Chapter Forty-Eight: The Boss Accepted Me

Max said uncertainly, “The Formless Shadow Demon should be considered an entity from beyond this world. They possess no tangible energy attacks; their sole offensive method is soul devouring. Moreover, except for divine power, no energy attack beneath the level of divinity can cause them any real harm!”

“So, does that mean their actual strength is close to that of a god?” Cold Sky asked instantly, prompted by Max’s words.

“No, their strength is hard to categorize. They’re a rare, abnormal existence—just like you, Boss, a true anomaly!”

Cold Sky laughed, surprised by Max’s comparison. As he gazed at the vanished shadow demon, a thought flickered in his mind, and the scene shifted instantly; two shadow demons appeared once more before his eyes.

“If only divine power can restrain you, then let me see if the Heavenly Punishment of Lightning can exorcise demons!”

With a single wave of Cold Sky’s hand, the sky above Purgatory changed color. Thunderclouds gathered, rumbling ominously, and streaks of lightning occasionally sliced across the heavens.

“Brothers, this human is truly problematic. We’re no longer within the spatial barrier. Somehow, this kid has brought us to another world. Did any of you sense a faint, concealed power of the realm just now?”

One shadow demon voiced his doubts as he sped along.

“Judas, what do we do? This kid seems able to control lightning—that’s our nemesis!” Another shadow demon glanced nervously at the thunderous sky, his tone trembling with fear.

As soon as he finished speaking, a bolt of crimson lightning as thick as an arm crashed down from above, striking the formless body of the shadow demon. Instantly, wisps of black smoke rose from his form.

The two companions scattered in terror, desperate to avoid the same fate. The shadow demon hit by lightning uttered no screams; he stood upright, unmoving, as the crackling bolts danced over his body and black smoke steadily drifted outward.

“Yu Two, are you… are you alright?” Judas asked hesitantly, testing the situation.

“Numb… I’m numb!”

“What do you mean numb? Yu Two, what’s wrong with you? Be clear!” Yu Three’s green eyes widened, uncertainly glancing at the sky, and he instinctively retreated a few steps.

“My body’s numb—I can’t move!” As soon as Yu Two finished speaking, he toppled backward, sprawling on the ground, his body twitching and convulsing uncontrollably.

“Boom…boom…”

While the two shadow demons were still stunned, two more bolts of lightning crashed down. Both followed Yu Two’s path, black smoke curling upward toward the sky.

“Judas, Yu Two was right—it actually feels kind of nice being numb!” Yu Three’s eyes rolled back as he collapsed, black smoke billowing from his mouth.

Judas ignored his brothers’ condition, instead focusing intently on Cold Sky in the distance, as if wrestling internally.

Cold Sky was astonished; he hadn’t expected the lightning punishment to be so effective. With a single strike, the terrifying shadow demons lost all combat ability—yet it seemed almost too easy.

“Boss, looks like lightning works!” Max’s massive body lay prone, his dragon eyes fixed on the three shadow demons, delighted by the outcome.

“It can’t be that simple. Stay here; I’ll go check on them!”

“Boss, be careful—they might be playing tricks. Maybe give them a few more strikes just in case!” Max suggested anxiously, worried as Cold Sky prepared to approach.

“Heh…no need. I have divine armor to protect me; they can’t harm me.” Cold Sky chuckled, reassuring Max.

Having said this, Cold Sky walked lightly toward the three shadow demons.

“Boss, take us in! The three of us pledge our service to you!” Judas, who had been standing immobile, immediately knelt as Cold Sky drew near, his tone pleading.

Cold Sky was surprised, wondering what was happening—had the lightning fried his senses?

“Boss, my admiration for you is like the stars in the night sky, too numerous to express; like the mighty river, endless and ceaseless. My sincerity is as clear as the sun and moon, Boss!” Judas hugged Cold Sky’s leg tightly, a few tears falling from his green eyes. His sudden gesture and expression were genuinely moving.

Cold Sky, disgusted, kicked Judas away, a fresh bolt of lightning descending upon him.

Judas, trailing black smoke, crawled back close to Cold Sky, trembling and pitiful. “Boss, your anger is our affirmation. From now on, the three of us are your followers!”

Cold Sky was utterly speechless. He’d seen shameless people before, but never such shameless shadow demons.

“So tell me—why the sudden change? Weren’t you just threatening to devour me? Now you want to be my followers. How can I trust your loyalty, and what benefit do you gain from following me?”

Judas’ face showed a trace of grievance, his voice quavering, “Boss, you don’t know. Life as Formless Shadow Demons is dull. Unlike humans, who coexist with countless races, our world is nothing but darkness and cold, devoid of all sound or life.”

“Then how did you appear in the spatial corridor?” Cold Sky was curious; as beings from a different dimension, how did they enter this world’s accompanying space?

He wasn’t interested in their living conditions, just their presence.

“That’s simple. Formless Shadow Demons are born immune to the tearing effects of spatial rifts. We can easily enter any space world that’s been opened!”

“So that’s it!” Cold Sky understood, his eyes flickering as he continued, “How many of you came?”

“That I don’t know. We just enter randomly—whenever a spatial fissure appears nearby, we jump in without hesitation, seeking something to devour!”

Cold Sky pondered as he looked at Judas, thinking for a moment before speaking, “If you wish to follow me, is it only because you want regular access to devour divine souls?”

Judas was stunned, then laughed slyly. “Boss, you see right through me—your wisdom is like a blazing torch! My admiration for you is truly…”

“Enough, keep your admiration to yourself!” Cold Sky was baffled—the shadow demon’s flattery far surpassed that of most humans.

“So, Boss, do you agree?”

“I’ll accept, but how will you guarantee your loyalty?” Cold Sky’s eyes shone with three colors, staring directly at Judas.

Under Cold Sky’s piercing gaze, Judas trembled slightly, then solemnly promised, “Rest assured, Boss! The three of us will pledge our true souls and sign a master-servant contract. That way, you need not fear any betrayal from us!”

“Another contract!” Cold Sky mused. This was the second time he’d encountered such a pact—the first was with Max, and now it seemed he’d need a contract with the shadow demon as well.

Judas pulled his two brothers up from the ground. Both were still weak, their heads drooping, looking utterly drained.

As for why Judas, after two lightning strikes, remained energetic while his brothers were so lethargic—this was another ability of the shadow demons: they could transfer their own energy among themselves.

Formless, as the name suggests, means infinite variations and combinations. As long as their true souls remain, they can unite into one, or split apart.

Earlier, Judas survived two lightning strikes because his brothers transferred their energy to him, enabling him to remain lively and continue his flattery.

Judas steadied his two brothers, then placed a hand atop each of their heads. Deep green spheres of light emerged from Yu Two and Yu Three’s heads, which Judas held in his hands.

He pressed the two spheres together, and they fused smoothly without resistance. Yu Two and Yu Three’s eyes were now empty black holes, devoid of life.

Soon, the two green spheres merged completely. Judas held the combined sphere in his hands, opened his mouth wide, and swallowed it in one gulp.

Cold Sky frowned, unsure why Judas had done this—he’d just devoured his brothers’ true souls!

After consuming his brothers’ souls, Judas looked satisfied, burping contentedly. His eyes were now brighter and more sinister, capable of ensnaring the soul.

Cold Sky’s three-colored eyes flashed, dispelling the soul-stealing sensation. He marveled at the wonders of the world—if he could harness the unique abilities of the Formless Shadow Demons, it would be a tremendous asset!

Judas, now strengthened, overlapped and fused with his brothers’ bodies, merging them into his own in the blink of an eye.

Having finished, Judas stood respectfully before Cold Sky, bowing solemnly. “I, Judas the Formless Shadow Demon, hereby swear a contract, pledging to serve the human before me as a slave and servant for endless ages, until my master’s life ends. May the Supreme Will bear witness and grant me the loyal servant’s contract!”

“The Supreme Will—what is that, exactly? Is it the hidden ruler of the Dao?” Cold Sky looked up at the sky of Purgatory, wondering silently.

Judas’ devout words finished, he gazed up at the heavens, as if awaiting the arrival of the Supreme Will.

In Purgatory, three beings—human, demon, and dragon—stared expectantly at the sky, waiting for a miracle.

A quarter hour passed, yet the sky showed no movement or change. Cold Sky grew impatient, kicking Judas squarely between the legs and sending him flying once more.

“Are you messing with me? Seems you haven’t had enough of lightning’s taste!” Cold Sky raised his hand, ready to summon another lightning punishment.

“Boss, it’s coming—it’s coming!” Judas was overjoyed, nearly in tears, lying on the ground and pointing urgently at the sky.

Cold Sky paused, glancing upward.

Martial Dao’s Pinnacle, Chapter 48—Boss, Take Me In—update complete!