"Now that we no longer have to worry about the Demon Sealing Grotto becoming our enemy, itās time to clean up the traitors," said Yan Hara as she turned to look at Yuan.
He calmly nodded and said, "Bring me to the traitors. Iāll remove their curses."
"Of course."
Zhou Yanfei proceeded to guide them to where the traitors were being held. Unlike Yuan, nobody in the Demon Sealing Grotto was powerful enough to seal Demon Sealers at their level, so they had to restrict them using other methods, such as treasures and formations.
The traitors were each confined to their own cells within a dungeon-like prison deep underground. The hallways were dimly lit, casting long shadows across the damp stone walls, while the cells themselves were shrouded in complete darkness.
As for the prisoners, each one was bound in black chains that sealed their spiritual energy, rendering them as powerless as ordinary mortals. Their mouths were also forced open and restrained, ensuring they couldnāt even bite their tongues to commit suicide.
With no strength to resist and no means to end their lives, they were left completely at the mercy of their captors.
"Take as long as you need with them," said Zhou Yanfei.
"I will only need a moment to deal with their curses."
Yuan entered one of the cells and retrieved the Sacred Chalice of Purification before feeding it a drop of the traitorās blood. However, since the treasure was already working fulltime trying to cleanse Yuanās curse, it took much longer than usual to deal with the traitorās curse.
"Sorry, but this will actually take longer than I anticipated," he said shortly after realizing this.
"I understand."
Time passed swiftly, and after several days, Yuan finally managed to cleanse the curses that prevented the traitors from speaking.
"Alright, you can resume his interrogation. Iāll continue to work on the others," said Yuan as he made his way to the next cell.
Thus, Yuan continued to cleanse the seals on the traitors while the Demon Sealing Grotto resumed their interrogation.
"Thank you for your assistance. We should be done with our investigation in a few weeks," said Zhou Yanfei.
Yuan then said, "I donāt really care about the results, so you can forward them to Yan Hara once youāre done."
"Are you leaving already?" Yan Hara asked.
"No, I still have a few months, and I am going to use that time to help you improve your Demon Sealing Aura," he said.
Zhou Yanfei raised an eyebrow after hearing Yuanās words. He couldnāt fathom how anyone could teach the Divine Paragonās successor.
āJust who the hell is this guy? For Yan Hara to respect him so much, he must have an impressive background.ā
However, Zhou Yanfei decided not to question it.
"You can use my private training ground," he said to them a moment later.
Thus, Yuan began training Yan Haraās Demon Sealing Aura, as well as the Divine Paragonās techniques.
"Tell me," Yuan said as he stood with Yan Hara in the center of the training grounds, "what must a Demon Sealer do to strengthen their Demon Sealing Aura?"
"There are two main methods," Yan Hara replied. "First, through constant use. Second, by enhancing oneās Soul Strength..."
"That can be applied to almost everything. There is one way to quickly strengthen your Demon Sealing Aura, and that is through emotions."
"Emotions...?"
Yuan nodded and added, "Your anger, or more precisely, your hatred toward demons. Thatās how Demon Sealing Aura was born in the first place."
He paused briefly, his gaze distant.
"Itās one of the main reasons Demon Sealers from the Demonic Era were so much more powerful. They had all lived through the horrors and watched their loved ones killed or devoured by demons. That kind of pain... it fuels their Demon Sealing Aura. However, since demons have gone into hiding and rarely show themselves these days, the Demon Sealers of this era lack that hatred and anger."
Yan Hara fell into silent contemplation before asking, "Itās easy to fear demons... or even find them repulsive. But hatred? Thatās different. How does one go about truly feeling hatred toward them?"
Yuan smiled and said, "Itās easy."
Without a word, Yuan suddenly summoned the Demon Devouring Sword into his hand.
"You just need to experience what itās like to lose someone you love... to the hands of demons," he then said.
"That sword..." Yan Haraās eyes widened in awe as she took in its presence.
"Isnāt that the Demon Sealing Sword? The Divine Paragonās strongest treasure? Itās said to be so powerful that even the three Demon Sealing Treasures pale in comparison!"
"Its true name is the Demon Devouring Sword," said Yuan.
"Where did you acquire it?" she then asked.
"In the Demon Sealing Pagoda."
"What! That treasure had been under our noses this entire time?!" Yan Hara exclaimed after hearing this.
"But how are you going to let me experience losing someone I love?" she then asked.
Yuan smiled faintly, then raised the Demon Devouring Sword, and in the next moment, a demon was summoned before them.
Yan Hara jumped back like a startled cat, her instincts flaring. But it wasnāt the sudden appearance that terrified herāit was the demonās overwhelming presence. It radiated such terrifying pressure that her entire body went numb.
"What in heavenās name is that?!" she cried out loud.
"This is one of the Demon Emperors I fought and defeated during the Demonic Era," Yuan said calmly.
"Its name is Demon Emperor Nightmare. It possesses the ability to trap its victims in illusions so vivid that they are indistinguishable from reality."
"I mean, how in heavenās name did you summon that thing? Is it real?"
"Yes, itās real. The Demon Devouring Sword has the ability to summon demons it has devoured." Yuan nodded.
"And you have complete control over it?"
"Yes. It no longer has a soul and is akin to a puppet, so there is no chance itāll defy me, either."
"If you say so..." Yan Hara swallowed nervously.