Rearing Demons
Chapter 75: Ritual of Withering Chains

Chapter 75: Ritual of Withering Chains

Yur listened to the detailed explanation the maids were giving him about the current events. They even provided information unknown to regular citizens, which proved invaluable for planning his next moves.

"So, the Eastern Welit Mortal Kingdom is actually working with the Raging Dragon sect and many others to destroy the other kingdoms?" he asked, rubbing his chin as he pieced together the details.

Currently, Welit and Freau were embroiled in constant border battles, and with many sects supporting Welit, Freau was falling behind. The king of Freau was attempting to forge alliances with other kingdoms, but nothing definitive had happened so far.

No one wanted to get involved in the war, given the massive destruction and the increasing number of refugees, which only fueled further chaos.

"And what of the sects on Freau’s side?" Yur inquired.

"There is only one sect supporting the kingdom, but they are not as active as the Raging Dragons sect. That sect is the Mountain of the Eye sect," the blonde maid explained. "They tried to recruit the crowned prince, but since his refusal, they have become much more passive."

"And in the Welit kingdom, who is the strongest?" he asked.

"The strongest in both kingdoms is at the fourth rank—the Shining Core realm," she said. "There are also rumors that a Luminous Heart cultivator from the Raging Dragons might be secretly aiding them."

"I see," Yur nodded, absorbing the information. To make my plan work, I need that Luminous Heart cultivator to leave.

He then contacted Velmira. Velmira, how long until you arrive at the sect?

In an hour at most, came the reply.

Rubbing his chin, Yur explained the situation and his plan: I need you to eliminate the Luminous Heart cultivator that the Raging Dragons have sent to the Welit kingdom, and then destroy the top members of that sect.

Understood.

The communication ended, and Yur rose from his bed. He walked over to the two maids and beckoned them over. "You both will follow me for now." Biting into his thumb, he drew a ritual circle on their faces and fed them his blood—a simple Ritual of Blood Binding. Instantly, a white aura cocooned them.

"Zhal, move them to the corner of the room," he ordered before sitting back on the bed.

With the Rite of the Hollow, he had plans to adjust before heading toward the Fiend Devouring sect. Becoming as strong as possible before entering the sect was ideal; the stronger he was, the more resources and knowledge he could access.

Zul, with the ritual fruits—if I simply eat one, will the information appear in my head?

[Correct! However, it would be information on the ritual, not full knowledge on how to use it. Host must comprehend that himself.]

The ritual fruits were precisely what he needed to absorb quickly. He had few offensive rituals and preferred not to waste points on purchasing rituals when other items were available.

Retrieving one of the ritual fruits from his mark, he examined it: a black fruit with grey stripes, exuding a sweet fragrance that masked a decaying stench upon closer inspection.

Without hesitation, Yur threw the fruit into his mouth. Zhal, make sure to protect me, he commanded. With his final word, he swallowed the fruit and immediately felt a deathly aura emanate from his body, sending waves through his mind.

[Ritual of Withering Chains!]

Yur began to receive cryptic yet discernible information in his mind. Fortunately, he didn’t have to learn the ritual language for these fruits—the meanings came to him naturally, making deciphering easier.

So, this is the ritual.

In his mind, he saw a ritual circle form, surrounded by chains that appeared to be rotting and decaying. Everything the chains touched—metal, stones, people, demons—began to wither and age, growing brittle and slowly dying, as if time around them was accelerated.

With his eyes still closed, he lifted his hand and began to draw the ritual circle, but instead of using blood or sacrifices, he let the aura from his Ashen Veil seep out—the essence of withering, something ancient and gradual.

Since his Ashen Veil tapped into origin essence, he could access any sort of essence with ease—something many would kill to obtain.

Draw the circle... he whispered. From the center, form the chains!

Suddenly, from the ethereal ritual circle, black chains shot out, piercing through the walls and the bed.

Traa (Master!) a weak voice whimpered.

Hearing the plea, Yur slowly opened his eyes and looked toward Zhal, who was entangled in the withering chains. Zhal’s body was melting and aging, dying slowly.

With a wave of his hand, the chains vanished, and Zhal collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily, the pain coursing through him. The sensation of his body withering was excruciating—like a slow, burning decay.

Yur stepped off the bed and approached Zhal, his gaze stern. "Get up," he ordered.

Zhal quickly stood, but as he did, a hand suddenly gripped his throat.

T-Tra (M-master?) Zhal stammered.

"Quiet," Yur commanded, narrowing his eyes. He sent a surge of strong demonic essence into Zhal’s body, aiding its healing while his grip tightened, momentarily cutting off Zhal’s breath. "Unless you’re near death, never disturb my training." He glared at the young demon, disgusted. "Your injuries are neither life-threatening nor a cause for worry—yet you disturbed my training."

Traa Traa (I’m sorry, master!)

Zhal whimpered as sweat trickled down his face.

"This is my first and last warning. If it happens again, I will shape you into something new." Yur released him once his injuries had healed.

As Zhal landed, a knock echoed from the door.

"Sir Yur, the feast has been prepared," announced Prince Renri.

"Alright, give me a minute," Yur replied, glancing at the still-forming cocoons. They would take a few more minutes to complete. He retrieved new clothes from his storage and handed some to the visibly frightened Zhal. "Change quickly; make no scene."

Traa (Of course, master!)

Both stripped and changed into clean garments. Crack! The cocoons fractured in a web-like pattern. Yur walked over and watched as the two cocoons opened—first a foot appeared, then a hand, and finally a naked body emerged.

|—————————————|

True Name: ⩆⩀⨐⨪⨈

Human Name: Olive

Age: 19

Human Cultivation: Nascent Orb

Bloodline: Severed Human

|—————————————|

|—————————————|

True Name: ⨠⨨⨐⩄

Human Name: Quin

Age: 21

Human Cultivation: Nascent Orb

Bloodline: Severed Human

|—————————————|

Seeing their information, Yur fixed his calm gaze on the two naked girls. "Quin," he called to the blonde, "Olive," he said to the younger one. "You shall follow my instructions from now on."

The two stunning girls kneeled before him, presenting themselves. "Yes, Master," they replied, their eyes shifting in color to reveal a subtle tinge of red.

Pulling out some clothes, he tossed them to the girls. "Get dressed—we have much to do."