Great Red Immortal Sect

Chapter 527 Demonic Nature (Combined)

Akino County, Yingxian Mountain.

Ten thousand rays of dark blue-green demonic light burst forth from the mountain peak, piercing through the sunlight and illuminating the surging sea of ​​clouds. The demonic light twisted and changed, condensing into countless strange and ferocious shadows.

On the summit of a sacred peak in the mountains, the wooden door of the cave suddenly opened, releasing a harmonious aura of newly refined Qi, carrying the meaning of the rising sun, breaking the gloom of the mountains.

A young girl emerged from the darkness; judging by her age, she was no more than sixteen.

She wore a long black dress with gold patterns, her figure was slender and her face was serene and beautiful. The black snow pattern between her eyebrows had a mysterious and demonic feel to it, which made her even more beautiful.

The Qi Refining process is complete.

Liu Shuhan has been living and cultivating in these mountains for over six years. Now, having refined that [Northern Feng Yin Qi], he has also entered the realm of the "True Scripture of Traveling the Nine Provinces".

This method is of a very high grade, possessing many wondrous aspects even within the Qi Refining realm alone. A thought struck her, and she silently recalled the opening lines of this scripture:

[His spirit roamed the nine provinces, settling on Mount Tai in the center, showing reverence for the righteous rites above and bowing to the northern underworld below, thus commanding the ghosts and demons to obey his orders, and preventing the killing of both yang thunder and yin lightning.]

Liu Shuhan was quick-witted and no longer as clueless as when she first entered the Wu family. She naturally understood the value and mystery of this scripture.

She gently touched her brow and felt a slight burning sensation.

The black snow runes here have an even more wonderful use, greatly accelerating her cultivation speed.

This wondrous use remained effective even after Qi Refining, which slightly surprised Liu Shuhan.

Suddenly, a dark, ominous cloud drifted in from afar and landed in front of the cave in an instant. A woman's figure appeared from within it, also dressed in a long black dress with gold patterns, but with an even more fierce aura.

"Mother."

Liu Shuhan was quite happy to see her mother arrive, but she still politely greeted her.

"Now that you have mastered Qi cultivation, demons will inevitably arise. It is time for you to return to the mountain."

Wu Shaoyue lowered her gaze slightly. After a brief look, she saw that a demonic seed had already condensed above her daughter's heart, constantly nourishing her physical body. This was the ancient method of the Qi-based demonic path.

"Yes."

Liu Shuhan smiled, appearing much more lively, and said:
"I haven't seen my father for a long time, and I wonder what changes have occurred in the mountains."

She turned to look at the towering, menacing mountain beside her. Having stayed there for quite some time, she felt a pang of emotion as she prepared to leave, but she felt no attachment whatsoever.

As one of the most prominent families in Dali, the Wu family has a large number of cultivators, each with their own agendas and intertwined interests. She has witnessed quite a few of these relationships over the years.

The two rose with the wind and traveled to the mountain peak. They went straight to another dark hall, entered the gate, and respectfully paid their respects. There, they saw a man wearing a black robe with demonic patterns sitting in the main seat.

This man had a dignified demeanor and upright features, but a black fire mark between his brows added a touch of demonic nature to his appearance. He seemed somewhat tired, but upon seeing Liu Shuhan, he seemed to perk up slightly.

"A real person."

Wu Shaoyue led her daughter to bow, but before she could speak, a deep voice came from the main seat above, which was shrouded in demonic energy. This caused the myriad demon reliefs on the ceiling to shine brightly, as if they were alive.

"Now that Shu Han has completed his Qi cultivation, he should return to the mountains."

Nan Wang's gaze darkened slightly as he looked at the black snow-white pattern between the other's brows, and he simply said:

"The True Scripture of Traveling the Nine Provinces is an ancient Dao of Qi. The [Sinking into the Netherworld] realm achieved through its cultivation is on the same level as the sixth-grade immortal foundation. Only by establishing a foundation as soon as possible can one witness its wondrous wonders."

"As for the [Colorless Demon Book] that Shu Han received, our ancestors said that she could cultivate it on her own, but it must never be passed on to others, otherwise, she would be punished by demons."

"I will obey the True Man's command."

Liu Shuhan respectfully responded. Besides the "True Scripture of Wandering the Mountains and Rivers of the Nine Provinces," the black snow-white mark between her brows also contained another inheritance: the "Colorless Demon Book."

With her current level of cultivation, she still cannot fully comprehend this demonic scripture, but after a brief glance, she knows the value of this inheritance. Having also made a demonic vow, she naturally dares not easily pass it on to others.

Nan Wang's expression softened slightly. He still valued this junior highly, after all, he had received the first-class inheritance.

The clan also possessed a copy of the "Colorless Demon Book," but Liu Shuhan was able to obtain it on her own, which indicates that she had gained the approval of the demonic nature transformed from the high-ranking cultivators of the past generations within the realm.

Even in ancient times, this was an extremely rare occurrence; this junior was practically destined for a position of supernatural power.

'It's a pity. I still have to return to Chiyun.'

Nan Wang felt a little regretful, but quickly suppressed these thoughts. Now that Xu Xuan's reputation was growing, the connection between the Wu family and the Da Chi Guan needed Liu Shuhan to maintain it.

He smiled slightly, his supernatural powers changed, demonic energy rose, and he reached into the void with one hand, taking out a spirit egg as large as a human head.

This egg is perfectly round, with a shell resembling black iron, covered with patterns, indicating ominous signs of water and fire, and perhaps a scene of demons running rampant.

“I went to Kunwei and obtained something that seems to be the egg of a spirit beast, which has not yet been born. Today I will give it to Shu Han, so that he will have a spirit beast mount to protect him.”

The beast egg, as large as an iron ball, landed in front of Liu Shuhan. Due to the transformation caused by the supernatural power, it shrank in the wind and turned into a black mystic pearl, which landed in her hand.

Liu Shuhan's eyes brightened slightly, and he said respectfully:
"Thank you for your generous gift, Master."

Wu Shaoyue, standing to the side, also had a smile on her face as she looked at her daughter, but when she turned to the spirit egg, she felt a bit surprised.

'This is a spirit beast with noble blood.'

Wu Shaoyue sensed it briefly and immediately realized that most spirit beasts are born with a certain rank in their bloodline, and the faint aura emanating from this beast egg made her feel a little uneasy.

"Real person, this..."

She sensed something was amiss, but Nan Wang above waved his hand and simply said:

"It doesn't matter."

Nan Wang spoke calmly, seemingly unconcerned, and glanced over, simply saying:
"The Red Cloud region is close to the border and is often plagued by war. Our Wu clan moved from Tianshui to Wu, which can be considered as avoiding the turmoil."

He paused for a moment, his supernatural power dissipated, and his demonic energy subsided, making him appear like a kind and benevolent elder.

“Shaoyue, if things become unmanageable in the future, taking Shuhan back to the clan is also a way out.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Shaoyue's expression shifted, and she was filled with emotion. She simply bowed in greeting.
"I thank you for your kindness, sir, but Xingfang will definitely stay at the mountain gate. I don't want to leave him, in case anything changes in the future."

She looked at her daughter beside her, only to see Liu Shuhan step forward, his expression stern, the black snow-like pattern between his brows shining brightly. She simply said respectfully:

"Shu Han only wishes to stay by her parents' side."

Upon seeing this, Nan Wang, seated at the table, smiled more broadly and said:

"Our clan rose to prominence through military exploits. Back then, our ancestors stormed into Liangdu, killed Guiyi Xuexiu, and captured Liang King Zhang Su, thus establishing a great reputation. Shu Han, do not forget that the blood of the Wu family flows in your veins."

"Our ancestors valued you highly. After you return to the mountains, do not disappoint the old man."

"Shu Han understands and will certainly not tarnish the prestige of his ancestors."

Liu Shuhan's voice was solemn and carried a heroic air, which made Nan Wang above nod slightly.

The two women bid farewell and left the gate, preparing from this day forward to formally return to Chiyun and rejoin the sect.

Liu Shuhan looked much more relaxed as she stepped lightly onto the green wooden steps in the mountains. Behind her, however, a pair of closely spaced footprints appeared, filled with demonic energy that distorted various colors, following closely behind.

Black snow fell from the sky, scattering across the air, but Liu Shuhan and Wu Shaoyue seemed oblivious, continuing their conversation as before. Even the other martial arts cultivators in the mountains failed to notice anything amiss.

Nan Wang, inside the main hall, remained calm and seemingly unaware of what was happening, silently calculating how much longer he would have to stay under the command of that Grand Preceptor.

He had been in the capital receiving orders these days, and had only returned when he had time to practice Qi cultivation in the cold, so he was really exhausted.

With a sigh, he broke through the void and disappeared in an instant.
-
Earth lung, valley.

Xu Xuan opened his eyes, and a sense of panic rose in his heart for no reason. This was the first time he had felt such a strange feeling since he began cultivating the Dao, which made him quite uneasy.

Three years have passed since he entered the Earth's core. He has also cultivated the [Qingyi Empty Embryo Technique] to the level of [Eternal Dao Body]. His inner vision is perfect, and his supernatural powers are free and unimpeded. It does not affect his spellcasting. All that is left is to hone his skills.

He suddenly stood up, looked at the spiritual vein in the valley, and pondered for a moment before silently asking in his mind:
"How well have you comprehended the 'Comprehensive Study of the Secret Essentials of Purple Jade'?"

"I have a general understanding, but if I want to truly transform spiritual objects with mystic energy, I still need to try them one by one."

Tian Tuo's tone was quite smug, but Xu Xuan's panic had not yet dissipated, causing him to frown.

"what happened?"

The old demon also sensed something was amiss, seeing the ever-changing mystical phenomena within the inner realm, which indicated Xu Xuan's inner unease.

"I feel like something's not right."

Xu Xuan's tone was solemn. All the techniques of the Earthly Thunder Sect possessed the nature of supernatural powers; his perception was certainly not without reason. "I've stayed at Louguan long enough; it's time to return to the mountains, to see about the sword-forging matter, and Shu Han—"

With a slight thought, he rode the wind and entered the Xuanlou Pavilion on the main peak of the mountain. Upon entering the quiet room, he saw purple qi spreading and supernatural powers changing. The True Man Guan Quan was there.

This master seemed to have guessed Xu Xuan's purpose, and with a quick glance, he said:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, are you about to leave?"

"Exactly."

Xu Xuan agreed. At this point, he could use his supernatural powers at will. He could return to the mountains to cultivate the remaining level of the [Qingyi Kongtai Technique], so that he could temper his physical body in that [Yunshan Huahai].

"I have troubled you greatly over the past few years. I am leaving today, and I will surely repay you in the future."

His tone was sincere; Lou Guandao had been of great help to him, and these words truly came from his heart.

"I believe that the Dao of Mystery is upheld above, and the Dao of Mystery is transformed into the Purple True One below. Both Louguan and I belong to the [Taiqing] sect, and we should have more interactions in the future."

"It's natural."

Guan Quan smiled slightly and agreed. The two chatted for a while longer before the sword immortal broke through the void, bid farewell, and left.

Once again, only Guan Quan remained in the room. After a moment of contemplation, he took out a Soul Jade that emitted a hazy purple light.

The Louguan Daoist Master looked at the aura above, which was already at the Purple Mansion level, but it was mixed with a demonic rainbow light.

"【Jingxing】, you've reached the Purple Mansion."

The Louguan Taoist Master spoke calmly, but beneath his calm words lay a hidden anger and sorrow that caused the entire Xuanlou to tremble, with a hazy purple light rising continuously.
-
Above the crimson clouds, the void shattered.

Silver lightning surged, and the might of heaven was overwhelming. Xu Xuan stepped out from a pure light of tribulation, with the wind of Xun surging around him, empowering him. The astonishment in his heart did not dissipate, but instead grew stronger.

His spiritual sense swept across the mountains, and his gaze sharpened slightly. On Henghong Peak, he saw a pair of women who had not returned to the mountain for a long time. It was Liu Shuhan, who was listening to Liu Xingfang's conversation, and they seemed quite harmonious.

"Shu Han has returned to the mountain."

Xu Xuan's heart stirred. He sensed that the other party's aura had already reached the Qi Refining stage, which was quite extraordinary. In particular, the black snow-white pattern between his eyebrows exuded a demonic and mysterious aura.

"This is a legacy of vital energy that has been condensed into a physical form; it is a technique that only a great supernatural being can possess."

Tian Tuo's tone was somewhat surprised. He had heard of the name of the Wu family's Bei Yin Zhenren before, after all, he was a highly skilled cultivator at the Dai Qi level. This Dai Qi demon cultivator had a long history of cultivation and had received several blessings from the True Lord, which was why he had been able to survive to this day.

But the current inheritance exudes an ancient aura, unlike what that person would do.

Xu Xuan's internal energy stirred. He looked up and saw that the sky was dark and there were pieces of crystalline, scorching black snow falling from the sky. However, they did not seem to be solid and scattered as soon as they hit the ground.

"Did you see it?"

When he asked about Tian Tuo, the old demon replied in a strange tone, only saying:

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xuan's heart stirred slightly, but his expression remained unchanged, showing no sign of anything amiss. He began to mobilize the pure energy within his Dao Realm, enhancing his spiritual essence, gradually allowing him to see more.

A series of footprints, radiating a deep black light and shrouded in demonic energy, landed in the air and stretched into the mountains, leaving their mark not only in the mortal world but also in the void.

The area near this mark seemed to lose all color, turning into an indescribable darkness, like the abode of all evil spirits and demons.

Xu Xuan's gaze was deep as he rode the wind and descended, instantly landing on Henghong Peak.

Liu Xingfang was truly immersed in the joy of family reunion and did not notice anything amiss. Now, seeing his master return with his supernatural powers intact, he congratulated him even more:

"Congratulations on your master's return from seclusion. Shu Han, why don't you pay your respects to the True Immortal?"

Liu Shuhan stepped forward gracefully and said respectfully:

"Shu Han has met the real person."

Xu Xuan smiled and looked at this junior, saying only:

When did you return to the mountain?

"Reporting to the Master, I have been back for several days, having returned to the mountain on the help of the Wu family's flying boat."

Liu Shuhan answered respectfully. Behind him stood a tall, imposing, dark figure, motionless. Xu Xuan was slightly startled, but still smiled and asked:

"What spells have you mastered? What kinds of crafts are you proficient in?"

"My current cultivation method is the 'True Scripture of Wandering the Mountains and Rivers of the Nine Provinces,' and I am currently at the initial stage of Qi Refining. I am also working on the 'My Demon-Taming Heart Technique.' As for weapon crafting..."

Liu Shuhan glanced at her father, feeling slightly ashamed, and simply said:
"I also tried to learn kendo, but I have no talent for it."

"Good talent in cultivation is enough; as for swordsmanship, it cannot be forced."

Xu Xuan smiled, his eyes seemingly on Liu Shuhan, but actually he glanced past her and secretly looked at the demonic figure behind Liu Shuhan.

The figure seemed to be formed from a surging, almost demonic light, with only a blurry human shape. Everything around it lost its luster and fell into nothingness.

With a smile on his face, Liu Shuhan seemed to remember something and took out a crystal-clear black pearl. The restriction on the pearl was removed, and it grew in the wind, transforming into a beast egg surrounded by demonic water and evil fire.

“Grandmaster, Lord Nanwang gave me a spirit egg. My father examined it and said it contains the blood of a noble race.”

Xu Xuan's gaze sharpened slightly as he sensed the [Water and Fire Evil] energy. The armor struggled incessantly, as if trying to break free from the Thunder Pool to suppress it.

The Heavenly Monk within the inner realm spoke at this moment, with a hint of surprise:

"It is the bloodline of the Nine-Headed Serpent, but unfortunately it is mixed blood, and at most it can only reach the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage."

Xu Xuan turned his gaze to Liu Shuhan and said only:

"Today, I'll take you to the Ancestral Hall to burn incense, which will mark your formal return to the mountain. Xingfang, you may leave now, and I will lead Shuhan there."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xingfang made some guesses, thinking that perhaps they needed to examine him a bit before bestowing the seal of office, so he left first.

Xu Xuan remained calm with a smile on his face, but then he noticed that the tall demonic figure behind Shu Han had made a move, as if it had noticed the supernatural power in front of it and looked over, which made Xu Xuan feel quite pressured.

He had felt this kind of pressure before; it was the evil spirit transformed from the metal element of the [Zhengyi]!

'Shu Han, what exactly did you bring from the Wu family? Does that Bei Yin know?'

Xu Xuan's heart pounded. The demonic figure before him was different from other evil spirits; it seemed more like a celestial demon, a remnant of something. He quietly told Tian Tuo everything he had seen.

The old demon's tone gradually became serious, and he said solemnly:
"It shouldn't be a demon, but rather a kind of demonic nature unique to the Dao of Qi. I remember that the Wu family has a [Colorless Realm Gate], which was established by a True Lord. Perhaps it's related to this."

"How should this be handled? Should the official seal still be conferred?"

Xu Xuan felt a stirring in his heart and pondered for a while.

This demonic power seems to have been tainted by the rank of a Golden Core cultivator. It is currently concealed and cannot be detected even by those in the Purple Mansion. However, if this thing were to unleash its power, it could probably easily level the entire mountain gate.

Tian Tuo's tone gradually softened, and he quietly said:
"You said, after being given the seal script, could you take the opportunity to guide this thing into the Dao realm?"

Currently, this demonic energy resides in Shu Han's life, serving as a final resting place in the mortal world. Once the inscription is bestowed, Shu Han's life will completely belong to the Taiqing Immortal Stele.

At this moment, Xu Xuan rode the wind and took off, first dismissing Liu Xingfang, and then led Shu Han alone to the Ancestral Hall on Tianqing Peak.

"What if this demonic nature was used by the Wu family to test us? There might even be Golden Core cultivators watching right now. I escaped from the clutches of evil spirits, and now if I were to suppress this demonic nature as well?"

Xu Xuan was worried. Now that he was on the list of the underworld, the officials of Li Kingdom might have noticed him. And how could the officials not have noticed that a demon with the Golden Core level was wandering around?

"At this time, the origin of this demonic power must not be fully investigated before the seal is conferred."

He gradually calmed down, knowing that the inscription could be taught at any time. Now that the Immortal Stele could perfectly conceal the strange phenomena, almost no one could detect them, but this demonic nature was difficult to deal with.

Xu Xuan was confident in the Immortal Stele. The even more terrifying golden demon had been subdued, so this demonic energy could naturally be introduced into his inner vision and suppressed with pure energy.

However, if this item was authorized by a Golden Core cultivator, it cannot be handled so rashly.

The two had arrived at the ancestral hall, where incense was burning and golden energy was spreading, creating a magnificent scene. Liu Shuhan offered incense with a solemn expression and stepped forward to pay homage to the ancestral masters.

Xu Xuan has now erected the memorial tablet of Patriarch Chi Ming at the top, with two True Persons below him, and next to him is the tablet of his master, Wen Fufeng.

The tall and majestic demonic aura did not enter the Ancestral Hall at this moment. Instead, it stood outside, waiting quietly. Its face was filled with a surging, ever-changing light, and black snow fluttered around it, twisting and turning various colors.

He spoke at this moment, his tone distant and mysterious, devoid of any human warmth, as if it came from the depths of the netherworld:
"Hengguang?"

(End of this chapter)