Cultivation: I Have a Golden Talisman

Silence fell upon the great hall.

A moment later, Qing Luo spoke. "I have already pledged my allegiance to Master Fang. The Master’s Divine Techniques are boundless, and for our Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, this is a fortunate event."

The four Demon Kings looked at each other, their faces filled with helplessness.

Given the situation, if they refused, they would likely lose their lives.

Things had come to this; there was no turning back!

Fang Cheng then said lightly, "You must have heard about the matter of the Yinluo Villa. I also have some grievances with the Rakshasa Sect. Perhaps in the future, I might just retrieve your lost heritage for you."

The eyes of the four Demon Kings flickered. Without further hesitation, they knelt before Fang Cheng.

"I, Xiongqi Mountain, am willing to pledge allegiance to the Master!"

"I, Li Su, am willing to pledge allegiance to the Master!"

"I, Gao Jiu Ling, am willing to pledge allegiance to the Master!"

"I, Du Yu, am willing to pledge allegiance to the Master!"

Fang Cheng laughed heartily. After placing a restriction on each of their souls, he said nonchalantly, "There are still two Demon Kings in the valley. Which of you will go and invite them over?"

Demon King Gao Jiu Ling said, "I am acquainted with the Shanmiao Demon King. I will go invite her."

Demon King Li Su pondered for a moment before saying, "Then I shall go invite the Gale Demon King!"

"Then I’ll have to trouble you two," Fang Cheng said.

The two Demon Kings walked out of the Cave Mansion. Not daring to say much to each other, they separated into their Escape Lights and flew toward the Cave Mansions of the other two Demon Kings.

「Not long after.」

Fang Cheng used the same method to subdue the Shanmiao and Gale Demon Kings in succession. With this, the entire upper echelon of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts had become his Spirit Servants, completely under his control.

Although the Demon Kings were resentful, there was nothing they could do.

Yet, a faint sense of anticipation toward Fang Cheng was also growing within them. A person this powerful might truly be able to reclaim the lost heritage of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts from the Rakshasa Sect!

The Rakshasa Sect now only had a single Life Soul Cultivator guarding it. This was truly the best opportunity.

They were all deeply calculating individuals. Even Demon King Du Yu, who had initially attempted to resist, now acted obedient and honest.

The smooth and slick Demon King Li Su even took the initiative to arrange a grand banquet of Spiritual Cuisine to host Fang Cheng.

For a time, an air of harmony filled the Cyan Rattan Demon King’s Cave Mansion.

Fang Cheng called his two sons out to attend the Demon King’s banquet, letting them mingle with the Demon Kings and practice making pleasantries.

All the Demon Kings addressed Jingyuan and Jingxuan as "Young Master," showing them even more enthusiasm than they showed Fang Cheng.

It was Jingyuan and Jingxuan’s first time witnessing such a scene, and they were a little uncomfortable at first, but upon seeing the reverence and hidden fear the seven Tier Three Demon Kings held for their father, they gradually grew accustomed to it.

During the banquet, Fang Cheng also gained a preliminary understanding of the abilities and backgrounds of the seven great Demon Kings of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts.

Aside from Shanmiao and Gao Jiu Ling, the other Demon Kings were more or less on the same level as the Cyan Rattan Demon King. Back when Fang Cheng was at the Late-Life Talisman Stage, he could have defeated them with the help of his Mechanical Battle Armor.

Compared to an Early-Life Soul Stage Loose Cultivator of the Human Race, they were likely slightly superior, but they were no match for the Life Soul Realm Elders of the Rakshasa Sect.

Shanmiao and Gao Jiu Ling possessed powerful bloodline Divine Techniques, making them a bit stronger than those Life Soul Elders from the Rakshasa Sect.

「After the banquet.」

The Demon Kings led Fang Cheng and his sons on a tour of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, visiting forbidden areas such as the Scripture Cave and the Treasure Pavilion, which greatly broadened the horizons of the father and sons.

Especially when they reached the Treasure Pavilion, Fang Cheng told Jingyuan and Jingxuan to pick whatever they desired. The seven Demon Kings smiled and fawned over them, and Li Su was particularly enthusiastic in introducing the origins of various treasures to the two youths.

The brothers were truly dazzled by the choices.

Magical Artifacts, Talismans, pills, Spirit Plants, Arrays, rare and exotic treasures, Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Objects...

As they made their way through, the two brothers prepared "gifts" for nearly everyone in the Fang Family.

Fang Cheng only took the bundle of Geng Metal Profound Silkworm Threads.

These Geng Metal Profound Silkworm Threads came from one of the Shanmiao Demon King’s disciples, who was naturally skilled at raising Geng Metal Profound Silkworms and was quite famous in the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts.

Relying on the Geng Metal Profound Silkworm Threads, the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts was able to trade for a considerable amount of Spirit Stones and treasures from the outside world every year.

After leaving the Treasure Vault, Fang Cheng asked, "Is there a place for Artifact Refining in the valley?"

The Demon Kings looked at Xiongqi Mountain, who replied respectfully, "Master, my Cave Mansion has an Earth Fire Spirit Acupoint, which is the best place in the valley for Artifact Refining."

Fang Cheng nodded, his gaze sweeping over the seven Demon Kings. He said, "Qing Luo, go back and heal your wounds. The rest of you, follow me to refine a Magical Artifact."

The Demon Kings nodded in agreement.

...

Deep within Xiongqi Mountain’s Cave Mansion was an enormous natural cavern.

The bottom of the cavern was filled with boiling, churning lava. A crimson Spirit Flame of astonishing temperature blazed fiercely, emitting a vast Spiritual Mechanism.

Whether one was performing Artifact Refining or cultivating a Fire Element Technique here, the effects would be doubled with half the effort.

Jingyuan and Jingxuan followed their father into the cavern. Protected by the spiritual light emanating from Fang Cheng, they were shielded from the cavern’s high temperature and did not feel the heat at all.

They watched as Fang Cheng produced a glittering golden rope, which danced and coiled through the cavern, weaving about unpredictably.

Then, Fang Cheng took out the Geng Metal Profound Silkworm Threads and had the Demon Kings refine them, making them shrink or grow at will until each strand was as thick as the mouth of a bowl.

Under Fang Cheng’s direction, these Demon Kings began using their Magical Power as a brush to inscribe Ancient Runes onto the silkworm threads.

Finally, with the power of the Earth Fire, Fang Cheng refined the threads prepared by the Demon Kings into the Immortal Binding Rope one by one.

This Immortal Binding Rope was originally a Fourth-rank Magical Artifact, but for some reason, its rank had fallen. It had been lost inside a demonic bird and was later chanced upon by Fang Cheng.

Now, Fang Cheng was combining the power of six Tier Three Demon Kings and over four hundred jin of Geng Metal Profound Silkworm Threads to re-refine it in one fell swoop.

「A few days later.」

The Geng Metal Profound Silkworm Threads were completely used up.

A brilliant golden light flared from the Immortal Binding Rope. Ancient and vibrant runes swam and flickered across its surface, exuding an indescribable and wondrous Dao rhythm.

This treasure already had a Fourth-rank foundation. After this round of refining, both its form and substance underwent a metamorphosis, and it actually returned to the Fourth-rank!

This was undoubtedly much simpler than crafting a new Fourth-rank Magical Artifact from scratch.

Seeing a Third-tier Magical Artifact being elevated to the Fourth-rank with their own hands, the Demon Kings were filled with a mix of complex emotions and endless感慨.

In the entire, vast Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, there were only two Fourth-rank Magical Artifacts.

One was the Celestial Crane Palace, which the Qianmu Demon King carried with him at all times. The other served as the treasure suppressing the core of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts’ Grand Array, hidden deep within the Array.

The Demon Kings’ desire for a Fourth-rank Magical Artifact was as intense as their desire for their lost heritage!

If not for the shocking internal strife in the valley a thousand years ago, things would not have been like this.

However, Fang Cheng could sense that the current Immortal Binding Rope was still some way from being restored to its original state.

’But with the help of all these Demon Kings, Artifact Refining has become much simpler...’

After storing the Immortal Binding Rope, Fang Cheng had no intention of staying in the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts any longer. He left with Jingyuan and Jingxuan the very next day.

In the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, the Demon Kings saw Fang Cheng off, then gathered to conspire for half a day before finally dispersing.

After this incident, and with the fall of the Qianmu Demon King, the tense atmosphere of internal strife, with its turbulent undercurrents, came to an abrupt halt.

The rest of the Demon Race below the rank of Demon King were completely unaware of the changes in the valley and continued about their business as usual.

*

*

*

The Flying Celestial Chariot passed through Cangyun Gorge and, after traveling a short distance, came to a slow stop high in the sky outside the Nine Nether Demon Sect.

Below was a range of rolling mountains, a forest of peaks creating a beautiful and magnificent landscape.

Besides the Nine Nether Demon Sect, numerous family clans and Loose Cultivators were scattered across this land.

When Fang Cheng first arrived in the Wilderness Domain, the Rakshasa Sect, the Nine Truths Sect, and the Nine Nether Demon Sect were in a league of their own among the Ten Great Sects of the East Wilderness. They stood high above the others, far surpassing weaker sects like the Yinluo Sect.

But the world was ever-changing. Today, he could already look down upon these sectarian powers.

He placed Jingyuan and Jingxuan into the Lingxiao Three Sceneries Talisman, then put away the Flying Celestial Chariot with a wave of his sleeve. In its place, he produced a silvery, shimmering Talisman covered in countless twisting, tadpole-like runes.

The Breaking Charm emanated a vast silver mist that enveloped Fang Cheng’s figure, transforming him into a streak of rosy light that drifted toward the Nine Nether Demon Sect.

The Nine Nether Demon Sect was situated on five towering, adjacent mountains. The majestic and perilous peaks resembled ancient behemoths crouching upon the earth. From the foot of the mountains to their summits, ancient, quaint palaces and pavilions could be seen everywhere among the towering old trees.

Numerous streaks of light zipped back and forth, showcasing the prosperity of a great sect of the Human Race.

A Sect Protection Array covered a five-hundred-Baili radius, enclosing the entire Nine Nether Demon Sect.

Over a hundred Patrolling Cultivators, divided into ten teams, roamed the sky, standing guard.

One of these teams of Cultivators saw the silver mist flying toward them and immediately took a defensive stance. They joined forces to unleash a Divine Technique, sending a tidal wave of blood-red Demonic Light that rolled toward the silver mist.

Unexpectedly, the silver mist shimmered lightly, like a phantom, and broke through the blood-red Demonic Light, landing directly on the Nine Nether Demon Sect’s Sect Protection Array.

The restrictive light barrier of the Grand Array rippled gently as a hole was "melted" open in it by the silver mist, allowing it to fly right through.

The Patrolling Cultivators were instantly horrified and quickly activated a Talisman to raise the alarm.

The Talisman shot into the sky and exploded violently, transforming into a brilliant and splendid radiance that spread across half the sky, accompanied by a tremendous boom like a clap of thunder that rolled across the heavens.

One had to know that the Nine Nether Demon Sect’s Sect Protection Array was a Fourth-tier Array. Even a Tier Four Demon Beast would find it nearly impossible to breach.

But now, a silver mist had broken through with ease. It was simply incredible!

The warning signal sent by this team of Patrolling Cultivators was soon answered.

Auras emerged from all over the Demon Sect, and Divine Senses swept across the sky, quickly noticing the silver mist.

The upper echelons of the Nine Nether Demon Sect had been particularly vigilant recently, especially after learning that Supreme Elder Zhao Wuji’s Soul Lamp had been extinguished. They had raised the power of the Sect Protection Array to its maximum, preparing for a rainy day.

Unfortunately, it was still not enough to stop Fang Cheng’s advance.

The silver mist dissipated, revealing Fang Cheng’s figure.

His gaze fell upon a great hall on the highest of the Nine Nether Demon Sect’s five peaks. He leisurely descended from his Escape Light and landed before the great hall’s entrance. Looking up, he saw a plaque above the entrance inscribed with three large words—

Nine Nether Hall.

A layer of restrictive wards enveloped the hall. With a flick of his finger, Fang Cheng sent a streak of sword light flying out, shattering the wards. He strode into the great hall and saw that its interior was magnificent and splendid, solemn and majestic. At the front of the hall was a high dais with jade steps, upon which sat a gorgeous, ornate chair.

He walked up to the high dais, turned, and sat down, looking calmly toward the hall’s entrance.

Just then, more than a dozen Escape Lights descended one after another, revealing a group of Cultivators with extraordinary bearings.

These were the people who had been alerted and had followed the trail here.

Fang Cheng’s gaze swept over them, and seeing Bing Wuyi among them, a playful look appeared on his face.

Among these dozen or so people, a full nine had Cultivation at the Life Soul Realm.

It was no wonder the Nine Nether Demon Sect held such sway over the Eastern Wilderness. It was indeed far more powerful than factions like the Taiyi Sword Sect or the Red Flame Immortal Palace.

One of the Life Soul Elders shouted in a stern voice, "Who are you? Why have you trespassed into my Nine Nether Demon Sect?"

Killing intent emanated from him. If he weren’t unable to see through Fang Cheng’s depth, he would have already attacked.

Bing Wuyi stepped forward and said, "Master Zheng, this is Master Fang of the Yinluo Sect. He previously joined forces with my master to explore the Outer Ancient Tomb and resist the Cultivators of the Western Wilderness’s Qiankun Saint Sect. They were on rather good terms."

Hearing this, everyone’s brows furrowed.

Fang Cheng’s name had shaken the Wilderness after he slew a group of Rakshasa Sect Life Soul Elders. Back then, he only had a Life Talisman Cultivation.

But the man before them now possessed a solid Life Soul Cultivation.

What was even more terrifying was that his Cultivation had already reached the Mid-Life Soul Stage. Among those present, only three were at the same realm as him.

’This man could kill those with higher Cultivation than him when he was only in the Life Talisman Realm. What about now?’

As these thoughts fluctuated in the minds of the Nine Nether Demon Sect Cultivators,

Bing Wuyi, this charming and beautiful Female Cultivator, looked at Fang Cheng with a trace of confusion and asked, "Master Fang, do you know how my master fell?"

She only knew that her master had gone to the Western Wilderness with Fang Cheng and the Qianmu Demon King. As for what they were doing there, she was unclear.

Now that Zhao Wuji’s Soul Lamp was extinguished and Fang Cheng had returned, there was likely more to the story.

Fang Cheng offered a slight smile and said, "Your master and the Qianmu Demon King plotted against me, and I killed them in return. Today, I have come here for revenge, and while I’m at it, I’d also like to see just what the number one Demon Sect in the Eastern Wilderness is made of."

As soon as these words were spoken, a dead silence fell both inside and outside the great hall.

...