Immortal Demonic Path

Chapter 23 Ancient Demon Runes

This stone finger should be a treasure that awakens the old willow tree's intelligence.

The essence within became nourishment for the old willow tree.

"Do you know the origin of this thing?" Li Changsheng gathered spiritual energy into the willow tree and inquired about its origin.

The old willow tree swayed, and a stream of spiritual energy entered Li Changsheng's mind.

A colossal figure appeared in Li Changsheng's mind, an ancient aura flowing out, like an ancient being resurrected in his mind.

A towering, azure figure, several meters tall, was formed from piled-up stones, each stone bearing intricate patterns.

That stone finger is just a little finger.

Except for the lines on the little finger, the rest are all illegible.

The old willow tree only knew it was a stone figure, but didn't know all the patterns.

Stone figure?

Li Changsheng was shocked. Could those patterns on his body be... ancient demon runes?

Lingxu Cave Heaven contains records of ancient demons, inherits ancient bloodlines, and possesses ancient supernatural powers.

Ancient demon runes are the inheritance contained within one's bloodline.

These ancient demon runes only appear when an ancient demon activates its bloodline and uses the power of its ancient bloodline.

Legend has it that some cultivators have comprehended cultivation methods and great supernatural powers from ancient demonic runes.

Unfortunately, ancient demons are too rare, and Lingxu Cave Heaven has no records of ancient demon runes, only a few brief mentions.

As for the question about the ox?

He is still too young, his cultivation is too shallow, and his bloodline can only be activated at most, so it is impossible for him to activate the ancient demon runes.

While I was pondering, it was already noon.

Li Changsheng heated up the food and went to the secret room.

"Finally finished processing two pieces, only one Crimson Flame Stone left."

Nie Qiu breathed a sigh of relief and said.

"Thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother," Li Changsheng said.

"Sigh, when you take money and do things for others, how can you talk about hardship?"

  

Nie Qiu ate his food heartily and said, "By the way, how were you doing outside? Did you go out for a walk?"

"There is a spirit-gathering array in the courtyard. I have been cultivating in the courtyard and have made some progress," Li Changsheng said.

"You shouldn't focus all your energy on cultivation. Life is long, have more fun," Nie Qiu said.

Li Changsheng did not answer; his life was long.

My lifespan is endless, and I'll have plenty of time to play later. For now, I'll focus on cultivating myself and gain the ability to protect myself.

After parting ways with Nie Qiu, Li Changsheng returned to the old willow tree, but Liu Qing and the others had not yet returned.

He placed one hand on the old willow tree, gathering spiritual energy for it and helping it refine it.

The ancient demon stone finger, though devoid of its essence, awakened him.

He wanted to imprint the array, wondering if it could be like the ancient demon runes.

Unfortunately, he only had one index finger. It would have been great if he had a whole stone statue for him to study.

After helping the old willow tree with its cultivation, Li Changsheng began searching for wood to carve the lines on his index finger.

Although it's only a corner of the full-body runes, it is still an ancient demon rune.

It was much more difficult to depict than the formations he had learned, but with more practice, Li Changsheng had the patience and time.

By evening, Liu Qing and Liu Xian finally returned.

Liu Xian and the other man looked visibly unhappy, with Liu Qing's face turning ashen.

Li Changsheng wisely refrained from approaching.

Not long after, shouts and curses came from inside the house, along with Liu Qingyue's sobbing.

Fortunately, Liu Qing hadn't forgotten that Nie Qiu was still in the secret room, waiting for dinner.

After delivering the food, Li Changsheng continued his cultivation.

Liu Xian and Liu Qingyue also arrived, both with handprints on their faces, clearly having been slapped.

Li Changsheng remained silent, continuing his cultivation.

It wasn't until late at night that Liu Qing told them to rest before leaving.

Li Changsheng finished his day of cultivation and was about to return to his room when he saw that Liu Qingyue's door was open.

Liu Qingyue came out, made a shushing gesture, and walked towards him.

"What's this?" Li Changsheng asked, puzzled.

"We went to the wrong place today and almost couldn't get back," Liu Qingyue sighed. "Luckily, Grandpa arrived in time and took us away."

"Did you go to the wrong place?" Li Changsheng was increasingly puzzled. Wasn't this supposed to be a ox seeking guidance?

"Yes, everyone's saying that Niu Wendao will be at Qianlin Inn, but who knew it would be Changchun."

At this point, Liu Qingyue sighed, "Fortunately, my birthmark is ugly, otherwise they would have tarnished my innocence."

Li Changsheng understood; this was a case of seeking the answer by looking for the ox, and he had come to Changchun.

The two sides already had a grudge, so in front of Changchun, he shouted, "Greetings to the great genius Niu Wendao!"

This is practically suicide!

"Is Changchun such a despicable person? He actually tried to smear your reputation?" Li Changsheng frowned.

Liu Qingyue's half-face was indeed beautiful; if one had only seen half of her face at the time, it would have been easy for others to have inappropriate thoughts.

But Lingxu Cave Heaven is, after all, a cultivation sect, a reputable and righteous one!

"It's not Changchun, it's someone who follows Changchun, his name is Han Jiuyuan," Liu Qingyue said viciously.

"Him? He's definitely not a good person," Li Changsheng said.

"You know Han Jiuyuan?" Liu Qingyue's eyes lit up as she asked.

"I've heard of them," Li Changsheng said. "From now on, focus on your cultivation and don't provoke them. Lingxu Cave Heaven isn't as good as you think."

Liu Qingyue said sullenly, "I understand. Grandpa originally wanted us to join Lingxu Cave Heaven for a guarantee, but it seems we can only go to other sects."

Although it wasn't exactly an offense to Changchun, it did leave a deep impression on Han Jiuyuan.

If they were to enter the Lingxu Cave Heaven, and Niu Wendao didn't take care of them, their lives would be very difficult.

The area around Zhongyang City is not only home to Lingxu Cave Heaven, but also Shuiyue Cave Heaven and Qingxuan Cave Heaven.

Although these two grotto-heavens are somewhat inferior to Lingxu, the difference is not significant.

Recently, Lingxu Cave Heaven has been overshadowed by Changchun, who has been practicing Qi Refining for seven days, and the Ancient Demon Ox, who has been asking questions.

Nowadays, when joining a sect, people will prioritize Lingxu Cave Heaven.

"Given your age and talent, you should have joined a sect much earlier," Li Changsheng said.

"Back then, my family still had some assets," Liu Qingyue sighed. "Now that assets have been lost, I have no choice but to join a sect."

Li Changsheng said, "The other grotto-heavens may be more suitable for you."

Liu Qingyue opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something, but Li Changsheng shook his head and said, "I know what you want to say. You just think that since I am a disciple of Lingxu Cave Heaven and your senior brother is a Foundation Establishment weapon refiner, you can act as a bridge between us and resolve your grudges."

Liu Qingyue nodded repeatedly, her face showing anticipation.

Li Changsheng shook his head and said, "Neither my senior brother nor I have had any contact with Changchun. As for Han Jiuyuan, we've only heard of him. He often asks disciples for pills. It's best not to provoke him."

Liu Qingyue fell silent.

"Focus on your cultivation. Cultivation is the most important thing. Fighting and killing will only shorten your lifespan."

Li Changsheng said, "Think about Zhongyang Zhenren, his Golden Elixir Rejuvenation cultivation was gone in just over two hundred years."

What's so good about fighting and killing? Isn't it better to cultivate in peace?

Do you really think everyone is a genius like Niu Wendao?

"I understand. I will focus on my cultivation from now on."

Liu Qingyue returned to her room, indicating that she remembered his words. Whether she truly remembered them or was just being perfunctory was beyond Li Changsheng's control.

Li Changsheng glanced at Liu Xian's room; this guy wasn't asleep either, he was listening inside the room the whole time.

Perhaps, that old fellow Liu Qing hasn't slept either?

After returning to their rooms to rest, Liu Xian and Liu Qingyue continued their cultivation the next day. They did not go out again and focused on their practice.

Liu Qing was quite pleased with this.

This sense of relief didn't last long. After only two or three days of staying at home, Liu Xian couldn't sit still and went out for a stroll.

Liu Qingyue remained patient and did not go out again.

Li Changsheng continued his cultivation with peace of mind, inscribing ancient demon runes. Three days later, he finally finished drawing them.

He discovered that wood inscribed with ancient demonic runes would become exceptionally hard, even harder than stone.

If infused with spiritual power, its sturdiness would be comparable to that of a low-grade magic sword!

This result delighted him. If the mark were imprinted on him, no one of the same level could possibly mess with him!

However, this still needs further research, such as what other characteristics this ancient demon rune has besides being sturdy.

(End of this chapter)