"Do you truly wish to learn these techniques?"
Seeing Lü Yang's eager expression, Wang Baifeng was genuinely surprised. He couldn't help but say, "Junior Brother, in this world, cultivation level always comes first. You must be clear about what matters most."
In his eyes, Lü Yang was still young yet had already accumulated so many contribution points—far more than ordinary disciples. While Foundation Establishment was still a distant topic, achieving the Final-phase of Qi Refining seemed entirely within reach. Why risk practicing techniques with such severe side effects? Even if your combat strength becomes unmatched, won't you still end as dust when your lifespan runs out?
"Life is short. Don't sabotage your future for temporary gains."
Wang Baifeng let out a long sigh, his expression turning mournful. "You are still young and don't understand... flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns."
"Right now, you are in your prime. But what about ten years from now? Twenty?"
"The decision you make today may feel right in the moment, but the consequences may not arrive until decades later—by then, regret will no longer have a cure."
As he spoke, Baifeng seemed to drift into memories of the past. After a while, he said bitterly, "You don't know. When I was young in the Stain Sect, I was quite the prodigy. But one wrong choice ruined my entire future. Every time I think of it, the regret is unbearable…"
His reddening eyes were proof enough of the sorrow behind those words.
With the alcohol overcoming his restraint, Baifeng began recounting stories of his once-glorious youth. In truth, they weren't particularly grand—only that back then, he didn't understand the importance of Qi Grade and mistakenly cultivated a Seventh-Grade or lower technique.
Because of that, his Qi Grade remained insufficient for Foundation Establishment, and even achieving perfection in Qi Refining turned into a distant dream.
Decades passed. Half his life buried, yet the senior brothers of his youth—and the woman he once admired—had already extended their lifespans through breaking into higher levels and remained young and beautiful.
How could this not crush a man's heart? But life provided no second attempt.
Muttering incoherently, Wang Baifeng finally passed out on the table. Lü Yang stood, shook his head, and followed the vague description he remembered to look for a particular book.
Soon, he found a copy of "Heavenfiend Lifeblood Offering Radiance."
There was no denying it—this was a true demonic technique.
After purchasing it, Lü Yang looked at the text with a solemn expression. "Quick results, severe drawbacks, extremely high risk. It has every hallmark of a demonic technique."
To master this ability, one had to first choose an artifact, peel off their own skin using that artifact, then refine it with a secret method. After eighty-one days, a Blood Light would form and fuse with the artifact, granting it lethal power.
"At the same time, I will become a Blood Shadow, co-existing with the artifact."
"As long as the artifact remains intact, I will not perish."
"The cost is halved lifespan, and once transformed, I would lose my physical body, becoming nothing more than a human-shaped shadow—unable to advance any further…"
He smiled.
"Perfect. It suits me."
Lü Yang's eyes gleamed, and he immediately decided to cultivate this technique.
During his research, he discovered another version of the technique—apparently revised and optimized by an advanced cultivator.
"Of course. This ability is both profound and extraordinary."
The revised version no longer required the cultivator to sacrifice their own flesh. Instead, they could offer up a relative, sibling, or descendant. The result was similar, but since the resulting Blood Shadow was not the cultivator themselves, the risk of backlash became significant.
"But I am different. Whether in this life or the next, the Blood Shadow will still be me."
A few days later, Lü Yang left the Library Pavilion.
He also purchased the full "Supreme Heaven Sword Mastery" so he could use it openly and confidently in the future.
The next day, the "cultivation technique" was delivered.
"Demon!"
Yun Miaqing, clutching the sword pendant to her neck with defiance in her eyes, stared at Lü Yang as if facing her executioner. For a brief moment, Lü Yang felt a strange sense of familiarity.
But he pushed the feeling aside.
"Sorry. I need the method and experience for refining a Sword Pill."
"What? How do you know that!?"
Familiar with her body, Lü Yang successfully extracted the information he needed after a few rounds of torture.
This time, he headed to one of the Stain Sect's Four Inner Peaks, the Crafting Peak, which corresponded to the Outer Sect's Treasure Refining Hall. The peak was the source of most of the sect's artifacts.
"I want to rent an Earth Fire Furnace."
He stated his intention directly at the front desk. After paying the required contribution points, he was guided into the highest-grade furnace room fifteen minutes later.
Once prepared, he brought out the materials.
Three taels of Gold Essence, three taels of Jade Marrow, two taels of Cinnabar, two taels of Sword Qi. Then, forming complex Daoist hand seals, he summoned fierce fire from the earth's core and fed everything into the furnace.
"Although most Sword Pills of the Celestial Sword Pavilion are refined by senior elders, one need not fear sabotage within the righteous sects. But here in the Stain Sect, trusting others is less reliable than trusting one's own craftsmanship. If I must fail a few times, then so be it…"
Each set of materials cost 2,000 contribution points.
Lü Yang had earned 10,000 in total. After purchasing techniques and repaying debts, he had enough for only three attempts.
"If I fail three times... there's always next life."
With that thought, he began refining, meticulously following the notes he copied from Yun Miaqing, controlling the earth fire with utmost care.
Gold Essence fused with Jade Marrow, Cinnabar blended with Sword Qi…
Gradually, a Pill took shape within his spiritual sense. Just as he felt a flicker of joy—
"Boom!"
It exploded.
One set of materials, gone.
Expression calm, Lü Yang brushed away the residue with his sleeve and quietly reflected. "My steps were correct."
"The issue lies in the final refinement."
Recalling Yun Miaqing's memories, he soon understood:
"Refining a Sword Pill requires unity of sword and heart. And since I've only begun practicing Supreme Heaven Sword Mastery, my Sword Dao cultivation is obviously lacking…"
Ordinarily, this was a hard requirement and could only be gradually developed over time.
But that was the perspective of the righteous sects, which prized gradual cultivation and avoided shortcuts that damaged natural harmony.
The Demon Dao held no such reservations.
"Unity of sword and heart ultimately means establishing control over the Sword Pill. If so, cultivating Heavenfiend Lifeblood Offering Radiance at the same time should achieve the same effect."
"Perhaps even surpass it."
After all, the demonic technique demanded offering oneself to the treasure. If mastered, one practically fused with the magical artifact—far closer than any so-called unity of sword and heart.
"However, to do this, I cannot rely on the pre-prepared numbing powder…"
Sword Pill refinement required absolute precision. If he dulled the pain, his reactions would slow, and failure would be almost guaranteed.
He had to remain completely conscious.
"In the demonic sect, if one cannot be ruthless with oneself, how can they be considered worthy?"
A flash of cold determination passed through Lü Yang's eyes.
A moment later, he sat before the Earth Fire Furnace, stuffed a rag into his mouth, and when the Sword Pill formed again, he guided the Sword Qi directly into his own body…