Chapter 7: Compassion

Chapter 7: Compassion

Mister, why do you desire to eat me so badly?

The Demon's hoarse laughter sprang from his bloody lips unimpededly. That was what you truly wished to ask, wasn't it? Fine, I'll set your mind at ease before you fill my stomach!

Then, his towering stature leaned forward towards Auslens 70 cm tall frame.

Not moving an inch, Auslen kept his golden eyes raised as he gazed curiously at the Demons slowly approaching face.

The Demon closed his eyes, placing his bloody nose near Auslens small neck. He took a deep breath before moaning softly.

Leaning back in honest satisfaction, he praised, Its because your soul smells fucking intoxicating!

Yellow eyes were visible once more, glowing brighter after each passing moment. He spoke with a musing expression, The strength of your young soul is extraordinary, similar to that of someone at least one-hundred times your age.

At this point, Auslen understood his current predicament perfectly.

The Demon continued, However, the souls of older Foundation Establishment realm cultivators that I ate in the past were offputtingly tasteless and dull.

And to my regret, the souls of cultivators within the True Core realm and above are tainted beyond redemption.

Tainted? Is cultivation so dangerous?

The image of his parents flashed through his thoughts uncontrollably. He had no idea if they were above the so-called True Core realm, but their actions and habits were indeed noticeably peculiar.

The Demon's body began shivering in anticipation, breath quickening as his pupils grew increasingly sharper still.

But your soul its not just vast, but incredibly rich and lively, filled to the brim with countless thoughts, hopes, and dreams! And after consuming such a delicacy, I would have a genuine chance of breaking through to the Greater Demon realm!

The Demon could no longer wait.

Auslen couldnt even process the Demons movements. Within his next frame of comprehension, all he could perceive was the encompassing shadow of a large hand that was just about to cover his small head.

However, right before the Demons claw-like fingertips could find purchase, Auslens silver earring trembled wildly. Instantaneously, a golden barrier appeared, covering every inch of Auslens body.

The Demons palm made contact with the barrier unwittingly.

Suddenly, blinding light exploded within the temple.

Graaaaaah!!

A tormented howl ferociously erupted from within the light, the resulting force strong enough to produce a thunderous shockwave.

Boom!

A sharp pressurized fluctuation expanded form the source of the bellow at supersonic speeds, bouncing harmlessly off of the light-encased Auslen.

However, Aiden, who was standing behind, was violently struck the inescapable current of air, sending him flying backwards until he crashed into the golden statue. Blood poured from his eyes, mouth, and ears as he immediately lost consciousness from his injuries.

As the light started to die down, Auslen could finally begin to process the breakneck chain of events. After observing the barrier which was securely covering him, he heaved a sigh of intense relief.

Thank God. It turns out that my dearest mother was not boasting shamelessly before.

Auslen was obviously referring to the silver earring dangling from his left ear lobe.

Amabella had previously promised the miraculousness of the earrings protective properties, but Auslen couldnt help but be suspicious.

Auslen had never been one to rely on such flimsy promises.

But, as unfortunate as it was, he had absolutely nothing else he could depend on at this moment. Thankfully, his mother had far more means than he previously expected.

Additionally, he had been even more suspicious of the utility of the earring once he looked up to notice that his older brother didn't have even a single earring on his ears.

And from the terrified appearance he had displayed, he almost certainly had no other means of protection besides his deceased guards.

Auslen couldn't understand why his parents would place protection on one child instead of another. It had seemed implausible and made him skeptical of its functionality.

However, under the circumstances, Auslens only choice was to take the risk and separately provoke the Demon, in the case that his lone earring lacked the ability to protect both himself and Aiden.

Sadly, the consequence of this series of actions was that he had to reveal his unnatural maturity to his foolish older brother.

Auslen stood still while the light barrier gradually began to dissipate.

Pangs of exhaustion suddenly battered his insides, which he only barely managed to notice as he watched the astonishing sight in front of him.

Who let you into my city?

Even his voice conveyed melodious notes of peace and mercy.

However, he did not wait for the Demon to answer his question.

Cedrick placed the fingertips of his free hand gently upon the Demons head. His dark green hair began to sway in the air without wind as he closed his eyes. He seemed to be sensing information unknown to anyone else in the room.

After a few silent moments passed, Cedrick dropped his hand with a soft sigh. The Demon had yet to speak.

Smiling once again at the Demon, he turned away from its giant form as he spoke lightly to Amabella.

Amabella, I need you to hold Aiden for me. Take the boys back to the Palace. There is a place I need to visit.

Blue eyes calming, Amabella revealed her usual smiling expression. She then took Aiden within her free arm and stepped into the air, once again passing the Demon as if it were empty space. Cedrick followed closely behind.

Although the terrifying cultivators were leaving, the Demon couldn't manage to feel that he had escaped from danger. Instead, he felt as if the sensation of an incoming threat was rising continuously, causing him to sob disgustingly under the increasing pressure.

Remembering the retreating mans merciful expression, the Demon turned his massive body to beg for his life in fear and hope. After all, it wasn't easy for him to cultivate this far with his Common Grade Bloodline.

But before he could even begin, a sharp pain pricked within his stomach, causing him to warily pause.

However, his caution did not change a thing.

In a split-second, the source of his pain had sprouted significantly, bursting through his stomach lining until it began to fiercely pierce into his innards.

The Demons already large body started to expand tremendously at a shocking pace, bulging mounds growing painfully in many areas on his furry figure.

He didnt even have the time to shriek before his body brutally detonated, sending rivers of blood and bits of flesh cascading in all directions.

In the Demons original location, a 20-meter tall blood-red tree stood erect, black leaves sprouting and purple flowers blooming at exaggerated speeds.

Then, the blood-red trees long, undulating roots began to sway around the temple, sucking up all of the blood and pieces of corpses that covered the floor and walls.

After the time it takes for incense to burn, the temple was utterly spotless.

As if its purpose was complete, the blood tree quickly began to decompose, flowers and leaves dissolving into thin air in seconds.

Within a few more moments, the entire tree had disintegrated to nothingness, leaving the temple as empty as it was the day before.

The freshly washed Auslen was laying in bed alone in his large bedroom. His mother was currently attending to Aiden, leaving him the rare opportunity for self-reflection.

His golden eyes observed his small, laughably weak hand raised in the air in contemplation.

This world is far, far more dangerous than I previously expected...

Although he had witnessed old friends pass away on multiple occasions, he had never thought that he would ever have to experience such disgustingly grotesque scenes.

However, the most frightening thing was that he didn't have any control over such a dangerous situation!

If his parents had not arrived when they did, he didn't believe he could have lasted for much longer under the mental strain. And then, he would have died.

Again.

Cultivation

Auslen sighed deeply. Just the day before, the idea of such a mysterious and magical concept seemed especially appealing to him. But now, the hazy maliciousness that the word seemed to imply began to horrify him.

However, despite his unease, his motivation to cultivate could not have been any greater than at this very moment!

The disturbing fact that there were incomprehensibly powerful beings in this world that would go out of their way to hunt him to his death filled Auslen with intense dread.

He realized that, unless he hid within the confines of the Royal Palace walls, he couldnt imagine himself feeling truly safe in this world ever again.

Auslen had no desire to lock himself within a cage for the rest of his life. That was not his path.

So, he must become stronger, strong enough to protect himself, regardless of what he may encounter. At the very least, he couldn't allow himself to experience another day where he had no say over his own life and death.

The tiny hand in the air was clenched into a tight fist before falling to the bed in exhaustion as Auslen fell into sudden, yet determined, rest.