Twenty years of secluded cultivation came to an abrupt end.
The goals he had set for himself had basically all been pushed to their estimated targets. At this moment, within his Dantian Qi sea, the demonic-path Nascent Soul was surrounded by what looked like a blue-black ring of water.
It continuously flowed in and out, forming an intricate and mysterious profound pattern that radiated boundless cold. This was precisely the sign that his demonic essence cultivation had reached maturity.
By the eighth year of his seclusion, his cultivation technique had already advanced successfully. Over the following twelve years, although part of his focus had been diverted, he still managed to raise his upper limit of demonic essence to over two thousand drops.
He successfully broke through to the second layer of the Nascent Soul realm.
From 2,000 to 6,000 drops was the cultivation target for this stage. The difficulty was nearly doubled. Fortunately, he did not yet need to worry about strengthening his Nascent Soul.
Otherwise, even if his demonic essence met the standard, he would still need time to nurture the growth of his Nascent Soul.
On another front, the moment the fourth-rank Corpse Demon Secret Technique was completed, it instantly entered the perfect accomplishment level. After ten years of accumulation, Wang Yu had obtained zombie-like characteristics comparable to “Indestructible Bone.”
This secret art merged with the Yin Nether Demonic Dragon Art, and with the assistance of the Celestial Enlightenment Dao Platform, he successfully created a new Body Refining technique.
A fourth-rank Body-refining technique.
He had not yet decided whether to rename it.
However, after the two were merged into one, the Yin Blood Pill Secret Art also returned to its complete form. Combined with his Heavenly Yin Blood constitution, it lay hidden within countless tiny flesh particles.
Regenerating from a single drop of blood might be an exaggeration, but injuries such as severed limbs, pierced hearts, or even decapitation were no longer fatal to him.
The traits granted by “Heavenly Yin Blood” and “Corpse Demon Bone” were actually quite similar to realm-based divine abilities, and they also possessed the effect of improving one’s aptitude.
After merging into the Yin Nether Demonic Dragon Art, the technique had reached perfection.
However, repairing the incomplete rune particles within his body still required time, as well as massive nourishment from yin qi and corpse qi.
With a wave of his hand, he manifested an ice mirror.
The person reflected within had already returned to the appearance of a handsome young man in his early twenties. Dressed in snow-white robes that were both magnificent and ethereal, he no longer resembled a mortal.
Because his body had been reforged by the Innate Demonic Embryo, his jet-black hair had once again transformed into silver under the effects of the new version of the Yin Nether Demonic Dragon Art.
It was exactly the same as when he had been in the Blood Reversal Sect.
Not the slightest difference.
This was likely a side effect of absorbing yin and corpse qi. His body was now like a block of ice. His heartbeat was extremely slow, and combined with his snow-pale skin, someone would probably believe it if he were described as a walking corpse.
After observing himself for a moment, Wang Yu dismissed the ice mirror, draped himself in a black robe, and put on the Earth Net Ghost Face Mask. This magic treasure was gradually falling behind, but it was still usable within the territory of the Demon Cat Clan.
As for his Idle Slots, his cultivation techniques now permanently occupied the first three slots. The fourth had recently been switched to the Demon Refining Art.
This ancient technique consisted of four volumes. He had only completed the third-rank Alchemy Volume.
It was clearly unsatisfying.
The Formation Volume had been reduced to a single sentence, and it was still a vague, irrelevant line that did not touch on the core at all. Even with the overpowered effects of the Idle Slot, there was nothing he could do in such a situation.
What he had placed in the slot was actually the Demon Refining Art: Artifact Refining Volume.
He always felt this thing would be extremely useful, just like how the Alchemy Volume had once helped him refine the Heavenly Demon. He still had Frozen Demonic Spirit Stones converted from empty supreme-grade spirit stones.
Perhaps they could be used as core materials for a breakthrough pill formula, allowing him to attempt the development of new spirit pills. With his fourth-rank perfected Ice Chi Alchemy Art as a foundation, and since both belonged to alchemical methods, the Idle Slot’s progression speed would be relatively fast.
Learning by analogy? Seeing the big picture from a high vantage point? Both applied.
Mastering an artifact-refining method was also meant to convert the massive quantity of fourth-rank rare spiritual materials he had obtained from the northern demon clans over the past twenty years into magic treasures useful to himself.
Otherwise, they could only be thrown into the Glazed Iceheart Pagoda.
After sorting through his situation and packing up everything inside the cave abode, he looked toward the rough, imposing palace at the foot of the mountain.
Several white rhinoceroses with lightning horns on their heads cast expectant gazes toward him.
Seeing this, Wang Yu flicked his wrist and tossed out a pill bottle.
“Mission accomplished.”
The Thunder-Horned White Rhino was a staunch supporter of the Thunder Qilin King. After inspecting the spirit pills, it immediately revealed a satisfied smile and likewise presented a fourth-rank thunder horn.
This was one advantage of the demon race. They could naturally produce fourth-rank spiritual materials.
Wang Yu had once considered doing something strange with his own flesh and blood, but after thinking it over, he gave up. He had no tendency toward self-abuse. These demon races, however, were different. The parts they shed were another matter entirely.
“Master Wang, we will now notify the next demon race in line.”
“No need.”
Unexpectedly, Wang Yu refused.
“Go inform the Heavenly Roc Clan. Tell them that I have matters to discuss.”
“This… very well.”
Several Thunder-Horned White Rhinos dared not delay and immediately went to carry out the task.
This Celestial Enlightenment Dao Platform had been fully used up. Relying on himself alone to break through the shackles of divine abilities was far too difficult, so at this moment, Slots Five through Seven were all filled with Lesser Asura Killing Fist.
This divine ability required killing to advance. By absorbing and refining the purest killing intent, it essentially nurtured one’s own murderous will at its root. Once it reached a certain level, it would naturally advance on its own.
However, Wang Yu’s true objective lay in divine ability intent. How to comprehend the Asura battle intent within it and thereby step into the gate of the slaughter path would depend entirely on his own fate.
In this regard, the Idle Slot was far more reliable.
Moreover, Lesser Asura Killing Fist had been his earliest perfected divine ability. Perhaps through it, he could touch upon the embryonic form of divine intent. Only after achieving results would he consider his life-bound ice path.
Step by step. He was still young.
He was only about one hundred and eighty years old so far. Given the longevity of Nascent Soul cultivators, he did not believe he would be unable to step into the Spirit Transformation realm.
Ever since communicating with the remnant will of the Beast God and obtaining many secrets, Wang Yu had already begun planning his next goals. The simplest one was to increase his strength.
At present, the best method was to refine fourth-rank cultivation spirit pills.
With his current status, the northern demon clans would be more than willing to help him solve this.
In addition, the Taiyin Nether Eye also had to continue cultivating. Ever since he obtained the Lunar Star Core Fragment, the primal Taiyin (Lunar Yin) power contained within it was faster at transforming his eyes than even the Idle Slot.
After absorbing this fragment, bringing this eye technique to perfected fourth-rank would be no problem. Thus, there was no need to waste Idle Slot capacity on it. Letting it progress naturally was sufficient.
The secret art Six Senses All Veiled was a pure divine sense technique.
It was not difficult to cultivate. With occasional comprehension, one could already enter the basics. Its main function was to block prying from Six-Ears Beyond Heaven. As long as it worked, that was enough. There was no need to cultivate it too deeply.
All in all, after the Thunder Corpse advanced, he would consider leaving the northern demon clans. That time would not be far off. If things went smoothly, he might even abduct one or two helpers.
If not, then he would pretend he never said it.
There were also matters like the Iceflame Butterfly and refining Nascent Soul magic treasures.
After organizing a plan for everything he needed to do next, Wang Yu headed to the demon cat clan’s council hall, stopping by to learn about the outside world’s situation.
The war between Taihu and the Crimson Kite Demonic Domain still looked much the same as it had twenty years ago. The difference lay in the shifting battle lines.
Cloud Ridge Prefecture had mostly fallen. Yellow Springs Monastery and Nether Mountain Sect had joined forces. Maple Prefecture had been heavily battered, then rebuilt. It was now guarded by Thunder Howl Lord, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
The Joyous Union Demonic Sect had completely withdrawn its forces and shifted to the Southern Severed Boundary Mountains, launching attacks against Thunderfire Temple territory. Countless cultivators spilled their blood in the mountains, and the fighting there was equally intense.
The pieces of news that drew Wang Yu’s greatest attention were these.
First, the Heaven Refining Demonic Sect had made a move and seized control of Black Mountain Pass. Moon Gazing Palace, one of the seven righteous sects, bore the brunt of it.
Second, the Taihu Sword Sect had dispatched two teams. One went north to stabilize the situation at Ice River Pass, carrying large quantities of war magic treasures, clearly prepared for a prolonged battle.
Third, the young sect master of the Blood Reversal Sect had been deceived by Yellow Springs Monastery and lured to the border between You Prefecture and Maple Prefecture. The Blood God Guards directly under the Blood Demon Hall clashed with many Yellow Springs experts.
Both sides suffered heavy losses. The young sect master broke through to the Nascent Soul realm and swore an oath to kill the master of the Blood Reversal Sect, namely his own teacher.
In the Crimson Kite Demonic Domain, masters and disciples turning on each other was nothing unusual.
The incident did not cause much of a stir, but the young sect master was officially confirmed as a traitor. All Exalted Sect disciples were authorized to kill him on sight.
During the twenty years of Wang Yu’s seclusion, only these three pieces of news could be considered truly major events. Their impact was profound.
The leaders of both the righteous and demonic sides had taken action.
This meant that full-scale war was not far away. If he wanted to reap the benefits of this war, the proper path was to find a way to deal with the Nine Evil Sword Lord and participate in the main army’s offensive.
If he could not resolve that matter, attaching himself to Lei Yao was also an option.
His stance was determined by his own conscience. He did not care whether the Crimson Kite Demonic Domain won or lost. In any case, under shifting circumstances, the situation of the Blood Reversal Sect had actually eased somewhat.
After all, the Joyous Union Demonic Sect, this so-called “ally”, had borne a great deal of pressure.
…
…
While waiting inside the council hall, the Two-Tailed Shadow Cat, who had benefited greatly over the past few years, strode in from outside. Upon seeing Wang Yu, he immediately burst into loud laughter.
“Little Brother, how has your pill refining been lately? Going smoothly? Do you want this big brother to find you some entertainment?”
“No need, Brother Black.”
Wang Yu wore his ghost mask, making his voice sound somewhat distant.
“I spent too long in seclusion refining pills and came out to get some fresh air. There are also some matters I wanted to inform you about in advance.”
The Shadow Cat’s expression sharpened as he thought of a certain possibility.
“That’s right. The matter of pill refining ends here. For cultivators, cultivation should always come first. For the next period of time, I will no longer accept pill refining commissions.”
Hearing this, the Shadow Cat felt relieved.
“It really is time to rest for a while. How about this brother gives you a few civet servants? I heard that the human desire art that has been spreading like wildfire in recent years was obtained by you from the Ancestral God Mountain.”
Wang Yu: “…No, thanks.”
He truly had no interest in human-beast affairs. The bloodline-purifying effect of the Human Desire Art was indeed powerful, but the problem was that among demonic beasts who needed bloodline improvement, very few were shapeshifted great demons.
It was precisely those stuck at peak third-rank who needed bloodline purification to enhance their potential and drive their own breakthrough.
In other words, most demonic beasts eager to cultivate the Human Desire Art had not yet transformed into human form.
Just thinking about it made one shudder. Snakes, wolves, dogs, birds, monkeys, gorillas…
A monstrous zoo roulette.
As the instigator who had stirred up this bizarre trend, Wang Yu wanted no part of it. He sincerely hoped it would not involve him.
He had not even taught the Human Desire Art to Snowjade, for fear that she would become lust-crazed and secretly do something against moral principles while he was unprepared. One must never underestimate a demonic beast’s obsession with bloodlines.
Hearing this, the Shadow Cat could not help feeling somewhat regretful.
“My daughter will be returning soon. I originally wanted to introduce her to you.”
“Brother Black is too kind. In some time, I may be leaving the Northern Severed Boundary Mountains. I truly have no intention of cultivating this art. Brother Black can find someone else to try it. There is no need to consider me.”
The two chatted for a long time, until the envoy of the Heavenly Roc Clan arrived.
This demon was called Peng Qing. All pill transactions during this period had been handled through him, so he was fairly familiar with Wang Yu. His cultivation was at early fourth-rank, and his son had benefited greatly from the Human Desire Art.
He was extremely enthusiastic toward Wang Yu.
“Master Wang, Bai Xi and the others said you were looking for me.”
“That’s right.”
Wang Yu repeated what he had told Brother Black. As expected,
Peng Qing felt irritated at first, but did not lash out or start an argument. Instead, he asked in confusion,
“Master Wang, the northern demon clans have never treated you harshly. In fact, all your requests have been fully satisfied. Why do you insist on doing this…”
“The path of cultivation advances or retreats. Pill refining consumes too much time. My own cultivation has already been delayed considerably. I cannot continue indulging in it like this.”
Indulging…
Peng Qing’s mouth twitched. If he had such pill refining skill, he would probably refine day and night without rest. He would never stop until he had earned mountains of wealth.
In other words, had he already earned enough?
After pondering for a moment, Peng Qing said, “The Celestial Enlightenment Dao Platforms of the Dragon Python Clan are too damaged. Our Heavenly Roc Clan recently obtained several more complete ones. One of them can still be used for seventy years.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Yu’s eyes lit up.
His need for treasures that enhanced comprehension would never decrease. Whether he could use them now or not, he would always need them in the future.
According to the Beast God, the Ancient Demons were actually in a state of separation between soul and body, which was why they lacked intelligence. The Spirit Transformation inheritances they transmitted through instinct were themselves not flawed.
It was only because of the demonic path’s nature that they imposed a few additional requirements.
If one’s mental cultivation was insufficient, one would fall and become a servant of the Ancient Demons.
Wang Yu had reason to suspect that these undying Ancient Demons were very likely beings at the immortal level. At the very least, they possessed Mahayana methods. Otherwise, they would not be so difficult to deal with.
The relationship between the demon race and demonic qi was still unclear.
But since someone had already walked the path of becoming a demonic immortal, he could walk it too.
The bait Peng Qing had thrown out struck straight at his weak point. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “I will still stay with the Shadow Cat Clan for quite some time. If the Heavenly Roc Clan has spirit pills they want refined, you may come to me. But the quantity cannot be too large.”
“Understood!”
Peng Qing burst into laughter. He felt this was an opportunity to monopolize Wang Yu. If he could make Wang Yu the exclusive pill master of the Heavenly Roc Clan, just thinking about it made him feel delighted.
The spirit pills produced by Wang Yu were all premium products. That level of mastery was far superior to their previous sources.
He had personally tasted them. Master Wang’s value was enough to make late-stage Demon Kings compete for him.
Watching the other party leave in satisfaction, Wang Yu also had his own calculations.
He would withdraw from miscellaneous pill commissions and instead serve the nine great Demon King clans of the northern region.
In this way, when he later proposed asking for two helpers to assist him in eliminating the Nine Evil Sword Lord, the chances would be much higher. Mutual cooperation and shared benefits, creating a win-win situation, was the proper path.
Of course, his greed was also one of the driving factors.
After settling this matter, in just half a month, a new Celestial Enlightenment Dao Platform was delivered. While Wang Yu continued his seclusion to comprehend divine abilities and Dao intent, the aura of the Thunder Corpse placed within the feng shui formation grew increasingly dense.
It was drawing closer and closer to advancement.
Corpse refinement, gu nurturing, cultivation, Dao comprehension. In this new round of seclusion, his schedule was once again packed to the brim. After only three years had passed, a Blood Sea phenomenon manifested outside Wang Yu’s cultivation cave.
“This is… a prototype of Dao intent?!”
The Shadow Cat was utterly shocked. He even ignored the voice of his treasured daughter coming from the transmission jade slip in his hand.
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