Translator: CinderTL
"Demon Lord, have you learned the secret of Xuan Chengzi's Divine Transformation?" Fang Xian asked, his voice filled with excitement.
Song Wen replied, "I've learned some of the details. Xuan Chengzi obtained a formation called the Devouring Soul Array, which can help cultivators merge their Three Souls and advance to Divine Transformation. However, the Liangyi Sect is unwilling to part with the Devouring Soul Array easily."
A flicker of killing intent flashed in Fang Xian's eyes as he said fiercely, "Demon Lord, you are the undisputed number one cultivator in the Chaotic Sea. Why not gather our forces, storm the Liangyi Sect, and force them to hand over the Devouring Soul Array? If they still refuse to cooperate, we can destroy their dao lineage and seize the Devouring Soul Array."
Song Wen shook his head slightly. "This matter isn't as simple as you think. If we could simply seize it by force, I would have done so forty years ago. The Devouring Soul Array is only part of the equation. Xuan Chengzi's divine transformation insights are even more crucial. If the Liangyi Sect resists to the death and chooses to destroy both the Devouring Soul Array and the divine transformation insights, we would suffer a devastating loss."
"I've secretly reached an agreement with Enlightened Master Zi Yun to purchase the Devouring Soul Array and divine transformation insights from her for five thousand high-grade spirit stones. However, I don't have enough spirit stones on hand, which is why I've called you two here to discuss this matter."
Fang Xian turned his head and glanced at Song Wen. He found Song Wen's behavior today completely different from his usual self. He was being far too indecisive! There wasn't a trace of the demonic path cultivator he usually was.
However, since this matter concerned Divine Transformation, Fang Xian could understand Song Wen's caution.
"Demon Lord, five thousand high-grade spirit stones is an enormous sum. Even if we mobilized the sect's resources, it would be difficult to gather that much in a short time."
Song Wen turned to Le Liang. "Sect Leader Le, how many spirit stones are currently in the sect treasury?"
Le Liang paused briefly, then bowed respectfully. "We have just over a thousand high-grade spirit stones. In addition, the low-grade and mid-grade spirit stones combined should be worth about four hundred high-grade spirit stones."
Song Wen frowned slightly. "So little?"
His expression seemed dissatisfied, but in his heart, he knew the truth. The Wu Ji Sect's treasury was so depleted largely because of his own actions.
Every year, he took away a vast amount of spirit stones and treasures, leaving the vast Wu Ji Sect with barely any surplus.
Fang Xian and Le Liang naturally knew the reason, but dared not speak directly.
Le Liang, in particular, wore a terrified expression.
"It is this subordinate's fault for failing to manage the sect properly. Please forgive me, Demon Lord."
Song Wen waved his hand. "For now, let's focus on how to gather these five thousand high-grade spirit stones. I have about a thousand high-grade spirit stones, and the sect treasury holds another fourteen hundred. That leaves us two thousand six hundred short. Fang Xian, how much can you contribute?"
Fang Xian hesitated. "Demon Lord, I can only offer four hundred high-grade spirit stones."
"Too little," Song Wen said, his expression slightly displeased. "Fang Xian, you are now a Nascent Soul cultivator, and the Divine Transformation secret is closely tied to your future. You can't expect to reap the rewards without making any contribution."
Fang Xian quickly replied, "This subordinate would never dare."
Song Wen said, "Then sell off some of your less important treasures or Mystic Treasures to raise the spirit stones. I want to see a thousand high-grade spirit stones in half a month."
Fang Xian's face twisted in pain as he reluctantly replied, "Yes."
Song Wen nodded slightly and turned to Le Liang.
"Sect Leader Le, you're responsible for raising the remaining 1,600 high-grade spirit stones. I don't care how you do it—whether you sell spiritual objects from the sect treasury, resort to burning, killing, and looting, or exploit inner sect disciples, outer sect elders, or affiliated families. In short, you must deliver 3,000 high-grade spirit stones to me within half a month."
Le Liang's expression was troubled. "Demon Lord, such actions could cause chaos and even disrupt the sect's operations."
Song Wen's expression darkened. "With me here, what chaos could possibly erupt in the Wu Ji Sect? If you fail, I'll simply replace you as sect leader."
Le Liang's face paled with fear. "This subordinate will do everything possible to gather the spirit stones as quickly as possible."
After Le Liang and Fang Xian took their leave, they turned to leave the Great Hall.
Before they reached the hall's entrance, Song Wen's voice echoed behind them again.
"Oh, right. Sect Leader Le, don't sell those Spirit Herbs I use regularly. Collect as many as you can and deliver them to me in half a month, along with the spirit stones."
Fifteen days later.
Under Fang Xian's expectant gaze, Song Wen soared into the sky, carrying four thousand high-grade spirit stones and a large quantity of spirit materials.
He used a Teleportation Array to return to the Ten Thousand Beasts Hall in the Endless Desert.
Without delay, he immediately set off for Corpse Demon Peak.
The journey from the Ten Thousand Beasts Hall to Corpse Demon Peak took Song Wen a full three months.
Halfway there, he suddenly felt the world's rejection of him intensify.
Forced to detour, he spent three months in Bliss City, cultivating in seclusion.
Upon returning to the Asura Sect, Zhou Siyi had already returned from the Nine Palaces Sect.
In Song Wen's Cultivation Cave, the two sat opposite each other at a stone table.
"Junior Brother, when you entered seclusion that year, you personally said you were going to attempt to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm. I wonder if you succeeded..."
Song Wen replied, "I have successfully broken through to the Divine Transformation Realm."
Zhou Siyi's face lit up with genuine joy.
"Junior Brother, congratulations! Your long-held wish has always been ascension to immortality and eternal life. Now, you can finally ascend to the Upper Realm."
Song Wen said, "There's still a long way to go between ascending to the upper realm and achieving immortality and becoming a celestial. It's too early to talk about becoming a celestial now."
Zhou Siyi replied, "Even so, successfully reaching the Divine Transformation Realm already makes you a dragon among men. I believe that with your character, Junior Brother, you'll quickly make a name for yourself in the Upper Realm, become a local overlord, and ultimately achieve celestial status."
"Thank you for your kind words, Senior Sister," Song Wen said, changing the subject. "How did your trip to the Nine Palaces Sect go?"
Zhou Siyi's smile faded, replaced by a hint of worry.
"It didn't go well. No matter how I pleaded, Hao Kong refused to sell the Starlight Spiritdew Grass."
Song Wen said, "Senior Sister, the Starlight Spiritdew Grass isn't something you need for yourself. Why force the issue? After I leave this world, you must be cautious and think things through before acting."
Zhou Siyi's expression stiffened slightly, a flicker of barely perceptible sadness passing through her eyes.
"Junior Brother, you've only just reached the Divine Transformation Realm. Why are you in such a hurry to ascend?"
Song Wen replied, "Lately, the world's rejection of me has grown increasingly intense. It's time for me to leave."
Hearing this, Zhou Siyi's gaze became distant, and a faint smile flickered at the corner of her lips.
"Junior Brother, rest assured. I'll take care of myself. But you, the Upper Realm is unknown and unpredictable. Be extremely cautious in all matters."
Song Wen said, "Senior Sister, I have some Mystic Treasures I no longer need. I'll leave them with you for emergencies."
As he spoke, a hundred-foot-tall humanoid puppet materialized before Song Wen. It was the late fourth-tier puppet Xing Wenyao had used.
Zhou Siyi cultivated a wood-attribute Cultivation Technique. Giving her a Corpse Puppet or a ghost would be useless, as she wouldn't be able to unleash their true power. This humanoid puppet, however, was perfectly suited for her.
In addition to the puppet, Song Wen also gave Zhou Siyi a flying sword and a shield, both High-Grade Magic Treasures.
Furthermore, he gave her a beast bone and the Secret Art, the Tranquility Incantation.
The beast bone was a high-grade soul defense magical item, while the Tranquility Incantation was a soul defense spell.
All four treasures had been obtained from Gui Ni and Xue Mei. They were of little use to Song Wen now, but in Zhou Siyi's hands, if used properly, they could be enough to help her escape from a late-stage nascent soul cultivator.
(End of the Chapter)
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