Redemption of a Born Demon

「One month later.」

Inside Penglai Pavilion, atop Penglai Immortal Mountain.

Yi Beidou sat cross-legged in an open space. Across from him sat a headless corpse.

The corpse’s skin was like jade. It was completely naked, yet possessed no sexual characteristics.

This was the very Headless Immortal Corpse he had brought out of the Grotto Heaven.

For the past six months, Yi Beidou had needed to periodically scorch the corpse with his Power of Black Flame to suppress the reawakening of its instincts.

At first, each suppression lasted only three days. But after he began studying the art of the Immortal Talisman, his Black Flame grew more condensed and durable, allowing a single suppression to last for nearly half a month.

But this was far from enough. He had now largely mastered the art of the Immortal Talisman and had no intention of continuing his seclusion on Penglai Immortal Mountain. So, he combined it with the Immortal Talisman Power to find a way to suppress the Immortal Corpse long-term.

Yi Beidou extended a finger, and a wisp of Black Flame condensed at its tip. The flame’s internal energy structure shifted rapidly, growing increasingly condensed until the flickering fire solidified into a crystal-like form.

It was a black long needle.

With a flick of his finger, Yi Beidou sent the black long needle piercing into the Headless Immortal Corpse’s jade-like chest.

Then a second, a third...

Until the seventh needle vanished into the Immortal Corpse’s chest.

The Headless Immortal Corpse’s body shuddered violently. Black markings surfaced on its jade-like skin, faintly resembling flame-like tattoos that spread across its entire body.

Upon closer inspection, one would find that these black, flame-like markings were not static. They danced and flickered like real fire. It seemed some force within the Immortal Corpse was simultaneously suppressing and mending the markings, creating a paradoxical equilibrium.

This was the result of Yi Beidou modifying the Demon-Suppressing Seven-Star Needle, using the art of the Immortal Talisman as his inspiration.

Now, after Yi Beidou’s repeated modifications, the Demon-Suppressing Seven-Star Needle had long since transcended the scope of the original Divine Power, becoming an entirely new Technique.

Yi Beidou tentatively named it "Free Demonic Flame Seven Stars."

Once these seven long needles, condensed from Black Flame and the Immortal Talisman, pierced a living creature, they would achieve a stable state. Even if Yi Beidou were to relinquish his control over the Black Flame, these seven long needles would not simply disappear.

They would act like parasites within the host’s body, using its Essence, Qi, and Spirit as fuel. They would burn continuously until their host was completely consumed, reduced to a pile of ashes.

The Black Flame ignited by the Free Demonic Flame Seven Stars was not as intense as when Yi Beidou unleashed it himself. The flame’s strength was determined by the host’s own Essence, Qi, and Spirit. For an ordinary being, this would be a long and despairing torment.

But for this Headless Immortal Corpse, it was the perfect tool for suppressing its instincts.

Its power was inexhaustible, and its bodily instincts would constantly recover and reawaken. It possessed a kind of undying property, allowing it to provide an endless supply of fuel for the Black Flame.

Yi Beidou estimated that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Free Demonic Flame Seven Stars could suppress this Immortal Corpse for at least two to three years.

After finishing his work, he didn’t immediately rise. Instead, he spoke faintly, "Come in."

From outside Penglai Pavilion, a slender figure entered.

She wore a form-fitting black top and black pants that perfectly accentuated her figure. Her long neck and delicate, jade-like skin gave her an air of nobility that could make others feel inadequate.

Like a proud, black peacock.

"Have you thought this through? You must understand, I’ve never actually used the Free Demonic Flame Seven Stars on anyone, so I don’t know its true effects. Everything is merely speculation based on the properties of the Immortal Talisman."

"The moment the Immortal Talisman forms, you might be incinerated into ash by the Black Flame."

Yi Beidou turned to face Yang Mutong, who had walked over and now sat cross-legged before him. His tone was calm as he spoke.

"Sir, my mind is made up. The world is a constant struggle. Now that an opportunity is right in front of me, how could I possibly give it up? This is the path I’ve chosen. I have no regrets, even if it costs me my life."

Yang Mutong spoke with immense gravity, her eyes filled with determination and defiance.

’She didn’t want to be left behind by others. She didn’t want to be left behind by this chaotic, brilliant new era. Most of all, she didn’t want to lose sight of the man before her.’

Under her scorching gaze, Yi Beidou lowered his eyes, like a Divine Buddha unwilling to witness the world’s suffering.

"Since your mind is made up, I will aid you."

Yi Beidou’s voice was placid. In the next instant, Black Flame condensed at his fingertips, forming one black long needle after another, which he tapped into Yang Mutong’s chest.

The very instant the Free Demonic Flame Seven Stars took shape—

FWOOSH!!

A faint layer of Black Flame suddenly erupted over Yang Mutong’s body. Her clothes instantly caught fire, turning to ash in the blink of an eye.

Her body was exposed, but there was nothing sensual about the sight, because as the Black Flame incinerated her clothes, it also began to ravage her body.

SZZZLE!!

The sound of sizzling flesh filled the air. Yang Mutong’s fair, jade-like skin rapidly wrinkled and charred, and her beautiful, jet-black hair curled and burned away. Her beauty vanished, replaced by a hideous and terrifying visage.

Beauty in all its forms, just a powdered skeleton beneath the skin.

Yet, amidst the intense pain, Yang Mutong remained silent. Her head was bowed, her posture that of deep meditation, as if she had entered a trance.

Yi Beidou didn’t look at her again. He rose slowly and walked out of Penglai Pavilion.

’Everyone has their own path to walk. There was nothing more he could do. If she succeeded, all the better. If she died, she would have died in pursuit of her path. There was nothing to pity.’