This is a Long-Term Battle

Time seemed to stand still as Chen Shuo remained motionless like a wooden post.

From the outside, he appeared to be nothing more than a soulless shell.

Powerful waves of willpower surged frantically into Chen Shuo's body, occupying his thoughts and consciousness.

"After a thousand years, I've finally been reborn. So this is what rebirth feels like? Such immense power, such a perfect vessel - at this moment, he belongs to me."

The Shadow Spirit cackled maniacally, its madness causing tremors in the surrounding area.

"I must say, aren't you celebrating a bit too early? I thought you'd be stronger than this. A thousand years of cultivation, and this is all you've got?"

Chen Shuo, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. The moment he opened his eyes, his consciousness regained control.

He had remained inactive deliberately for this very moment.

If the spirit hadn't forcibly occupied his body, he wouldn't have been able to lure it out. The talismans carved on the stone coffin were too profound - even with his power as a Demon Saint, he couldn't easily break through them.

Even if he could break through, it would severely damage the stone coffin.

His current approach allowed him to bypass the talismans without damaging the coffin.

Now the spirit was inside his body - his home territory.

The Shadow Spirit was shocked by Chen Shuo's sudden awakening. In that instant, it completely lost its ability to move freely within Chen Shuo's body.

"How... how is this possible? This can't be happening! No one can break free from my constraints, no one!"

The Shadow Spirit voiced its defiance. It had already taken control of nearly eighty percent of Chen Shuo's body.

Just a little more, and it would have completely possessed Chen Shuo's body.

But Chen Shuo's sudden revival of consciousness had changed everything.

It was gradually losing control over Chen Shuo's body, and moreover, a mysterious powerful force was now surging into Chen Shuo.

[Ding! Powerful energy entity detected within host's body. Would you like to forcibly refine it?]

"Yes!" Chen Shuo responded without hesitation.

[System initiating, refinement mode activated! Refinement progress: 0%...1.5%...3%...]

After the cold, mechanical female voice spoke, Chen Shuo's body was enveloped in a holy light.

Under the baptism of that holy light, changes began occurring within Chen Shuo's body.

Countless streams of cold, dark energy swirled and coursed through his body.

Originally, Chen Shuo had planned to lure it into his body to destroy it, but this unexpected surprise was even better - the system could help him merge with it, which delighted him immensely.

"You like to devour, don't you? Well then, I'll let you devour to your heart's content!"

Chen Shuo laughed coldly. Without holding back, he channeled the cold, dark energy within his body, frantically injecting it into the Shadow Spirit.

The endless dark energy poured in like tidal waves, causing the Shadow Spirit to violently tremble while the surrounding tremors grew more intense.

"No, I don't need any more energy, no more..."

The Shadow Spirit's terrified voice echoed within Chen Shuo's body. It was afraid - the endless stream of dark energy pouring in would fill even a bottomless pit.

It was terrified and wanted to break free, but it no longer controlled the situation.

As Chen Shuo continued pumping unlimited dark energy into it, the Shadow Spirit expanded endlessly.

As it grew uncontrollably, the Shadow Spirit completely lost its previous arrogance, becoming like a beaten dog.

"Stop, if this continues, we'll both die! You must stop..."

Despite its desperate pleas, Chen Shuo showed no intention of stopping.

Chen Shuo had never been one to be bullied. Since it wanted to devour him, very well - he would let it devour until it burst.

Now all that awaited it was submission and being devoured itself.

"Since you love absorbing so much, let's see just how much you can take..."

Chen Shuo spoke with a hint of madness in his eyes.

"Stop this! We'll both die if you continue!"

Hearing its pleading voice, Chen Shuo didn't stop - instead, he increased the intensity even further.

While letting it devour, Chen Shuo was actually devouring it in return.

It was like the famous saying: when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back.

The Shadow Spirit wanted to devour Chen Shuo, but didn't Chen Shuo want to devour it as well?

However, given its considerable strength, devouring it would take time and patience.

This was a war of attrition that would last for a long time.

Outside, Su Xiyan and the others had retreated to the ground floor of the Monster Hunters' Guild for safety. Su Xiyan appeared anxious.

Su Yuanying was similarly pacing back and forth silently.

"Father, why is it taking so long? Could something have gone wrong?"

Su Xiyan felt uneasy. They had been waiting outside for nearly two hours.

Apart from the periodic tremors in the ground, there had been no other signs.

Su Yuanying couldn't give a definitive answer to Su Xiyan's concerns.

Though he was knowledgeable about past and present matters, even he couldn't know Chen Shuo's situation.

But deep down, he believed in Chen Shuo's abilities. If Chen Shuo dared to make such a decision, he must have the capability to handle it.

Nearby, Sang Biao remained silent, sharing their concerns.

Chen Shuo's fate was tied to his own - from the moment he chose to switch sides, his destiny had become bound to Chen Shuo's.

If Chen Shuo failed, his fate would be sealed.

All he could do now was guard the outside to the best of his ability, as he had already sensed two powerful forces drawing near, heading straight for them.

"Father, is there really nothing we can do to help Chen Shuo?"

Su Xiyan asked anxiously, willing to try any method, no matter how small.

But Su Yuanying's silence made Su Xiyan even more nervous.

"Well..."

"BOOM!"

Before Su Yuanying could respond, a thunderous explosion from the sky interrupted him.

"This is bad! Something's happening!"

Su Yuanying stared at the distant sky, his expression grave.

The sky was now covered in dark clouds, with lightning striking repeatedly.

A powerful aura that changed the color of the surroundings enveloped the entire Monster Hunters' Guild area. Sang Biao, sitting nearby, also changed expression.

What he had feared had finally come to pass, though he hadn't expected it so soon.

He had thought they had half a day left, but reality was often cruel. Now he was on full alert, not daring to let his guard down for even a moment.