Chapter 277: Chapter 145: Zhong Ming: I am the Demon Lord! Immortal and Indestructible

Demon Lord Tai Sui

This was the third Divine Treasure Zhong Ming had derived from the Daoist Canon after consuming the Fruit of Origin.

What made him raise an eyebrow was that this Divine Treasure, crowned with the title "Demon Lord," was indeed incomparably powerful. Yet, it also carried a heart-pounding terror and taboo.

Its first effect was still within the realm of reason—it could unshackle Zhong Ming’s physical body, allowing it to frenziedly devour all surrounding energy and achieve near-infinite growth.

However, the human body has its limits. Without breaking this fundamental boundary, this growth was ultimately confined. If he wanted to achieve theoretically limitless growth, he could, but his body would inevitably sprout superfluous limbs, eyeballs, or even internal organs.

His body would also swell to a colossal size. In the end, Zhong Ming would become just like the sealed Demon Star Tai Sui he had seen before—a ten-thousand-meter-wide, giant ball of dark purple flesh and blood.

Thinking of this, Zhong Ming couldn’t help but sigh. ’The effect of this first ability is also quite taboo and bizarre, and the final result is certainly not what I want... Still, using it to a limited extent should be fine.’

’With this ability, I’ll no longer need to consume Tai Sui’s essence to cultivate my physical body. With just a thought, I can make my cells frantically devour energy and rapidly grow to my body’s current limit.’

’Also, this ability will be a great help in combat. As long as I have plenty of Elixir Pills, I’ll basically have no fear of running out of energy in a fight.’

’I could even use Tai Sui’s devouring nature to try and directly consume an enemy’s energy and use Refinement to make it my own.’

Limitless growth, frenzied consumption, and rampant proliferation. The first effect alone was enough to glimpse the shadow of the taboo.

But the second effect, centered on the "Demon Lord" aspect, left Zhong Ming speechless for a moment.

’So, being a "Demon Lord" means I can bestow my blood or flesh buds upon other people... or beasts, allowing them to also break free from their physical restraints and temporarily gain the constitution of a Demon Star Tai Sui.’

’But during this process, the blood and flesh buds I bestow will also rapidly multiply and grow. Ultimately, these flesh buds will devour everything the host has—their cultivation, Essence Blood, Divine Soul, and Magical Power—and transform into a "Meat Ganoderma," becoming a meal for me.’

Using another’s body as a cauldron to cultivate his own food. Such a demonic characteristic was truly worthy of the name "Demon Lord."

Moreover, Zhong Ming could clearly sense that the current Demon Lord Tai Sui was far from reaching its limit.

As his physical strength continued to climb and transform, these two fundamental abilities would also transform again and again.

One day, every wisp of flesh and every drop of blood he shed would become a clone, and he would be able to transfer his main consciousness into them!

’As long as a single drop of my blood remains in this world, I am immortal!’

This near-immortality first left Zhong Ming in a state of shock.

But he quickly shook his head. ’It’s not that terrifying. A Sword Cultivator’s Divine Soul Sword Intent can directly obliterate an enemy’s Heart Soul Divine Intent. If I encounter an Extreme Sword practitioner who has reached Great Success in their cultivation, a single strike could annihilate my Divine Soul even if my body survives. That’s no different from being dead.’

It had to be said, Sword Cultivators were truly valuable, and the Major Sects’ admiration for them was not unfounded. A successful Sword Cultivator could really rely on a single longsword to shatter all the bizarre tricks in the world, rendering all flashy techniques useless.

At this thought, Zhong Ming suddenly remembered that his main class was also a Sword Cultivator. He couldn’t help but smile, and most of the gravity on his brow dissipated.

’Then there’s no problem.’

...

Though it was somewhat taboo and demonic, there was no denying that the Demon Star Tai Sui’s ability was indeed powerful and had great potential for growth. Zhong Ming was quite satisfied with it.

And with the awakening of Demon Lord Tai Sui, his physical body officially stepped into the realm of Breaking the Norms.

This also caused an unprecedented wave of confidence to surge from the bottom of his heart.

’So what if a prodigy has broken through to Foundation Establishment? I can kill them now!’

After muttering this, Zhong Ming transformed into a streak of light and sped toward Crescent Lake.

WHOOSH—

Because his breakthrough had delayed him slightly, everyone had already finished assembling by the time he arrived.

Furthermore, due to his status as number one in the Qinghe Commandery Mansion, he had to go to the very front.

Thus, under the gazes of countless eyes, he flew straight from the periphery toward the front. This inevitably drew attention and sparked a flurry of whispers.

"That’s Zhong Ming?!"

"It is." The youth who spoke sighed and shook his head. "The legends about Zhong Ming in the Qinghe Commandery Mansion, aside from his tyrannical strength, all speak of his arrogant and flippant nature. I have yet to see his strength, but I’ve certainly gotten a real taste of that arrogance. For such a grand gathering, he deliberately delayed until the last moment, arriving even later than the Daoists and elders of the Major Sects, and even later than Prince Qinghe himself. Such a temperament..."

The youth trailed off, speechless.

Hearing this, the surrounding crowd nodded one after another, agreeing with his assessment of Zhong Ming.

"Arriving last like that really makes him seem high-and-mighty and arrogant."

At this moment on the Crescent Lake Shore, aside from those in the Seven Profound Sect who knew of Zhong Ming’s recent situation, everyone else saw his tardiness as a deliberate attempt to flaunt his status.

Even Prince Qinghe thought the same.

As a result, Zhong Ming’s impression in everyone’s minds inevitably worsened.