Free Web NovelChapter 126: Life Essence
Slowly, the demon’s body began to disintegrate into countless particles of black ash before fading into the air.
Hazel and Wren stood frozen, their faces filled with disbelief.
"That was the Ascended level demon purging aura... and at the intermediate stage at that." Hazel whispered, her voice trembling. "How did he master the aura to such an extent? Even my grandfather, the current head of the Demon Slayer Clan, has only reached the beginner Stage of the Ascended level. How is this possible?" Her mind was in complete chaos.
Wren looked utterly devastated. He slowly walked toward Leon.
"You..." His voice was low. "How did you comprehend the demon purging aura? From where did you steal the technique?"
Leon turned to look at him, his expression calm. "Is it forbidden to learn?" he asked indifferently. "Or am I supposed to answer every question you ask?"
His calm attitude only fueled Wren’s anger.
"You..." Wren’s face twisted with rage. "How dare you speak to me like that? Do you even know who I am?"
He roared in fury. The demon had toyed with him from the very beginning. It had been an elite rank demon all along, deliberately concealing its true strength.
As a result, Wren had acted arrogantly, only to humiliate himself in front of everyone.
At least, that was how he saw it.
And now...
A brat far younger than him was wielding demon purging aura at a level that even the head of his clan had yet to attain.
Worse still, the demon purging aura was supposed to be the Demon Slayer Clan’s greatest trump card. A secret art known only to them.
"Tone it down, dude. You’re acting like I stole your girlfriend or something." Leon frowned slightly. "Where I learned it is none of your concern, is it? I’m not obligated to answer every question you ask." Leon couldn’t help feeling a little irritated. ’Seriously? I just soloed a demon that all of you failed to defeat. Shouldn’t I at least get a thank you? Why is this guy acting as though I stole something from him?’
Wren was about to explode in anger when Hazel stepped in front of him, stopping him immediately. "Shut up, Wren."
Wren wanted to vent his anger, but when he met Hazel’s serious gaze, he held himself back.
Hazel turned toward Leon. "First of all, thank you for killing the demon. And please don’t mind his behavior." She paused for a moment before continuing.
"The thing is, the technique or aura you just used is called the demon purging aura. In the entire world, only one group of people knows how to wield this power."
Her expression turned solemn. "The members of the Demon Slayer Clan. So there are only two possible explanations for how you possess it. Either you stole the technique... Or someone from our clan betrayed us by passing it on."
She looked Leon straight in the eyes. "You may not be obligated to answer all of our questions. But we do have the right to investigate a matter of this importance. I hope you understand the gravity of the situation and choose to cooperate with us."
Her tone remained calm. "But if you refuse..."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Things may become very unpleasant."
"Stole it from you?" Leon let out a faint laugh. "Are you serious?" He looked at Wren indifferently. "If I had stolen it from your clan, shouldn’t I be the one who understands it less? You should be far more proficient with the technique than I am."
His gaze grew colder. "Then how was I the one who killed the demon?"
Leon paused for a moment before continuing. "And do you have any proof that I stole it from your clan? If not..."
He turned around.
"Then stop wasting my time."
As Leon began to walk away, Wren quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his path. A sneer spread across his face.
"Running away because of a guilty conscience, are you?"
The veins on Leon’s forehead bulged slightly.
Just as the situation was about to escalate...
Stanley stepped between them. He stopped in front of Leon and faced Wren.
"If you want to accuse him of stealing your clan’s technique, then bring proof." His voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority. "And if you believe someone from your clan betrayed your secrets..." His head turned toward Hazel. "Go find that person first. Leon Bale is under my protection."
An imposing aura erupted from Stanley’s body, sweeping across the arena. The hierarchy of strength was established instantly.
"So... If you still wish to pursue this matter... Think very carefully before making your next move." freeweɓnøvel.com
Wren stood there with his jaw clenched. He wanted to make a move. But he knew he was no match for Stanley. He might possess the demon purging aura, something Stanley couldn’t wield, but that power was effective only against demons.
Not against humans.
Hazel remained silent for a moment before turning away.
"Don’t think this is over, old man." She began walking away without looking back. "We’ll be back. And next time... You’ll have to show someone the respect they deserve."
Wren shot Leon one last glare before following behind her.
Stanley didn’t respond... Instead, he turned toward Leon. "You’ve been through a lot, boy." A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You should head home now. I imagine your sister is worried sick about you."
Leon chuckled. "Haha... I bet she is."
He nodded. "Alright, Mr. Cooper. I’ll head home then." With that, he turned and started walking away.
Stanley silently watched his retreating figure.
Meanwhile, Frenrir and Noira caught up to Leon.
"Master, where are we going next?" Noira asked enthusiastically.
Leon was about to answer when his eyes fell on Frenrir’s wrinkled face and aged body.
He stopped in his tracks. "What the heck happened to you?"
Frenrir smiled faintly. "It’s nothing, Master. Once I break through to the Grandmaster Realm or beyond, my vitality will increase. My body will become young again."
Leon’s eyes widened slightly. "Really? That’s actually possible?"
He paused before asking again, "But how did you end up like this in the first place?"
Frenrir fell silent for a moment. Then he answered quietly,
"I had to burn my life essence, Master."
