Chapter 680: Refining the Demon to Strengthen the True Form, the Phantom Dragon Harvests the Scene (Combined)

To forge a palace to house the spirit is the Spirit Palace realm.

The cultivation of the Spirit Palace realm is the further sublimation and transformation of essence, qi, and spirit under the nourishment of magic power, until all methods are perfectly integrated, at which point the Golden Core can be condensed.

Golden Core derives its name from the golden quality of indestructibility and perfect wholeness.

Its essence is the self's spirit drawing closer to the spirit of heaven and earth; that single thread of golden indestructibility originates from the "spirit patterns" embedded within magic power.

Spirit patterns arise from the laws of heaven and earth, from the ultimate truth of the Dao, and possess by nature an unerasable, imperishable quality.

The Spirit Furnace is an elite method that accelerates Spirit Palace cultivation and aids in condensing the "Golden Core" and "Law Ring," and can only be forged by those with top-grade magic power.

"Spirit Furnace, Spirit Palace."

Breathing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, Li Yuan analyzed the hidden secrets of the Spirit Palace realm.

The Scripture Hall held countless such insights, many freely available for borrowing; he borrowed many, cross-referencing them until he became thoroughly familiar with this realm.

At its core, this realm's cultivation is about absorbing the "indestructible" essence of spirit patterns.

Thus, cultivation in the Spirit Palace realm is uniquely distinct from other realms: a cultivator may take one thread of "golden quality," and with Spirit Palace First Layer, forge a Golden Core and ascend to the Fourth Realm.

Or they may take nine threads of golden quality, forging a "Nine Scenery Golden Core" and shaping a "Nine Manifestation Law Ring" at Spirit Palace Ninth Layer.

The quality of the Golden Core depends entirely on the quantity of "golden quality."

Nine represents perfection; thus, this realm has at most nine layers, and nine threads of golden quality mark its fullness—when the core is forged, one may draw upon the profundities of all learned techniques to nurture a unique "divine ability!"

"The quantity of golden quality affects the Law Realm, the Law Heaven, and even cultivation at higher realms…"

"Thus, the vast majority of cultivators in this realm pursue multiple layers; a single thread less in golden quality may mean a doubling of future potential…"

"As for the innate divine ability… from Shu Hao's veiled hints, the more profound one's foundation and the more techniques one cultivates, the stronger the innate divine ability becomes…"

…

For cultivation, Li Yuan always approached it with the utmost reverence, striving to ensure every step was steady and precise.

The Spirit Furnace carried profound implications; he naturally gave it deep consideration.

But this step was not truly difficult for him—not only because his innate talent was exceptional, but also due to the enhancement granted by the Qiu Yun's Mystic Vine Snake molt.

The near-sixth-layer Emperor Green Longevity Scripture bolstering his body provided immense benefits for cultivation below the Fifth Realm.

Qiu Yun had also forged a Spirit Furnace.

"To forge a Spirit Furnace theoretically requires at least nine threads of Emperor Green magic power; at my cultivation pace, it would take two years to accumulate enough…"

Li Yuan contemplated the teachings within the Mystic Vine Snake molt, searching the vast ocean of information for a solution.

Soon enough, he found one.

Before Qiu Yun cultivated the Emperor Green Longevity Scripture, he had practiced six mid-grade magic powers, and these six were the finest nourishment for his Emperor Green magic power.

Sacrifice other methods to strengthen the Wood method.

"Hmm… using the Mystic Vine Tree as a medium, I can sacrifice Water magic power to strengthen Wood magic power; theoretically, twenty-four threads of Peng magic power could yield eight threads of Emperor Green magic power…"

"If I could truly achieve a three-to-one exchange, that would be a tremendous gain…"

Li Yuan calculated in his mind.

He had filled eighty-one threads of Peng magic power in just three years, while Emperor Green magic power would take at least twenty years—true three-to-one exchange would save him at least half the time.

But this was merely the theoretical optimal ratio; Qiu Yun himself likely achieved a five-to-one ratio when refining his Emperor Green magic power.

"My conditions are better than Qiu Yun's, because Peng magic power is not only Water magic power, but also belongs to the same Hunyuan Five Extreme Dao as Emperor Green magic power—logically, the loss should be smaller…"

He reviewed the secret technique in his mind; with the Mystic Vine Snake molt's enhancement, he felt no confusion, and after slight hesitation, decided to try:

"It's only a few threads of magic power!"

Hum~

Li Yuan summoned the thought, and his Spirit Realm responded instantly.

The Mystic Vine Tree, now over two hundred zhang tall, swayed its trunk, and countless branches descended like ten thousand vine serpents into the ocean beyond the island.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng dove into the sea, transforming into a colossal Kun, allowing the myriad vines to sink into its body, emitting a faint cry of pain.

"Splash!"

In mere moments, the Mystic Vine Tree retracted its branches, and the giant Kun, severely damaged, spewed a massive wave before sinking into the seabed.

"Four-to-one!"

Feeling the change in his internal magic power, Li Yuan's eyes brightened slightly—this ratio was far better than Qiu Yun's, saving him several years at least.

"Only those cultivating the corresponding mid-grade magic power of the Emperor Green Longevity Scripture—such as Azure Dragon magic power or Azure Phoenix magic power—might achieve a three-to-one loss?"

Li Yuan gained sudden clarity: sacrificing Peng magic power to strengthen Emperor Green still incurred heavy loss; if he used Black Emperor magic power, he could surely achieve three-to-one.

"Not bad."

Li Yuan could accept this loss, but he did not continue.

Losing four threads of Peng magic power at once, even with his deep foundation, left him weary—he needed several days of nourishment before he could resume sacrificing Water to strengthen Wood.

"Hum~"

Li Yuan swallowed a spiritual pill and activated both Emperor Green and Peng magic power; he felt the surrounding spiritual energy grow denser, both magic powers swelling simultaneously.

"This secret technique is extremely useful for cultivators practicing multiple magic powers."

Li Yuan understood this perfectly, and silently thanked Brother Qiu Yun, deciding he could further explore the Mystic Vine Snake molt.

Though the few secret techniques within the molt were limited to the Mystic Vine Tree portion, they were still immensely useful to him.

"Huh!"

"Hss!"

Swallowing the spiritual pill, he practiced and refined his magic.

Seven days later, Li Yuan cultivated one thread of Peng magic power, then sacrificed four to obtain a third thread of Emperor Green magic power, repeating this cycle every seven days.

Thus, after forty-two days, Li Yuan's dantian contained nine threads of Emperor Green magic power.

Seven were obtained by sacrificing Peng magic power; the final one he cultivated by absorbing spiritual qi.

As for Peng magic power, even after regaining seven threads in those forty-plus days, he now had only sixty, fallen below fullness, leaving him deeply unsettled.

"It will take over four months to restore fullness."

Li Yuan calculated with his fingers, feeling no inner disturbance; he sat quietly for another day, waiting for his spirit to fully recover, then entered his Dantian Spirit Realm.

Nine threads of Emperor Green magic power were sufficient to forge the Spirit Furnace.

…

"Hum~"

In the ocean of his Spirit Realm, within the three-zhang-square Training Ground, Li Yuan stood with hands hanging, distant towering trees casting hundreds of thousands of branches down upon him.

The Golden-Winged Peng descended and perched on his shoulder, preening its feathers.

The interwoven magic power, appearing as a pale gold mist, spread around the Training Ground.

"Furnace Forging Method."

Li Yuan reviewed the various furnace forging techniques in his mind, and quickly made his decision.

He reached out, grasping threads of Emperor Green magic power that settled in his palm, shifting shape according to his will; soon, a faint tremor sounded.

In his palm now rested a fist-sized alchemical furnace.

Within Dongxuan Mountain, there were hundreds of furnace forging methods, each with unique subtleties; he chose the one Qiu Yun cultivated, said to be linked to the "Southern Pole Crimson Emperor Fire Phoenix Scripture."

"Wood generates fire, Water regulates it—this Fire Phoenix Furnace suits me perfectly; once I can draw upon the profundity of Wood magic power, it subtly manifests the image of Wood generating fire, greatly aiding the condensation of the Nine Infants True Form…"

Li Yuan weighed the furnace in his hand, then tossed it down.

With a "Boom!" the Training Ground shook violently; the fist-sized furnace grew with the wind, swelling to three zhang tall in an instant.

"Hss!"

Li Yuan blew gently; the Mystic Vine Tree scattered Wood essence, and nourished by Wood magic power, the furnace trembled violently, faint flames rising within.

The Golden-Winged Peng flapped its wings, pouring forth torrents of water vapor; the "hiss-hiss" sounds filled the air as the vapor became a thick mist, enveloping the Training Ground.

Soon, the mist dispersed.

Li Yuan looked up and saw a new furnace standing in the Training Ground: a three-legged tripod, three zhang six chi five cun tall, with nine apertures and eight holes, its entire body glowing crimson like fire.

Faint spirit patterns flowed upon its surface; upon close inspection, they were the spirit patterns of Emperor Green and Peng magic power.

"It's roughly complete."

Li Yuan tapped it lightly; it rang "thump-thump," its magic-forged form indistinguishable from a physical furnace—once Emperor Green magic power was infused, divine fire would ignite.

"The optimal fire seed for the Fire Phoenix Furnace is four parts Crimson Emperor magic power, three parts Emperor Green magic power, three parts White Emperor magic power; I currently have only Emperor Green magic power, and with three parts incense fire, it's barely usable."

Li Yuan focused his spiritual sense for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction.

There are countless fire seeds for Spirit Furnaces, each with unique effects; incense fire is among the most peculiar—it is a fire born from the collective will of sentient beings, usable with any magic power.

Incense fire can function across all realms because it holds immense intrinsic value—every cultivator has use for it.

"This furnace is newly forged; it will require further magic power nourishment to grow, but it's usable now—though the items it refines cannot exceed my current realm…"

Li Yuan glanced at the Training Ground.

The Fire Phoenix Furnace stood over three zhang tall; in comparison, the three-zhang Training Ground felt cramped.

"Now that the furnace is forged, I can attempt the Devil Refining Method!"

Li Yuan was eager—should the Devil Refining Method prove viable, not only would the White Tiger Spirit Form grow rapidly, but it would also greatly aid his future Spirit Palace cultivation.

As he pondered, Li Yuan exited the Spirit Realm, his form flickering to the Qi-Collecting Platform.

"Master!"

The Black-Skinned Gourd was diligently harvesting the Nine Smoke Spirit Patterns; upon seeing him, it hurriedly bowed.

"I will practice and refine magic—guard me."

Li Yuan flicked his finger, releasing a thread of Peng magic power; the Black-Skinned Gourd cheered, swallowed it, and eagerly agreed.

The Gourd Dao Soldier not only has the ability to harvest scenery, but its condensed "Gourd Sword Qi," formed by absorbing various gang-sha energies, is also exceptionally powerful—its rank rivals even his Yin Sword Qi.

Moreover, this gourd is already a third-rank Dao weapon, naturally possessing protective abilities.

"Go!"

Li Yuan also removed the bone bracelet, murmured a incantation, and the pale white beads rolled once—transforming into twelve towering Bone Demon figures.

Though only twelve in number, these third-rank Bone Demons shared a single spiritual prohibition; when they erupted in unison, even ordinary third-rank cultivators would retreat three steps.

"Protect."

Li Yuan gave the order, and the twelve Bone Demons lined up around him, solemn as armored soldiers.

"Hmm…"

Li Yuan considered, then activated the Knowledge Sphere; with a mere thought, he could commune with the Spirit Pivot Child.

"That should be sufficient." Li Yuan shifted his control, sensing the enhancements from the Dun Tian Boat and all other Mystic Weapons and Spirit Treasures—only then did he feel secure, reasoning that even if a fourth- or fifth-rank demon lord invaded, he would have time to summon the Spirit Pivot Child.

"Regarding the Demon Realm, caution is never a mistake."

Li Yuan swallowed a spiritual pill, closed his eyes, entered meditation, cultivated his method, and visualized the "Qian Jin Bai Hu Zhen Xing Tu," aiming to summon a corresponding demon lord.

"Summoning Demon Art!"

After long meditation and completing one full cycle of cultivation, Li Yuan quietly activated the Demon Refining Art.

The Floating Law Daoist's cultivation was exceedingly high; last time, when transmitting the method remotely, he had employed some unknown divine technique—but now, this Demon Refining Art felt like a permanent imprint deep within Li Yuan's mind-sea, responding instantly to his will.

Hum~

Li Yuan's spirit flickered, and suddenly an incomparable mystery surged into his heart—as if the eternal Dao of immortality lay right before him, tempting him to drown in it.

But his understanding of the Demon Refining Art ran deep; the moment this thought arose, the Golden-Winged Peng Bird in his spirit realm issued a warning.

"Huh!"

"Haa!"

Li Yuan remained unmoved, continuing his cultivation.

In a daze, he felt his spirit merge with the circulating magic power around him, and along the threads of celestial spiritual energy, he glimpsed the infinite darkness of the void—where lay a terrifying great realm.

It was an utterly dreadful realm, boundless in size; even across infinite distance, its outline could not be glimpsed.

Within and around this great realm floated countless specks of light, like sand grains—each a minor realm dependent upon the great one.

"Demon Realm."

Li Yuan was startled but unshaken.

Again and again he cultivated and refined; whether much time passed or only an instant, he suddenly sensed something—his eyes snapped open.

"Roar!"

In the void, a tiger's roar exploded like thunder.

Under Li Yuan's gaze, a tiny speck hidden within the celestial spiritual energy leapt out, transforming into a three-zhang-long, ferocious black tiger, lunging at him.

"Cut!"

The black leather gourd reacted most swiftly; with a single shake, a stream of dark sword qi shot forth, spun once in midair, and the tiger's head, as large as a dou, fell to the ground.

Foul, stinking demon blood pooled across the ground.

"Boom!"

Only now did the sonic boom of the sword's cry detonate upon the Qi-Collecting Platform.

"Master!"

The black leather gourd, having landed the blow, bounced and jumped excitedly.

"A second-rank Tiger Demon."

Li Yuan was not disappointed; he flicked his finger, releasing a strand of magic power as reward—the gourd rejoiced wildly, bowing repeatedly in thanks.

After forging the Green Emperor's magic power, even the unfused Peng magic power had absorbed the aura of a top-grade power—perfect nourishment for a gourd Dao weapon.

"Huh!"

Li Yuan reached out, seized the Tiger Demon's corpse, and shoved it into his Dantian—he intended to try the Divine Furnace's Demon Refining method; the demon's rank didn't matter.

…

"Bang~"

The Phoenix Furnace lid flew open; the three-zhang-long tiger body shrank rapidly, swallowed whole by the Divine Furnace.

Li Yuan activated his magic power, igniting the furnace flames.

Hum~

Before his eyes, light and shadow interwove—the interior of the furnace became crystal clear; he could fully control the flames to burn any part of the Tiger Demon's corpse.

"Keep the bones."

Li Yuan willed it—the flames engulfed the Tiger Demon's body, blazing fiercely; moments later, the furnace lid slammed open with a "bang."

Wisps of smoke and a set of pale white tiger bones shot upward.

"Slaughter Qi."

Li Yuan reached out, snatched the wisps of smoke—among them, one strand was the Slaughter Qi he needed, now purified by the Divine Furnace's heat.

The other wisps were the Tiger Demon's blood qi and its fragmented spiritual prohibition, containing four spirit runes—clearly absorbed from other demons.

"Useful for nourishing the Soldier-Growing Ground."

Li Yuan didn't reject them; he flicked his finger—the fragmented Tiger Demon prohibition fell into the Soldier-Growing Ground, which trembled slightly, visibly expanding a small circle.

The Soldier-Growing Ground naturally absorbed spirit runes to grow, and was not picky.

"The tiger bones can feed the Bone Demons; the blood qi can be transformed and absorbed by the Mystic Vine Snake; this strand of Slaughter Qi can strengthen the Qian Jin Bai Hu Zhen Xing…"

"These fragmented spiritual prohibitions can nourish the Soldier-Growing Ground; once I have enough, I can freely combine them to cultivate spells or forge artifacts."

"Brothers didn't deceive me—these demons truly are treasures, marvelously useful!"

As Li Yuan calculated this, he realized the Demon Refining Art's value was immense—despite its dangers, it was an elite, superb method.

"With the Demon Refining Art, I can cultivate my own Bone Dao weapons!"

Satisfied, Li Yuan walked beneath the Mystic Vine Tree; the tree, attuned to his will, had already lowered a branch, now a black serpent, waiting.

He fed the blood qi to the Mystic Vine Snake, then turned to the small white tiger sleeping beneath the tree; he flicked his finger, and the pure Slaughter Qi sank into its body.

"Roar!"

The small white tiger shuddered; Li Yuan instantly felt a resonance—his spirit flickered, as if the cub had plunged into the Demon Realm, enduring brutal combat.

After a few breaths, the resonance faded; he looked down—the fist-sized white tiger had swelled to twice its size.

"Strong qi, full spirit—truly top-grade nourishment!"

Feeling the cub's transformation, Li Yuan's eyes gleamed—he saw a clear path to swiftly forge the White Tiger Zhen Xing, even the Nine Spirit Forms.

"Continue!"

Energized, Li Yuan exited the spirit realm and resumed cultivation; soon, another demon arrived along the celestial spiritual energy, greedily lunging at Li Yuan.

Seeking to devour this exceptionally gifted cultivator's body.

"Cut!"

The black leather gourd, having tasted success, had been waiting; it shook once, and sword qi shot out, slicing the demon cleanly in two.

"A first-rank Crimson-Eyed Demon Bird?"

Li Yuan retrieved the demon bird, resumed cultivation; after several cycles, he sensed another presence—the black leather gourd struck again, but this time, it missed.

It was a three-chi-tall ferocious Child Demon; facing the gourd's sword qi, it dissolved into mist, reformed as a child demon, and lunged at Li Yuan.

"Roar!"

The twelve Bone Demons moved as one, transforming into twelve spine-like bone whips, crisscrossing to ensnare the mist-dividing demon child.

"Cut!"

The black leather gourd, enraged by the missed strike, widened its eyes—its sword qi split into thousands, like a sudden storm, slicing the writhing demon child to pieces within the bone whip net.

"Second-rank 'Child Demon.'"

Li Yuan reached out, seized the bloodied demon body, and examined it curiously.

He had purchased a scroll of Demon Realm Diagrams, which recorded many demon lords—including this Child Demon.

The Child Demon was born from the "Thousand-Child Demon Mother," vicious, bloodthirsty, capable of dispersing and reforming at will; as a second-rank demon, it was far stronger than the Tiger Demon.

"The Thousand-Child Demon Mother belongs to the Serpent Demon category—was this Child Demon drawn by the Mystic Vine Snake's aura?"

Li Yuan speculated, then stored the Child Demon and resumed cultivation.

After this, it was as if he'd stirred a nest of Child Demons—thirty straight times, all summoned were Child Demons; one even reached third rank, nearly breaching the gourd and Bone Demons to attack him directly.

But it was still only a third-rank demon—ultimately crushed by the Bone Dao weapons.

"The harvest is decent, but it drains the spirit considerably."

After forty consecutive refinements, Li Yuan felt exhausted—he dared not refine demons in this state; if a ferocious one appeared while his spirit was dim, it could be fatal.

"Take it slow."

Li Yuan wasn't in a hurry; today's harvest was already substantial—he now had enough demon flesh to feed the Bone Demons for a month.

…

"Splash~"

Waves surged as thirty fragmented spiritual prohibitions merged into the Soldier-Growing Ground; its transformation was visible—soon, it had expanded to thirty zhang in diameter.

"Now this Soldier-Growing Ground is truly complete."

Sensing the fragmented spiritual prohibitions weaving beneath the ground, Li Yuan felt ready to attempt "planting weapons."

The Soldier-Growing Scripture from the Mystic Whale Sect was profoundly mysterious: using fragmented spirit runes as seeds, blending hundreds of metals into liquid to irrigate them, it could grow various weapons according to the runes.

The Split-Sea Mystic Whale Hammer, for instance, seemed to have grown from such fragmented prohibitions—but since the prohibitions were incomplete, it never reached the rank of Spirit Treasure.

But that was because the Mystic Whale Ancestor who created this scripture lacked sufficient insight; with complete spiritual prohibitions as input, it could naturally grow corresponding magic treasures, even Spirit Treasures.

Within Dongxuan Mountain, there are similar lineages.

"Not just the Nourishing Soldiers Scripture—there are also the Nourishing Elixir Scripture, Nourishing Body Scripture, Containing Sword Scripture, Mystic Armor Scripture, Containing Flame Scripture… Dongxuan Mountain holds corresponding magical lineages for all of them."

"This is the advantage of being a Sacred Site disciple."

Li Yuan planned the Nourishing Soldiers ground.

Though this small island was not close to Xuanteng Island, as both islands expanded, they would eventually meet.

"The Nourishing Soldiers ground contains divine patterns and divine prohibitions; though incomplete, it remains a blessed land, and as the Divine Furnace refines demons, it may yet give rise to complete divine patterns and prohibitions…"

After pondering for a moment, Li Yuan gathered the smoke and vapors forged by the Divine Furnace and brought them beneath the Xuanteng tree.

Over thirty sub-demons, plus the blood essence of one third-rank human demon, greatly benefited the Xuanteng tree, causing it to sprout more branches, while the original fist-sized white tiger swelled rapidly to the size of a normal cub.

Its fur was smooth, its bones and sinews strong, but due to the sudden influx of too much killing energy, it appeared somewhat dull and plump, making it look less ferocious than expected.

"If I could refine thirty demons per day, within just over a month, the Golden White Tiger would be ready for major use, and I could then condense the Nine Infants True Form."

"The Nine Infants combine water and fire; once formed, they could guard the Divine Furnace, and I wouldn't need to keep running back and forth."

"Hmm… I'll need to adjust the selection of the next True Form diagram—preferably a ferocious beast…"

…

As Li Yuan contemplated and planned, he exited the Divine Realm and looked up to see a wisp of nine-colored smoke—Little Dragon Caijing had returned.

(End of Chapter)