Chapter 1051: Life-bound shackles, Demon Phase Body Refining

The banquet opened again, seemingly the same as before.

However, the still turbulent water vapor, the fine wine and food on the table, all showed the influence left by the previous battle.

Especially when the group of monster cultivators saw Luo Chen, who was still an arrogant evil guest just before, now sitting on the upper seat with the Sea Emperor like a distinguished guest, everyone dropped their jaws, and also understood the result of the battle between the two Soul Transformation experts.

A draw?

At least a draw!

A greater possibility is that Luo Chen defeated the Sea Emperor Whale, otherwise it cannot explain why Luo Chen had such treatment.

There is nothing to talk about the content of the banquet, nothing more than mutual flattery.

After determining that it is difficult to kill the Sea Emperor Whale without paying a huge price, Luo Chen made a decision.

Stop fighting and make peace!

He is not afraid of the Sea Emperor Whale, but he also has a soft underbelly, which is the Luo Tian Sect.

If the other party goes crazy and attacks the Luo Tian Sect, the casualties will be incalculable.

Moreover, the Sea Emperor Whale has already surrendered after seeing Luo Chen's strength, and gave enough explanation.

Most of the various resources looted from the Tianyuan Dao Sect by the other party fell into the mouth of the Sea Emperor Whale, so he had a great advancement in Dao practice.

But Luo Chen doesn't care much about those resources.

On the contrary, this remaining part of technique classics, secret technique inheritance, in Luo Chen's view, is the real highlight.

If it can be fully digested and absorbed, the Luo Tian Sect will have a future.

……

Left

Looking at the Great Whale Sea after the great battle, Luo Chen sighed slightly.

Kong Chan, standing to the side, was quite puzzled, "Master, you have just reached the Soul Transformation realm and already suppress those of the same rank; why do you still look so dejected?"

Luo Chen shook his head and sighed softly, "I have simply grown accustomed to crushing those of the same rank and killing them at every turn, but at the Soul Transformation level, doing so is extremely difficult. In this way, exchanges between great powers will increasingly rely on verbal communication, the exchange of interests, and even mutual compromise."

Kong Chan opened his mouth, finding himself speechless.

Battles between those of the same rank are inherently difficult to decide between life and death.

Not to mention the Soul Transformation realm, even the Nascent Soul realm is the same.

It was only because Luo Chen was too monstrous before that he could run rampant in the Nascent Soul realm.

Now that things have returned to normal, this is the norm!

However, Luo Chen did not think so.

When he was in the Nascent Soul realm, he could easily kill existences of the same rank, which, aside from his own superior strength and numerous methods, was also due to a special point regarding his magic treasure.

The Hunyuan Cauldron!

His natal magic treasure, the Hunyuan Cauldron, had possessed an extremely strong binding and restraining effect on Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators ever since it was refined.

Therefore, Luo Chen was able to personally slay those enemies who were defeated by him in countless battles.

Yet, this miraculous quality was weakened to the extreme after he broke through to the Soul Transformation realm.

The primordial spirit of a Soul Transformation cultivator is too powerful and can easily stir the spiritual energy of heaven and earth; relying solely on the Hunyuan Cauldron itself is no longer enough to restrict the opponent's freedom of movement.

"In the end, my cultivation speed was too fast, causing my natal magic treasure to fail to keep up with my improvement; it is still at the level of a True Treasure even now."

"Furthermore, the potential of the Hunyuan Cauldron is almost exhausted, making it very difficult to go any further!"

"If I want to nurture it to the level of a Spirit Treasure, it will take at least several hundred, or even a thousand years."

Luo Chen thought silently to himself.

Looking back at his time in the Core Formation and Nascent Soul realms, the Hunyuan Cauldron could be considered an excellent magic treasure.

It combined offense and defense, had many miraculous uses, and could be called comprehensive!

But its origins were, after all, just the refining method of a Core Formation sect; even if massive amounts of precious resources were invested during its refining, its upper limit remained fixed there.

If it weren't for the fact that he had subsequently refined some thousand-year-old Lei Ying and Breath Soil into it to increase its power, it probably wouldn't have been of any use at all in the previous battle against the Sea Emperor Whale.

Comparatively speaking, aside from daily elixir refining, this natal magic treasure, the Hunyuan Cauldron, can no longer be mentioned in the same breath as the Yuantu Sword, the Burial Bone Umbrella, or even the Great Five Elements Sword Array that focuses solely on slaughter.

Sometimes it is just like this: being comprehensive either means perfection, or it means mediocrity.

And that which cannot keep up with Luo Chen's realm is mediocrity, is a chicken rib!

But Luo Chen could not abandon this item.

A natal magic treasure is not something that can be easily discarded.

It is a treasure that has been cultivated alongside his life for hundreds of years.

"Perhaps I must consider how to upgrade my natal magic treasure."

Luo Chen pondered silently, various thoughts flashing through his mind.

With his level as a fourth-tier artifact refiner, his knowledge of artifact refining is already quite impressive; even though the Hunyuan Cauldron's origins only come from the Qingdan Valley, he has some ingenious ideas that could enhance its power.

The only thing to consider is, in what direction should it be enhanced?

And in what aspect can it provide sufficient help to his Soul Transformation realm?

In fact, when such thoughts occurred to Luo Chen, he already had the resolve to abandon the comprehensiveness of his natal magic treasure.

This resolve was not difficult for him.

Because he already had many treasures in his hands, and the parts missing from his natal magic treasure could easily be compensated for by other means.

Beside his ear came Kong Chan's inquiry.

"Master, where are we going next? Shall we go to Xuandao Peak?"

"Xuandao Peak?" Luo Chen recited the name, then slowly shook his head.

Another great demon power of the North Sea, the Great Saint Beili, lives in that Xuandao Peak, which is known as the place where heaven's will is like a blade, hanging alone for eternity.

The terrain inside is complex and extremely perilous; even when the former Yuan Demon Sect was still in existence, no one dared to go and disturb it.

Even if Luo Chen could break through Xuandao Peak and face the Great Saint Beili directly, what then?

Another story like the one with the Sea Emperor Whale?

"Forget it, outside the Heaven and Earth Island, the Great Saint Beili was still quite restrained; I will not go looking for trouble with him today. Besides, there is someone else waiting for me."

Luo Chen smiled slightly and, taking Kong Chan with him, merged into the world.

Not long after, on a nameless small island.

Luo Chen's figure appeared, and he smiled slightly at the young man waiting quietly below.

"I have kept you waiting, little friend."

"I dare not say so; the grace of your help back then, Feng Ling has always kept in mind."

The person waiting for a long time was none other than Layman Feng Ling.

Because there were too many people and too much talk at the previous banquet, the two sides had no opportunity to communicate, so they specifically arranged to meet here.

As for the grace of help he mentioned?

To Luo Chen, it was nothing more than a simple effort.

Within the North Pole Yemo Heaven, Luo Chen used the Nirvana Holy Fire to destroy that corpse giant, helping Layman Feng Ling cultivate his demonic arts and eventually condense a demonic body.

Luo Chen laughed heartily, "When I led people to attack the Tianyuan Dao Sect, didn't you also step in to help? The debt of gratitude between us is already settled."

When he said this, Kong Chan behind him could not help but nod.

In that battle, it was Kong Chan and Deng Taiyue who joined forces with Layman Feng Ling; the three of them worked together to block all the Dao Sect reinforcements from the Libei Continent, giving the Eastern Wasteland cultivators on the Dongyuan Continent time to retreat leisurely.

Therefore, although the three had little contact, the camaraderie of fighting side by side once made them cherish each other.

Especially Layman Feng Ling's strength, which had gained the recognition of both Kong Chan and Deng Taiyue.

It was a fighting style completely different from his handsome and eerie temperament—wild, tyrannical, and filled with demonic energy.

Layman Feng Ling suddenly bowed.

"The last time I helped, it was only what was right; meeting today, I must truly say thank you. If it weren't for your help at the critical moment, how could I have cultivated the True Demon Body? This great kindness, Feng Ling will never forget."

"True Demon Body?" Luo Chen became interested and suddenly asked, "I wonder if you can drive demonic energy? That kind of purest demonic energy?"

Layman Feng Ling asked, "Is the demonic energy you speak of, the demonic energy of the Yuan Demon Sect lineage?"

"Something like that!" Luo Chen nodded.

Layman Feng Ling smiled, "To let you know, compared to the Yuan Demon Energy of the Yuan Demon Sect, this True Demon Power I obtained from the Demon Lord Liantian is even three parts purer."

As he spoke, his fingertips flashed.

A wisp of demonic flame rose up.

The terrifying temperature within it made people look sideways.

Seeing this, Luo Chen could not help but feel happy in his heart.

"Since that is the case, then do me a small favor!"

A statue with two horns on its head, pitch black all over, with every single blood vessel clearly visible, appeared before the two.

Even though this statue had no aura, just looking at it gave one a sense of power.

It was precisely a strange treasure that the Black King had dug out from the depths of the Yuan Demon Sect ruins back then.

According to the guesses of the Black King and Luo Chen, it was highly likely that a body-refining technique was recorded on this statue.

But relying solely on magic power, source power, or even blood energy, it was very difficult to fully activate it.

At that time, Luo Chen guessed that perhaps demonic energy was needed to deduce the complete cultivation path.

Now that Layman Feng Ling was in front of him, Luo Chen could just borrow his power.

Since a benefactor had a request, Layman Feng Ling would naturally not be stingy.

He shook his whole body, and an incomparably pure power flowed out from him, surging toward the demon statue.

Luo Chen's eyes flashed with brilliance, and a trace of surprise appeared on his face.

Is this the so-called True Demon Power?

Compared to the remnants of the Yuan Demon Sect he had seen back then, it was more than three parts purer.

Combining what Layman Feng Ling said earlier about "obtaining it from Demon Lord Liantian," Luo Chen vaguely guessed where the other party's opportunity lay.

Six hundred years ago, Layman Feng Ling and Li Canghai and others explored the Land of Fallen Demons; compared to others who were able to enter the Mingzhao Heaven, Layman Feng Ling was ambushed by the Great Savage Demon Dragon and unfortunately fell into the Demon Falling Abyss that stretches between the Five Elements Heaven and the Mingzhao Heaven.

Luo Chen had also entered that Demon Falling Abyss once, briefly.

It was to help Taishui escape.

But that time, the distance he entered was limited, only between the cliff caves, and he never reached the bottom of the abyss valley at all.

But just looking at it from afar was enough to make one feel extremely terrified.

Layman Feng Ling was able to walk out of it alive; although he was crazy for hundreds of years and earned the title of Crazy Layman, after he completely sobered up, that misfortune became his good fortune.

However, Luo Chen did not ask.

Everyone has their own opportunities, especially those who can achieve the Nascent Soul or Soul Transformation realms; whose opportunity is small?

If he were to become jealous upon seeing others' opportunities, then Luo Chen's Red-Eyed Golden Pupils would have to become "red-eye disease."

On the small island, it was quite quiet.

There was only the subtle sound of Layman Feng Ling driving the demonic energy.

His movements were very light, as if he were afraid of destroying the statue, but the speed at which the demonic energy circulated was quite fast, far faster than when Luo Chen used source power to explore the statue back then.

Half an incense stick later.

Suddenly, a low shout was heard.

"Open!"

The next moment, the three of them seemed to hear the sound of some shackles being opened.

They saw blood-colored light flowing on the statue, black energy rolling, and the entire demon figure seemed to come alive.

An illusory demon figure suddenly expanded and grew, roaring silently toward the sky.

On the demon figure, there were vaguely a large number of strange characters lingering like living things, looking like runes at a glance.

Seeing this, Luo Chen's eyes lit up, knowing that this technique was extraordinary.

"Withdraw!"

Layman Feng Ling withdrew his fingertips, and the demonic energy dissipated, but a cluster still remained within the statue.

He breathed a sigh of relief and began to introduce it to Luo Chen.

"Senior, on this demon statue, a technique is indeed recorded."

"Its name—Demon Aspect Technique."

"As for its specific grade, Feng Ling does not know, but this Demon Aspect Technique is quite miraculous. Its fundamental point lies in tempering blood energy; when facing an enemy, one can cause blood energy to transform and condense a Demon Aspect outside the body. This Demon Aspect has magnificent power; as long as the cultivator's blood energy does not run dry, the Demon Aspect will be immortal and indestructible, which is truly miraculous."

After finishing, he smiled and bowed to Luo Chen.

"Congratulations, Senior, for obtaining a miraculous technique!"

Luo Chen laughed loudly, "This relies mostly on you; now that you have also cultivated the True Demon Body, this 'Demon Aspect Technique' should also be useful to you, so go ahead and copy a version!"

Layman Feng Ling hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded, "Then Feng Ling will not be polite; thank you, Senior, for bestowing the technique."

Luo Chen took the statue; those blood vessels were still crystalline, but the blood-colored halo that had shrouded the statue had dissipated, and the demonic energy restriction on this item had been broken by Layman Feng Ling.

Not only that, but a cluster of demonic energy remained within it.

Luo Chen glanced at Layman Feng Ling, quite approvingly.

The other party had also proactively left behind a cluster of demonic energy, specifically to make it convenient for Luo Chen to read the techniques recorded on it before he had mastered this method.

He put the statue away, leaving it for future cultivation when he had time.

With this matter finished, Luo Chen looked at Layman Feng Ling, feeling more and more satisfied.

This person knows how to repay kindness, acts with propriety, is not only powerful but also able to survive great disasters, which shows that he has three parts of good fortune.

If he could recruit this person into the Luo Tian Sect...

"Little friend, the Wan Xian Society is no more; I wonder where you are headed now, and if you have any intention of finding a sect to settle down in?"

Layman Feng Ling hesitated for a while.

Luo Chen seemed to understand what he was worried about and waved his hand, saying, "If you are not willing, then forget it; I will not force you."

Layman Feng Ling bowed again, "Then thank you, Senior, for your kind intentions; I am used to being alone and drifting across the four seas."

Luo Chen smiled slightly, "In that case, we shall meet again."

Luo Chen is a person who loves talent, but now he no longer needs to use any coercive or enticing means to force others to join the Luo Tian Sect.

Times have changed.

When he recruited Lingfengzi in the past, it was just to huddle together for warmth in troubled times.

He did not want to repeat the old ways of Mi Shuhua or the Black Marsh Ancestor.

Above the nine heavens.

The Frost Eagle Flying Shuttle traveled rapidly; Kong Chan piloted the shuttle, and Luo Chen studied the statue.

After a while, he put the statue away.

Although this "Demon Aspect Technique" is a demonic body-refining method, it is equally grand and upright, seeking the strengthening of blood energy just like human body-refining.

Even the blood energy required to form the Demon Aspect outside the body must be at least at the level of Gang Qi.

This is a bit troublesome for him.

His own blood energy has all been converted into source power, which is the purest physical strength.

Gang Qi, that is a bit troublesome.

It could be taken back for Wang Yuan to refer to; since advancing to the fourth tier of body refining, there have been very few body-refining methods that Wang Yuan could refer to, and his progress has been quite slow.

With this "Demon Aspect Technique," perhaps Wang Yuan could take a step further.

After putting away the statue, another item appeared in Luo Chen's hand.

It was precisely the artifact-refining method gifted to him by Li Canghai earlier, which recorded a technique called "Soul Extraction and Spirit Binding."

Combining Luo Chen's own artifact-refining skills with some previous thoughts, an idea gradually took shape in Luo Chen's mind at this moment.

"Kong Chan!"

"What are your orders, Master?"

"We are not going to the Feiyan Sea area first; change course to the North Pole Yemo Heaven!"