Chapter 3 The Devil's Bargain

The winds howled fiercely as Xian Wu pressed forward through the jagged peaks of the Frozen Wastelands, a desolate expanse where few dared to venture. The cold bit into his flesh, but it was nothing compared to the chill that had settled in his heart. Each step felt heavier than the last, burdened by the weight of his recent encounter with Lian Yue. Her final words echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder of the path he had chosen

But Xian Wu was not one to be swayed by regret. He had made his choice long ago, and there was no turning back. The Blood Devil's Codex pulsed within him, its power coursing through his veins, guiding him to his next destination-a place where he could gain the strength he needed to complete his transformation.

Ahead of him loomed the Obsidian Citadel, a fortress carved into the heart of the tallest mountain in the Frozen Wastelands. The structure was ancient, its blackened stone walls etched with runes of a forgotten language. It was said to be the last refuge of the Elder Demon, an ancient being who had once terrorized the world before being sealed away by the first cultivators.

Xian Wu had heard the legends, but he cared little for them. All that mattered was the power the Elder Demon possessed-the power to ascend to a level of cultivation beyond what any mortal could achieve. The price for such power, he knew, would be steep, but he had already crossed the point of no return.

The massive gates of the citadel creaked open as Xian Wu approached, as if sensing his intent. The darkness within beckoned him, a void that promised power in exchange for whatever remained of his humanity.

Inside the citadel, the air was thick with malevolent energy, the very walls seeming to pulse with dark power. Xian Wu walked through the grand hall, his footsteps echoing in the vast, empty space. The walls were lined with ancient murals depicting scenes of chaos and destruction, a testament to the Elder Demon's reign of terror.

At the far end of the hall stood a massive throne, carved from obsidian and adorned with the bones of fallen warriors. Seated upon it was the Elder Demon himself, his form shrouded in shadows, with only his burning red eyes visible. Those eyes, filled with ancient malice, fixed upon Xian Wu as he approached.

The Elder Demon's voice rumbled through the hall, deep and resonant, a sound that seemed to vibrate through Xian Wu's very soul. "You seek power, mortal. The power to transcend your limits, to become something more than human. But such power comes with a price."

Xian Wu met the demon's gaze, unflinching. "I am prepared to pay any price. I have nothing left to lose."

The Elder Demon chuckled, a sound like grinding stone. "So confident, so determined. But do you truly understand what it is you ask for? The power you seek is not merely an increase in strength. It is a transformation-one that will strip away the last remnants of your humanity."

Xian Wu's expression remained cold, determined. "My humanity is already gone. All that remains is the will to survive, to destroy those who would oppose me."

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The Elder Demon leaned forward, his red eyes glowing brighter. "Very well. But know this, mortal-once the pact is made, there is no going back. You will become a vessel for my power, and in return, I will grant you the strength to crush your enemies. But you will also become my instrument, bound to my will."

For a moment, Xian Wu hesitated. The words of Lian Yue, the warnings of those who had tried to steer him away from this path, all resurfaced in his mind. But they were drowned out by the memory of betrayal, of the pain and humiliation he had suffered at the hands of those he once trusted.

"I accept your terms," Xian Wu said, his voice steady. "Do what you must."

The Elder Demon's laughter filled the hall, a sound of triumph and anticipation. "So be it, mortal. From this moment forth, you shall be reborn as the Blood Wraith, my harbinger of destruction."

The ground beneath Xian Wu began to tremble as dark energy surged through the citadel, converging on him. The Elder Demon raised his hands, and the air around Xian Wu crackled with power. The runes on the walls flared to life, their malevolent glow casting twisted shadows across the room.

"Blood Ritual: Soul Devourer," the Elder Demon intoned, and a vortex of crimson energy swirled around Xian Wu, lifting him off the ground. The blood that had once been a tool of his cultivation now turned against him, seeping into his skin, burning like molten fire.

Xian Wu's screams echoed through the citadel as the dark energy tore through his body, reshaping him, breaking him down and rebuilding him anew. His veins pulsed with the power of the Blood Devil's Codex now fused with the Elder Demon's essen His skin darkened, taking on a ghastly hi while his eyes glowed with a malevolent red light.

The transformation was agony, every fib of his being twisted and corrupted by th dark power. But through the pain, Xian W felt something else-a rush of unparalleled strength, a sense of invincibility that was both terrifying and exhilarating.

As the ritual reached its climax, the vortex of blood energy exploded outward, shaking the very foundations of the citadel. Xian Wu fell to the ground, his body convulsing as the last of the dark energy settled within him. When he finally rose, he was no longer the man he had been.

The Elder Demon gazed upon his creation, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Arise, Blood Wraith. Your former self is no more. From this day forth, you shall serve me, and through you, I shall reclaim my dominion over this world."

Xian Wu-or rather, the Blood Wraith-stood tall, his eyes burning with a fierce, unnatural light. The power coursing through him was intoxicating, every fiber of his being thrumming with dark energy. He could feel the Elder Demon's will pressing down on him, a constant presence in his mind, but it did not frighten him. It only fueled his desire for vengeance.

"I live to serve, Master," the Blood Wraith intoned, his voice a hollow echo of what it once was.

The Elder Demon smiled, a cruel twist of his lips. "Good. There are many who must pay for their transgressions, many who must feel the weight of my wrath. You will be my instrument, and through you, I shall bring this world to its knees."

With those words, the Elder Demon waved his hand, and a portal of swirling darkness opened before the Blood Wraith. "Go now, and begin your work. Let the world know that the Blood Wraith has risen, and that the age of the Elder Demon is at hand."

Without hesitation, the Blood Wraith stepped through the portal, leaving the citadel behind. He emerged in a land far from the Frozen Wastelands, a place untouched by the horrors of his past-but not for long. The power within him yearned to be unleashed, to bring destruction to all who stood in his path.

As he looked out over the landscape, the Blood Wraith felt no remorse, no hesitation. He had sacrificed everything for this power, and now he would use it to achieve his goals. The world had turned its back on him, and now it would pay the price.

With a flick of his wrist, the Blood Wraith summoned a storm of blood and darkness, the skies above darkening as the first signs of his wrath began to manifest. This was his purpose now, his destiny.

He was the Unforgiven, the Blood Wraith, and the world would soon know the true meaning of fear