Chapter 96

Zhang Yan sat cross-legged in a cave he had opened on a cliff, spread his palm, and a thread of mystic light attached to the sword pill, causing the sword light to suddenly surge. In an instant, a brilliant light belt, as dazzling as a galaxy, floated before his eyes.

He then exerted his power, and the star sand wriggled and struggled a few times, slowly dividing under his gaze, seemingly about to split into two.

However, before it could fully separate, he felt the mystic light attached to it was dissipating at an extremely fast speed. His brows furrowed slightly, and he quickly retracted it back into his chest and hid it.

Once the mystic light was gone, the sword pill returned to its original state.

This was one of the methods recorded in the *True Source Sword Canon* for controlling the sword pill, known as the "Light Separation and Combination Technique."

This technique, when used against enemies, could make the sword light divide and injure them, making it extremely powerful. If further refined, it could split into three, then into a thousand, and finally into ten thousand, until it returned to its original source, with each grain of star sand capable of being used as a sword pill.

However, to use it skillfully, one must first slowly refine the sword pill with mystic light until it can be transformed and absorbed into the body, merging with the mystic light. Only then can it be used smoothly. At the moment, using it would be somewhat勉强 (勉强 means "勉强" in Chinese, which can be translated as "勉强" in English, but in this context, it means "a bit forced" or "a bit strained").

Zhang Yan gently exhaled, the path of cultivation is long and arduous, and the great way is just beginning. He must not slack off, but there's no need to rush.

He put away the sword pill, slowly stood up, and stood with his hands behind his back.

In front of him, the entrance of the demon cave, a torrent of river water flowed, vast and mighty, with an astonishing momentum.

Today is the twelfth day of the twelfth month. In three days, he would be able to use the power of the river flowing back into the demon cave to return to the Dragon Abyss Great Marsh.

However, even now, he still couldn't understand why the Myriad Waves Sect had shown no reaction at all?

Not to mention the other fellow disciples, as a true disciple, the sect would certainly not ignore the news of his situation. Although the factions within the sect were constantly in conflict, they usually did so in secret and would not act so openly, as the sect leader would never allow it.

Another possibility is that once the news spread, if Zhou Chongju knew, even if he couldn't come himself, he would certainly invite other experts to come to his rescue. The fact that there has been no action yet suggests that either no one knows about it, or they found out too late and missed the time when the sea eye was open.

Zhang Yan thought about it and believed the most likely scenario was that Xie Zongyuan and others encountered something on the way, preventing them from bringing the news back to the sect in time.

Thinking of this, he smiled slightly. The spiritual energy here was abundant, making it extremely suitable for cultivation. Moreover, except for the one who had reached the Core Formation stage, the Blood Soul Sect disciples were no longer a threat to him. If he saw them, he would kill them one by one!

Therefore, it would be better to stay here for a few more days and further enhance his strength.

Moreover, there was a problem that needed to be solved now.

He spread his palm, and a thought crossed his mind, causing a golden-red light to appear, flickering and moving in his palm.

He practiced the *Taiyi Golden Book*, and the mystic light also followed the path of gold and fire. Once released, anyone with discerning eyes would recognize it as an extremely profound cultivation technique and would doubt its origin. Therefore, he needed to find a way to conceal it.

Thus, he planned to condense the water attribute mystic light from the *Lan Yun Secret Manual* over the next few days.

Now that he had entered the Mystic Light stage, condensing some water attribute mystic light for concealment would not be too difficult, and it would take at most seven to eight days. The remaining time could be used to condense the Yin Heavy Water, providing a legitimate means to fight in the upcoming Three Ponds Battle.

He looked up at the deep water channel above the demon cave. In a few days, as long as Xie Zongyuan and others were still alive, the Myriad Waves Sect would certainly know the news.

At that time, he would like to see who the sect would send to assist him.

The more important the disciple sent, the more it would indicate his position in their eyes. Conversely, he would need to carefully consider his future path.

"Master, Master." Su Yi'ang called softly from inside his sleeve.

Zhang Yan reached into his sleeve and took out a beautiful jade, asking, "What is it?"

A green figure rose, and Su Yi'ang materialized from the jade, appearing as a small figure on it. Seeing Zhang Yan, he bowed and said, "Master, I wish to stay here."

Zhang Yan's face showed no change, and he asked, "Oh? Why is that? Tell me."

Su Yi'ang steeled himself and said, "Master, I have lost my physical body. Although I have read the *Miyuan Canon*, I have only grasped the 'method' but not the 'power.' Returning to the sect would likely be a burden rather than a help. After much thought, I can only stay here and follow the path of the demon. Perhaps in the future, I can become a great aid to Master."

The *Miyuan Canon* is different from the *Yiqi Qing Canon*. It not only explains cultivation techniques but also how to apply them. The mystic sect emphasizes gathering and nurturing life, while the demon sect emphasizes slaughter and plunder, starting with how to devour spirits and possess others.

Therefore, Su Yi'ang, as the spirit of a meridian-opening cultivator, had only practiced half of the demon technique. Although he made rapid progress at first, he had no physical body to provide the necessary yang essence to break through to the next stage.

However, he had another path to follow, the path of the demon!

In the demon cave, a yin demon becomes a phantom demon after a hundred years, a traveling demon after another hundred years, and a true demon after yet another hundred years. After three hundred years, the demon develops its own intelligence, becoming almost like a human.

According to legend, above the true demon are several more stages, even reaching the legendary Heavenly Demon, whose power and abilities are no less than those of great cultivators.

Zhang Yan quickly understood Su Yi'ang's plan.

"Master, I have recently comprehended the demon technique and can now separate a true soul, which can be placed with Master. This soul is one with me, and I can be summoned for any matter." Su Yi'ang saw that Zhang Yan did not respond for a long time and felt somewhat anxious.

Zhang Yan knew this was his way of expressing loyalty.

Without a physical body, if this true soul were lost, Su Yi'ang would lose most of his consciousness, becoming as dazed as a demon, losing much of his advantage over other demons, and his fate would be predictable.

However, the demon cave was vast, and he did not dare to delve deeper into it. Moreover, there were Blood Soul Sect disciples who might enter from unknown places. Leaving Su Yi'ang here would be like placing a hidden chess piece, which would surely be useful in the future.

Thinking of this, he nodded and said, "Alright, I will allow it. Before I leave, I will leave you here."

Su Yi'ang was moved to tears and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Master, for your kindness."

Zhang Yan said solemnly, "I will enter a meditative state for the next few days. You will guard me. If anything unusual happens, inform me immediately."

Su Yi'ang quickly replied, "Yes, Master."

Zhang Yan turned and walked deeper into the cave, which extended about twenty feet inward, a space he had created with mystic light. With the mystic light, it was quite convenient, as a single sweep could turn even the hardest rock into powder.

Reaching the deepest part, he took out a mat from his sleeve, sat on it, and began to practice the technique from the *Lan Yun Secret Manual*.

Time passed, and four days had gone by.

During these days, he made rapid progress. Although the water attribute mystic light had not yet fully emerged, a continuous blue light was already fluctuating in his chest, sufficient for concealment. Moreover, it would take at most seven to eight more days to fully condense it.

At this moment, he felt the ground rumble, and he opened his eyes and stood up, walking out.

It was noon on the fifteenth, and the river was once again surging, flowing back into the demon cave.

Zhang Yan's face showed a sense of awe. Although this was not the first time he had seen it, each time he felt the wonder of nature. He wondered how many other magnificent and wondrous scenes there were in the world.

The nine continents, with Donghua Continent being just one corner, if his cultivation were to succeed in the future, he would travel the world to seek enlightenment and broaden his horizons.

After watching for a long time, he was about to turn and return to the cave when he suddenly stopped and looked up. A grand and solemn green light column suddenly descended, pressing the surging river back!

A young cultivator in a green robe, with wide sleeves and straw shoes, slowly descended from the light column. His sleeves fluttered, his eyes were bright and spirited, and his face was calm and composed.

His features were not particularly handsome, and at first glance, he seemed quite ordinary. However, upon closer inspection, he exuded an indescribable grandeur and nobility.

His presence was majestic, like a mountain or a vast forest, making people involuntarily look up to him.

Seemingly sensing someone watching him, the young cultivator looked over and saw Zhang Yan, smiling and saying, "Is this Zhang Yan, my junior brother?"

Zhang Yan bowed and said solemnly, "Yes, I am. May I ask for your name, senior brother?"

The young cultivator smiled and returned the bow, saying, "I am Qi Yuntian."

Qi Yuntian?

Even hearing this name, Zhang Yan was secretly surprised.

Originally, Ning Chongxuan had wanted him to become a disciple of this person. He had also inquired about this person's background and later learned that he was not only a true disciple but also one of the top ten disciples of the Myriad Waves Sect!

Moreover, he was the first disciple of Master Meng, who was the sect leader's eldest disciple. If the sect leader were to ascend or retire, it was likely that this person would take over.

In other words, Qi Yuntian had a high chance of becoming the future sect leader of the Myriad Waves Sect. This person's status was evident.

Zhang Yan did not expect that the lineage of master and disciple would send this person to retrieve him. The signal this sent was too clear, and it would not be long before the sect learned that he was part of Qi Yuntian's lineage.

He quickly thought about it. The lineage of master and disciple sending Qi Yuntian here today had two purposes: to reassure him and to show their support for him.

Among the top ten disciples of the sect, most had their own followers, but for some reason, Qi Yuntian had never recruited fellow disciples, focusing solely on closed-door cultivation. Few in the sect had seen him.

At least before entering the demon cave, Zhang Yan had not heard of this person emerging from seclusion. It seemed he had just emerged and come here.

This clearly indicated that they wanted to pull him into their camp. Perhaps in their view, he was already part of the lineage of master and disciple.

Does this mean that Qi Yuntian now feels his cultivation is complete and is starting to build his own team?

If Qi Yuntian is being groomed as the future sect leader, his coming here already sends a clear signal...

Thinking of this, Zhang Yan was shaken and reached a startling conclusion.

The lineage of master and disciple was likely grooming him to be a future Grotto Heaven Elder who would assist the sect leader!

...!

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