Vol 6 Chapter 29: Blood Demon Ancestor
"It seems I didn't gain Heaven's Mandate's approval, but that's fine."
Lin Jing looked toward the direction where the Heaven's Mandate had returned. That direction... could it be that Zhu Yan?
Lin Jing actually had a rather good impression of this Zhu Yan.
But unfortunately, the struggle for Heaven's Mandate destined only one person to be chosen by fate. He couldn't just give up this Heaven's Mandate based on a first impression alone.
"The other person should also be making their move now, right?"
He wasn't in a hurry to head to Dragon Tiger Mountain. Instead, he looked toward the west, where he could faintly sense an overwhelmingly powerful aura that was no longer concealed, rushing straight toward them.
"Since that's the case, I'll just sit back and watch the tigers fight first. Let me see what kind of changes in strength a Void Mystical Stage cultivator can undergo after receiving Heaven's Mandate's empowerment."
On Zhu Yan's side, after merging with Heaven's Mandate, his talent and potential underwent massive changes.
His expression showed astonishment.The first change was the side effect brought by his Longevity Body - the cultivation speed issue.
After Heaven's Mandate enhanced Zhu Yan's talent, his cultivation speed increased dramatically, giving Zhu Yan the feeling that his cultivation speed had become no different from that of ordinary constitutions!
Although it didn't provide massive bonuses to cultivation speed like some special immortal cultivation constitutions, simply returning to normal cultivation speed was already a huge enhancement for someone with the extremely long lifespan of the Longevity Body!
From now on, he would no longer need to consume dozens of times more resources than ordinary people for cultivation!
This was the manifestation of his talent transformation.
Beyond this, Zhu Yan also felt he had gained a new constitution, which he tentatively called the "Heaven's Mandate Constitution."
This constitution instantly gave Zhu Yan's own Dao an unparalleled enhancement.
"The Dao of Gratitude." Zhu Yan's Dao was the Dao of Gratitude. The marker of a Void Mystical Stage cultivator advancing to the late Void Mystical Stage was finding the Dao that supported their cultivation, using their Dao heart will to transform into the Heavenly Dao of the Void Mystical Domain, thus completing the Dao Merging process.
The difference between early and middle Void Mystical Stage might not be significant, but against late Void Mystical Stage cultivators who had already merged with their Dao, the gap wasn't small at all. Unless one had other extraordinary means like top-tier spells or supreme-grade magical treasures to bridge the gap, it would be very difficult to match a late Void Mystical Stage opponent.
Zhu Yan had been an orphan since childhood, adopted by his master who taught him Dao techniques. After falling seriously ill, he was carefully looked after by various senior brothers who had already embarked on the cultivation path. He felt immense gratitude toward his sect.
After transmigrating, although the cultivation world he arrived in was relatively safe compared to other cultivation worlds, as a Longevity Body possessor, Zhu Yan initially didn't have it easy and had quite a rough journey.
Until a Dao Inquiry cultivator took notice of him, making him his disciple and providing protection for thousands of years.
The other party also supplied countless cultivation resources. Although they might have simply wanted to cultivate a complete Longevity Body within their lifetime, so it could help protect their descendants and sect for the next several hundred thousand years, Zhu Yan remained deeply grateful that they had extended a helping hand when he was at his weakest.
Only after experiencing turbulence does one appreciate stability. Without his master needing to say anything, Zhu Yan chose the "Dao of Gratitude" for his Dao Merging, to show that his master hadn't cultivated him in vain, and that he would repay the kindness by protecting the other's family and sect for generations to come.
Buzz!
After Zhu Yan's Dao of Gratitude was enhanced by the Heaven's Mandate Constitution, his realm quickly improved, instantly reaching the Great Perfection of Void Mystical Stage without any obstacles.
In his current state, Zhu Yan even wanted to attempt breaking through to the Dao Inquiry Stage in one go, to verify whether his Dao was firm and powerful enough.
However, there was no time left for breakthroughs now. Zhu Yan flew out from Dragon Tiger Mountain, directly ascending into the star realm. As expected, he judged that the other two transmigrators had already set their sights on him.
The coming battle must not take place in the place that had given him life and raised him, to avoid harming the innocent.
A short while later, Zhu Yan arrived in the star realm. During this process, he surprisingly discovered that what seemed to have improved simultaneously was his spellcasting.
He primarily cultivated talisman arts and thunder techniques, having refined over ten different types of lightning with varying properties, both large and small. Now, with Heaven's Mandate returned to his body, he discovered these lightning essences were rapidly transforming, infused with heavenly will. Regardless of their initial quality, they were all evolving toward more violent immortal-grade lightning, each strand's power beginning to rival that of immortal tribulation lightning.
Instantly gaining over ten types of immortal-grade lightning gave Zhu Yan a sudden feeling of dramatically increased strength. So when he saw that what descended before him was actually an old monster at the middle Dao Inquiry Stage, he didn't panic at all.
Enhanced by the power of lightning, Zhu Yan's divine consciousness also improved significantly, allowing him to see through the old man's true cultivation level... and the thick killing intent emanating from him.
"Great Perfection of Void Mystical Stage, huh?" Meanwhile, the Tangzhuang-clad old man saw that the Mandated One was only at the Great Perfection of Void Mystical Stage and couldn't help but smile. "Young friend, since this is our first meeting, let me tell you a story."
"Once, there was a wealthy man who believed money could buy anything. But only when he grew old, his body failing, afflicted with various illnesses, did he discover that money couldn't buy health or longevity."
"He spent his entire fortune going abroad, seeking the best medical facilities. Unfortunately, it still couldn't keep him alive for much longer."
"Fortunately, this wealthy man accidentally transmigrated to a cultivation world. From then on, his luck became unstoppable. Not only did he regain vast lifespan due to the activation of his Longevity Physique, but he also encountered a dying Dao Inquiry demonic cultivator - 'Blood Demon Ancestor.' The Blood Demon Ancestor wanted to perform soul usurpation, but due to his terrible condition, plus the wealthy man carrying protective immortal artifacts brought from the ancient Immortal Realm, during the soul usurpation process, the Blood Demon Ancestor instead became nourishment, resulting in failed soul usurpation."
"From then on, possessing the memories of a Dao Inquiry demonic cultivator, this wealthy man understood that in this cultivation world, for a Longevity Body to survive, one must be ruthless, no matter how despicable the methods... Only this way could he achieve his goals."
"Do you understand now?"
The gray Tangzhuang-clad old man stared into Zhu Yan's eyes. "Rushing into the star realm so anxiously only exposes yourself. Aren't you worried that during our struggle for Heaven's Mandate, we might harm those you care about on Earth?"
"Even though you've already merged with Heaven's Mandate, my realm is still higher than yours. If I forcibly move the battlefield to within China's borders, to your previous secluded cultivation place, what will you do then?"
Zhu Yan took a deep breath, his eyes showing determination.
"Having cultivated for so long, yet still unable to sever worldly attachments and emotions, you're not suited to become an immortal to eradicate the Heavenly Demons. Just hand over the Heaven's Mandate obediently. If you can't even handle an ordinary demonic cultivator like me, you're destined to fail the Immortal Emperor's mission anyway. Young friend... this way is better for both of us, don't you think?"