Chapter 124: Encountering Blood Heaven Once More

Everyone scavenging for treasures on the battlefield began to sink into a state of paranoia. For reasons unknown, they started bickering with those around them, each convinced that their companions were plotting to harm them, fearing that their hard-won treasures would be snatched away. Before long, these arguments escalated into physical altercations, and the group descended into a chaotic, mindless brawl.

Chen Mu desperately wanted to intervene, but a wave of dizziness washed over him, accompanied by a surge of irritation and anxiety. In response to his struggle, he heard only unintelligible whispers filled with mockery. Realizing his consciousness was being compromised, Chen Mu immediately began circulating the Soul Refining Technique to steady his mind. While the technique brought a measure of clarity, the lingering sense of agitation remained.

By now, the two factions of the exploration team were blinded by bloodlust, attacking even their own allies with no regard for friend or foe. When Chen Mu tried to stop the infighting, he was met with unified hostility from both sides, as they muttered phrases like, "You want to kill me, so I must kill you first." Sighing, he knocked them unconscious and retreated to the sidelines, realizing they had completely succumbed to madness.

Just then, an abrupt, cackling laughter sounded behind him: "Hehehe, they have been eroded by the lingering resentment of these fallen demons. You humans are not adapted to demonic energy, so it is only natural that you cannot resist these negative emotions. Their descent into madness and bloodlust was inevitable. I am surprised, however, that you have managed to hold out for so long. You truly are a human I admire."

Chen Mu spun around at the sound of the voice. He recognized the owner of those sinister tones—it was Xue Tian, who had escaped from the Demon Trial Grounds.

"Xue Tian," Chen Mu growled, his expression darkening. "Have you been behind this all along?"

Xue Tian spread his hands. "Hehehe, you wrong me. I don't have such power. This place became this way because countless demons died here. Although they are thoroughly dead, their resentment lingers, combined with the demonic energy emanating from their corpses, polluting the entire Eastern Wilderness. It causes those with low cultivation to lose their minds quickly under the weight of such massive negative emotions. Even if you do not absorb the energy, as long as you remain here, those resentments cling to you like maggots, feeding on your inner desires and anger until they eventually play you like puppets."

"Are these resentments other lingering demon souls like you?" Chen Mu asked, his face grim.

Xue Tian’s expression darkened. "Chen Mu, are you insulting me? While I admire you, do not overstep. Those demons are truly dead, their souls extinguished; their resentment is merely the obsessive, mindless echo they left behind. I am a remnant soul left after the destruction of one of my true body's clones. I am not truly dead. Do not compare me to those mindless, foolish things."

Chen Mu remained indifferent. Although he had clearly displeased Xue Tian, he felt no need to apologize. The demons were the enemies of humanity, and he felt no remorse toward them. "Then why do these resentments whisper to us? What language are they speaking? I couldn't understand a word..."

"Whispering? As a demon myself, these resentments do not bother me, so I heard no such thing. But these are likely fragments of demonic language pieced together from the obsessions and lingering regrets of the deceased. You see me speaking your language now, but that is only because I learned it after arriving on your Yuan Yao Continent. These were likely native demons from the Demon Realm who died on this battlefield before they could ever integrate here. I can guess what they are saying, though—nothing but painful memories, mockery, and rage. Nothing pleasant."

Chen Mu stopped dwelling on the matter and asked, "Is there any hope for these explorers?"

"The low-level ones are beyond saving," Xue Tian replied indifferently. "The two Nascent Soul stage cultivators and a few of the Core Formation ones might have a chance."

"Can you find a way to save them?"

"Me? Are you asking me? Why would I save them? Why should I help you humans? Your greed is your own undoing; you brought this upon yourselves by setting your sights on the Human-Demon Battlefield. Hehehe, though it is a pity I arrived first—I have already scavenged all the storage rings and artifacts from their bodies."

"They came for treasure, but I did not," Chen Mu said, changing the subject. "I am here to find the Path of Immortals and Mortals in the Eastern Wilderness. Do you know where it is?"

"The Path of Immortals and Mortals? You mean the location of the human intercontinental spatial channel? That is why I am here, too. I arrived over a month ago to absorb the demonic energy here and restore some of my strength, but I have yet to find that channel."

"Intercontinental spatial channel? Isn't it an intercontinental teleportation array?"

"Hmm, I recall that in your era, you only had the technology for spatial channels. Teleportation arrays were not yet popularized. I remember they only became common much later. Because this place is so remote, you always relied on spatial channels for travel between continents."

Chen Mu fell silent, finally sighing, "Can you really not save these people?"

Xue Tian’s expression turned serious. "Chen Mu, the goodwill I show is for you alone. To me, other humans are merely livestock and ants. I will answer what you wish to know, provided it does not involve the secrets of my race. But my goodwill does not extend to the humans around you. However, if you join the Demon race, I wouldn't mind helping; saving them is well within my power."

Chen Mu’s face darkened. Becoming a demon was out of the question; they were mortal enemies of humanity. How could he betray his own kind?

Seeing Chen Mu’s resolute gaze, Xue Tian sighed helplessly. "I knew you wouldn't agree. Very well. How about this: until we find this 'Path of Immortals and Mortals' you speak of, let us cooperate. I, too, need a way to reach other continents to find a means to contact my true body in the Demon Realm. If you cooperate with me, I will save those who can be saved and let them leave safely. How is that?"

Chen Mu pondered for a moment, weighing the pros and cons. "Very well. As long as you restore them and let them leave safely, I will work with you to find the path."

"Is it a deal?"

"It is a deal."

Thus, Chen Mu agreed to cooperate with Xue Tian. With the demon's help, Kou Li, Guoldos, and several of their subordinates were pulled back from the brink of madness just before their minds collapsed entirely.

The survivors were drenched in cold sweat, overcome with lingering fear. The sensation of being lost in a sea of negative emotions was terrifying, and they had no desire to experience it again. They soon noticed the stranger, Xue Tian. Though their group was large, everyone knew their own subordinates; Xue Tian was an unknown, and they became wary.

Chen Mu did not reveal Xue Tian's true origin, telling them only that he had pulled them back from that nightmarish abyss. While the survivors expressed their gratitude, Xue Tian ignored them entirely, closing his eyes to rest. Annoyed by his aloofness, some of the men wanted to cause trouble, but Chen Mu said coldly, "If you don't want to die, don't provoke him. I am looking out for you; I am saving your lives."

Taking this as a sign of Chen Mu’s anger, the men backed down. Only Kou Li and Guoldos seemed to grasp the true meaning behind Chen Mu’s words and watched Xue Tian with heightened vigilance.

Xue Tian spat in annoyance at Chen Mu’s interference. He had intended to use this opportunity to slaughter them all, but out of respect for Chen Mu, he let it go.

Chen Mu then earnestly urged the survivors to follow the coordinates they had left along the path and return to the Sand Empire, noting that staying here would only lead to senseless sacrifice. He pointed out that all the storage rings had already been taken, and there was nothing of value left to find.

Though they were reluctant to leave empty-handed, they were terrified of the place and regretted following Chen Mu in the first place. Some still hesitated, hoping to check the corpses for any missed rings.

Seeing them linger, Xue Tian grew impatient. "Hehehe, you want the storage rings? I can tell you for a fact that they are already in my possession. You fools are as greedy as you are incompetent, and it is hilarious. I have business with Chen Mu; I have no time to waste on your dallying. Now that I’ve told you where your precious items are, what will you do? I offer you two choices: either show your hostility and try to snatch them from me, or get out of this ancient battlefield immediately and return beyond the Eastern Wilderness."