Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

A quarter of an hour later, the Panlong Hall fell silent, but the screams of agony still echoed faintly in the ears of the human cultivators.

There were more than seventy demon cult cultivators, more than three times the number of human cultivators in the hall, so they couldn't be left to deal with.

Chen Yuan had no choice but to activate the Zhu Yan True Blood and personally control the Zhu Yan True Fire, burning the souls of Shen Jibai and the others, as well as all the demon sect cultivators, into nothingness.

Looking at the agonizing corpses scattered on the ground, Chen Yuan remained indifferent, showing no emotion whatsoever.

From the moment he captured Dugu Sha and planted the Fire Lotus Mark within him, he had already harbored murderous intent.

Once the eight royal families are wiped out, he will show no mercy to these demonic cultivators.

These demonic cultivators, who were spineless in the past, served the demon race, cruelly abused their own kind, and enjoyed all the benefits, now want to return to the human race and play both sides. It's truly wishful thinking.

Chen Yuan spared their lives only because the human race in this world was declining and manpower was needed to deal with the demon race.

Over the past three years, most of the remaining demon generals have been wiped out, and there are very few royal demon generals left.

The remaining dozens of demon generals had relatively mediocre bloodlines, and the human cultivators alone were not at a disadvantage, so Chen Yuan made his move.

Three years ago, he had Cui Yuheng secretly investigate the past actions of these demonic sect cultivators.

The results were shocking. These demonic cultivators, who had reached the Nascent Soul stage, had all made great contributions to the demonic sect before being granted cultivation resources. Eight or nine out of ten of them had the blood of human cultivators on their hands.

Others, such as weapon refiners, alchemists, and formation masters, while not personally taking action, are also accomplices to evil.

Moreover, they knew that they could only refine pills and weapons for the demon race for the rest of their lives, with no hope of achieving enlightenment. In their spare time, they would abuse mortals, collect them as furnaces, and do whatever they pleased.

Looking at these demonic cultivators, they were all deeply sinful. Chen Yuan simply did not reveal their crimes, but instead used their past service to the demon race as a pretext to kill them all, in order to intimidate the lower-level cultivators of the demonic sect.

He was not a moral man, but he did not mind seeking justice for the human cultivators of this world.

These demonic cultivators overestimated their own value, and Chen Yuan was different from other Nascent Soul cultivators like Qin Wuyai and the other two, who wouldn't care about their past actions.

However, Chen Yuan's past life experiences made him deeply disgusted with such treacherous people, and he would show them no mercy.

Looking at the dozens of corpses on the ground, Chen Yuan slowly withdrew the Zhu Yan True Fire in his palm and ordered Cui Yuheng: "Burn all the corpses and scatter them into the East Sea. Proclaim today's events to the world. Anyone who surrenders to the demon race again will be executed without mercy!"

Cui Yuheng immediately agreed, and the other human cultivators used their manipulation techniques to move the corpses out of the main hall.

Over the past three months, the demon cult cultivators, upon learning that Chen Yuan intended to reward those who had contributed to the cause, flocked to Fulong Island in high spirits, much to the dissatisfaction of the human cultivators.

Now, seeing all the demonic sect cultivators die under that eerie white spiritual fire, they are filled with immense pain, but finally, they have vented their pent-up hatred and feel extremely relieved.

Their lingering resentment towards Chen Yuan vanished as a result.

It turns out that Senior Chen wasn't confused about right and wrong; he had planned ahead. He first had these demonic cultivators wipe out the demon generals, and then he would settle accounts later and wipe them all out in one fell swoop.

But no one will sympathize with these demon generals and cultivators. They are human, yet they fawn over the demon race, harm their own kind, and commit all sorts of evil deeds. Senior Chen is already being kind and merciful by letting them live a few more years.

In the crowd, Zhang Xuancang and Zuiyun Zhenren were about to move the corpse when Chen Yuan stopped them: "Young friends, please wait. Young friend Zhang still has the Fire Lotus mark that I planted in his body. Now that the demon race has been destroyed, we will reward him according to his merits today, so let's just erase it as well."

A hint of joy flashed in Zhang Xuancang's eyes, and he clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Chen Yuan: "Thank you, senior!"

Chen Yuan pointed his finger, and Zhang Xuancang felt a slight fluctuation in his soul. He quickly looked inward and saw a delicate white fire lotus fly out from his forehead. It trembled slightly and then dissipated on its own.

He let out a soft breath and then clasped his hands in thanks to Chen Yuan.

Although he knew that Chen Yuan would not take his life for no reason, having a mark left on his soul and having his life and death in someone else's hands was ultimately not a good thing.

More than a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators worked together and quickly moved the corpses out of the main hall, where they would be cremated later and the ashes scattered into the sea.

The group returned to the hall, and then the real rewards and honors were distributed.

Based on the merits individuals rendered in eliminating demon generals, Chen Yuan bestowed upon them various treasures, all obtained from the treasuries of the eight royal clans. These included elixirs, spirit stones, magic weapons, talismans, spiritual materials, and demon cores—a wide variety of items needed by Nascent Soul cultivators.

In the past, they could only eke out a living in the desolate mountains and rivers, and they had to find cultivation resources for their subordinate cultivators. They were poor and their wealth was meager. Of the treasures obtained from destroying the eight royal families, only a few fell into their hands.

Today, Chen Yuan rewarded everyone for their contributions without being stingy with treasures, which made everyone smile and express their gratitude.

Two hours later, the human cultivators, all satisfied, left the main hall and followed Cui Yuheng to dispose of the corpses.

Zhang Xuancang stayed behind, looking at Chen Yuan with a hesitant expression.

Seeing that his expression was unusual, Chen Yuan said, "Young friend Zhang, is there something you want to say? Please speak freely."

Zhang Xuancang finally stopped hesitating. By this time, the cultivators in the hall had already left. He stepped forward, clasped his hands in a bow, and asked, "Senior, do you still remember Liu Kaiyang?" Chen Yuan was taken aback. He hadn't expected Zhang Xuancang to suddenly mention a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He nodded slightly and replied, "Of course. What happened to young friend Liu?"

When he left Xingzhu City, Liu Kaiyang stayed in the city. After that, he and Qin Wuyai traveled around and destroyed the eight royal families. Finally, they came to Fulong Island to cultivate in seclusion and never saw Liu Kaiyang again.

Zhang Xuancang said, "Liu Kaiyang is safe and sound, but he wants to see you, senior, saying he has important matters to report."

Chen Yuan's heart stirred, recalling the hesitant look on Liu Kaiyang's face before he left Xingzhu City, as if he had something to say.

However, what important matters could a Foundation Establishment cultivator possibly have? Most likely, he's just unwilling to give up an opportunity and wants to ask him to bestow treasures upon him.

Thinking of this, Chen Yuan smiled and said, "He once served by my side, so I have some goodwill towards him. Therefore, I would like to ask young friend Zhang to bestow some treasures on my behalf so that he can cultivate well."

Zhang Xuancang looked troubled: "This junior also thought so, and asked for the reason, but he told this junior that this matter was an agreement between him and the senior, and that it was of great importance, so he could only report it to the senior in person."

Chen Yuan frowned: "Is this true? Where is Liu Kaiyang now?"

Zhang Xuancang said, "This junior originally intended to bring him to Fulong Island, but this time, as the senior is rewarding merits, Fellow Daoist Cui has set a rule that those of us who are rewarded can only come alone."

“This junior dares not disobey, so I can only leave him in the Red Ridge Mountains. If I get your approval, I will make further plans.”

Chen Yuan was somewhat surprised: "The Red Ridge Mountains?"

He was already aware of the rules established by Cui Yuheng, and they were only set after his approval, in order to prevent unauthorized people from entering the island and disturbing Chen Yuan's cultivation.

But Liu Kaiyang's trip to the Chiling Mountains surprised him quite a bit.

Zhang Xuancang said, "Senior, you may not know this, but now that the eight royal clans have been destroyed, the cultivators and mortals in the human cities have all moved to the original ancestral lands of the eight royal clans and the cities established by the various demon sects, as ordered by Fellow Daoist Cui."

"The people of Xingzhu City migrated to the Chiling Mountains."

"However, there are still many remnants of the demon race. Our human cultivators have been clearing out the demon beasts. In the past three years, Liu Kaiyang has returned to the Red Ridge Mountains very rarely."

"Until three months ago, when the senior issued an edict summoning Nascent Soul cultivators to Fulong Island to reward them for their merits, Liu Kaiyang returned to the Chiling Mountains and requested to see the senior."

"He once served by your side, senior. I dare not neglect him. Although I cannot bring him to Fulong Island, I will leave him in the Chiling Mountains to prevent him from being harmed by monsters."

Chen Yuan frowned: "The ancestral lands of various royal families and the cities of the demon sects are rich in spiritual energy, so it is only natural for them to move there."

"However, the source of the giant spiritual vein in the Crimson Ridge Mountains has been damaged. Why doesn't Xingzhu City choose another spiritual site? Could it be that young friend Cui is unaware of your relationship with me, Chen?"

Zhang Xuancang smiled and said, "Senior misunderstands. Fellow Daoist Cui originally wanted the people of Xingzhu City to move to the Silver Moon Mountains, but the journey is too far."

"Moreover, although the source of the spiritual veins in the Crimson Ridge Mountains is damaged, the concentration of spiritual energy is comparable to that of a large spiritual vein, which is enough for us to cultivate. It will recover in a hundred years and will not cause any major harm."

Chen Yuan nodded slightly: "That's fine. Since Liu Kaiyang has stayed in the Red Ridge Mountains, I need to go into seclusion to cultivate. There's no need to rush this matter."

"Although the eight royal families have been destroyed, there are still many remnants of the demon race. Therefore, I would like to ask you, young friend Zhang, to bring Liu Kaiyang to Fulong Island. It will not be too late to question him after I have finished my seclusion."

"This junior obeys." Zhang Xuancang clasped his hands in response, then took his leave.

Chen Yuan got up and walked out of the hall. He had used the teleportation technique to intimidate the demon cult cultivators when he came, but he didn't need to do that when he left. He could also enjoy the scenery on the island and adjust his mood along the way.

But as soon as he stepped out of the main hall, he saw a middle-aged cultivator standing to the side, who immediately came to greet him.

The man clasped his hands in a respectful bow and said, "Junior Zhao Mingyuan greets Senior Chen."

Chen Yuan stopped, a hint of doubt rising in his mind: "What brings you here, young friend Zhao?"

Zhao Mingyuan said respectfully, "This junior has important matters to report to the senior, but just now I saw that Fellow Daoist Zhang also had something to report, so I did not dare to disturb him and came to wait outside the hall."

"This junior is responsible for guarding the Silver Moon Mountains. Elder Yin Hui of the Howling Moon Silver Wolf Clan was ordered by the senior to return to the Silver Moon Mountains, release Yin Zhu and the seven Howling Moon Silver Wolves, and then take his own life."

"But before he died, he asked me to give this item to you, so that you may have a look at it."

As he spoke, he took a few steps back, flicked his sleeve, and a huge rock appeared out of thin air in front of him, crashing heavily to the ground with a bang.

Chen Yuan looked closely and saw that the boulder was about ten feet in size and about one foot in height, with a flat top.

At this moment, the sun hangs high in the sky, and sunlight falls on the irregular surface of the boulder, reflecting a faint golden light.

Chen Yuan spread his divine sense, but when he touched the surface of the boulder, it bounced back, as he encountered a solid barrier that made it difficult to penetrate.

Chen Yuan let out a soft "Eh?" and asked, "Where did this giant rock come from?" (End of Chapter)