Record of a Demon's Cultivation Chapter 1268: A Misstep

As Xue Cong heard Hong Yi’s inquiry, his eyes flickered, his gaze shifting to Song Wen. He clearly avoided offering a direct response to Hong Yi, yet he also feared that fabricating a story might displease her, prompting him to divert her attention toward Song Wen instead.

"Fellow Daoist Gou Jun, your cultivation surpasses mine by a considerable margin, so the rare treasures you seek must surely be extraordinary. Would you perhaps answer Fellow Daoist Hong Yi’s question first?"

Just as Xue Cong had anticipated, Hong Yi’s attention immediately shifted to Song Wen.

In stark contrast to Xue Cong’s smoothly evasive answer, Song Wen maintained an air of calm composure, his demeanor upright and honorable, much like a virtuous gentleman.

"I was fortunate enough to gain entry into the Turbid Spirit Realm due to Senior Bai Wei’s timely assistance. As an elder of the Spirit Jade Palace, and with Fellow Daoist Hong Yi being a disciple of the same esteemed sect, I shall provide a truthful answer to your question. This is the least I can do to express my gratitude for Senior Bai Wei’s kindness."

Hong Yi’s eyes brightened slightly, her gaze softening considerably as she looked upon Song Wen.

"No wonder Elder Bai Wei permitted a rogue cultivator like yourself to enter, even with the knowledge that the Turbid Spirit Realm harbors treasures such as the Pure Origin Heavenly Dew and the Heavenly Soul Mushroom. You are truly exceptional—honest and upright, unlike the scheming rogue cultivators we typically encounter."

"Fellow Daoist Hong Yi, you are too kind with your praise," Song Wen replied humbly. "I am merely repaying a favor, and your commendation is undeserved." He continued, "Upon my entry into the Turbid Spirit Realm, I possess no specific objective. My sole aspiration is to discover one or two extraordinary items that might prove beneficial to the Spirit Jade Palace. Should I succeed in this endeavor, my journey will not have been in vain. Furthermore, if the Spirit Jade Palace deems me worthy, I would be deeply honored to join its ranks."

Hong Yi’s satisfaction with Song Wen grew. She nodded slightly before turning her attention back to Xue Cong.

"Fellow Daoist Xue Cong, Fellow Daoist Gou Jun has already elucidated his purpose. It is now your turn to speak."

Xue Cong cast a sideways glance at Song Wen, a flicker of surprise momentarily crossing his face. It remained unclear whether he was astonished by Song Wen’s candor or impressed by his eloquent words, which had so effortlessly captivated Hong Yi.

"Well..." Xue Cong hesitated before responding, "Similar to Fellow Daoist Gou Jun, I harbor no particular objective. I would be content with the acquisition of one or two rare items."

Hong Yi bestowed a look of disdain upon Xue Cong, clearly unconvinced by his near-identical recitation of Song Wen’s words.

She then proceeded to disregard Xue Cong entirely, engaging Song Wen in conversation on a variety of subjects, occasionally referencing Bai Wei, seemingly attempting to foster a connection with the renowned alchemist through him.

Bai Wei held the esteemed position of a seventh-rank alchemist, and numerous cultivators, both within and beyond the Spirit Jade Palace, actively sought her expertise.

Three days later, another colossal flying ship sliced through the vast expanse of the sky.

This vessel belonged to the Myriad Swords Pavilion.

The moment the ship achieved stability, a solitary figure launched from its deck.

It was Jian Xiao himself.

Jian Xiao ascended into the air, his formidable aura deliberately restrained yet emanating a sharp, indomitable presence, akin to a sheathed blade poised for imminent action.

His piercing gaze swept across the majestic pavilions constructed atop the mountain below as he addressed the assembled groups in a clear, resonant voice.

"Jian Xiao arrives with some delay. My apologies for causing the members of the Spirit Jade Palace and Profound Sky Sect to wait."

Instantly, several figures ascended from the mountain peaks below—these included Myriad Swords Pavilion disciples who had already been stationed there, as well as members from the Spirit Jade Palace and Profound Sky Sect. Among them were Fan Kang, Wang Qiuyue, and Bai Wei.

Soon, a total of eight figures hovered in the air, all of whom were cultivators at the Body Integration Stage.

Following the customary exchange of polite greetings, Zhao Ce, a cultivator of the Body Integration Stage from the Profound Sky Sect, posed the question, "Now that the three sects have successfully gathered, when shall we commence our entry into the Turbid Spirit Realm?"

"Why delay? Let us proceed immediately," Jian Xiao declared.

"Fellow Daoist Jian Xiao and the esteemed young disciples from the Myriad Swords Pavilion have endured a long journey and must surely be fatigued. Would it not be prudent to rest first?" Zhao Ce suggested.

"Rest is unnecessary," Jian Xiao responded with a trace of arrogance. "I personally piloted the Giant Flying Ship throughout the entire voyage, therefore none of my disciples have expended any significant energy. As for myself, the minor expenditure of spiritual power and mental focus is utterly insignificant."

Zhao Ce did not immediately reply to Jian Xiao. Instead, he redirected his gaze towards Fan Kang.

"Fellow Daoist Fan Kang, what is the Spirit Jade Palace’s stance on this matter?"

Fan Kang replied, "We shall defer to your judgment, esteemed fellow daoists. Our sect is prepared to depart at any moment you deem appropriate."

Zhao Ce gave a nod. "Then, as Fellow Daoist Jian Xiao suggested, let us immediately activate the Turbid Spirit Realm."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Zhao Ce, Fan Kang, and a female cultivator from the Myriad Swords Pavilion descended, hovering above a mountain valley.

The three cultivators floated in the air, each conjuring an ancient array disk. These disks seemed to be forged from a peculiar material that blended wood and metal. Simultaneously, they wove intricate hand seals, their fingertips erupting in brilliant spiritual light that converged upon the array disks.

The array disks pulsed with intense light. Golden talismans spiraled upward like living dragons, shooting into the sky. These talismans gathered within the clouds, coalescing into a blinding golden radiance that resembled a colossal Blazing Sun descending upon the world.

"Activate the formation!" Zhao Ce commanded with a roar.

In response to his order, the enormous Blazing Sun unleashed a golden pillar of light that plunged into the earth.

The golden pillar struck the mountain valley, making the very ground tremble fiercely.

Giant trees surrounding them swayed violently, their leaves rustling with a sound akin to crashing waves.

Rather than penetrating the rock, the golden light spread outwards like a gentle breeze, forming a swirling golden vortex within the valley.

"This is the portal to the Turbid Spirit Realm! Enter swiftly!" Zhao Ce announced.

"Disciples of the Myriad Swords Pavilion, hear my command! Follow me into the Turbid Spirit Realm!" Jian Xiao's voice boomed like a bronze bell, asserting his intention to be the first to enter.

Turning to Wang Qiuyue and the other Body Integration Stage cultivators by his side, he added, "Fellow Daoists, the Myriad Swords Pavilion shall take the vanguard."

With that declaration, Jian Xiao became a blur of motion, hurtling directly into the vortex.

From the Myriad Swords Pavilion's enormous Flying Ship, over a hundred figures surged, plunging into the golden vortex at the valley's floor in Jian Xiao's wake.

However, one figure emerged from the ship but did not immediately enter the vortex. Instead, he approached Wang Qiuyue.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, what a coincidence! I did not expect to meet you again so soon. The Turbid Spirit Realm is fraught with danger; you must proceed with utmost care."

The speaker was Gu Huang, his severed arm now fully restored, as if it had regrown—leaving no trace of the previous injury.

Wang Qiuyue's expression remained placid, as though she hadn't perceived the veiled threat in his words, or perhaps she simply paid little mind to Gu Huang, who was only slightly ahead of her in cultivation realm.

"Thank you for your reminder, Fellow Daoist Gu. I shall indeed remain vigilant. However, you too should be cautious—lest you falter at the final hurdle."

Gu Huang's eyes flashed with malice as he shot a glance at Wang Qiuyue before turning away without another word, descending into the golden vortex below.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Fellow Daoist Bai Wei, the Profound Sky Sect will now also enter the Turbid Spirit Realm," announced a female cultivator from the Profound Sky Sect, whose cultivation was at the Body Integration Stage.

Wang Qiuyue nodded. "Fellow Daoist Tang He, please proceed."

After the hundred-odd members of the Profound Sky Sect had vanished into the vortex, Wang Qiuyue and Bai Wei finally led Song Wen and their group of several dozen into the Turbid Spirit Realm.

(End of the Chapter)

---------------------------------------------------------

Continue Reading (𝙍𝘿𝘾) on CinderTL•ⓒⓞⓜ

Read Ahead to Ch1544 • 𝕱𝖗𝖊𝖊 𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 • No Login

🎉 10,000 Chapter Discount is Live. Ends June 2.

---------------------------------------------------------