《Demonic Insanity》


 Even Gods may fall

    Lightning roared and black clouds swirled above a towering peak that loomed over mist-covered plains. In the heart of this raging storm, an old man stood, surrounded by an army of celestial beings.


    "Elder Archfiend, don''t make this harder than it has to be!"


    "Heavenly demon, your time is over! Surrender Black Demon Peak and leave this world in peace!"


    But not everyone spoke to him so politely.


    "You wretched fiend! You wiped my sect off the face of existence! Today, I will avenge my brothers and sisters!"


    "You accursed old man! You killed my brother and left his body hanging on this mountainside for a century! Even if the heavens descend to save you today, I will burn the world to the ground to destroy you!"


    The old man slowly raised his hand. His wide sleeve billowed in the wind like a battle flag. Then, he let out a thunderous laugh.


    "Hahaha! So Heaven has chosen to test me with this calamity..."


    His eyes burned with fury. He clenched his teeth, veins bulging on his neck as he roared, "I, the Venerable Heavenly Demon, Sovereign of Sorcery and Lord of Alchemy, challenge the Heavens today!"


    His gaze swept over his foes.


    "You naive fledglings think that just because you were born immortal, you have the right to challenge me? Today, you''ll pay for that arrogance with your lives!"


    With a flick of his fingers, he traced a sigil in the air, and a vast surge of power began to swirl around him.


    One of the warriors cried out in terror.


    "H-he''s preparing the Godslayer Palm! Defend yourselves!"


    The Venerable Heavenly Demon let out a wild laugh and unleashed a massive hand of raw energy. Towering like a mountain, it exploded with a deafening roar. Smoke and dust swallowed the battlefield.


    But before the haze could settle, six pairs of glowing eyes emerged from the mist.


    Though momentarily surprised, the old man¡¯s expression remained unchanged.


    "So... even the Six Heavenly Kings have declared war against me?"


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    Six sacred beings hovered between the heavens and the earth, their eyes burning like divine flames.


    One of them, the Sword God, spoke in a deep, resolute voice.


    "Today, Black Demon Peak will be erased from the heavens forever. We will no longer tolerate your crimes!"


    The Heavenly Demon snarled, his fury erupting.


    "Spare me your nonsense! You and the rest of them just want the technique I spent millennia perfecting! I will never hand it over!"


    A bolt of lightning split the sky, illuminating the determined faces of the Six Heavenly Kings.


    The Sword God let out a bitter smile and said, ¡°Old Demon¡­ You may be the eldest of Heaven¡¯s kings, but while we honed our cultivation, you sought only the path to true immortality. Now, the gap in our strength has closed. Heaven is no longer your domain. Surrender the technique¡­ and perhaps you may die without suffering.¡±


    The Heavenly Demon threw his arms wide and laughed maniacally.


    ¡°Hahaha! You think you¡¯ve closed the gap?! Hahahaha! Even if you cultivate for another hundred thousand years, you¡¯ll never surpass me! Under the heavens of paradise, I alone am the Eternal Devil!¡±


    He was about to unleash another strike when, suddenly, his body betrayed him. His inner power spiraled out of control. His expression twisted in agony as he coughed up blood.


    ¡°This¡­ this is impossible! How could¡­?!¡±


    Before he could recover, a poisoned dagger pierced his chest, sinking straight into his heart. Pain spread like wildfire through his body. His eyes widened in fury and disbelief. With great effort, he turned his head¡ªonly to see his own disciple, eyes wild with madness, twisting the blade deeper into the wound.


    ¡°Y-you¡­ Why?!¡±


    Tears welled in the disciple¡¯s eyes, his voice shaking.


    ¡°Master¡­! For the future of Black Demon Peak¡­ for the prosperity of the next generation¡­ I had no choice! Please, when you ascend¡­ punish only me!¡±


    The Heavenly Devil coughed up more blood. His breaths turned ragged.


    ¡°You¡­ poisoned me¡­ and now you¡¯ve torn my heart apart¡­ Why?! Why would you betray me and side with the enemy?! How could you be so foolish?!¡±


    Gathering the last of his strength, he struck his palm against his disciple¡¯s chest.


    BOOOOM!!!


    The disciple was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth.


    ¡°You fool of a disciple!!! Did you think that once you became putty in their hands, they would let you live?!¡±


    The Heavenly Devil¡¯s eyes burned with rage. He roared to the skies.


    ¡°Why do the gods curse me with traitorous children?!¡±


    Then, turning to the Sword God, he growled,


    ¡°I did not cultivate for thousands of years just to die like this!¡±


    With a final burst of power, he charged.


    And thus, the battle that shattered heaven and earth began.


    It was a war greater than any the heavens and earth had ever seen. Their attacks annihilated the mountain range for four thousand miles. Storms collapsed. The earth cracked. Thunder shook the world.


    Seven days and seven nights passed.


    In the end, the Heavenly Demon¡ªgravely wounded and on the brink of death¡ªcollapsed. But the Heavenly Kings had not emerged unscathed. Their bodies bore horrific wounds; even the Sword God¡¯s right arm had been severed in battle.


    Black Demon Peak was no more¡ªreduced to nothing but ruins. The storm that had raged since the battle¡¯s beginning had been cleaved in two.


    The Heavenly Devil, bloodied and barely breathing, lay among the wreckage.


    "I¡­ I still¡­ haven''t reached the peak¡­ not yet¡­"


    Cough¡­ cough¡­


    The Sword God, his right arm lost, picked up his sword with his left and stepped forward.


    "Old Demon¡­ ''Venerable'' truly suits you."


    His gaze swept over the ruins surrounding them.


    "Even poisoned and wounded, defeating you came at a heavy price."


    He looked into the fading light of the Heavenly Demon¡¯s eyes and said,


    "But this is where it all ends. I want the Forbidden Art of Reincarnation. Let¡¯s make a deal. This body of yours is too broken to continue cultivating. Let¡¯s both reincarnate. I swear, in the next life, we won¡¯t stand as enemies."


    The Heavenly Demon wiped the blood from the corner of his lips with a trembling hand. His bloodshot eyes locked onto the Sword King, and he sneered.


    "Hahaha¡­ You truly are something else¡­ Willing to sacrifice even your own allies to achieve your goal¡­"


    His gaze drifted across the battlefield.


    "Take a good look¡­ This destruction¡­ this is the price of your greed¡­ and my disciples'' betrayal."


    Cough¡­ cough¡­


    "But rest assured¡­ In my next life¡­ I will destroy you."


    His eyes burned with madness.


    "I, the Venerable Heavenly Demon, swear upon the ruins of Black Demon Peak¡­ I will have my vengeance!"


    The Sword King roared in fury and charged.


    "Hahahahaha!!! Too late!!!"


    The blade fell.


    But at the final moment¡­


    The Heavenly Demon¡¯s soul vanished into the darkness of reincarnation.

 Young master Ling Yun

    The battle between the Heavenly Demon and the Sword God did not remain confined to the Black Demon Mountains. Its devastation extended far beyond, unleashing a catastrophe upon the mortal realm¡ªfifty years of drought followed by fifty years of relentless storms, claiming countless lives.


    At last, when that era of suffering came to an end, the heavens cast fragments of the Black Demon Mountains down upon the mortal world. The survivors, having barely escaped annihilation, now turned their sights toward power, standing against one another in bitter rivalry.


    Each fragment of the Black Demon Mountains fell into a different corner of the world, becoming a hidden realm. For centuries, cultivators sought these concealed lands, competing fiercely in their pursuit. Many perished in the struggle, yet no one succeeded in breaching the mysterious realms.


    To survive, smaller sects banded together, establishing great factions upon the very sites of the hidden domains. Though unable to unlock the treasures within, they instead drew upon the spiritual energy radiating from them. Thus, the wars over the hidden realms came to an end, giving rise to a new age.


    This new era was called the "Age of Flourishing." Conflicts diminished, and people focused on cultivation, forging connections, and crafting magical and spiritual weapons. Cultivators ventured across continents, exploring the vast world. It was during this time that they discovered an unknown land inhabited by beings unlike themselves. They called it the "Demon Continent."


    But the discovery of the Demon Continent marked the end of the Age of Flourishing. Some sought peaceful relations with the demons, yet many of the great sects saw them as a threat. Through deceit and conspiracy, they ignited chaos, plunging the world into conflict¡ªa conflict that would come to be known as the "Thousand-Year War."


    For a millennium, blood was spilled without end. Countless demons and humans perished, the mortal realms burned, and once-glorious lands were reduced to desolate ruins. The Eastern Continent, which shared a border with the Demon Continent, was nearly wiped from existence.


    At last, after a thousand years of war, humanity and the demons reached an accord. The elders of both races established the Black Sea as their dividing line, infusing it with countless spiritual entities to prevent either side from crossing.


    Thus, the Thousand-Year War ended, and a new age began¡ªan age known as the "Era of Advancement."


    Five Thousand Years After the Dawn of the Era of Advancement


    Eastern Continent ¨C Feng Wang Gao Kingdom ¨C The Royal Palace of the Feng Clan


    The markets teemed with eager crowds, all awaiting the arrival of the Ling Clan¡¯s caravan.


    "Did you hear? They¡¯re bringing a member of the Ling Clan here today!"


    "Yeah, I heard the Ling Clan¡¯s eldest son is being brought as a hostage!"


    "Young master Ling Yun?! Ah, they say he¡¯s a strikingly handsome man. But as the old saying goes, the heavens are fair¡ªhis looks rival those of an immortal, yet his fate is worse than that of a demon."


    "Hahaha! I heard the young lady of the Feng Clan gives special treatment to hostages like him. They say her harem is full of men from fallen noble families!"


    "Shh! Don¡¯t speak of Lady Feng like that! Those are just rumors. The Feng Clan¡¯s patriarch would never allow such a thing. Besides, have you heard? After years in seclusion, he¡¯s finally reemerging this year. Word is, he¡¯s broken through to the Golden Core Realm!"


    "What?! The Golden Core Realm?! That makes the Feng Clan invincible! The strongest cultivators on our continent are still stuck in the Nascent Soul Realm, but now that the Feng patriarch has reached the Golden Core, no one can stand against them. The Ling Clan made a grave mistake challenging them."This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    At that moment, a man who had been silently listening finally spoke up.


    "To be honest, this whole situation is anything but fair. Some say it¡¯s nothing more than a ploy to suppress the Ling Clan. The eldest son is a prodigy¡ªhe¡¯s already reached the fourth level of Qi Refinement at his age! Talents like him are seen as threats by powerful noble families. By taking him hostage, they¡¯re trying to force him into the Feng Clan."


    "And if he refuses?"


    "They¡¯ll either kill him or hand him over to a demonic sect in exchange for favors. I¡¯m sure you know¡ªmany demonic sects practice ¡®Dual Cultivation¡¯ techniques!"


    "Damn it! So instead of simply killing him, they¡¯ll send him straight to hell? Then again, I¡¯ve heard that female cultivators from those sects are so beautiful that even the heavens envy them."


    "Hey, hey! Look over there! The Ling Clan¡¯s young master¡¯s caravan has arrived!"


    A grand procession entered Feng Ming City, banners of the Ling and Feng Clans fluttering in the wind. Cultivators from both clans soared just above the ground, riding their swords. The elders of the Feng Clan rode majestic third-rank spirit beasts, their gazes filled with unshakable pride as they proceeded down the stone-paved streets.


    "Brother! Brother! Look at that grand carriage! That must be it! That¡¯s where the Ling Clan¡¯s young master is!"


    "Heavens! That face¡­ Is he even human?!"


    Men and women alike found themselves in awe of Ling Yun¡¯s beauty.


    "His skin is like snow, his black hair like silk. Look at that jawline! It¡¯s as if a divine sculptor carved him perfectly in his mother¡¯s womb!"


    "Young master Yun! Young master Yun!"


    The crowd erupted in a roar of applause, their excitement surging like a rising tide, as if they were witnessing the descent of a celestial being.


    But Ling Yun did not react. His lifeless eyes remained fixed on the path ahead, his expression unreadable.


    When the caravan reached the palace, Ling Yun was taken to an estate in the eastern wing. A few servants were assigned to him, and guards¡ªmerely at the early stages of Foundation Establishment¡ªwere stationed to prevent his escape.


    When Ling Yun got to the bed in the corner, he was unsteady, barely having any strength left in him. He then took a shaky breath, and sitting up on the bed with his back against the headrest. Looking up to the ceiling, he put a trembling hand up, as if to grab on to whatever was right there, but just out of his reach.


    "Ah... so this is what defeat tastes like?"


    A bitter smile curled his lips.


    "The genius of the Ling Clan? Hah¡­ now I¡¯m nothing but a loser."


    "Fourth layer of Qi Refinement? None of it matters anymore¡­ I¡¯ll be dead soon."


    A single tear traced a slow path down his cheek. He lay motionless in the darkness, swallowed by silence, as if the world itself had turned away.


    ---


    At Midnight,


    A shadow slipped silently past the patrolling guards, moving like a wraith through the estate. A master of concealment, the intruder slipped through the window without a sound.


    Bathed in moonlight, he saw a man in white night robes lying motionless on the bed, pale as a ghost. Drawing his sword, he knelt before Ling Yun.


    "Young Master!"


    Ling Yun¡¯s hollow eyes met his.


    "I was expecting you."


    The masked man¡¯s eyes glistened with unshed tears. This mission weighed heavy on him. But it was his young master¡¯s final command.


    "Young Master¡­ please. It¡¯s not too late! I can get you out of here. There will be a chance for revenge!"


    Ling Yun let out a mirthless chuckle, his gaze devoid of hope.


    "Revenge? Hah¡­ I have no future anymore. I don¡¯t even have my cultivation."


    The masked man clenched his fists.


    "My lord!"


    "Enough. This is my order. If death is inevitable, then I would rather die by the hands of my own clan than suffer humiliation."


    A choked sob escaped the masked man¡¯s lips.


    "Even now, you think only of the clan! But what about us? What about your sister?!"


    Ling Yun slowly rose from the bed and walked to the window, gazing at the full moon.


    "This is¡­ for her future."


    "She will understand why I must leave her behind."


    With deliberate ease, he loosened his hair, letting it fall in smooth, silken waves over his shoulders. He pulled at his collar, the fabric parting to reveal a body hardened by years of ruthless training. Grasping a bottle of spirit wine, he broke the seal, inhaling its deep, intoxicating fragrance before tipping it back. The warmth spread through him, its rich aroma lingering in the air.


    "This scent¡­ it will mask my death."


    "By the time they realize I¡¯m gone, you¡¯ll have had enough time to escape. Return to the Ling Clan. Protect my sister. This¡­ is my final order."


    The masked man hesitated, his trembling hands gripping the hilt of his sword.


    "I pray¡­ that I may serve you in my next life as well, Young Master."


    Ling Yun raised the bottle in a silent toast, a faint smile on his lips.


    "Do it."


    With a swift motion, the blade pierced Ling Yun¡¯s chest.


    Blood erupted in a crimson arc.


    Ling Yun crumpled to the floor without a sound. In his final moments, his vacant eyes suddenly changed.


    The masked man would never know what thoughts crossed his young master¡¯s mind in that last breath¡ªonly that, for the briefest second, his gaze burned with an inexplicable light.


    Minutes Later,


    The masked man pressed his fingers against Ling Yun¡¯s pulse.


    Lifeless.


    With an expression as cold as ice, he sheathed his sword and slipped out of the window without hesitation.


    A moment later, silence consumed the eastern estate.


    A chill wind drifted in through the open window, carrying the mingled scent of blood and wine.


    And in that moment, within the hush of the night¡­


    Ling Yun rose from the ground.


    Wide-eyed, he stared at the bloodstained floor and the open window. Moonlight flickered across the wooden boards, and in the distance, cicadas sang their nocturnal melody.


    Staggering toward the mirror, he ran a hand across his pale face. His lips curled.


    A wicked grin spread across them.


    "I¡­ did it!"


    "I¡­ the Heavenly Demon, have reincarnated!"


    He turned his gaze to the starry sky, his eyes gleaming with seething hatred. Clenching his fist, he murmured, his voice low and venomous:


    "I will return to the Sacred Realm."


    "Wait for me, Sword God!"

 A dragon without scales

    A month had passed since the Heavenly Demon¡¯s reincarnation into Ling Yun¡¯s body.


    During this time, he had locked himself away in his chambers, refusing visitors, avoiding all social interactions, and not even opening the door for the servants. However, the Ling family members were not surprised. They knew their young master¡¯s temperament well.


    One of the Ling clan members, passing by the eastern estate¡ªthe residence of their young master within the Feng family¡¯s palace¡ªsighed deeply and said,


    "The young master gave everything for our family¡¯s future. He cultivated day and night, hoping the Eternal Elder would take him as a disciple. He knelt at the foot of the mountain for ninety days, just to prove his worth. To keep our family from financial strain, he personally ventured into the mountains to collect spirit herbs. And when training his spiritual arts, he even cleared demonic beasts from the villages under our protection. But in the end, what was it all for?"


    Another clan member shook his head.


    "I don¡¯t understand why the heavens are so cruel to him. He is a good man, blessed with beauty, dedicated to his people, and the most just person I have ever met. Yet now, like a caged bird, he is at the mercy of the Feng family."


    A third stroked his chin thoughtfully.


    "But why has the young master sealed himself away? He hasn¡¯t eaten or left his room in a month. Could something have happened to him?"


    Someone else replied,


    "A few nights ago, I happened to see him staring at the sky through the window. He wore a long robe, and his eyes¡­ they held no hope. He is going through difficult times. I just pray he finds his way back and reclaims his will to live."


    With that, they moved on to switch shifts.


    Inside the estate, Ling Yun sat in meditation, focusing on stabilizing his body¡¯s condition. From the moment he had awakened in this vessel, he had sensed the curse etched upon his forehead by the heavens.


    Reincarnation was a forbidden art¡ªa technique that defied the power of the celestial realm and bypassed the laws of Nirvana. Such defiance came at a steep price. For years after creating this technique, the Heavenly Demon had sought a way to circumvent its restrictions, but no such path existed.


    To make matters worse, Ling Yun¡¯s body was in a dire state. Upon inspecting it, he discovered it had been poisoned, rendering his cultivation nearly useless.


    Despite this, he had spent the past month doing everything in his power to salvage what remained of Ling Yun¡¯s abilities. Finally, after relentless effort, he had managed to stabilize his cultivation at the second layer of Qi Refinement.


    In those conditions, even such a simple task took an entire month.


    On the midnight of the thirtieth day, Ling Yun opened his eyes. After a month of relentless cultivation, he had managed to heal his body to a reasonable extent. But the real problem was only just beginning.


    The price he had paid for using the Art of Reincarnation was far heavier than he had ever imagined.


    "I was reborn, but the Dao''s curse and the Calamity Seal have been etched onto my forehead. Fortune has abandoned me, and I¡¯m stuck at the second layer of Qi Refinement..."


    He opened the window, letting fresh air fill the room.


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    "Worse than that¡­ is my lifespan. Heaven wants to remove me at any cost."


    He circulated his Qi.


    "Does this mean I have to resort to demonic cultivation?"


    But he quickly dismissed the thought.


    "No. Demonic methods have too many flaws. The simplest of them is the cultivator¡¯s unstable temperament. The madness of demonic cultivators always leads them into trouble¡­ and right now, the last thing I need is more trouble."


    "I have to regain my strength as quickly as possible."


    But he was a Heavenly Demon¡ªhis knowledge was limited to demonic techniques. If he wanted to master other methods, the righteous sects¡¯ techniques, he would have to study their cultivation manuals.


    "I need to find a way into the library and get my hands on a suitable cultivation method. Even if I don¡¯t find exactly what I need, it won¡¯t matter. I can always combine a few techniques and create my own."


    As he gazed at the stars, he clenched his fist.


    "Power is the essence of all things¡­ Everything derives meaning from power. Even peace, without the strength to protect it, is nothing more than a foolish ideal unworthy of pursuit."


    The next morning, the doors of Young Master Ling Yun¡¯s residence finally opened, and he stepped out, dressed in a flowing robe.


    Two Foundation Establishment realm guards respectfully blocked his path.


    "Young Master, may we ask where you''re headed?"


    Ling Yun responded with calmness and respect.


    "Of course. I''m going to the baths. After that, I might visit the library. Life in the manor is dull¡ªI need something to pass the time."


    The two guards exchanged subtle smirks but said nothing. They escorted him to the baths and then to the Feng Clan¡¯s public library.


    Ling Yun wasn¡¯t the least bit surprised to see the words "Public Library" at the entrance. He already knew he wasn¡¯t allowed into the Feng Clan disciples¡¯ library. In fact, the public library had been his target from the very beginning.


    As he stepped inside, he thought to himself:


    "All righteous cultivation techniques have clear origins. Their main difference lies in the elemental specialization of each clan. The Feng Clan¡¯s emblem is the phoenix, so their techniques must be centered around the fire element."


    He had studied numerous books on the Feng Clan¡¯s history. Some of them contained vague, sometimes poetic, descriptions of the clan¡¯s origins and techniques.


    Ling Yun carefully read through everything, committing every detail to memory. Then he moved on to the history of the world itself, studying everything from ancient legends to the latest recorded events.


    He remained in the library until late into the night.


    When he returned to his manor, Ling Yun carefully organized all the information he had gathered. Drawing from fundamental techniques, general knowledge, and what he had read about the Feng Clan¡¯s history and spiritual arts, he attempted to create a basic breathing method for fire-element cultivation.


    However, after several failed attempts, he coughed up blood on his final try, his life force draining away.


    "Cough...! Cough...! Damn it¡­ I knew it. The Dao¡¯s curse directly hinders my cultivation progress..."


    Ling Yun had once been a prodigy with unparalleled intuition. According to rumors, he could master basic techniques with a single glance, intermediate ones after a few practice sessions, and advanced methods within weeks.


    But now, with the Dao¡¯s curse shackling him, that insight and understanding were gone.


    The Heavenly Demon turned his gaze elsewhere, took a deep breath, drank a glass of water, and lay down on his bed.


    "I need to find a way to circumvent the Dao¡¯s curse... Otherwise, with this wretched luck and the Calamity Seal, I won¡¯t last much longer!"


    As he was lost in thought, a commotion outside caught his attention. He slowly opened his eyes and made his way to the door.


    The Foundation Establishment guards were arguing with members of the Ling Clan.


    "Hey! Where did you take the Young Master without informing us?!"


    "You have no right to disrespect him!"


    "We must see Young Master Yun!"


    "That¡¯s right! Young Master! Don¡¯t worry! We¡¯ll protect you at all costs!"


    Ling Yun listened to the voices from behind the door, a sneer forming in his mind. He silently mocked them for not realizing that their Young Master had already died.


    But suddenly, a crushing pressure weighed on his chest.


    "What? This body is reacting to their concern? Damn it!"


    The pain was so intense he collapsed onto the floor, his face turning pale. A suffocating sensation spread through his chest, as if it were about to burst from within.


    Crawling on the ground like a wounded beast, his trembling hand reached out, slowly cracking the door open.


    The moment his gaze met the worried eyes of the Ling Clan members, the pain in his chest subsided.


    The Heavenly Demon had just discovered another problem.


    His body instinctively responded to the Ling Clan.


    This was a massive weakness. If he ever took an action that endangered the clan members, who knew what kind of catastrophe would befall him?


    "This body has an unshakable will to protect its people¡­ Damn it. Just what I needed¡ªanother problem!"


    Ling Yun pushed himself up, opened the door, and allowed the Ling Clan members to see him.


    With a firm voice, he asked, "What¡¯s going on?"


    The moment they saw him safe and sound, they shoved the guards aside and rushed toward their Young Master.


    "Young Master Yun! Thank the heavens you¡¯re alright! We¡¯ve been so worried about you this past month! How could you push yourself this hard?!"


    Though Ling Yun was seething inside from the overwhelming problems piling onto him, he maintained a calm exterior. With a gentle expression, he replied, ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯m sorry for worrying you all. I just¡­ needed some time to find myself again.¡±


    At that moment, an elderly woman who had served the Young Master for years broke into tears and fell to her knees.


    ¡°Young Master Yun! Please forgive us for being such a burden on you! We deserve death! The dragon meant to lead our clan to greatness is now caged because of us!¡±


    Ling Yun gave her a warm smile and gently took her hand.


    ¡°The people of Ling are my family. Without you, I am nothing more than a dragon without scales. How could I call myself a dragon if I can¡¯t even protect my own scales?¡±

 Cultivation鈥攖his arduous and relentless path

    Ling Yun returned to his manor after seeing off the members of the Ling family.


    As a Heavenly Demon who had spent years refining himself in solitude, witnessing such a reaction was a novel experience. People had always regarded him as a god to be worshipped, but in this life, he was an honorable young master¡ªone who had been willing to sacrifice himself to save his family.


    Ling Yun sat at the wooden table by the window.


    "I thought that after all these years, nothing could surprise me. But today... people came here because of me. What is this feeling? To be cared for?"


    But he was a demon. He couldn¡¯t understand such emotions.


    For a demon, life had always been cold and lonely. Demons followed their own set of principles, and Ling Yun was no exception.


    "People can either hate me or revere me; that is their choice. But I... I cannot allow myself to develop emotions that could one day be used against me."


    "Cultivation truly is an arduous and relentless path. Those who seek power must rid themselves of human emotions. Feelings and strength exist in opposition. If you wish to be loved, you must abandon perfection..."


    His gaze fell upon the flowers on the table.


    "Flowers are beautiful, but in the end, they last only a few days... Power, however, endures forever!"


    He rose and paced the room, murmuring to himself,


    "My only hope lies in refining the Cultivation Pill. I must fortify my body with dense spiritual energy. Because of the curse, I know I will fail time and time again... but this is the only path available to me."


    "Contrary to what mortals believe, the Dao is not a single path. It has countless branches¡ªseparate yet one."


    He stroked the petals of the flower in the vase.


    "The Dao of Fortune, the Dao of Power, the Dao of Wisdom, the Dao of Death, the Dao of the Demon, the Dao of the Soul, the Dao of Fate..."


    His expression hardened.


    "I must advance far enough in several of these paths to change my destiny."


    "And what I need right now are the Dao of Fortune, the Dao of Power, and the Dao of Fate!"


    Deep in thought, he was considering the next move.


    "I must avoid the Dao of the Demon and the Dao of Death. The paths of the Dao influence one another and are influenced in return..."


    And so, his decision was made. The day came to an end.


    The next morning...


    The steward of the Feng family arrived to meet Ling Yun.


    Having spent the entire night developing a breathing technique attuned to the fire element, he hadn¡¯t closed his eyes even once. When he opened the door, he was still wearing a long sleeping robe that exposed his well-defined chest. His long hair cascaded over his shoulders, and his complexion was pale as snow.


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    Ling Yun¡¯s voice was slightly hoarse as he asked,


    "Master Steward? Is there a reason you''ve come to see me?"


    The steward adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose and spoke in a calm yet measured tone.


    "Young Master, I apologize for disturbing you. Would you like to take a walk around the palace and discuss various matters? I have a feeling you''re growing weary of staying inside the manor."


    A subtle reference to the events of the previous day¡ªa clear sign that the steward was keeping an eye on him.


    He was free to visit the library, but he was always under watch.


    Ling Yun smiled faintly and ran a hand through his hair. As he tied up his long locks, he turned to get ready.


    The Feng manor was vast.


    They walked through many corridors before reaching the gardens behind the palace...


    Along the way, Ling Yun caught sight of the alchemy hall and began searching for an excuse to enter.


    "Master Steward, the Feng estate is truly grand. Living here must be the dream of any noble family."


    The steward smirked. "Indeed, Young Master. This palace is no small place, which is why one shouldn''t wander too freely. In such a vast estate, many things can happen. If an incident were to occur, who would take the blame?"


    Ling Yun¡¯s smile barely shifted.


    "Naturally, you¡¯re right. That said, a clan as powerful as the Fengs, one that built such a magnificent estate, must surely be capable of safeguarding it as well. Otherwise, how could they be worthy of living in such a place?"


    The steward let out a hearty laugh.


    "Hahaha! Precisely! A man who cannot protect his own home should return to a hovel!"


    For a brief moment, Ling Yun hesitated. Was that statement merely a jest, or a veiled insult toward the Ling family?


    Maintaining his composed smile, he replied,


    "You¡¯re absolutely right, Master Steward. Some things can only be wished for, while others can be obtained through effort."


    His eyes gleamed.


    "Did you know that I never had any desire to become a warrior?"


    The steward was caught off guard.


    The eldest son of the Ling family¡ªthe one feared by every young prodigy, the strongest of his generation¡ªhad never wished to be a warrior?


    The statement piqued his curiosity.


    "Oh? Then may I ask what your true aspiration was?"


    Ling Yun took a deep breath, as if reminiscing about a distant past.


    "I always wanted to be a scholar." His gaze lingered on the alchemy hall. "And now that I''m here in the Feng estate, I believe I have the chance to pursue that dream."


    The steward smiled, intrigued.


    "Fascinating... I never expected the God of War from the Ling family to have an academic side!"


    Ling Yun laughed internally, but outwardly, he remained composed.


    The bait had been taken.


    Now, he could get exactly what he wanted.


    "Then, may I ask for permission to visit the library more often? And perhaps the alchemy hall as well? I''ve seen books on medicinal herbs that I''d love to study."


    Ling Yun paused for a moment, a cunning smile forming on his lips.


    "Of course. Any knowledge I gain, I will gladly share with the Feng family¡¯s alchemists."


    The steward let out a sly chuckle.


    "Naturally! A genius like you shouldn¡¯t waste his life sitting idly in a room. It¡¯s only right that you put your talents to use in research... just as you¡¯ve always dreamed!"


    Ling Yun clasped his hands together and lowered his head slightly.


    As his hands rose, partially obscuring his face, a wicked grin spread across his lips.


    "You want to see me struggle? To watch me spend my entire life desperately clawing to regain my lost cultivation?


    Hahaha!!! You bastard! So you know... you know I¡¯ve lost my cultivation?


    My gods!!!! Hahaha!!!! Again!!! I¡¯ve been betrayed again!!!


    No, we have been betrayed!!!


    My second life... has begun with betrayal!"


    With immense effort, he suppressed the murderous intent surging within him.


    When he finally lowered his hands, the steward gestured for him to move forward.


    They passed by several grand estates and even a few mountain courtyards before finally arriving at the vast garden behind the Feng palace.


    "Young Master, the clan leader is expecting you. Please, go ahead. And a word of friendly advice..."


    The steward hesitated, his eyes darkening.


    "For your own sake... do not provoke him."


    Ling Yun offered a polite smile and thanked him before stepping onto the stone-paved path.


    The path twisted and turned through drooping willow trees, eventually leading to a small pond and a pavilion where a middle-aged man sat waiting.


    Upon seeing Ling Yun, the man smiled and gestured for him to come closer.


    Ling Yun returned the smile, his expression composed, and made his way toward him.


    This man was none other than Feng Shan, the leader of the Feng family.


    His physique was broad and solid, a testament to his years of battle. The name Shan¡ªmeaning "mountain"¡ªhad been given to him because, like a towering peak, he had never once fallen in combat.


    He had reached the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm and was the second most powerful figure in the Feng family, just behind the clan¡¯s patriarch, who was set to emerge from seclusion the next day.


    Ling Yun approached, tilting his head slightly in greeting before taking a seat across from him.


    Feng Shan gazed at him with sharp, piercing eyes.


    "So, you¡¯re the infamous Ling Yun?"


    For the briefest moment, his eyes flickered with surprise.


    It was subtle¡ªfleeting¡ªbut to Ling Yun, it was crystal clear.


    He had caught the man''s reaction.


    A knowing smile tugged at his lips.


    Saying nothing, he calmly poured tea for both of them.


    The delicate aroma of the tea curled through the pavilion.


    Feng Shan stroked his beard and gave a small nod.


    Ling Yun took a slow sip before speaking in an unhurried tone.


    "The world is full of wonders, Elder Feng. Just like the depths of the heavens... the essence of cultivation remains an enigma."


    Feng Shan chuckled quietly.


    Ling Yun studied him intently.


    "Friends of yesterday become enemies of today¡­ and yet, enemies of yesterday sit together, sharing tea."


    Feng Shan''s lips curled into a faint smile.


    "The real question is... do yesterday¡¯s enemies remain enemies? Or... do they prefer to drink tea instead?"


    Ling Yun lifted his cup.


    "As long as good tea is served... why reach for a sword when one can hold a cup, listen to the song of birds, and enjoy the view?"


    Feng Shan laughed heartily.


    With a casual wave of his hand, he said,


    "Precisely! Friends of today must have such a mindset¡­ to truly double the pleasure of drinking tea!"

 Cultivation鈥攖his arduous and relentless path II

    After meeting Feng Shan, Ling Yun returned to the residence that had been assigned to him. His conversation with Shan Feng had gone well¡ªwell enough to leave a strong impression. Shan Feng, who was in the Foundation Establishment realm, couldn''t discern Ling Yun¡¯s cultivation level, which worked in Ling Yun¡¯s favor.


    In his room, he sat cross-legged on a small mat and entered a meditative state. Developing a breathing technique suited to the fire element was inevitable. Ling Yun knew he couldn''t remain hidden in this estate forever. He had grand ambitions, and if he wanted to achieve them, he needed to take his first steps¡ªfast.


    Yet, his progress was frustratingly slow.


    "This Dao curse has too many side effects. One of the key methods for creating a technique is to receive insight from the heavens. But ever since I was cursed, I¡¯ve lost that connection."


    "Without insight, understanding the intricate links between different cultivation paths becomes much harder. Now, I have to develop a technique purely on my own, without any guidance from the heavens. Even for me¡ªsomeone who was once a Heavenly Demon for thousands of years¡ªthis is no easy task. Especially since my cultivation level is so low¡­ I¡¯m not even truly immortal yet."


    Six hours passed. Ling Yun had made only slight progress in forming a new cultivation method.


    Rising to his feet, he let out a sigh and headed for the bath. The small breakthrough gave him a glimmer of hope, but he knew full well¡ªhe couldn''t afford to be stuck in the Qi Refinement realm forever.


    "At this rate, reaching the heavens is out of the question. I might not even break into the next realm. To step into the Foundation Establishment realm, I need a solid foundation¡ªotherwise, advancing further will be impossible."


    "Cultivation is like building a house. If my foundation in the Qi Refinement realm isn''t deep enough, progressing through the higher realms will only get more difficult."


    "I refuse to build a house on water. I have to find a way to bypass this curse¡ªno matter what it takes."


    Ling Yun removed his clothes and sank into the warm spring.


    "The Forbidden Art of Reincarnation¡­ Even though I managed to use it, it¡¯s still incomplete. I have a long way to go before I can truly master it."


    "Cultivation is tied to the soul, but my soul has no cultivation at all. The second layer of Qi Refinement¡­ it doesn¡¯t even belong to me. I only have it because of the remnants left behind by this body''s previous owner."


    "So, the price of using the Forbidden Art of Reincarnation¡­ was the loss of my cultivation."


    "I sacrificed my cultivation, took over another person¡¯s body, and with my past life¡¯s memories intact, I traveled through time."


    "If that¡¯s the case¡­ then maybe, by sacrificing my cultivation again, I could travel through time once more. Reincarnate into another body. Or perhaps¡­ even break the curse itself."


    But things were never that simple. The strict laws of the heavens shackled cultivators, and Ling Yun knew this all too well. The price of breaking his curses might very well be an even greater curse¡­Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Even if it¡¯s possible, my actions could bring immense karmic weight upon me, pushing me down the demonic path¡ªa path that severs one''s connection to the Dao of Fortune."


    "I might even bring ruin upon the Ling family¡­ and that would put me at odds with the instincts of this body''s original owner."


    There were too many factors to consider, each needing careful deliberation. This was only the beginning of Ling Yun¡¯s journey.


    Ascension carried an indescribable allure¡ªmuch like climbing a mountain. It was arduous, demanding, and merciless, but reaching the summit granted a joy beyond measure. Anyone who wished to stand atop the world had to risk everything to see the heavens bow beneath their feet.


    Ling Yun let out a quiet sigh, lost in thought about the uncertain future and the countless possibilities that lay ahead.


    ---


    Feng Clan¡¯s Grand Estate ¨C Hall of Honor


    Feng Shan stood before the ancestral sword of the Feng Clan¡¯s founder, gazing at its blade in silence. After a moment, he turned to face his daughter, Feng Lan.


    Their relationship was distant, their meetings infrequent. Feng Lan knew full well that this encounter wasn¡¯t for her sake¡ªthere was another reason behind it.


    Feng Shan studied his daughter briefly before asking,


    "Lan, how far have you progressed in your training?"


    Feng Lan kept her head lowered, avoiding his gaze. She didn''t want him to see the concern in her eyes.


    "Second layer of Qi Refinement, Father."


    Feng Shan turned back to the ancestral sword. Feng Lan didn¡¯t miss the faint trace of disappointment in his expression.


    "Where do you think your limit lies, Lan?"


    Cultivation, much like the Dao itself, had no true end, even though cultivators had divided their paths into countless realms.


    But in truth, Feng Shan wasn¡¯t asking to assess his daughter¡¯s spiritual potential¡ªhe was measuring the limits of her mindset.


    Feng Lan understood this to some extent, but she couldn''t grasp the deeper meaning behind his words.


    "My limit is wherever I can no longer advance, Father. That is where my journey ends."


    Feng Shan suddenly let out a deep, hearty laugh.


    "Hahaha! A clever answer, Lan."


    But then, his expression darkened.


    "And yet, it is wrong. For the cultivators of the Feng Clan, our final limit¡­ is death."


    "Prepare yourself. Your grandfather will be coming out of seclusion soon. You must be ready to receive the gift we''ve arranged for you."


    Feng Lan knelt before her father in silence, offering no reply.


    Library and Alchemy Hall


    Ling Yun made his way to the library before heading to the Alchemy Hall. As a former God of Alchemy, he could confidently claim mastery over all medicinal herbs and their properties. Even though he was currently at the early stages of Qi Refinement, he could still refine basic pills with ease.


    Pill refinement was an incredibly complex process. To successfully create a pill, an alchemist had to maintain absolute focus throughout the stages of combination, separation, purification, and condensation of the elixir.


    Fire control was also an inseparable part of this process. Alchemists used various types of flames for pill refinement, the most common being Qi Fire¡ªa flame produced by burning the Qi within one¡¯s own body. The higher a cultivator¡¯s realm, the stronger and hotter their Qi Fire became. Its potency was directly tied to the practitioner''s cultivation level, which meant that high-level alchemists wielded far more powerful flames.


    Ling Yun was currently at the second layer of the Qi Refinement realm.


    While this realm was considered weak for martial cultivators, it was a common level among the alchemists of this region. Advancing to higher realms required an immense amount of refined energy, but because alchemists constantly consumed their own energy reserves, many of them lacked the necessary foundation to break through. This was why alchemy, without sufficient resources, was nothing short of suicide on the Daoist path.


    Ling Yun stood before a large silver cauldron, flanked by several mid-grade bronze and iron cauldrons. On the far side of the Alchemy Hall, dried spiritual herbs were neatly arranged according to their properties and harvest times. In another section, manuals and recipes for various pills were carefully stored.


    He stroked his chin, lost in thought.


    "Most mortal-grade pills have low purity. Even the best pills on this continent probably don¡¯t exceed forty percent purity."


    "Mid-grade pills range between forty to fifty percent, while high-grade pills reach fifty to sixty percent."


    "Legendary pills can achieve up to seventy percent purity, while celestial-grade pills reach as high as eighty percent."


    "Many factors influence a pill¡¯s purity¡­ the alchemist¡¯s fire control, the type of flame, the cauldron¡¯s material, the refinement technique, the quality of ingredients, the pill¡¯s density, storage conditions, the alchemist¡¯s experience¡­ and much more."


    He flipped through a book he had borrowed from the public library. It contained detailed descriptions and illustrations of many herbs, including those laid out on the nearby table.


    Ling Yun carefully examined each plant, making mental notes and even adding his own annotations in the book¡¯s margins.


    In his mind, he had already refined those herbs countless times¡ªsimulating the process with the same quality ingredients and using iron cauldrons. Yet, every attempt had ended in failure, all because of the Curse of Fortune.


    With a sigh, he leaned back in his chair, watching as Feng Clan¡¯s alchemy disciples entered the hall one by one.


    They paid him no attention, each focused on their own tasks.


    A sly smile crept onto Ling Yun¡¯s lips.


    This was a perfect opportunity.


    By observing the flames of the Feng Clan¡¯s alchemists, he could gain the insight he needed to craft a technique of his own.

 I鈥檓 going to prepare a gift worthy of the occasion!

    Ling Yun rose after a while and walked over to each of the alchemy disciples. He didn¡¯t say a word to them but carefully observed their breathing, the flow of their energy, and how they mixed their ingredients.


    The disciples, however, found it hard to concentrate with Ling Yun looming over them. They made far more mistakes than usual. But before anything serious could happen, Ling Yun noticed and left the hall.


    No one understood why he behaved that way. Not that day, nor in the days that followed. Every time he visited, he repeated the same routine¡ªexamining herbs, jotting notes on paper, sitting in his chair, and then pacing behind them.


    His strange behavior puzzled everyone.


    Then, one day, as the disciples were heading to the hall to refine pills as usual, they found Ling Yun collapsed in front of one of the furnaces.


    They immediately called for a physician and carried him back to his manor. Soon after, word of the incident spread like wildfire through the Feng family estate.


    "The young master of the Ling family fainted because he couldn''t focus during alchemy?"


    "Hahaha! Did he think alchemy was like butchering people? Alchemy is an art¡ªan art of life!"


    The news reached Feng Shan. Seated in the grand hall, he burst into laughter.


    "I never thought watching that Ling brat struggle would be this entertaining. Steward, do you know what brought him to this point?"


    The steward bowed slightly and shook his head.


    Feng Shan smirked. "Betrayal, steward. Betrayal is what reduced the Ling family to this state. Power can put you at a disadvantage, but it¡¯s betrayal that delivers the final blow."


    He let out a sigh and murmured, "If only that boy had been born into our family..."


    Ling Yun remained unconscious for a full day and night. When he finally awoke, members of the Ling family had gathered around him. Some wept, others expressed their concerns, and many knelt before him in reverence.


    Seated on his mat, he looked pale and exhausted. His long white robe was drenched in sweat, his face drained of color.


    "Young Master! Please, don¡¯t do this to yourself!"


    "Yes, Young Master! We understand your pain, but there¡¯s no way out of this situation!"The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Ling Yun forced a faint smile at their worried faces.


    "The Feng Patriarch will be coming out of seclusion soon. I don¡¯t have much time."


    "I need to act before that happens. I spoke with Feng Shan. That man is as cunning as a fox. They''re planning to use me as the sacrificial lamb for the Patriarch¡¯s return celebration."


    His eyes darkened as he whispered, "I need to be ready to walk out of that slaughterhouse alive."


    The members of the Ling family burst into tears. Ling Yun, his eyes glistening, looked at them all.


    "Rest assured, I won¡¯t let any harm come to you!"


    The next day, Ling Yun returned to the alchemy hall. One of the spies stationed within the Ling family, tasked with monitoring him, quickly reported the news.


    The spy met with the Feng family steward in secret.


    "Sir! Ling Yun has truly lost all hope. He¡¯s getting worse by the day. He was the one we all expected to rise above, yet yesterday, he broke down crying right in front of us."


    Hearing this, the steward¡¯s lips curled into a pleased smile.


    "Good. You¡¯ve done well. Here¡¯s the bag of coins I promised you."


    The young man¡¯s name was Huli.


    Meanwhile, back at the alchemy hall, everyone was stunned to see Ling Yun return. The man who had collapsed in front of the furnace, disgracing himself, was now stepping back into the very place that had humiliated him.


    This time, they couldn¡¯t ignore him.


    "Young Master Ling, please return to your manor."


    Ling Yun looked slightly displeased but responded with a gentle smile. "Brothers, I¡¯m not here to cause trouble."


    One of the alchemists scoffed. "But you¡¯ve already ruined several spirit herbs! Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find them?"


    Another added, "Young Master, you were born into wealth and luxury. You don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like to suffer! Have you ever spent sleepless nights, dreading that you might not find a single spirit herb? Do you know how many of us have been attacked by demonic beasts in the wilderness just to gather these plants?"


    A third voice joined in. "You¡¯ve already caused enough trouble for us by destroying those herbs!"


    At that moment, the steward entered the hall. "What¡¯s going on here?"


    The alchemists quickly explained the situation. The steward pondered for a moment before speaking.


    "It¡¯s true that spirit herbs are obtained through great hardship and effort. But someone with such a passion for knowledge shouldn¡¯t be cast out over a single mistake."


    He turned to Ling Yun and continued, "Young Master, as the steward of the Feng family, I can grant you access to the hall and the furnaces. However, spirit herbs are not mine to give."


    Ling Yun gave a faint smile.


    The steward went on, "But that doesn¡¯t mean there¡¯s no way, does it? Young Master, you need spirit herbs, correct? Then as long as you can gather them yourself, there shouldn¡¯t be a problem."


    "However, spirit herbs are extremely expensive, and I doubt you have the means to purchase them at the moment. That leaves only one option. You can travel to the mountains near Feng Ming City and gather the herbs yourself."


    "This way, you¡¯ll have a chance to apply all that knowledge you¡¯ve been absorbing from the public library in a real, hands-on experience."


    Ling Yun burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the hall. "Hahaha! Yes, yes! That¡¯s exactly right, Steward! In fact, I can even gather extra spirit herbs to make up for the ones I ruined!"


    The steward chuckled inwardly at Ling Yun¡¯s naivety. To him, the young master was nothing more than a broken man, desperately clinging to whatever scraps of hope he could find after falling from grace.


    "Very well, Young Master. I¡¯ll make the necessary arrangements."


    With a polite smile, the steward turned and walked away.


    Ling Yun, still grinning, made his way back to his manor.


    From a distance, Feng Lan watched him carefully.


    "Is he insane? He¡¯s about to be killed, yet here he is, whistling and strolling around as if nothing¡¯s wrong?"


    She shook her head in disbelief, her fiery red hair swaying with the movement.


    "Let¡¯s go."


    "Yes, my lady!"


    Back at the Ling family manor, Ling Yun gathered his clan members and shared his plan. At first, they strongly opposed the idea. But as he laid out his reasoning, their resistance gradually softened.


    One of the elders stepped forward, concern deep in his voice. "Young Master, gathering spirit herbs is an incredibly dangerous task! It¡¯s not just wicked spirits or demonic cultivators roaming those abandoned lands and mountains. There are also fierce demonic beasts and even sacred guardians! That¡¯s why so few ever dare to pursue alchemy."


    Ling Yun slowly shook his head. "You¡¯re right. But what choice do we have? We must prepare for the day when the Feng Patriarch emerges from seclusion."


    In the corner of the room, Huli, the spy, scratched his head awkwardly and stammered, "Y-Young Master! H-How exactly do you plan to¡­ prepare?"


    Ling Yun turned to him, locking eyes with an unsettling calm. Then, with a knowing smile, he replied,


    "I¡¯m going to prepare a gift worthy of the occasion!"

 Phoenix Valley

    Everyone stared at Ling Yun in astonishment. No one quite understood what this "special gift" the young master had mentioned actually was.


    Ling Yun smiled and turned to Huo Li. "We''re heading to the mountains tomorrow morning. You''re coming with me. Go inform the steward¡ªI don¡¯t want any misunderstandings."


    Huo Li gave a short bow and left the room without hesitation. Ling Yun watched him go, his smile deepening.


    The steward sat at his desk, buried in scrolls and ledgers, overseeing the final preparations for the sect patriarch¡¯s imminent return from seclusion. A grand celebration was in the works, with cultivators from across the continent expected to attend, eager to congratulate Feng Dong on his advancement.


    Amid the overwhelming workload, he rubbed his temples and called for a servant. "Bring tea." Then, with a sigh, he pushed aside the documents and tried to clear his thoughts.


    A few minutes later, just as the servant arrived with a tray of tea, Huo Li stepped into the room. The steward, who usually met him in more discreet locations, regarded him with cold formality. "Come in."


    Huo Li entered, gave a respectful bow, and spoke before the steward could ask any questions. "Sir, Ling Yun has decided to visit Phoenix Valley tomorrow. I came to inform you."


    The steward raised an eyebrow. "You¡¯re going with him?"


    "Yes."


    The steward exhaled in relief. "Just make sure he doesn¡¯t die. Getting injured is fine. Tell the servants to fetch a few healing pills from the Alchemy Hall."


    Then, in a graver tone, he added, "Listen, Huo Li. I know you despise the Ling family, but keep this in mind¡ªLing Yun must stay alive until the patriarch emerges from seclusion. He is the Feng Clan¡¯s phoenix hunt."


    Huo Li clenched his teeth but, after a brief pause, responded in a controlled voice. "Understood, sir."


    The steward nodded. "Good. Now return to the estate."


    ---


    At dawn, with the last traces of night still lingering in the city''s shadows, two figures stepped through the grand gates of the Feng Clan estate.


    They wore wide-brimmed black hats and carried baskets designed for gathering spirit herbs.


    Silently, two Foundation Establishment guards followed a short distance behind, ensuring their safety.


    The small group passed through the city and made their way toward the towering mountains in the northwest. It was a long journey, and by the time they arrived, the sun was already high in the sky.


    Huo Li halted, shielding his eyes from the sunlight as he pointed toward the mountain range. "Young Master, this is the famed Feng Ming Mountain. They say a phoenix once nested here centuries ago. The Feng Clan even took their name from this place."


    Then, after a brief hesitation, he added cautiously, "There are plenty of spirit herbs here, but please be careful. It''s unwise to venture too deep into the mountains."


    Ling Yun smirked. "Huo Li, do you actually believe a phoenix lived here?"


    Huo Li hesitated for a moment, then broke into an excited grin. ¡°Yes, Young Master! They say its wings were so vast that when it spread them, they formed a fiery bridge connecting both sides of the valley!¡±


    His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. ¡°Some even say that when it flew, people mistook it for the sun. There were nights when darkness never came¡­¡±


    Ling Yun chuckled but remained silent, gazing at the towering mountains ahead. Could it really be¡­?


    With a casual arm around Huo Li¡¯s shoulders, Ling Yun turned to the guards. ¡°Stay here. My servant and I will go ahead¡ªwe¡¯ll be back in a few hours.¡±


    The guards, who had no desire to follow Ling Yun deep into the mountains, nodded without hesitation and set up camp near the foothills.


    Ling Yun cast a lingering glance at Huo Li, his smile barely there. ¡°Come on. I¡¯d like to hear more about that legendary phoenix.¡±


    A shiver ran down Huo Li¡¯s spine. Today, the young master was acting strangely¡ªfar too friendly. He had always seemed odd since the day he arrived at the estate, but these smiles¡­ there was something off about them.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Still, Huo Li pushed the thought aside. Ling Yun had lost his cultivation completely¡ªor at least, that¡¯s what Huo Li had ensured by secretly poisoning him.


    But what if Ling Yun knew?


    What if the Feng Clan had told him in exchange for some hidden bargain?


    Huo Li knew Ling Yun had met with Feng Shan. And ever since then, something had changed. His gaze, his presence¡ªevery time their eyes met, Ling Yun would flash that unreadable smile.


    Even without his cultivation, Ling Yun was dangerous. Huo Li, barely at the first layer of Qi Refinement, couldn''t even imagine standing a chance if the young master decided to end him.


    They ventured deeper into the mountains. The farther they moved from the guards, the more uneasy Huo Li became.


    ¡°Young Master!¡± His voice wavered slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t think we need to go any further. There are plenty of spirit herbs here.¡±


    In a hurry, he bent down and pointed toward a rock. ¡°Ah! Young Master! Look! I found a firemoss!¡±


    Ling Yun caught the unease in his voice and smiled calmly. He crouched down, plucking the firemoss from Huo Li¡¯s hands.


    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± His voice was quiet, almost amused. ¡°But firemoss that grows on exposed rock doesn¡¯t contain much spiritual energy. Do you really think I¡¯d bring something this worthless back with me, Huo Li?¡±


    The color drained from Huo Li¡¯s face. He immediately fell to his knees.


    ¡°Please forgive my disrespect, Young Master! I was only concerned for your safety! You still haven¡¯t fully recovered, and this place¡­ it¡¯s crawling with demonic beasts!¡±


    Cold sweat beaded on Huo Li¡¯s forehead. His heart pounded furiously.


    Ling Yun crouched beside him, his voice a soft whisper in his ear. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. You haven¡¯t done anything wrong¡­ In fact, you were so worried about me that you even brought healing pills.¡±


    Huo Li¡¯s terrified eyes locked onto the young master¡¯s wicked smile. Ling Yun¡¯s shadow loomed over him like a bottomless abyss. He tried to move, to stand, but his legs were frozen in fear.


    Still smiling, Ling Yun grabbed him under the arms and pulled him upright. His eyes gleamed with something dangerous. ¡°Now¡¯s not the time to falter, Huo Li. We still have a long way to go before we reach Phoenix Valley.¡±


    ---


    Hundreds of miles away, in the Ling Clan estate


    In a vast, dimly lit chamber, Ling Hua sat in silence. Her emerald eyes glowed faintly in the dark as she took in her surroundings¡ªthe cold stone walls, the scattered scrolls, the suffocating stillness filling the air.


    In that silence, only the quiet rhythm of her breathing could be heard.


    It had been months since her elder brother, Ling Yun, had left. During that time, countless messages had arrived at the main estate¡ªeach more ominous and cryptic than the last.


    She had spent her fourteenth birthday alone. Unlike every other year, Ling Yun had not been there to share the moment with her, to flash that mysterious, reassuring smile, to tell her that the world was not as terrifying as it seemed.


    But this year, the world felt different.


    ¡°My lady! My lady! Ling Zhen has returned!!¡±


    A frantic voice shattered the heavy silence.


    Ling Hua sprang to her feet, her heart hammering against her ribs. Without a second thought, she rushed toward the main courtyard, so hastily that she forgot to fix her disheveled hair or change into more proper attire. The only thought pounding in her mind was: At last, news of my brother!


    When she reached the courtyard, she was met with a sea of anxious murmurs and restless figures crowding around a lone man.


    Atop the wooden staircase leading to the main hall, the sect patriarch stood beside the clan leader, his gaze sharp and commanding. Below them, kneeling in the dirt, was Ling Zhen¡ªhis body battered, his robes soaked in blood.


    His pallid face bore the expression of a man who had weathered a relentless storm¡ªa storm that had stripped him of everything.


    The sect patriarch¡¯s deep, measured voice cut through the murmurs.


    ¡°Where is Ling Yun?¡±


    Ling Zhen did not lift his head. Instead, with slow, deliberate movements, he unfastened the bloodstained sword at his waist and laid it upon the ground. His trembling fingers tightened around the hilt, knuckles white.


    When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse and hollow.


    ¡°I¡­ killed the young master.¡±


    For a moment, the world stood still.


    Something within Ling Hua shattered. Her vision blurred, her knees gave out, and before she could utter a word, darkness swallowed her whole.


    When she came to, the bitter scent of medicine hung in the air. The muffled sobs of the servants filled the silence, pressing down on her like an unbearable weight.


    But none of it mattered as her brother was dead.


    In the courtyard, murmurs of unrest rippled through the gathered members of the Ling Clan. Faces reflected a storm of emotions¡ªshock, rage, grief.


    The sect patriarch, though his gaze burned with fury and sorrow, maintained his composure.


    ¡°Why?¡± His voice was calm, yet every syllable carried the weight of centuries of authority. ¡°Why did you kill Ling Yun?¡±


    Ling Zhen lowered his head, exhaling a shaky breath before answering.


    ¡°The young master¡­ was poisoned by traitors. His cultivation was crippled. The Feng Clan sought to disgrace him.¡±


    He hesitated, as if even breathing had become a struggle.


    ¡°The young master learned of their plan¡­ and he asked me to¡ª¡± His throat tightened. His voice broke. ¡°To end his life.¡±


    A heavy silence descended upon the courtyard.


    The sect patriarch let out a deep sigh, his fingers tightening around the wooden staff in his grasp. ¡°So the boy stood his ground until the very end, did he?¡±


    His gaze lifted toward the sky, as though searching for something¡ªsomething no longer of this world.


    Then, without lowering his eyes, he addressed his son, Ling Wei.


    ¡°I know this is asking too much, but I need you to go to the Feng Clan¡¯s estate. Attend their patriarch¡¯s emergence ceremony. Bring Ling Yun¡¯s body back. He must be buried in his homeland.¡±


    Though Ling Wei¡¯s face was hardened with grief and fury, he bowed in obedience and left without hesitation.


    The sect patriarch did not look away from the sky.


    Gray clouds rolled in from behind the towering mountains, creeping toward the plains. A cold wind whispered through the trees.


    He murmured, ¡°So this is how the Ling Clan¡¯s greatest prodigy meets his end?¡±

 Phoenix鈥檚 Legacy

    The Feng ming Mountains were a land where the spirit of nature flowed freely. From flame-antlered deer to cloud squirrels, everything carried a touch of legend. As they ascended, Lingyun and Huo Li encountered these spirit beasts time and again¡ªcreatures that vanished effortlessly into the mountain mist or peered at them through dew-laden leaves.


    At last, they climbed so high that the city of Feng ming below looked like an ink painting on an ancient scroll. Lingyun sat beneath the shade of a tree, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. The crisp mountain air was laced with the scent of earth and wild herbs.


    Huo Li, however, collapsed onto the ground, exhausted. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he stared up at the drifting clouds, his breath still uneven. His thoughts were a tangled mess.


    "Had the young master figured it out?"


    But there was no way to be sure.


    Just then, Lingyun reached a hand toward the sky and softly recited a poem. His voice was gentle and melodic, like the wind rustling through willow branches. Huo Li, who had served him for years, had never seen this side of him before. For a moment, doubt crept into his heart.


    Was this truly the same young master he had always known?


    Lingyun noticed his hesitant gaze and offered a faint smile.


    "Something on your mind, Huo Li?"


    Huo Li hesitated before finally asking, "Young Master... what exactly is your plan? Now that we¡¯re trapped, and with the Patriarch of Feng soon emerging from seclusion, doesn¡¯t this mean it¡¯s over for us?"


    Lingyun chuckled. So this was what troubled a mere servant?


    "For now we''re going to Phoenix Valley."


    Still puzzled by his master¡¯s composure, Huli frowned. "Phoenix Valley? Why there?"


    "Because that¡¯s where it all begins." Lingyun stood, dusting off his robes, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "Like the phoenix, we must rise from the ashes of this defeat. And there¡¯s no better place for that than Phoenix Valley. I can feel it¡ªthe phoenix is calling to me... Hahaha!"


    Huo Li kept his eyes on his master, uncertainty still gnawing at him. But he had no choice but to follow.


    Their journey continued. They passed by waterfalls that shimmered like silver under the moonlight, crossed deep ravines, and traversed ancient rope bridges that had stood for centuries. Narrow caves and treacherous, rocky paths did little to slow them down.


    At last, after a long and arduous trek, they arrived.


    The first cool breeze of Phoenix Valley brushed against Lingyun¡¯s face, and his eyes glimmered. The fire-aligned Qi in the air was incredibly dense. On either side of the valley, stone structures had been carved into the cliffs, their weathered surfaces covered in moss. Suspended bridges, worn by time, linked the valley¡¯s towering edges.


    Deep within the valley, a narrow river flowed, its gentle current winding around a majestic statue of a phoenix in mid-flight. Beneath it lay a stone altar¡ªa small, solitary platform, just large enough for one person to sit.


    Lingyun whispered under his breath, ¡°So this is it¡­ Phoenix Valley.¡±


    Huo Li scanned their surroundings. ¡°You can still feel traces of the Age of Prosperity here¡­¡±


    But Lingyun gave no reply. His gaze remained fixed on the phoenix statue, as if something beyond mere stone lay hidden within.


    ¡°We need to go there.¡± He extended a hand, pointing toward the statue. ¡°Huo Li, go first.¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Huo Li bowed his head and stepped forward. The suspension bridge before him creaked under the weight of the wind, its rotting ropes swaying like a spider¡¯s web in the misty night. Yet he did not hesitate. With firm strides, he pressed onward, walking toward an uncertain fate.


    Beyond the bridge, they entered a labyrinth of corridors, their winding paths lined with ancient carvings. The walls were etched with depictions of early cultivation techniques¡ªyet their depth surpassed ordinary understanding. It was as if only those destined for this knowledge could truly grasp its meaning.


    Lingyun moved carefully along the walls, his eyes tracing every mysterious symbol, committing each line and curve to memory. The engravings illustrated the flow of fire-aligned Qi and the method of storing it within the central dantian.


    He murmured, ¡°The three dantians¡­¡±


    Cultivators possessed three dantians within their bodies¡ªone in the head, another in the chest, and the most vital of all, in the lower abdomen, where fire Qi was stored.


    Lingyun was a master of demonic Qi, yet the path of righteous cultivators remained foreign to him. Demonic Qi was wild and dark, thriving in cursed lands steeped in the presence of vengeful spirits. But even that was merely one branch of the vast Demonic Dao¡ªa path of suffering, where only the strongest survived.


    At last, at the end of the corridors, Lingyun arrived at the base of the phoenix statue. The crystal-clear river flowed beneath it, making the sculpture appear as though it had been born from the very rock itself. With spiritual energy coursing through his body, he stepped lightly onto the water¡¯s surface, moving toward it in silence.


    Huo Li remained at the riverbank, hands tucked into his sleeves, watching his master¡¯s every movement with quiet apprehension.


    As Lingyun neared the statue, its breathtaking details made him hold his breath.


    ¡°How¡­ how is this possible?¡±


    Every feather of the phoenix was etched with intricate lines of ancient mantras, as if telling an untold story. Lingyun, who had once studied the history of the world in the Feng Palace¡¯s grand library, found a familiar question resurfacing in his mind:


    "If the Demon Continent had emerged somewhere beyond the borders of the Eastern Continent, how different would the path of cultivation in this land have been?"


    He stepped onto the stone platform beneath the statue, sat down, and closed his eyes, entering a meditative state.


    In his mind, everything finally aligned. He could now focus on the technique inspired by the Feng Clan¡¯s methods, even drawing upon the long-lost secrets of fire cultivation.


    A moment later, his eyes opened¡ªand the world around him changed.


    Fire Qi particles hung in the air like glowing crimson embers. He reached out to touch one, but the moment his fingers made contact, it flickered and vanished.


    Lingyun held his breath. "Does this mean¡­ the Dao¡¯s curse is still upon me?"


    Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind¡ªa voice that came from nowhere, yet from everywhere at once:


    "The dead cannot cultivate."


    Lingyun jolted upright, his awareness sharpening as he searched for the source of the voice. But there was no presence¡ªonly Huo Li, still standing at the riverbank, watching in silence.


    Then, his gaze was drawn back to the phoenix statue. It remained unchanged, just as it had been before. But now¡­ an immense Qi fluctuation swirled around it.


    He took a step forward, his voice laced with restrained fury and disbelief.


    "Who are you?"


    A deep, resonant voice emerged from within the statue:


    "I am the guardian spirit of this mountain."


    For a fleeting moment, Lingyun felt a sense of relief. But doubt still gnawed at him.


    "Are you¡­ the legendary phoenix?"


    The voice responded with an eerie calm:


    "Not quite. I am what remains after the phoenix¡¯s death."


    Lingyun felt his blood boil, his eyes darkening with rage.


    "Liar! The phoenix never dies! Then who¡ªwhat¡ªare you really?!"


    A low, amused laugh rumbled from within the statue.


    And then, the Qi around them erupted into chaos.


    The very air of the valley trembled as an overwhelming radiance engulfed everything. Lingyun narrowed his eyes, but the blinding brilliance was too intense¡ªhis vision failed him.


    And then¡ªsilence.


    As the afterglow of the explosion faded, he saw a woman standing before him.


    She was dressed in crimson, her robes flowing like flames dancing in the wind. Her long, wavy hair was pinned up with a jade hairpin. Her figure was delicate yet refined, her face pale as snow, adorned with bold strokes of fiery red on her cheeks and lips¡ªan unmistakable reflection of the phoenix¡¯s essence.


    Lingyun studied her with an expression devoid of surprise. ¡°So, you truly are a remnant¡­ a legacy.¡±


    The woman offered a calm smile and bowed slightly with a grace that carried an air of antiquity. ¡°Your Excellency, may I ask why a divine being such as yourself wanders through this insignificant realm?¡±


    Lingyun¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°So, you can see my soul?¡±


    The Phoenix¡¯s Legacy shook her head gently. ¡°No, but I can sense something¡­ an aura that does not belong to this world.¡±


    Then, with a sudden snap of her fingers¡ª


    Silence.


    The river¡¯s murmuring ceased. The wind stopped whispering. Even the rustling of leaves fell into an eerie stillness.


    ¡°I believe this conversation should not be overheard.¡±


    Her voice was soft, but there was weight to her words. She took a step closer.


    "Your Excellency... who are you?"


    Lingyun cast her a cold glance. "I am¡­ a fallen immortal."


    The woman circled around him slowly, like a bird sizing up its prey. Her eyes gleamed, as if she had stumbled upon something¡ªsomething she shouldn¡¯t have.


    Then, suddenly, all color drained from her face.


    She took a shaky step back, retreating behind the phoenix statue.


    "M-My lord! Your karma¡­ it¡¯s monstrous!"


    Terror flickered in her gaze. ¡°What law did you defy to be burdened with such immense karma?!¡±


    Her voice trembled. ¡°Even if you had slaughtered thousands¡ªno, even if you had wiped out entire bloodlines¡ªthis¡­ this level of karma should be impossible!¡±


    Lingyun smirked, the corner of his lips curling in amusement. ¡°You exaggerate.¡±


    But the Phoenix¡¯s Legacy shook her head violently. ¡°No, my lord! This is not the kind of karma that comes from mere massacres or genocide. This¡­ this is a curse of a magnitude that only a true demon could bear!¡±


    For the first time, a flicker of intrigue crossed Lingyun¡¯s expression. ¡°Interesting¡­ Then tell me, what kind of demon do you think I was?¡±


    The woman, now more akin to a frightened bird than the regal entity she had been moments before, cast him an unsteady glance and whispered:


    "When I was alive, I often heard wandering spirits speak of a realm beyond this world¡ª"


    "A place beyond mortal comprehension, where beings exist that can drown entire continents with a single gaze."


    Her gaze deepened, as though piecing together an ancient riddle. "They spoke of demons that once dwelled upon a mountain known as the ''Demon Peak.'' But after a great battle, that mountain vanished from existence."


    Then, as if the final piece had fallen into place, she whispered in quiet disbelief:


    "I think... you were one of the demons of that mountain, weren¡¯t you?"

 Even if I were to be reborn, I would walk this path again.

    Ling Yun froze for a moment upon hearing the name "Black Demon¡¯s Peak." His thoughts tangled in confusion.


    "How could mere mortals know about it?"


    The Phoenix Legacy watched his reaction with a cryptic smile. "Then you must have come from there."


    Spreading his wings, she soared into the sky. Sunlight danced upon her crimson robes, flickering like tongues of flame caught in the wind.


    "Perhaps you¡¯re wondering how we, the inhabitants of this insignificant realm, came to know of the sacred domain."


    She traced a slow arc through the sky before continuing.


    "Thousands of years ago, humans first learned the rudiments of cultivation from a group that called themselves the ''Reincarnates.'' They spoke of a realm built above the heavens¡ªa land beyond mortal comprehension."


    Ling Yun narrowed his eyes. "So they were the ones who told you about the mountain?"


    The Phoenix Heir shook her head slowly. "Not exactly. In truth, their memories were riddled with gaps, as if some force prevented them from speaking of the sacred realm¡¯s secrets."


    "But what truly changed the mortals was not the knowledge they gained of that world, but the fear that took root within them¡ªthe fear of death."


    "And that fear is what drove them toward immortality."


    Silence hung in the air. Ling Yun slipped a hand into his sleeve and listened.


    "They pursued cultivation, and in time, the world gathered into one colossal city¡ªa city that became the heart of existence. Empires and kingdoms lost their meaning. There was only one world and one city."


    "And in that era, the greatest cultivator of all made a decision¡ªto build a tower that would challenge the gods of the sacred realm."


    The Phoenix Legacy paused. A glint flickered in her eyes, as if she were breathing life into an ancient legend.


    "The tower rose, level by level, until it reached five hundred floors."


    "But in that moment, the sky split apart."


    "And from the rift, a colossal hand emerged..."


    A cold wind swept through the valley, as if even nature itself recoiled at the memory.


    "A hand that, in a single instant, obliterated the city."


    "From that day on, such unity was never seen again. Humanity shattered, and its dreams crumbled into the tower¡¯s ashes."


    Ling Yun gave her an indifferent look. "And what does any of this have to do with me?"


    The Phoenix Legacy descended once more, as if closing the distance might help her glimpse the effect of her words.


    "Though cultivation evolved over the centuries, what truly altered its course was the ''Centennial Calamity.''"The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Her voice lowered slightly, as if even she remained in awe of that time.


    "Fifty years of drought... fifty years of storms..."


    "The world teetered on the brink of ruin."


    "And then, suddenly, the gates of mercy opened."


    "Seven hidden realms fell from the heavens, scattering their treasures across the earth."


    Ling Yun remained silent.


    "Among these scattered treasures, a sacred book was discovered."


    "A book that spoke of a mountain¡ªBlack Demon¡¯s Peak."


    The Phoenix Legacy¡¯s eyes gleamed. "And within its pages, only one name was recorded: The Venerable Heavenly Demon."


    A heavy silence settled between them.


    At last, Ling Yun smiled¡ªa smile that was closer to a sneer. "And you know nothing about this ¡®ancient god¡¯?"


    The Phoenix Legacy hesitated briefly before answering. "No trace of him remains, as if his very existence was erased from history."


    "But perhaps... somewhere within the seven hidden realms, fragments of his legacy still lie in wait."


    Ling Yun gave a slight nod and turned away. "I suppose it¡¯s time for me to leave."


    But before he could take a step, the Phoenix Legacy moved to block his path.


    "Exalted one..."


    His gaze was uncertain. "With this body, you will find no path forward."


    "Why not use this reincarnation to cleanse your karma? You could live a simple and honorable life. You could help people, correct the course of your cultivation..."


    Ling Yun¡¯s eyes turned cold.


    "There is no redemption for demons."


    "The Dao of Power is the ultimate goal of all demons."


    "Even if I were to be reborn, I would walk this path again."


    With a single step, he moved off the stone platform.


    And in that instant, time resumed its flow.


    The wind stirred once more, the river began to flow, and birds took flight from the trees, as if nothing had ever happened.


    Ling Yun said nothing as he walked away.


    The Phoenix Legacy remained where he stood, staring into the distance.


    By the riverside, Huo Li was eating the meal Ling Yun had brought. The evening breeze rippled the water¡¯s surface, and the gentle murmur of the river filled the silence of the forest.


    Then, suddenly, Huo Li choked.


    His face turned green, then purple. His hands clawed at his throat, but the swelling there only grew worse with each passing second. His eyes widened in sheer terror.


    Ling Yun stepped forward at a slow, measured pace. His gaze was empty, devoid of feeling, as if this were nothing more than a mundane spectacle.


    As he watched that still, deathly calm in his master¡¯s eyes, Huo Li understood the truth.


    With the last of his strength, he drew a dagger from his waist and lunged at Ling Yun with everything he had.


    But before he could even get close¡ª


    The river stirred.


    And suddenly, from its depths, flesh-eating fish burst forth.


    In an instant, his body was torn apart. His scream drowned in the waves, and his blood stained the river crimson.


    Ling Yun stood motionless, watching.


    "That¡¯s right."


    "A demon remains a demon, no matter what path he takes."


    A bitter silence hung in the air.


    "Just as my nature will never change... neither will the nature of a traitor."


    A faint, wry smile touched his lips.


    "And what fate suits a being who seeks my destruction better than destruction itself?"


    Ling Yun stepped toward the riverbank¡ª


    And suddenly¡ª


    His body ignited.


    A searing pain tore through him.


    Flames, crimson and raging, erupted from his skin, spiraling skyward like a beacon atop the mountain.


    Just like in the legends, the scarlet shadow of the Phoenix soared across the twilight sky.


    The heat was so intense that the river evaporated in an instant. A surge of Qi burst from his body, fire roared in his eyes, and the world around him twisted into a burning wasteland.


    In the distant heavens, celestial gods¡ªvast and shrouded in radiant halos¡ªgazed upon him through veils of light.


    Ling Yun reached toward the sky.


    But in the very next moment, his flesh incinerated. It peeled away from his bones, melting like water upon the scorched earth.


    His skeleton, wreathed in a black aura, remained suspended in the air.


    The Dao¡¯s curse¡ªthe brand seared into his very existence¡ªbegan to seep from within his charred bones.


    He tried to speak¡ª


    But no throat remained to form words.


    Only his skeleton endured, wreathed in eternal flames.


    ---


    The sentinels, witnessing this celestial anomaly from afar, immediately raced toward the mountain. The chaos did not go unnoticed in Feng Ming City either.


    The Feng Clan, who had once glimpsed the shadow of the Phoenix long ago, beheld it again in the heavens.


    And before the mountain, they fell to their knees.


    But Shan Feng¡ª


    "Ling Yun is in the mountains!"


    His face drained of all color. With urgency, he summoned his warriors.


    "Do not let that man rise again!"


    In the blink of an eye, flying swords streaked across the sky like meteors of pure light.


    Shan Feng led them, moving faster than anyone else.


    Yet just as he approached the mountain¡¯s threshold¡ª


    "KRAAAAAAAAAAH!"


    A deafening cry split the heavens.


    From the blood-stained dusk, the shadow of the Phoenix unfurled its wings.


    Terror gripped them.


    And as the crimson shade loomed over them, every cultivator of the Feng Clan turned and fled in fear.


    ---


    Deep within Phoenix Valley, Ling Yun¡¯s skeletal form remained engulfed in flames.


    Then¡ª


    The fire crackled, turning into streams of light that coursed through his bones.


    And then¡ª


    Flesh began to take form.


    Veins wove themselves through his body, and within moments, flawless, pale skin encased his once-charred frame.


    The Phoenix¡¯s shadow slowly faded into the dusk.


    And at that very instant, Ling Yun opened his eyes.


    The sacred flame o


    f the Phoenix still burned within them.


    Qi, a river of molten fire, surged through his veins.


    From the depths of his being, laughter erupted¡ª


    A laughter that shook the sky itself.


    "Seventh Layer of Qi Refinement!"

 The cultivation world

    In the world of cultivation, the path to power passed through well-defined realms. The first step was Qi Refinement, where a cultivator nurtured the Qi within their body, preparing it for higher realms.


    After reaching the seventh layer of Qi Refinement, a cultivator would use spiritual pills and alchemical materials to form a foundation¡ªa crucial step toward the next realm: Foundation Establishment.


    Finally, after advancing through the seven levels of Foundation Establishment, the cultivator would condense the free-flowing Qi within their dantian into a golden core, opening the gateway to even greater power.


    But Ling Yun, who had just reached the seventh layer of Qi Refinement, had a different plan.


    Instead of stabilizing and strengthening his cultivation, he quickly forced it into equilibrium¡ªonly to suppress it immediately after.


    And then, in a sudden and deliberate move, he injured himself.


    An explosion surged from within his body, his veins bulged, and blood gushed from his mouth. Cracks formed in his dantian, and with all his strength, he struck one of his own arms.


    Agonizing pain tore through him, yet Ling Yun did not hesitate. He pushed himself further, driving his body to the brink of paralysis, and then¡ªhe waited.


    Moments later, two guardians of the Foundation Establishment realm leaped down from the cliffs into the valley.


    Their eyes widened in shock at the sight of Ling Yun¡¯s half-conscious body. The cultivator who had moments ago summoned the shadow of a phoenix in the sky now lay on the ground like a dying man.


    The guardians did not hesitate.


    One of them pulled out a healing pill from his sleeve and placed it in Ling Yun¡¯s mouth.


    The other summoned his flying sword, lifting Ling Yun¡¯s limp body and carrying him toward Feng Ming City.


    Meanwhile, the head of the Feng Clan, who had previously witnessed the phoenix¡¯s shadow, suffered a disruption in his cultivation. The celestial phenomenon had put immense pressure on him, forcing him into seclusion.


    Though peace seemingly returned to Feng Ming City, Hao Li¡¯s body was never found.


    Several days later, Ling Yun opened his eyes.


    His cultivation had regressed to the first layer of Qi Refinement, yet the energy still coursed through his body. The Dao curse remained¡ªthough its grip had weakened.


    Silently, he reached for the storage ring he had secretly acquired.


    During their journey, whenever Hao Li pointed out certain rare spiritual herbs, Ling Yun would dismiss them as low quality and toss them aside.


    But in truth, he had hidden them all within this ring.


    A ring gifted to him by an old woman from the Ling Clan¡ªone he had known nothing about until now.


    Ling Yun sat in meditation.


    One by one, he retrieved the spiritual herbs, arranging them according to the properties described in ancient texts.


    Then, he summoned the phoenix flame within him.


    No alchemical furnace. No intricate tools.


    Only fire, knowledge, and the will of a demon.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    In truth, alchemical furnaces were nothing more than tools to facilitate the process.


    But true masters of alchemy had no need for them.


    They could refine pills of unparalleled purity using only their Qi and their understanding of the Dao¡ªpills whose quality depended not on the furnace, but on the cultivator¡¯s skill.


    And Ling Yun, even at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement, could produce a pill with at least fifteen percent purity.


    But this was only the beginning.


    With the experience he possessed as the Heavenly Demon Exalted in his past life, he could push that number even higher¡ªto twenty percent.


    His eyes gleamed.


    Flames coiled around his hands.


    It was time to refine.


    By the time he had forged five spiritual pills, his energy was nearly depleted.


    Carefully, he stored them in his spatial ring and entered meditation.


    As the flow of Qi in his body steadied, a wicked smile formed on his lips.


    "The Phoenix¡¯s legacy was right. Why would a demon pretend to be an angel?"


    "This world is ruled by power. If you are weak, the only thing that awaits you is destruction."


    "But I am not one to be crushed by power."


    His gaze drifted toward the horizon, where fate lay hidden beyond sight.


    Ling Yun was not the type to overlook opportunities, nor had he received the Phoenix¡¯s legacy by mere chance.


    He had always known that legends were a blend of truth and myth.


    When people spoke of dragons, they had likely seen high-level serpents.


    When stories mentioned mythical treasures, it meant that something was hidden, waiting to be found.


    Suddenly, a memory resurfaced¡ªwords spoken by the Phoenix echoing in his mind.


    "So reincarnation truly exists!"


    "And with that technique I created¡­ I seized control of the world''s order!?"


    But that was not the only revelation.


    Something far greater lay beneath it all:


    "Seven hidden realms¡­ treasures¡­ the remnants of the Demon¡¯s Mountain!"


    And most important of all¡­


    Reincarnators always lost their memories.


    But he¡ªhe had retained every single one of them!


    What did that mean?


    "Does this mean I preserved my memories by using the reincarnation technique¡­ at the cost of my cultivation?"


    But there was something else.


    Some of his memories were unclear.


    "I had forgotten¡­ In the Sacred Realm, the Dao of Demons is different from the Mortal Realm."


    In the Mortal Realm, many forms of Qi existed.


    But in the Sacred Realm, only Sacred Qi flowed.


    And Sacred Qi was the eternal force that permeated the entire realm.


    "So the demons of the Sacred Realm aren¡¯t inherently demonic. They simply use techniques that go against conventional cultivation."


    "That¡¯s why they¡¯re called ¡®demonic¡¯ in the first place!"


    But if that was true¡­ then did it mean he could recreate simplified versions of his techniques in this world?


    Ling Yun tried.


    But he quickly realized it was impossible.


    The Dao curse, combined with his lack of insight, had sealed off his path to forging a new way in the world of cultivation.


    Miles away¡­


    A procession from the Ling Clan moved along a winding road toward Feng Ming City.


    Draped in white mourning robes, they traveled in silence, passing through villages and towns.


    At their sight, commoners lowered their heads, expressing their respect and condolences.


    The Ling Clan¡ªone of the oldest lineages in the Eastern Continent¡ªhad defended the land¡¯s borders against the Demon Continent for thousands of years.


    But civil wars, ambition, and betrayal had fractured their once-unshakable unity.


    In the end, these internal conflicts had led them into a bloody war with the Feng Clan.


    A war that lasted an entire year, claiming the lives of countless elders and warriors from both sides.


    Yet amidst all the bloodshed, one name stood above all others¡ª


    The legendary commander of the Ling Clan¡ªLing Yun.


    But in the end, he had been captured by the Feng Clan.


    And now, a message had struck the Ling Clan like a bolt of lightning from a stormy sky¡ª


    He was dead.


    The Ling Clan was traveling to the Kingdom of Feng to reclaim their commander¡¯s body.


    But was that truly their only purpose?


    The Eastern Continent: A Land Ruled by Power


    The so-called kingdoms of the Eastern Continent were nothing like the nations one might expect.


    In truth, no independent government existed.


    The entire land was overseen by a council of powerful clans, and only those with sufficient strength had a say in matters of rule.


    The Feng Kingdom was one such self-proclaimed nation. Thanks to its formidable cultivators, it had secured a seat within the ruling council¡ªand even held an official representative.


    But kingdoms had no fixed borders.


    At times, a kingdom might exist without a single neighboring state¡ªyet it would make no effort to expand.


    Because in the Eastern Continent, territory grew with a kingdom¡¯s cultivation strength, not with cartographic maps.


    Any nation foolish enough to expand without the necessary power faced only one fate¡ªannihilation.


    Natural disasters, demonic beasts, and unknown forces would tear them apart.


    The Eastern Continent was vast beyond reason¡ªyet even so, it was only half the size of the Central Continent!


    To the north of the Central Continent lay a vast, frozen land known as the Northern Plains.


    Its size was staggering, yet its brutal cold and monstrous, unimaginable beasts made it nearly uninhabitable.


    Only clans that cultivated Ice Qi could survive there.


    These extreme landscapes and merciless conditions had created an eerie vastness between kingdoms¡ªwidening the gaps between realms, both in distance and in power.


    At times, a mere mortal would have to travel for decades just to cross from one kingdom to the next.


    Within the Ling Clan¡¯s caravan¡­


    A young girl sat in silence, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes were red, and her heart weighed heavy with grief.


    She was thinking of her dead brother.


    When she looked around, she saw the same silent sorrow reflected in the faces of those around her.


    Everyone was mourning their young lord¡ªLing Yun.


    He was their hero.


    The one who had united the clan.


    The one who had played a crucial role in defeating the Feng Clan¡¯s cultivators.


    He was a true commander.


    And yet, in the final battle, he had been defeated under mysterious circumstances and taken captive.


    Now, the Ling Clan had lost its Hero.


    A genius like Ling Yun no longer stood among them. And because of that, they had been forced to bow their heads before the Feng Clan.


    Ling Hua, her eyes swollen from crying, her lips trembling, could only see a dark and uncertain future ahead.


    A single tear slid down her cheek¡ªfreezing the moment it touched her skin.


    Frost Qi surged from her body, coating the silk curtains of the carriage in a thin layer of ice.


    As her breath turned to mist in the cold air, she whispered, her voice laced with seething rage¡ª


    "I¡­ will have my revenge!"