As if seeing through his doubts, Mo Yan smiled slightly.
He left the strange tree and walked up to Wang Fan, standing just three feet away.
A faint pressure, accompanied by the subtle scent of sandalwood mixed with blood on his body, permeated the air.
“As for the Wood element…” Mo Yan's smile faded slightly, his bright eyes darkening. “Among the Five Elements, Wood represents vitality. Righteous Cultivators use it for healing, or for cultivating spiritual herbs. It's gentle and honest, but also lacks strength.”
“But in my True Devil Sect, the Wood element chapter of the Flame Fire Art has completely different uses.”
“Vitality is also power. Lush life force can transform into the most resilient defense, the most bizarre restraints, and even…”
“Even, it can plunder and devour the vitality of others, turning it into one's own.”
Plunder! Devour!
These two words were like two poisoned daggers, instantly piercing through the facade of warmth, revealing the ferocious fangs beneath!
Wang Fan's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
Those children who were judged to have Low Grade Spiritual Roots and were dragged away crying.
Their fate was that of slave laborers, their lives left to chance.
But now, it seemed that the phrase “lives left to chance” might have a more cruel interpretation.
Would their vitality also become a “resource” for some people's cultivation?
This is the True Devil Sect!
Beneath the magnificent exterior, the interior is still the brutal jungle Law of the strong preying on the weak!
“The Fire element is overbearing, focused on killing, and progresses rapidly.”
“The Wood element is mysterious, focused on vitality, and can also plunder.”
“Cultivating both simultaneously, one rigid and one soft, one life and one death, seemingly contradictory, but in fact complementing each other.”
“However, while Fire and Wood give rise to each other, they also counteract each other.”
“The difficulty of simultaneously controlling these two extreme forces far exceeds normal people's imagination.”
“Once imbalanced, at best, Meridians will be in disarray and cultivation will be completely ruined; at worst, spiritual power will backfire, causing self-immolation, or being burst open by one's own vitality, turning into a puddle of flesh and blood.”
“Senior Brother, do you understand?”
The last four words, Mo Yan asked them with exceptional clarity, his gaze sharp as a knife, as if to pierce through Wang Fan.
This was not just an explanation, but a warning, a test.
Testing his character!
Testing his courage!
Testing his reaction to the true essence of the Demonic Path!
Wang Fan met Mo Yan's gaze, showing no ripple of emotion.
“Senior Brother understands.”
Fear? Retreat? Not possible!
Other people's lives, what do they have to do with me?
Mo Yan looked at him deeply, a hint of surprise flashing in the depths of his eyes, which then turned into an appreciative smile.
This kind of reaction was more like someone who could survive in this demonic Sect, and even thrive.
A born seed of the Demonic Path!
“Very good.” Mo Yan nodded, the smile on his face becoming genuinely warm and friendly again. “Senior Brother has exceptional talent and a steady character. Your future achievements are immeasurable.”
He took out a Jade Slip, a black token, and a small porcelain bottle from his storage bag and handed them to Wang Fan.
“This Jade Slip contains the complete cultivation method of the Flame Fire Art, from Qi Refining to Core Formation, everything is recorded. Senior Brother can study it on your own. This token is your identity token; with it, you can move around the Sect and receive your allowances. As for this bottle of pills…”
He picked up the small porcelain bottle, pulled out the stopper, and a strong scent of blood mixed with medicinal fragrance instantly filled the air, a hundred times stronger than the scent on Mo Yan earlier.
Inside the bottle were three blood-colored pills the size of pigeon eggs, with faint runes flowing on their surface.
“This is the Blood Coagulation Pill. It is made with the vital blood of demonic beasts and several types of medicinal herbs, and can help you quickly condense spiritual sense and enter the first layer of Qi Refining. Consider it a gift from me, Senior Brother, to you, Senior Brother.”
Mo Yan placed the porcelain bottle into Wang Fan's hand, his smile warm. “The first time drawing qi into the body is the most crucial and also the most dangerous. With the help of this pill, you can achieve twice the result with half the effort.”
Wang Fan took the three items, feeling the coolness in his hands.
The Jade Slip was smooth, the token was heavy, and the pills in the porcelain bottle emitted an aura that made him instinctively uncomfortable.
Quickly condense spiritual sense?
Demonic beast vital blood?
Yin-cold spiritual herbs?
He was almost certain that this Blood Coagulation Pill was by no means a gentle auxiliary pill. It was likely a very overbearing method, possibly with hidden dangers, used to forcibly increase cultivation.
“Thank you, Senior Brother.” Wang Fan put the items away without a sound.
Senior Brother Mo Yan was definitely not as amiable as he appeared on the surface; perhaps there were other deeper meanings.
Mo Yan seemed very satisfied with his reaction and instructed further, “The path of cultivation is not just about arduous training. Combining work and rest is the long-term way. Within the Sect, there are places like the Scripture Hall, Artifact Refining Pavilion, Pill Room, and Mission Hall. Senior Brother can go there on your own with your identity token in the future.”
“Of course, the most important thing is your own comprehension and accumulation.” Mo Yan changed the subject, with the tone of guidance from a superior. “If you encounter any difficulties in cultivation, you must not ponder on your own, lest you go astray.”
He extended a finger. “On the first day of every month, you can come to my residence, the Tranquil Heart Hall, to find me once. Whatever questions you have, I, your Senior Brother, will answer without reservation.”
One opportunity to ask questions each month.
This seemed like preferential treatment, like care.
But Wang Fan knew in his heart that this was also a form of surveillance, a form of control.
Through the monthly exchange, Mo Yan could clearly grasp his cultivation progress, the Bottlenecks he encountered, and even his thoughts.
This seemingly gentle Senior Brother was meticulous in thought and seasoned in methods. He was definitely not someone to be trifled with.
“I've noted it.” Wang Fan lowered his head slightly.
“Alright, that's pretty much everything that needs to be explained.” Mo Yan clapped his hands, the smile on his face becoming a bit more genuine. “Senior Brother is new here, so first get familiar with the environment, stabilize your mind, and then try to draw qi into your body.”
“Remember, haste makes waste, especially with the Fire and Wood Dual Cultivation of the Flame Fire Art. You need to proceed step by step and not be greedy for quick success.”
He looked around the courtyard again and added, “The Restrictions here, besides you, me, and our esteemed Master, no one else can enter without permission. If any servants come, they will only wait outside the courtyard. Senior Brother can Cultivate here in peace.”
The implication was that this place was absolutely safe and also absolutely isolated from the outside world.
“Senior Brother, take care.” Wang Fan said.
Mo Yan gave him one last deep look, his eyes complex and difficult to decipher, seemingly with expectation, and also with scrutiny, finally turning into a gentle arc, then turning around and drifting away.
It wasn't until Mo Yan's figure completely disappeared outside the courtyard gate that the faint pressure also dissipated.
Wang Fan stood there in silence for a long time.
He walked to the strange tree with blood-red leaves, extended a finger, and lightly touched it.
It was cold and smooth, and a faint tingling sensation came from his fingertip.
Jingmu Residence.
Beneath the elegant exterior, the essence of the demonic Sect was hidden.
He walked into the dark purple pavilion.
The interior layout was also simple and elegant. The first floor had a hall for receiving guests and a quiet room for cultivation, and the second floor was the bedroom.
The spiritual energy in the air was richer than in the courtyard; the effect of the spirit gathering array was evident.
Wang Fan did not immediately go to examine the cultivation method in the Jade Slip, nor did he touch the bottle of Blood Coagulation Pills that emitted a bloody smell.
He walked to the center of the quiet room, sat down cross-legged, and closed his eyes.
In his mind, he recalled everything that had happened today.
The humiliation of being sold, the shock during the Spiritual Root test, the unexpected becoming a True Disciple, and the first contact with Mo Yan.
Every scene, every word, every detail, was repeatedly analyzed and chewed over under his cold rationality.
Two taels of silver bought out his past.
Supreme-grade Spiritual Roots determined his present.
And the future…
Mo Yan's words echoed in his ears like a magic spell.
“Plundering vitality…”
“Fire and water are incompatible, life and death counteract each other…”
“At best, cultivation is completely ruined, at worst, turning into flesh and blood…”
“Come to Tranquil Heart Hall to find me on the first day of every month…”
True Devil Sect, True Disciple, Core Formation Master, Foundation Establishment stage, and the scheming Senior Brother…
This was not a blessed land of immortals, but a man-eating demonic den!
He, Wang Fan, had just stepped into this demonic den. He was a talented individual, but also a potentially more dangerous “prey” or “pawn” because of it.
To survive, to escape the fate of a “commodity”, talent alone was far from enough.
He also needed… power! Absolute power!
And, a mind more profound than a devil's.