"Whether I can defeat Zaaran or not... we will find out in seven days," Yuan said after a moment of silence.

"Seven days? You will have at least seven years to prepare since time flows differently on this side of the universe, and as far as I am aware, Zaaran’s territory is on the other side," Deemo suddenly said.

"Really? That’s great news."

Yuan immediately turned to look at Selena and said, "Can you bring me to the other territory, where there is more Demon God’s Ordeal?"

However, Selena remained silent, her gaze fixated on Deemo, almost as if she was afraid to speak in his presence.

"If you want that energy, I can make some for you," Deemo suddenly said.

But instead of thanking him, Yuan glared at him with a suspicious gaze.

"Why would you do that for me? I don’t want to owe you another favor," Yuan swiftly said.

Deemo shook his head and explained, "Relax, I won’t ask you for anything in return since I am doing this for my own curiosity."

He then wondered inwardly, ’A human that is fundamentally different from the ones in this world... what would happen if he ascended? Will he achieve what I have tried to create in the past?’

Although Yuan only became more suspicious of Deemo’s ulterior motives, there was really no reason for him to refuse since he already planned on absorbing more Demon God’s Ordeal.

"If you’re really doing it for free, then I have no reason to refuse," Yuan nodded his head a moment later, accepting Deemo’s assistance.

"Whenever you are ready."

Yuan took a deep breath before declaring in a resolute voice, "Ready."

In the next instant, Deemo raised his arm and pointed at Yuan, creating Demon God’s Ordeal out of thin air and enveloping him within it.

Yuan automatically entered his demon form and started absorbing the energy like a black hole.

<Eternal Constitution(Incomplete) has begun refining Demon God’s Ordeal!>

<Your Demonic Awakening has strengthened!>

’Watching it up close is definitely more entertaining,’ Deemo thought to himself as he analyzed every change occurring within Yuan.

Selena watched in silence for several months before suddenly speaking aloud, "Demon God... I should have probably asked you this question before, but why did you turn everyone into monsters?"

The Demon God did not even react to her, much less respond, almost as if she was nonexistent in his eyes.

"Demon God! I need to know why! I deserve to know the truth!" Selena continued trying to seek answers. "I’m even willing to give you my life after learning the truth!"

At last, the Demon God replied, still keeping his gaze fixed on Yuan.

"What use would I have for your life? You’re one of the very few who have transcended humanity. You ought to value your life far more than that."

However, upon hearing those words, Selena instantly flew into a rage.

"HOW DARE YOU EVEN UTTER SUCH WORDS! DON’T ACT LIKE YOU KNOW ABOUT THE VALUE OF OUR LIVES WHEN YOU’VE KILLED SO MANY OF US!" she roared, her voice blazing with fury.

At that moment, Selena was so consumed by rage that she could barely restrain herself from attacking Deemo.

Deemo spoke again, his voice as calm as a still pond, "I am merely speaking about the lives of you as a Transcendent. Those who failed to ascend are worthless and deserve to perish."

"Bullshit! If that were true, why did you kill more than half of us?! I know we attacked you first, but still—!" Selena clenched her fists so hard her bones shattered, blood gushing from her hands.

Deemo finally turned to look at her with his featureless face and said, "Who said I killed them?"

"What...?" Selena’s eyes widened with disbelief, doubting her own ears.

"You’re telling me that they’re still alive? Even though I—and the others watched you vaporize them?"

However, Deemo did not respond and returned to focusing on Yuan, who was absorbing his Demon God’s Ordeal with an increasingly faster pace.

’How is his body able to absorb so much energy? Are the humans from his world truly that different from the people in this world? Or is the energy simply not as effective on them?’

Ever since Yuan—Tian Chenyu—appeared in the Demonic Realm and fought him, Deemo’s interest in the humans of the Nine Heavens had grown.

No, it would be more accurate to say that Tian Chenyu was the very reason Deemo began paying attention to the humans of the Nine Heavens at all. However, because of the Absolute Power, and the vast distance between them, Deemo had yet to actually act on that interest. Otherwise, he would have long since begun experimenting on them.

Suddenly, a thought flashed in Deemo’s head.

’Even after my experiment succeeded and I have created beings that transcended humanity, I was not satisfied by the outcome and continued to create more energy in the pursuit of creating a perfect being...’ 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The Demon God’s Ordeal that Deemo was supplying Yuan suddenly changed, becoming something entirely different. Not only was it more powerful than the original energy, but it was several times more chaotic.

"AAAAH!" Yuan began screaming in agony almost immediately, his voice sending chills down even Selena’s spine.

"Master..." Lev swallowed nervously.

"Hahaha!" Deemo burst out laughing like a maniac. "Let’s keep at this until either you succeed or die!"

"Deemo... you... bastard!"

Even as he was experiencing unimaginable pain, Yuan still somehow managed to curse at Deemo.

<Eternal Constitution(Incomplete) has activated>

<Eternal Constitution(Incomplete) has begun refining ???>

Time continued to pass, and five years had gone by since Yuan began his ascension. Although that span passed in the blink of an eye for Deemo, it felt like an eternity for Yuan, as the pain did not diminish even after all those years.

After another year, Yuan’s screams abruptly ceased, as if he had died. Seeing this, Deemo halted the flow of energy and examined Yuan with narrowed eyes.

"This bastard... he’s survived it!" he exclaimed with excitement as Yuan’s aura started to change.