Chapter Nine: Fusion

Rushing into the council hall, Demon Night stood dumbfounded before the remains of a monstrous beast.

“Is this the Ninth-Rank Celestial Wolf Emperor? It’s already evolved two pairs of wings—how could it have died here?” Demon Night’s spirits sank.

Existences like the Howling Sky War God and the Celestial Wolf Emperor, who was on the brink of reaching the Tenth-Rank Demon Lord, possessed the power to move mountains and fill seas. Yet even they had fallen here. How terrifying must the power of the Demonic Clan be? How am I to avenge my parents and my kin? Lost in thought, a look of dejection appeared upon Demon Night’s face.

Seeing Demon Night’s current state, Yang Xiaotian sighed softly. “Still too young—lacking the tempering of the heart.”

Demon Night clenched his fists, his voice firm and resolute. “A man should stand tall and upright, acting always with a clear conscience. At the very least, I must strive with all I have. Even if I ultimately fail, I will not betray my heart. That is what I must do.”

Watching Demon Night regain his confidence, Yang Xiaotian felt gratified. “Good lad, well said! A true man knows what to do and what not to do. Do you really think we are inferior to the Demonic Clan? Back then, the demons lured me into a trap set by the Four Demon Emperors. Although I defeated them, I was gravely wounded, my strength diminished. But from their very mouths, I learned that Xuan Tianji, the old traitor known as the Divine Mechanism Celestial Lord—one of our three great leaders—had betrayed us, conspiring with the Demonic Clan to seize the Creation Cauldron.

“When I learned the truth, I was desperate to spread the word. Returning home, I found my sworn brother, the Celestial Wolf Emperor Yao Hong, and as we discussed our next move, Xuan Tianji and the Demonic Clan came for us. Outmatched, the Human Clan suffered a crushing defeat, and we were besieged in the council hall. The situation was dire. To prevent the Creation Cauldron from falling into enemy hands, I unbound it from my soul. But that takes time, and so Yao Hong fought desperately against enemies many times stronger than himself to buy me those precious moments. In the end, he fell beneath their blades, but he gave me enough time.

“Once the Cauldron was unbound, I entrusted it to the Celestial Wolf lineage, who escaped through the teleportation array. With no more concerns, I launched a suicide assault against the enemy to buy them time, resolved to die. Outnumbered, I chose self-destruction, perishing alongside Xuan Tianji.” Thus did Yang Xiaotian reveal this hidden history to Demon Night.

Yang Xiaotian urged once more, “Enough! My time is short. Quickly accept the inheritance. The responsibility of safeguarding the Creation Cauldron now falls to you. Do not let me or your ancestors down!”

“Yes! Even if it costs me my life, I will never let the Creation Cauldron fall into the hands of the Demonic Clan!” After speaking, Demon Night sat cross-legged beside the Celestial Wolf’s remains, took a deep breath, and began the fusion process.

The fusion was a long and agonizing ordeal, requiring the breaking and re-forging of every bone, merging his body with the remains to become even stronger. Throughout, thoughts of his fallen ancestors and the human sages gave Demon Night silent strength; he bore the pain without a sound. Yang Xiaotian watched over him vigilantly, and only when most of the fusion was complete and the danger passed did he finally relax, letting out a long breath. Gazing at Demon Night, Yang Xiaotian murmured, “There is still hope for humanity. Come on, let me do one last thing for you.”

Yang Xiaotian sent his spirit into the Creation Cauldron. “Elder Ding, would you meet with me?” Again and again, he called out with his will. The Cauldron began to glow, and an old man emerged from within.

“Elder Ding! I wish you would acknowledge this young one as your master ahead of time, so that he may grow swiftly. A new calamity is about to befall the Phoenix Dance Continent, and he is needed to protect it!” Yang Xiaotian pleaded urgently. The old man who emerged was the artifact spirit of the Creation Cauldron.

“Xiaotian, it’s been a long time. Who would have thought our last parting would be forever? I can grant your request and acknowledge this young one in advance, but he must first pass my test. Otherwise…” Elder Ding looked at Yang Xiaotian with a sigh.

“Thank you for your help, Elder Ding. Now I can depart in peace. Let me help him one last time.” With these words, Yang Xiaotian gathered all his mental strength and sent it flying into Demon Night’s body, merging his spirit within him.

Having done all this, Yang Xiaotian’s figure grew fainter and fainter. Elder Ding watched him fade, sighing, “Ah, Xiaotian, may your journey be peaceful.” Turning to Demon Night, Elder Ding spoke softly, “Do not fail Xiaotian’s hopes for you…”