One needed a will capable of reaching the Darkness Altar summit if they wanted to become a Great Solar Godfiend. To absorb the Six Desires baneful aura successfully, one’s willpower needed to be several times higher! It was unimaginable.
Six Desires baneful aura was also very precious.
A tiny bottle of Six Desires baneful aura cost 3000 credits! It was far more precious than the Golden Crow baneful aura. A total of 90 bottles were needed to complete the Ninth Refinement. In total, that cost 270,000 credits!
Thankfully, they could be collected for free under special conditions.
For example, a mortal disciple who cultivated the Lightning Devastator Fiend Body to the Eighth Refinement could receive the Six Desires baneful aura for free. However, every time they collected a free bottle, a senior from Archean Mountain had to check if the previous bottle’s baneful aura had been completely refined.
…
Meng Chuan knew that the Eighth and Ninth refinement were extremely difficult. However, once he succeeded, his strength would be much greater in the future. To suffer now would better his chances of slaying demon monarchs in the future. It was a sacrifice he was willing to make.
Whoosh.
After leaving Myriad Wither Peak, Meng Chuan used his movement technique to head to his cave abode.
“Oh?” Marquis Heavenstar—who had just walked out of a bloodlust cave—saw Meng Chuan passing through a mountain path from afar.
The handsome Marquis Heavenstar had a fiery mark between his brows. He was one of the rare Marquis Godfiends who were skilled at archery. In terms of archery skills, he was ranked in the top five among all Godfiends in the world. As a sharpshooter, he also honed his eyesight! When he channeled energy into his eyes, he could see the baneful aura that had fused with Meng Chuan’s body.
He has fused with Dark baneful aura perfectly, and completed the Seventh Refinement? Marquis Heavenstar was extremely surprised. This Meng Chuan is childhood friends with my disciple, Liu Qiyue. He must have entered Archean Mountain last year. It’s only been half a year, and he has already reached the Seventh Refinement?
The Seventh Refinement was the threshold for one to attain the Lightning Devastator Fiend Body. Once one completed the Seventh Refinement, they could forge the Lightning Devastator Fiend Body. All experts with Lightning Devastator Fiend Bodies were extremely fast, and they played a huge role in battles.
He just left Myriad Wither Peak, so he should have ended his baneful aura refinement. Marquis Heavenstar came to a realization. As for the Eighth and Ninth Refinement, he requires the Golden Crow and Six Desires baneful auras. There’s no need for him to come to Myriad Wither Peak anymore. Therefore, he just succeeded in the Seventh Refinement today? Yes, I have to inform Mountain Lord immediately.
Swoosh.
Marquis Heavenstar disappeared in a flash.
…
Grotto-Heaven Pavilion.
A long-haired man leisurely drank his tea in a pavilion when the purple-robed Mountain Lord walked over.
“Supremacy,” Archean Mountain Lord greeted.
“Wenyou, why are you here?” The long-haired man smiled.
Archean Mountain Lord immediately said, “Supremacy, Marquis Heavenstar informed me that Meng Chuan has already completed the Seventh Refinement for the Lightning Devastator Fiend Body. He’s confirmed it with his eyes.
“Oh? I wasn’t aware,” said the long-haired man with a smile. “Since Marquis Heavenstar confirmed it, it should be true. By the way, I didn’t tell you something.”
Archean Mountain Lord looked at the long-haired man in puzzlement.
“Two months ago, Meng Chuan achieved Saber Intent and mastered a Heart Intent Saber move. I’ve been expecting him to reach the Seventh Refinement realm quickly. Indeed, he hasn’t disappointed me.”
“What? He has mastered a Black Metal Sutra move?” Archean Mountain Lord was even more excited. A transcendent-grade Godfiend body and a Black Metal Sutra move meant that Archean Mountain had another powerful Godfiend!
“The Black Metal Sutra legacies can’t be inherited via intent by those without strong Essence Souls. How did he master a move so quickly?” Archean Mountain Lord found it unbelievable.
“The Heart Intent Saber suits him very well.”
“Which move did he master?” asked Archean Mountain Lord.
“The first move—Heart Saber Stance.”
Archean Mountain Lord was even more delighted as he nodded repeatedly. “Good, good. The Heart Saber Stance is the core of Heart Intent Saber! It’s the fundamental move and also the strongest move. To condense Saber Intent with this move is excellent. Brilliant!”
“Alright, you are the mountain lord. Why must you be so excited over a disciple who only mastered a transcendent-grade Godfiend Body and a Black Metal Sutra move?”
“I’m naturally happy to see the addition of a powerful Godfiend.”
The long-haired man had mixed feelings. He said, “I’ve seen many powerful Godfiends with extraordinary talent. They rise to prominence for a short while, but they all fall one after another as time passes. In the past eight centuries, there have been far too many Godfiends that failed to live up to their potential.”
The Supremacy wasn’t too thrilled about Meng Chuan’s achievements. Meng Chuan had condensed an Essence Soul as a mortal, mastered a transcendent-grade Godfiend and a Black Metal Sutra move. Yet, the Supremacy only felt mixed emotions. He had seen many similar peerless geniuses rise in the past.
“As long as powerful Godfiends continuously appear, we will definitely be able to defeat the demons,” said Archean Mountain Lord.
“That day will come.” The long-haired man’s eyes had a glint of fierceness.
Chapter 104 - Cultivation in Pain
The bathing pool in Meng Chuan’s cave abode.
“Lord, the water has already been heated up,” said Steward Liu respectfully.
“Remember, keep it hot. Don’t let the water turn cold,” instructed Meng Chuan. “Alright, you can leave.”
“Yes.” Steward Liu retreated.
The bathing pool was above a hypocaust. There were servants in the hypocaust that burned the firewood to maintain the water temperature.
Meng Chuan picked up a yellow gourd and pulled off its stopper. He poured a large amount of mixed powder into the bathtub. It was a medicinal herb that had been grounded and mixed up long ago. It was used as an aid for his Eighth Refinement. After emptying the gourd, the pool’s clear water immediately turned light green. He then took out three jade bottles and poured out a pill from each. He crushed the pills and scattered the remains in the water.
Thankfully, these medicinal herbs and pills can be exchanged at Archean Mountain. If I were to gather them myself, I would have a headache. Meng Chuan smiled as he put away the items.
Following that, he took out a black bottle. The bottle contained the Golden Crow baneful aura! Meng Chuan stared at it before gently removing the stopper. He took a deep breath and used his Quintessential Essence to draw the baneful aura inside out. The golden-white baneful aura flew out and entered his nose.
After absorbing two streams of baneful auras, Meng Chuan immediately placed the stopper back on the black bottle.
He executed the complementary body-tempering saber art on the spot. Using his Saber Intent, he guided his body into absorbing the baneful aura. He found his body burning up from within. Even his head was scalding hot. The Power of Essence Soul maintained his consciousness as he constantly executed the body-tempering saber art. Finally, the two wisps of Golden Crow baneful auras were absorbed by his body, and the scalding heat inside his body turned milder.
I haven’t reached my limit. I can continue refining the baneful aura. Meng Chuan picked up the black bottle and removed the stopper again. Another two streams of golden-white baneful auras entered his body through his nostrils.
By the time he finished absorbing all the Golden Crow baneful aura within the bottle, Meng Chuan still hadn’t re
ached his limit. However, he didn’t dare continue.
It’s already enough to refine a bottle of Golden Crow baneful aura each time. If I absorb too much, my body probably won’t be able to withstand it.
He immediately took off his clothes and entered the bathing pool.
As Meng Chuan sat against a stone wall, the scalding herbal bath’s medicinal essence seeped into his body. It entered his bones and muscles, gradually stirring the Golden Crow baneful aura he had absorbed, catalyzing its fusion with his body.
After he absorbed the raging Golden Crow baneful aura, it began damaging his body. However, the micro-structures within his body were instantly destroyed before they could even transmit the pain. A bottle of Golden Crow baneful aura only had nine streams worth of baneful aura. According to the manual, absorbing the baneful aura all at once would only cause heavy injuries to somebody who had completed the Seventh Refinement. Death wasn’t possible.
If he absorbed too much, his body would really collapse. The medicinal effects of the bathtub seeped into his body, nourishing the damaged areas. One caused damage while the other restored him.
Meng Chuan felt like countless ants drilled into his bone marrow and flesh. The pain caused his body to spasm uncontrollably. His skin flushed red, and his veins protruded. The pain overwhelmed him instantly. His eyes were red as he grabbed a towel—that he had prepared earlier—and stuffed it into his mouth.
He bit the towel and let out a painful groan.
Bear with it. Bear with it. It’s only pain. It’s nothing life-threatening.
If he didn’t have the medicinal bath to aid his cultivation, most of his body would be injured. Even if he didn’t feel much pain, how was he to treat them? Archean Mountain would have to pay a great price to heal him, and it would take him half a year to recover completely. It was stupid to waste half a year absorbing a bottle of Golden Crow baneful aura. The Eighth Refinement required a total of 120 bottles of Golden Crow baneful aura. He couldn’t spend sixty years on the Eighth Refinement.
The only way to cultivate the Eighth Refinement was to use a herbal bath. Although it was extremely painful, it minimized the damage. Furthermore, it constantly healed him, allowing him to be full of vigor the next day.
Bear with it. Bear with it. Meng Chuan bit the towel and gripped the bathtub walls with both hands. His fingers left marks on the stone wall; blood flowed from his shattered fingernails into the pool.
He recalled the scenes of demons invading Eastcalm Prefecture. Scenes of parents using their lives to protect their children, only to end up slaughtered. In order to protect the family clan’s juniors, Third Elder stood in between them and the demons, only to be killed by the demons. Facing the demons, the entire Blazing Sun Dao Academy was on the verge of collapse.
Only strength!
Only if he had strength could he kill demons and save people.
I want to become stronger!
What’s this bit of pain? Rather than being helpless and regretful when the time comes, I’d rather suffer more while on Archean Mountain. I want to become stronger! The stronger I become, the better! Pain? Come on, let the pain strike harder! Meng Chuan’s eyes were burning with madness. He bit the towel, and blood appeared on the towel.
…
At night, Marquis Heavenstar was teaching.
Liu Qiyue and six other disciples listened carefully.
“Bai Yi, Fu Chang, Qian Yu,” shouted the Marquis Heavenstar coldly. “The three of you aren’t far from passing the Nine Mystical Caves. Once that happens, you’ll leave the mountain and enter the battlefield! I see that the three of you have spent too much time on Archean Mountain. It’s too comfortable and peaceful. You are satisfied with your meager improvements. You don’t feel the urgency to become stronger!”
The three Godfiend disciples trembled when they heard this.
“I focus on cultivating in private,” Bai Yi immediately said.
“Me too,” Fu Chang and Qian Yu said.
“Is that so? From what I know, you are more interested in befriending others. You show off your archery skills at the Dao Exchanges. You also invite a number of Godfiend disciples to your respective cave abodes every other day,” said Marquis Heavenstar.
Fu Chang said respectfully, “Master, we will likely leave the mountain within a year. After we leave the mountain, we will fight alongside other Godfiends. Therefore, we are trying to familiarize ourselves with others in advance. It will be easier for us to work together in the future.”
“You are even talking back?” Marquis Heavenstar said coldly, “Do you know how many Godfiends are fighting elsewhere while you cultivate on Archean Mountain peacefully!? Even twenty-year-old mortals are risking their lives in the military. Yet, you are beginning to indulge yourself on the mountain. Don’t you feel ashamed?”
The three disciples didn’t dare say a word. They had only recently begun to indulge themselves. After all, it was extremely difficult for them to increase their strength when they were close to leaving the mountain. Instead, they began to befriend everyone with their statuses as Godfiend sharpshooters. Their strength was ranked among the top among the disciples that remained on the mountain. If they invited other disciples, they would feel flattered and be more than willing to attend.
After all, others were willing to befriend powerful sharpshooters.
“There’s a new disciple named Meng Chuan,” said Marquis Heavenstar.
Liu Qiyue perked up.
The other five Godfiend disciples listened obediently.
Marquis Heavenstar continued, “He has already reached the Seventh Refinement of the Lightning Devastator Fiend Body, and can be considered as mastering a transcendent-grade Godfiend body. Furthermore, he has also mastered a move from a Black Metal Sutra legacy. Among the two hundred plus disciples present, apart from Xue Feng and Xiao Yunyue, he is the third to attain this feat. Yet, he has never flaunted himself. He didn’t indulge in such affairs, and instead chose to reach the Eighth Refinement.”
“What?” Bai Yi, Qian Yu, and the other Godfiend disciples were alarmed.
He mastered a transcendent-grade Godfiend Body and a Black Metal Sutra move? They hadn’t about his achievements. There had been no news.
However, Marquis Heavenstar continued, “He practices his saber art eight hours a day. The Eighth Refinement is extremely painful, but he continued doing it every day.”
“Don’t you feel ashamed when compared to him? You are flaunting yourselves with your meager archery skills. He has only been on the mountain for over half a year, but he hasn’t even flaunted his transcendent-grade Godfiend body or the Black Metal Sutra move. Yet, you show off your archery skills like they are something impressive? You even host banquets every other day? While you’re doing so, others are becoming stronger!”
The Godfiend disciples lowered their heads and listened obediently. On the other hand, Liu Qiyue felt proud.
“Every bit of strength you raise now might mean killing an additional demon monarch, saving a Godfiend companion, or even saving yourself on the battlefield!” said Marquis Heavenstar angrily. “On the battlefield, it’s useless befriending all these people. The things that are useful are the arrows in your hands! You are sharpshooters, Godfiends! Don’t embarrass me!”
“Yes.” They didn’t dare to make another sound.
…
After the lesson ended, Liu Qiyue rushed back to Bright Scenic Peak excitedly.
“Ah Chuan, Ah Chuan.” Liu Qiyue wanted to share what her master, Marquis Heavenstar, had said today.
“My lord is undergoing a herbal bath,” said Steward Liu respectfully.
“Herbal bath?” Liu Qiyue nodded slightly. She silently walked to the bathing room and gently cracked open the door. She looked in. Back at Mirror Lake Meng Manor, Meng Chuan often took herbal baths. She had long gotten used to it.
At a glance, the smile on her face disappeared as she stared blankly.
Meng Chuan was biting on a towel and grabbing the
stone walls beside him with both hands. His fingernails were shattered and covered in blood. His body trembled as he stared at the pool in front of him. Suddenly, he raised his head and forced out a smile, but his smile became a grimace.
“Ah Chuan, continue your cultivation.” Liu Qiyue closed the door immediately, but her face was somewhat pale.
She was concerned about Meng Chuan, so she had read some introductions regarding the Lightning Devastator Fiend Body’s cultivation. She knew that the Eighth Refinement process would be very painful, but she had never seen it with her own eyes. Now that she had seen it with her own eyes, she realized the pain Meng Chuan was experiencing.
At that moment, Liu Qiyue only hated herself for being powerless. She couldn’t help Ah Chuan relieve the pain.
Chapter 105 - Let’s Walk Alongside Each Other for the Rest of Our Lives
Qiyue saw it; she’ll probably be worried. This thought surfaced in Meng Chuan’s mind, but the pain from the baneful aura drilling into his entire body made him unable to divert his attention.
He couldn’t help but let out a low grunt. He bit the towel in his mouth tightly as he endured the pain.
Compared to death and despair, what’s this bit of pain worth? Come on, come on.
This will only make me stronger! Many scenes flashed through Meng Chuan’s mind. They were scenes that were in “Facing the Morning Sun.” Those despairing scenes—as well as the scenes of people fighting desperately—empowered his determination. In the face of such a cruel war, how could the pain from cultivating compare? If he couldn’t even withstand it, his oath to slay all demons in the world would be nothing but empty words.
The difficulty of slaying all the demons in the world could be described as a mountain that towered above the clouds. The torment from his cultivation was nothing more than a tiny mound.
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