Chapter 535: Magic Fetus Origin, Two Plans Running in Parallel

These records included not only tasks assigned by the sect but also detailed accounts of individual cultivators' activities, particularly those related to background checks. They were even more detailed than the sect's official history.

However, when a cultivator's power reached its peak, the authenticity of these records often became questionable. Back then, Nine Evils had just broken through to the late Nascent Soul stage and hadn't yet attained a higher status. He died in Fengzhou at the hands of many demons.

His information was retrievable, and the Evil Sword Mountain Lord, not daring to disobey Wang Yu's command, quickly led him personally to the archives to conduct a search.

About fifteen minutes later, a spiritual jade slip was swiftly delivered to Wang Yu.

The Nine Evils Sword Lord, originally named Guo Qiu, hailed from Fangshan City in Yeqiong Prefecture. Born with a superior atypical spiritual root, he was sent to the sect by his father and elder brother. At 50 years old, he achieved Foundation Establishment and officially began cultivating the "Demonic Sword Scripture of Victory," absorbing others' vital essence to enhance his cultivation.

At 180, he killed the Young Ancestor of the Fire Demon Palace and acquired a Core Formation spiritual item, breaking through to the Core Formation stage six months later. At 524, upon returning from the Gui Ming Ruins, his innate talent reached its pinnacle, and he successfully bid for a Nascent Soul breakthrough spiritual item at a Heaven-grade auction held at the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Three years after that, he formally formed his Nascent Soul, becoming one of the patriarchs of Evil Sword Peak. From that point on, he took many wives and concubines; his main wife was the third daughter of the Zhuo Clan's Sacred Stone lineage, and he had twenty-six concubines. He disappeared at the beginning of the righteous-demonic war. (Note: He is most likely deceased; the culprit is unknown, but the Northern Demon Clan is suspected.)

The information provided was concisely accurate. It clearly detailed several significant milestones in his life, and the four characters "Gui Ming Ruins" particularly caught his attention.

"Evil Sword Mountain Lord, where are the Gui Ming Ruins located?"

The old man leaned closer, pondering.

"These ruins are actually already abandoned…" He stopped mid-sentence as he met Wang Yu's subtly warning gaze, quickly changing his explanation. "This place belongs to the Nether Mountain Sect's territory, located among the South Sea Islands. Ever since Nine Evils returned from there, the ruins have been abandoned. I don't know the exact reason."

Only then did Wang Yu withdraw his intense gaze.

The Ancient Sect of Heaven-Sea was also located in the Chaotic Ancient Sea, specifically in the East Sea. However, the advancement of the "Profound Origin Demonic Embryo Secret Art" was of paramount importance, so he had to personally visit, no matter the distance. Therefore, his next route would involve heading south into the sea, then moving northeast until he reached the Ancient Sect of Heaven-Sea.

He had just mentally reviewed his plan when, outside the hall, a burst of laughter suddenly rang out. A familiar figure pushed the door open, his gaze immediately locking onto Wang Yu.

"Brother Wang, how have you been? It's been years."

"Zuo Qiuming?"

The period Wang Yu spent cooperating with the Three Young Masters of Rebellion Spirit was a significant part of his life, and Zuo Qiuming was the one he respected the most. Zhuo Shouqing was now dead, Yu Xing and his sister had vanished into the Savage Ancient Plains, and Zuo Qiuming, due to the wartime situation, had been confined to his ancestral home in Xianyin. Consequently, many years had passed since they last met.

Wang Yu was surprised by this unexpected reunion. He observed the peak Core Formation cultivator, whose appearance now suggested middle age. The hair that once changed color daily, never repeating a style, was now neatly tied into a topknot. His clothes, which used to be perpetually open at the chest, were now tightly fastened, and his voice had lost its previous recklessness and wildness, becoming more mature. While his fundamental nature remained unchanged, his approach to affairs had clearly become more disciplined, evidently tempered by reality.

"Come, let's go somewhere else to talk," Wang Yu said, putting his arm around Zuo Qiuming's shoulder as they walked out together. The Evil Sword Mountain Lord watched their retreating figures, lost in thought, a slight apprehension stirring within him. He quickly suppressed it, constantly reminding himself not to overstep. Wang Yu's inquiry about Nine Evils clearly had some connection to him. He had also heard about the past grievances between the two.

"The Gui Ming Ruins... if it doesn't concern me, I won't worry about it," he muttered. The Evil Sword Mountain Lord then proceeded with his duties as if Wang Yu had never been there, showing no change in demeanor.

Outside Evil Sword Peak, Zuo Qiuming looked at Wang Yu with a complex expression and said, "Times have changed, and you and I are now people from two different worlds. I am far beneath you. Let's forget about eating and drinking; I actually came to you at someone's request."

Wang Yu frowned at his words. He wasn't one to dismiss old friends, but the disparity between a Spirit Transformation and a Core Formation cultivator was too vast. Zuo Qiuming simply couldn't withstand the enemies Wang Yu had. Appearing too close would only bring harm to Zuo Qiuming. Especially since the Crimson Heaven Demonic Venerable remained a significant threat, and even if Wang Yu wanted to eliminate them, there was no opportune moment in sight. None of the three prominent families of the Rebel Spirit Blood Sect could withstand being targeted by a Spirit Transformation cultivator; these families most feared solitary powerhouses. A sudden, decisive strike would be unbearable for anyone.

Considering this, Wang Yu said, "Very well, the troubles dogging me haven't been fully resolved yet. Being too close to me could very well bring you harm."

Zuo Qiuming, unaware of Wang Yu's true cultivation realm and still assuming he was at the Nascent Soul stage, merely thought Wang Yu was joking. Troubles of that magnitude were of no concern to his Zuoqiu clan.

Getting back to the main topic, "Oh, right, a female cultivator entrusted this to me for you. She said she had something important to discuss."

Zuo Qiuming handed over an encrypted spiritual jade slip, which carried a strong aura of Heavenly Demon malevolence. Only then did Wang Yu recall what he had forgotten: Dou Zhao!

The hundred-year period they had agreed upon when they parted ways had long passed, and he had been away from the Northern Demon Clan's ancestral land for a long time. He truly hadn't expected her to find Zuo Qiuming to deliver a message. Forgetting about his disciple was indeed rather absurd. However, given the immense pressure he was under, overlooking such a minor detail was perhaps inevitable. When he had originally chosen to take Dou Zhao as his disciple and teach her the Demonic Embryo Secret Art, it certainly wasn't out of a pure love for teaching.

It was true that Wang Yu admired the character and willpower Dou Zhao displayed during her past experiences. This was also one reason Wang Yu was convinced she would grow strong if she encountered a true opportunity—and coincidentally, he could provide that opportunity himself. Yet these were only partial reasons. Wang Yu's true motive for teaching her the Demonic Embryo Secret Art was, in part, an intention to emulate figures like Nine Evils and Fu Xiao. He considered her a potential reserve for devouring, a potential catalyst to further enhance his physique at a crucial moment. However, the "strong bond" that coincidentally formed later altered some of his initial thoughts, just as he had been willing to let Tao Sixuan leave.

Wang Yu possessed his own set of principles. Whether one called him evil or hypocritical, he always made decisions based on his own choices. He was fundamentally different from most demonic cultivators with twisted personalities.

After a moment of thought, Wang Yu asked, "Where is she?"

"She's waiting in Myriad Treasures City."

"I see. And could you please help me gather information about the Gui Ming Ruins? Ideally, I'd like to hear something within ten days."

"Leave it to me." Zuo Qiuming gave his assurance and promptly departed, not even asking how the information should be delivered once acquired. His careless habit was just as it had been before.

Wang Yu shook his head helplessly. After sending a spiritual secret message to the Blood Demon Hall, he departed without looking back. The Rebel Spirit Blood Sect's mountain gate offered little of interest, apart from the unique demonic star formation established ten thousand years ago. Little else there genuinely attracted him. Only the fifth-grade spiritual meridian was notable, and the Blood Demon Hall Master was a natural ally who would undoubtedly prove useful in the future. Maintaining this relationship was essential. As for engaging in a life-and-death struggle with the Sword Sect for the sake of the Rebel Spirit Blood Sect or Chi Yuan, there was no immediate need. The Rebel Spirit Blood Sect would find it difficult to provide what he truly needed. At its core, its foundation simply couldn't compare to a major demonic power like the Heaven-Refining Demonic Sect. It couldn't afford to support two Spirit Transformation cultivators, which was also why the Blood Demon Hall Master hadn't stopped him from leaving. Their unspoken understanding remained strong; maintaining strategic alignment would benefit both parties.

Half a day later, the Blood Abyss State, though once considered vast, now felt somewhat small to Wang Yu. If two cultivators of his current realm were to truly battle, they could likely lay waste to half the state. Only desolate areas like the Endless Ice Plains were truly suitable for Spirit Transformation cultivators to engage in combat; otherwise, the resulting destruction would inflict losses unbearable for the lord of the territory.

Myriad Treasures City, Fuxin Tower.

Using his primordial spirit power to scan the entire city and bypassing the restrictions set by the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, Wang Yu discreetly entered the city and easily located Dou Zhao. Many years had passed, and her transformation was astonishing. The pink ruqun dress she once favored had been replaced by a sleek, black robe adorned with red butterfly patterns. Her dark hair was neatly tied up high, giving her an exceptionally spirited and bold appearance. Her beautiful eyes, once alluring and shimmering, were now as deep and unfathomable as an ancient well, her gaze cautiously scanning everything around her. She seemed to be constantly assessing risks and potential escape routes. The lower half of her face was covered by a ghastly, demon-like mask that lent her an air of malevolence and aggression. Her transformation from an innocent novice to a ruthless demonic cultivator had taken only a century. Her cultivation speed also greatly satisfied Wang Yu.

With a flicker of his figure, he silently appeared behind Dou Zhao, lowering his head close to her ear — her most sensitive spot. "You've just entered the mid-Core Formation stage. Not bad, the speed is quite good."

Someone suddenly appearing so close caught her off guard. Dou Zhao's pupils contracted, and a fierce glint flashed in her eyes. Just as she was about to unleash a desperate attack, Wang Yu grabbed her wrist and remarked with a hint of emotion, "It's been over a hundred years. Little girl, don't tell me you don't even recognize your master."

Dou Zhao was instantly stunned. She sharply turned to see the handsome young man dressed in white, like freshly fallen snow, and her eyes immediately welled up. With a trembling voice, she asked, "It's been over a hundred years. I've been to the Northern Demon Clan, and I secretly returned to Water Cloud Immortal Capital, but under the rule of the demonic path, it's long since lost its former appearance. Later, I inquired about your past deeds, which led me to Zuo Qiuming. Master... did you forget about Zhaor?"

Wang Yu's expression remained calm. "What nonsense are you talking about? I was merely delayed by some matters."

Just then, Xue Yu suddenly darted out from the Demon Locking Bracelet. During the fifty years Wang Yu was in seclusion, she had successfully advanced her bloodline, elevating herself from low Heaven-grade to peak Heaven-grade through the upgraded Human Desire Method. One more step, and she could become an Ancient Relic Species. This meant evolving into a ferocious beast bloodline, growing an eighth tail, just one step away from reverting to her ancestor, the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox. This final step was difficult to achieve even with numerous bloodline treasures; in the Ice Prison Realm, the probability of success was practically nil. Xue Yu had currently reached her bloodline's bottleneck. Her cultivation remained at the mid-fourth stage, roughly equivalent to a human cultivator at the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage. This rapid progress was entirely thanks to her bloodline advancement boosting her cultivation. From now on, she would have to rely on her own efforts.

Of course, since the bloodline path was temporarily unfeasible, the clever Xue Yu naturally had other ways to "exploit" her master and live comfortably. There were many matters to attend to before leaving the Chi Yuan Demonic Domain this time. Among the most anticipated was a visit to the Old Demon Hongchen at the Joyful Demonic Sect; Xue Yu thought it would be opportune to acquire some dual cultivation techniques and secret arts.

Her sudden appearance was met with a flurry of chatter directed at Dou Zhao. "Little sister Zhaor, you're finally back! You have no idea how many dangers Master has faced recently. Those Spirit Transformation cultivators are fiercer than each other! How could Master's small frame endure it? It was all thanks to your sister Xue Yu's painstaking efforts, fully utilizing her clever fox mind, that Master overcame one challenge after another. The difficulties you've faced over the past century are ones Master experienced in the past, and even more so. If you want to be Master's disciple, you naturally have to endure it, wouldn't you agree?"

Before Wang Yu could stop her, he heard Xue Yu spewing a stream of lies. Except for the final sentence, which held some semblance of truth, her other claims were utterly flawed. Crucially, Dou Zhao hadn't spent much time with the two of them. At that time, she was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, naturally completely overshadowed by Xue Yu, who was already at the fourth stage. This sudden performance truly bewildered her. For a moment, she even stammered.

"R-really?"

"Absolutely!"

The unexpected interjection saved Wang Yu many words. He didn't know how much time had passed, but by the time the two girls returned, laughing and chatting happily, it was already evening.

At the restaurant, they ordered a large table of spirit food. Wang Yu listened as Dou Zhao recounted her experiences over the past century, all while considering how to approach the topic of arranging for her to complete the trials at the Ancient Beast Ancestral God Mountain. Even if the Beast God's remnant consciousness there had dissipated, among its many remaining legacies, there must be secret methods for primordial spirit cultivation. Thus, Wang Yu wanted to pursue multiple paths simultaneously and have Dou Zhao try it; she would certainly benefit.

However, this idea remained unsaid even until late the next morning, especially with Xue Yu constantly egging them on. They revisited that hot spring night from years ago. Wang Yu temporarily lost the inclination to discuss serious matters. He decided to indulge himself in Myriad Treasures City for over half a month, experiencing all sorts of consumption activities unique to Chi Yuan. Only then did he take Dou Zhao to the Joyful Demonic Sect. Yu Hongchen and Ji Changjing had been in the Glazed Pagoda for a while, and since his life-bound magical artifact was currently upgrading, too many "impurities" might have an adverse effect.

However, matters had to be dealt with one by one. After his breakthrough, he had been exceedingly busy, having not even fully settled scores with old enemies. Coupled with over half a month of indulgence, Wang Yu's movements inevitably became much swifter. Such was the clarity after indulgence.

And so, five days later, the combined escape light of master and disciple traversed several states, finally arriving at the renowned Joyful Demonic Sect.