Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 638 Willingness to Give (Part Two)

"Sigh..." Cao Xuanzhen sighed, stopped thinking about it, and turned to leave.

He is now standing on the mountaintop. What do those mundane worldly affairs have to do with him now?

If one were to lose personal interests and relinquish one's position as head of the academy because of these matters at the foot of the mountain, wouldn't that be utterly laughable?

The scenery on the mountain is breathtaking, but it is also fraught with danger.

The example of Yang Huawu, who was confined and imprisoned in the Siguo Cave to reflect on his actions and become withdrawn, serves as a cautionary tale. Everyone must tread carefully and cherish their reputation.

They were afraid of getting involved in something they shouldn't be involved in and causing trouble.

In the past, Wang Yunkai was patient and kind, his face radiating gentleness. But time has passed, and now, in retrospect, those memories have become somewhat blurred. Therefore, one cannot blame him for being heartless; it's simply that different identities and statuses lead to different perspectives on things.

As the saying goes, it's all about timing and fate; that's just how it is...

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It's snowing! A heavy snowfall, with northerly winds blowing!

Snowflakes fell like goose feathers, fluttering down in a flurry. Overnight, it seemed that most of Black Miasma Mountain had been quietly covered, and everywhere you looked was a blanket of white.

Glug glug...

Inside the Ink Valley, an octagonal pavilion stands in a sheltered spot, its eaves adorned with snowflakes.

The pavilion is surrounded by a row of curtains. Through the curtains, you can see a stone table and chairs inside. On the table, a small purple clay pot is steaming, constantly emitting heat and obscuring the view.

“Such heavy snow…” Zhong Han looked at the dense snow line outside the pavilion and exhaled a breath of hot air.

“This is also what I’m worried about…” Han Yi stood with his hands behind his back in the pavilion, quietly watching the heavy snow wrapped in the cold wind.

"The heavy snow has blocked the mountain passes, and the cold, slippery ground seems to have sealed off the routes in and out of Black Miasma Mountain, which would be beneficial for the safety and concealment of our Nine-Bend Sect. But in reality, it is the most dangerous period..."

"Are you worried that the government troops will come?" Zhong Han asked.

Han Yi sighed, "Yes... we have to be careful..."

While the heavy snow blocked the mountains, it also suppressed the miasma in the mountains.

The miasma disappears, marking the start of a once-a-year opening period for Black Miasma Mountain, which lasts for more than ten days.

Countless mountain dwellers and hunters would take advantage of the absence of miasma to go into the mountains to hunt, dig up rare medicinal herbs, sell them, and make a fortune to have a good year.

Not only ordinary people, but also members of the Demon Hunting Association will take advantage of this period to hunt down demonic beasts.

After all, at this time, most of the demon beasts are fat and obese, and their movements are restricted. This is the time when their physical condition is at its weakest in the year.

However, the influx of a large number of people into Black Miasma Mountain was a complete disaster for the Nine-Bend Sect, which was hidden in the Dark Valley.

The reason why the government troops did not go into the mountains to pursue and kill them before.

One reason is that Kou Hu was busy welcoming important figures from the Tantai family and was unable to spare any time for them.

Secondly, the miasma made it difficult to pinpoint the location of the Nine-Bend Gate, and a hasty attack would result in significant losses.

Now, the two reasons that blocked the government troops no longer seem to be a problem.

No matter how well the Nine Turns Gate hides itself, if so many people rush in, they are very likely to discover the location of their base.

"Pass down the order to have the Shadow Hall men strengthen their vigilance, cooperate with the wolf pack, and expand the perimeter. If anyone approaches, kill them without mercy, unless they are one of our own!" Han Yi gave a calm instruction.

"Yes, sir!" Several guards from the shadow hall stood by the pavilion, their expressions excited as they answered loudly.

Their bodies were covered with a layer of fluffy snowflakes, and they remained motionless unless Han Yi gave the order.

"Thank you for your hard work." Han Yi thought to himself, looking at the dutiful guards with appreciation.

"Serving the adults is no trouble at all!!" The men responded loudly and excitedly, their faces flushed as if they had drunk strong liquor.

It's easy to see from their attitude just how high Han Yi's reputation is in the entire Shadow Hall and even the entire Nine Curves Gate.

First, he resolved the pursuit, saving everyone at the Nine Turns Sect and turning the tide. Next, he entered the Black Miasma Mountain, providing food, clothing, and shelter for everyone. Finally, he wreaked havoc in Huayang City, emerging unscathed, killing high-ranking officials of the government army, and resolving the food crisis.

To the people of the Nine Turns Sect today, all these deeds seem...

Han Yi is practically a god descended to earth, almost divine. It's no exaggeration to say that even Zhong Yunxiu's current reputation doesn't match Han Yi's.

After dealing with this matter, Han Yi returned to the pavilion and smiled at Zhong Han: "Senior Sister, regarding your previous topic, the choice of true form... let's continue."

"Look here, the true form here... is the ultimate true form of our Nine-Bend Palm, and also the core inheritance of our Nine-Bend Sect."

Zhong Han sat at the stone table and gently unfolded a piece of yellow parchment.

"My mother's Ice Crystal True Body, my Ice Lotus True Body... are all included within it..."

Han Yi stared intently at it.

Mirage beasts, swamp crocodiles, black-horned beasts...

There are a total of eight true forms.

These eight true forms are the pinnacle of the Nine Curved Palm of Cold Yin. However, as he looked at them, he suddenly frowned.

"There's something I don't understand. Why are all eight True Bodies... some kind of demonic beast? I know these demonic beasts may be extremely powerful or they may be extinct, but in the end, inscribing True Bodies seems to be about getting closer to or imitating them."

In fact, he had already made some discoveries about this question when he first inscribed bone patterns.

By engraving bone patterns, based on the diagrams on the true body, the essence of the target demon beast is engraved into the body's bones, thereby changing the nature of the force into true force and gaining supernatural powers.

Martial artist, martial arts master, grandmaster.

This is the cultivation method of the martial arts lineage.

Replace it with a family lineage.

The ancestors of these bloodline families used a secret blood-fusion technique to integrate blood of similar attributes into themselves, thereby gaining some demonic beast traits that have been passed down through generations.

The cultivation of scions of bloodline families also involves stimulating their own bloodline through various "bloodline catalysts" to achieve bloodline awakening, second awakening, third awakening... gradually approaching the true form of the demon beast within their bloodline.

When you compare them like this...

It seems that the cultivation methods of martial artists and the cultivation paths of scions of noble families are extremely similar.

Even in martial arts training, martial artists need various "demonic beast stimuli" to enhance their strength and break through their limits.

Their paths to growth and cultivation are extremely similar, both involving approaching and becoming closer to powerful demonic beasts.

The main difference lies in the fact that the bloodline within a bloodline family changes over time and generation after generation, causing the bloodline to become increasingly diluted. To prevent this drop in bloodline concentration, bloodline families use various external substances to purify and increase it.

After hearing Han Yi's question, Zhong Han pondered for a while and said in a deep voice, "Actually, I also asked my mother this question. This is what she told me at the time..." Heaven and earth were like chaos, and the ancient rocks were born within it.

Pangu, when interpreted in classical Chinese, means "ancient, primitive, chaotic, pioneering".

Pangu created heaven and earth; the clear Yang became the sky, and the turbid Yin became the earth. He reshaped the earth, fire, wind, and water, and died from exhaustion. After Pangu fell, his breath became wind and clouds, his voice became thunder, his left eye became the sun, his right eye became the moon, his hands and feet became mountains, and his blood became rivers.

After the world was reshaped, all races were born.

Humans are one of the many races.

"Humans were initially just a weak branch among the hundred races, born with frail bodies and weaker strength than other species. Even their young need more than ten years to grow before they can even begin to fight. Compared to those naturally divine dragons and phoenixes... the gap is just too, too great..."

Zhong Han took a sip of tea and continued.

"Even compared to the Holy Race's demonic beasts, and even some ancient beasts and wild beasts, the human race is far inferior. But there are gains and losses. While the human race is physically weak, it is naturally intelligent and can use its wisdom to navigate and maneuver among powerful races, barely having a sliver of hope."

It was during this process that methods gradually emerged for training oneself and increasing strength by imitating demonic beasts, such as Monkey Fist, Eagle Claw Hand, Rising Dragon Kick, etc. These were the prototypes of martial arts as we know them today.

"I see..." Han Yi said thoughtfully, "After martial arts flourished, the human race became powerful, and all other races perished. Strength, true strength... progressed step by step. Then someone found another way and created the Blood Fusion Technique, which integrates into the bloodline of demonic beasts to strengthen themselves."

This is the fundamental reason why martial arts and bloodline, two different paths, ultimately lead to the same destination.

“Indeed, Junior Brother’s deduction is correct…” Zhong Han nodded and reached for the purple clay teapot to pour water.

On the square stone table, a groove was left through the middle.

The groove contains charcoal that has been burned to a white color without producing smoke. Under the heat of the charcoal, the water in the purple clay teapot boils.

Various foods are neatly arranged on both sides of the clay pot.

According to the customs of this world, after entering winter, in order to replenish qi and blood, keep warm and get through the cold winter smoothly, and also to celebrate a smooth year ahead, people will deliberately prepare "Eight Winter Delicacies".

The so-called "Eight Winter Delicacies" include jujubes, sweet potatoes, candied fruits, and other energy-rich foods.

Because the eight foods are of different colors, they are colorful and very beautiful when placed together. It is also known as "Winter Eight Colors".

Of course, the conditions at Jiuqumen are harsh right now. Firstly, there's a lack of supplies, and secondly, there aren't many resources available. It's unrealistic to expect to prepare a complete set of eight winter dishes.

But Han Yi still managed to come up with a solution.

Use the abundant resources in the mountains as substitutes whenever possible; if those are unavailable, use dried meat instead. After all, monster meat is delicious, readily available, and more nutritious than things like winter dates.

"So, junior brother, have you made a decision regarding your choice of true form?" Zhong Han poured tea for the two of them and asked with concern.

"True Body..." Han Yi pondered for a moment, "True Body is formed by engraving the essence of the spirit onto the body through bone patterns. So I want to know, how do these True Bodies match and adapt to True Skills?"

"In other words, which came first, the skill or the physical body?"

In fact, this is a classic chicken-or-egg dilemma.

If it's the former, he can completely abandon the fixed routine and choose the strongest one from various powerful true forms.

This is also why he asked ** to search for a powerful true body.

If it's the latter, then... he has no choice but to follow the clues.

However, upon hearing Han Yi's question, Zhong Han frowned, unsure how to explain. After pondering for a while, she slowly spoke: "Logically, it should be the latter. It involves visualizing the characteristics of a demonic beast, contemplating its spirit, and combining this with one's mental focus to strengthen and nourish oneself."

“However…” she paused, “our Nine-Bend Sect’s situation is rather special… or rather, the entire Jingtian Manor’s situation is rather special. Whether it’s the Cold Yin Nine-Bend Palm or the Golden Glow True Skill… the true skills of the other six academies are all derived from the fundamental inheritance, the Seven Transformations of Heavenly Evolution.”

"The seven true skills of our Seven Academies are all derived from the Seven Transformations of Heavenly Evolution Mystic Skill. So, from this perspective, it seems that the true skills came first, and the true forms were chosen later."

Zhong Han finished speaking in one breath.

"The Seven Transformations of Heaven..." Han Yi murmured to himself.

He knew about the Seven Transformations of Heavenly Evolution.

Jingtian Manor, Jingtian Seven Courtyards, and the Seven Transformations of Heavenly Evolution Mystic Art—the true skills practiced in each courtyard are all derived from the Seven Transformations of Heavenly Evolution Mystic Art through downgrading and differentiation.

Or rather, the seven true skills combined into one constitute the Heavenly Evolution Seven Transformations Mysterious Skill.

There's an old saying within Jingtian Manor: "Only when the seven skills are combined can one achieve the Heavenly Evolution."

"Indeed... The Seven Transformations of Heavenly Evolution is actually the strongest technique in our Jingtian Manor, but unfortunately..." Zhong Han sighed, "After the core principles were lost, the Seven Transformations of Heavenly Evolution has been incomplete for a long time and cannot be combined. Zhao Ziyang made many efforts to try to find these principles again and combine the Seven Transformations of Heavenly Evolution."

But all his efforts were in vain... and even caused discord among the various departments..."

Han Yi also sighed at the same time. He had heard Zhong Yunxiu mention this matter briefly before.

It was because the heads of the academies were unwilling to hand over their true skills that Zhao Ziyang became disheartened, leading to the gradual split of Jingtian Manor.

"If we gather all seven techniques and combine them into the Seven Transformations of Heaven... wouldn't it be stronger than any single technique alone?"

Han Yi suddenly had an idea. "That's for sure." Zhong Han smiled immediately. "The Seven Transformations of Heavenly Evolution is the fundamental inheritance of my Jing Tian Manor. It is the greatest foundation that makes it one of the five major powers in Yunzhou. Not to mention one person, it is said that after our ancestor practiced the Seven Transformations of Heavenly Evolution, he could fight seven people of the same level at the same time without being at a disadvantage."

“But… how difficult it is to deduce the Seven Transformations of Heaven again?” She sighed. “Junior brother, to be honest, it’s not just Zhao Ziyang who wants to find the General Principles. Even Mother and the other heads of the academy have been secretly trying to find them all these years… but what has been the result?”

Zhong Han sighed: "Over the past ten years, the entire Jing Tian Manor has spent countless hours, effort, money, and favors, all of which have been wasted, but it simply cannot be found. This general outline... is already lost forever..."

Without a general outline, relying solely on the individual branch techniques to deduce the secrets would require immense perseverance, profound understanding, and exceptional talent. Moreover, nowadays, the various branch techniques are scattered—some dead, some fleeing, some surrendering… I'm afraid even the individual branch techniques themselves might not be complete…”

Han Yi immediately fell silent.