Chapter 384: New Arrangements, Oath of Allegiance

Nascent Souls are categorized into three levels: False Soul, True Soul, and Heavenly Soul.

A False Soul is a "dead soul." Huang Jiu is a prime example of this type, and some special unorthodox methods can temporarily grant one the combat power of a False Soul.

True Souls and Heavenly Souls differ only in size. A True Soul ranges from one to eight inches, while a Heavenly Soul is nine inches. This slight difference in measurement represents a vast disparity; the latter significantly surpasses the former in both potential and comprehension. Even the speed of teleportation techniques is faster for a Heavenly Soul.

A True Soul smaller than three inches will never achieve Soul Transformation. The robustness of a Nascent Soul depends entirely on one's foundational strength, specifically the intensity of the three treasures: Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

Wang Yu's Nascent Soul undoubtedly reached nine inches, a very robust thirty-centimeter Nascent Soul. After soul fusion, his Nascent Soul resembled an internal body constructed from demonic essence, divine sense, and mystical patterns of divine abilities. It could even abandon its original physical body to seize another and be reborn. However, the original body ultimately proves more effective due to its tighter connection and natural compatibility.

The cultivation of a Nascent Soul primarily involves two aspects: first, the accumulation of demonic essence, and second, the strengthening of the Nascent Soul itself.

The former, as always, requires continuous cultivation of demonic essence to increase its limit. One hundred strands of spiritual power convert into a single drop of demonic essence. To reach the peak of the first stage of Nascent Soul, one needs to accumulate two thousand drops. At this point, simple accumulation is no longer sufficient for breakthrough. The Nascent Soul must be robust enough to contain more demonic essence!

Unlike spiritual power, demonic essence continuously circulates between the Nascent Soul and the Qi Sea, forming a complete circuit of meridians similar to those described in cultivation techniques. Refined magic treasures also circulate within this system, nourished by the demonic essence. Thus, unless severely damaged, they commonly last until the end of their lifespan. They can even be inherited by descendants. A cultivator's personal magic treasure can grow continuously with its owner. Currently, his Glazed Ice Heart Pagoda constantly circulates within this demonic essence system.

Perhaps due to his exceptionally solid foundation and abundant nourishing materials, the Glazed Pagoda's advancement was significantly faster than that of the Evil Dragon Armor, even though he only broke through to the Nascent Soul stage later. He estimated that it would smoothly advance to a fourth-tier magic treasure within a year, which was already an exceptionally fast pace.

The methods for cultivating a Nascent Soul are also quite simple. Cultivating techniques is one aspect, as the circulation of demonic essence stimulates the Nascent Soul's growth. Another common method is consuming pills and absorbing spiritual energy. The third method involves comprehending the mysteries of divine abilities. The profound spiritual light generated at the moment a divine ability reaches perfection can nourish the Nascent Soul, serving as the best supplement. However, this method is not easily achieved. Most cultivators still rely diligently on cultivation techniques to slowly strengthen their Nascent Souls. As for unorthodox methods of strengthening the Nascent Soul, few use them unless they are desperate about their path.

Wang Yu had condensed a nine-inch Heavenly Soul. Before breaking through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, he wouldn't need to worry about his Nascent Soul's strength being insufficient; it could support his cultivation up to the fourth level of the Nascent Soul stage. By then, stronger cultivation techniques and more heavenly materials and earthly treasures would be available. These would undoubtedly make his Nascent Soul even more powerful. This aspect was not a major concern.

Currently, he only possessed a hundred drops of demonic essence, and stabilizing his realm was merely a pretext. The crucial task was to reorganize his placement slots. With the breakthrough in his realm, his "benefit period" of rapid cultivation advancement, similar to a Heavenly Spirit Root breaking through to Core Formation, had passed. While he still held an advantage over others, it was no longer as exaggerated as when he was weaker.

His dual placement slots increased from "100 wisps/day" to "10 strands/day," a tenfold increase in magnitude. While not as dramatic as the initial hundredfold amplification, it was still quite good. Following the rule of a hundred strands forming one drop, he would need an increase of 1900 drops of demonic essence to cultivate to the peak of the first Nascent Soul stage. He estimated it would take only about 52 years to reach this peak, and he could then break through to the second stage. Considering the 1600-year lifespan of a Nascent Soul cultivator, this speed was incredibly impressive. Despite being less than two hundred years old, Wang Yu still felt it was much slower than before. Following this trend, cultivation would only get slower as he progressed. It was indeed time to accelerate his placement slot planning.

"Seven slots..."

As he pondered, Wang Yu allocated the first three slots to the Ice Soul Sacred Demonic Scripture. Since its completion, this cultivation technique had been steadily advancing towards the fourth tier. It was now his 60th year as an elder. The progress bar was only a small portion away from leveling up, requiring at most four or five more years. Therefore, there was no rush to switch cultivation techniques; with his current cultivation, he would naturally obtain the corresponding techniques upon returning to Cold Blood Peak.

He began planning from the fourth placement slot. The progress bar for the Cold Chi Alchemy Art was only one-third complete. With the entirely new perspective and soaring fundamental attributes gained after advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, the time required for further deduction was halved.

Slot five: Corpse Devil Secret Art. For the future of body tempering, this secret art had to be completed. Only then would he have a path to draw upon; otherwise, he would need to consider searching overseas for the origin of the Flood Dragon Technique. Now that he could place it, the deduction time decreased from two hundred years to fifty, which was acceptable.

As his cultivation realm advanced, Wang Yu's perception of time was constantly changing. Previously, seven or eight years seemed too long, but now, a span of fifty years felt appropriate. What was nearly a lifetime for mortals was just a single deduction for him. Of course, if he actually had to sit still for fifty years, he might not be able to. The placement slots were still essential!

Slot six: Blood Slaughtering Heart Sword, a fourth-tier Slaughter Dao divine ability. It was perfectly suited for his current stage. While spell arts improved tier by tier, divine abilities could continuously evolve from low to high through cultivation. Besides the accumulation and growth of corresponding power, the key lay in comprehending the mysteries of divine abilities. In other words, it was called—Dao Intent!

Back then, when Wang Yu obtained the Aurora Escape Technique, he had been puzzled. He clearly remembered that comprehending the Aurora Dao Intent could elevate this escape technique to the pinnacle, achieving top-tier fourth-level escape speed. Refining the Rainbow Feather Strange Stone could also enable this escape technique to reach top-tier fourth-level escape speed, and if both were achieved, it could even reach the fifth tier. Heavenly materials and earthly treasures were a bonus. Dao Intent was the proper path for divine abilities to advance. Wang Yu even suspected that the reason divine abilities could strengthen the Nascent Soul was only marginally due to the profound spiritual light generated at their perfection. The main benefit likely came from the Dao Intent itself.

He currently had no clue how to comprehend Dao Intent, so he prioritized placing the Slaughter Dao divine ability to ensure he had trump cards available. Once his magic treasure successfully advanced, the Twelve Lunar Phases would become his ultimate ace. Part of the reason for this secluded cultivation was to wait for these divine abilities to first reach great accomplishment, and then to await the opportune moment for their perfection. Before reaching perfection, he had no starting point for comprehending Dao Intent. Perhaps the Asura Killing Fist, with which he was more familiar, would be the most suitable for him to try. He was also considering whether he could take a shortcut by using the placement slots for deduction and advancement. However, there was no rush to try it for now.

For the final slot, number seven, he placed the Ten Directions Freezing Devil Fist. This divine ability possessed integrating power and was not far from minor accomplishment, allowing him to leverage his advantage in ice-attribute techniques. If he could transform his multiple perfected divine abilities into a single fist technique, integrating all his methods into one world-shaking punch, its power might even surpass the Twelve Lunar Phases. This was a proactive preparation.

With the organization complete, he officially entered seclusion. While stabilizing his realm and familiarizing himself with the power of the Nascent Soul stage, he also awaited the successful advancement of the Glazed Pagoda. It was widely known that a cultivator was only complete with a magic treasure.

A year later, calling it the Glazed Ice Heart Pagoda seemed somewhat inappropriate. Its enhancement in the path of the mind was limited; it offered Wang Yu more assistance with ice-attribute divine abilities. Specifically, the scripture engravings of the Twelve Lunar Phases, Aurora Escape Technique, and Ice Soul Divine Light, inscribed upon it, had completely merged with the pagoda's body.

Inside the fourth-tier cave abode, a nine-story glazed pagoda emanated spiritual light before Wang Yu's seated figure. Its body, while predominantly black, was transparent like glazed glass, and the spherical jade stone at its peak resembled a full moon. It emitted a hazy spiritual glow, with wisps of shimmering, colorful energy circulating around its body, making it appear even more ethereal.

Having already advanced to a low-grade fourth-tier magic treasure, its strength was also sufficient. There was no need to worry about it being too fragile or impractical for heavy use. In this state, it was sufficient for him to engage in combat with other Nascent Soul cultivators. Combined with his body-tempering cultivation, it shouldn't be too difficult to defeat some early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

Furthermore, the complete unlocking of the Lunar Dark Eyes inheritance jade slip revealed it to be a Nascent Soul secret art, progressing from first-tier "Moon Gaze," second-tier "Illusory Moon," third-tier "Falling Moon," to fourth-tier "Void Moon"! Its applications in the Spatial Dao were even more refined. If Falling Moon was a summoning technique, then Void Moon was a spatial eye technique. It condensed from broad and extensive to small and refined, allowing one to disrupt space using the power of the Lunar Star where one's gaze was locked. The initial effect was to chaotically twist a localized space. It could be used as a defensive barrier or an eye technique to bind enemies. If cultivated to perfection, it could open a genuine spatial rift. Crossing it would lead to being lost in the void. It could also be used as an offensive eye technique, as the tearing and cutting properties of space are inherently among the most powerful offensive divine abilities in the world.

However, Wang Yu could glimpse its next development direction. That was positioning and strengthening its connection with the Lunar Star. Relying solely on its own power, it would be difficult to gain the ability to cross worlds, a feat even Soul Transformation cultivators could not achieve. Otherwise, why would they believe in ascension legends? His Falling Moon eye technique was not yet perfected, let alone beginning the cultivation of the Void Moon eye technique. It was worth noting that the Lunar Dark Eyes was a modification-type secret art. The deeper one cultivated it, the greater the changes to the eyes. So far, it seemed to be a positive development and a hidden fallback for Wang Yu. If all else failed, he could try the old path of the Lunar Sect, which would serve as a retreat.

As for his cultivation path after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, besides a future trip to the Sacred Lord's Heavenly Palace, which would undoubtedly lead him back to the Endless Ice Plains for a second time, the impending righteous-demonic war was also an opportunity for him. Meiling City, Yougu Feng Clan. They should have many high-grade spirit stones, right? He thought to himself.

The next day, Wang Yu emerged from seclusion and instructed a servant to notify Old Ancestor Qingyi. That very evening, he entered the Meiling City Lord's residence, naturally receiving the highest level of hospitality. The quality of the singing, dancing, and beautiful courtesans at the banquet was quite high. The grand hall where the banquet was held was the largest venue in the city, with over seventy dancing girls of Foundation Establishment cultivation performing below the stage, and the lead dancer had even reached the Core Formation stage.

Wang Yu and Old Ancestor Qingyi sat on the high platform, accompanied by the younger generation of the Yougu Feng Clan. The taste of such power, besides inspiring emotion, only evoked envy. The development models for individuals and clans differed slightly. Powerful individuals often possessed a large amount of "cash," with a unique consumption pattern of spending it all at once, whereas clans primarily focused on fixed assets. Places for entertainment, artifact refining workshops, talismans production facilities, mines, orchards, and other sources generated more income for clans, but when distributed among individuals, the amount decreased; some received more, others less. However, the speed at which clans earned spirit stones far surpassed that of individual powerful cultivators. There was also a huge disparity in total wealth, but the disposable amount was actually less than that of individual powerhouses. What clans could promise were mostly long-term benefits. This was commonly known as "drawing a big pie."

This approach didn't work for demonic cultivators, as they prioritized immediate gains. This was precisely what Wang Yu intended to discuss with Old Ancestor Qingyi.

"Fellow Daoist Ice Demon."

"Fellow Daoist Qingyi."

As dawn approached, after Qingyi dismissed the dancers and many clan members, keeping only the Meiling City Lord, he spoke. "Let's be frank. I've heard some rumors about you in Feng Province, that you came from the territory of the Heaven Refining Demonic Sect?"

"Indeed." Wang Yu didn't deny it, nodding. "The Endless Ice Plains is a sacred cultivation ground for ice-attribute cultivators in this realm. I went there precisely to achieve a breakthrough, thanks to the spiritual veins of your esteemed land."

Old Ancestor Qingyi's eyebrows twitched, and he probed, "May I ask, Fellow Daoist, where is your immortal hometown?"

"How can one who roams freely have a hometown? That was four or five hundred years ago. Does Fellow Daoist Qingyi wish to hear about it?"

"Why not tell me? I am over a thousand years old and should be able to clear up some of your doubts."

Wang Yu raised his cup in a toast. "The word 'homesickness' carries too much weight. Let's not speak of it, lest it dampen everyone's spirits."

With the conversation at this point, Old Ancestor Qingyi's meaning was clear: *My friend, your origins are unclear, and they dare not employ you, especially now, on the verge of war.* If something went wrong, the Yougu Feng Clan could not bear the consequences. In the past, righteous cultivators had disguised themselves as demonic cultivators, stirring up trouble in Chiyuan. While demonic essence could serve as proof, the world contained countless secret arts, so there might be methods to feign or simulate it. With existing historical issues, they dared not take the risk. Wang Yu's reply was tantamount to openly telling them, "Yes, my origins are indeed problematic. So, will you use me or not?" throwing the question back at them.

Old Ancestor Qingyi and the Meiling City Lord exchanged a glance. They were somewhat undecided.

"The sky is brightening, and my realm is now stable. If Fellow Daoist Qingyi has no other matters, I shall return to the Ice Plains. I will surely return this hospitality should we meet again in the future."

"Haha, no rush, no rush." Old Ancestor Qingyi stood up and sat directly opposite Wang Yu. He then began to complain. "Fellow Daoist, you don't know how eager the Feng Clan is for talented individuals right now. Why not stay in Meiling City for a few more days?"

With that, he clapped his hands, and immediately a pair of twin sisters entered from outside the hall. Their charming faces and captivating gazes were utterly enchanting, and their delicate beauty was striking.

Wang Yu hesitated slightly. A honey trap? Were they trying to delay his departure?

Qingyi continued, "I heard Fellow Daoist is skilled in the Grand Dao of Human Pills. How about helping this old man with something? The war is still some time away, so there's no need to rush to avoid trouble." His mention of "avoiding trouble" referred to the outbreak of war. All rogue cultivators within the territory of the Spirit-Reversing Blood Sect would be conscripted, and even Nascent Soul cultivators could not avoid it. Unless they remained hidden forever, they would eventually be sought out.

"In alchemy, I do have some experience. What kind of help do you need specifically?"

"Refine the spies from Taihu Lake into Human Pills!"

With that, Wang Yu understood. It was an act of allegiance. That made things easier to resolve.