Record of a Demon's Cultivation Chapter 1284: Xun Heaven Divine Ox

Song Wen’s countenance grew grim, his frigid gaze locking onto Heng Ziping.

Previously, despite harboring mutual clandestine schemes and malevolent intentions, neither had initiated hostilities, preserving a semblance of cordiality.

Now, emboldened by a formidable patron, Heng Ziping had turned treacherous, aiming to end Song Wen’s life and abscond with his valuable possessions.

Song Wen’s true identity as a corpse cultivator had been divulged during the confrontation between malicious qi and righteous gang qi. Compelled to defend himself with his utmost capabilities, he had unintentionally unveiled his genuine nature.

"Oh? He practices the corpse dao?" Gu Huang scrutinized Song Wen with rapt attention. "Why can I not detect even a sliver of corpse dao aura emanating from him?"

"Greetings, Elder Gu Huang," Heng Ziping offered, executing a respectful bow. "This individual is exceptionally adept at disguise. I journeyed alongside him for a considerable duration without discerning the slightest indication of his true identity. It was only when we encountered perilous circumstances and he was compelled to exert his full might that his corpse dao aura manifested. Furthermore, he possesses proficiency in thunder magic."

"Corpse dao aura and mastery of thunder magic?" A piercing gleam flickered within Gu Huang’s eyes. "It appears we have an operative from the Divine Blood Gate present!"

With that pronouncement, Gu Huang directed his attention toward Wang Qiuyue, a sardonic smile gracing his lips.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, how can you possibly justify bringing a member of the Divine Blood Gate into our Turbid Spirit Realm? You owe us a thorough explanation!"

Wang Qiuyue met Gu Huang’s gaze with a frigid stare, unmoved by his unfounded accusations.

"Gu Huang, on what grounds do you accuse Gou Jun of being affiliated with the Divine Blood Gate? His command over thunder magic alone serves as proof of his status as an orthodox cultivator. As for the corpse dao aura, it most likely arises from his cultivation of a specific corpse dao secret technique—this does not definitively implicate him within the Divine Blood Gate."

Gu Huang’s expression hardened into an icy mask. "Wang Qiuyue, cease your disingenuous wordplay! Surrender him to me for elimination, and this matter shall be concluded. Otherwise..."

"And should I decline to surrender him, what then?" Wang Qiuyue challenged, her voice steady.

"If you refuse to hand him over, then today, none other than Fellow Daoist Jian Xiao and myself shall act as instruments of heaven and eliminate you—you traitor who consorts with heretical demonic forces!" Gu Huang bellowed.

"Do you truly believe I harbor any fear of you?" Wang Qiuyue retorted, her voice laced with defiance.

With a resounding cry, Wang Qiuyue unleashed an imposing aura, akin to a colossal mountain, radiating immense power. Her pure white robes fluttered as if caught in a gale, resembling surging waves of snow. Manifesting behind her, a majestic Giant Dragon Phantom Shadow gradually coalesced.

The ethereal silhouette towered thirty meters high, its draconic head held aloft, eyes wide and piercing, and scales of azure glinting with a cold, metallic sheen.

Most astonishingly, Wang Qiuyue’s aura ascended at a breakneck pace, instantaneously reaching the Late Body Integration Stage.

The assembled onlookers registered the revelation through varied reactions.

Foremost among them was Song Wen, positioned directly behind Wang Qiuyue and beneath the colossal Dragon Phantom Shadow. He vividly felt the overwhelming pressure emanating from the dragon and the terrifying potency harbored within Wang Qiuyue's seemingly delicate physique.

Wang Qiuyue, in actuality, was a dedicated Body Cultivator.

Moreover, her actual cultivation level transcended the Early Body Integration Stage she typically projected, revealing the Late Body Integration Stage.

With their divine senses suppressed, rendering ranged attacks via mystic treasures impossible, and within the confines of the tomb chamber’s potent Gravity Restriction, Wang Qiuyue, as a body cultivator, possessed all discernible advantages concerning both timing and the environmental setting.

It was thus perfectly understandable why she displayed absolutely no apprehension towards Gu Huang’s menacing threats.

This revelation also brought to mind the words of Fan Kang when they had first reached the Cloud Passage Mountain Range, situated outside the Turbid Spirit Realm's entrance, aboard the Spirit Jade Palace’s Grand Flying Ship: "With Wang Qiuyue spearheading our expedition, the Spirit Jade Palace’s acquisitions within the Turbid Spirit Realm shall be no less significant than those claimed by the other two venerable sects."

Now, the truth became evident: Fan Kang had been fully apprised of Wang Qiuyue’s genuine formidable strength all along, and his assertion had not been mere empty boasting.

Nevertheless, Song Wen remained perplexed as to why Wang Qiuyue would willingly risk exposing her ultimate trump card solely for the purpose of safeguarding him.

This marked only his second encounter with Wang Qiuyue, and they shared no substantial bond.

Aside from Song Wen, Gu Huang, Jian Xiao, and Tang He all wore expressions etched with deep contemplation. Wang Qiuyue's sudden revelation of her immense power clearly foreshadowed adverse developments for their objectives.

While Gu Huang and Tang He were primarily struck by sheer astonishment at Wang Qiuyue’s prowess, Gu Huang experienced a profound sense of humiliation.

He perceived the frigid, pool-like quality of Wang Qiuyue’s eyes and the dragon’s commanding draconic gaze fixed intently upon him, prompting him to involuntarily take a half-step backward.

Gu Huang abruptly regained his composure, acutely aware that this subtle retreat had inflicted immense damage to his pride. He directed a venomous glare at Wang Qiuyue, his eyes burning with palpable resentment.

"Wang Qiuyue, are you genuinely prepared to forfeit our alliance and become adversaries with the three of us merely to shield this insignificant brat from the Divine Blood Gate?"

"Fellow Daoist Gu Huang," Tang He interjected, "you and Fellow Daoist Wang have some old grudges. Don't drag me into this. I have no intention of antagonizing Fellow Daoist Wang."

Gu Huang's expression froze, but before he could retort, Jian Xiao cut in.

"Fellow Daoist Tang is right. Elder Gu, it's better to resolve old grudges than to harbor them. Why not set aside your conflict with Fellow Daoist Wang for now? Even if you can't reconcile, you can settle it after we leave the tomb."

Gu Huang was even more astonished when he saw that even his fellow sect member, Jian Xiao, wouldn't support him.

Alone, he stood no chance against Wang Qiuyue.

His mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out. Finally, he could only fling his sleeves back with a heavy gesture, retreat a few steps, and stand beside Jian Xiao.

Jian Xiao smiled faintly and turned to Wang Qiuyue.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Elder Gu has already taken a step back. Would you please grant me this small favor and let this matter rest?"

Wang Qiuyue's lips curled slightly, but she remained silent.

She understood perfectly that if she hadn't revealed her extraordinary strength, Jian Xiao would have seized the opportunity to exploit the situation. Even if he didn't kill her, he would have ensured she had no chance to compete for the treasures within the tomb.

Her display of power wasn't solely to save Song Wen; it was primarily to intimidate Jian Xiao, Tang He, and Gu Huang, making them wary of joining forces against her.

Seeing Wang Qiuyue's tacit agreement, Jian Xiao turned to Heng Ziping.

"How did you and Junior Gou Jun manage to cross the foul qi miasma?"

Heng Ziping, disappointed that Wang Qiuyue had protected Song Wen, didn't dare to voice his displeasure. He could only answer truthfully.

"Reporting to Elder Jian Xiao, Fellow Daoist Gou Jun and I never entered the foul qi miasma."

"If you didn't pass through the foul qi miasma, how did you reach this place?" Jian Xiao asked, visibly surprised.

Heng Ziping explained, "There's a Gang Qi Waterfall outside the tomb. By following it down, you can reach this place."

The four Body Integration Stage cultivators exchanged astonished glances. Clearly, they had endured immense hardship crossing the foul qi miasma.

"You came from the Xun Heaven Divine Ox's head without alerting it?" Jian Xiao inquired.

"Xun Heaven Divine Ox? What's that?" Heng Ziping asked, his face blank with confusion.

"It's the Tomb-guarding Divine Beast outside the tomb!" Jian Xiao clarified.

"But isn't there just a stone statue outside the tomb?" Heng Ziping countered.

"That's no mere statue," Jian Xiao replied. "It's a fully grown Xun Heaven Divine Ox, somehow trapped here and encased in thick layers of rock. If not for this, it would have long since ascended to the upper realm. The Xun Heaven Divine Ox feeds on gale winds and purges foul qi. When we encountered the foul qi miasma, we suspected a Xun Heaven Divine Ox was nearby. We initially assumed it was an immature cub and planned to capture it alive."

"To avoid alarming it, we had no choice but to force our way through the foul qi miasma behind it. Within the miasma, the foul qi corroded bone and seared souls, and there were also some malevolent demon beasts. Fearing we might disturb the Xun Heaven Divine Ox, we dared not unleash our full power, fighting with our hands tied. It took us over ten days to reach this place, a journey fraught with peril. But upon seeing the stone statue outside, we realized this was a fully grown Xun Heaven Divine Ox, far beyond our capabilities. Fortunately, it was trapped here, unable to move, and thus unable to exert its full power."

"Despite our utmost caution, we still managed to disturb the Xun Heaven Divine Ox. It stirred the foul qi, attempting to surround and kill us. In our frantic escape, we stumbled upon this Immortal's Tomb, realizing it must have been sealed here by the tomb's master. The tomb was free of foul qi, so we sought refuge within, only to discover this place is no ordinary tomb."