Chapter 77: Triple Blessings Arrive

The Mountain-Crossing Demon King, in the end, refrained from pressing further. He curbed his curiosity and, wearing a calm expression, spoke of other matters. Man and demon conversed atop the Great Snowy Mountain through the entire night, and only when the sun rose on the following day did they part ways.

Not only did the other entrust Yue Sansi to Hongyun, but he also granted Hongyun a privilege that was nearly impossible to refuse: unrestricted access to all the treasured tomes housed within the Demi-Demon Kingdom.

Though the Demi-Demon Kingdom prized strength and military prowess, this applied only to those below. As for the highest-ranking demon marshal of this generation within the kingdom, such authority was indeed his. And this, for Hongyun in his current state, was an opportunity he could not turn away.

Unable to draw upon his own power, his only path forward was self-cultivation. He could faintly sense that the cultivation methods of this world were manipulated by some unseen force; at his current level, this perception had only grown sharper.

Moreover, his path had reached a dead end. If he did not seek another way, calamity would surely befall him. The method he originally cultivated was that of the Surging Moon Sect. Yet, that method led only as far as the Nirvana Realm; he knew nothing of the fundamental techniques for the subsequent Metamorphosis Realm.

Even if he did know them, they would not be of his own choosing. He wished to create a method of his own. The old ways were not necessarily weak, but a new path forged by his own hand would surely be stronger. There was no need for doubt—this was the pride and confidence of a primordial Golden Immortal.

Yet, regarding what exactly constituted the Metamorphosis Realm in this world, he did not yet understand. He needed reference. As the saying goes, when one is drowsy, a pillow comes their way; the Demon King’s gesture had done Hongyun a great favor.

For that, a night spent braving the icy winds atop the Great Snowy Mountain was a small price to pay.

He stood in place, watching the other’s figure gradually recede, forcing down his original impulse. Having entered the late stage of Nirvana and obtained a baleful treasure for the Metamorphosis stage, he had but one thought: to challenge a demon king of the Metamorphosis Realm. He also felt that, even if he could not win, he would at least be able to escape.

...

The Withering and Flourishing Baleful Soul Wandering Method required capturing the souls of nine peak Nirvana demons, imprisoning them, and using oneself as the primary soul. Through a special ritual, one would refine these souls, ultimately achieving a complete sublimation and transformation.

At most, nine avatars could be formed, each with power rivaling the Metamorphosis Realm. Each could substitute the user in death nine times, and as long as a wandering soul remained, the body would not die.

The drawback was that, during the refinement, one had to clearly distinguish between the primary and secondary souls, never forgetting which was the true self. If one forgot, it was easy to lose oneself completely and descend into madness...

The Gold-Devouring Stone Transformation Baleful Method required swallowing and refining various metallic baleful materials, assimilating their essence and gradually transforming one’s flesh into stone. By continuously absorbing the essence of the earth, one could achieve self-transcendence.

All of one’s strength could then be linked to the earth; as long as one stood upon it, one would be immovable as a mountain. Upon a mountain range, one’s power would double.

The drawback was that such overwhelming strength could cloud the mind, even reducing one’s intelligence...

...

Hongyun stood within the Snowbound Library for over ten days. During this time, he read at least a dozen cultivation methods for the Nirvana Realm—no, by now, he had perused several hundred volumes.

Through these days, he began to discern certain patterns.

All Nirvana-level methods were constructed around their strengths, each possessing its own subtle wonders. Yet, upon reaching the Metamorphosis stage—all the methods shared a common trait.

Cultivating these techniques was like treading on thin ice; a single misstep could plunge one into an entirely different realm.

Truthfully, he could not fathom why there was such a vast disparity between the Nirvana and Metamorphosis Realms. One thing, however, was clear: in this world, while Nirvana-level cultivators were numerous, those who had entered Metamorphosis were pitifully few.

He once again glanced through a basic Nirvana method, reaching out absently to take a book before him. The moment it touched his hand, his heart trembled—for as he touched the method, he faintly sensed a glimmer of moonlight energy.

He focused sharply, his eyes widening in surprise.

The Three Metamorphosis Methods of the Howling Moon Wolf Clan!

The first method: On the night of the ritual, one would use their own bloodline to connect with the moon above, draw symbols in blood, and imprint upon the soul, thus achieving sublimation and metamorphosis.

The second method: On the night of the ritual, by condensing a pool of blood under the dense aura of vitality, one could mirror the blood moon, let its light shine upon oneself, and thus ascend.

The third method: By collecting and slaying ten peak Nirvana cultivators of the Surging Moon Sect, or a hundred ordinary Nirvana cultivators, and offering their blood as a tribute to the bright moon, one could achieve transformation.

The second and third methods were interchangeable; the blood of Surging Moon Sect cultivators greatly enhanced the probability of the Howling Moon Wolf Clan undergoing metamorphosis!

Hongyun set the book down and gazed at the long shelves, lost in thought for a long time.

No wonder there was such deep enmity between the Surging Moon Sect and the Howling Moon Wolf Clan—so this was the reason.

Upon reflection, perhaps the earliest practitioners of the Surging Moon Sect’s arts were never meant to grow strong for their own sake, but rather to serve as a kind of medicine—a catalyst for breaking through to the Metamorphosis Realm.

As for how the Surging Moon Sect later rose to prominence, he did not yet know. But he did understand that the sect had not diminished the efficacy of their methods; on the contrary, they had developed related techniques.

Just as he, by practicing the Surging Moon Sect’s arts, could directly refine the baleful cores of the Howling Moon Wolf Clan.

Calming his thoughts, he read through all the methods available to him, and, having gained a general sense of his path forward, he departed.

He was now clear on how he would break through to the Metamorphosis Realm.

Upon leaving the Snowbound Library, he looked up to find the entire capital of the Demi-Demon Kingdom awash with joy—a scene that left him puzzled for a moment.

But then he understood.

Today was the grand birthday of Yue Lei, the Mountain-Crossing Demon King.

Indeed, both his refining and reading had occupied a full hundred days.

...

In this world, where lifespans were shorter, birthdays were cherished all the more. For ordinary cultivators, once half their lifespan had passed, every decade was celebrated as a grand birthday.

For those who had reached the Metamorphosis Realm, a true grand birthday was celebrated every sixty years.

Now, the capital city of the Demi-Demon Kingdom was festooned with lanterns and streamers. Countless demi-demons surged into the streets, and even the sight of cultivators flying hastily across the sky drew less awe than usual.

For the people, these were the happiest days.

In the grandest hall at the kingdom’s heart, all was resplendent in gold and jade. Three tall chairs stood at the head of the hall; two remained empty, each flanked by a smiling man, greeting every guest.

On the left sat Yue Lei, dressed in plain clothes, his face beaming as he looked at Chai Xiaoyue, seated beside him.

At last, his son was leaving home, giving him less cause for worry. He had finally taken in such an obedient disciple. And now, with the hall brimming with distinguished guests to celebrate his birthday—

Three joys coincided at once.