Cultivation: I can solidify equipment attributes

Li Yuan returned to the open space of the camp and sat down, taking out the Demon Banner from his storage bag.

The banner was a deep purple, its twisted patterns shimmering slightly under spiritual perception. The demonic energy stored within the banner was dense and heavy, far purer than the demonic energy he could generate using his own spiritual energy.

These demonic energies are readily available resources for cultivation.

The cultivation of the Demonic Essence Technique requires demonic energy, which can only be converted using spiritual energy, resulting in low efficiency and hindering one's own cultivation.

The demonic energy stored in the Demon Banner eliminates the need for conversion; it can be directly absorbed to advance cultivation.

Li Yuan placed the Demon Banner on his lap and began to circulate his Demonic Yuan Technique.

The guidance methods are different from usual.

Normally, spiritual energy is drawn from the dantian, transformed into demonic energy through a conversion node, and then seeped into the depths of the body according to the path of the Demonic Yuan Technique.

Now, the demonic energy is directly extracted from the Demon Banner, skipping the conversion step, allowing the demonic energy to penetrate deep into the body through the gaps in the meridians, the gaps in the muscle fibers, and the micropores of the bones.

The first wisp of demonic energy was drawn out from the banner and flowed into the body through the palm.

The quantity was several times greater than what I could produce myself, and the texture was also much richer.

The demonic energy detached from the meridians and seeped into the muscle fibers. The penetration speed was more than twice as fast as usual, and the toughness and elasticity of the muscle fibers changed rapidly where the demonic energy passed.

Li Yuan didn't try to absorb too much; he controlled the absorption rate, allowing the demonic energy to seep evenly into all parts of his body.

A sense of erosion followed.

It's stronger than the demonic energy converted from spiritual energy normally. The effect of the Demonic Essence Avatar reduces most of the erosion, but the concentration and purity of the demonic energy in the Demon Banner are high, and the residual erosion is more noticeable than usual.

After absorbing seven or eight strands, Li Yuan stopped the Demonic Yuan Technique and switched to the Green Wood Longevity Technique.

Wood-based spiritual energy flows along the meridians, its gentle vitality seeping into the muscles and internal organs, gradually repairing the erosion left by demonic energy.

With the blessing of the "Demon Avatar" attribute, the demonic energy left no trace on the body.

After two weeks, the erosion subsided.

Continue absorbing.

The Demonic Essence Technique and the Green Wood Longevity Technique were circulated alternately, at a much faster pace than usual. The demonic energy within the Demonic Banner was continuously extracted, with the amount absorbed increasing with each round, and the body's adaptability to the demonic energy was rapidly improving.

The demonic energy within his body was gradually increasing, and his body was being strengthened.

The ability to conceal one's aura was at work, and from the outside, there was no trace of demonic energy on Li Yuan.

This continued for most of the day.

The color of the Demon Banner gradually faded from deep purple, and the demonic energy stored inside decreased rapidly with each round of extraction.

As evening approached, the last wisp of demonic energy was drawn out from the banner and seeped deep into the bones.

The banner completely dimmed, and there were no more fluctuations of demonic energy.

Li Yuan put the empty Demon Banner into his storage bag and closed his eyes to feel the changes within his body.

The panel popped up.

【Technique: Demonic Essence Technique - Proficient (0/400)】

The Demonic Yuan Technique was advanced directly from beginner to proficient.

The concentrated absorption of a large amount of high-purity demonic energy accelerated his cultivation progress to the maximum in one go.

The transformation of the body's deep structure underwent a qualitative leap in the past half day. The toughness of muscle fibers, the strength of bones, and the elasticity of the visceral membranes all changed significantly under the permeation of demonic energy.

Li Yuan circulated the Azure Wood Longevity Technique for one full cycle, repairing the last trace of erosion, and then stopped to carefully sense the state of the demonic energy within his body.

It is completely different from spiritual power.

Cultivators absorb spiritual energy and transform it into spiritual power to enhance their cultivation level.

The spiritual energy is stored in the dantian in liquid form, circulating through the meridians, clean, condensed, and controllable. It is like a river constrained by a channel, with a clear direction and distinct boundaries.

Demonic energy does not need to be transformed, nor does it travel through the meridians.

Instead, it penetrates directly into every deep structure of the body—between muscle fibers, within the micropores of bones, and in the gaps between the membranes of internal organs—omnipresent yet never overpowering. Like water seeping into the soil, it is invisible and intangible, yet undeniably present.

The methods of invoking it also differ. Spiritual energy is drawn from the dantian and delivered along the meridians to the designated location. Demonic energy, on the other hand, seeps out simultaneously from every corner of the body, converging where it is needed.

It's slower, but has a wider coverage.

Li Yuan attempted to draw a wisp of demonic energy from the muscle fibers of his right arm and gather it in his palm.

Dark air seeped from the palm, condensing into a thumb-sized cloud of dark mist at the fingertips.

According to the Demon Yuan Gong, his current demonic cultivation level is in the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

The texture of demonic energy is heavy and viscous, with a natural corrosiveness. In stark contrast to the clear and condensed spiritual energy, demonic energy is more like a living thing, possessing its own innate ability to permeate.

Li Yuan pressed the demonic energy onto a rock beside him.

The moment the demonic energy touched the stone surface, a layer of visible corrosion appeared. The grayish-white stone surface turned dark brown, and its texture changed from hard to loose; it crumbled easily when pressed with a finger.

erosion.

This is the most fundamental difference between demonic energy and spiritual power.

The attack methods of spiritual power are impact, explosion, and cutting; in essence, it uses the density and speed of energy to cause physical destruction.

The attack method of demonic energy is penetration and erosion. It does not require a huge impact force. As long as it comes into contact with the target, it can disintegrate its structure from the inside.

Li Yuan withdrew his demonic energy and examined the corrosion marks on the stone. (Based on your reading history, we recommend p>)

His own demonic cultivation was also in the Qi Refining stage. Meanwhile, the immortal path had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

The two systems operate in parallel within the same body without interfering with each other.

The path of immortality follows the meridians and dantian, while the path of demonism follows the gaps between the meridians and the deeper layers of the body; their paths are completely different.

The "all rivers flow into the sea" effect allows the flow of the two systems to be automatically coordinated without causing conflicts.

Li Yuan circulated the Azure Wood Longevity Technique for another full cycle. After confirming that his internal condition was completely normal, he stood up.

It was already getting dark.

The dense fog deep within the Ghost Mist Forest thickened even more at night, reducing visibility to less than ten zhang (approximately 33 meters). However, the passive perception with heightened spiritual awareness covered fifty zhang, the early warning array covered eighty zhang, and a large-scale early warning array covered the entire outer perimeter.

The fact that the demonic cultivator was able to reach the base indicates that there are still loopholes in the existing defense system.

The warning array can detect auras, but that demonic cultivator used an aura simulation array bead to disguise himself as a Li family cultivator. If the warning array only triggers the alarm based on the intensity of the aura, the disguised aura will not be recognized as a threat.

It needs to be reinforced.

Li Yuan walked around the open space to check the operation of the three formations.

The early warning array, spirit gathering array, and golden light array were all operating normally, with no signs of damage to the array foundation stones and conductive spirit sand. However, the defensive strength of a first-order array is limited; the golden light array's shield could only withstand a full-force attack from a Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivator, and had virtually no effect on Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The formation system needs to be upgraded.

He possesses the array formation inheritance given to him by the Wang family, and has currently learned three first-tier array formations, achieving proficiency in array formation. However, the upper limit of first-tier array formations is limited; to defend against threats at the Foundation Establishment level, at least second-tier array formations are required.

Next time I visit the Wang family, I'll ask if they have any higher-level array-based inheritances.

Li Yuan made a note of this and turned to walk back to the center of the open space.

He took out all the demonic cultivator's spoils from the storage bag and sorted them one by one.

A few magical artifacts, mediocre quality, useless to keep, will sell at the market next time. A few dozen spirit stones, will keep them. Two bottles of pills, poor condition, will leave them for now.

Then there was the aura simulation array bead.

The dark gray bead rested in my palm, its surface covered with dense spiritual patterns that shone slightly under the illumination of spiritual energy.

Previously, I had only glanced at it briefly and knew it was a magical artifact disguised as something else. Now, upon closer inspection, I probed the spiritual patterns inside the array bead with my divine sense.

The array bead stores three different energy patterns.

The first possibility is already known to Li Yuan. Its aura is highly similar to Li Ze'an's, and it should be the aura template corresponding to that bottle of blood. That demonic cultivator used this template to disguise himself as a Li family cultivator while operating outside.

The second type is a completely unfamiliar aura pattern. The spiritual energy characteristics are more yin and gentle, like that of a cultivator who practices water-based techniques.

The third type is equally unfamiliar. Its spiritual energy is characterized by its calm and substantial nature, with a slight earth elemental attribute.

Three aura modes, three identities.

This demonic cultivator wasn't just disguised as a member of the Li family. He had at least two other identities, operating with different auras in different situations.

It is estimated that he has been traveling around with multiple identities for a long time.

It doesn't seem like a spur-of-the-moment disguise.

Li Yuan carefully put away the array beads, then glanced at the empty Demon Banner and the bottle of blood.

The demonic cultivator's corpse was still in a depression on the outskirts of the camp; Li Yuan had only dealt with it hastily before. Now that he intended to report it to the Yuan Yang Sect, the corpse needed to be properly preserved as evidence.

Li Yuan got up, walked to the depression on the outskirts of the camp, and used his spiritual power to seal the corpse under a rock to prevent it from rotting.

Just then.

The warning array has been triggered.

The jade sensor emitted a pale golden glow, sending out a signal.

Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Approaching from the outer edge of the Ghost Mist Forest at a slow pace.

Li Yuan's nerves tensed instantly. His fingers remained pressed on the token, and his divine sense extended outward.

About ninety feet away, a figure was walking along the path in the Ghost Mist Forest.

Li Yuan recognized the aura this time.

Li Zean.

It wasn't a disguise. The aura was exactly the same as the real person.

Moreover, the demonic avatar's senses failed to detect any residual demonic energy on the newcomer.

It is Li Ze'an himself.

Li Yuan put the guardian token back into his storage bag and stood up to wait.

A moment later, Li Ze'an emerged from the thick fog.

He wore a long, finely crafted grey-blue robe, had a dignified face, and walked with a steady gait. He was exactly the same as the one I had seen at the trade fair.

When Li Ze'an saw Li Yuan standing in the center of the open space, he paused for a moment, then bowed respectfully.

"There's something I'd like to ask you to keep an eye out for."

His expression was a bit more serious than usual.

"Recently, the Li family has discovered that someone is impersonating me and acting outside. This has happened more than once; people in several places have seen a cultivator whose aura is extremely similar to mine."

He paused for a moment.

"Fellow Daoist Li has been stationed in the Ghost Mist Forest for a long time, covering a considerable area. I would like to ask if you have seen anyone like this recently? Their aura is almost identical to mine, but it is not me."