For hundreds and thousands of years, countless Cultivators have tried to understand what exactly happens when a Great Mage advances to become a True Man.

How can a Dharma Aspect fuse with flesh and blood?

And why does that fusion turn a person into a Demon?

The Demon Exorcism Hall, with its Meat Market business, has facilitated the advancement of countless Great Mages into True Men, giving them a unique and advantageous position.

By observing so many Great Mages advance, they naturally discovered a few clues.

"Ancient legends speak of Eight Books between heaven and earth."

The middle-aged man, his face etched with fear, spoke cautiously as he led the way:

"The Celestial, Divine, Earth, Inner, Outer, Ghost, Central, and Martial. Among them, the Celestial Book hangs high above, containing the Three Primes and Eight Assemblies."

"The Divine Book, known as the Cloud Seal, holds the mysteries of heaven and earth’s transformations; the Earth Book contains the forms of dragons and phoenixes; the Inner Book is the language of turtles and fish; the Outer Book is recorded on scales, shells, fur, and feathers; the Ghost Book is a collection of faint, miscellaneous forms undecipherable by man; the Central Book is composed of grass-art and cloud seals; and the Martial Scripture resembles insects."

"It is said that if one could obtain these Eight Books, the Great Dao could be achieved."

Seeing Zhu Ju listening intently, the man continued:

"While observing the advancement process of Great Mages, we discovered characters that resemble the ’Dragon and Phoenix Seal,’ which we suspect is from the ancient Earth Book."

"Although we couldn’t understand their meaning, we recorded each one and compiled them into the *Earth Element Seal Script*, hoping that one day they might be put to good use and pave the path for future Cultivation."

"Senior!"

"This way, please."

As he spoke, he led Zhu Ju to a secret room and tapped a rhythm on the wall.

CLICK!

The stone door in front of them rumbled and slowly slid open to the sides.

Rows upon rows of bookshelves came into view, filled with all sorts of books, many of which were bound in tanned Beast Hide. The faint, musty scent of old books wafted out.

"Over the years, we have recorded a total of three hundred different ’Dragon and Phoenix Seals,’ and we’ve managed to hazard a guess at the meaning of some of them."

"The records are all here."

"Mm," Zhu Ju said, taking the scroll the man offered. He gave it a brief look and nodded slowly.

"Not bad."

"Are you in charge here?"

"Yes." The middle-aged man scrambled to his knees and said, trembling:

"This lowly one is Shii Xuan, historian of the Demon Exorcism Hall’s library. I’ve never harmed anyone in all my years, only managed the archives."

"I beg you to spare my life, Senior!"

"Shii Xuan?" Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow.

"A fine name."

He didn’t say what he planned to do with the man, only telling him to wait on the side and not wander off.

’The Earth Book!’

’The Dragon and Phoenix Seal!’

’Or rather...’

’Spiritual Patterns!’

Whether it was Arrays, Talismans, or Flying Swords, they were all inscribed with Spiritual Patterns to enhance their power and reveal their wonders.

What Shii Xuan said was similar to Zhu Ju’s own observations. The process of a Great Mage’s advancement was definitely related to Spiritual Patterns.

The fusion of the Divine Soul Dharma Form with the flesh’s Spirituality was also a transformation brought about by Spiritual Patterns.

’But are these Spiritual Patterns Innate, or are they Acquired?’

"The Demon Exorcism Hall’s Meat Market can increase a Great Mage’s chance of a successful breakthrough?"

"Yes."

Hearing the question, Shii Xuan quickly affirmed:

"Ever since we discovered the Dragon and Phoenix Seal, the Demon Exorcism Hall has tried inscribing them on the Meat Market’s Magic Altars to increase the success rate of breakthroughs."

"And because of that..."

He swallowed and said:

"The Demon Exorcism Hall has a good reputation in the Cultivation Realm. Many Great Mages would rather spend more money to use the Meat Market than attempt a breakthrough on their own."

"Mm." Zhu Ju’s expression was unchanged.

"By what percentage does it increase the chance?"

"At least ten percent, and up to thirty percent," Shii Xuan said.

"The increase is smallest for those with god, demon, or ghost-type forms, and higher for those with flood dragon, snake, rat, or insect-type forms. It must be related to the specific nature of the Dragon and Phoenix Seal used."

The Demon Exorcism Hall didn’t actually know the specific meaning of the Dragon and Phoenix Seals; the success rates were all figured out through repeated trial and error.

Over many years, they naturally gained some experience.

"Bring me the inscription records."

"Yes."

「A short while later.」

A stack of scrolls was piled on the table.

Zhu Ju unfurled them one by one, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face from time to time.

Compared to the path of Magic in this world, the Cultivators of the Main World were stronger and had a deeper understanding of heaven and earth.

’If I could return to the Bright Void Sect’s Library Pavilion and look through the records on Spiritual Patterns, I could cross-reference everything.’

’A pity...’

Shaking his head, a divine light gleamed in Zhu Ju’s eyes.

He had witnessed the entire process of a Great Mage advancing to a True Man—both successes and failures—and now he had these records before him.

He now had a clear idea of how to solve the problem with his left hand.

Although he couldn’t say he was completely certain, he was at least sixty to seventy percent sure. It was a gamble worth taking.

"Sect Leader!"

Jiang Qiu, the Hall Master of the Talisman Hall, hurried in from outside, his face radiating a sharp killing intent. He presented an object and said:

"That traitor has sent you a written challenge."

By this time, the fighting outside had completely ended. The disciples of the Sword Sect and the members of the Wuk Family had begun cleaning up the battlefield.

The sounds of battle had faded away.

"A traitor?"

"A challenge?"

Zhu Ju took it, his expression changing slightly.

"The Plum Blossom Sword Saint, Yun Wuya?"

"The very same!" Jiang Qiu nodded heavily, then dropped to his knees with a THUD and shouted:

"Sect Leader, this man killed his brother-in-arms and murdered his master. His crimes are unforgivable."

"I implore you, Sect Leader, to execute this scoundrel and appease the spirits of the Sect’s ancestors in heaven. I and the entire Talisman Hall are willing to repay you with our lives."

"Get up." Zhu Ju sighed helplessly and raised his hand.

"I’ll go take a look."

*

*

*

The conflict between the Wuk Family and the Demon Exorcism Hall had been long-standing; this time, both sides had simply brought the fight out into the open.

The Meat Market,

was only the beginning.

The Demon Workshop!

BOOM!

Fierce Flames and wild gales howled as flashes of blades and shadows of swords crisscrossed the sky.

Terrifying Demons battled in the sky, on the ground, and beneath the earth, their roars echoing endlessly.

The Combat between dozens of Demon True Men nearly tore the entire Demon Workshop apart.

To make matters even more chaotic, some Mages joined in to fish in troubled waters, taking advantage of the turmoil to plunder.

In the center of the battlefield.

ROAR!

A one-horned, one-legged Demon that resembled a yak threw its head back and roared at the sky.

A Kui Ox!

Demons with god or devil forms were the most difficult to advance to the True Man realm, but once they succeeded, their power often far surpassed their peers.

The ancestors of the Wuk Family had pushed the Kui Ox Visualization Technique to its absolute limit, creating many Methods on its foundation that could better unleash the power of a Demon Body.

As a Second Decline True Man of the Wuk Family, Wuk Fu’an was exceptionally powerful and a main driving force in the attack on the Demon Workshop.

The high-pitched, ferocious roar pierced the clouds and shattered the air. A visible shockwave exploded outward for hundreds of feet.

Figure after figure was torn to pieces.

The sound contained a profound Thunder True Intent that suppressed all Magic and could even shatter a weak Physical Body.

With a single roar,

he instantly cleared the field of grunts.

"Wuk Fu’an!"

Spiritual Light flickered in the void, and a Three-Tailed Demon Wolf appeared in mid-air. Its lupine eyes shot out two blinding beams of divine light.

The Soul-Stabilizing and Soul-Slaying Divine Light!

PENG!

The Kui Ox that Wuk Fu’an had transformed into merely turned its head, which was wreathed in lightning, and took the attack head-on.

"A Divine Soul Secret Technique?"

"Old Wolf, since I came here to deal with you, did you really think I wouldn’t bring something to counter this kind of Magic?"

"Your Divine Soul Power is astonishing, but your Physical Body is weak. The few Demons you control have already broken free of your restraints. How do you expect to fight me now?"

With a low growl, the lightning-wreathed Kui Ox charged straight at the Wolf Demon.

"Fool!"

the Wolf Demon snarled.

"As long as the Hall Master is safe, the Demon Exorcism Hall can rise again, even if everyone else dies."

"A pity!" the Kui Ox roared.

"That Hall Master of yours is also certain to die today!"

"Don’t believe me?"

"Think about it. Without the support of the Demon Catchers and other powers, would the Wuk Family have dared to make a move on their own?"

The Wolf Demon’s expression darkened.

Compared to the deeply-rooted Demon Exorcism Hall, the Wuk Family, despite its hundreds of years of history, was ultimately the weaker party.

For them to dare attack the Demon Exorcism Hall, and to gather so many Demon True Men in such a short time...

It was clearly illogical.

......

The Eagle’s Nest.

The core headquarters of the Demon Exorcism Hall.

Balls of Fierce Flame rained down from the sky, turning the Eagle’s Nest—a place comparable in size to a large city—into a sea of fire.

Under the assault of several Demon True Men, flying birds fell from the sky like dumplings dropped into a pot, shrieking as they plunged into the inferno below.

"Kill!"

"Kill them all!"

"..."

The cries of battle shook the heavens.

BOOM!

A terrifying explosion ripped through the ground as several powerful auras erupted, dragging a figure down into the earth.

"Iron Madman!"

The Wuk Family Master roared:

"Without your wings, let’s see how you struggle now!"

Four Second Decline True Men appeared on the scene, surrounding a man with the head of an eagle, his body covered in blood.

The Divine Eagle King, Iron Madman!

A Second Decline True Man who had been famous for a century!

Iron Madman’s Visualization Technique was not of a high grade, and his strength after advancing to True Man was quite ordinary. Yet, he had climbed step by step to the position of Hall Master of the Demon Exorcism Hall. It went without saying that his methods were brilliant.

To deal with him, the Wuk Family had also gone all out, deploying every resource they could muster.

"Wuk Family Master!"

"Gang Leader of the Angry Flood Dragon Gang!"

"Association Leader of the Monster Association!"

"And the second-greatest Demon Catcher in the world, Hong Hee!"

Iron Madman stood in the deep crater, glanced at the four figures surrounding him, and nodded slowly.

"To be able to gather several of the world’s top Second Decline True Men... it seems your Wuk Family has really staked it all this time."

"As long as we can kill you, it will all be worth it," the Wuk Family Master said in a low voice.

"Iron Madman!"

"You will die here today. If you must blame someone, blame yourself for being too vicious. The number of Demon True Men you’ve killed over the past century is countless. Did you really think everyone would tolerate you?"

"Hmph!" Iron Madman sneered.

"Compared to the Demon True Men I’ve killed, I’ve helped far more Great Mages. What’s the use of saying all this?"

"Perfect!"

"You’ve helped me make a decision."

He took a deep breath, reached back to grab his broken wings, and with a sudden burst of strength, ripped them outward.

"ARGH!"

With a bloodcurdling scream,

Iron Madman tore the wings, muscles and all, right off his back. Blood sprayed everywhere.

"Heh..."

The Wuk Family Master’s face was filled with contempt.

"You don’t really think a little self-mutilation will scare us off, do you?"

The Wuk Family had been planning today’s operation for decades. Their first move was to destroy Iron Madman’s Flying Ability.

That way,

they could eliminate any chance of him escaping.

Without his wings, Divine Eagle King Iron Madman’s strength was immediately reduced by sixty percent. Moreover, the Wuk Family had several other Second Decline True Men on their side.

Even if reinforcements from the Demon Exorcism Hall arrived, victory was already in their grasp!

"Heh heh..."

Iron Madman held his severed wings, his body trembling slightly. His eyes were filled with a strange, blood-red light.

"Then why haven’t you attacked?"

"What are you waiting for?"

"Or perhaps..."

"You’re afraid of something?"

He slowly scanned the four Second Decline True Men and grinned.

"I know what you’re thinking. All these years, the Demon Exorcism Hall has killed so many Demon True Men. Where did all the benefits go?"

"Right here!"

ROAR!

Iron Madman roared at the sky as streams of light erupted from his body and flowed into the pair of wings.

"In ancient times, why did the Sword Sects reign supreme?"

"Because they had all kinds of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures!"

"But Heavenly and Earthly Treasures are finite. In their bid to continue their lineage, the Sword Sects shattered their own legacies when their swords broke the Celestial Gate. Since then, no Realm above True Man has existed in this world, and Demon True Men have become the mainstream."

He held the pair of wings, a vicious smile on his face.

"The reason Demon True Men are inferior to the Ancient Sword Sects is because the Sword Sects used Spiritual Objects created by heaven and earth to refine their Spiritual Artifacts. Mere flesh-and-blood Mortals can never compare."

"But..."

"Some things can, in fact, take the place of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures."

Hmm?

Sensing that something was wrong, the four restless Second Decline True Men froze. The Wuk Family Master’s expression changed drastically.

"Demon Cores!"

"That’s right!" Iron Madman nodded.

"The Kui Ox Horn, the Flood Dragon Scale, the Profound Turtle Shell, the Stone Demon Heart Core, and... the Divine Eagle’s Wings!"

"Fuse hundreds of Demon Cores into one, and you can reproduce the power of the Ancient Sword Sects!"

"Impossible!" The Wuk Family Master’s eyes flickered, and he shook his head slightly.

"Inherited techniques can only be adjusted, not fundamentally changed. The Treasure Visualization Technique includes no Method for refining Demon Cores."

"Fool!" Iron Madman’s face was full of contempt.

"The world is full of stubborn fools like you, which is why nothing ever changes."

"The legacy passed down by the Hall Masters of the Demon Exorcism Hall is precisely about breaking through the barriers of Visualization Techniques and forging a new path."

"Unfortunately..."

"The Method is not yet complete, but it’s more than enough to take care of you!"

He slowly raised his hands. Two Curved Sabers, which looked as if they were formed from countless flying blades, appeared in his palms.

An aura that made the hearts of Second Decline True Men pound with fear surged from the Curved Sabers.

’A Spirit Treasure?’

’Even if it isn’t, it’s not far off.’

The faces of the four Second Decline True Men suddenly darkened. A sense of impending doom washed over them.