Chapter 568: Chan'er Condenses the Infant, Chaos Outside Changes

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The next day.

It was already mid-morning. The morning light streamed through the window lattice, falling upon the thin brocade quilt. Two intertwined figures slowly separated, and Xiao Chan'er stirred, rising with difficulty.

She said softly, "Please go attend to your duties. I truly can't move."

Wang Yu's expression showed a hint of regret upon hearing this. Sometimes, having an overly powerful physique isn't entirely beneficial.

"This Blood Infant Pill is for you."

Tantai Chan was momentarily stunned. "Me?"

"That's right."

The Longevity Blood Infant Pill is a Human Dao Blood Pill designed to enhance the spiritual power of Nascent Soul cultivators. Its primary ingredient is the Nascent Soul of other cultivators. If ingested by someone in the Core Formation stage, there's a ninety percent chance they will explode and die.

Tantai Chan herself possessed only a three-spirit root aptitude, her potential was not remarkable, and it would be very difficult for her to form a Nascent Soul using this item alone. Her situation was entirely different from Dou Zhao's and couldn't be compared.

However, with Wang Yu by her side, the circumstances changed.

"You primarily cultivate the Dan Scripture, and I also have some accomplishments in this path. I can forcibly raise your cultivation to the Nascent Soul stage, using the power of this breakthrough to purify your body and transform your aptitude. But that will be the extent of it. In the future, breaking through to higher realms will depend entirely on your own fate and fortune."

In other words, her potential was inherently limited. The peak of Core Formation was already her limit. Wang Yu could boost her cultivation once, but this was only possible due to his Divine Transformation cultivation. He wouldn't be able to do it a second time. This was also a reward for her dedicated service over the years.

"I..." Tantai Chan murmured again, tears streaming down her face as she looked at the blood-red spiritual pill in her hand. She whispered, "I know you've always been kind to those around you, but I never imagined you would care so much for a mere plaything."

Wang Yu gently stroked her hair. "A plaything is often the most cherished. If I didn't favor you, why would I bother with you?"

Upon hearing this, Tantai Chan's nascent gratitude immediately turned to exasperation, and she playfully punched his chest.

"Then I'll consume it?"

"Don't worry, I'm here."

After tidying his clothes, Wang Yu retrieved a set of specialized magical artifacts for resisting lightning tribulations from his Sea Heart Ring and gave them to Tantai Chan. With these preparations, he then used his Primordial Spirit power to protect her.

His divine sense entered Tantai Chan's body, continuously helping her regulate the critical points of the breakthrough, guiding her at every step to successfully breach the barrier, and refining precious elixirs into spiritual liquid. He continuously infused this liquid into her body. As for the demonic energy required for condensing the Nascent Soul, he could directly use the Frozen Demonic Essence from his own body. The cultivation method Tantai Chan practiced, called 'Heavenly Cold Snow Jade Art,' also followed the Great Dao of Ice. However, her technique was closer to the Ice Flame method.

The breakthrough process was incredibly smooth. With Wang Yu guiding her, it was as if she had an unfair advantage; whatever was needed materialized instantly. In just half a day, the might of Heaven descended, and thunderclouds filled the sky.

A Nascent Soul lightning tribulation quietly commenced. Wang Yu retreated beyond the tribulation's reach. He had made all necessary preparations, and the probability of her successfully forming a Nascent Soul was nearly eighty percent. If she failed, he would have nothing further to say.

The commotion subsequently attracted a group of his female confidantes. Wang Yu saw them gathered outside the Golden Toad City Lord's Manor, but felt no particular emotion. Except for Tantai Chan and Yu Tangtang, with whom he shared an exceptionally close bond. Jin Miaoshan was the third person he accepted, though he valued Jin Manlou's resources and power more. Otherwise, she would have been merely an ordinary casual partner. Yan Ling was merely a fellow Daoist, with no substantive relationship. As for the Ice Soul Fairy... thinking about her was quite exciting. He rather enjoyed the soft moans of an ice-cold beauty; it gave him a peculiar thrill, like challenging a superior. Yingu and the others simply clicked with him and owed him favors. While a bond certainly existed, it wasn't as profound as one might imagine. For instance, if Wang Yu found a way to transcend this realm and leave, but there were only two spots available, he would only take Tantai Chan and Yu Tangtang. If only one could be taken, it would undoubtedly be Yu Tangtang!

"A Nascent Soul lightning tribulation? Is Sister Tantai undergoing tribulation?"

"Mm." Wang Yu stood in mid-air, hands clasped behind his back, and replied. "After her breakthrough, help her gather some ice-attributed or vitality-rich rare materials to enhance her Natal Magic Treasure."

"Oh..." Jin Miaoshan pouted and spoke. "You didn't come to see me yesterday. Don't you have anything to say?"

"The situation is dire; how can I spare time for such trivial matters?" Wang Yu said bluntly, then continued, "The world is on the verge of collapse; can you truly remain secure as the head of the Tianchi Jin Clan? Does the Myriad Treasure Pavilion have a solution?"

"They sent someone, but I postponed the meeting."

"That's good. When the time comes, I'll join the discussion and see if your two merchant guilds can devise a solution. Leave Tantai Chan under your care. I need to enter seclusion for a while, it won't be too long."

"Understood."

Wang Yu did not continue observing. He found a secluded chamber and immediately purged the portion of his cultivation that had been forcibly infused by the Frozen Demon. He then began to assimilate the medicinal power within his body to re-break through to the third layer of Divine Transformation. It was like an already widened river channel being filled with a surging river once more. There was almost no difficulty involved. He could complete this process in a few months. As his cultivation technique ran autonomously, his mind delved into the Demon Crossing Heart Mantra. His Primordial Spirit consciousness projected into the heart lake space, beginning to search for traces of demonic corruption.

Meanwhile, within the spatial layer of the Ice Prison Realm, after six months of arduous travel, Demon Venerable Lian Tian and his companions, piloting the Chaotic Pivot Warship, finally reached the edge of the spatial layer. Beyond this point lay the Chaos Layer. They could already discern wisps of chaotic energy, resembling cascading vines or celestial ribbons, descending from above. These contained the profound mysteries of the world's origin: this was Chaos Energy! It could give birth to all things, and also obliterate them!

Hao Ran Swordmaster remarked, "This legendary void space, said to disorient and trap Divine Transformation cultivators, isn't as terrifying as purported. We've crossed it in just half a year."

The cultivators all looked at Demon Venerable Lian Tian upon hearing this. The latter merely shrugged and said, "Had I not made preparations, why would I have rashly led you fellow Daoists to abandon everything and venture into this Chaos Layer?"

"Indeed, indeed."

Seeing Hao Ran Swordmaster so obsequious to the demonic leader, Venerable Tai Xu let out a displeased snort. There were only a few Divine Transformation cultivators present, and he and the Swordmaster were the sole representatives of the righteous path. Including Lian Tian, Wuji, Disha, and Huang Quan from the demonic path, there were a total of six Divine Transformation cultivators. The Blood Demon Hall Master was absent. After abducting Fuling and Miaozhen, he had gone into seclusion deep within the Blood Abyss, seemingly attempting to open the Blood Demon Seal, and had not been heard from since. Of the six individuals, most were his own. This left Demon Venerable Lian Tian feeling a little unsettled. Aside from the variables introduced by the Blood Demon's interference, the absence of Wang Yu and the beast race was the greatest loss. As things stood, they could only proceed by force.

"Daoist Lian Tian, please tell us how to cross this Chaos Layer. This substance is so formidable that it's nearly impossible to even draw a wisp from it, let alone traverse it physically."

"Naturally, I know. Don't rush." With that, Lian Tian's gaze fell upon Hao Ran Swordmaster and Venerable Tai Xu. The latter two grew uncomfortable under his stare, with Tai Xu frowning as he spoke, "That look... what are your true intentions?"

"Me?" Lian Tian shook his head. "My intentions have always been straightforward. It is your Sword Sect disciples who are audacious, daring to use ancient demon artifacts. Wuji—Heavenly Pivot Protective Spirit Shield!"

Before his departure, he had refined a living being, the purpose of which was to activate the warship's true world-power effect at this moment. The protective spiritual shield was merely the first step. This was a measure to prevent their escape.

Lian Tian's words sent a vague unease through Tai Xu. He realized that the other party's target might not be him; his presence was merely... a summoning tool?!!!

Tai Xu's pupils constricted. He watched as the strangely behaving Disha Venerable reached directly into his own chest and pulled out his still-pulsating demonic heart. Dense black demonic patterns covered it, exuding an ominous aura. The missing heart didn't cause Disha Demon Venerable any suffering; at most, he merely lost a bit of vital essence. He then began to recite the Demon Summoning Heart Mantra.

"Hmm?" The Ancient Demon of Life, who had been leisurely elsewhere, suddenly emerged from Hao Ran Swordmaster's body. The linen-clad youth appeared bewildered, as if he hadn't anticipated this turn of events either.

"Is that the Heavenly Dao Jade?!"

"Oh, you've discovered it... Tsk tsk, I don't know whether to praise your audacity or your ingenuity. To dare refine an ancient demon's core essence? You truly aren't afraid of demonic corruption."

Venerable Tai Xu didn't inquire how the other party knew about the Heavenly Dao Jade; after all, a demonic spy had risen to the position of one of the Twelve Sword Disciples, so they ought to know everything. He said, "The Heavenly Dao Jade is a supreme enlightenment treasure naturally condensed on the body of an ancient demon. Over ten thousand years ago, after the Sword Sect's patriarch unearthed the Heavenly Dao Jade from the sealed land and used it to deduce a fifth-stage Divine Transformation cultivation method, he established his sect here, regarding the Ancient Demon of Life as a great fortuitous encounter. I never expected such a hidden danger. How did you demonic scoundrels come to know of this?"

The linen-clad youth (the Ancient Demon of Life) was utterly bewildered. "I condensed it myself? How could I not know?!!!"

The new consciousness born within this physical form was clearly not as cunning as the Frozen Demon's. It possessed a certain degree of intellectual simplicity and very few memories of the ancient demon. More often, it acted purely on instinct. For instance, Hao Ran Swordmaster became the vessel for its descent across thousands of mountains and rivers. His life essence had already been completely drained, and his Primordial Spirit reached the end of its lifespan and perished; one could say he died a completely unknown and inexplicable death.

"Hmph, how can the wisdom of mere mortals compare to the patriarch of my Heaven Refining Dao!"

The goal of establishing the Heaven Refining Dao was to refine ancient demons, acquire power beyond conventional rules, achieve the Void Refining realm, and gain the ability to manipulate the cosmos. After that, traversing the Chaos Layer through spatial means would no longer be difficult. This grand scheme was formulated by the Heaven Refining Patriarch.

This generation's Demon Venerable had evidently executed it perfectly. Venerable Tai Xu's expression grew even darker. "So, this entire affair was a deception from the start, under the guise of the greater good?!" He simply couldn't accept such an outcome. If Lian Tian had merely coveted his cultivation and wished to refine him, he wouldn't be so enraged. The sensation of being played was far more suffocating than simply lacking strength. It was as if he was being mocked as a soulless automaton with incomplete intelligence. His rage caused his aura to surge dramatically.

He roared, "Lian Tian, have you ever questioned the sharpness of the sword in my hand?!"

"—Disha!"

Immediately after, a bizarre situation unfolded. As Disha once again sacrificed his internal organs, Tai Xu's body trembled, and another linen-clad youth emerged from behind him, effectively summoning a second Ancient Demon of Life. This bizarre turn of events made even Demon Venerable Wuji secretly click his tongue in amazement; the Sect Master's predictions were indeed accurate.

His already scarce life essence rapidly dissipated. Venerable Tai Xu could no longer grip his sword. His knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the warship deck, rapidly transforming into a shriveled corpse before their eyes. At the point of death, he couldn't even utter a single word. A majestic, peak existence, one of the strongest in the realm, perished so ignominiously in an unknown corner, his demise shockingly casual.

But ancient demons are such inherently irrational beings.

The two linen-clad youths stared at each other.

"Who are you?" (x2)

"Why do you look like me?" (x2)

"I am an ancient demon." (x2)

"If you imitate my words again, I'll kill you!" (x2)

Uttering the exact same words with identical tone and speed, the two Ancient Demons of Life completely disregarded the presence of Lian Tian and the others. This situation prompted Demon Lord Wuji to ask, "Sect Master, was this also within your predictions?"

"Of course." Demon Venerable Lian Tian smiled, nodded, and explained, "The Ancient Demon of Life is entirely different from other ancient demons. Its vitality causes its physical body to constantly proliferate, naturally leading to the appearance of identical copies, even possessing the same consciousness and thought patterns."

Wuji was surprised upon hearing this. "Wouldn't that lead to a blurring of the original and its copies?"

"It would." Lian Tian slowly approached the quarreling ancient demons. "Therefore, each body of the Ancient Demon of Life is simultaneously a clone and the true body; their death is inconsequential. This form of immortality is completely distinct from the Blood Demon's, which focuses on recovery and rebirth. From the moment it broke free, that vast and bizarre vitality will infiltrate the entire Ice Prison Realm, and its manifestations will appear everywhere. It can even extend to other worlds, forming countless Ancient Demons of Life. Should even one escape the Ice Prison Realm, it signifies its complete liberation."

With such a bizarre and potent ability, apart from sealing it, it was truly difficult to conceive of a more suitable solution.

Just as Demon Venerable Wuji was marveling, Demon Venerable Lian Tian spoke: "You two, please hear me out."

The two linen-clad youths simultaneously turned their heads. That eerie, synchronous gaze was truly unnerving. They both pointed at Demon Venerable Disha and said, "For his sake, speak."

"Please enter my vessel and merge with me, to help me break through."

The two exchanged glances again, and unexpectedly, both smiled at the same time.

"—Agreed!"

With that, they offered no resistance, rushing directly into a purplish-red bowl that Demon Venerable Lian Tian had long prepared, transforming into a pool of eerie black blood.

"It worked?"

"It worked!"

"It was that simple? Is this Ancient Demon of Life truly so foolish? Or is it that the newly born consciousness isn't intelligent enough?"

"Neither." Judging from the perspective of mortals would undoubtedly lead to a skewed understanding. An anomalous existence like the Ancient Demon of Life has lived for countless ages, and possessing such immortal and bizarre vitality, its thought process is certainly different from that of ordinary beings. 'Allowing oneself to be refined' has been a personal pastime of the Ancient Demon of Life for millennia. The true challenge, in fact, lies in the refinement process and the subsequent digestion. Otherwise, Hao Ran Swordmaster and Venerable Tai Xu were clear precedents, becoming mere vessels for the ancient demon's descent.

"Wuji, prepare yourself and send me into the Chaos Layer."

"Sect Master..."

"Just proceed as planned."