Dao of The Demonic Cultivator

Thirty-six days later.

Chu Xuan appeared exhausted, exhaling turbid air yet his eyes sparkled with a vivid sharpness. Before he hovered a pitch-black chain, the chain flickered with a ghostly light, as if one could hear the wails of aggrieved spirits.

"Finally done."

A smile crossed his face. The process of crafting the Evil Soul Chain went surprisingly smoothly. It was accomplished in one go. He had not felt the slightest hardship.

With a mere thought from Chu Xuan, the Evil Soul Chain began to whirl and zip through the air.

In the blink of an eye, it shot forth. A loud crash resounded. The hotel's wall was blasted to pieces.

With another thought, the Evil Soul Chain returned to his side, slithering around him like a small snake.

Chu Xuan looked pleased. Such were the benefits of a life-bound magic tool. In forging the Evil Soul Chain, he had even cut off a part of his own soul and melded it into the artifact. If it did not feel like an extension of his own limb, it would not live up to the status of a life-bound magic tool.

Chu Xuan beckoned with his hand, and the Evil Soul Chain coiled around his waist like a belt. As long as the Evil Soul Chain was on him, the Spiritual Qi within his body would continuously nurture this life-bound magic tool every moment. The grade of the Evil Soul Chain would continue to rise along with his cultivation level!

"Now that my life-bound magic tool has been forged, it's time to elevate my other strengths. Foundation Establishment stage spells and Gu insects are the areas with the greatest potential for improvement. Let's start with the Gu insects. I wonder if the Blood Steel Wire Gu egg on my body has hatched yet."

Chu Xuan looked down at his left forearm. Three months ago, just as he began setting up the Yin Evil Soul-Snatching Array, he had taken the opportunity to implant a Blood Steel Wire Gu egg into his forearm.

A Qi Refining stage cultivator could only rear one Blood Steel Wire; rearing too many, without enough sustenance, could lead to a backlash from the Blood Steel Wire.

Now that Chu Xuan had advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, he naturally could rear a second Blood Steel Wire.

"Still no movement."

Chu Xuan briefly sensed it, found no change in the Gu egg, and shook his head.

"Then let's cultivate the Foundation Establishment stage spells first."

Chu Xuan took out the Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture.

The Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture was divided into nine levels, corresponding to levels one through nine of the Foundation Establishment stage.

By mastering the first level, one could learn a lower-tier Foundation Establishment stage spell named Yin Evil Escape. By mastering the second level, one could learn the attack spell Yin Evil Demon Claw.

Yin Evil Escape is a technique of evasion. Whether in pursuit or in flight, such techniques are indispensable. The speed of Yin Evil Escape is not particularly fast, but it possesses a unique feature: it can accelerate by consuming Yin Evil Qi. If one could continuously use Yin Evil Qi to perform the technique, its speed would rival that of a superior Foundation Establishment stage spell.

Similarly, the Yin Evil Demon Claw, when fueled by Yin Evil Qi, becomes significantly more powerful. For most demonic cultivators, Yin Evil Qi is not so readily available. Those natural sources of Yin Evil, long since have been tightly controlled by righteous sects, leaving no room for others to share.

But for Chu Xuan, Yin Evil Qi was within easy reach. The Yin Evil Soul-Snatching Array was rich in Yin Evil Qi!

"I need to forge a vessel specifically for holding Yin Evil Qi. When pursuing or escaping, I can use Yin Evil Qi to execute the Yin Evil Escape, making it difficult for early Foundation Establishment cultivators to match my speed. Using Yin Evil Qi to perform the Yin Evil Demon Claw will also greatly enhance its power."

After some thought, Chu Xuan spent a few days crafting twenty small jade bottles.

The bottoms of these bottles were engraved with Qi-gathering formations, which could accumulate Yin Evil Qi within them.

Though each small jade bottle was only the size of a palm, it could contain enough Yin Evil Qi to support Chu Xuan's escape for over three hundred li.

Chu Xuan, riding his Heavenly Star Flying Sword, entered the Yin Evil Soul-Snatching Array. He buried these twenty jade bottles at various points within the large array. He then sat cross-legged at the center of the array, utilizing the crisscrossing Yin Evil Qi of the site to cultivate the Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture.

In such an environment, the speed of his cultivation would further accelerate. He set a modest goal for himself—to break through to the second level of the Foundation Establishment stage in one go!

...

In the provincial capital of Linjiang Province, Dragon River City. This vast city was bisected by the Dragon River.

To the north of the river, educational institutions abound, including the much-coveted Life Sciences Research Institute dreamt of by countless students. To the south, many corporate headquarters clustered, making it a hub of booming commerce. The Linjiang military's barracks were stationed in the south.

Following the outbreak of the zombie crisis, the Linjiang military was among the first to enter Dragon River City to maintain order.

General Ye Nantian of Linjiang issued martial law, establishing three rules that stabilized Dragon River City, gradually turning it into a sanctuary envisioned by many survivors.

Every day, a large number of survivors from all over Linjiang Province rushed here, seeking refuge in the safe haven of Dragon River City.

Atop a tall building, a robust middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back, gazing over the city, his brows furrowed deeply. His face was marked by the vicissitudes of life, with streaks of silver beginning to show at his temples. He was Ye Nantian, the commander of the Linjiang Army.

Footsteps approached from behind.

A close aide approached briskly, bowing respectfully, "General, Chief Zheng from the research institute has arrived."

Ye Nantian nodded, "Please, let him in."

Moments later.

Ye Nantian met with Zheng Baoshan in the reception room.

Ye Nantian smiled, "Professor Zheng, what brings you here? Is there progress in the research?"

Zheng Baoshan replied excitedly, "Exactly! The third-level Psionic core we brought back from East Lake City is very valuable. The institute has produced a new batch of Psionic potions, and we have already begun experimenting on animals. Perhaps in a year or two, we can start mass production. By then, everyone could become supernatural!"

Ye Nantian nodded solemnly, "That's wonderful news indeed! As for scientific research, Professor Zheng, you know far more than I do. I entrust you fully with this responsibility, and I'm very reassured by that."

Zheng Baoshan paused, then added, "There's another matter, about the cultivator from East Lake City I mentioned last time..."

Ye Nantian chuckled, "A cultivator? To me, he's just a superhuman with unique talents. Professor, you might be overthinking it."

With the vast population of the Han Country, there must be many Superhumans with unique talents. Ye Nantian wasn't too concerned.

Zheng Baoshan insisted earnestly, "General Ye, regardless, if we could ally with that cultivator, it would certainly be a great asset. We mustn't push him towards our enemies."

Ye Nantian nodded, "I have my own considerations for that."

Zheng Baoshan nodded and then departed.

Moments later, another aide hurried over.

"General, a gigantic aquatic creature has been detected in the Dragon River basin within our city. It's over thirty meters in length."

Ye Nantian raised an eyebrow, "How many people saw it?"

The aide replied respectfully, "The creature appeared at night, and only four soldiers on guard on both banks of the Dragon River saw it."

Ye Nantian nodded, "Bring those four soldiers to the General's Mansion, seal their lips, and forbid anyone from spreading the word about this aquatic creature. Anyone who disobeys shall be detained immediately. How many commanders are in the city?"

The aide responded, "Two commanders are escorting a convoy to Hanhai Province, three are stationed outside guarding our assets, and five are still in the city."

Ye Nantian nodded, "Call them immediately for a meeting."

"Yes, sir!"