NOVPUB
Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Monsters and Demons
"Master, what exactly is this?"
Li Qian, seeing his master’s serious expression, immediately realized that this black stone was certainly not ordinary.
"Have you ever heard of demons?"
Zhou Buping did not directly answer but asked instead.
"Eh... no."
Li Qian shook his head immediately.
He had read many books and was somewhat informed about this world.
However, the level he could access was very limited.
"It’s quite normal for you not to know. In fact, the vast majority of martial artists, even some ordinary sect martial artists with innate abilities, may not be aware..."
Zhou Buping nodded and said, "A long time ago, terrible demons existed on this land. They preyed on humans and other creatures for sustenance until human martial arts developed to a certain extent and finally the demons were driven out."
"Master, is this black stone related to demons?"
Li Qian asked curiously.
"Yes, if I am not mistaken, this object is a demon stone, formed from the essence of a demon after their death. Of course, there’s another theory that once demons achieve a certain level of strength, such stones will form within their bodies."
Zhou Buping nodded, "It is said that these demon stones have strong polluting properties. Once swallowed by a creature, it is easy to cause mutation, and... over time, the creature that swallowed it may completely absorb the essence of the demon stone and transform into a real demon. It’s said that real demons... can only be contested by martial artists above the Celestial Level."
"So this demon stone is so dangerous? I thought it was some kind of treasure."
Li Qian was very surprised.
Fortunately, he had promptly killed the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect; otherwise, its transformation into a demon would have been a disaster.
Only martial artists above the Celestial Level could deal with it, indicating how powerful real demons must be.
"Hehe, this demon stone, for ordinary martial artists, even those with innate abilities, is very dangerous... But you alone need not fear."
Zhou Buping then said with a laugh, "I’ve read in an ancient tome that once you’ve achieved a Perfect Body, you can resist the demon stone and even absorb its essence to further strengthen your Perfect Body. You have already cultivated the Pure Sword Body which contains the impermeable property, so presumably it’s possible for you as well."
"Master, can the Pure Sword Body progress even further?"
Li Qian was quite surprised.
After achieving the Pure Sword Body, he had tried to continue cultivating... but could not progress further, as if he had reached the pinnacle of physical potential.
"This matter, I am unsure about. However, the ancient tome does mention that using the demon stone can indeed push the Perfect Body to greater strength."
Zhou Buping hesitated for a moment, then cautioned, "Li Qian, don’t be too hasty to try, wait until your cultivation realm is stronger before attempting it. That way, it will be more certain."
The demon stone could mutate living beings step by step, even turning them into demons... The risk is too great.
Even with Li Qian’s Pure Sword Body, caution is necessary.
"Master, don’t worry, if I’m not completely sure, I won’t try it."
Li Qian said, nodding his head.
He cherished his own body greatly.
Even if the Pure Sword Body could not progress further, as long as he could steadily improve his cultivation realm, it would suffice.
There’s no need to take such a big risk.
"Mm."
Zhou Buping knew that his disciple had a steady personality and that he needn’t worry too much.
After finishing the conversation, Zhou Buping placed his hands behind his back and leisurely walked out of the bell tower, heading down the mountain to take a stroll and digest the information.
Li Qian looked at the black stone in his hand, not expecting it to have such a significant origin.
Demon stone.
Demons...
According to what his master said, demons are now nearly extinct, and if they appear, they are quickly eradicated...
Eventually, Li Qian wrapped the black stone in a thick layer of wax paper, neatly sealed it, and placed it in a wooden box, hiding it in a cellar.
This demon stone, capable of mutating lifeforms, needed to be stored with particular care.
He wasn’t in a hurry to study the black stone.
After all, he was about to break through to the late stage of the Innate True Qi Realm soon.
Wouldn’t it be safer to study the black stone when reaching the True Essence Realm, or even the True Pill Realm?
Li Qian suddenly looked toward a quiet child sitting still with messy hair, taking the child for a bath.
"Wait, it’s a girl?"
He suddenly froze.
Originally, based on the appearance, he thought it was a boy.
After the child took a bath, Li Qian had her change into new clothes.
These were clothes he had specifically bought for the child in Lijian City.
"Go to sleep quickly."
Li Qian let the child sleep in the bed that her master used to sleep in.
As the child lay down, she closed her eyes.
So obedient.
How could she be a fool?
Li Qian shook his head, then blew out the oil lamp and went up to the bell tower.
It wasn’t long before the sound of the watch gong faintly drifted from the mountains below.
Li Qian adjusted all of the hourglasses once again.
Next to the Chen Bell, he took out his precious sword and practiced the Heartless Sword Skill once, using this to comprehend the Sword Intent.
When one round was completed, he started practicing the Soul Chasing Swordsmanship.
As he practiced his swordsmanship, the bell sounds resonated continuously in his mind.
After finishing the practice, Li Qian was quite satisfied to see the progress of his Soul Chasing Swordsmanship improve a bit.
Returning to his room, he heard the child move, clearly not asleep yet.
He walked over.
The child quickly closed her eyes.
It seems she wasn’t particularly foolish.
Li Qian chuckled, returned to his own bed, sat cross-legged with the precious sword resting on his legs, and connected with the sword through the Heartless Sword Intent.
This was a unique Sword Nurturing Technique within the Heartless Sword Technique.
Nurturing the sword over time could create a special connection between the sword and the swordsman, able to be wielded as if by one’s own limbs, and eventually... as if it were part of one’s own body, ultimately achieving unity of person and sword.
Reaching such a state of nurturing the sword could then be referred to as the Divine Sword.
....
The next day.
It was still the hour of Yin, and Li Qian awoke on schedule.
The child’s breathing was steady, clearly sleeping soundly.
After washing up, Li Qian lifted the lid of the coal stove, added a few pieces of dry coal, then started rinsing rice and chopping various medicinal ingredients and Exotic Beast Meat Jerky into pieces before throwing them all into the pottery pot to stew the porridge, finally placing it on the coal stove to simmer.
After doing all this, he then went up to the bell tower.
A white fog enshrouded the rugged mountains.
It was going to be another sunny day.
Li Qian approached the Chen Bell, stretching out his hand to gently touch it.
The texture felt warm and smooth.
As if it was part of his own body.
Time passed, second by second.
As the sand in one hourglass ran out, Li Qian grabbed the hammer with one hand, gently exerting strength, and the heavy end of the hammer struck upon the Chen Bell.
Dong!
A clear and distant bell sound rang out, spreading into the distance, ringing through the skies of the Divine Sword Sect.
The ringing of the Chen Bell at the hour of Mao marked the start of the day.
Amidst the lingering sound of the bell, Li Qian first swallowed a large handful of Qi Blood Pills, then assumed his stance to begin his cultivation.
He had just completed one Grand Circulation cycle of the Heartless Sword Technique when a thin small figure slowly climbed up the stairs.
It was that child.
The child stood at the top of the stairs, not coming closer, just blankly staring at Li Qian, who was practicing his swordsmanship.
Li Qian noticed the child coming up but did not stop.
Because he could not stop.
After a full Grand Circulation of cultivation, the progression of his mid-stage True Qi Realm cultivation had naturally reached 100. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
The transformation officially started.
From the mid-stage of True Qi Realm, breaking through to the late stage—
This process was irreversible.
....
