This is not how immortals cultivate

Chapter 485 This minotaur really knows too much.
Because of you, my heart has become increasingly filthy!
Xiang Yuan thought to himself that he had recently become very close to Bai Wuyan and Su Ran Sword Master, and that their daily knocking on the door and getting too close had corrupted his pure and innocent heart.

Even so, Xiang Yuan still felt he needed to be on guard, so he flicked out a wisp of Yin-Yang energy from his fingertip, which wrapped around the Reincarnation Relic.

After examining it for a while to make sure there were no hidden tricks, he then held it in his palm.

Quest Progress: Reincarnation Relic (3/3)

The jade disc responded, and the Gate of Yanfu opened, allowing them to leave the Demon Ruins Realm at any time.

Only then did Xiang Yuan finally relax. Although Bai Wuyan and Su Ran Sword Master found it unbelievable, Yanfu Sect would not lie. Now they could come and go freely and return to Qianyuan Realm.

Xiang Yuan didn't leave immediately. He pursed his lips and saw that the honest and unassuming Bull Demon King was still kneeling. He coughed twice and said, "Great Sage, I have heard of your legendary stories. You are a very important figure in the Three Realms. This attitude is really damaging to your reputation. Please get up and speak first."

"Immortal, it's not that I'm unwilling to speak, but I have offended you in the past. I may be able to blame it on demonic thoughts, but what's done is done, and the sin lies with me. My conscience is troubled!" The Bull Demon King raised his arm to wipe his face, feeling extremely remorseful and self-reproachful.

You, a big shot in the underworld, talk about conscience, and you can't even feel at peace with yourself... Do you even have that thing?
Xiang Yuan thought to himself, "That minotaur is so flexible and adaptable. He deserves to be able to live off women and become a big shot in the underworld. He really has real skills."

This is much better than that annoying monkey.

Especially monkeys that have mastered a wide range of skills are unruly and difficult to tame; the word "submit and submit" doesn't exist in their dictionary.

There are no similar words either.

Later, things got worse. He went from being beaten up by society to being beaten up by society. He spent five hundred years in a dark room. The social monkey was always grinning and joking, bowing and scraping to everyone he saw.

The monster, which could have been killed with a single blow, fought for a hundred and eighty rounds without a clear winner.

It's the same principle as taking photos and sending them to the work group before starting work. This makes it seem like he works very hard and is very dedicated, worthy of the leader's trust, and he'll definitely get a raise next year.

In short, the Bull Demon King was too mature. Despite having invincible fighting power and not being afraid of enemies coming from the sky, he still knelt down and submitted. Not only did he confuse Xiang Yuan, but Bai Wuyan and Su Ran Sword Master were also speechless.

"Great Sage, you have suddenly regained your senses..."

"It is good that the immortal knows this. It is all thanks to the immortal's divine power that the old ox has been enlightened by you and has turned back from the boundless sea of ​​suffering to the shore."

The Bull Demon King was deeply moved, tears streaming down his face: "If the immortal could tame the demon grave and protect the Demon Ruins, restoring peace and order to the world, I, the old bull, would benefit from it and have the great fortune to return to my true self. I am truly grateful to the immortal and sincerely repent."

As he spoke, he subtly boasted about his achievement, explaining why Xiang Yuan always had cows whenever he went out.

The moment the Demon Realm changed, the Bull Demon King noticed it and, without a word, headed straight for the Abortion Spring. He didn't rush in rashly, but obediently waited outside, relieved that he hadn't accidentally killed the Bodhisattva, feeling that he could still be saved.

Of course, he couldn't get in even if he wanted to. Without the key to the Yin-Yang Gate, this opportunity had absolutely nothing to do with him.

I wouldn't believe you!
You can't trust a single punctuation mark from a gangster's words.

Thinking this to himself, Xiang Yuan looked troubled and said with a wry smile, "Great Sage, you are joking. I don't have such abilities. It was purely by chance and by accident. Also, it was your great mercy that taught me some skills, which ensured my safety."

As he spoke, he subtly revealed the serendipitous coincidence.

Demon-summoning banner!
The giant banner phantom suddenly rose from the ground, like a pillar of heaven collapsing and then rising again against the tide, instantly opening up the entire sky!

Xiang Yuan stood before the colossal banner, its shadow billowing and swirling behind him, seemingly capable of engulfing the entire universe. The banner stretched out endlessly, accompanied by the true fire of the sun, with glimpses of golden crows spreading their wings, and countless demons bowing in submission…

The moment the oppressive force descended, the Bull Demon King's demon bones suddenly cracked, and his bent knees were forced to bend even more, making his kneeling posture even more upright than before.

This is... a demon-summoning banner?

The Bull Demon King's crimson-gold pupils contracted sharply, and the white mist spewing from his mouth and nose subsided, leaving not a single spark.

He stared in horror at the Demon-Summoning Banner and Xiang Yuan, who was holding it, his mind racing with speculations about Xiang Yuan's true identity.

No matter how much skill Guanyin Bodhisattva imparted, a treasure like the Demon-Summoning Banner was not something an ordinary person could wield. Xiang Yuan was definitely not there solely on Guanyin Bodhisattva's orders...

Yes, that chaotic killing move could even erase the demonic thoughts of the Primordial Heavenly Demon, so it couldn't be as simple as just Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Some immortals may appear to be Guanyin Bodhisattva's people, but who knows how many powerful beings are standing behind them? The waters here are very deep!
The Bull Demon King snapped out of his daze and looked at the distant figure with a different gaze. He felt that this pretty boy was unfathomable, and it was highly likely that the pretty boy's words were even more effective than those of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

What a stroke of luck! The opportunity has come!

With immense wealth within reach, the Bull Demon King refused to let go, pleading repeatedly, "Immortal, please stop your magic! This lowly demon is terrified and can't hold on any longer."

The Demon-Summoning Banner only allowed Xiang Yuan to rub against it. Seeing that Xiang Yuan had succeeded, the Bull Demon King was convinced and decisively withdrew his power, no longer revealing his aura.

Xiang Yuan revealed the serendipitous opportunity he had stumbled upon, and seeing the trembling little calf ahead, he marveled at how effective the demon-summoning banner truly was.

He regretted not having gathered enough information. If he had come to the Abortion Spring to retrieve the Demon-Summoning Banner first, his magical banana leaf fan would not have been damaged, and the losses on this trip would have been minimized.

The plot will be as usual, with the pretty boy surrounded by women, instead of being used by the two strong women, making him seem unclean.

Such complaints are nothing but self-pity after getting a good deal, and are tinged with hindsight and wishful thinking. So what if the banana leaf fan was saved? If the fan hadn't been broken, the sword sheath wouldn't have been damaged either. Without this medicinal power, the seventh blood and marrow cleansing might not have been successful.

Getting back to the main point, the Bull Demon King was completely convinced. Xiang Yuan knew that this guy needed his help, which was why he acted cowardly and subservient, thinking about how to maximize his benefits and extract more advantages from the Minotaur.

The Seventy-Two Transformations technique is good, and the method of manifesting heaven and earth is also very tempting...

But first of all, we need to make the unpleasant things clear.

Xiang Yuan sighed, "It's good that the Great Sage has regained his original mind, but I didn't expect that the Great Sage might still have the possibility of shedding his demonic thoughts. Therefore, I went too far and caused the Great Sage to lose his cousin. The True Immortal Ruyi can't save him now."

"Everyone has their own destiny, Immortal, do not be distressed. This time... it is his turn to face a tribulation."

The Bull Demon King smiled bitterly. The demonic thoughts within the bodies of Ruyi Zhenxian, Princess Iron Fan, and Red Boy all originated from him. He was the one who harmed his wife, children, and younger brother. The entire family was corrupted by demonic thoughts and ended up in a neat and orderly fashion.

Of course, these things cannot be said; it would be good for the immortal to feel guilty.

“Immortal, this is not the place to talk. I, Old Ox, have prepared a new cave dwelling and would like to invite you to a banquet. I hope you will give me a chance to apologize.”

Sure, I'll have a couple of drinks with you and see if I can get the Seventy-Two Transformations and the Law of Heaven and Earth out of you.

……

The scene shifts to thirty miles west of Luotai Spring.

Nestled among the mountains, there lies a secluded bamboo grove and thatched cottage, a place of tranquility and peace.

The small courtyard is enclosed by a bamboo fence, the house has a thatched roof, and several strings of dried chili peppers and corn hang under the eaves.

Behind the house is a vegetable garden, with a fishpond and an orchard on the left and right sides respectively. Further away, there are several acres of thin fields with thriving crops.

I didn't see any cows.

It's been turned into something like a rural guesthouse.

The arrangement was very thoughtful. At first glance, it looked like a gangster who had retired to the countryside, put aside his conflicts, and only wanted a warm bed and wife for the rest of his life, with no other desires.

In the courtyard, the Bull Demon King somehow produced several hot dishes and two jars of wine.

He never pressured me to drink; he always said, "It's up to you, Immortal, but I, Old Niu, will drink it all."

The Bull Demon King didn't even glance at Bai Wuyan and Su Ran Sword Master, who were traveling with Xiang Yuan. He knew from experience that Xiang Yuan, with his pretty-boy looks, was clearly a gigolo. These two fairies, like Princess Iron Fan and Princess Jade Face, must have been quite wealthy and, fearing thieves, had chosen husbands with powerful backgrounds and status.

That's right, that's how Lao Niu got a gigolo.

After a few drinks, the Bull Demon King, needing a favor, began to complain: "Immortal, you don't know, my family has been suffering from demonic thoughts. Although I have escaped the calamity, my wife and child are still struggling. Their temperament has changed drastically, and they often shout and threaten to kill me. I beg you, Immortal, to have mercy and save them."

Xiang Yuan was eager to squeeze out every last drop of value when he heard this, and his eyes lit up. The cunning calf in the underworld knew that he wasn't there for a meal, so he offered to help him out.

Since one party is willing to give and the other is willing to receive, then he won't hold back.

“Great Sage, you overestimate me. How could such a treacherous thing as demonic thoughts be eliminated by my meager abilities? It is only because of your great compassion that you have bestowed some ability upon me. Otherwise, with demonic thoughts in front of me, I would have long lost my mind and become a puppet without my own will.”

Xiang Yuan said regretfully, "This item was ultimately a gift from the Great Compassion. Every bit used is a bit less. It's not that I, Li, am unwilling to help, but rather that I don't know how to explain it to the Great Compassion."

“What’s so difficult about that? I, Old Niu, will kneel before you and beg for your great mercy, pleading with you for the compassion of the immortals…”

As the Bull Demon King spoke, seeing that Xiang Yuan had no reaction and showed no change in expression, he decisively changed his words and said, "That's right, Buddhism is for those with affinity, and it does not save those without affinity. It was I, the old bull, who put the immortal in a difficult position."

He first punished himself with three cups of wine, then gritted his teeth and took out his personal weapon, the Mixed Iron Cudgel: "Immortal, take a look. This treasure is called the 'Mixed Iron Cudgel.' It is a divine object in itself. After being forged by me, Old Ox, it weighs 13,500 catties. It is in harmony with the number of stars in the heavens and can change at will. It has the power to move mountains and overturn seas."

Weighing the same as the Golden Cudgel, you truly are the Monkey King's counterpart in the mortal realm. You've done everything the Monkey King couldn't, living as the opposite version of himself.

Xiang Yuan showed little interest in the stick. Although he coveted it and knew that this treasure was extraordinary, he was not in a position to absolutely have it. He shook his head to indicate that he could not accept a reward without having done so.

When the Bull Demon King realized that this wouldn't work, he immediately changed his story. After testing Xiang Yuan twice, he discovered a skill that allowed him to manipulate the heavens and the earth, and placed the book in front of Xiang Yuan.

After thinking about it, I added another book on the skill of seventy-two transformations.

This time, Xiang Yuan stopped pretending. Skipping the usual polite refusals, he quickly finished reading the two manuals and pocketed them. The result wasn't good. He secretly used the technique and found that while it worked, it severely depleted his true energy, like a floodgate being opened. Even someone as powerful as him couldn't withstand such intense consumption.

"Immortal, using these two skills requires magical power," the Bull Demon King reminded him.

Mana?

Xiang Yuan didn't understand, so he decisively sent a telepathic message to ask the White House Master.

Bai Wuyan remained calm and replied, "Once your inner and outer worlds are in harmony, and you are baptized by the lightning tribulation, your true essence can be condensed into magical power."

He then briefly explained that only by becoming an immortal and shedding one's mortal body can one possess magical powers.

Xiang Yuan was taken aback upon hearing this, and suddenly realized that Bai Wuyan and Su Ran Sword Venerable both possessed magical powers and had already become immortals.

Wait a minute, the Sword Master at the Door Crack is already quite old, it's not surprising that he secretly became an immortal. But didn't the White Palace Master just undergo tribulation? How did he become an immortal?

The three realms are the Integration Stage, the Tribulation Transcending Stage, and the Return to Emptiness Stage... When did the White Palace Master break through to the Return to Emptiness Stage and become an immortal?

Xiang Yuan asked what he didn't understand, and Bai Wuyan didn't hide anything. The three realms were indeed Integration, Tribulation Transcending, and Returning to Emptiness, but when there was still the Heavenly Court in the Qianyuan Realm, the Returning to Emptiness stage had another name.

Transcending the physical form and ascending to immortality, transcending the mortal realm and entering sainthood, achieving perfect merit and transforming oneself, becoming a terrestrial immortal—a true immortal!
Reaching the Void Returning stage of cultivation means transcending the concept of mortals, but how to advance further depends on the attitude of the Heavenly Court.

The Heavenly Court's attitude has always been clear: there is no future in cultivating immortality; hurry up and come to work, 007 cultivating to become a god is the real blessing.

Xiang Yuan hadn't even touched the threshold of tribulation, and returning to the Void was too far away for him, so he didn't think much of it. He then asked the Sword Master at the Door Crack what was going on. Since he had already become a True Immortal, why was there talk of his lifespan running out?
Bai Wuyan remained open about the matter, answering all of Xiang Yuan's questions truthfully.

It's still related to the Heavenly Court. The Qianyuan Realm has no upper realm, the three upper realms are vague and unclear, the laws of heaven and earth do not support the existence of true immortals, there is no concept of true immortals, so how can one become an immortal and live as long as heaven and earth?

I'll just snort coldly. If it weren't for someone meddling, that little bitch would have died from exhaustion!
Forget it, you wouldn't be happy if you really died!
Don't think I didn't notice. Every time you mention the Sword Master at the Door Crack, you whine and groan. You're clearly lusting after her body.

With Bai Wuyan's explanation, Xiang Yuan had no doubt that the two techniques were wrong; they were simply difficult to use without magical power.

If it were any other Nascent Soul cultivator, their true essence would be completely drained if they used it. But with his stats maxed out, using it for three to five seconds wouldn't be a problem. It's like the Dharma of Heaven and Earth, where he first summons a Dharma form with three heads and six arms, then grows to a size of a thousand feet. Within five seconds, he can basically destroy everything.

However, judging from the performance of the two supernatural powers alone, Xiang Yuan felt that the Formless Seal Technique could also achieve the same result, since he had not yet become an immortal and was willing but unable to do so.

If you don't need these abilities before becoming an immortal, and you can't use them after becoming an immortal, wouldn't you have gained these two supernatural powers for nothing?
Xiang Yuan muttered to himself, looking at the Bull Demon King with an unusually strange gaze. The latter was able to use the techniques of "Heaven and Earth Transformation" and "Seventy-Two Transformations," which showed that the Bull Demon King was not a fake creation made by the Heavenly Emperor. The Three Realms he was in were absolutely real, and very likely the largest listed company.

What should I do? I really want to change jobs!
No, that world has already been marked by extraterrestrial demons; it might even be completely destroyed...

"An immortal?!"

Hearing the Bull Demon King's terrified voice, Xiang Yuan came back to his senses and said with a serious face, "To be honest, Great Sage, I have a fairly good lineage. I learned these two supernatural powers from my master long ago. But seeing them is seeing them. I'll suffer a little loss this time, so consider it free for you."

You're shameless! You deserve to be a kept man!
The Bull Demon King inwardly scoffed, but patted his chest and swore that he would never wrong the Immortal, and that he owed the Immortal a favor today. He vowed that if the Immortal ever needed him, he would never refuse, even if it meant going through fire and water, and risking his life, he would not hesitate.

Goodness, you've just established a debt relationship so easily. How come you're as shrewd as a monkey?
Xiang Yuan also felt disgusted. This Bull Demon King was too shrewd, with perfect social skills and no weaknesses. Once the debt relationship was established, he was even tempted.

It's such a waste to leave this ox in the Demon Ruins Realm; it must be taken out and put to use!
A man and an ox entered the thatched hut. Xiang Yuan saw the ox's wife and son, who were bound hand and foot. Without the decay that had seeped into their marrow, their rotten bodies had been removed, and they were lifelike on the spot. As long as the demonic thoughts were removed, they could be completely restored to their original appearance.

The gangster's tying skills were also superb, making his sister-in-law look...

Well, looking into the distance isn't appropriate, so he closed his eyes, and the gentlemanly demeanor leaped off the page. He told the Bull Demon King to force out the demonic thoughts from the two of them first, and then he would eliminate them completely.

The Bull Demon King had been waiting for this moment. He had arranged everything long ago. Almost as soon as Xiang Yuan finished speaking, two ferocious demonic thoughts appeared in the air, baring their fangs and claws, roaring and creating wind.

To be precise, it was Red Boy's demonic thoughts that were baring their fangs and brandishing their claws.

Different people have different styles of expressing their demonic thoughts. The demonic thoughts of a mischievous child mainly revolve around defiance, while Princess Iron Fan's demonic thoughts are different. Knowing that she was about to die, she manifested a captivatingly beautiful woman in mid-air, her robes half-undone, her dress scattered, exuding boundless spring colors, and her alluring beauty reaching its peak.

She was still using Princess Iron Fan's face, and she was seducing a young man in front of her husband, which made the Bull Demon King so angry that his nose crooked.

There are cows! There are cows here!
Xiang Yuan's primordial spirit sensed everything clearly, but he closed his eyes beforehand, pretending not to see anything. A vertical line appeared between his brows, and chaotic light emanated from it...

The moment the light appeared, before the shot was even fired, the two demonic thoughts vanished into thin air amidst screams, demonstrating Xiang Yuan's excellent marksmanship.

It's not even an act!

"Ah this..."

The Bull Demon King's eyes widened instantly. He understood this tactic: finish get off work on time, go home, and never stay a second longer.

Xiang Yuan's lips twitched, and he exchanged a glance with the Bull Demon King beside him. Seeing that the Bull Demon King did not speak, his eyes were filled with shock. He clenched his fist and coughed lightly, saying, "It's all a coincidence. Great Sage, don't think about it. There are some things that I, Li, would not even dare to think about."

You call this a coincidence?

This is clearly a calculation...

Yes, yes, yes, what a coincidence!
Without giving it much thought, the Bull Demon King became even more convinced that Xiang Yuan was no ordinary person. He secretly added Xiang Yuan as a friend through telepathy and asked him which great supernatural being Xiang Yuan was.

Although Ah Niu is an honest ox, he is not completely ignorant of rules. Some things may be coincidences, but they are definitely not misunderstandings. I hope the immortal can give me a little guidance, so that Ah Niu will not do the wrong thing or call the wrong person, and it will be too late to regret it.

Xiang Yuan paused for a moment, then replied with a few simple words, just enough for the Bull Demon King to know; these were things that couldn't be said.

The Great Emperor of the North, the Ancestor of the Nine Heavens Demon Slayers!
The Bull Demon King's pupils contracted sharply, and then he abruptly lowered his eyelids. Yes, the Northern True Warrior was summoned by the Primordial Heavenly Venerable. The demonic thoughts within him were the Primordial Heavenly Demon's thoughts, one positive and one negative, which is why the demonic thoughts dissipated in response.

Right!
The Bull Demon King felt he had figured things out, but because he dared not speak or ask, Xiang Yuan was unsure whether he had overthought things or underthought them.

Xiang Yuan himself was clueless about the scheming, so why would he argue with the Bull Demon King? The two of them pretended nothing had happened and completely forgot about what had just happened.

Freed from the torment of demonic thoughts, Princess Iron Fan quickly woke up, expressionless as she freed herself from the ropes binding her. She stroked Red Boy's head while staring intently at the old ox in the house.

So you're the one who hired the hitman to kill that old hag?

Death Stare.JPG
The gang leader immediately chickened out. Under Xiang Yuan's disdainful gaze, Niu Duzi didn't even try to hide from outsiders. He knelt down with a thud and burst into tears.

He neither shirked responsibility nor made excuses, but begged his wife to give him a chance to reform, out of consideration for Red Boy.

The gigolo really knows how to live off a woman. He took the initiative to admit his mistake, was willing to accept punishment, and said that the child was grown up. All he got in return was a cold snort from Princess Iron Fan.

Princess Iron Fan knew very well that the demonic thoughts were the culprit, not the Bull Demon King's intention. However, since assassins had already come to her door, if she didn't insist on an explanation and instead just smiled and forgave the old bull, giving him a pleasant look, who knew what other trouble he might cause in the future.

Ultimately, with Red Boy's mediation, Princess Iron Fan reluctantly agreed not to divorce him. Whether they can continue living together depends on Bull Demon King's future actions.

……

In front of the gate of Yanfu.

Bai Wuyan and Su Ran Sword Master already had one foot inside the door.

Xiang Yuan was being held by the hand by the Bull Demon King, who said with teary eyes, "Immortal, remember, I owe you a life. The three of us are three lives. You may not care, but if I can't repay your kindness with my head, I will never have peace of mind in this life!"

"Don't worry, Great Sage, Guanyin Bodhisattva will definitely put in a good word for you, and we'll make sure that when we meet again, it will be the time when your family is out of trouble." Xiang Yuan swung his arm, but his innate superhuman strength was no match for the Mighty Bull Demon King, and he couldn't shake him off.

The Bull Demon King didn't even flinch, staring longingly at the portal of light, his face filled with yearning for freedom. He rambled on, "Immortal, you jest. Just call me Old Bull. If it weren't for the vast difference in our status, and the fact that I, Old Bull, am unlucky, unvirtuous, and lacking in character, I would love to become sworn brothers with you and call you 'Brother'!"

After speaking, seeing that Xiang Yuan had no reaction, he said without any embarrassment, "Old Niu's child is ignorant. He just called me 'Uncle' a few times. He's just a little kid, and he's as simple-minded as I am. He doesn't think before he speaks. Please don't take it to heart, Immortal."

"Great Sage, rest assured. I am known for keeping my word. I promised to save your family from suffering, and I will never go back on my word. I am a man of integrity."

It's hard to say, maybe your surname isn't even Li!
Without a silver tongue and the ability to say one thing to someone's face and another behind their back, how could one possibly live off two women? The Bull Demon King himself is a gigolo and a sports student; he understands these things all too well. He doesn't dare threaten Xiang Yuan with force, so he can only try his best to play the victim, hoping to awaken Xiang Yuan's remaining conscience.

This may be difficult, but the Bull Demon King knows he still has value. He wants to make a deeper impression today so that if Xiang Yuan wants to do something dishonorable in the future, he will be the first person he thinks of.

That's how the big shots in the underworld used to get by!
After some tugging and pulling, the Bull Demon King let go, his honest and simple face filled with tears. He waved goodbye repeatedly, telling Xiang Yuan to come and play next time.

It's okay if he doesn't come; Old Niu is willing to come and deliver gifts.

In the distance, a charnel ground.

As corruption dissipated, the temple shed its grotesque, bloody appearance, revealing itself to be an unremarkable little temple, neither ostentatious nor dilapidated.

Inside the temple, the body of the guardian spirit who had been abandoned was nowhere to be found.

Only one person sat cross-legged in white robes, with a face of great compassion. Upon closer inspection, the features of his face, shrouded in a halo, were exquisitely beautiful, bearing a resemblance to the White Moon Hermit.

"Amitabha……"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

10,000 words, please vote with monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)