Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

“Gulp!”

Fang Xi swiftly swallowed a Blood and Qi Pill, feeling his surging blood qi transform into dense true astral energy within him.

A pitted shield materialized beside him, while additionally, a golden defensive aura enveloped Fang Xi’s entire body!

At that moment, he was fully armed and ready!

On the opposite side, Dugu Wuwang seemed to sense something as well and slowly retreated towards the cave entrance.

For him, this withdrawal was merely strategic, preparing for a more potent attack!

By reaching the cave mouth, the constraints of the mystic iron chains would significantly lessen!

“Despite being half-mad, your martial intuition is still razor-sharp like a wild beast!” Fang Xi laughed heartily, advancing boldly into Dugu Wuwang’s striking range.

He raised his palm high, akin to reversing Mount Tai itself, before slamming it down with immense force:

“Secret Technique - Limitless Primordial!”

Rumble!

Dugu Wuwang erupted with streams of air, his figure flickering rapidly, even capable of changing direction mid-air.

In an instant, he weaved through the flurry of fist shadows and positioned himself directly above Fang Xi.

Such agility defied description!

Even Falcon, who prided himself on exceptional movement techniques, broke out in cold sweat at the sight. If he dared to attempt such a maneuver, there could only be one outcome—he’d be crushed into pulp amidst Fang Xi’s barrage of fists!

Yet, against all odds, Dugu Wuwang found a way to surpass his limits, breaking through the impossible!

“Roar!”

In mid-air, Dugu Wuwang let out a peculiar cry as his tightly arranged scales began transforming once more. His body contours became even more streamlined, the ghostly horns on his forehead sharper, and something seemed poised to burst forth from his back near the ribs!

Fang Xi’s warrior intuition surmised it was a pair of wings about to emerge!

As he leaped into the sky, these wings would allow him to soar - truly astonishing adaptability for a demonic cultivator!

In the next instant.

Dugu Wuwang plummeted down from the air.

With twin horns atop his head, covered in scales, and a bulge along his back,

he no longer resembled a human but rather…a Qilin!

“I remember now!” Zhou Tong murmured almost involuntarily, “The flesh that Dugu Wuwang devoured earlier belonged to the rampaging Qilin Demon, fallen during its rampage across Central Province!”

Compared to their opponents, Fang Xi faced an even greater pressure.

A leap by the Qilin spells doom for the world!

Transformed into a demon, Dugu Wuwang roared fiercely, placing both hands on the Black Iron Shield and ripping at it with immense force.

Crack!

Amidst a teeth-grating sound, the shield, already weakened by the Blood Jade Python’s corrosive venom, emitted a mournful groan before shattering completely!

With a furious roar, Fang Xi raised his fist towards the sky, “Limitless Primal Chaos!”

Crack!

His fist collided with Dugu Wuwang’s razor-sharp claws, causing intense sparks as the astral energy shield battled against the demon’s talons.

Fang Xi heard the Qilin Demon’s bellow and sensed its foul breath seemingly right before him.

Puff! Puff!

In an instant, countless scales from Dugu Wuwang’s arm scattered like a torrential hailstorm, pelting Fang Xi’s defensive aura.

Pop! Pop!

The protective aura shimmered but ultimately shattered, allowing the Qilin scales to pierce through Fang Xi’s astral energy cloak like flying knives.

Simultaneously, a golden sword gleam materialized in mid-air, radiating grand dominance as it thrust directly towards Dugu Wuwang’s vital point at the chest!

Witnessing this strike, even Falcon grimaced, subconsciously clutching his own slightly aching chest.

“Roar!”

As soon as the Golden Flood Dragon Sword appeared, it instilled a profound sense of impending danger in Dugu Wuwang!

In the nick of time, he abandoned his clash with Fang Xi, swiftly grabbing out with both hands. Miraculously, he managed to seize the streak of light, tightly gripping the sword blade.

The sharp edge sliced through his scales and skin… yet was firmly lodged by his bones, unable to penetrate further!

Fang Xi’s expression remained unflinching, his gaze deep like still waters, as if everything unfolding was precisely as he had anticipated.

With his left hand, he scattered seeds of iron gauze grass, while his right hand clenched into a fist, calmly meeting Dugu Wuwang’s eyes.

“Devour demons, consume fiends… Transform me… Transform me… Divine Ability!” Dugu Wuwang roared, exerting immense force with both hands, even causing minute cracks to appear on the Golden Flood Dragon Sword.

However, in the next moment, masses of iron gauze grass took root and sprouted around him. Strands as hard as steel enveloped his entire body, leaving only his horned head exposed.

“Secret Technique: Primordial Infinity!”

Fang Xi held something tightly in his palm, crushed it, then swiftly pressed it against Dugu Wuwang’s forehead.

Boom!

Dugu Wuwang flew backward, crashing into the pitch-black rock wall akin to tempered steel, creating a massive dent!

“Huff…huff… That was intense!” Fang Xi lowered his arm, feeling completely drained of astral energy.

“If not for those black iron chains restraining Dugu Wuwang… we would have surely perished today!”

“You…” Zhou Tong approached, surveying the devastated surroundings.

Upon closer inspection, deep footprints and palm imprints marred the rock-hard surface, some even causing it to shatter.

“Did you kill Grandmaster Dugu?” Falcon approached, searching for his severed arm.

“Not yet…”

As soon as Fang Xi spoke, he noticed both Falcon and Zhou Tong hastily retreat like frightened rabbits.

“It’s not over… just yet.”

A figure slowly emerged from the cave - unmistakably Dugu Wuwang!

However, at that moment, he had reverted to his normal human form, with no red glow in his eyes, revealing a stern and dignified face. “Zhou Tong, Falcon… have you two forgotten me?”

“Greetings, Grandmaster Dugu!” Zhou Tong and Falcon stepped forward, still incredulous. “Grandmaster…you…you’re recovered?”

“Yes, somewhat…” Dugu Wuwang casually sat down on the ground, his gaze fixed on Fang Xi. “What…did you inject into my body just now?”

He sensed that without this intervention, his qi deviation would likely have driven him completely insane.

Unexpectedly, during his frenzy, Dugu Wuwang felt a soothing sensation spread throughout his body, followed by a refreshing coolness in his mind, which brought him back to consciousness.

“It’s merely a tranquility-enhancing medicinal pill, costing me ten thousand gold pieces for self-protection…” Fang Xi replied with a smile.

This was based on his experience treating Mu Canglong.

“Excellent, excellent! Ten thousand gold well spent. Give me another ten or eight pills… For such trivial matters as money, just ask these two youngsters!” Dugu Wuwang flicked his hair casually, chuckling.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible!” Fang Xi shook his head slightly, expressing some regret.

“Why not?” Dugu Wuwang’s expression turned somber and desolate. “To be honest… at any moment, I might suffer another qi deviation. Without the aid of those pills, even these world’s strongest mystical iron chains may fail to restrain me!”

Zhou Tong and Falcon involuntarily shuddered.

If this eminent zongshi were to escape and wreak havoc upon the world, they would bear significant responsibility!

“You don’t need to frighten me, esteemed zongshi.” Fang Xi crossed his legs, mirroring their position, and smiled. “I do have a bottle of those pills with me. If the zongshi desires them, I am willing to offer them, provided you give me something in return!”

“Oh? What would that be?” Dugu Wuwang’s interest was piqued.

“Just… Grandmaster, after achieving ‘Qi Circulation Throughout,’ I seek your secret technique for swallowing and refining demons!” Fang Xi stated calmly.

Dugu Wuwang startled, scrutinizing Fang Xi closely. “Young man, by your vitality, you seem barely past twenty yet have already cultivated to the pinnacle of zongshi realm. Your innate talent surpasses even mine… Instead of pursuing the path of ‘True Astral Manifestation,’ you desire my deranged secret technique? Ha ha… Truly intriguing! Very intriguing indeed!”

“What? Grandmaster Fang, you’re only twenty years old?”

Falcon’s eyes widened. “I thought it was under thirty, not just over twenty?”

In the next moment, he realized his mistake - being under thirty could indeed mean merely twenty!

This young man’s talent far exceeded his wildest imagination!

Perhaps, the future of the Zongshi Association truly lay with him!

“I want both the True Astral Manifestation technique and the method to swallow demons, harnessing their power for myself!” Fang Xi replied firmly and composedly.

He intended to cultivate the Demon Tree someday, and compared to those who consume demons directly, his actions wouldn’t be much different—possibly even more perilous.

Although the Longevity Technique offered some related methods, obtaining techniques to maintain sanity while consuming demons would provide additional security.

“Haha… well said!” Dugu Wuwang burst out laughing, his voice like thunder echoing through the valley. “Upon careful reflection, I realized my oversight when devouring the Qilin demon’s flesh. Achieving ‘Qi Circulating Body’ was not sufficient to fully suppress its demonic nature… One must ascend to the next level, reaching the realm of ‘True Astral Manifestation.’ With a martial artist’s extraordinary spirit, highly condensed astral energy, and unparalleled physique… it becomes barely possible to subdue and assimilate parts of a fiend for personal use!”

“As for you young ones wanting to learn this secret technique, I am more than happy to teach you.”

After finishing his laughter, he began reciting the method aloud: “Devour demons, transform as my divine ability…”

Fang Xi listened briefly, noticing similarities to the fragmented phrases Dugu Wuwang muttered during his moments of madness. He swiftly memorized the technique and then handed a small jade bottle to Dugu Wuwang. “These are the remaining medicinal pills. Senior, please use them sparingly; they should sustain you for another year or so…”

Dugu Wuwang uncorked the jade bottle, sniffed its contents, and nodded with satisfaction. He turned to walk back into the cave, the heavy chains trailing behind him, emitting dull clanking sounds.

“You two, remember to visit the association and bring the leader here…” As his figure disappeared completely into the darkness of the cave, a faint voice echoed out, “With so many incidents happening here, there’s some aftermath that needs addressing…”

“Yes!”

Zhou Tong and Falcon exchanged glances, both smiling wryly as they acknowledged the command.

During Dugu Wuwang’s madness, he was merely an old lunatic, but once regained his sanity, he became an esteemed elder of the Zongshi Association, even commanding respect from the leader himself. Ordering them around posed no issue whatsoever, despite nearly killing them in his deranged state earlier.

“Grandmaster Fang, the leader will undoubtedly be eager to meet you.”

At this moment, Zhou Tong looked at Fang Xi with a hint of reverence in his eyes, something unexpected for a Martial Saint and zongshi like himself. Yet, it was undeniably present.

Even Falcon felt it was natural, questioning if he had been training under a false perception of what a true zongshi should be…

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