"Very well, if you can successfully complete my orders, I will make you my most loyal servant!" the old man said with a sinister smile.
Zhou Yan took a deep breath and said slowly, "I hope that after you leave, you will not bother me again. I dislike being monitored and even more so, I do not wish to be a puppet!"
"Hahaha... do you think this venerable one will listen to you?" the old man laughed. Then, his body moved, disappearing from his original spot. He reappeared in front of Zhou Yan and fiercely kicked out his right foot, aiming for Zhou Yan's abdomen.
"Bang!"
Zhou Yan was sent flying dozens of meters by the old man's kick. He eventually crashed heavily into a giant tree in the forest, snapping the towering ancient tree in two.
"Ah~"
A scream came from his mouth.
Zhou Yan endured the intense pain and sat up from the ground. Blood was flowing from the corners of his mouth.
He looked up at the old man and gritted his teeth, saying, "You despicable and shameless bastard, I curse you to never die a good death!"
"Heh heh heh..." The old man's face showed a strange smile. "You will never have such an opportunity in this lifetime, because this venerable one will kill you sooner or later!"
"You... you..."
Zhou Yan gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with hatred. Unfortunately, his strength was too weak, and he was no match for the old man, leaving him at the mercy of his captor. Da Feng Novel Network
"Kid, regardless, I thank you for your warning." The old man's face showed a faint smile.
Two beams of light shot from his eyes, enveloping Zhou Yan's body. Then, Zhou Yan completely lost consciousness and his ability to resist.
The old man glanced at Zhou Yan lying on the ground, a grim smile appearing on his lips. He extended a finger and pointed at Zhou Yan. Immediately, a pure soul force surged into Zhou Yan's sea of consciousness.
Zhou Yan's sea of consciousness was instantly occupied by soul force, and his soul was now under the control of the old man.
"Kid, this is just the beginning!" the old man muttered in a low voice, then his body disappeared from the spot.
Zhou Yan slept until the next morning, while the old man guarded him.
In the morning, sunlight filtered through the dense leaves and fell on Zhou Yan, causing him to open his eyes. He felt the situation within his body.
"I've actually broken through to the Martial King realm, and my strength has improved significantly!" Surprise flickered across Zhou Yan's face.
Zhou Yan's cultivation speed was incredibly fast. How long had he been cultivating, yet he had already broken through twice in succession? Such cultivation speed was truly heaven-defying.
Not only that, but Zhou Yan's physical body had also undergone a great transformation. His skin had completely turned black, and his skin surface was covered with fine scales that glinted with a metallic luster, appearing quite terrifying.
This was a peculiar appearance.
A faint black mist enveloped Zhou Yan's body, which was formed by dark demonic essence.
"Dark Demonic Essence, this is dark attribute demonic essence, and its quality is very high! I have finally broken through this time, but the dark demonic essence has not been completely refined by me; instead, it has been divided into nine portions.
Each portion of the nine dark demonic essences has a strength equivalent to an early-stage Martial King, but the nine portions combined are enough to rival a peak Martial King.
Moreover, I only have half of the dark demonic essence now. If I can completely refine it, I will be able to fight even a Martial Emperor!"
Zhou Yan's face showed excitement. Although he couldn't control the dark demonic essence, he could refine it.
"This way, when I find that puppet, I can have it help me cultivate the dark demonic essence, and my strength will surely soar again!"
Zhou Yan thought, a look of intense emotion on his face.
Just as Zhou Yan was preparing to leave, he suddenly stopped. He turned his head and walked towards the large tree.
On the trunk of the tree was a piece of human skin, which emitted a faint glow, like a piece of dark jade, radiating a soft light.
"This is..."
Zhou Yan was slightly stunned, then he reached out and grabbed the human skin.
"Rumble~~~"
As Zhou Yan grabbed the human skin, a deafening roar sounded in his head, and a piece of information appeared in his mind.
The content of this information was a secret technique called the "Soul Devouring Secret Tome." It was a secret art from the "Heavenly Evil Cult" specifically for cultivating and devouring souls. Once unleashed, it could devour all souls.
"This secret manual was obtained from this tree?" Zhou Yan was somewhat surprised, his eyes showing a trace of fervor.
"No matter what, learning this secret manual is equivalent to possessing a life-saving treasure!" Zhou Yan muttered.
He then took out the "Soul Devouring Secret Tome," sat cross-legged, and began to cultivate.
...
That morning, Zhou Yan woke up, his brows furrowed. He touched his face and then stood up, walking to the side to survey his surroundings. His gaze fell on the large tree not far away, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
His figure turned into an afterimage and he sprinted towards the tree.
"Swish swish swish~"
A series of whistling sounds echoed. Zhou Yan's speed was incredibly fast, almost in the blink of an eye, he reached the base of the tree. Then, he extended his claws, grabbing the branches for leverage, and propelled himself upward.
Zhou Yan leaped up and stood on the treetop. He looked down, his face showing a cruel expression, and then his body suddenly leaped down.
"Pfft!"
As soon as he landed, he spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground, his entire body in excruciating pain, as if his broken bones had shattered.
"There truly is no unprovoked love or hate in this world. Since that old man wants to kill me, do not blame me for being heartless. Today, I will slay him!" Zhou Yan's mouth opened, uttering a cold phrase.
His body slowly got up, covered in wounds. He was even wearing his tattered robe, looking extremely disheveled.
However, Zhou Yan paid no attention to these matters.