Redemption of a Born Demon

Chapter 457: Chapter 307: 3 Flowers Gather at the Summit, Deities Eat Qi and Do Not Die (Part 2)

It was crystalline and translucent, yet it glowed with a vibrant crimson hue and throbbed with a palpable, pulse-like sensation.

Several Donghua Martial Artists all cast curious gazes, carefully examining this legendary living tissue—the fabled remains of an undying True Immortal, said to never decay on its own.

"The Ancient Ones are powerful, in part due to their accumulated experiences over many lifetimes, and in part because they devour and fuse with this biological tissue to borrow its power. What are your thoughts on this path?"

Yi Beidou asked, looking at the others present.

"What does it matter if it’s the flesh and blood of a True Immortal? If it did not grow from my own body, it is impure. I refuse to borrow such power. If devouring and fusing with this substance could truly elevate one to the next realm, then why, among all the Ancient Ones throughout history, has not a single one broken through? This proves the path is mistaken."

"Even if a mountain of Earth Immortal Flesh and Blood were placed before me, I would not take it."

Zhou Qingchen said calmly, her will as firm as a sharp sword. By pitting her Yang Spirit against the Gang Wind, she was tempering herself a thousand times over, seeking to polish her being to a state of absolute purity and thus break through her barriers.

"One of humanity’s greatest strengths is our ability to use external objects to empower ourselves. Before our Cultivation was fully developed, we also relied on the power of elixirs and herbs, coordinating with our Cultivation Techniques to temper our bodies."

"But when using external objects, the greatest pitfall is to know *what* they do but not *why* they do it. My school models itself on all of creation, using the Spiritual Objects of heaven and earth to create Spirit Paintings and condense the Blood of Ten Thousand Spirits. If it is truly beneficial, I wouldn’t be opposed to using something like this. However, until its principles are clearly understood, we cannot make it a pillar of our strength. It must be studied in depth."

Huang Tianhu’s viewpoint, however, differed from Zhou Qingchen’s.

He was a Spiritual Painter by trade, and his school of thought involved capturing the essence of all creation with the tip of a brush. Their path was one of learning from the natural world, borrowing from all things to achieve the Dao. Therefore, he was not opposed to using external aids.

Of course, he wouldn’t be like those Ancient Ones, endlessly accumulating Earth Immortal Cells, viewing them as the ultimate guarantee of Longevity and power, and pinning all his hopes of transcendence on secrets recorded in ancient ruins.

"Hmm, the greatest value of this flesh and blood is for research. If we can figure out the principles behind its eternal Longevity, perhaps we can catch a glimpse of that higher realm."

"However, I’m afraid that won’t be easy. The Ancient Ones have studied it for so many years without any major breakthroughs; otherwise, they wouldn’t need to pin their hopes on ancient secrets."

Ding Huiyuan remarked, stroking his chin.

"If it’s only for research, then I have no objection. I too am very curious to find out what kind of Divine Power this flesh and blood possesses."

Zhou Qingchen said, nodding as well.

"Then let’s take this opportunity to study it a little."

Yi Beidou nodded, and everyone’s gaze fell upon the mass of Earth Immortal Flesh and Blood.

The next instant.

BOOM!

Yi Beidou’s eyes sharpened. His Demon Flame ignited, the Tribulation Star emerged, and an intense Tribulation Qi, along with a boundless killing intent, pressed down upon the mass of Earth Immortal Flesh and Blood.

HUMMM!

The Earth Immortal Flesh and Blood trembled slightly, as if enraged, and suddenly released a glow like amber jade. Within that light, like scrambled signals, visions continuously appeared and vanished.

A Lotus bloomed, a sharp glint of light flashed past, purple lightning crackled...

The unique essence of a seemingly higher life form radiated out along with the flow of these visions.

Yi Beidou’s Demon Flame was actually being pushed back by this jade light and its visions. The mass of flesh propped open its own pocket of space and began to devour the area occupied by the Demon Flame.

HUMMM! HUMMM!

The Life Magnetic Field within Yi Beidou’s body thrummed as he unleashed Celestial Demon Dissolution, its intensity rising layer by layer.

At the Fourth Layer of Reverse Chaos, the Demon Flame could barely hold its own against the jade-like glow; only upon reaching the Sixth Layer of Reverse Chaos did the Demon Flame completely suppress the spontaneous light from the mass of Earth Immortal Cells.

"An autonomous biological instinct? It’s mobilizing its own Life Magnetic Field?"

Zhou Qingchen said in a grave voice.

"To mobilize a Life Magnetic Field, a ’God’ must be present. The brain is the nexus of the six yang, the vessel of the God. If we were to lose our brains, the God would have nothing to inhabit, and it would be impossible to project one’s Life Magnetic Field to this degree. If this is merely a biological instinct, then just how powerful must the essence of its magnetic field be? That level of intensity is not something the Ancient Ones can perform Refinement on and use for themselves."

"And did you notice? During the counterattack, many different visions appeared and vanished. This is further proof that this isn’t a simple, instinctual reaction. It’s highly likely that some degree of self-awareness exists within these very cells, which actively mobilize their own Magnetic Force to retaliate when stimulated."

Ding Huiyuan said softly.

"That’s very likely. The reason the visions it produces are so varied and different is probably because this mass of Earth Immortal Cells does not, in fact, originate from a single ’Earth Immortal.’ The Ancient One who left this flesh behind must have acquired multiple pieces of Earth Immortal Remains over the long ages, performed Refinement on them, and then fused them into this mass. Each part still retains certain characteristics of its original body."

Huang Tianhu also voiced his agreement with this speculation.

"A Hidden God in the Body? Without needing the brain, every single cell has self-awareness and can think for itself? Even if the body were split into countless pieces, each one could still operate and move independently?"

Zhou Qingchen said.

"It is indeed a terrifying realm. All you and I can do is command this physical body with our consciousness. But Earth Immortals are different. Every cell in their bodies nurtures a ’Deity.’ As long as these consciousnesses are integrated into one, they can achieve the deepest possible development of the human body’s potential. It’s hard to imagine what a state that would be."