Chapter 181: The Dao Seed That Gives Rise to Consciousness

Xiao Qiangwei's emotions had already become somewhat disordered.

General You had finally given up the idea of leaving Qingzhou, and Shen Yi immediately followed along.

The former, although lacking his usual steadiness because of Lord Jiang, at least still knew to call Senior Yang first to discuss things; the latter actually planned to charge straight into Howling Moon Demon King's territory all alone.

Shen Yi's Shift technique dominating Qingzhou was true.

That was because Qingzhou had no Slain Hunyuan Sect Grandmasters. The Commander, being a Martial Immortal, relied on Yin God combat spells and didn't need to cultivate lightness skills to bolster his body, but Howling Moon was a demon king truly comparable to Slain Hunyuan.

The terrifying gulf between realms could not be bridged by a single Shift technique.

"How about letting General You accompany you, so you can look after each other."

Xiao Qiangwei had not intended to disturb Shen Yi again, but at this moment she still stepped forward on instinct.

"..."

You Longtao lowered his palms, a sudden sense of lament welling up in his heart.

If he remembered correctly, Aunt Xiao had just been advising him to be more steady — how come the moment it involved Brother Shen, everyone around him seemed to become a different person.

But thinking about it carefully, it was only natural. The other's performance was so brilliant that it naturally made those around him grow far more fond of him.

Hmm...

At least Junior Jiang Shimei shouldn't have such a change, after all she and Shen Yi were equally prodigious talents.

Thinking of this, You Longtao finally consoled himself, then took out two auras from his storage treasure: "These were something I previously asked Senior Yang to retrieve for me. The Golden Bell Demon-Catcher has another profound Qi-Sensing Art that can locate demons and monsters more precisely. General Shen, please take them."

These two auras condensed as if solid, like flickering flames.

"Before you leave, if you change your mind, You will accompany you at any time."

"Thank you, General You."

Shen Yi received the auras in his palms. With just a slight sensing, he detected the intense demonic miasma within — dozens of times thicker than the Mountain Lord's aura, at the very least.

"These two Green-Faced Lions are blood brothers, inseparable year-round. They rank in the upper-middle among the demon lords under Howling Moon Demon King and are greatly trusted by the Demon King. Precisely for that reason, they were sent to protect Bai Yu."

You Longtao had dealt with these three demon lords for many years and knew full well how formidable their methods were.

The Embracing Elixir Realm has three hurdles: planting the Dao Seed, nurturing the Dao Embryo, and finally birthing the Dao Infant or Yin God.

If Bai Yu was only equivalent to a martial artist who had planted the Dao Seed — and a relatively weak one at that — then either of these two lions could crush a martial artist at the Dao Embryo stage, and when the two joined forces, even he, a Yin God cultivator who had crossed all three hurdles, found them thorny.

"I'm only going to try. If it doesn't work out, I'll return to Qingzhou as soon as possible."

Shen Yi nodded, not making his words too absolute either.

The many martial arts he had spent vast lifespans deducing to perfection had finally displayed their true might now that his realm had caught up.

Whether it was the Yin-Yang Dragon-Tiger True Intent, the Immortal-Demon Nine Transformations, or the Heaven-Devouring Tiannan Tiannan Tiannan Tiannan Dan Shi itself, mastering any one of them was enough to fight beyond one's realm.

But no one knew whether the demons had any trump-card innate divine abilities.

Anyone who could cultivate to this realm surely had a few life-risking tricks.

"Business matters are done. I want to ask something personal..." You Longtao was somewhat self-mocking. The entire Zhen Mo Si of Qingzhou was fighting for the stability of the twelve commanderies, and yet he, as the Demon-Suppressing General, at such a critical moment was still wasting Shen Yi's precious time.

"I heard General Shen entered the capital together with Junior Jiang Shimei. I want to know whether the junior sister has... emotionally..."

He stopped halfway through, feeling himself rather foolish. Given Junior Jiang Shimei's cold and aloof nature, even if she truly had some emotion, how could she possibly let Brother Shen see it.

"Emotionally?"

Shen Yi shifted his gaze from the auras, stored them in the silver bell, thought for a moment, and said: "She should be doing alright, at least she smiles more than before."

Ever since the other had made progress in her realm again, on the way back Jiang Qiulan was no longer as silent as before, and would occasionally chat with him about idle things.

Quite a difference from her expressionless look of the past.

Unfortunately, his mind was on the Qingzhou demons, and he hadn't really listened carefully, so he didn't know the specifics.

"Smiles more..."

The few people present were stunned, and after a long while still couldn't picture that scene in their minds.

You Longtao shook his head, knowing Brother Shen was comforting him: "Thank you. You understands."

"Then I'll take my leave." Shen Yi gave a slight nod of his chin, rose, and walked outside.

To avoid complications arising overnight, it was better to go check on his demon core as soon as possible.

The young man's sudden movement left You Longtao somewhat startled, and he instinctively looked toward Lin Lin Shimei beside him.

Lin Baiwei seemed accustomed to the other's reaction. Back in Bai Yun County, Shen Yi had also tossed the pancake onto the table and pushed the door to leave; at least now he still said goodbye.

She merely lowered her eyes, a touch helpless.

They had agreed to chat in detail tonight, and the other had clearly nodded in assent, yet the moment he turned his head he forgot all about it.

This parting, once again, who knew how long before they could meet again.

Going off to do something so dangerous, and still, as always, not willing to leave behind even a single word.

If only she had tried harder back then, accumulated more merits, and used the Martial Temple's refinement to raise her realm, she wouldn't be like now, able only to watch helplessly as Shen Yi departed alone.

Thinking of this, Lin Baiwei looked at the small silver bell at her waist, a touch more resolve appearing in her eyes.

"Senior Brother, I'm leaving!"

She turned to leave, but was grabbed by Xiao Qiangwei. You Longtao glanced at her sidelong and said flatly: "I can't control General Shen, but can't I control you? Stay properly in Tingyang Commandery, recover from your injuries first."

Having said that, he sighed: "If General Shen returns, I'll send you word at the first moment."

The edge of Tingyang Commandery, beside a stream.

A clear breeze descended, revealing Shen Yi's figure. He found a secluded spot and sat down.

He was about to leave the Qingzhou region.

Although it wasn't his first time, he still hadn't let down his guard.

He took out the demon core borrowed from Jiang Qiulan.

Fourteen in total, now only five remained.

Opening the panel, he continued to deduce the Heaven-Devouring Tiannan Tiannan Tiannan Tiannan Dan Shi Art. He had to admit, although this thing must surpass peers in inner-core foundation, it really could eat.

Five demon cores entered his belly, consuming another three hundred and seventy-plus years of demon-magic lifespan.

Compared to before embracing the core, this time the speed was about thirty percent faster.

But Shen Yi did not feel the slightest joy.

The reason it had sped up was not because of greater proficiency… but because that seed was actively devouring demon energy.

So-called embracing the core to nurture the spirit.

In practice, it meant using all manner of heaven-and-earth essence to condense a living being.

At this moment, on the blood threads where the crimson light-spot was spreading outward, something resembling limbs and a torso was gradually taking shape. Although it was only a faint outline, it had already gained a self-awareness.

This situation had already deviated from the description within the Heaven-Devouring Tiannan Tiannan Tiannan Tiannan Dan Shi Art.

The emergence of consciousness was something that only appeared at the Dao Embryo stage. To reach that stage now, he was still short at least two inner cores of the same quality as the rabbit demon's.

(End of chapter)