I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 619: Cao Youqian: Senior, I Have Come Again

Inside the depths of the Demon Lake, a voice resonated through Cao Youqian's sea of divine sense. His knees buckled, almost forcing him to drop to the ground, yet he quickly stabilized his Dao heart and averted his gaze from the enormous arm in front of him. With utmost respect, he declared, “This junior offers his respects to Senior.”

“Who might you be? Where’s that pesky little long worm?” the colossal arm questioned skeptically, fixing its gaze on the stranger's face.

“Does Senior refer to that idiotic dragon?” Cao Youqian responded. After a momentary shudder, he composed himself, his voice growing far more even. He continued calmly, “I’ve already grilled and devoured it. Senior isn’t here to hassle me about that silly dragon, right?”

“Kid, you’ve got some nerve. Do you truly believe that these nine chains binding me prevent me from handling you?” the massive arm retorted, as beams of demonic radiance burst from its eyes and surged toward Cao Youqian.

Upon detecting the demonic radiance, Cao Youqian swiftly summoned his Dharma Aspect. The beams crashed against it without breaking through, and realizing this, he swiftly retracted the Dharma Aspect, letting the demonic light hit his physical form head-on.

Almost immediately, a searing heat coursed through his frame. This was an unfamiliar sensation ever since he began practicing the Chaos Body-Refining Art, momentarily reminding him of the times he’d been scorched by earthfire.

Cao Youqian stayed calm. He channeled the technique throughout his body, using the demonic light to refine his flesh even further.

Watching the youth slowly char into a blackened mass, the giant arm showed clear delight in its gaze.

Soon enough, the giant arm decided the punishment was enough and pulled back the demonic radiance. It inquired, “Boy, do you grasp my might now? I am a limb of a Supreme Demon God. Even sealed at ninety percent power, squashing a whelp like you remains effortless.”

Cao Youqian gradually lifted his eyelids and called out with a beaming smile, “Thrilling! It’s been ages since I’ve felt this alive. Senior, could you hit me with a few more rounds? I reckon I can take it.”

The giant arm was utterly stunned. It pondered inwardly that this lad must suffer from some grave affliction, for any sane individual would have bolted away ages ago to purge the demonic essence after such an assault, but this one insisted it wasn’t sufficient.

“If that’s your desire,” the giant arm answered.

Fresh surges of demonic light engulfed Cao Youqian, and the aroma of frying flesh wafted from him. Clenching his jaw, Cao Youqian mused that he was just shy of the mark, and holding out a tad longer would push his body refinement to the next level, especially since nowhere else offered such an incredible training opportunity.

After roughly fifteen minutes more, the giant arm observed the youth utterly corroded by demonic essence and chuckled, “Junior, you’re now my demon puppet. How does that sit with you?”

“Demon puppet?” Cao Youqian eyed the giant arm with confusion and remarked, “Senior, care to hear yourself speak?”

The giant arm remained unruffled. “Lad, quit resisting. My demonic essence has already muddled your exceptional meridians. When it seeps into your vital organs, you’ll transform fully into a Heavenly Demon Seed. Then, only I can teach you ultimate cultivation arts, and to grow mightier, you’ll have no choice but to heed my commands.”

“I fear Senior will find disappointment,” Cao Youqian stated. “Your demonic essence lacks true potency. To me, though, it’s a precious resource for body refinement. Until tomorrow, Senior.”

With those words, Cao Youqian spun around and dashed off, denying the other any further attacks to avoid squandering the sword qi his master had bestowed.

The giant arm made no move to halt him. In its estimation, this youth would evolve into a Heavenly Demon Seed within a week, and once molded into a saint-tier demon, it could undoubtedly shatter its confinement.

With a resounding splash, Cao Youqian burst from the Demon Lake. The Thunder Qilin, patiently stationed at the edge, spotted the demon-enshrouded, coal-black silhouette and reflexively bellowed, “What demon spawn is this? Behold as this king subdues you!”

“Cut the nonsense. I’m not in the mood for a scrap today,” Cao Youqian shot back.

His voice barely faded when the Thunder Qilin’s jaw slackened in shock. Gaping at Cao Youqian in horror, it demanded, “Brother Qian, how’d you end up cursed with calamity? In our Qilin lineage, any touch of calamity means the ancestor crushes them.”

“It’s just demonic essence, no big deal,” Cao Youqian assured. “Head out and keep watch for me. Come morning, this demonic essence will vanish.”

While saying so, Cao Youqian settled into a cross-legged position right there and proceeded to harness the raging demonic essence inside him for ongoing physique refinement.

“Brother Qian, you sure you’re okay?” the Thunder Qilin pressed, doubts lingering.

To it, calamity wasn’t something brushed off so lightly. If it were, the Qilin clan wouldn’t dread it so. Per the ancestor, this calamity hailed from realms beyond the skies, beyond this world’s capacity to counter.

“Talk less, and I’ll be fine,” Cao Youqian snapped in annoyance.

At that, the Thunder Qilin had no recourse but to pivot and depart, quietly grieving for Brother Qian deep down.

Time flew by in an instant, a full day gone. At dawn the following day, Cao Youqian’s eyes snapped open, a thrilled grin lighting his features, for his physique had strengthened once more.

He flexed his body, at first planning to return to that colossal hand for more tempering. But recalling the Thunder Qilin still on sentry duty outside, he headed that way instead.

“Blast it,” the Thunder Qilin blurted as Cao Youqian stepped out unscathed, even borrowing its signature phrase. “Brother Qian, you’re truly okay. How in the world?”

Cao Youqian grumbled back, “You’re a Thunder Qilin, but you don’t know heavenly lightning counters demonic essence? With a sturdy enough body, clearing this demonic essence comes naturally.”

Now fully persuaded, the Thunder Qilin declared, “Brother Qian, from my earliest days to now, I’ve bowed to no one. You’re the first I truly respect.”

“Save the chatter,” Cao Youqian cut in. “I’m off to toy with that Demon Lord some more. Should any humans show up, test their roots with this treasure orb. If their blood sparks over seven chi of light from it, they can join under this seat’s banner.”

As he mentioned it, Cao Youqian pulled a treasure orb from his storage ring and passed it to the Thunder Qilin. He hadn’t lost sight of why he and his master ventured to this realm; even amid cultivation, bolstering the Dao Inquiry Sect remained key.

“And the other myriad races?” the Thunder Qilin inquired, brow furrowed.

Cao Youqian pondered briefly. The Dao Inquiry Academy boasted sages like Uncle Master Golden Eagle, so the Dao Inquiry Sect could too, though not without caution.

He added, “Talents from the other myriad races must endure this seat’s personal test to join my sect.”

“Got it. I’ll handle the duty you’ve given me perfectly, Brother Qian,” the Thunder Qilin affirmed promptly.

Parting from the Thunder Qilin, Cao Youqian made for the Demon Lake. Moments later, he stood before the giant hand, flashing a wide grin in greeting.

“Senior, I have come again.”

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