The Taibai Stronghold

After Jing Wen left, a brief silence fell over the private room. Zhao Yu and his three companions looked at one another, none of them speaking first.

The choice before them concerned their future paths of cultivation. One wrong step could plunge them beyond all hope of redemption.

Yet, to everyone's surprise, after that brief silence, the four did not fall into the bitter disagreement they had expected.

They eagerly took out the Jade Slips Jing Wen had given them, which contained the Fiendish Demon Art, and studied them with complete concentration, reading them over and over without overlooking a single detail.

The deeper they delved, the more certain they became that Jing Wen had spoken the truth-the Fiendish Demon Art truly possessed the wondrous ability to condense spiritual qi.

Each simulated circulation of the art let them keenly sense subtle changes in the spiritual power within their bodies, as though invisible hands were gathering and compressing their once impure, loosely scattered spiritual qi, making it purer and stronger.

"The Black Fiend Cult is a demonic sect." Zhao Yu broke the silence first, his brows tightly knitted and his low voice tinged with worry.

In the Cultivation World, demonic cults had always been regarded as heretical and rejected by the orthodox path. Joining one meant setting foot on a road filled with thorns and suspicion.

"As long as we can reach Foundation Establishment, what does it matter if we fall onto the demonic Dao?" One companion gritted his teeth, a resolute gleam flashing in his eyes. After years of struggling along the path of cultivation and tasting every hardship and setback, he understood deeply what Foundation Establishment meant to a cultivator.

Foundation Establishment was not merely a breakthrough in realm. It was the crucial step toward greater heights, a longer lifespan, and greater strength.

"Exactly. The Foundation Establishment Stage gives you a lifespan of over two hundred years. You'd be a mainstay anywhere. Even in a demonic sect, you'd have a certain standing."

Another companion voiced his agreement, his words full of yearning for Foundation Establishment.

In this cruel Cultivation World, strength was everything. With Foundation Establishment cultivation, they could escape their struggles at the bottom and gain more resources and a greater say.

They discussed the matter quietly for a long while, weighing the gains and losses.

Finally, the female cultivator took a deep breath and stepped forward, volunteering, "I'll try cultivating the Fiendish Demon Art first."

The female cultivator was already at the eleventh layer of Qi Refining. Changing cultivation arts carried risks, but she was not entirely without confidence.

Moreover, she knew that her prospects of reaching Foundation Establishment on her original path were bleak. If she wanted to defy heaven and change her fate, this might be her only chance.

True to her word, she immediately found a quiet place and went into seclusion to cultivate.

In just one short day, she successfully completed the switch and reached Qi Refining, First Layer.

However, as her cultivation changed, her spiritual root underwent an astonishing transformation as well, turning into a mysterious Baleful Bead.

When she emerged from seclusion, her face was somewhat pale, but her eyes held firm resolve.

The other three immediately gathered around her, eagerly asking about the Baleful Bead.

She frowned slightly and said slowly, "I can sense the spiritual qi of heaven and earth, but absorbing it is very difficult. This spiritual root is probably even worse than a five-element spiritual root."

She paused, then continued, "However, the Baleful Bead can release a tiny bit of baleful qi."

"Baleful qi?" Their hearts jolted at her words. They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with complicated emotions.

This baleful qi was indeed a distinctive feature of demonic cultivation arts, further confirming that the road they were about to take was a demonic path filled with unknown dangers.

With a steady gaze, the female cultivator looked at them and said resolutely, "I'll have little chance of reaching Foundation Establishment in this lifetime.

"So I have to seize this opportunity.

"No matter how great the price, I have to try.

"The moment I began cultivating the Fiendish Demon Art, I decided to join the Black Fiend Cult.

"The three of you have shared a deep bond with me. What do you think, senior brothers?"

Looking at her determined face and remembering all the moments they had spent cultivating together, the others felt warmth well up in their hearts.

After a brief silence, they exchanged glances. The hesitation and uncertainty in their eyes gradually faded, replaced by firmness and resolve.

On this difficult path of cultivation, they had long since become companions who supported one another and shared life and death.

Since she had already made up her mind, how could they shrink back?

In the end, the three hesitated no longer and decided to join the Black Fiend Cult together.

Still, they knew that joining a demonic cult was no small matter. They would have to discuss the terms carefully with Jing Wen and secure some safeguards for themselves...

Inside the familiar private room at Taibai Tower, the furnishings remained unchanged, but the air carried a heavier sense of solemnity and anticipation.

Jing Wen strode inside with a warm smile. His gaze passed over Zhao Yu and his three companions as he said amiably:

"Everyone, it's a pleasure to meet again. I take it you've made your decision."

His eyes held confidence and certainty, as though he had long since anticipated why they had come.

Zhao Yu stepped forward and cupped his hands, responding respectfully:

"You see clearly, Fellow Daoist Jing Wen. The four of us do indeed wish to join your cult. It's just that..."

He paused briefly and glanced at his three companions. After receiving their affirming looks, he continued, "You must know that all we seek is the great path to Foundation Establishment.

"Since we must change cultivation arts, we naturally need to confirm that this 'Fiendish Demon Art' truly allows us to reach Foundation Establishment, and that the art is complete."

Every word had been carefully chosen, plainly after considerable thought.

Earlier, the four had repeatedly worked through the art in a secluded chamber and finally reached a consensus-before fully changing their cultivation, they had to verify the authenticity of the complete art with their own eyes.

One male cultivator added at an opportune moment, "It's not that we're overly suspicious, but on the path of cultivation, one wrong step leads to another.

"If we rashly switch, only to discover that the art is incomplete..." His unfinished words carried deep concern.

Jing Wen's smile did not fade, though a trace of slyness flashed in his eyes. With a soft chuckle, he said, "I do indeed have the complete Fiendish Demon Art on me."

"However..." His tone shifted, a sharp gleam appearing in his eyes. "This art is the very foundation of our cult. If I were to hand it over so easily..."

His unfinished words lingered in the elegant room, carrying a meaningful hint of probing.

Zhao Yu's brows drew together, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the table.

He understood Jing Wen's implication-he was both emphasizing the art's value and testing their sincerity.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Yu asked gravely, "Then what would it take for you to impart the complete art?"

A trace of satisfaction flashed in Jing Wen's eyes. He slowly raised two slender fingers. "There are two ways."

His voice suddenly dropped, taking on a faintly beguiling quality. "First, come with me to the Main Altar."

He bent the first finger slightly. "Establish a Soul Lamp before the cult leader, and you'll naturally receive the complete art."

"A Soul Lamp?!" one male cultivator cried out, nearly dropping the teacup in his hand.

All four of them knew that leaving a Soul Lamp meant placing their lives entirely in someone else's hands.

Still, upon careful consideration, they already intended to join the Black Fiend Cult. If doing so truly secured the complete art, it was not wholly unacceptable. Yet the risk filled them with dread.

Zhao Yu forcibly suppressed his unease and continued, "And the second way?"

Jing Wen seemed to have anticipated their reaction. His second finger swayed gently. "As for the second..."

He turned his gaze toward the female cultivator and smiled meaningfully.

"If someone can cultivate the 'Fiendish Demon Art' to the first layer, I'll impart the art to them."

Zhao Yu was about to speak and continue negotiating with Jing Wen for more favorable terms when the female cultivator, silent until now, suddenly interrupted him:

"Fellow Daoist Jing Wen, I've already cultivated it to the first layer."

As she spoke, spiritual power stirred faintly around her, and the unique aura of the Fiendish Demon Art instantly spread outward. She also displayed several traits found only in those who had cultivated the art, such as the faint black patterns appearing on her skin, and released a wisp of baleful qi.

Watching her demonstration, Jing Wen nodded slightly without approaching to verify it himself.

Based on what he knew of her and her companions, combined with her present display, there was at least a ninety percent chance that she had successfully cultivated the Fiendish Demon Art.

In Jing Wen's view, further testing was unnecessary.

With a calm expression, he inclined his head slightly and said, "Since that's the case, I'll give you the complete Fiendish Demon Art now."

He turned his wrist lightly, and a faintly glowing Jade Slip flew toward her.

"Catch."

Liu Qing all but lunged forward, catching the Jade Slip in both hands as though cradling a priceless treasure.

Her slender fingers trembled slightly with excitement, her nails unconsciously pressing into the grooves on its surface.

The instant her divine sense entered the Jade Slip, an eerie red light flashed in the depths of her eyes.

The private room immediately fell silent. The other three held their breath, their gazes fixed on her, their heartbeats quickening despite themselves.

Her brows first tightened, then relaxed, before an almost frenzied delight appeared on her face.

A moment later, excitement lit up her face. She abruptly raised her head and hurriedly told the other three, her voice trembling slightly, "It really is the continuation of the Fiendish Demon Art!"

The other three froze for a moment, then irrepressible joy appeared on their faces as well.

They exchanged smiles, their eyes filled with relief and excitement.

It seemed Jing Wen had spoken the truth and had not deceived them.

On the path of cultivation, finding an art that truly offered hope of reaching Foundation Establishment was an opportunity that came once in a thousand years.

As long as they could successfully reach Foundation Establishment, they could compromise on many other matters.

After all, a Foundation Establishment cultivator held considerable weight in the Cultivation World. They were hardly cabbages that could be found growing by any roadside.

Even if they faced certain restrictions in the future, Foundation Establishment cultivators would still possess the dignity and standing befitting them, even within the Black Fiend Cult.

Moreover, after reaching Foundation Establishment, they could enjoy a long lifespan of over two hundred years. What an enormous temptation that was for people like them, who struggled bitterly in the Cultivation World and raced against time.

Unable to contain their eagerness, Zhao Yu and the other two instinctively moved to take the Jade Slip from her for a look.

Just as Zhao Yu's hand was halfway outstretched, Jing Wen spoke unhurriedly. "Fellow Daoist Zhao, isn't that somewhat inappropriate?"

His voice was quiet, yet it struck like a heavy hammer, instantly freezing Zhao Yu's movement.

With a calm expression, Jing Wen swept his gaze over them and said slowly, "If you have any questions, you can ask me or this fairy.

"But if you have neither cultivated the Fiendish Demon Art nor joined our Black Fiend Cult, secretly reading the cult's complete art without permission will get you hunted down by the Black Fiend Cult."

Zhao Yu's face alternated between pale and red. He gave an awkward smile and said, "That was presumptuous of me."

He inwardly cursed himself for letting his excitement make him overlook the crucial stakes involved.

Jing Wen nodded slightly, his expression easing. "I, Jing Wen, have always kept my word. If the three of you still have doubts, you can wait for this fairy to cultivate for a while and personally verify the subsequent portions of the art. It won't be too late to decide then."

Jing Wen turned toward the female cultivator, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he asked:

"Would you like to return with me to the Black Fiend Cult's Main Altar now, or wait until after you reach Foundation Establishment?"

Her delicate brows knitted slightly. After careful consideration, she asked in return, "I can wait until after Foundation Establishment?"

She felt somewhat worried. If she went to the Black Fiend Cult's Main Altar now, she would be a stranger in an unfamiliar place, with her own strength not yet stabilized. So many unknown factors unsettled her.

Jing Wen nodded affirmatively. "Naturally. You can even choose not to go at all, but then you won't receive the cultivation art for after Foundation Establishment."

After weighing the matter repeatedly, she put her own safety first and said firmly, "Then I'll go after reaching Foundation Establishment."

Jing Wen nodded in satisfaction, a meaningful smile appearing on his face. "Very good. From today onward, you are the first official member of our Black Fiend Cult's Taibai Stronghold."

He flipped his wrist and took out a dark red Token. The word "Taibai" was engraved on it, surrounded by eerie, blood-red patterns.

"This is the captain's Token," Jing Wen said, handing it to her.

"This Token can record members' contribution points.

"You can also collect three additional Blood Pills every three months."

The moment she accepted the Token, an icy aura shot through her fingertips into her meridians, making her shiver involuntarily.

On the back of the Token, a tiny Blood Rune could faintly be seen pulsing slowly.

Jing Wen raised his hand again. A small, exquisite jade bottle traced a graceful arc through the air, flying steadily toward her.

In a gentle, unhurried voice, he said, "There are ten Blood Pills inside. Consider them a welcoming gift."

She quickly held out both hands and carefully caught the jade bottle.

Closing her eyes slightly, she circulated her spiritual power and carefully sensed the medicinal potency of the Blood Pills inside.

An instant later, her eyes flew open, filled with surprise and astonishment.

The richness of the Blood Pills' medicinal potency far exceeded her imagination.

This sudden, generous gift instantly raised her trust in Jing Wen to its peak.

His earlier gift of the complete Fiendish Demon Art had already filled her with gratitude. Now he had given her precious Blood Pills as well. How could such generosity fail to move her?

The change in her expression was exactly what Jing Wen had expected.

The value of medicinal pills went without saying. To cultivators desperate to improve their cultivation, they were nothing less than charcoal delivered amid the snow.

Next, Jing Wen gathered his thoughts and explained the location of the Taibai Stronghold in detail-it was in the rear courtyard of an ordinary-looking medicinal herb shop in the western part of the city.

Then he reminded her, "Fairy, I hope you'll settle your personal affairs properly and report to the stronghold as soon as possible.

"The Taibai Stronghold may be newly established, but its potential is boundless. It eagerly awaits you to display your talents."

With that, Jing Wen turned toward Zhao Yu and the other two, cupped his hands briefly, then strode toward the door of the private room.