Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

When Chen Yuan regained consciousness, he found himself back in that strange space once again.

He was on the verge of tears, knowing that fleeing meant certain death, and staying meant certain death as well. Had the illusion suddenly changed its nature and was determined to kill him?

The only saving grace was that the golden barrier remained intact despite the increasingly fierce impact of the colorful mist.

Chen Yuan felt a little relieved. As long as his primordial spirit was not eroded by the seven-colored mist, death would only be a sharp pain.

Even after several near-death experiences, Chen Yuan no longer had any fear of death, and his Dao heart became even more steadfast.

There is great terror between life and death, but after experiencing this terror many times, one gets used to it.

At this moment, Chen Yuan had no clue what the illusion was trying to achieve. It seemed that he would have to try several more times before he could find a solution.

His mind returned to his body, back to the moment when Xuan Chenzi told him to escape alone.

This time, Chen Yuan did not choose to stay. He changed direction again, transformed into a dragon, and fled. He still encountered the passing Tai Su Palace cultivator, who beheaded him with a single sword strike.

Chen Yuan died for the fifth time, returning to the moment when Xuan Chenzi told him to escape.

This time, he chose to stay and hid behind Xuan Chenzi beforehand.

The golden-armored giant rushed straight at Chen Yuan, but was stopped by Xuan Chenzi, and Chen Yuan finally survived.

He breathed a sigh of relief, and then helped Xuan Chenzi fight the two men.

However, Chen Yuan had not yet formed his Nascent Soul, and his current body had not cultivated the "Nine Revolutions of True Spirit." His strength was vastly different from that of a Nascent Soul demon general, so he was of no help whatsoever.

On the contrary, Xuan Chenzi had to be distracted to take care of him, and soon fell into a disadvantageous position, struggling to cope and in a very sorry state.

He held out for almost half an hour, but the golden-armored giant finally spotted an opening and killed Chen Yuan with a single spear thrust.

After dying for the sixth time, Chen Yuan had become numb.

After his mind returned to his body, he heard Xuan Chenzi's familiar voice again, stern yet filled with deep concern, but it could no longer stir any emotion in Chen Yuan's heart.

He pondered to himself that staying to face the golden-armored giant and the black-robed elder would only lead to his death, and he would also be a burden to Xuan Chenzi. It was better to escape.

Chen Yuan bowed to Xuan Chenzi, then turned and fled into the distance. This time, he maintained his human form and chose a new direction.

After traveling over a thousand miles, Chen Yuan saw a densely populated city. On a whim, he descended into his escape light.

He went into the marketplace, concealed his aura, and appeared no different from an ordinary person; even Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't tell the difference.

But the next moment, a fiery meteor fell from the sky, wrapped in Crimson Heaven True Fire, and crashed heavily onto the earth.

The fire of the true dragon spread, and no mortal could withstand it. The entire city was burned to ashes in an instant, and Chen Yuan died for the seventh time.

He arrived at that strange space, glanced at the colorful mist around him, but the golden barrier remained as solid as a rock, and his eyes showed no emotion.

The next moment, Chen Yuan's mind returned to his body. Looking at Xuan Chenzi, who had instructed him to escape alone, he bowed deeply and said, "This disciple is willing to go to the Yellow Springs with Master!"

The eighth time, the ninth time, the tenth time...

Chen Yuan died time and time again at the hands of the golden-armored giant, constantly traveling back and forth between the valley and the eerie space. His eyes grew increasingly indifferent, and his performance became more and more perfunctory.

The illusion was completely undisguised; escape meant certain death. Even without the Nascent Soul cultivator from Tai Su Palace or the man-eating demon general, there were still fiery meteors falling from the sky, wrapped in Crimson Heaven True Fire, which were even more terrifying than the Nascent Soul demon general.

In comparison, staying behind to join forces with Xuan Chenzi to fight the golden-armored giant and the black-robed elder might offer a sliver of a chance to survive.

Despite the accusation of joining forces, Chen Yuan was actually of no use whatsoever.

Even with his exceptional talent, the Golden Dragon bloodline, and several innate abilities, he was nothing more than a slightly stronger ant in front of Nascent Soul cultivators and low-level demon generals.

Only a celestial cultivation technique like the "Nine Revolutions of True Spirit" could allow him to transcend realms and contend with high-level cultivators.

Chen Yuan could only survive for a short time under Xuan Chenzi's protection, at most an hour, before dying at the hands of the golden-armored giant.

Each time he dies, the impact of the seven-colored mist on the golden light barrier becomes several times more intense.

But with the blessing of that mysterious scroll, the golden barrier was unbreakable, like a reef on the beach, standing firm for thousands of years despite the erosion of the tides.

The thirty-sixth, the thirty-seventh, the thirty-eighth...

After experiencing dozens of deaths and resurrections, Chen Yuan even had the illusion that this cycle would continue indefinitely and would never stop.

After his seventy-fourth death, he regained consciousness and found himself in that strange space.

Beyond the golden barrier, the seven-colored mist emitted a dazzling rainbow light, hazy and fantastical, almost tangible, captivating anyone who looked at it.

But after a moment of succumbing to the golden light barrier, Chen Yuan regained his senses.

He ignored the imposing seven-colored mist, his mind returning to his body, preparing to face his seventy-fifth death.

Xuan Chenzi's stern voice rang in his ears: "Who are you?"

Chen Yuan was startled. He glanced around and saw that the area was littered with corpses, blood flowed like a river, staining the hillside and grass red, and the stench of blood filled the air.

Dust billowed in the valley not far away, and a snow-white fox demon corpse could be vaguely seen.

Xuan Chenzi stood in front of Chen Yuan, with white hair and a youthful face, smooth skin, and an air of righteousness, showing no signs of aging whatsoever.

He stroked his beard, looking Chen Yuan up and down with a scrutinizing gaze.

Chen Yuan was overjoyed. He had returned to the moment more than two hundred years ago when Xuan Chenzi killed Yu Yan and took him as his disciple!
Chen Yuan didn't know why he would be transported back more than two hundred years after this death.

But he knew that he had finally broken the cycle of death and resurrection and had a chance to turn the tide.

Chen Yuan quickly composed himself, recalling his previous response, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, his face full of gratitude: "Junior Li Xuan was forcibly taken away by this Jade Smoke King as a furnace cauldron."

"Thank you, senior, for slaying this demon and saving me from this dire situation!"

Xuan Chenzi said, "This humble Taoist observes that your aura is dim and your body is weak. You must have been over-absorbed by this Jade Smoke. How could you not be affected by her bewitching arts?"

Chen Yuan's face showed sorrow: "I am a half-human, half-demon. It is thanks to the Golden Dragon bloodline in my body that I was able to resist Yu Yan's bewitching magic..."

"A half-human, half-demon hybrid, a heinous crime, you monster, die!"

Before Chen Yuan could finish speaking, Xuan Chenzi flicked his sleeve, and an invisible blade flew out, severing his head.

Chen Yuan was taken aback. His consciousness fell into darkness. When he regained consciousness, he found himself in that strange space again. The surrounding seven-colored mist surged and rolled, but it was firmly blocked by the golden light barrier.

Why did Xuan Chenzi resort to such ruthless methods?
Chen Yuan frowned, but quickly relaxed as he realized the problem.

He had experienced dozens of deaths and was now numb to it all.

However, this body, with its low cultivation level and sudden change, appears so calm and outspoken, which must be contrary to the script arranged by the illusion.

Moreover, Xuan Chenzi took him as his disciple not only because he valued his talent, but also to repay Li Duchuan for saving his life.

He showed no mercy to Yu Yan, clearly harboring extreme hatred towards the demon race, and it was impossible for him to make an exception for a human-demon hybrid.

Chen Yuan's mind returned to his body, and Xuan Chenzi's voice rang in his ears again: "Who are you?"

Chen Yuan recalled his previous life's answer and repeated it flawlessly. Only after Xuan Chenzi promised not to take his life did he say, "This junior possesses the bloodline of the Golden Dragon..."

"Golden Dragon Bloodline?" Xuan Chenzi's pupils shrank, and he stepped forward, raising his hand to grab Chen Yuan's wrist.

A wisp of true essence surged into Chen Yuan's body. He did not resist and allowed the true essence to circulate in his meridians.

"As expected of the Golden Dragon bloodline, it is so pure, even surpassing the Holy Clan of the Desolate Valley, and it also possesses the aptitude of a Heavenly Spiritual Root..."

Xuan Chenzi's expression shifted, and he muttered to himself for a long time, but he did not kill anyone directly as he had done before.

Suddenly, he looked up and asked, "Young friend, your surname is Li? How did you become the Jade Smoke Furnace?"

Chen Yuan recounted the origins of this body in detail, but unlike his previous apprenticeship, he changed the "Mysterious Armor Melting Gold Body" technique he cultivated to something that suddenly appeared in his mind after arriving at Jade Screen Mountain.

"Yu Yan bestowed upon me the 'Sharp Metal Technique' and instructed me to cultivate it. I dared not disobey and secluded myself to cultivate diligently. In less than two years, my cultivation level rose to the second level of Qi Refining."

"But when I was thirteen, two sentences suddenly appeared in my mind, and then a technique called 'Mysterious Armor Melting Gold Body' appeared, which was far superior to 'Sharp Gold Technique'."

"Since then, I have been practicing this technique, and I still do so today..."

Xuan Chenzi asked, "Which two sentences did you hear, young friend?"

Chen Yuan hesitated for a moment before saying, "The first sentence was a clear male voice, saying, 'Xuan'er, cultivate diligently.'"

"The second sentence was a gentle female voice, saying, 'Mother is sorry...'"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Chenzi stroked his beard and looked Chen Yuan up and down, lost in thought.

Chen Yuan dared not disturb them and waited quietly by the side.

Xuan Chenzi's gaze grew increasingly complex. After a long while, he slowly spoke: "Li Xuan... who gave you your name, young friend?"

Chen Yuan replied, "I have no father or mother. I was adopted by my grandfather when I was young and made a living by begging on the street. It should be my grandfather who took me."

Xuan Chenzi sighed softly, a hint of pity in his eyes as he looked at Chen Yuan: "How could an old beggar possibly come up with such a name? Young friend, could you please recite your cultivation technique?"

Without hesitation, Chen Yuan immediately recounted the entire "Mysterious Armor Melting Gold Body" from beginning to end.

Xuan Chenzi nodded slightly, a hint of pity in his eyes as he looked at Chen Yuan: "Indeed extraordinary, it seems I was right..."

Chen Yuanming, knowing full well what was going on, asked, "Does senior perhaps know of my background and origins?"

Xuan Chenzi said, "This matter involves many things. If I tell you now, it will be a disaster rather than a blessing."

Chen Yuan didn't ask any further questions. Xuan Chenzi pondered for a moment and then said, "Life is unpredictable. It is fate that we met today. Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Chen Yuan immediately knelt down and kowtowed heavily: "Disciple Li Xuan greets Master!"

Seeing his decisiveness, Xuan Chenzi couldn't help but smile, but he quickly suppressed it, his eyes showing a hint of pity. He instructed Chen Yuan to bury the corpses on the mountain, then went to collect the Jade Smoke Demon Core. He then sent a wisp of light with him, carrying Chen Yuan into the sky, and flew north.

During the journey, Xuan Chenzi suddenly asked, "Where is Qingyang City?"

Chen Yuan pointed out the direction, and Xuan Chenzi's escape light turned, stopping above Qingyang City.

He said, "Disciple, now that you have entered the path of immortality, you must sever your ties with the mortal world."

“The likes of Zhang San and Young Master Liu treated you as a plaything when you were young, buying and selling you at will, which has already left a flaw in your heart.”

"Although it is not yet apparent, you are exceptionally talented, and forming your Nascent Soul should not be difficult for you. When you overcome the tribulation of inner demons, these people will surely become a great threat."

"Today you will go and kill these people, and extinguish the seed of evil."

Chen Yuan knew that this would leave a loophole and attract the pursuit of the golden-armored giant, so he naturally wouldn't agree.

He said, "I have heard from the cultivators on Jade Screen Mountain that there are cultivators from the Tai Su Palace guarding Qingyang City. It seems inappropriate for me to kill someone in broad daylight..."

Xuan Chenzi stroked his beard and sneered, "You don't need to worry, just do it."

Chen Yuan said, "What if this disciple encounters any obstruction from the cultivators of the Tai Su Palace..."

Xuan Chenzi pondered for a moment, then said, "You must not kill anyone."

Chen Yuan finally agreed, descended the escape light, raised his hand and swept it across his face, revealing a golden mask that covered his face.

This is a divine ability recorded in the "Mysterious Armor Melting Gold Body". After being used, it can condense a layer of golden armor, and its defensive power is no less than that of magic treasures and spiritual artifacts of the same level.

This body possesses the bloodline of a golden dragon and has an extremely refined mastery of metal-based supernatural powers. Chen Yuan merely condensed a layer of armor to conceal his appearance.

He used an invisibility spell to conceal his form and arrived at the general's mansion, but he did not hide his aura.

A Qi Refining cultivator rushed out from the deep courtyard of the inner residence, looking surprised and uncertain. He clasped his hands in a respectful greeting: "Senior..."

Before he finished speaking, Chen Yuan raised his hand and formed a hand seal, his true essence surging outwards and transforming into a golden blade, which was placed against the neck of the Qi Refining cultivator.

The Qi Refining cultivator's expression changed drastically, but he dared not make a move and begged for mercy: "Senior, spare my life..."

Without uttering a word, Chen Yuan lunged forward and struck him hard on the neck with a palm like a knife, causing him to immediately lose consciousness.

After doing this, he went to kill Yin Baiying and his son Yin Ziming, without ever revealing his face.

After leaving the general's mansion, Chen Yuan did not fly away directly. Instead, he went through the streets and alleys to the Liu mansion, where he killed Young Master Liu and Steward Chai. He then interrogated Steward Chai about Zhang San's whereabouts.

He knew Zhang San was dead, but Xuan Chenzi was right above Qingyang City, watching him kill and take revenge. He had to put on a convincing act.

Chen Yuan did not disturb Liu Zhenren at all, and rode his escape light to the sky.

He clasped his hands in a respectful bow to Xuan Chenzi, who was waiting there, and said in a deep voice, "Master, your disciple has already killed his enemy and severed ties with the mortal world. I have no regrets."

Xuan Chenzi nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation in his eyes: "You were able to control the hatred in your heart, refrain from killing innocent people, and act cautiously without alarming the cultivators stationed at Tai Su Palace. I am very pleased. Where is your grandfather buried?"

Chen Yuan said, "When my grandfather passed away, I had no money for a proper burial. I could only wrap his body in a straw mat and ask someone to take it to a mass grave outside the city in a large cart. I'm afraid it was eaten by wild dogs long ago."

Xuan Chenzi frowned: "In that case, you may offer a distant prayer here to express your feelings, and then leave with your master."

Chen Yuan turned around and bowed three times towards Qingyang City below. Xuan Chenzi flicked his sleeve and disappeared into the distance, flying away into the vast darkness.

Ten days later, Xuan Chenzi led Chen Yuan through the cities and prefectures of the state and arrived at the depths of a vast mountain range, where they landed in a valley with their escape light.

Xuan Chenzi said, "This is where I cultivate in seclusion. For many years, I have been the only one here. You may choose any place to open up your cave dwelling."

Chen Yuan agreed, and Xuan Chenzi took out a jade bottle and handed it over: "You have been drained of your vital energy by that Jade Smoke Demoness many times, so your yang energy is deficient and your vitality is damaged. You need to recuperate and recover."

"There is a Three Yang Pill in this bottle, which can replenish Yang energy and restore vitality. Refine it carefully, but do not rush it."

Chen Yuan accepted the jade bottle, bowed in gratitude, and descended in a beam of light to the cave he had previously created. He then condensed a golden blade of light and used it to carve through the mountain and walls.

Having had experience before, he was able to open his cave dwelling much faster. A few hours later, he sat cross-legged in the cultivation room, took some pills, and recovered his vitality.

A few days later, Chen Yuan recovered his strength and went to Xuan Chenzi's cave to report back.

Xuan Chenzi flicked his sleeve, and a jade slip appeared out of thin air on the table. He said kindly, "In my early years, I had the good fortune to obtain the inheritance of the Qingyang Sect, an ancient and orthodox sect. There is a metal element technique called 'Wufeng Jing,' which directly leads to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm."

"However, the Xuanjia Melting Gold Body technique you are currently cultivating, which combines physical and magical cultivation, is most suitable for you. Although you can only cultivate it to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, it is still considered top-notch."

"Take this 'The Scripture of No Edge' and have a look at it. This method comes from the same source as the cultivation method I practice. If you choose this method, I can guide you in its cultivation."

"The choice is entirely up to you. Give your teacher an answer in three days."

Chen Yuan clasped his hands in a bow and said, "Thank you, Master, for bestowing upon me the Dharma!"

He picked up the jade slip, returned to his cave, meditated for three days, and then paid his respects to Xuan Chenzi again.

He presented the jade slip containing the "Wufeng Sutra" with both hands: "This disciple still wishes to continue cultivating the 'Xuanjia Rongjin Body,' and begs Master's permission."

Xuan Chenzi raised his hand and took the jade slip into his hand, nodding slightly: "You possess the bloodline of the Golden Dragon, so cultivating both your physical body and spiritual power is the right path."

"Although I am not proficient in the art of body tempering, I can provide you with body-tempering pills. You can focus on your cultivation."

Chen Yuan bowed in thanks and returned to his cave to continue meditating and cultivating.

Although he concealed his appearance in Qingyang City and did not disturb Master Liu, he should have done it flawlessly and his identity should not have been discovered.

But he didn't believe the script arranged by the illusion would deviate so easily; the golden-armored giant and the black-robed old man would most likely still come knocking on his door.

Compared to the "Wufeng Jing", this "Xuanjia Rongjin Ti" can better bring out the advantages of this human-demon hybrid body.

Chen Yuan has cultivated the "Nine Revolutions of True Spirit" for over four hundred years and has more experience in both physical and spiritual cultivation. As long as he doesn't lack spiritual materials for tempering his body, his cultivation speed will definitely be much faster and his strength will be much greater.

Two hundred years passed in a flash. Chen Yuan cultivated diligently without slacking off for a single day, and his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. He finally reached the peak of Core Formation, five years earlier than when he was cultivating the "Swordless Scripture".

Xuan Chenzi would still occasionally take Chen Yuan away from the valley to fight with demonic beasts, and even kidnap demonic cultivators to help him accumulate combat experience.

In this life, Chen Yuan cultivates both physical and magical abilities, making him far stronger than before, and he can take his life in just a few rounds.

After this happened several times, Xuan Chenzi stopped letting Chen Yuan accumulate combat experience, saving him several years of cultivation time.

The same applies to refining one's natal magic weapon. The method of refining one's natal magic weapon is recorded in "Mysterious Armor Melting Gold Body", but Chen Yuan was not in a hurry to refine it.

Xuan Chenzi did not try to persuade him. Chen Yuan had the bloodline of a golden dragon, and his physical body was even better than that of a demon beast of the same level. He also possessed several powerful innate divine abilities. Even without his natal magic weapon, he was rarely matched among cultivators of the same level.

However, Xuan Chenzi still found a longsword for Chen Yuan, a divine weapon comparable to a high-level magic treasure, with unparalleled sharpness, which was extremely compatible with the "Mysterious Armor Melting Gold Body".

After learning that Chen Yuan's cultivation had reached its limit, he bestowed upon him the Spirit Source Pearl, which was then integrated into his spiritual veins.

A year later, the spiritual energy in the valley was comparable to that of a medium-sized spiritual vein, and Chen Yuan successfully passed the three tribulations of the Nascent Soul stage and successfully formed his Nascent Soul.

Another year passed, and Chen Yuan's cultivation level stabilized. He emerged from seclusion to pay his respects to Xuan Chenzi.

Xuan Chenzi looked him up and down, stroked his beard, and praised him repeatedly with a look of satisfaction: "Good, good, good! You have successfully formed your Nascent Soul, which means you have the ability to protect yourself in the cultivation world. I will no longer hide it from you..."

He slowly recounted the body's origins, and then, with a solemn expression, he cautioned, "Back then, there were many people who besieged Fellow Daoist Li and Demon General Ao Xuan, and they were backed by major sects. With your current strength, you must not seek revenge rashly."

"Although I don't know the specifics of what your parents went through back then, they risked their lives to send you away, and in their last words they didn't mention revenge, because they didn't want you to lose your life in vain. You must not let their good intentions go to waste."

Chen Yuan looked sorrowful: "Disciple understands. Disciple will first investigate the matter from back then, find the enemy, and then make a plan."

Xuan Chenzi was relieved and was about to speak when a sinister voice came from outside the cave: "Xuan Chenzi, do you think that hiding in this remote and desolate place will prevent me from finding you? Come out and face your death!"

Xuan Chenzi's expression changed slightly, and his figure flashed and disappeared.

Chen Yuan also used his teleportation technique to arrive outside the cave. He saw a golden-armored giant and a black-robed old man standing outside the array, their demonic and evil auras intertwined, causing the wind and clouds to change color.

The old man in black robes was commanding a white-haired zombie to attack the great formation, which made a rumbling sound and shook violently.

As expected, the two of them came knocking on our door.

Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes. He hadn't left any clues, but the two had arrived three years earlier than expected. This was indeed a script arranged by the illusion. He had to fight them.

But in this life, he is no longer a powerless Core Formation cultivator, but a Nascent Soul cultivator who cultivates both body and spirit!
After a verbal exchange between Xuan Chenzi and the two, the formation was quickly broken because Chen Yuan had consumed a lot of spiritual energy when he formed his nascent soul. The spiritual veins in the valley were even weaker than small spiritual veins.

Xuan Chenzi didn't need to buy time to let Chen Yuan escape alone, and Chen Yuan didn't need to ask about his background. The four of them quickly started fighting.

Xuan Chenzi's cultivation technique is the orthodox Xuanmen, which is most effective against the black-robed old man's corpse puppet technique, firmly suppressing it.

The golden-armored giant possessed profound demonic power and held a significant advantage when facing Chen Yuan.

However, Chen Yuan cultivates both physical and magical techniques, possesses high-level magical treasures, and has a Golden Dragon bloodline that is even purer than Chen Yuan's.

Moreover, he was a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and his combat experience and control over supernatural powers were far more refined than those of the golden-armored giant. Although he was at a disadvantage, he was not in danger of being defeated.

This great battle lasted for several days and nights, and Chen Yuan never suffered a defeat.

Instead, Xuan Chenzi spotted the flaw, severely injured the black-robed elder, causing him to escape and come to Chen Yuan's aid.

Even Chen Yuan couldn't defeat the golden-armored giant, let alone fight two against one, so he had no choice but to retreat.

The valley finally returned to calm, but it was completely unrecognizable; Chen Yuan and Xuan Chenzi's cave dwellings had both collapsed.

Chen Yuan's true essence was almost exhausted. Watching the golden-armored giant disappear into the distance, he put away his sword and let out a long sigh.

He died dozens of times at the hands of the golden-armored giant, but in this life he finally broke free from the cycle of reincarnation.

Xuan Chenzi flew over, examined Chen Yuan, and smiled with satisfaction: "Good disciple, if it weren't for your help today, I would have died at the hands of that Hundred Zombies Master!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a long, drawn-out sigh reached Chen Yuan's ears, tinged with regret yet also with a sense of relief. The entire world before him shattered! (End of Chapter)