Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 553 Soul-Eating Insects

Chapter 553 Soul-Devouring Insects

As soon as the shout fell, Long Hai and the others quickly unleashed their power, and with a swift movement, they rushed towards the demon god guards.

"You're just a lowly scholar. Let's see what you're capable of to get here."

The ghost fire's figure hurtled towards Ye Ru, and a cold laugh echoed throughout the area. Its palm strike, carrying a sharp force, slammed towards Ye Ru.

“Scholar, I can kill you too.”

With a flick of his Three Absolutes Writing Brush, Ye Ru caused the Netherfire to transform into a line of fire, like a sharp spike, which pierced fiercely towards the head of the ghost fire.

"Humph."

With a look of utter disdain, the will-o'-the-wisp flicked its sleeve, attempting to block the ghostly flames.

However, when the will-o'-the-wisp touched the netherfire, the latter suddenly burst into flames at his sleeve. The will-o'-the-wisp seemed to recognize the nature of the flame, and its expression immediately changed.

"Is this Netherfire?"

The sound, a scream, echoed throughout the place. How could this human scholar possess Netherfire!

Feeling the burning sensation on his arm, the ghost fire used its demonic power to extinguish it. Then, it looked at Ye Ru and retreated.

Now, after experiencing Ye Ru's Netherfire, he has also put aside his underestimation of Ye Ru.

No wonder they were so arrogant; they really did have something to rely on.

Seeing that the will-o'-the-wisps had been frightened away, Ye Ru's face also revealed a mocking expression:

"Do you still think that I, a mere scholar, have no power?"

"Are you Ye Ru?"

Ghostfire pondered Ye Ru's name, and then another name appeared in his mind.

This name has already spread throughout their demon race; it is a name that even demon saints are somewhat wary of.

Unexpectedly, they ran into each other here today.

"Could it be that what the prophesied woman is searching for is in this boy...?"

His gaze furrowed slightly, and Ghost Fire thought to himself.

"Well, it's me."

Ye Ru smiled, then glanced around discreetly.

At this moment, Long Hai and his group had already firmly suppressed the demon god guards. Apart from themselves, who were a bit troublesome, it was only a matter of time before the others would win.

"I didn't expect you to come. It was truly my mistake. However, since you're here, there's no need for you to leave. Weakening the power of the human race is part of my duty."

With a slight smile, the will-o'-the-wisp's face became even more ferocious. Then, it stomped its foot, and the demonic power within its body became even stronger than before.

The demonic power leaked outwards, making the surrounding atmosphere somewhat oppressive.

"It's equivalent to a Grand Secretary."

Ye Ru licked his lips, his face becoming even more solemn. Then he activated the Cloud and Water Zen Heart, and the power of the Sacred Ancient Tree began to spread outwards.

Although the other party was equivalent to a Grand Scholar, Ye Ru was not afraid.

After all, he had fought against many people before, and their strength was equivalent to that of a Grand Scholar.

Moreover, these people didn't get much benefit from Ye Ru's actions.

"go to hell!"

Ghostfire stomped his foot again, and a sword appeared in his hand. The sword was filled with a chilling killing intent and carried extremely powerful force. He then thrust it towards Ye Ru.

Seeing the will-o'-the-wisp make its move, Ye Ru frowned, holding the Three Absolutes Writing Brush in one hand and the Emperor-Slaying Blade in the other, and clashed heavily with it.

In an instant, a powerful force suddenly exploded, and amidst the swirling energy and demonic power, Ye Ru was forced back dozens of steps, while the ghost fire only retreated a few steps before stopping with a stomp of its foot.

"Come again!"

The churning blood energy caused Ye Ru's face to flush red. Although the Sacred Ancient Tree had blocked a lot of power for him, even the remaining power was still too much for him to bear.

"Hmph, stubborn as a mule, I'll finish you off in one move."

Ghostfire sneered. It seemed that Ye Ru, who was all the talk among the demons, was not so talented after all.

Then, his face turned cold, and the black longsword in his hand suddenly erupted, slashing horizontally at Ye Ru.

As the ghostly fire attacked, the sword light shot out from the black longsword, accompanied by the sound of air exploding, and grew larger and larger in Ye Ru's pupils.

"A tall tree adorned with jade, with ten thousand green silk ribbons hanging down."

"Who cut out these delicate leaves? It seems the spring breeze of February is like a pair of scissors."

In just one second, the poem appeared in the air, countless inks began to emit light, three willow trees were formed by the ink, and finally countless willow branches shot out, while countless wind blades also condensed around it, meeting the sword blade.

As the branches and wind blades made their movements, Ye Ru flapped his wings and transformed into a streak of light, flying out quickly towards the ghost fire. The Netherfire on his Three Absolute Literary Heart Brush was unleashed once more.

"roll!"

With a fierce glare, Ghost Fire let out a sharp shout, and a strong gust of wind blew out from his sleeves, causing Ye Ru's robes to fly up.

As this strong wind appeared, countless small insects followed the hurricane and actually crawled directly onto Ye Ru's body.

This scene made Ye Ru's pupils shrink instantly, because he felt these insects actually burrowing into his body through his skin.

"What are these things?"

Sensing the abnormality within his body, Ye Ru abandoned his attack on the ghost fire and then retreated rapidly.

Since these insects were able to enter his body, they must be something bad.

"These are spirit-devouring worms, which specifically devour the talent and wit of scholars like you. Once these worms enter your bodies and consume all your talent, they will grow exponentially and then explode inside your bodies."

The ghostly laughter of the will-o'-the-wisp made Ye Ru's heart skip a beat, and then he felt his talent slowly draining away.

"It is indeed a bit strange, but..."

If it were any other scholar, they would probably be at a loss, but this spirit-devouring insect was facing Ye Ru, who possessed the Zen Mind of Clouds and Water and the power of the Sacred Ancient Tree, so he was not afraid of these ghostly things at all.

Thinking of this, Ye Ru's lips curled into a mocking smile. He secretly used the power of the Cloud and Water Zen Heart. In just a few breaths, all the Soul Devouring Insects in his body were forced out, and then turned into a cluster of flames and disappeared from the place.

"Sorry, your Soul-Devouring Worms don't seem to have any effect on me."

"How can it be!"

Will-o'-the-wisp's pupils contracted, revealing an expression of disbelief, and its heart was filled with turmoil.

These spirit-devouring insects grew alongside him and were an invincible weapon against those scholars.

However, these insects had absolutely no effect on the other person's body!