Chapter 91

In fact, whether it be the Buddhist or Taoist sects, although they do not see eye to eye, they can at least coexist. It is the many powerful demon kings of the demon race who have suffered greatly at their hands.

After all, the wondrous mountains and waters where spiritual energy converges are not only beneficial for cultivators' cultivation but are also where many demons awaken their wisdom. Many of these places are the strongholds of demon kings. Over countless years, these so-called orthodox cultivators have continuously encroached upon these blessed lands. Due to the continuous emergence of talents and the lack of unity among the demons, if it weren't for the extremely powerful demon kings, they would hardly be able to protect their homes.

Of course, the demon race still has many strong figures who control territories, and the major sects have already occupied many good places. Both sides can coexist peacefully as long as the demons do not cause trouble in the human world. In the remote areas, no cultivator dares to come and subdue demons.

The Buddhist sect is powerful, but the Nine-Headed Demon King is not afraid of the Golden Light Temple alone. However, he finds it difficult to fully trust Young Master Hai.

Young Master Hai was not surprised by the Nine-Headed Demon King's hesitation. Every demon that becomes a demon king, except for those with extraordinary innate advantages, has endured much hardship and danger before achieving human form.

But he believed that the Nine-Headed Demon King would ultimately agree. Although demon kings indulge in pleasure, it is often out of necessity. After all, after undergoing the transformation and achieving human form, advancing in cultivation is no longer as simple as seclusion and asceticism.

Cultivation to the level of the Nine-Headed Demon King is not merely a matter of luck. Therefore, in the face of a dead end, indulging in pleasure is understandable. If there is an opportunity to enhance one's strength, it is hard to refuse.

The Nine-Headed Demon King said, "Brother, it's not that I don't trust you, but how can I be at ease with just your words? Although I have nine heads, losing even one would be unpleasant." With nine heads, he has nine lives, which is his greatest reliance and innate ability. Although there are countless demons and monsters in the world, those with nine lives are few. This is his proudest point.

At the same time, it is also a veiled warning to Young Master Hai not to try to trick him, as he is almost impossible to kill.

Young Master Hai slightly raised his head, his gaze calm, and said, "If Brother Nine has doubts, why don't we establish a spirit platform oath beforehand?"

Hearing this, the Nine-Headed Demon King was somewhat reassured. Since the birth of sentient beings, there has been a spirit platform, which is the seat of the Dao heart. Although a spirit platform oath does not have the powerful backlash of a cause-and-effect oath, it directly targets the true self. If violated, it taints one's nature, and although there are many ways to resolve it, it ultimately requires a lot of effort and time.

As for why Young Master Hai did not propose a more binding cause-and-effect oath, it is because if the binding force is too strong, it would tie the two of them tightly. If the Nine-Headed Demon King wanted to renege later, he would have to pay a huge price.

The Nine-Headed Demon King, who is rough but meticulous, asked many details before agreeing to the preliminary spirit platform oath, which would only take effect if the Golden Light Temple truly had the Buddha's relics.

******

After killing the female snake demon, Shen Lian immediately left. Although he did not know who the Young Master Hai mentioned by the female snake demon was, he was not foolish enough to wait around.

This isolated island was not very large. Shen Lian went to the other side, roughly determined the direction, and then set off across the sea.

Half a day after he left, a young man in a gilded robe appeared at the place where the female snake demon was killed. It was naturally Young Master Hai.

Young Master Hai looked at the soil on the ground, muttering a particularly difficult and complex incantation. Finally, he drew a circle in the air, and a mirror appeared out of nowhere.

This was the 'Circular Light Tracing' ability, which could show what had happened on this land.

In the end, Young Master Hai's gaze fell on Shen Lian in the mirror, watching until Shen Lian extended a finger, and the female snake demon froze in shock. He mused, "Is this the Dao sword of Qingxuan? No, it's just the surface. Using it to attack the mind, truly like buying the casket and returning the pearl."

Originally, if Shen Lian had no background, Young Master Hai would likely have captured him. However, since he was about to undertake a major task, he did not want to create more trouble.

After all, even if Qingxuan was in decline, it was still a ten-thousand-year-old sect with deep roots. There might still be some ancient immortals wandering in the star rivers.

With a wave of his sleeve, the entire forest gradually filled with mist, which eventually spread to cover the entire island, making it miraculously disappear, leaving no trace from the outside.

The sea monster also slowly sank into the sea, leaving only a lingering song that lasted for a long time.

******

Shen Lian did not yet know that the name of Qingxuan had protected him once. The vast sea, even with a known direction, still required considerable effort to find the right path.

It took him a whole month to return to the Qingxuan mountain gate.

The mist on Mount Taiyi did not dissipate, just as it had been in the past.

Zhang Ruoxu still sat on the stone bed, looking at the returning Shen Lian.

In such a short time, there was naturally no significant difference, and Zhang Ruoxu did not test Shen Lian's cultivation.

However, what Zhang Ruoxu said next surprised Shen Lian.

"Do you know that the people on the Immortal Flying Island almost died out?" Zhang Ruoxu's face was tinged with a slight sigh, showing a bit of compassion.

"What happened? When I left, I had already eliminated the demons and monsters." Shen Lian felt a bit uneasy.

"Someone used the blood of the islanders to forge a 'Blood Transformation Divine Saber.' Only a little girl survived, and she was saved by my uncle." Zhang Ruoxu continued.

"Blood Transformation Divine Saber?" Shen Lian was a bit puzzled. He had not seen any records of this in the Taiwei Pavilion.

"That is an ultimate ability, skilled at plundering the spiritual blood and energy of others to nourish one's own primordial energy and aid cultivation. Although it is a method of taking from the poor to give to the rich, which goes against the Dao, it can still lead to enlightenment." Zhang Ruoxu casually mentioned this, but he was secretly observing Shen Lian.

Shen Lian calmly said, "If this method grants immortality, does it have any other flaws?"

"No other flaws, just that the heavenly thunder calamity is hard to pass. If this method is used to slaughter enough living beings and plunder their essence, one can achieve the Elixir stage in one or two decades and enter the Illusion stage within fifty years. If one is naturally heartless and unfeeling, one can break through the Illusion stage, but it will be up to heaven to take them." Zhang Ruoxu narrated, seemingly helpless.

"Survival is an instinct. It seems that many people have cultivated this method in the past?" Shen Lian pondered for a moment and then asked.

"Indeed, there was a sect in the past that cultivated this method. In the end, they all killed each other, and only one person survived, who was struck by five thunderbolts and completely destroyed."

PS: Thank you to Bao NO Xue for the 200 reward and to Zuiwo for the support.

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