Chapter 176: Chapter 8: Emotional Demon, Demon Cauldron, Treasure Scripture

A short while later, the sound of footsteps came from outside the Quiet Chamber.

"Senior Sister, you were looking for me."

A lazy voice called out from outside the door.

The Nun said, "Come in and speak."

The door to the Quiet Chamber slowly opened, and a handsome man who looked to be in his early twenties, dressed as a scholar, walked in.

If Fang Cheng had been there, he would have surely recognized this scholar’s name.

—Ren Yan!

He wore a cynical, devil-may-care smile, his gaze sweeping around the room. His expression faltered for a moment when he saw that the Demon Flame in a large bronze cauldron had been extinguished. His eyes then fell upon the Nun’s face. He put away his smile and asked, "What are your orders, Senior Sister?"

The Nun said coldly, "My incarnation on Divine Pillar Mountain has fallen. The one who did it is suspected to be the successor of the Dragon Elephant Wanderer. Go and capture him."

Ren Yan sighed and said with a slight smile, "My business with the Flame God Palace isn’t finished yet. I’m afraid I won’t have the time to spare."

The Nun said nothing, merely staring at him coldly.

Seeing the Nun’s expression, a flicker of fear crossed Ren Yan’s face. He quickly said, "Even Senior Sister’s incarnation was no match for that person. What could I possibly do if I go?"

The Nun tossed out the Buddha Beads in her hand and said, "Take this string of Celestial Demon Beads and go search for him near Divine Pillar Mountain. When you find him, just activate the Celestial Demon Beads."

"My incarnation left a mark on his divine soul. It won’t be hard for you to find him."

Ren Yan caught the beads and said with a grin, "With this treasure, your Junior Brother feels much more at ease. Don’t you worry, Senior Sister. I’ll definitely bring that person back."

"Go!" The Nun seemed to dislike Ren Yan and dismissed him.

Ren Yan shrugged and turned to leave.

The Nun, on the other hand, re-entered a meditative state. Her aura became placid, making her seem like a lifeless statue.

...

Fang Cheng had few creation points left, so he could only comprehend the *Supreme Yin Yang Xuanyuan Treasure Scripture* left by the Thousand-Faced Insect on his own.

This Cultivation Technique was likely of a high grade, but unfortunately, the Thousand-Faced Insect had only obtained a fragmented scroll, containing just a partial Heart Method and three Secret Techniques.

Fang Cheng was quite interested in the Xuanyuan Illusion Body Technique and the Yin Yang Heaven Escape Technique within it.

The former was a Body Refining Technique, but instead of strengthening one’s Physical Strength, it was a method to cultivate the ability to change one’s bone structure, physical body, and aura—a wondrous art that defied creation itself.

The latter was a top-tier Escape Technique, unparalleled in the Yun Country’s Cultivation Realm. The Thousand-Faced Insect had lived for so long in no small part thanks to this technique.

If Fang Cheng hadn’t brought the Immortal Binding Rope with him this time for a surprise attack, he likely wouldn’t have been able to catch the man.

However, the Thousand-Faced Insect had also grown complacent after so many carefree years on Divine Pillar Mountain, which was also a factor.

Furthermore, he had been in the middle of a heated struggle with the Wen Family’s new bride at the time, which had greatly divided his attention.

Fang Cheng sat cross-legged on the Gathering Spirit Platform, focusing his mind and clearing it of distractions. He entered a meditative state and began to cultivate the Xuanyuan Illusion Body Technique.

This technique would make up for his shortcomings in disguise.

「More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.」

On this day, a smile suddenly appeared on Fang Cheng’s face. He formed several profound hand seals in quick succession, and a peculiar aura began to emerge from his body.

A series of explosive rumbles, like muffled thunder, echoed from his body. He instantly grew three feet taller as the muscles all over his body swelled as if being inflated.

His once handsome and elegant physique had now transformed into a terrifyingly muscular frame, with muscles as gnarled and powerful as the roots of an ancient tree.

His facial features also became rough and resolute. He appeared to be around forty years old, imposing in stature, with a thick beard, a broad face, and spirited eyes, resembling a Martial General leading troops in the mortal world.

His entire aura had completely changed. His abundant Qi Blood Power was like a red-hot, roaring furnace, radiating an intimidating and heart-pounding presence.

With such a presence, one could tell at a glance that he was a Body Refining Cultivator.

Unable to fully comprehend the Xuanyuan Illusion Body Technique in such a short time, Fang Cheng had taken a shortcut by combining it with the Celestial Fire Body Forging Technique he already cultivated.

As a result, his appearance, physique, and aura had all undergone a world-shaking transformation. Even if Ye Yan saw him now, she probably wouldn’t be able to recognize him right away.

He changed into a loose brocade robe, then swiped his hand through the air. Infusing it with Magical Power, he cast the Water Mirror Technique to carefully examine his reflection. Only after confirming there were no flaws did he stop.

Afterward, he put away the Gathering Spirit Platform and took out a Profound Gold-colored Iron Talisman.

After infusing just a little Magical Power into it, the Iron Talisman shot from his hand. It flashed with spiritual light in mid-air and abruptly transformed into a giant tiger, its entire body a deep, dark black covered in silver patterns!

This giant tiger was about ten feet long, tall and mighty, with a ferocious appearance that could steal one’s soul.

It was none other than the Tier Two Talisman Beast, the Demon Tiger, a gift from the Chixia Royal Family.

The giant tiger was quite intelligent. After appearing, it tilted its head back and let out a long roar, then descended from the air and prostrated itself before Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng took out the Jade Bottle containing the Emotional Demon. With a thought, the Love Gu flew out silently.

This Gu Insect had been devouring the Emotional Demon for more than ten days and had now quietly broken through the Tier Two Barrier, becoming a Tier Two Love Gu!

’I have business in the Immortal City this time. I might need you to lend me some of your strength...’

Fang Cheng studied the Love Gu, various thoughts turning over in his mind.

The Love Gu seemed to understand his thoughts. It flapped its wings and flew into his sleeve.

Fang Cheng stood up, straddled the giant tiger’s back, and gave a soft cry.

The giant tiger immediately leaped into the sky, multicolored clouds forming beneath its feet, and flew straight toward the Divine Pillar Immortal City.

...

The sea of clouds billowed, and the scorching sun blazed like fire.

Before the gates of the Divine Pillar Immortal City, streaks of Escape Light rose and fell as Cultivators frequently came and went.

The spear-wielding Cultivator guards on duty at the city gate suddenly perked up and looked into the distance.

They saw a giant black tiger galloping toward them from the sea of clouds, treading on the air at an incredible speed.

Seated on the tiger was a middle-aged man with an extraordinary air. His body was large and powerfully built, and his aura was scorching hot. From a distance, it was as if a massive furnace was hidden within his body.

Seeing a Cultivator whose Cultivation was far superior to their own approaching, the spear-wielding guards at the gate immediately became more alert, knowing that an important figure had arrived.

The other surrounding Escape Lights and Flying Boats saw this and, intentionally or not, avoided the giant tiger, clearing a space for it before the city gate.

In an instant, the giant tiger landed on the ground and strode toward the city.

When it reached the city gate, one of the spear-wielding guards braced himself and said, "Senior, please pay the entrance fee of three Lower-Grade Spirit Stones."

Before Fang Cheng could speak, the giant tiger lowered its head and let out a low growl at the guard.

The hair on the guard’s entire body stood on end. He stumbled back several steps in fright, his face pale.

Sitting atop the giant tiger, Fang Cheng casually tossed down three Spirit Stones, patted the tiger’s head, and had it walk through the gate and into the city.

On the main street of the Immortal City, there were not many people who were usually as ostentatious as him.

Even those great figures with noble statuses and astonishing Cultivation levels usually arranged for Spirit Beasts to pull their carriages, or they had good relations with the City Lord’s Mansion and would ask for a few Talisman Decrees to fly directly over the Immortal City.

Someone like Fang Cheng, who directly rode a ferocious-looking giant tiger down the main street, causing passersby to scatter in avoidance, was a sight seen only a few times a year.

A rather bold young Cultivator was seen quickly walking up not far from the giant tiger. He bowed and, with an enthusiastic smile, said, "Greetings, Senior. This humble one is Li Chan. I grew up in the Immortal City. I wonder if Senior requires a guide?"

Fang Cheng looked down at the young man. He saw that his clothes were neat and he had the air of a scholar, yet the smile on his face was quite mercenary.

He said, "I want to buy a suitable weapon. Do you have any recommendations?"

Li Chan was instantly delighted. He said, "The Third Shopkeeper of the Hundred Weapons Pavilion is an old friend of mine. His shop specializes in buying and selling all kinds of Magical Artifacts; it’s a three-hundred-year-old establishment. Then there’s Qibao Studio. They have a Tier Two Artifact Refiner in their employ who often custom-makes Magical Artifacts for Body Refining Cultivators and is very famous..."

The young man rattled on, listing seven or eight shop names in one breath.

Fang Cheng cut him off. "That’s enough. Take me to each of them. If I find something to my liking, you will be well rewarded."

Li Chan bowed and said, "Thank you for your patronage, Senior!"

With that, he began to lead the way. The giant tiger followed leisurely behind him, drawing a great deal of attention.

Li Chan’s parents were both Loose Cultivators from Divine Pillar Mountain. He had grown up on the mountain and spent his years hanging around the streets and alleys, so he knew the Immortal City like the back of his hand. He often worked as an "Immortal City guide" at the gates, taking on odd jobs like guiding visiting Cultivators on shopping trips or running errands for High-level Cultivators.

Sometimes he also resold pills, Magical Artifacts, and Talismans to earn a profit from the price difference.

A Life Talisman Realm Cultivator like Fang Cheng was definitely a premium client. If he closed a deal with one, he wouldn’t have to work for three months!

In the history of the Immortal City, some guides had even obtained a stroke of immortal fate this way, becoming the protagonists of certain storybooks.

...