Chapter 60

Demon Heart arises from deep-seated fears, pains, desires, or other negative emotions; when first born, it is easily resolved—once your thoughts become unblocked, the Demon Heart dissipates on its own.

But the problem is, often because one has dug oneself into a corner or due to other reasons, one cannot see clearly, and this kind of Demon Heart makes achieving mental clarity a challenge.

If the Demon Heart reaches a certain level, it may even take physical form, causing one to go mad, drastically altering one's personality, or even allowing the Demon Heart to perform Possession and seize the body.

In short, the Demon Heart is the most feared entity among Immortal Cultivators.

Fortunately, precisely because it is feared, cultivators over the centuries have studied ways to combat the Demon Heart.

The simplest method is to debate with others, or seek enlightenment from them—once someone convinces you, the Demon Heart naturally dissolves.

There are other methods as well: taking Pills, or using cultivation techniques to sever the Demon Heart.

Although several Foundation Establishment cultivators were deployed, none intervened; instead, the Qi Refining disciples below took action.

"None of this matters—what matters is your true heart: do what you want to do, kill those you wish to kill, and spare those you do not wish to kill."

Seeing this, Gongsun Ming did not wait for the battle to end—he took Luo Yao back to the sect.

Clearly, Gongsun Ming had used some method to convince Xu Zhanglao, who had originally refused.

If Luo Yao were here, she would be shocked—Gongsun Ming's entire body was now suffused with black qi, clinging like a bone-deep plague, drilling into his flesh.

On the battlefield, as long as you don't die, whether you seize an enemy's Storage Bag or kill an enemy to gain points, it's a profit for them.

Last night, the Great Elder of Xuanyuan Sect led a surprise attack on Ziguang Sect's ambush force, instantly crippling them; apart from Elder Yuan and a few disciples who escaped, all others died.

To fight for the sect.

In Gongsun Ming's Cave Abode.

Watching the disciples, whether at the peak of Qi Refining or at its beginning, rush desperately toward the battlefield, Luo Yao froze—had she been in their place, she would never have charged forward; she would have stayed behind.

"I'm your master—who dares send her to the battlefield, I'll fight them to the death. As for Xu Zhanglao, don't worry—I'll speak with him."

But in front of her master, she couldn't say such things.

This time, both sects were merely probing.

Before Luo Yao could answer, her master continued, "Some disciples were born within Xuanyuan Sect; they feel profound gratitude toward it, so when outsiders invade, they naturally wish to defend their sect."

Luo Yao fell silent—she had chosen the second path—but the problem was, if she kept killing, when the war ended, her hands would be caked in countless bloodstains.

Luo Yao had, in her heart, accepted Gongsun Ming's viewpoint, yet a small unease remained.

But after one night passed, Luo Yao had not resolved her Demon Heart—she hadn't dug herself into a corner; she understood clearly, it was merely the conflict between her past-life beliefs and the Immortal Cultivation World's norms that had birthed her Demon Heart.

As Luo Yao was stunned, Gongsun Ming whispered to her, "Are you curious? The Qi Refining peak disciples have self-preservation ability—they fight desperately to earn points and exchange them for Foundation Establishment Pills—but what about the low-rank disciples?"

Hearing her master's counter-question, Luo Yao fell silent—she was, of course, the second type; frankly, she felt no deep attachment to Xuanyuan Sect.

…

The next day, as expected, when Luo Yao arrived at Ju Dan Peak, Xu Zhanglao did not drive her away—he had her assist Fang Qingyan.

"Your current thoughts are overthinking—these days, you won't join the battle; go to Xu Zhanglao and help him refine Pills—refine your heart."

Luo Yao understood—this was loyalty.

Luo Yao knew this well: before her Golden Finger appeared, she had worked desperately for three years and barely earned Spirit Stones, let alone afford Pills or other resources.

"The battlefield is their only chance to change their fate—that's why they fight desperately."

This counterattack filled Xuanyuan Sect with joy, but Ziguang Sect was enraged.

In short, Gongsun Ming's viewpoint was simply following one's true heart.

Do what you want to do; don't do what you don't want to do.

Even if the cost is death.

But all these methods have flaws and cannot completely eradicate the Demon Heart.

Luo Yao silently vowed to repay her master well in the future.

Luo Yao quickly told Gongsun Ming what the sect master had said and that Xu Zhanglao had refused—but Gongsun Ming replied with authority.

Hearing this, Luo Yao was deeply moved, once again feeling the stark difference between having a backer and having none.

After all, her strength was utterly insignificant.

Gongsun Ming continued, "Those disciples who fight for the sect see Ziguang Sect's intruders as enemies—they believe their home is about to be destroyed."

Gongsun Ming would never use flawed methods to help his disciples resolve their Demon Hearts, so he spoke to Luo Yao.

But in daily life, when they fight Beasts, they still fight desperately—and still die.

"These people fight desperately—either for the sect, or for themselves."

Saying this, Gongsun Ming sighed, "I myself do not endorse excessive killing, for after all, one must face the Heavenly Tribulation—too much killing will ultimately defy cosmic law."

"But Master, the sect master said all disciples must go to the battlefield…"

"There are also disciples who have no power, no influence, no resources—but they have ambition."

"What about you? Why do you cultivate? To grow strong and protect the sect—or to become an Immortal yourself…"

Gongsun Ming did not wait for Luo Yao to answer—he continued whispering, "That is, when Ziguang Sect declares war, whether you fight for the sect or for yourself, you have no choice—you must strike and kill."

But Luo Yao could not speak of her past life—this caused Gongsun Ming to think killing was no big deal, and he couldn't understand why she kept struggling to comprehend it, so their views differed, making it hard for him to help her achieve enlightenment.

But watching the battlefield, the Qi Refining fourth- and fifth-layer cultivators fighting desperately—this sight was profoundly shocking.

He brought Luo Yao to the battlefield, concealed their forms, and hid in the shadows to observe.

Gongsun Ming spat another mouthful of black blood, his aura sinking into weakness.

After receiving Xuanyuan Sect's declaration of war, Ziguang Sect also announced war against Xuanyuan Sect.

Though she didn't understand, Luo Yao quietly observed.

"As for why you strike—that's unimportant; it's merely an excuse to make yourself feel better."

Both sects deployed Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators to engage in open battle along their territorial border.

"And what are they fighting for?"

"Puh!"

With no other choice, Gongsun Ming could only take Luo Yao and leave the sect.

"As for those who act for their own disciples, these Ziguang Sect disciples hold no grudge against them, yet standing on their own interests, killing Ziguang Sect disciples yields rewards, so they will strike."

He could not help but sigh, clenching his fists as he looked outside, "Time is running out."

Afterwards, she took a Jade Slip from her Storage Bag and began to set up an Array.

(End of this chapter)