Chapter 9 Demon Refining Hall

"Such a temper, still thinking of obtaining the Nourishing God Pill to recover your cultivation? You really think too highly of yourself."

Zhou Yunyi spoke indifferently, "With Sect Master Lin's methods, would he give him the chance to reach Refining God again and become a threat? He's heading to Huayin County to take on the title of elder. Just crush him with one hand, and no one will ask any more questions."

"Others are not clear about Gu Jinlai's situation, but we know it very well. Yellow Sky Sect has suffered a huge loss at his hands. Should we tell Yellow Sky Sect about this?"

A sharp-looking young man in his twenties whispered, "If Yellow Sky Sect fights him and both suffer, we can establish our position in Changjun City more easily and owe Sect Master Lin a favor. Two birds with one stone."

"There's no point. Whether it's Yellow Sky Sect or Zhengyi Dao, they are not on the same path as us. They will only believe what they see with their own eyes."

Having said this, Zhou Yunyi turned towards the building complex of the Purgatory Sect's residence, "By taking charge of Changjun City, I've already built the stage for you all. Whether you can stand out and make a name for yourselves is up to you now."

Several people behind him bowed at the same time, solemnly responding, "We understand."

...

Gu Jinlai did not stay long, packing up with Su Nanxing before leaving the residence of the Purgatory Sect.

"Master, please give the order."

Su Nanxing, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

"Give the order? What do you mean?"

"I'll go kill him."

Su Nanxing said solemnly.

"You can't kill him."

"To insult Master is to insult me!"

"To feel shame is to be brave. Focus on your cultivation and reach Refining God as soon as possible."

Gu Jinlai glanced at him, "Besides, even if you could kill him, wouldn't that be blatantly telling the Purgatory Sect that it was us who did it?"

"There have been devils causing chaos in Changjun City recently, devouring people at night."

"Devils?"

Gu Jinlai had left Changjun City for over ten days and had only returned for one day, having not received this news yet.

"Are they devils or great demons?"

"The strongest among the victims was at the Gang Condensation level."

"Too weak."

As Gu Jinlai said this, his mind stirred, "Let's go to the Demon Refining Hall."

...

Since ancient times, there have been rumors of the Demon Realm.

In the Demon Realm, demon spirits consume the spiritual wisdom, souls, and lives of sentient beings, harming human life.

However, because demon spirits fear the fierce sun and seldom appear during the day, and as they lack flesh and blood bodies to protect them, making them vulnerable to the Refining God Secret Technique, under the hunt of Heavenly Master Lineage specializing in the cultivation of the Primordial Spirit, demon spirits have never been a significant threat.

Yet a hundred years ago, as rifts in the Demon Realm increased and the number of demon spirits surged, they merged with natural world's fierce beasts and vicious beasts, obtaining bodies and greatly increased resistance to Refining God Secret Techniques. Since then, they have brazenly run amok day and night, slaughtering Heavenly Masters and wreaking havoc across the world.

The Daqian Dynasty made an urgent decision, labeling all beasts merged with demon spirits as devils and establishing the Demon Refining Hall, rewarding the good and punishing the evil with the Dao Artifact, Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map, and summoned cultivators from all over to slay devils and refine demons, attempting to turn the tide.

However, the bodies of vicious beasts are naturally strong. Previously, they were mindless, following only their primal instincts, thus posing no threat to humanity's dominance, but as demon spirits merged into them, turning them into devils and tempering their bodies, their inherent advantages made the devils increasingly powerful. In just a hundred years, the Heavenly Master Lineage was nearly eradicated.

Since then, the world has been in chaos, demons rampant, and Daqian, except for the core Fourteen States, could barely manage, forcing the State Governors to recruit soldiers and hunt devils to protect their land and people.

Under this influence, the power of the State Governors surged, and the Ten Great Demon Sects and Six Great Immortal Sects emerged, ruling their respective territories.

The hastily established and varied Demon Refining Halls in each city gradually became independent, wielding the power of the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map and becoming major forces.

...

The Demon Refining Hall of Changjun City consists of six halls and twelve courtyards, closely connected with each other, separated by red walls and green trees to maintain secrecy.

At this time, a middle-aged man was leading Gu Jinlai and Su Nanxing towards the main hall.

"Elder Gu's decision to join our Demon Refining Hall is wise beyond measure. Our hall has long lacked such talent as you."

"In these chaotic times plagued by devils, as part of the Cultivation World, it's my duty to slay devils and exorcise demons, contributing to the world's peace and stability."

Gu Jinlai nodded.

This remark, however, elicited a strange glance from the steward leading the way.

It seemed that the phrase "slaying devils and eliminating demons" sounded incredibly awkward coming from his mouth.

The two passed by a white jade square bustling with noise and excitement.

There, some gathered together for martial contests and teaching skills, creating a lively atmosphere.

"In today's world, in order to protect themselves, everyone practices martial arts. However, the common people spend twenty or thirty years toughening their bodies, merely refining their organs and exchanging blood. If they wish to access the True Qi Refining teachings, they must join a sect or enlist in the military. But aren't both paths essentially dedicating one's life to others?"

The steward guiding him said with some pride, "On the contrary, our Demon Refining Hall merely requires slaying devils and achieving merits to report to the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map, which can grant cultivation techniques, elixirs, and even divine weapons. Although dangerous, one's fate lies in their own hands. In recent years, the number of cultivators joining our Demon Refining Hall has been on the rise, with no shortage of those who have reached Gang Condensation and Hugging Pill."

Gu Jinlai had come precisely for this reason.

The Daqian's states were divided into Upper, Central, and Lower States.

Despite a century of neglect in the administration of the states, with some Lower and Central States developing by leaps and bounds, Star State, as one of the Four Major Upper States, had always been prosperous.

While the Purgatory Sect, Cold Moon Sect, Yellow Sky Sect, and Zhengyi Dao in Changjun City were at each other's throats, none dared to cross the red line of the City Lord Mansion and Demon Refining Hall and bring chaos inside the city.

The City Lord Mansion and Demon Refining Hall were the true overlords of Changjun City.

Just the Demon Refining Hall alone boasted three Refining God giants and maintained constant contact with other city's Demon Refining Halls, making it a behemoth even across Star State.

Not to mention that Star State was still barely under the control of the State Governor, even the Purgatory Sect, which occupied Red State, would not dare to easily offend the institution of the Demon Refining Hall.

The persistent suppression from Lin Xiao of the Purgatory Sect was more than he could handle.

But if he couldn't fight back, he could still avoid it.

Just as he wanted to turn over a new leaf and make an honest living, joining the Demon Refining Hall seemed to be a good choice.

...

Gu Jinlai was originally an elder of Refining God from the Purgatory Demon Sect, and the person responsible for receiving him was Vice Hall Master Zhang Xiu.

A true Refining God giant.

Palace Master Zhang revealed a look of surprise when he saw Gu Jinlai.

After examining him thoroughly, he asked, "Elder Gu... your condition doesn't seem good?"

"If I tell Palace Master Zhang that I have realized the harm of the Six Desires Demon Skill and voluntarily dissolved my cultivation technique, would Palace Master Zhang believe me?"

Gu Jinlai sincerely said.

"Hehe."

Zhang Xiu laughed emotionlessly, not asking further, "Do you wish to exchange for the Nourishing God Pill? Just accumulate the merit of slaying three Upper Demons, and the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map can refine the elixir for you."

"I certainly believe in the magic of the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map,"

said Gu Jinlai.

A Dao Artifact, forged from innate materials, with Dao Patterns emerging from within, possesses incredible abilities.

The Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map is divided into three main charts and three hundred and sixty subcharts. As long as someone achieves a great deed and reports it through a subchart to the main chart, the main chart can mobilize the divine and bestow elixirs and supreme treasures.

Zhang Xiu took out a jade talisman engraved with mountains and rivers and handed it over, "This is the Qiankun Talisman. Once Elder Gu drips blood on it, it can be used. If you slay devils, the Qiankun Talisman will record it. Whenever Elder Gu's merits are sufficient, bring the Qiankun Talisman to me, and the Palace Master and I will personally open the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map for Elder Gu to create and refine elixirs and cast artifacts, fulfilling all of Elder Gu's requests."

After saying this, he took out a map, "This is a recent map of the whereabouts of devils around Chang County. Of course, this map is only effective for a limited time and is for reference only."

"I thank Palace Master Zhang."

"Elder Gu, the best way to thank me is to slay more devils,"

said Zhang Xiu with a smile.

His words were true.

Every year the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map indeed has quotas for demon slaying.

With the number of cultivators specializing in Refining God gradually dwindling, some Demon Refining Halls, unable to slay enough devils to meet their quotas for a long time, have been discarded by the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map.

If unable to activate the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map, naturally no one would serve the Demon Refining Hall, and over time, the Demon Refining Hall would exist in name only, and these Refining God would also lose their transcendent status.

————————

(The new book has few words; everyone can take a look at Cheng Feng's previous novels. In the past two years, Cheng Feng's favorite has been "The Supreme Sword Sect of the Glorious Heavenly Dao", a story that is complete, with a medium length, perfect for avoiding reading fatigue.)