My uncle and master repeated the same words to Mo and me as they did when they were alive, countless times.
It wasn't to the point where our ears had grown calluses, but it was close.
Mo and I both understood that Uncle was doing this for our own good.
Because, like Master, they couldn't accompany us for our entire lives.
The long road of demon hunting ahead had to be walked by ourselves.
In our profession, even a single mistake could lead to the scattering of our souls.
Losing one's life was considered a "merciful end."
Mo and I nodded gravely, agreeing with every word.
Gripping our peach wood swords and axes, we advanced towards the centipede demon's essence.
The centipede demon's phantom was still begging for mercy:
"Immortal Masters, Immortal Masters, please don't, this lowly demon knows its mistakes, it knows it was wrong. Please spare its life, considering it's a worm cultivator and achieving enlightenment is not easy.
Even if I have to give up all my cultivation, that would be acceptable?"
The centipede demon had lost its previous arrogance and haughtiness, its words filled with pleas.
I maintained a stern expression and said nothing, but Mo, in a dramatic flair, shouted:
"When you walk into darkness, you are destined to face the judgment of justice.
Now, let me end your sinful life!"
With that, Mo raised his peach wood axe, the current crackling, and swung it towards the centipede demon's essence.
But at that very moment, the centipede demon's essence suddenly let out a roar:
"You damned Taoist priests, I'll fight you!"
As it spoke, the phantom essence suddenly erupted with a fierce green demonic light.
A green mist surged forth, transforming into a colossal green phantom centipede, charging directly at Mo.
For a moment, everyone's faces turned pale with shock.
No one had expected that the centipede demon, reduced to mere essence, could still attack.
"Mo, be careful!"
I swept my sword forward.
Mo's expression darkened, a hint of surprise on his face, but he didn't panic.
He raised his peach wood axe and met the charge.
With a dull thud, the two forces collided.
Even with Mo's prior preparation, he was sent flying back by the impact, covering more than three meters.
"Senior Brother Mo!"
Xiao Yao cried out in alarm. Uncle also formed hand seals, ready to intervene.
At the same time, the phantom turned and lunged towards me.
Concurrently, the Twelve Demon Soul Diagram imprint on my left hand began to glow faintly, safeguarding me.
Seeing this, I didn't retreat an inch, but instead uttered a low cry:
"Heaven and Earth Without Limit, Yin and Yang Have Law, Break!"
The 'Break' incantation was unleashed.
My sword cut through the air.
The green phantom also let out a piercing shriek:
"Die!"
Then, my sword clashed with the green mist essence.
With a thunderous explosion, shockwaves of spiritual energy rippled outwards.
Although the demon had held back, its body was already heavily injured. Facing my 'Break' incantation, it struggled to resist.
Its entire form contorted rapidly, followed by a piercing wail.
"Ah, no..."
Before the sound faded, with a resounding bang, the phantom essence was directly shattered by my sword, dissipating into smoke.
As the phantom essence vanished, the centipede demon's massive body exploded simultaneously.
With a series of further explosions, the centipede demon's body disintegrated into a pile of bloody pulp, splattering everywhere.
I quickly unleashed my spiritual energy to shield myself, preventing the gore and ichor from covering me.
As if it were raining, the area around us was soon covered in the centipede demon's remains.
A green bead landed not far in front of me.
The small centipedes that had been scattering earlier now swarmed back.
However, they weren't attacking us; instead, they converged on the scattered remains of the centipede demon.
These bloody remnants attracted the centipede swarm, which began to feed voraciously, fighting over the flesh.
Seeing this, Uncle finally let out a long sigh of relief, releasing his hand seals.
The Twelve Demon Soul Diagram imprint on the Purple Bone Vine also dimmed at that moment.
Looking at the centipede demon, its essence destroyed and its body reduced to pulp, I finally sheathed my peach wood sword.
I then took two steps forward, bent down, and picked up the centipede demon's inner core.
This thing was a treasure...
Uncle then turned to Mo and asked:
"Mo, are you injured?"
Mo shook his head:
"Master, I'm fine. I didn't expect this demon to have such a trick up its sleeve."
Uncle feigned a look of anger:
"Next time, don't blabber a lot of useless words. Just attack with an axe and kill it. Always maintain full defensive posture and never be careless.
If you were alone this time, the moment the centipede demon's attack sent you flying, you would have exposed a flaw.
Even the slightest flaw could cost you your life.
And you too, Qin and Yao, remember this."
Honestly, Mo had been very cautious just moments ago.
It was just that no one could have anticipated that the centipede demon's essence, left behind, could suddenly unleash such potent energy.
Even Uncle likely hadn't foreseen it.
However, Uncle's words were absolutely correct. Mo and I nodded gravely, responding to Uncle:
"We remember, Uncle!"
"We remember, Master!"
"Yes, Master!"
The three of us responded in unison.
Uncle then nodded, looking at the surrounding small centipedes, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, I brought the acquired centipede demon's inner core over:
"Uncle, how should we handle this centipede demon's inner core?"