Be the Hardest Working Demon Cultivator!

When you feel too embarrassed to decline someone’s request, you might as well ponder why they approached you to begin with.

Therefore...

Facing the request of a fleeing ghost from the Land of Yin and Darkness, I did not consent, but firmly refused it.

...

Looking at this piece of ShiChen wood bark in his hand, the words that emerged on it caused Tan Shuchang’s expression to waver, hesitant to speak.

Because his original intent was to take advantage of his good mood to write an essay.

After all, there were people who admired his literary grace, even Tan Someone like him!

Yet after dawdling for half a day, he managed to write only three lines: the time, place, and character. Thus, he had no choice but to settle for less and decide to write poetry, only to come up with the line "Must be the foremost beauty among flowers" after much strain.

It was about plum blossoms.

Even though there were no plum blossoms here, it did not matter; what poets and writers needed was the ability to fabricate.

So, Tan Shuchang had no choice but to start over and write in his diary.

This was much smoother.

As for why he used the bark of ShiChen wood again, it was because it was the only Artifact Refining material he had that could sense the flow of qi. Writing with this type of refining material meant that even if his writings were stolen again, he could erase them instantly and even mock the thief in the process!

The reason for Tan Shuchang’s buoyant mood was, naturally, because he had refined that ghostly shadow.

Although refining the ghostly shadow did not lead to another instance of ’Ghost Raising Lotus,’ which would have added twelve years to his cultivation, Tan Shuchang’s "Cross Calamity Immortal Scripture" Volume Three had finally achieved great success.

With a thorough understanding, Tan Shuchang had mastered the third "Cross Calamity" Divine Skill.

However, it wasn’t just this that had caused Tan Shuchang’s mood to surge to such a high.

The power Tan Shuchang derived from his birth mother allowed him to transform into an undying form of fresh blood, create a Coexistent Blood Pool, and significantly enhance the power of his Cultivation Technique after refining ghosts. Of course, there was also the most crucial ’Ghost Raising Lotus.’

With the undying fresh blood form and the Coexistent Blood Pool manifesting simultaneously, it was nearly unsolvable. Tan Shuchang himself would not die, and once the opposing Divine Skill reached a level that could kill Tan Shuchang, it would trigger the Blood Pool’s backlash mechanism instantly.

Originally, that was the extent of Tan Shuchang’s uniqueness.

Even the power gained from the great success of the "Cross Calamity Immortal Scripture" Volume Three was still within these confines.

However, after refining this ghostly shadow, Tan Shuchang’s uniqueness had received a fundamental enhancement. He could now easily transform into an undying fresh blood form without relying on the "Cross Calamity Dharma Aspect"!

But this did not render the "Cross Calamity Dharma Aspect" Divine Skill useless.

Since Tan Shuchang could transform into the undying fresh blood form at will, the power of one Divine Skill also saw an unprecedented enhancement, no longer merely auxiliary.

Tan Shuchang could now wield power akin to the "Law of Heaven and Earth."

Just without the majesty and grandeur of a true Dharma Aspect Divine Skill.

Because now, when he employed the "Cross Calamity Dharma Aspect," he could only transform into a massive, blood-colored humanoid figure. Whether it had the demeanor of immortals and gods was uncertain, but it was definitely brimming with a demonic aura.

If there were any upright immortals or gods in this Jiawu Realm, Tan Shuchang wouldn’t dare to use this Divine Skill at all.

After all, if there were immortals and gods around, it would be very easy for Tan Shuchang, who had just transformed, to be spotted by someone looking down from above—a huge demon—then immediately leap across the nine heavens with a powerful wind, and strike him down with a sword. How unjust would that be?

"Speaking of which, according to what that ghostly shadow said, that Ning Shuqi is also a Son of the Heavenly Mandate..."

Tan Shuchang pondered for a moment, then put away the patch of rock-like bark.

This thing was only temporarily used as a diary; once he had gathered the necessary materials, he would still need to find a cultivator skilled in artifact refining to help him forge a proper diary magic artifact.

Then, as golden light gathered in the palm of Tan Shuchang’s hand, a dragon’s roar could be heard, followed by a golden flood dragon roaring as it burst forth.

This was the "Heavenly Dragon Hairpin" indeed!

And as this perceptive magic artifact was activated, one could immediately see a faint aurora light rolling back from the heaven and earth, soon forming a long rainbow of aurora light.

Descending from the sky, it hung in the air one or two steps in front of Tan Shuchang.

Tan Shuchang stepped onto it, and in an instant, he was whisked away along the rainbow.

He did not possess the divine skill to summon such aurora light, but the "Heavenly Dragon Hairpin," this martial sect magic artifact, had reached the pinnacle of magic artifacts, the perceptive level, and thus, naturally possessed the power to draw aurora light.

Riding forward on this aurora rainbow was not only more elegant than moving forward while dragging dark, deathly qi, but also faster.

So, after the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Tan Shuchang had returned to that peach blossom paradise.

Looking at the vast peach blossom forest amidst the flurrying snow, Tan Shuchang had not yet landed when two cultivators tasked with guarding the place hurried out to greet him.

Upon seeing it was Tan Shuchang, the two of them were taken aback.

Because it was still the same two.

The disciples from the Serpent Transformation Cave and Three Plum Mountain.

Last time Tan Shuchang came here, he arrived on a cloud of murderous black smoke, but now, it was replaced by a long rainbow of aurora light, which was no wonder these two were momentarily stunned.

However, the two quickly regained their composure and promptly clasped their fists, saying, "Greetings, Daoist brother!"

It used to be Daoist friend, now it was Daoist brother. The world of cultivation was indeed quite mercenary.

"Daoist friends, peace be with you."

Tan Shuchang clasped his fists in return, smiling as he greeted them.

"Daoist brother, peace be with you. We dare not disturb you; please proceed!"

Tan Shuchang nodded, out of courtesy he returned the thanks, then proceeded to delve deep into the peach blossom forest. Soon, he arrived at the decrepit "wooden gate." Tan Shuchang chose not to move the gate aside, nor did he break a new gap. Instead, he entered without a trace.

Seeing Tan Shuchang enter the wondrous realm of peach blossoms, the disciple from Three Plum Mountain couldn’t help but say, "Although this Daoist brother comes from a background of demon cultivation, he is unexpectedly easy-going, and even his temper and character are among the best I’ve seen in my life among cultivators." Continue reading at мѵʟ

As he spoke, the disciple from Three Plum Mountain even felt a touch of shame.

Having met Tan Shuchang three times, the first encounter left such a strong impression of his power that now the disciple from Three Plum Mountain had developed a kind of admiration for Tan Shuchang.

This was a common transformation in the psychology of hero worship.

However, upon hearing his "colleague" speak like this, the disciple from the Serpent Transformation Cave instead shook his head slightly, then with a complex expression asked, "Brother Mei, do you know who is the most frightening in times of crisis? Is it those cold and ruthless, decisive in killing, or those who speak to you kindly, urging everyone to support each other?"

"Naturally, it’s the former," the disciple from Three Plum Mountain replied without hesitation, and then questioned in return, "Could it possibly be the latter?"

"When my master asked me, I answered the same way," said the disciple from the Serpent Transformation Cave, his tone somber, "but after hearing my answer, my master shook his head and told me—the former looks fierce and demonic, but they show all their intentions. Even if they’re not the strongest person present, they are likely a fool. But the latter...

under normal circumstances, they would actively offer you benefits, but when real danger comes, they would have you go die, and you might even go willingly."