Cultivation Starts from Killing Pigs

"You tampered with it!"

Imperial Uncle Li Xuanji felt a chill in his heart.

The Sealed Demon Cave was the most important Forbidden Land in Qian, usually guarded personally by the State Preceptor, and protected by that strange bronze door. How could there be an issue?

He knew the person controlling the Demon God Puppet was Qin Yi, a remnant who escaped from the chaos in Qingzhou.

But according to Zhang Kui, this person was merely at the Enlightenment Realm. How did he suddenly emerge and rapidly seize control like a ghostly god?

Could the thousand-year foundation of the Qian dynasty, the renowned Astronomical Bureau, be as fragile as paper?

Li Xuanji stared at the Demon God Puppet, and a thought suddenly occurred to him, blurting out, "You are a descendant of the Square Immortal Road!"

Even he found it hard to believe these words since that sect was wiped out two thousand years ago after causing a dark chaos and being hunted for hundreds of years.

But it was the only explanation, as both the Demon God Puppet and Divine Corpse were closely related to the Square Immortal Road.

Li Xuanji also recalled that the secret letter from the Qingzhou chaos mentioned relics of the Square Immortal Road on the Qin Mountain Ancient Path, confirming his suspicion.

As expected, Qin Yi's voice from within the Demon God Puppet sounded somewhat surprised, "You are well informed, Imperial Uncle, it seems Qian does have some foundation… now go die!"

Bang!

As the words fell, both sides acted almost simultaneously.

Li Xuanji's flying sword unsheathed, his bright yellow robe suddenly appeared with black-bottomed blood-red runes, forming a blood-colored light sphere with a hum.

As a member of the royal family and a National Guardian True Man, Li Xuanji naturally carried many treasures. Besides the flying sword passed down from the Yu dynasty, even the protective talismans blood-refined by a State Preceptor centuries ago were priceless.

The Demon God Puppet was terrifying, casually deflecting the flying sword, shattering a few pieces of scale armor, then unleashing an overwhelming aura that plunged the entire cave into thick darkness.

This darkness was a burst of dense Yin Qi, rendering Li Xuanji's night vision and Divine Sense useless.

The surroundings were strangely thick and evil, with the blood-colored light sphere of talismans being corroded and sizzling audibly.

Li Xuanji was not surprised; he had long commanded the Astronomical Bureau and knew well the might of the Demon God Puppet. Without the National Guardian Divine Artifact, even the State Preceptor wouldn't be a match.

Suddenly, outside the blood-colored light sphere, the Piggy Dragon Demon God Puppeteer's face appeared from the darkness, its hands wrapped in green fire striking fiercely.

Li Xuanji snorted coldly and, with a finger gesture, directed the flying sword circling outside to burst forth with a blinding white light, crashing into the Demon God Puppet.

The two forces remained locked in a stalemate, white sword light scattering, producing crackling sounds as it clashed with the Yin Qi.

Li Xuanji spat out a mouthful of blood, then a bronze miniature appeared in his hand and, with a bang, burst into a cloud of blood mist, rapidly contracting and disappearing.

The Demon God Puppet glanced around, its eyes flickering with eerie green fire, "Hmph, quite the collection of little trinkets..."

...

East City of Haojing, Dexing Square.

The rain poured down heavier, splattering on the tiles of the pavilions and towers in the dark night, making a rustling sound.

Bam!

A sudden explosion of blood mist in the air, Li Xuanji crashed down heavily, sliding off the wet tiles with a crash into a narrow alley.

Li Xuanji gasped for breath, struggling to retrieve a pill from his robe to swallow it.

Yes, he had escaped. The Demon God Puppet, after all, was at the Divine Travel Realm, with powerful Yin Qi and mana, each strike imbued with terrifying Divine Soul power.

With his Celestial Tribulation Realm cultivation, even with many secret treasures on him, staying there would mean certain death.

This bronze miniature was his protective Ancient Artifact, with the sole ability of using the Blood Escape Skill to flee, at the cost of near exhaustion and fatigue.

Li Xuanji struggled to shove the pill into his mouth; he must recover quickly and leave, as a Divine Travel Realm could search the entire Capital City in a matter of moments.

However, he was too severely wounded; as he placed the pill in his mouth, he blacked out.

Before fainting, Li Xuanji saw a figure rapidly approaching...

He didn't know how much time passed before he slowly awoke, finding himself lying on a bed in an unfamiliar chamber.

Outside, the night rain continued to drizzle. A white-bearded old man sat at the table, the flickering candle casting shifting light and shadow over half his face.

Li Xuanji struggled to rise, only to find his Dantian empty, his entire body weak and limp, unable to move like a puppet.

He took a deep breath, his expression darkening, "Situ Yan, I didn't expect you, old fool, to be meddling..."

Situ Yan turned his head with a creaking sound, his eyes, nostrils, and mouth suddenly oozing large amounts of white silk.

In the darkness, an eight-armed graceful figure slowly descended from the beams...

...

Boom!

The mountain rocks collapsed, smoke and dust rising everywhere.

With the last screech, the giant, dilapidated Locust Demon was reduced to ashes.

The locust plague in Lai State had been resolved, yet everyone's face was gloomy.

Helian Boxiong, surrounded by a burning aura of blood evil, said solemnly, "Everyone, the ship is waiting at the dock, let us depart."

With these words, several figures shot out from the mountain cliff, diving into the overcast skies.

Soon, a fast ship quietly left Lai State, while the Astronomical Bureau's fleet lingered behind to create diversions.

The big ship surged through the waves, everyone inside the cabin meditating to restore their breaths; they all knew going to the Capital City would likely lead to a fierce battle.

In one cabin, Zhang Kui sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, deep in the unknown darkness of his mind, four stars flickered, representing max-level skills: Guiding, Demon-slaying Skill, Grain Avoidance Skill, and Disaster Exorcism Skill.

And there were over sixty points left on his skill panel.

Guiding, Avoiding Grain, and Pill Manipulation formed a line of mana cultivation, each level requiring more points, with the Grain Avoidance Skill needing eleven points per level and the Pill Manipulation Skill needing twenty-one per level.

In Qingjiang State, leveling the Grain Avoidance Skill to max had nearly depleted his points, and now with a big battle looming, it was time to enhance it.

Zhang Kui unhesitatingly activated the Pill Manipulation Skill.

In an instant, an overwhelming sea of Spiritual Qi roared within him, causing the deck underfoot to creak, and even the calm river outside began to surge.

Such commotion naturally alarmed the others who immediately gathered outside Zhang Kui's door.

Elder Huayan furrowed his brow, "Do not enter yet, it seems young Zhang is cultivating a major technique, we should avoid disturbing him."

Huo Yu with double pupils narrowed his eyes, "What a strange sensation, it's like something is gestating, how can a Celestial Tribulation Realm achieve such transformation?"

Elder Huayan squinted slightly, "It is likely young friend's heritage, everyone should not be alarmed."

The group nodded in agreement, saying no more.

Truthfully, Zhang Kui's rapid rise and countless divine powers and skills had left many curious.

But in this world, heritage is incredibly precious; a single thought of coveting it would make someone a sworn enemy.

Not that no one harbored ill intentions, but Zhang Kui's progress was so fast, before any could react, he overwhelmed with his Enlightenment Slash of Avoiding Grain and Grain Avoidance Celestial Tribulation Slash, stunning countless people.

Yet, those present were allies, and scattered to adjust their breaths and act as guardians.

Meanwhile, inside the cabin, Zhang Kui received an influx of information: The skill of Inner Core, starting from one and forming at nine. One is the origin of all things...

Though the information was simple and like other skills, it required reaching max-level for full integration and teaching, Zhang Kui already had a basic understanding of the Pill Manipulation Skill.

True to the Taoist Path of Longevity, each level possessed unique traits, with one turn for each level.

The first turn involved the Descent Pill, the second Intercourse, the third Nourishing Yang, the fourth Nourishing Yin, the fifth Bone Transformation, the sixth Flesh Transformation, the seventh Five Visceral and Six Bowel Transformation, the eighth Nurturing Fire, nearing Ascension at the ninth, and ultimately achieving Immortal Body through All Roads Lead to Rome.

Of course, it also presented numerous challenges, requiring not only the acquisition of skill points but also mastering certain skills to max-level as a prerequisite.

However, Zhang Kui could no longer be concerned with these; he sat cross-legged, gradually losing and forgetting his existence.

His mana expanded outward like a thin mist, feeling as if the world, mountains, rivers, and the universe were all within him.

As the saying goes, 'The first turn's skill is like a Treasure Pearl, reflecting the spirit within the mountains and the universe. Beneath the red lotus leaves lies the Dantian, with the Red Water Circulating Nine-Phase Bead.'

He didn't know how long it passed, but Zhang Kui's entire body's mana and Divine Sense suddenly contracted rapidly, a light appearing in the void...

After a long while, the cabin returned to calm, and the guardians outside suddenly sensed something, looking towards the cabin door.

Only to see Zhang Kui pushing the door open, his face filled with a pleasing satisfaction, bowing and clasping his hands, "My friends, thank you for your trouble..."

"Congratulations, Taoist Friend Zhang."

The others didn't inquire further, offering their smiles and congratulations.

Only Gu Ziqing's expression appeared slightly unnatural.

This smile seemed somewhat familiar...