"Yellow-rank Supreme Technique: Hellfire Soul-Burning Art."
"The cultivation art once practiced by disciples of the Bloodfiend Demon Sect. It condenses a wisp of karmic fire seed, nurtured with souls. It burns souls, annihilates life. The more soul essence used, the stronger this art becomes."
"Ten thousand years ago, the Bloodfiend Demon Sect's sect master slaughtered an entire minor world, forcing this art to evolve into an Earth-rank Supreme Technique. The karmic fire seed transformed into blazing inferno, scorching the skies and boiling the seas."
"Once tainted, so long as the soul lingers, the karmic fire will never be extinguished. It is the most vicious and cruel fire-element demonic cultivation art."
"The Bloodfiend Sect Master, having killed too many while cultivating this method, completely fell into demonic corruption."
"Mount Shu dispatched Elder Xuanxi of Longshou Peak at the vanguard, together with the three Grand Elders of Law Enforcement. They battled the Bloodfiend Demon Sect for three months and finally annihilated it."
"Annotation by Xuanxi: Though this Hellfire Soul-Burning Art feeds upon souls and harms the natural order, it is not without its redeeming value."
"Future disciples may inherit it, so long as they nurture the karmic fire only with the souls of villains and fiendish beasts. That too accords with Mount Shu's path of demon-slaying and upholding justice."
"But if evil intent arises, and the fire is fed with innocent souls—whether in heaven or earth, Mount Shu will not tolerate such a disciple's existence."
"The human path is narrow, the immortal path vast. Disciples of Mount Shu, remember this well!"
Lisa read it carefully, word by word, line by line. After finishing once, she read it again.
This was the first time she had ever seen a demonic cultivation art.
She had to admit—compared to the other Mount Shu techniques, which were either sharp or upright—this one conveyed only two words from beginning to end:
Savage.
Add two more: Viciously cruel.
To nurture karmic fire with living souls, until it could scorch heaven and boil seas, and even evolve into an Earth-rank Supreme Technique…
Powerful?
Honestly, Lisa felt it was stronger than all the other techniques she had just seen combined.
According to Zhongli, any cultivation art capable of evolving was peerless among the peerless. Only those with immense fortune had a chance to obtain one.
She had just verified this herself.
The manuals she touched earlier were things like Long Song Verse—just Yellow-rank low-grade.
Or Spirit-Seeking Technique…
In short, at a glance, they all seemed unimpressive.
The Mount Shu Scripture Pavilion was vast. While there were indeed many treasures, there were far more mediocre manuals.
This Hellfire Soul-Burning Art, though cruel and vicious, was incomparably powerful.
Lisa couldn't deny it—her heart wavered.
But… this was still a demonic art.
She glanced at Klee and shook her head inwardly.
No matter what, Klee could never cultivate this.
Forget the gentleman—Alice would be furious as well.
How could a pure, adorable little sweetheart practice such a sinister method?
To ignite karmic fire with living souls, a flame that could never be extinguished once it latched on…
It laid bare the essence of demonic cultivation.
Whether it defied heaven's order or not, demonic arts pursued only ultimate destruction and killing power.
What's more, Lisa had always firmly set her heart on alchemy—she needed a fire-element method.
Hellfire Soul-Burning Art… karmic fire was still fire, wasn't it?
What if karmic fire proved even better for alchemy?
But—it was a demonic art after all…
True, Patriarch Xuanxi had written that Mount Shu disciples could cultivate it, so long as they held fast to their nature and upheld the will of demon-slaying and justice.
But still…
The idea of nurturing a karmic fire seed with living souls—it was cruel just to imagine.
And if she really cultivated this art—what would the gentleman think? Would the Hall of Discipline keep her under constant watch? How would her fellow disciples look at her?
All these thoughts flashed through Lisa's mind.
But to give it up…
She was reluctant.
If she abandoned this one, could she really find another as strong?
Unlikely.
Her fingers clenched and relaxed around the jade slip, over and over again.
Her hesitation was so obvious that even Klee noticed.
Curious, Klee reached out, wanting to touch the jade slip.
"Klee, no!"
Lisa quickly pulled it away, her face stern.
"This thing, you must never touch! It's far too dangerous! If your mother and Master found out, they'd be angry. Do you understand?"
At that, Klee instantly withdrew her little hand.
"Klee won't touch it. Big Sis Lisater, please throw it away too… Klee doesn't want you to get hurt."
Her words made Lisa let out a bitter laugh.
This was a Yellow-rank Supreme Technique, capable of growth.
Let it go…
How could it be that easy?
Just then, a light flared nearby. Alice and Venti appeared.
"How's it going, Lisa, Klee? Did you find the cultivation art you wanted?"
Alice asked casually, but Lisa instinctively hid the jade slip behind her.
Too late—Alice had already seen it.
The unusual aura of the slip made her expression turn grim.
"Lisa, what's that in your hand? Why does it feel so sinister?"
Venti also glanced over, frowning. It didn't look like anything good.
"This…"
Lisa hesitated, troubled.
"This was the manual Klee was chasing earlier. I caught it. It's… a demonic art."
"Demonic art?!"
Alice was shocked. She immediately scooped up Klee and checked her carefully. Once sure Klee was unharmed, she fixed her gaze on Lisa.
Venti's earlier excitement from finding good things also faded, replaced by worry.
"Lisa, do you realize what it means to tread the demonic path?"
Alice's voice grew heavy:
"Demonic cultivators are those who've fallen completely into corruption—cruel, inhuman fiends. In the cultivation world, they're like rats everyone tries to beat to death."
"Mount Shu is the head of the righteous path, sworn to slay demons and uphold justice. And you want to practice demonic arts here? What would the Sect Master think?"
"What about the Hall of Discipline? How would they deal with you?"
"Lisa, don't stray from the right path. The Sutra Pavilion's first floor has countless techniques. You don't need to cling to this one."
But Lisa, whose heart had wavered, suddenly felt more resolute after hearing Alice's words.
Yes, the Sutra Pavilion had countless manuals. But…
How many could compare with this Hellfire Soul-Burning Art?
Even if some did—would they suit her?
And could she even find them?
This art might be demonic, but…
Did power itself have right or wrong?
Patriarch Xuanxi's note had said as much. The art was cruel, yes—but not unusable for demon-slaying.
In fact, considering how demons carried karmic burden, the karmic fire might burn them even more fiercely.
Instead of nurturing it with innocent souls, why not control the fire and use it to cut away karma?
Was that really wrong?
They had only just started cultivating, but even Zhongli had said: the greatest danger for cultivators was karmic burden. Otherwise, one risked falling into demonic corruption.
And what was karma, if not the weight of one's sins?
Karmic fire was designed to burn karma. Those burdened by karma feared it most.
Such power might be eerie, but wasn't it in fact a righteous tool?
Alice seemed to notice Lisa wavering. She softened her tone:
"Lisa, think carefully. Mount Shu is the foremost righteous sect, its disciples sworn to defend the innocent by slaying demons.
"If one disciple here turns to demonic arts, how do you think the Sect Master will handle it?"
"Lisa, your future is bright. Don't ruin it all for a moment of temptation."
"Zhongli already said—the Hall of Discipline shows no mercy to demonic cultivators. Once discovered, they will eradicate them to the root."
"If you practice a demonic art, would Zhongli and Xiao spare you?"
Beside her, Venti also nodded gravely.
"Lisa, think twice. I know the old man well. And I know Xiao even better.
"The old man leads the Hall of Discipline. Xiao is its foremost disciple.
"They both follow Mount Shu's rules strictly, demanding the same of all disciples.
"If they discover you've cultivated a demonic art, the old man will show no mercy."
"And this particular art is far too cruel. By the way… what is it exactly?"
Lisa pressed her lips together, then whispered:
"Hellfire Soul-Burning Art. It condenses karmic fire seed, and… and uses living souls as fuel to nurture its growth. Eventually, it can evolve into an Earth-rank Supreme Technique."
Even though Alice and Venti had already braced themselves, hearing it aloud still hit them like a hammer to the chest.
To use living souls to feed karmic fire…
That wasn't just cruel. It was bloodthirsty.
An art built upon countless lives.
Neither dared gamble on Lisa being able to control it.
"Lisa, listen. Put down that jade slip. We'll help you find another."
Alice, suppressing her revulsion, reached out to take it.
"Alice-daren, I can feel it… this jade slip is my fated chance."
At last, Lisa admitted she wanted this demonic art.
"Lisa!"
Alice's face darkened.
"Alice-daren, no matter what, this manual is here in the Mount Shu Scripture Pavilion, isn't it?"
Lisa countered, leaving Alice silent.
Her words grew more confident, her demeanor graceful and assured:
"The Sutra Pavilion is Mount Shu's core treasure hall. Generations of Sect Masters and the Hall of Discipline must surely have kept watch—errors would never be allowed."
"Yet even so, this manual was still preserved here. Doesn't that mean it isn't entirely unforgivable?"
Venti muttered, exasperated:
"Burning souls to feed fire—if that's not unforgivable, then what is?"
"But isn't it up to the cultivator which souls to burn?" Lisa countered calmly. Then she added:
"Yes, the Hellfire Soul-Burning Art was once the signature of the Bloodfiend Demon Sect. But the sect is long destroyed by Patriarch Xuanxi and the ancestors.
"And this manual—it was left behind by Patriarch Xuanxi himself."
"His annotation states clearly: the art has no absolute alignment of good or evil."
"Mount Shu's Mount Shu Sword-Manipulation Art is the sect's symbol. Does that mean no ill-hearted disciple has ever misused it?"
"Yes, Hellfire Soul-Burning Art is cruel. But if it's used against the truly wicked, isn't that the best justice?"
"Power itself has no morality. Only the wielder does."
"Patriarch Xuanxi did not forbid Mount Shu disciples from cultivating it. He only demanded they hold fast to the righteous path."
"I believe I can awaken its righteous side—without ever harming the innocent."
Her words left Alice silent.
Of all people, she understood Lisa best.
She had traveled countless worlds, especially modern ones.
Modern weapons could slaughter on a massive scale. But did that mean every gun was evil?
Some wielded them for conquest. Others for defense.
How could intent not define morality?
And yet… to burn souls to grow stronger—this was hard to stomach.
At length, Alice sighed.
"Fine. But later, you'll come with me to see the Sect Master. Best let him and Zhongli know. Otherwise, the Hall of Discipline will make things difficult."
"Has Klee found her cultivation art yet?"
Lisa shook her head. Earlier, she had rushed over only to find Klee chasing the demonic art—obviously, she hadn't picked her manual yet.
Seeing this, Alice was about to help Klee choose personally.
But just then, the jade slip in Lisa's hand flew from her grasp on its own, shot to the top of a bookshelf, and bumped into another.
A simple, ancient yellow jade slip tumbled down—landing directly in Klee's arms.
"This…"
Everyone froze, staring at Lisa's jade slip now back in her hand.
Could it be… the demonic art had just helped Klee find hers?
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