The middle-aged man led the way, his steps hurried, as if afraid of disturbing something.
The deeper they went, the more the surrounding scenery changed.
It was no longer the rough, chaotic architecture of the outer area, but instead exquisite palaces hidden among the mountains and forests, with flying eaves and upturned corners, magnificent and imposing, yet also exuding a chilling demonic Aura.
The spiritual energy in the air was much richer, and also more biting. The invisible pressure made it difficult to breathe.
Occasionally, one or two Disciples wearing the same dark black tight-fitting clothes passed by, but when they saw the middle-aged man and Wang Fan behind him, they only bowed from a distance.
The hierarchy here seemed even more rigid.
Wang Fan silently followed, scanning the surroundings.
He could feel that this area was enveloped by an invisible barrier, isolated from the outside world.
Finally, the middle-aged man stopped in front of a palace located halfway up the mountain, shrouded in thick black mist.
This palace was not the largest, but it was the most secluded. There were no guards at the entrance, only two ferocious-looking stone beasts, emanating a fierce Aura as if they were alive.
"We're here. Wait here, I'll go inform them," the middle-aged man said obsequiously.
He stepped forward alone, bowed to the tightly shut palace door, and whispered something.
The palace door silently opened a crack, and the middle-aged man slipped inside.
Wang Fan stood in place, looking at the slowly closing palace door and the bottomless darkness behind it, his face expressionless.
His heart remained as still as an ancient well.
What difference did it make to him whether it was a dragon's pool or a tiger's den ahead?
It was just moving from one cage to another, possibly larger, possibly more dangerous, cage.
A moment later, the palace door opened again.
The middle-aged man walked out and beckoned to Wang Fan: "Come in."
Wang Fan stepped through the palace door.
The light inside the palace was dim, with only a few luminous pearls emitting a faint green glow embedded in the walls, barely providing visibility.
A faint scent of sandalwood permeated the air, mixed with a subtle hint of blood.
The center of the main hall was empty and deserted.
Only at the head position was there a large black wooden chair.
A figure slowly walked out from the shadows on the side.
The person wore a moon-white robe, which seemed somewhat out of place in the gloomy surroundings.
He appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a handsome and gentle face, and a faint smile on his lips.
If not for being in the heart of this True Devil Sect, Wang Fan would have almost thought he had met a refined Young Master from a famous righteous Sect.
"You are Wang Fan?" the man spoke, his voice like a spring breeze.
Wang Fan looked up and met his gaze.
His gaze was gentle, yet it seemed to carry hooks, as if wanting to probe into the deepest part of his heart.
"Yes," Wang Fan calmed his mind.
"Supreme Grade Fire and Wood Dual Spiritual Roots, not bad, very good," the man smiled and nodded, his gaze lingering on Wang Fan, as if appreciating a rare treasure. "My Master is currently in seclusion, but He is very interested in your matter."
Master?
Wang Fan's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained calm.
"I forgot to introduce myself," the man said with a hint of annoyance, his smile still present. "I am Mo Yan, the head True Disciple under Master, currently handling some affairs on His behalf. From today onwards, you will be the third True Disciple under True Devil Sect's Core Formation Elder, Wu Daoren."
Mo Yan's gaze swept over the middle-aged man standing respectfully beside him: "You may withdraw."
"Yes, Senior Brother!" The middle-aged man looked as if he had been granted a great pardon, bowed respectfully, and quickly retreated from the main hall.
Only Wang Fan and the white-robed man who called himself Mo Yan remained in the main hall.
"Master Wu Daoren is at the Core Formation Mid Stage cultivation level and is in perennial seclusion, rarely showing Himself," Mo Yan slowly walked up to Wang Fan. "I, Mo Yan, am at the Foundation Establishment Peak. From now on, you can call me Senior Brother."
He extended his hand, as if wanting to pat Wang Fan's shoulder, but stopped halfway and just smiled: "Master has already bestowed a Cultivation Technique, the Flame Fire Art, which directly points to the Core Formation path. Someone will deliver it to your residence shortly."
Wang Fan looked at him without speaking.
Senior Brother... Foundation Establishment Peak... Wu Daoren... Core Formation Mid Stage...
Information quickly combined and analyzed in his mind.
This seemingly gentle Senior Brother's cultivation was far beyond those Outer Sect Disciples, possibly even stronger than the middle-aged man from before. And that Master who had never shown Himself was a great power at the Core Formation stage.
The status of a True Disciple was clearly far above that of the Outer Sect!
"No need to be nervous," Mo Yan seemed to see through his thoughts, his smile deepening. "Once you enter Master's lineage, you are one of us. From now on, just Cultivate with peace of mind."
He turned around and walked towards the outside of the hall: "Come with me, I'll take you to get settled first."
Wang Fan silently followed.
Just be cautious in words and actions.
Passing through the deep hall, there was a different world behind it, an elegant courtyard.
The spiritual energy was richer and purer than outside.
"This is Senior Brother's residence."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Wang Fan followed Mo Yan into the courtyard.
The bluestone path was winding and curved, with some strange flowers and plants planted on both sides.
In the center of the courtyard was a two-story wooden pavilion with flying eaves and upturned corners, carved beams and painted rafters. The pavilion was surrounded by a faint halo, isolating it from the noise and prying eyes of the outside world.
Jingmu Residence
"This place is called 'Jingmu Residence', and from now on, it will be Senior Brother's place of quiet cultivation."
"This place is equipped with basic spirit gathering arrays and defensive Restrictions to ensure Senior Brother is not disturbed during cultivation. Daily necessities will be delivered by servants on time, you just need to Cultivate with peace of mind."
Wang Fan's gaze swept over the strange plants, then fell on the pavilion.
Jingmu, Jing is the remnant of fire, Mu is the root of life. This name is quite compatible with his Spiritual Root attributes.
However, he didn't know if it was a coincidence or intentional.
"Thank you, Senior Brother, for the arrangements," Wang Fan replied respectfully, his tone not revealing joy or anger.
Mo Yan didn't mind his indifference, instead looking at him with interest.
"Senior Brother, no need to be polite. You possess Supreme Grade Fire and Wood Dual Spiritual Roots, a rare talent unseen in the Sect for hundreds of years. Master has high expectations for you, and we, as Senior Brothers, should naturally take care of you."
He paused, then changed the subject, getting to the point:
"The Flame Fire Art bestowed by Master is a high-grade Cultivation Technique that directly points to the Core Formation path, as Senior Brother must already know. However, although the technique is good, the path of cultivation requires steady progress, especially since Senior Brother's Spiritual Roots are special, requiring even more caution."
Wang Fan listened quietly, his eyes slightly narrowed.
Mo Yan paced to a strange tree with blood-like leaves, reaching out to gently stroke the cold, smooth leaf surface.
"The Flame Fire Art emphasizes the word 'Flame'. The spiritual energy cultivated is extremely yang and rigid, capable of burning mountains and boiling seas, with infinite power. Driven by Senior Brother's Supreme Grade Fire Spiritual Root, the initial progress will surely be rapid, far exceeding ordinary people."
He turned his head to look at Wang Fan, his smile still gentle, but a sharp glint flashed in the depths of his eyes: "But, does Senior Brother know why most of the True Devil Sect's Cultivation Techniques emphasize 'speed' and 'domineering'?"
Wang Fan was silent. As a 'commodity' who had just been sold into the True Devil Sect, he naturally had no way of knowing.
Mo Yan didn't need his answer and continued on his own: "Because we devil cultivators contend with heaven, contend with earth, and contend with people! Resources are limited, Lifespan is finite. One step slower, and you might be trampled underfoot and turn into dry bones. Therefore, the Cultivation Techniques must be sharp, and cultivation must be rapid!"
"The Fire Element chapter of the Flame Fire Art was born for this purpose. It can maximize the potential of your Fire Spiritual Root, allowing you to condense spiritual energy and break through Realms in the shortest possible time. Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, for you, may not be difficult."
Wang Fan keenly caught the unspoken meaning in Mo Yan's words.
He only mentioned the Fire Element chapter, what about the Wood Element?