Sunfire Branch, Bestiary of Hundred Demons

Lu Xuan waited in Heavenly Granary Hall, but his heart was far from calm.

Questioning a Foundation Establishment cultivator and demanding a spiritual item back was no easy matter.

Only within a sect like the Heaven-Gazing Sect could such a thing possibly be done. Anywhere beyond Mountain-Lifting Prefecture, he would have long since been slapped to death.

His former self had come from the borderlands of the Heaven-Gazing Sect and had seen far too many cases of people dying unjustly at the hands of minor sects.

Though he had lived two lives and harbored great ambitions, that did not mean he could act without restraint.

But... the character "Sharpness" was in his heart, and Lin Shanhai's words still rang before him. He had to give it a try.

That was why he had previously insisted on fighting tooth and nail for the Second Grand Rite.

Only by remaining in a great Immortal Cult like this could one speak of principles and discuss sect rules.

In minor sects, one could only let senior cultivators manipulate them as they pleased.

"Cultivator, please have some tea. We have already reported this to the steward. I imagine there will be a response shortly."

The middle-aged attendant on duty in Heavenly Granary Hall respectfully served spiritual tea and remained by Lu Xuan's side.

They were merely at the Embryonic Breath Realm. They would likely struggle to achieve success in Qi Gathering for their entire lives. They dared not offend Lu Xuan, much less a Foundation Establishment steward, so they could only act as messengers.

"Thank you, attendant."

Naturally, Lu Xuan would not vent his temper on such people. He took a sip of tea and waited in peace.

"Whoosh!"

Before long, however, a Flowing-Light Flying Talisman flew out from the rear hall and landed in the attendant's palm. At the same time, a gilded token descended.

The attendant received them respectfully and hurriedly inspected them. Delight immediately appeared on his face, and he quickly said to Lu Xuan, "There is one, there is one. The steward has responded."

"The steward said that the Primordial Fire Sword Sand has already been taken by him, but this accords with sect rules and cannot be disputed."

"It can only be said that, Cultivator, you missed the proper time at the Second Grand Rite."

"However, this sect acts with utmost fairness. A Flowing-Roselight Token is now granted to you. In two days, you may go to the Red Pine Fief and contend for the Sunfire Branch."

"This is an aperture-opening spiritual item superior even to Fire Origin Sword Sand. Its mysteries are extraordinary, but you must win a contest to obtain it."

"The specific details are all contained within this token. If you are willing, simply accept it, and you will naturally understand."

The attendant relayed Xie Zhenshi's words from the flying talisman to Lu Xuan, then respectfully held up the golden token and awaited Lu Xuan's decision.

Lu Xuan was slightly surprised. "Superior to Fire Origin Sword Sand? Could it be a first-grade, superior-quality spiritual item?"

The attendant answered, "In reply to Cultivator, it is indeed first-grade superior quality!"

Lu Xuan immediately fell into thought.

The Fire Origin Sword Sand was gone, yet he now had an opportunity to obtain a first-grade, superior-quality spiritual item.

How should he choose?

"Clang!"

He claimed to be pondering, but the character "Sharpness," trembling and ringing atop the Jade Disc, had already supplied the answer.

"Since that is the case, I will follow the steward's arrangements."

Lu Xuan reached out and accepted the Flowing-Roselight Token.

In an instant, a clear voice rang beside Lu Xuan's ear. Several breaths later, he understood the whole matter.

"Red Pine Fief, Sunfire Cave?"

Within the Red Pine Fief was a spiritual land called Sunfire Cave. This cave absorbed Heavenly Light and condensed earthfire; its vital energy shone brilliantly. It was an excellent spiritual cave, producing a first-grade spiritual item at intervals that could aid in Opening the Orifices.

This cave had originally belonged to the Bright Ape Clan of the Red Pine Fief. But after several twists and turns, it came to be jointly owned by the Bright Apes and the Xie Clan.

There was only one spiritual item, and it was meant for Opening the Orifices. Thus, both sides agreed that once the item matured, each would select a clansman newly successful in Qi Refining to enter the cave and contend for it.

Whoever plucked the item would own it.

The cave was not a smooth road. Fire Fiends roamed within, posing considerable danger to both newly successful Qi Refiners and apes.

And if the two happened to meet before the spiritual item, they might have to fight another bout.

But this was, after all, a trial rather than a battle to the death. Thus, neither side could bring magical artifacts, armor, or pills. They could only carry one spiritual weapon on their person.

The Xie Clan's nephew of this generation had already obtained Fire Origin Sword Sand and no longer needed the spiritual item, so this "fortuitous opportunity" had been granted to Lu Xuan.

But whether he could obtain the Sunfire Branch would depend on his own methods.

As for whether he could return to Sky Treasury and claim the Light-Clasping Mirror Sand after failing, the Flowing-Roselight Token did not make that clear.

Lu Xuan had wanted to ask, but when he thought of the character "Sharpness" on the Jade Disc, he held himself back.

With Sharpness in his heart, asking one word too many might cause him to lose that sharp edge.

He accepted the token, bowed toward the rear hall, then mounted Cloud Qi and left the hall.

"Sunfire Cave..."

"Bright Apes..."

"Fire Fiends..."

After leaving Heavenly Granary Hall, Lu Xuan did not return to his own residence. Instead, he returned to Hibernation Academy.

Hibernation Academy stood atop Fawn Peak. Its halls clustered like clouds and covered a vast expanse. Within it stood the Thousand-Scripture Pavilion, which encompassed all things and housed innumerable books.

At this moment, Lu Xuan was leafing through the texts within the Thousand-Scripture Pavilion, seeking information on the Bright Ape Clan to prepare for his journey into the cave two days hence.

Two days was far too short.

He had only just broken through to Qi Refining and possessed no real means of self-defense. Accepting this "fortuitous opportunity" had been a risky move to begin with.

Yet with Sharpness in his heart, he had no choice but to act so.

But there was good news as well.

Today, Lu Xuan had entered the Sea-Calming Bureau through sharpness of heart at the Talent Selection Office, then forcefully inspected the treasure register at Sky Treasury, and finally accepted the Flowing-Roselight Token by force. He felt the once-blurry character "Sharpness" steadily solidifying and growing clearer.

He had a feeling that if he could press forward without hesitation in Sunfire Cave this time, and carry out another "sharp" deed,

this second ancient character would fully take shape.

Therefore, he had to do everything in his power to obtain the Sunfire Branch.

"Though the Red Pine Fief is governed autonomously by demons, the Bright Ape Clan is not a great clan. Since it is only on the outskirts of the spiritual fief, I should be able to find the relevant information..."

Lu Xuan moved through the Thousand-Scripture Pavilion, searching through books.

Before long, a smile appeared on his face.

"Found it."

High upon a bookshelf several zhang tall sat a copy of the Red Pine Bestiary, which clearly detailed the origins of the Bright Ape Clan.

"Bright Apes are an unusual breed among apes. They are born with spiritual intelligence, like human infants. The longer they live, the greater their intelligence becomes. Their growth cycle is rather similar to that of our human race, and they are also called Bright-Wisdom Apes."

"This race possesses divine strength by nature, fears neither water nor fire, can evade lightning and thunder, and is difficult to harm even with iron and stone... Yet it alone fears metal weapons!"

"Weapons forged from metal can injure these apes."

"Their natal qi is fire. Thus, all those who succeed in Qi Refining can control flames. Fire wheels appear in their eyes, and anyone who meets their gaze will feel as though their heart is burning and cannot fight."

The Red Pine Bestiary expounded at length upon the origins and methods of these apes.

Seeing this, Lu Xuan's heart grew grave. He set down the book and resumed searching among the shelves.

Before long, another stone book several feet thick entered Lu Xuan's sight.

"The Demon Race did not arise from ordinary wild beasts gaining intelligence. They are innate anomalous species, born with spiritual intelligence."

"Those born with immense strength, able to ride clouds from birth and possessing extraordinary power, yet lacking spiritual intelligence, are called Savage Beasts."

"Those born without spirit and unable to gain wisdom, who attain intelligence only after accidentally consuming strange treasures or breathing in moonlight, are called Spirit Monsters."

"Whether Demon Race or Spirit Monster, their methods of cultivation differ somewhat from those of our human race."

"The qi gathered by the Demon Race is natal qi, determined entirely by bloodline talents."

"For instance, Flood Dragons are born able to control water and thus can only gather Water Qi. Rhinoceros clans are born in marshes and thus can only gather marsh qi. Tiger clans are born in mountain forests, follow the wind, and thus can only gather forest wind qi..."

"Furthermore, because of their innate bloodlines, when the Demon Race gathers qi, they can obtain only turbid, mixed, and clear qi. They cannot obtain True Qi. Compared with our human race, they are innately lacking one kind of qi and cannot discern the Dao of Heaven and Earth to gather it."

"But if the essence blood of an ancient great demon is refined into qi, it would be Source Qi."

"Yet Source Qi cannot be obtained, and the essence blood of ancient great demons is equally difficult to find. Therefore, anyone cultivating True Qi is naturally a level above the Demon Race in cultivation."

"However, the Demon Race's physical bodies are more wondrous and possess innate abilities, which are also powerful tools for cultivation. Thus, when humans and demons battle, one must weigh demon bodies against qi, and qi against demon bodies, to see which is the stronger."

The stone book discussed the ancient and the present, explaining the cultivation methods of the Demon Race so that human cultivators could assess each other.

Lu Xuan read it carefully and naturally came to understand the respective strengths and weaknesses of himself and the Bright Ape Clan.

"I gathered True Qi, so I will certainly surpass the Bright Apes by a measure. But their bodies are powerful, their strength boundless, and they can control fire. Fire wheels also rest in their eyes. To defeat them, I must avoid their flames, evade their gaze, find a metal weapon, and cut down their demon bodies..."

Lu Xuan pondered inwardly, using the records in the book to reflect upon himself.

"I gathered Dawn Radiance True Qi and can also condense Great Sun Fire Origin. I should have no need to fear their flames. What I must do now is evade their gaze and find a metal weapon..."

Lu Xuan pinched his fingers. The sunlight beyond the Thousand-Scripture Pavilion seemed to receive some summons and, in an instant, fell upon his fingertips, condensing into a wisp of brilliant flame.

Though this fire was not particularly scorching, it was like the rising morning sun, possessing endless reserves of strength and able to burn for a long, long time.

Though he had never cultivated any spells, having gathered True Qi had already granted him some extraordinary methods.

"Besides the Bright Apes, Fire Fiends dwell in Sunfire Cave. That is another danger to account for..."

Lu Xuan flicked away the Great Sun Fire Origin from his fingertips and began searching through the pavilion again.

Only after a long while did he leave the Thousand-Scripture Pavilion and return to his residence.

The intelligence was clear. Next, he needed to strengthen his methods.