Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

Liu Kaiyang trembled, intimidated by the murderous intent in Zhang Xuancang's words, and lowered his head slightly.

Only today did he learn that the human race had such a tortuous history, yet still had not given up resisting. The sages of the human race throughout the ages were truly admirable.

Chen Yuan nodded slightly: "Fellow Daoist is right. A strong wind reveals the strength of the grass, and turbulent times reveal the loyalty of a minister."

"At this critical juncture for the survival of humanity, those who remain fearless and resist the oppression of the demon race are the true human race."

"But I wonder, besides the area near the Iron Mist Mountains, which two other regions are where humans gather?"

"Where are the eight royal families located in the Myriad Demon Continent, and which is stronger and which is weaker?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Zhang Xuancang's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

What Chen Yuan asked was considered a secret to low-level cultivators.

But for Nascent Soul cultivators, especially great cultivators, it is common knowledge.

Even if he was a hermit who lived in seclusion, he should still be very knowledgeable about it.

Zhang Xuancang did not answer, but instead raised his sleeve and flicked it, and several jade slips appeared out of thin air on the stone table in front of him.

One of the jade slips was slightly yellowed and exuded an ancient aura, clearly indicating that it had been around for some time.

He pointed to the jade slip on the table and said, "This matter is a long story, and I cannot tell it all at once."

"These jade slips contain records about the human race and the demon race."

"There is also a map that I obtained by chance when I was traveling around. It roughly depicts the geography of the entire Ten Thousand Demon Continent and should be able to answer your questions."

Chen Yuan raised his hand and a few jade slips flew gently into his hand. He probed into them with his divine sense, glanced at them briefly, and then took them back.

He put down the jade slip, raised his head, clasped his hands in a bow, and said, "Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist."

Chen Yuan did not accept the jade slips. Instead, he took out several blank jade slips from his inner space and copied each of them.

Especially the slightly yellowed jade slip, which contained the map of the Myriad Demon Continent that Zhang Xuancang had mentioned, and it was very detailed.

To avoid any mistakes, Chen Yuan was very careful when copying the document, taking a full fifteen minutes.

Seeing Chen Yuan's measured actions, Zhang Xuancang couldn't help but smile.

After the copying was completed, Chen Yuan handed the jade slips back to Zhang Xuancang and said, "To be honest, my injuries have not yet healed, and I need a few rare spiritual herbs to refine pills."

"I will be leaving Ping Le City soon, so I asked you, fellow Daoist, for your advice on the geography of the Myriad Demon Continent."

"These jade slips are of great use to me, and please accept this top-grade spiritual material, fellow Daoist."

As he spoke, Chen Yuan flicked his sleeve, and a straight iron rod about a foot long appeared out of thin air on the table. It was decorated with strands of gold, shimmering with light and full of spiritual energy.

But upon closer inspection, Zhang Xuancang discovered that it was not an iron root, but a tree branch, only its color was dark, resembling gold and iron.

He was startled, and after examining it more closely, a look of astonishment appeared in his eyes: "This is... a golden-patterned ironwood branch?"

Chen Yuan nodded: "Not bad."

Zhang Xuancang shook his head repeatedly: "This item is too valuable. I only took out a few jade slips, which are not worth mentioning."

Chen Yuan said, "I found this item in Lang Mou's Mustard Seed Ring. Consider it a gift to you. Please accept it, fellow Daoist."

Zhang Xuancang said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist killed Ao Lin and his three companions, saving the entire city. You have done a great favor for Ping Le City."

"I merely took out a few jade slips that were not particularly secret and answered a few questions from you, fellow Daoist. It was nothing more than a small favor, far from being a fraction of your kindness."

"If I were to accept this Golden-Patterned Iron Birch Branch, how would I have the face to stand before you, fellow Daoist?"

"This is absolutely unacceptable. Please, fellow Daoist, take this item back." Chen Yuan was taken aback, then smiled and said, "It was my oversight."

He flicked his sleeve and retrieved the golden-patterned iron birch branch into his internal space, a sense of appreciation for Zhang Xuancang growing in his heart.

This golden-patterned iron birch branch was just an ordinary top-grade spiritual material, barely enough to refine a high-level magic weapon, and was not worth mentioning to him.

The reason he took out this item was not to repay the favor for those jade slips, but because the matter he asked was too simple for a great cultivator and would easily arouse suspicion.

He was still unaware of the true nature of the eight royal families of this realm, as well as whether Qin Wuyai and his companions had also arrived here. He could not reveal his identity, which was why he wanted to use this treasure to silence Zhang Xuancang.

However, given that Zhang Xuancang is a Nascent Soul cultivator in the early stages, the fact that he could resolutely refuse a top-grade spiritual material that was considered a treasure to him, without any hesitation and upholding his principles, suggests that he would not actively reveal his identity.

Thinking of this, Chen Yuan said, "I have a favor to ask, and I hope you can grant it."

Zhang Xuancang's expression turned solemn: "Fellow Daoist, please speak freely. I would never dare not do my best."

Chen Yuan sighed softly: "I offended a member of the royal family, which is why I was so badly injured and almost lost my life."

"I killed Ao Lin and the other three because I could not bear to see my human race being slaughtered by the demon race."

"Please do not spread the word about my upcoming trip to the Iron Mist Mountains, so as to avoid implicating Ping Le City."

Zhang Xuancang's expression grew even more serious: "Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I will keep my mouth shut. Apart from my disciple Huaizhong and Elder Shi, no other cultivator in the city knows your identity."

“Huaizhong has been cultivating with me since childhood. Although Elder Shi fled to Ping Le City from the rule of the Demon Sect, his whole family was eaten by demon beasts as blood food for violating the rules of the Demon Sect. He hates the demon race to the bone and would never reveal your identity as a fellow Daoist.”

"However, just in case, I will summon them tomorrow and give them strict instructions to ensure that your identity is never revealed."

"If anyone asks about it in the future, I will only say that you are my good friend who happened to be visiting Ping Le City, which is why I helped you."

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "Then thank you very much, fellow Daoist."

Zhang Xuancang pondered for a moment and said, "May I ask what kind of spiritual herbs you need, fellow Daoist? I have a few spiritual herbs on hand, and I also have some connections with fellow Daoists in other cities. Perhaps I can lend you a hand."

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "I need any one of these three spiritual herbs: Jade Marrow Fungus, Tongyou Orchid, and Heart-Protecting Lotus."

Zhang Xuancang was taken aback: "I am ignorant and have never heard of these three kinds of spiritual herbs. Could they be three thousand-year-old spiritual herbs?"

Chen Yuan nodded slightly: "Exactly."

Zhang Xuancang gave a wry smile: "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, fellow Daoist. I only have a few thousand-year-old spiritual herbs on hand."

"The other fellow Daoists are at a similar level to me, and they probably can't produce the three kinds of spiritual herbs you need either."

"However, I know a grandmaster alchemist whose alchemy skills are quite extraordinary. If you can find these three spiritual herbs, he can help you refine them into pills."

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "If I am fortunate enough to find these three spiritual herbs, I will definitely ask you to introduce me to them."

He did not reveal his expertise in alchemy, but changed the subject: "There is another matter. Young friend Liu brought me from the mountains back to Ping Le City, and when the beast tide came, he saved me. He has a kind heart, which is very rare."

"He fled from the Demon Sect's rule to Ping Le City and is quite familiar with the Demon Sect. I intend to take him to travel around the world in search of spiritual herbs."

“Young friend Liu has already agreed to this matter, but as a steward of Ping Le City, he dares not make the decision on his own and needs your approval.”

Zhang Xuancang laughed and said, "What's so difficult about that? Since Steward Liu has already agreed, I have no objection."

Upon hearing this, a complex look flashed in Liu Kaiyang's eyes. He clasped his hands in a bow and said, "Thank you for your kindness, City Lord."

Zhang Xuancang instructed, "Fellow Daoist Chen is a great cultivator. Having you serve by my side is an opportunity for you."

"Work diligently and do not slack off. With a few words of guidance from Fellow Daoist Chen, forming your Golden Core in the future will not be difficult." (End of Chapter)