodded and then asked, "So, you plan to rest for a while?"
"No, I need the source of demonic power!"
She stated directly.
This statement startled Yun Fan. The source of demonic power was the origin of his demonic path within him!
Without the source of demonic power, he would have no demonic power.
He never expected Bi Yao to have this request. Setting aside the danger, it was highly probable that Bi Yao would be directly consumed by the source of demonic power.
And the probability of consumption was immense, as the source of demonic power could devour everything; any power was insignificant before it.
Therefore, Yun Fan flatly refused, "Impossible. It's not that I'm unwilling to give you the source of demonic power, but if you truly refine it, you will be on the brink of death!"
If Bi Yao died, although it wouldn't be a significant loss for him, Bi Yao could not only help him contend with the Three Pure Ones in the divine realm but also one day face the Empress Yao Xi.
He did not wish for Bi Yao to meet her end so soon.
Bi Yao then said, "Master, I actually have a good method to obtain the source of demonic power safely!"
"What method?"
Yun Fan asked, confused. Bi Yao came from the Immortal Realm and surely had more knowledge than him. If there truly was a way, then giving her a portion of the demonic source wouldn't be an issue.
Bi Yao stated directly, "Dual cultivation!"
This statement made Yun Fan understand immediately. "Bi Yao, I am your master! How can you have such an idea? Abandon this thought at once!"
What a joke! How could Yun Fan agree? He hadn't expected Bi Yao's ambition to be so grand as to conceive of this method.
Although the demonic power obtained this way was indeed less dangerous than before, the level of risk remained incredibly high.
Bi Yao could not withstand it. Of course, that was secondary. Most importantly, what was Bi Yao thinking? He was her master, and she was his disciple. How could a master and disciple engage in dual cultivation?
Therefore, Yun Fan now wanted to expel Bi Yao immediately.
However, Bi Yao said, "Master, I'm afraid that is beyond your control!"