Zhao Changsu went to Shibi Old Man for help, but Shibi Old Man was already irritated at his inability to swiftly defeat A Tong and Li Ning.
He flicked his fly-whisk backward, sending the Bloodflame Golden Saber flying over to engulf Zhao Changsu. In an instant, it destroyed Zhao Changsu's physical body.
Overwhelmed by grief and rage, Zhao Changsu struggled within the Blood Flame as a primordial spirit. "You promised that as long as we worked for you, you wouldn't kill us..."
Shipi Old Man shouted angrily, "You blockhead! You're like a stupid pig or a witless ox, unable to subdue even the god-demons you refined yourself! If I hadn't destroyed your body, they would have burrowed deep into your organs and devoured every last scrap of your soul, spirit, and consciousness!
"Eventually, even your primordial spirit would have had no escape. They would have torn you apart and swallowed you! Now I've shattered your body and used the Asura Great Art to unite your essence qi, spirit, and blood, strengthening your primordial spirit so it can become a life-bound god-demon.
"Then I'll perform a sacrificial spell to make these demons submit to you, and you can help me fight our enemies. As long as we succeed this time, I'll send you to reincarnate afterward. I guarantee you a safe rebirth, and I'll even help you tame these demons!"
After hearing this, Zhao Changsu's anger turned to joy. These demons were his helpers, but they were also his fetters, and would ultimately become his tribulation.
Demons were ordeals!
The original Buddhist translation had used the character for "grinding," representing the ordeals along the path of cultivation. Emperor Wu of Liang later changed it to the character for "demon," which incorporated the "ghost" radical.
Those on the demonic path raised demons