Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

"Please, Fellow Daoist Zhang, report this matter to the Lord of the Prefecture and ask him to make a decision."

"The two high-ranking demon generals, Chanwei and Bafei, have been fighting each other several times in recent years because of that medium-sized spirit stone mine, violating the Lord's order. It looks like they are about to officially start a war."

"We tried to persuade them repeatedly, but to no avail. Only when the prefect issued an edict could they finally give up..."

On Beiming Island, in a grand hall, the main seat was empty, with Zhang Yanwei standing below him, while the Bewitching Demon General and the Crimson Pearl Demon General stood opposite him, their expressions quite respectful.

The Bewitching Demon General presented a jade slip with both hands. Zhang Yanwei raised his hand to take it and examined it with his divine sense.

He raised his head and smiled, "Thank you for your trouble, two demon generals. I will report this matter to my master shortly, and will reply to you immediately once my master issues his decree."

The two demon generals repeatedly said they dared not, showing no disrespect whatsoever for Zhang Yanwei's human identity and Core Formation cultivation.

If other demon generals were to witness this scene, they would be greatly astonished. A dignified demon general would be so subservient to a mere Core Formation stage human slave, and this Core Formation stage human slave would accept it so readily. This is truly outrageous.

No matter how powerful the human race is in the spirit realm, in the Demon Burning Realm, it is only natural that the demon race is respected and the human race is enslaved.

However, there are always exceptions in the world. A mere Core Formation stage human slave is naturally just an ant in front of a demon general, but if this human slave is trusted by the Northern Underworld Demon General, then it is a different story.

No demon general on Beiming Island knew that the lord of the city favored this Core Formation stage human slave, whom he had bought from other demon generals, far more than any of them.

It's unclear what Zhang Yanwei's abilities are. Even if the lord of the manor has homosexual tendencies, his appearance is not particularly handsome; he can only be described as upright, and he is not even as good-looking as the slaves in the hands of these demon generals.

Some demon generals secretly speculated that perhaps the lord of the manor had such unusual tastes that he disliked those beautiful human women.

But this doesn't seem to make sense either. Yun Jinyue was also quite favored by the manor lord. This woman was beautiful, aloof and elegant. Compared with those gentle and obedient female slaves, she had a different kind of temperament, but she couldn't compare to Zhang Yanwei, who came from behind.

Since returning to Beiming Island to cultivate in seclusion, the Lord of the Prefecture has stopped receiving the demon generals on the island and has to report everything through this person.

There was a time when a demon general, presuming on his status, ordered Zhang Yanwei around, but a few days later, the lord of the manor issued an edict severely punishing that demon general.

From then on, no one dared to look down on this lowly human slave.

On Beiming Island, he was the embodiment of the Lord of the Palace, and even the demon generals treated him with utmost respect.

However, what puzzled the demon generals on the island was that although a soul restriction had been planted in this person's body, his intelligence seemed to be unaffected. His eyes were bright, and he acted steadily, just like an ordinary person.

But they only dared to harbor suspicions in their hearts, and no one dared to spread them casually, for fear of angering the Lord of the Manor and incurring punishment.

Perhaps it was because the soul restriction was only recently placed within Zhang Yanwei's body that his intelligence was not damaged.

Perhaps it's because the Lord of the Palace comes from the Kunyu Sacred Clan and has his own mysterious methods that won't damage the intelligence of the slaves.

It is said that some demon kings and demon saints would even take human female cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage into their mansions as concubines, using all sorts of strange methods to control their life and death, yet their intelligence remained unchanged.

Even if the lord of the manor favored a burly human man with an ugly appearance, they dared not voice any objections.

Especially after the great battle at the First Line of Heaven, they witnessed the Lord of the Palace behead a high-ranking demon general with a single halberd strike. The Lord of the Palace, clad in armor and radiating demonic energy, stood majestically in the sky, which greatly shocked all the demon generals.

That exceptionally fierce battle resulted in heavy casualties among the level 5 and above demonic beasts in the Northern Underworld Cave, with many demonic generals dying on the spot. However, some demonic generals made contributions and were bestowed cultivation pills by the cave lord.

The territories vacated after the deaths of those demon generals were either distributed to several demon generals who wanted to establish their own fiefdoms, or assigned to demon generals who had rendered meritorious service.

The tributes that all the demon generals who participated in the battle had to pay were significantly reduced, and the lord of the manor also bestowed cultivation resources upon them, which was enough to make up for their losses.

Compared to this, the deaths and injuries of some low-level demonic beasts seem insignificant.

However, the redivision of the territory also caused some controversy, leading to a conflict among several demon generals.

The two high-ranking demon generals, Chanwei and Bafei, were in this situation. Mixin and Jiangzhu were slightly inferior in cultivation and their strength was mediocre, making it difficult for them to convince the public. Therefore, the decision could only be made by the Lord of the Palace.

Fortunately, the Lord of the Manor was extremely understanding. Although he had been in seclusion for the past eighteen years and had never appeared in public, as long as Mi Xin and Jiang Zhu had something to report, the Lord of the Manor would issue an edict within three days.

What had caused the two demon generals a great deal of trouble could be properly resolved by the Lord of the Palace with just a few words, making them even more in awe of his abilities.

……

Zhang Yanwei bid farewell to the two demon generals, left the main hall, and flew towards his cave.

Although the demon generals on the island treated him with great respect, regarding him as the incarnation of their master, he dared not slack off in the slightest.

When interacting with these demon generals, he was always cautious and respectful, and always addressed his master as "master".

As he passed Minghai Peak, he slowed his speed and looked towards his master's cave on the mountaintop, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

Eighteen years ago, Master led the demon generals of Beiming Cave back, and his fame spread, shaking Leishan Cave.

It is not surprising that they killed high-ranking demon generals. Several high-ranking demon generals who are famous in Leishan Cave have taken the lives of demon generals of the same rank.

The Demon General Youji was even more adept at killing other Demon Generals of the same rank, earning him a fearsome reputation and a considerable name throughout the Bloodtooth Domain.

However, it is extraordinary for a mid-level demon general to face the siege of four high-level demon generals, kill one, and severely injure another, all of whom are strong among the high-level demon generals.

Zhang Yanwei had long known that his master was no ordinary person; otherwise, he would not have been able to escape from the near-death human realm, endure countless hardships, ascend to the Burning Demon Realm, and kill the Fierce Mane Demon General with ease.

But he had no idea that his master's strength was so formidable that he could kill even a high-ranking demon general without hesitation.

Zhang Yanwei even had a vague feeling that this was not his master's true strength.

Although it is already unbelievable that a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator could achieve such a record.

However, he knew that his master was a cautious person and would never reveal all his methods in front of the demon race, and must have a backup plan.

Perhaps even the renowned Demon General Youji was no match for Master.

Inspired by this great battle, Zhang Yanwei cultivated even more diligently, hoping that one day he could be like his master, slaying a high-ranking demon general and avenging his deceased parents.

What worried Zhang Yanwei was that after his master returned to Beiming Island, he began to cultivate in seclusion and never left his cave again.

He wasn't worried about not having anyone to teach him; before his master went into seclusion, he had asked Senior Cangsong to guide his cultivation.

Although this senior Cangsong practiced wood-based techniques, which were incompatible with Zhang Yanwei's, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, he had a commanding perspective and could answer Zhang Yanwei's questions in a few words.

The Bewitching Demon General and the Crimson Pearl Demon General sometimes disagreed, requesting their master to handle the affairs of the Northern Underworld Cave. After discussions among Zhang Yanwei, Yun Jinyue, and Zhang Yanwei, the matter was always handled properly without any mistakes. However, there were some matters that Zhang Yanwei could not decide, and only their master could make the decision.

In recent years, the battle between Leishan Cave and Shimu Cave has become increasingly stalemate, with both struggling to withstand the losses inflicted by the demon beast army.

Five years ago, the demon generals of the two major caves no longer participated in the battle. Some of the demon generals who had made meritorious contributions or whose demon beast armies had suffered significant losses returned to their respective caves to recuperate.

The other demon generals remained in the border region, fighting each other until they had recovered and were replaced.

The Thunder Mountain Demon King and the Wood Erosion Demon King fought several times, and the outcome was always evenly matched.

Before his master went into seclusion, Zhang Yanwei had heard him mention that the Wood-Eating Demon King possessed a puppet at the peak of the mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm, and the Thunder Mountain Demon King had fought two against one before being defeated once.

It's unclear what countermeasure the Thunder Mountain Demon King found, but he managed to hold his own again.

The two demon kings were evenly matched, and the demon army was unable to break through the dangerous border. Even when they managed to capture a few key points, they were repelled, and the war became increasingly stalemate.

According to convention, this great war will continue for at least another eighteen years, until one side can no longer bear the losses and makes the first concession, before it ends.

The Wood-Eating Demon King was clearly waiting for the Thunder Mountain Demon King to retreat. In a few hundred years, the Thunder Mountain Cave would enter the Tyrant Turtle Island to participate in the war between the two realms. The longer the fighting continued, the greater the losses would be, and the more detrimental it would be to the war between the two realms.

But with such a deep grudge between the two demon kings, how could the Thunder Mountain Demon King easily back down? He was willing to risk losing his demon generals and commanders, but he showed no fear of battle.

In this way, the Thunder Mountain Cave would need to rotate its demon generals frequently in order to sustain itself for a longer period of time, so as to avoid too much loss of demon beasts under the command of a single demon general.

Master had long ago made great contributions and, with the permission of the Thunder Mountain Demon King, was allowed to return to his cave to recuperate.

Eighteen years have passed; even the most severe injuries should have healed by now.

In the past two years, the Demon King of Leishan has frequently sent demon generals and even demon commanders to Beiming Island to visit his master, seemingly to ask him to join the battle.

In the past, if the demon general had come to visit, Zhang Yanwei would have immediately reported it to his master.

But this time was different. Before his master went into seclusion, he specifically instructed him not to meet with anyone unless the Thunder Mountain Demon King issued an edict. He would only come out of seclusion after breaking through the bottleneck.

These demon generals and commanders clearly intended to ask their master to fight, but they did not bring any decree from the Thunder Mountain Demon King, leaving Zhang Yanwei in a dilemma.

There were also two other demon generals, Iron Wing and Saki Rock, who claimed to be good friends of the master and had important matters to discuss, but Zhang Yanwei turned them away.

These demon generals wouldn't make things difficult for a mere Core Formation stage human slave, so they could only leave dejectedly.

But as eighteen years passed and his master still hadn't emerged from seclusion, Zhang Yanwei couldn't help but feel a sense of worry.

The Demon General's cultivation relies heavily on bloodline, which has a limited upper limit. Breaking through bottlenecks is not difficult, as long as the physical body is strong enough and there are enough cultivation pills, one can improve their realm.

Although human cultivators have different aptitudes, the difference only exists when their cultivation level is low.

After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, the influence of aptitude is greatly reduced.

For Nascent Soul cultivators, aptitude is even less important.

The difficulty of cultivation for human cultivators lies in the fact that breaking through bottlenecks requires that elusive yet crucial opportunity.

It is said that there are other requirements for cultivators to advance their realm. Zhang Yanwei's cultivation level is low and he does not know much about it. He both loves and hates this opportunity.

He had just raised his cultivation to the peak of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage when, after a difficult kill of a level four demonic beast, he felt a sense of enlightenment, went into seclusion for a month, and broke through to the late-Foundation Establishment stage.

He was also trapped at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage for more than ten years by this sliver of opportunity, and although he was in seclusion and cultivating diligently, he was still unable to form the Golden Core.

He was feeling troubled, but after witnessing a magnificent sunrise, he suddenly had an epiphany and found a glimmer of hope.

Zhang Yanwei had no doubt about his master's strength, but no matter how powerful his master's physical body was, he was not a demon after all, and he would need this opportunity to break through his bottleneck.

The opportunity for this breakthrough is mysterious and elusive, and cannot be found simply through secluded cultivation.

Master has been in seclusion for eighteen years and has not emerged or made any move. We don’t know if he has found that sliver of opportunity, or when he will be able to break through the bottleneck.

Zhang Yanwei sighed inwardly. Since his master was confident in reaching the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, perhaps he had other methods...

He shook his head, turned and flew towards his cave, but suddenly a gentle voice came to his ears: "Come quickly to my cave."

Zhang Yanwei was stunned for a moment, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes, and he immediately turned and flew towards Minghai Peak.

The cave at the summit had its doors open, the array had dissipated, and Zhang Yanwei strode inside. He passed through a passage and arrived at a spacious stone hall, where his master sat in the main seat, smiling at him.

Zhang Yanwei bowed deeply, unable to hide his excitement: "Disciple respectfully welcomes Master's return from seclusion. May I ask if Master has broken through the bottleneck and raised his cultivation to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm?"

Chen Yuan nodded slightly: "I broke through this barrier three years ago, and then went into seclusion to cultivate for a period of time to stabilize my realm and improve my cultivation."

"All these years, you have never disturbed your master, yet the Thunder Mountain Demon King has never allowed your master to participate in the battle?"

Zhang Yanwei said, "The Demon King of Leishan has sent demon generals and commanders several times, seemingly intending to invite Master to come out of the mountain, but he did not issue an order and was turned away by his disciple."

"Two demon generals, Tieyi and Qiyan, also came to visit, claiming to be friends of Master and having something to discuss with Master. They seemed quite anxious."

"But I have been instructed by my master that I dare not disturb his seclusion, nor have I agreed to do so."

Chen Yuan nodded thoughtfully: "You did well. After I leave seclusion, everything will remain the same. The matter of the Northern Darkness Cave will still be discussed and handled by you, Yun Jinyue, and the others."

"I've noticed that your cultivation is progressing slowly. Is there something you're struggling with?"

Zhang Yanwei explained, "I was bestowed the 'True Scripture of the Flame Soul' by my master, so I dared not be reckless and deliberately slowed down my cultivation speed to start from the beginning."

"I focused on comprehending the profound mysteries of the technique to avoid a weak foundation, which is why my progress has been somewhat slow."

"Whenever I encounter any difficulties, I will consult Senior Cangsong for guidance, so as not to delay my cultivation."

Chen Yuan looked appreciative and said with a smile, "A nine-story tower begins with a mound of earth. The foundation is extremely important. I am relieved that you can calm down and build a solid foundation."

"Go and summon the demon generals on the island. I have a few instructions for you, and then I will be leaving for a few days." (End of Chapter)