This humble Taoist priest, Qianhe, begins his quest for immortality by slaying demons and monsters.

Chapter 22 Qi Refining Level 4, Entering the Mountain to Find the Wolf Demon

[Consumes 570 Demon Extermination Points to accelerate cultivation of the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Technique, gaining 570 cultivation days]

As Zhong Bai consumed all his demon-slaying points, the parts of the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Technique that he hadn't quite understood before suddenly became clear to him, and he instantly had a look of enlightenment.

At the same time, within his dantian, a terrifying suction force spread outwards from his body to the surrounding world.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a ten-mile radius began to gather in Zhong Bai's direction.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth entered the body and was refined into pure true essence at an extraordinary speed, which was then injected into the dantian. The lightning seal flashed and solidified at an equally rapid speed.

Zhong Bai was already at the peak of the third level of Qi Refining and could step into the fourth level of Qi Refining at any time. Now, with a large amount of true essence flowing into his dantian, Zhong Bai broke through the barrier of the fourth level of Qi Refining with almost no effort.

The terrifying true essence continuously condensed and poured into his dantian, and Zhong Bai's aura also surged continuously.

Mid-stage of Qi Refining Level 4, Late-stage of Qi Refining Level 4...

The flow of spiritual energy into the world only stopped when Zhong Bai reached the peak of the fourth level of Qi Refining.

[The cultivation of the Five Thunder Techniques of the Divine Firmament has been completed for 570 days!]

As the demon-slaying points on the demon-slaying panel reached zero, Zhong Bai's entire body trembled with excitement.

"This is so awesome! No wonder the protagonists in novels like to use cheat codes to cultivate. A few hours of cultivation speed can achieve the same results as others in one or two years."

Absolutely astonishing, terrifyingly so!

Zhong Bai couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. The effect of the Demon Extermination Points was truly miraculous. Although Zhong Bai quickly entered the peak of the fourth level of Qi Refining, he felt as if he had reached it step by step. There was no situation where he was not used to the power due to the rapid improvement or his foundation was unstable.

"Peak Qi Refining Level 4, that should be enough to kill that wolf demon!"

With a flash of insight, Zhong Bai's memories began to resurface. Five years ago, Zhong Bai had escaped death by hiding in a cellar.

He clearly saw the wolf demon once. According to the cultivation of demons, once demonic power is generated, it becomes a lesser demon.

Once you reach the Demon Soldier realm, you are comparable to a cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and you can even awaken the supernatural abilities that come with your bloodline.

Upon reaching the level of a demon general, one can transform into a human, comparable to a Foundation Establishment True Person.

As for the Demon King, he is comparable to a Golden Core True Monarch.

Based on Zhong Bai's current experience, the wolf demon that Zhong Bai encountered back then should have only just entered the realm of demons.

Five years have passed, and he may have already entered the ranks of demon soldiers. Of course, he is still most likely at the level of a minor demon, since most demons cultivate at a slower pace than cultivators.

This is why Zhong Bai dared to seek revenge on that wolf demon right now.

In just five years, unless that wolf demon had extraordinary talent or killed countless people, it would have been impossible for it to reach the level of a demon soldier.

Even if he were to be fortunate enough to become a demon soldier, Zhong Bai believed that with the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Technique's ability to restrain demons and evil spirits, he could still blast them to death.

High skill breeds boldness; this is a perfect example.

......................................................

As night gradually faded and dawn shone upon the earth, Zhong Bai finished his cultivation. Looking towards the direction of the old village chief's house, sensing the barely perceptible signs of life, Zhong Bai did not hesitate and used his lightning escape technique to head towards the western mountains.

Western Hills.

This is a vast mountain range behind Zhongjia Village. Although Zhongjia Village has called it Xishan for generations, only a part of the area near Zhongjia Village belongs to Xishan. The continuous mountain range is actually called Pingshan Mountain Range.

Zhongjia Village is named after its highest peak, Pingshan, which resembles a vase. However, it is dozens of miles away from Pingshan, and the mountain is teeming with poisonous insects. Therefore, the villagers of Zhongjia Village usually gather firewood and hunt in the western mountains.

Entering the mountains and forests.

The mountain path that Zhongjia Village had used for generations had been abandoned for five years and was now overgrown with thorns and impassable. Zhong Bai was not worried about this and took out a bronze sword from the Qiankun Ring on his ring finger.

While clearing the way, he looked at the compass on his left palm.

This is also a magical artifact stored in the Qiankun Ring, the Demon-Seeking Compass. Like the Ghost-Seeking Compass, it is a treasure used to find the hiding places of evil spirits and demons.

As the pointer spun continuously, the Demon-Seeking Compass soon pointed in one direction: the shady side of West Mountain, which was also the deepest part of West Mountain. Beyond the shady side lay Bottle Mountain.

Normally, no villagers would go to the dark side, making it a natural hiding place for the wolf demon.

"The demonic aura is not obvious, which means that the strength is quite average."

With just a glance at the Demon-Seeking Compass, Zhong Bai could almost determine the strength of the wolf demon, whose demonic energy fluctuations were almost on par with those of a demon soldier.

Seeing this, Zhong Bai was completely relieved. Since it hadn't broken through to the Demon Soldier realm, Zhong Bai could kill it as easily as slaughtering a dog.

They quickened their pace and an hour passed quickly.

Just as Zhong Bai reached the mountaintop and was about to step into the shaded area, he frowned as he looked at the direction in which the leaves were being swayed by the breeze.

"The mountain wind is blowing, and entering the valley now would make our presence easily detectable by this wolf demon..."

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Bai had to be extremely careful. After all, he only had one chance. If the wolf demon caught his scent and escaped, who knew when he would be able to capture it?

Thinking of this, Zhong Bai calmed his mind and suppressed his aura. He even squeezed the juice from a nearby ginger leaf and applied it to his body, thus removing the scent of a living person.

After being so careful, Zhong Bai then stealthily made his way forward...

Inside a rocky cave on the shady side of West Mountain.

A giant black wolf, two meters tall at the shoulder, is resting inside the cave.

This is the same wolf demon that attacked Zhongjia Village five years ago!

Suddenly, the wolf demon, which had been sleeping, opened its eyes, its scarlet eyes filled with greed and pain.

It has reached the limit of a minor demon. Over the years, it has devoured a huge number of villagers, and the demonic energy in its body is enough to support it to enter the realm of a demon soldier.

Therefore, it has not left the back cave during this time, and is single-mindedly trying to evolve and break through into a demon soldier!

However... Zhong Bai's arrival meant that this wolf demon was destined to meet its end.

After following the demon-finding compass for about half an hour, Zhong Bai looked at the dark cave in front of him. Even though the remaining demonic energy was only a hundred meters away, Zhong Bai could clearly smell the familiar aura!
"arrive!"

The anger and killing intent that had been suppressed for five years in Zhong Bai's eyes were no longer held back at this moment. His blood and qi surged to the sky, and his muscles and bones creaked like thunder.

Within his dantian, the true essence, after passing through the thunder seal, transformed into purple lightning and surged forth.

The crackling lightning illuminated the cave ahead.

With a whoosh, Zhong Bai used his lightning escape technique, transforming into a bolt of lightning and rushing into the cave.

Inside the cave, the wolf demon, who had been focused on breaking through, suddenly felt its hair stand on end. A sense of impending danger made it straighten up and growl softly towards the front.

Finally, a purple light surged forth. In just a moment, Zhong Bai, without uttering a word, unleashed a dazzling bolt of lightning that shot towards the wolf demon's brow.

With a roar, the wolf demon raised its claws and instinctively slashed across the air.

Suddenly, a mournful wolf howl echoed through the cave...

(End of this chapter)