0127 Consciousness Invasion

This surge of Bright Force was astonishingly powerful, containing countless profound mysteries and various types of energy condensed through thousands of trials.

Jiang Feng was extremely close to the Demon General; the Bright Force struck the general’s body almost as soon as it appeared.

The general groaned and was sent flying, shouting in shock and rage, "How—how could you possibly possess such power?!"

Jiang Feng’s vision went dark, and his mind was flooded with countless fragments that threatened to tear him apart. He seized one of the fragments and shouted, "Kuzhan, how dare you! You defy the Demon Lord’s orders to come here in secret!"

The Demon General’s face changed drastically. "How do you know my name?" he asked in alarm.

The power Jiang Feng had unleashed was comparable to what Kuzhan could currently wield, shattering the general’s self-control in an instant. Stunned and suspicious at hearing his name, Kuzhan faltered. Jiang Feng took the opportunity to press his hand against the giant fish and leap backward.

Just then, the giant fish swung its tail heavily toward Jiang Feng. As if he had anticipated the movement, Jiang Feng grabbed the tail and pulled with all his might. Several bones snapped, and Jiang Feng used the force to flip himself away.

...

...

Hua Su and the others had been talking on the Thousand Lion Bridge. The Chain-Bright Method, especially one involving so many people, was a major undertaking that required careful deliberation.

Suddenly, Wen Liangji wrinkled his nose and whispered, "It stinks!"

Fan Gensheng replied, "We are very close to the Demon Lair; the demonic miasma..."

Before he could finish, Hua Su also shouted, "It stinks!"

Fan Gensheng immediately fell silent. Both men had served in the Demon-Suppressing Army and held high ranks. Their understanding of the Demon race and their reactions were ingrained in their bones, far beyond those of ordinary people. If both of them said the same thing, something must be wrong.

They immediately left the pavilion to look around.

Demonic energy swirled about, blocked by the defensive wards of the Thousand Lion Bridge, and the sounds of battle echoed from not far away. Everything seemed as it had been before.

Yet, a growing intuition told them that something was amiss. This intuition had saved them countless times in the past, and it could not be wrong now.

Hua Su’s gaze fell on a spot by the river. Fan Gensheng, who had been watching him, followed his gaze and asked, "What is it? That place looks perfectly normal..."

"No," Hua Su said, "it’s a bit unnatural."

"Unnatural?"

This highlighted the difference between Hua Su and Fan Gensheng. Hua Su had once been a Mind-Bright Martial Emperor before an injury caused his rank to drop. He had once been able to manifest a Domain and was familiar with the phenomena it created. Though the area appeared normal, a faint sense of artificiality put Hua Su on high alert.

He pondered for a moment and walked toward it.

The change happened suddenly. Before he could even leave the bridge, the area shuddered, revealing the true scene beneath!

"Jiang Feng, Ping Luan-Shan!"

Hua Su’s expression changed instantly as he cried out. What shocked him even more was the person beside Jiang Feng! He wore black robes and appeared no different from an ordinary human, but Hua Su recognized him—this was no human, but a high-ranking Demon!

To be able to control a local Domain and set up a concealment barrier—this person was at least a Demon General!

Why would a Demon General be here? What was he trying to do to Jiang Feng?

Hua Su pushed off the ground, soared into the air, and charged toward them!

Fan Gensheng saw it too, and without a word, he flew up to follow Hua Su.

Two Mind-Bright Martial Sects took flight simultaneously. This spectacle quickly drew everyone's attention. They also saw the Demon and Jiang Feng in his grasp, and cries of alarm rose one after another.

Wen Liangji followed as well, but his power had been weakened, leaving him unable to fly. He sprinted along the riverbank, his usual elegance and composure entirely gone.

The Demon took Jiang Feng onto the giant fish and charged toward the Demon Lair. His intentions were obvious: he meant to take Jiang Feng to the Lair, a place of no return!

They had to stop him before he succeeded!

The giant fish was incredibly fast, but the three men were faster. However, their starting points were different, and by the time the fish plunged into the demonic fog, the three men were still some distance away.

Hua Su’s face turned grim. As soon as he reached the edge of the fog, he dove in without hesitation.

Fan Gensheng shouted, "Master Hua, no!"

He had a high regard for Jiang Feng, but Jiang Feng was only a Dawn-realm martial artist. In terms of value, he was no match for Hua Su. To him, Jiang Feng was beyond saving, and they could not afford to lose Hua Su as well!

Hua Su ignored him, his speed not flagging for a second. He plunged into the fog. "Too reckless, far too reckless..." Fan Gensheng muttered.

Suddenly, the demonic fog churned violently. A beam of golden light, carrying immense Bright Force, tore through the center and instantly cleared the area!

Fan Gensheng stood dumbfounded, disbelieving. "This Bright Force... is this my power?!"

Everyone’s Bright Force had distinct characteristics, especially among the higher ranks. For those at the Mind-Bright Martial Sect level and above, their power was imbued with their own insights. One could tell at a glance to whom it belonged. Fan Gensheng knew his own power well; he saw instantly that this force was his own!

Just then, Jiang Feng flipped off the giant fish and landed right in front of Hua Su.

Hua Su caught him, turned sharply, and retreated at high speed!

He retreated to Fan Gensheng’s side and said in a low voice, "Go!"

Fan Gensheng looked at Jiang Feng in Hua Su’s arms. The boy’s brows were furrowed, sweat poured down his face, and his features were twisted in agony. He could sense that the boy was now unconscious, and the surge of Bright Force had vanished.

Had he unleashed that power? How could he...

Fan Gensheng suddenly remembered something, and realization dawned on him. "You—you are incredibly bold!" he exclaimed. "Master Hua, he has the consciousness of that Integration-stage Demon in his mind. It is too powerful; it is suppressing his own consciousness!"

Hua Su’s expression shifted. He pressed a finger to Jiang Feng’s forehead, channeling his own Bright Force inside while asking, "What happened?"

Fan Gensheng recounted the death of the Scimitar in a few quick sentences. Hua Su withdrew his hand, his face darkening completely. "Jiang Feng used your power to repel the Demon, and now that information has completely dispersed, filling every corner of his consciousness," he said slowly. He took a deep breath. "Unless his own consciousness is strong enough to suppress it, no one can help him!"

Once he said this, Fan Gensheng understood the situation. He sighed heavily. "This... alas!"

The opponent was a School-level Demon, equivalent to the power of a Body-Bright Martial Venerable. How could her consciousness, however fragmented, be something a lowly Dawn-realm martial artist like Jiang Feng could resist?

The most terrifying part was the agony of the process. If Jiang Feng’s consciousness were completely shattered, he would be controlled by the Integration-stage Demon. He would become a puppet, just like the others who had returned from the Demon Lair.

Fan Gensheng shook his head. "We should... give him a quick end!"

Hua Su held Jiang Feng tighter and shook his head. "No, I believe in him. This child will make it through!"

With the Demon General gone, Ping Luan-Shan regained his freedom. He rushed to the bank, looking on in nervous anticipation. He had been sickened by the Demon General’s miasma and was pale, but he was far more concerned for Jiang Feng.

Hua Su flew down to the bank and handed Jiang Feng to Ping Luan-Shan. He briefly explained the situation and said firmly, "Take out your sword."

Ping Luan-Shan was used to obeying him. The green-leaf blade appeared in his hand before the words had fully left Hua Su’s lips. As soon as he held the blade, he panicked, stammering, "M-Master, what do you want me to do?"

Hua Su said, "Watch him. If he wakes up and is no longer himself, drive this blade through his heart!"

"But... wouldn’t that be killing him?"

Ping Luan-Shan was so flustered he could barely hold the sword. He stared intently at Jiang Feng, his breathing ragged. Jiang Feng’s eyes were tightly shut, his expression shifting constantly as if a fierce battle were raging within him.

Ping Luan-Shan gradually calmed down. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I understand! I will not let him be anything other than himself, alive in this world!"

Seeing that he understood, Hua Su gave a gratified smile and patted his shoulder. He stood up, looked toward the depths of the demonic fog, and said in a low voice, "Then, I must go do what I have to do!"

At that moment, a roar echoed from the fog. The mist, dispersed by the golden light, churned violently as it reformed.

A black shadow shot out, the mist congealing behind him into two massive wings. He flapped them, looming over Jiang Feng as if he were the only person left in the world.

He darted forward like an arrow, shouting, "Tell me, how do you know my name?!"

Hua Su let out a sharp whistle, charging forward and striking at Kuzhan’s chest with his palm. "Get out of here!"

When the two collided, the air around them rippled and then exploded.

The banks of the Changchuan River cracked, and earth and stone tumbled into the water. The river churned, sending massive waves crashing against the shores.

The battle of the powerful was earth-shaking, its destructive force truly terrifying!

Fan Gensheng cast a worried look at Jiang Feng, said nothing more, and joined the fray.

Ping Luan-Shan grabbed Jiang Feng and dragged him further away from the bank. He looked nervously at the sky, then at his friend, and prayed, "Jiang Feng, you must hold on! You can do it! Kill that Demon! You—you are stronger than anyone!"