The Demon Sage stared at Dyon in anger, his eyes quite literally lighting on fire. His rage was so fierce that part of his soul had responded and begun to burn, boosting his soul's prowess and shattering through Dyon's oppression.

Dyon's eyes flashed and danced with an odd light. 'This man is so prideful that he would rather burn his last remaining soul remnant than suffer a small loss? What a character!'

"Do you believe that I won't burn this entire Palace down?! Slander me one more time and see if I don't make certain that you have no legacy remaining to take part in! And don't bother mentioning my daughter to threaten me either!" The Demon Sage snorted, looking toward Dyon with absolute disdain. "If I released my little girl now, she could kill you with a flick of a finger! She's already stepped into the dao formation realm, you think my little girl needs you to protect her?!"

"Slander?!" Dyon's eyes burned with rage. "Are they not dead?! Are their cold, lifeless bodies not laying right here before you?! Where are the words of slander?! I only speak the truth, you old arrogant bastard!"

The Demon Sage and Dyon were like explosives, gun powder and fire stored in an enclosed space. Their personalities were so similar and unyielding that it was impossible for them to have even a brief exchange without it erupting in fury.

Dyon was unwilling to bow down to the Demon Sage. What right did this old bastard have to be angry with him? It wasn't his fault that he was given the short end of the stick.

At the same time, the Demon Sage was unwilling to bow down to Dyon and heavens. What right did the heavens have to dictate that his life was over? That his path was closed off and done for?

Just thinking about the man across from them, both the Demon Sage and Dyon wanted to have a war of fists. It was unfortunate that one of them was a spirit.

"You think that if I don't want someone to die that they will?" The Demon Sage sneered.

"Tell that to your dead fucking kingdom." Dyon said with disdain.

"That's it! Scram! I never want to see you again!" The Demon Sage roared.

"Go fuck yourself, old bastard. The treasures I've laid my eyes on, no one can take away." Dyon said defiantly.

This was the difference between the Demon Sage and Dyon. For the sake of his family, Dyon was able to set his pride aside and act shamelessly if need be. The Demon Sage was unwilling to do such a thing, choosing to rely on himself and his strength no matter what. He looked down on the schemes and small tricks Dyon used to make it ahead.

However, this small difference only made them even more like water and oil.

The brows of the Demon Sage twitched. This was the young man the heavens decided were better than him? A young man that was so shameless?

In his life, the Demon Sage had never taken the blood essence of any other expert doesn't having the opportunity to do it many times. Yet, Dyon had taken not only the Demon Sage's blood essence without hesitation, he also took his master's and martial uncle's.

The Demon Sage frowned upon scheming and small tricks and preferred to use overwhelming military might to win. However, Dyon often used his intelligence to weasel out of tough situations.

Dyon would happily rob the Demon Sage blind, but the Demon Sage would have detested to do so if their roles were reversed.

How could the Demon Sage not feel aggrieved? He had lived life with such an upright moral code. Yet, this degenerate was deemed to be better than him? He could die of anger!

The Demon Sage's chest heaved. "They're not dead, you stupid brat. I've protected their vital signs. Your senses are just too weak. Seal them in crystal will as well unless you want them to die too."

Finally, the Demon Sage spoke. He wouldn't allow four good kids to die just because he wanted to have a spat with his successor.

Dyon's brow furrowed. "That's bullshit. How could they be alive?" Despite his words, Dyon immediately moved to do as he was asked.

The Demon Sage's eyes shone. 'His illusory dao array isn't appearing, but he's definitely mastered his crystal will to the 9th intent level! That's amazing.'

Although he thought this, he would never say it aloud. Still, he recognized how amazing it was for a lower celestial to master a half-step dao.

"You're a fool." The Demon Sage snorted. "Runic Vein Masters can seal the vitality. Don't you understand the paths of life? You've awakened your runic flame yet you don't know this simple concept? I only allowed them to undergo this humiliation and pain so it was reinforce their dao hearts for the future. Facing this death will mean that if they are ever lucky enough to transcend, they will live longer as well."

Dyon blinked. The paths of life? He vaguely remember something of sort within the Viserion family tome. Similar to Magic that created Magic Circles based on the meridians, runic vein masters did the same with blood vessels.

In truth, the meridian and blood vessel system of the body were connected. Blood could flow into the meridians, and energy could flow into the blood vessels. However, the core of one's vitality could only be found in the blood vessel.

The reason the runic flame resided in the heart is because the heart is the core of the blood vessels. Studying these blood vessel paths is the core of runic theory just like studying meridian paths is the core of magic theory.

What the Demon Sage referred to as the paths of life were important paths to and from the heart and brain. If one is able to seal these, you can suspend a person between life and death. But, only for a limited time.

Obviously, this time is lengthened substantially with the use of Dyon's crystal will.

'A fake death, huh' Dyon thought to himself.

"Then why did you wait for me to come here? Don't tell me you have no means of curing them?" Dyon returned a sharp gaze toward the Demon Sage.

"There are numerous heavenly treasures in this world. It would have been as simple as feeding them one after those beast clan scum left." The Demon Sage didn't know why, but he found himself explaining himself to Dyon. It was an uncomfortable feeling. Could it be this young man had more charisma than even him?

"Wait!" The Demon Sage suddenly realized something. "How do you have Emperor Level Presence already?!"

Seeing the Demon Sage's incredulous expression, Dyon grinned. He knew this would be a shock to most people, only core members of Emperor God Clans could become Emperors. Yet, the Demon Sage knew that Dyon was a kid of absolutely no background and if had been less than 30 years since then! It couldn't be that Dyon had already built an Emperor God Clan Could it?

The Demon Sage felt like pulling his hair out. He too fostered a Sovereign Heart and earned an Emperor Level Presence without forming an Emperor God Clan, but it took him hundreds of years! If he was correct, Dyon was only, what, 39? 40? This year? Life was too unfair.

After knowing that they hadn't died, Dyon's anger had finally calmed. He felt no need to be too antagonistic with the Demon Sage despite their personalities clashing.

"Hey, old bastard. Since you protected, I owe you one. If you teach me how to build your body, I can help you heal your soul, how about it?"

Although Dyon had a body building and cloning technique. He somehow felt than a star grade runic vein master would have something far better It was just a hunch, but he was fairly certain.

The Demon Sage turned a sharp gaze toward Dyon, looking at him for a long time. But, in the end he shook his head.

"I have no intention of earning a second chance like this. After I've passed on everything I can to you, I'll silently dissipate from this world.

"I am the Demon Sage, Sargeras Pakal! I live and die by my own means!"