Chapter 684: Great Yue Dynasty, Bright Moon Celestial Sect

“Hmm!”

Outside Bingli Island, a thin layer of blood mist enveloped the entire void, suddenly bulging into a large blood bubble. As it rolled in the air, a middle-aged figure appeared, standing three feet tall, with slanting eyebrows and a broad mouth.

“Just a moment ago, it seemed like I smelled the Qi Mechanism of the Demon Realm. Could there have been some unexpected event?”

Qingluo Wanderer instinctively sketched out a Blood Moon Round Mirror, tilted his head in thought, then dispersed the mirror’s light.

“No matter what happens inside Bingli Island, whether it’s an invasion by a Yin Demon or not, it has nothing to do with me. As long as I complete Master Xuan Ji’s task, sealing off the island’s exit to prevent Chen Ping from escaping, the rest can be left to him.”

“If not for that Phoenix Blood Pill, I, the mighty Qingluo Great Demon, would not allow myself to be commanded to do menial tasks like gatekeeping.”

A hint of ferocity flashed in Qingluo Wanderer’s eyes; he sneered inwardly with bitterness, then his expression turned helpless.

Such is the life of a Heterodox Loose Cultivator.

Advancing even one step is immensely difficult.

After finally, through the Cyan Luo Vine Demon Body, practicing the Guiyuan Blood Refining Scripture, a serendipitous encounter on Dinggen Island, he broke through to Dao Alchemy. He arrogantly thought he could run rampant in the vast world.

In his joy, he consumed the blood and flesh of nine entire cities, greatly advancing his Magical Power. Upon breaking through the Law Celestial Net, he deemed the sea vast and the sky wide, but unexpectedly, was quickly beaten into submission, and a restraint was placed within his Divine Soul.

“I hate…”

The hatred in Qingluo Wanderer’s heart was so intense it could burn him to ashes, yet he was powerless.

Unless he was willing to gamble his life, but how many cultivators truly have that resolve?

Pursuing longevity, after forming a Dao Alchemy even if of inferior quality, and perhaps not reaching the true lineage, still counts as Dao Alchemy, having the Law Integrate into the body, promising at least 800 years of life. To give up 500 or 600 years just feels like a massive loss.

Thus, he was not determined to gamble his life.

Moreover, he hoped to deepen his Magical Power, someday refining True Essence Magical Power, and learn the profound true teachings…

For this goal.

Even living as someone’s lackey wasn’t so hard to endure.

The Phoenix Blood Pill could burn away blood toxins, providing a chance to practice the Celestial Secret Tower Cyan Yuan Scripture, without significantly damaging his foundation, nor requiring him to completely start over.

“Was there any disturbance?”

The void slightly fluctuated, and a figure in a golden robe, indicative of a True Disciple of Imperial Extreme Hall, flashed into appearance before Qingluo; it was Ji Hai.

Ji Hai slightly bowed with a Dao courtesy, smiling gently, “Has Brother Qingluo discovered something?”

It seemed that the recent demise and soul shattering of his Dao companion, Dragon Maiden Ziyun, hadn’t left much of a mark in his heart.

He smiled warmly, akin to fair weather after the rain.

Even knowing that Qingluo Wanderer, rooted as a Blood-Sucking Demon Vine, practicing Heterodox Blood Dao Technique Blood Refining Scripture, a complete monster, Ji Hai still treated him with courtesy, showing no signs of disdain or disgust.

Seeing Ji Hai abandon sect affairs to come personally, with such an amicable attitude.

Qingluo Wanderer’s once agitated and restless heart felt as though it had drunk a cup of fine nectar, slightly intoxicated and comforted.

People are indeed different.

Working like an ox or horse for Li Xuanji yielded not an ounce of respect, but finding it with Ji Hai, Qingluo Wanderer inexplicably felt a rush of willingness to “die for a confidant.”

Quickly suppressing this odd thought, a reserved smile broke onto his bloody face, “Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Ji should focus on cultivation; those yet to reach Dao Alchemy will certainly not slip away unnoticed.”

Feeling his words were a bit vague and lacking sincerity, he added, “The earlier commotion was likely some disciples from Black Lotus Hall secretly stirring up external Demonic Qi to refine treasures. Aren’t they known for controlling demons with demons, purifying the Lotus Platform? They are indeed bold.”

“I see, thank you for clarifying, Fellow Daoist.”

Ji Tang slightly nodded.

“In my opinion, unless Chen Ping self-destructs his foundation to forcibly break through to the Ninth-Layer Dao Alchemy True Dragon Dharma Body Realm, either way, he will have only four hundred years of lifespan which is endurable. If he wishes to achieve the Dragon King’s Perfect Dharma Body, he’ll have to reach the Tenth Layer, and without a journey to the Azure Dragon Hall’s Dragon Transformation Pool, it is impossible…”

“Exactly, even for this Master, it’s impossible to watch the Dao path severed without remedy unless no measures exist. Therefore, once reaching the ninth-layer, he’ll certainly try the Longevity Sword, ushering in a realm-break, naturally falling into our plot. The revenge for obstruction of the Dao path and murder of kin shall be avenged, and it won’t take long.”

Qingluo Wanderer had long realized.

The Stinging Dragon Scripture is essentially a trap.

Though its early Combative Power is extraordinarily formidable, and its foundation immensely robust.

However, the Cultivation Technique involves several major hurdles, nearly impossible to circumvent; only when all conditions are favorable with great fortune can it break through swiftly.

Such is the nature of the world, with great gain comes great loss.

Especially for those cultivating the Dragon of Destiny, aiming for tremendous achievements, requiring competition not just with dragons but also with dynasties, which is daunting to even contemplate.

The example of Azure Dragon Hall is close at hand, with the decline of the Fubo Lineage among the five Azure Dragon lineages, Ji Tang swiftly retreated, investing himself in Imperial Extreme Hall, all proving the difficulty of this path.

Therefore, even when that fortunate young lad reaches the threshold of the Dragon King’s Perfect Dharma Body, he will be caught in a dilemma.