Chapter 25: A Discussion of Martial Arts in the Forest of Ten Thousand Demons

After three days of taking the Essence Pills, Cao Yun’s cultivation reached the perfection of the seventh layer, just as Dai Wuyai had predicted, leaving him only a step away from the eighth.

"It is time to see what trick Dai Wuyai has up his sleeve," Cao Yun mused to himself. He stepped out of his cave dwelling and flew toward the Myriad Demon Pavilion on his magic tool.

With his current cultivation at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, his speed was quite impressive, and he soon arrived outside the main hall of the Myriad Demon Pavilion. A middle-aged scholar of about thirty was waiting there with a smile.

"Is this Brother Cao? The Pavilion Master has been expecting you for some time," the scholar greeted him warmly as soon as he saw him.

"Pavilion Master? Is the Pavilion Master you speak of Senior Brother Dai Wuyai?" Cao Yun asked, somewhat puzzled.

The scholar smiled slightly and replied, "Indeed. Senior Brother Dai is the master of our Myriad Demon Forest pavilion. Please, follow me, Brother Cao."

Guided by the scholar, Cao Yun crossed the lobby and ascended to the third floor. In the main hall, he found Dai Wuyai and Wu Jiao standing beside him.

Wu Jiao merely nodded at Cao Yun with a faint smile, remaining silent.

"Not bad. You have reached the perfection of the seventh layer of Qi Refining. It is a pity you are still a hair's breadth away from the eighth. It seems the reputation of the Five Elements Spirit Root as a 'waste root' holds true," Dai Wuyai remarked after sizing him up.

Cao Yun frowned. "Senior Brother Dai, it is time you told me why you gifted me those pills."

Dai Wuyai’s tone remained calm. "Naturally. That is why I summoned you. I have two tasks for you. The first is to participate in the decennial Myriad Demon Forest Martial Arts Tournament in half a month. As for the second, I will inform you once you return."

"The decennial Myriad Demon Forest Martial Arts Tournament?" Cao Yun looked at Dai Wuyai, full of confusion.

Dai Wuyai explained, "The Myriad Demon Forest is shared not only by our Heavenly Star Wolf Sect but also by six other major demonic sects. Every ten years, the seven sects hold a tournament to determine the distribution of territories within the forest. Over the past decade, the geniuses among the younger generation have either been snatched up by other pavilions or have entered the inner sect directly. Even those few outstanding disciples in our pavilion lack sufficient combat experience. With four slots to fill, you are the perfect candidate to fill the final vacancy."

Cao Yun was baffled. How could a newly inducted seventh-layer disciple be of any help? The sect was filled with deacons possessing profound techniques and cultivation levels at the eighth, ninth, or even tenth layers; why choose him?

Seeing the doubt on Cao Yun's face, Dai Wuyai continued, "You wonder why, with so many high-level deacons or even myself, I would choose a new seventh-layer disciple like you, right? To demonstrate their strength, the sects established specific rules for the tournament: participants must be under thirty and cannot exceed the Qi Refining stage. Since we are all members of demonic sects, there are no restrictions on the field; unless you concede, it is essentially a fight to the death. Do you understand my intent now?"

Cao Yun nodded slightly, realizing this was yet another request he could not refuse.

"Go back and prepare yourself. If you need anything, find Wu Jiao." Dai Wuyai glanced at Wu Jiao, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

Wu Jiao immediately bowed respectfully, appearing utterly submissive.

Seeing this, Dai Wuyai nodded slightly and walked toward the side of the hall, his figure gradually fading from view.

Wu Jiao turned to Cao Yun with a smile. "Should I call you Brother Cao, or should I address you as Junior Brother Cao?"

Cao Yun was speechless; Wu Jiao seemed to be intentionally preempting his words.

"It seems, Brother Wu, that you are the favored one beside Senior Brother Dai," Cao Yun remarked, a hint of undetectable sarcasm in his voice.

Wu Jiao seemed not to notice the irony, continuing with his own praise: "Tsk, tsk, Brother Cao, you truly are a marvel. No one has ever managed to enter the outer sect in just two years before. You are truly worthy of the name, Junior Brother Cao. With such talent, you will surely shine at the tournament and bring glory to our Heavenly Star Wolf Sect!"

"Brother Wu, let us set aside the flattery. Shall we talk about the bluestone powder?" Cao Yun’s expression turned cold, his gaze sharpening instantly as a palpable, killing intent erupted from his body.

Wu Jiao felt himself enveloped by an invisible murderous aura and couldn't help but shiver, his heart racing with alarm. Having dealt with Cao Yun for two years, he knew his character well; once this man truly wanted someone dead, no one could threaten him.

"Brother Cao, I was only following orders, I had no choice! Please, calm your anger," Wu Jiao pleaded hurriedly.

Cao Yun suddenly threw his head back and laughed. "Brother Wu, you misunderstand. I was merely testing how to integrate killing intent into my spiritual sense and releasing it to see the effect. It seems it works quite well."

Hearing this, Wu Jiao nearly fainted from frustration. Fortunately, Cao Yun did not seem to be dwelling on the bluestone powder incident, which allowed Wu Jiao to breathe a sigh of relief. He had no desire to be an enemy of a killer like Cao Yun.

"If it works, that is good, very good," Wu Jiao said, taking the opportunity to back down. "Let me show you around our Myriad Demon Pavilion properly."

"Then I shall trouble you, Brother Wu," Cao Yun said with a playful smile.

As they strolled together, they reached a spacious gatehouse. A sturdy young man suddenly appeared and said to Wu Jiao, "Brother Wu, what brings you to the Martial Arts Hall? Come, let’s have a spar!"

However, his eyes kept darting toward Cao Yun, making him feel quite uncomfortable.

"Forget it, Brother Huo. Everyone knows my combat ability in the Myriad Demon Pavilion is dead last. I am better at managing business for the Pavilion Master," Wu Jiao said, his expression changing as he laughed it off.

He then turned and pointed at Cao Yun. "This is our new initiate, Junior Brother Cao Yun. He has come from the Myriad Demon Forest and has been chosen by the Pavilion Master to participate in the tournament."

Upon hearing this, the young man’s voice rose as if he had been stepped on. "This is the Cao Yun from the Myriad Demon Forest?"

Cao Yun frowned slightly. "I am indeed Cao Yun." He could see that the young man was the type obsessed with martial arts. Given the question, he knew trouble was brewing.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, I have long heard of your reputation, Junior Brother Cao. I was planning to head to the Myriad Demon Forest to challenge you even before you joined the sect!" The young man named Huo looked exhilarated, as if he had encountered something truly thrilling.