With the triple-layered enhancements and the foundation of a Soul Transformation Stage Demonic Cultivator, your cultivation speed was extremely fast. In less than twenty years, you broke through from the Golden Core Stage to the Nascent Soul Stage. Your cultivation speed was so rapid that it surpassed even the most astonishing Geniuses in history.
But only you knew that this was far from your limit.
The terrifying aspect of the Devouring Dao Heaven Swallowing Art was that it could not only absorb Spiritual Plants and Yao Beasts, but also directly refine the Spiritual Qi and vitality of other Cultivators for your own use.
If you were willing to increase your strength by slaughtering others, you might have already been close to the Soul Transformation Stage, but you never did so.
You always had a bottom line in your heart; you would not become the person Luo Zhiqing hated most. Even if you saved her that way, you would be no different from the Old Ancestor of the Piaomiao Sword Sect.
Cultivating Demonic Techniques was merely a means to you, never an end.
The targets you chose to devour with your Demonic Technique were mostly ownerless Spiritual Plants and Yao Beasts that foolishly attacked you. As for those Cultivators who tried to rob you, you would only kill them and refine their vitality if they ignored your warnings.
Time flew by in cultivation, and you reached the Mid-stage Nascent Soul.
You were confident that with your current strength, you could defeat even an ordinary Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, and even a Peak-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator would be suppressed by you.
However, you felt that this level of strength was still a pipe dream for rescuing Luo Zhiqing.
The Old Ancestor of the Piaomiao Sword Sect was undoubtedly in the Soul Transformation Realm. If you went rashly, not only would you fail to rescue Luo Zhiqing, but you would very likely be left behind yourself.
You felt that it would be safest to wait until you reached Nascent Soul Perfection, or even Early Stage Soul Transformation.
Fortunately, you constantly kept an eye on news from the Piaomiao Sword Sect, knowing that Luo Zhiqing was safe and sound.
She still managed Sect affairs as the Sect Master of the Piaomiao Sword Sect, but rumors said her personality had become colder.
Luo Zhiqing's change pained you. If Luo Zhiqing hadn't been safe, even if you were only a Mid-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, you would have risked your life to try and save her.
One day, you concluded a period of cultivation and came to a town to settle down, intending to inquire about recent news concerning the Piaomiao Sword Sect.
Chu Yuan concealed his Mid-stage Nascent Soul aura, dressed in an ordinary gray robe, and with subtle disguise on his face, he appeared as a common middle-aged man.
He entered the town, a worn-out satchel on his back, exuding the dust and weariness of a traveler.
Before long, he settled in an inn in the town center.
The inn was not large, but it was lively due to the frequent trade routes around it, with the aroma of wine mingling with human voices.
Chu Yuan chose a corner seat, ordered a pot of inexpensive Qinghua wine, and a few small dishes.
Although he was disguised, his gaze remained deep, carrying a calmness that stood out from the surrounding hustle and bustle.
He sipped his wine and listened to the idle chatter around him.
News from the cultivation world often flowed from the mouths of Mortals or Loose Cultivators in places like inns. Although there were many rumors, if one filtered carefully enough, useful information could still be heard.
“I saw many Disciples from major Sects today. Could it be that a Secret Realm is about to open nearby?”
“How do you know they’re Disciples from major Sects?”
“Oh, their clothes were so Advanced, and their style was uniform. What else could they be if not Disciples from major Sects?”
“Then maybe there really is a Secret Realm opening nearby. If it’s not monopolized and guarded, I’d like to give it a try.”
Chu Yuan heard the conversation between the two Loose Cultivators and frowned, because he had surveyed the nearby area and knew that there were no Secret Realms present.
However, the most urgent matter was to understand the news from the Piaomiao Sword Sect, so Chu Yuan quickly dismissed the conversation of the two Loose Cultivators.
Soon after, he learned about the Piaomiao Sword Sect's recent movements.
Luo Zhiqing had Advanced from the Late-stage Nascent Soul to the Peak-stage Nascent Soul.
Once her Realm was completely stable and she had accumulated a few more years, she could go into seclusion to Breakthrough to the Soul Transformation Stage.
Because of Luo Zhiqing's Breakthrough in Realm, the Piaomiao Sword Sect's prestige rose even further. She also held more sway in the meetings of the Righteous Path Sects, securing many benefits for the Sect.
Chu Yuan's eyes flickered.
When his Master's hometown was destroyed, the Old Ancestor of the Piaomiao Sword Sect only left her alone, which must have been for some special reason.
Also, the false evidence the Grand Elder prepared in advance to make him break ties with his Master... He always felt that even though his Master held a high position, her situation was not safe, and perhaps a greater conspiracy awaited her.
But at least, it wasn't that time yet, and he still had time to grow stronger.
After getting the news he wanted, Chu Yuan poured a cup of wine, took a small sip, then stood up to pay the bill and walked out of the inn.
He had no intention of lingering in the town.
However, as he passed through several bustling streets and arrived at the southern gate of the town, he was stopped by a cold voice.
“Stop!”
A clear voice rang out.
Chu Yuan looked up and saw several Disciples guarding the gate, each wearing a blue robe and carrying a sword at their waist, the distinctive attire of the Piaomiao Sword Sect.
His expression tightened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and asked in a low voice:
“Immortal Masters, why are you blocking the way?”
One of the Disciples stepped forward, his expression cold:
“No one is allowed to enter or exit the town today. No exceptions for Mortals or Cultivators.”
Chu Yuan frowned, a bad premonition gradually rising in his heart:
“May I ask... why?”
“We have found Demonic Cultivators active in the city. We cannot let them escape by colluding with outsiders before we root them out.”
The Disciple paused, then continued:
“All gates are now sealed. Please turn back. Once our investigation is complete, traffic will resume.”
Chu Yuan's gaze swept over the gate, seeing the figures of Piaomiao Sword Sect Disciples spread out further away.
The entire town was completely surrounded.
Chu Yuan stood still, his pupils trembling slightly, the unease deep in his heart rapidly spreading. The scene of corpses strewn across the town from the past reappeared in his mind.
At that time, the Disciples of the Piaomiao Sword Sect had also been ordered to guard the various gates.
But the result was that both the Mortals and Loose Cultivators in the town became nourishment for the Old Ancestor.
A moment later, Chu Yuan returned to the city.
He stood in the middle of the street, watching the passersby, his eyes constantly flickering with struggle.
“Have you heard? This lockdown is because the Piaomiao Sword Sect suspects Demonic Cultivators are lurking nearby and wants to conduct a thorough search.”
“I really don't think it's necessary. It's making everyone anxious. So what if they're Demonic Cultivators? Do they dare to kill people in the streets?”
The murmurs of the surrounding people reached his ears. He took a few deep breaths, his gaze gradually firming.
He ultimately could not stand by and watch, fleeing alone and allowing tragedy to repeat itself in the town before his eyes.
Even if doing so would expose his identity and lead to him being hunted by the Righteous Path Sects.
Having made up his mind, Chu Yuan formed hand seals, and the Demonic Qi within him surged out like a tide.
“W-what?! This is Devilish Qi, it's a Demonic Cultivator, a Demonic Cultivator!”
“Run, quick!!”
The surrounding crowd scattered, fleeing from Chu Yuan.
The Devilish Qi unleashed by Chu Yuan spread rapidly, quickly rising into the sky, seeping like ink, enveloping the entire town in a deep darkness.
A low roar faintly echoed within the Devilish Qi, as if an ancient Demonic Dragon had awakened, full of oppressive power.
“This is... a great Demonic Cultivator in the Nascent Soul Stage!”
At the town gate, the faces of the Piaomiao Sword Sect Disciples changed drastically. They all retreated, cautiously drawing their longswords.
“Quickly evacuate the Mortals and Loose Cultivators from the town! Notify all Righteous Path Sects!”
“Such a great Devil, we must not let him escape and wreak havoc everywhere!”
The leading Golden Core Stage Disciple shouted loudly, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.
He looked at the overwhelming Devilish Qi, his heart turning cold.
Anyone who still blocked people from leaving the city at this point would be utterly brainless.
Soon, the town fell into chaos, and people scattered and fled.
The Disciples of the Piaomiao Sword Sect were forced to turn their attention to evacuating the common people, while Chu Yuan stood in the town center, observing everything with his Divine Sense.
“This way... is good.”
Although danger was at hand, you felt relieved that you had prevented a tragedy from occurring.