Chapter 482: Borrowing the Soul of the Dragon Grandson to Forge My Path of Cultivation (5K)

Hiss—

The sharp spear tip dragged across the rough ground.

Shen Yi's breathing was ragged; bloodstains on his palm stained the scales on the spear shaft red, the damp lake wind lifted his robe hem, and the Nanyang pattern on his white robe appeared slightly dim.

The howl emitted by that Spirit Spear Technique inflicted terrifying damage on the five viscera of the Dao Infant.

The Unyielding True Body of the Heavenly Phoenix was merely an ordinary technique; even with the protective robe, he still suffered considerable injuries.

He gathered the corpses of the five demons.

Shen Yi returned to Ya Jiao Mountain.

The pressure exerted by this Dragon Grandson was far greater than that of the fully perfected Killed Fanxu Estate Master from the earlier Taoyuan Mountain Villa.

Every strike Shen Yi made was with full force.

Even with Li Xuanqing's gift, the Chen Ziqi in the Palace of the Boundless Demon Emperor had dimmed considerably.

His entire aura was also somewhat listless.

Yet the moment he stepped onto Ya Jiao Mountain, the entire Yan family's breathing grew rapid.

The reason the Xian Sect could gain such support from so many loyal vassals.

Aside from strength, the most important point was that they would step forward to bear the burden.

Shen Yi might temporarily lack the foundation of the Xian Sect.

But he truly dared to stand up.

And moreover... he could win.

In those calm eyes, as if hiding a mad, ferocious beast, like a young lion king who had just ascended the throne, having just experienced slaughter, covered in wounds, licking his wounds while his gaze indifferently surveyed his domain.

Making people dare not meet his gaze.

"..."

Under Shen Yi's gaze, Yan Xianqing inexplicably felt a sense of suffocation.

In the prior understanding of this young man, his methods of slaughter had been mentioned, his peerless heavenly talent had been mentioned, but only his ruthlessness had not been mentioned.

Not the ferocity of killing, but the ruthlessness before a giant rises.

The opponent appeared silent, and his personality was not particularly severe.

Yet he used action to declare his attitude that he would absolutely not allow others to disobey.

Slaying the Dragon Grandson on Ya Jiao Mountain.

Completely cut off all retreat for the Yan family, forcibly binding them to this young Shen Zongzhu's warship.

Yan Xianqing, a cultivator of Bai Yujing, was now pale as death.

He raised his head and closed his eyes.

Exhaled the breath from his chest.

Yan Xianqing opened his eyes again, stepped out of the crowd, and bowed toward the figure standing with the spear: "The Yan family... pays homage to the Shen Zongzhu!"

The words echoed through the cliffs.

More than a dozen figures bowed in unison with the clan leader: "Paying homage to the Shen Zongzhu."

Shen Zongzhu and Shen Zongzhu, a difference of one character, yet a world of difference.

With no other path to walk, they could only follow the Nanyang Sect down one road to the end; either die together or live together!

"We are family, no need for such formality."

Shen Yi adjusted his breathing, glanced casually at the crowd, and stored that Dragon Spear into his signet ring.

It was difficult, a bit difficult, but the harvest was still good.

"May I ask, Shen Zongzhu, does the Yan family need to relocate into the Nanyang Sacred Land?" Yan Xianqing straightened his body; this time, he had truly enraged the Southern Long Gong, perhaps relying on the formations of the Nanyang Sacred Land, with the combined efforts of the Yan family and the Zhu Sect, plus the protection of the Nanyang Hong Qizi Alliance's Dengmeng Sect, they could avoid this calamity.

"No need, you figure out a way yourselves to avoid the storm first." Shen Yi shook his head.

Not to mention the Yan family members, even Liu Shiqian couldn't help but cough dryly twice: "..."

If he remembered correctly, the previous sentence had just said "we are family."

"Xianqing understands." Yan Xianqing let out a bitter smile.

Vassals are ultimately vassals; they are meant to die in front of the Xian Sect; with the Yan family outside attracting the Long Gong's wrath, the Nanyang Sect would have more room to maneuver.

"Xianqing will go prepare immediately to escort you back to the Sect."

Since the decision had been made, he must correct his position and do what a vassal should do.

However, Shen Yi's next sentence left everyone standing there stunned like wooden chickens.

"Busy yourselves with your own affairs; I am not returning for now."

Shen Yi casually raised his arm and spread his five long fingers.

In his palm, a obscure rune formed by smeared bloodstains revealed itself in their sight.

Slaying the Dragon Grandson ultimately required a price to be paid.

This rune, which could not fade even if scratched by the spear shaft or burned by the Purple-Gold Phoenix Flame, created a tight spiritual connection between Shen Yi and that Southern Long Gong he had never seen before.

A similar method had been experienced once back then at the Yangtze River with Jiang Jiao.

Only this time it was obviously far more powerful.

Hiding in the Return to Dao Sacred Land and waiting for the Dengmeng Sect's protection might be a good decision; after all, the Nanyang Hong Qizi would likely not sit idly by while the Nanyang Sect was bullied; one could completely take a gamble.

But he was not used to handing his life over to others to decide, especially since there were so many acquaintances inside the Nanyang Sacred Land.

He truly could not afford to lose.

Shen Yi withdrew his hand and walked toward the foot of Ya Jiao Mountain with slightly unsteady steps.

Between his tall figure, that blood-stained white robe swayed slightly, entering the eyes of the Yan family members and Liu Shiqian.

Causing their pupils to unconsciously contract slightly.

They were all cultivators of profound realms; how could they not know what this blood talisman represented?

What a terrifying experience it would be to be targeted by the Long Gong?

In Yu Nanhong, few could likely answer this question, for the dead do not speak.

Yet in Shen Zongzhu's expression, this seemed a trivial matter; had the clan leader not brought it up, the other party might not have intended to reveal the blood talisman at all.

"Heh... heh..."

The Yan family members suddenly felt a tightness in their chests.

It seemed they had guessed wrong about something.

Shen Zongzhu did not intend for the Yan family to die on behalf of the Nanyang Sect; he simply did not want the Long Gong's targets piled into a single basket.

Then, the remaining matters would be handled by him alone.

"..."

Liu Shiqian slowly raised his head, gazing at Shen Yi's figure disappearing into the end of the mountain path.

Immediately, he swept his gaze toward the Yan family members beside him.

Talent, character, and finally that missing piece—the courage to shoulder heaven and earth while holding a high position—were now completely made whole today.

Dragons and phoenixes among men never lack followers.

This young cultivator was becoming more and more like a true sect leader.

Just then.

Yan Xianqing took a slight step, and his figure vanished from the spot.

When he reappeared.

He was already by Shen Yi's side, bowing with clasped hands to present a palm-sized Jin Yu formation disk: "Sect Leader, if this formation is activated within Yu Nanhong, Xianqing will arrive instantly."

"Good."

Shen Yi did not stand on ceremony; he took the formation disk and hung it at his waist.

A Bai Yujing enforcer available at a moment's call—few in all of Yu Nanhong could likely possess such a thing.

"The Yan family will soon raise a formation to relocate to Ya Jiao Mountain. With this formation disk, you can find us at any time." Yan Xianqing continued in a low voice: "The other three families are certainly also targeted by the Long Gong. You can use the same method to win their loyalty."

When the four Bai Yujing factions combined, they would have the standing to speak even before other normal Xian Sects.

After all, not counting vassals.

Take Qingyue Sect as an example; it has only seven Bai Yu elders. Counting the outstanding ones among the direct disciples, the total number of Bai Yu cultivators would not exceed twelve.

"Go."

Shen Yi nodded slightly, his aura recovering somewhat. He summoned the dark-glow flying sword and bid farewell to Liu Shiqian with a Dao token: "Thank you, Elder Liu."

"Sect Leader Shen speaks too heavily. Today's matter seems to have nothing to do with Shiqian... Be careful. The magical decree Qianyun gave you still stands."

Liu Shiqian stood above the lake bay, shook his head, and a faint smile appeared on his stern face.

"..."

Shen Yi did not stand on further ceremony.

There was certainly a connection; had Liu Shiqian not been present to intimidate, how could the Yan family have watched him cut down the Dragon Grandson with their own eyes?

Moreover, the one who struck the final blow.

Although he had tried his utmost to conceal his aura, a trace of moonlight essence could still be detected. Combined with Yan Xianqing's bewildered reaction... it was likely that in the instant he hesitated to act, someone else, worried about an accident, had quietly moved first.

This Elder Liu did not seem as stubborn and rigid as he appeared.

Shen Yi put away the Dao token, stepped onto the dark-glow flying sword, darted out of Ya Jiao Mountain, and vanished into the sea of clouds.

The Yan family guards the east of the Nanyang Sect.

Leaving Ya Jiao Mountain actually meant leaving the scope of the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong.

Shen Yi found a place far from Wang Yang.

Last time, when he broke through outside the Baohua Sect, he discovered it seemed to have attracted the attention of the water-dwelling races.

Although his current strength was incomparable to that time, caution was never wrong, especially after just slaying a Dragon Grandson.

Shen Yi sat cross-legged, staring silently at the blood pattern in his palm.

The Five Elements Treasure Lotus Great Array previously set up had cut off the Dragon Grandson and his guards from the outside world; it was done quite cleanly and decisively.

Even with its vast power, the Long Gong could not possibly react immediately.

It was just this aura connection that was troublesome.

"Long Gong, huh."

Shen Yi exhaled.

To say he was not nervous would be false; having just arrived in Yu Nanhong, whatever he did seemed connected to this colossal entity.

Its claws and fangs seemed to be spread across the land and water of Yu Nanhong.

With his current strength, before such a power, he felt somewhat like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Just one Dragon Grandson, plus a few guards, had made Shen Yi extremely troubled.

But this trace of nervousness made him strangely excited.

Since having the protection of the Nanyang Nanyang Baodi, Shen Yi always felt he had a way out, but now, this treasure land seemed no longer so invulnerable.

"Then come."

Shen Yi closed his eyes, began to set up the formation, and at the same time opened the panel.

Back in the Jade Liquid Realm, he had offended the Yangtze River Jiang Jiao Dragon Clan, comparable to the Embryonic Dao realm, yet in the end, it was him who survived.

【Slayed a Return to Emptiness Realm Jade Pearl Poison Dragon, total lifespan 258,000 years, remaining lifespan 197,000 years, absorption complete】

【Remaining demon lifespan: 932,000 years】

As befits a dragon's grandchild, the lifespan offered by this single one nearly matched the combined total of four guards.

Shen Yi began selecting the demon souls.

The stabilizing stones already condensed included the remaining Return-to-Void seventh-layer water demon of the Dragon Fish Hall, plus General Dao Hai and Qing Xi.

In the next moment, Shen Yi rapidly condensed one after another of the demon origins.

He selected two dragon-grandchild guards, plus the Green-Scaled Dragon General of Return-to-Void ninth layer from before.

As the strength of this group of demons grew, and since they were no heavenly geniuses, their lifespans were naturally immense; under such terrifying consumption, the demons' lifespans flowed away like water.

A full forty-eight demon origins were fed into the demon soul.

Three more stabilizing stones were condensed.

The stone skin peeled away, revealing vibrant colors; these three demons seemed to come alive again within Shen Yi's brow.

As usual, he compared them with the measurement pillar.

The result differed little from expectations.

Last time, Dao Hai's stabilizing stone, after Jin Guang surged past the Second Grade line, had climbed another two-thirds of the distance upward.

These Return-to-Void ninth-layer demons possessed bloodlines no inferior to Dao Hai's, and with higher cultivation, they easily filled the remaining third, faintly overlapping that First Grade line.

One could call it Second Grade perfection, or say it was First Grade; either seemed fine.

Shen Yi decisively summoned his Dao Palace and placed all six demon stabilizing stones inside.

It could be said that even counting only as Second Grade perfection, such extravagance was probably unimaginable to Yu Nanhong cultivators.

The six-pillar method, already the most arduous, plus such a high-grade Dao Pillar.

All for merely breaking through to Return-to-Void sixth layer.

Shen Yi, fully focused, activated the Palace-Rising Method; he raised his gaze to see the Blood Sea Dao Palace on the sky stack another hall higher!

Crack—

The Limitless Demon Emperor Palace, fully six stories high, appeared so majestic and grand.

The pleasing purple hue was rich and serene, slightly veiling the ferocious malevolence of the Blood Sea demon qi.

Heaven and Earth seemed prepared long ago.

A gift of purple qi, thicker than before, arrived as promised.

Hearing the crisp immortal music at his ears, Shen Yi suddenly formed a thought: why not condense the remaining three demons at once, break through to Return-to-Void seventh layer with three pillars, and spare Heaven and Earth an extra trip?

But soon he erased that thought.

Presumably, Senior Xiang Tianyan had thought the same back then, which is why he used a single Dao Pillar to raise the palace.

A cultivation path too smooth always makes one arrogant.

Besides, Shen Yi still had other uses for the dragon-grandchild's demon soul for now.

When the purple qi in the sky settled.

Shen Yi withdrew his Dao Palace and continued refining demon origins; merely six were enough to successfully reshape the dragon-grandchild's demon soul.

"Heh... Ke Shisan... pays homage to my lord..."

Perhaps because too little demon origin was consumed, this dragon grandchild, though respectful in expression, still retained some trace of struggle in those eyes filled with confusion.

Shen Yi had no intention of feeding more demon origins.

This tiny remnant of temper would vanish soon enough.

"Come."

Shen Yi handed over a blank jade slip: "Copy the spiritual technique you practice into it."

He had just obtained a precious spear.

Perhaps that one spiritual spear technique was not top-tier within the Nanyang Sect's Secret Scripture Pavilion, but even the most supreme technique is useless unless one can learn it; after all, since a demon had practiced it first, progress would surely be much faster.

"Ke Shisan humbly obeys my lord's decree."

The demon soul, freshly condensed, was forced to copy the technique.

It obediently squatted on the ground, making gestures at the jade slip.

Time passed, unknown how long.

Shen Yi finally took the jade slip and quickly scanned it.

【Return-to-Void (Spirit): Green Dragon Shatters Stars Spear: Not Entered】

He glanced sideways.

Ke Shisan suddenly felt a chill run through his body; before he could react, he was drawn into the panel.

【Remaining Demon Lifespan: Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Two Thousand Years】

Shen Yi did not rush to practice that spiritual spear technique; instead, he poured the lifespan into Tian Yan Si Jiu.

He hoped this dragon grandchild would face the most difficult problem in the best possible state.

【First Year: With the help of the Jade-Beaded Poison Dragon, you begin to deduce the final step of Tian Yan Si Jiu】

Almost the instant the prompt leaped up.

that surge of violent nausea reached Shen Yi.

He forcefully clamped his throat.

Veins burst on his forehead, yet an endless night appeared within his eyes.

Profound insights so vast they shattered the mind began flooding his brain.

【Seventy-Third Thousand Year: Ke Shisan, having seemingly encountered many spiritual techniques, through analogy truly stepped into the threshold of Tian Yan Si Jiu; yet when facing those sudden myriad insights, he too fell into confusion. From Great Perfection to Perfection, this step is as hard as climbing to heaven】

【Ninety-Seventh Thousand Year: Ke Shisan's expression gradually fell into stupor, while you had nearly become a madman...】

Shen Yi's face twisted grotesquely; he suddenly bit his tongue.

He spat out a mouthful of blood.

His face was deathly pale, his breathing chaotic.

Though he had not successfully broken through a realm, Shen Yi's control over Xiang Tianyan Sijiu had once again ascended to a new level; he stopped pouring in his lifespan and released Ke Shisan.

Looking at the dazed Ke Shisan.

Shen Yi adjusted his state slightly: "Don't be so tense. Let's do something else to relax."

The path of cultivation requires a balance of tension and relaxation.

Having said that, Ke Shisan, who hadn't even reacted yet, was pulled into the panel again.

Vast demon lifespans poured into the Gui Xu Immortal Armor.

"My Lord... spare me..."

All Shen Yi could hear by his ear was the dragon grandson's wailing.

For Ke Shisan, he even felt that his master was more terrifying than the tempering of the demon origin.

The figure in the Nanyang white robe simply sat in meditation in the mountain forest.

Except for the occasional sound of violent vomiting.

Even true geniuses would find it hard to claim mastery over various techniques, but without exception, their minds were sharp.

With enough time to support them, a rare flash of inspiration could cause earth-shaking changes in the progress on the panel.

【Year One: Under your instruction, Ke Shisan began to cultivate the Dao of Arrays】

【Year Eighty-Three Thousand: You had grown accustomed to solitude, became absorbed in the formation arrays, and through mutual exploration, finally pushed the Gui Xu Immortal Armor Array to a new level again】

【Return to Emptiness (Spirit). Gui Xu Immortal Armor Array: Great Perfection】

"Continue."

Shen Yi comforted Ke Shisan, gently waved his sleeve, and forcibly dragged the dragon grandson back, who had fallen to the ground and was wriggling backward like a maggot trying to escape.

Over two hundred thousand years of demon lifespan remained; no rush, take it slow. The spear techniques haven't even started being learned yet.

"Heh..."

Ke Shisan stared死死 at Shen Yi's face, which was devoid of blood and withered to the extreme.

As if seeing some monster.

Overwhelmed by fear.

He knew that not only was he being tortured, but his master was enduring the same pressure.

Yet upon that deathly pale face, within those clear eyes, flames of excitement danced.

【Year One: You grasped the long spear and suddenly remembered the former You Wei. Transforming from a dragon-serpent into a dragon is no easy feat; under Ke Shisan's guidance, you finally began to truly cultivate how to control the dragon spear in your hand】

Shen Yi digested the realizations in his mind.

Golden threads emerged from his fingertips.

They fell upon his heart, transforming into the dense runic lines of the Great Gui Xu Array.

A dual torment of spirit and body.

Made him gradually recall the scenes between life and death from the past.

Until the final wisp of runic line fell.

Shen Yi raised his gaze to look out toward the distant Wang Yang; the flames of excitement in his eyes gradually subsided, turning into the familiar indifference.

(End of this chapter)