Be the Hardest Working Demon Cultivator!

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Having received his master’s command, Shi Changkong, who took on the alias Chu Xiujian, set off immediately to carry out his task.

However, upon arriving at the Supervising Sword Daojiang Hall, he was informed by the two pavilion guards entrusted with the task of guarding the place that Tan Shuchang had left earlier and had not yet returned.

"Chu Sir, if it’s not an urgent matter, you may entrust it to us." The two guards said somewhat ingratiatingly. "Once Commander Tan returns, we’ll immediately report to him, so as not to delay your business, Sir."

At present, Tan Shuchang could be said to have no backing whatsoever, no different from a Loose Cultivator. Thus, those who were sent to guard Tan’s door were generally those who were unpopular within Qitian Pavilion or lacking in connections.

If Tan Shuchang indicated even the slightest intention of cultivating trusted underlings, these two guards would surely strive to demonstrate their eagerness. Even though the support might be minor, wasn’t a rank three trust still a foothold?

But since coming to Qitian Pavilion, Tan Shuchang had always kept to himself, showing no interest in such matters. This resulted in his subordinates beginning to seek other opportunities.

As for Shi Changkong in front of them, he had struggled and schemed within Qitian Pavilion for many years and possessed considerable influence.

"While the matter is not urgent, it is not yet suitable for too many to know. We must wait until Commander Tan makes his intentions clear." said Shi Changkong before leaving the hall.

Instead of reporting to Zhao Huaiji, he went elsewhere to gather information.

The place was none other than the Magical Treasure Pavilion.

The twelfth-grade pavilion guard in charge here was the nephew of Vice Pavilion Master Yun Shutian, so Shi Changkong quickly learned of Tan Shuchang’s whereabouts from him.

"Brother Chu, if I’m not mistaken, Tan Shuchang must have been detained by the Young Master of Luoja Mountain. After each An Xinshan meeting, there’s a small banquet, and because not many are invited, few people know about it." Zhang Dongzhi, the twelfth-grade guard, said with a hint of annoyance when mentioning Tan Shuchang.

"I see, thanks for the information, Director Zhang!" Shi Changkong detected the emotional nuance in Zhang Dongzhi’s words but didn’t pry further, instead keeping it in mind as he went to report to Zhao Huaiji.

Upon hearing the report, Zhao Huaiji immediately felt quite irritated. "I haven’t descended from the Sword Mountain for over ten years, and these youngsters seem to have mastered the art of opportunism."

The actions of Luoja Mountain’s Young Master had been a blow to his prestige, and Zhao Huaiji harbored resentment in his heart.

"In that case, you wait there, and strive to deliver the letter into Tan Shuchang’s hands under the watchful eyes of everyone," Zhao Huaiji instructed.

"Your disciple obeys," Shi Changkong naturally dared not refuse.

It was thanks to Zhao Huaiji that he had been able to secure a foothold in Qitian Pavilion. At the same time, he began to contemplate his own designs. He was well aware of the grand plans of the Sword Mountain’s righteous cause.

And because of his youthful inability to restrain himself, he had indirectly caused the death of three people in a moment of lust, crushing any hope of returning to Sword Mountain in this lifetime.

But if he could assist the Son of the Heavenly Mandate, his reputation might just be reversed, shining a new light on the name of Shi Changkong.

After all, Shi Changkong was once counted among the young talents of Sword Mountain!

He had endured enough of hiding like a rat in a sewer, unable to face old friends, unable to appear under the bright light of day. Shi Changkong was thoroughly tired of it.

He no longer wished to be known as Chu Xiujian, a tenth-grade pavilion guard of Qitian Pavilion. He wanted to be Shi Changkong once more!

...

Qitian Pavilion was like a city, complete with various buildings. At this moment, Tan Shuchang was in a meticulously maintained garden. Apart from him, there was not a soul around.

Indeed, just as Zhang Dongzhi had said, after the An Xinshan meeting concluded, Tan Shuchang was invited by the disciples of Luoja Mountain to a small banquet.

However, before he had the chance to eat much, he was invited here.

This must be where the Young Master wanted to see him.

Tan Shuchang originally expected the other party to arrive promptly, but he ended up waiting a full half an hour before the elusive figure made a belated appearance, almost as if shunning the light.

"Miss An seeks Tan Someone, may I ask the purpose? If you are in need of disaster relief resources, I know of someone named Qiu Junlin who would likely be very willing to provide ample funds and grain to Miss An at no cost, and would run back and forth at the front of your saddle horse," Tan Shuchang stood up and said. Now that the host had arrived, it would be impolite for him to remain seated.

In the rumors, the Young Master of Luoja Mountain was named An Yunxin.

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"You have a poor relationship with Qiu Junlin?" The indistinct silhouette seemed surprised, as according to her knowledge, it was the first time Qiu Junlin had brought someone to join her peaceful goodwill gathering.

"We’re not very close," said Tan Shuchang. He had already killed one of their "Uncles," so turning against each other was only a matter of time.

Rather than earning a hypocritical reputation, he preferred to be honest now.

Upon hearing this, the vague shadow directly asked, "Do you know what you’re cultivating?"

"I don’t know, so I named it ’Cross Calamity Immortal Scripture’. Does Miss An perhaps know?" Tan Shuchang suddenly became interested.

The shadowy figure had indeed intended to tell Tan Shuchang that the Cultivation Technique he was practicing was the ’Shadow Retaining Immortal Secret Tome’.

Although this supreme secret tome of the demonic path had undergone such significant changes in Tan Shuchang’s hands, and for reasons unknown, the spirit-communicating treasure that once belonged to the demonic path in her possession had shown some response when Tan Shuchang acted.

However, upon hearing the name ’Cross Calamity Immortal Scripture’, the shadowy figure felt somewhat speechless.

Cross Calamity?

Immortal Scripture?

You really dare to choose such a name!

"I indeed know, but it’s just a name, it’s not important," the shadowy figure said after a moment of silence.

Hearing her say this, Tan Shuchang didn’t press the matter further.

"Tan fellow Daoist, I owe you an apology for the events at the peaceful goodwill gathering," the vague figure said proactively at that moment.

"Even without that incident, I was bound to face off against that person from Tu Jian Mountain sooner or later." Tan Shuchang wasn’t very concerned about it and said, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now."

He felt several Heartless Old Men at the peak level in this place, so Tan Shuchang had actually been feeling uncomfortable for quite a while.

"If fellow Daoist Tan wishes to leave, I naturally will not stop you. However, I have a fragment of the Nine Orifices Martial Demon here, obtained by chance from Luoja Mountain. I believe you might find it useful, fellow Daoist, so please accept it!"

"Nine Orifices Martial Demon?"

Upon hearing this, Tan Shuchang was startled.

Because the reputation of the Nine Orifices Martial Demon was too formidable, it was no longer possible to verify who initially cultivated it. It was known only that whenever it appeared, it would lead to the complete eradication of a top-tier Immortal Sect from the world.

"Miss An, is it really appropriate for you to give me this?" Tan Shuchang couldn’t help but ask.

"It’s just a damaged fragment of the cranial region. Don’t overthink it," said the shadowy figure, and at this moment, the fragment of the Nine Orifices Martial Demon was already brought over by an elderly woman who had aged.

This elderly woman was dressed casually, in simple silk attire, and though she had a full head of white hair, her face looked surprisingly young, around thirty to forty years old.

This elderly woman appeared quietly near Tan Shuchang, placed down the fragment of the Nine Orifices Martial Demon, and left.

Just as the indistinct figure had said.

This fragment of the Nine Orifices Martial Demon was merely a quarter of the cranial region.

"Thank you, Miss An," Tan Shuchang expressed his gratitude. Although he felt uncomfortable, his expression was calm, and he didn’t hurry when he left; everything was very natural.

But as soon as Tan Shuchang left, the elderly woman couldn’t help but speak, "Xiao An, why did you do this?"

The Nine Orifices Martial Demon, a forbidden ultimate weapon of the Jiawu Realm.

Because it belonged to the lineage of Demon Cultivators, the fragments of the Nine Orifices Martial Demon were greatly beneficial to Demon Cultivators. Even when incomplete, possessing just one percent of it could transform a Demon Cultivator.

"Grandma Jing, although the righteous and the demonic stand against each other, the existence of the demonic only highlights the righteous!" The shadowy figure spoke in a low voice, "And what is the demonic? This ’demonic’ can be the Demonic Sect, or it could be a Demon Cultivator like Tan Shuchang, but for Tu Jian Mountain, it could also be our Luoja Mountain!"