In the Medicine Cleansing Lake, the once prominent top forces in Liuyue City have already fled, feeling like they've narrowly escaped death, with countless emotions swirling within.

Currently, the Da Li Dynasty is at its peak, overshadowing all sects and powers under the heavens. No one dares to challenge the court, and with the court's deterrence, even if top forces clash, none would face annihilation overnight.

Only Li Mountain remains outside the court's constraints, even openly defying it. The Medicine Cleansing Lake became collateral damage in the battle between Li Mountain and the court.

Outside the Medicine Cleansing Lake, cultivators from all sides gathered, the events here have already shaken Liuyue City.

Though cultivators are gathered here, none dare to enter; even the court avoids involvement, likely only reporting to the court and waiting for officials to arrive.

On the West Mountain of the Medicine Cleansing Lake, amidst cliffs, a figure in cloth clothing sits cross-legged, gazing into the distance; he is Xing Feng.

Behind him stands Lu You, straight like a green pine; neither of them has left, providing protection to Li Fan and the others.

"I thought it would be those Sword Cultivators offering protection." Lu You approached, whispering.

"They all have their own matters to attend to, and still have potential to grow." Xing Feng gazed afar in response, "Of course, we are all Protectors, there's no difference."

"All Protectors?" Lu You revealed surprise at Xing Feng's words, "Betting the entirety of Li Mountain?"

He has long been away, not returning to Li Mountain, unaware of specific events back then; only knowing Li Fan was chosen as the heir to the Li Mountain Sword.

"Li Mountain's millennia of fortune hinge on one person," Xing Feng responded quietly.

Though they destroyed the Medicine Cleansing Lake, not a trace of joy showed in Xing Feng's demeanor; Medicine Cleansing Lake was but a flea to them, extinguished with a snap.

What Li Mountain truly faces is the immense Da Li court; even the attacks on Li Mountain back then were merely the tip of this colossal entity.

The court fears the residual might of the Li Mountain Saints, but Li Mountain knows itself; it no longer has Saints or even residual might.

Now, having provoked the court, they know the court will act soon; from now on, they will truly face that enormous entity head-on, hence the absence of joy in Xing Feng.

"So, it seems Li Mountain can face toppling at any time." Lu You murmured quietly.

If Li Mountain collapses, it's left to the disciples of Li Mountain to remember it, wondering if decades or centuries later, another prodigy would arise.

Lu You listened, gaze solemn, looking into the distance; millennia-old Li Mountain has reached its most critical junction.

Can that young man bear the weight of the Li Mountain Sword?

Within the cave, at the location of the Demon Spring.

Lu Yuan sat beside the spring, Yang Qingshan not far from him, others within the spring water.

Liu Ji, Yue Qingqiu, both demons; if the Demon Spring can evolve demons, it would naturally be beneficial to them.

Li Fan sensed the stirring demons within him, thus also entering the Demon Spring.

As for Huang Xiong, he observed if the Demon Spring could refine his body; it wouldn't be harmful. Back on Nine Infant Island, lightning strikes were rewarding for him, refining his physique.

Upon entering the Demon Spring, Liu Ji's transformation was most evident; she immersed her Jiao Dragon body in the spring water, feeling heat spread, then blood surged, increasingly hot, with warm currents constantly flowing into her body.

As time passed, her blood boiled, seemingly reaching a boiling point, passing onto her flesh, causing her massive Jiao Dragon form to feel aflame.

Liu Ji's green eyes opened, expelling a hot stream, speaking human language: "This Demon Fist contains a peculiar demon power, indeed beneficial for me."

The rumors about the Medicine Cleansing Lake aren't false; this place is the source, allowing demons to better evolve.

"I feel it too," Yue Qingqiu whispered, "though it's not as pronounced."

Huang Xiong widened his eyes, glanced at himself: "I do feel something; should be somewhat useful."

All their gazes turned to Li Fan, only seeing him floating peacefully in the spring, eyes closed; his consciousness had plunged into another 'world'.

In the 'world' where demon energy raged, a demon shadow appeared meditating, devoid of the 'Demon Spring', surrounded by endless demon energy, akin to a blood-colored mist eagerly devoured by the shadow.

"Is this the demon power hidden within the Demon Spring?" A thought arose in Li Fan's mind; he could hear those outside too, pondering why Liu Ji sensed more acutely?

If this was left by a Demon Saint, perhaps some Demon Saint blood remains, then the possibilities of it being from the Demon Dragon Clan? Especially Yue Qingqiu's cultivation and perception far exceeded Liu Ji, unable to sense less strongly than Liu Ji.

A more terrifying devouring power spread, causing the demon power to frantically rush towards the demon shadow; amidst the demon fog, Li Fan vaguely heard dragon roars, sensing hazy images, like a Demon Dragon roaring.

"What is this?"

Perhaps their guesses are correct, this Demon Spring really has ties to the Ancient Demon Saint?

At this moment, the Demon Spring appeared boiling, water roiled, drawing Lu Yuan and Yang Qingshan's attention.

"What's happening?" Yang Qingshan muttered, gaze shifting to Li Fan's side, as if the raging Demon Spring centered around Li Fan.

Lu Yuan revealed a hint of intrigue, Li Fan had always been viewed with peculiar eyes back on Li Mountain; everyone knew the cause, back then rumors spread that his body harbored demons, Li Mountain elders speculated Li Fan might become a demon.

Yet she never viewed Li Fan with peculiarity, treating his inner being as mere ability.

Now this agitation in the Demon Spring likely relates to that.

Yang Qingshan rose, yet Lu Yuan said, "No need to concern."

Yang Qingshan glanced at Lu Yuan, noticing her consistently watching Li Fan; he pondered, wife turned sister-in-law, thus sat back down silently.

Liu Ji's Jiao Dragon's Eyes also opened, looking towards Li Fan's direction; she sensed the demon power within the Demon Spring continuously rushing into Li Fan.

This fellow devours Demon Cores, using them for cultivation, now aiming to consume the power nestled deep within the Demon Spring.

As the power in the Demon Spring constantly poured in, roars emanated from Li Fan's body, his blood and vigor fiercely surged, surrounding him with radiance, as if an uncontainable power aimed to break free.

"Enter."

Suddenly, a voice emerged in Li Fan's mind, causing him to pause, his awareness landing on the demon shadow; it was speaking?

Years ago, he noticed this demon shadow growing stronger, gradually gaining consciousness; even Li Fan sometimes wondered if a day would come when the demon inside suddenly awakened, consuming him entirely.

If so, it would play out as foreseen by Li Mountain ancestors.

"Who are you?" Li Fan asked, despite being a mere thought, he believed the other could hear.

"I am you, and you are me," the voice came again, addressing Li Fan, "we are already one."

"Why did you appear in my body years ago?" Li Fan asked again.

"How could I know why I appeared in you?" the demon shadow responded; this was the duo's first conversation over many years.

Li Fan's nerves had never been this tense, tinged with fear, shadows of childhood fears; Li Mountain elders believed he would turn demon as he aged.

Now, that step seemed not impossible; the demon inside had already amassed great power.

Li Fan pondered silently, due to the demon havoc of years past?

"You've nurtured me for years; now we are symbiotic, I am you, enter." The voice echoed again; Li Fan recalled the old blind man, elder brother and sister, butcher who raised him, nurturing him with demonic force grow.

Perhaps it was all to nurture the demon within; otherwise, he might have died long ago, consumed by the demon within.

"Alright."

Li Fan's heart hardened; his consciousness immersed in the demon shadow, instantly he perceived another world, turning into the demon within him, greedily absorbing similar forces, akin to nourishment from the Demon Spring.

"Symbiotically?"

A thought flashed in Li Fan's mind, wondering if living symbiotically with the demon made him one?

No, he was still himself; the demon merely inhabited his body, part of him.

"Boom..."

All around, rampant demon fog surged; he witnessed a scarlet world, glimpsing a roaring golden dragon soaring in the sky.

"Demon Saint?" A thought sparked within Li Fan, was this its intent in inviting him, to witness these scenes?

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