Demonic Cultivator(411-417)

Chapter 411: Body Like Steel

Blue Star.

Twenty more years passed.

Chu Xuan exhaled a deep breath, slowly rising to his feet. His muscles were now as though forged from steel—unyielding and as hard as iron. The blood flowing through his veins was bright and viscous. A single drop that fell to the ground could even create a small hole.

His tendons were firm and resilient, as taut as bowstrings, every fiber stretched to its limit. The air he exhaled was as if two white dragons were emerging from his nostrils. The heat radiating from his body could, in a short time, heat up the entire Water Curtain Cave. His body was like steel, his blood like mercury. His breath was like a dragon's, his tendons like bowstrings.

Chu Xuan gently caressed his solid muscles, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

"Reaching the 40th level of physical refinement was truly no easy feat. However, after twenty years of hard cultivation, I've finally crossed this threshold."

He paused, a thoughtful expression creeping across his face. But… it seemed like it was mostly just eating, eating, and eating. Maybe it wasn't really that hard after all?

He then once again focused inward on his Nascent Soul. Over the past period, he hadn't just been focused on refining his physical body. After the Ghost Shadow Worm broke free for the second time, he had the corpse puppet bring over enough zombies for the worm to devour their shadows.

Thus, the worm entered its third cocooning phase and fell into its third slumber.

His Nascent Soul was also undergoing its third transformation.

Once this transformation was completed, it would mark the completion of the entire Soul Transformation Secret Method, bringing him to the threshold of the Deity Transformation stage.

"I'm lacking Deity Transformation spirit objects now, so it's absolutely not the time to attempt a breakthrough. The 40th level of physical refinement still falls within the scope of a Nascent Soul cultivator. I'll need to reach the 41st level to match the power of a Deity Transformation cultivator. Compared to the Qi realm, the Body realm is easier to improve. All I need is better blood and flesh."

Chu Xuan quickly formulated his next course of action. He would seek out better flesh and blood to enhance his physical refinement. Then, with his powerful body refinement, he could hunt for Deity Transformation spirit objects, which would, in turn, supplement his Qi cultivation.

With this plan in mind, Chu Xuan set off for the East Sea. Both the Nine Yin Ship and the Golden Dragon Ship had been left on the shores of the East Sea. Since he needed better resources, transportation was essential. Naturally, he couldn't use the Golden Dragon Ship.

Thus, Chu Xuan decided to make some modifications to the Nine Yin Ship. Building a large ship was complex and tedious. In essence, however, it was just a box inscribed with countless formations.

If one wasn't concerned with aesthetics, one could simply build a large wooden box inscribed with arrays and set it to sail. But that would come at the cost of speed and safety.

After a brief period, Chu Xuan had completed his modifications. The Nine Yin Ship's appearance had undergone a drastic change. What was once an ominous, ghostly ship now appeared entirely ordinary. It looked like a proper vessel—no longer something out of the ordinary.

"It's been too long since I've ventured out. Time to take a look at the world."

Chu Xuan took out the Nine Yin Ship and sailed toward the north.

...

An ordinary-looking ship docked at the harbor of Moon Island. Moon Island was one of the largest islands in the Southern Third Ring. Every day, at least fifty, if not a hundred, ships docked here. Thus, this particular ship did not attract any attention at all.

A burly, bald man strode off the ship with large, confident steps, heading toward the center of the island.

The island was under the jurisdiction of Moon True Master, who led the Moon Society. Moon Island, along with a dozen smaller islands nearby, was firmly under the control of the Moon Society. Not even the more notorious islands like Heifeng Island, Baigu Island, Yellow Spring Island, or Nine Yin Island dared to clash with Moon Island.

Fortunately, the Moon Society had no intention of expanding its dominion. They had simply opened up Moon Island for commerce. Moon True Master was known for his fair and just rule, never oppressing outsiders.

Furthermore, dueling and fighting were strictly prohibited on the island. This atmosphere of harmony and stability over time had made Moon Market the central hub for cultivation transactions in the Southern Third Ring.

The bald man gazed at the towering peaks ahead, which radiated a warm glow. Atop the highest peak stood a giant crescent moon statue, shining brightly in the evening light.

Within the mountain was Moon Market.

The bald man made his way toward the entrance of the market. There were two passageways leading inside. At the front of both passageways stood a graceful female cultivator, smiling as she welcomed customers and handled the registration.

The right passage was crowded with Golden Core cultivators, their line moving sluggishly. The left passage, however, occasionally saw a Nascent Soul cultivator pass through.

As the bald man approached, he overheard a conversation among some nearby cultivators.

"Hey, why is Moon Market built inside the mountain? I've never seen such a peculiar market."

"Of course, it's to protect against the Strange Winds. The occurrence of these winds in the Southern Third Ring is much more frequent than in the Western Third Ring. You probably didn't know that since it's your first time here."

"Ah, I see... So, we won't run into these strange winds, right?"

"Strange winds occur once every fifty years. The last one came ten years ago. Don't worry, our luck is not that bad."

The bald man slowed his pace deliberately, taking in the various conversations around him, which provided him with plenty of useful information.

There were talk of disputes between islands, signs of treasures being born, news of newly discovered islands rich in Spiritual Qi, and clues about rare items available in the market. Once he had gathered enough, he briskly walked toward the left passage.

The graceful female cultivator greeted him with a polite smile.

"Sir, this passage is for Nascent Soul cultivators only. You cannot enter through here."

She had noticed the bald man standing in the Golden Core cultivators' line for quite some time, and had assumed he was one of them.

The bald man chuckled lightly, casually releasing a trace of Nascent Soul energy. The nearby Golden Core cultivators were immediately taken aback. The cultivator who had been standing among them and listening to their idle chatter for so long was actually a Nascent Soul master?!

The female cultivator, startled and trembling, quickly bowed and said, "Senior, I failed to recognize you as a Nascent Soul cultivator. Please, punish me!"

The burly man calmly replied, "It's fine. Proceed with the registration."

With shaking hands, the female cultivator took out the registration book and asked, "Senior, may I have your name and origin?"

The bald man thought for a moment before answering, "A loose cultivator, He Liang."

"Yes, senior. Please proceed." The female cultivator dared not ask further questions. She retrieved a jade pendant shaped like a crescent moon and respectfully offered it with both hands.

"This jade pendant is the entry pass to the market. Without it, you won't be able to re-enter once you leave. Additionally, this pendant grants you one month's free stay at the market's inn."

The burly man nodded slightly, taking the jade pendant and walking into the mountain's interior.

Of course, he was Chu Xuan. His purpose for visiting Moon Market this time was to purchase rare and valuable blood essence. In an instant, warm, soft light flooded his vision. The scenery ahead opened up, and he found himself in the midst of a bustling and vibrant market. Golden Core cultivators were everywhere, haggling over prices with merchants.

Chu Xuan couldn't help but smile faintly. Such was the cruel and real world of cultivation. It was common for a cultivator to break up a single spirit stone into smaller pieces just to make purchases. Especially in the Starshatter Sea, where even a brick thrown on the ground might strike several Nascent Soul cultivators. The Golden Core realm was so common here that it could be likened to cabbages in a field.

Chapter 412: Black Magic Whale Flesh

Chu Xuan lifted his gaze, looking upward where more floors of the market were built within the mountain's belly. The higher one went, the more precious the treasures became, and only cultivators with higher cultivation realms and greater wealth could enter.

Chu Xuan did not linger on the lower levels. Instead, he made his way directly to the upper levels. After walking through three floors, he came to a staircase guarded by two Golden Core late-stage cultivators. He took out the crescent moon jade pendant, and the guards immediately softened their expressions, bowing respectfully to let him pass.

He arrived at the fourth floor. There were fewer people here, and most of them were Nascent Soul cultivators. As soon as he arrived, a graceful female cultivator walked up to him, her steps light and elegant. She smiled charmingly and said, "Senior, my name is Jin Yan. What treasures are you looking for? I can assist you with your purchases."

Chu Xuan glanced at her. She was beautiful, with a slender figure and a Golden Core mid-stage cultivation. To have such a cultivator working at a counter as a guide showed just how vast the Moon Society's influence was.

Chu Xuan's voice was hoarse as he replied, "I'm here to purchase demonic beast flesh, the more life energy it contains, the better."

Jin Yan immediately understood, "Please have a seat, Senior. I will bring the demonic beast flesh for you."

Chu Xuan sat down in the soft chair, and Jin Yan poured him tea before leaving. A moment later, she returned with three large wooden boxes.

Jin Yan opened the first box, revealing a piece of blood meat that shimmered in five different colors.

"This first piece of flesh comes from the Nascent Soul late-stage demonic beast, the Five-Colored Lizard," she explained. "This beast is known for its powerful regenerative abilities, and the life energy within its flesh is substantial."

Chu Xuan only glanced at it, immediately noticing that this meat was far inferior to the Dark Falcon flesh. Naturally, it wasn't something that caught his interest.

Jin Yan was adept at reading people's expressions. Although Chu Xuan didn't shake his head, she could tell from his eyes that he was not satisfied. She quickly opened the second wooden box and said, "This piece of flesh comes from the Nascent Soul late-stage demonic beast, the Purple Star Rhinoceros. This beast can refine its body using the power of the stars, which makes its regenerative abilities even more formidable. I've heard that many cultivators who practice body refinement use the Purple Star Rhinoceros' flesh to strengthen their physical bodies."

Chu Xuan took a quick look, but his expression remained unchanged.

The Purple Star Rhinoceros was indeed decent, but it was only slightly stronger than the Dark Falcon. The difference wasn't significant enough. That meant the time it would take to absorb its life energy wouldn't be much different.

This simply wouldn't do. He was hoping to reach the 41st level of body refinement soon, so that he could use his powerful physical body to help him search for Deity Transformation materials.

Jin Yan noticed that Chu Xuan remained indifferent and could not help but give a bitter smile. She reluctantly opened the third wooden box.

Inside, there was a piece of pitch-black flesh, no bigger than a fist. However, it radiated an unusually potent vitality. Even though it had already been severed from its original body, it still faintly quivered as if alive.

Jin Yan respectfully spoke, "I'm sure Senior has heard of the Black Magic Whale. This flesh comes from a Deity Transformation demonic beast, the Black Magic Whale. This piece of flesh, the size of a fist, was taken by Moon True Master after injuring a Black Magic Whale that had come to invade Moon Island."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly. The waters of the Starshatter Sea were made of a unique, Weak Water, which even Nascent Soul cultivators and demonic beasts could not survive in for long.

Thus, the demonic beasts inhabiting the weak waters were almost always of the Deity Transformation realm. Only a few young demonic beasts, freshly born, might be of the lower realms. However, they were protected by powerful mothers and would not be harmed by the weak water.

The Black Magic Whale was one of the most formidable Deity Transformation demonic beasts. Its young were born at the Golden Core realm, and due to its immense size, few other demonic beasts dared to offend it.

Moreover, demonic beasts in the Starshatter Sea were generally fiercer than those from the outside world. Therefore, cultivators of the same realm in the Starshatter Sea often found themselves at a disadvantage when facing the demonic beasts.

To defeat a Black Magic Whale of the same realm and tear away a piece of its flesh was a testament to Moon True Master's formidable power. Among the Deity Transformation cultivators, his strength was already quite formidable.

Jin Yan noticed Chu Xuan's interest and gave a somewhat awkward smile. "Senior, there is only this one piece of Black Magic Whale flesh. The market will not be able to supply any more. The best demonic beast flesh I could find for you are these three pieces. Other demonic beasts' flesh does not meet your requirements."

Each demonic beast had its own characteristics. Just because a demonic beast had a higher realm didn't mean its flesh contained more life energy. Only those demonic beasts with exceptional regenerative abilities had flesh that met Chu Xuan's needs.

Chu Xuan spoke indifferently, "How much is this Black Magic Whale flesh worth?"

Jin Yan respectfully replied, "The price is set by the True Master himself. The flesh of the Black Magic Whale is thirty great spiritual stones per pound. This piece of flesh weighs ten pounds in total, so it costs three hundred great spiritual stones."

Chu Xuan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Three hundred great spiritual stones? That could buy three high-grade magic treasures. This price was quite steep. While he had some savings, he had to be frugal.

Moreover, although he could use Psionic Cubes to breed the flesh, he couldn't just buy this single piece of Black Magic Whale flesh. It would surely raise suspicion if others found out. How could a body-refinement cultivator buy only ten pounds of demonic beast flesh at a time? He would need to purchase some Purple Star Rhinoceros flesh as well to cover up his tracks. This would, of course, cost him even more great spiritual stones.

Jin Yan quickly added, "If you purchase enough demonic beast flesh, we can offer you a twenty percent discount. For example, the flesh of the Purple Star Rhinoceros is only five great spiritual stones per pound."

Chu Xuan nodded, "I need one hundred pounds of Purple Star Rhinoceros flesh."

Jin Yan smiled, "That meets the discount threshold."

Moments later, Jin Yan handed over a storage pouch, which already contained the Black Magic Whale and Purple Star Rhinoceros flesh for Chu Xuan.

With a bright smile, she said, "Senior, please take care."

Just as Chu Xuan was about to leave, a figure rushed toward them.

"Jin Yan, I've returned alive from Desolate Island! Hahaha! Is that Black Magic Whale flesh still here? I told you to save it! I need it for alchemy!"

Jin Yan was taken aback as she recognized the newcomer. "Senior Tie, you're still alive?"

Chu Xuan also turned his attention to the man. He was an energetic male cultivator, with thick brows, large eyes, and a wide nose. The aura emanating from him indicated that he was a Nascent Soul cultivator at the early stage.

The Tie-named cultivator laughed heartily, "I got lucky! Didn't die out there! Where's the Black Magic Whale flesh? Quickly, bring it out!"

Jin Yan smiled awkwardly, "You haven't been here for twenty years. The spiritual stones you paid could only guarantee it wouldn't be sold for another fifteen years. Unfortunately, the Black Magic Whale flesh has just been sold."

The Tie-named cultivator sized Chu Xuan up with a thoughtful expression.

"Fellow daoist, did you buy the Black Magic Whale flesh?"

Chu Xuan gave a half-smile, "Indeed, I did. Are you looking to take it back?"

From the way things were unfolding, Chu Xuan was well aware of what usually happened next.

The man would likely harbor some malice toward him, leading to a confrontation—perhaps a chase, an ambush, and a counterattack. Having read countless xianxia novels before his reincarnation, he was already well-versed in these common tropes.

Chapter 413: Information about the Starshatter Sea

Tie Jun laughed heartily, "Fellow Daoist, you are too modest! Trading always follows the principle of first come, first served. How could I possibly take it back? At the moment, I'm quite strapped for spiritual stones, so even if I wanted to, I couldn't buy it. Let me introduce myself."

With a grin, he continued, "I am Tie Jun, proficient in alchemy, with some knowledge in body refinement as well. I reside at No. 26 in the southern district of Moon Island. My greatest aspiration is to reach the Nascent Soul mid-stage and join the esteemed Moon True Master's sect."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly, "I am He Liang, with some understanding of talismans and a little knowledge of formations."

Tie Jun's eyes widened in surprise. "Fellow Daoist has knowledge in both talismans and formations? Truly impressive!"

With a sincere smile, he added, "Since you purchased the Black Magic Whale's flesh, you must also be cultivating body refinement, correct? Would you consider joining me on a treasure hunt at Desolate Island?"

Chu Xuan furrowed his brow, "Desolate Island? I'm new here and know little of it."

Tie Jun chuckled, "Ah, it's an excellent place! Let me tell you all about it. Jin Yan, please bring some tea and snacks."

Jin Yan quickly nodded in agreement.

Moments later, Chu Xuan and Tie Jun were seated in a private room, facing each other as they conversed.

"Desolate Island is a large island in the South Third Ring, twice the size of Moon Island," Tie Jun began. "However, it has a volcanic range that erupts frequently, making it unsuitable for permanent habitation. But every time the volcano erupts, it brings treasures up from the depths.

"Among them are Deity Transformation spiritual items like the Spirit Cultivating Branch and Longevity Vine, as well as heavenly treasures like Jade Essence and Light Spirit Crystal. One hundred years ago, after a volcanic eruption, a broken spiritual treasure even surfaced!"

Chu Xuan's eyebrows raised in surprise. He was already familiar with the Spirit Cultivating Branch and Longevity Vine, which were Deity Transformation-level treasures often used for enhancing Nascent Soul energy.

Jade Essence and Light Spirit Crystal were also renowned in cultivation circles. These treasures, once refined, could directly help cultivate a Nascent Soul. The former boosted the essence of Nascent Soul, while the latter sped up their flight abilities.

These "Nascent Soul Cultivating Treasures," known as Primordial Cultivating Materials, were highly prized by Deity Transformation cultivators as well. However, Chu Xuan hadn't expected that Desolate Island's volcanoes could even spew out spiritual treasures.

Deity Transformation and Astral Projection cultivators primarily used spiritual artifacts, while higher-level cultivators—those at the Void Refining stage—used spiritual treasures. If he could obtain even a broken spiritual treasure, his strength would increase dramatically, even if he couldn't fully unleash its power due to his realm. At the very least, he would be able to easily overpower cultivators of the same level!

Tie Jun laughed heartily. "Don't say you don't believe me, fellow daoist. When I first heard of it, I didn't believe it either. Fellow Daoist must have come from outside the Starshatter Sea, right? I did too."

He sighed a little, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "Two hundred years ago, I came to the Starshatter Sea from the sixth-tier sect, Mountain Sword Sect. May I ask, where is fellow daoist from? Which sect do you belong to?"

Chu Xuan let out a long sigh. "I am but a Nascent Soul cultivator from a fifth-tier sect. The Majestic Sword Sect, under the Reincarnation Sect. I'm sure fellow daoist hasn't heard of it."

Tie Jun nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, I haven't heard of it... But I know of the Reincarnation Sect. It is said that it was demoted by the seventh-tier sect, the Creation Cave Heaven, and now its power has completely scattered. When I returned from Desolate Island, I overheard a lot of talk about the Reincarnation Sect. Apparently, many of its disciples, taking advantage of the chaos, have come to the Starshatter Sea."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that true? I may just run into a few familiar faces."

After some thought, it seemed plausible. The Reincarnation Sect had been demoted to a fifth-tier sect, so its resources for cultivation were surely lacking. It was unlikely that many Nascent Soul cultivators would stay. They would either defect to other sects or leave the sect entirely.

The Starshatter Sea, a chaotic land filled with scattered cultivators, often witnessed the emergence of treasures. It was the perfect place for Nascent Soul cultivators to make a name for themselves.

With a little luck, they might even find a Deity Transformation spiritual item and break through to the Deity Transformation realm.

Tie Jun grinned, his voice full of enthusiasm. "So, what do you think, fellow daoist? Will you join me at Desolate Island? I have two other daoist friends, so we can form a small team of four. I know of a secret place on Desolate Island, and only body refinement cultivators can open it. If fellow daoist is willing to join us, treasures will be in abundance."

Chu Xuan pretended to contemplate for a moment, then shook his head.

"I am not strong enough, just at the first layer of Nascent Soul, and my body refinement is only at the thirty-third layer. How could I not be a burden to the fellow daoists? When my body refinement improves in the future, I hope fellow daoist will not forget me."

His words were carefully measured, with no gaps for rebuttal.

Tie Jun couldn't find a reason to argue and simply sighed, "What a pity, what a pity. That's a huge opportunity."

Chu Xuan feigned regret. "Although I may look tough on the outside, I am not good at fighting. I came to the Starshatter Sea purely by chance. If I had a second chance, I would never come."

Tie Jun nodded sympathetically. "Some cultivators practice methods that don't suit fighting. They are more suited to closed-door cultivation, breaking through to higher realms. Fellow daoist, you seem to be one of those cultivators."

Chu Xuan suddenly asked, "Iron fellow daoist, do you know of any major events happening in the Starshatter Sea recently? I am new here and not very familiar with this place."

Tie Jun, appearing to be a straightforward and hearty person, was easy to converse with.

Chu Xuan didn't mind what kind of person he was inside. After all, he was simply looking to gather some current information about the Starshatter Sea.

Tie Jun laughed heartily. "Well, you've come to the right person! I've been trapped on Desolate Island for over fifty years. Now that I'm finally out, I've been looking for old friends, asking about the changes in the Starshatter Sea. Let me think… the biggest event in the South Third Ring is the loss of Nine Yin Island. As far as I know, Nine Yin Island is no more. It's now under the control of Yellow Spring Island. I heard that the True Master Yin was severely injured and probably took all of Nine Yin Island's treasures with him while fleeing."

Tie Jun lowered his voice. "Yellow Spring True Master even issued a bounty—anyone who can find True Master Yin's whereabouts will receive a reward of one hundred great spirit stones, whether or not they actually find him."

Chu Xuan nodded immediately. "True Master Yin, I've heard of him. He's said to be a vicious Deity Transformation cultivator."

He then chuckled lightly. "If True Master Yin is truly injured, a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator might just be able to kill him if they cross paths."

Tie Jun immediately shook his head. "Actually, encountering him might not be a good thing. He's a Deity Transformation cultivator, who knows what hidden trump cards he might have? Fellow Daoist, if you run into him, you'd best avoid him. If you're tempted by greed, we might end up becoming his nourishment to recover his strength!"

Chu Xuan nodded thoughtfully. "Fellow Daoist Tie speaks wisely. Deity Transformation cultivators are far too powerful for us."

The two continued their conversation, talking amiably. As the day drew to a close, they exchanged sound transmission jade slips and parted ways.

Chapter 414: More Body Refiners Are Needed

Stepping out of Moon Market, Chu Xuan did not leave immediately, but instead continued to leisurely wander around Moon Island.

Though it appeared to be a casual stroll, his eyes never stopped scanning the surroundings. He was constantly assessing where he could escape from, should anyone decide to pursue him, and which direction would allow for the fastest retreat.

Moon Island was the trade hub of the Southern Three Rings, a place he would frequent in the future. Naturally, this made it a prime location for potential attackers to take notice of him.

The recent chase by True Master Yin on Holy Flame Star had already made him realize the importance of identifying escape routes as soon as he arrived in unfamiliar places. He needed to prepare at least two: one as the primary escape route, and the other as a backup.

Without such precautions, even if he managed to escape alive, it would be at the cost of losing numerous trump cards. Luckily, his vast collection of such cards had been sufficient to withstand that kind of drain. Were he another Nascent Soul cultivator, a single night might have been enough to strip him back to square one, leaving him desperate enough to rely on mid-grade magic treasures meant for Golden Core cultivators.

Chu Xuan observed his surroundings with a calm gaze. "This road has fewer buildings, making it suitable for high-speed flight. There are also fewer ships docked at the harbor, so it's a good primary choice. This road has more buildings, but it's also more crowded. I could blend in with the crowd here. And this path..."

As he pondered his escape routes, his mind also drifted back to the conversation with Tie Jun.

Desolate Island was indeed a great place. However, he could never accept an invitation from someone else. Cultivators in the Starshatter Sea were not to be underestimated.

That Tie Jun, though he appeared open and sincere, could very well be hiding a completely different nature behind his facade.

The reason Chu Xuan kept replaying their conversation was to reflect on his words. Had he said something he shouldn't have? If so, he would have to abandon the identity of He Liang and adopt a new one.

"Hmm... no problem, time to leave."

After completing his circuit, Chu Xuan bought some spiritual plant seeds from a few Golden Core cultivators' booths before heading off.

He boarded the Nine Yin and set sail at once, taking care to retrace his steps. Only when he confirmed there was no one following him did he feel at ease, making his way back to the nameless island.

Moon Island Underground, in a Meditation Room.

Clad in a white robe, Moon True Master sat cross-legged upon a cold jade bed, immersed in his silent cultivation. A beam of pure moonlight streamed down from above, illuminating his face and enhancing his ethereal, otherworldly presence.

Knock, knock, knock.

A respectful voice called from outside, "Master, the black magic whale meat has been purchased. The person also bought a hundred pounds of purple star rhinoceros meat."

Moon True Master slowly opened his eyes. "Do you know his body refining level?"

The disciple bowed respectfully. "This is a new face. The person claims to be He Liang from the Majestic Sword Sect, new to the Starshatter Sea."

Moon True Master remained calm. "Then there is no need to rush. Do not alarm this young man. If his body refining level is sufficiently profound, he will come back to Moon Island to purchase more demonic beast meat in time. Let's observe him for now, but do not disturb him."

The disciple bowed once more. "Yes, Master. I understand."

Footsteps receded and eventually disappeared.

Moon True Master closed his eyes again, quietly absorbing the power of the moonlight, continuing his slow cultivation. He murmured to himself, "Body refiners... to enter there, more body refiners are needed..."

...

Blue Star.

Chu Xuan took out the square piece of Dark Falcon flesh. He extended his hand into it, casually pulling out the Psionic Cube. Without the Psionic Cube's supply of Psionic energy, the Dark Falcon flesh quickly shriveled, withering away and eventually losing all vitality.

Chu Xuan then took out the pitch-black piece of black magic whale meat and placed the Psionic Cube deep inside it. In the blink of an eye, the fist-sized chunk of dark meat began to swell at an astonishing rate. In the end, it transformed into a block of meat.

No matter how much of it Chu Xuan consumed, it would quickly regenerate, always maintaining a size of one cubic meter. It seemed as though the Psionic Cube contained an inexhaustible source of energy.

Sometimes, even Chu Xuan felt that the Psionic Cube was nothing short of a divine artifact in this world. With it, any living being could rapidly grow into a formidable force, dominating a planet.

Even though Chu Xuan had already reached the Nascent Soul realm, he still could not fully comprehend the essence of the Psionic Cube. However, the fact that it existed meant it had a purpose. Though he couldn't see through it now, there would come a day when he could.

Chu Xuan cut off a piece of the black magic whale meat and placed it in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. The meat of the black magic whale was remarkably tough.

Nascent Soul cultivators who did not also cultivate body refinement would likely need to chew for a hundred breaths before managing to swallow a piece of black magic whale meat.

Moreover, they lacked the kind of powerful stomach capable of digesting such dense meat, making the process exceedingly slow.

As for cultivators of lower realms, it was a different matter altogether. A single bite could shatter their teeth. Only body refiners with sufficiently high cultivation levels could freely devour and digest such advanced demonic beast meat.

As the first bite of demonic beast meat entered his stomach, his powerful stomach immediately sprang into action. It was as if a furnace had been ignited, melting the steel-like flesh of the demonic beast.

He immediately activated the body refinement technique Thousand Refinements Dragon Elephant Art, visualizing the image of the dragon elephant. Soon, the sound of a giant beast's roar echoed within him. It felt as though a primordial dragon elephant was attempting to step into this world!

The very earth seemed to tremble beneath the force.

After a short while, Chu Xuan felt a warm sensation spreading through his abdomen. Threads of heat quickly flowed through his limbs and bones.

"My instinct was right. The flesh of the black magic whale is far more suitable for body refinement than that of the Dark Falcon."

Chu Xuan was greatly delighted, immediately increasing the speed at which he consumed the black magic whale meat.

"It's been a while since I last paid attention to the cave world. This is the perfect time to cultivate this art while multitasking. Let's see how the Fiery Holy Ant Tribe is doing now."

Chu Xuan sent out a thread of spiritual sense, connecting it to the Myriad Realm Mirror, and entered the cave world.

...

Fiery Holy Ant Tribe, Tribal Shrine.

At this moment, the shrine was silent and empty.

Lie Xiao knelt on the prayer mat, respectfully bowing three times before lighting three incense sticks.

"Great Elder, where should I go from here?"

He gazed at the spirit tablet of Lie Xin, letting out a long sigh.

"A month ago, the monarch ordered that our Fiery Holy Ant Tribe relocate to the west in order to prepare for the invasion from the Heavenly Cave Kingdom. We were given one year to complete the move.

"Ten days ago, the monarch suddenly issued an order, accusing Lie Chen of treason and having him arrested. The tribe's current strength is still far too weak. We cannot engage the enemy head-on. But if we move the entire tribe to the western border, we will eventually be worn down...

"Princess San and Princess Jiu both pleaded for Lie Chen, but they were ordered to leave, and Princess San was even punished. What should I do? Has the monarch realized that the Fiery Holy Ant Tribe is too strong and is deliberately suppressing us?"

Lie Xiao's brow furrowed deeply. Perhaps it was from too much worry, but silver strands had appeared at his temples. He gazed at the spirit tablets of the tribe's past leaders.

Lie Yong, Lie Zhao, Lie Xin...

The spirit tablets were solemn and silent, yet they seemed to speak in their own way.

Chapter 415: Respect Their Fate

After a long silence, Lie Xiao suddenly stood up, his eyes seeming to burst into flames.

"At this point, there's no choice but to fight with everything we've got. The leader of the Evil Scorpion Tribe has already contacted me once and revealed his rebellious intentions. Our Fiery Holy Ant Tribe is not the first to be suppressed; other large tribes also harbor discontent. As long as we unite, it is not impossible to overthrow the tribal kingdom and reshape the world!"

With these words, he strode out of the shrine, beginning to make urgent preparations for rebellion.

Chu Xuan observed quietly, lost in thought.

Lie Xin's death had been expected. After all, many years had passed since then. It was natural for Lie Xin to pass the leadership of the Fiery Holy Ant Tribe to Lie Xiao and for Lie Chen to assist him in the King of Myriad Insects' Palace. However, the current situation was clearly far from clear-cut.

"The Monarch of Myriad Insects is not simple. I remember he once suppressed the Fiery Holy Ant Tribe before—during that time, Lie Xin suffered severe injuries and his vitality was greatly damaged. And now, he's acting again, clearly trying to push the Fiery Holy Ant Tribe to the brink of destruction."

Chu Xuan clicked his tongue in amazement. The workings of the mind had little to do with cultivation or realm. Whether it was Blue Star, Soul Star, or the Cave World, there were always individuals of extraordinary wisdom.

Nascent Soul cultivators and even Deity Transformation experts, though mighty, were not immune to foolishness. Thus, Chu Xuan never underestimated the intelligent life of these three worlds.

"I will not intervene in this battle. Let's see how Lie Xiao handles it. Even if the Monarch of Myriad Insects wins, the shard of the mirror should fall into his hands."

Chu Xuan did not mind switching hosts, nor did he have any intention of aiding Lie Xiao. Letting go of the desire to help others and respecting their fate was the best approach. It was beneficial for both others and himself.

With that thought, Chu Xuan withdrew his spiritual sense and focused entirely on body refinement.

...

Ten years later

Chu Xuan's body refinement realm naturally reached the forty-first level! At that moment, the roar of a giant beast resounded from his body, shaking the heavens above! Endless blood energy erupted from his pores, swiftly forming the ethereal image of a giant beast.

Its long trunk seemed capable of curling up the starry heavens. Its massive hooves appeared as though they could crush mountains and rivers. The beast's sharp teeth were primal and wild, as if they could pierce through any defense. The people on Blue Star heard this earth-shattering roar and rushed out in a frenzy to witness the spectacle.

"Wow, what a fierce monster! It looks like an elephant, just... a bit bigger."

"Is that really 'a bit'? It's clearly a billion times bigger! It must be some kind of immortal's technique. Immortals are truly amazing."

"Coach, I want to learn that!"

...

Inside the Water Curtain Cave.

Chu Xuan exhaled softly, retracting the image of the dragon-elephant. This was the new ability granted by reaching the forty-first level of body refinement.

Vitality Shaping!

In simple terms, it meant condensing his vitality into various forms to combat enemies. At present, however, it could only manifest as visualized objects.

Having practiced both the Giant Elephant Body Refining Technique and the Thousand Refinements Dragon Elephant Technique, Chu Xuan's initial visualizations were of the giant elephant and the dragon elephant.

Naturally, the first forms he could condense were the giant elephant and the dragon elephant. As his cultivation continued to advance, he would be able to condense various other shapes, each with its own unique utility.

"Thousand Refinements Dragon Elephant Technique has reached its bottleneck. If I can't comprehend the next stage of the technique, my cultivation will hit a wall."

Chu Xuan felt a bit troubled. Body refining techniques were far too scarce. Reaching the forty-first level was akin to entering a new realm, and naturally, new techniques were required.

He wondered if the Enlightenment Institute on Blue Star might offer him some surprises. With that thought, Chu Xuan stepped out of the Water Curtain Cave and summoned the Mirror, soaring into the sky.

The Black Blade headquarters had relocated several times, and as a result, the Enlightenment Institute had moved as well. However, with a sweep of his spiritual sense, Chu Xuan quickly pinpointed the academy's location.

The Enlightenment Institute was by far the most luxurious and imposing building on Blue Star. It was the sacred ground that geniuses across Blue Star yearned for.

People traveled from all corners of the world, putting in great effort just to become a member. Many, unable to gain entry, settled just outside the academy, building homes and starting families.

As Chu Xuan gazed down, he could see that the towering academy was surrounded by densely packed homes.

"Property prices around the Enlightenment Institute must be the highest on Blue Star…" Chu Xuan thought, silently scoffing.

Concealing his figure, he strode purposefully into the academy. The academy's proud defense systems seemed like toys in his eyes. The Enlightenment Institute was still divided into the Martial Hall and the Qi Hall, just as he had set it up before.

The Martial Hall also had sub-departments: the Body Refining Technique Court and the Body Refining Martial Arts Court.

The Qi Hall operated in a similar manner, with the Qi Refining Technique Court and the Qi Refining Spell Court.

However, to his surprise, in addition to the Martial Hall and the Qi Refining Hall, two new halls had been established: the Weapon Refining Hall and the Beast Refining Hall.

With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Chu Xuan quickly discovered that the Weapon Refining Hall focused on creating weapons suited for body refiners, while the Beast Refining Hall was dedicated to researching meats that body refiners could consume.

Moreover, Chu Xuan noticed that the Martial Hall was clearly much more prosperous than the Qi Refining Hall, which was now barely functioning, with only a handful of members left.

After all, Chu Xuan had shared many body refining techniques with Blue Star, enough to help them reach the twentieth level of body refinement at least. But the qi refining techniques he had passed on were few in comparison.

Of course, given Blue Star's environment, it would be incredibly difficult for anyone there to reach the twenty-first level of body refinement. Unlike Chu Xuan, who had the Psionic Cube to continuously supply him with demonic beast flesh rich in life energy, they did not possess such a convenient resource.

This was likely the very reason the Beast Refining Hall had been created—to develop meats suitable for body refining.

"So many years have passed. The leaders of the Enlightenment Institute must have changed over and over again," Chu Xuan mused. "Yet progress remains slow."

He sighed lightly. The Enlightenment Institute, home to Blue Star's brightest minds, had not yielded the expected results. In other words, while they did produce results every year, those results were of little use to Chu Xuan. After all, their potential had been locked.

It was like a farmer imagining the life of a king, assuming he had only ever used golden hoes. Body refiners at the twentieth level could scarcely fathom what it would take for a body refiner at the fortieth level—or even higher—to cultivate and unleash their full power. But it wasn't their fault.

"I just so happen to have one hundred pounds of Purple Star Rhinoceros meat. Since I don't need it, I might as well gift a few pounds to some of the body refiners here. They should be able to reach higher levels quickly."

Chu Xuan mused thoughtfully. It was normal for a farmer to be unable to imagine a king's life. But what if the farmer's rank were raised slightly, his vision broadened, and his wealth increased a bit? Could he then begin to imagine the life of a king?

With that thought, Chu Xuan appeared above the Enlightenment Institute. A powerful aura swept through the surroundings.

In that instant, no matter what the academy's students were doing, they instinctively turned their eyes to the sky. They looked toward the figure cloaked in black, whose presence seemed to blot out the very rays of the sun.

Chapter 416: Re-exploring the Seabed

"Immortal!"

It was unclear who shouted first, but soon the entire crowd erupted into a frenzy, their voices filled with overwhelming devotion.

Before someone with absolute martial power like an immortal, no one harbored any thoughts of resistance. In their hearts, Chu Xuan was the one true deity!

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Three figures rushed from various parts of the Enlightenment Institute and stood at the very front. They respectfully knelt halfway before Chu Xuan. "We greet the Immortal!"

Chu Xuan swept his gaze over them. Through his spiritual sense, their physical conditions were fully visible.

The three in the lead had indeed all reached the twentieth level of body refinement. Without further supplementation of nourishing flesh, this was their limit.

Chu Xuan casually inquired, "What are your names?"

The towering man in the center spoke in a deep voice, "Immortal, my name is Luo Gang."

The strong middle-aged man to his left responded, "Immortal, my name is Xiong Zhen."

The woman to his right, with a fuller figure, respectfully added, "Immortal, my name is Liu Huafang."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly, "I haven't paid attention to the Enlightenment Institute for a long time. Have there been any recent achievements?"

The three of them wore bitter expressions. Luo Gang spoke with respect, "Immortal, in order to maintain the twentieth level of body refinement, we must consume vast amounts of nutrients daily. It is difficult to deduce higher-level techniques and martial arts. If our realms decline, it becomes even more impossible to deduce them."

The three of them spoke in unison, "We have failed to fulfill the Immortal's instructions. Please, Immortal, punish us."

They bowed deeply, their hearts filled with anxiety. The other students of the Enlightenment Institute, who had been watching, covered their mouths in shock, their hearts pounding with unease.

In their eyes, these three were like the undisputed overlords of the entire Blue Star. Yet here they were, bowing their heads in submission to the Immortal.

The Immortal truly wielded unimaginable power. More people were pondering the same question in their hearts. Would the Immortal punish them?

Some felt sympathy, others were eager, and still others were filled with anxiety.

In the dead silence that followed, Chu Xuan spoke slowly, "Your inability to deduce higher-level techniques and martial arts is not due to incompetence, but because of the limitations of your realm. All these years, you have devoted yourselves to deducing techniques and martial arts. You may not have achieved any credit, but you have certainly endured great hardship."

With a casual motion, he slapped his hand, and the Purple Star Rhinoceros Meat flew out from his storage bag.

"This is Purple Star Rhinoceros Meat, which contains immense life energy. It is a great tonic for body refinement. You three shall divide it equally. If all goes as expected, you will undoubtedly reach the twenty-first level of body refinement. Should you contribute to the Enlightenment Institute in the future, there will be more rewards from me."

Chu Xuan waved his hand. The Purple Star Rhinoceros Meat slowly flew toward the three of them and landed before them. As they gazed at the meat, which glistened under the sunlight, the three were stunned. Just a slight sniff was enough for them to detect the immense life force energy contained within, far surpassing any animal they had encountered in the world!

This was no mere flesh. It was clearly a path leading to a higher realm! The three of them lowered their heads in reverence.

"Thank you for your grace, Immortal! We will spare no effort to fulfill the Immortal's command!"

Chu Xuan smiled faintly. "Good. With such determination, what is there to fear in achieving great things?"

Just as he was about to leave, Luo Gang suddenly called out.

"Immortal! We have something to report. Could we discuss it in another place?"

Chu Xuan pondered for a moment. "Let us go to the top of the Enlightenment Institute."

Moments later.

Chu Xuan, along with Luo Gang and the others, arrived at the top of the Enlightenment Institute. The height was an impressive six hundred meters— the tallest building in the vicinity.

"What is it?" Chu Xuan asked, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

Luo Gang looked at Liu Huafang, who immediately stepped forward and respectfully said, "Immortal, as you know, we have been searching for sufficiently nutritious flesh for a long time. We've scoured all the land-based animals and are now beginning to search in the ocean. Marine creatures generally have higher nutritional value and are more suitable for human cultivation. But in one particular ocean, we found something strange."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."

Liu Huafang clapped her hands, and immediately, eight strong men appeared, laboriously carrying a thick bone. They struggled to move it, their faces turning red with exertion. The bone resembled a human thigh bone, but its length was a staggering five meters. From the eight men's strained faces, it was clear that the bone's weight was immense.

Chu Xuan casually reached out. The heavy bone was immediately lifted by his spiritual force, floating effortlessly in mid-air. The sight of him lifting such a massive object with ease left Luo Gang and the others utterly astonished. They had already measured the bone's weight—it was over ten tons.

For someone at the twentieth level of body refinement, moving it was incredibly taxing. Yet the Immortal made it look like child's play. Such truly divine abilities!

Chu Xuan examined the bone for a moment, and an answer began to form in his mind. He had experienced a unique sensation while cultivating over the ocean in the past.

After sinking into the deep ocean, he had discovered the remains of a giant and the bizarre zombies feeding on its body. Embedded within the giant's heart was a Psionic Cube.

This bone, too, seemed to resemble those within the giant's body. But...

He distinctly remembered that the giant had been in perfect health. How had such a bone appeared in the shallow sea, where Liu Huafang had found it? Could it be that there were more than one giant?

Now that his physical strength was sufficient, he felt it was time to investigate. Chu Xuan thought to himself.

"The sea harbors great dangers. Do not venture too deep."

Luo Gang and the others were immediately startled, nodding in agreement. "Thank you, Immortal, for the warning!"

With a casual flick of his hand, the white leg bone slowly dropped to the ground without a tremor, not even disturbing the rooftop.

"Good leg bone. It can be forged into a weapon. Keep it for yourselves."

Having said that, he rose into the air, controlling the Qi to depart.

The three bowed deeply in respect. They only rose once Chu Xuan's figure had completely disappeared.

...

Elsewhere.

Chu Xuan had already arrived over the East Sea. In the next moment, he shot downwards like a cannonball, plunging straight into the ocean. He sped down toward the depths of the ocean.

One thousand meters... two thousand meters... three thousand meters...

This time, he reached an impressive depth of eight thousand meters before he began to feel a slight pressure. The last time, he had felt pressure at only five thousand meters.

Before long, guided by the subtle connection between the Psionic Cubes, Chu Xuan arrived at the same spot as last time. This location was at a depth of ten thousand meters beneath the sea.

Compared to last time, this time, Chu Xuan moved freely, unimpeded. He turned his gaze to the giant's corpse. As expected, the strange zombies were still feeding on the remains. But no matter how much of the flesh they consumed, the Psionic Cube caused it to regenerate, making it impossible for them to finish eating.

The zombies never considered leaving this endless feast. Why go elsewhere when they could feed here, lying still? Humans were not the only ones reluctant to leave their comfort zones. Zombies, it seemed, were no different.

"Hmm, this green grass... it's spreading more and more. It's even parasitizing some of the zombies now."

Chu Xuan observed the lush greenery that had spread across a large portion of the ocean floor with some surprise.

Chapter 417: The Grass

Chu Xuan remembered that last time when he came here, the green grass had been growing beneath the giant's corpse, constantly consuming the remnants of flesh and blood.

Now, after so many years, it had spread across nearly one hundred square meters of the seabed and had quietly begun to parasitize the zombies. From the look of things, these zombies seemed to have no awareness that they were essentially working for the grass.

"This is interesting," Chu Xuan smiled to himself and approached the area.

The scent of a living being began to flow through the currents towards the zombies. Instantly, they lifted their heads, instinctively sniffing the air, before fixing their gaze in the direction of Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan was intrigued. These zombies were not ordinary. Even at such a distance, they had detected his presence through just a single breath carried by the water currents.

Could it be that the deep-sea pressure had enhanced their senses? Or perhaps it was due to the influence of the giant's corpse...

Thinking of this, Chu Xuan made his presence known. Having not seen a living person in decades, the zombies immediately let out loud howls and charged toward him.

Chu Xuan's expression remained unchanged. He extended his hand, and the seawater around him rapidly solidified into ice. In the blink of an eye, the zombies were frozen into statues of ice.

With ice crystals forming underfoot, he quickly flew toward the giant's corpse. He prepared a spell, just in case the giant's remains had some unforeseen changes.

Boom!

In the next moment, the giant's corpse actually lifted its arm. Then, its head twisted unnaturally, turning a full 180 degrees. Although its lower body remained lying on the ocean floor, the upper half had already stood upright, moving in a strangely eerie fashion.

Chu Xuan also noticed something even more disturbing: a flash of green light appeared in the hollow eye sockets of the giant.

"It seems that the green seaweed has entered the giant's body and is forcibly controlling it," Chu Xuan thought, growing more intrigued. Just as he was about to approach, the giant's corpse stood fully, and it suddenly charged toward him!

The massive body seemed to carry infinite momentum, attempting to crush him with its immense force.

Without changing his expression, Chu Xuan extended his hand and called upon a rush of cold air. The icy energy surged forward, binding the giant's corpse like chains, freezing it in place.

However, this freezing didn't last long. He heard several cracks as the frost shattered rapidly. The giant's corpse, once again, charged toward him with brutal force.

"Impressive strength... it's already on par with a cultivator at the 31st level of Body Refining," Chu Xuan thought, somewhat surprised.

With a thought, his Evil Soul Chain shot out with speed, wrapping tightly around the giant's corpse in the blink of an eye. It began pulling the massive figure toward him.

Whoosh!

A streak of green light suddenly shot out from the giant's corpse, speeding off toward the distant ocean.

Chu Xuan was about to give chase when, in that instant, the green grass mats on the ground seemed to come alive. They surged toward his feet, tightly wrapping around them. The grass mats were unexpectedly resilient, delaying him for two seconds. By the time he freed himself, the green light had already disappeared without a trace.

Chu Xuan frowned slightly. That green light was clearly the essence of the grass. The pieces scattered here were merely its branches and leaves. The more he observed the grass, the more he felt an inexplicable connection between himself and it. This feeling left him both puzzled and intrigued.

Without hesitation, Chu Xuan expanded his spiritual sense. Although his spiritual sense was suppressed at this depth, at least he could still get a quick scan of the surroundings.

However, even after spreading out his spiritual sense, he couldn't find a trace of the green grass. The area was eerily silent, as though it were devoid of life.

"Interesting. This grass must have consumed a large amount of the giant's corpse, causing some sort of mutation," Chu Xuan mused. "Its strength is likely comparable to that of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator."

He couldn't help but click his tongue in wonder.

Chu Xuan didn't pursue it further. He had a strange feeling that chasing now would yield no results, and that he would encounter the grass again in the future. Turning his attention back to the giant's corpse, he spoke to himself.

"The giant's flesh is good, comparable to a Nether Crocodile, but it's of no use to me now. This Psionic Cube is a fine item, I'll just take it. And these zombies, they are quite useful. I'll bring them back for the Zombie Empress and the others to study, maybe they can create some deep-sea zombies. This way, I'll be able to understand what's happening in the deep sea."

With a casual motion, Chu Xuan collected the giant's corpse and the deep-sea zombies, then ascended toward the surface.

...

Meanwhile, the green grass sped away without slowing down. It covered hundreds of kilometers in one breath before it finally ran out of energy and dropped into a sea canyon.

"This is terrifying... I've even come this far into the deep sea, and still encountered the Immortal!" the grass thought, trembling. "Could he be chasing me down?"

The grass began to cry in frustration, "Wuwuwu, I'm still young, I haven't even mated with other plants yet, I don't want to die!"

Previously, it had grown freely in the western part of the Han Empire. But when the humans grew too rapidly and wiped out the entire west, the grass had to abandon most of its branches and leaves, fleeing south through the waters and eventually reaching the ocean.

Now, in order to escape, it had discarded all the accumulated branches and leaves it had gathered over the years. Rebuilding itself would be an incredibly difficult task.

"Eh, there's a faint light ahead?"

The green grass suddenly noticed a small glimmer in the dark sea. It began to drift toward it cautiously.

Soon, it discovered a tiny crack, no larger than a human thumb. On the other side of the crack, it was not a dark, bottomless pit. Instead, it revealed a vast, bright, and flat grassland! There seemed to be many other plants like itself, waving in its direction.

However, the grass hesitated to rush through the crack. It paused and thought carefully.

"Is it dangerous over there? Could this be an illusion? Better test it first with my branches and leaves."

Using its few remaining branches, the grass formed a tendril and reached into the crack. A gentle breeze greeted it. As it stretched further, it was met with towering trees and a boundless meadow, overflowing with vitality. The air was thick with life force, so rich that it seemed a single breath would allow it to grow stronger in an instant.

The grass was overjoyed, and without hesitation, it squeezed its entire body through the crack. Although it was a bit tight, with a little effort, it managed to slip through.

...

Back on Blue Star's surface, Chu Xuan had returned to the Zombie Farm with the deep-sea zombies. These deep-sea zombies, much like ribbonfish, couldn't withstand the drastic change in atmospheric pressure and had long since perished.

Chu Xuan handed them over to the Zombie Matriarch and Zombie Empress, instructing them to use these as a reference to create a new type of zombie capable of operating freely in the deep sea. Ideally, this new breed should also be able to forage for food and regulate its own internal pressure.

The Zombie Matriarch and Zombie Empress looked troubled for a moment. However, when Chu Xuan muttered something about the two employees of the same type wasting too many resources, and that one of them could be dismissed, their faces immediately shifted from concern to resolve.

In an instant, their expressions became one of determination and diligence!

"I am but a brick," the Zombie Empress thought proudly. "Wherever I am needed, I shall move."

"My master need not worry about me," the Zombie Matriarch vowed, "Your tasks will be completed without fail."

Chu Xuan, seeing their newfound resolve, smiled broadly and nodded in approval.