Chapter 4: Heavenly Demon Creation Technique

## Chapter Four: The Merit of Heavenly Demon Creation

After consuming the Scarlet Blood Medicinal Pill, Meng Xing felt a surging heat course through his dantian. It was as if a fiery river had erupted within him, violently swirling and expanding, the heat a tangible force pushing outward. This power, raw and untamed, was the essence of the pill being absorbed, transforming into pure Qi, the lifeblood of a cultivator.

With a deep, calming breath, Meng Xing guided this burgeoning energy, channeling it towards his meridians. The process was arduous, the Qi a wild stallion needing taming. He focused his will, his mind a sharp blade carving paths through his energy channels, pushing the newly formed Qi through the delicate network. Each circuit was a struggle, a test of his nascent control. Yet, with persistent effort, the Qi began to flow, circulating through his body, strengthening his foundation.

He had been an inner disciple of the Guiyuan Sect for a mere four years. He possessed a Level 3 cultivation, placing him in the nascent stages of his martial journey. His strength, while respectable for his age and experience within the sect, was still a far cry from the true power needed to navigate the treacherous world of cultivation. Level 9 was the peak, a realm he could only dream of reaching, and beyond that lay even higher levels, shrouded in mystery and immense power. Each level, from 1 to 9, represented a significant leap in strength, control, and understanding of the martial path.

His body, while not weak, lacked the honed resilience of a seasoned warrior. Muscles, though developed from basic training, still yearned for the deep-seated power that Qi cultivation provided. His skin, while not delicate, had not yet been tempered by the internal fires of cultivation.

The surge of energy continued its relentless flow, amplifying the transformation initiated by the Scarlet Blood Medicinal Pill. Meng Xing felt his body undergoing a subtle, yet profound, change. His muscles quivered, contracting and expanding as the Qi coursed through them, fibers strengthening, becoming more compact, more resilient. His skin tightened, the surface becoming smoother, yet possessing a newfound toughness. Even his bones felt denser, radiating a subtle warmth. The transformation was akin to a raw ore being refined into a potent weapon, shedding impurities and gaining an inherent strength.

Gradually, the intense heat subsided, replaced by a gentle warmth that permeated his entire being. The unruly Qi had been tamed, flowing smoothly through his meridians, a quiet river of energy now at his command. He knew this was just the beginning, a small step on a long and arduous path. Cultivation was not a sprint, but a marathon, a continuous process of refinement and growth.

He retrieved another Scarlet Blood Medicinal Pill from his storage pouch and swallowed it. The ritual was repeated, the surge of heat, the channeling of Qi, the subtle transformation of his body. He continued this cycle, pill after pill, his body soaking in the energy, his cultivation base steadily growing.

He consumed a total of eight Scarlet Blood Medicinal Pills. Each pill brought him closer to a breakthrough, his energy reserves swelling, his control over his Qi becoming more precise. The limitations of his current level were being pushed, the boundaries of his power expanding.

Finally, after the eighth pill, Meng Xing felt a distinct shift within him. The Qi in his dantian reached a critical mass, vibrating with suppressed power. It felt as if a dam was about to break, releasing a torrent of energy. This was the familiar sensation of nearing a breakthrough, the cusp of reaching a new level of cultivation. He was on the verge of ascending from Level 3 to Level 4.

He took a deep breath, centering himself. He needed a cultivation manual, a guide to properly channel this immense surge of energy and solidify his breakthrough. Without the correct technique, the process could be volatile, even dangerous.

He had practiced a generic foundation-building manual, common amongst the outer disciples. While it had served him well in reaching Level 3, it lacked the depth and sophistication needed for higher cultivation. He needed something more advanced, something tailored to his potential.

He reached for the storage pouch, retrieving the three cultivation manuals he had acquired. The first was a common Qi-refining manual, useful for consolidating Qi but not for breakthrough. The second was a basic martial arts technique, focused on physical combat rather than internal cultivation. Neither was what he needed.

His gaze settled on the third manual, the one bound in dark, unassuming leather. He hesitated for a moment, a strange feeling washing over him. This manual felt different, radiating a subtle, almost ancient, energy.

Curiosity overriding caution, he opened the dark manual. The title, written in elegant, almost otherworldly script, immediately caught his eye: "Heavenly Demon Creation Merit."

A shiver ran down his spine. "Heavenly Demon"? The term was unsettling, associated with dark arts and forbidden techniques. Cultivation manuals with such names were often fraught with peril, promising immense power but demanding a terrible price.

He scanned the initial pages. The language was complex, describing a unique cultivation method that deviated significantly from the orthodox techniques he was familiar with. It spoke of refining the very essence of existence, of forging a path independent of the traditional heavenly cycles.

A faint warning bell chimed in his mind. This was not a path for the faint of heart, nor the easily swayed. It was a path that courted danger, a dance with the abyss.

Yet, a strange fascination also held him captive. The manual promised power beyond his current understanding, a shortcut to realms he could only dream of. The allure of rapid advancement, the promise of surpassing his peers, was a powerful temptation.

He read further, delving into the intricacies of the "Heavenly Demon Creation Merit." The manual outlined a method of absorbing and refining various energies, not just the natural Qi found in the world, but also external forces, even those considered impure or chaotic. It spoke of transforming these energies into a unique, potent power, a form of Qi infused with a dark, almost demonic, essence.

The manual explicitly stated that this method bypassed the usual limitations of cultivation, allowing for rapid progress. However, it also warned of potential backlash, of the dangers of absorbing energies that were too volatile, too corrosive. It spoke of the need for absolute control, for an unwavering will, lest the practitioner be consumed by the very power they sought to wield.

Meng Xing's heart hammered in his chest. This was a double-edged sword, a path to immense power that walked the knife's edge between enlightenment and damnation. The risks were immense, the rewards potentially limitless.

He paused, considering his options. He could continue with the generic manuals, cultivating slowly but surely, following the established path. Or he could embrace the "Heavenly Demon Creation Merit," venturing into uncharted territory, risking everything for the chance of extraordinary power.

He thought of his current situation, his limited strength, his relative insignificance within the vast hierarchy of the cultivation world. He was just a minor disciple, easily overlooked, easily crushed. To survive, to thrive, he needed power, and he needed it quickly.

The "Heavenly Demon Creation Merit" offered that possibility. It was a gamble, a leap of faith, but it was also a chance to break free from the shackles of mediocrity.

He made his decision. He would embrace the darkness, not for evil, but for survival, for power. He would cultivate the "Heavenly Demon Creation Merit." He would walk the dangerous path, trusting in his own resolve to navigate the treacherous waters.

He closed the manual, the weight of his decision settling upon him. He was no longer just a disciple of the Guiyuan Sect; he was embarking on a path far more perilous, a path that would test his limits, his will, and perhaps, his very soul. The journey had just begun, and the challenges ahead loomed large, shrouded in the enigmatic shadow of the "Heavenly Demon Creation Merit."