From DEMON to TRASH: The rise of Demonic Emperor Zhiyun

Zhiyun had been exploring the cave for nearly 2 hours, but the special item he sensed was still nowhere to be found. However, as he ventured deeper, the clues he uncovered a clearer picture of what lay ahead.

Based on the tracks and signs left behind, the cave's occupant was undoubtedly a poison-type insect monster. The dark purple toxic liquid spread throughout the cave was a clear defense mechanism to ward off intruders a behaviour only known for toxic monsters.

The large, deep marks of multiple legs confirmed it was an earth-type creature.

What caught Zhiyun's attention, however, was the creature's sheer size. The trail suggested it was far longer than typical monsters, which rarely exceeded fifteen feet in length unless they had been cultivating for centuries or stumbled upon a powerful treasure that had drastically boosted their strength.

Zhiyun paused to consider his next move. If this was his former body, such a creature wouldn't even be worth his notice.

But now, things were different.

"If it's an insect that gained power from a treasure, it should still be inexperienced. New power is difficult to control," he thought as he resumed his cautious exploration.

'However, if it was something ancient, a seasoned monster with hundred years of battle experience…'

His thoughts trailed off as he heard the faint sound of splashing water ahead. A dim glow reflected off the damp cave walls, growing brighter with each step he took.

He moved with the grace of the wind, silent and swift, until he reached the edge of the cave.

Before him lay a breathtaking sight. A small waterfall poured into a crystal-clear pool surrounded by lush vegetation and towering trees.

The walls and ceiling were embedded with glowing blue and green crystals that bathed the cavern in a serene, almost otherworldly light.

But Zhiyun's focus wasn't on the serene beauty of the cavern. His gaze locked onto the clearing at its center, where a massive red-headed centipede lay coiled around a stone tablet.

The creature was enormous its segmented body stretched forty-five feet, its chitinous armor gleaming under the crystal light.

Zhiyun's lips curled into a cold smile.

"But If it's truly a hundred-years-old monster," he muttered, his voice calm yet sharp as a blade, "then the battle will take a little longer."

———

At the Cave Entrance

The mercenaries lounged lazily on the grass, some even dozing off as they waited for their leader's orders.

The thin man and the ponytailed guy approached their leader, who was leaning against a tree with his eyes closed. Though he appeared relaxed, it was clear he was alert to his surroundings.

"Boss, how much longer do we have to wait before entering the cave?" the thin man asked.

"Yeah, boss. Why wait five hours? When we scouted the cave, it only took us four," added the ponytailed man.

The leader opened his eyes and fixed them with a sharp look before glancing toward the cave entrance.

"Are you both idiots?" he asked, making the two glance at each other in confusion before shaking their heads.

"We're cultivators," the leader explained.

"You're both at Qi Condensation Level 1, and I'm at Level 4. There's a huge difference between our speed and that of an ordinary person. A cultivator can explore that cave in three to four hours, but for someone like that kid? It'll take at least five."

The two nodded, understanding appearing on their faces.

"But why wait, boss?" the ponytailed man pressed.

"Can't we just follow the kid inside?"

The leader smirked, his gaze returning to the cave.

"Don't forget about the giant centipede inside. We didn't fight it last time, but we know we can't take it head-on, even with a hundred men. The pill I gave that boy is a poison-repelling pill, but its effect doesn't last twelve hours. In fact, it only works for five. After that, any poison he encounters will kill him."

"But if he dies, how will he help us, boss?" the ponytailed man asked, frowning.

"The pill I gave him isn't an ordinary poison-repelling pill," the leader said, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

"It contains something that can knock out even a saber-toothed tiger for twelve hours. It doesn't affect humans, but if a monster eats someone who's consumed it, that monster will fall unconscious for hours."

The two men's eyes lit up with understanding, and they began showering their leader with praise.

"Boss, you're a genius!"

"This is brilliant! Getting that flower will be a piece of cake!"

The leader laughed smugly, clearly pleased with their compliments. His gaze returned to the cave as his smile grew darker.

"In an hour, we'll go in and take the Crystal Lily" he said.

————

Inside the cave

Zhiyun paused at the edge of the cliff, his gaze sweeping over the massive centipede below and the surrounding cave.

His eyes then shifted to something faintly glowing in the distance an object that immediately piqued his interest.

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he focused on it. At the top of the waterfall, nestled among the rocks, was a small water lily.

Though the distance made it hard to see clearly, the scent and the faint energy it emitted confirmed his suspicion: it was the Crystal Lily.

'This flower is incredibly rare' Zhiyun thought.

' It requires perfect conditions to grow. pure, clear water, fertile soil, and a crystal cave like this one'

The cave's ecosystem was the ideal environment for it to thrive. With the centipede acting as its guardian for hundreds of years, the flower had remained untouched, making it a priceless treasure.

'But something doesn't feel right' Zhiyun thought, unease creeping into his mind. Nevertheless, he decided to approach.

With swift and precise movements, he jumped down from the cliff, careful not to disturb the sleeping monster.

He threaded his way through the cave, staying quiet and mindful of every step. Soon, he was standing near the flower.

The flower's spiritual power was far stronger than he had anticipated. If he took it, not only would it help repair his damaged meridians, but it could also significantly enhance his cultivation.

Before plucking the flower, he glanced back at the centipede.

For some strange reason, the creature seemed indifferent to the flower being so close to him.

"Why isn't it protecting the flower?" Zhiyun wondered, his brow furrowing as he tried to make sense of it.

His gaze then shifted to the stone pillar where the centipede latched on, noticing that it appeared to be a kind of protective barrier.

'There's definitely something more to this' Zhiyun thought, curiosity getting the better of him. But he quickly reminded himself not to get distracted.

Confronting whatever secret lay hidden here would be too dangerous for him in his current state.

"First, I need to fix my body" Zhiyun decided. 'I'll figure this out later'

With careful precision, Zhiyun used the dagger he had taken from the mercenaries to cut the flower from its roots.

He placed it gently in his pocket, the flower's energy thrumming through him.

The centipede remained in deep slumber, completely unaware of his actions.

Moving quietly and swiftly, he retraced his steps, ensuring he remained out of the centipede's sight.

However, just as he leapt from the entrance of the cave, a sharp, searing pain shot through his body. Before he could even react, he fell, tumbling 30 feet and landing with a painful crash.

Blood spilled from his mouth as he struggled to rise.

His body felt like it was breaking apart four ribs were cracked, and the pain in his left shoulder blade was excruciating.

"Damn it… the side effects from fighting those thugs are catching up with me," Zhiyun muttered, clutching his chest.

His thoughts were interrupted when the giant centipede suddenly appeare at his back and launched a sudden attack.

Acting quickly, Zhiyun leapt 10 feet into the air, landing against the mountainside.

He clung to the rock face, staring down at the monstrous insect.

"How dare you attack me!" he shouted, sending a wave of spiritual energy toward the centipede, hoping to subdue it like he had with the bat earlier.

The centipede froze momentarily, its many glowing eyes fixated on him.

'Will it work?' Zhiyun thought, holding his breath.

The answer came in the form of an ear-piercing screech. The centipede charged at him again, faster and more aggressive than before.

"Damn it, it didn't work!" Zhiyun cursed, darting toward the creature's head. He ran along its back with precision, moving swiftly as the centipede thrashed wildly in response.

The monster spun in circles, tearing through trees and smashing rocks, its rage growing with each second.

Zhiyun struggled to keep his balance on its smooth, hard shell. His feet slipped, and in desperation, he stabbed his dagger into the creature's back to steady himself however, blade slid uselessly off the tough armor.

He lost his grip and fell. The centipede's massive leg swung toward him mid-air, striking him hard. Zhiyun hit the ground and rolled several feet before coming to a stop.

"Ugh…" he groaned, spitting out blood as sharp pain shot through his chest. His ribs felt cracked, his body barely able to withstand the punishment.

'This is bad. My body can't handle this fight,' Zhiyun thought grimly, trying to catch his breath.

As he struggled to get up, something glinted on the ground nearby a small bottle. He snatched it up, confusion flickering across his face.

'Was this in my pocket all along?' Zhiyun wondered as he narrowly dodged another strike from the centipede.

Its relentless attacks pushed him further and further back until his feet splashed into the cold water pooling beneath the waterfall.

The centipede spun sharply, whipping its massive tail toward him like a battering ram. Zhiyun tried to evade, but the searing pain in his chest slowed him down.

The tail struck him hard, sending him hurtling through the air.

He crashed against a stone tablet in the center of the clearing. The impact rattled his body, and he gasped in pain, coughing violently as blood trickled from his lips. Slumped against the tablet, his vision blurred as he struggled to regain his focus.

The centipede let out another deafening screech, its glowing red eyes locked onto him.

It reared back, ready to deliver the final blow. But then, to Zhiyun's surprise, it stopped midway.

Zhiyun squinted at the creature, using the stone tablet for support as he pulled himself to his feet.

The centipede remained tense, its many legs twitching as it emitted an eerie, high-pitched screech, almost as if in protest.

'Ohhh, so this is what you're guarding,' Zhiyun thought, an evil smirk spreading across his face as a dark idea crept into his mind.

To test his theory, he placed a hand on the stone tablet. The centipede let out a piercing screech, louder and more frantic this time, and began thrashing around wildly, toppling trees and smashing rocks in a chaotic tantrum.

"Back off, or I'll shatter this precious tablet of yours," Zhiyun warned, his voice cold and commanding.

The centipede froze, its glowing eyes fixated on him. It hesitated for a moment before retreating slightly, its massive form shifting away from the water. Despite its retreat, its gaze never left Zhiyun.

'To think the safest place in this entire cave is its own lair,' he thought, examining the tablet. 'I wonder what's so special about this.'

Now that he was up close, he realized the tablet was much larger than it had seemed from afar. It stood an impressive 15 feet tall and 3 feet wide, its surface covered in intricate, unfamiliar scriptures.

Despite his extensive knowledge of languages from his time as the Demon Emperor, this script was unlike anything he had ever encountered.

Zhiyun's eyes drifted to a shiny object resting at the base of the tablet. He picked it up a simple silver ring.

It appeared unremarkable at first glance, but the small ruby embedded in its center seemed to pulse faintly, drawing him in.

'What is this?' he wondered, slipping the ring into his pocket. Not wanting to get distracted, he turned his attention to a small bottle in his other hand.

Opening the lid, he peeked inside and was immediately taken aback by what he saw a perfectly round, three-toned pill.

His eyes widened. 'A Level 4 Triple-Tone Heavenly Recovery Pill?'

The three tones represented its powerful properties healing the body, heart, and soul.

Although it wouldn't fully repair his severely damaged soul, it would help suppress the side effects and stabilize his condition.

Additionally, for mortals, it acted as an auto-recovery pill that could heal injuries instantly.

Examining it further, Zhiyun noticed something unusual. 'A drop of blood?' He frowned.

'That's not part of the original formula. Did the alchemist accidentally add it while creating the pill? Or was it intentional?'

His thoughts wandered to the mysterious woman who had saved him earlier. Could she have been the creator?

Shaking off the distraction, Zhiyun glanced at the centipede, which had backed off but continued to watch him intently, its movements eerily cautious. He smirked, realizing the creature wouldn't dare attack him while he was near the tablet.

'If it doesn't plan to strike as long as I'm here, I might as well take advantage of this,' he thought, sitting down by the water.

Taking a deep breath, he consumed the pill and began to absorb its energy. To his surprise, the potency of the pill rivaled that of a Level 6 pill.

He could feel his broken bones mending, his tattered skin healing, and the remnants of poison from his earlier battle vanishing completely.

Even his soul showed signs of recovery 10% restored, enough to give him better control over the side effects. His cultivation level also rose to Qi Condensation Level 3, though his broken meridians still prevented him from practicing cultivation.

Despite this, his physical strength had increased tenfold compared to that of an ordinary human.

"Not bad for a pill crafted by mortals," he muttered, pulling out the second pill to inspect its contents.

'There's nothing unusual about the ingredients, yet the potency exceeds its level.

That means the method of refinement plays a critical role… but what about the blood? Was that deliberate?'

A sudden idea crossed his mind, and his smirk widened.

'Blood… I see. I finally found a way out of this mess.'

He stood slowly, his gaze dark and calculating as he stared at the centipede, a dangerous glint flickering in his eyes.

"Let's see how you like what's coming next," he whispered, his voice laced with malice.