Chapter 33: Taking a Desperate Risk
"Not good!" Mu Xiaoran hadn't expected this boy's aura to be so terrifying. He immediately activated a barrier, but his face flushed red - proof of just how horrifying Mu Xiaolin's aura was.
Mu Lichuan noticed that the energy surrounding Mu Xiaolin had darkened, completely enveloping Bai Ping's body. His eyes also glowed crimson as he muttered, "Die... die..."
"Great-grandfather, is this reaction a sign of demonic possession?" Mu Lichuan felt strangely calm, without any trace of fear. Yet, judging by the expressions of his elders, the situation was extremely dire.
Mu Xiaoran nodded, then shook his head. "It doesn't seem like demonic possession. It's more like... a dark energy hidden within him." That earlier surge of power had even frightened him, but now it seemed only to shield Mu Xiaolin rather than spread outward.
If cultivators and demonic cultivators were of the same level, demonic cultivators were always stronger - after all, they fed on the spiritual energy, golden cores, or nascent souls of cultivators. Some low-level demonic cultivators even used flesh and blood to enhance their power.
"Father, can you kill him?" Mu Xiwang asked grimly.
Mu Xiaoran smiled bitterly. "No, I can only trap him and seal him with a barrier. We'll need the Mo family's help for this."
"You'd better wake Bai Ping up. Only then might we suppress the demonic energy in Mu Xiaolin. Otherwise, if this continues, he'll become a bloodthirsty demon, endlessly devouring flesh. Once his will solidifies, it’ll be nearly impossible for cultivators to capture and subdue him." His voice trembled as he spoke.
He had thought the Mu family had produced an ice-element genius, but who could have imagined that, right from the start, the boy would harbor inner demons? The sheer density of dark energy around him was unlike anything seen in a novice cultivator.
Mu Changnian was also terrified by the situation. Staring at Bai Ping, who lay unconscious, he asked, "Grandfather, how do we wake her?" He couldn’t just walk over, doing so would mean certain death.
"Take this talisman. Go to her and find a way to wake her up." Mu Xiaoran pulled out a charm from his robe and handed it to his grandson.
Mu Changnian’s face twisted with hesitation. He was afraid of death, but given the circumstances, he couldn’t refuse.
"Great-grandfather, let me try. I think I have a better chance." Mu Lichuan knew that "fortune favors the bold." If he succeeded, his status in the Mu family would rise. Besides, he believed Xiao Mo wouldn’t just let him die - otherwise, even his own vessel for possession would vanish.
[富贵险中求 (fù guì xiǎn zhōng qiú): lit. fortune favors the bold; fig. high risks lead to high rewards.]
At these words, Mu Changnian sighed in relief, while Mu Xiwang looked worried. "Lichuan, why are you getting involved in this?" This was his foolish son’s mess, he should be the one dealing with the consequences.
"Grandfather, this is the Mu family’s affair. As a member of the Mu family, I should contribute." Mu Lichuan’s expression was solemn. "Father, as the family head, must stay safe. I should share his burden."
"Good child." Mu Changnian’s face softened with approval.
"You really should learn from your son." Mu Xiwang shot his son a disapproving look.
Mu Lichuan then took the talisman and stepped out of the barrier, walking toward Mu Xiaolin. As soon as he entered the dark aura, it wrapped around him, but the talisman kept it at bay. Bai Ping also remained unharmed - proof that Mu Xiaolin still had some awareness left.
"Aunt Bai, do you want to drag your son into hell?" Mu Lichuan leaned in and whispered softly.
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