Chapter 010: The Ten Branches of the Demon Gate, Tai'a Forging Body

Zhong Xihe pondered for a moment; the power of the Tai'a Forging Body technique was immense. Although the Great Dao seemed unattainable, it could still bring a super expert to the Mo Xuan Sect. Could this also be the arrangement of the heavens

Shi Hong walked along the ancient stone path in the village, which has a history of several hundred years. Scenes of playing on this path with his childhood friends flashed before his eyes

Ye Tao touched his head: "It is just that neither I nor your master have ever heard of this technique called 'Tai A Duan Ti' in our sect."

"Yes." Wei Zui Liu responded and stepped back.

Wei Zui laughed at the six emotions: "Nonsense! I do not dare to claim to be exceptionally learned, but at the very least, I am not inferior to those scholars who have passed the imperial examination"

The meaning is self-evident, which naturally implies that it is a waste

The old man waved his hand and said, "There is no need for that. Do I really wish to compete with you? It is just that this stone box concealing the sword may not be entirely without error." The old man stroked his long beard and continued, "However, if I were to misjudge, would it not mean that our sect misses out on such an exceptional disciple? Go and invite him in."

Wei Zui sighed, "This is the guardian beast of my Mo Xuan Sect from years past. Unfortunately, in a battle three thousand years ago, it was struck by the Tai'a Sword, one of the seven divine artifacts, which severed its dragon horn, causing its spiritual energy to dissipate and resulting in its current state."

Although Mo Xuanzong's foundation is substantial, he has relatively few disciples. As they journeyed, they encountered only two or three of Mo Xuanzong's disciples along the way. Wei Zui Liu and Ye Tao evidently hold a significant position within the sect, as the disciples greeted them with respect. Wei Zui Liu and his companion were not arrogant; they both responded with smiles.

"Ah Hong, quickly, hold it with both hands," Wei Zui Liu instructed hastily

Shi Hong was taken aback, and Wei Zui Liu, seeing his face change dramatically, burst into laughter: "Hahaha, crashing into the mountain gate, crashing into the mountain gate, my demonic sect is indeed different from others, right? Hahaha!"

Wei Zui asked curiously, "Master, what is the matter? Is there something wrong with this technique?"

Wei Zui Liu pulled Shi Hong, and the three of them flew to the front of the stone mountain. Shi Hong was taken aback; it turned out that the entire stone mountain was carved into a majestic lion with a pair of large rhinoceros horns. The lion was covered in enormous scales, which should have made it look incredibly fierce, but now one of its horns was broken, and its eyes were half-open and half-closed, giving it a somewhat weary appearance

With a slight furrow of his brow, the elder expressed some concern: "This young man does not exhibit the slightest trace of agility; could he truly possess the potential of a dragon?" Wei Zui Liu bowed and replied: "How could I, as a disciple, dare to deceive my esteemed uncle? If you do not believe me, you may test him yourself."

Shi Hong respectfully bowed and said: "The disciple is capable of holding on."

Ah! Shi Hong exclaimed in surprise, as the giant sword of yellow light hovered in the void above a vast expanse of misty clouds. Below were the continuous mountain ranges, and above were pavilions, towers, wooden pagodas, and water pavilions, a truly enchanting paradise, a utopia beyond the world.

Wei Zui Liusuo adjusted his attire, respectfully bowed three times to the stone statue and the enormous demon dragon on the cliff, then turned around and waved to Shi Hong.

Pray sincerely to the divine beast; it possesses innate spirituality and will naturally select the most suitable cultivation method for you. However, it is not as it once was and may be somewhat dull, so the process could take a considerable amount of time

Shi Hong stepped forward, respectfully bowing three times and addressing him as Master. This act of apprenticeship was thus completed with the *Tu* book.

The disciple is capable of holding

Shi Hong was filled with surprise, as it was evident that the town's divine beast seemed to understand its current state. The last time, when the Great Dao Divine Monarch hesitated to speak, he still had not figured out what his current condition truly was. Now, it seemed he had finally encountered someone who understood... the understanding beast. Just as he was about to ask, a cloud in the sky drifted away with the wind, and sunlight poured down. A tremendous pressure surged from all directions, bringing with it an immense pain that felt as if it would crush him. With a whoosh, Shi Hong returned to his own body... the understanding beast. Just as he was about to ask, a cloud in the sky drifted away with the wind, and sunlight poured down. A tremendous pressure surged from all directions, bringing with it an immense pain that felt as if it would crush him. With a whoosh, Shi Hong returned to his own body.

Zhong Xihe stroked his long beard and said, "Let us first see what martial arts this child has chosen."

Within the door, there is friendship; do not harbor anger, do not cling to attachments. Can you uphold this?

He brushed his hand across the jade tablet, and a beam of light projected from it, scattering a series of subtitles in the air. Zhong Xihe nodded repeatedly after reading a passage: "Wonderful, wonderful!"

Shi Hong also did not need Wei Zui Liu to remind him, as he bowed deeply and said: "Disciple Shi Hong, pays respects to the Master Ancestor."

Wei Zui Liu and Ye Tao seemed to know something, their expressions solemn as they followed Zhong Xi He closely, while Shi Hong did not dare to be negligent. With a wave of Zhong Xi He's large hand, a green light enveloped the four of them, and the scenery before their eyes changed; they were already standing beneath a massive cliff. The stone cliff, towering thousands of feet high, was steep and jagged, with a carved dragon spiraling around it, its scales flared, nine claws extended, eyes wide open, and its furious expression resembling thunder, vividly lifelike.

He closed his eyes and earnestly prayed to the divine beast, yet he did not expect that in this moment of focused prayer, his soul suddenly emerged from the top of his head

However, the transmission of teachings by the town's mountain deity still exists. Ah Hong, kneel down

The six-panel screen was already as usual, with the sect leader Zhong Xihe seated in a redwood armchair. Beneath his feet lay stone tiles carved with cloud patterns, shrouded in misty light, as the cloud designs on the tiles seemed to float and soar, making it appear as if he were truly sitting on a cloud.

Inside the grand hall, an elderly man with silver hair and a long beard stroked his beard while gazing at a jade screen. The screen had six panels, and one of the panels emitted a faint green light, revealing the movements of Shi Hong outside the hall.

Wei Zui Liu immediately said: "Ah Hong, let us not cultivate this any longer. Master has passed on my teachings to you, so you should cultivate the Three Parts of the Demon God Record with me!"

With a wave of his hand, the jade tablet flew back from Wei Zui Liu's grasp to Shi Hong: "Since you have already made your decision, let us begin the foundation. Zui Liu, take good care of him."

Zhong Xihe nodded slightly and waved his hand: "Follow me."

Shi Hong, this is the Dao Transmission Cliff of the Mo Xuan Sect, the sacred ground of our Mo Xuan Sect, where the heroic spirits of all past sect leaders are enshrined. Every disciple of the Mo Xuan Sect takes their oath to enter the sect here. With the Demon God above, the Demon Dragon in front, and the heroic spirits in the heavens, the oath is as solid as a mountain; once made, it cannot be altered for eternity. For us practitioners of the Dao, the oath is a grand aspiration that must not be violated; otherwise, we shall never attain the supreme path.

When ... ...

Shi Hong raised his eyes and inadvertently saw that the stone mountain's divine beast seemed to slightly nod at him. Shi Hong was taken aback, blinking his eyes to look again; the stone mountain remained the same, and the carved divine beast still had its broken horn, with its eyes half-closed and appearing listless.

She let out a soft sigh and comforted, "Do not blame the master, he too has his difficulties. After all, who could have foreseen that battle three thousand years ago... sigh."

The cold moon is like frost, spreading across the mountains and forests. Under the moonlight, the village is tranquil and peaceful, while the insects chirp in the long grass like a bustling market

He stood there in a daze for a long while, ultimately finding it difficult to sever the bonds of blood and kinship: "I will just go back and take a look."

He stood by the window for a long time, finally letting out a long sigh, wiping away the moisture from the corner of his eyes, and resolutely turned around: "Let us go."

Shi Hong was taken aback, wondering how even his master and mistress had not heard of it. He couldn't help but recall the various peculiarities from before, as well as the significant nod from the stone mountain divine beast at the end. He suddenly turned to look at the divine beast; the massive stone mountain remained unchanged, and the divine beast was still there, with no trace of any oddity to be found.

Seemingly sensing Shi Hong's confusion, Wei Zui Liu smiled mysteriously, and with Ye Tao on either side, they supported Shi Hong's arms, exclaiming: "But do not be afraid!"

Wei Zui Liu was speechless. Although the sect leader always felt that Shi Hong did not possess good aptitude, which made him somewhat displeased, he also knew that the sect leader was not wrong. Given the limited resources of the Mo Xuan Sect, it was essential to be cautious and not wasteful.

It turns out that the Tai'a Duan body is a method of continuously refining one's own body. By practicing this method, one can absorb various primordial energies, ultimately forging the body into a weapon as formidable as the Tai'a sword

"Tai A Duan Ti?" Zhong Xihe looked at the jade tablet with suspicion and said, "Our sect absolutely does not have this cultivation method. I have been the sect leader for one hundred and ten years, and I have read through all the texts in the sect. No previous elder has ever mentioned this method."

In the realm of cultivation, fundamentally there are only the three schools of Dao, Buddhism, and Magic.

Shi Hong lowered his head and looked; the mountains stretched endlessly like a sea, and beneath his feet was a lush expanse. It was truly inconceivable how such a vast and magnificent smoke pavilion could be hidden in this place.

Wei Zui and Liu Liang entered, while Shi Hong patiently waited outside. He was not the type to be ostentatious; he stood quietly with his hands at his sides outside the grand hall, which was three people high. With his head bowed and demeanor compliant, he neither looked around nor fidgeted restlessly.

Upon passing through this daunting canyon, the rear mountain opens up to a vast expanse. Several miles away, a stone mountain rises abruptly, standing solitary and stark in the center of the expansive canyon

The number of stone forests does not exceed thirty, and the reason they give a grand impression is that each stone forest stands at a height of ten zhang, with a width and thickness exceeding two zhang. ... On top of each stone forest, there is a carving of an elder; some are depicted in a seated position, smiling down at the world; some stand proudly, gazing up at the heavens; some wield spiritual swords like dragons, coiling around them; some hold golden seals in their palms, capable of turning clouds and rain.

Ye Tao observed Wei Zui Liu's nervous demeanor and smiled slightly: "In the past, you and I also went through this. Even if the Mountain Guardian Beast's intelligence is not what it once was, rendering it unable to predict or avert misfortune, selecting cultivation methods for the disciples is still not a problem."

"Concern leads to confusion," Ye Tao said with a smile

That ... ...

... ...

Zhong Xihe bitterly remarked: "Although the great path seems hopeless, one can still be invincible in the world."

That ... ...

Then, could Master Bo grant a magical artifact from www.hetushu.com? Wei Zui retreated six times and sought a compromise

Zhong Xihe's eyes were like torches, piercingly gazing at Shi Hong. With a snap of his fingers, a massive stone chime, three zhang high, produced a resonant sound of "dang" from the cliff in the distance, echoing through the valley, lingering endlessly. A sense of melodious desolation rose from nowhere.

At mealtime, three individuals stood beneath a magnificent hall. The high, arched beams of the hall were exaggerated, resembling two bull horns or a pair of wings of birds ready to take flight. Wei Zui Liu and Ye Tao said to Shi Hong: "Please wait here for a moment; I will go in to report to the master."

He did not know how long this departure would last, but he felt deep down that it was certainly not as simple as when Scholar Zhang studied in the county years ago. This departure could very well mean a permanent separation, with no chance to meet family and old friends; a sense of inexplicable sorrow filled his heart

Beneath the rocky cliffs, within a vast valley, lies an expansive stone forest

Three people left, and Zhong Xihe stood alone in the vast hall, gazing up at the sky for a long time. Finally, he revealed a meaningful smile: "Well then, let us see what kind of future you have brought to the Magic Xuan Sect..."

The yellow light in hand has faded, revealing a pure white jade tablet, measuring one foot in length and three fingers in width. On the surface of the jade tablet, there are four ancient seal script characters.

The two nodded slightly, but the senior brother spoke with a hint of bitterness: "However, you must consider whether you truly want to bid farewell to your family." Shi Hong was taken aback: Yes, how should I say goodbye to my family? These two have been composed for a thousand years, and I truly do not know how far this road stretches, or when I will be able to return. Or, is it even possible to return?

Shi Hong nodded slightly: "The disciple understands"

After he carefully examined the methods of the Tai'a Forging Technique, his expression became somewhat peculiar

If it is said that there are countless paths in Buddhism, all of which can lead to enlightenment, then the paths of the demonic sect are even more superior to those of Buddhism. The so-called demonic lineage is numerous, and the paths of the demonic are endless. However, only ten branches have truly inherited the teachings of the demonic sect. Throughout history, the prosperity of the demonic sect has always been due to the rise of one of its branches, just as a millennium ago, our Demonic Xuan Sect stood out alone.

The five schools and nine sects of Daoism, which are commonly referred to as the five secrets of the Daoist school and the nine truths of the Xuanmen, further develop into the eighty veins. The figure of eighty veins is merely an approximation, indicating that there are numerous orthodox sects within the Daoist tradition. The flourishing of Daoism for thousands of years is indeed a reflection of its inherent destiny

Zhong Xihe smiled kindly and said: "Alright, Shi Hong, from now on, you are a disciple of my Mo Xuan Sect. Go with your master to choose a martial art, and let him impart it to you."

Wei Zui shook his head helplessly, glanced at Shi Hong, and said with some regret: "Indeed, the techniques left by the Mo Xuan Sect are quite similar to each other, so I shouldn't have to worry so much."

Shi Hong suddenly recalled various strange phenomena from before and asked again, "Master Ancestor, is this martial art truly boundless in power"

In his hearty laughter, he casually flicked a drop of his essence into the emerald peaks. The surface of the peaks rippled like water, and with a whoosh, the giant sword plunged, resembling a silver fish entering the water

A sudden cheer awakened Shi Hong, and he painfully opened his eyes, still feeling the lingering agony that had threatened to crush him. As he slowly opened his eyes, he happened to see the enormous stone mountain deity slowly opening its mouth, a ball of shimmering yellow light gradually approaching.

Although this technique has never been heard of before, the meridian pathways are clearly derived from the methods of the demonic sect, so Zhong Xihe and the others had no doubts.

"Master Uncle." Wei Zui Liu lowered his head and cupped his hands in front of him. Zhong Xi He chuckled silently: "You little Liu Zi, are you just thinking about Master Uncle's meager assets? Hahaha"

Ye Tao realized that Wei Zui Liu was no longer present and understood what her senior brother was thinking. She and Shi Hong waited outside, and when they saw Wei Zui Liu come out empty-handed, they understood what had happened

Zhong Xihe shook his head: "Not at all. This martial art, when practiced to its depths, truly makes one invincible in the world, and this is not an exaggeration"

When ... ...

Wei Zui Liu was somewhat unhappy: "Is Master Bo still unwilling to trust my judgment?"

Zhong Xihe asked in a low voice: "The path of demons is boundless, and the demon sect is like an ocean. In the midst of endless solitude and a thousand years of desolation, Shi Hong, can your heart endure?"

The realm of magic knows no bounds, yet the path of sorcery can be confining; once you enter my domain, you shall be mine for life. Shi Hong, can your body endure this?

At last, as a melodious long chime resonated, Zhong Xihe placed his hand on Shi Hong's head and gazed up at the towering stone forest statues: "Zhong Xihe, the 33rd generation leader of the Mo Xuan Sect, has passed down the lineage to you, Shi Hong. You are now the 35th generation disciple of the Mo Xuan Sect. Zui Liu is your master; now go and perform the grand ceremony of apprenticeship."

Shi Hong raised both hands above his head, catching the ball of yellow light. Wei Zui, Liu, and Ye Tao knelt down together and bowed their heads, saying: "Thank you, Master."

I believe it is best to first report to Master Zhang Jiao," Ye Tao said with composure. Wei Zui Liu also nodded in agreement

Shi Hong was overjoyed: "So you are saying that I still have time to go back and say goodbye to my family"

Moments later, Shi Hong was brought in by him

Shi Hongyi knelt down as instructed

Wei Zui Liu still wanted to speak, but Zhong Xi He waved his hand, releasing them all.

He arrived at his doorstep and looked through the window at his family inside. His parents were still in good health, which was perhaps the only consolation. However, his younger sister had not yet reached adulthood, and he might not be able to personally send her off to marriage, filling his heart with a wave of guilt

Wei Zui Liu collected the giant sword, and the three of them landed on a waterside pavilion in a corridor. He adjusted his clothing and said solemnly to Shi Hong: "Our Demon Sect has few rules, but one must not act recklessly. You will follow me now, and I will take you to meet the Master of the Sect. Once the Master permits, you may enter our Demon Xuan Sect and begin your study of the supreme demonic path"

Up to now, the characters that Shi Hong knows are also limited, let alone this ancient seal script. He looked at Wei Zui Liu and Ye Tao in confusion, only to see his master and master aunt looking equally perplexed. He was somewhat surprised: "Ah? Master, Master Aunt, you don't recognize the characters either?"

The disciple obeys. Shi Hong bowed, and with a wave of Zhong Xihe's large sleeves, a gust of azure light swept through, carrying the three of them away. Shi Hong and Ye Tao vanished within the radiance, while Wei Zui Liu swayed slightly and remained behind.

Behind the elderly man, Wei Zui Liu and Ye Tao stood with their hands at their sides, respectfully and solemnly.

Wei Zui Liu and Ye Tao were also taken aback, quickly taking the jade tablet to examine it closely. The expressions on their faces changed dramatically: "This, this..."

Shi Hong was taken aback, and when he looked down, he saw his own body still kneeling reverently on the ground. Meanwhile, his master Wei Zui Liu and his master aunt Ye Tao were completely unaware of him, as they anxiously gazed at the stone mountain divine beast.

Wei Zui Liu Yi waved his hand and said, "Ah Hong, follow me."

The yellow giant sword flashed with brilliance and suddenly pressed down, diving swiftly towards a massive mountain peak on the ground.

Wei Zui smiled gently and called out again, "Master Uncle." His body bent even lower.

Shi Hong listened to the conversation between the two, but when he looked up, he saw the originally dazed Stone Mountain Divine Beast suddenly widen its eyes, looking at Shi Hong's soul with an expression of disbelief—indeed, it was his soul that it was looking at, not his body

The disciple is capable of holding

Wei Zui Liu said no more, bowed slightly, and stepped back, his figure melting into the air

Ah Hong! Wei is in a hurry, feeling desperate about the path ahead. This is not a trivial matter. A cultivator, knowing that their path is hopeless, why would they continue to cultivate at all

Zhong Xihe became serious, let out a long sigh, and said: "Zui Liu, you are well aware of the foundation of our Mo Xuan Sect. There is only one Foundation Establishment Pill left in the hands of our Master Uncle. This child... it’s not that he is lacking. If he truly possesses the talent of a dragon's roar, giving him the Foundation Establishment Pill would merely be an embellishment, having little significant effect. If he does not..."

As we speak of the Mo Xuan Sect, Wei Zui Liu smiled and said, "Oh, we have arrived"

... ...

Shi Hong smiled nonchalantly and said, "In that case, I shall cultivate myself."

The Eight Chambers and Ten Schools of Buddhism, cultivating character, spirit, and energy, all methods do not depart from their origin, the Buddhist path is vast, with countless teachings, and its power is unfathomable

You are inherently clever, so there is no need for me to remind you further; just be cautious. Wei Zui nodded slightly, feeling a bit tense, and walked forward with Shi Hong.

... ...

Along the way, Wei Zui Liu—who is also known as that "senior brother"—detailed the structure of the cultivation world to Shi Hong, providing him with a preliminary understanding of this magical realm. Shi Hong, Wei Zui Liu, and Wei Zui Liu's junior sister Ye Tao stood together on Wei Zui Liu's giant sword, which was the size of a person, cutting through the wind as they traveled.

Zhong Xihe saw Shi Hong's carefree smile and suddenly felt a stir in his heart, as if he had realized something: Could it be that he had misjudged this child?

A narrow sheep path is embedded in the cliff, with sheer cliffs of a hundred zhang outside, and a deep ravine flowing quietly, its murmuring water audible but not visible.

Three individuals walked along a path, traversing the continuous pavilions and grand halls of the front mountain. Two knife-edged canyons were nestled before the rear mountain. Above the canyons, clouds and mist intertwined, shrouding the sky; below the canyons, clear springs flowed through the mountains, with steep cliffs carved into pathways.

Zhong Xihe smiled and waved his hand, saying: "This is not about belief or disbelief; it is simply that our Mo Xuan Sect can no longer withstand any turmoil. We must be cautious and prudent, even a single Foundation Establishment Pill must not be wasted"

... ...

Zhong Xihe glanced at Shi Hong and beckoned him over: "Ah Hong, this matter concerns your path to greatness, and I cannot conceal it. Although this technique possesses immense power, apart from the initial stage, 'Hundred Weapons Immersion', the subsequent cultivation pathways are almost identical to the most fundamental technique of our demonic sect, the 'Ten Days of No Way', with only three or four minor differences. As the name suggests, you should be able to guess that the 'Ten Days of No Way' is something everyone in our sect knows. It is merely a foundational method practiced for ten days before cultivation, and after those ten days, it becomes entirely useless... Although this technique possesses immense power, apart from the initial stage, 'Hundred Weapons Immersion', the subsequent cultivation pathways are almost identical to the most fundamental technique of our demonic sect, the 'Ten Days of No Way', with only three or four minor differences. As the name suggests, you should be able to guess that the 'Ten Days of No Way' is something everyone in our sect knows. It is merely a foundational method practiced for ten days before cultivation, and after those ten days, it becomes entirely useless..."