txolops Chapter 2633 Cleansing the Heart and Marrow
Chapter 2633 Cleansing the Heart and Marrow
Chapter 2633 Cleansing the Heart and Marrow
"Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, please!"
"Please, Madam!"
Qin Sang was invited to enter the palace on the mountaintop, where she learned the lady's title—Jade Goddess.
The two disciples, Indigo Ghost and Nightmare Demon, offered spiritual fruits and fragrant tea, then withdrew upon receiving their orders.
Qin Sang felt that Madam Jade Goddess's gaze was lingering on her, with a thoughtful expression, as if she was pondering her origins, but unfortunately it was all in vain.
"My two good-for-nothing disciples can even make mistakes when collecting Nether Thunder Jade. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, fellow Daoist," said Madam Jade Goddess, offering tea with her delicate, bony hand.
Faced with this situation, no matter how alluring Lady Jade Goddess's figure may be, probably no one would dare to be tempted.
Qin Sang thanked them and explained, "It's not their fault. It's said that the beast tide in the Nether Thunder Abyss came earlier than expected, and they were caught off guard and surrounded by the beast tide. Moreover, from what I can see, they still have strength left. They must have received the true teachings of the lady. Even if they hadn't encountered me, they should have been able to turn the danger into safety."
"Fellow Daoist, you overestimate them..."
Lady Jade Goddess shook her head slightly, looking at Qin Sang with a half-smile, "So, Fellow Daoist, you were indeed in the Abyss of Nether Thunder to collect the Ancient Jade of Nether Thunder?"
Seeing her unusual expression, Qin Sang frowned and said in a deep voice, "Madam, please speak frankly about what you wish to say!"
Lady Jade smiled calmly, picked up her jade cup, and tapped it lightly with her skeletal fingers, producing a clear, resonant sound. "Fellow Daoist, as the Demon Lord, you actually humbled yourself before my two disciples. Are you using them for amusement, or... did you not see how terrified they were when they learned of your identity? Surely it's not that you've just broken through and haven't yet adapted to your identity as the Demon Lord."
Between a Nascent Soul cultivator and a Void Refinement cultivator, a difference of just one realm results in a world of difference in status.
Back in the Spirit Realm, Qin Sang had a deep understanding of this. Before breaking through to the Integration Stage, the opportunity to come into contact with Integration Stage cultivators was extremely rare. Those Integration Stage cultivators were elusive and their whereabouts were impossible to ascertain.
The Demon Realm is even worse. A Demon Lord as 'approachable' as Qin Sang is not only impossible, but also extremely rare, making it hard not to suspect his intentions.
Qin Sang sighed, "This is why I concealed my cultivation. I offered my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon shines on the gutter. Since Madam believes I have ulterior motives, I will take my leave now!"
After saying that, Qin Sang made a move to get up and leave, but was stopped by Madam Jade Goddess.
Although she stopped Qin Sang, Madam Yu did not believe what Qin Sang had just said. She stared into Qin Sang's eyes, and Qin Sang met her gaze calmly without flinching.
Lady Jade Goddess straightened her expression and went straight to the point, "In front of me, fellow Daoist, there's no need for you to beat around the bush. You approached me through them for the sake of cleansing your soul at this Three Venerables Gathering, didn't you?"
Qin Sang's expression froze slightly. She stared at Madam Jade Goddess for a while before slowly sitting back down.
Seeing his actions, Lady Jade Goddess had an expression that said she had expected this, and her tone softened, "The Cleansing of the Heart and Marrow is related to the path of cultivation. Which cultivator in the Holy Realm wouldn't want it? It's only natural for you to covet this item, fellow Daoist."
The Demon Realm was once called the True Radiance Holy Realm!
Later, the True Holy Realm declined, and the demonic cultivators followed the Heavenly Demonic Law. The demonic path flourished and became increasingly prosperous. The Calamity of Destruction and Void was also more suitable for demonic cultivation. As one side grew and the other fell, the status of the righteous and the demonic reversed. It was from that time that people in the demonic path began to emulate the Heavenly Demon and call themselves Demon King, Demon Lord, and Demon Venerable.
To this day, these titles have become common knowledge among demon cultivators, and the Holy Realm has been reduced to what people call the Demon Realm.
However, some demon cultivators, continuing from ancient times, call this realm the Holy Realm.
In Qin Sang's view, this Jade Goddess appeared to be a demonic cultivator, and the Underworld Ancestor Mountain did not seem like a righteous sect. Yet this person claimed to be from the 'Holy Realm,' which was quite intriguing.
Qin Sang remained silent.
In fact, he had no idea what "washing the marrow" meant.
However, during this time he deliberately made contact with many cultivators from the Demon Realm and had heard about the meeting of the Three Venerables.
The so-called Three Venerables refer to three of the Ten Celestial Venerables, all of whom left their legacy in the Star Sand Sea.
These three Celestial Venerables are the Underworld Venerable, the Sea God, and the Blood Ancestor. Apart from the Underworld Ancestor Mountain, the other two forces are the Sea God Palace and the Weeping Blood Spirit Mansion. The three forces stand in a tripartite balance in the Star Sand Sea.
There are many rumors about the fall of the Underworld Lord and the Blood Ancestor, but there are no such rumors about the Sea God. Among the three major forces, the Sea God Temple is the strongest, and the Underworld Ancestor Mountain and the Weeping Blood Spirit Mansion pale in comparison. This seems to confirm this point from another angle.
The Gathering of the Three Venerables, as the name suggests, is a grand event jointly organized by the three major powers, and is the largest event in the Star Sand Sea.
Not only will the disciples of the three major forces compete against each other, but other sects and independent cultivators in the Star Sand Sea will also have the opportunity to participate, and if they are lucky, they can also obtain generous rewards.
Perhaps because Qin Sang hadn't been in contact with many high-level cultivators, she had previously heard that the strongest cultivators participating in the Three Venerables Gathering were only Demon Kings. She had originally thought it was a gathering of the three major powers to hone their disciples and select outstanding talents.
Judging from what Lady Jade Goddess said, at the gathering of the three venerables, she would actually bring out a treasure that could tempt the Demon Lord.
Qin Sang neither admitted nor denied it. He couldn't very well admit that he was ignorant and didn't know what "washing the marrow of the heart" meant, could he?
When Lady Yu Shen took Qin Sang's tacit agreement, she smiled smugly and drank the spiritual tea in one gulp.
Through the other half of the white bone face, one can clearly see the 'fragrant tongue' moving in the mouth. One half is bright red and tender, arousing imagination, while the other half is withered and pale, like dried and rotten flesh.
The tea liquid enters the mouth, flows over the fragrant tongue, and then evaporates into tea mist, not penetrating the lungs. The more moist and vibrant the other half becomes, the paler and more eerie the other half appears.
"It seems you are a newcomer. Don't you know that getting too close to me will only cause you trouble? I guessed right. You are a Demon Lord who has only recently become one. No wonder I had never heard of the name of the Qingfeng Demon Lord before..." Madam Jade God's eyes were burning.
It is difficult to completely conceal one's cultivation level in front of cultivators of the same level.
Although this Jade Goddess was also at the early stage of the Integration Realm, her aura was clearly stronger than Qin Sang's, indicating that she had been in this realm for quite some time.
Although Qin Sang has been in seclusion for over a century, he has spent most of his time refining swords, puppets, and regulating laws. During this time, he has also been involved in trivial matters concerning the Dao Court and Qingyang Prefecture, so he has never seriously gone into seclusion.
Compared to when she first broke through, Qin Sang's aura had only stabilized a little.
"Madam, please speak frankly. There's no need to beat around the bush! As for when I will break through, that's my private matter, and there's no need to explain it to you, Madam, is there?"
Qin Sang's tone was cold, but it sounded more like she had been hit where it hurt and was furious.
"Hehe, I misspoke."
Lady Jade Goddess was a woman who could bend and stretch; she immediately apologized to Qin Sang, though it seemed rather insincere.
After just a few rounds of exchanges, Qin Sang's momentum was subtly overshadowed by Madam Yu Shen, which was of course due to Qin Sang's deliberate actions.
The identity of a newly ascended Demon Lord is the best cover for Qin Sang's origins!
Lady Jade Goddess poured herself another cup of tea. “Since you have come to me, I cannot bear to disappoint you. Although I did not deliberately inquire about the Three Venerables’ gathering, I have heard some rumors. If you would like to know, I will tell you.”
After saying this, she stopped there, clearly implying that Qin Sang was to beg her.
Looking at the Jade Goddess leisurely sipping tea, Qin Sang's expression was uncertain. Reluctantly, she cupped her hands and said, "I would like to hear the details."
Seeing that he had finally given in, Madam Jade Goddess's smile deepened. "So what does Fellow Daoist want to know? Is it how many bottles of Heart Cleansing Essence they will bring out, or how many Demon Lords will be competing with you this time?"
Qin Sang's tone softened further, "Please enlighten me, Madam."
If it weren't for Lady Jade Goddess's strange appearance, she would be all smiles right now. Knowing the time was right and lest she truly anger the other party, she said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist should know that the Northern Demon Tide is surging, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for major forces to obtain the Heart Cleansing Essence. There are not many left that can be offered now..."
As she spoke, Madam Yu Shen paused, then sneered, "Those old fogies in the sect are desperately trying to lick other people's asses, but they can't be bothered to even glance at them. This time, they can only offer a bottle of Heart Cleansing Essence at most. If they give up their pride, they might just set up an empty table."
Although Lady Yushen spoke rudely, Qin Sang could still discern the predicament of the Underworld Ancestor Mountain from her words.
The fall of the Underworld Lord seems to be more than just a baseless rumor.
If there is a celestial being in charge, why bother licking other people's asses?
"As for the Sea God Temple and the Blood-Weeping Spirit Mansion, they probably won't be able to produce too many either. The total number of bottles at this Three Venerables Gathering will not exceed four. And your opponents are all powerful figures. For example, the Burning Heart Ancestor of Yinyan Island has strength close to the peak of the Demon Lord. Do you think you have the strength to compete with them?" Lady Jade God asked rhetorically.
Qin Sang remained silent for a moment, then said softly, "Does Madam mean... that I should give up?"
"That would be perfect!"
Lady Jade Goddess spoke decisively, then changed her tone, "While the Cleansing Marrow is a supreme treasure for cleansing demonic thoughts, it is not the only treasure in the world. Why must you risk confronting those guys, fellow Daoist?"
Cleanse demonic thoughts?
Qin Sang's heart stirred, and she could already guess what kind of treasure the Cleansing Heart Essence was. She said unwillingly, "There are countless rare treasures in the world, but how many can compare with the Cleansing Heart Essence? If everyone could possess the power of the Cleansing Heart Essence, why would a powerful figure like Ancestor Burning Heart need to jump out and compete for it?"
Next, Qin Sang pretended to be indignant and continued to probe for information, finally learning the whole story.
For cultivators in the world, the greatest hurdle in their cultivation is the Heavenly Tribulation.
The Heavenly Tribulation is divided into the Three Calamities and the Tribulation of the Heart Demon. Later, the Tribulation of the Heart Demon evolved into the Heavenly Demon Tribulation. Once a flaw appears in one's mind during the tribulation, the Heavenly Demon will take advantage of the situation and even invade one's mind on the spot, taking away everything from one's heart.
Some people have strong willpower and forcefully overcome the tribulation, but the demonic desires within them may not have been completely eliminated.
The desires of the Heavenly Demon are formless and intangible, unpredictable and difficult to guard against. They can lurk deep within the hearts of cultivators, subtly stirring their desires, growing quietly, and gradually corrupting them. When the time is right, they will erupt completely!
The thought of it sends chills down one's spine.
In the spirit realm, such tenacious demonic desires are rare, while the demon realm has been largely corrupted into a demonic domain, making it much easier for demons to invade the hearts of demon cultivators than in the spirit realm.
In the Heavenly Demon system, below the Unknown Demon King are countless demons. Since cultivators rarely have the opportunity to come into contact with them, they are collectively referred to as the Five Aggregates Yin Demons.
In the Demon Realm, there are even cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage or lower levels who have been taken advantage of by the Five Elements Yin Demons, which is extremely rare in the Spirit Realm.
Along the way, Qin Sang also noticed a phenomenon: the treasures in the Demon Realm that can stabilize the mind and temper the character are far more valuable than those in the Spirit Realm. This is partly due to the fact that most cultivators practice demonic arts, and partly due to their fear of being corrupted by the Heavenly Demon.
The Cleansing Heart Essence is the best among these kinds of treasures.
If a cultivator is unknowingly corrupted by the desires of the Heavenly Demon and refines this treasure, the desires of the Heavenly Demon will have nowhere to hide. This is a treasure that can be used to save lives!
As for the Demon Lord, he must be wary of the threat from extraterrestrial demons at all times, which explains why the Burning Heart Ancestor also came out to compete for the Cleansing Heart Essence.
In fact, it is easy for the Demon Lord of the Demon Realm to obtain the Heart Cleansing Essence. As long as he is willing to join the front line to resist the demon tide, he will be immediately bestowed with treasures such as the Heart Cleansing Essence. Others, such as the Demon King, also have corresponding rewards.
Qin Sang immediately realized that this was the method used by the upper echelons of the Demon Realm to drive demon cultivators to resist the demon tide, and that they would probably use this method again in the future to organize a large army to invade the Spirit Realm.
Everyone knows that confronting the extraterrestrial demons head-on is extremely dangerous, and everyone wants to hide in the back. So who will join the battle?
Hiding in a cave to cultivate is not necessarily safe. Once the Heavenly Demon succeeds, one will become nourishment for the Heavenly Demon. Only a very few exceptionally talented individuals are chosen by the Heavenly Demon to become its followers, but from then on, they lose their autonomy.
Under the overwhelming power of the Demon Realm, no one can remain unaffected. However, there are Demon Lords who are unwilling to put themselves in danger and who do not have the protection of any major power or sect behind them. Yet, they still want to cleanse their souls. In the Star Sand Sea, their only option is to participate in the Gathering of the Three Venerables.
The three Heavenly Venerables have a long and profound lineage, and they have the means to obtain the Heart Cleansing Essence and use it to drive other Demon Lords to work for them.
The tasks required by the three major sects must be fraught with danger, but compared to going to the front lines of the demonic tide and clashing with the Heavenly Demons, Ancestor Burning Heart and the others would rather do things for the three major sects in exchange for a bottle of Heart Cleansing Essence.
Qin Sang then truly realized just how terrifying the threat posed by the extraterrestrial demons was. They were like a mountain, constantly pressing down on the cultivators of the demon realm.
At this moment, with the jade Buddha protecting him, he also felt the presence of this great mountain!
The jade Buddha is essentially a protective treasure; the protection of the soul is merely a byproduct of the Buddha's light. Previous experiences have shown that the power of the Buddha's light has its limits and cannot allow him to remain carefree indefinitely.
Even if the Jade Buddha can protect him from the Six Desires Demon Lord, what about the Free Demon Lord?
Qin Sang understood this long ago, which is why he wanted to make a deal with the New Demon Court to obtain the Guixu Law Scroll.
He must have only been marked by that 'Master of the Wheel of Ashes' and not yet implanted with demonic thoughts, otherwise the Ruins of Return Scroll would not have been able to deceive the other party at all.
For Qin Sang, cleansing his heart and marrow was not a pressing need, but the threat of the extraterrestrial demons was looming large, making it difficult for him to relax.
Just as Qin Sang was deep in thought, she heard Lady Jade Goddess say in a seductive tone, "I happen to have one of these treasures, called the Seven Aperture Bright Pill."
"The Seven Aperture Bright Elixir?"
Qin Sang pretended to frown and said dismissively, "How much of the power of this kind of spiritual medicine can it have to cleanse the marrow of the soul?"