Chapter 905: Self-Righteous Scheme Succeeds

Ji Yuan scoffed at Zhu Yan's words.

"The world holds infinite mysteries; mortals can never uncover them all in a lifetime. It's not strange for a great secret to exist. But if you happen to know such an important secret, why would you share it with me, Ji Yuan? Because we fought to the death a few days ago? What a joke!"

Zhu Yan grinned.

"Only the strong are worthy of knowing the secrets of heaven and earth. If I had killed you outright a few days ago, Sir Ji, you naturally wouldn't be worthy. But since your magical power is truly profound, you are indeed qualified to know."

Ji Yuan nodded, placed his pen on the desk's pen stand, and walked around the desk to the door, looking at Zhu Yan.

"So, your obsession with Senior Zuo is not some great secret of the world, is it?"

"You could say it is, or you could say it isn't, but it is somewhat related. This Martial Saint possesses the talent to forge a path and great fortune. However, human capabilities are limited, and he cannot advance rapidly on his own. As someone who also cultivates the body, I, Zhu Yan, truly appreciate such talent. And of course, there's one thing only the Martial Saint can help with, but his current abilities aren't sufficient. My eagerness to help him stems from this anxiety!"

Zhu Yan spoke almost entirely truthfully. While he told no lies, not telling the full truth was more effective than outright fabrication, even allowing him to evade the senses of some immortals. Of course, Zhu Yan simply made himself sound more sincere.

Before Ji Yuan could respond, Zuo Wuji laughed upon hearing this.

"Hahahaha... That's utterly ridiculous! You, who can't even accomplish this yourself, want me to grow stronger and then help you? Never mind if that's true or not, even if it were, I, Zuo, would never help a demon like you! If Sir Ji hadn't set up the formation beforehand a few days ago, this capital of the Xia Yong Dynasty would likely be completely destroyed!"

"Zuo Wuji, there's no need to be angry. The reason I dared to fight all out against Sir Ji that day was precisely because I saw him casting spells and setting up formations."

Ji Yuan raised a hand to stop Zuo Wuji from speaking further, and calmly said,

"You and I both understand that we cannot truly overpower each other for now, otherwise there would be no need for this much talk. If you genuinely have something to offer, present it first. I, Ji, am certainly more reasonable than you."

"Alright!"

Zhu Yan's eyes lit up, and his smile widened.

"Then I'll show my sincerity first. Let's set aside the secrets of heaven and earth for now and genuinely guide the Martial Saint in his martial path! Sir Ji, you choose the location."

"Here will do. No need to change it. Please."

With that, Ji Yuan threw out three meditation cushions, clearly intending for them to talk inside the room. Zhu Yan naturally had no objections, and Zuo Wuji would certainly defer to Ji Yuan. So, after closing the door, the three sat cross-legged on the cushions.

When it came to understanding the martial way, Ji Yuan admitted to himself that he was not as proficient as Zuo Wuji currently was; one could say Zuo Wuji was unparalleled in the martial arts. However, Zhu Yan might still have something insightful to offer.

After observing Zuo Wuji carefully once more, Zhu Yan slowly began.

"I observe that your 'Martial Fiend Primordial Aura' is indeed ambitious, robust, and powerful—a rare cultivation method. However, upon closer inspection, there are still slight improprieties. This method inherently consumes vital blood and primal energy. As a martial artist, vital blood and primal energy are fundamental. While its burst is strong, it isn't perfectly suited as an exquisite technique. If one possessed demonic power and aura, this method would be even more flawless. Nevertheless, the Martial Fiend Primordial Aura remains a rare and excellent technique."

Ji Yuan's heart stirred slightly. This Zhu Yan was indeed formidable, seeing through certain underlying aspects of the Martial Fiend Primordial Aura at a glance, without knowing its history or origins. These were points that even Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji hadn't considered flaws, yet Zhu Yan's remarks revealed a deeper truth.

After all, the precursor to the Martial Fiend Primordial Aura had been developed with reference to Niu Batian's demonic body and dharma body. However, Zuo Wuji did not possess demonic aura, and his connection to heaven and earth differed from the way demons extracted primal energy. This led to certain incongruities in the seemingly powerful Martial Fiend Primordial Aura.

"Indeed. My understanding of the martial way is limited, but what you've said certainly makes sense."

Zuo Wuji also frowned, remaining silent, awaiting Zhu Yan to continue. Zhu Yan smiled and proceeded.

"Currently, Zuo Wuji, you are making rapid progress by leaps and bounds. This small incongruity, however, can severely impede your cultivation. The more potent it is in helping you break through mortal martial arts limitations, the greater its future impact will be! Should you ever face a situation where you must continuously enhance this method to fight, you could very likely deplete your primal energy and perish from exhaustion. Therefore..."

Zhu Yan paused, then continued with emphasis.

"I believe that the foundation of your current martial path lies in forging your physical body! The stronger your body becomes, to the point of being as tough as iron, as hard as steel, even indestructible, then sheer force can overcome all, and any problem will be resolved effortlessly!"

Ji Yuan frowned.

"Indestructible?"

"Precisely, indestructible. Sir Ji should understand that at my level, the 'indestructible' I speak of is certainly not the joke some cultivators might utter. Only a body and spirit of ultimate strength and resilience truly deserve that title."

Ji Yuan shook his head.

"That sounds exceedingly difficult."

Zhu Yan knew that for a martial artist like Zuo Wuji to directly achieve indestructibility was utterly fantastical. Realizing he had spoken too boldly, he quickly added,

"Of course it's difficult, perhaps even incredibly hard to reach. But it is a goal, and not an unattainable one. What is the martial way, if not to carve out a vast path, spurring those who walk it forward with courage?"

"If you, Zuo Wuji, trust me, allow my demonic essence to circulate through the meridians in your body for a few cycles, so I can perceive the changes in your physique."

Ji Yuan narrowed his eyes. It was impossible for Zhu Yan to harbor only good intentions towards Zuo Wuji; allowing Zhu Yan's demonic essence to completely enter Zuo Wuji would be extremely dangerous.

Currently, Zuo Wuji was nowhere near capable of resisting Zhu Yan, but the strength of his Martial Fiend Primordial Aura was sufficient to prevent Zhu Yan's demonic essence from invading him. Therefore, Zuo Wuji would need to cooperate actively.

"Sir Ji, I, Zuo, do not trust this demon."

"Heh heh heh, I understand. But with Sir Ji right here, how could I possibly play any tricks?"

Ji Yuan's brows furrowed.

"No need to flatter me. I have my own methods. We'll just change locations."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan took out a volume of "Discourse on Birds." Without further explanation, he lightly tapped the book. With a crisp sound, black and white energies emanated from it, distorting all the surrounding scenery.

Zhu Yan's heart jolted in alarm, and he instinctively became somewhat tense. However, seeing that Ji Yuan showed no hostility and that Zuo Wuji also looked surprised, he suppressed the urge to react violently and even refrained from excessively resisting the dizzying sensation.

A moment later, the surroundings began to clear again. Zuo Wuji and Zhu Yan looked around, suddenly realizing they had left the Li Residence and were in a vast wilderness. Both Zuo Wuji and Zhu Yan looked startled.

The incident where Ji Yuan used his magic to draw guests into a book at the Dragon Transformation Feast had not yet reached Zhu Yan's ears. Coupled with being in the wilderness, he did not immediately realize the truth of their situation.

"Sir Ji, what kind of translocation spell, a 'shifting form and changing place' technique, did you use?"

The surroundings were clearly not an illusion, yet they had been instantly moved so far that even the Xia Yong capital was out of sight, and no formation had been set up. It was truly astonishing. As for Zuo Wuji, he understood even less about such immortal arts, so he remained completely silent.

Ji Yuan did not explain the situation to Zhu Yan, but simply looked at Zuo Wuji and said,

"Senior Zuo, this place is far from the Li Residence and the Xia Yong imperial capital. I, Ji, will also keep an eye on Zhu Yan. You can rest assured and let him examine you."

Zuo Wuji hesitated briefly, then nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I trust Sir Ji. Proceed."

Zhu Yan suppressed his wild delight, completely forgetting about illusions and translocations, and spoke as calmly as possible.

"Good. Senior Zuo, sit cross-legged firmly, close your eyes, and relax your mind, as if standing calmly in the rain."

Zuo Wuji looked at Ji Yuan. After Ji Yuan nodded, he complied. Zhu Yan, on the side, also glanced at Ji Yuan. Wisps of smoky demonic aura began to emanate from his body. After swirling in the air for a moment, this demonic aura rapidly entered Zuo Wuji through his seven orifices, including his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

Ji Yuan could feel Zuo Wuji's body temperature fluctuating, with demonic energy constantly circulating within him. However, Zhu Yan was also frowning frequently at this moment, just like Zuo Wuji.

A long while later, Zuo Wuji's face suddenly turned pale, then green. At certain acupoints on his body, large amounts of vital blood and demonic energy would suddenly coalesce, then shift to another spot. Over three hundred acupoints underwent changes in different sequences.

After a full thirty-six hours, Zuo Wuji was drenched in sweat, steaming as if he had just emerged from a hot cauldron. Zhu Yan, too, had replenished his demonic energy multiple times.

'Just a few more transformations, a few more shifts through the meridians, and it will be done, soon!'

Zhu Yan's expression gradually grew excited. Observing the changes in Zhu Yan's face, Ji Yuan's mind stirred. He decisively intervened, extending his hand and tapping Zuo Wuji's forehead with his sword-finger.

Immediately, a bright spiritual light erupted from Zuo Wuji's forehead, causing him to instantly awaken. His Martial Fiend Primordial Aura surged, and his vital blood and fiendish energy rose like flames. Coupled with Ji Yuan's magical power circulating like a dragon, Zhu Yan's demonic energy was instantly expelled from Zuo Wuji's body.

Zhu Yan and Zuo Wuji opened their eyes almost simultaneously at that moment.

"Hmph, demon, what did you do to me?"

Zhu Yan smiled. Although Ji Yuan had interfered, thirty-six hours had been long enough, even better than he had initially imagined. A wisp of his soul-essence was now hidden deep within Zuo Wuji's meridians, and the condition of Zuo Wuji's physical body and meridians was as wonderful as he had hoped, indicating limitless potential.

"Sir Ji, Senior Zuo, why be so hasty? Senior Zuo, I previously activated your acupoints with varying strengths, according to different sequences and rhythms. Do you still remember those sequences and timings?"

Without waiting for Zuo Wuji's answer, Zhu Yan continued.

"To practice martial arts, one must supplement their body. You already understand this, which is why you occasionally eat demon meat when slaying demons. Furthermore, it's best to supplement with various spirit herbs and elixirs. Besides the physique and meridians, you must also combine this with the refinement of acupoints, aligning yourself with the celestial stars above and the earth below. Though the path is arduous and filled with ceaseless hardship, it will ultimately lead to the Grand Dao. The journey will be bumpy, but you, Zuo Wuji, can certainly do it; you must do it!"

Zuo Wuji was still processing the sensations of the acupoint changes he had just experienced. Hearing Zhu Yan's words, he frowned even more, not because he didn't understand, but because he found it strange that this demon held such unexpectedly high expectations for him.

Ji Yuan calmly looked at Zhu Yan.

"Is that all?"

"Hahaha, it's far from that simple. If Sir Ji trusts me, it would be best for me to guide Zuo Wuji more thoroughly. Indeed, it would be ideal for the three of us to discuss it together. Once is far from enough!"

Ji Yuan stated directly,

"Alright! This time, you decide when it ends."

Zhu Yan was overjoyed. Ji Yuan was actually giving him a second chance?

"Excellent! This time, we won't sit cross-legged. Instead, activate your vital blood and Martial Fiend Primordial Aura, but instead of using its original transformations, you must follow my guidance to evolve new ones! I just fear Senior Zuo might not be able to endure the hardship!"

"Hmph, less talk, demon. There's no hardship I, Zuo, cannot bear!"

"What spirit!"

As Zhu Yan laughed heartily, demonic energy surged forth wildly, once again flowing into Zuo Wuji's body...

One day, two days, three days... ten days, twenty days, thirty days...

Zuo Wuji's resilience and adaptability continued to surprise Zhu Yan. However, gradually, Zhu Yan began to sense that something was amiss.

Why did Ji Yuan, who seemed so worried, repeatedly give Zhu Yan opportunities? Even if Zhu Yan acted with the utmost subtlety and performed flawlessly, it might work once, twice, or thrice, but ten, twenty, or thirty times? And they were even deeply discussing new transformations of the Martial Fiend Primordial Aura and the development of the martial way together?

That couldn't be right, could it?

Now, Zhu Yan felt that if he truly wished, and was willing to pay any price, he already had a fifty percent chance of seizing Zuo Wuji's body. It was just that Zuo Wuji was still too weak, and it wasn't the opportune moment.

Ji Yuan, in fact, had been very nervous at first. Not nervous that Zhu Yan would do something irreversible to Zuo Wuji, but nervous that Zhu Yan would see through his 'Dream Roaming, Realm Wandering' technique.

However, after fifty or so days, although Zhu Yan became increasingly suspicious, his mental focus remained entirely on Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji. Not once did he suspect that the world he was in was actually a world within a book.

To a certain extent, even their physical bodies and spirits were manifestations of their own thoughts.

This greatly relieved Ji Yuan. Indeed, the events of the Dragon Transformation Feast had not reached Zhu Yan's ears, and indeed, he had not seen through the illusion. So, Ji Yuan could prolong this for as long as possible.