Record of a Demon's Cultivation Chapter 1230: Deep Regret

Song Wen assimilated Qingming Sanren’s divine soul and essence of blood, then summoned a blazing inferno to reduce the corpse to utter dust.

Following this, Song Wen gestured delicately, drawing a petite cauldron from the earth into his hand.

It was then that he came to understand this seemingly ordinary cauldron possessed the ability to sever the contractual bond between himself and his Gu insects.

This explained why he had been unable to ascertain the approximate whereabouts of the four Gu insects previously.

After securing the cauldron, Song Wen pierced through the water’s surface, emerging from the lake and making his way toward Cloudstream Valley.

As he ascended through the sky, Song Wen channeled a fraction of his consciousness into his Sea of Consciousness.

He willed into existence a spectral visage that materialized before Qingming Sanren, who was being held captive by the Sea of Consciousness Black Hole.

"Qingming, from where did you acquire the Void Demon Egg?"

Qingming Sanren fixed a glare upon Song Wen, a vicious sneer distorting his features.

"The shadow void egg was bestowed upon me by the Six Fiends Hall, subservient to the Divine Blood Gate. The Six Fiends Hall will undoubtedly exact vengeance for me."

Confronted by Qingming Sanren’s final death throes, Song Wen felt no ire, but rather a surge of elation.

"Oh? So you have ties to the Six Fiends Hall. What is their location?"

Qingming Sanren bellowed, "You have subjected me to such torment, and yet you still expect me to betray the whereabouts of the Six Fiends Hall? You are utterly deluded!"

Song Wen responded, "It appears you have not suffered sufficiently."

As he uttered these words, a pool of liquid resembling molten gold slowly coalesced before him, emanating an intense, scorching heat.

The golden essence surged forth, striking Qingming Sanren’s divine soul directly in the chest.

"Ah... I'll talk... Ah..."

Qingming Sanren’s chest, akin to a wax figure immersed in molten iron, visibly began to dissolve.

Song Wen paid no heed to Qingming Sanren’s desperate cries for leniency, observing with a dispassionate gaze as he endured the agonizing ordeal.

By the time the golden essence had dissipated, Qingming Sanren was utterly unrecognizable as human.

His torso had melted away, leaving him contorted into a grotesque mass. His entire frame was terribly hunched, his spine twisted into a grotesque arc, and his limbs were drawn inward against his chest, resembling a mangy canine with a severely broken back.

"Speak," Song Wen commanded icily.

"The Six Fiends Hall is situated within the Primordial Qi Death Zone," Qingming Sanren rasped.

"Specifically where?" Song Wen pressed further.

"South of Yangshi City," Qingming Sanren replied, "approximately 500,000 kilometers deep within the Primordial Qi Death Zone, nestled in a mountain valley."

Song Wen regarded Qingming Sanren for a brief duration before conjuring another pool of golden essence.

The molten fluid impacted Qingming Sanren’s legs, eliciting yet another piercing shriek of agony.

After enduring the searing golden essence, Qingming Sanren, though weakened, indignantly questioned, "I... I have divulged all information. Why do you persist in tormenting me?"

Song Wen stated calmly, "The location you provided is a fabrication."

"How can it be false?" Qingming Sanren retorted. "I was there merely three months ago!"

Song Wen arched an eyebrow, a subtle, pleased smile gracing his lips. "Ah, I comprehend. My gratitude for your candor, fellow daoist."

Qingming Sanren instantly realized Song Wen had been employing a tactical deception. A wave of fury washed over him, yet powerless to retaliate, he could only cry out hoarsely, "May you meet your demise at the Six Fiends Hall! Your fate may very well be even more dreadful than my own!"

Disregarding Qingming Sanren’s parting curses, Song Wen was poised to activate the Sea of Consciousness Black Hole to consume the man’s divine soul when he abruptly hesitated, a flicker of curiosity igniting within him. "Why did you infiltrate my cultivation cave?"

Qingming Sanren explained, "On that day, I happened to be traversing near your cave when I observed a surge of crimson-purple spiritual illumination erupting from the canyon. Perceiving the potential appearance of some rare treasure, I proceeded to investigate. However, upon nearing the location, I ascertained it to be a cultivation cave. I kept watch over the canyon for an extended period, yet no one acknowledged my presence. I surmised that the cave's proprietor had met their end, and greed swiftly took hold. I resolved to seize the opportunity and force my way inside. After considerable exertion, I succeeded in breaching the canyon's defensive formation."

"Upon gaining entry to the cultivation cave, I encountered a maidservant. From her, I learned that the cave's master—yourself, Your Excellency—had not perished but was merely absent. Having already breached the formation and thus incurring your displeasure, I could not withdraw. I immediately resolved to plunder the entire canyon."

"Nevertheless, the canyon contained only some unfamiliar spirit grass, a Nether Fox, and four Gu worms. I appropriated them all. The spirit grass and Gu worms proved of little value, but the Nether Fox is a demonic beast whose hunting is strictly prohibited by the Divine Blood Gate. Presenting it to the Six Fiends Hall would undoubtedly secure me a significant reward. Prior to my ability to deliver it, however, both the Li Clan and you arrived."

Song Wen, his brow furrowed in confusion, inquired, "The Divine Blood Gate actually prohibits the hunting of Nether Foxes?"

"Indeed!" Qingming Sanren affirmed.

"What is the reason behind such a prohibition?" Song Wen pressed further.

"I am merely acquainted with the Six Fiends Hall through certain cooperative arrangements," Qingming Sanren responded. "How could I possibly be privy to such a secret? This information is highly classified; it is unlikely that even Hall Master Wei Gu of the Six Fiends Hall comprehends the true motive."

After a brief period of deliberation, Song Wen posed another question, "Having plundered my cultivation cave, why did you instigate the Li Clan of Qingyi City to take the blame? Had it not been for them, I might never have located you."

Qingming Sanren trembled intensely, a look of profound regret clouding his eyes.

"I harbor a deep-seated animosity towards the Li Clan. My intention was to utilize you to create trouble for them, while simultaneously orchestrating your demise at their hands, thereby eliminating any potential future threats."

Cloudstream Valley, situated at the base of the ravine.

Guan Lin's countenance brightened considerably as she observed Song Wen releasing the Nether Fox.

"Master, you have apprehended the rogue cultivator and successfully rescued Senior Nether Fox!"

Song Wen offered a slight nod, and a profusion of jade boxes materialized before him.

"These jade boxes contain the Spirit Herbs pilfered by the rogue cultivator. Please replant them within the Spirit Field."

With these words, Song Wen dematerialized, vanishing into the pavilion where he resided.

Upon activating the defensive formation, Song Wen assumed a cross-legged posture on the floor, the small cauldron, acquired from Qingming Sanren, cradled in his hands.

He meticulously inspected the four Gu worms, which remained dormant. Although their physical injuries were grievous—two even displayed fractures on their carapaces—the root cause of their slumber was, in fact, damage to their souls.

Soul damage, however, was a minor inconvenience for Song Wen to rectify.

Retrieving the Gu worms, he pressed them against his forehead and, employing the identical technique used to heal Bai Wei, channeled Soul Source Essence into their bodies, mending their fractured souls.

Half a month elapsed.

The souls of the four Gu worms had been fully restored, and all had reawakened. Nevertheless, on account of the severity of their physical wounds, they persisted in a state of extreme weakness and were entirely incapable of movement.

Song Wen found himself without any effective means to treat their external injuries. His only recourse was to ingest the four Gu worms and painstakingly aid their recovery through the abundant Spiritual Qi coursing within his being.

Having concluded his period of secluded cultivation, Song Wen emerged from his pavilion and directed his gaze towards the Spirit Field.

Within the Spirit Field, rows upon rows of spirit grass swayed gracefully in the gentle breeze.

Guan Lin had successfully replanted all thousand-plus Bodhi Spirit Cores, and every single one had taken root, emanating a robust vitality.

A fleeting shadow streaked across the air, and the Nether Fox abruptly materialized from an unseen location.

"Master, you have emerged from seclusion."

Song Wen lightly tapped the Spirit Beast Pouch adorning his waist.

"Enter. We are departing."

"Where are we headed?" The Nether Fox tilted its head, its large, dark eyes wide with burgeoning curiosity.

"The Primordial Qi Death Zone," Song Wen replied with detached coolness, his tone laced with an icy determination.

A flicker of exhilaration ignited within the Nether Fox's gaze, and with a swift whoosh, it disappeared back into the Spirit Beast Pouch.

(Chapter End)