Chapter 604: Second Moon Run, Chaotic Spirit Pearl, Intensive Training in Seclusion

Boom!

Crimson-gold lava pillars erupted one after another, overwhelmingly powerful, like smoke plumes soaring to the heavens.

Ancient beasts, each the size of a blue whale and covered in crimson-gold fish scales, excitedly slapped their bellies, as if they hadn't encountered someone like Wang Yu in a long time.

The crimson-gold fire pillars intertwined and surged aggressively.

Wang Yu, however, was unfazed. With his body cultivation having reached the late fifth stage, ordinary lava and flames could no longer harm him. Having not stretched his muscles in a long time, he was somewhat eager for a challenge.

Immediately, he let out a low roar as his cultivation technique circulated.

Nine Undying Nether Dragons burst forth from his body, forming coiling dragon shapes. They devoured all the incoming fire pillars without wavering in the slightest.

These nine black dragons were different from the dragon-shaped fist energy he had previously formed from vital energy and blood using the Demonic Dragon Fist and Dragon Emperor Fist. This time, they were an effect of the 'Undying Nether Dragon Art,' or more precisely, a manifestation!

For a fifth-stage body cultivator, accumulating Golden Blood Divine Marrow is one of the cultivation goals.

The second cultivation goal is to allow the Light of Immortality to start from over two hundred bones and permeate and spread throughout the meridians, flesh, organs, skin, and hair, in order to forge a truly immortal body.

Regarding this second goal, its cultivation also follows a specific method. According to the progress of the cultivation art, the Immortal Demonic Bones first affect the blood, then the flesh and organs, and finally the meridians and skin. Each time a part of the meridians is strengthened, similar to when he cultivated the 'Flood Dragon Strength' in the past, he can condense a Dragon Tendon, significantly increasing his strength. Once nine Dragon Tendons are formed, they transform into these nine Undying Nether Dragons that protect the body and enhance strength.

Furthermore, when his body suffers fatal damage, these nine Undying Nether Dragons can substitute for him, having become a new physical body substitute divine ability. Unfortunately, it is difficult for them to be effective against opponents far superior to Wang Yu's cultivation realm.

Once the 'Placement Panel' can evolve it to the sixth stage, it might reverse this disadvantage.

Returning to the main topic.

While insufficient against great cultivators of the Dao Integration realm, against these ancient lava fish beasts, mostly at the fourth stage, he crushed them with overwhelming force.

Above the crimson-gold lava ocean, Wang Yu swung his fists, and the nine Undying Nether Dragons instantly shifted from defense, opening their enormous maws to fiercely swallow the lava fire pillars. More Yin Nether vital energy and blood overflowed from their bodies.

His momentum was unstoppable, and wherever he passed, lava fish soared into the air and were violently flung out of the crimson-gold ocean. The Thirty-Six Blood Refinement Lotus Furnace had already opened its petals. Like an alligator lying in wait, it swallowed the incoming flesh and blood materials one by one. For a moment, a faint blood-red hue stained the white bone petals.

“It's indeed turning blood-red, Dao of Slaughter intent—Soul Shock!”

Instantly, a crimson, lightning-like wave of energy rapidly spread out.

The entire crimson-gold ocean was silent for a moment, then immediately boiled, as a colossal lava fish, no smaller than a mountain, leaped out of it. It was the ancient beast Fish King, which had reached the fifth stage.

“Excellent!”

Wang Yu instantly moved forward, his power domain enveloping the area. Like a giant's grip, he seized the fish's tail and began to violently thrash it left and right, like a mythological giant.

The disparity in their realms was too vast. Even though ancient beasts were known for their physical prowess, they were no match for Wang Yu, who had completely loosened up his muscles and bones. He struck harder and harder, until a certain moment. It was only when the entire ancient beast Fish King was forcibly shattered by brute strength that he suddenly realized and quickly activated his Natal Spirit Treasure, not letting a single drop of blood escape.

He exhaled.

Above the crimson-gold ocean, Wang Yu was seen bare-chested, blood mixed with sweat sliding down his skin. With closed eyes, his face showed a hint of enjoyment. Slaughter was the best way to release suppressed frustration. The primal urge to fight within his genetic instinct was unleashed, which significantly relaxed his mental state.

Under his divine sense perception, all the ancient beasts living in the crimson-gold ocean were devoured by his Natal Spirit Treasure, except for a few materials he intentionally left behind, and he also gained a large quantity of fire-attribute spiritual treasures, enough for him to use during secluded cultivation, or when refining treasures.

“Time to go.”

All his objectives were achieved, and he gained several unexpected treasures. This trip was certainly not in vain.

Wang Yu, who had returned to the skies above Vermillion Bird Divine Mountain, took one last look at this decaying world, sighed softly, and a full moon symbol lit up in his eyes, activating the Moon Return Eye Technique. The Moon-Soaring Passage descended once more, guiding Wang Yu to the moon. This time, once he went up, he didn't plan on returning.

“The Grand Yin Body Forging Treasure Scroll, the Jade Void Glazed Wall, treasure refining, cultivation enhancement, comprehending spatial Dao principles, improving intent domain power… It's a long and arduous journey!”

In the Endless Ice Plains, at the Frozen Demon's sealed ground.

The ground trembled, and mountains swayed.

The ice mountain that had originally sealed the Frozen Demon was actually lifted from its base by a mountain of flesh and blood, flowing with fresh blood. Its connection to the earth's energy was broken. The ice mountain's seal no longer drew power from the Frozen Demon. The still somewhat bewildered Frozen Demon had already broken free. He frowned and looked at the linen-clad youth. But this fellow was merely indulging in wild laughter.

“Hahahaha, Frozen Demon, you haven't broken free once since you were sealed. How does it feel this time?”

The latter still frowned. “Are you… the Blood Demon or the Life Demon?”

The linen-clad youth paused at his words and also frowned. “You fellow, have you only recently gained a new consciousness? What a waste.”

“—You!”

Before he could finish speaking, Kongkongzi and Mingfeng had already caught up.

The former's expression was grim: “Damn it, how could he have the ability to break the seal? Young Master You Shi can't hold back this time. Too much time has already been wasted waiting for you.”

A hint of unnaturalness flickered in Mingfeng's eyes. Yet, he simply waved his sleeve. “When I act, when is there ever room for an old Daoist like you to comment?”

How powerful was a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure? The Nine Nether King Crown, moreover, was a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure perfectly suited for him to wield. When he first suppressed the Life Demon earlier, he had deliberately held back his strength, with the aim of letting the opponent release another ancient demon. As for the objective he sought to achieve through this…

“Kongkongzi, I hear your Void Dharma Lineage has held the position of Prison King Spirit Official for many years. You must have complete records there, regarding the descendants of Dragon Monarch Cangxue, is there any reliable information?”

“You…”

Kongkongzi was greatly alarmed. In truth, after he had suppressed the Life Demon earlier and continuously eroded its vitality, he could have resealed the Life Demon if he had paid any cost. However, he was too careful with himself, unwilling to suffer a reduction in lifespan. Secondly, he needed the Nine Nether King to help his lineage negotiate with the people from the Prison Department and help him clear his name. After all, according to the Immortal Palace's system, at many times, atoning for a crime through meritorious service did not resolve the mistakes committed. Delayed reckoning was an old tradition.

These two reasons forced him to choose to wait for Mingfeng's support. Alas, he was at their mercy. This time, it seemed he had invited a wolf into his house. Although the Void Dharma Lineage had been prominent in the past, it currently had no Grand Ascension ancestor guarding it. From the very beginning, the transaction was unbalanced. The other party not only wanted to obtain the 'evidence of crime' against Dragon Monarch Cangxue, but also wanted to seize the position of Prison King Spirit Official, leaving him no room for maneuver.

“Mingfeng, how dare you bully me like this!”

“—Impudent!”

The Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure, the Nine Nether King Crown, was once again brought forth, but this time, Mingfeng also held an additional bead-shaped spirit treasure.

“A Chaos Spirit Pearl?”

“Indeed. Although my strength is considerable, I still lack quite a bit to fully activate a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure. With this Chaos Spirit Pearl as a source, it can certainly unleash its full power.”

In a flash. The Frozen Demon and Life Demon, who were still watching the two squabble, suddenly found themselves unable to move in the next instant. Power close to that of a late-stage Mahayana cultivator was suddenly unleashed. The Chaos Spirit Pearl released boundless energy, allowing the artifact spirit to act. Two large hands, formed by Nine Nether Dao principles, directly seized the Frozen Demon and the Life Demon. Neither had the slightest power to resist. It was no different from Wang Yu facing Kongkongzi's lethal strike back then. There was no difference. At this moment, even the mighty ancient demons were mere ants.

“Have you thought it through?”

Facing the aggressive Mingfeng, Kongkongzi felt extremely bitter. He even regretted listening to the rotten idea of his unfilial disciple, Zhong Ying. The Nine Nether lineage constantly battled demons, earning great merits for the Immortal Palace. If the Nine Nether King wanted to touch his Void Dharma Lineage… The outcome was self-evident.

As for Mingfeng's conditions, while seemingly simple, they actually violated the Heavenly Law. The Eight Departments of the Immortal Palace each had their own duties, and it was most taboo for high-ranking officials from one department to interfere in the internal affairs of another. The relationship between the Primordial Battle Immortal Department and the Endless Immortal Prison Department was particularly sensitive, as the latter held many cultivators from the Battle Immortal Department who had committed offenses, some due to wartime actions, others due to outdated Heavenly Laws. There were many disagreements between the two departments, and the records of the Demon Prison were even more crucial. Since they involved that immortal, how could he dare to violate taboos?

In principle, no one could mention it, and no one could speak of it if asked. This way, he could leverage the prestige to gain benefits for his Void Dharma Lineage. It was rumored that the founding ancestor of the Void Dharma Lineage had a past connection with that immortal. Otherwise, this position might not have been secured by them and passed down through generations.

Thinking of this, Kongkongzi closed his eyes and resignedly said: “Since that's the case, Young Master, do as you wish. This old man will use his life to break the deadlock for the Void Dharma Lineage, without implicating anyone else.” The implication was that threatening him with the unsealing of more ancient demons was useless. Death was the only outcome, so what was there to fear?

It was precisely this resolute attitude that made Mingfeng hesitant. He hadn't expected this old Daoist to have such backbone. “Could it be… that a true immortal really stands behind them?” This thought flashed through his mind.

Mingfeng, however, changed his tone, and with a thought, he resealed the Frozen Demon within the ice mountain. The mountain of flesh and blood instantly collapsed, leaving the Frozen Demon even more bewildered. What did this mean? He had barely been let out to breathe some fresh air, only to be so casually suppressed again. Did they take him for worthless trash? This was simply outrageous!!!

“Hahaha, Daoist Kongkongzi, why be like this? I was merely playing a joke on you. The records cannot be seen. After this incident, you are welcome to visit my residence often for a chat, how about it?”

Only then did Kongkongzi bow and say, “Since Young Master You Shi honors me with your invitation, it would be impolite for this old Daoist to decline.”

The confrontation concluded with Kongkongzi's narrow victory. Mingfeng also stopped playing tricks. He teamed up with Kongkongzi to recapture the enraged Life Demon and returned it to the Sword Sect's former mountain gate site, resealing it within the floating immortal mountain. No matter how the latter struggled or erupted, it was all useless. The hand seals manifested by the Nine Nether Dao principles were like the strongest shackles in the world. Even an ancient demon could not break free. The matter of the ancient demon breaking free thus ended so casually.

Mingfeng casually departed. Daoist Kongkong continued his next task: to completely eliminate the cultivators of the Ice Prison Realm, and simultaneously began searching various secret realm spaces using a secret method. He was also searching for Wang Yu's whereabouts. He had witnessed the other party's journey to the moon and return last time, and he didn't want to let go of an ant with astonishing potential. If he couldn't find him on the ground, he would have to find a way to cross the Nine Heavens Gale Wind and go to the moon to check.

However, his comprehensive search of the realm had just begun, when an order from the Prison Department was transmitted via the Prison King's Spirit Seal, forbidding him from acting recklessly in the Demon Prison and ordering him to return to the Prison Department for a report immediately. From the tone, it seemed he was to be punished. After all, he was no longer the Prison King Spirit Official. In principle, he could not interfere in the affairs of this realm. As the other side was pressing urgently, Kongkongzi had no choice but to leave the realm first.

He set up a Revival Pool in the Prison King's Palace outside the Ice Prison Realm. Using a Nine-Colored Jade Purity Treasure Lotus Root as material, he injected Zhong Ying's primordial spirit into it, immersing it in the Revival Pool. He then set up a grand formation to help him remold his physical body. Thus, in ten years, he could recover his physical body. And in another fifty years, he could fully recover to his peak state. He left Zhong Ying a divine sense jade slip, detailing what had happened during this period, and entrusted his beloved disciple with the task of exhaustively searching the realm.

Daoist Kongkong then hastily departed. He headed to the Prison Department for interrogation, and also informed another junior brother from the Void Dharma Lineage, asking him to help look after Zhong Ying. Only then did he feel somewhat at ease.

In the Ice Prison Realm, on the Grand Yin Star.

Although Wang Yu didn't witness the entire process of the two Dao Integration grand cultivators sealing the ancient demon, the terrifying aura of the Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure operating at full power was something he could sense even while on his way to the Grand Yin Star. This heightened his sense of urgency. With such terrifying Dao principle aura, he had reason to suspect that the Life Demon had been dealt with. He could only be glad he hadn't sought out the Life Demon for a direct transaction. However, no matter how powerful Kongkongzi and the other mysterious Dao Integration cultivator were, they still underestimated the insidious nature of the ancient demon's abilities. With the ancient demon's body sealed, its vigilance was greatly reduced. The part of the Life Demon's power dormant within him would likely become even more dormant, and could only hitch a ride with him to leave this ancient prison.

Unfortunately, he was still one step behind. Under normal circumstances, after sensing the ancient demon's unsealing event had concluded, he should theoretically have left the Ice Prison Realm immediately. Even taking risks would be better than being caught by Kongkongzi, who now had his hands free. However, Wang Yu did not play by the rules. He planned to hide inside the Moon Palace. Ordinary people, upon seeing the illusory image of the osmanthus tree, would never wander around its canopy as he did, and thus naturally wouldn't discover the profound wonders hidden within.

Of course, if Kongkongzi truly discovered him, Wang Yu would directly activate the second stage of the Moon Return Eye Technique, teleporting randomly to another minor world that possessed a Grand Yin Star. This freed-up time was crucial for his game against the Ancient Life Demon.

“Secluded cultivation is imperative. My cultivation and secret arts can be set aside for now. The most crucial thing is to cultivate the Grand Yin Divine Runes.” This was the fundamental basis for him to communicate with the Life Demon.

Therefore, as soon as he returned to the Moon Palace, Wang Yu activated his Natal Magic Treasure to remove the Grand Yin Fire from the thirty-six flame spaces and replaced it with Molten Earth Core Fire and Ice Dragon Pill Flames, continuing the process of his Natal Spirit Treasure's advancement. As for the vast amount of Grand Yin Fire, under the manipulation of his magic power, it transformed into a liquid fire pool. After throwing a large quantity of Grand Yin Soul Stones into it, his primordial spirit directly left his body and plunged into the fire pool.

“Grand Yin Body Forging Treasure Scroll… Placement Panel, refine it, damn it!”