Chapter 714: An Exchange Of Dao (II)

In the void outside the island in the Chaotic Star Sea, several figures hovered in midair, their brows furrowing slightly as they observed the surging demonic qi below.

"That old fiend from the Evilheart Sect concealed himself remarkably well," an old woman said coldly, with considerable wariness in her voice.

"That old fiend is the lesser concern. We've fought him dozens of times and know his methods inside and out. It's the newly arrived mysterious expert we should be wary of. We know nothing about him," said the old man beside her.

"A demonic cultivator capable of reaching the Nascent Soul realm must be a cultivator of extraordinary talent. The emergence of the Evilheart Sect's Sect Master was already exceedingly rare, yet now another has appeared. Just what is it about this small Chaotic Star Sea that interests these demonic cultivators so much?" the old woman asked in puzzlement.

The Evilheart Sect had not originated here but had migrated to the region from an unknown location more than two centuries ago. For demonic cultivators, the Chaotic Star Sea was far from the ideal place to establish a sect. With a great tribulation approaching and the invasion of the demon realm intensifying, suitable environments for demonic cultivators were hardly scarce in this world.

"Whatever their purpose may be, as long as they cause no trouble, we will stay out of each other's way," the old man said, shaking his head.

His figure flickered as he turned to leave. "Let's go. Judging by how this mysterious demonic cultivator conducts himself, he probably won't cause trouble without good reason."

The old woman gave a soft acknowledgment. "Mm."

Before leaving, however, she turned her right hand over, revealing more than a dozen mirror-like dharma artifacts. The old woman tossed them lightly into the air. Ripples spread through the void as the dharma artifacts merged into it and disappeared.

***

The moment the two departed, the pair discussing the Dao within the cave dwelling stopped in perfect accord. A battle at the Nascent Soul realm was certain to attract the attention of other experts. Although neither had shown it, they had never stopped monitoring their surroundings.

"They've left. Do you know those two?" Lin Zheyu asked.

"That old bastard is the Island Master of Redcloud Island, while the old woman is an elder of the Hidden Moon Sect. They're merely two sanctimonious hypocrites. Pay them no mind," Cao Hongchang replied calmly, disdain evident in his voice.

Cao Hongchang regretted that he had not met Lin Zheyu sooner and wished they could continue discussing the Dao for another year or more. Unfortunately, he could not hold on much longer. His current condition could not be maintained indefinitely, and within a few more days, something unusual would begin to show. When that happened, there was no telling whether Xiao Zhe might harbor other intentions.

The two might appear to be enjoying their conversation, but as a demonic cultivator himself, Cao Hongchang understood the nature of demonic cultivators all too well. They were a group who placed self-interest above all else and were cold-blooded, savage, and insane. He believed that the moment he revealed the slightest sign of weakness, Xiao Zhe would strike without mercy.

"Let us conclude our discussion of the Dao here for now," Cao Hongchang said calmly.

He could not help cursing inwardly at just how cautious Xiao Zhe was. No matter how Cao Hongchang tested him or probed indirectly, he could not uncover any information related to the secret art that interested him. Cao Hongchang had behaved much the same way, however. The insights he had shared were not particularly valuable to a Nascent Soul realm demonic cultivator. In fact, he felt he had gained more from their exchange.

"Heh, if you have something in mind, just say it plainly. Why bother probing me in such a roundabout manner?" Lin Zheyu asked with a grin.

Cao Hongchang felt that he had benefited from their discussions over the past few days, and Lin Zheyu likewise felt that he had gained plenty. Cao Hongchang had significantly remedied the gaps in Lin Zheyu's understanding of the Yao Dao and deepened his comprehension of the connections between the Yao Dao, demonic cultivators, and demonic patterns. A powerful Nascent Soul-realm demonic cultivator like Cao Hongchang was hard to find.

Without Cao Hongchang, it would have been extremely difficult for Lin Zheyu to find another Nascent Soul-realm demonic cultivator with whom to discuss the Dao. Moreover, after their discussions and Cao Hongchang's repeated probing over the past few days, Lin Zheyu could now be certain that Cao Hongchang was not nearly as free from the affliction of yao will as he appeared.

Cao Hongchang no longer concealed his intentions and came straight to the point. "Then I will speak plainly. I am very interested in the secret art you used to resolve the erosion caused by the yao will within Kong Yujing and the others. What would it take for you to teach me this secret art?"

"Heh... Although I would very much like to make a trade with you, unfortunately... this is not a secret art, but a unique divine ability I obtained through a fortunate encounter. It cannot be taught to others." Lin Zheyu shrugged, his expression regretful.

"A divine ability?" Cao Hongchang was somewhat astonished, but understanding soon flashed through his eyes.

If it was a divine ability, then it made sense. Given his attainments in the Yao Dao, he had been deeply puzzled that Xiao Zhe, a fellow demonic cultivator, could possess a secret art capable of helping other demonic cultivators resolve the erosion caused by yao will. After all, the stronger a demonic cultivator became, the more severely they suffered from such erosion. They could barely suppress it by force and could not even alleviate it, let alone help other demonic cultivators. If it was a unique divine ability, however, everything could be explained.

"What a pity. I am quite interested in this divine ability. Might I have the honor of witnessing its power with my own eyes?" Cao Hongchang asked.

He knew that Lin Zheyu was baiting him, yet he had no choice but to take the bait. Unless he quickly resolved the yao will within him, his condition would only worsen over time. Moreover, after restoring himself to his peak this time, he had fought a fierce battle with Lin Zheyu and expended a vast amount of his Nascent Soul realm origin.

He had also forcibly maintained his current state for so long to discuss the Dao with Lin Zheyu. Cao Hongchang sensed that if he gained nothing this time, he would probably have only one opportunity left to restore himself to peak condition after returning. That would be his final chance, leaving him with no way out.

"Haha, I greatly enjoyed our discussion of the Dao just now. How could I refuse such a minor request?" Lin Zheyu laughed heartily, delighted that Cao Hongchang had taken the bait.

Not long ago, he had studied the mysteries contained within an ordinary Nascent Soul realm cultivator. He had never expected to gain an opportunity so soon afterward to study a Nascent Soul realm demonic cultivator who walked the Yao Dao. Better still, he could take the opportunity to extort a fortune from Cao Hongchang and squeeze him dry.

"Would you like to experience it personally, or observe as a third party?" Lin Zheyu asked with a smile.

"An observer sees more clearly. Watching will suffice," Cao Hongchang replied calmly.

"Very well. Please wait a moment." Lin Zheyu smiled faintly and waved his right hand. The tightly shut doors abruptly opened, revealing Wu Di and the others waiting silently outside.

"Yujing, come in!" Lin Zheyu said calmly.

Delight appeared on Kong Yujing's face when she heard Lin Zheyu call her. She acknowledged him and quickly entered the cave dwelling.

Kong Yujing bowed respectfully to Lin Zheyu. "This humble one greets Master."

With a Nascent Soul realm cultivator as her master, she no longer needed to fear the threat posed by the Sect Master of the Evilheart Sect.

"Step forward. I will deal with the yao will within you," Lin Zheyu said calmly.

"Yes, Master!" Kong Yujing rose, took several steps forward, and stood respectfully before him.

"This divine ability has certain limitations. The recipient must completely open their sea of consciousness and offer no resistance whatsoever. As for Nascent Soul realm cultivators, since the Nascent Soul is another form of the soul, they must also lower their Nascent Soul's defenses if the yao will within it is to be removed as well," Lin Zheyu explained with a smile.

Oh? Curiosity appeared on Cao Hongchang's face.

Open one's sea of consciousness and Nascent Soul? Remove it?

Could this divine ability not merely suppress the yao will by force, but directly separate it from the host? Could it even purge and obliterate it? Can he truly accomplish something like that? Cao Hongchang was filled with uncertainty. As a Nascent Soul realm demonic cultivator, he understood just how vast the difference in difficulty was between suppressing a yao will and removing it entirely.

"Watch closely, fellow friend!" Lin Zheyu smiled faintly and pressed his right hand against Kong Yujing's brow.