The inner demon did not respond to Ye Ling's question, but continued to fight alone amidst the chaotic code figures.
Although the chaotic code figures were individually strong, the inner demon was protected by the Mirror of Karma. Furthermore, only a fixed number of chaotic code figures could attack the inner demon at any given time, so the inner demon faced no fatal danger in the sea of chaotic code figures.
However, as the inner demon continuously activated runes to slay the chaotic code figures, its body became increasingly transparent, and its aura began to wane from its peak. Initially, it could kill a chaotic code figure with a single strike, but now, a single strike could only leave one on the brink of death.
While this appeared to be merely a slight decrease in the inner demon's power, the enemy was a vast number of chaotic code figures. If the inner demon could not kill one with a single strike, a full-strength chaotic code figure would quickly replace it, giving the heavily injured ones enough time to heal.
Under these circumstances, the number of chaotic code figures surrounding the inner demon grew, and the rate at which the inner demon's power was being consumed began to multiply.
"Inner demon, you… do you think what you're doing is cool?" Ye Ling kicked the golden rune wall with force. However, even as the inner demon's power continuously weakened, the golden rune wall remained as stable as ever, and Ye Ling's attack failed to inflict any damage.
At this moment, Ye Ling suddenly discovered that his power was beginning to surge at an incredible speed, and the potential that had been dormant in the deepest part of his soul began to sprout.
A cultivator would typically develop an inner demon during the Saint stage. After severing their inner demon, they would absorb its power, their strength multiplying, and break through to the Emperor realm.
However, Ye Ling had never severed his inner demon. He had even allowed it to become a complete, independent entity. This meant that Ye Ling had not yet completed what he was supposed to accomplish when he was still in the Saint realm.
Logically, the stronger the inner demon, the exponentially more difficult it would be for the main body to sever it. Eventually, the main body would no longer be a match for the inner demon and would be consumed by it.
But Ye Ling's inner demon was also an anomaly. It had no intention of killing its main body and becoming an independent entity. Instead, it had embarked on a path never before taken by any inner demon in existence, separating itself from its main body and becoming an independent individual.
If Ye Ling, the Emperor Ancestor, had pioneered a unique cultivation system, then Ye Ling's inner demon was also a unique existence among inner demons, forging its own path.
Ye Ling's inner demon was also worthy of being called an Emperor Ancestor!
Thus, Ye Ling and his inner demon progressed on two entirely different paths, each continuously growing stronger.
The moment Ye Ling and his inner demon fully merged, no one could predict what kind of being Ye Ling would become.
Not even good and evil could foresee it.
However, Ye Ling at this moment did not seem to wish to step into that new realm. He continued to furiously attack the rune wall while urging the Void Spirit, "Void Spirit, how much longer will it take?"
"Master, I am already going all out! But… I don't understand your current intentions. Your inner demon has entered an unprecedented realm, transcending the void. If you sever your inner demon, wouldn't that be…"
"Don't tell me that. Urge the Book of Void at all costs. Even if all the Void series divine artifacts are scrapped, I want you to complete it as quickly as possible!" Ye Ling's eyes were somewhat red as he commanded the Void Spirit.
Although the Void Spirit did not understand Ye Ling's intentions, it did not question his command. It began to urge the Book of Void without regard for the consequences, causing the Void Law, Void Heart, and Void Stone to bear unprecedented loads!
Simultaneously, the inner demon's power continuously surged into Ye Ling's body, even healing the wounds on Ye Ling that even the power of creation could not mend.
Ye Ling's strength was breaking through its limits every moment!
However, Ye Ling felt no joy at this moment… He could sense that the inner demon was heading towards its demise.
"Damn it! How can I accept this self-righteous power?"
"Even without your power, I can still resolve this, Ye Ling! Don't flatter yourself!"
Ye Ling roared, and the power of creation erupted from his body. A large amount of black text appeared in this reality, condensing into an invincible sword of text beside Ye Ling!
"Ye Ling! That is your power. I don't want this charity!"
Ye Ling roared at the inner demon. Gripping the sword of text, he suddenly slashed at the rune wall. The ferocious power directly tore open the rune wall, and endless text sword qi swept towards the inner demon, instantly clearing the chaotic code figures around it!
The semi-transparent inner demon looked at the disappearing chaotic code figures around it, stunned. Then, it turned to look at Ye Ling, who had torn open the rune wall, and said with a wry smile, "Another me… you're truly reckless. We are indeed cast from the same mold."
Ye Ling looked at the inner demon coldly, "You and I share the same origin. You should know that I do not covet your power."
The inner demon chuckled, "I don't care if you like it or not. I am the inner demon. By nature, I am meant to oppose you, the main body. My power… you are destined to accept it!"
Boom!
As the inner demon finished speaking, an even vaster power erupted from its body. Golden runes instantly spread across the heavens and earth, clearing away the surrounding chaotic code figures that were encroaching upon reality!
The inner demon's body became even more transparent, and Ye Ling's aura surged again!
"I refuse!"
Ye Ling was not polite. He immediately used "Customize Future" to alter reality here, transforming the inner demon's now-fading body back into a physical form!
"You!!!"
The inner demon had not expected Ye Ling to actually have a way to return its power. Its pupils contracted sharply, and it looked at Ye Ling in shock.
After giving its power to Ye Ling, it had no ability to resist Ye Ling's "Customize Future." And once its power was restored, even if it had the ability to counteract Ye Ling's "Customize Future," as soon as it gave its power to Ye Ling, Ye Ling could use "Customize Future" to return it.
This had now become a dead end.
Ye Ling watched as the inner demon's power continuously recovered, and he breathed a sigh of relief, smiling, "It seems I am still the superior one. With me here… you cannot die even if you want to!"
The inner demon looked at Ye Ling anxiously, "You! You have no idea what you are doing. Stop this foolish act, or else… not only will we die, but everyone will!"
Ye Ling: "I don't believe that."
"You!!!" The inner demon was consumed by anger and did not know how to complete the sacrifice.
Just then, a magnetic voice echoed through the heavens and earth.
"One main body, unwilling to sever its inner demon even unto death; one inner demon… desperately wanting to fulfill its main body. You two little fellows are truly the most adorable in the world."
The space between Ye Ling and the inner demon subtly distorted, and Evil, clad in black and wearing a smile, slowly emerged from the distorted space.
"Master!" The inner demon's face lit up with joy upon seeing Evil appear.
Evil looked at the inner demon, raised his pale palm, and said softly, "Although it pains me, as your master, I must do this."
Ye Ling's pupils contracted sharply upon hearing Evil's words, and he exclaimed, "Evil! What are you doing?"
Hummm—!
Evil offered no reply. A strange sound emanated from his palm, and the inner demon was instantly decomposed into boundless power, which flowed into Ye Ling's body.
"Evil!!!"
Boom!!!
Ye Ling's aura skyrocketed. The reality shattered under Ye Ling's pressure, revealing the infinite crimson chaotic code hidden beneath it!
After the reality disappeared, the exposed crimson chaotic code had already devoured more than half of the pure white realm. Countless books containing vast worldviews were being continuously consumed by the chaotic code.
Numerous illusory figures, distorted by the chaotic code, were tearing apart world after world within the crimson chaotic code.
Even the books residing in the Hall of Ten Thousand Realms had more than half been devoured by the chaotic code. Even the book containing the Void worldview was in dire straits, half corrupted by the chaotic code.
Everything in the pure white realm was merely a beautified facade!
Evil stood amidst the infinite chaotic code, looking at Ye Ling, whose strength was soaring, and said faintly, "Ye Ling, what you see now… is the truth."
"We are out of time."