"Demonic qi?!"
Inside the cabin, the man's voice carried a mixture of astonishment and doubt.
In the next breath, Han Zhan's figure flickered into view as he floated out of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.
At the sight of him, Tianxuan shuddered, lowering her hands and stepping aside in utmost deference.
Both she and the Black King knew that their master was accompanied at all times by the remnant soul of a Nascent Soul Perfected Person.
During those years in the Xuanyan Sea Domain, when their master had been engrossed in alchemy and unable to step away, this Perfected Person Han had handled many matters on his behalf.
Whether it was the time she had nearly been captured or when the Black King had fought for the Demon Emperor's shed body on Xuanyan Island, it was Perfected Person Han who had issued orders in their master's stead.
In a sense, Perfected Person Han had full authority to command them at times.
Above all, the absolute suppression inherent to the Nascent Soul realm meant that even a mere wisp of a remnant soul weighed upon these demon beasts with tremendous psychological pressure.
She and the Black King had often wondered what kind of background their master truly possessed.
His mana was pure, majestic, and dignified—he clearly did not hail from the unpolished ranks of rustic rogue cultivators. When ordering others about, he did so with methodical precision and natural authority, carrying the innate demeanor of someone born to high station. Moreover, he had the remnant soul of a Nascent Soul Perfected Person at his side.
No matter how one looked at him, he appeared to be the direct, core disciple of a premier sect.
They had even suspected that their master might truly be a descendant of the legendary Yuan Demon Sect.
At this moment, Luo Chen and Han Zhan naturally paid no heed to the myriad thoughts running through Tianxuan's mind.
Luo Chen's face was clouded with uncertainty. "Was that truly demonic qi?"
On the surface of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, Han Zhan's aged face appeared faintly as his lips moved. "Heaven and earth possess spirit, and life gives rise to qi, which is called spiritual qi. All things and beings dwell between heaven and earth, absorbing spiritual qi to evolve their own power and bring greatness into their own bodies.
"Yet because individuals differ and their paths of cultivation diverge, the powers they evolve naturally vary in thousands of ways.
"Take our human immortal cultivators: we refine spiritual qi into mana. Deeply accomplished beings of the demon race transform spiritual power into beast qi. Those are the broad categories, but looking closer, there are many unique forces. For instance, the Yuan Yin you met before was an entity of Hidden Dust Sand—neither man nor beast, resembling stone yet acting like a demon. The power he transformed was like both beast qi and spiritual qi. Consider also those plants and herbs that attain sentience; grouping them with demon beasts is somewhat inaccurate. They are more like elemental spirits whose converted power is pure and clear, harmonizing intimately with heaven and earth. Whether for humans or demon beasts, absorbing it yields only benefits and no harm. Looking from the large to the small, your skill in concocting pills from aged medicinal herbs is fundamentally another way of transforming that very power.
"In the Mountain Sea Realm, there are myriad races, and when counting every manner of power..."
Han Zhan spoke at an unhurried, measured pace.
Rather than answering Luo Chen's question directly, he elaborated on the evolution and distinctions of various energies, as well as the races behind them.
At first, Luo Chen felt a trace of impatience, but as he listened closely, an inexplicable clarity began to take root.
Lately, he had been researching how to modify human cultivation methods into a demon cultivation technique so that a transformed demon beast could efficiently absorb worldly spiritual qi and convert it into beast power.
Yet there were numerous hurdles along the way. Even with his extensive reading and vast store of knowledge, overcoming them had proven arduous.
Now, hearing Han Zhan's discourse, several perplexities unraveled almost effortlessly.
All these forces might seem wondrous and wildly diverse on the surface.
Yet no matter how many changes they underwent, they never strayed from their origin: all were simply ways of drawing upon the power of heaven and earth.
What he needed to do was take the tools that human cultivators used to draw upon worldly power—their cultivation techniques—and remodel them into tools suited for demon beasts.
It was roughly equivalent to modifying the towrope a human used to pull a cart into a harness for oxen and horses.
The analogy might not be entirely apt, but at this moment, Luo Chen no longer cared.
His mind had drifted away from the sudden appearance of the Golden Core cultivator He Yuan, fully immersed instead in Han Zhan's exposition.
Though Han Zhan was currently reduced to a remnant soul, the essence of his power remained that of a Nascent Soul Perfected Person.
And a Nascent Soul Perfected Person, in an era where Soul Formation grandmasters rarely stirred, was already at the pinnacle of this world!
His depth of insight was naturally beyond anything Luo Chen could rival.
One could even say a Nascent Soul Perfected Person had already earned the qualifications to catch an initial glimpse of the Heavenly Dao and the origins of power.
A few casual remarks from him could resolve many of the lingering doubts in Luo Chen's heart.
Faintly, Luo Chen felt far more confident in creating a technique for Tianxuan. He even sensed that if he truly succeeded, it would bring no small benefit to himself as well.
It was hard to say whether Han Zhan realized the profound impact his words were having on Luo Chen,
or whether he had seized this opportunity intentionally to impart his understanding of the essence of power.
In the end, the conversation gradually looped back.
"Body cultivators might seem fundamentally different from our qi-refining peers, but the astral qi they convert is merely another manifestation of spiritual qi. The difference is simply that it undergoes transformation through flesh and blood, focusing on the physical body rather than the soul.
"In the past, the astral qi of body cultivators stood on equal footing with the mana of qi refiners and the beast qi of demon cultivators as one of the great schools of power, though it later fell into decline.
"And beyond these three great schools, there exists another that is by no means inferior—demonic qi!
"This demonic qi is not what we commonly associate with the wicked, unorthodox paths. Those fiends and heretics merely act with malice, extremism, and arrogance; the power they wield is fundamentally no different from our own. True demonic qi, however, is an energy that arises only after pure, meticulous refinement by a true demon cultivator."
Beneath the sound-isolating formation inside the cabin, Han Zhan's voice sounded weathered and resonant.
Luo Chen asked abruptly, "A demon cultivator?"
Han Zhan nodded. "It is merely a title, just like immortal cultivator, demon beast cultivator, or body cultivator. Different regions call them by different names. Whether you call them immortal, demon, beast, or body cultivators makes no difference."
"I was being too narrow-minded," Luo Chen remarked with sudden realization. Then he registered another implication. "Which means... that He Yuan is a pure demon cultivator?"
"Indeed!"
A hint of reminiscence surfaced in Han Zhan's tone. "When I attained the Golden Core realm, I once traveled through the Thirty-Six Domains of the Eastern Desolation alongside my friend Canglong. On one occasion, we happened to encounter a Golden Core cultivator from the Yuan Demon Sect, and his body radiated that exact aura of power. It resembled mana born from spiritual power merging with the soul, yet also looked like the coarse beast qi extracted by demon beasts—both exquisite and raw. In battle, that power was exceptionally domineering, far beyond what ordinary immortal cultivators' mana could compare to."
At this point, Han Zhan instinctively cast a glance toward Luo Chen.
Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. The mana within him stirred slightly, eager for a test.
His current fire-attributed mana, converted through his cultivation of the *Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture*, was likewise renowned for its overbearing might.
Under a single, fully prepared palm strike from him on Xuanyan Island, the seven demon kings—including Jin Ao and Jin Jia—had been left dead or wounded!
Even an expert like Wu Qi at the sixth layer of Golden Core had been blasted back across the ocean by his palm strike, and Luo Chen had only been at the third layer of Golden Core back then.
In truth, Luo Chen's ability to fight above his cultivation level stemmed partly from his massive reserves of mana, and partly from its inherently superior quality compared to ordinary cultivators.
*I wonder whose power would prove superior if my mana clashed against He Yuan's demonic qi?*
As Luo Chen pondered this, his mind suddenly caught a critical detail from Han Zhan's words.
It wasn't Han Zhan's connection to Canglong—he had long known about that, since Han Zhan had been the one to protect Master Canglong when the latter attempted to cross the tribulation and condense a Nascent Soul.
The key detail was "a Golden Core cultivator from the Yuan Demon Sect"!
He blurted out, "Could He Yuan be a remnant of the Yuan Demon Sect?!"
Though framed as a question, his tone was certain.
Han Zhan nodded. "Across the entire Mountain Sea Realm, from all I have seen and heard, only cultivators of the Yuan Demon Sect can cultivate true demonic qi. Furthermore, for it to be that pure, he is clearly no ordinary disciple of the sect. Only direct descendants of the Yuan Demon Lineage, the foremost of the three branches, could possess such attainments!"
Receiving this confirmation, Luo Chen was quite taken aback.
All along this journey, he had been deliberately signaling to the outside world that he was a cultivator of the Yuan Demon Sect.
Whether it was his Kurong Fire, which resembled the Qingyang Demonic Fire, or his Soul Refining Banner, which had reached the level of a Ten Thousand Soul Banner, both served to create a false impression of his background.
Yet he had never imagined he would cross paths with a genuine cultivator of the Yuan Demon Sect.
Was this not a case of the imposter running straight into the real article?
For a moment, the expression on his face was quite colorful.
"Do you intend to make contact with him?" Han Zhan asked.
Luo Chen pondered for a long while before shaking his head.
"Better not. The timing isn't right."
"The timing?"
"I know nothing of his temperament, his background, or his way of handling things. Even if his cultivation realm appears similar to mine and I don't fear his strength, rashly contacting him is unwise. Let us observe for now. If I can gather information about him through others, deciding afterward will be far safer."
This was the prudent, seasoned approach.
Han Zhan agreed as well.
At last, the corners of Luo Chen's mouth curved upward slightly.
"Then again, having an expert of comparable cultivation on board makes our voyage not only safe and smooth, but once we reach Feileng City, he can also serve as a convenient cover for me."
***
It unfolded just as Luo Chen had predicted.
With He Yuan "joining" the merchant fleet, the remainder of the voyage became remarkably secure.
It was not that no demon beasts roamed the route.
With the fall of the Demon Sect, even though a new sacred ground like the Canghai Righteous Alliance had emerged, a new order had yet to be firmly established.
The so-called method of linking islands into defensive formations largely protected local territories and could not cover vast expanses of open sea.
Moreover, the major factions were locked in strife to carve up the resources vacated after the Demon Sect's collapse.
As a result, numerous demon beasts from the Demon Sea raided immortal islands and sea regions of all sizes.
Routes that Qi Refinement cultivators had once traveled freely now required at least one or two Foundation Establishment True Cultivators to escort the ships safely.
The reason no demon beasts attacked the Bai clan merchant vessel was that He Yuan made no effort to suppress his Golden Core aura after boarding.
Waves of Golden Core spiritual pressure rolled outward intermittently. Any beast with even a shred of intelligence would never proactively provoke such a harbinger of doom.
With no beast attacks and no stops along the coast to trade resources, the cultivators on board found themselves with ample leisure.
No one paid attention to how the Qi Refinement cultivators spent their days.
As for the seven Foundation Establishment True Cultivators who formed the backbone of the ship's strength, they gathered from time to time under Bai Xiang's lead to exchange insights on cultivation.
On this day...
Inside a side parlor on the ship, curtains swayed as cups clinked amidst laughter.
Several Foundation Establishment cultivators sat together, chatting about all manner of bawdy and worldly topics.
Had an outsider listened closely, they would have realized that this was hardly an exchange of cultivation insights.
In reality, this was how cultivators interacted.
How could there be so many profound cultivation insights to share?
Truly vital experiences were core family secrets; without a commensurate price, no one was willing to give them away.
After a few initial polite discussions, they naturally dropped the pretense.
After all, they were only at the Foundation Establishment realm and had not accumulated that much profound experience to begin with.
At present, the group chatted about the customs and landscapes from all corners of the world, discussed which great cities had high-quality cultivation vessels, and occasionally spoke of higher-realm cultivators with admiration and yearning.
Suddenly, someone steered the conversation toward Luo Chen.
"Isn't Fellow Daoist Luo Hai a bit too unsociable? Over the past half year, we've gathered four or five times, yet he hasn't joined us once. Could it be that he looks down on us?"
"Looks down on us? He's merely in early Foundation Establishment. What right does he have to look down on us?"
"You shouldn't put it that way. Back when Master He Yuan boarded the ship and that battle broke out, I took note of Fellow Daoist Luo Hai's methods. Under his control, a high-grade flying sword moved like an extension of his own arm, its power not in the least inferior to a top-grade magical tool. In my view, he does possess some skill."
"And just because of that, he refuses to attend our gatherings?"
"Fellow Daoist Chen, you have it wrong. Perhaps he is simply solitary by nature?"
"Solitary?"
Seated at the head of the room, Bai Xiang shook his head. In his memory, Luo Hai was not solitary in the slightest.
Though their interactions had been few, the man was clearly worldly and well-versed in social tact—if perhaps somewhat daring to roam the world while only in early Foundation Establishment.
He simply could not understand why, after boarding the ship, Luo Hai had remained holed up behind closed doors, declining all interaction.
Even his maidservant almost never stepped outside.
One had to know that while cultivators could abstain from food for long periods after establishing their foundation, they still moved about regularly if not in deep seclusion.
A merchant vessel obviously lacked the environment for secluded cultivation.
What on earth was Luo Hai doing cooped up in his cabin day in and day out?
No one could answer that question.
Gradually, the topic drifted away from Luo Hai.
Someone brought up the remaining journey.
After half a year of sailing at full speed without stopping for trade, Lengguang Island was practically within sight.
Feileng City, rumored to have a Nascent Soul Perfected Person presiding over it, was set to host a grand trade fair, which would surely draw countless rare and precious resources.
Among them, there might well be the cultivation resources they desperately needed.
There was even a strong possibility that items for Core Formation would appear.
Having come all this way, everyone naturally intended to go and take a look.
Of course, that was the ambition of those who possessed a bit of wealth.
For the two rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators at the gathering, their conversation turned to something else entirely.
"You two wish to pledge allegiance to Master He Yuan?"
"Indeed. Master He Yuan travels alone with no subordinates at his beck and call. If we offer our loyalty, he shouldn't refuse."
"Yet I've heard he is a cultivator of the Yuan Demon Sect. Aren't you afraid...?"
"Hmph, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse—that's a direct descendant of a sacred ground! Besides, I heard that Master He Yuan is heading there to seek out Blood Nightmare Moluo and revive the glory of the Demon Sect. If we join his banner now, it would be offering coal in the snow. Should this grand endeavor succeed in the future, we would share the merit of founding followers. Even setting aside wealth and power, we would at least secure an opportunity for Core Formation.
"Rather than drifting aimlessly and fretting over cultivation resources, throwing our lot in with a powerful figure is far wiser. After all, unlike you, the two of us have no family clan to fall back on."
"Fellow Daoist Chen, Fellow Daoist Wang, hearing your plans makes even my heart stir. I wonder if Master He Yuan accepts clan cultivators like us?"
"That will be easy to find out! The two of us plan to pay our respects to the master before disembarking. If he takes us in, we'll certainly inquire on your behalf."
"In that case, many thanks!"
Spurred by this topic, the group began discussing past lore of the Demon Sect, as well as the various factions and renowned figures scattered across the lands after its fall.
Meanwhile, in a quiet cabin, Luo Chen slowly opened his eyes.
Earlier, he and Han Zhan had deduced that He Yuan belonged to the Yuan Demon Lineage, one of the three branches of the Yuan Demon Sect.
Rumor had it that this lineage held an exalted status, ranking even above the Soul Refining and Blood God lineages.
From the look of things, their deduction had been spot on.
He Yuan truly belonged to that lineage.
Even his style of conduct was far more arrogant than that of the other two branches.
At the drop of a hat, he talked of collaborating with the Nascent Soul realm Blood Nightmare Moluo to restore the Demon Sect's former glory, giving no thought whatsoever to the vast disparity between his own cultivation and that of Blood Nightmare Moluo!
The matters those Foundation Establishment cultivators were discussing were hardly secrets easily uncovered by chance; He Yuan had clearly leaked them on purpose so those cultivators would come bowing before him.
Most likely, He Yuan would not refuse their allegiance.
*None of that concerns me for now, however.*
Luo Chen shook his head, drawing his thoughts back to the sheets of Xuan paper densely covered in writing before him.
Upon them were countless lines of text.
All of this represented the fruits of his half-year labor.
After receiving Han Zhan's deliberate guidance, he had come to understand the essence of power and the principle that all variations shared the same root, vastly accelerating his progress in deducing the technique.
He had discarded the dross and retained the essence of dozens of Tier 1 and Tier 2 techniques.
Now, he had finally arrived at the concluding stage.
Calming his mind and focusing his spirit, Luo Chen put brush to paper on a fresh sheet of Xuan paper.
The characters he wrote were simple and direct, yet they contained profound principles.
Had Youquan been present, a single glance would have given him an uncanny sense of familiar yet altered concepts.
And for good reason!
In this section, Luo Chen had begun integrating several essential elements of the *Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture*.
In his eyes, the *Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture* resembled a technique for demon beasts more than one for human cultivators.
Though primarily aimed at cultivating fire-attributed mana, certain characteristics clearly aligned with the physical constitution of demon beasts.
If he could weave those traits into this new technique, even if the resulting creation did not reach the fourth tier, it would undoubtedly be an exceptional Tier 3 demon cultivation technique!
It would be far more suited to a Tianxuan Battle Gull than the clumsy path of someone like Heqingzi, who had forcefully cultivated the techniques of the Hehuan Sect.
***
Time flowed quietly onward.
Seven months had flashed by since Luo Chen departed the Flying Swallow Archipelago.
The season had shifted from mild spring to scorching summer.
At long last, the Bai clan merchant vessel docked at the pier of an enormous bay.
Above the docks, bustling crowds created an ear-splitting clamor.
Aboard the massive ship, many cultivators who had endured half a year of stifling confinement broke into excited cheers.
They had arrived—they had finally arrived!
Inside that quiet cabin, Luo Chen—his eyes bloodshot and his hair disheveled—held three thin sheets of Xuan paper in his hands, unable to suppress a low cry of triumph.
"It's done. It's finally done!"
From within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, Han Zhan materialized, astonishment written across his face.
Tianxuan pushed the door open, intending to report that they had reached their destination.
Yet upon seeing Luo Chen's ecstatic expression, both of them understood everything.
Han Zhan asked in disbelief, "You truly created it?"
Luo Chen laughed heartily, tossing the three sheets into the air with a casual flick of his wrist.
A bloom of azure flame sprang forth, reducing the Xuan paper to ash in an instant.
"When I say it is done, how could it be false?!"
"Tianxuan, from this day forth, the Great Dao is within your reach!"
Chapter 568