NOVEL NEXT Chapter 424: Removing Demonic Energy and Gaining Allies
"Ah, congratulations, young friend, on reaching the Earthly Profound Stage!"
The moment Lin Langtian entered the map shop, Du Guqi seemed to sense his presence, greeting him with a look of surprise and delight. He even glanced over Lin Langtian twice, as if noticing a faint trace of spatial power emanating from him—a rare ability among cultivators.
Lin Langtian returned his look with a modest smile, saying, "It's just a small step into the Earthly Profound Stage—hardly noteworthy to a senior like you."
"While the stage may be modest, your achievements are anything but. Word is, you eliminated every Heaven Mystic Sect disciple who entered the Demon Territory and even withstood a move from Huang Wuzi himself. That's no small feat," Du Guqi said, his tone admiring. Heaven Mystic Sect was the most powerful sect in the Western Xuan Region, and Huang Wuzi was respected even by Du Guqi in his prime. Yet, it seemed this younger disciple had managed to shake such an imposing figure.
"Since you've reached the Earthly Profound Stage, you're ready, then?" Du Guqi asked with a hint of expectation. Seeing his cautious excitement, Lin Langtian chuckled.
"Senior, rest assured. I'm not one to take favors without returning them. Leave the demonic energy inside you to me," Lin Langtian replied.
"Thank you, young friend."
Lin Langtian's response made Du Guqi's smile deepen. The renowned Poison Master would be crucial to the new faction he intended to build, and he planned to treat him well. "This might take a while, though. Is there a private, secure place we could go?"
"Follow me," Du Guqi nodded, quickly leading Lin Langtian to a stone hut nestled in the mountains.
"This is my hideaway. It's surrounded by poisons that would tear even a powerful Wheel of Life practitioner to shreds if they came uninvited."
"Impressive…" Lin Langtian muttered, his admiration for the Poison Master growing.
"Now then, let's begin," he said.
Du Guqi immediately went to sit on the stone bed, eager to begin. But Lin Langtian held out a small pill, saying, "Before we start, please take this, senior."
Du Guqi didn't hesitate, swallowing the pill in one gulp. It was a simple restorative pill, but Lin Langtian had infused it with energy from his Golden Spirit Wheel Mirror, a power that could neutralize even the demonic energy of the Demon Emperor's Shackle. Combining the pill's energy from within with his spiritual energy from without, Lin Langtian aimed to root out every trace of demonic energy within Du Guqi's body.
As the pill took effect, Du Guqi's entire body began to glow with a black-gold light, flooding each part of him. Lin Langtian placed his hands on Du Guqi's back, channeling his energy, and gradually, dark, foul-smelling beads of demonic energy began to seep from Du Guqi's pores.
"Hissss…"
The demonic energy's escape caused Du Guqi's body to tremble uncontrollably, his gritted teeth releasing faint gasps of pain. Eight grueling hours later, Lin Langtian was forced to stop, his energy depleted. Yet, despite their efforts, the entrenched demonic energy within Du Guqi's body still couldn't be fully purged.
"At this rate, most of the demonic energy should be expelled within three days. After that, I'll provide some pills I've prepared for you. Take one each day, and in about ten days, you'll be free from the demonic energy," Lin Langtian reassured him.
Du Guqi gave Lin Langtian a deep, appreciative nod. "You've done me a tremendous service, Lin Langtian. I won't forget it. Once I'm back to my full strength, I'll see to it that Heaven Mystic Sect doesn't trouble you again."
Lin Langtian laughed lightly, pleased to see the senior's growing strength and renewed vitality. He took a moment to turn his senses inward, examining the demonic seed within himself. During the purification process, the demonic seed had absorbed a considerable amount of Du Guqi's energy-rich demonic power, strengthening Lin Langtian's own cultivation significantly.
He could tell that if he continued to absorb the energies expelled from Du Guqi, his own cultivation might soon break through to the peak of Earthly Profound Stage and possibly even step into the next major realm. This demonic energy, after all, contained refined power from a life-wheel-level practitioner.
As he thought about this, Lin Langtian felt a surge of excitement—such unexpected gains could bring him closer to his long-term goals.
For the next few days, Lin Langtian spent nearly ten hours each day purifying the Poison Master's body. Each session left Du Guqi feeling stronger and closer to his peak, his aura steadily growing until Lin Langtian could feel the pressure of the practitioner's immense power himself.
Meanwhile, Lin Langtian's own cultivation continued to advance, hinting at a breakthrough to the mid-stage of the Earthly Profound Stage, a testament to the potency of Du Guqi's long-accumulated demonic energy.
In the dark stone room filled with a sinister energy, faint glimmers of black-gold light emanated around Du Guqi's body as he sat on the stone bed. This aura, like a sleeping dragon awakening, created a palpable, powerful force filling the room. By now, Du Guqi's condition was visibly improved—his once weak and lethargic aura had given way to a vibrant vitality, thanks to the demonic energy purification that Lin Langtian had tirelessly performed.
The demonic mist faded gradually, replaced by a strong, life-giving aura radiating from Du Guqi's body. Lin Langtian withdrew his hand and allowed the power of the Golden Spirit Wheel Mirror to flow back within him, grateful he had reached the Earthly Profound Stage. Such intense purification sessions would have been almost unbearable at his previous level.
With newfound energy, Du Guqi stood, sensing the vitality coursing through him. A delighted grin spread across his aged face as he clasped his hands together in respect and sincerity. "Brother Langtian, words cannot fully express my gratitude. This kindness, I will not forget."
There was no wave of spiritual energy coming from him, but the overwhelming pressure he exerted was enough to make the very air feel thick and almost frozen—a sign of a powerful practitioner at the Wheel of Life stage. Lin Langtian felt his aura tighten briefly before he responded with a modest smile.
"You're too polite, Senior Du Guqi. I was simply honoring our agreement."
"Haha, well, others might not keep their word so faithfully," Du Guqi replied with a knowing look. "That's a rare quality." As a well-traveled veteran, he'd seen enough to appreciate honesty in people—a trait rarer than some advanced martial techniques, in his view.
Seeing Du Guqi's pleasant attitude even after regaining his strength, Lin Langtian's heart settled a bit, and he spoke up. "There is something I need your help with, Senior."
"Oh?" Du Guqi's curiosity piqued, and he replied with a hearty laugh, "As long as it's within my power, consider it done! I've never liked being in debt, anyway."
With Du Guqi's strong aura now restored, his every move and word brimmed with confidence, as if the legendary Poison Master of the past had fully returned. With his support confirmed, Lin Langtian decided to share his plan of leaving the Gate of Origin and establishing his own faction.
"So, you're finally ready to leave the Gate," Du Guqi said with a chuckle. "I've told you before that place doesn't suit you. With the scheming personalities of Tian Yuanzi and the other two leaders, you'd be ruined there sooner or later."
Lin Langtian nodded with a rueful smile, then looked straight into Du Guqi's eyes. "I was wondering, Senior…if you would join me, adding your presence to my faction."
Du Guqi's eyes widened at the request. "Ah, so that's what you're up to—inviting me to join you?"
Du Guqi had assumed that Lin Langtian planned to start a modest faction, given that even at the Earthly Profound Stage, a practitioner could establish a sect if they had enough skill and influence. But it seemed Lin Langtian aimed for more than that—he wanted the backing of a Wheel of Life-level practitioner, which was unexpected. After all, even within the most powerful factions in the Eastern Xuan Region, a practitioner at the Wheel of Life stage represented immense strength.
With an influential figure like Du Guqi, Lin Langtian's future sect might not immediately rival the Eight Great Sects, but it would have the potential to grow and become a powerful force in the region.
Lin Langtian chuckled. "If I'm going to start my own faction, I want it to be strong from the beginning. Otherwise, what's the point? Besides, without your help, Senior, the Gate of Origin would likely come down hard on me as soon as I establish myself."
"You should know that I've lived as a free spirit for quite a while now. Many top sects in the Western Xuan Region tried to recruit me, but I turned them all down—I'm not fond of the restrictions of sect life." Du Guqi looked at him thoughtfully.
Lin Langtian was prepared. "There won't be any restrictions, Senior. You'd merely hold the title of Elder and have complete freedom. I would only ask for your assistance if our faction faced an existential threat."
Du Guqi's interest grew as he heard Lin Langtian's plan. "Starting a faction is no small task, you know. It requires not just strength but also a solid foundation of resources, martial arts, disciples… Even the eight great sects of the Eastern Xuan Region took centuries to build. Why are you so confident?"
Lin Langtian simply smiled. "Let me keep a few secrets for now, Senior. But trust me—you'll see."
Seeing the young man's confidence, Du Guqi's curiosity sharpened. "Well, I guess I could stick around and see what you're up to. It might be time I find somewhere to settle after all."
After all, Lin Langtian's aid in removing the demonic energy was practically life-saving, and there was something about this young man that told Du Guqi his potential was limitless. Besides, he felt it might bring him advantages he couldn't foresee now.
"One thing, though," Du Guqi added, his eyes narrowing as a cold glint flashed within them. "There's some unfinished business I need to settle in the Western Xuan Region first. Certain people who wronged me deserve a reckoning."
Lin Langtian's eyes flickered with understanding. "Then I wish you success, Senior Du Guqi."
"Thank you, but I doubt it'll be a challenge. Now that my strength has returned, dealing with those petty fools will be like crushing ants." He gave Lin Langtian a confident look, reaching into his robe to produce a small green jade pendant. "If you ever need my help, just shatter this, and I'll come to you."
Taking the jade, Lin Langtian nodded, watching as Du Guqi vanished into thin air through spatial travel.
Smiling, he stretched, his mind already turning to his next steps. "Since Tian Yuanzi wants me to assassinate Qingtan, it looks like it's time for a visit to the Northern Xuan Region…"
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