Dao of The Demonic Cultivator

Chapter 75: So Many Called to War, How Many Will Return

At the Water Curtain Cave, another month slipped by, equivalent to ten months on the Blue Star.

Chu Xuan spent the majority of this time entrenched in the Soul-Capturing Evil-Nurturing Array situated in Two Dragons City, honing his skills. Whenever the spiritual plants ripened or it was time to harvest large blood pearls, he would depart from this world to the nameless market to exchange these goods for the resources he required.

Each visit to the market saw him donning a different guise; having mastered the art of disguise, he had used three different identities thus far. Even when brushing past Song Feng, Lu Yin, or the Han-named cultivator, they remained oblivious that Chu Xuan was the same Foundation Establishment stage cultivator with whom they had previously traded.

With each visit, Chu Xuan could feel the war intensifying. Stalls manned by Qi Refining stage cultivators frequently changed hands, sometimes within a matter of days.

The self-important Song Feng had fallen in battle, a testament to the merciless nature of this meat-grinder-like conflict that swallowed lives without causing so much as a ripple.

The time for Extreme Yin Cave to engage in the war had arrived. A new message awaited Chu Xuan at the sound-recording formation of the Water Curtain Cave, left by Li Xuanming, the senior brother of Extreme Yin Cave. "Junior Brother Chu Xuan, the master commands us to assemble at the training ground."

Chu Xuan had long anticipated this day. He gathered his belongings and set off for the Extreme Yin Cave training ground. Upon his arrival, he found that the other Foundation Establishment stage cultivators of Extreme Yin Cave had already gathered.

Leading them was Li Xuanming, clad in flowing white robes, exuding a martial grandeur. Alongside him stood Liu Zhenxiong, Wu Teng, and others, including a somewhat unfamiliar figure. This individual was deeply engaged in conversation with Li Xuanming and seemed to be Chen Zhaofeng, the recently inducted disciple of Extreme Yin Cave.

"Junior brother." Li Xuanming, catching sight of Chu Xuan, nodded slightly without further comment. His cultivation had now reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, marking him as a prodigy even within the vast ranks of the Heavenly Seal Sect.

In contrast, Chu Xuan seemed rather unremarkable. It appeared his talents were not as formidable as Li Xuanming had once thought, and any previous wariness he might have had towards Chu Xuan gradually dissipated.

Chu Xuan responded with a light nod and a smile. Li Xuanming's lack of wariness towards him was indeed a favorable turn of events. Previously, he had harbored concerns that the senior brother of Extreme Yin Cave might harbor jealousy, potentially forcing Chu Xuan into a dire confrontation.

Wu Teng, much like Li Xuanming, merely exchanged greetings with Chu Xuan, offering no further conversation, instead continuing his discussion with Chen Zhaofeng.

In contrast, Liu Zhenxiong approached Chu Xuan warmly to discuss recent happenings. Although Chu Xuan had been vigilantly observing external changes and committing them to memory, he patiently listened to Liu Zhenxiong's account. It was clear that this senior brother truly regarded him as both a junior brother and a friend.

After a short while, Liu Zhenxiong surreptitiously handed Chu Xuan an object. Glancing down, Chu Xuan saw it was a talisman crafted from human skin. Unlike orthodox talismans drawn with cinnabar, this one was marked with twisted, bizarre lines that at first glance seemed nonsensical. Yet upon closer inspection, these lines seemed to coalesce into a terrifying pattern.

"A demonic talisman, containing a Foundation Establishment stage tiger spirit," Liu Zhenxiong whispered. "It might save your life in a critical moment."

Chu Xuan's interest was piqued, "Where did this come from, Senior Brother Liu?"

Clearly, the talisman was of demonic origin. The orthodox arts consisted of array, alchemy, tool refinement, and talisman crafting. Some demonic cultivators exceptionally gifted had adapted orthodox talisman crafting techniques into demonic methods.

Demonic talisman crafting involved sealing a living soul within human skin, suppressed by demonic runes, thus eternally binding the soul within the talisman for the user's command.

This Tiger Soul Talisman could summon a tiger spirit to combat foes. This tiger spirit was a Foundation Establishment stage demonic beast, and now possessed even greater malevolence and strength, at least equivalent to a high-grade magical tool. The potency of a demonic talisman lay in its autonomy, serving as an alternative form of beast control.

During subsequent trades with Song Feng, he revealed a Wolf Soul Talisman. However, Song Feng's high price had led to their parting on less than amicable terms.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Liu." Chu Xuan accepted the talisman without any pretense.

At that moment, a dark shadow suddenly appeared within the training ground. All eyes turned to see it was Wan Wuying, the patriarch of Extreme Yin Cave.

"Master!" Chu Xuan, Li Xuanming, and the others immediately bowed, addressing him respectfully.

Wan Wuying nodded slightly. Perhaps because he had seized a significant treasure from the native Wu Province sects, his complexion appeared particularly robust.

"I have agreed with the Heavenly Seal Sect. The Extreme Yin Cave will soon be entering the war," he declared. "As my direct disciples, I cannot attend to each of you personally, so I will grant each of you a high-grade magic tool and a bottle of demonic pills."

With a sweep of his storage bag, Wan Wuying released several high-grade magic tools, allowing his disciples to choose among them. The array of options he provided was plentiful.

After some consideration, Chu Xuan selected the Mystic Iron Shield as his defensive magical tool. His previous shield, the Golden Wood Shield, had been severely damaged during an attack by Huikong, showing numerous cracks that significantly reduced its defensive capabilities.

Lacking the skills to repair it and unwilling to pay a hefty price for a craftsman's services, Chu Xuan had already planned to acquire a new high-grade defensive magical tool. Wan Wuying's offer was timely and aligned perfectly with his needs.

As for the demonic pills, known as Fury Qi Pills, they were designed to temporarily extract one's latent potential, unleashing a burst of Spiritual Qi. Crafted personally by Wan Wuying, these were meant as a last resort for preserving life.

Chu Xuan also took a bottle. Though he might not need to use them, it was essential to have them.

When Chu Xuan received the Fury Spirit Pills from Wan Wuying, the old master looked at him with a complex expression.

Wan Wuying remembered how Chu Xuan had played a crucial role in rescuing him from captivity at Misty Manor and had been initially surprised by his aptitude.

For a time, he even considered imparting all his knowledge to him. However, after several teachings, he did not observe any extraordinary capabilities in Chu Xuan. His insight seemed only on par with Wu Teng, perhaps even less than Liu Zhenxiong, which had somewhat disheartened him.

Later, Wan Wuying took in Chen Zhaofeng, whose talents appeared to rival those of Li Xuanming. Consequently, his attention shifted primarily to Chen Zhaofeng, and he gradually overlooked Chu Xuan.

Wan Wuying then asked, "Chu Xuan, what is your current cultivation level?"

Bowing respectfully, Chu Xuan responded, "To report to Master, I remain at the second level of Foundation Establishment."

He had always been cautious about revealing his true strength. Within the Heavenly Seal Sect, there were many factions dissatisfied with the Extreme Yin Cave lineage. Displaying too much power would only draw constant scrutiny and immense pressure from all sides.

Wan Wuying sighed softly, "Alright, go now."

So much time had passed, yet Chu Xuan was still at the second level of the Foundation Establishment. Was his previous rapid advancement merely a stroke of luck?

Li Xuanming and Chen Zhaofeng showed no particular reaction, their expressions indifferent. In the world of cultivation, many were like Chu Xuan, briefly brilliant before fading away and meeting a tragic end in obscurity.

"Go, I await your triumphant return," Wan Wuying said calmly, giving one last look at his four disciples.

"Yes!" Chu Xuan and the others bowed and then turned to leave.

"So many called to battle, how many will return?" Wan Wuying murmured with a soft sigh.