The moment Fei Yuming drew close, Lin Yun executed his Ghostly Void Steps.
Still as a maiden, swift as an escaped rabbit.
An attack of this level was completely insufficient to harm Lin Yun. However, in the instant he dodged, he released a sliver of his Yuan Qi, so faint it was nearly imperceptible…
Fei Yuming let out a cold laugh. But strangely, he did not choose to press his advantage. Instead, at that moment, he charged directly towards the altar.
Qi Desheng snorted in fury. "That brainless idiot! At a time like this, he's still thinking about fighting for the ancient inheritance?"
He was dumbfounded. Not only had Lin Yun dodged without counter-attacking, but even Fei Yuming hadn't seized the opportunity to deal with Lin Yun. This entire turn of events was something Qi Desheng had never anticipated. By the time he came to his senses, it was too late.
"Hahaha! It's mine… it's finally mine!" Fei Yuming roared with triumphant laughter. He held the fruit in his hands. "With this ancient inheritance, I will surely ascend to a new height! And when that time comes…"
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to the distant Qi Desheng. "...you will all die."
Watching the arrogant Fei Yuming, Lin Yun sighed. "I'd advise you not to eat that. Otherwise, you'll regret it." He folded his arms, watching the unfolding drama with the air of a spectator.
"Not eat it?" Fei Yuming scoffed. "I went through so much to get to this place and finally obtained such a treasure. And you're telling me to give it up?"
Without further hesitation, he swallowed it in one gulp. The fruit melted the moment it entered his mouth.
After swallowing it, Fei Yuming instantly felt the Yuan Qi throughout his body begin to boil. "Haha, as expected! This truly is an ancient inheritance! It really can increase my power!"
His previously stagnant cultivation realm now showed signs of loosening. Fei Yuming laughed with smug satisfaction.
"That damn fool!" Qi Desheng frowned, his fists clenched tightly.
Everything had been going according to his plan. He never expected that these two, who should have been mortal enemies, would strangely not fight each other, allowing Fei Yuming to seize the opportunity. He had no idea to what realm the man would ascend with the power of the fruit.
"Lin Yun, you truly are a complete and utter moron. No wonder you were bullied by those idiots from the Flowing Cloud Sect before," Fei Yuming gloated, patting his stomach as he looked at Lin Yun. "To stand guard over such a treasure and not dare to take it… now it's all mine. You can go cry in a corner!"
Lin Yun's expression remained unchanged. "I'd like to see just how long you can stay so pleased with yourself."
The moment his voice fell, Fei Yuming touched his own head. A lock of hair fell out.
Fei Yuming stared at the palm of his hand, bewildered, and touched his head again. More and more hair began to fall out. In just a short while, his full head of black hair was completely gone. At the same time, his skin began to transform, turning a ghastly white. Even his voice grew hoarse and raspy.
"I… what's happening to me? Why is this happening?" he stammered in disbelief.
Lin Yun, however, was looking at Qi Desheng.
[Name]: Qi Desheng
[Realm]: Spirit Cauldron - Stage 6
[Destiny Template]: Nine Yin Mystic Fiend (Purple)
[Attributes]: Ultimate Yin, Ultimate Evil (Blue), Righteousness Cannot Suppress Evil (Green), Naturally Suspicious (White)
[Fate]: Enters the blood-colored tomb, angers the suppressed Blood Demon, and is devoured alive.
[Recent Turning Point]: Is attracted by the altar that opens the blood-colored tomb, wants to seize the true ancient inheritance, thereby awakening the suppressed, slumbering Blood Demon.
So that's it. The real treasure was in the hidden compartment. Seeing Qi Desheng's panel, Lin Yun naturally didn't dare to get close. He never expected this burly man to have such a background.
"Fei Yuming, I gave you a chance. Since you didn't cherish it, don't blame me for being discourteous!" Qi Desheng glanced at the transforming Fei Yuming and, without hesitation, charged forward.
An ancient inheritance! Who could resist such a temptation? This was far more important than Lin Yun.
Fei Yuming no longer had the mind for anything else. He just kept touching his bald head, watching in horror as his body slowly turned into that of a monster. His voice was raspy and trembling.
"What's happening to me… Can anyone save me?"
As he spoke, he looked toward Lin Yun. "Junior Brother Lin, it was all my fault before! I know I was wrong now! Since you knew that eating this thing was bad, you must also know how to make me normal again!" He looked at Lin Yun with a pleading expression, completely at a loss.
"I told you before, you would regret eating that fruit," Lin Yun said coolly. "Didn't you think I was a moron? So be it. You guys can play by yourselves now."
After tossing out these few words, Lin Yun departed. There were too many monsters here. Staying would mean getting skinned alive, if not worse. Following a pre-planned route, he quickly regrouped with Zhou Damao.
Meanwhile, Qi Desheng had already reached the altar. He found the hidden compartment beneath where the fruit had been.
"Haha, as expected! This is the true ancient inheritance!" He glanced at Fei Yuming with a mocking expression. "I suppose I should thank you for testing the poison for me."
Despair filled Fei Yuming's face. After all that effort, the fruit he had eaten, while increasing his power, had also stripped him of his humanity.
Suddenly, a strange voice appeared in his mind, like some kind of delirious whisper. Fei Yuming's expression went blank, his eyes turning vacant. He slowly stood up and looked in Qi Desheng's direction. Thin streams of fresh blood began to trickle down his arms.
Qi Desheng, still completely oblivious, didn't notice.
But the slumbering monsters, stimulated by the scent of blood, were slowly beginning to awaken.
Observing all this from a distance, Zhou Damao gulped. "Good heavens. Those guys from the Crimson Ghost Sect have provoked these monsters. They're dead for sure, right?"
Given their numbers, no matter how strong the intruders were, it would be impossible for them to leave here alive.
Lin Yun was silent.
"Senior Brother Zhou, you should leave first. I'm going to stay here for a while. If there's a chance to get the ancient inheritance, I want to try."
Since he was already here, it would be a waste not to take a gamble. For now, he was safe. But who knew what trouble the future might bring? He had dealt with one Xiao Pingtian, but there could be a Xiao Nantian right behind him. Lin Yun would not give up any opportunity to grow stronger.
"Junior Brother Lin, it's too dangerous! The creatures in this secret realm are not something you and I can handle!" Zhou Damao shook his head, completely shocked by Lin Yun's boldness.
But it was no use. Lin Yun had already made up his mind, showing no intention of backing down.