Chapter 30: A Discussion of Martial Arts in the Myriad Demon Forest

To ensure there were no oversights, Cao Yun aimed at the cave entrance once more and unleashed several fire-bomb spells in quick succession. After the echoes of the explosions faded, the cave remained as silent as before, showing no signs of activity.

Seeing this, Cao Yun decided not to linger and resolved to head toward the next area frequented by high-level demonic beasts.

He had no intention of entering the cave. Given the complex environment inside, if that White-Lined Beast possessed superior intelligence or had undergone some mutation, its strength would far exceed what it once was. Rashly charging in would likely lead to an ambush; it was far wiser to engage it on favorable terrain.

Just as Cao Yun was about to turn and leave, a robust White-Lined Beast came sprinting from the distance, a sika deer clamped firmly in its jaws.

Cao Yun shook his head slightly, sighing inwardly: Your life, it seems, cannot escape this calamity today.

He tapped his storage bag, and a row of grain-sized, flame-wreathed Fire-Soul Needles instantly materialized above his head. With a flick of his sword-fingers, the needles shot toward the beast like a swarm of angry wasps.

"Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft." The needles submerged completely into the beast's body.

In an instant, Cao Yun raised his fingers, and the needles—which had been the size of grains—suddenly expanded into full-length spikes, tearing through the beast's insides under his precise control.

The White-Lined Beast let out a shrill, mournful howl and rolled frantically on the ground, smashing nearby rocks and trees until, moments later, it collapsed, limp and lifeless, with blood oozing from its seven orifices.

Seeing this, Cao Yun waved his hand, and the needles flew out from the beast’s body, trailing a brilliant mist of blood that dissipated into the air.

Watching this, Cao Yun was disappointed. He had expected that the needles would struggle to pierce the beast's hide and that he would need to unleash his trump cards to secure a kill. He had not expected this intermediate-high-grade magical artifact to be so devastating, killing the beast in a single strike.

After stowing the beast's carcass into his storage bag, Cao Yun continued his search for high-level prey.

Several days later, on Tianzhu Peak, Dai Wuya and his group stood outside Cao Yun’s dwelling. Looking at the empty cave, a murderous glint flashed in Dai Wuya’s eyes. The surrounding air grew turbulent from his killing intent, causing pebbles to scatter. Everyone else held their breath, not daring to move an inch.

Just as Dai Wuya’s anger began to flare, a streak of light sped toward them from the distance. Seeing this, Dai Wuya slowly reined in his murderous aura.

He had intended to punish Cao Yun the moment he landed, but seeing him covered in blood, his eyes brimming with a sharp, lethal intent, he could not help but feel suspicious, wondering what exactly the boy had encountered.

"Apologies, Seniors, for keeping you waiting," Cao Yun called out while still in mid-air.

"Cao Yun, have you forgotten that the Martial Arts Tournament in the Ten Thousand Demon Forest is tomorrow?" The moment Cao Yun touched the ground, Dai Wuya’s questioning voice followed like a shadow.

"My apologies, Senior Brother Dai," Cao Yun explained. "I intended to return from the forest yesterday, but I encountered a Foundation Establishment-stage beast on the way. I was locked in a fierce battle with it throughout the night, which is why I am late."

Hearing this, everyone turned their eyes toward the blood-stained Cao Yun. For an outer-sect disciple at the seventh layer of Qi Refining to battle a Foundation Establishment beast—the claim sounded rather arrogant.

Dai Wuya found it even harder to believe. He himself was at the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage; he understood better than anyone the vast gap in power between the two realms.

However, Cao Yun ignored their gazes and walked into his dwelling, saying, "Please wait a moment, Seniors. I need to change my clothes."

Although Cao Yun had lost one main needle and six secondary needles in the skirmish, he had gained an understanding of the strength of an early-stage Foundation Establishment beast. By this standard, he felt that even if he encountered a human cultivator at the early Foundation Establishment stage, while he might not win, escaping would be well within his capabilities. If the opponent were careless, he might even be able to kill them.

As he stepped into the cave, a mouthful of blood spilled from his lips. Yet, he smiled faintly, thinking: That Foundation Establishment beast in the Ten Thousand Demon Forest should be suffering from the backlash of the Black Vine Snake venom right about now.

After changing his clothes and freshening up, Cao Yun stepped out. By then, the group was already standing on Dai Wuya’s white jade skiff. Dai Wuya spoke coldly: "Get on." Before the words faded, Cao Yun moved like a streak of light, leaping onto the skiff with effortless grace and standing as steady as a mountain.

On the boat, six people stood side by side. Aside from Dai Wuya, Zhao Wuji, and the visibly awkward Huo Qingyun, there were two young men and women in outer-sect robes whom Cao Yun had never met. In an instant, he used his spiritual sense to perceive that both were at the peak of the eighth layer of Qi Refining. The man, Cao Chong, had a guileless, warm smile like the spring sun; the woman, Huang Rufeng, was stunningly beautiful, though her brow carried a cold, distant air.

"Junior Brother Cao, sharing the same surname makes me feel a sense of kinship," Cao Chong’s voice was plain and friendly, breaking the initial awkwardness.

"Huang Rufeng," the woman replied concisely, her voice cold yet with a hint of subtle softness.

Cao Yun bowed slightly: "Greetings, Senior Brother Cao, Senior Sister Huang."

"Hey, Junior Brother Cao, you aren't as unapproachable as the rumors say," Cao Chong chuckled, his eyes darting toward Huo Qingyun with a hint of mischief. The latter gave an awkward smile and quickly changed the subject: "Junior Brother Cao, I heard you encountered a Foundation Establishment beast in the forest. Are you alright?"

"I am fine, thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Huo," Cao Yun replied, his expression calm and collected.

"Junior Brother Cao, could you tell us about your experience in the Ten Thousand Demon Forest?" Cao Chong’s curiosity was piqued, his face full of anticipation.

Thus, Cao Yun began to recount the thrilling ordeal: from his initial entry into the forest and the successive hunting of high-level Qi Refining beasts, to his mastery of his new artifacts, and finally, the sudden pursuit by the Foundation Establishment beast on his way back. He spoke briefly of maneuvering around the beast until it was caught off guard and severely wounded, allowing him to escape.

The group listened in awe, staring at each other in disbelief. Zhao Wuji looked repeatedly at Dai Wuya, as if seeking confirmation. Dai Wuya, however, remained calm, steering the skiff across the endless mountain ranges with such breathtaking speed that it was far beyond what a Qi Refining cultivator like Cao Yun could hope to achieve.

On the boat, Cao Yun sat cross-legged, holding a spirit stone and silently recovering his depleted mana. After a night of travel, as the morning light emerged, the skiff finally reached its destination: the Motuo Sect, a powerful organization located on the southwestern edge of the Ten Thousand Demon Forest and one of the six great demonic sects.

The Motuo Sect, the top-ranked sect from the previous Martial Arts Tournament, possessed an imposing presence. Its architecture was unique, shrouded in demonic energy that inspired awe. Their secret technique, "Motuo Vajra," was famous throughout the Tianbei Immortal Cultivation World. The slogan, "Lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha instantly," drew righteous cultivators to defect to their side in droves, while simultaneously sparking ripples of internal tension within the Motuo Sect.

The disciples of the Motuo Sect had varied interpretations of this slogan. Some saw it as motivation for their cultivation, while others felt resentment: why was it that righteous cultivators could step into the demonic path with a single thought and enjoy supreme glory, while those born into the demonic path had to endure countless hardships before they could glimpse the dawn of true mastery? This perceived injustice left the disciples of the Motuo Sect caught between helplessness and rage on their path of cultivation.