Chapter 7: Displaying Intentions

He was definitely getting stronger! He was no less powerful than someone born with supernatural strength, a stark contrast to his mortal days.

Spirit slaves had their own established positions, and those at the second level of Qi Condensation were already considered top-tier. Throughout the entire stone hut area, there wasn't a single spirit slave at the third level of Qi Condensation.

One could say they cherished their lives, or perhaps there were other reasons.

To break through again, he needed to increase his maximum spirit energy to one hundred wisps. At this stage, Wang Yu would absolutely not burn his lifespan again, so relying on the placement slots would still take ninety days, nearly three months.

As for cultivating his main body, he would be incredibly fortunate to cultivate even one wisp in three months; it was almost meaningless. It was better to dedicate his time elsewhere, where the value created would far exceed that of cultivation.

After breaking through his cultivation realm, Wang Yu was a little disappointed that a third slot didn't appear in the placement section. He speculated that one might have been eliminated, leaving two remaining possibilities.

The change might only occur after he breaks through to the mid-stage of Qi Condensation or after he breaks through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

On this day.

For the first time in a while, Wang Yu left his stone hut. While heading to the Bluestone Plaza for a lecture, he looked for Steward Duan. He decided to put himself in the open and gain benefits from Steward Duan.

Unlike twelve days prior, Wang Yu's dark hair had turned to white strands. His once handsome appearance had become somewhat unsightly due to his withered vitality.

His once sturdy physique had become gaunt beyond recognition, and he was even slightly hunched.

He gave the immediate impression of a small old man and stood out exceptionally even among thousands of spirit slaves. This was the physical aging caused by a rapid and significant loss of lifespan in a short period.

Wang Yu had only sacrificed ten years of his lifespan. The physical aging could be reversed with a breakthrough in his cultivation realm or by spending time recuperating.

For now, he didn't need to. He planned to maintain this appearance until he successfully became an outer sect disciple.

As the hour-long lecture concluded and it was time for the Q&A session, Wang Yu forcibly pushed his way to the front. Many spirit slaves glared at him angrily, but upon seeing his appearance, they all turned away and fell silent.

No other reason—he was a ruthless person!

“Sir, I wish to see Steward Duan. Could you tell me where I might find him?”

The outer sect disciple giving the lecture, looking at Wang Yu's unnaturally aged appearance, felt a chill in his heart. He had triple spiritual roots and did not need to cultivate such a radical, results-driven demonic art; he still had hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

He quickly pointed to a two-story elegant pavilion next to the Bluestone Plaza: “Steward Duan is usually here; you can find him inside.”

Wang Yu cupped his hands in thanks once more and then left.

Seeing this, the outer sect disciple couldn't help but say to his fellow disciple.

“That fellow probably burned half his lifespan; his aura has already reached the second level of Qi Condensation. Another ambitious person unwilling to be ordinary.”

His companion simply scoffed.

“So what? Demonic arts like the Blood-Burning Art are originally quick cultivation methods prepared for spirit slaves. They damage the body and are difficult to replenish blood and Qi, making it hopeless to reach Foundation Establishment in this life.”

“True…”

At the two-story pavilion.

Wang Yu knocked on the door. A familiar voice quickly responded from within.

“What is it?”

“I am Wang Yu. I became a spirit slave of the Sacred Sect twelve days ago, and today I've come to submit this month's spirit sand.”

“Hmm?”

Almost in the blink of an eye, the pavilion door opened. Steward Duan, tugging at a few whiskers on his chin, looked at him in surprise.

“The newcomer from twelve days ago? You—”

Wang Yu flashed a grin, which only made him look more terrifying.

“It is Wang Yu's great honor to serve the Sacred Sect. I have cultivated the Blood-Burning Art with all my might, hoping to join the Sacred Sect as soon as possible, become an outer sect disciple, and contribute more effectively to the Sacred Sect.”

“Wang Yu, isn't it? Excellent, excellent!”

Steward Duan circled Wang Yu a few times, his face filled with satisfaction, and then directly extended his hand to ask for it.

“Where is the spirit sand?”

Wang Yu offered it with both hands. Steward Duan weighed it in his hand and subconsciously said, “Only one liang… Ah, right, you just joined less than a month ago.”

Clapping his hands, Steward Duan took a large cloth bag from his waist storage pouch and handed it to Wang Yu.

“Inside are three catties of spirit sand ground from empty spirit stones. You can take your time filling it. Follow me,” he said.

Immediately after, Wang Yu was pulled to the plaza without further explanation. Steward Duan lightly coughed a few times, and with his spiritual energy, the entire plaza quieted down.

He pulled Wang Yu to his side, pointed at him, and spoke loudly.

“This person, Wang Yu, became a spirit slave less than a month ago and has already completed the task of yielding one liang of spirit sand. All of you must learn from him. This is a true example of a good disciple for the sect, a good disciple!”

“If anyone wishes to be promoted to an outer sect disciple, Wang Yu will definitely be the first in this batch. I guarantee it with my honor as a steward!”

It was a gesture to encourage others.

Whether it would happen wasn't something he could decide with a single word. A spirit slave steward didn't have that authority, but the Foundation Establishment true disciple of Cold Blood Peak, who backed him, did.

As the spirit slaves fell into discussion, Wang Yu felt his scalp tingle from their fervent gazes. He had truly become famous.

Highly satisfied with the spirit slaves' reaction, Steward Duan pulled Wang Yu back into the elegant pavilion. This time, he was invited inside.

Wang Yu sat on a chair in the first-floor hall.

Steward Duan got straight to the point, without any convoluted scheming. Perhaps he wasn't qualified for such tactics?

“You are willing to contribute, and I am willing to accept. Ambition is a good thing. It's just that the rules of the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect are a bit different.

“The disciples of the Nine Peaks' inheritances do not interfere with each other, each operating their respective mountains relatively independently. Additionally, there's the Sect Master's inheritance from the Blood Devil Hall. There are a total of ten branches, all recruiting disciples according to their own wishes.”

In the Taihu Spirit Domain, a sect master is generally a cultivator well-versed in administrative affairs and of proper lineage, who can hold the position without requiring very high cultivation. The true decision-making body is the Elder Council.

However, in the Scarlet Kite Demonic Domain, a sect master is often the one with the highest cultivation and strongest power, possessing immense authority and capable of mobilizing all resources. Absolute rule is also common.

The differences between righteous and demonic paths are evident in all aspects.

If a sect master of the righteous path dies, the sect can still continue, as it won't shake the sect's foundation.

If a sect master of the demonic path dies, without a doubt, that force will be annihilated within sixty years. Enemies, internal strife, splintering... the situations are endless.

Thus, demonic forces experience very rapid turnover.

Of course, top-tier forces are an exception to this rule; the demonic path also has ancient sects that have existed for ten thousand years.

The Spirit Reversal Blood Sect possesses multiple Nascent Soul True Monarchs, making it a top-tier force in the Scarlet Kite Demonic Domain. Cold Blood Peak is the cultivation ground of one such Demonic True Monarch.

Their direct disciples wield immense power. They have the authority to promote not just outer sect disciples, but even inner sect disciples, and cultivate their confidants.

Steward Duan explained a few more things.

Then he brought up the most fundamental issue—profit!

“This one liang of spirit sand belongs to Cold Blood Peak. The additional four liang belong to True Disciple Su. You won't secure an outer sect disciple spot by working yourself to death alone.”

“You must recruit people to join my faction. Let's set the agreement at one hundred people. The day you achieve this, you will be the first outer sect disciple of Cold Blood Peak from this batch of spirit slaves.”

Wang Yu lowered his head, remaining silent. This matter was indeed not so simple. This was already the benefit he gained by deliberately standing out; otherwise, Steward Duan wouldn't have said so much to him at all.

“Any doubts?”