"You all come from the True Demon Family, am I right?"
"Death is at your door. What is the point of asking this?"
Xie Xun spoke, but his attacks did not cease. A dense cloud of yin energy billowed from his body, wreathing him in a thick mist.
It blocked everyone's attacks.
However, that mist of yin energy was instantly scattered, and Xu Chuan himself was knocked back over thirty meters.
"It matters not if you refuse to speak. I will always find a way to find out."
Xu Chuan steadied his stance, his gaze profoundly deep.
'If soul searching does not work, there is still Xu Dewen's special innate talent. By devouring their divine souls, I can learn parts of their memories.'
Xu Chuan said no more.
"Even the Thousand Soul Banner was useless. Do you really want to humiliate yourself by bringing out a mere Hundred Ghost Banner?" Lu Chang sneered, the Demonic Blade in his hand flashing with a cold light once more.
"Emerge!"
Xu Chuan turned a deaf ear to their mockery, merely spitting out a single word coldly.
The banner's surface fluttered without any wind.
The expected massive horde of Ghostly Creatures did not pour out.
The next moment.
An incredibly solid black figure, radiating astonishing pressure, abruptly materialized!
It was none other than the blood-haired, crimson-eyed, and black-clad Blood Fiend Ghost King!
"A fourth-tier Ghost King?!"
The ferocious sneers on the faces of Lu Chang, Xie Xun, and the others instantly froze.
Replaced by unbelievable shock and horror!
They never could have imagined that their opponent, already possessing a fourth-tier Corpse King, was still hiding another Ghost King of the same tier!
This undisguised aura of a fourth-tier Ghost King was also clearly sensed by Demon Lord Qifeng, who was locked in a fierce battle in the grand hall's plaza.
His eyes suddenly narrowed as he looked in that direction, his brow furrowing slightly.
He only felt that the development of matters seemed to have somewhat exceeded his control.
Zhang Daoran and Cang He were also violently shaken.
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing deep astonishment in the other's eyes.
Only then did they realize why Xu Chuan had previously risked danger to snatch Old Demon Yin Wind's Thousand Soul Banner.
If Old Demon Yin Wind had had a fourth-tier Ghost King holding the line, he could have fought the two of them alone.
Although Xu Chuan did not practice the Ghost Dao, his powerful divine sense was enough to unleash seventy or eighty percent of the Thousand Soul Banner's might.
It was more than enough to deal with those True Demon Family disciples.
The moment the Blood Fiend Ghost King appeared.
Its crimson eyes instantly locked onto the nearest True Demon Family disciple, who was still immersed in shock.
A ghastly pale White Bone Nail shot out silently.
That True Demon Family disciple did not even have time to react.
"Squelch!"
The White Bone Nail easily pierced through his protective demonic light, shooting out from his shoulder blade!
The disciple screamed miserably, half of his body instantly stiffening.
The circulation of his demonic energy became sluggish!
At almost the exact same instant the Blood Fiend Ghost King struck.
A faint light flashed between Xu Chuan's brows, and a Divine Sense Silver Needle accurately pierced into the heavily injured disciple's sea of consciousness, making his screams come to an abrupt halt as he fell into a brief stupor.
At the same time, his figure merged into the surrounding shadows like a ghost.
The next instant, he appeared behind and to the side of that disciple, executing the Divine Ability Shadowless Assassination, piercing the man's heart in a single move.
He then seized the man's divine soul and placed a Restriction on it.
Then, with a flick of his Sleeve Robe, he stored this Corpse into his Storage Ring.
Right at this moment.
The furious Lu Chang had already slashed a demonic light toward him.
Seeing it arrive behind Xu Chuan's back, there was almost nowhere for him to dodge.
However, Xu Chuan once again transformed into a mass of black shadows and dissipated from his spot, reappearing beside the Blood Fiend Ghost King.
"Roar!"
The Blood Fiend Ghost King tilted its head back and let out a piercing shriek. Boundless yin energy surged outward from it like a tidal wave in all directions.
In the blink of an eye, it enveloped an area of about half a kilometer!
Within the dense yin energy, the combat strength of the yin energy Flood Dragon increased, bearing its fangs and brandishing its claws as it continued to attack the remaining people.
The Blood Fiend Ghost King also joined the battle.
Xu Chuan, meanwhile, concealed his aura and hid his figure, turning into an assassin ready to strike at any moment.
Lu Chang and the others instantly felt their pressure multiply.
The Blood Fiend Ghost King sometimes condensed gray ghostly claws for a frontal assault, and sometimes launched sneak attacks with its White Bone Nails.
The yin energy Flood Dragon was driven by the Thousand Soul Banner; as long as Xu Chuan's Mana could be maintained and his divine sense was not completely exhausted, it was immortal and indestructible.
Their High-Grade Defensive Magic Treasures simply could not hold on for long before shattering with a loud crash.
Relying on their Magic Treasures to clash head-on with the Blood Fiend Ghost King and the yin energy Flood Dragon, two weaker True Demon Family disciples were heavily injured in the span of merely half a cup of tea.
Xu Chuan then seized the opportunity to harvest their lives.
Lu Chang and Xie Xun possessed tyrannical strength; now erupting with their full power, they were each capable of exchanging blows with an Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator.
But ultimately, they were inferior to a fourth-tier Ghost King.
Seeing the two about to unleash a Secret Method to forcibly elevate their strength.
Xu Chuan did not hesitate. Enduring the massive drain on his divine sense, he unleashed the Sword of Divine Sense against the two.
"Sever!"
Two Swords of Divine Sense slashed directly into their seas of consciousness!
"Ah!"
"Urgh!"
Lu Chang and Xie Xun simultaneously let out extremely miserable screams. Black blood seeped from their facial orifices as their bodies staggered, their protective demonic lights fluctuating violently and nearly collapsing.
The Blood Fiend Ghost King instantly activated a White Bone Nail, turning it into a ghastly white ray of light that pierced right through Xie Xun's forehead!
At the same time, it closed the distance to appear right behind Lu Chang.
A palm covered in yin energy effortlessly tore through his dissipating protective demonic light and forcefully gouged out his Golden Core!
Lu Chang's body went stiff, the light in his eyes rapidly dimming.
A brief moment later.
Two demonic phantoms emerged from their corpses.
"Damn it!!"
"Since you destroyed our fleshly bodies, then use yours to pay us back!"
Without the slightest hesitation, the two Demonic Souls, carrying a madness akin to mutual destruction, bypassed the Blood Fiend Ghost King and charged straight for Xu Chuan's sea of consciousness between his brows!
The Blood Fiend Ghost King was too late to intercept them.
Xu Chuan remained completely unmoved, as if he had been waiting for them to deliver themselves to his door.
He slowly closed his eyes.
However, the expected intense battle of Possession did not erupt within his sea of consciousness.
A short while later.
Xu Chuan reopened his eyes.
In his hand lay two Demonic Souls sealed by a profound and mysterious power.
Xu Chuan stored them away.
He had no time to inspect his spoils. Waving his hand to gather the corpses of Lu Chang and Xie Xun, along with their dropped Magic Treasures, he shouted in a low voice to the Blood Fiend Ghost King, "Go!"
As for the yin energy Flood Dragon, it flew back into the Thousand Soul Banner.
The two rapidly chased in the direction Xu Dewen had gone earlier.
It was not long before they ran head-on into two True Demon Family disciples who were holding Xu Dewen hostage.
The two disciples stared blankly upon seeing this.
"Kill!"
Xu Chuan gave them no chance to speak or react.
Silver light flashed continuously between his brows as two Divine Sense Silver Needles, condensed to a pinpoint, shot out silently!
To deal with these True Demon Family disciples, Divine Sense Silver Needles were enough.
The Sword of Divine Sense, after all, was a killer move meant for the Nascent Soul Stage.
"Urgh!"
"Ah!"
Caught off guard, the two disciples' seas of consciousness suffered a painful blow.
Under the agonizing pain, their Divine Abilities and Magic Treasures instantly slipped out of control.
The figure of the Blood Fiend Ghost King darted out from beside Xu Chuan like a bolt of black lightning.
Ghostly claws danced, obliterating the two men in an instant.
After collecting the corpses and Magic Treasures, Xu Chuan commanded the Blood Fiend Ghost King to take charge of the Thousand Soul Banner.
The Blood Fiend Ghost King did not resist.
He then grabbed Xu Dewen's shoulder and flew rapidly toward the outside of Demon-Suppressing Mountain without looking back!
"Everyone, I will be taking my leave first!"
Demon Lord Qifeng was completely infuriated. He never imagined that the situation he had engineered would be ruined by a mere Golden Core stage Cultivator.
The Profound Yin Corpse King also did not linger. It ceased its attacks and fled along the Mountain Range toward the outside of Demon-Suppressing Mountain.
Zhang Daoran and Cang He were extremely helpless.
"Stay right here for this Lord!"
Demon Lord Qifeng once again condensed a massive demonic palm, but the pressure of this palm far exceeded the previous one.
He intended to quickly dispose of the few leaping clowns before him, and then go after Xu Chuan's group.
As long as he eradicated them within dozens of breaths, he was confident that Xu Chuan and the others could not escape the palm of his hand.
"Daoist Friend Zhang, it is time," Cang He reminded.
Zhang Daoran sighed softly. After muttering quietly under his breath, he cupped his hands and bowed. "Your disciple is incompetent; I entreat Honored Master to take action!"
Demon Lord Qifeng was taken aback upon hearing this.
Honored Master?
Zhang Fan?!
A brief moment later.
A white light suddenly blazed upon Zhang Daoran's hairpin, and vast amounts of surrounding Spiritual Qi gathered towards it.
The white light grew increasingly radiant.
It ultimately condensed into a human figure.
It was an old man with pure white hair and beard, bearing an Immortal Bearing and Daoist Bones.
Although Zhang Fan was old now, Demon Lord Qifeng recognized him at a single glance.
"Zhang Fan, you actually dare to appear before me." Demon Lord Qifeng's fury climbed to its absolute peak after Zhang Fan's appearance.
Demonic energy surged wildly around his body, no longer suppressed.
A faint, colossal phantom appeared above his head.
"So it is Demon Lord Qifeng. I did not expect you to still be lingering within this Demon-Suppressing Mountain. A thousand years have passed in a flash; have you been well?"
Zhang Fan stroked his beard and smiled faintly, greeting him with unhurried composure.
"I will be well once you are dead. Die!"
Zhang Fan shook his head helplessly. "Your temper has truly grown more and more explosive."
"Staff, come!"
Zhang Daoran's Storage Ring flashed, and a dark gold long staff shot out, landing firmly in Zhang Fan's hand.
Cang He's gaze narrowed. He had not expected Zhang Daoran to actually bring Zhang Fan's Spirit Treasure.
These preparations were indeed ample.
'It seems that before long, the Profound Moon Sect will birth another Nascent Soul Cultivator!'
"Disciple, Daoist Friend Cang He, leave this place first lest you be caught in the crossfire."
"Yes, Honored Master."
"Many thanks, Daoist Friend Profound Moon."
The two did not hesitate, likewise fleeing toward the outside of Demon-Suppressing Mountain.
Zhang Fan swept his divine sense, enveloping the entire Demon-Suppressing Mountain. Whether it was the fourth-tier Corpse King or Xu Chuan and Xu Dewen, all were within the range of his Spiritual Sense Probing.
'He is here too. How interesting. There are always so many similar occurrences in this world.'
"Zhang Fan, are you ignoring me?"
Zhang Fan looked toward Demon Lord Qifeng and smiled lightly. "Outside Demon-Suppressing Mountain, my current self might not be your match. But in here, do you dare to unleash your true demonic Dharma Idol with all your strength?"
"Die!"
Demon Lord Qifeng's three-hundred-meter giant demonic fist had already smashed right in front of Zhang Fan.
"One Staff to Support the Heavens!"
The Scarlet Flame Coiling Dragon Staff radiated a brilliant Golden Radiance.
A heaven-shaking dragon's roar rang out. Its pressure was so magnificent that even Xu Chuan and Xu Dewen, nearing the edge of Demon-Suppressing Mountain, could palpably feel it.
Xu Dewen turned his head to look back, horror flashing in his eyes. He transmitted his voice to ask, "Grandfather, is that the might of a Spirit Treasure? It's truly too terrifying."
"If a Cultivator who has just entered the Nascent Soul realm holds a Spirit Treasure, they can cross swords with a Great Nascent Soul Cultivator. Could it not be terrifying?"
A look of yearning appeared in Xu Chuan's eyes. He quickly added, "That day is not far off for our Xu Family either."
'Grandfather truly obtained a Spirit Treasure,' Xu Dewen's heart skipped a beat.
'It makes sense. Although passing through the trials of the Secret Realm, it is basically impossible for a Golden Core stage Cultivator to acquire a Spirit Treasure, Grandfather's trials were definitely different from ours.'
The crimson Light Screen was already before their eyes.
The two directly charged out of it. Afterward, instead of flying normally, Xu Chuan executed the Yimu Green Light Evasion.
In the span of just a few breaths, they were fifty kilometers away.
At this moment, Xu Chuan unleashed it with all his might, heedless of the Mana consumption.
By the time Zhang Daoran and Cang He charged out, Xu Chuan had long vanished without a trace.
The Profound Yin Corpse King naturally chased straight after Xu Chuan.
"Daoist Friend Zhang, should we pursue that Corpse King?"
What Cang He was referring to was naturally Xu Chuan behind the Corpse King.
"Daoist Friend Li's actions are unfathomable, and his methods are extraordinary. Aside from a fourth-tier Corpse King, he actually possessed a fourth-tier Ghost King. If you say he nurtured them himself, I truly cannot believe it."
"Indeed. Even the Corpse Yin Sect and the Heavenly Ghost Sect do not have many fourth-tier Corpse Kings and fourth-tier Ghost Kings; they are all nurtured generation after generation.
This poor Daoist observed that he has yet to use any Divine Abilities or Dao arts with obvious distinguishing features. It is as if he is deliberately concealing them.
His background and origins are quite mysterious.
Perhaps even his cultivation base is disguised."
The two continued flying. After a pause, Zhang Daoran said, "Forget it. I still have other places to visit after this. As for the matters of Demon-Suppressing Mountain, we can discuss them if our paths cross in the future."
"If Daoist Friend Zhang says so, then let it be."
The two promptly parted ways, one heading east and the other south.
The pressure radiating from Demon-Suppressing Mountain was astounding.
But a mere half a cup of tea's time later, a burst of loud laughter rang out from the direction of the Demon-Suppressing Palace.
"Hahaha, Demon Lord Qifeng, your strength is lacking! I hope that when we meet again in the future, your strength will have grown somewhat!"
As his voice fell.
The Scarlet Flame Coiling Dragon Staff transformed into a crimson streak of light, rocketing eastwards in a flash, breaking through the Restriction in the blink of an eye.
"Zhang Fan! Zhang Fan!"
"Once again you ruin my good deeds! I am not finished with you!"
In just over a dozen breaths.
That crimson light completely rushed out of Demon-Suppressing Mountain's boundaries and flew in front of Zhang Daoran.
Zhang Daoran cupped his hands and bowed.
Highly spiritual, it let out a hum before sinking into his Storage Ring.
Although he had used up his trump card on this trip, obtaining two Tribulation-Crossing Pills made it an absolute win.
One could aid an individual's breakthrough, while the other could serve as part of the Profound Moon Sect's Heritage.
After all, the Profound Moon Sect's Heritage was too shallow. A faction like the Clear Void Sect, having entered five or six times, had definitely mapped out several locations possessing resources for Nascent Soul Formation.
But for Zhang Daoran to obtain them, he still had to rely on luck.
For the remaining time, he would simply wander, trying to thoroughly explore as many places as possible.
Xu Chuan and Xu Dewen paused at a certain location for an hour.
Until the fourth-tier Corpse King came over to regroup.
The gaze the Profound Yin Corpse King cast toward Xu Chuan carried a hint of resentment.
'You bastard, you abandoned me and ran!'
Xu Chuan laughed heartily and said, "I have prepared plenty of snacks for you this time. Later, I will teach you secret methods for Corpse Refinement, so you can refine and cultivate your own subordinates."
The Profound Yin Corpse King's eyes lit up, and it returned to the Yin Corpse Pouch completely satisfied.
Xu Chuan helped conceal Xu Dewen's aura, disguised him as an old man, and then flew toward the outer perimeter of the Ancient Battlefield together with him.
Although they encountered no small amount of trouble along the way.
A month and a half later, they still made it back to the battlefield's outer perimeter.
Through a Bloodline tracking Secret Method, Xu Chuan very easily locked onto the location of Xu Mingyuan and the others.
They seemingly unsatisfied with the border regions, gradually exploring outwards.
Although there was the threat of Chi, their numbers were substantial, and each had their own specialties. These past few months, they had actually reaped quite a harvest, even slaying one or two Golden Core demonic cultivators.
Two days later.
Within a forest.
Xu Chuan reunited with them.
"Who might you be, sir?"
Xu Mingyuan looked fully alert.
Xu Deling, Ye Fan, and the others adopted stances ready to strike at a moment's notice.
"It is me."
Xu Chuan wiped a hand across his face, revealing his true appearance.
The crowd's faces immediately lit up with joy.
"Father."
"Grandfather."
"Honored Master."
The group crowded around him.
"And this is?"
Xu Mingxian asked, looking at the old man beside Xu Chuan.
"Fifth Uncle, it's me, Dewen," Xu Dewen said with a wide grin.
"Second Brother, why are you in the Ancient Battlefield?!" Xu Deling was abruptly startled. "You are far too bold! To think you dared to barge in alone."
Xu Dewen's face fell as he replied, "Like I wanted to. I was forcefully abducted into the Ancient Battlefield by a group of True Demon Family disciples.
They planted a Restriction on me.
After entering the battlefield, I fled for a long time, but I was eventually found by them.
If it hadn't been for Grandfather, I'm afraid I would have...
Fortunately, it was a blessing in disguise, and I actually obtained quite a few good things."
"What good things?" Xu Deling asked curiously.
"Alright, we have been traveling for a long time. Let's rest first and talk later. Then you all can tell me about your harvests over these past days."
"Yes."
Half a day later.
The Xu Family members began to report their harvests to Xu Chuan.
"Two High Grade Demonic Dao Magic Treasures? You killed two Golden Core demonic cultivators?"
Xu Mingxuan said, "There originally might have been a third piece, but the last demonic cultivator was too cautious. Before Mingxian's Formations could completely trap him, he directly fled far away.
Killing the other two was also extremely difficult. In the end, it was only after Moyue took action that we finally slew them.
I must say, every Cultivator who has survived to this point has quite a few good things on them.
Just between the two of them, there were eighty portions of peak Third-Tier Materials, and over thirty portions of Fourth-Tier Materials and Spirit Grass.
No wonder they all want to come in and try their luck.
As long as they can make it out alive, there's a huge possibility they will rapidly rise to power."
Aside from what they had plundered, they had also acquired even more resources themselves, every single item being tier-three or above.
Xu Chuan nodded slightly, storing away all the Materials.
It was naturally safest for him to keep these.
Following that, it was Xu Chuan's turn to reveal his harvest.
One High-Grade Magic Treasure after another was presented before everyone, dazzling their eyes.
Unfortunately, they were all Demonic Dao Magic Treasures, not quite suited for their use.
One of the High-Grade Defensive Magic Treasures was bestowed upon the Blood Fiend Ghost King.
With this, both the Corpse King and Ghost King possessed High-Grade Magic Treasures for attack and defense. Once they completely mastered them, their strength would increase considerably.
"These are the Magic Treasures you acquired after slaying those True Demon Family disciples, Father?"
"Yes, nine people in total. Even the weakest was no less capable than Deling."
The crowd sighed with emotion.
Subsequently, Xu Chuan smiled at Xu Mingyuan and said, "Mingyuan, this time, your father has found a Talisman Dao Inheritance for you. It is quite extraordinary."
Saying this, he flicked his sleeve.
The Heavenly Talisman Brush and a Cyan Jade Slip floated in midair.
"A High-Grade Magic Treasure Talisman Brush?!" Xu Deling instantly recognized the brush's grade.
"Exactly. This is what I coaxed out of that Secret Realm's spirit. I am entrusting these two items to you, in hopes that you will gain something from them and allow our Xu Family's Talisman Dao lineage to completely rise.
So that in the future, it will not be inferior to our three lineages of alchemy, artifacts, and Formations."
"Thank you, Father." Xu Mingyuan did not decline, accepting them directly. "This child will definitely not let down Father's trust and will properly comprehend this Talisman Dao Inheritance."
"Right, there are also these two Magic Treasures. They are somewhat damaged. Deling, see if you can repair them, and then bestow them upon suitable people."
"More High-Grade Magic Treasures! Now our Xu Family truly has no shortage of High-Grade Magic Treasures."
Xu Deling smiled warmly, then quickly said, "Grandfather, rest assured. The damage isn't severe. It will only take about a month to mend."
Afterward.
They left this place, returning to the border of the battlefield's depths.
Here they could safely recuperate and digest part of their gains.
Not long after.
Xu Mingxuan refined the High-Grade Magic Treasure Purple Flame Helmet.
Xu Dewen devoted his full effort to refining the Five-Cloud Boat, the Blood Fiend Shield, and the High-Grade Demonic Dao Magic Treasure Baleful Peak Blade given to him by Xu Chuan.
Xu Mingyuan also refined the Heavenly Talisman Brush.
A month later.
Xu Deling finished repairing the two High-Grade Magic Treasures.
The golden Flying Sword was gifted to Xu Mingxian, and the Azure Shield was gifted to Xu Mingshu.
The two also entered secluded cultivation to refine their Magic Treasures.
Half a month later.
Having refined three Magic Treasures, Xu Dewen's strength increased significantly, and he entered secluded cultivation to awaken his True Demon Fiend Body.
This process took a full seven days.
When he emerged from seclusion, true demonic fiendish energy emanated from his body, difficult to control for a time.
Seeing this, Xu Deling teased, "Second Brother, you're looking more and more like a genuine demonic cultivator."
"My physique just awakened, so it's a bit hard to control for now. However, I feel my strength has improved by more than seventy percent, and my physical toughness and recovery abilities have greatly increased as well."
"That miraculous? What kind of physique do you have?"
"Hehe, that's a secret. Grandfather won't let me say. The fewer people who know, the better."
For the current Xu Dewen, even a Cultivator at Golden Core Perfection with Great Accomplishment in their Divine Abilities would find it very difficult to kill him.
In the days that followed.
Xu Dewen continued his secluded cultivation to adapt to his awakened True Demon Fiend Body.
As for Xu Chuan, he taught the Profound Yin Corpse King secret methods for Corpse Refinement and handed over the nine Golden Core corpses to him, providing plenty of Corpse Refining Materials.
After all, Xu Chuan couldn't always do the Corpse Refinement himself.
In addition, of the nine Golden Cores, five were given to the Profound Yin Corpse King, and four to the Blood Fiend Ghost King.
Now, all the Yin Souls and Ghostly Creatures in Xu Chuan's possession were fully incorporated into the Thousand Soul Banner.
Inside, there were the accumulations of Old Demon Yin Wind and Lu Jin, as well as the Yin Souls and Ghostly Creatures that guarded the fourth-tier old ghost's Grotto-Residence, all topped off with the Blood Fiend Ghost King acting as the primary soul.
The might of the Thousand Soul Banner reached an incredibly terrifying degree.
It became the most powerful Magic Treasure in Xu Chuan's hands.
Of course, this excluded the Wind Thunder Wings and the Black Tortoise Demon Refining Diagram, which he had yet to refine.
The remnant souls of those True Demon Family disciples, aside from the ones possessed by the true demons, were all fed to the Blood Fiend Ghost King.
Having swallowed these remnant souls and Golden Cores, the Blood Fiend Ghost King's strength would soon rise quite a bit as well.
Within a few years, advancing to a level comparable to the second layer of Nascent Soul should not be a problem.
To the Blood Fiend Ghost King, Xu Chuan also imparted some methods for handling Yin Souls and Ghostly Creatures from the Heavenly Ghost Sect.
Ordinary Ghostly Creatures were of little use, thus Xu Chuan instructed the Blood Fiend Ghost King to refine some special Ghostly Creatures with high potential in the future.
Another seven days passed.
Xu Chuan summoned Xu Dewen.
"Grandfather, what do you need me for?"
"Sit."
Xu Dewen complied.
Following that, Xu Chuan flipped his hand, and two Demonic Souls appeared on his palm.
"True demon remnant souls?!" Xu Dewen instantly guessed Xu Chuan's intentions. "Grandfather wants me to devour them to acquire Intelligence?"
"Mhm. Devouring just one is enough."
"Understood, Grandfather."
Even though this endeavor carried some danger, Xu Dewen still complied without the slightest hesitation.
Nascent Soul level true demon remnant souls were extremely difficult to refine.
It took a full half a month.
Before Xu Dewen leisurely awoke, the true demonic fiendish energy on his body having grown even thicker.
This was purely because true demon remnant souls also carried true demonic source essence, and of a very high quality, causing Xu Dewen's physique to be further enhanced.
Even his divine soul was tainted with true demonic intent.
Beyond that, his divine soul source essence had grown substantially.
It had already reached the Late-Stage Golden Core, nearing the level of Golden Core Perfection.
From this, one could see just how terrifying the Heavenly Fiend Soul Devouring Innate Talent was.
"How is it? Are there any major issues?"
"I can barely keep it stabilized, but I won't be able to devour anything else for a very long time, otherwise I might face the disaster of losing my mind."
Xu Chuan nodded. "Then tell me, what is the situation regarding the True Demon Family over in the Blackwater Region?"
"It is located in Heavenly Abyss Gorge," Xu Dewen continued. "This place is a perilous zone within the Blackwater Region, situated in the northern area.
It stretches for a total of forty-five thousand kilometers.
The closest territory to it belongs to the Heavenly Fiend Sect.
Inside are vast numbers of demonic beasts, permeating demonic energy, and year-round black baleful yin winds. Many areas even contain miasma poison, but there are also exotic flowers, rare herbs, and special metallic ore veins growing there."
"Even if it's sparsely populated, it shouldn't be that no one has discovered it until now, right?"
"That is because their true base of operations is within a Secret Realm in the middle section of Heavenly Abyss Gorge. Without special methods, it simply will not manifest.
This Secret Realm is called the Heavenly Abyss Secret Realm, but the True Demon Family prefers to just call it the True Demon Family."
Hearing this, Xu Chuan frowned slightly. "Over such a long period of time, without external enemies and coupled with their long lifespans, wouldn't the True Demon Family be incredibly massive?"
"Pretty much," Xu Dewen sighed softly. "The True Demon Family does not refer to just a single clan, but rather a collective.
Among them, the one that dominates the numerous True Demon Families is the True Demon Palace.
The True Demon Palace is entirely composed of Nascent Soul level entities. There are both possessing true demons and normal Demonic Dao Nascent Souls.
The status of possessing true demons is not low. The person your grandson devoured just happened to know a thing or two."
Pausing, Xu Dewen said solemnly, "There are a total of twenty-eight Nascent Souls in the True Demon Palace, of which twelve are possessing true demons.
Of the rest, a portion consists of those who condensed True Demonic Nascent Souls, while others are ordinary Demonic Dao Nascent Souls."
"So many? Then are there any Grand Cultivator level possessing true demons?"
"No. It seems due to the limitations of Heaven and Earth, ordinary Cultivators of both the righteous and Demonic Dao experience a drastic slowdown in cultivation after crossing into the Nascent Soul realm. However, for possessing true demons, advancing is ten or a hundred times harder.
Among the twelve possessing true demons, only three have reached the Mid-Stage Nascent Soul.
They are also the founders of the True Demon Palace.
However, there are also three experts at the Grand Cultivator level in the True Demon Palace. Two of them condensed True Demonic Nascent Souls, and one is an ordinary demonic cultivator.
Therefore, the True Demon Palace is divided into two factions.
The possessing true demon faction, and the True Demon Family faction.
Behind every Nascent Soul is a massive True Demon Family."
"True demons and true demon descendants are ultimately different. With the True Demon Family reproducing generation after generation, it stands to reason they would also birth clansmen whose true demon Bloodline does not manifest.
I presume that in the eyes of the Ancient True Demons, these True Demon Families cannot be considered their own people.
They are merely chess pieces used to achieve their goals."
"Regarding this aspect, your grandson did not learn anything. After all, quite a few memories are still missing."
"Having this much is already enough. Many times, Intelligence is also a form of power. Right now, our Xu Family is not strong enough to get involved in this.
But once the Xu Family possesses the Heritage of a top-tier Nascent Soul Power, with dozens of Golden Cores, several Nascent Souls, or even Grand Cultivator battle power, we will have the qualifications to compete as a chess player."
Xu Dewen looked at Xu Chuan, a light shining in his eyes. "Your grandson believes our Xu Family can definitely achieve this."
Xu Chuan smiled and nodded. "Go back and rest well first."
"Yes, Grandfather. Your grandson takes his leave."
Xu Dewen left.
Having acquired this critical information this time, Xu Chuan believed it would definitely prove useful in the future.
As for the other Demonic Soul, Xu Chuan had the Blood Fiend Ghost King take it to refine a special Demonic Soul.
If successful, although it could not reach the strength of a fourth-tier Ghost King, the chances of it hitting Peak Third-Tier were not small, and it might even reach Half-Step Fourth-Tier.
'I wonder where Mei Yun went. There is no news at all, and even the Heavenly Secret Dao Derivation calculations are incredibly blurry.
It seems he is in the depths of the battlefield, yet also seems like he is not.
The only thing I can confirm is that he is still alive.'
Xu Chuan muttered to himself, "I hope he can make it out alive."
Another half a month passed.
Xu Chuan finally refined the Wind Thunder Wings, and they were ready for use.
He gave them a try. Following a flash of wind and thunder, a blue-gold streak tore through the sky, transporting him fifty kilometers away in an instant.
This speed was definitely a bit faster than ordinary Perfection-level Evasion Divine Abilities.
However, just as that Heavenly Talisman had said, this level of Magic Treasure was not something the current Xu Chuan could use casually. The Mana consumption was simply terrifying.
It was not nearly as cost-effective as casting the Yimu Green Light Evasion himself.
Several days later.
Xu Chuan handed the Yin Corpse Pouch and Thousand Soul Banner to Xu Dewen, while he himself traveled outside using his true appearance, bringing Moyue along.
On this trip to the Ancient Battlefield, the Xu Family's harvest was already immense. There was no need to take excessive risks anymore.
What was more important for the remaining time was to travel around and gather more information about the Ancient Battlefield.
As well as to make friends and expand the Xu Family's network.
After all, the majority of those who entered this time were factions of the Nascent Soul level or higher.
Some weaker families or small Sects that only had a single Golden Core ancestor holding the fort fundamentally did not dare to take this risk.
The rest were solitary Rogue Cultivators.
These people were not all just fodder waiting to be harvested.
Among Rogue Cultivators, there were often those possessing great Providence who were capable of rising all the way to the top.
Whether in Heavenly South or the Blackwater Region, there were quite a few Nascent Soul Rogue Cultivators, either traveling alone or establishing Rogue Cultivator factions.
The Xu Family needed to guard against external enemies, but they also could not enact isolationist policies.
And this network of connections had a huge probability of providing the Xu Family with a certain degree of assistance in the future.
This time, Xu Chuan had another purpose for entering the battlefield's depths: to see if he could encounter his disciple, Mei Yun.
But this was merely a secondary objective.
He did not hold much hope.
After all, even Heavenly Secret Dao Derivation could not calculate it clearly.
This situation could only mean that the place Mei Yun was in was highly unusual, to the point of already affecting Heavenly Secrets Deduction.
Over the past few months.
Xu Chuan encountered attacks from Nascent Soul demonic cultivators and demonized monsters from the battlefield's depths, such as Mei, mandrills, and Corpse Xiao, multiple times.
But relying on his own combat strength and Moyue, he overcame each danger one by one.
At the same time, he also harvested some Materials, Spirit Grasses, and even another fourth-tier fire-element Spirit Vein.
Two months later.
Xu Chuan passed by a certain swamp and sensed astonishing fluctuations dozens of kilometers away.
He went forth to take a look.
He originally only wanted to watch from the sidelines for a bit before leaving.
But he never expected that the blue-robed old man among them practiced a Pupil Technique and saw through his concealment with a single glance.
"Daoist Friend, I am Sun Chuanxing of the Sun Family from Heavenly South's Profound Moon Prefecture. You must also be a Cultivator of our Heavenly South. I hope you can lend a helping hand. I will engrave this favor in my heart."
'Sun Family?'
Xu Chuan's mind stirred, recalling that his son Xu Mingxian and the Sun Family's Prodigy, Sun Zhantian, seemed to have a good relationship.
The Sun Family was one of the three great Nascent Soul Powers in Profound Moon Prefecture, possessing two Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators.
One Mid-Stage Nascent Soul, and one Early-Stage Nascent Soul.
Moreover, the Sun Family had deep roots in Profound Moon Prefecture, boasting a history of over three thousand years.
At their peak, they were number one in Profound Moon Prefecture.
Rumors said that the Bloodline of the Sun Family members was extraordinary, suspected of having a special Bloodline Inheritance, which was why they remained prosperous for so long.
At this thought, Xu Chuan's figure blurred, arriving a few kilometers outside the battlefield.
"Haha, I thought it was some old Heavenly South bastard, but it's actually just a Golden Core stage junior. Old ghost Sun, you begged the wrong person."