Who gave you permission to refine demons like this?

"I originally intended to tell you about demons later when you have a better understanding of them, but since we've already started talking, I'll tell you now."

Then, in a serious tone, he said, "Junior brother, have you ever considered why demons and humans must fight each other, with no room for reconciliation?"

The sound reached Lin Sheng's ears, but Cao Xingyi walked forward quietly.

Lin Sheng realized he had asked a crucial question, so he waited quietly for an answer.

But this question led to Lin Sheng, whose negative reaction to demons was entirely based on his subjective impressions from before his transmigration.

Demons are inherently bad symbols, not only in movies and TV shows, but also in the derogatory nature of the word itself.

Although he encountered demons after transmigrating, he knew from his memories and the facts that demons were not good people; they committed countless evil deeds such as destruction and cannibalism, so he could kill them with a clear conscience.

As for the reasons behind their relentless conflict, he didn't really investigate them in detail; everything seemed to unfold naturally.

"Because demons harm humans, they are not good people."

"What my junior brother said is just the surface. All the things that demons do to our human race have an underlying essence."

"What is it?"

Lin Sheng's profound energy was not yet able to support the consumption of transmitting sound, so he replied in a low voice.

"Essential for cultivation!"

Lin Sheng frowned, wondering if he had misheard.

Does Senior Brother mean that humans are necessary for demons to cultivate? Is it because demonic cultivation methods are special?

His heart was racing a little, but he still continued, "What is 'necessary'? Please enlighten me, senior brother."

Cao Xing did not show any dissatisfaction because of Lin Sheng's incomprehension, but instead explained carefully: "Although humans are inferior to demons in terms of bloodline and body, they are born with spirituality and are the most spiritual beings in the world."

Even newborn infants possess a spirituality far surpassing that of many demons.

Spirituality is precisely what is necessary for cultivation and self-improvement.

This is why some people can become cultivators while others cannot. It has nothing to do with physical strength, but rather with spirituality.

Those with abundant spirituality often possess precocious intelligence; those with sufficient spirituality can engage in spiritual cultivation; those with insufficient spirituality are dull-witted and often suffer from hysteria.

Therefore, to cultivate, one must possess sufficient spirituality. The higher the spirituality, the more obvious the improvement in cultivation. However, as long as one can become a cultivator, it means that everyone has the possibility of reaching the pinnacle, it's just a matter of how big or small the chance is.

Moreover, humans possess many elixirs that can enhance spirituality, though they are quite valuable.

Then, changing the subject, he said in a heavy tone, "But demons are born with insufficient spirituality, and their breakthroughs in cultivation are extremely limited."

These words exploded in Lin Sheng's mind like thunder.

If spirituality is essential for cultivation, and demons lack sufficient spirituality, then doesn't that mean...?

After Cao Xing finished speaking, he looked behind him and noticed the strange look on Lin Sheng's face. He knew what the other was thinking, so he nodded and continued to transmit his voice.

"If demons want to increase their strength, they must consume humans. Only by consuming humans can they replenish their spirituality and lifespan."

Demons have a longer lifespan than humans, but their potential for advancement is limited.

Therefore, whether from the perspective of medicine, magic, or other means, humans are the most effective choice for replenishing the spirituality and lifespan of demons.

Cannibalism allows them to compensate for these deficiencies, thus enabling them to achieve breakthroughs.

"Then we cultivators..."

Lin Sheng considered one possibility, but dared not say it.

He wondered, if ordinary people have this effect on demons, wouldn't the effect be even better for cultivators who are no longer mortals?

Cao Xingyi affirmed his opinion: "Junior brother is right, that's exactly it."

Cultivators are a great tonic for demons. Every cultivator who has generated profound qi is a treasure to demons, and the stronger the cultivator, the more precious they are.

This is why the imperial court and sects, on the front lines of the tug-of-war with demons, ordered every cultivator to inscribe corresponding patterns—so that their bodies could self-immolate upon death.

Then Lin Sheng heard the sadness in Cao Xingyi's voice: "Being able to preserve the last ashes is already the best we can do."

Lin Sheng now understood why demons and humans had been fighting each other for so long, to the point of brain damage, even though there were intelligent demons among them, the two sides just couldn't coexist.

Fundamentally, there is no possibility of coexistence!

Demons replenish their spirituality and lifespan, and enhance their strength, by using humans. Therefore, how could demons, who are born with powerful bodies, possibly regard humans as normal beings?

Just as spiritual practice requires resources, in the eyes of demons, it is the right choice to regard humans as resources for spiritual practice!

"As my senior brother said, demons and humans cannot coexist."

Cao Xingyi agreed with Lin Sheng's statement and continued to reply: "Yes, junior brother, humans possess spirituality and can cultivate to a high level, but they are born weak and therefore will inevitably be targeted by demons."

In particular, our human race has multiplied so greatly that, to demons, it is no different from an infinite supply of resources for cultivation.

Therefore, the struggle between demons and humans intensified, especially among those of higher power, because demons could not control their desires.

Cao Xingyi emphasized, "It's either you die or I live."

"...So the imperial court allows Taoist temples and sects to be established in various places just to exterminate demons?"

"Yes, this is also the original intention of the court. The Hong Dynasty is vast, bordering the sea to the east and the desert to the west, spanning thousands of miles. The Wude Division alone cannot take care of everything."

This is why dojos and sects came into being; in fact, dojos were the predecessors of sects.

However, many Taoist temples and sects have not fulfilled this responsibility, nor have they informed their disciples about the true nature of the demon-demon conflict. Instead, they portray becoming a cultivator as defying fate and are solely focused on accumulating wealth.

If they were to actually encounter demons, they would only be helping the demons grow stronger, and it would be a waste to ruin these promising young cultivators.

Lin Sheng thought of the Nine Blades Sect, Flying Swallow, and other martial arts schools. Just as Cao Xingyi said, they only promoted rights but not obligations, and regarded seeking the Dharma and cultivating as the beginning of enjoyment.

It's hard to imagine what would happen if a large number of demons actually appeared in Izumi Town.

Are we relying on the cultivators from those dojos?

Lin Sheng asked, "What if it's Hequan Town...?"

Knowing what Lin Sheng wanted to say, Cao Xing smiled and said, "Junior brother, don't worry. Hequan is very safe. There are always people from the Martial Virtue Division watching over this place, and all demons will be eliminated."

The demons on Wuzhi Mountain are actually the regular source of sustenance for the cultivators here. Moreover, there are many spirits and monsters on the mountain, so even ordinary people can go up there from time to time.

"Spirits and monsters are merely strange beasts with lower spirituality; there's no need to regard them as beings of high status. Unless there are special circumstances, they will not become demons."

Lin Sheng himself used to make a living from Wuzhi Mountain, so he agreed with Cao Xingyi's words. Indeed, demons were not common, but occasionally one could see spirits being carried down the mountain.

Take wild boars, for example. As long as you set a trap, two more people can carry them down the mountain. I remember this happening several times.

"Now that you know all this, Junior Brother, do you still want to become a cultivator?"

Cao Xing turned around and sent a telepathic message to Lin Sheng.

"Once you enter this realm and become a Pureblood cultivator, there is no turning back. Compared to mortals, their allure to demons is like a bright candle in the night."

"What are you joking about, senior brother? Of course I want to. Not only do I want to, but I also want to see what kind of demons and monsters exist in this world."

I really want to have a good meeting with them!

Cao Xingyi burst out laughing, not in mockery, but out of joy at his junior brother's boldness.

Lin Sheng himself thought so too, because after hearing Cao Xingyi's words, he realized his uniqueness.

Demons eat people, but the Cave Mystic Furnace can help you eat demons!