Record of a Demon's Cultivation Chapter 1525: Casual Conversation

Translator: CinderTL

Yan Yuyan’s smile remained undimmed.

“Knowing they’re safe and sound is all I need to be content.”

Then, she changed the subject and asked, “Senior, what about you? Have you joined any sect?”

Song Wen shook his head. “Never. I’ve always cultivated as a rogue cultivator.”

“A rogue cultivator?” Yan Yuyan’s eyes flashed with surprise.

She instinctively wanted to ask how Song Wen had managed to advance from the Divine Transformation to the Body Integration Stage in just over three hundred years as a rogue cultivator.

But after a moment’s thought, she dismissed the idea. Everyone had their secrets, and prying too deeply would be impolite to both of them.

“When we were at the Wei Clan,” Yan Yuyan continued, “those Body Integration Stage cultivators mentioned the Divine Blood Gate. Is it related to the Divine Blood Gate ruins in the Tianyuan Realm?”

“It’s the same sect. However, the Divine Blood Gate in the Tianyuan Realm has been abandoned by the Divine Blood Gate of the mystic realm. The Divine Blood Gate is guarded by a Tribulation Crossing Stage cultivator, making it one of the top sects even in the entire mystic realm…”

Song Wen briefly introduced the Divine Blood Gate, the Rong Clan, and the major sects in the mystic realm.

Then, he continued, “All five Body Integration Stage cultivators of the Wei Clan died at my hands. The Divine Blood Gate and the Rong Clan will likely seek revenge. I’m not worried about their pursuit, but you are. Moreover, you ascended near Wuyan City, and many people have seen your true face and aura. You are no longer safe to cultivate in territory under the Divine Blood Gate’s jurisdiction. Do you have any plans for the future?”

“Does Senior have any suggestions?” Yan Yuyan asked, her eyebrows furrowed slightly. She didn’t answer directly, clearly at a loss for ideas.

Song Wen replied, “The best course of action would naturally be to travel to the Southern Nether Continent and seek refuge with your master or Fellow Daoist Lan Chen. However, the journey is perilous, and I have no intention of going there myself at the moment, so I cannot escort you. Coincidentally, I am heading to the Northern Region of the Yu Territory, which is not under the Divine Blood Gate’s jurisdiction. Why not stay there and join a sect?”

Yan Yuyan said, “This junior has no immediate plans to join any sect. I ascended shortly after breaking through to the Divine Transformation stage, and my cultivation realm is still unstable. Moreover, while sects may appear peaceful on the surface, internal power struggles and infighting are rampant. As a newcomer with shallow roots, I could easily become a pawn in others’ schemes, wasting my energy and time, and even risking my life. I’d rather remain a rogue cultivator for now and reconsider later. However…”

She trailed off, hesitating.

Song Wen, however, saw through her words like a clear mirror.

What rogue cultivators lacked were cultivation havens, resources, cultivation techniques, and secret arts…

His divine sense suddenly sank into his storage ring.

Over the years, he had killed countless cultivators, many of them sword cultivators.

Song Wen copied all the sword cultivation techniques and secret arts from his storage ring and gave them to Yan Yuyan. He also gifted her six low-grade spirit treasure flying swords—a set that, among low-grade spirit treasures, possessed considerable power.

He didn’t offer any spirit stones or cultivation resources.

Yan Yuyan had killed over a hundred Wei Clan cultivators and seized all their storage rings. The spiritual objects within were enough to sustain her cultivation for a considerable time.

“Thank you, Senior, for bestowing this treasure upon me. I will never forget this kindness,” Yan Yuyan said, rising to her feet with sincere reverence.

“Fellow Daoist Yan, you are too kind. These items are of little consequence to me. Consider them compensation for the information you provided about Senior Sister Zhou,” Song Wen replied.

Yan Yuyan shook her head gently.

“Though they may be of little consequence to you, Senior, to me they are a lifeline. Without these cultivation techniques and secret arts, I would have struggled for a very long time to find suitable methods for cultivation, and my progress in both cultivation and strength would have stalled. Moreover…”

She paused before continuing.

“You also saved my life, Senior. In the Lower Realm, we had no deep connection. I merely saw you a few times in the company of my master or Senior Lan Chen. I am truly grateful for everything you have done for me.”

Song Wen’s expression suddenly lit up with recognition, a knowing smile spreading across his face.

“Our first meeting had nothing to do with your master or Fellow Daoist Lan Chen.”

“Senior, why do you say that?” Yan Yuyan asked, clearly surprised.

“Please sit down first. I’ll explain slowly,” Song Wen replied.

Yan Yuyan complied and reseated herself.

“Fellow Daoist Yan, do you remember the time when the five major sects of the Orthodox Path besieged the Corpse Demon Sect?” Song Wen asked.

Yan Yuyan nodded slightly, waiting for him to continue.

“At that time, you and Lei Jun, the Patriarch of the Lei Clan, jointly cornered Wu Ren of the Corpse Demon Sect. Wu Ren fled, severely wounded, and disappeared without a trace. Lei Jun departed for Corpse Demon Peak to hold off the enemy, leaving you alone to search for Wu Ren.”

“Later, you found Wu Ren, and beside him was a young cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage. You casually tried to eliminate that junior, but he escaped using a life-substitution art.”

“After that, you and Wu Ren fought each other to a mutual stalemate. The junior then reappeared to claim the spoils of war, slayed Wu Ren, and fled into the night.”

Yan Yuyan listened with a look of suspicion.

“That is indeed what happened. But Senior, how did you learn of this?”

A playful smile spread across Song Wen’s face.

“Because I was that young cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage.”

Yan Yuyan’s delicate body trembled slightly, and her beautiful eyes widened in surprise.

“Senior… you were that Foundation Establishment Stage corpse cultivator? How is that possible?”

After a brief moment of astonishment, Yan Yuyan suddenly reacted, speaking urgently.

“I deeply offended you back then. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“It’s all in the past, fellow daoist. You needn’t dwell on it. That was during the great war between the righteous and the wicked, and we were on opposing sides. To be honest, I did consider seeking revenge. But at the time, your strength far surpassed mine. Later, after I broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm, I surpassed you in power. However, I also developed a deep bond with your master, which extinguished any desire for revenge.”

“Then I must thank you for sparing my life, senior.” Yan Yuyan’s eyes curved into crescent moons, clearly having put the matter behind her.

Song Wen smiled warmly at her words.

“Speaking of which, if you and Wu Ren hadn’t both been severely wounded that night, I wouldn’t have been able to capitalize on the opportunity and obtain the Corpse Demon Sect’s legacy. Perhaps none of my later encounters would have occurred. The cycle of karma and consequence is truly mysterious.”

Yan Yuyan smiled faintly, a hint of wistfulness in her eyes.

“The world changes, and the past fades like mist and smoke. Before my ascension, I was revered by thousands and rarely met my match. Who could have imagined that after ascending, I would suffer such a devastating fall? If not for your rescue, I might have already perished in the underworld.”

Outside the window, clouds drifted and unrolled as the Giant Flying Ship pierced through the mists.

With their deep connection and the long journey ahead, their conversation flowed effortlessly, making the journey feel neither tedious nor dull.

(End of the Chapter)