Chapter 236 - 208: Never Forsake Your Original Heart; It Is the Same in Heaven and on Earth

Chapter 236: Chapter 208: Never Forsake Your Original Heart; It Is the Same in Heaven and on Earth

The rolling mountain range glinted under the setting sun, and the lush, giant trees rustled in the wind. It was like a beautiful painting.

Nestled within the mountains was an unremarkable valley. Faint mist coiled through it, and green grass grew everywhere, carrying the scent of nature.

Yet, beneath this peaceful and serene scene, an indescribable turbulence lay hidden.

Inside an isolation Array, Xu Chang’an sat cross-legged.

At this moment, his aura surged violently, forming a vortex of Spiritual Qi with him at its center.

His fur, scales, sharp claws, and fangs were constantly changing!

Purple stripes flickered, and sparks of electricity emerged...

With every passing moment, subtle changes occurred all over Xu Chang’an’s body.

After a long while, the Spiritual Qi vortex gradually dissipated, and the aura around Xu Chang’an slowly calmed.

He slowly opened his eyes.

Name: Xu Chang’an

Bloodline: Purple-striped Thunder Rat (Upper-class Bloodline)

Lifespan: 1092 years

Realm: Mid-stage Core Formation (Golden Core)

Skills: Alchemy (Quasi-Third Tier)

Energy: (30,526 / 80,000)

...

’My lifespan increased by one hundred and twenty years!’

Advancing from the Early-stage to the Mid-stage Core Formation Realm, the very essence of Xu Chang’an’s life had once again transformed.

His maximum lifespan had increased from the previous 972 years to the current 1092 years.

In addition, Xu Chang’an’s Demon Body and Spirit had also undergone a tremendous change.

’My Demon Body and Spirit are now far tougher than an ordinary Lower-Grade Magical Treasure, almost on par with a Middle-Grade Magical Treasure! And my claws, fangs, and scales are comparable to high-quality Middle-Grade Magical Treasures!’

’Only veteran Demon Kings at the Mid-stage Core Formation with profound foundations and top-tier Demon Kings at the Late-stage Core Formation possess Middle-Grade Magical Treasures!

Before this, my combat strength was equivalent to a mid-to-high level top-tier Demon King!

But now, with just my physical body, fangs, and claws, I can clash head-on with Middle-Grade Magical Treasures! In terms of my Demon Body and Spirit alone, I can suppress an ordinary top-tier Demon King!

Coupled with the profound foundation of my Golden Core, even if my combat power isn’t quite at the level the Peacock King displayed during the battle in Black Mist Valley, I’m definitely stronger than the Red Snake Demon King!’

’By that logic, my combat strength is nearly unrivaled in the Core Formation Realm!’

To achieve near-invincibility within the Core Formation Realm while only at the Mid-stage was an incredible feat.

With this breakthrough, the range of Xu Chang’an’s Demon Sense expanded to six thousand zhang!

The slightest detail within a thirty-six-li radius was now under the watch of his Demon Sense.

’Reaching the Late-stage Core Formation Realm requires eighty thousand energy points on the panel! I’ve already accumulated thirty thousand thanks to the opportunity from the Peacock King. That saves me a great deal of effort!

If I can reach the Late-stage Core Formation Realm, then...’

A cold glint flashed in Xu Chang’an’s eyes.

’To fight and defeat a Nascent Soul expert while in the Core Formation Realm... it’s definitely not just a fantasy!’

By using the panel to walk the path of the Ancient Demon Race, his combat power had become this terrifying!

This time, after breaking through to the Mid-stage Core Formation Realm, Xu Chang’an’s Demon Body and Spirit had grown stronger yet again!

If he transformed into his true form, he could become a colossal, sky-scraping rat with a Demon Body one hundred and twenty zhang long!

Xu Chang’an continued to perceive the changes after his breakthrough.

A full half-day later, as night fell, Xu Chang’an finally put away the Array Flags and transformed into a streak of rainbow light, shooting into the sky.

’Business here is concluded. It’s time to head back to Langlang Mountain!’

...

After the grand celebration on Peacock Mountain, the fact that the Peacock King’s Dao Companion, the Purple Thunder Demon King, had not emerged from the Seven-Colored Cloud Palace for seven days became an amusing piece of gossip throughout the Red Cloud Mountain Range.

However, with Peacock Mountain’s intervention and control, such talk gradually faded over time.

Everything seemed to return to how it was at the very beginning.

On Shuyun Peak of Cloud Sea Peak, Xu Chang’an’s life returned to tranquility, and his days were quite pleasant.

He spent his time refining elixirs, studying Pill Art, practicing Magic, and accumulating energy for his panel.

After becoming a Quasi-Third Tier Alchemist, Xu Chang’an could accept a wider and more complete variety of custom elixir orders. Moreover, the quality and grade of these orders had clearly risen a level.

His social circle also rose to a new level, and many renowned top-tier Great Demons would frequently visit Gray Rat Cave.

Previously, he had relied on the Peacock Princess’s reputation to establish a foothold within Peacock Mountain’s territory and remain undisturbed.

Now, the situation was gradually changing.

This could be seen in the interactions between the Earth Bear Demon Huang Stone and Xu Chang’an.

Before, their interactions mostly consisted of Xu Chang’an visiting him, bringing gifts as a sign of respect. But now, it was gradually becoming the Earth Bear Demon Huang Stone who took the initiative to befriend him.

The status of a Quasi-Third Tier Alchemist was comparable to a Quasi-Demon King, enough to establish one’s own sect and protect immense interests!

In the battle of Black Mist Valley, the Peacock King had displayed supreme combat power, and the undercurrent of turmoil between Red Cloud Mountain and Peacock Mountain gradually subsided.

And after the grand celebration, the Peacock King had secured his position as a top-tier Demon King, and even had a Dao Companion who was also a top-tier Demon King, the Purple Thunder Demon King.

Two top-tier Demon Kings—their might awed the entire region!

Life on Peacock Mountain became much better. When it came to disputes over interests, other factions would mostly concede.

The commerce and trade in Peacock Demon City also grew increasingly prosperous.

In the seventh year after advancing to the Mid-stage Core Formation Realm, Xu Chang’an successfully won a Tier Three Low Grade Alchemy Furnace at an auction in Peacock Demon City.

Another five years passed like this, and a letter arrived from Jin Ling’Er of Langlang Mountain.

Besides some daily chatter, the letter specifically mentioned that she was preparing to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, hoping to become a Foundation Establishment Great Demon!

As someone with an Upper-class Bloodline, Jin Ling’Er’s talent was extraordinary. It was only natural for her to prepare to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm after cultivating for several decades.

The elixir Jin Ling’Er would use for her breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm was a high-quality Foundation Establishment Pill that Langlang Mountain had specially purchased a year ago.

And the Alchemist who had refined this very Foundation Establishment Pill was none other than Xu Chang’an.