Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

East China Sea, Wanluo Sea Area, Jinluo Island.

In ancient times, this sea area was the habitat of the Azure Conch Clan, which was subordinate to the Flood Dragon Clan. The lineage of demon generals continued, and occasionally high-ranking demon generals would appear. Among the demon clans of the entire East Sea, they were considered quite powerful.

But at some point, the Azure Conch Clan suddenly migrated to another sea area, and the Myriad Conch Sea inexplicably became desolate. Gradually, no more demons came here, and it became an extremely desolate dead land.

On this day, a streak of light suddenly flew from the horizon, streaking across the clear sky for thousands of miles, and arrived at Golden Snail Island, where it slowly stopped in front of the thick array.

As the escape light faded, Chen Yuan's figure appeared. Before he could even land, a Nascent Soul cultivator immediately soared into the sky.

The man was about to question him, but upon seeing Chen Yuan's face, his expression immediately changed. He clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Senior Chen! Please wait a moment, Senior, as I will now activate the formation."

As he spoke, he took out a token, raised his hand to form a hand seal, and pointed at it.

The token flashed, and the array in front of the Nascent Soul cultivator trembled slightly, revealing a passage.

Chen Yuan flew into the array and scanned it with his divine sense. He saw Qin Wuyai and the other two waiting in front of the ascension passage. He then flew over to them.

The Nascent Soul cultivator did not follow. He manipulated the token in his hand to restore the array and remained in place to guard Golden Snail Island.

When Chen Yuan arrived in the valley, Qin Wuyai and the other two were sitting in front of the ascension passage, resting with their eyes closed. When they saw Chen Yuan arrive, they all got up to greet him.

Master Jiuyuan stood to the side, hands clasped, his expression respectful. He quickly bowed to Chen Yuan and said, "Greetings, Senior Chen."

Chen Yuan clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Qin Wuyai and the other two, and said with a smile, "I have been dealing with some mundane matters and have kept you three waiting."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Cangsong Daoren's eyes as he said indifferently, "If Fellow Daoist Chen still doesn't come, we will have no choice but to go to Fulong Island to invite him in person."

Qin Wuyai swept his divine sense over Chen Yuan and smiled slightly: "Fellow Daoist Chen's cultivation has already broken through the bottleneck. You should no longer need to stay in this realm, right?"

Lu Wangquan gazed at Chen Yuan, and although he did not speak, his eyes revealed a hint of inquiry.

According to the agreement among the four, they should have ascended to the upper realm fifteen years ago.

However, Chen Yuan delayed twice, which even made Lu Wangquan quite dissatisfied.

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "Thank you for waiting for us, fellow Daoists. However, ascending to the Demon Burning Realm is not what we wished for. With the improvement of my strength, I will have a better chance of returning to the Spirit Realm."

“Now that my cultivation has reached the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, I naturally do not need to remain in this realm and can ascend today.”

The Venerable Jiuyuan, who was standing nearby, was secretly alarmed upon hearing this.

Senior Chen's cultivation level has actually improved to the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm in just over twenty years.

This was even faster than a Foundation Establishment cultivator breaking through a bottleneck, but since Master Jiuyuan also participated in that great battle, the cultivation aura that Senior Chen displayed was not as strong as that of Senior Cangsong and Senior Lu beside him...

Qin Wuyai smiled and said, "There's no time to lose, let's set off now."

Daoist Cangsong nodded, and Lu Wangquan also breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he and Chen Yuan had a very close personal relationship, he couldn't wait any longer if Chen Yuan delayed any further.

Chen Yuan said, "Please wait a moment, fellow Daoists. I have another matter to attend to."

He turned to look at Master Jiuyuan and said, "Young friend, you have guarded Jinluo Island for more than 20 years without making any mistakes. Your merits are considerable. Today, I, Chen, will erase the Fire Lotus Mark from your body."

Having said that, he raised a wisp of Zhu Yan True Fire in his right hand, and with a thought, he withdrew the Fire Lotus Mark from the body of the Nine Yuan Supreme.

As Master Jiuyuan sensed the dissipation of the Fire Lotus Mark, a look of joy appeared on his face. He clasped his hands in a bow and said, "Thank you, senior."

Although he knew that Senior Chen wouldn't kill him without a reason, he still couldn't help feeling uneasy about having his life and death in someone else's hands.

Chen Yuan flipped his hand and took out a bottle of pills, then pushed it forward, and it slowly flew over.

"This bottle of pills is enough to save you decades of hard work in your cultivation, so I will use it as compensation for your guarding of Golden Snail Island."

"How to deal with this ascension passage in the future is up to the human cultivators of this realm to decide. We will not interfere further."

Master Jiuyuan accepted the jade bottle with both hands, his expression solemn: "This junior will definitely protect this ascension passage. Even if I cannot ascend to the upper realm, I must never allow the Demon King to descend into the world again and allow the demon race to rule this realm once more."

Chen Yuan said, "The Refining Void Demon King will not descend to earth without a reason, and ascending to the Burning Demon Realm may not necessarily mean there is no way out. Young friend Cui will explain the specifics to you."

Master Jiuyuan was taken aback, then took his leave.

As Daoist Cangsong watched Master Jiuyuan leave the valley, he withdrew his gaze and frowned: "Why is Fellow Daoist Chen so concerned about the human race in this world?"

Chen Yuan said calmly, "Since we are both human, we might as well help each other out."

Daoist Cangsong shook his head slightly, seemingly disagreeing.

Qin Wuyai nodded in agreement: "What Fellow Daoist Chen said is absolutely true. Humans should help and support each other."

Daoist Cangsong was taken aback, then remembered that Qin Wuyai had descended to the human realm in ancient times to help human cultivators resist the demon army, and had stayed in the human realm for tens of thousands of years for this reason, so he fell silent.

Lu Wangquan said, "Alright, what happens to the human race in this world in the future is none of our business. Let's enter the ascension passage as soon as possible."

Chen Yuan said, "This matter is not urgent. Before entering the ascension passage, I have another question to ask Fellow Daoist Qin. May I ask what the mystery is behind the method of returning to the Spirit Realm that you mentioned?"

Lu Wangquan paused for a moment, then immediately changed his words, saying, "That's right. We are about to enter the Demon Burning Realm, and Fellow Daoist Qin should also be frank."

Daoist Cangsong looked at Qin Wuyai and said, "I am also very curious about the method of returning to the Spirit Realm."

"We are about to cross the Void, which is extremely dangerous. We don't know if we will be able to reach the Demon Burning Realm smoothly."

"Fellow Daoist Qin should tell us the method to return to the Spirit Realm as soon as possible, so that we can have more confidence."

Qin Wuyai gave Chen Yuan a deep look and smiled, "Fellow Daoists, you are overthinking this. We are entering the ascension passage, not passing through a forcibly opened spatial passage."

"As long as you proceed with caution, there is not much risk."

"Moreover, the method of returning to the spirit realm is quite complicated and cannot be explained in a short time. I will tell you after we arrive in the Demon Burning Realm."

Cangsong Daoren said, "Then please, Fellow Daoist Qin, make this brief. We have already waited for Fellow Daoist Chen for fifteen years, so waiting a few more days will not be a problem."

Lu Wangquan chimed in, “Fellow Daoist Cangsong is absolutely right. I was just too hasty. It’s better to make thorough preparations before entering the Demon Burning Realm.”

Qin Wuyai frowned, his smile fading, and said indifferently, "Please forgive me for not being able to tell you directly, but we will disperse after entering the Demon Burning Realm."

"If I were to reveal the method for returning to the Spirit Realm now, I fear that my fellow Daoists would act on their own and leave me in the Burning Demon Realm."

Chen Yuan said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Qin is overthinking it. Judging from your actions, returning to the Spirit Realm will require the combined efforts of four people. How could we act on our own?"

Daoist Cangsong said, "That's right. If one could return to the Spirit Realm safely by one's own strength, Fellow Daoist Qin would probably have already ascended to the Demon Burning Realm, wouldn't he?"

Qin Wuyai stared at Chen Yuan and slowly said, "Logically speaking, we do need to work together to have a chance to return to the Spirit Realm."

"But Fellow Daoist Chen is an exception. He has refined the blood of the true spirit and also possesses the Yin-Yang Ring."

"If you learn the method to return to the Spirit Realm, you only need to disguise yourself as a demon general. You don't need to join forces with me, Qin, to bring the two fellow Daoists back to the Spirit Realm."

Upon hearing this, Cangsong Daoren and Lu Wangquan both looked at Chen Yuan, a hint of doubt flashing in their eyes.

The Taoist Cangsong asked, "The Yin-Yang Ring? What kind of treasure is this?"

Qin Wuyai said, "This treasure can convert spiritual energy into demonic energy, or demonic energy into spiritual energy. It is a rare treasure in the spirit world." "The Yin-Yang Ring in Fellow Daoist Chen's hand belongs to a Void Refinement cultivator who descended to the human world at the same time as me during the ancient war."

"He died in that great battle, but for some reason, this Yin-Yang Ring was not destroyed. Instead, it was passed down and ended up in Fellow Daoist Chen's hands."

Daoist Cangsong frowned and asked, "Fellow Daoist Chen, can this Yin-Yang Ring truly transform you into a demon general?"

Chen Yuan's eyes flashed, and he said calmly, "That's right, but Fellow Daoist Qin once said that the disguise of this treasure can only fool a demon general or a Nascent Soul cultivator, but a demon king can see through it."

"It might be somewhat useful in the lower realm, but to think that it can be used to run rampant in the Demon Realm is wishful thinking."

"Unless it's the method of returning to the spirit realm that Fellow Daoist Qin mentioned, there's no need to contact the Demon King at all."

Lu Wangquan turned to Qin Wuyai and asked, "May I ask, Fellow Daoist Qin, is this statement true?"

Qin Wuyai said calmly, "The method to return to the Spirit Realm is naturally not that simple. I misremembered the Yin-Yang Ring's ability to disguise itself. It can deceive the Demon King, but it cannot deceive the Demon Saint."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he said coldly, "Fellow Daoist Qin, you have deliberately deceived me about the spatial passage before, and now you are lying again. Do you really think that I, Chen, will not turn against you?"

Qin Wuyai smiled and said, "It is precisely because of the matter of the spatial passage that I am worried that if I tell you the method to return to the Spirit Realm, the three of you will abandon me and return to the Spirit Realm on your own."

"Fellow Daoists, please be patient. Once we enter the Demon Burning Realm, the four of us will reunite and I will naturally tell you the truth about this method."

"If the four of us enter the spirit realm together, our chances of success will be much higher. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Daoist Cangsong snorted coldly, but did not press the matter further. Instead, he turned to Chen Yuan and asked, "What do you think, Fellow Daoist Chen?"

He had already realized that Qin Wuyai would never reveal the method to return to the spirit world in advance.

The Yin-Yang Ring in Chen Yuan's hand could actually disguise himself as a demon. If Qin Wuyai's words were true, it could even deceive the Demon King's detection, which would be of great help to the four of them in returning to the Spirit Realm. As a result, his status in the heart of Daoist Cangsong rose considerably.

Chen Yuan's eyes flashed with a cold light as he stared intently at Qin Wuyai, but he remained calm and unmoved.

Chen Yuan coldly said, "Since Fellow Daoist Qin knows the function of the Yin-Yang Ring, aren't you afraid that I, Chen, will stay in the Burning Demon Realm, hide among the demons, and then plan a way to return to the Spirit Realm once my cultivation has improved?"

Qin Wuyai smiled slightly: "Fellow Daoist Chen probably doesn't know enough about the demon race in the upper realm. As long as you advance to the Void Refinement stage, you will definitely meet the Demon Saint, and the disguise of the Yin-Yang Ring will be exposed immediately."

"Of course, if Fellow Daoist Chen is satisfied with his current cultivation level, he can live in seclusion in a remote place in the Burning Demon Realm and spend the rest of his life in peace."

Chen Yuan's eyes flashed: "How would I know whether Fellow Daoist Qin's words are true or false?"

Qin Wuyai said, "If Fellow Daoist Chen does not believe it, you are welcome to try. But I can guarantee that before you advance to the Void Refinement stage, you will have absolutely no chance of returning to the Spirit Realm."

Chen Yuan sneered: "Is that so? Since the Demon Burning Realm and the Spirit Realm are at war with each other, there will inevitably be a time when they clash. When the two realms overlap, I, Chen, can take the opportunity to return to the Spirit Realm."

A hint of surprise flashed in Qin Wuyai's eyes: "Where did Fellow Daoist Chen learn of this?"

Lu Wangquan and Cangsong Daoist's eyes flashed as they both looked over.

Although Qin Wuyai had described the situation in the Spirit Realm, he had never mentioned anything about the Demon Realm, nor would he tell the three of them how the Demon Realm and the Spirit Realm fought each other.

Chen Yuan said calmly, "It seems that Fellow Daoist Qin cannot deny that I can return to the Spirit Realm using this method."

Qin Wuyai suddenly smiled: "It seems that Fellow Daoist Chen also only has a superficial understanding. After arriving in the Burning Demon Realm, Fellow Daoist only needs to inquire and he will know whether he can return to the Spirit Realm when the two realms overlap."

Chen Yuan's heart sank. He had learned about the overlap between the two realms from Liu Kaiyang, and judging from Qin Wuyai's reaction, it should be true.

But Qin Wuyai's confidence and fearlessness suggest there might be another hidden reason.
His thoughts raced through his mind, but ultimately he lacked the confidence to refute.

Qin Wuyai remained calm and stood there quietly, seemingly very confident that the three of them would have to rely on him to enter the Spirit Realm.

Lu Wangquan suddenly interjected, "Fellow Daoists, please wait. We are all here to ascend to the Spirit Realm and continue our path of cultivation. How can we split up beforehand?"

"Fellow Daoist Qin was a Void Refinement cultivator in the past, and his understanding of the Spirit Realm far surpasses that of us. Whether we can enter the Spirit Realm still depends on Fellow Daoist Qin's method."

"Fellow Daoist Chen has refined the blood of the True Spirit and possesses the Yin-Yang Ring, a rare treasure. He can disguise himself as a demon, which is crucial to our ability to operate smoothly in the Demon Burning Realm."

"Both of you are indispensable. We must not let minor disagreements cause us to disregard the bigger picture."

Qin Wuyai said calmly, "I have been staying in the human realm for tens of thousands of years. I only want to return to the spirit realm. When the time is right, I will tell you everything."

Lu Wangquan turned to look at Chen Yuan, his expression gradually softening: "I only had some doubts about the spatial passage. Since Fellow Daoist Qin insists, I can only give up."

"However, Fellow Daoist Qin has deceived me twice, so I must show my sincerity."

"Otherwise, I, Chen, would rather ascend on my own than travel with Fellow Daoist Qin."

Qin Wuyai frowned: "How does Fellow Daoist Chen require me to demonstrate my sincerity?"

Chen Yuan said, "I need all the herbal illustrations and pill formulas that you have, fellow Daoist."

Qin Wuyai resolutely refused: "Absolutely not! This is the alchemy heritage of my sect, and it cannot be passed on to outsiders."

Chen Yuan said calmly, "Then please make yourself at home, Fellow Daoist Qin. If either of you is interested, you may also travel with Fellow Daoist Qin. I will take my leave now."

Cangsong Daoren and Lu Wangquan's expressions changed slightly. If they were missing Chen Yuan, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and the exotic treasure disguised as a demon general, this trip to the Burning Demon Realm would definitely be much more difficult.

Daoist Cangsong advised, "Why must Fellow Daoist Chen do this? Even if you can transform into a demon general and remain in the Burning Demon Realm, the risks are still extremely high."

Chen Yuan remained unmoved: "I only want a spiritual herb compendium and a few pill formulas. Fellow Daoist Qin is so stingy and insincere. How can I believe that he will help us return to the Spirit Realm?"

Lu Wangquan looked at Qin Wuyai: "Fellow Daoist Qin, although the pill formula is precious, it is insignificant compared to our path of cultivation. Why don't you take it out and let Fellow Daoist Chen take a look?"

Qin Wuyai's face was filled with anger: "How can the sect's secrets be shown to others so casually?"

Chen Yuan said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Qin misunderstands. I am not asking for it empty words. I am willing to exchange spirit stones and spiritual materials."

Daoist Cangsong also turned around and advised, "Fellow Daoist Qin, you should reconsider..."

Qin Wuyai fell silent, stared at Chen Yuan, and slowly nodded: "Alright! I, Qin, will consider the overall situation and agree to Fellow Daoist Chen's request. As for spirit stones and materials, there's no need for that."

As he spoke, he flipped his hand and took out two slightly ancient-looking jade slips, raised his hand and pushed them towards Chen Yuan, saying indifferently, "Fellow Daoist Chen, please make your own copies."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, please wait a moment."

Chen Yuan took the jade slip, probed it with his divine sense, and only withdrew it after a full quarter of an hour.

A smile appeared on his lips as he took out two blank jade slips and made a copy of each.

"Thank you, fellow Taoist."

Chen Yuan raised his hand and pushed, sending the two ancient jade slips flying back.

Qin Wuyai reached out and took it, storing it in his mustard seed ring. He said calmly, "Now, Fellow Daoist Chen, are your doubts dispelled?"

Chen Yuan nodded, and Qin Wuyai turned and walked towards the ascension passage, saying calmly, "Then let's not waste any time and enter the ascension passage now."

Cangsong Daoren and Lu Wangquan looked over, and Chen Yuan smiled and followed.

The two followed closely behind, their figures disappearing into the grayish-white spatial rift. (End of Chapter)