Atop a high mountain, within a cave that had originally been the dwelling of a nest of late-stage Golden Core pythons. Because Hu was injured and in urgent need of a tonic, Chu Xuan thought it fitting to offer the pythons as sacrifices to the gastric temple and then used a gust of wind to cleanse the cave of any impurities before settling down temporarily.
He had thoroughly examined the memories of the Golden Core demonic cultivator named Lin Fan, a member of the Myriad Souls Sect, a fourth-tier cultivation sect located in the Northern Cold, where the highest achievable realm for a cultivator was that of the Nascent Soul.
Due to the Feather Transformation Heaven Palace retreating to Central, restrictions were loosened, and the demonic cultivators' widespread slaughter of mortals ensued to enhance the realms. Lin Fan was tasked by his master to replenish the Myriad Souls Banner.
Chu Xuan discovered that Lin Fan's relationship with his master was not that of a typical disciple and teacher but rather more akin to that of a servant to a master. The true master of the Myriad Souls Sect was the Nascent Soul ancestor known as the Myriad Souls Elder.
Once disciples of the sect reached the Golden Core stage, the Myriad Souls Elder would place a restriction on their spirit, enslaving them to do his bidding.
Chu Xuan learned of this restriction while searching Lin Fan's memories. He chose not to break the restriction but instead threw Lin Fan's living soul into the Sky-Shielding Umbrella and wrapped it with his own divine consciousness.
In this way, Lin Fan was not dead, the restriction remained intact, and the Myriad Souls Elder would not detect any changes in Lin Fan.
With a simple gesture, Chu Xuan easily altered his appearance to match that of Lin Fan, the Golden Core cultivator from the Myriad Souls Sect.
The distance between Northern Cold and Southern Wilderness was vast, not easily traversed even by a Nascent Soul cultivator. Therefore, he would have to remain in the Northern Cold for an extended period. Assuming Lin Fan's identity was perfectly suitable for his needs.
"From now on, I am Lin Fan," Chu Xuan said with a slight smile. The mask worn for too long was no burden; he always remembered who he truly was. "Let's return to the Myriad Souls Sect."
"The Myriad Souls Elder still has some conscience; his Golden Core cultivators get to rest for a year after completing each mission," he mused. "The souls in Lin Fan's Myriad Souls Banner are sufficient; it's time to go back."
Chu Xuan, assuming Lin Fan's identity, took out the lower-grade flying magic treasure and flew towards the Myriad Souls Sect, located in the Northern Cold cultivation realm, within the borders of the Wu Kingdom and the Yin Soul Mountain Range.
Besides the Myriad Souls Sect, there were two other demonic sects within the Wu Kingdom. The orthodox sects outside the Wu Kingdom frequently launched attacks, forcing the three sects within to band together for mutual support.
Soon, Chu Xuan arrived at Dark Evil Peak in the Yin Soul Mountain Range, the very peak that had been awarded to Lin Fan upon his advancement to Golden Core. As soon as he landed, a large number of mortals were already waiting to serve him.
Following Lin Fan's usual habits, Chu Xuan immediately ordered these mortals to prepare exquisite delicacies. He then proceeded to the main peak of the Yin Soul Mountain Range, Myriad Souls Peak, to meet with the Myriad Souls Elder.
However, just as Lin Fan's memories indicated, he did not get to see the Myriad Souls Elder but only managed to kneel outside his stone chamber. Respectfully, Chu Xuan announced, "Master, your disciple has returned. The task you assigned has been completed; this time, six hundred thousand mortal souls have been collected."
An aged voice echoed from within the stone chamber, "Fan'er, well done. However, it has been three years since your breakthrough to the Golden Core stage, and you are still only at the first level. What kind of progress is this?
If you do not cultivate diligently, how can you hope to achieve longevity? I have always taught you to be diligent and steadfast, shunning laziness and negligence, only then can you achieve greatness! I will give you one more year of rest; make sure to cultivate well!"
Chu Xuan inwardly sneered. Cultivate more? More cultivation likely meant more dangerous assignments. Lin Fan was aware of this and had deliberately delayed for three years while secretly gathering the necessary techniques and elixirs for body refinement. Unfortunately for Lin Fan, he had encountered Chu Xuan.
"Master's teachings are correct; your disciple has learned his lesson," Chu Xuan bowed respectfully.
"Go then."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World