In Li Muyang's view, the demonic cultivators of the old era had all fit the stereotypical image of demonic fiends.
But at some point, the cultivation system of the demonic path had undergone an explosive technological revolution.
Great sects like the Demon Refining Sect had continuously introduced new demonic cultivation techniques, replacing the old methods that relied on killing people and feeding on flesh and blood—methods that drained the pond to catch all the fish.
The Two-Legged Sheep that Li Muyang had previously been in charge of herding, for example, were an advanced substitute for ordinary mortals.
In the demonic cultivation world, the soul of a single Two-Legged Sheep was worth ten ordinary mortals.
And the blood of a Two-Legged Sheep was demonic blood, which could also be used for demonic cultivation and artifact refinement.
Their skin, flesh, and bones could also be used to refine artifacts. They were practically treasures from head to toe.
The Demon Refining Sect kept many other spirit beasts like the Two-Legged Sheep.
Demonic cultivators had abandoned the traditional method of killing people to refine their cultivation—a practice that drained the pond to catch all the fish. Instead, they began claiming territory and ruling mortals, interacting with them in more conventional ways.
This had also lowered the barrier to becoming a demonic cultivator, increasing their overall numbers.
After all, the current cultivation system relied mainly on resources.
With enough resources, one might not necessarily be able to cultivate an unrivaled expert, but one could certainly cultivate plenty of small fry.
As a great sect of the demonic path in this era, the Demon Refining Sect naturally had an abundance of cultivation resources.
At the outer sect's market, Li Muyang quickly found the demonic blood he needed among the dazzling array of roadside stalls.
The cultivation world's resource tiers were simple and straightforward: common, low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and the legendary immortal grade.
The jar of demonic blood Li Muyang found was the lowest tier, common-grade demonic blood from low-level spirit beasts like the Two-Legged Sheep.
The stall owner was a middle-aged man with a stiff expression and the stench of blood clinging to him. He was clearly an outer sect disciple who worked in herding and animal husbandry.
Servant disciples in this line of work could easily get their hands on cultivation resources such as demonic blood, skin, bones, and even souls.
Li Muyang asked the price and bought the jar of demonic blood outright, without even haggling.
His easy payment made the stall owner raise an eyebrow.
"You're not going to bargain, young man?" The stall owner, whose eyes had looked as lifeless as a dead fish, finally showed a hint of emotion.
Li Muyang smiled cheerfully. "Your price is fair enough. It's not expensive, so there's no need to bargain."
Li Muyang took all the money from his pouch, counted it quickly, and paid the full amount.
After paying for the jar of demonic blood, he had only two qian of silver left.
The stall owner gave him a long look, then glanced at Li Muyang's nearly empty money pouch. "You're one generous fellow, young man!"
"If you need demonic blood or other cultivation materials in the future, come find me. I like doing business with generous people. I'll give you a discount for sure."
"My name is Tie Qifeng," the stall owner said.
Li Muyang nodded cheerfully. "All right. If I need anything next time, I'll definitely come to you, Brother."
He didn't give his own name. As soon as he had the demonic blood he wanted, Li Muyang carried the jar off.
The market was bustling with noise. Outer sect disciples of the Demon Refining Sect crowded together, their clamor shaking the heavens.
The liveliest places of all were the brothels decked out in red and green.
Even from a distance, he could see the scantily clad women upstairs, flaunting their figures with bold, wanton movements to entice customers.
Li Muyang glanced over from afar, then glanced again.
As a normal man, it would have been a lie to say he wasn't interested.
But he wasn't planning to go in.
Still, perhaps that was just how roadside stalls were: they looked dirty and cheap, but were tempting all the same. Whenever you passed by, you couldn't help sneaking a couple of looks.
Li Muyang left the market with the demonic blood he'd just bought and soon returned to his little house.
The sunset's afterglow spilled across the mountains. Li Muyang filled a wooden tub with water, then poured in a third of the demonic blood from the jar.
As the demonic blood mixed with the clear water, a pungent, overwhelming smell of blood immediately filled the room.
Li Muyang covered his nose and frowned. The stench was even worse than he'd imagined.
Even so, he gritted his teeth, stripped naked, and lay down in the tub.
Practicing the Residual Cloud Movement Technique wasn't difficult. The hard part was the process: tempering one's body with demonic blood was agonizing and caused severe damage. Most people needed to wait a long time after each session, recuperating before they could cultivate again.
But as Li Muyang lay in the diluted demonic blood and circulated the spiritual energy within him, he found that the full-body stinging pain he'd expected never appeared.
Guided by his spiritual energy, wisps of demonic blood seeped into Li Muyang's flesh and skin. There was none of the excruciating pain described in the manual. Instead, it felt cool and soothing.
The blood energy seeping into his body wasn't damaging him, either.
It seemed the system had waived not only the costs of using the technique, but the costs of cultivation as well.
Lying in the foul, pungent demonic blood, Li Muyang let out a long breath of relief.
In his previous life, he hadn't been particularly diligent. His ultimate goal had been to live a carefree life with all his needs provided for.
But now that he'd transmigrated to another world and had a chance to change his fate, Li Muyang didn't mind becoming a cultivation maniac and putting in a little extra effort.
With this cheat practically shoved in his face, he only needed to try a bit harder to accomplish what would take an ordinary person years, maybe even over a decade. What reason did he have not to work hard?
Immersed in the foul, pungent demonic blood, Li Muyang shut his eyes tight and circulated his demonic cultivation technique with all his might.
His spiritual energy continuously drew the essence from the demonic blood. Faint demonic markings appeared on the surface of his skin.
The Residual Cloud Movement Technique required three cultivation sessions to master. The higher the grade of the demonic blood used, the greater the damage to the body—and the greater the increase in movement speed.
Normally, common-grade demonic blood was the limit for tempering the body at the Qi Refining Realm.
But now that the system had waived the cost of cultivation for Li Muyang, perhaps he could try getting some higher-grade demonic blood to temper his body?
But first, he couldn't let this jar of common-grade demonic blood go to waste.
Li Muyang sat motionless in the wooden tub for a full three hours. Outside, the sky shifted from sunset and evening clouds to deep night.
Only after those three hours did Li Muyang let out a long breath and stand up from the tub.
By then, the water in the tub was clean and clear. All the demonic blood had been absorbed.
But Li Muyang didn't plan to rest.
His eyes gleaming, he looked at the jar beside him, stood up, and poured the rest of its demonic blood into the tub.
Ordinary people needed a long period of rest after tempering their bodies with demonic blood before they could do it a second time.
But Li Muyang was different. Now that he'd finished tempering his body with demonic blood, he didn't feel the slightest discomfort.
So Li Muyang decided to continue with a second session. If possible, he wanted to master the Residual Cloud Movement Technique tonight.
What was the worst that could happen? He'd stay up late!
Li Muyang used to think Guan Xiaoshun was a cultivation maniac, but now he seemed to be just the same.
But it was fine. We could all push ourselves!
Being a cultivation maniac now was all so he could live a better, carefree life as a lazybones later!
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