Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 826: Meridian Refining Art

"Senior, this junior isn't doubting your statements, but rather, a primordial savage beast like the Taotie appeared only during the ancient times of the Cangyun Realm, a period almost entirely severed from the modern day. Accounts from that era remain incredibly rare, so this junior grasps just the basic framework.

During those ancient days, the Cangyun Realm stretched across vast expanses, immeasurably larger than its current state.

Yet, amid the fierce clashes between Immortals and Gods, it suffered endless divisions and destructions. Certain fragments were utterly obliterated, others transformed into minor thousand worlds linked to the Cangyun Realm, while some pieces drifted eternally into the void, lost forever...

Renshou observed Chen Huaian's reaction briefly before pressing on, "Exactly because this slice of history remains so foggy and obscure, I found it tough to accept when you brought up the Taotie.

I reckon your demonic beast simply carries the Taotie bloodline.

Were it a true Taotie, subduing such a relic of antiquity would prove impossible for anyone. One mere snap of its jaws could gulp down the skies themselves. It stands as a truly ominous and profoundly dire being!"

Chen Huaian's eyes tightened at these words.

Who would have thought the Cangyun Realm hid such mysteries?

Even though it's deemed a minor thousand world tethered to the Cangyun Realm, the power frameworks show no stark divide from the Cangyun Realm itself.

This defies the usual separation between grand and minor thousand worlds in terms of dimensions.

It resembles the chasm between reality and mere fantasy—a dimensional downgrade assault.

Evidently, Earth Star's cultivation path shares no such rift with the Cangyun Realm; they might even trace back to the same roots.

After all, Earth Star cultivators can practice Cangyun Realm techniques effectively, and Cangyun cultivators can harness Earth Star methods fully—they simply scorn them.

Could it be possible, then?

That the fabled Primordial Chaos once formed part of the Cangyun Realm, with Earth Star emerging as a sizable shard detached during its shattering?

Such an explanation would clarify the Taotie myths in Cangyun lore.

It would also account for the minimal disparities in strength across these realms.

"You make a valid point." Chen Huaian skipped further debate on the matter, responding evenly, "It might indeed possess Taotie bloodline. Thus, for a demonic beast of this nature, do you offer any improvement strategies?"

Renshou tweaked his beard between thumb and forefinger, mulling it over briefly, his face growing increasingly solemn. Since this demonic beast means so much to the Chen Sword Master, it surely carries immense importance for him. Thus, commonplace approaches likely wouldn't impress such an esteemed figure.

In that light...

He rose unhurriedly, drawing a jade slip shimmering like water from his storage ring.

Channeling spiritual energy into it produced three glowing streams that floated midway between them.

"Senior, when it comes to boosting a demonic beast's power, my sect boasts a millennium of legacy and holds three established techniques. Yet, they vary in potency, demanding different expenditures and yielding vastly divergent outcomes."

Renshou gestured toward the outermost faint blue glow, his voice laced with wariness. "This initial one goes by the 'Spirit Marrow Meridian Tempering Method,' viewed as the basic approach."

"The core idea entails extracting 'Profound Yellow Spirit Marrow' from the deepest earth veins, blended with moderate spirit herbs such as 'Thousand-Year Purple Ganoderma' and 'Blood Ginseng King,' to concoct a meridian-strengthening brew. Submerge the demonic beast within it. The spirit marrow fortifies its meridians, the herbs restore its qi and blood, gradually stirring the dormant Taotie might in its lineage."

He halted momentarily, then appended, "This technique's strength is its reliability, free from any rebound risks. It boosts the demonic beast's bodily vigor and demonic power stores by a full thirty percent, plus its swallowing pace quickens noticeably.

The drawback stands clear, though—it takes ages to yield results, needing three straight months of immersion, and it merely stirs the shallow bloodline layers. At most, it could sprout a handful of savage traits akin to the Taotie, but nothing groundbreaking."

Chen Huaian barely raised his gaze, his finger skimming the blue radiance, which vanished in a flash.

Evidently, this option failed to spark his curiosity.

Renshou expected as much and directed attention to the central red-tinged glow. "The next one, the 'Myriad Spirits Blood Gathering Formation,' ranks as an intermediate technique.

It demands a 'Nine Revolutions Demon Refining Cauldron' serving as the array's heart to erect the Blood Gathering Formation. Next, gather essence from thirty varied demonic beast species—minimum at the Void Shattering stage or higher. Ideally, include three with potent demon lineages, like the Flying Mane Profound Tiger or Crimson-Eyed Python King.

"The mechanism relies on the array's force to merge the 'baleful energy' and 'life essence' from those vital essences, aggressively cleansing the demonic beast's bloodline nodes to shatter its lineage barriers."

Here, Renshou's pitch heightened. "Should this succeed, the demonic beast's Taotie bloodline gets refined purely. It might even instantly rouse the Taotie's devouring aptitude—then, all ingested spiritual energy and demonic power turns straight into its life force, eliminating waste.

Besides, its form will develop Taotie scale armor, resisting strikes from typical Great Ascension Stage experts.

That said..."

His voice turned hesitant, a strained expression crossing his features. "This approach carries two major hurdles. For one, assembling the array takes seven full days and nights undisturbed; any interruption triggers backlash that harms the demonic beast's core.

Secondly, the overwhelming baleful energy from so many beasts proves brutal. The demonic beast must withstand nine rounds of 'Bloodline Scorching' agony. Without steadfast will, it risks descending into madness, turning into a mindless killing machine."

From what Renshou implied, Muscle Tyrant ought to attend.

Such bloodline-scorching torment would barely faze Muscle Tyrant.

Still, the whole process appeared overly cumbersome.

Chen Huaian remained silent, merely shifting his stare to the last dark stream of light.

This beam carried a subtle edge of murderous aura, setting it apart from the others.

Renshou drew in a steadying breath, his words infused with respect. "This final one represents my sect's pinnacle legacy technique, known as the 'Chaos Meridian Refining Art.'"

"Senior, are you aware the Taotie originated as a savage entity spawned from primal chaos? Its lineage holds the pure quintessence of 'Devouring All Things, Refining Chaos.' This art taps into that origin, employing 'Chaos Profound Stone' as the catalyst, fueled by the 'soul and vital essence of a Great Ascension Stage or superior demonic beast,' to outright recast the demonic beast's bloodline core."

With a wave, he traced an intricate rune mid-air.

"The Chaos Profound Stone links to the Taotie's authentic essence inside the demonic beast.

A Great Ascension demonic beast's soul harbors 'origin energy,' its vital essence 'baleful energy.' Combining these three elements forges a blazing furnace to remake the bloodline—not just igniting the full Taotie lineage, but cleansing all dross, granting it the nascent shape of the ancient Taotie's 'Devour the Heavens and Earth.'"

"What about the outcomes?" Chen Huaian inquired at last.

"Outcomes?" Zeal flickered in Renshou's gaze. "Bodily might surges by no less than ten times. Legend holds that standard immortal artifacts can't even scratch it!

It elevates the demonic beast's innate skills too. If your beast truly bears Taotie bloodline, its devouring prowess could stretch across a thousand miles. Mountains, rivers, foliage, spiritual energy, vapors—all gulped down instantly. Swallowed foes or artifacts get smelted in its belly, fueling its cultivation directly.

Plus, no rebound effects here. Post-refinement, the bloodline locks in solidly. As cultivation advances, it unlocks successive ancient Taotie abilities."

Chen Huaian pondered these details briefly.

This boiled down to bloodline purification as well.

Yet it felt as though completion would birth a Taotie duplicate.

Thus, applying this to Muscle Tyrant might mean absorbing a self-version, thereby doubling its power?

Highly enticing!

With a pointed finger, Chen Huaian absorbed the dark stream into his hand, as the blue and red ones faded away.

"I'll take this option." His voice stayed neutral in declaring the choice.

The excitement on Renshou's visage stalled, morphing into dismay as he inclined his head. "Senior, while this art excels... my sect lacks surplus resources for it."

"Oh?" Chen Huaian arched a brow. "What's required?"

"The Chaos Profound Stone poses no issue; our treasury retains a modest reserve." Renshou replied reluctantly, "The crux lies in the 'soul and vital essence of a Great Ascension Stage demonic beast'—lately, quelling a berserk Profound Turtle in the sect drained our final stock of Great Ascension vital essence.

Souls prove scarcer still. Slaying Great Ascension demonic beasts is no easy feat. Even body destruction lets their demonic souls escape afar.

Right now, the whole Spirit Beast Sect can't muster even one qualifying demonic soul and vital essence."

"The vital essence and demonic soul from a Great Ascension Stage demonic beast..."

Chen Huaian rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

This pushed him toward confronting the Demon Race in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Oh dear, what a pity.

Hold on!

Recalling correctly...

The Spirit Void Old Ghost had ventured into the Hundred Thousand Mountains previously. Ages passed without word. Had he met his end there?