Chapter 265: Demonic Qi!
Five Dragon Island.
“This record seems very similar to the Mysterious Black Qi.”
On this day, Lin Chang’an was inside a shop operating under the Bihai Palace banner, where he finally found a similar description in a jade slip of rare tales and strange records.
It was said this ancient compendium contained most of the strange tales discovered by human cultivators over the course of tens of thousands of years.
Naturally, this shop belonged to the Sixth Elder’s faction.
Lin Chang’an’s hobby had long been the collection of rare tales and strange records, along with jade slips of formation insights and experiences—this was widely known.
Hence, when Lin Chang’an casually picked up this book and copied it, no one found it suspicious.
This was also the privilege of status. If it were a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they would still have to spend Spirit Stones. But he, with his power and status, naturally didn’t need to.
“Ghost Qi and Demonic Qi—both are similar to this Mysterious Black Qi, capable of eroding and driving one to madness.”
True Ghost Qi, also known as Yin Nether Spiritual Qi, was said to exist only in the Yin Nether Realm. The records described its ability to corrode a cultivator’s body and impair their spiritual clarity.
Even more terrifying, the more Yin Nether Spiritual Qi an ordinary cultivator absorbed, the faster their lifespan would deplete.
“This Yin Nether Ghost Qi’s corrosiveness, as well as its impact on spiritual clarity, seems very similar to this black qi.”
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but frown.
“Yin Nether Spiritual Qi is highly toxic to ordinary cultivators and beings. But to ghosts and even ghost cultivators, it’s an extraordinary nourishing spiritual qi, advancing them by leaps and bounds... with various wondrous effects…”
Reading this, Lin Chang’an memorized the passage, then moved on to another record.
“It’s said that tens of thousands of years ago, cultivators from the Upper Realm appeared in the world of cultivation, including terrifying beings from the Demonic Realm. The Demonic Qi that seeped from the Demonic Realm was even purer…”
“Likewise, it possessed corrosive properties, capable of eroding the spiritual clarity of any living being—gripping one’s heart and disturbing the mind. Even terrifying demonic beings were affected by it, turning cruel and violent…”
Upon reading this, Lin Chang’an frowned again, his face clouded with thought.
“Yin Nether Qi and Demonic Qi both have various uses. It’s said that with the aid of top-tier cultivation methods, both can yield wondrous effects.”
For instance, the spiritual qi of the world of cultivation was ownerless. If a cultivator wished to convert it into their own mana, they had to absorb and refine it through a cultivation method.
The same principle applied to Yin Nether Ghost Qi and Demonic Qi—but both had immense drawbacks, usable only by specific lifeforms born within them.
“It’s said that pure Yin Nether Qi has miraculous effects for strengthening a cultivator’s nascent soul.”
“And refined Demonic Qi is an exceptional qi for body refinement. It’s said that long-term cultivation with it could even purify spiritual roots…”
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but gasp, thoroughly stunned.
If these records were true, then the world of cultivation indeed harbored countless secrets—so many that he felt increasingly insignificant.
“Whether it’s Yin Nether Qi or Demonic Qi, I’ll know once I return and test it. Regardless, both are heavenly and earthly spiritual substances…”
His Xuantian Spiritual Qi possessed the ability to purify.
At this thought, Lin Chang’an didn’t dare imagine how many people would covet him if word got out that he possessed such a thing.
Although the records weren’t detailed, either type was both poison and rare heavenly spiritual essence to cultivators.
Yin Nether Spiritual Qi targeted the nascent soul, while Demonic Qi targeted the physical body.
At this moment, Lin Chang’an had already formed a vague guess in his mind, leaning toward one possibility.
But it was also possible that the reaction was caused by a mutation of the Azure-Horned Ox.
In other words, it was very likely one of these two—or something else entirely, though that was less likely.
“If it really is one of the two, then for it to erode the Fusang Divine Tree to such an extent… that’s terrifying!”
At the thought, Lin Chang’an nervously swallowed hard.
The Fusang Divine Tree was supposed to repel all evil—it was considered the bane of both these forces, yet it had now been eroded.
It was akin to imagining a Wind-Chirp Bird devoured by Ghost Qi.
Fire swallowing water!
Such complete reversal of elemental restraint could only be explained in two ways:
“One, the restrained side has a quality far surpassing the other, resulting in a reverse-suppression scenario. The other, both are of equal quality, but the restrained side is infinite in nature…”
Thinking further about how this item had been found in a Secret Realm, and how—according to what he knew—both a Nascent Soul elder demon from the Mystic Yin Divine Sect and the peak Core Formation Blood Fiend True Lord had perished in the depths of the Yunwu Mountain Range…
“What secrets lie in the depths of the Yunwu Mountain Range, that even True Lord Lu traveled from afar to scheme for his Nascent Soul!”
Lin Chang’an sighed softly and shook his head. These matters were beyond him. Right now, he needed to return and thoroughly examine the Fusang Divine Tree’s condition.
After all, this concerned his life-bound magical treasure.
Yin Nether Qi and Demonic Qi!
The world of cultivation was not lacking in spiritual bodies and mutated roots of extreme Yin or Demonic paths.
Cultivators who practiced such methods converted the spiritual qi of the world into Yin Qi or Demonic Qi within themselves, but this was all acquired through postnatal cultivation.
According to the ancient records, the legendary Demonic Realm and Yin Nether Realm naturally gave rise to such spiritual qi—pure and savage.
Regrettably, the records were limited, leaving much unsaid. Lin Chang’an let out a sigh.
Tens of thousands of years of records still revealed only a glimpse of the world of cultivation—this path was truly addictive.
The more one understood, the deeper one was drawn in, unable to extricate themselves. It was one of the reasons why so many cultivators faced death with great reluctance.
There were simply too many vistas in this world worth exploring.
…
Tianquan Peak.
As soon as Lin Chang’an returned, the Sword Attendant was already respectfully waiting at the cave abode’s entrance.
“Master!”
With a glance, he noticed that the Sword Attendant looked noticeably healthier lately. The once-pale cheeks now had a hint of rosy glow.
“Cultivate well.”
Turning his head, he saw the Azure-Horned Ox still lazily basking in the sun. Lin Chang’an shook his head and called out:
“You silly ox, come inside with me.”
With a single order, the Azure-Horned Ox lazily lifted its head, yawned, and then rose, splashing water all over the ground.
It slowly followed Lin Chang’an into the cave abode, leaving the Sword Attendant outside alone.
Yet she held no dissatisfaction whatsoever, nor did she even consider what Lin Chang’an might do. Instead, she habitually raised her hand to cast the Object Manipulation technique.
The water-soaked path instantly separated into mist and droplets, the water beads floating in the air. With a casual wave, the Sword Attendant guided them back into the pool.
The area outside the cave abode was soon much cleaner.
“While Master is in seclusion, I must seize the time to cultivate.”
With a petite face still bearing baby fat, the Sword Attendant, feigning the cold demeanor of an adult, had never thought of anything else.
These past few years, she had gradually grown accustomed to this place.
…
Inside the Earthfire Cavern.
The massive Fusang Tree was rooted in the earthfire magma. The Wind-Chirp Bird cheered in excitement upon seeing its master arrive.
But upon seeing the Azure-Horned Ox, it burst into mocking laughter again.
“Greedy dumb ox!”
“Moo!”
Ever since the last incident, the Azure-Horned Ox had been mocked this way often, letting out a humiliated moo.
Even its master, Lin Chang’an, had never brought up the matter of the ox’s mistake again.
For indeed, it had been in the wrong.
Lin Chang’an ignored the two beasts and went straight to a corner of the formation, where he raised his hand and retrieved the Jade Bottle containing the Mysterious Black Qi.
The black qi in this Jade Bottle was what remained after being purified with his mana—not much.
“Moo!”
Upon seeing the Jade Bottle again, the Azure-Horned Ox’s eyes widened in fear, mooing as a trace of terror surfaced in its gaze.
“Now you know fear. Why didn’t you feel scared when you swallowed even my bottle back then?”
Lin Chang’an sneered coldly. Under the incredulous gaze of the Azure-Horned Ox, its master actually brought that dreaded bottle right up to its face.
“Moo!”
The Azure-Horned Ox seemed confused about what its master intended to do. However, Lin Chang’an’s next sentence made its eyes widen in disbelief.
“Be good. Inhale another breath of this black qi!”
As Lin Chang’an’s gentle voice echoed, even the Wind-Chirp Bird beside them stared wide-eyed in shock.
The Azure-Horned Ox was utterly terrified—were it not covered in fur, its bull-face might’ve turned pale from fright.
“Moo! Moo!”
It bellowed frantically, shaking its head in refusal.
Last time, it nearly lost its life from mistakenly ingesting it. And now, its master was telling it to inhale it again?
“Don’t worry. I’m here this time. Just inhale one breath, and I guarantee you won’t be harmed.”
By beastly instinct, it had already categorized the substance as extremely poisonous after the last ordeal and would never dare touch it again.
However, Lin Chang’an spoke in a coaxing and reassuring tone. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to test other spirit beasts—but even the thick-skinned, robust Azure-Horned Ox had nearly exploded.
Let alone lower-tier spirit beasts. And since he had one on hand that hadn’t died, there was no need to waste Spirit Stones buying a new high-tier beast.
“Moo! Moo!”
“Relax. With my mana protecting you, nothing will happen.”
The Wind-Chirp Bird, watching its master sweet-talk the silly ox, had its little eyes spinning around, secretly warning itself never to fall for its master’s tricks in the future.
“You’re not getting away either.”
As if responding to her thoughts, Lin Chang’an turned his gaze toward her. The Wind-Chirp Bird’s eyes widened again, seemingly asking if she too had to inhale it.
Naturally, Lin Chang’an nodded.
In the end, both beasts yielded under Lin Chang’an’s intimidating presence. First, the Azure-Horned Ox let out a pitiful moo, then cautiously inhaled a wisp.
Lin Chang’an was speechless and said irritably, “What can I test from that little bit? Hurry and inhale more.”
“Moo!”
With a pitiful bellow, the Azure-Horned Ox shut its eyes and took in most of the black qi in one gulp, causing the Wind-Chirp Bird to stare dumbfounded—this stupid ox was truly reckless.
At that moment, Lin Chang’an’s expression suddenly changed.
“This sensation!”
With his palm touching the Azure-Horned Ox’s hide, his mana continuously flowed in to calm it. The purified black qi from the bottle didn’t cause the same backlash as before.
Instead, the Azure-Horned Ox narrowed its eyes, showing an expression of comfort.
“This mysterious black qi is actually nourishing the Azure-Horned Ox’s body, even affecting its mana. The sensation is somewhat similar to taking a Spirit-Mending Pill…”
With his eyes tightly shut, Lin Chang’an was inwardly astonished.
For several days—half a month, in fact—once the Azure-Horned Ox fully digested that small portion of black qi, Lin Chang’an remained overwhelmed.
“Strengthening the body, purifying spiritual roots, even refining mana.”
Lin Chang’an was shocked. If it only had the function of nourishing and strengthening the body, he could confirm it was Demonic Qi.
But this additional effect of purifying spiritual roots—though faint—he still noticed it.
“If I hadn’t taken a Spirit-Mending Pill before and deeply experienced this change, I probably wouldn’t have even detected it.”
At that moment, Lin Chang’an’s mind buzzed—Demonic Qi? It seemed far more effective than what was recorded.
“Could this not be the legendary Demonic Qi? Or perhaps a more advanced form?”
Then he turned to look at the massive Fusang Divine Tree rooted inside the Earthfire Cavern. According to the records, normal Demonic Qi shouldn’t be capable of corroding a tree that restrained it.
Yet it had been corroded!
“Although the specifics are unclear, this transformation… it might be an enhanced version of Demonic Qi—just like how the world of cultivation has spiritual springs and spiritual liquid of higher purity.”
Lin Chang’an pondered deeply. After all, the world’s spiritual qi was more refined within certain spirit veins.
There were even legendary ten-thousand-year spirit milks.
Then the legendary Demonic Qi, in the Demonic Realm or the Yin Nether Realm, should likewise possess purer versions.
“That explains how the Fusang Divine Tree was corroded.”
While Lin Chang’an mused over this, he looked up—only to see the Wind-Chirp Bird’s aggrieved gaze.
“Master, this black qi restrains me, I…”
“Just a wisp. One tiny wisp won’t hurt.”
Under Lin Chang’an’s expectant gaze, the Wind-Chirp Bird knew it couldn’t dodge it—but cunningly only absorbed an extremely faint wisp.
Seeing this, the Azure-Horned Ox, who had been gloating, stared wide-eyed. So that was possible?
Why hadn’t anyone told him?!
Such bullying of an ox!
But the next moment, Lin Chang’an frowned deeply. Sure enough, the Wind-Chirp Bird’s internal reaction differed from the Azure-Horned Ox.
Although the black qi had been purified and no longer bore a violent nature…
It was clearly incompatible with the Wind-Chirp Bird’s body—complete attribute suppression.
Lin Chang’an ended up expelling the wisp of black qi from the Wind-Chirp Bird and simultaneously drew out an equal strand of its mana.
Two strands of mana floated in midair—one black, one golden.
In less than half a stick of incense’s time, the golden qi was tainted black and had dimmed slightly, clearly having consumed a considerable amount of energy.
The sensation was just like when the Fusang Divine Tree was corroded.
Lin Chang’an’s pupils shrank as he witnessed the scene.
“The quality of this black qi surpasses the Wind-Chirp Bird’s mana!”
Despite being at an elemental disadvantage, the same quantity had reversed the situation.
This could only mean one thing: the black qi was of significantly higher quality.
Bear in mind—this black qi had already degraded after corroding the Fusang Divine Tree due to the elemental clash, and it still had such potency.
“This is the Golden Flame Divine Phoenix. In terms of quality, its mana already surpasses an ordinary Wind-Chirp Bird’s—and it still got countered!”
The result far exceeded Lin Chang’an’s expectations. His mind buzzed once again.
Despite such high quality, his internal Xuantian mana still managed to purify it—didn’t that mean the Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine was of even higher quality?
With a frown, Lin Chang’an waved casually. The Wind-Chirp Bird, as if receiving a pardon, hurriedly flew back to perch on the Fusang Divine Tree, while the Azure-Horned Ox cautiously glanced twice before leaving the cave.
Better to go sunbathe.
Only Lin Chang’an remained, entering his secluded chamber with a solemn expression to study the Mysterious Black Qi.
“With such quality—capable of purifying spiritual roots and strengthening the body—it’s practically a heavenly treasure.”
With gleaming eyes, Lin Chang’an compared it to ancient records. This black qi matched the description of Demonic Qi—not Yin Nether Spiritual Qi.
But it was an enhanced version.
“The Fusang Divine Tree was corroded, and there’s a lot of this substance… doesn’t that mean I can cultivate with it—perhaps even improve my spiritual root aptitude, saving the need for Spirit-Mending Pills?”
Lin Chang’an was stunned, then promptly decided to enter seclusion and carefully study whether this substance would affect him—or the Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine.