The two men’s gazes were riveted on Ye Chuxue. As they watched her systematically process the Spiritual Medicines as required, their eyes shone with brilliant approval.

’This girl is quite talented in the art of Alchemy. It seems she truly is the one destined for our Medicine King Sect. Let’s wait a bit longer and see if she can pass all the tests!’

......

Inside the grand hall, Demonic Qi surged frantically through Song Wanning’s body, attacking her Blood Acupoints and meridians.

Black Demonic Qi swirled endlessly in her eyes, making her look as terrifying as a Hell Rakshasa.

To any observer, it looked as though she had already been deeply consumed by her demonic transformation.

In truth, Song Wanning was perfectly lucid.

The Demonic Qi that seemed to be coursing chaotically through her body was, in fact, entirely under her control.

’I don’t reject this demonic transformation, but I will be the one to control how it happens—and what consequences follow!’

And so, under the suppression of the Heavenly Dao, she chose to defy convention. She would attempt to control both Demonic Qi and Spiritual Energy within her body, fuse them, and forge a path of her very own!

Someone who had already died once was not afraid to try. Even if it cost her life, it would only mean dying a second time.

Inside her Dantian, the Demonic Qi and Spiritual Energy were violently vying for supremacy, each attempting to reign supreme and seize control.

Song Wanning’s eyes burned with intensity as she began to clear her meridians, bit by bit, trying to pacify the two energies.

But the two forces were as unruly as young children, crashing into each other all over her Dantian.

"COUGH COUGH COUGH—"

Song Wanning devolved into a fit of violent coughing, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of her mouth. She slumped against the wall like a delicate, windswept flower, poised to fall at any moment.

But beneath her mask, her eyes were alarmingly bright.

They even held a hint of crazed obsession.

"Hmph. To think she wants to fuse Demonic Qi and Spiritual Energy... This girl is audacious to the point of madness!"

Mu Zixu saw through Song Wanning’s plan, a sneer tugging at his lips. "From ancient times to this very day, no Cultivator has ever been able to cultivate both the Demon Path and the Immortal Dao simultaneously, let alone fuse them. The audacity of her thoughts!"

"Besides, the Sword Dao she cultivates is the path of slaughter. She’s already been consumed by her Heart Demon. Anything else she does is futile. Why continue this pointless struggle?"

In the Lower World, the Demon Path is universally condemned, existing in direct opposition to the Cultivation World.

This is because Demon Cultivators will stop at nothing to advance their cultivation.

Draining life essence and drinking human blood are commonplace for them.

Their cultivation progresses at a phenomenal pace.

But because they commit so many evil deeds, they become burdened by sin, making it nearly impossible for them to overcome their Heavenly Tribulation. Thus, on the path to the Immortal Dao, there are almost no Demon Immortals.

No one wants to become a Demon Cultivator, but once their karma is sealed, they have no one to blame but themselves.

The very creed of their Medicine King Sect was to aid the world and save its people, which ran completely contrary to Song Wanning’s path of slaughter. It was only natural that Mu Zixu disdained her all the more.

"For the Inheritance Hall to choose her, she must have some extraordinary qualities," Wang Yang offered in her defense.

His friend seemed to have a deep-seated prejudice against the young woman, and his words were quite pointed.

But he found her admirable for refusing to give up, for striving to defy her fate even now.

Her will to pursue the Dao was incredibly firm.

"Hmph. Extraordinary qualities?"

Mu Zixu snorted again.

"I just probed her. That young woman in white has a toxin in her body, and someone laced it with a tracking agent!"

"How else do you think she got into our Inheritance Hall?"

"So young, yet so full of schemes. It’s no wonder she’s plagued by a Heart Demon!"

’So what if she used some petty trick to get into the Inheritance Hall?’

’I have plenty of ways to ensure she comes away with nothing!’

’Daring to scheme for the position of our Medicine King Sect’s successor... she’s simply courting death!’

"This girl hasn’t even become your Medicine King Sect’s successor, and you’re already so protective of her?"

Wang Yang raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue the point.

’If she truly did use such a despicable method to enter the Inheritance Hall, then it is indeed inappropriate.’

"Hmph. There’s nothing I hate more in this life than a schemer."

Mu Zixu didn’t deny it. In his heart, he had already accepted Ye Chuxue as the successor.

Wang Yang chuckled, then a passing figure caught his eye.

He hurriedly stood and bowed. "Mo Yang Immortal Monarch!"

Mu Zixu’s expression also changed, and he quickly rose to offer a bow.

The newcomer was clad in black robes, like a shadow of ink. His posture was as straight and tall as slender bamboo, his robes fluttering in the wind.

His sharp brows angled up toward his temples, and his eyes were as deep as an abyss. His cold, distant gaze seemed capable of piercing through all the world’s vanities.

The sword at his waist had an ancient, unadorned hilt, but the blade itself glinted with a chilling light.

The invisible rhythm of the Sword Dao flowed around him, forming its own domain and making the very air tremble.

This was none other than the renowned Mo Yang Immortal Monarch of the Immortal Realm, the foremost expert of the Wuji Sect.

Mo Yang Immortal Monarch gave a cool nod in acknowledgment. He was about to depart when his eyes inadvertently fell upon the Water Mirror.

Two figures appeared within it. His gaze fell upon the one cloaked in black, and the sword at his waist twitched faintly before going still again.

His brows knitted slightly, and he paused.

As Wang Yang and Mu Zixu straightened up, they saw Mo Yang staring at the Water Mirror.

Mu Zixu spoke up to explain, "This is an image from the Inheritance Hall of our Sect in the Lower World, the Medicine King Sect. These two are competing for the inheritance."

"However, that one is plagued by a Heart Demon. Her Immortal Path is already severed, so she is not a true contender."

He had expected Mo Yang Immortal Monarch to leave after that brief explanation, but to his surprise, the man instead walked over to the tree where they stood.

Mu Zixu and Wang Yang froze, exchanging a glance. They quickly produced a chair, placed it under the tree, and invited Mo Yang Immortal Monarch to take the seat of honor.

Without ceremony, Mo Yang Immortal Monarch took the seat of honor, his gaze still fixed on the Water Mirror.

His expression was impassive, betraying nothing of his thoughts.

’What is going on with this grand personage today?’ Mu Zixu wondered, vexed. ’Why would he deign to stop and sit with us?’

Normally, Mo Yang Immortal Monarch would have simply drifted away without a word.

’Could it be that the Immortal Monarch has also taken a fancy to my chosen successor?’

His eyes brightened. ’If the successor is chosen by Mo Yang Immortal Monarch, her future will be boundless!’

At this thought, Mu Zixu was about to praise Ye Chuxue again.

"This girl in white is quite good. She’s patient, has high comprehension, a promising young talent—"

Before he could finish, Mo Yang Immortal Monarch shot him a cold glance.

The words caught in his throat, and he swallowed them back down.

Mo Yang Immortal Monarch was notoriously unpredictable.

Mu Zixu pressed his lips together, suppressed his feelings, and obediently returned his attention to the Water Mirror.

By now, Ye Chuxue had already passed the first test and entered the second room, where a Pill Furnace sat waiting.

Beside the Pill Furnace were several jade bowls filled with pre-prepared Spiritual Liquid.

Ye Chuxue’s heart filled with delight. Brimming with confidence, she walked over and began to study the fundamental principles of Alchemy.

Meanwhile, Song Wanning was still stuck in the first trial. The Demonic Qi and Spiritual Energy battled for dominance within her, making her appear fractured and torn. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

She struggled to control the two forces inside her.

The Demonic Qi and Spiritual Energy each consumed one half of her face, casting an eerie glow upon her exquisite features.