Demon Cultivator with Celestial Book

Chapter 258: Chapter 204: Becoming a Pawn, Entering the Lesser Realm

The hall was silent. The sun slanted in through the window lattice.

With a complex look in his eyes, Gu Changling gazed silently at the Thick Eyebrow Daoist and began to speak with hesitation.

"Senior Brother, you..."

The Thick Eyebrow Daoist quickly cut him off.

"Junior Brother, don’t misunderstand! I volunteered for this. I begged the True Monarch for this mission!"

Gu Changling stared at him for a moment, his face a mask of confusion. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

"Senior Brother, if you go to kill the Daoist, how could you possibly survive?"

"Qian Feng will demand your life to appease the Ancestral Master’s fury. And within Li Feng, there isn’t just the Fire Prison; there are also seven or eight torture cells designed to draw out one’s soul and refine their spirit..."

The Thick Eyebrow Daoist lowered his head, silent for a moment before suddenly asking a question.

"Junior Brother, how long have you been in the Foundation Establishment Realm?"

Gu Changling frowned and replied.

"A hundred and seventy years now."

The Thick Eyebrow Daoist let out a long sigh.

"Time flies. It’s already been over two hundred years since we were in the Lower Courtyard, practicing Cultivation together."

He paused for a moment, then uttered a few words in a flat tone.

"Junior Brother, my life is at its end."

Gu Changling froze. This senior brother of his had always remained in the Lower Courtyard, never getting the opportunity to reach Foundation Establishment, and thus was never promoted.

The maximum lifespan for a Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer is between two and three hundred years.

A quick mental calculation confirmed it. His time was indeed almost up.

"Senior Brother, I can find some life-extending treasures for you."

Gu Changling mulled it over for a moment, assuming that a descendant of the Luo family must have offered a massive reward to convince the Thick Eyebrow Daoist to willingly go to his death.

"You underestimate me, Junior Brother."

The Thick Eyebrow Daoist scoffed.

"I am willing to act as the True Monarch’s vanguard, to lead the charge. It’s not because I’m hoping to just barely cling to life."

"To be honest, I never felt my own talent for Cultivation was much worse than yours."

"It was only because Luo Zhaojun, a descendant of one of the Eight Monarchs, took a liking to you and recommended you to the True Monarch that you soared to the heavens and became a True Inheritance of Gen Feng."

"When you made your Flying Foundation Establishment, Junior Brother, I was still scrambling around outside, struggling to obtain mid-grade Astral Qi at the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer."

Hearing this, Gu Changling showed no trace of anger, his expression remaining composed.

One’s fortune on the path of Cultivation can never be judged fairly. Otherwise, the saying, "With a meager fate and exhausted luck, one cannot attain the Dao," wouldn’t be so widely known.

"In this life, I am destined to have no hope of attaining the Dao."

The Thick Eyebrow Daoist sighed with endless regret.

"If the Daoist hadn’t returned to the sect, this life of mine would be utterly useless to the True Monarch."

"But right now, the True Monarch needs a stone to test the path, a disposable tool willing to be shattered to pieces."

Gu Changling tried to persuade him in a low voice.

"Are you hoping to risk your life for a chance at reincarnation, Senior Brother? But if you assassinate the Daoist, there’s no way you’ll get away in one piece."

"With a True Monarch’s power, a simple divination is like casting the nets of heaven—all-encompassing and inescapable. How could he possibly leave you a path to reincarnation?"

The Thick Eyebrow Daoist told him frankly.

"The True Monarch has his ways. He can send my Primordial Spirit to the Dongsheng Continent."

"My Cultivation in this life has been limited by a meager fate and shallow opportunities. I’d rather discard this Demon Cultivator body and get myself into an Immortal Cultivator sect in the Dongsheng Continent, where I won’t have to worry about Spiritual Objects."

’The Dongsheng Continent, as an Immortal Cultivator?’

Gu Changling couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, considering this carefully.

The Four Directions Continent wasn’t isolated from the rest of the world. On the contrary, travel between the continents was quite frequent.

This was especially true for the two Daoist Lineages of the Immortals and Demons, who were in a constant, fierce struggle over opportunities like conquering blessed lands and claiming fallen grotto-heavens, a rivalry that never ceased.

Securing a good background in the Dongsheng Continent was difficult, but if a True Monarch made a move, any problem could be easily solved.

Besides, by being reborn under the [Immortal Dao], he could also do his best to avoid the Daoist Monarch’s wrath...

Gu Changling gave up on trying to persuade him and said softly.

"Senior Brother, you’re already at the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer. Taking down the Daoist, who is only at the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer, should be a simple task."

"But since that boy, Jiang, was personally appointed as the Daoist by the Ancestral Master, he must have a few tricks up his sleeve. You must be on your guard, Senior Brother..."

The Thick Eyebrow Daoist laughed heartily.

"Don’t worry, Junior Brother. The Daoist has to go to Fulong Jian to gather the Kanxia Water. That will be my chance!"

His laughter subsided. He took two jars of fine wine from his Sleeve Pouch and placed them heavily on the table.

"After we part today, I doubt we will ever see each other again. I came looking for you today for no other reason than to get roaring drunk with you!"

Gu Changling fell silent. ’Until you become a True Monarch, you’re just a pawn in someone else’s hands, your fate not your own.’

He reached out and took a jar of wine. A rare hint of wild abandon appeared on his normally solemn and steady face as he declared loudly.

"Senior Brother! I hope you can resume your path of Cultivation in the Dongsheng Continent and finally achieve your desires!"

"If fate allows us to meet again, may we both have ascended to the rank of True Monarch!"

...

...

「Five days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Jiang Yi awoke from his meditation. His Merit, now at a "twelve-tenths" Great Perfection, felt like a surging tide, thundering against every bone in his body with a sense of fullness that threatened to burst him from within.

’If I can’t gather the ’Kanxia Water’ this time, I’ll have to settle for using the five-flavor Great Medicine to form my First Grade True Qi.’

Jiang Yi rose slowly, about to step down from his honored seat.

True Master Xuanmiao, who had evidently been waiting for quite some time, saw him finish his practice and immediately came forward, holding out a bowl of thick, jade-like liquid made from crushed Elixir Pills.

This was "Pure Unity Treasure Pulp," a substance that could purify Magical Power, enhance Profound Light, and was used specifically to harmonize the internal organs and temper one’s Spiritual Truth.

Jiang Yi took the pulp, tilted his head back, and drained it in one go. He smiled and said.

"Thank you, Cat Master."

True Master Xuanmiao’s face was etched with worry, and he couldn’t help but try to dissuade him.

"Xiao Jiang, are you really going to Fulong Jian? It’s a place of great peril..."

Jiang Yi’s eyes were resolute, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Of course I’m going. I’ve come this far. How could I miss this critical opportunity to gather the ’Kanxia Water’ and complete the Six Harmonies Great Medicine?"

True Master Xuanmiao scratched his whiskers and said in a low voice.

"I’ll be waiting for your return at the Changming Heavenly Pool... Do you have any message for Xiaoqiao? She’ll definitely come looking for you after she leaves her seclusion."

Jiang Yi thought for a moment before speaking.

"Cat Master, please give the [Inverted] Slaying Sword to Lady Xiaoqiao. If I don’t make it out of Fulong Jian, tell her I’ve broken my promise and won’t be able to enjoy the Forget-Worry Flowers with her anymore."

True Master Xuanmiao sighed to himself. ’Xiao Jiang has not had an easy path. It might look like he’s had limitless glory and a smooth ascent to the heavens, but in reality, he’s been treading on thin ice, trembling with every step.’

’The ’favors’ granted by a Great Power like a Daoist Monarch are never free. They are all karmic debts that must be repaid later, often at the risk of one’s life.’

’Otherwise, with his former master’s world-shaking Dao Wisdom, he could have joined any Daoist Lineage and received its full backing. Why else would he have been struck down from his Golden Position by the combined forces of the [Immortal Dao]?’

"There’s no need to worry, Cat Master."

Jiang Yi, on the other hand, was full of confidence, his tone relaxed.

"It’s just a few trials and tribulations. Even that grand scheme in [Fengdu] couldn’t crush me. What’s one little Fulong Jian in comparison?"

He removed all of his items and artifacts, handing them over to True Master Xuanmiao for safekeeping. This included the [Tai Yin Origin-Form Ring] from Lady Xuan’nv and the "Supreme Profound Matron’s Verdant Truth Law Talisman."

According to the information from Master Lu, [Fulong Jian] was a minor realm that had been absorbed into a True Monarch’s grotto-heaven, where it served as a foundational pillar.

Such places weren’t considered rare in the Innate Sect. They were often used by Upper Courtyard disciples and promising talents from the Lower Courtyard for "practicing Daoist Skills," "refining Magical Artifacts," and "Gathering Herbs to condense Qi."

Its function was roughly equivalent to the "Resource Land" of the Qianji Sect.

However, as an Ancestral Sect, the Innate Sect’s methods were far grander; they directly absorbed entire landscapes of mountains, rivers, and forests that embodied the will of the Great Dao into their grotto-heavens.

"This True Master will definitely watch over things for you, Xiao Jiang!"

True Master Xuanmiao declared, thumping his chest. The gold and silver attendants and the Ear God behind him all chimed in, creating quite an impressive clamor.

Jiang Yi chuckled.

"Alright, alright. Any more of this, and I’ll have to start reciting, ’The wind whistles, the Yi River runs cold.’"

He gave a few more instructions, then a Profound Light rose from beneath his feet and enveloped him. With a thunderous sound, he shot into the azure sky, disappearing among the clouds after a few flickers.

...

...

「Kan Feng.」

A guiding beam of celestial light descended, bringing Jiang Yi, who had presented his Token, into the palace.

Numerous Upper Courtyard disciples gazed up at the sky. It was as if radiant light had spread out and condensed into a long, layered staircase that pierced through the churning, clashing waters of Ren and Gui.

"The treatment a Daoist receives is truly extraordinary!"

"Even a True Monarch’s personal disciple can’t come and go from the main peak so freely."

"That True Master Liu from Zhen Feng has already been turned away at the gates several times..."

This idle chatter didn’t reach the Kanshui Palace, and thus, it certainly didn’t reach Jiang Yi’s ears.

He strode across the radiant staircase, calmly entered the hall, and bowed respectfully. "Disciple greets Master Lu."

True Monarch Lu’s gaze was profound as it swept over the youth in the Daoist Robe, who carried himself with a heroic air.

"I hear that you and Feng Yuan compared notes on fire techniques, and that this True Inheritance from Li Feng was most impressed."

Jiang Yi replied calmly.

"That’s just mutual flattery. Brother Feng was willing to give me, the Daoist, some face, so he called it ’comparing notes.’"

"Otherwise, given his level of attainment with the Samadhi Fire, why would he even glance at my meager little skills?"

But True Monarch Lu shook her head.

"You are far too modest, Daoist. Even without the attention of [Shao Yang], merely being ranked first in Dao Wisdom on the Southern Dipper Board would make you an excellent Dao Material to compete for a True Inheritance position in the Upper Courtyard."

Jiang Yi smiled faintly. Without the Opportunity of [Shao Yang], he would have had to slowly climb his way up from the Lower Courtyard, skillfully navigating between the two factions—the descendants of the Eight Monarchs and the Master-Disciple lineage—all to accumulate the foundation needed for Foundation Establishment.

When it came down to it, in a damn place like the Yanfu Vast Land, the moment you had a heaven-sent Opportunity and thought you could just lay low and reap the benefits, you could basically kiss any superior Dao path goodbye.

True Monarch Lu said no more. She raised a fair hand and sent out a ball of watery light that seeped into Jiang Yi’s body, as gentle and silent as a nourishing rain.

"Long ago, Ji Fuyao slew a Dragon’s Son. Its blood flowed for three thousand li, giving rise to many treasured lands. [Fulong Jian] is one of them."

"After millennia of gestation, its scattered blood and Essence have given birth to tens of millions of ’offspring.’"

"Dragons are cruel by nature and are truly a type of Demon. I will briefly conceal your features and destiny for you, Daoist, to prevent your perfect [Saint King] fate from attracting unnecessary complications."

Jiang Yi nodded.

"You are most thoughtful, Master Lu. This disciple is eternally grateful."

True Monarch Lu gazed deeply at Jiang Yi for a moment, then waved her sleeve. A brilliant Water Element radiance, like a great flowing river, descended and enveloped him.

The next instant, Jiang Yi felt the ground beneath him give way, a sudden emptiness. His surroundings plunged into darkness.

When he opened his eyes again, the world had changed completely.

...

...

’So this is [Fulong Jian]?’

When Jiang Yi opened his eyes, he found himself inside a temple, sitting upright on an incense table.

He had spent so much time in the Changming Heavenly Pool that he had grown accustomed to the nearly endless and abundant Spiritual Energy that nourished his body.

Now, upon entering this minor realm, the world instantly felt murky and indistinct.

’Aside from this one unbearable aspect, everything else feels... liberating. Like a fish in water.’

As Jiang Yi adjusted, he noticed another change.

Here in [Fulong Jian], he felt incredibly light, as if his physical form had been freed from heavy shackles.

’Is the world in this minor realm incomplete? Is the suppression not as severe?’

Jiang Yi lowered his gaze in thought and released his meager Divine Sense. It unexpectedly spread out like the Great Sun patrolling the heavens, sweeping over a radius of a thousand li in less than eight breaths’ time.

The lay of the land, the city walls and houses, even the Qi Mechanisms of human life—everything was reflected in his mind.

It was as clear as looking at the lines on his own palm.

’If I were outside, my Divine Sense could cover a hundred li at most, and there’s no way I could see everything so clearly, as if it were right before my eyes.’

Jiang Yi quickly processed the information he had gathered.

’Dayu County? The Cloud-Blocking River? The Dragon King Ritual?’

Jiang Yi’s eyes glittered. His Divine Sense was effortlessly plucking all sorts of "sounds" from the world around him.