Dao of The Demonic Cultivator

Chu Xuan was able to swiftly defeat Duan Feipeng, who was in the same realm, for several reasons.

Firstly, in the prior combat, Duan Feipeng had already expended a considerable amount of his Spiritual Qi and had even deployed his most powerful attack spells.

This was precisely why Chu Xuan had remained passive, biding his time. If the opponent did not deploy their skills, he would not enter the fray.

Secondly, Duan Feipeng could not have anticipated that Chu Xuan possessed the Merit Bell, a top-grade magic tool, nor could he have foreseen the terrifying extent of Chu Xuan's merit, completely misjudging his defense.

Otherwise, Duan Feipeng would have at least been able to retaliate, instead of being so severely injured by Chu Xuan right from the start, rendered utterly incapable of fighting back.

...

Treading through a mixture of blood and mud, Chu Xuan advanced slowly. Ahead, beside the charred corpse of Liu Zhenxiong, lay a figure.

"You actually... shattered my lifebound magic tool! I will kill you! Kill you!"

He roared, plunging a dagger viciously into the charred corpse. The voice was familiar to Chu Xuan—it was Wu Teng.

The footsteps behind him alerted Wu Teng. He sprang up, his pale face twisting into a smile, "Senior Brother Duan, you've returned from slaying Li Xuanming…"

His words trailed off, stuck in his throat, as his smile froze like ice.

"Chu... Chu Xuan?"

A smile uglier than bitterness itself contorted Wu Teng's face.

He was no fool. Although he had been thrown far away by Liu Zhenxiong and had not witnessed Chu Xuan joining the battle or his successive slaying of Li Xuanming and Duan Feipeng, he could guess. Chu Xuan's presence here meant that the situation had spiraled beyond their plans.

"Junior Brother Chu, you're still alive, thank heavens! Liu Zhenxiong, that traitor, caused my lifebound magic tool to be destroyed! Where is our senior brother? Is he safe from Duan Feipeng's pursuit?"

Wu Teng was filled with righteous indignation. Chu Xuan approached him with a slight smile.

Suddenly, the Yin Evil Demon Claw appeared and clenched Wu Teng's head.

And then, before his horrified eyes...

Chu Xuan crushed it completely.

With a crack, like a ripe persimmon smashing onto the ground, juices and pulp flew everywhere.

Of course, Chu Xuan still took care to collect his body, throwing it into the Tower.

"You... you demon cultivator of the Extreme Yin Cave!"

The two Foundation Establishment cultivators widened their eyes, hurriedly attempting to flee. But they were quickly overtaken by Chu Xuan, who crushed their heads as well.

Afterward, Chu Xuan cleaned up the scene, throwing all the cultivators' bodies into the Tower. He collected all their storage bags.

Ensuring nothing was overlooked, Chu Xuan then returned to Liu Zhenxiong's charred corpse.

Even in death, Liu Zhenxiong maintained the state of his Dark Beast Demon Body, making his body extremely large, more beast than man.

"Senior Brother, you are too kind to be a demonic cultivator. Perhaps if you had joined one of the righteous five sects initially, your fate would be far better than it is now."

Chu Xuan sighed softly. He could have tossed Liu Zhenxiong's body into the Tower, either to nurture corpse puppets or to breed Gu insects.

But he chose not to. The bodies of Foundation Establishment cultivators were numerous; one more or less made little difference.

Yet, a kind demon cultivator like Liu Zhenxiong might be the only one in this world.

He placed Liu Zhenxiong's body into a storage bag by itself, planning to take it back to the Extreme Yin Cave for a proper burial.

"Stop hiding, come out."

Chu Xuan spoke nonchalantly, not even turning his head.

"Ha ha ha, you caught me after all."

Han Liuyun leapt down from the top of a giant tree, revealing a smile.

He was somewhat panic-stricken. His employer was Duan Feipeng, and he had been searching for Duan Feipeng's whereabouts just before finding this battleground.

Upon arriving, however, he discovered Duan Feipeng barely clinging to life, closely guarded by two corpse generals. The one who survived was Chu Xuan, who appeared virtually unharmed.

Who was truly the genius here?

Han Liuyun's mind seemed overwhelmed.

Chu Xuan asked calmly, "How much did you see?"

Han Liuyun shook his head, "When I arrived, Duan Feipeng was already in this state; I saw none of your trump cards. If you don't believe me, I can swear an oath on my inner demons."

Chu Xuan shook his head, "No need, you surely have ways to circumvent such oaths."

Han Liuyun just smiled, saying nothing.

Chu Xuan casually asked, "How was your harvest?"

Han Liuyun smiled, "Six Foundation Establishment corpses, eight storage bags, not too bad."

The two made sporadic conversation, yet maintained a cautious distance.

After a moment, Chu Xuan erased all traces left at the scene, then finally looked towards Han Liuyun.

Han Liuyun smiled, "Leaving?"

Chu Xuan nodded.

"Next time we meet, perhaps we can cooperate," Han Liuyun chuckled.

"Definitely next time," Chu Xuan responded noncommittally.

Both stepped back simultaneously, then quickly vanished into the forest.

On the main battlefield, the war among Qi Refining cultivators continued.

Unbeknownst to them, within the unseen woods, several Foundation Establishment cultivators had perished—including Duan Feipeng, one of the renowned Heavenly Seal Trio!

...

Chu Xuan did not rejoin the battle himself but released Long, Hu, and Bao to hunt down the Thousand Insects Sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators. He stood on higher ground, surveying the distant conflict among the Golden Core cultivators.

It seemed likely that the Heavenly Seal Sect, Thousand Insects Sect, and Imperial Spirit Mountain would all enter the fray. Not to mention the Golden Core cultivators of Imperial Spirit Mountain, even those within the Heavenly Seal Sect might covet the precious treasure.

Even though Wan Wuying was well-prepared, Chu Xuan dared not conclude that Wan Wuying could win or even survive until the outcome was clear.

"If Wan Wuying dies, the Extreme Yin Cave will most likely be purged by the Heavenly Seal Sect. It would be wise to think of an escape route sooner rather than later. Yue Country is dominated by the Heaven Burning Sect alone; heading south to Yue Country to restart my demonic cultivation career is not out of the question.

However, I have heard that between Yu Country and Yue Country lies a boundless desert filled with demonic beasts, a challenge even for Golden Core cultivators to cross. Without a map to guide me through the oases for rest, my journey south would be exceedingly difficult."

Chu Xuan could not help but sigh. It wasn't that he didn't want to flee; his abilities simply did not permit it.

"If I ever get the chance, I must remember to collect a map."

Chu Xuan made a mental note of this. Just then, he saw two streaks of light suddenly join the distant battle.

"Eh? Two additional Golden Core cultivators? One of them feels familiar, like it's Zhao Wuya!"

Chu Xuan was surprised.

Were Zhao Wuya and Huang Yuanwu not recalled by the main hall of the Heavenly Seal Sect? Why had they joined the battle halfway through? Could this supposed switch in war leaders be merely a ruse by the Heavenly Seal Sect? Or perhaps it was Wan Wuying's own scheme?

Chu Xuan perked up. This development could tilt the battle of the Golden Core cultivators in Wan Wuying's favor.

Sure enough.

Not long after, the earth-shattering exchange of spells in the distance concluded.

A hundred breaths later, five figures streaked across the sky and landed on the main battlefield.

Leading were Wan Wuying, Zhao Wuya, Huang Yuanwu, and Chu Qiong!

Trailing them was Zhu Taiji.

However, Zhu Taiji was severely injured, having lost an arm—not as if it had been severed by a magic tool, but as though it had been violently torn off!

Their arrival greatly boosted the morale of the Heavenly Seal Sect cultivators.

The Thousand Insects Sect cultivators were terrified.

"Old Zhao, it's your turn," Wan Wuying said casually.

Zhao Wuya smiled, circulated his Spiritual Qi, and announced loudly, "The Thousand Insects Sect's Hundred Gu, Chaotic Blood, and Dry Bone demons have been slain! Disciples of the Thousand Insects Sect, surrender and you shall not be killed!"

His voice boomed like a great bell, resounding thunderously across the battlefield.