Chapter 312: Learning to Swallow Heaven and Devour Earth

The Demonic Sect's millennium-long accumulated wealth was entirely swindled away by the 100,000-year-old Dao Seeking Sect. As a result, the Demonic Sect's leader died, a tragic loss of both life and fortune. Furthermore, the Demonic Sect never recovered, remaining in decline for the subsequent nine hundred years.

The strong prey on the weak; perhaps this is the brutal cultivation world... What a load of nonsense.

Lu Yang, narrating, couldn't bring himself to continue after reading only halfway. Shouldn't a brutal cultivation world involve powerful cultivators plundering? Why has it become a financial investment scam here? What happened to strength being paramount?

The Demonic Sect's thousand-year-old cold case was finally solved today, leaving Li Haoran utterly speechless. Although the sect leader before the last had no connection to him, and the previous sect leader, Qin Haoran, was only distantly related, he still felt as if he should somehow acknowledge the situation. He began to applaud. Everyone in the Demonic Sect deserves to be punished; it's good that they were scammed!

The Fifth Elder cleared his throat twice. "In any case, I agree to your invitation to become a Protector of the Heavenly Court Sect."

"According to you, the Heavenly Court Sect's external base is the barbecue restaurant in Yanjiang County. When shall we depart?"

"We shouldn't delay; how about we depart tomorrow?" Lu Yang suggested.

"Agreed."

"Oh, right, please remember to disguise yourself, Elder. It would be problematic if someone from the Demonic Sect recognized you," Lu Yang reminded him. Previously, when they met with Demonic Sect members, they had always used false names and appearances.

"That's simple enough. While my disguise techniques aren't as masterful as Old Nine's, they're more than sufficient for dealing with mere Demonic Sect members. However, there might be Demonic Sect cultivators at the Integration stage present this time, and they would see through your disguises at a glance."

"Before we leave, I'll apply disguises for the four of you."

It seemed the Fifth Elder was quite experienced in this regard.

After bidding farewell to the Fifth Elder, Lu Yang remembered his plan to expand the Heavenly Court Sect's membership. He intended to invite Tao Yaoyao and Mang Gu to join, so they could impersonate ancient geniuses in Yanjiang County. Unfortunately, upon arriving, Lu Yang discovered that both Tao Yaoyao and Mang Gu were in seclusion. His Senior Sister informed Lu Yang that Tao Yaoyao and Mang Gu were busy solidifying their Golden Core realms and wouldn't be able to leave for some time.

"By the way, Immortal, could you teach me some spells or divine abilities? I'm looking for techniques that appear very ancient, clearly from the primordial era."

Lu Yang explained, "Think about it: if I'm supposed to be an ancient genius but use modern techniques, it would look suspicious and easily expose my true identity."

The Immortal looked silently at Lu Yang, thinking to herself, *Which of your techniques even resembles a modern one? Is it the Shrinking Ground to an Inch technique or the Tree Cultivation Art?* However, as a dignified and understanding Immortal, she refrained from uttering such disheartening words. "Of course," she replied.

"I possess an ancient Qi cultivation technique. It involves gathering the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, along with the mists of dawn and dusk, to refine and consume them. This can prolong life and grant eternal youth; the modern Qi Condensation stage itself evolved from this ancient method."

"When the Ninefold Immortal was proving that he was the very first to achieve immortality, he consulted numerous ancient texts. Among them, the ancient Qi cultivation technique was mentioned. He used immortal arts to deduce that if cultivated to its peak, this technique could produce Primordial Violet Qi, making one incredibly powerful. However, this is merely theoretical; I've never actually seen anyone accomplish it."

Lu Yang shook his head. "This won't work. I wouldn't have the chance to demonstrate it to the Demonic Sect members, and they wouldn't recognize it as an ancient Qi cultivation technique anyway."

"Then what about the Dragon Transformation Art? Dragon bodies are incredibly formidable. Learning the Dragon Transformation Art allows parts of one's body to 'dragonize,' granting certain innate draconic abilities, such as summoning wind and rain or stirring up oceans."

"The Sky-Responding Immortal, for instance, learned the Dragon Transformation Art and achieved the highest mastery of it to date, capable of complete draconic transformation. The Dragon Clan even referred to him as the 'Responding Dragon.'"

Lu Yang's eyes brightened. "Ah, this is perfect! How do I learn it?"

"Let me see... you'd need to soak in dragon blood for three days first. While there's a chance your body might swell, just like the Sky-Responding Immortal's did, with my guidance, it shouldn't be a major issue... Oh, right, is dragon blood difficult to acquire in your current era?"

In the primordial era, acquiring dragon blood typically involved either forcing the Dragon Clan to relinquish it through sheer power, slaying a lone true dragon, or, as with the Sky-Responding Immortal, the Dragon Clan saw your great potential and was willing to invest in you.

"We do have dragon blood."

The Dao Seeking Sect certainly had no shortage of dragon or phoenix blood. However, they were due to depart tomorrow, and he couldn't exactly spend three days soaking in dragon blood on the road. The Immortal had just mentioned the possibility of ending up like the Sky-Responding Immortal.

"Are there any other options?"

"What about the Taotie clan's divine ability, 'Devour Heaven and Earth'?"

Lu Yang was startled. The Taotie clan's divine ability, Devour Heaven and Earth, was renowned; he had heard storytellers speak of it long before he even began cultivating. He had heard that this technique could devour souls, spiritual energy, suns, moons, stars, space, and indeed, all things in the world! If he could learn it, that would certainly be excellent.

"But isn't this an innate divine ability that only the Taotie clan can master? Can I really learn it too?"

The Immortal, ever confident, patted her chest. "Nonsense! With me guiding you, what could you possibly not learn?"

"Then I'll learn that one!" Lu Yang decided, overjoyed at the prospect of finally acquiring a new skill.

On Tianmen Peak, Lu Yang found an open area far from the kitchens, where the Immortal materialized to guide him.

"To master 'Devour Heaven and Earth,' the most crucial element is the desire to devour. That is the fundamental principle."

"The reason the Taotie clan is exceptionally gluttonous is precisely because their desire to devour is an uncontrollable instinct!"

"Close your eyes and imagine you are incredibly hungry, with an intense craving to eat."

Following the Immortal's instructions, Lu Yang imagined himself as a mortal, his stomach empty, feeling intense hunger, a craving for food, and even salivating. He imagined a plate of delicious food before him... perhaps scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Instantly, Lu Yang was no longer hungry.

He opened his eyes to see the Immortal tilting her head, looking at him. The Immortal gazed at him with an innocent expression. "What happened?"

"...Nothing. I made a mistake just now. I'll try imagining again."

Lu Yang banished the thought of scrambled eggs with tomatoes from his mind, replacing it with images of perfectly colored, aromatic, and flavorful dishes: red-hued braised pork hocks with fried, sauce-soaked skin; firm, spicy snails; noodles drizzled with chili oil...

Lu Yang wiped his mouth, truly hungry now. The Immortal's voice conveniently echoed in his ear. "Remember the incantation I'm about to recite. Don't try to memorize it; instead, strive to understand it, envisioning its meaning from a deeper perspective."

What followed was an ancient language, obscure and difficult to comprehend. Perhaps Lu Yang's hunger perfectly complemented the incantation. Though he still couldn't understand the words, he didn't find the sounds jarring or difficult. From noon until evening, Lu Yang maintained his state of hunger, focusing on understanding the incantation. Gradually, he grew more familiar with it, seemingly grasping its true meaning: to eat.

He opened his eyes once more, the incantation resonating within his mind. He looked down at the dirt beneath his feet, feeling a sudden impulse. He wanted to eat the dirt.

"Wait, why do I want to eat dirt?!" Lu Yang exclaimed, realizing something was amiss.

The Immortal lay on her side on the ground, propping her face with her arm, and stated matter-of-factly, "Congratulations! You've successfully cultivated 'Earth Devourer'."