Record of a Demon's Cultivation

Chapter 426 - Growth Through Trials

Translator: Cinder Translations

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"Madam Xing, I almost forgot to tell you something. Last night's affair... I recorded it on a Shadow Stone. If you don't return within a day, the Shadow Stone will be copied into a thousand pieces and spread throughout Fang City."

Song Wen's words were like a curse from the depths of the Nine Hells, startling Shan Yue so much that she nearly fell off her flying sword. They struck her heart like a sharp blade, shattering the silence in her mind's poisonous cavern and momentarily halting her heartbeat.

"You... despicable!"

Shan Yue gritted her teeth and cursed loudly.

Her slightly swollen, tear-streaked eyes glared at Song Wen with such hatred that she wished to tear him to pieces.

"Thank you for the compliment, Madam. I'll await your good news here," Song Wen said with a mocking smile.

Shan Yue suddenly accelerated, rushing out of the cave and flying into the sky.

After confirming that Shan Yue had left, Song Wen went to the spirit field where Poison Old Ghost cultivated his poisons and uprooted all the medicinal herbs.

Then, Song Wen also left the poisonous cavern, leaving only two Sacred Gu behind to monitor the cave's movements.

Song Wen trailed Shan Yue from a distance, following her to the outskirts of Fang City. He chose a busy spot where he could quietly observe the happenings in the city.

He wasn't entirely confident that Shan Yue would be able to obtain the 'Focused Spirit Stab'.

Through Xing Chang's network, Shan Yue was the highest-ranking person in the Xing family that Song Wen could reach. If even Shan Yue couldn't obtain the 'Focused Spirit Stab', then Xing Chang's value would be negligible.

Shan Yue passed through the northern gate of Fang City and headed straight for the palace where she resided.

Xing Gaohan, being the most powerful cultivator in the Xing family, lived at the very heart of the family's estate.

His residence resembled a mundane royal palace.

While Xing Gaohan lived in the main hall, his wives and concubines resided in the many side halls.

As Xing Gaohan's most favored concubine, Shan Yue's quarters were very close to the main hall.

After about a quarter of an hour, Shan Yue stepped out of her palace.

Now, she had changed into a fresh outfit, adorned herself with delicate makeup, and restored her usual lofty demeanor.

She summoned a flying vessel and slowly made her way to the Transmission Hall.

The Xing family's Transmission Hall was vast, spanning a full mile and comprising five levels.

The first floor housed books on various aspects of cultivation, from common knowledge and spiritual herbs to demonic beasts and tales from the Chaotic Sea.

The second to fifth floors contained cultivation techniques and secret arts corresponding to the stages of Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul.

Shan Yue went directly to the deepest part of the third floor.

Here stood a stone platform, and resting silently upon it was a jade slip, green in color.

A translucent barrier of light enveloped the jade slip, a miniature formation designed specifically to protect it.

This jade slip contained the first level of the 'Focused Spirit Stab' technique.

"Someone, come here!" Shan Yue called out sharply.

A figure flashed, and a male Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared at Shan Yue's side.

"Xing Shi, a descendant of the Xing family, greets Madam. May I ask what Madam needs from this junior?" he asked respectfully.

"Make me a copy of the 'Focused Spirit Stab'," Shan Yue ordered without room for negotiation.

Xing Shi's face filled with discomfort.

"Madam, according to family rules, to obtain the first level of the 'Focused Spirit Stab', one must complete a trial and refine an Earth Spirit Pill."

Shan Yue's brows furrowed in anger, and her sharp glare bore down on him. "Are you saying I should risk my life and head to the outer seas to slay tidal demons?"

Xing Shi stiffened and quickly replied, "This junior wouldn't dare! It's just that these are the rules of the family, and I dare not overstep them."

Shan Yue shot him a cold glance, her gaze full of impatience.

"Just copy the technique. I'll take full responsibility for any consequences."

Xing Shi was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

The family rules were strict, and he dared not violate them.

But Shan Yue's status was too high for him to offend.

"Why haven't you copied the technique yet? If worse comes to worst, I'll speak to my husband later and have him issue a decree to grant this exception," Shan Yue snapped sternly.

For other members of the Xing family, cultivating the first layer of the 'Focused Spirit Stab' required completing the family-mandated trial.

However, for Shan Yue, all it took was a few sweet words whispered to Xing Gaohan to get whatever she desired.

Rules were, after all, meant to restrain the weak.

Xing Shi hesitated for a long time but ultimately gritted his teeth and decided to copy the technique for Shan Yue.

"Madam, I hope you can quickly secure a decree from the family head. Otherwise, I cannot bear the responsibility for this."

"Understood. I'll take full responsibility for any consequences," Shan Yue replied impatiently.

After obtaining the jade slip for the first layer of the 'Concentration Piercing', she proceeded toward the fourth floor of the Transmission Hall.

"Madam, the copied jade slip cannot leave the Transmission Hall; it can only be studied within its premises," Xing Shi reminded her.

"Do you think I need a junior like you to tell me what to do?" Shan Yue retorted arrogantly, not even bothering to look back.

Between the third and fourth floors was a formation that blocked the passage.

Shan Yue was stopped by a shimmering light barrier radiating an array of colors. To pass through this barrier, one needed to possess the cultivation level of a Golden Core Realm.

"Who is in charge of the fourth floor? Come out and see me immediately!" Shan Yue shouted.

A mid-Golden Core stage male cultivator appeared at the entrance to the fourth floor.

"Madam, please return. The fourth floor is not a place where you can cause trouble," the male cultivator said flatly, barring Shan Yue's way.

He clearly knew what had happened on the third floor, but since it didn't concern him, he hadn't intervened.

Shan Yue glanced at the man, her eyes flashing with a hint of mockery.

She recognized him—his name was Xing Xian, a close associate of Xing Li Ren and a follower of Xing Gaohan's first wife, Jing Feiyao.

In the past, Shan Yue had relied on Xing Gaohan's favor and looked down on the need to win people over or build her own power base.

After last night's events, however, she realized the importance of having a force completely loyal to her.

Some matters couldn't be disclosed to Xing Gaohan, nor could she rely on him to resolve them.

"Xing Xian, don't be so quick to close the door on me," Shan Yue said.

As she spoke, she took out a jade token.

"The Merit Token!"

Xing Xian's brows furrowed deeply, and his tone carried a trace of surprise. He seemed incredulous that Shan Yue possessed such a token.

The Merit Token was only awarded to those who had rendered significant contributions to the Xing family.

With it, the bearer could choose any cultivation technique, claim rare spiritual materials, or exchange it directly for 500 top-grade spirit stones.

Shan Yue, who had always lived a life of luxury and leisure, was an unlikely candidate to possess such a token.

"Indeed, this is the Merit Token. With it, I believe I'm entitled to enter the fourth floor," Shan Yue said with a smug smile.

This Merit Token had been bestowed upon her by Xing Gaohan on the night she rose to prominence, as a gesture of his favor.

She had kept it unused for years, reluctant to part with it.

Now, forced into a corner by Song Wen, she had no choice but to bring it out.

"The Merit Token can only be used once. Madam, are you certain about this?" Xing Xian asked.

"Open the formation!" Shan Yue ordered in a low voice.

Xing Xian performed a series of hand seals, and the light barrier opened, allowing Shan Yue to ascend to the fourth floor.

(End of the Chapter)

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