A Righteous Use for the Demonic Dao

Zhang Buyu was well-versed in the Fuqiu Daoist Canon, which contained many chapters on Dao of Alchemy. He knew over a hundred Pill Formula that ended with "Primordial Pill".

But he never expected that the "Primordial Pill" that Nan Guan mentioned would be the Heavenly Origin Pill!

Only now did he realize the true purpose behind Senior Brother Jin's luring him here!

Since it involves the gates of the Immortal Realm, if Nan Guan did not lie or conceal anything, and given that Floating Hill Mountain was already aware of it, then the Five Rivers Chamber of Commerce being in charge is naturally the arrangement of the mountain gate.

But... what about the Heavenly Origin Pill?!

Where did you get the Pill Formula?

Zhang Buyu's voice quickly changed from initial confusion to shock and anger.

"This is a demonic pill that the Human Emperor himself decreed as forbidden! Who gave you the Pill Formula for the Heavenly Origin Pill?!"

Nan Guan then looked at Yu Tunzhou, seemingly afraid that the latter might not understand the nature of this thing, and took the initiative to explain it to him:

"The Heavenly Origin Pill was first created by the Human Emperor, but was later classified as forbidden by Human Emperor. This pill can plunder a cultivator's Dao Foundation, bloodline, and special physique. Once the pill's effects are fully realized, the consumer becomes a walking 'human pill,' but it still needs to be refined with true fire for forty-nine days to produce a true Heavenly Origin Pill."

"Ordinary people who take it can ascend to heaven in one step, directly inheriting the Dao Foundation and bloodline of the 'Human Elixir'."

"For martial artists at the External Scenery and above, consuming this can enhance their origin and improve their cultivation. The price is an increase in karma, but with the great changes in the world today, karma is no longer a problem."

Upon hearing that a human would be used as a pill, its bloodline and Dao Foundation plundered, and that it would require forty-nine days of refining, Yu Tunzhou remained expressionless.

Guo Feng, standing to the side, trembled all over. He suddenly rushed forward, grabbed Nan Guan by the collar, and punched him hard, but due to his weak physique, he did not cause any harm to the latter.

He roared, "Where is my junior sister? Where is my junior sister?!"

Nan Guan did not struggle, letting him grab her collar, his tone calm to the point of cruelty:

"She has already become a human elixir, and is currently being refined; it will take another thirty-six days to complete."

"But you don't need to worry. Once the Heavenly Origin Pill takes effect and the Human Pill is completed, the host is essentially dead, and she won't feel any pain."

"You beasts! You bunch of animals, worse than pigs and dogs!" Guo Feng felt an uncontrollable rage and grief rising in his heart. When his fists were useless, he used his teeth to tear at the man in front of him.

Nan Guan remained expressionless, letting Guo Feng vent his anger.

He looked at Yu Tunzhou and said in a calm tone:

"Thousands of years ago, there were only a handful of gates that needed guarding, all of which were suppressed by the Immortals and Gods of Floating Hill Mountain."

"This situation continued until more than a thousand years ago. The complete decline of the Immortal Dao left no immortals or Immortals and Gods in the Central Plains. Floating Hill Mountain had to use rituals to obtain the sale of its immortal artifacts, but the cost was high, and even Floating Hill Mountain could not maintain it. It had to open up trade routes to earn resources, which was the original prototype of the Five Rivers Chamber of Commerce."

"But even with the East Sea and the Central Plains, and even with the secret opening of trade routes overseas, this bottomless pit still cannot be filled."

"Until later, with the emergence of Martial Dao, the sages of Floating Hill Mountain shifted from Daoism to martial arts, finally creating the first Dharma Aspect, which temporarily halted the situation from deteriorating further."

"But this is ultimately only a temporary solution, not a fundamental one. Especially in the last hundred years, with the legendary great calamity approaching, the other sects that were once silent have also begun to stir, and Floating Hill Mountain is suddenly facing a life-or-death crisis that could overturn the lineage of its sects."

Zhang Buyu suddenly asked, "What will happen once the portal is fully opened? Will those Immortals and Gods return and reappear in the world?"

Nan Guan shook his head. "The mortal world is still not adapted to the Immortal Dao; they won't enter so quickly."

"But once the gate is opened, a dead zone will spread out from the gate, where everything will be corrupted by the Great Dao of Fallen Immortals, with plants turning into demons and humans and animals becoming monsters."

"No one can predict how far the affected area will extend; it might encompass the entire Eastern Wilderness, or it might reach the Central Plains and overseas."

"The reason they are called Fallen Immortals is because investigations conducted at Floating Hill Mountain over the past few thousand years have revealed that almost all the High Antiquity immortals behind these portals have fallen into madness and depravity, losing their reason and emotions."

"Once the gates are opened, the bloodline they left behind in the world will awaken instantly, increasing their power at the cost of self-destruction, and, influenced by the source of their bloodline, degenerate into demons and monsters, wreaking havoc on the Mortal Realm."

"In response to this, several lineages of the Floating Hill Mountain believe that Floating Hill Mountain must make changes, otherwise it will only lead the Eastern Wilderness to destruction."

"They took out the formula for the Heavenly Origin Pill Formula and improved it. The improved Heavenly Origin Pill no longer pursued the plundering of the Dao Foundation, but was more adept at extracting from the bloodline."

Zhang Buyu took a deep breath and said, "Why not seek help from the Central Plains, such as the True Martial Sect, the Highest Purity lineage, or other Daoist School?"

Nan Guan chuckled, "Do you think everyone in the world is idle? Each family enjoys the support of the people, and naturally bears the responsibility of protecting the world."

Zhang Buyu fell silent. If what Nan Guan said was true, this was an unsolvable game of chess, sacrificing some people to ensure the survival of more.

Nan Guan at Yu Tunzhou, a serious expression on his chubby face, as if waiting for a long-awaited answer:

"Young Hero Yu, with the help of the Heavenly Origin Pill, even experts at the External Scenery have temporarily gained the ability to suppress sectarian attacks and even briefly influence and appease Fallen Immortals with their bloodlines."

"But ultimately, the bloodline of this generation is too thin. Even Guo Feng's junior sister could only maintain it for three months."

"And if it's not a direct bloodline, even if one can simulate aura, the duration will be greatly reduced."

"Currently, there are as many as nine portals in the entire Eastern Wilderness that need to be suppressed, and this number is still increasing."

He stared straight at Yu Tunzhou: "Young Hero Yu, if it were you, what would you choose? Would you use the righteous path of the demonic forces, sacrificing a few to refine the Heavenly Origin Pill and suppress the sect? Or would you stand by and watch the Fallen Immortals behind the sect corrupt the world, paving the way for their future arrival?"

This was the answer he most wanted after he finally confirmed Yu Tunzhou's identity.

He had seen too many people, upon learning the truth, either collapse or hypocritically accuse them of being demons. But no one had ever truly offered a better answer.

The Martial Dao successor chosen by the former hero Lu Huaiqing, who is currently ranked number one on the Dragon and Tiger Ranking and whose influence is overwhelming, can almost be said to possess an infinitely brilliant future...

In this battle against the ancient Immortals and Gods and immortals, what choices will they make?

Is it about sacrificing the individual for the greater good?

Or will you, like those stubborn old fogies, cling to useless morals and principles?

Schemes cannot defeat Divine Ability, and Divine Ability are no match for destiny!

The ancient Immortals and Gods are the very essence of destiny!

Yu Tunzhou looked towards Nan Guan and asked his first question since the beginning:

"Nan Guan, is Guo Feng's junior sister a prisoner?"

A look of surprise appeared on Nan Guan's perpetually smiling, chubby face.

That woman can hardly be considered a prisoner. Even if her very existence was drawing the Fallen Immortals back, it wasn't her fault.

No one can choose their birth, just as no one can choose their destiny.

From his reaction, Yu Tunzhou got the answer and spoke again, "Why are you treating a hero prisoner like this?"

Nan Guan's expression changed slightly, and he immediately sneered and retorted:

"What kind of hero is she? Before I even fed her the Heavenly Origin Pill, I explained everything to her, asking if she was willing to sacrifice herself for the sake of the people of the Eastern Wilderness. She just shook her head and cried out, begging me to let her go!"

"How many ancestors of Floating Hill Mountain and my Cangling Nan Household have sacrificed themselves over the years to save and govern the Eastern Wilderness! And now, these local natives are so selfish and short-sighted!"

Zhang Buyu trembled as he asked, "You are... a member of the Cangling Nan Household?!"

When Floating Hill Mountain took control of the Eastern Wilderness, two prominent Aristocratic Clan accompanied it and played a significant role in quelling the rebellion and governing the Eastern Wilderness afterward. These families were the Cangling Nan Household and the Jade Lion Yao Household.

Senior Brother Yao Liang is a direct descendant of the Yao family of Jade Lion Yao Household.

Everything seems to be in place...

If even the Nan Household and Yao Household have become accomplices of the Heavenly Origin Pill, then how many people within Floating Hill Mountain have actually chosen this path of salvation?

For a moment, Zhang Buyu was lost in confusion and despair, unable to find any solution in the entire Fuqiu Daoist Canon he had read.

According to Nan Guan, this was a dead end, and they chose the path of sacrificing some people.

This path seems to have no right or wrong, only the pursuit of survival and continuation.

Nan Guan stared intently at Yu Tunzhou, awaiting an answer.

Faced with the appearance of the Yu Tunzhou, he had no choice but to confront the fact that his schemes were no match for Divine Ability.

Now, how should Yu Tunzhou face the will of Heaven?

"Nan Guan, since all the sects in the world are doing this, and you are truly only trying to suppress your own sect, then even mobilizing Quasi-Grandmaster at the External Scenery Fourth Layer is perfectly reasonable. Why worry about the vigilance of other forces?"

Yu Tunzhou gazed at the man before him and slowly spoke.

This is a conversation between Nan Guan and the External Scenery.

"Your actions are far from what you describe as being for the country and its people, and you certainly didn't embark on this 'last resort' path purely for the sake of the Eastern Wilderness."

Yu Tunzhou spoke softly, yet every word was clear.

"You're probably hiding quite a bit from this."

"Your true purpose is far more than simply suppressing sects!"

Nan Guan's smile faded, and he fell silent.

"Even if you don't tell me, I can roughly guess that you have another plan, and this plan is probably related to Brother Zhang, right?"

Nan Guan's eye twitched.

This person was chosen by Lu Huaiqing, which shows that he has more than just Martial Dao talent.

Zhang Buyu stared at Nan Guan: "Which part of your plan am I?"

Nan Guan remained silent.

He can tell Yu Tunzhou the truth about this place, and the truth about the Heavenly Origin Pill.

But he would never reveal anything deeper, anything involving the Lineage's and the lineage's future plans.

Because Yu Tunzhou now possesses the power to disrupt their plans.

Furthermore, the situation within Floating Hill Mountain remains unstable, especially regarding its lord!

Yu Tunzhou suddenly asked:

"Nanguan, have you used the original Tianyuan Dan formula?"

"Over the years, have you refined any talented but low-level young people from the lower classes who lacked the bloodline of Immortals and Gods or gods into human pills?"

Nan Guan remained silent.

Silence is also an answer.

He said calmly, "It seems that the so-called righteous use of demonic arts has long become a self-deceiving excuse for you. You are nothing but a bunch of wicked people who want to pretend to be virtuous while being a prostitute."

Nan Guan was furious, but just as he was about to speak, Yu Tunzhou pointed a finger at his brow, rendering him unable to move.

Yu Tunzhou inspected the area and discovered a terrifying Primordial Spirit seal hidden within Nan Guan's Primordial Spirit Heaven and Earth, likely set up by a powerful figure behind it.

The scions of all the Aristocratic Clan have similar protective measures, not only to protect the clan members, but also to prevent them from being Primordial Spirit outsiders and revealing Lineage secrets and inherited Cultivation Method.

As for the seal within Nan Guan 'Primordial Spirit Heaven and Earth, Yu Tunzhou considered it carefully. Whether he could withstand it was another matter, but Nan Guan was certain to die.

He had originally intended to invade Nan Guan's Primordial Spirit Heaven and Earth, control his mind, and force him to reveal the hidden parts, but it now seemed that this path was no longer viable.

He raised his hand, sealing the flow of Qi and blood within Nan Guan's Inner Qi, and tossed him aside, saying:

"Guo Feng, take good care of your fellow disciples. Now, find another place to hide."

Guo Feng struggled to his feet, his gaze shifting from initial anger to the madness and confusion of learning the truth, to his current unwavering resolve:

"Young Hero Yu, we can lend you a hand! We can go outside and expose the Five Rivers Chamber of Commerce's despicable acts!"

Yu Tunzhou shook his head and said, "Even if you leak the information that Nan Guan just revealed, it won't make a difference. What he's hiding is the key. What you need to do next is to stay hidden and protect yourselves."

"Brother Zhang, come with me to see that portal. I want to learn more about the Nether Passage and the Heavenly Origin Pill."

Zhang Buyu forced himself to cheer up. "Good!"

Before leaving, Yu Tunzhou patted Guo Feng on the shoulder. "The deceased are gone. Protect your fellow disciples."

Under Guo Feng's watchful gaze, he carried the Nan Guan and walked down the stone steps with Zhang Buyu to the main hall below.

Zhao Xuan's portrait still hangs on the wall.

After setting Nan Guan aside, Yu Tunzhou asked Zhang Buyu about the details of Nether Passage.

He had heard of Nether Passage before.

In Zhang Buyu's description, this is the core embodiment of the "orthodox" lineage of various Daoist practices.

Only those who possess the lineage of the method of Nether Passage are considered to be of the true orthodox lineage. Furthermore, Nether Passage connection extends not only to the Inner Heaven and Earth of ancient Immortals and Gods, but also to the corresponding celestial realm and the Nine Netherworlds.

The fundamental function of the method of Nether Passage world is to allow practitioners to draw upon the power of the corresponding realm, and even the rules of the Great Dao.

Yu Tunzhou guessed that the process of creating the eight wonders was similar to some kind of method of Nether Passage. Once successful, it would connect him to the location of Xuandu Heaven.

I wonder if Xuandu Heaven still exists in this world...

Afterwards, he and Zhang Buyu studied the area where the crack was located for a while.

However, the portal was already closed, and the mystical aura within the rift had dissipated completely, leaving very little that could be observed.

The information revealed by Nan Guan today, without considering its falsity, gave him a general understanding of the situation and predicament of the Eastern Wilderness.

However, Zhang Buyu's situation remains a mystery.

Could he also be a descendant of some Immortals and Gods?

If that's true, then could this Immortals and Gods be the mastermind behind everything mentioned by the remnant soul of the Ancestral Dragon?

This speculation is not uncommon.

Yu Tunzhou let out a long sigh.

He also learned detailed information about the Heavenly Origin Pill from Zhang Buyu.

This pill is indeed a demonic pill. Once the Pill Formula is revealed, the already few martial artists from humble backgrounds will face further persecution from the Aristocratic Clan.

No Aristocratic Clan can guarantee that its descendants will be outstanding generation after generation, but there will always be excellent martial artists in the world...

According to the reaction from Nan Guan, this group of people had long since gone beyond the scope of so-called "righteous use of demonic arts," and were using the banner of saving the Eastern Wilderness to carry out demonic acts.

Thinking of this, Yu Tunzhou looked at the man on the wall, flicked his finger, and woke him up.

The moment he regained consciousness, Zhao Xuan felt excruciating pain throughout his body. His heart sank, realizing that his Inner Heaven and Earth had been completely destroyed!

"You..."

"Recognize the situation," Yu Tunzhou interrupted him, "Who are you?"

"... Zhao Xuan, Guest Elder of the Five Rivers Chamber of Commerce."

Despite the excruciating pain, Zhao Xuan felt a surge of shock in her heart. This seemingly young man before her was definitely Grandmaster had ascended to the Earth Ranking!

Could they be people from Floating Hill Mountain?

"Nan Guan has already confessed everything," Yu Tunzhou said calmly. "Is there anything else you want to say, such as how many Heavenly Origin Pill you have consumed so far?"

Zhao Xuan's pupils contracted sharply as she looked at Nan Guan's immobile figure not far away, her eyes flashing with anger.

"... I took the Heavenly Origin Pill to suppress the gates of this place. Even if I, Zhao Xuan, am guilty, my merits outweigh my crimes. Let the imperial court judge me!" Zhao Xuan said in a low voice.

"Is it all for suppressing sects?" Yu Tunzhou sneered. "You really like to spout high-sounding words. Didn't you take the Heavenly Origin Pill to enhance your original cultivation?"

Zhao Xuan's face darkened; she hadn't expected Nan Guan to reveal even this.

"Where was that female martial artist from the Pine Mountain Sect sent?" Yu Tunzhou asked casually.

Zhao Xuan was silent for a moment, then said, "What benefit would I get from answering you?"

You can live.

Zhao Xuan suddenly looked up. "Really!?"

Yu Tunzhou stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "I, Yu Tunzhou, have no need to lie."

Only now did Zhao Xuan realize who had defeated him. After a moment of astonishment, she suddenly felt relieved.

This person is already ranked among the Grandmaster on the Earth Ranking, but is still at Earth Ranking very bottom!

"... That female warrior has already been sent to Jade Lion City, which is an important base for the Five Rivers Chamber of Commerce to refine Heavenly Origin Pill, and is also the territory of the Jade Lion Yao Household."

Yu Tunzhou continued, "How often do the gates here change again?"

Zhao Xuan hesitated and said, "The timing of the riot is not fixed, but if the death row inmates in the outer prisons offer a blood sacrifice, the situation should remain peaceful for about a month."

He added, "But this is a last resort; while blood sacrifices may be effective, they will only exacerbate the next uprising."

Yu Tunzhou seemed to be deep in thought when he asked, "What secret does Zhang Buyu hold?"

"Zhang Buyu?" Zhao Xuan was stunned, her expression changing drastically. "The Reincarnated Spirit Physique you brought is Zhang Buyu from Floating Hill Mountain?!"

He suddenly looked towards Nan Guan, only to see that the other person was casting a cold and warning gaze at him.

Reincarnated Spirit Physique?

Just as Yu Tunzhou was about to ask another question, Zhao Xuan hurriedly said, "Don't ask anymore! If you answer any more, I'll still die!"

He frowned immediately. What was Zhao Xuan afraid of?

What secrets does this issue involve that could cause such fear in someone External Scenery Second Layer?

He did not give up and continued to ask questions from other angles, such as the locations of the Five Rivers Chamber of Commerce of Commerce and other portals.

When certain sensitive matters were involved, Zhao Xuan changed her previous practice of being open and honest, and instead remained silent for the vast majority of the answers.

Until Yu Tunzhou asked the last question, "How many Heavenly Origin Pill have you taken in total?"

"Ten?"

"One hundred?"

"Or more?"

Zhao Xuan said coldly, "Haven't you ever killed anyone? We martial artists roam the martial world, using our skills to break the law. How many people have we killed, deserved to be killed, or wrongly killed!"

Yu Tunzhou nodded. "That makes sense."

He slowly walked towards Zhao Xuan.

You refused to answer quite a few of my questions.

"But I did promise not to kill you, so you may escape death, but you can't escape punishment."

Zhao Xuan's expression changed drastically, but he was unable to stop Yu Tunzhou from inserting a finger into his body.

"You... you crippled me?"

"How dare you destroy my Dao Foundation?!"

Only his outburst of rage remained in the main hall, echoing endlessly between the stone walls.

Yu Tunzhou said softly, "I only crippled you, I didn't refine you into Heavenly Origin Pill. Shouldn't you thank me?"

Then, he picked up the Nan Guan and walked upwards with Zhang Buyu, leaving Zhao Xuan, whose meridians were shattered and whose limbs were broken, roaring in the depths of the cave.