Chapter Twenty-Five: The Celestial Demon Body Refinement Technique (Part Two)

“Fairy, please don’t be angry. For my own safety, and so that I might one day see the world beyond, I promise I won’t slack off. Rest assured,” Ji Mo blurted out, frightened that she had truly angered the Peony Fairy, hastening to declare her resolve. Ah, peonies are hailed as the king of all flowers, the most beautiful bloom in the world—so why was the temper of the peony spirit residing in her own mind so fearsome and violent? Ji Mo could not help but lament inwardly.

“My temper is none of your concern. In any case, if you ever dare to fool me, lazing about and putting in no real effort, refusing to cultivate, I promise you’ll regret it,” the Peony Fairy coldly glared at her, having sensed Ji Mo’s inner sighs. She curled up in a corner, closed her eyes, and looked as if she had no intention of speaking further.

Resigned, Ji Mo rolled her eyes and pulled her thoughts back to the matter at hand, opening the second page of the Heavenly Demon Body-Tempering Scripture. This page contained a brief synopsis: In ancient times, the great demons were born at the dawn of creation itself, birthed from primordial chaos. They came into being already possessed of supernatural power, bodies impervious to water and fire, unyielding to countless tribulations. With might enough to move mountains and rivers, to pierce the void, each one was a being of world-shaking power.

Later, when heaven and earth separated and myriad races flourished, the proliferation of living beings gave rise to cataclysmic wars between the races. The ancient powers of every kindred slaughtered one another and fell one by one. Among them, the ancient powers of the Witch and Demon clans were nearly wiped out, and both tribes gradually declined. Countless eras passed until a new demon emperor, Jiu Xuan—born of the blended bloodlines of both the Witch and Demon clans—rose to power, utterly changing the course of history.

After the rise of the Demon Emperor Jiu Xuan, he swept across the heavens and myriad worlds, meeting no worthy adversary. By sheer strength, he silenced all those who sought to carve up the two clans and forced them back behind their own borders. Taking command of both the Witch and Demon tribes, he drew on the bloodline memories of both clans and his own insights to create a body-tempering method suited to both: the Heavenly Demon Body-Tempering Scripture.

This scripture, composed from the very heart and soul of Jiu Xuan, became the foremost body-tempering technique of the Demon clan. It is divided into twelve layers. To master the first nine is to have a place of renown among the heavens and myriad worlds; to reach the tenth is to roam unchallenged, earning the title of Heavenly Demon. As for the final two layers, they are beyond mere diligence or exceptional talent—they require the cultivator to forge their own path...

How incredible! This was Ji Mo’s first thought upon finishing the introduction. Even someone as unambitious and indifferent as herself could not help but feel her blood race at these words. Yet the scripture stated plainly that it was only suitable for those of Demon or Witch blood. She was human—how could she possibly practice it?

“The Witch clan, over countless ages, split into two branches. One fused its bloodline with the Demons, becoming one with them; the other mingled with humans and became part of humanity. Those human-born descendants of the Witch clan who cannot awaken their blood have no difference from ordinary people. If they can cultivate, why can’t you?” No sooner had Ji Mo’s doubts arisen than the Peony Fairy’s voice sounded again.

“Peony Fairy, since you once possessed such a formidable technique, even if you couldn’t practice it yourself, couldn’t you have passed it to a worthy successor? Why end up like this?” Ji Mo’s thoughts shifted at her words, and she stabbed mercilessly at the Peony Fairy’s wounded spirit.

“You? The Heavenly Demon Body-Tempering Scripture was created by the Demon Emperor Jiu Xuan. It is the most supreme body-refining art of the Demon clan. Do you think just anyone can master it?” The Peony Fairy nearly ground her nonexistent silver teeth to dust, barely restraining the urge to strike Ji Mo dead on the spot.

“Oh, so to train in the Heavenly Demon Body-Tempering Scripture, you need not only Demon or Witch blood, but also outstanding talent, right? But even so, across the myriad worlds, surely many meet those requirements?” Ji Mo still failed to grasp the crux of the matter.

The Peony Fairy merely snorted and refrained from answering. Seeing her unwilling, Ji Mo furrowed her brow in thought, then continued, “You keep forcing me to cultivate this scripture—does that mean I not only have extraordinary spiritual talent, but also possess Witch blood?”

The Peony Fairy turned away, refusing to respond. Ji Mo closed the scripture and shook her head, saying, “No, this won’t do. My parents warned me many times when I was young: no matter how lucky a person is, they cannot hoard all the blessings of heaven and earth, or else retribution will fall. I cannot practice this method.”

“If you dare not cultivate, I’ll kill you right now!” The Peony Fairy finally lost control, leaping to Ji Mo’s side and grabbing her soul, her face twisted with rage.

“Go ahead and kill me. If I don’t die now, you’ll kill me later. Sooner or later, it’s the same. I’d rather die by your hand now,” Ji Mo offered no resistance, simply closing her eyes with a stubborn resolve.

“You—what will it take for you to practice?” The Peony Fairy trembled with anger, but did not dare to truly strangle Ji Mo—after all, if Ji Mo died, she herself would be obliterated. Unless absolutely forced, she would never do such a thing, and Ji Mo knew it well, which was why she dared act so recklessly. The Peony Fairy understood, but was powerless to do anything about it.

“Just tell me the truth. Why are you so desperate for me to practice the Heavenly Demon Body-Tempering Scripture? What are the risks? Once you’ve told me everything, I’ll weigh it all and decide whether to cultivate or not.” Ji Mo opened her eyes, seizing the conversation, her tone as sly as a fox and sure to set one’s teeth on edge.

Well played, Ji Mo! If I ever regain a physical form, I’ll make you suffer so much you’ll wish for death, the Peony Fairy cursed bitterly in her heart, but could only reply aloud, “It’s not so much that I’m forcing you to practice as that the scripture itself chose you.”

“It chose me? What do you mean?” Ji Mo asked in surprise.

“The Heavenly Demon Body-Tempering Scripture is the highest art of the Demon clan. Even I, a fairy of the Jade Pool in the Heavenly Realm, could never have obtained it by my own merit. Back when I was fleeing for my life, my soul about to be scattered, a single wisp managed to escape the heavens and drift through countless layers of the void. As I grew weaker and was on the verge of fading away entirely, this book suddenly appeared. As soon as it did, it forcibly drew my soul into itself.”

“Then it carried me all the way to your world, entered your mind, and once it was there, I found my soul—weak as it was—beginning to regain substance. That’s why I say it wasn’t me forcing you to cultivate, but rather that the book itself chose you,” said the Peony Fairy.

Ji Mo was stunned. As a child not yet nine years old, the information the Peony Fairy had just imparted was already beyond the limits of her understanding. She could not help but question who she truly was, who her parents really were, and why so many strange and inscrutable events kept happening to her.