Chapter 914: Punishment

The Demonic Prince's stubbornness would inevitably attract that great and terrifying existence.

The Ink Tiger's heart was filled with fear at the thought.

Almost irresistible.

No... it was irresistible.

How could two Fourth Rankers possibly resist a Heavenly Demon?

The only thing one could pray for was that the Heavenly Demon couldn't come, perhaps being suppressed by the Purification Method or something.

Perhaps this was the only chance of victory?

But it certainly wouldn't work.

Because even if the Heavenly Demon couldn't come, could they resist the next Third Rank regression?

Impossible, even for the Demonic Prince, blocking one casual strike from a Third Ranker was already expending all his strength; there would be no chance for a second time.

Thinking, a large amount of information was being deduced in the Ink Tiger's mind, almost causing his Spiritual Artifact head to crack, yet even so, he couldn't find any opportunity.

The trembling had spread from his claw tips to his entire Physical Body.

But the Demonic Prince in front of him remained calm. The Ink Tiger couldn't fathom his master's thoughts, but he could only obey.

However, he suddenly noticed...

Wait, the light and dust around his master had solidified.

Everything outside had stopped.

Is it an expanded spacetime?!

Could it be the Heavenly—

As this thought just emerged, before it even fully formed, a hand made of black flames next to him had already pinched the Ink Tiger's chin, gently turning his head to the side.

Next to him, there was an energy body.

It vaguely resembled a Human Race figure, like an elemental sprite, composed entirely of black and white flames. One could faintly discern a face made of several light points, from which a 'smile' seemed visible.

That smile was bone-chilling.

The Ink Tiger's entire Physical Body stiffened, and even his thoughts ceased.

That was the Heavenly Demon's illusory form.

"Hey, hey, hey, are you still alive? Wake up!" The Heavenly Demon, however, seemed very energetic, hopping around and waving a hand in front of the Ink Tiger's eyes, then tugging his ear and poking his nose.

Only after he did this did the Ink Tiger suddenly regain consciousness, then he sharply lowered his head, not even daring to make a move to retreat.

"Alright, don't be so nervous. Aren't you an item? How can an item be afraid? Did Shang Fan create you for this?" The Heavenly Demon asked with a smile.

Her tone was gentle, her attitude amiable, just like an aunt kindly greeting toddlers at a kindergarten entrance.

She gently stroked the Ink Tiger's head, which was soft and furry, feeling quite nice.

Then, it said: "Items are created by High-Level Intelligences to fulfill the purposes of High-Level Intelligences, existing to serve their function."

"The reason for an item's birth and its entire reason for existence is to achieve the High-Level Intelligence's purpose."

"So items don't get tired, don't complain, and are absolutely obedient."

"Are you a good item?"

The Ink Tiger was stunned by the words, then forced himself to calm down: "Your Excellency is right, I have failed in my duty."

The Heavenly Demon shook his head, he said: "You're wrong."

Then, she continued to answer: "Items don't fail in their duty, because you don't act on your own. If something goes wrong with you, it's the user's problem, which means Shang Fan made a mistake. Oh dear... he's made so many mistakes these past few years, I wonder what's going on..."

"The Little Heavenly Master fought him again, and he actually lost. He drew with Canghai Jun, and he drew with the Little Overlord. His path to invincibility was broken like this; he's really quite embarrassing," the Heavenly Demon sighed and said.

The Ink Tiger chose not to answer.

He could vaguely sense that the Heavenly Demon's state was quite unstable, even his form was switching. At a time like this... he couldn't speak carelessly and anger the other party.

"I say." The Heavenly Demon looked up, she grabbed the Ink Tiger's whiskers, pulling his head slightly askew: "Not speaking is also a kind of attitude, you know."

Then, it continued to say: "You're a bit anthropomorphic, do you know that?"

"Items don't have demonic thoughts."

Upon hearing this, the Ink Tiger closed his mouth, simply waiting for death.

Since he couldn't resist, he would die. Anyway, he was already mentally prepared.

"Look at you, you're clearly a High-Level Intelligent life form beyond an item, why bother pretending?" The Heavenly Demon said with a smile.

Then, she immediately changed her tone, sighing to herself: "However, this is right, this is what a High-Level Intelligence should look like."

"Even when they have what they want, they still crave more. So-called High-Level Intelligences are such beings."

Craving to live.

Craving to move forward.

Craving more.

When all cravings disappear, High-Level Intelligences will also face death.

Motivation is the reason for life's existence.

Whether it's the motivation to survive or the motivation to advance, it's all the same.

And these motivations are the breeding ground for demonic thoughts.

It can be said that demonic thoughts is almost entirely linked to intelligence.

With the Heavenly Demon's simple words, demonic thoughts had already begun to entwine around the Ink Tiger's Physical Body.

Items do not have demonic thoughts.

But the emotions on the Ink Tiger's Physical Body, like black mist, clung to him and could not be dispelled—

The Ink Tiger had never experienced such emotions, let alone understood them.

Even though these emotions arose from his own heart, he himself was not quite sure what they were.

The Heavenly Demon sat on the Ink Tiger's back. Compared to the several-meter-tall Ink Tiger, she was only a child's body at this moment.

He lay down lazily, she said: "Don't think you understand Shang Fan so well."

Then, it rolled over: "From his birth until now, a considerable amount of time has passed, yet Shang Fan still occasionally shows me a side of him that I don't know."

"These small changes, if put into words, would seem insignificant. Every gesture is only visible in the subtle details, but they always bring me new joy every time."

"So, what are you worried about?" The Heavenly Demon lay on the Ink Tiger's head, embracing his head downwards, gently stroking his chin.

The Ink Tiger closed his eyes, feigning death, making no reply, and simultaneously sealed off his thoughts, causing his mind to completely cease functioning, entering a state of 'suspended animation'.

Either the Heavenly Demon would truly kill him, or he simply wouldn't move.

Seemingly sensing this attitude, the Heavenly Demon let out an unamused snort.

Immediately after, time around them began to flow.

The Demonic Prince's consciousness also became aware of the Heavenly Demon's arrival.

He picked up his bamboo staff, propped it in his hand, and came before the Heavenly Demon.

"Bullying a jade pendant, the Heavenly Demon truly has... leisure and elegance," the Demonic Prince said, looking at the Heavenly Demon.

The Ink Tiger immediately opened his eyes, clearly having sensed something to a certain extent.

"Is that so? Then should I bully you?" The Heavenly Demon's body, made of black and white flames, burned fiercely, then transformed into a Human Race form.

It was an ordinary Human Race, looking like a five or six-year-old child, its gender completely indistinguishable.

She walked unsteadily, one step deep, one step shallow, speaking in a babbling tone: "Shang~ Fan~, that, that, have you reflected properly?"

With this childlike utterance, the child melted in place, and a withered, monstrous arm embraced the Demonic Prince: "Do you know where the problem lies?"

The Demonic Prince looked back, seeing only an arm, no body.

Hmph...

"I have no problem," the Demonic Prince answered coldly.

"But you lost," the Heavenly Demon reminded him.

"I did not lose," the Demonic Prince replied without hesitation.

"Lost is lost. The loser naturally deserves to be re-forged," the Heavenly Demon's voice turned grim.

"You don't get to decide," the Demonic Prince gave a matter-of-fact reply: "Heavenly Demon, you are not the judge of victory or defeat, stop pretending."

The conversation between the Demonic Prince and the Heavenly Demon gradually calmed the Ink Tiger beside them.

This reminded him of the former Demonic Prince.

That invincible figure, that perfect back he followed.

The Demonic Prince was perfect.

Wisdom, knowledge, mind, will.

Physical Body, cultivation, reaction, patience.

There was no weakness, no place that could be exploited.

As the Demonic Prince's Spiritual Artifact, the Ink Tiger had always felt that the Demonic Prince was both invincible and full of wisdom, naturally assuming he probably had neither worries nor depression.

In reality, of course, it was so. Wouldn't anyone who saw him think the Demonic Prince was an invincible and wise existence?

Of course.

However, the Ink Tiger only realized afterwards that even such a Demonic Prince would also become depressed.

Rather, the smarter a person is, the more worries they have.

The more perfect a person is, the deeper the troubles they face will be, because ordinary matters simply cannot constitute their troubles.

On this point, Li Qi would probably sympathize with the Demonic Prince. Both Geniuses are essentially troubled, although to outsiders they appear dazzling. But upon closer inspection, one can realize how intensely their thoughts burn beneath the radiance, and the consumption required to maintain such a torch is immeasurable.

Therefore, the Ink Tiger was flustered and worried.

But, looking at it now...

Although the Demonic Prince carried an unimaginable burden, he was still himself.

No need to worry, it was entirely unnecessary.

And on the Heavenly Demon's side...

Hearing the Demonic Prince's arrogant answer, loudly proclaiming that the Heavenly Demon was not the judge, the Heavenly Demon burst into laughter.

The laughter was initially sharp, like a child's.

Then it gradually became pleasant, like a young girl's light and playful tone.

Afterwards, it grew frantic, then transformed into a monstrous roar that no creature should possess, stirring the Void Realm and generating countless whirlpools. From within these whirlpools emerged countless malevolent thoughts, and from these malevolent thoughts sprang countless distorted, wicked suns.

Called suns, but they were actually monstrous entities shaped like stars, their twisted bodies swaying, dividing the sky, and emitting dizzying, kaleidoscopic halos.

Finally, everything subsided.

The Heavenly Demon also regained composure, merely transforming into a phantom-like shadow that circled the Demonic Prince. As it spun, it said: "But you should know by now, you are not invincible. I am invincible. All the honors you've won previously were actually me letting you win."

"If you lose, I'll make everything start over, until you win."

The Demonic Prince interjected at this point: "Except when facing Li Qi, right? So I lost to Li Qi once, because in matters concerning Li Qi, you won't interfere."

"Mmm~, that's pretty much it~. What, are you jealous?" the Heavenly Demon asked with a hint of smugness.

"You interfere with me without limit, but you don't interfere with Li Qi at all. Are we two... on a chessboard?" the Demonic Prince asked.

"I'm sorry, Shang Fan, I can't tell you that," the Heavenly Demon shook her head, saying regretfully.

"Not telling me is also an answer," the Demonic Prince said in the exact same tone as the Heavenly Demon.

"Haha, you little rascal, playing tricks, are you?" The Heavenly Demon laughed heartily, then glanced at the Demonic Prince.

Just one glance.

The Demonic Prince immediately tensed up!

An endless storm swept into his mind!

His ears buzzed, his heart began to pound, and his sternum was even violently struck by his heart, causing pain in his chest.

But this was just the beginning; his mind was now like being trapped in a huge, scorching, short, thick, rolling oven, and no one could control it!

All sorts of terrifying demonic thoughts began to stir, using things called 'memories' to mess with his mind.

The Demonic Prince kept finding himself suddenly waking up from bed, only to discover he had become a religious fanatic.

After he realized this, he woke up again, becoming a UFO enthusiast chasing unidentified flying objects.

Waking up once more, he found himself eating his own brother for breakfast.

Absurd, bizarre, endless demonic thoughts surrounded him. As long as he remained 'awake', all of this would stretch out infinitely.

With just one glance, the Demonic Prince seemed to have passed through countless ages.

So long that he couldn't see the end, like a dark dome.

And opposite him, something was rising at the end of the world. It was a black sphere, its curve perfectly exquisite. Now only a part of it protruded above the straight horizon. That thing was the source of all dreams, and the Ink Tiger could feel its scorching cold.

Cold, yet scorching.

Energy flowed slowly around, like sunlight on a viscous, oily river surface.

The Ink Tiger truly wanted to leave this place, not to be tossed about like a fragile little toy doll in this ridiculous toy boat, drifting in the oily river of energy.

Unfortunately, he couldn't.

And the Demonic Prince... directly suffering the frontal impact, he shattered instantly.

His spirit and Physical Body were both shattered.

However, the next moment, a slow aggregation, like a geological movement, caused him to slowly form a whole.

This was very much like prehistoric times, when huge landmasses came together due to plate tectonics.

And... the speed was similar.

The Demonic Prince's recovery was slow enough to allow for the evolution of Dinosaurs.

However, after hundreds of millions of years of aggregation, he once again fell apart.

Now, as the never-ending colossal storms began to sweep across, he once again began his next magnificent continental drift.

In the surrounding Void Realm, solemn and grave drumbeats accompanied it; those were heartbeats.

After each calamity, the Demonic Prince was able to recover, but each time he recovered, he was not as energetic as before.

The Heavenly Demon accelerated time.

Billions of years of fragmentation and merging, repeated five times!