Xuanjian: I am the tenth son of Zhenchi, and I plot to seize the throne from Zhenlong.

"What kind of person is that kid? Was he sent from another island, or is he a demon in disguise?"

That night, Yan Xujie came to the cave alone and knelt before the old Taoist priest, reporting everything in detail.

"In my opinion, this person is probably a mortal who has just happened to receive a great inheritance, and he speaks in a silly way."

"The cultivation method he practices is somewhat peculiar, making it difficult for people to discern his specific cultivation level. However, it is only a cultivation method at the embryonic breathing level, and he has no lineage or knowledge. During the day, he even asked me if I, Master, could fly. He probably doesn't even know what a Qi Refining cultivator is."

"As for demons," Yan Xujie smiled awkwardly, "where in our place are there any demons that can take human form that would bother with us?"

The old Taoist priest on the main stone platform beamed with joy: "So it really is true that I've struck gold and gotten such a disciple for free."

Yan Xujie hesitated for a moment: "But this person's methods are too wild. He doesn't even know about blood offerings. He seems to have a kind heart towards ordinary people. I'm afraid that if he stays here for too long, he might offend you, sir."

The old Taoist waved his hand and scoffed: "Benevolence? Can benevolence help him cultivate the Tao?"

"Back then, I didn't want to use my blood and energy, but what about now?"

"After cultivating for more than ten years, I'm still stuck at the embryonic breathing stage, making no progress. I'm afraid I'm getting anxious and frustrated. As long as I use this blood energy to break through the barrier, all my benevolence will be thrown to the dogs."

After pondering for a while, the old Taoist priest spoke again: "We can't push him too hard right away, or it will create a rift, which wouldn't be good. We won't bring him to the next sacrifice."

"Things have to be done step by step. Here's what you do: find an opportunity to give him some aphrodisiacs and then give him two women. Maybe they can give birth to two children with spiritual abilities. Since he has a kind heart, he'll have something to care about, and he won't be able to run away. Maybe you can even get the cultivation technique out of him."

"Also, when you have some free time, send him to your second senior sister's place and let her take it easy on him, feeding him blood food little by little. He'll get used to it and be able to take it."

Yan Xujie forced a smile and quickly began to flatter, "Master's insight is profound!"

"That's right. I've seen more cultivators than you've eaten blood food. These young people who suddenly attain enlightenment are the least sure of their own position, so they're very easy to manipulate."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Soon, Qingyuan Lun will break through."

Ye Chaosheng woke up from his dream to find the sky bright outside the window, and felt a sense of contentment.

He had a very comfortable time on the island. With so many mortals on the island, they only supported a few cultivators, so they were waited on hand and foot. They didn't have to do anything on weekdays and could just bury themselves in cultivation all day.

With more time to cultivate, he discovered something unusual: his fellow disciples would usually cultivate for three or four hours a day at most before becoming dizzy and unable to draw in spiritual energy.

In reality and in dreams, I can cultivate for eight hours at a time. In reality, cultivating for too long will make my head feel dizzy, but not in dreams. It will only cause pain in my meridians and make it difficult to circulate my spiritual energy.

One should always be wary of others. He had many secrets, so he naturally wouldn't live with those two. Instead, he went out and had someone build him a house.

He then declined the two maids his senior brother had given him, and rarely left the house. In his spare time, he would practice hand seals and spells in the woods, leading a leisurely life.

As I was pondering this, I heard footsteps stop in the courtyard, followed by Yan Xujie's somewhat anxious voice.

"Junior brother, some demons are coming to plunder! Come with me quickly!"

Ye Chaosheng usually slept fully clothed. He got out of bed and quickly went outside. He saw a tall, thin man in the courtyard looking hurried. He immediately ran after him.

A strong wind blew against his cheeks, and Ye Chaosheng felt inexplicably excited. The feeling of breaking the second young master's cervical spine with a punch that night, and the warm blood splashing on his face, was still fresh in his mind.

Both of them had completed the cycle, so they walked very fast. Although Ye Chaosheng was a little excited, he did not reveal himself too much and only showed a normal speed, following closely behind Yan Xujie.

Ye Chaosheng had just reached the seaside when he saw several black dots in the sea not far from the shore. His master and two figures were confronting them on the shore. He knew that those in the sea must be the demons who came to plunder.

"But why are there mortals gathering here too?" Ye Chaosheng naturally noticed the large group of mortals standing behind his master and his two companions, and wondered to himself.

"Wow! Old Master Rong is in good luck, he's gained another disciple in this godforsaken place?"

By the time Ye Chaosheng reached the shore, the sea monster had already come ashore.

The leading demon general had scales on his face and a sinister appearance. His body was covered in tattered cloth, with scales also covering the exposed parts, making it impossible to tell what kind of creature he was. He rode a huge tortoise and, upon seeing Ye Chaosheng, a complete stranger, sneered at the old Taoist priest.

Ye Chaosheng was naturally not foolish enough to look directly at the demon general. The current situation was too different from what he had expected. He simply turned his head slightly and glanced at his master.

But the old Taoist priest had a look of flattery and awe on his face and said respectfully, "It is all thanks to Lord Yuanshe's blessing that this little disciple was able to cross the ocean, escape with his life, and find his way to the island."

The old Taoist priest immediately grabbed Ye Chaosheng and said, "Aren't you going to greet the master?"

Ye Chaosheng was also a man of flexibility. Since the situation was unclear, he naturally wouldn't be the first to stick his neck out and shout for battle. So he cupped his hands and greeted the demon general.

"Heh heh~ It seems that in a few years, you might be thinking of seizing another island?"

So the old Taoist and Yan Zhou both laughed heartily. The second senior sister was a little further away, so Ye Chaosheng couldn't see her expression, but he guessed she was also laughing along.

A hint of disdain flashed in the demon general's eyes, and he lost patience with the human's pleasantries. A cruel expression appeared on his face, and his voice was as cold as ice: "This time, I need five living people, and after a while, I need five more."

Silence fell over the surroundings. The old Taoist's smile vanished, replaced by an awkward expression: "Sir, in previous years... weren't there always three? Is it... which grandfather has emerged from the sea this time?"

At this moment, the demon general's face became lively, a hint of longing flashing across it: "It's... the patrol officer has arrived. I've been staying in this remote place for so many years, I can't bear to be unfilial..."

The demon general stopped talking and scolded, "Old man, you're getting all worked up after I called you a few times. Why do you care so much? Hurry up, I'm in a hurry to get to the Huang family."

Upon hearing this, a flush flashed across the old Taoist's face, but it disappeared in an instant. He remained silent for several breaths with a sullen expression.

Seeing that the demon general's expression was becoming increasingly hostile, Yan Xujie quickly tried to smooth things over: "Grandpa Yuan can have as much as he wants. My master has recently made great progress in his cultivation, and his breathing is unstable. He just had a bit of a choke, haha."

Zhou Mian also cooperated by quickly pulling out three ashen-faced mortals from the crowd behind, knocking out two more, and then dragging them over with his second senior sister.

Zhou Mian handed the mortal over to the little demon queen following behind the demon general, then turned around and glared at Ye Chaosheng, who was standing still and not helping.

Having received their blood offering, the group of demons ignored the group and chuckled as they sank into the sea. The old Taoist priest, his face grim, casually slapped Yan Xujie across the face and left without a word.

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