But for so unknown reason, despite his efforts for a long ti, he was never able to completely refine it. Although he could use it superficially, he could not remove it from the furnace tripod. Assuming that his cultivation effort was insufficient, he could only think of another approach.
According to the jade scroll, the "Ming Dao Can Shen Qi" was most convenient for stealing the essence of Demon Sect cultivators.
Although there were no Demon Sect cultivators here, there was the Chenxiang Sect, whose cultivation techniques were not very profound. Therefore, Lu Ge did not hesitate to spread so crude dharma techniques from the Demon Storage to deceive a few disciples of the Chenxiang Sect into entering, so he could cultivate them as ’human seeds’ for himself.
At first, the Chenxiang Sect had a Hua Dan cultivator presiding over it, so he acted cautiously, not daring to make reckless moves even if no one showed up. Later, when the previous Sect Leader, the Red Flower Fairy, was caught in one of his sches, his boldness grew. With the intent of driving the entire Chenxiang Sect to cultivate Demon Sect techniques, he planned to wait until their cultivation reached perfection, then bring them here to use the "Nine Capturing Demon Scroll" to absorb their essence, qi, and divine souls one by one.
These thoughts flashed through Zhang Yan’s mind one by one, but he shook his head. Lu Ge was far too small-minded. Though he did not know how much essence the jade scroll could return, it was surely not much. Otherwise, the stele on the first floor would not have referred to it as a "calamity."
How many demon cultivators are there in the world, yet he did not dare to seek them out, focusing instead on the re hundreds of the Chenxiang Sect. What major purpose could that serve?
It must be that the sword strike of the Shaoqing Sect disciple back in the day not only severed his Dao Foundation but also broke his inner determination.
He glanced at the Demon Scroll for a few monts, brilliance flickering in his eyes. Since this Demon Storage had fallen into his hands, how could he confine himself to this limited corner? Thinking this, he gave a faint smile. With a casual wave, he dissolved the remnant essence left behind by Lu Ge. Then, pointing with a finger, a piercing spirit light, carrying his will, shot into the Demon Scroll.
The Demon Scroll seed to sense his thoughts and began to hum and tremble. Beneath it, the furnace erupted with Netherworld Qi, which surged turbulently and poured into the scroll.
Not long after, the furnace was drained of Netherworld Qi. However, the Demon Scroll seed insatiable, trembling constantly in the air as it drew Netherworld Qi from beyond the Demon Storage in an endless stream.
But the Nether River Water had long since been refined by Zhang Yan. As the water dispersed, so too did the Netherworld Qi begin to fade. Even the small remnant could hardly withstand such voracious absorption.
Seeing this, Zhang Yan laughed, "Very well, then. Today, I will lend you a hand. Zhang Ju, co forth."
The Mountain and River Child responded and appeared. Zhang Yan pointed with a finger and said, "Release all the Netherworld Qi you have accumulated; give it to the scroll. Do not hold back."
The Mountain and River Child imdiately obeyed, releasing the Netherworld Qi it had absorbed over an entire year inside the Mountain and River Map, not hurriedly but steadily.
Having suddenly absorbed this vast influx of Netherworld Qi as nourishnt, the Demon Scroll seed to beco extrely exhilarated, letting out a strange howl. It no longer cared about how much Netherworld Qi there was, transforming itself into an endless abyss that devoured everything.
After approximately an hour, a pleasant celestial sound resonated. The thick black mist of the Demon Scroll dispersed, revealing its true appearance. Its surface glowed with a jade-like luster, as smooth as white fat, wreathed in immortal energy, with gold and silver adornnts at both ends. It had not even a hint of demonic aura, and its exquisite appearance alone would make anyone exclaim that it was an Immortal Treasure.
Zhang Yan extended a hand, and the Demon Scroll, without resistance, fell lightly into his palm.
When he probed it with his heart and spirit, he sensed a stark contrast between the scroll’s exterior and interior. From deep within the scroll ca an overwhelming murderous intent, drilling incessantly into his mind, as though urging him to succumb to a great killing instinct and slaughter all accomplished Daoist cultivators under heaven.
Zhang Yan chuckled, and with a flick of his will, he suppressed this bloodthirsty intent. How he cultivated this technique and when he would do so were decisions that he had long made in his heart. How could he be enslaved by a re jade scroll?
Though this cultivation technique thrives on plundering and slaughter, if one blindly indulges in recklessness, the backlash from heaven and humanity could very well see him attacked and destroyed before he achieved mastery.
Moreover, for now, this dharma technique consisted of only the first three realms. To obtain the higher-level thods, he would probably have to search the upper levels of the Demon Storage. It was far from the ti to act with abandon.
With a casual motion, he stowed the Nine Capturing Demon Scroll into his sleeve bag and soared towards the third level.
The third level was different yet again from the second. Here, tall candles burned red, green bricks paved the ground, with Gong Water flowing through their seams. Four hanging tokens adorned the walls, while at the center, aside from a single stone platform, there was nothing else.
Approaching, Zhang Yan examined the platform closely and found that its shape resembled an altar with a recessed, bowl-like indentation on its surface, one that felt peculiarly familiar.
Raising an eyebrow, he studied it for a few monts and then seed to recall sothing. Reaching into his sleeve, he retrieved the artifact used to teleport him into the "Seven Absolute Swallowing Yin Formation." He held it up and compared it, realizing that it had indeed been removed from this very place.
A stirring arose in his heart as he pondered, "Could this item be used not to move people, but to transport the Demon Storage itself? Why hadn’t Lu Ge refined it?"
He did not know that Lu Ge had expended trendous effort to enter the Demon Storage. Years ago, when seriously injured, Lu Ge spent eighteen years just to enter the second level. Later, when so of his strength recovered, it took him another fourteen years to reach the third level.
When Zhang Yan and Mu Hongchen descended here, Lu Ge had obtained the Fish Plate only days earlier. How could he possibly have had ti to refine it?
Since the Demon Storage potentially had the fascinating ability of Void Movent, Zhang Yan saw no reason to hesitate. Sitting down, he began the sacrificial refinent imdiately.
Though the item resembled a mystical artifact, it contained no true recognition imprint, making the refinent process effortless. He completed it in one go.
A month later, the item acknowledged him as its master. He fitted it into the recessed area, and threads of spiritual energy flowed into it, transforming into a crystal-clear green spring. In no ti, the fish’s eyes on the plate seed to co alive, its body adorned with fine scale armor and whiskers. Swaying its head and tail, it appeared extraordinarily magical.
Zhang Yan activated a spell, and with a thunderous rumble, the Demon Storage was transported a thousand feet away. Overjoyed, he continued to exert his power, causing successive tremors. It wasn’t long before the light of day appeared before his eyes. After being trapped in the subterranean chasm for a year, he once again returned to the surface.
...
...(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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