I began to understand the myriad things by chopping wood

Above the dark foggy valley.

Xie Yuan and the other three returned to the outside of the gap and finally saw the light of day again.

Looking down at the foggy, bottomless ravine beneath their feet, the four of them felt a little emotional for a moment.

Who would have thought that going down from here is the legendary Nine Netherworld?

A dark village in the cracks of the ground;
A huge ancient gate covered with runes;
The Nine Netherworld is dark and shrouded in dark clouds all year round, and the plain is desolate and silent, with strange demons everywhere...

There is also a pillar of heaven with thunder and lightning, and a palace where the Demon Lord is sealed.

Standing in the Five Elements Mountains as the sun rises, greeting the brilliant glow of the sunset, everything seems to have turned into a dream.

If it weren't for the heavy object in my hand, I would have thought it was just a dream.

Mu Chaoyun waved his sleeves, and three dreamy crystals of different colors floated in the air, reflecting the morning glow and emitting a crystal glow.

She waved her hand again, and many exotic flowers and herbs with rich spiritual energy, fairy fruits and elixirs appeared on the ground. They were all extremely yang spiritual objects born from the extreme yin of the Nine Netherworlds, and were natural treasures that were hard to find in the outside world.

In Xie Yuan's hand, there was a small tripod floating quietly, which was the page of the Black Book held by the Demon Lord.

“The harvest is complete.”

Mu Chaoyun nodded slightly.

Xie Yuan looked at so many things and smiled.

Situ Qin and Xie Lingyun looked left and right with shining eyes.

Black Book;
Three large demon cores;
There are also many natural treasures that are unique to Jiuyou.

It is no exaggeration to say that they are priceless. Even the top aristocratic families would be jealous of them and are willing to pay a huge price for them, even fighting for them.

Needless to say, the Black Book is very helpful for cultivation, especially for Xie Yuan. It is a treasure that can accelerate his breakthroughs in various techniques. Even a breakthrough in chopping wood is just around the corner.

The core of the top demon, after purification and combined with those elixirs, is no less effective than the peerless elixir. For people with the cultivation levels of Xie Yuan and Situ Qin, it is not impossible to break through to a higher realm. But if it is Xie Lingyun... forget it, the level of this thing is too high. If it can be used, it may allow her to break through to the Grandmaster realm overnight, but there is a greater possibility that her body will explode and die.

This kind of treasure containing huge energy is always hard to come by.

Although everyone was excited, Xie Yuan looked at Mu Chaoyun, whose complexion had recovered a little, and said with concern:

"Miss Mu, you are injured. Hurry up and use these elixirs to heal yourself."

Mu Chaoyun nodded gently:
"I will. Find a place to retreat for a while, and I will purify these three demon cores together. Then you can use them."

"Okay, where are we going now?"

Situ Qin said with some interest.

Mu Chaoyun looked around, calculated with his fingers, and then said:
"There is a place with spiritual essence in the Five Elements Mountain. It is just right there."

"it is good."

After they agreed, they headed deeper into the mountains together.

"Wait, wait a minute."

Xie Lingyun suddenly stopped and said.

All three looked at her.

Xie Lingyun gritted her teeth and whispered:
"I am going home."

"Ok?"

Xie Yuan was very surprised and said with a smile:
"Why? Do you miss mom?"

"No...well, I've been away from home for too long, and I don't feel well."

Xie Lingyun said.

This time, entering the Nine Netherworld and traveling back and forth across the realm took a very long time.

Although she had written a letter home before, she was going out with Xie Yuan.

But after such a long time without any news, Cui Pingjun must be anxious.

Xie Yuan thought about this and nodded:
"Okay, I'll take you home first."

Mu Chaoyun did not go with them. He gave them the direction and prepared to go ahead.

She said goodbye to Xie Lingyun and whispered in her ear:
"Practice well and don't think too much. You won't be apart for long."

Xie Lingyun nodded slowly, then walked out of the mountains with Xie Yuan and Situ Qin.

Mu Chaoyun stood on the mountain peak, looked at the few people quietly for a while, then turned and left.

Chen County, outside the Xie clan’s territory.

Looking at the gate from afar, Xie Lingyun turned around and asked:
"W-won't you guys go in and rest for a while?"

"No."

Xie Yuan smiled and patted Xie Lingyun on the shoulder:

"Go ahead and explain yourself to your aunt, or she'll beat your ass."

"Don't talk nonsense, she won't!"

Xie Lingyun snorted, and then whispered:
“But I may be grounded for a while.”

"It's a good opportunity for you to summarize and practice hard, and strive to break through to the Grandmaster level as soon as possible."

Xie Yuan smiled and said, not taking it seriously.

Xie Lingyun nodded:

"I will."

Xie Lingyun walked into the clan’s gate, then turned around and waved.

Xie Yuan also waved his hand, watching her walk into the circle of servants running around in surprise, and nodded:

"Blood and fire are the best way to sharpen a person. Ling Yun feels more mature now."

"You sound like you're much older than her."

Situ Qin smiled.

However, her smile soon faded. Xie Yuan's experience or hardships were indeed beyond that of ordinary people. No wonder he was so mature beyond his peers.

The two walked back, and Xie Yuan sighed:

"Suddenly, without her chattering around, I'm a little uncomfortable."

"Can't bear to leave your sister?"

Situ Qin smiled.

Xie Yuan said calmly:
"A little bit - but I really treat her as my sister."

"Is there any explanation?"

Situ Qin smiled:
"The little girl can't bear to leave you either."

"Yes, but she is still filial and knows not to make her mother worry... well, not for too long."

Xie Yuan nodded.

Situ Qin glanced at him and said with a smile:
"Are you really not aware of this?"

"What?"

Xie Yuan was stunned for a moment.

Situ Qin shook her head:

"I took care of her this time. I saw her look annoyed many times, and her fists never loosened. Is she filial? She should be, but she thinks she is incompetent and doesn't want to drag us down, or you, anymore."

Xie Yuan was stunned for a moment after hearing this, then sighed:
"That's right... this girl, really is."

In a secluded valley with lush vegetation and no one around.

The waterfall hanging down from the edge of the cliff turns into mist when it approaches the ground and then gathers into a pool.

The Cheongdam Mountain Stream meanders out through the valley.

Exotic flowers and plants are scattered throughout the valley, and birds and animals fly through the woods.

The sunlight penetrated the treetops, casting spots on an open space by the stream and illuminating several newly built wooden houses next to the open space.

This is Xie Yuan’s temporary residence.

The valley has condensed soil, abundant spiritual energy, a mild climate, and is suitable for all seasons. It is truly a paradise.

Xie Yuan sat on a wooden stool in the open space, with an axe shining with golden light at his side and a few freshly chopped logs under his feet.

It looked like a woodcutter taking a break in the mountains, except that the axe looked a little too good, and the small tripod floating and spinning quietly in his hand made it seem that this toy seemed a little unusual.

Black Book, Mountain and River Cauldron.

When Xie Yuan got the tripod, he automatically understood something and knew its name and some of its functions.

This page records the secrets of physical training and energy accumulation, as well as some martial arts.

However, Xie Yuan has not yet completely succeeded in refining it, and has not gained much at this time. He has chosen to comprehend the firewood - his experience in enlightenment from the Black Book is probably unmatched in the world. Practice makes perfect, and combined with the panel, he can roughly control the direction of his comprehension with his own will.

"There's not much left to chop wood. If I can completely refine this Mountain River Cauldron, the big harvest at that time should be able to directly exceed 100,000 and gain new abilities..."

Xie Yuan thought with some excitement.

Wouldn't this be one step closer to becoming the God of Woodcutters?
He looked at the pile of wood at his feet and smiled.

The first enlightenment is [chopping].

That was an epiphany that changed his destiny. It can be said that the path he has taken to where he is today was entirely paved by that lumberjack axe.

From then on, every time he chopped wood and every breakthrough he made, he felt satisfied.

Even today, when he has reached the level of a martial arts master, he can still gain concentration and pleasure from simply felling trees.

Because this is the way to practice what you have come.

Xie Yuan clenched his fists and looked at the Mountain and River Cauldron in front of him.

The body is the mountains and the qi is the rivers.

This is the black book that records the methods of self-cultivation.

Although Xie Yuan felt that it was not complete, he had not successfully sacrificed it and could not sense it accurately. Even if it was, it was not surprising. The Black Heaven Book was not reasonable. In addition to the training method, there were also fists and feet on the Mountain and River Cauldron.

If Xie Yuan holds this tripod for a long time, it will definitely greatly enhance his martial arts strength.

But Xie Yuan’s focus now is naturally not on this.

After refining it, Xie Yuan can also integrate it into his own body like Wanbing Zhuying and use it as a magic weapon.

At that time, there will be a great understanding, and Xie Yuan will naturally accommodate it with the method of chopping and hacking.

However, the Black Book is not so easy to refine. Different pages have different characteristics, and this Mountain and River Cauldron is very stubborn.

Moreover, having been in the Nine Netherworld for a long time and being under the clutches of the devil, it was inevitable that it had been stained with traces of demonic energy, and it had to be slowly removed with pure Yuan Energy.

"Shanhe Ding..."

It was really similar to the Demon-Suppressing Cauldron, which made Xie Yuan a little dazed for a moment.

However, Xie Yuan confirmed that this was indeed the Black Book, and the tripod was just an external manifestation. But what did the devil want to do by giving this thing to him?
What did its last words mean?
It was discovered in the end that it could actually annihilate three top demons with a wave of its hand, leaving them without even the slightest power to resist, so why did it let the four of them go?

Is it because it can only control the Nine Nether Demons? But if that were the case, wouldn't the three demons know that and why would they go up there and seek their own death?

Or is there another reason?

Xie Yuan felt full of doubts and subconsciously glanced at a small wooden house next to him.

In there, Mu Chaoyun was in seclusion healing his wounds and purifying the demon core.

Xie Yuan frowned slightly, feeling a mist around him, covering himself and the sky.

He exhaled, shook his head slightly, and turned his gaze to the small tripod in front of him.

After reaching the Heaven and Earth Twin Bridges realm, one gains spiritual awareness and can control magic weapons.

Wanbing Zhuying has few uses other than cultivation, but the Shanhe Ding itself is obviously a useful treasure.

Even if it was used as a shield? This kind of object was perfect, and I had never heard of a Black Book being damaged.

In addition to the insights he gained after the sacrifice, Xie Yuan decided to devote all his energy to purifying the evil spirit and refining the tripod.

No matter what, it’s never wrong to improve your strength... right?

Xie Yuan thought of those words and hesitated for a moment, then shook his head, his eyes calm.

Demons are best at bewitching people. How could he abandon his martial arts just because of a few words from that demon?
Xie Yuan didn't think any more and concentrated on purifying the evil spirit and refining the Mountain and River Cauldron.

Several days passed.

As the sun rises, there is still a light morning mist in the valley.

Situ Qin walked out of her cabin and stretched herself, her light yellow skirt rising and falling gracefully.

She rubbed her eyes and found Xie Yuan sitting by the stream again, holding the small tripod and pondering silently. She couldn't help but shake her head secretly.

It is hard work, but it is too hard.

Situ Qin tiptoed behind Xie Yuan and stretched her neck to take a look. Seeing that Xie Yuan was motionless, she couldn't help but cough lightly.

Xie Yuan came back to his senses and saw that Situ Qin had come behind him without him noticing. He couldn't help but say:

"Ms. Qin, why don't you rest so late... Oh, is it daytime already?"

"Look at you, you don't know the world in broad daylight. Even a master needs to combine work and rest. To comprehend, you need to be relaxed and light-hearted."

Situ Qin spoke earnestly, her tone full of concern.

Xie Yuan secretly thought that he didn't need any state to comprehend, he just needed to concentrate on doing it, but of course he didn't need to refute Situ Qin's concern, he just smiled and said:

"Then sit with me for a while."

He patted a wooden block next to him.

Situ Qin sat down lightly, took the Mountain and River Cauldron in his hand, weighed it, and asked casually:
"How's the progress?"

"I am not as professional as Miss Mu in purifying demonic energy. Besides, this is the demonic energy of the Demon Lord, which is too difficult for me. I can only rely on the stupid method of great strength to make miracles happen. It's coming slowly. It's OK, but it will probably take another month or so to completely purify it to the point where it can be contained in the ritual."

Xie Yuan said.

Situ Qin nodded slightly. She had also seen this tripod in the past few days and played with the legendary Black Heaven Book a little bit, and knew its situation.

However, she had seen him before at Mu Chaoyun and Xie Yuan's place, so she wasn't particularly curious.

"But there are benefits to meditation and contemplation. Do you want to take it and look at it more?"

Xie Yuan continued.

Looking at the small tripod in his hand, Situ Qin said:

"Was there also a page of the Black Book in the sword cave?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, yes, and it is related to kendo."

Xie Yuan nodded.

Situ Qin said leisurely:

"In the hands of the right person, the Black Book can create a large sect, or pass down a thousand-year-old hidden family. But in the hands of the wrong person, it is just an opportunity that can be ignored."

She returned the things to Xie Yuan and said with a smile:
"I don't need this. I can practice well."

Xie Yuan had no doubt about Situ Qin's confident words. She was indeed qualified to say this.

But it's not that it's useless, it's just that she obviously wants to give it to herself.

The stream leaps and rushes, making a light sound.

Xie Yuan and Situ Qin sat side by side, watching the gurgling stream.

However, Situ Qin always felt guilty. Mu Chaoyun was very busy inside, while they were being affectionate outside... She always felt that there was a pair of eyes behind her.

"Sister Mu hasn't finished yet?"

Situ Qin asked.

"As the name suggests, the demon core is the most central part of the demon, and the demonic energy is deeply rooted. It may not be difficult for Miss Mu, but it is troublesome."

Xie Yuan turned his head and looked at the wooden house where Mu Chaoyun was in seclusion, a little worried that she was too tired. Purifying the evil spirit is not an easy task, no matter who it is.

"The demonic energy is indeed troublesome, so yours is also slow..."

Situ Qin glanced at the Mountain River Cauldron and said:

"Why don't we just take turns purifying and finish it sooner."

"Hmm? This is a hassle that is not necessary..."

Just as Xie Yuan was about to decline, he heard Situ Qin curl her lips and say:
"Sister Mu is in seclusion, and you've been absent-minded for another day. Although the scenery here is beautiful and it's good for retirement, it's a bit too simple for me to be leisurely alone. Take it!"

Situ Qin directly took the Mountain and River Cauldron, and simply used her mysterious skills. Her beautiful hair flew, and she attacked the evil energy in the Mountain and River Cauldron.

How could someone who has reached the level of a master not be able to bear the loneliness of practicing martial arts? She just couldn't bear to see Xie Yuan working hard alone, so she wanted to help. Moreover, this way she could work hard for the same thing with Xie Yuan, which made her feel slightly sweet.

Xie Yuan looked at Situ Qin's focused expression, smiled, and just watched quietly.

In this way, the two of them worked together and achieved twice the result with half the effort. Before long, the Mountain and River Cauldron had become almost clean, and Xie Yuan was only one step away from mastering it.

I was originally happy about this, but on this day, Situ Qin walked out with a somewhat absent-minded look on her face.

Xie Yuan saw that something was wrong with her and said with concern:

"Miss Qin, what's wrong?"

Situ Qin looked at him, opened her mouth, and hesitated to speak, then sighed:

"I actually received a message from my mother... asking me to go to her place."

"Ok?"

Xie Yuan was also a little surprised when he heard this.

According to Situ Qin, she has not had direct contact with Situ Wan for many years, nor has she met her.

Why did you come to see her so suddenly? What happened?

Situ Qin continued to chant:

"I, in fact, still don't want to go. But after all, it's the first time she has summoned me in many years, and she said it very solemnly. It's a matter of great importance, so I have no choice but to..."

"I see."

Xie Yuan held her hand and nodded:
"Since your mother has called you, I have to go and see."

"Yeah...but I think this cabin is nice to live in, and the view of the valley is nice too. And the stream water is sweet too."

Situ Qin muttered to herself.

Xie Yuan sighed:

"I want you to stay, too. But you and your daughter haven't seen each other for many years. Even if there's nothing else, you should go see her."

"you're right……"

Situ Qin whispered, very reluctantly:
"Then I'm ready to go."

"Bring this with you."

With a creaking sound, Mu Chaoyun suddenly came out and took out a sparkling crystal, which was a purified demon core.

She looked a little tired, and it seemed that she had worked overtime to create the formation.

Situ Qin waved her hand:

"Hey, you guys are more useful, baby, I'll go ask my mom for it..."

"Take it. This is your spoils of war. We work together, and you must also gain something."

Mu Chaoyun and Xie Yuan tried to persuade her together, and Situ Qin had no choice but to accept it with a helpless smile.

However, seeing that Mu Chaoyun finally purified a demon core and gave it to her first, she was very happy:
"Then I won't be polite! Sister Mu, I'm leaving now. You and Xie Yuan... take care?"

Situ Qin suddenly became alert. Mu Chaoyun was so enthusiastic in giving her things. Could it be that he wanted to get her out of here quickly so that he could have Xie Yuan all to himself?

She couldn't laugh for a moment, but she couldn't refuse, so she had to leave with a frown, looking back every few steps.

Situ Qin left, and only two people were left in the valley.

Mu Chaoyun stayed with Xie Yuan for a long time, and now he was in better spirits. He was ready to deal with the demon core behind closed doors:
"There are two left. We need to finish them soon."

Xie Yuan frowned and said:
"Miss Mu, why are you in such a hurry? Your health is more important. Let's just take it slow."

However, Mu Chaoyun just shook his head and whispered:

"It seems that everyone feels that time is running out and is afraid that it will be too late."

"what?"

Xie Yuan actually didn't hear clearly because Mu Chaoyun's voice was too low.

She didn't want Xie Yuan to listen, so she just said:

"Practice well and don't worry... I'll take care of everything."

She spoke softly but firmly, then closed the door.

Xie Yuan was a little confused, and he felt inexplicably upset, and the sense of urgency that he often felt during his previous practice arose again.

"Every day."

He shook his head.

Taking a deep breath, Xie Yuan immersed himself in purifying and refining the Mountain and River Cauldron more seriously.

This continued for a few days.

Xie Yuan was practicing his skills by the stream when he suddenly felt something move in his mind and felt that the small tripod in his hand had changed.

The vague evil and filth could no longer be felt, and the last faint black gas in the cauldron had completely disappeared.

The evil spirit's infestation finally stopped.

Afterwards, Xie Yuan naturally felt that blessing had come to him, and the Mountain and River Cauldron that he had been refining for so long completely became his.

(End of this chapter)