Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 331: Chapter 222: Accepting a Disciple_1

Sword light surged to the heavens, as swift as the wind and as quick as lightning, and then vanished in an instant.

As the Demon Realm crumbled and the demonic qi dissipated, dawn arrived.

Seeing this scene, the surroundings of Wuzhe and near the Demon Realm were filled with panic and confusion.

“How can this be!”

“The Demon Realm… it’s broken?”

“How is that possible!”

“Who did it?”

“Damn it!”

“Corpse Resolution Immortal…”

“Lost souls and wandering ghosts, ruining my grand plans!”

“This place is not safe for long, we must leave quickly!”

Among the clamor, several figures faded away and disappeared just like the demonic qi.

Meanwhile, at the outskirts of Mansion City.

“The Demon Realm is broken?”

“How is that possible?”

“Could it be that some Immortal happened by, saw the injustice, and took action to suppress and seal the Demon Realm?”

“Corpse Resolution Immortals have the duty to stabilize the world, how could they just wander around carelessly?”

“Maybe the True Demon left on its own.”

“The Demon Realm was just established; how could the True Demon leave on its own after merely a day?”

“This…”

As everyone watched the Demon Realm collapse, they grew even more incredulous and speculative, unsure of what to do.

Elsewhere, sword light sped through the sky, as swift as the wind and as quick as lightning.

As the involved party, Xu Yang did not make himself known to explain, but instead made haste to leave the area.

A tree stands out in the forest and is thus felled by the wind!

Although the Demon Realm was only established for a short day and night, one cannot guarantee that no Corpse Resolution Immortal, leisurely wandering by, would be attracted to it.

Xu Yang still had reservations towards the top combat powers of this world, after all, the disparity in cultivation realms was evident, and he was only at Foundation Establishment. Despite his various combat techniques, it would be difficult to cope with high-tier cultivators.

Corpse Resolution Immortals, although called Immortals, are actually still mortal cultivators, only with higher cultivation realms.

According to the memories of Taoist Zhu Yang, to practice the method of Corpse Resolution Immortal, one must have sufficient Five Viscera Pills and Demon Transformation Spiritual Objects to help resist, reduce, and dissolve the invasion and contamination of demonic qi.

Thus cultivated to the Nascent Soul Realm, with the Demon Fetus fully matured and the cultivator becoming a Nascent Soul, one can cut out one’s demonic nature, leaving all impurities and malevolence within the physical Demon Fetus.

After severing the demonic nature, the pure Nascent Soul can emerge from the rebirth, possess a Demon Transformation Spiritual Object or an ancient Spiritual Treasure for a new body using the method of Corpse Resolution.

This is the Corpse Resolution Immortal, with at least Nascent Soul cultivation, and if they find rare Demon Transformation Spiritual Objects or ancient Spiritual Treasures, even entering Divinity Transformation isn’t impossible.

If they possess great destiny and fortune, and find a Supreme Grade Spiritual Treasure or Ancient Immortal Artifact to rely on, then even Refining Divinity and Returning to Void, becoming as powerful as the Ancient Immortals, is within reach.

Such battle prowess should not be underestimated.

But this is also the limit of Corpse Resolution Immortal arts.

After all, the Ten Thousand Tribulations Yin Spirit is difficult to saint, the physical body is a raft over the mortal world; those Corpse Resolution Immortals who sever the physical Demon Fetus and retain part of their Primordial Spirit to successful Return to Void are already fortunate. How could they dare to hope for more?

Although the limit is Returning to Void, those Nascent Soul-tier and Divinity Transformation-tier Corpse Resolution Immortals still wield extremely powerful forces. Xu Yang, presently at Foundation Establishment with such a large gap in realms, is no match at all.

Therefore, he must do his best to avoid these Corpse Resolution Immortals.

It’s not malicious suspicion to think that these Corpse Resolution Immortals will inevitably make a move against him; it is the natural caution of the weak in the presence of the powerful.

This is respect for the strong, as well as respect for one’s own life!

After all, the Corpse Resolution Immortals of this world are far from benevolent men and women.

The cultivation of this world is primarily about the Yuan Spirit, with no great emphasis on moral character. Even in ancient times, during the battles against the Heavenly Demons, not all the Ancient Immortals chose to defend the mortal world. Many opted to Ascend and escape to the Upper Realm to avoid the Demon Catastrophe.

If even the Ancient Immortals were like that, not to mention the Corpse Resolution Immortals born during the Dark Chaos. Even if they have severed the Demon Fetus and are no longer affected by demonic qi, their behavior tends to be extreme.

Unless on equal footing in terms of realm and power, Xu Yang does not believe they would sit down and treat him well, or cooperate with him.

Without power, there is no status. How can an elephant discuss equality and philosophy with an ant?

Moreover, whether these so-called Corpse Resolution Immortals have truly severed the Demon Fetus and eradicated the taint of demonic qi is also questionable.

At the very least, Xu Yang is quite doubtful.

The status of these Corpse Resolution Immortals is probably unclear even to themselves.

Regardless, keeping distance from them is always the safest bet.

…

The sword light flew rapidly, traversing clouds and cleaving the sky, soon leaving the Three Mansions of Wuzhe far behind and arriving at an unnamed wilderness.

Then, the sword light descended, revealing a figure.

Xu Yang looked around and then cast a backward glance towards the Three Mansions of Wuzhe, murmuring thoughtfully, before shaking his head.

Despite having slain the True Demon, destroyed the Demon Realm, and successfully escaped a deadly situation, he still had some unresolved questions.

About that True Demon’s enigma.

He actually slew that True Demon?

Xu Yang was somewhat astonished.

Because, according to the memories of Taoist Zhu Yang, True Demons were deemed impossible to completely kill.

Even the Ancient Immortals could only destroy their form and spirit and then suppress and seal the core Demon Seed.

The True Demon Seed contained the power of “Mara Boxun” and was supported by the Lust Realm Demon from behind, ensuring its indestructibility—something even the Ancient Immortals could do nothing about.

If this was the case for the Ancient Immortals, so too for the Corpse Resolution Immortals who could only suppress, not annihilate, True Demons.

But now, he had killed that True Demon.

The collapse of the Demon Realm served as the proof.

If he had merely broken free without suppressing or killing the True Demon, there would be no reason for the Demon Realm to collapse.

And, since he had not performed the suppression spell prior, it was one hundred percent certain he had killed the True Demon.

This was the source of Xu Yang’s puzzlement.

He could slay a True Demon when the Corpses of Ancient Immortals could not.

This obviously made no sense.

It’s not about what methods one has, didn’t the ancient immortals have any?

Those ancient immortals, did they really not comprehend heavenly secrets and wonderful skills from demon-transformed spiritual objects, or cultivate divine skills similar to the Five Elements Transforming Demon Thunder?

Why…

After much thought, it still remained unclear.

In the end, a bold idea sprang into Xu Yang’s mind.

Could it be that as time passed, the situation had taken a turn?

Could this world now slay the seeds of true demons?

Or was there a problem in the Heavenly Demon Desire Realm, no longer able to give these seeds of true demons enough support?

Either was possible!

But these were all conjectures.

The cases were too few, the evidence too scant.

“It seems that after gaining strength, I must explore the Demon Realm further to confirm the status of these demon seeds.”

“The portals between the two realms must not be opened lightly. The current power of the World of Dao and Law might not be able to withstand the invasion of demons from the Desire Realm.”

“Every step must be calculated carefully, understanding the situation thoroughly before deciding how to respond, how to deal with it.”

“However, these are matters for the future. The most pressing issue right now is to gather spiritual objects and expand influence.”

Xu Yang’s thoughts whirred as he strategized.

His current strength might not be enough to confront the Corpse Resolution Immortals, but he could still develop his forces in secret.

Expanding his influence was imperative; after all, he possessed skill traits that, once the snowball started rolling, could quickly sweep across the world.

But this world was somewhat special.

The pollution of demonic qi, the deep root of demon nature.

The loyalty of his subordinates was a problem.

He could no longer indiscriminately gather disciples as he had before.

Otherwise, even with the various traits of the teacher skill, he feared he could not avoid the emergence of demonic, treacherous disciples.

After all, in this world without the Fake Cultivation Skill, in order to cultivate, one must absorb Yuan Spirits. Absorbing too much Yuan Spirit would inevitably lead to contamination by demonic qi.

His disciples, lacking skill traits like his, could only avoid becoming demons if he, as their teacher, helped them purify the demonic qi or if they cultivated the Corpse Resolution Immortal Law. Otherwise, succumbing to demonhood was inevitable.

How many disciples could he take care of by himself?

Lack of fairness and clarity in rewards and punishments is the path to disaster.

“Hence, we must take the route of an elite force!”

“First, we must gather demon-transforming spiritual objects, especially spirit beasts. They can purify demonic qi, cultivate without assistance, and even help other disciples, reducing the influence of demon nature.”

“Next, when recruiting disciples, I must teach them personally and impart knowledge directly. Using the Five Elements Divine Thunder and demon-transforming spiritual objects, I can help them purify demonic qi. Once they’ve reached a certain level, they can also attempt the Corpse Resolution Immortal Law.”

“Moreover, I need to find a location for our sect, for farming and development, producing what we need, and see if we can grow spiritual objects uncontaminated by demonic qi.”

“In this world, Yuan Spirits are abundant, and finding a suitable spot for a sect is easy. Any place would do, but it must be sufficiently hidden, undiscovered by those Corpse Resolution Immortals, and ideally avoid the Death Land Demon Region to prevent calamities.”

“Developing in this manner, conflicts are inevitable. Both demon-transforming spiritual objects and disciples with Spiritual Roots are important resources in this world. Reaching out for them will inevitably lead to encounters with the major sects.”

“So…”

After mulling it over, Xu Yang quickly made his strategy and tossed the Qiankun Basket at his waist into the air.

As the Qiankun Basket expanded, a flash of Sprit Light vomited out three people and a fish.

“Aang!”

Without a doubt, the first to react was the Spirit Eel Fish King, who let out a cry, leapt up, and directly coiled around Xu Yang’s arm.

Seeing this, Qing quickly came to and, pulling her younger brother along, they hurriedly knelt on the ground: “Thank you, great immortal, for the rescue, thank you for your grace.”

Although she didn’t fully grasp the situation, she could tell that the Demon Realm was no good place, and now that they had escaped alive, gratitude was in order.

Not just her, but on the other side, Li Suhong knelt down with a complex expression: “Suhong pays respects to the Immortal Master, thanks to your grace in saving my life, sparing me the calamity of falling to demonhood…”

Her words were laced with complicated emotions.

Although she was previously suppressed by the talisman and couldn’t move, she still witnessed many things and even came to understand the cause and effect.

The person in front of them, albeit in a different guise, proved by the presence of the Spirit Eel that he was the same Fisherman they encountered earlier.

He had dominated the Spirit Fish tide, seized the Wuzhe Fish King, and then in the Demon Realm displayed his might by battling true demons and emerging from the realm.

The former could be dismissed, but the latter…

Could he be a Corpse Resolution Immortal?

But earlier, when he snatched the Spiritual Fish King, he only demonstrated the power of Perfect Qi Refining, didn’t he?

A real contradiction.

Of course, these were not important. What mattered was his intention behind all of this.

He attacked the Le Family Castle, thunderously executed Taoist Zhu Yang but spared her life, and even helped her refine the demonic qi.

Why was he doing this, what benefit did it bring him, could this enigmatic Grand Cultivator actually be a man of benevolence and tenderness?

Could it be?

Li Suhong’s mind was in turmoil, unsure of what to do.

Xu Yang said no more, looking at the three: “Are you willing to join my sect and take me as your master?”

“This…”

Qing was stunned, then came to her senses and hurriedly kowtowed: “Willing, willing, Qing is willing!”

Li Suhong was also startled, looked up, then quickly lowered her head again: “It is a three-lifetime fortune to be favored by the Immortal Master. Your disciple pays respects to the master!”

“Very good,”

Xu Yang nodded and said in an even tone, “Joining my sect means becoming my disciples. Without rules, there’s no square circle. My sect may be newly established, but we must still have regulations and discipline.”

With that, his gaze shifted towards Li Suhong: “The first rule is to maintain integrity. Those Five Viscera Human Pills must not be consumed again. Otherwise, you would be considered a demon, and as your teacher, I must cleanse my sect. Do you… remember this?”

The directive was clear in his words.

Li Suhong’s eyes tightened, her heart skipped a beat, her body involuntarily trembled, she bowed even lower, but still stammered in reply: “Suhong remembers, remembers!”

Xu Yang looked at her and shook his head: “Let bygones be bygones for all that has happened before. Act with virtue from now on, and it will atone for the past.”

After saying this, he turned his gaze back to the others: “As my sect begins, we shall have a name for it… Let’s call it…”