Chapter 10

In the blink of an eye, all immortal grace vanished, leaving behind a stiff snake carcass.

From great demon to mere creature, its cultivation, bloodline, and life force—everything had been extinguished.

The young man in white stepped over the corpse, his robes untouched by dust.

Phoenix Forest was once again swept by a bloody storm.

The upheaval came swiftly and subsided even faster.

When the young man departed three days later, the entire forest had become a silent graveyard.

Within the spatial passage, Lu Tian's footsteps echoed in rhythm with his heartbeat.

Thump, thump, thump—

Each dull beat made the void tremble faintly.

"Four Golden Immortals, six hundred True Immortals, three thousand Profound Immortals... and they did not even fill one ten-thousandth of the cracks in my foundation?"

He frowned as he sensed the changes within his body.

The improved Demon Heart Swallowing Heaven Scripture was indeed effective, but it required far more nourishment than expected.

If his damaged foundation were compared to a vast ocean—

A Profound Immortal was no more than a cup of water,

A True Immortal barely amounted to a barrel,

Only a Golden Immortal was like a lake flowing into it.

"I underestimated the origins of this body."

Blood-red ripples surfaced in the young man's eyes.

At the end of the passage,

The wails of countless cultivators drifted over.

My foundation should have been extraordinary. Only damage reduced me to this state. Otherwise, why would I need so much origin to repair it?

Lu Tian pondered inwardly. Could it be that his original foundation had belonged among the very best?

After repeatedly considering the matter, since there was nothing wrong with the other factors, the problem had to lie with himself.

Lu Tian focused and looked inward.

In his sea of consciousness, the Purple Bamboo was barely clinging to life, as if it could wither at any moment.

Fortunately, the Power of Origin he had just absorbed had left a few traces of green around its roots, while his Golden Immortal cultivation barely sustained its vitality.

As far as he remembered, there had never seemed to be any legend of Purple Bamboo in the west.

Had he not transmigrated here, this Purple Bamboo would likely have perished long ago, much less successfully taken human form.

Since he had an opportunity to make up for it, there was no need to worry.

The east was vast and abundant. Not to mention one hundred thousand Golden Immortals, even one hundred thousand Taiyi Golden Immortals would not be difficult to find. Why worry about failing to restore his foundation?

Lu Tian quickly calmed himself.

His journey east was imperative—if Golden Immortals were insufficient, he would hunt Taiyi Golden Immortals; if Taiyi Golden Immortals were not enough, he would battle Daluo. One day, his foundation would be complete.

For now...

Lu Tian gazed toward the towering sacred mountain.

It was time to pay respects to his two masters and senior brothers, lest they worry.

This trip had taken more than twice as long as expected.

Now that you have returned, come to the main hall at once.

Jieyin's voice transmission rang beside his ear.

He had been noticed the moment he reached the foot of the mountain?

Lu Tian flew through the air and arrived at the Western Teachings' main hall in an instant.

Jieyin and Zhunti were still playing chess.

It seemed that every time he came to see them, his two masters were in the midst of a game.

"Greetings, Masters. I encountered an unforeseen incident on the road and was delayed in returning."

The two Saints set down their chess pieces at the same time, their gazes sharp as torches.

"It is good that you are unharmed." Zhunti nodded slightly.

Golden light flowed through Jieyin's eyes as his gaze settled on Lu Tian's chest. "You obtained... an inheritance of the Demonic Path?"

Lu Tian considered this inwardly.

He had never been bound by distinctions between lineages—immortals, Buddhas, demons, and devils were all merely steps toward heaven.

He simply did not know what attitude his masters held toward the Demonic Path.

Presumably, the two Saints were the most practical of people. For the rise of the west, they would not hesitate to use any means, so they should not be constrained by sectarian prejudice.

"The profundity of this inheritance actually accords with the Dao Charm within you. Could it have been left behind by Luohu?"

He had seen through it at a glance!

The corners of Lu Tian's lips rose slightly as he answered frankly, "Master's insight is indeed piercing. I did obtain the true inheritance of the Demonic Path."

Before a Saint, there truly was nowhere to hide.

As his thoughts shifted, the spiritual power around him abruptly condensed, forming a brilliant Vajra Dharma Form.

"Master, please look. Inspired by Luohu's inheritance, I have improved the Vajra Body to this extent."

"I also found within it a method to make up for the flaws in my foundation."

Lu Tian displayed his golden body without reservation.

Since he could not hide it, he might as well reveal it openly.

A white chess piece spun lightly between Jieyin's fingers as he examined the Vajra Dharma Form with a piercing gaze.

Zhunti also put away his smile and studied it intently.

Though Luohu had not become a Saint, his talent had surpassed all of the primordial world, and the mysteries of the Demonic Path were extraordinary. How could the two Saints dare underestimate it?

"The Demonic Path inheritance... is rather interesting."

"It is a pity I could not discuss the Dao with Luohu in the same era. That is truly regrettable."

Jieyin's tone carried a trace of emotion.

The western lineage had once suffered a break. After Luohu fell, all things had fallen into silence.

They had started from nothing and eventually attained Saint positions. Only they knew the hardships involved.

Zhunti nodded in agreement and solemnly warned, "There appears to be nothing unusual about this inheritance for now."

"But it ultimately came from Luohu. You must remain vigilant at all times."

"This jade ruyi is for your protection. Though its rank is not high, it can transmit messages through the barriers of all heavens."

As he spoke, he tossed over a gleaming white jade artifact.

Lu Tian accepted it respectfully. "Thank you, Master, for this treasure."

This Houtian Spiritual Treasure appeared ordinary, yet its material concealed profound mysteries.

"Now tell us in detail about this method of repairing your foundation."

Zhunti was even more concerned about this matter and asked directly.

"After comprehending the Demon Heart Swallowing Heaven Scripture..."

Lu Tian explained the process of his deductions, Luohu's inspiration, and his experimental verification in detail.

The two Saints occasionally questioned him about particulars. Master and disciple discussed the Dao for a long time before Jieyin suddenly clapped his hands in astonishment.

"Devouring the origin of living beings to restore one's foundation? Such a profound ability..."

"Disciple, are you saying that you independently comprehended and improved this method?!"

Zhunti's Saint heart was shaken, and he repeatedly sought confirmation.

"Indeed. It was an insight I attained in sudden enlightenment."

Lu Tian answered calmly.

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged glances, and surprise flashed through both their eyes.

As two of the Six Sages, the most exalted Saints in the primordial world, and moreover Lu Tian's masters, even they could not conceal their shock at this moment!

The lineage inheritance left behind by Luohu was clearly a supreme method that led directly to the great Dao of Sainthood!

Yet Lu Tian had managed to forge another path from it. Such comprehension was truly terrifying beyond belief!

If not for their profound cultivation, vast experience, and exceptional talent of their own,

Anyone else would likely have jumped up in shock already!

"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!"

Jieyin clapped and laughed, making no effort to conceal his joy.

With such an excellent disciple, the great rise of the Western Teachings was close at hand!

He looked at Lu Tian with blazing eyes, filled with admiration.

With Lu Tian's aptitude, as long as he made up for his innate deficiencies and stabilized his foundation, reaching the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm would come naturally. Even attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint was entirely possible!

"You just mentioned that repairing your foundation requires devouring the origin of countless living beings..."

Jieyin pondered for a moment before suddenly turning toward Zhunti.

At that very moment, inspiration struck Zhunti as well. The fellow disciples exchanged smiles, their thoughts perfectly aligned.

Lu Tian, however, was completely baffled.

Jieyin explained with a smile, "Do you know Ancestor Minghe?"

"Ancestor Minghe?"

Lu Tian naturally knew of him. He was one of the foremost beings beneath the Saints, ranked among the top five Quasi-Saints.

His true body was the Blood Sea formed from Pangu's Filth Blood, and his foundation was extraordinary.

He had also created the Blood God Son divine ability, imitated Nuwa in creating the Asura Race, and followed the example of All Sages in establishing a sect.

It was said that as long as the Blood Sea did not dry up, Ancestor Minghe would not die. Indeed, no one beneath the Saints could completely destroy him.

Even the two races currently ruling heaven and earth, the Witch and Demon races, had to show him considerable respect.

"While traveling in the east, I heard of Senior Ancestor Minghe's great reputation."

Lu Tian answered cautiously, unsure why his master had suddenly mentioned Ancestor Minghe.

Jieyin nodded slightly. "Ancestor Minghe once created the Asura Race."

"This race was born from the Blood Sea, and there are many powerful experts among them."

"To increase the strength of his people, Ancestor Minghe established the Blood Sea Trial, selecting elites to bring under his command."

"The Blood Sea Trial..."

This was a secret Lu Tian had never heard before.

That was only natural. Though he had read records of the primordial world, how could he possibly know everything beneath heaven?

The so-called Blood Sea Trial involved throwing a million Asuras into a secret realm and making them slaughter one another, ultimately selecting the strongest to take under his command.

Hearing this, Lu Tian's heart shook violently.

One million, two hundred ninety-six thousand Asuras slaughtering one another merely to select the strongest to join his ranks?

Ancestor Minghe truly deserved to be someone who sought the Dao through slaughter. His methods were indeed ruthless!

The Blood Sea Trial was held once every one hundred twenty-nine thousand six hundred years. Its participants were at least True Immortal-level Asuras, and there was no shortage of Golden Immortals and Taiyi Golden Immortals among them.

Judging by the time, this era's trial was about to begin.

"You previously mentioned needing to devour a great number of experts above the Golden Immortal realm to repair your foundation. Given the scale of the Blood Sea Trial, it should satisfy your needs."

"If you wish to participate, I can arrange for you to enter the trial grounds. But whether you can contend against the experts within, and how much origin you can devour, will depend entirely on your own ability."

"As far as I know, Dao De Tianzun once made a deal with Ancestor Minghe in the previous era and sent his direct disciple Xuandu into the trial, where he gained greatly."

Lu Tian respectfully bowed to Jieyin and Zhunti.

"I am willing to undertake the trial. I will not disappoint my Masters' expectations, and I will uphold the prestige of the Western Teachings!"

He understood clearly that even Saints could not simply seize what they wanted by force. Sending him into the trial would certainly require no small price.

Given the foundations of the Western Teachings, this expenditure would likely be considerable.

However...

How could he miss such an excellent opportunity? Once he went east to patrol the mountains, he could naturally repay the Western Teachings with the rewards from signing in.

"Why so serious?"

"We have operated in the east for countless years. We can still afford this small price."

"You have just returned, so go rest first. We will go visit Ancestor Minghe now."

After Jieyin spoke, he did not give Lu Tian a chance to bid farewell before sending him back to his cave residence.

The two figures vanished from the main hall in an instant, speeding toward the east where storms gathered.

Jieyin and Zhunti, the two Saints, set out together and arrived in the eastern lands in but a moment.

They followed familiar paths to the Blood Sea.

It was a vast crimson expanse, entirely blood-red and giving off an intense stench of blood.

The smell was foul and pungent, yet mixed with a strange fragrance.

The moment they reached the shore of the Blood Sea, its waters churned violently, and a wave took human form.

"I did not know that you two fellow Daoists were coming and failed to welcome you from afar. I hope you will forgive me."

The black-robed Daoist cupped his hands in greeting, maintaining a composed bearing even before the two Saints.

He was none other than the master of this boundless Blood Sea—Daoist Minghe.

"We came abruptly without sending a visiting card. We hope Fellow Daoist Minghe will forgive us."

Jieyin returned the gesture with cupped hands.

He treated him entirely as an equal.

"You two fellow Daoists are rare guests. Please come in."

Ancestor Minghe smiled and led the two into the Blood Sea, arriving before a great hall at its center.

The seawater avatar returned to the Blood Sea, while his true body was already waiting inside the hall.

After Jieyin and Zhunti took their seats, they went straight to the point and explained their purpose.

Ancestor Minghe was rather surprised by their bluntness.

He pondered for a moment before slowly speaking. "Letting you participate in the Blood Sea Trial is no difficulty; it can be opened at any time. It's just that..."

"The Asura Race was created by my own hand. If I let you enter and slaughter freely, I truly cannot stand by and watch."

"Moreover, the trial was meant to select elites and replenish the fighting strength under my command..."

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged smiles—the meaning behind his words could not have been clearer.

"We understand your difficulties, Fellow Daoist." Jieyin flipped his hand, producing a verdant bamboo branch. "These are branches and leaves of Bitter Bamboo, capable of sealing a person's six senses. One branch can be used seven times, while each leaf may only be used once."

Three tender leaves on the bamboo branch trembled faintly. Styx accepted it without betraying any emotion, then abruptly changed the subject. "During the trial, I will ensure your disciple survives. But if I must personally save him, he will be considered eliminated."