As days passed, Meng Chuan continued practicing his saber at Thousand Sabers Cavern every morning. Liu Qiyue also increased her cultivation time in the Earth Fire Lava Pond.
In the afternoon, Meng Chuan painted while Liu Qiyue watched from the side, and learned some calligraphy.
To Qiyue, painting was too difficult. She had an easier time with calligraphy. Every time the two raised their heads, they would smile when their gazes met.
Afterward, they would spar each other on Bright Scenic Peak. One moment, Liu Qiyue would be shooting arrows while Meng Chuan blocked them. The next moment, Meng Chuan was chasing after Liu Qiyue, who fled in panic.
The two no longer hid their relationship.
At the Dao Exchanges and Grotto-Heaven Pavilion lectures, the couple showed their intimacy. Many male Godfiends—who wanted to pursue Liu Qiyue—could only sigh helplessly.
…
Winter came as the landscape of withered leaves turned to snow. Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue lived their lives happily.
Meng Chuan spent over four hours refining baneful aura in the herbal bath every night. Every day, he suffered torture from hell. It drained him mentally, but after enduring the pain, he would have Qiyue’s porridge awaiting him. It strengthened his resolve to withstand the pain and torture.
15 days, 30 days, 50 days, 80 days… Meng Chuan recorded the days he underwent the Eighth Refinement. Every time he finished a session, he felt a sense of accomplishment. He neared the Eighth Refinement’s completion.
Finally, the final day—the 120th day—of absorbing baneful aura arrived. Meng Chuan would complete the Eighth Refinement. Coincidentally, today was 23rd December. Today, new disciples entered Archean Mountain.
Archean Mountain, Yellow Reverence Peak, Blood Red Cliff.
The matriculation ceremony was in progress.
“…These images number a total of 15,283 Godfiends…” Archean Mountain Lord explained to the new disciples.
Beside him were Godfiends and senior disciples who had not become Godfiends. Meng Chuan was one of the senior disciples.
When he heard Mountain Lord’s introduction, he sighed inwardly. Last year, there were 15,271 Godfiends. In just a short year, 12 Archean Mountain Godfiends have died?
Including ordinary Godfiends, there were even more Godfiends who had died in the Great Zhou Dynasty—around sixty. In the entire world, roughly 200 Godfiends died a year. Most Godfiends died on the battlefield or died from severe injuries back in their hometowns. There were very few Godfiends who could live out their whole lifespan due to the never-ending battle with the demons.
The loss of so many Godfiends made it easy to imagine how intense the war against demons across the world was.
Humans were still able to maintain their prosperity. Many people in cities could drink and enjoy themselves and sustain their population because Godfiends—as well as mortal soldiers who had reached the Marrow Cleansing realm—constantly fought the demons. This forced demons—who infiltrated the human world— to either hide or flee after they carried out a slaughter!
I want to finish my cultivation quickly, leave the mountain, and kill demons. Meng Chuan sighed.
…
The same night.
The water temperature was rising. Meng Chuan still endured the pain. He used the pain to temper his will.
It was the last day.
120 days without any rest. It’s already the last day. Meng Chuan felt a sense of accomplishment. Although he had already set up a plan for himself, he knew how difficult it would be to last four hours every day for 120 days. Yet, he had managed it.
Meng Chuan didn’t bite a towel anymore. He only gripped the stone wall tightly. His body was completely red, and his veins protruded. Blood even seeped out from his skin surface.
The pain came from the deepest parts of his body. Even now, it was difficult for him to endure the pain. He held on thanks to his willpower.
The pain finally subsided. His body once again felt light and comfortable.
Meng Chuan knew that the Golden Crow baneful aura he had absorbed today had been completely refined. It no longer damaged his body.
Yes. He extended his finger and a wisp of black-gold baneful aura condensed on his fingertip. It held extreme destructive power. Meng Chuan nodded slightly. I’ve completed the Eighth Refinement.
Following that, he stood up and evaporated all the water on his body before putting on his robe and heading out.
Liu Qiyue smiled as she stood in the corridor. She looked at Meng Chuan. “Ah Chuan, congratulations on completing the Eighth Refinement.”
“Yes.” Meng Chuan couldn’t hide his joy. “I’ve finally completed it.”
“It’s really not easy to complete the Eighth Refinement,” said Liu Qiyue. “The last time Archean Mountain had anyone cultivate the Lightning Devastator Fiend Body to the Eighth Refinement was 83 years ago. The last one to reach the Ninth Refinement was over 200 years ago. Ah Chuan, you have already mastered the Eighth Refinement. Furthermore, you still have a chance of reaching the Ninth Refinement.”
“The Ninth Refinement won’t be easy,” said Meng Chuan with a smile. “Let’s eat the porridge.”
“To celebrate your success with the Eighth Refinement today, I also prepared a few more dishes,” Liu Qiyue said in a mysterious manner.
The duo arrived in the dining hall. The table was indeed filled with a sumptuous spread.
The two sat down and ate.
Although Meng Chuan seemed to be eating happily, he actually recalled several matters.
“What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?” Liu Qiyue asked.
“Just now, you mentioned the Archean Mountain seniors—who had completed the Lightning Devastator Fiend Body’s Eighth and Ninth Refinement—were from 83 years ago and over 200 years ago respectively,” Meng Chuan said softly. “When I chose this Godfiend body, I carefully studied its history. The senior brother from 83 years ago was called Gao Cong, and he became a Great Solar Godfiend. The one from 200 years ago ended up as a Marquis Godfiend.”
“I know. It’s Marquis Sea Return,” said Liu Qiyue immediately.
Meng Chuan nodded. “Do you know how Marquis Sea Return died?”
Liu Qiyue was stunned and shook her head gently.
“I’ve investigated it carefully,” said Meng Chuan. “Gao Cong died at Nine Tunes Pass 36 years ago. Back then, the World Entrance at Nine Tunes Pass expanded, and over 30 third Firmament demon monarchs surged in. There were over 100 second Firmament demon monarchs. Nine Tunes Pass was directly breached, and seven Godfiends—including Gao Cong—died in battle. Nine Tunes Pass has now become a medium-sized city pass. It’s managed by Marquis Nine Tunes.”
Long ago, there were no demons in the human world. All battles were fights between humans.
However, many World Entrances appeared and connected the human world to the demon world 800 years ago.
In the beginning, World Entrances were rare and small.
Gradually, World Entrances grew in number and expanded in size. The Great Zhou Dynasty now had seven major city passes. The number of small to medium-sized city passes was even more astonishing.
Back then, Nine Tunes Pass’s incident was due to a World Entrance expanding.
“Gao Cong’s death is quite normal.” Meng Chuan shook his head gently. “As for Marquis Sea Return, he completed the Ninth Refinement for his Lightning Devastator Fiend Body. He was extremely fast, and even many Regis Godfiends couldn’t catch up to him. Even a fifth Firmament demon monarch found it difficult to chase him. According to Archean Mountain records, he died while carrying out a special mission.”
“Special mission?” Liu Qiyue was puzzled as well.
“I don’t know what kind of mission it was. We aren’t even Godfiends, so there are many things that are hidden from us.” Meng Chuan shook his head gently. “Seniors who reached the Eighth or Ninth Refinement have died for various reasons.”
“Although they died in battle, we have had more powerful Godfiends appear,” said Liu Qiyue.
Meng Chuan nodded as he smiled.
Indeed.
Perhaps due to the extreme pressure, the entire human race was desperately cultivating. There was large-scale conscription, forcing many people to unleash their potential. Perhaps the war had tempered every Godfiend; therefore, in the past 800 years, there were many more powerful Godfiends emerging than before. Although there were instances when Marquis and Regis Godfiends died in battle, new Marquis and Regis Godfiends would take their place!
…
The next day, Meng Chuan went to the Treasure Repository at Yellow Reverence Peak alone.
“Lord Meng Chuan?” Inside the Treasure Repository, a cyan-robed man at the counter smiled at Meng Chuan. “Might I ask why Lord Meng is here?”
“I want a bottle of Six Desires baneful aura,” said Meng Chuan.
“A bottle of Six Desires baneful aura requires three thousand credits,” said the cyan-robed man with a smile.
“I’ve already completed the Lightning Devastator Fiend Body’s Eighth Refinement. I can obtain it for free,” said Meng Chuan. Completing the Ninth Refinement required a total of 90 Six Desires baneful aura bottles. He couldn’t even afford to exchange for them!
“Obtain for free?” The cyan-robed man was alarmed. Lightning Devastator Fiend Body Eighth Refinement? How many years had it been since he heard of one?
“Lord Meng Chuan, please wait a moment. I’ll get the Elder over,” said the cyan-robed man hurriedly.
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