[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-record-of-a-demon-s-cultivation":3,"chapter-record-of-a-demon-s-cultivation-record-of-a-demon-s-cultivation-chapter-426":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Record of a Demon's Cultivation",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},951970,1246,"Chapter 426: Growth Through Trials","record-of-a-demon-s-cultivation-chapter-426",426,"\u003Cp>Translator: Cinder Translations\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam Xing, I almost forgot to tell you something. Last night's affair... I recorded it on a Shadow Stone. If you don't return within a day, the Shadow Stone will be copied into a thousand pieces and spread throughout Fang City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Wen's words were like a curse from the depths of the Nine Hells, startling Shan Yue so much that she nearly fell off her flying sword. They struck her heart like a sharp blade, shattering the silence in her mind's poisonous cavern and momentarily halting her heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... despicable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Yue gritted her teeth and cursed loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her slightly swollen, tear-streaked eyes glared at Song Wen with such hatred that she wished to tear him to pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for the compliment, Madam. I'll await your good news here,\" Song Wen said with a mocking smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Yue suddenly accelerated, rushing out of the cave and flying into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming that Shan Yue had left, Song Wen went to the spirit field where Poison Old Ghost cultivated his poisons and uprooted all the medicinal herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Song Wen also left the poisonous cavern, leaving only two Sacred Gu behind to monitor the cave's movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Wen trailed Shan Yue from a distance, following her to the outskirts of Fang City. He chose a busy spot where he could quietly observe the happenings in the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't entirely confident that Shan Yue would be able to obtain the 'Focused Spirit Stab'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through Xing Chang's network, Shan Yue was the highest-ranking person in the Xing family that Song Wen could reach. If even Shan Yue couldn't obtain the 'Focused Spirit Stab', then Xing Chang's value would be negligible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Yue passed through the northern gate of Fang City and headed straight for the palace where she resided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Gaohan, being the most powerful cultivator in the Xing family, lived at the very heart of the family's estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His residence resembled a mundane royal palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Xing Gaohan lived in the main hall, his wives and concubines resided in the many side halls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xing Gaohan's most favored concubine, Shan Yue's quarters were very close to the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about a quarter of an hour, Shan Yue stepped out of her palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, she had changed into a fresh outfit, adorned herself with delicate makeup, and restored her usual lofty demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She summoned a flying vessel and slowly made her way to the Transmission Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xing family's Transmission Hall was vast, spanning a full mile and comprising five levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first floor housed books on various aspects of cultivation, from common knowledge and spiritual herbs to demonic beasts and tales from the Chaotic Sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second to fifth floors contained cultivation techniques and secret arts corresponding to the stages of Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Yue went directly to the deepest part of the third floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here stood a stone platform, and resting silently upon it was a jade slip, green in color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A translucent barrier of light enveloped the jade slip, a miniature formation designed specifically to protect it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This jade slip contained the first level of the 'Focused Spirit Stab' technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone, come here!\" Shan Yue called out sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure flashed, and a male Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared at Shan Yue's side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xing Shi, a descendant of the Xing family, greets Madam. May I ask what Madam needs from this junior?\" he asked respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make me a copy of the 'Focused Spirit Stab',\" Shan Yue ordered without room for negotiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Shi's face filled with discomfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam, according to family rules, to obtain the first level of the 'Focused Spirit Stab', one must complete a trial and refine an Earth Spirit Pill.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Yue's brows furrowed in anger, and her sharp glare bore down on him. \"Are you saying I should risk my life and head to the outer seas to slay tidal demons?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Shi stiffened and quickly replied, \"This junior wouldn't dare! It's just that these are the rules of the family, and I dare not overstep them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Yue shot him a cold glance, her gaze full of impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just copy the technique. I'll take full responsibility for any consequences.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Shi was momentarily at a loss for what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family rules were strict, and he dared not violate them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Shan Yue's status was too high for him to offend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why haven't you copied the technique yet? If worse comes to worst, I'll speak to my husband later and have him issue a decree to grant this exception,\" Shan Yue snapped sternly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For other members of the Xing family, cultivating the first layer of the 'Focused Spirit Stab' required completing the family-mandated trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, for Shan Yue, all it took was a few sweet words whispered to Xing Gaohan to get whatever she desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rules were, after all, meant to restrain the weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Shi hesitated for a long time but ultimately gritted his teeth and decided to copy the technique for Shan Yue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam, I hope you can quickly secure a decree from the family head. Otherwise, I cannot bear the responsibility for this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood. I'll take full responsibility for any consequences,\" Shan Yue replied impatiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After obtaining the jade slip for the first layer of the 'Concentration Piercing', she proceeded toward the fourth floor of the Transmission Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam, the copied jade slip cannot leave the Transmission Hall; it can only be studied within its premises,\" Xing Shi reminded her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think I need a junior like you to tell me what to do?\" Shan Yue retorted arrogantly, not even bothering to look back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between the third and fourth floors was a formation that blocked the passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Yue was stopped by a shimmering light barrier radiating an array of colors. To pass through this barrier, one needed to possess the cultivation level of a Golden Core Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who is in charge of the fourth floor? Come out and see me immediately!\" Shan Yue shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mid-Golden Core stage male cultivator appeared at the entrance to the fourth floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam, please return. The fourth floor is not a place where you can cause trouble,\" the male cultivator said flatly, barring Shan Yue's way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clearly knew what had happened on the third floor, but since it didn't concern him, he hadn't intervened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Yue glanced at the man, her eyes flashing with a hint of mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She recognized him—his name was Xing Xian, a close associate of Xing Li Ren and a follower of Xing Gaohan's first wife, Jing Feiyao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Shan Yue had relied on Xing Gaohan's favor and looked down on the need to win people over or build her own power base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After last night's events, however, she realized the importance of having a force completely loyal to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some matters couldn't be disclosed to Xing Gaohan, nor could she rely on him to resolve them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xing Xian, don't be so quick to close the door on me,\" Shan Yue said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, she took out a jade token.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Merit Token!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Xian's brows furrowed deeply, and his tone carried a trace of surprise. He seemed incredulous that Shan Yue possessed such a token.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Merit Token was only awarded to those who had rendered significant contributions to the Xing family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With it, the bearer could choose any cultivation technique, claim rare spiritual materials, or exchange it directly for 500 top-grade spirit stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Yue, who had always lived a life of luxury and leisure, was an unlikely candidate to possess such a token.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed, this is the Merit Token. With it, I believe I'm entitled to enter the fourth floor,\" Shan Yue said with a smug smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Merit Token had been bestowed upon her by Xing Gaohan on the night she rose to prominence, as a gesture of his favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had kept it unused for years, reluctant to part with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, forced into a corner by Song Wen, she had no choice but to bring it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Merit Token can only be used once. Madam, are you certain about this?\" Xing Xian asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Open the formation!\" Shan Yue ordered in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing Xian performed a series of hand seals, and the light barrier opened, allowing Shan Yue to ascend to the fourth floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of the Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Read (RDC) on Pa.treon@CinderTL-c624.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early Access at $5.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Translated (4) Series, (1.8K+) Chapters, (2.25M+) Words.\u003C\u002Fp>",1422,"2026-06-03T07:24:17.710Z",1,"novelbin.me","b4050a2666f9ecdc4e7136ffeef321aa966e8fd7f0e3f7a4e627de3a368212c0","record-of-a-demon-s-cultivation-chapter-427","record-of-a-demon-s-cultivation-chapter-425",1282,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frecord-of-a-demon-s-cultivation-cover.jpg"]