Become a true immortal by emulating all demons.

"Once you embark on the path of cultivation, you are actually only doing two things."

"Getting out of trouble, and how to create trouble for others."

The mountain god's chariot swept across the sky, and before this Yu family treasure, the vast and boundless nine prefectures of Yongzhou seemed to shrink tenfold.

Su Jingci stood in front of the imperial carriage and explained softly to Lin Shu, "Half-life immortals are trapped by clay sculptures and are trapped by heaven and earth, so they can never truly transcend the mortal world. But similarly, they are also setting traps for the immortal descendants."

"The shackles of bloodline are the predicament of the immortal descendants."

"Further down, the immortal descendants use immortal resources to trap cultivators."

One layer presses down on the next, all complaining about the layer above, yet fearing that the layer below will turn over.

"Throughout the entire Yongzhou, there is no precedent for a cultivator to step into the Nascent Soul realm, because once a descendant of immortals breaks through to the Nascent Soul realm, they will stop passing on their teachings to their disciples without hesitation, no matter if you are the sect leader or have made great contributions."

"All the immortals are the same."

Su Jingci's voice was firm, because he himself was the best example.

My master is Young Master Qi, who dominates his peers. He is definitely not lacking in resources or immortal techniques.

He was also a highly meritorious and trusted disciple of the sect leader.

Long before his senior brother completely betrayed the demon realm, he was already a Golden Core cultivator, but even now, he is still stuck at that level.

"..."

Lin Shu didn't quite agree with this view.

He felt that Yu Sheng would at least be generous in passing on the Nascent Soul cultivation technique to him.

Even if he cultivates the Demon Lion Prison Body to the first-grade perfect realm, the little chick is currently only at the late Golden Core stage.

It would probably take many years for this little guy to break through to the Nascent Soul stage on his own.

"So Young Master Qi may not actually be afraid of anything."

Su Jingci sighed sadly and continued, "Setting traps for the next level is an instinct ingrained in the bones of immortal descendants, which is why he used the Soul Splitting Divine Power to take your hearts."

At this point, he became somewhat puzzled: "He Wanbai's foundation far surpasses the Golden Core realm because he has consumed too many fragmented souls and the magical power they have stored up by parasitizing other people's bodies. That's why he, with the bloodline of a Loose Immortal, possesses such great strength. But you..."

As the General Commander of Yongzhou, he had informants throughout the nine prefectures.

If Lin Shu only attained the third level of the Solidifying Spirit True Pill despite having a missing heart, how did he acquire such strength?

If the other party also consumed many fragments of the soul, it is impossible for them to only reveal their reputation in the last two years.

Because each of Young Master Qi's divided souls is an outstanding individual, as long as they have enough time to develop and don't encounter any special circumstances, even if they come from humble origins, they can quickly make a name for themselves in Yongzhou.

The mysterious death of such a being would surely be detected by the Demon Slayer Bureau.

When the number reaches hundreds or thousands, it becomes even more impossible to hide it from others.

"Nine-Turn Purple Heaven Golden Elixir"

Lin Shu gave a light explanation, then looked at the general's stiff expression due to shock, and couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.

You should know that, because of the lack of inner fire, he had been stuck in the Core Formation stage for a long time.

Having finally overcome this hurdle, it's not unreasonable to show off a little when the opportunity arises, especially since I don't plan to come back after getting my heart.

Xiao Xiu has finally made it through the tough times.

"I see……"

Su Jingci lowered her head, feeling a strange sense of peace in her heart.

Even now, he doesn't fully trust Lin Shu. The reason he acts this way is simply because he has no other choice.

For various reasons, he did not marry and had no children. He was an adopted son taken in by the Su family.

Even the Su family was not allowed to remain in the cultivation world.

After all, this family produced two demon kings, and it would be the best outcome if they could survive and retire to the countryside.

Su Jingci is now all alone.

Those disciples who remained in the Qingyuan Treasure Land were his entire lifeline.

With his life in the hands of the little demon king, how could he possibly resist?

But after hearing this, the general actually believed it to some extent.

Those who can attain the Nine-Turn Purple Heaven Golden Elixir should be extremely proud individuals; how could they possibly be willing to submit to others, let alone become someone else's clone?

Moreover, with such means, perhaps one can truly break free from the control of the split soul?

"arrive."

Su Jingci composed himself and looked down at the beautiful mountains: "This is the ancestral cemetery of the Qi family, where generations of ancestors are buried... Of course, it is only a cenotaph, the bodies are not here."

The corpses of immortals are the best resources for the demon race.

Even if the Qi family had immense power, they wouldn't dare leave the corpses outside if they didn't want their ancestral graves to be ransacked by demons.

But this is also a good thing.

Otherwise, the Qi family would definitely have sent many powerful figures to guard him, so how could he have swaggered over with the little demon king like that?

"He doesn't mind."

Lin Shu put away the precious carriage and landed at the foot of the mountain with the general.

The fact that his ancestral graves were filled with other people's hearts shows that this young master Qi never cared about his clansmen at all.

"That's always been the case."

Su Jingci gave a wry smile and led the young man along the secluded path into the mountainside.

The stone walls on both sides are painted with images of white wolves howling at the moon. On the candlesticks made of some unknown material, the densely packed white candles have only burned halfway.

The top of its head is inlaid with jewels to imitate the stars and the moon.

As you walk out of the path, the view suddenly opens up to a flat stone grotto hall.

On both sides and in front, there are orderly tiered platforms, with the ancestral tablets arranged in order of seniority and power from top to bottom.

The reason for using "should" is because...

Lin Shu glanced to the right and saw that all the jade spirit tablets had been discarded and piled up in the corner like trash.

"In his eyes, the Qi family only needs him."

"Even his parents' memorial tablets are piled up there."

Su Jingci explained softly, then made a hand gesture and looked around again.

Splash!

As golden light rippled from his fingertips, a crisp sound suddenly rang out from the empty platform. Phantom images of dark, chilling chains swayed in mid-air like tentacles, as if they had once bound something.

"..."

Lin Shu looked around, her eyelids twitching slightly.

Nearly 90% of the chains were fluttering, but some remained tightly wrapped and locked, forming a circle with a gently undulating surface.

"If it's open, it means that person is already dead."

Su Jingci looked at the dried and blackened bloodstains on the stone platform, which were fragments of broken hearts, but he did not notice the ferocity in the eyes of the young man next to him.

"call."

Lin Shu let out a soft breath.

My concerns were indeed not unfounded.

The ability to sense whether someone has perished from an unknown distance must not be a simple matter of binding the heart; some kind of secret technique must have been added.

Does that mean that if someone crushes the heart inside, they will also suffer a corresponding backlash... or even die?

Thankfully, I came in person.

"These hearts are arranged according to how much importance Young Master Qi attaches to them. They can be roughly divided into three levels, similar to the original spirit tablets. You can find them according to your background, and you shouldn't make a mistake."

Su Jingci strode towards the platforms.

The two sides had the most, considered the lowest grade, but also the most fallen, with only a few left.

Next is the middle.

"Only those who are free-spirited immortals or their descendants, or direct descendants of prestigious families among cultivators, are qualified to be displayed here."

He Wanbai was one of them.

He clearly didn't just recently develop rebellious intentions.

To figure out what's going on here, I've been here many times, and I even found He Wanbai's heart by distinguishing the aura.

But that's all it can go.

Without the help of the white wolf's soul, a Golden Core cultivator would have no chance of opening these chains, let alone doing anything to the heart inside.

Apart from these two layers, there are very few chains on the top platform, only three.

Moreover, two of them have been opened, leaving only the middle one still in a tangled ball shape.

"I thought that was He Wanbai."

Lin Shu raised an eyebrow and looked up at the high platform.

This is not good news.

Given He Wanbai's reputation and strength, he can only be ranked in the middle. So, the heart at the very top... doesn't that mean he has suddenly gained another unknown and powerful enemy?

Upon hearing this, Su Jingci smiled helplessly and said, "Things related to Young Master Qi, whether they are disciples or fragments of his soul, seem to be very adept at using their power to undermine their superiors."

"Not necessarily. I'm just better at bossing people over those below me."

Lin Shu walked straight to both sides. Since leaving Blackwater City, he had been trying his best to avoid encountering Da Xiu.

Given the opportunity, they would only make a move after their physical strength had surpassed the opponent's.

He didn't even notice the stone platform in front of him.

Given her past life, where she was bullied to death by the opera troupe, even in the third tier, she was probably the lowest of the low, perhaps not even as good as a peddler or laborer.

But as she observed each one, Lin Shu's expression gradually became strange.

He had very few hearts left on both sides, and he quickly saw them all, but none of them could resonate with him.

His predecessor was definitely not from a celestial sect. Could he have been a young master from a famous family who had been lost to the world?

"..."

He didn't speak, but strode forward, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid.

No! Still no!

Until I finished looking at the second layer as well.

Lin Shu remained silent for a long time before finally turning his gaze to the highest platform. At that moment, he finally found a faint connection in the illusory iron ball.

Not to mention him, even Su Jingci was stunned.

So it really is a case of superiors belittling inferiors?

"Are you kidding me?"

Lin Shu murmured, "That young man who was beaten to death by Liu San, in Young Master Qi's eyes, is he qualified to be ranked above a rogue immortal like Chen Wenxi?"

He suddenly reached out and touched his cheek.

Actually, many things were indeed not quite right, but when in Blackwater City, it was difficult to protect one's life, and it was hard to think things through so thoroughly.

For example, this tall and slender figure, with fair and delicate skin.

Even after spending so long in the opera troupe, he still looks like a noble young master who could easily play an immortal.

This is definitely not a child that a poor family could raise.

Besides, Blackwater City is so small. If he were really some lost young master, swaggering around the streets pretending to be a fairy, he would have been recognized long ago.

But in Lin Shu's view, he was at most from a family in a major prefecture.

After all, the other party had no strength to defend themselves.

Compared to truly powerful wandering immortals, they are still miles away.

Moreover, how could someone of true status be so dull-witted, unable to learn any techniques, and unable to even sense the aura emanating from Yu Sheng, only able to rely on good deeds and evil money to artificially accumulate cultivation?

But then I thought, maybe the previous body wasn't really dead.

Perhaps it was just that the white wolf's divided soul took over this body and happened to find an opening.

Because after he woke up, the aura on the white wolf's divided soul was clearly not yet exhausted.

"That's enough."

Lin Shu shook her head; now was not the time to think about that.

Finding the heart is always a good thing.

At worst, we can ask the cripple for details after we get back to Anren Prefecture.

Moreover, no matter what the original body's identity was, it has little to do with the current self. If it could really be a backer, the original body wouldn't have been possessed by the White Wolf.

Even if we take a step back and assume the other two hearts, which were also placed on the same high platform, were already broken long ago.

As long as it doesn't cause any trouble, there's no need to think too much about it.

"call."

After thinking it over, Lin Shu put aside her distracting thoughts and summoned the Filthy Moon Wolf Lord.

Although the wolf cub had long since changed its appearance due to the influx of ill-gotten gains, it was essentially still a fragment of Young Master Qi's soul.

Shouldn't be a problem.

Roar!

The Filthy Moon Wolf shrank its body, placed its two front paws on the iron chain, and then, under Lin Shu's gaze, its entire body merged into it.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The illusory iron chain suddenly tightened, moving slowly like a venomous snake.

The whole process went even more smoothly than Lin Shu had imagined, and the chains quickly began to be withdrawn.

"So the difficulty isn't in how to open it, but rather that as a split soul, one wouldn't even have the thought of opening it?"

Lin Shu didn't think that Young Master Qi would completely trust the General.

For example, if the general were to return to Yongzhou City now and bring He Wanbai here just as he brought himself, then the other party should be able to free the corresponding heart.

He breathed a sigh of relief and finally saw the vibrant heart hidden within the chains.

"hiss."

Lin Shu suddenly opened her eyes wide.

On this heart, there were obscure Dao patterns that were extremely similar to those on a golden core, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary object.

As the restraints were removed.

It seemed to be alive, and happily moved closer to Lin Shu's body.

"..."

Lin Shu hesitated for a moment, then with a hand like a blade, he tore open the long robe he had specially changed into before, and forcefully cut open his own solid chest.

Then I watched helplessly as the heart burrowed inside, sprouted flesh, and connected with the entire body.

In an instant, a rich sense of vitality spread throughout his body.

It was as if they had suddenly come back to life from being zombies!

Under the influence of the nourishing spiritual root, the wound quickly closed up and remained tight. In the time it took to breathe, apart from a few traces of scarlet blood, there was nothing else unusual.

Su Jingci observed this scene carefully.

After confirming that Lin Shu's heart had indeed grown back, he slowly closed his eyes with a sense of relief.

"If I'm not mistaken, your Foundation Establishment stage cultivation should be like the Nine Revolutions Purple Cloud Golden Core, which is the top-tier spiritual root in this realm."

"Feeding oneself and warding off calamity?"

The general stretched out his palm, also tearing open his collar, and sighed, "It's a pity I don't have such formidable talent, but the direction is the same, only the effect is much worse."

"Um?"

Lin Shu turned around in confusion.

The two grown men simultaneously ripped open their clothes, which looked rather strange.

Even if it's about being honest with each other... this is way too honest.

"Remember, I said I would give you something very valuable."

A smile appeared on Su Jingci's face.

He finally confirmed that Lin Shu was not his master's clone, and he completely relaxed.

But after serving as a general for so many years, he still harbored a certain arrogance deep down.

Especially when he was at Qingyuan Treasure Land, his entire body was pierced through by the other party.

But! Even someone as terrifying as the Little Demon King has things he doesn't know.

Su Jingci stared intently at the young man's handsome face, trying to see the surprise in his expression.

He also let out a long breath, his five fingers transformed into white jade wolf claws, and then he suddenly tore his own chest apart, revealing his heart the instant the skin and flesh were peeled away.

A fierce look appeared on the general's face, and his five fingers actually pierced straight into his heart.

Immediately afterwards, he pulled out the blood-streaked fingertip, and when he spread his five fingers, a round pill the size of an egg was lying in his palm.

"Why is your golden core located in your heart?"

Lin Shu was indeed somewhat surprised. Everyone else was building the Mountain and Sea Immortal Mansion, but this general could find another way.

As expected of the Little Demon King, even his points of attention are different from others.

Su Jingci's face darkened slightly, and he sighed, "First of all, this is not my golden core! Secondly, it is not a golden core either... Take a closer look."

Inside the shimmering golden bead, a tiny figure was curled up, as if asleep.

"This is my senior brother's demon infant."

Seeing that the little demon king didn't recognize the value of the item, Su Jingci could only explain, "After his defeat, while he still had a sliver of reason left, he came looking for me."

"His aura had already been locked by the Night Wanderer, and in order not to implicate others, he used a secret technique to forcibly seal this thing away."

"And then, I possessed the most precious, yet most useless, thing in Yongzhou."

Su Jingci's face showed bitterness: "If a descendant of immortals obtains this item, they can use it to refine a great pill. If it falls into the hands of a cultivator, they can offer it to a power that is above half-immortals in order to gain a chance to become their disciple and thus escape their predicament."

"They are utterly useless in the hands of demons..."

"You don't seem to be a demon," Lin Shu interrupted.

"Pretty much." Su Jingci lowered his eyes slightly. How could he possibly use his senior brother's demon infant to refine pills or exchange for any opportunity?

He quickly composed himself and continued, "I have guarded this object for decades. Now it's your turn. As for what to do, that's up to you."

"As long as Senior Brother consumes this item, he can recover his Nascent Soul strength without breaking all the seals. As the seals are lifted, his demonic power will return to its peak, and his mind will gradually become clearer as well."

"But as soon as this power is used, the Night Wanderer... or rather, Young Master Qi, will immediately be able to sense it."

What kind of identity does the Demon King Yuanyuan have? To the Night Wanderer, he almost caused him to be possessed by his immortal descendant. To Young Master Qi, he is a traitor who has defected from the demon sect.

If he were to reappear in the world.

It might even be possible to temporarily reconcile the two individuals vying for the clay sculpture, thus resolving this scourge first.

Su Jingci knew that his senior brother was definitely going to leave with the little demon king, and that he seemed to be making a comeback. Therefore, it was most appropriate to entrust this demon infant to him for safekeeping.

"actually……"

Lin Shu guessed the general's thoughts, pondered for a few moments, and said with a slightly strange expression, "I am not a demon."

Before he finished speaking, he was already exuding an extremely rich and pure aura of the Yu family's immortal techniques, without any trace of other influences.

"..."

The entire grotto hall suddenly fell into a deathly silence.

Su Jingci stood there, trembling all over.

Just as he said before, this thing is useless only in the face of demons.

For cultivators, this is the most precious treasure in the entire Yongzhou!

Now, no matter how hard he tries, he can't think of a way to protect the demon infant in front of the little demon king.

"Alright, enough joking around."

Lin Shu withdrew her aura and didn't even glance at the demonic infant.

He is indeed greedy, but not to the point of despicablely sacrificing his friends for his future.

"I will pass it on to him."

How can I keep such a wonderful thing hidden in my heart?

If a battle is inevitable, it's best to swallow it as soon as possible and break the seal quickly.

At most, unless it's a life-or-death situation, just don't let a fool... Demon King Yuanyuan make a move.

As for being discovered by Young Master Qi, with me as the third wheel, why would he be afraid of not being able to find his way to his door?

Several experiences have taught Lin Shu that although the Tribulation-Repelling Spiritual Root is very strong, it is not omnipotent and cannot completely block the perception of other split souls.

"Come with me, back to Dragon Ridge."

Lin Shu straightened her clothes, ending the frank conversation: "The Night Wanderer doesn't wake up because He doesn't want to. Neither of them is willing to back down, and after so many years, nobody knows what the fighting inside has really gone through."

"Anyway, I'm not used to entrusting my life to someone else's decision."

Even if the Night Wanderer and Young Master Qi haven't really decided who's the winner, if either of them is willing to back down even slightly, that clay statue in Yongzhou City will immediately transform into an invincible immortal in the Nine Prefectures.

Despite this for Lin Shu.

A general who was on their side was stationed in Yongzhou City.

If the other party survives, it will be a huge help.

But he still felt it wasn't worth taking the risk.

"..."

Su Jingci rubbed her numb face.

He had intended to shock the little demon king, but in the end, he was the one who was frightened.

However, what the other party said is also true.

If Lin Shu really coveted the demon infant, she could have simply taken the item and left; there was no need for her to confess.

No one likes having their life and death controlled by others.

After pondering for a long time, the general shook his head and said with some envy, "But not everyone is like you, with countless choices."

"I can do my best to save some demons, because the punishment will fall on me alone."

"But they dared not calmly withdraw after the three prodigies had fallen."

"That would lead to the most brutal purge of my faction, from my disciples to their captains, and even the newcomers who have just entered the Demon Slayer Division. Not a single member of the Qi family will be left alive."

Su Jingci said seriously, "That's why I have to go back."

He believed that the Little Demon King was sincere and not just putting on an act, otherwise he wouldn't have left his disciples in Qingyuan Treasure Land.

This action alone shows that the other party had long planned to take them and the others away.

But... he can't leave.

Lin Shu hesitated for a few moments, then asked, "Is everything alright?"

"Of course, no problem."

Su Jingci smiled confidently, his voice extremely firm: "After all, I am still a general."

But his hands, which were behind his back, were clenched tightly.

The Little Demon King already carries too many expectations from all the demons.

As for the matter of the Demon Slayer Division, it should not become a source of pressure for the other party; it is a responsibility that one should bear oneself.

"What are you doing?" He suddenly paused, watching Lin Shu turn around and start fiddling with the altar.

"I'll try to see if I can kill He Wanbai."

After trying for a while, Lin Shu withdrew the Filthy Moon Wolf Lord with some disappointment.

His split soul was not the key to all the chains, and with his current cultivation level, he was no match for the methods left behind by Young Master Qi, a Nascent Soul giant.

"..."

Su Jingci chuckled to himself.

He suddenly realized that this little demon king was truly an extremely special being.

He can be ruthless when necessary, and commanding when authority is required; yet he is also quite interesting in everyday life, with no airs whatsoever.

It is truly a fortunate thing to be able to work for such a powerful demon.

Best wishes.

The general handed over the demon infant, then clasped his hands in a fist salute and said with a smile, "I hope that one day, I, Su, will be able to welcome Your Majesty in the city."

Words of blessing need not dwell on practical matters, as that would appear dull and tedious.

People always need something to look forward to.

"The chances are slim." Lin Shu put away the demonic infant, pondered for a moment, and nodded slightly.

I'll try my best.

If you've decided to fight against Master Qi, who's practically a night-wandering god.

It's either death or life.

There was no third way to go.

Then why can't one's own territory be the entire Yongzhou?

There are a total of two half-life immortals.

Killing one is the same as killing two!