Dao of The Demonic Cultivator

Chapter 45: A 29-Year-Old Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow.

Hadn't it been widely rumored that Wan Wuying was slain by the combined forces of three Golden Core cultivators from the Divine Star Sect and the Golden Dragon Temple?

However, according to Liu Zhenxiong, he was still alive.

Liu Zhenxiong quickly explained, "Fellow Daoist, the rumors about my master's death are false. In reality, he was captured by the Divine Star Sect and is being used as a test stone for their swords! Since this matter is quite disgraceful, the Divine Star Sect falsely claimed that my master had died."

As he spoke, his expression was filled with indignation.

Chu Xuan's interest was piqued. Wan Wuying being used as a test stone for swords by the Divine Star Sect—what did that mean?

If Wan Wuying was indeed still alive, it would be good news. Having a Golden Core Patriarch as a backer would make all the difference.

Furthermore, if Chu Xuan ever had the opportunity to break through to the Golden Core stage, he would need a Golden Core stage cultivation method and a mentor to guide him.

"What do you mean by that?" Chu Xuan asked.

Liu Zhenxiong replied earnestly, "This is not the place to discuss such matters. Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

Chu Xuan pondered for a moment and then followed him.

After a short while, the two arrived at a concealed cave.

With a sweep of his gaze, Chu Xuan saw Xu Ming, Chen Ge, Wei Hua, and Bai Feng.

On the ground lay the unconscious Wu Teng. Besides them, there was no one else.

It was evident that the other Qi Refining stage disciples were either dead or scattered. Only these few remained with Liu Zhenxiong.

Seeing a stranger enter, Xu Ming and the others immediately became vigilant.

After Liu Zhenxiong gave a brief explanation, they relaxed and even showed gratitude towards Chu Xuan.

Thanks to this bald cultivator, Liu Zhenxiong had returned alive.

Without Liu Zhenxiong leading them, they would have been easy prey, captured sooner or later.

Liu Zhenxiong spoke again, "Fellow Daoist, may I ask which Patriarch's disciple you are? I recognize about seventy percent of the Foundation Establishment stage disciples of the Infinite Sect, but I have never seen your face before."

"Chu Xuan."

Chu Xuan no longer concealed his identity.

Liu Zhenxiong was stunned, "Chu Xuan?"

Xu Ming and the others were also taken aback upon hearing this name, "Chu Xuan?!"

Chu Xuan wiped his face, dispelling his disguise, and revealing his true appearance.

Indeed, it was that face. It was the very face they remembered.

However, the current Chu Xuan exuded a powerful aura, clearly no longer the mere Qi Refining stage cultivator he once was.

Liu Zhenxiong was utterly shocked, "You... you've advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage? When did this happen? I remember you were still at the ninth level of Qi Refining not long ago."

Chu Xuan chuckled, "Ouyang Hao had a Foundation Establishment pill. I took it and broke through. It was a fortunate coincidence."

Liu Zhenxiong was stunned and clicked his tongue in amazement, "To succeed in Foundation Establishment with just one pill! Junior Brother Chu, your talent and luck are exceptional!"

He had now begun to address Chu Xuan as "Junior Brother," clearly acknowledging his identity.

After a moment, Liu Zhenxiong couldn't help but ask, "Junior Brother Chu, you should be under forty years old, right?"

Chu Xuan nodded, "This year, I am twenty-nine."

He had joined the Infinite Sect at the age of ten, serving as a servant disciple for many years, only managing to channel Qi into his body at twenty and reaching the fourth level of Qi Refining by twenty-eight.

According to the calendar of the Mystic Azure Realm, he was indeed twenty-nine years old.

Liu Zhenxiong marveled, deeply impressed, "To reach Foundation Establishment before thirty! If the Infinite Sect still existed, even the Nascent Soul Patriarchs would likely have taken you as a disciple."

Chen Ge, Wei Hua, and Bai Feng were both excited and envious, "Chu... Uncle Master Chu!"

Xu Ming, however, had a complex expression, harboring some jealousy, "Greetings, Uncle Master Chu."

It had only been a little over half a month. He was still at the fifth level of Qi Refining. Yet, Chu Xuan had soared to the Foundation Establishment stage. Comparing oneself to others was indeed infuriating. He recalled that when the Infinite Sect was still around, Chu Xuan's talent was mediocre, his progress akin to a snail's pace.

How had Chu Xuan's cultivation speed become so extraordinary after the sect's downfall, as if he were riding the flying sword of a Golden Core master?

As if remembering something, Liu Zhenxiong suddenly asked, "When Sun Shi was chasing me, he said I had killed several of his Junior Brothers. Could it be..."

Chu Xuan did not hide anything and directly nodded, "It was I who killed them."

Liu Zhenxiong's eyes widened, clicking his tongue in amazement, "Junior Brother Chu, you've recently advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, yet you can firmly crush the Divine Star Sect cultivators who have long been in the Foundation Establishment stage! Truly impressive!"

Xu Ming and the others were stunned, deeply impressed.

Incredible.

Was this really the same Chu Xuan who was at the fourth level of Qi Refining?

Chu Xuan asked, "Senior Brother Liu, you mentioned earlier that Patriarch Wan has become a test stone for the Divine Star Sect's swords. What does that mean?"

Liu Zhenxiong gritted his teeth, "Those hypocrites of the Divine Star Sect... You must know that the Divine Star Sect cultivates sword Qi. Qi Refining stage cultivators train in Heavenly Star Sword Qi, Foundation Establishment stage cultivators train in Pure Star Sword Qi, Golden Core stage cultivators train in True Star Sword Qi, and Nascent Soul stage cultivators train in Divine Star Sword Qi.

The Divine Star Sect's leader has long been at the ninth layer of the Golden Core stage, but his sword Qi has always been lacking, preventing a breakthrough. The best method to temper True Star Sword Qi is to battle with vengeful spirits, evil entities, fierce ghosts, and corpse demons. My master has a unique constitution; his blood is a great supplement for ghostly beings.

Therefore, the Divine Star Sect's leader imprisoned our patriarch within a grand formation. Periodically, they extract his blood to nourish fierce ghosts, then test their swords on these ghosts, thereby tempering their True Star Sword Qi."

Liu Zhenxiong spoke bitterly, "However, this matter is extremely disgraceful. As the leader of the five righteous sects, the Divine Star Sect couldn't publicly admit to it, so they falsely claimed that my master was dead."

Chu Xuan sneered upon hearing this.

Righteous or demonic, what's the difference? There is only the path of cultivation.

As long as one can achieve their own goals, a righteous cultivator can become a demonic one, and a demonic cultivator can walk the righteous path—it all hinges on a single thought.

The actions of the Divine Star Sect's leader were not much different from the so-called "demonic ways" condemned by the righteous sects.

"Where did this information come from?" Chu Xuan asked again.

Liu Zhenxiong pointed at Wu Teng, "It was gathered by Brother Wu. He even discovered the exact location where our master is being held. It's in Misty Manor, on the northern side of the Misty Mountains."

His eyes shone brightly, "Junior Brother Chu, let's join forces and rescue our master. With our master shielding us, it wouldn't matter if we left Tong Province or even Yu Kingdom. There will always be a place where we can reopen the Infinite Sect."

Chu Xuan frowned. With just these few people, rescuing a Golden Core Patriarch seemed almost impossible.

Liu Zhenxiong noticed his concern and said earnestly, "Wu Teng has already scouted the area. Yunwu Manor is usually guarded by only four Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, all of them trusted followers of Divine Star Sect's leader, Mo Huanshan. Mo Huanshan visits only once a month. He doesn't want to draw blood too frequently, as it would hasten our master's demise."

Chu Xuan pondered. If this information was accurate, they could indeed attempt a rescue.

"How many Foundation Establishment stage cultivators do we have? Including Wu Teng, that's only three?" Chu Xuan inquired. "Three against four, and there will surely be defensive formations in the manor. The probability of successfully rescuing our patriarch seems quite low."