Chapter 3638: True Spirit Essence

"Fellow Daoist Wang, your profound mastery of Dao techniques has truly broadened my horizons," Cao Yuzhen praised, her face filled with admiration. The greater Wang Changsheng's strength, the more prestige it brought to the Cao family. The attendance of such a powerful Mahayana cultivator at the Dao Debate Conference hosted by the Cao family underscored the high value and significance of the event.

"It's truly rare for Fellow Daoist Wang to cultivate his Spirit Domain to Great Perfection so quickly," Ni Tianlong reminded him. "However, the Heavenly Fiend Devil Lord's point is valid: since you possess the Thunder Apricot Jade Immortal Fruit, Mahayana cultivators will undoubtedly set their sights on you. You must be extra careful."

"The fruit isn't ripe yet; otherwise, why would I bother participating in this Dao Debate Conference?" Wang Changsheng said with a slight smile, speaking truthfully. "I'm hoping to acquire some Creation Jade Dew to ripen the fruit." Ripening the Thunder Apricot Jade Immortal Fruit required a large amount of Creation Jade Dew; three bottles would certainly not suffice.

"The Heavenly Fiend Devil Lord was defeated by Fellow Daoist Wang so quickly; I doubt the Ten Holy Ancestors of the Demon Realm are much stronger," Immortal Buzui quipped. As both were cultivators who had opened their spiritual orifices, the Heavenly Fiend Devil Lord's swift defeat made him feel that the Devil Lord was merely famous in name. What he didn't know was that Wang Changsheng hadn't activated his second orifice; otherwise, the Heavenly Fiend Devil Lord would have lost even faster. This was a hidden trump card that Wang Changsheng wished to keep secret. With his mid-Mahayana cultivation, having opened one orifice and cultivated his Spirit Domain to Great Perfection, he could already deter many Mahayana cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist Han, you must know about the Three Sages of Bloodlight, right?" Cao Yuzhen asked, deftly changing the subject without waiting for an answer.

"I've heard of them," Immortal Buzui replied, puzzled. "They are Mahayana cultivators from the Bloodlight Realm, highly skilled in combined attack techniques. They once fought against late-Mahayana cultivators without being at a disadvantage. Why do you ask? What's their connection to the Heavenly Fiend Devil Lord?"

"According to information from the July Pavilion, they are already dead, killed by the Heavenly Fiend Devil Lord," Cao Yuzhen explained. "His defeat to Fellow Daoist Wang wasn't due to his weakness, but rather Fellow Daoist Wang's overwhelming strength. Of course, this was merely a sparring match; he still possesses many secret techniques he hasn't used. If he were to truly employ those, it would be a battle to the death." She added that the Cao family had been searching for the Three Sages of Bloodlight for a matter and, unable to find them, had inquired with the July Pavilion, only then discovering they had been killed by the Heavenly Fiend Devil Lord.

"The Heavenly Fiend Devil Lord's position as one of the Ten Holy Ancestors of the Demon Realm naturally implies he possesses genuine abilities," Qin Hao stated. "However, he is indeed not the strongest. I've heard that the Nightmare Holy Ancestor of the Demon Realm has opened two orifices and fought a true spirit, the Asura Spider, managing to injure it." The Jiuyuan Merchant Alliance, known for conducting business across various realms, was particularly well-informed.

"The Nightmare Holy Ancestor isn't the strongest either; the Profound Talisman Holy Ancestor is," Cao Yuzhen sighed. "The Blood River Evil Monarch, the foremost Mahayana cultivator in the Bloodlight Realm, who has opened two orifices and can contend with a true spirit without falling into a disadvantage, is simply no match for the Profound Talisman Holy Ancestor."

Wang Changsheng and the other Mahayana cultivators present were somewhat surprised; had Cao Yuzhen not mentioned it, they would have remained completely unaware. This was, in fact, one of the reasons they attended the Dao Debate Conference. Much crucial information was not easily disseminated, nor did it become common knowledge. Without access to certain circles, one would simply remain uninformed. For instance, the Mahayana cultivators who witnessed Wang Changsheng's sparring match with the Heavenly Fiend Devil Lord would certainly not spread the news widely, which would lead some Mahayana cultivators to continue believing that Wang Changsheng had only opened one orifice.

"So, even opening two orifices isn't enough to kill a true spirit?" Gongsun Yang asked, curious.

"True spirits also vary in strength," Qin Hao slowly explained. "A true spirit that has opened one orifice can be as powerful as a Mahayana cultivator who has opened two. It's not necessarily true that opening more orifices makes one stronger; external factors like secret arts, treasures, spirit beasts, formations, and secret talismans are also crucial. For example, Changchunzi from the Evergreen Realm, who hasn't opened any orifices, raised two Eighth-Rank true spirit descendants and managed to kill a Mahayana-early cultivator who had opened an orifice. Similarly, Xuanzhenzi from the Profound Moon Realm, using his improved ancient formation, eliminated a Mahayana-mid cultivator who had opened an orifice." He concluded that there are no invincible cultivators, only those who haven't yet met their match, as all things are interdependent and mutually restrictive."That's true," Ye Xuanji chimed in, offering her perspective. "However, simply being able to open an orifice already surpasses most Mahayana cultivators. Not everyone can raise two true spirit descendants like Changchunzi, nor can everyone improve ancient formations like Xuanzhenzi." She noted that such examples were indeed rare.

"The Profound Talisman Holy Ancestor's Profound Talisman Spirit Transformation Art is quite interesting," Wang Ruyan said curiously. "It allows one to inscribe runes onto a cultivator's body, granting them incredible divine abilities." She noted that the Heavenly Fiend Devil Lord possessed this art, which, combined with his powerful demonic physique, gave him extremely strong recovery abilities, making it very effective for him.

"It's said this secret art originates from the Heavenly Void Jade Scroll, but its success rate is very low," Cao Yuzhen explained. "It requires multiple rare materials and the assistance of an Eighth-Rank talisman master for refinement. Lady Tianfu, one of the Ten Holy Ancestors of the Demon Realm, is also a subordinate of the Profound Talisman Holy Ancestor and an Eighth-Rank talisman master. Several of the Profound Talisman Holy Ancestor's subordinates have mastered this secret art, which is a major factor in their inclusion among the Ten Holy Ancestors." She elaborated that these subordinates used the Profound Talisman Spirit Transformation Art to inscribe runes on their bodies, gaining various enhancements like increased speed, improved recovery, or resistance to lightning strikes.

"I heard that Lord Yin Fu is also attending this Dao Debate Conference. Has he not arrived yet?" Wang Changsheng asked curiously, recalling the information Qin Hao had revealed. Lord Yin Fu was proficient in talisman arts and an orifice opener, making him an ideal person for Wang Ruyan to exchange knowledge with regarding talisman techniques.

"Not yet," Cao Yuzhen explained. "He's probably on his way."

After more than an hour of casual conversation, Cao Yuzhen suggested exchanging items, and all the cultivators readily agreed. Wang Changsheng managed to trade for two materials needed to open his third orifice, meaning he now only needed to find five more to achieve it. In addition to orifice-opening materials, he also obtained materials for refining a Profound Heaven Treasure. Master Miaode acquired talisman-making materials, while Ni Tianlong showed great interest in illusion-related items. Both Wang Ruyan and Wang Yulan secured some talisman-making materials, and Li Tianhe traded for two Myriad-Weight Fruits. Everyone present gained something of value.

Half an hour later, Immortal Buzui stood up and presented over a hundred types of materials, encompassing alchemy, artifact refining, talisman crafting, and formation arrangement. He then stated the items he wished to exchange for. "The Qiongguang Immortal Fruit?" Qin Hao asked curiously. "This is the primary ingredient for brewing Qiongguang Pills, and Qiongguang Pills are immortal elixirs! Fellow Daoist Han, do you have the pill recipe?"

"The Qiongguang Immortal Fruit isn't solely for alchemy; it can also be used for brewing wine," Immortal Buzui explained, his gaze subtly shifting to Cao Yuzhen. Among all the Mahayana cultivators present, only the Cao family possessed the Qiongguang Immortal Fruit.

"Fellow Daoist Han, what's in that jade bottle?" Cao Tianhu asked, pointing to a green jade bottle.

"It's the essence blood of a True Spirit Hundred-Headed Worm," Immortal Buzui explained. "It's an excellent material for alchemy and can also be used to cultivate spirit insects." He added that the essence blood was particularly suitable for cultivating spirit insects, offering some assistance in their advancement.

"True spirit essence blood?" Cao Yuzhen's interest was piqued. Gongsun Yang, Ni Tianlong, Wang Changsheng, and the others looked on with intense curiosity, as true spirit essence blood was exceptionally rare. Immortal Buzui then pulled open the stopper, allowing a peculiar scent to waft out. With a gentle flick of his wrist, some pale golden liquid flew from the jade bottle, shimmering as it hovered in mid-air.