The junior sister who had just joined the Sword Pavilion wasn’t that impressive, was she?
Tu Xinghe couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Unlike him, who was useless and had poor innate talent, he even thought about practicing demon arts, making himself neither human nor ghost.
Tu Xinghe didn’t think the old ancestor would let him off.
There were many harsher punishments besides death.
But these punishments should fall on him, so there was no reason to complain.
He lowered his head, silently waiting for the Sword Pavilion Ancestor’s judgment.
“Why are you so eager to commit suicide? Do you want to cover up the origin of your demon arts?!”
Tu Xinghe looked terrified, kneeling and trembling as he said, “Disciple dares not. Disciple truly feels that I deserve to die and have no face to live on… If the old ancestor wants to know anything, disciple will answer all questions!”
“Hmph! Who told you to die? When did you decide for me?”
Tu Xinghe stared at his dirt-covered hands, unable to speak, feeling utterly hopeless.
“Where did you get this demon art from?”
“I obtained it from a demon cultivator wearing a fox mask while I was on a sect mission. That cultivator was of unknown cultivation level, and I could only submit to his will. He didn’t kill me but provoked my resentment and finally gave me a demon art scroll, saying it would help me.”
Chen Huaian felt troubled upon hearing this.
Clearly, Tu Xinghe had been set up by the demon sect.
If the place where he got the demon art was a demon sect stronghold, it would be easy to solve.
How could he track someone wearing a fox mask?
Next time they could wear any other mask.
Moreover, it might be a group operation, and other disciples in different sects might have similar experiences with demon cultivation.
Ambition, resentment, regret, hatred…
These karmic ties were too common for cultivators.
Far more than the long lives of mortals inevitably led to conflicts with others.
And the immature disciples of various sects were perfect targets for infiltration.
It was uncertain whether heavenly fate calculations could find these spreading demon cultivators.
Regardless, it was best to gather as much intelligence as possible now.
“What is the name of your demon art? Show me!”
Tu Xinghe honestly placed an jade slip on the stone table and muttered, “Old ancestor, this technique is called the Secret Treasures of Heavenly Demon Blood Refinement. Its core relies on blood energy to enhance spiritual energy and muscle strength.”
[You have obtained the item ‘Secret Treasures of Heavenly Demon Blood Refinement’ fragment.]
Chen Huaian’s expression gradually became bizarre as he saw the jade slip appearing in his hand.
How did it directly appear like this?
Could he also practice this?
The moment he touched the jade slip, a large amount of information flooded his mind.
Chen Huaian digested it and understood.
This technique came from one of the ancient demon sects of the Cangyun Realm, the Heavenly Demon Sect, which was part of their foundational technique, the Heavenly Demon Art.
Besides the Blood Refinement volume, there were two other volumes.
One was the main volume – Heavenly Demon Heart Seizing Great Art.
The other was the secondary volume – Heavenly Demon Gluttony Great Art.
Blood Refinement and Gluttony Arts were secondary, but the main Heart Seizing Art was the core because demon cultivators who practiced it could control all those who practiced Blood Refinement and Gluttony Arts within a certain range.
This explained everything.
The demon cultivators in the Cangyun Realm were playing a grand chess game.
Their target was undoubtedly all righteous cultivators entering the Central Continent Secret Realm.
Those who entered the Central Continent Secret Realm were mostly fresh blood with good talents from various sects. If these fresh blood could be eliminated within the secret realm, it would undoubtedly be a heavy blow to all righteous sects.
Like Tu Xinghe, he considered himself average in talent, but his fellow disciples were monsters compared to him. If he were in another sect, he would still be able to enter the secret realm.
“No wonder Li Qingran’s survival rate in the secret realm is so low,” Chen Huaian shook his head in sorrow. This year, the Central Continent Secret Realm was no longer just a secret realm; it was a nest for demon cultivators.
And the disciples of the righteous sects were like fish!
What should he do now?
Following his cautious approach, it would be best not to enter the secret realm. Let the righteous and demon factions fight inside, and it wouldn’t affect Li Qingran and the Sword Pavilion for now.
However, the main quest pointed in that direction.
The ingredients for the Hundred Herb Detoxifying Pill could only be obtained there.
So Li Qingran would definitely go…
“Hold on! If my cancer cured itself before I entered the Central Continent Secret Realm, Li Qingran wouldn’t have to go, right?” Chen Huaian slapped his forehead.
Whether the Demon-Slaying Division could cure him aside, since Li Qingran existed, he could directly ask her for what he needed, right? A simple mutation cancer could be handled with ordinary pills.
“I’m really a genius! Haha!”
Chen Huaian laughed loudly, making the Ba Ji and Xiao Qing on the windowsill tremble.
[Tu Xinghe, I am not a murderer. You disperse this demon art and go to the Enforcement Hall to receive one hundred lashes. Then go to the Sword Tomb to reflect for a week!]
Tu Xinghe widened his eyes, staring at the void in disbelief.
“Old ancestor, you’re not going to kill me?”
“Why kill you?! Recognizing your mistake and improving is the greatest virtue! Considering your pure intentions and first offense, don’t let it happen again.”
“Old ancestor!” Tu Xinghe’s eyes filled with tears as he deeply bowed.
He didn’t understand what “the greatest virtue” meant.
But he roughly understood.
The old ancestor had high expectations for him!
He hoped Tu Xinghe would recognize his mistakes, break through, and in the future, have the chance to compete with the heavenly might, pluck lightning, shatter the void, and ascend to immortality!
The path of sword cultivation was broad.
He didn’t need to practice demon arts to arm himself.
Those resentments, regrets, weren’t they exactly the scars that motivated him to advance bravely?
Even the old ancestor could overlook his past.
Why should he still be stuck on them?
Tu Xinghe had mediocre talent. How could he earn such recognition from the old ancestor? He feared heaven and earth, lived carelessly, and took things as they came… But from now on, everything would be different! The old ancestor was his heaven!
—!
A clear aura rose from Tu Xinghe’s head. He immediately sat cross-legged and began to comprehend as he dispelled the demon art. His cultivation level didn’t decrease but increased, jumping from late Foundation Establishment to full Foundation Establishment, showing signs of breaking through to the Golden Core stage.
“Damn, are all the disciples of the Sword Sect that powerful? I didn’t say much, and they suddenly start comprehending…” Chen Huaian envied, jealously, and hated.
Why was his cultivation speed so slow?
He had never experienced comprehension?
It must be due to the mutated cancer cells dragging him down!
Not because of his natural talent!
Chen Huaian already hated the cancer cells and decided to implement his self-rescue plan, transmitting his voice:
[Su Qinian!]
“Junior disciple is here!” Su Qinian bowed respectfully.
[I have learned that the demon sect has infiltrated multiple sects through spreading demon arts. I want you to notify all righteous sects to strengthen their defenses and check their own disciples practicing demon arts!]
“Yes! Please rest assured, old ancestor!”
Then, Chen Huaian turned to the demure Li Qingran standing obediently beside him, his tone softening as he cooed, “Qingran baby, come with me into the room. We’ll discuss something good together, hehehe…”
In the void, a deep voice echoed:
[Apprentice, follow your master into the room for a talk.]
…
