Translator: CinderTL
Song Wen had been in seclusion for twenty-six years before finally breaking through.
He had successfully advanced to the Divine Transformation Realm three years prior.
Song Wen had originally intended to remain in seclusion until his cultivation had fully stabilized.
However, since his Divine Transformation, he had faintly sensed a force of rejection—the world itself was trying to expel him.
No matter how carefully he concealed his aura, this rejection persisted, growing stronger with time.
This made it impossible for Song Wen to continue cultivating in peace, forcing him to end his seclusion.
He arrived at the Sect Main Hall atop Corpse Demon Peak.
Inside, Yu Wen, the Asura Sect's Chief, was handling sect affairs.
She was now at the Peak Golden Core stage, but lacking the treasures needed to aid in nascent soul formation, she had yet to attempt breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm.
"Greetings, Sect Leader," Yu Wen said, bowing respectfully as Song Wen entered.
"Where is senior sister Zhou?"
Song Wen, now the undisputed number one cultivator in the Immortal Cultivation World, no longer needed to hide his relationship with Zhou Siyi.
He had just used his Divine Sense to scan a thousand miles around Corpse Demon Peak, but found no trace of her. That's why he had come to Yu Wen for answers.
"Rumor has it that someone in the Nine Palaces Sect recently obtained a Starlight Spiritdew Grass. To help this subordinate refine a Nascent Spirit Pill, the vice sect leader personally went to the Nine Palaces Sect to request the Spirit Grass," Yu Wen replied, her tone tinged with gratitude.
The Starlight Spiritdew Grass is one of the main ingredients for refining the Nascent Spirit Pill, which increases the chances of nascent soul formation by ten percent.
Yu Wen's lifespan was dwindling. In recent years, Zhou Siyi had been diligently searching for items to aid her nascent soul formation.
There were two main reasons for this. First, Zhou Siyi and Yu Wen had a close personal relationship, and Zhou Siyi remembered Yu Wen's significant contributions to the Asura Sect. Second, Song Wen's Ascension was imminent. As an Early-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator, Zhou Siyi couldn't manage the vast Asura Sect alone and urgently needed other Nascent Soul cultivators to assist her. Compared to supporting other cultivators' nascent soul formation, Zhou Siyi naturally preferred to help Yu Wen, whom she knew well.
"How many days has Senior Sister been gone?" Song Wen asked.
Yu Wen replied, "Unfortunately, the vice sect leader just left yesterday. If the Sect Leader had emerged from seclusion a day earlier, you could have met her."
Song Wen said, "When Senior Sister returns, tell her not to leave again for the time being. I need to speak with her."
"Yes!" Yu Wen replied.
Song Wen continued, "Chief Yu, please inventory the Sect Treasury in the coming days. Sell any treasures that aren't currently in use to other sects in exchange for Spirit Stones. Also, have the Spirit Stone Mines deliver their recent output as soon as possible—however much they have, bring it all."
Yu Wen felt a slight unease but dared not ask further. She bowed and replied, "As you command, Master."
Song Wen nodded slightly, and his figure vanished.
He arrived at the Ten Thousand Beasts Hall and used the Teleportation Array to directly teleport to the Chaotic Sea.
Song Wen headed east, entering the Misty Ghost Realm and arriving at the small island where the Nether Fox resided.
The Nether Fox was sprawled lazily at the island's edge, letting the sea spray from waves crashing against the rocks wash over it.
"Looks like you're enjoying a leisurely life," Song Wen remarked.
Hearing his voice, the Nether Fox immediately rose and turned to look.
Song Wen descended from the sky and stopped a yard away.
"You... why are you here?" The Nether Fox's voice held a mix of fear and hostility.
"What? Have you forgotten how to call me 'Master' now?" Song Wen studied the Nether Fox, his gaze lingering on the four long, black tails behind it. A satisfied smile played on his lips as he continued, "It wasn't in vain to have you cultivate here for two cycles of sixty years. You've reached the Fourth-Tier. And you can speak now."
The Nether Fox eyed Song Wen warily, its jaws opening and closing to reveal rows of sharp fangs.
"Human, we had an agreement back then. If I served as your Spirit Beast for a century, you would grant me my freedom. Now, two centuries have passed. Shouldn't our Spirit Beast Contract be dissolved?"
Though the Nether Fox's appearance was somewhat intimidating, its voice was exceptionally beautiful, like that of a young maiden, clear and crisp.
Song Wen's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "Are you truly determined to sever our Spirit Beast Contract?"
"Of course," the Nether Fox replied. "The Nether Fox Clan is a race of great intelligence, no less than your Human Race. How could we willingly remain enslaved?"
Perhaps realizing its words sounded too harsh and fearing it might offend Song Wen, the Nether Fox added, "Moreover, the environment of your Human Race is not suitable for us Nether Foxes. Remaining by your side would hinder my progress."
Song Wen shook his head, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "Since you insist, I won't force you. I will dissolve our contract now."
"Truly?" The Nether Fox's eyes widened in disbelief and delight.
Song Wen said, "I had hoped to take you with me when I Ascend to the Upper Realm. But since you refuse, I must naturally grant you your freedom."
As he spoke, Song Wen began forming seals with his hands, as if truly preparing to dissolve the contract with the Nether Fox.
The Nether Fox grew anxious, blurting out, "What? Ascension? Have you already reached the Divine Transformation stage?"
"I achieved Divine Transformation several years ago," Song Wen replied, his hands never ceasing their intricate magic seal.
"Wait... wait a moment," the Nether Fox cried out in a panic.
Song Wen's movements paused slightly. "What's wrong?"
"I'm willing to continue being your Spirit Beast," the Nether Fox said.
Song Wen shook his head. "No, let's not. We have a hundred-year agreement, and I naturally intend to honor it. Besides, the Nether Fox Clan is a race of intelligent beings. How could they be slaves?"
"Master, you are kind and generous," the Nether Fox pleaded. "It is an honor to serve by your side. Please allow me to remain your Spirit Beast. But could you please not keep me confined in the Spirit Beast Pouch all year? Let me come out and stretch my legs more often?"
Song Wen said, "If you dislike the Spirit Beast Pouch so much, then let's just dissolve the contract."
"No!" the Nether Fox cried out in alarm. With a flash, it vanished into the Spirit Beast Pouch at Song Wen's waist.
Song Wen smiled faintly and turned to head toward the Wu Ji Sect.
Wu Ji Sect.
Corpse King Peak, Wu Ji Sect Main Hall.
Song Wen sat in the central seat.
Fang Xian sat to the side.
Le Liang stood below.
"Demon Lord, why did you summon us so urgently? Do you have any instructions?" Fang Xian asked.
Song Wen replied, "Fang Xian, I've inquired about the matter you asked me to investigate."
Fang Xian's face showed confusion. "Demon Lord, I'm not sure what matter you're referring to."
Song Wen said, "Xuan Chengzi's secret of Divine Transformation."
A flicker of realization crossed Fang Xian's eyes.
Forty-three years had passed since the incident. He had almost forgotten about it.
It wasn't that he didn't care. It was simply that after so long without results, he had been forced to give up.
He had tried various channels to uncover Xuan Chengzi's secret, even seeking help from Cui Xuanjing of the Cui Clan, but all his efforts had been in vain.
(End of the Chapter)
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