Two months later, Ji Yaoming came to visit Xu Shang twice, but Xu Shang still lay motionless on the stone platform. All color had drained from Xu Shang's body, and his hair was slowly turning white, yet the tubes remained embedded in his flesh.
Every time Ji Yaoming saw Xu Shang in this state, an inner turmoil gripped him. Determined to save Xu Shang by any means possible, he began searching far and wide for a cure.
By chance, Ji Yaoming came across an ancient manual detailing a mysterious spell said to be capable of awakening slumbering life.
Treating it like a precious treasure, Ji Yaoming immediately set to studying the technique. After countless attempts and failures, he finally mastered its essence.
Approaching Xu Shang, Ji Yaoming cast the spell, channeling a fraction of his own life force into Xu Shang's body. Gradually, Xu Shang's body began to respond.
At that moment, blood surged through the tubes once more—no longer draining away, but acting more like an infusion. The withered body regained a trace of vitality.
Seeing this, Ji Yaoming grew excited and hurried to check on Xu Shang, thinking with concern: "His life is secure for now, but next he must absorb demon blood, drawing power from it to restore his cultivation."
Yet Ji Yaoming frowned once again: "If this brat refuses to obey my commands, I will kill him on the spot!"
That day was a world of ice and snow, with heavy snowflakes swirling and the freezing wind biting like blades, scraping relentlessly against Xu Shang's bones. In the blink of an eye, a full year passed.
Through the continuous infusion of blood and absorption, Xu Shang's emaciated body had regained its vitality over the past year, and his pale complexion slowly grew rosy.
However, the flow of blood through the tubes did not stop just because Xu Shang was frail. The blood continued to flood his body, putting immense pressure on his internal organs.
Xu Shang's body slowly expanded, and after a year of unconsciousness, he finally awoke. The crushing pressure on his internal organs robbed him of any chance to celebrate surviving, instantly making him frown as the agonizing pain left him struggling to breathe.
Enduring the torment, Xu Shang tried to sit up, only to find his body exceptionally heavy, as if weighed down by a mountain. Looking around, he saw Ji Yaoming standing nearby, a complex expression in his eyes.
Ji Yaoming walked over, handed him a pill, and said, "Take this, it may ease the pain." Hesitating for a moment, Xu Shang finally took the pill and swallowed it.
A moment later, Xu Shang felt a surge of powerful energy wash over him, and the pain in his body gradually subsided. He took a deep breath.
The tubes stopped infusing fluids into him as his body slowly began to float upward. Before he could process what was happening, he drifted up to the mouth of the cave.
Immediately afterward, a crimson wave of energy rippled outward, shattering the stone cavern with a deafening roar. A blood-red lotus slowly materialized around Xu Shang, enveloping him within its petals.
Ji Yaoming was instantly overjoyed: "It's almost done!"
Feeling the surge of dark energy pouring in from around the lotus, Xu Shang felt a jolt of alarm, realizing that this darkness was far from ordinary. He tried to break free from the lotus's restraint, but found himself entirely immobile.
As the dark energy continued to converge, the lotus began to bloom, radiating a dazzling light. Amidst the brilliance, a figure slowly took shape.
Staring intently, Xu Shang saw that the figure was identical to himself, yet radiated a bizarre and eerie aura.
"Is this... me?" Xu Shang muttered in astonishment.
At that very moment, the figure suddenly opened its eyes and merged with Xu Shang. The lotus began to wither, and Xu Shang's presence underwent a complete transformation.
Now possessing delicate facial features and a full head of white hair, Xu Shang stood bare-chested amidst the withered lotus. The tight lines of his abdominal muscles resembled a masterpiece of art, showcasing physical health and vitality.
He stepped down slowly from the decaying lotus, a blood-red flower blooming beneath his feet with every step. As he descended, exuding a terrifying and eerie aura, he approached Ji Yaoming.
Xu Shang now stood half a head taller than Ji Yaoming, looking down at him from above.
Gazing at this completely transformed Xu Shang, Ji Yaoming felt a flash of surprise and vigilance. He had never expected that after all these twists of fate, Xu Shang would not only regain his vitality but also acquire an indescribable power.
"Xu Shang, how do you feel?" Ji Yaoming asked in a deep voice, trying to gauge his current state from his reaction.
Xu Shang smiled faintly, a trace of imperceptible coldness in his voice: "I feel... better than ever." His gaze swept over Ji Yaoming, as if evaluating something.
Ji Yaoming's heart tightened. He knew that Xu Shang's transformation meant he was no longer a weakling to be manipulated at will. He had to reassess their relationship and his own plans.
"Since you have recovered, you will follow me from now on," Ji Yaoming said, attempting to maintain his dominant position.
Xu Shang raised an eyebrow slightly. He could sense Ji Yaoming's tension and unease, but he did not reply immediately. He needed time to adapt to this newly acquired power and ponder his own future.
"Ji Yaoming, you gave me power, and I am grateful," Xu Shang began slowly. "But I also know your help wasn't without reason. Tell me, what is your true objective?"
Ji Yaoming fell silent for a moment, then took a deep breath and decided to come clean: "My objective is simply for you to help us revitalize the Demon Clan, so my people no longer have to live in seclusion."
Xu Shang nodded slightly, unsurprised. He knew this world was full of desires and struggles for power, and now he seemed to have become the pivot of this conflict.
"I can help you, Ji Yaoming," Xu Shang finally said. "But not unconditionally. I need you to tell me the truth behind all of this."
Looking at Xu Shang, Ji Yaoming saw a flash of complexity in his eyes. He knew that from this moment on, their relationship was no longer simple. Xu Shang was no longer his pawn, but his... ally.
"Very well, Xu Shang," Ji Yaoming said slowly. "I will tell you everything you want to know. But before that, we need to leave this place, find a safe spot, and talk properly."
Xu Shang replied indifferently: "No need, let's talk right here—lest you harbor malicious intentions!"
Ji Yaoming shouted angrily: "Xu Shang, everything you have right now belongs to me! Even though you've gained power, your strength is still far inferior to mine!"
With a blank expression, Xu Shang said, "Oh? Perhaps you'd like to try!" As he spoke, he unleashed a terrifying wave of pressure that forced Ji Yaoming to stumble back several steps.
With a ferocious expression, Ji Yaoming spat out: "You... what is it you want to know?"