Chapter Eleven: Internal Turmoil and the News of the Demon-Slaying Pill

After leaving the Spirit Flame Forest, Huo Qing and Ye Hongling pressed on with unwavering focus. Their speed was like the wind and lightning, and within just an hour, they arrived at the Abyss of Dark Magic.

Before them stood a colossal plaque inscribed with the words "Black Demon City."

Though the Abyss of Dark Magic was chaotic, it was not entirely lawless. At least within Black Demon City, even the most brazen dared not act recklessly without consequence.

"Let's go in first, rest for the night, and continue our journey tomorrow," Huo Qing suggested. Ye Hongling agreed silently; after a day of fighting, they both needed rest.

They found a tavern, and Huo Qing specially booked two rooms. Afterwards, each retreated to their own chamber.

Late at night, the world fell into profound silence.

Huo Qing sat cross-legged on the bed, assuming a cultivation posture as spiritual energy streamed through his nose into his Qi reservoir.

About an hour later, his eyes slowly opened, and he exhaled a breath of stale air.

"My foundation in spiritual energy is even firmer than in my past life," he murmured with a faint smile, clearly pleased with his condition.

Yet, just as he was about to lie down, a streak of black light emerged from his skin pores.

The black light intensified, filling the room with a chilling and sinister aura. Huo Qing’s pupils dilated as excruciating pain rapidly spread through his nervous system.

"Could this be because I’ve been using the Black Demon Finger consecutively these past days?" he wondered, curling up as cold sweat dripped from his brow. Gritting his teeth, he fought to withstand the bone-deep agony.

"So, once you cultivate this Black Demon Divine Body, a large amount of black demonic energy remains within you. If your power is strong enough, fine, but if not, it will backfire, even risking your demise..."

"Ah..."

A low, pained groan escaped his lips as his pupils lost focus, a heavy dizziness beginning to engulf him.

"This is truly troublesome now..." Huo Qing bitterly smiled before succumbing completely to the pain and fainting.

As he lost consciousness, a terrifying, ghost-like shriek echoed through the room. Surging demonic energy swirled like smoke, swiftly enveloping his body.

Bang!

The door was kicked open the next moment. Ye Hongling entered with a face full of shock.

Staring at the dreadful demonic energy, she first felt disbelief, then a flicker of inner struggle crossed her eyes.

"You actually dared to absorb that black demonic energy that everyone avoids..." she muttered.

Finally, she sighed helplessly. A flash of light appeared in her hand, manifesting a pure white pill.

Ye Hongling placed the pill in her mouth, and a wave of black spiritual energy surged forth from within her, enveloping herself.

She stepped forward, gently lifting Huo Qing’s chin. Hesitating briefly, she bit her lip and pressed her rosy lips to his.

The pill entered Huo Qing’s body through his mouth, and the black demonic energy swiftly faded, vanishing as if it had encountered some terrifying force.

Having done all this, Ye Hongling’s face turned pale, fatigue washing over her. She lay down beside Huo Qing to rest.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room.

Huo Qing awoke and gazed at Ye Hongling, who slept curled up like a kitten beside him, his expression complex.

Though he had been tormented into unconsciousness by the cursed black demonic energy last night, his strong spiritual awareness had allowed him to perceive everything that happened around him.

He had never expected Ye Hongling to sacrifice so much for him—using her Heart-Cleansing Detoxification Pill and even nurturing it with her own energy.

At that moment, Ye Hongling twitched slightly and slowly opened her eyes. When she noticed Huo Qing staring at her, a flush of pink spread across her cheeks.

The morning light, soft and gentle, illuminated her face, making her look especially adorable.

“Ahem, thank you for last night. If not for you, I’m not sure I would have woken up today,” Huo Qing said with a wry smile, gratitude thick in his voice.

Ye Hongling shook her head and replied, “Since we travel together, it’s only right we help each other. If I abandoned you at a time like this, wouldn’t that make me a heartless villain?”

Huo Qing was left speechless.

Afterwards, Ye Hongling frowned slightly and said, “As for you, although I don’t know how you contracted that black demonic energy, you must suppress it quickly. My Heart-Cleansing Detoxification Pill’s effectiveness only lasts three days.”

Huo Qing’s expression shifted. He never wished to endure the agony of that demonic energy’s outbreak again.

Who would have thought that cultivating the Black Demon Divine Body would bring such severe side effects?

The mysteries of this spiritual art were so profound that even his past self might not have fully unraveled them.

Suddenly, Ye Hongling’s eyes brightened with an idea.

“To suppress this black demonic energy, the Fiend-Suppressing Pill would be a good choice. There’s an auction starting today in Black Demon City. Why don’t we try our luck there?”

Huo Qing’s face lit up with delight.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s set off immediately!”

“Good!”

After a brief preparation, the pair left the tavern.

Today, Black Demon City was unusually bustling. Wide streets teemed with people, the atmosphere lively and vibrant.

“The auction starts in an hour. Let’s find a good spot first,” Ye Hongling said as she walked beside Huo Qing.

“Okay.”

They weaved through the crowd until they reached a magnificent building, resplendent in gold and jade, occupying a vast area. At the entrance stood numerous guards.

Just as they were about to enter, a guard stepped forward to block their path, smiling politely.

“I am Yu Luo, captain of the auction guard. Due to the recent influx of people, entry requires either identification or a cultivation level of Heavenly Spirit Realm, to prevent riffraff from causing trouble.”

Heh...

Ye Hongling frowned but then sneered coldly, releasing a powerful wave of spiritual energy from within.

Feeling the formidable aura, Yu Luo’s expression shifted slightly before he cupped his fists.

“I didn’t expect someone so young to have reached the Heavenly Spirit Realm. I must admit, I underestimated you.”

Ye Hongling glanced at him icily. She had never heard of identification or cultivation requirements for this auction. Clearly, they were being targeted.

But by whom?

“Your turn,” Yu Luo said, shifting his gaze to Huo Qing. He keenly noticed that the man’s spiritual energy was not as imposing as the girl’s.

Many bystanders paused to watch, even some onlookers peered from the upper floors of the building, amused by the scene.

Huo Qing remained expressionless as he unleashed his spiritual energy, revealing the unmistakable aura of mid-stage Earth Spirit Realm.

“I have no prestigious status, nor do I possess Heavenly Spirit cultivation...” he said calmly.

“That’s a pity...” Yu Luo sneered, clearly mocking him for being a freeloader who dared to show off.

Before he could finish, he suddenly sensed a fist wrapped in overwhelming power hurtling toward him.

At the same moment, Huo Qing’s voice, thick with suppressed killing intent, rang out:

"But to kill a pretentious early-stage Heavenly Spirit Realm like you, is more than enough!"

Yu Luo’s face turned grim as he shouted in anger, “How dare you cause trouble in the auction? Are you seeking death?!”