Tingchao Pavilion, Third Level.

After renovation, the original prison has vanished.

In its place is a winding corridor, connecting different areas, alongside an indoor pond where several koi swim freely.

Beside the pond stands a cluster of jade-green bamboo, lush and vibrant.

Zhong Shenxiu sits comfortably in a Taishi chair, next to him is a young woman with a charming smile, dressed in white, her delicate face sharp, brimming with erudition.

"By the way, I keep forgetting to ask, what's your name?"

He put down the ancient scripture he was holding and suddenly asked.

"Everything the maid has is given by the master, and it is because of the master that I have been reborn. I request the master to bestow a name."

The scholarly young woman courteously bowed.

"Alright... The path of diligence leads through the mountain of books, I'll name you... Qin Weiyin."

Zhong Shenxiu casually made the decision.

This Qin Weiyin, naturally, was the former Pavilion Master of Tingchao Pavilion.

Ever since gaining complete control over her, Zhong Shenxiu felt that information-based beings, while convenient, were not suitable for appearing before people. Therefore, he lent her a hand.

He merely slightly modified the template information, allowing Qin Weiyin to easily shed her state of losing control and successfully transform into human form.

Additionally, she retained the ability to transform into a civilized demon at will, her strength not diminished but increased. Now, perhaps she can rival cultivators of the Eighth Realm—'Tongyou' realm.

Tongyou cultivators have an acute sensory perception, capable of sensing various mysterious sources and mastering certain self-protection techniques.

Advancing further leads to the Ninth Realm—Divine Transformation!

Divine Transformation cultivators have experienced a complete metamorphosis in mind, spirit, and energy, reaching a certain pinnacle of Great Perfection, considered the apex of cultivators.

Going beyond requires understanding some exceedingly dangerous principles of the Heavenly Dao, risking calamity or transformation!

Transformation means being assimilated by the Heavenly Dao, potentially leading to madness or becoming a monster, where death is the best outcome.

If a cultivator can suppress transformation, instead refining it for personal use, they can emerge victoriously, earning the title—'Daoist Great Saint'!

Such Great Saints are the quintessential figures in this world, with possibly only a few among Zhengyi and Fangxian Dao sects.

As for side path rituals?

Due to overly esoteric, sinister techniques and immense costs, few cultivators possess fundamental law, resulting in a high rate of losing control.

Among Loose Cultivators, few can become Great Saints.

From the records that Zhong Shenxiu read, only one Banshan Daoist appeared during the 'Demon Star Chaos' a cycle ago, repelling a Great Evil Demon, referred to as—Banshan Great Saint!

"Thank you, master, for bestowing a name."

Qin Weiyin rejoiced and repeatedly expressed her gratitude.

Judging by her appearance alone, one could hardly associate the erudite young woman with the demon that once devoured wit.

"What level is Fang Lang's cultivation now?"

Waving Qin Weiyin away, Zhong Shenxiu compared the Daoist system with Fang Lang's physique and mana.

"This person was originally dead, with only a corpse remaining, saved by my Taiyin Refining technique to serve as a dwelling... If the Taiyin Refining technique was complete, once fully cultivated, he would hold the Corpse Dissolving Immortal status! It translates to—Daoist Great Saint?!"

"Unfortunately, he's using the watered-down version and hasn't been overly diligent, so he barely holds the status of Daoist Great Saint without the corresponding mana and divine skills... The good thing is replenishing this can soon make him worthy of the title."

Zhong Shenxiu's previous strikes were merely against minor figures.

The only civilized demon was easily counter-attacked using status and manipulation.

Actually, his current self, without using other abilities, would be evenly matched with Qin Weiyin.

"But... he can grow rapidly."

Zhong Shenxiu rolled up an ancient scroll, forming it into a cylinder like a newspaper, then stuffed it into his mouth, crunching it down.

"My current state is possessing status without power, like an empty water tank, just needing constant filling."

"And devouring items imbued with power can rapidly fill it."

He casually picked up a black ancient book, which originally emitted faint whispers, seeming to quickly chant mysterious texts.

Once picked up by Zhong Shenxiu, the ancient book began trembling violently, with an eye spinning wildly emerging from the cover.

Crunch!

Immediately, Zhong Shenxiu bit into it mercilessly, leaving a massive gap in the book, with what seemed like black blood seeping from the edges.

"Hmm... pancake flavor, crispy, and comes with sauce, quite good..."

After eating his fill, his aura became even more mysterious.

Ordinary cultivators daring to devour various elixir pills might be contaminated by their bizarre inherent forces, not to mention consuming raw materials directly.

This world's cultivation is rife with risks, advancing fiercely is only courting death.

Yet Zhong Shenxiu appears to defy this rule.

"I wonder when the Watered-Down Corpse Dissolving Immortal will cease to be watered…"

While pondering, he suddenly saw Qin Weiyin return: "Master..."

"What's happened?"

Zhong Shenxiu asked, furrowing his brows.

"The master of Moon Viewing Square—Black Nightmare Elder just came to probe me, wanting to know about the master's whereabouts…"

Qin Weiyin bowed.

Tingchao Pavilion is just one major force within Moon Viewing Square, not the entirety.

Previously, Old Li investigated Zhong Shenxiu's whereabouts, secretly urging Hei San and Hei Si to probe, but after Hei San and Hei Si were tragically dealt with, turned into black donkeys, Moon Viewing Square's management didn't cause trouble, thanks to Tingchao Pavilion's connections suppressing it.

Hence, Black Nightmare Elder clearly knew some of Tingchao Pavilion's plans.

"This is probing, but not probing me, probing you!"

Zhong Shenxiu explained knowingly: "Your long absence, the abnormal consumption of Tingchao Pavilion's Deciphering Masters, has definitely caused Black Nightmare Elder to detect issues. Now, he's probing your state..."

"Master, shall I deal with him?"

Qin Weiyin licked her lips, transforming instantly from a scholarly maiden to a seductress: "Black Nightmare Elder practices the Great Dream Heart Scripture, a side path classic, rumored to kill in dreams, transform into thousands... This Daoist scripture seems related to the legendary Great Evil Demon—Heart Demon Prince. He is likely cultivating the Eighth Realm—Tongyou Realm, people failed against him previously, now I desire to test my skills..."

"Hmm, just teach him a lesson,"

Zhong Shenxiu agreed nonchalantly.

To him, this is merely a trivial matter.

What truly concerns him is why this Black Nightmare Elder, clearly practicing Demon Path classics, is seemingly untouched by Zhengyi and Fangxian Dao Sects.

After a moment's thought, it became clear: power has no distinction between good and evil, and if these side path cultivators fall into demonhood, conduct massive blood rituals, they'll surely be dealt with.

But if merely acquiring power through side path classics and still considering themselves human, they may regard themselves as part of the Heavenly Demon Battlefield's force.

'Surely there aren't so many side path Great Saints that Zhengyi and Fangxian Dao Sects are wary of acting, right?'

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