After bidding farewell to Qii Yunming, Shen Hex sat alone in the hall, looking at the storage ring, overwhelmed with emotion.

As early as three hundred years ago, when various sects were seeking the Five Elements Lock Demon technique, he requested demonic scriptures from each sect under the guise of researching the demon-breaking method, and after the Three Heroes and Two Talents pacified the West Sea Demon Cave, the confiscated demon path techniques were also sent to the Taiyi Daoist Palace.

Thus, he had already gathered the secret scripture techniques of the Taiyuan Demon Dao, including unrevealed secrets from the Celestial Demon Palace, Black Demon Sect, and the Blood Demon Dao.

This was one of the reasons why he could refine the Five Demon-locking Swords. Although Borrowing Illusion for Cultivation can turn illusion into reality, one cannot solely rely on it. One also needs to strive by oneself.

Shen Hex comprehended various demon dao techniques, combined them with the effects of Borrowing Illusion for Cultivation, and together forged the Five Demon-locking Swords.

And obtaining these demon dao techniques also strengthened his cultivation foundation.

Although he did not intend to become a demon cultivator, it did not mean he could not utilize demon skills.

Technique has no inherent good or evil, people are divided into righteous and wicked.

Even though this statement isn’t absolute, some special demon skills can still be utilized.

For example, the Self Transformed Sovereignty and Root of All Methods that was transcendentally cultivated previously was of great assistance to him.

Thus with the demon dao techniques, the greater was the righteous methods. The Yin Yang Dust Array of Taihua Mountain helped him achieve Sword and Saber Unification, Extreme Demon-Slaying Techniques, and the Profound Celestial Seven Mirror Techniques of the Profound Celestial Sect also provided numerous benefits.

Therefore, Shen Hex has always been intrigued by the dharma gates of various mystic sects. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

But having the interest is one thing, and requesting the secret scriptures of various demon sects can be done under the guise of researching demon-breaking methods, but the same cannot be applied to the righteous sects.

After all, these traditions hold their lineage in high regard, seeking techniques is akin to digging up their ancestral graves, which can only be thought but not done.

But now, Qii Yunming has managed it for him.

The reason, besides all that Qii Yunming had just mentioned, perhaps includes some personal motives, wanting to forge a good relationship with him, settling karma, and considering the future of the sect’s legacy.

But regardless, Shen Hex accepted this favor.

A gentleman judges actions and not intentions!

No matter how one thinks, what’s done is done.

This is the core secret scripture techniques of various mystic sects!

Despite Qii Yunming being the leader of the Seven Cultivators and the head of the Taiyuan Orthodox Dao, convincing various sects to give away these scriptures must involve serious persuasion and perhaps heavy promises.

Therefore, Shen Hex accepted this favor.

The various considerations, for now, are left unsaid.

Shen Hex opened the storage ring, took out numerous jade slips, and reviewed them one by one.

Having already obtained the secret scriptures of the demon path, and now with the righteous sects’ techniques presented before him, the essence of the Taiyuan Cultivation Realm can be said to be entirely in his grasp.

As long as he assimilates them, his cultivation foundation will surely be greatly enhanced.

Even though he has the backing of the Human Empire, where dharma gates have never been lacking, it is only for the initial stages.

As his cultivation grows, the difficulty of acquiring techniques from the Human Empire will continuously increase. Money alone cannot solve this, one must contribute and make various efforts to gradually integrate into this giant.

Although integrating into the Empire is part of his development strategy, actively integrating versus passively integrating are two different things.

He likes to be proactive and does not like to leave control in the hands of others.

Thus, having multiple paths and channels is beneficial, allowing him not to be constrained by others, to advance and withdraw freely at crucial points, doing as he wishes.

As Shen Hex was reviewing the scriptures...

"Master!"

A sound transmission entered the hall.

Shen Hex looked up, unsurprised: "Come in!"

As soon as his voice fell, someone entered, it was Zhong Yuxiu.

Zhong Yuxiu walked into the hall, came before him, but hesitated to speak: "Master Miaoyi came just now..."

Shen Hex smiled lightly, taking over the conversation: "Discussing matters following the demon calamity and matters regarding ascension."

"Ascension!"

Zhong Yuxiu’s eyes condensed, showing some apprehension: "Master, are you also planning to ascend?"

"I don’t have such plans for now."

Shen Hex shook his head: "And you?"

"Me?"

This question left Zhong Yuxiu stunned, and then she spoke decisively: "Wherever master goes, I will go!"

"That probably won’t work."

Shen Hex shook his head: "I’ll likely stay in the lower realm for a long time. You can’t always stay with me wasting time and squandering life."

"A long time?"

Zhong Yuxiu’s expression was strange: "How long is that?"

"I don’t know yet."

Shen Hex smiled lightly: "But it will probably be thousands or tens of thousands of years."

"Ah?"

Zhong Yuxiu’s expression was stunned: "How can a Divinity Transformation stay in the lower realm for thousands or tens of thousands of years?"

"Ordinary Divinity Transformation cannot."

Shen Hex continued to smile: "But I possess the method for longevity and the power to remain in the world, a thousand years or ten thousand years is effortless."

"This..."

Zhong Yuxiu’s expression was hesitant, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

If it were someone else speaking this way, Zhong Yuxiu would take it as boastful babble.

A method for longevity, the power to remain in the world?

After ancient times, many outstanding figures in Taiyuan were unable to remain in the world for long and had to ascend seeking opportunities to break through; how could there be exceptions?

But now, the one speaking these words was none other than Shen Hex, so she couldn’t help but consider the possibility of an exception.

"Then Master, I..."

Zhong Yuxiu’s face changed, and she suddenly became nervous.

"You must also ascend."

Shen Hex shook his head: "My method for longevity and worldly presence can only safeguard oneself, it cannot aid others. If you do not seek a breakthrough in the Upper Realm, you will ultimately face the end of your lifespan and perish."

"This..."

Zhong Yuxiu was momentarily speechless upon hearing this.

"Foolish child!"

Shen Hex knew her thoughts and immediately laughed: "Cultivators seeking longevity must plan for eternity; how can you be limited by the present, showing the heart of a little girl?"

"But I am a woman..."

Zhong Yuxiu murmured softly, but then she came to her senses and spoke solemnly to Shen Hex: "I understand, Master. I will first seek a breakthrough in the Upper Realm, and after my cultivation is successful, I will return to serve you. No, the Taiyuan Heaven and Earth is limited; one cannot enter the realm beyond the Primordial Spirit. Surely, Master, you won’t truly remain worldly forever?"

"Who can predict the future? It depends on the will of heaven."

Shen Hex shook his head: "But you need not rush to ascend; the situation in the Upper Realm is probably somewhat perilous, and your cultivation is not yet complete. Let’s talk about it in a thousand years."

"This... disciple complies!"

Upon hearing this thousand-year limit, Zhong Yuxiu was also delighted and immediately agreed.

Shen Hex knew her intentions but did not reveal them, only asking: "And what are the plans of the Three Heroes and One Talent?"

Zhong Yuxiu did not hide her fellow cultivators: "Master Miaoyi and the Seven Taiyuan Cultivators are about to ascend, and Senior Sister Li and the others want to stay and oversee various sects, rebuilding the mountain gate overseas. It will probably take a few hundred years before they ascend."

"Which is as it should be."

Shen Hex nodded, not particularly surprised.

Everything made sense, and the Taiyuan situation was thus settled.

As for why he was not ascending...

A joke, why ascend?

Others ascend because they have no choice. The lifespan of Divinity Transformation is two to three thousand years, and without seeking breakthroughs, they can only perish in the lower realm.

But he, not only achieved Immortal Martial Spirit Great Dao Primordial Spirit but also possesses longevity nurturing Professional Power, living in the lower realm for tens of thousands of years poses no problem. Why ascend?

Breakthrough?

He currently does not have this need; after all, Zhuang Zhou’s Dream of the Butterfly is merely Zhuang Zhou’s Dream of the Butterfly. Ultimately, the original body and true self must take precedence, and the current cultivation of the true self is merely Fourth Realm, not even completing the cultivation of Immortal Martial Spirit Three Techniques to create Dao Golden Core.

Dao Golden Core, Daoist Nascent Soul, Great Dao Divinity Transformation, and Demon Saber Dao Sword, along with Five Elements Lock Demon and Taiyuan Techniques, are enough to digest for a time.

Before the original body ascends to Seventh Realm, he has no need to break through Returning Void, nor is there reason to ascend.

Besides, the situation in the Upper Realm is uncertain; the Immortal Demon struggle is perilous, and ascending now can easily result in becoming cannon fodder.

After all, the Upper Realm is different from the lower realm. The levels of Immortal Demon are extraordinarily high; in the lower realm, he can develop quietly and grow strong before emerging to conquer the world.

The Upper Realm is not so simple; those Immortal Demons are beyond extraordinary, even mastering the Celestial Secret Technique and divine calculations, and if not careful, he could become their pawn or directly be crushed.

He does not want to become another Mo Yunzi!

Therefore, ascension is impossible.

In the short term, he will definitely not venture into that turbulent place.

Not to mention he has professional needs. The Taiyi Daoist Palace requires his maintenance, or it will soon collapse due to resource-related problems.

Furthermore, Taiyuan being the Ancient Cultivation Realm, though its status has lowered, still provides considerable influence, aiding his professional development. As long as he manages the Taiyi Daoist Palace well and promotes the development of Heaven and Earth, Shen Hex believes he will definitely achieve a stronger profession.

In the Upper Realm environment, can he manage the Taiyi Daoist Palace to gain influence?

Don’t be ridiculous!

...

"Hiss!!!"

In the real world, within the bedroom, there was the sound of air decompression as the Life Support Pod door opened.

Shen Hex sat up from it, looking at his professional panel.

The journey to Taiyuan and the cultivation trip came to an end here.

Next is enduring time, gradually developing and managing, expanding the Taiyi Daoist Palace and Taiyuan Heaven and Earth; no need for further elaboration, follow the steps methodically.

Next, his main focus will return to the real world, enhancing his own cultivation power.

Fourth Realm Cultivation, Fifth Realm Combat Power?

Prior to this journey, it was barely acceptable, perhaps even gaining a captain role in the Special Bureau—superior to some, but inferior to others.

But after the Taiyuan trip, with greatly increased cultivation foundation, he no longer values this cultivation and combat power.

It must be enhanced!

But before enhancing, he has to do one thing.

And that is to upgrade the Professional Level of the Transmigrator.

This time, Zhuang Zhou’s Dream of the Butterfly and the Taiyuan Cultivation journey created significant influence, garnering considerable experience, entirely capable of raising the Professional Level of the Transmigrator.

"Professional Level Up!"

"Transmigrator Profession Reached Level 5."

"You can choose one of the following talents as your new Professional Talent."

"Talent One: Self Transformed Sovereignty (Self Transformed Sovereignty, all methods are mine, the cultivation of Zhuang Zhou’s Dream of the Butterfly will feed back to the original body to a certain extent)"

"Talent Two: Butterfly Dream Zhuang Zhou (Zhuang Zhou’s Dream of the Butterfly, Butterfly Dream Zhuang Zhou, myself and I am me, after the true self perishes, the Dream Butterfly body serves as the true self, inheriting all professions of the true self)"

"Talent Three: Divine Thought Transformation (Divine Thought Transformation, roaming across realms, can consume Transmigrator Professional Experience to send multiple Divine Thoughts into all worlds)"