---- Chapter 3323 Byron cackled, his voice dripping with twisted delight. "Think you can run from it? These desirese from inside you, from your own body, your own heart. The Demonic Art reaches beyond death itself. There is no escaping it." He let out a cold, satisfied sneer. Suddenly, a massive cloud of ck mist, threaded through with a sickly pink haze, exploded outward and nketed the entire sky above the Umbral Peak Sect. Instantly, the disciples below began to unravel. Some howled, while others gasped and panted like animals.


    The ones with stronger discipline dropped to the ground and sat cross-legged, gritting their teeth and barely holding on, while the weaker ones copsed entirely, writhing across the dirt in ways that no one should have to witness. Monty''s face had gone a shade of furious and desperate that Andrew had never seen on him before. He roared, "Have you lost your mind? Stop the Demonic Art! Your own disciples are being destroyed by it!" Byron did not even flinch. From within the ck mist, only two glowing red eyes appeared. ---- "Monty, who do you think you are, telling me what to do?


    Get on your knees." A crushing wave of pressure mmed down onto Monty. Even with his peak martial god strength, he dropped to his knees in shock. "H-How is this possible?" From the ck mist emerged a twisted face, aged and shriveled like a dried vine, ugly and withered beyond belief. Compared to the fairly handsome Eastern Wanderer from before, it looked like apletely different person. Yet, Monty recognized that hideous face all too well. He was overwhelmed with terror. "W-Wait... You''re not Byron Ashby...


    Are you the founding ancestor of Umbral Peak Sect?" Seeing Monty''s terrified expression, Byron sneered. "Byron Ashby was merely another identity of mine. And you truly believed I was your junior? Foolish thing. I am the true ancestor of the Umbral Peak Sect. "Lonly disguised myself with that identity and appearance in order to cultivate the Demonic Art. After 300 years of work, I''ve finally seeded!" ---- After the shock, Monty''s fear turned into wild joy. "What an honor to be in your presence!" Byron did not spare him another nce.


    He had already turned his full attention back to Andrew, relentless and hunting. The Demonic Art struck at the innermost part of a person: the tangled mess of emotion, longing, memory, and desire that every human being carried. No one with a heartbeat was immune to it. Andrew grunted through gritted teeth. He had to admit that the old monster was the real deal. In front of him, a glowing protective barrier expanded, barely holding back the erosion of the surrounding ck mist. Andrew''s mind raced as he searched for a way to counter it.


    Suddenly, he heard a sharp cracking sound inside himself. He was startled and first thought it was his protective barrier shattering. But it was not. Byron burst intoughter. I can feel your soul. It is vast, truly powerful. But your heart is filled with tangled emotions and desires. Perfect. I need someone exactly like you. Once I refine you, my strength will reach a new level! Demon Waltz, activate!" ---- With a furious roar, the ck mist around Andrew''s barrier began to boil Alluring figures formed from the mist, circling the barrier as they danced and struck provocative poses.


    Andrew was not someone whose heart could be shaken easily. His will was as solid as bedrock. However, his desires andplicated emotions were an open in without walls. Under the influence of the Demon Waltz, he gradually felt his defenses slipping. His mind flickered violently, like an old television screen when first powered on. Then, a scene appeared,pletely out of his control. It was ady with straight bangs, kneeling on a wooden floor, her figure delicate yet curving in all the right ces. She softly called out, "Andrew." Her voice was gentle and sweet.


    At first, Andrew thought it was Isabelle, because she sometimes called him just as sweetly. However, the voice was not quite the same. Moreover, this woman was much taller than Isabelle. While Isabelle was t-chested, this woman was anything but. ---- Suddenly, the woman raised her head. The flush on her face, the seductive look in her eyes, and the string of saliva at the corner of her lips made it clear what she wanted and what she longed for. She whispered his name again and then lunged at him. Andrew tried to pull back. He told his body to move, but it did not listen.


    His arms closed around her instead, pulling her in, and his hands moved on their own without his permission. When he finally saw her face, the shock hit him like a punch to the chest. He recognized her! It was the female covert artist from Throne City, the one who had once disguised herself as Nyx.