Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

"Chen was injured before, and his departure was to find a way to heal his wounds. Otherwise, he would have already come to Xingzhu City with Fellow Daoist Zhang..."

Inside the octagonal stone pavilion, Chen Yuan and Master Zuiyun sat facing each other, while Zhang Xuancang sat to one side.

On the table sat a wine jar, its mouth open, the aroma of wine filling the air. In front of the three were jade cups, filled with spirit wine, gently swirling, reflecting a waning moon.

Night had fallen, the sky was as black as ink, and a jade ribbon stretched across the horizon, with countless tiny, shimmering fragments of jade moving like ripples on water.

A crescent moon hung obliquely like a silver hook, and the moonlight, like a light mist, flowed through the gaps in the clouds, sprinkling the earth. Xingzhu City seemed to be shrouded in a thin veil, with lights twinkling, quiet and peaceful.

Chen Yuan's voice echoed in the cold night wind. He had come to this octagonal stone pavilion at the invitation of Master Zuiyun.

Master Zuiyun took out a jar of fine spiritual wine and eagerly inquired about Chen Yuan's injury.

Liu Kaiyang then followed the young cultivator and settled down properly.

Chen Yuan gave a vague answer, only saying that he had obtained a spiritual herb and that his injuries had been healed, but he did not go into details about the process.

Finally, he looked at Zhang Xuancang: "Before I came here, I passed through Ping Le City, which had been burned down by fire, and the source of the spiritual vein was also destroyed..."

Zhang Xuancang's eyes dimmed: "Thank you for the reminder, fellow Daoist. Two months ago, I sent Huaizhong back to Pingle City in secret. I already knew about it. I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to return anytime soon."

Master Zuiyun offered words of comfort: "The demon race is brutal. Fellow Daoist Zhang made a brave sacrifice, which saved the lives of more than 3,000 cultivators and more than 200,000 mortals in Ping Le City. It is already a stroke of luck."

"It's just a city, a spiritual vein; if it's destroyed, it's destroyed."

"Although Xingzhu City is not large, it can easily accommodate a million people. Fellow Daoist Zhang, please stay here with peace of mind."

Chen Yuan smiled slightly: "Fellow Daoist Zuiyun is right. As the saying goes, 'Where there's life, there's hope.' If you save the land but lose the people, you will lose both. If you save the people but lose the land, you will gain both."

"Now that the demon race is powerful, we have no choice but to temporarily avoid their sharp edge, bide our time, and seek an opportunity to counterattack in the future."

"Not only Ping Le City, but all the fertile lands outside the Iron Mist Mountains will surely belong to our human race."

Upon hearing this, both Master Zuiyun and Zhang Xuancang were taken aback and then fell silent.

Zhang Xuancang sighed: "Fellow Daoist is right. No matter how important the spiritual vein city is, it is not as important as the lives of 200,000 people."

"But the demon race is so powerful that it is already difficult for us to hold on, let alone launch a counterattack."

Master Zuiyun's voice suddenly rose considerably: "Fellow Daoist Zhang, why must you boost the morale of the demon race and diminish the prestige of my human race?"

"It is true that the demon race is powerful, but have you not heard of the way of Heaven, which is to take from the surplus and give to the deficiency?"

"The demon race is cruel and ruthless, and one day it will surely decline after reaching its peak. Then our human race will be able to seize the opportunity to destroy the eight royal families and usher in a new era!"

Zhang Xuancang shook his head: "We cultivators all defy the heavens. Fellow Daoist Zuiyun has been in the Nascent Soul stage for hundreds of years. Do you still believe in the Heavenly Dao?"

Master Zuiyun paused, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes: "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Zhang? Do you believe that our human race will never be able to rise again?"

Zhang Xuancang said, "I had no such intention. It's just that the demon race is powerful, and the situation cannot be reversed by a few grand words..."

"So what if the demon race is powerful? Are we just going to let them slaughter us?"

"Zhang was simply stating the facts..."

"I can tell that Fellow Daoist Zhang is clearly afraid because Ping Le City has been destroyed!"

Zhang Xuancang snorted coldly: "I do not wish to argue with you, but if I were afraid, I would have already withdrawn from the world."

"How could they have established Ping Le City and fought with the demon race for hundreds of years? If it weren't for Fellow Daoist Chen's intervention, they would have already died at the hands of the demon race."

"The strength of the demon race is a fact, and we must not deceive ourselves."

"As long as you are determined to fight to the death, you cannot rely on luck to see a turn of events."

Master Zuiyun's expression also softened: "I misspoke, please forgive me, fellow Daoist."

"It is true that the demon race is powerful, but the more powerful they are, the more steadfast we must be, and we must not show the slightest sign of despondency."

"Otherwise, how can we lead the human race to resist the oppression of the demon race?"

The two exchanged a sigh, and Zhang Xuancang bowed to Chen Yuan, saying, "I apologize for making you laugh, fellow Daoist. It's not that I disagree with your words..."

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "Both of you fellow Daoists care about the human race. Even if you have some differences, it's not a big deal."

"The demon race is indeed at its zenith right now, so it's only natural that Fellow Daoist Zhang has some concerns."

"But what will happen in the future is uncertain."

Zhang Xuancang hesitated, but Chen Yuan changed the subject: "Judging from what Fellow Daoist Zhang just now, could it be that among the Nascent Soul cultivators of our human race, there are still those who live in seclusion?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Zhang Xuancang's eyes, but he nodded: "That's right, the demon race is fierce and brutal, and some Nascent Soul cultivators are unwilling to be their enemies."

"But I don't want to have a blood-veined gu planted in my body, putting my life and death in the hands of others."

"After they formed their Nascent Souls, they neither joined the demonic sects nor had any contact with the human race. Like fellow Daoists, they secluded themselves to cultivate in seclusion and did not concern themselves with external affairs."

Chen Yuan then asked, "How many Nascent Soul cultivators are living in seclusion and cultivating in seclusion?"

Master Zuiyun snorted, his eyes revealing a hint of disdain: "There aren't many people like this who are short-sighted and cowardly. There are only seven or eight of them in total, and none of them are great cultivators."

"They don't want to antagonize the demon race, but the demon race won't show any mercy, especially the demon sect, which loves to deal with these hermits."

Zhang Xuancang chimed in, "That's right. These reclusive cultivators are all alone, weak and powerless. They dare not occupy spiritual veins and have no powerful formations to protect them, making them the easiest to deal with."

"The Demon Sect, acting on the orders of the Demon Race, suppresses human cultivators without distinguishing whether they intend to resist."

Master Zuiyun sneered: "Humans and demons have always been sworn enemies. Those cowards who think they can find temporary peace by hiding from the world are only deceiving themselves. Sooner or later, they will all die at the hands of the demons!"

At this point, he hesitated for a moment and looked at Chen Yuan: "Excuse my frankness, but I have never heard of Fellow Daoist Chen before. Could it be that Fellow Daoist has also secluded himself from the world to cultivate in seclusion?"

Chen Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "That's right, but I am not afraid of death. There are other reasons that I cannot reveal for the time being. I hope you will understand."

Master Zuiyun breathed a sigh of relief: "Fellow Daoist Chen has acted with thunderous force, killing three demon generals and elders of the demon sect. He is certainly not one of those cowardly rats."

"Moreover, it's a good thing that you're not well-known, fellow Daoist. The demon race is cracking down hard on our human race's great cultivators, forcing our five great cultivators to not dare to easily reveal their whereabouts."

"However, it is precisely because of the deterrence of these five fellow Daoists that the high-ranking demon generals of the demon race dare not act recklessly against us Nascent Soul cultivators, otherwise our human city would have long since ceased to exist."

Zhang Xuancang shook his head slightly: "In my opinion, the reason why the demon race has not launched a large-scale attack against us is not because they are afraid of the great cultivators of our human race."

"The eight royal clans are full of demon generals. If they really want to destroy my human city, it will be as easy as turning their hands."

"But the demon race also knows that as long as they enslave the human race, there will be no shortage of people who dare to resist."

"For tens of thousands of years, the demon race has used no matter how cruel and bloody the methods were, but they have never been able to extinguish the will of our human cultivators to resist."

"Let us build our city in this remote and desolate place. Sending out beast tides to besiege it won't disturb its territory." Master Zuiyun frowned: "According to what you said, we've been able to hold out until now because of the demon race's favor? That's utterly ridiculous!"

Zhang Xuancang said calmly, "The demon race is naturally ill-intentioned, but all the Nascent Soul cultivators of my human race combined are no match for the strength of the Flood Dragon or Kun Fish race. The demon race simply doesn't take my human race seriously."

Master Zuiyun's expression changed drastically: "Then our desperate resistance, regardless of life and death, is utterly meaningless?"

Zhang Xuancang said solemnly, "The greatest significance of our resistance against the demon race is to raise a banner and preserve a trace of courage and bravery for our human race."

"As you said, prosperity is followed by decline. I don't believe that the demon race can remain supreme forever."

"Even if we cannot live to see the day when we turn our lives around, as long as we pass on a spark of hope, and our descendants inherit our will and continue to resist, there will eventually be a day when the clouds part and the sun shines through."

Master Zuiyun seemed to remember something, and frowned: "Fellow Daoist Zhang, are you perhaps still waiting for that ethereal cultivator from the Tai Xuan Realm to return to this world and help us overthrow the demon race?"

Zhang Xuancang paused for a moment, then slowly said, "I believe in Fellow Daoist Gu Hongzi; the Tai Xuan Realm is definitely not a figment of imagination."

Master Zuiyun scoffed, "Fellow Daoist, don't be delusional. Not to mention that Gu Hongzi's identity is unknown, he might have ill intentions."

"Even if the Tai Xuan Realm truly exists, no one has crossed over here for tens of thousands of years. How could anyone possibly come to this realm again in the future?"

"The only way to overthrow the demon race is to wait for the right time. When the demon race reaches its peak and begins to decline, then we can have a chance to turn things around."

Zhang Xuancang shook his head: "Our human race doesn't even have a single large spiritual vein, and forming a Nascent Soul is as difficult as ascending to heaven. If we don't rely on the power of the Tai Xuan Realm, how can we deal with the demon generals of the eight royal clans?"

Master Zuiyun shook his head repeatedly: "Besides the Lone Goose Child you mentioned, who else knows about this Tai Xuan Realm?"

"That person doesn't even dare to show his face, and there's no reputation to speak of. He's most likely just lying to deceive you, fellow Daoist..."

Seeing the two start arguing again, Chen Yuan sighed inwardly but did not say anything to stop them.

The situation of human cultivators in this world is too perilous. Zhang Xuancang and Zuiyun Zhenren appear resolute, but in reality, they are also extremely hesitant.

Zhang Xuancang placed his hopes on the Tai Xuan Realm, while Zuiyun Zhenren scoffed at this, firmly believing that the demon race was cruel and inhumane, and that the way of Heaven was to take from the excess and give to the deficiency, and that one day the demon race would decline on its own.

They knew that if the human race relied on its own strength, it would never be able to overthrow the demon race.

But only by finding a glimmer of hope can one persevere in the endless darkness.

Ignoring Chen Yuan's presence, the two argued for a while longer, but neither could convince the other.

As the cold night wind blew, the atmosphere in the octagonal pavilion seemed to grow cold as well.

Finally, Zhang Xuancang took the initiative to back down: "Today, Fellow Daoist Chen has come to Xingzhu City, yet we are arguing here. This is not the way to treat a guest. Let's discuss this matter later, shall we?"

Master Zuiyun stopped insisting on his own opinion and smiled apologetically at Chen Yuan: "We have been impolite, and we hope you will forgive us, fellow Daoist."

Chen Yuan said, "Both of you fellow Daoists are deeply concerned about the human race. Your words are heartfelt and sincere. I am truly impressed."

Master Zuiyun shook his head, his expression somewhat forlorn: "It's just a lingering thought..."

Chen Yuan changed the subject: "I have a matter I would like to ask you two for your help with."

Master Zuiyun's expression turned solemn: "Fellow Daoist Chen, please speak. I will not refuse."

Zhang Xuancang also spoke up, saying, "Fellow Daoist Chen saved my life, and I will do my utmost to help you."

Chen Yuan said, "Back in Ping Le City, Fellow Daoist Zhang mentioned that he could contact fellow Daoists Jiu Yuan Shangren and Yuan Ting Zhenren."

"I, Chen, wish to meet with you two fellow Daoists. Would you be so kind as to arrange a meeting, fellow Daoist Zhang?"

"I wonder if Fellow Daoist Zuiyun knows the other three great cultivators? Could you please introduce me to them?"

Zhang Xuancang immediately agreed: "This is no difficult matter. I will personally visit the residences of fellow Daoists Yuan Ting and Jiu Yuan tomorrow."

"If they learn of your affairs, they will surely come here to meet with you."

Master Zuiyun said, "I have met Fellow Daoist Shen Jibai a few times. He left behind a talisman, and I will send a message to him now."

Chen Yuan clasped his hands in a bow and said, "Thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoists. However, please do not reveal my name. Just say that True Person Xinghuo requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, the two were taken aback, but still agreed.

Chen Yuan got up to take his leave, and Master Zuiyun personally led him to an elegantly furnished cave dwelling where he settled down.

Liu Kaiyang's cave dwelling is nearby. If anyone comes to visit, you can immediately inform Chen Yuan.

The spiritual energy inside the cave was much thinner than in Dragon God City, but slightly better than a small spiritual vein, yet Chen Yuan showed no dissatisfaction whatsoever.

In the entire Xingzhu City, there is only one medium-sized spiritual vein, which has to supply the cultivation of thousands of cultivators, including three Nascent Soul cultivators, and it is already stretched thin.

This cave dwelling possesses such spiritual energy; Master Zuiyun has already given his all, so how could Chen Yuan blame him?

However, such thin spiritual energy was far from sufficient to support Chen Yuan's cultivation.

He simply meditated and regulated his breathing for one night to recover the little bit of true energy he had lost due to flying away.

The next day, Chen Yuan and Master Zuiyun escorted Zhang Xuancang out of the city to find Master Jiuyuan and Master Yuanting.

Master Zuiyun has sent a message to Shen Jibai and given Chen Yuan a token, allowing him to move freely within Xingzhu City.

The young cultivator followed closely behind, staying by his side to prevent anyone from unaware of Chen Yuan's identity from offending him.

Instead of continuing his meditation, Chen Yuan went to the city's scripture library to examine the ancient texts.

The city lord of Xingzhu City, Master Zuiyun, only has the cultivation level of the early Nascent Soul stage. Naturally, there are no top-notch cultivation techniques or supernatural abilities in the Scripture Pavilion, but it far surpasses the inheritance of the Lingyun Sect and is comparable to a large sect.

Chen Yuan was somewhat surprised. After inquiring with the disciples of Master Zuiyun, he learned that the various cities of the human race had always exchanged goods and resources, and they never kept any cultivation techniques or supernatural abilities to themselves.

Ping Le City and Xing Zhu City have close exchanges, and the cultivation techniques and supernatural abilities in the scripture pavilions of the two cities are almost identical.

In this world, human cultivators do not belong to any sect. Cities are always at risk of being breached by beast tides. In order to enhance their strength, there are no restrictions on cultivation techniques and supernatural abilities. Even pseudo-spiritual root cultivators can cultivate top-tier techniques.

However, due to the scarcity of cultivation resources, there is not even a large spiritual vein, and the spiritual herbs needed to refine Foundation Establishment Pills are extremely precious.

Only cultivators with three or more spiritual roots have the opportunity to establish their foundation.

Nine out of ten cultivators remain at the peak of Qi Refining, with no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment in their lifetime, and can only cultivate basic techniques.

Over the next seven days, Chen Yuan studied the ancient texts in his cave, gaining a deeper understanding of this realm.

Another day passed, and Zhang Xuancang returned to Xingzhu City, saying that he had left a message in the separate residences of the two great cultivators.

Chen Yuan then devoted himself to alchemy in his cave while awaiting a reply. (End of Chapter)