Chapter 190: Heavenly Demon Divine Art (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 190: Heavenly Demon Divine Art (2)
"Then, by any chance... if you don't mind me asking, how exactly do you mate? The size difference makes absolutely no sense."
The deer fell silent for a moment before letting out a small chuckle. Well, a small chuckle by a giant deer’s standards, anyway.
Rumble—!
Seo-jun clamped his hands over his ears as the laugh rattled his eardrums. For a second, he thought they were going to burst.
[Are you truly curious about such things before we’ve even exchanged names?]
"To be honest, anyone would be."
Laughing softly once more—again, by her standards—the deer’s eyes flashed brilliantly.
Uh-oh. Did I screw up?
Honestly, he wouldn't have had a leg to stand on if she got angry. Having developed some semblance of social skills, Seo-jun finally understood what it meant to be rude.
Soon, a massive surge of Demonic Qi rose from the deer’s body. Emanating from a frame as large as a mountain, the sheer, absurd volume of it made even Seo-jun marvel.
Maybe I should research something like gigantification later?
While he was lost in thought—Flash! A blinding light erupted. Seo-jun kept his eyes wide, peering through the intense radiance.
When the light faded, a deer of ordinary size stood there, exuding a noble air.
[One can simply adjust their size like so.]
"A mutation-type Demonic Art, I see."
[Indeed.]
The deer wore a mysterious smile. Realizing that a deer could actually make facial expressions, Seo-jun observed her closely.
I wondered if this might be her true form.
From the looks of it, that gargantuan form from earlier was her original state. This current form was the result of using some technique to shrink her body.
However, this only piqued his curiosity further. Naturally, he wasn't actually interested in the mating habits of deer.
"I saw the one who is supposedly Nok-yo’s father earlier."
[Yes. He’s a fine male. His antlers are quite grand and sturdy.]
Is that sexual harassment? Seo-jun wondered briefly before asking, "The father is a deer, and the mother is a deer. Then why does Nok-yo take the form of a human with deer antlers?"
[Because I am not merely a deer.]
At her words, Nok-yo tilted her head.
"Mommy is a giant deer-yo?"
[Nok-yo, it is time you learned the truth.]
As the secret of her birth suddenly came to light, Nok-yo’s eyes went wide.
"Could it be... Nok-yo isn't a deer-yo?"
[No, you are a deer.]
"Whew. You scared me-yo."
[But you are also not a deer.]
Nok-yo’s jaw dropped.
The deer chuckled softly and stirred her Demonic Qi once more. A faint light enveloped her body, and her form slowly began to shift.
When the transformation was complete, the deer had taken on a human shape. However, just like Nok-yo, large antlers grew from her head.
Seo-jun glanced at Nok-yo to gauge her reaction. Nok-yo just tilted her head blankly.
"What are you doing-yo?"
She’s not surprised? Even though her mom isn't actually a deer?
"My mommy usually looks like that sometimes-yo."
What? As Seo-jun and Nok-yo stared at her with questioning eyes, Nok-yo’s mother giggled.
"Cute, isn’t she? These days, I live for the joy of teasing Nok-yo."
Seo-jun realized it then. She was indeed an Extreme Demon. Her mind didn't seem entirely sound. To treat the secret of one's birth as a mere joke...
"Now do you understand why Nok-yo was born in a human form?"
...I have no idea.
Seo-jun furrowed his brows.
"Is that form not just a transformation?"
"It’s different from a mere disguise. Ever since I realized my spirituality and became a spirit beast, I have possessed both the form of a deer and a human. Both are essentially my true self."
"Then..."
"Yes. Since I conceived Nok-yo while in this form, she has looked like that since birth."
He hadn't wanted to know that much. Seo-jun wore a look of distaste, but Nok-yo’s mother didn't care, continuing to ramble about her children.
"Among Nok-yo’s siblings, some take the form of a Deer-man like her, while others take the form of a deer. Of course, they can switch between the two once they come of age, but they usually find the form they were born in to be the most comfortable."
"I... see."
He felt that if they delved any deeper into this conversation, topics like the mechanics of mating between a deer and a human—which he had absolutely zero desire to know about—would pop up.
Before his headache could worsen, Seo-jun focused his gaze and examined Nok-yo’s mother.
Near her solar plexus, centered around her Inner Core, he could feel a strong connection between her Lower Dantian and Upper Dantian. Surprisingly, the antlers were serving as her Upper Dantian.
The Sword God had once said that an Extreme Demon is one who stains their Essence-Qi-Spirit with the Demonic and binds them into one.
Now that he was actively looking for it, he could see that her entire internal system was indeed saturated with Demonic Qi.
It was also quite interesting that she had formed an Inner Core—likely because she wasn't human, much like Seo-jun himself.
But...
Is this it?
Of course, her aura was formidable. However, considering the power of the Extreme Demon realm—which he expected to be on par with the Transcendent Realm—he couldn't help but wonder if it was too simple.
If that was all there was to it, Seo-jun would have reached the Extreme Demon realm ages ago. It felt like something he could achieve just by giving it a casual try.
No, surely there’s more to it than that.
There had to be a hidden element. He didn't want to accidentally trigger a "Phase 2" mutation like the wild demonic humans by attempting it incorrectly.
For now, it would be best to gather more clues.
Seo-jun rubbed his tired eyes and waved a dismissive hand.
"Anyway, I’ll be going now."
Now that he’d safely delivered Nok-yo, it was time to return to his research on the Extreme Demon realm. But the deer seemed to have other ideas.
She suddenly stepped closer, bringing her face right up to his.
"By the way, you. I haven’t seen your face around Tianshan before."
"Do you know every demonic human in this vast Tianshan?"
"Not everyone, but it’s hard to miss a demonic human of your caliber." She smiled brightly.
"Did I introduce myself?"
"Not yet."
"And yet you try to leave before we’ve even been introduced."
"I only intended to return a runaway child. There’s no need for us to exchange names."
"My name is Nok So-pyeong."
"...I see."
"I am also one of the Seven Demons of the Demonic Cult."
The Seven Demons referred to the seven great arch-demons of the Demonic Cult. They were the seven strongest demonic humans, excluding the Heavenly Demon himself.
Nok So-pyeong’s emerald eyes pierced through Seo-jun.
"The Cult has been noisy lately. They’re scrambling to find the new master who’s been making a name for himself."
"...And?"
Nok So-pyeong giggled with a peculiar expression. "Your name."
"......?"
"I told you mine."
"...It’s Cheon Seo-jun."
"Hmm... Cheon Seo-jun."
A crimson tongue peeked through her lips, slowly licking her lower lip.
"Let me re-introduce myself. I am the Beast Demon, Nok So-pyeong. One of the Seven Demons of the Demonic Cult, and the master of Deer Field Mountain..."
"What is it you want to say?"
"You seemed quite interested in mating. Well, I happen to be very interested in your seed."
I’m screwed! Seo-jun quickly backed away. Nok-yo watched him with wide, round eyes.
"Are you my new daddy-yo?"
"No."
"...That’s a shame-yo."
"......."
Seeing Seo-jun looking genuinely horrified, Nok So-pyeong burst into laughter.
"It’s a joke. I have no intention of doing anything with a human."
With a lingering smile, Nok So-pyeong whispered softly. "Still, you’d better be careful. I imagine quite a few people will be interested in you. Especially within the Cult."
"Is it alright for one of the Seven Demons to say that? That sounds like internal Cult business."
"Why wouldn't it be? I’ve decided to say it, and no one would dare talk back to me."
Nok So-pyeong smiled faintly and gave a playful wave of her hand. "I can’t hold back someone who wants to leave. Though it’s a bit of a shame I couldn't even offer you a cup of tea."
"Right, then..."
Rumble————!!
What now? Seo-jun looked toward the source of the sound with an exasperated expression, only to see a massive tree.
But this thing was a bit too big. It seemed to be quite far away, yet even from a distance, it looked comparable in size to Nok So-pyeong’s true form. That meant it was roughly larger than most mountains.
The tree was seething with a black aura, letting out ominous groans. It looked as if it might collapse at any moment.
How did I not see that until now?
Was it because it had been overshadowed by Nok So-pyeong’s presence? As Seo-jun stared at the giant tree, Nok So-pyeong sidled up to him.
"Are you interested in the Purification Tree?"
"The Purification Tree? It looks far from anything ‘pure.’"
"Naturally, a filter becomes murky if you use it for too long. Its lifespan has reached its end."
"I see."
It seemed to be a tree that purified Demonic Qi. Certainly, ambient Demonic Qi wouldn't have a very good influence on children or deer.
Seo-jun gave a curt nod and was about to leave when Nok So-pyeong began to fake a sob.
"If the Purification Tree falls, our cute little Nok-yo will eventually be tainted by Demonic Qi. She’ll become an adult stained by the filth of society."
"Sigh... Can’t you just plant a new one?"
"Do you think trees like that are common? I’ve watched that Purification Tree since I was a child; it’s ancient."
Nok So-pyeong now slumped down completely, burying her face in her hands. The artificial sobbing sounds leaking through her fingers were a sight to behold.
"Our poor Nok-yo. Abandoned by her new daddy and tainted by Demonic Qi, she’ll surely go astray and become a delinquent."
"Who decided I was the new daddy? Stop talking nonsense and just say what you want to say."
"Oh my. It seems talking about Nok-yo works a little. Is Nok-yo your type, perhaps?"
"You’re completely insane."
"Oh, my poor Nok-yo. Your new daddy says he doesn't like you."
"I’m shocked-yo," Nok-yo replied with a wide yawn.
He had no idea what they were playing at. Seo-jun looked at Nok So-pyeong with a strange expression.
"So, what is it you really want to say?"
Nok So-pyeong’s lips curled upward, and her antlers let out a low hum. Simultaneously, the Demonic Qi in the area surged, and pitch-black plant vines sprouted from the ground.
"Get on. I’ll take you there."
He was curious enough about what she was planning that he couldn't help but follow.
*
The plant vines moved as if swimming through the earth. It was quite a fascinating sight.
It’s hard to even call this sorcery.
As Seo-jun fiddled with the vine, Nok So-pyeong approached and giggled.
"Is it interesting? It’s an ability I gained when I became a spirit beast."
"Is it like a divine power?"
"Something like that."
Before long, they arrived near the Purification Tree. Up close, he could tell—there was a barrier erected around this area.
It seemed the barrier had temporarily weakened as the Demonic Qi swelled. From the looks of it, the barrier would likely repair itself within half an hour... but judging by the state of the Purification Tree, it seemed likely to have these fits several times a day. The barrier was essentially meaningless.
"Why did you put up this barrier?"
"The Purification Tree is a Sacred Object, you know. The barrier is there to keep vulgar things from clinging to it."
Then why had she bothered to bring him here? Did she have an ulterior motive? Narrowing his eyes, Seo-jun silently looked up at the Purification Tree.
Had she used a filter as an analogy when explaining the tree? Indeed, the Purification Tree was so bloated with Demonic Qi and all sorts of impurities that it looked ready to burst.
Nok So-pyeong stroked the bark with a bitter smile.
"For the Purification Tree to function again, all the Demonic Qi must be drained out. Furthermore, it must be quickly refilled with pure energy immediately after. Otherwise, it will suck in the surrounding Demonic Qi to fill the void and turn into a Demonic Tree."
"Is there a need for all that? You could just transmute the Demonic Qi into pure energy."
"If that were possible, we would have done it. But who in the world could possibly achieve such a thing?"