Chapter 1, The Hermit
The young man gently stroked Tian Maochun's forehead. His parents and uncle passed away early, and his elder brother was like a father to him; no one understood his feelings. The competition within the family was fierce. The struggle for the title of "Old Five" was also out of necessity, as the top five positions came with certain benefits unknown to outsiders, including a significantly larger allocation of "Nayuan" points. In this era, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was dwindling, and every bit of spiritual energy was exceptionally precious, measured in the unit of "Nayuan." To sustain the cultivation "rations" for both himself and Tian Maochun, he had no choice but to become ruthless and domineering, eliminating all rivals, which also offended many people. In this era, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was dwindling, and every bit of spiritual energy was exceptionally precious, measured in the unit of "Nayuan." To sustain the cultivation "rations" for both himself and Tian Maochun, he had no choice but to become ruthless and domineering, eliminating all rivals, which also offended many people.
Indeed. Tian Maochun set down the Qingming Flying Shuttle and walked along the cobblestone path into the room in an orderly manner. Upon glancing around, he was somewhat surprised; this place resembled a small workshop, equipped with all sorts of tools. There were items hanging from iron chains, others displayed on the walls, and the floor was covered with various objects, leaving almost no space to stand. He could see at least five or six different types of automatons, including several high-end models that had emerged in the family over the past six months. It seemed that Fifth Brother had not been cut off from the world.
At this point, the young man seemed to recall certain scenes, his pale face appearing even more haggard. He took a deep breath and sighed, "Perhaps it is a stroke of luck amidst misfortune that 'Demon Devour' was forced to stop halfway. The root of this lies in the fact that when I lost consciousness, I inadvertently broke through from the Blood Transformation stage to the Heavenly Burial stage. One must understand that the cultivation of the demonic path consists of four stages: 'Demon Soul, Blood Transformation, Heavenly Burial, and Chaos.' Each step forward is extremely difficult, and the chance of a breakthrough in the heat of battle is merely one in a million. It seems that my brother's life should not have ended; by a twist of fate, I am barely hanging on. However, sometimes, living requires immense courage."
The agent's movements were extremely agile, and their steps were quite swift. In just a moment, they had opened the tightly shut door. In fact, Tian Maochun could easily leap over the fence with a gentle jump, but after all, this was the residence of Fifth Brother, so how could he dare to act recklessly
The next day at noon, in the small building, light smoke curled and fragrant aromas wafted through the air. Tian Maochun woke up yawning; although he had consumed a great deal of alcohol, he did not feel dizzy at all. In fact, he felt as if he had never slept so soundly before. Looking around, he hurriedly called out, "Fifth Brother, Fifth Brother, where are you? What time is it?"
Before Tian Maochun could knock on the door, the wooden house in the courtyard suddenly swung open. A faint "creaking" sound came from inside, and a bronze-decorated wooden automaton emerged. A voice echoed in the air: "Is that you, Maochun? What brings you here? Didn't the Ancestor promise me not to disclose my place of seclusion?" After a brief pause, it sighed and said, "In the end, I cannot escape. I have heard that everyone has been looking for me all these years. Come in quickly."
Really? Tian Maochun's face showed a bit more joy, and it seemed that Fifth Brother was not just trying to comfort him.
As this man surveyed the surroundings, he muttered to himself: "The Qingming Flying Shuttle is indeed a crucial item for the family. Although I do not know what is broken, it cannot be discarded. Unfortunately, my cultivation space is only 3 cubic meters, and it cannot accommodate this thing. It seems I have no choice but to do some hard labor, but everything is worth it to see Fifth Brother."
The double doors are tightly shut, and two massive wooden houses stand in the courtyard. Behind the wooden houses are three two-story small buildings, along with more than ten exquisite windmills spinning with a "whoosh." Unlike the crisp air in the forest, this place is filled with warmth. Two or three flower beds are clearly visible, with buds just beginning to bloom. As a few rays of sunlight filter through the branches and leaves, the buds appear even more poised to open, and some of them are rather precious herbs.
As dawn breaks, the stars in the eastern sky have not yet completely vanished. Suddenly, a bright light streaks across the sky, resembling a meteor from a distance.
Tian Maochun was stunned, his heart shaken. The voice of Fifth Brother was unmistakable, but unfortunately, the appearance was completely different. He could only vaguely see the original demeanor from Xingmei's features. After a long while, he was still in a daze, secretly exclaiming: "Heavens, what on earth is going on?"
Tian Maochun felt that Fifth Brother was completely different now; his clear eyes sparkled with a hint of brilliance, and a dry yet vibrant energy radiated from him. What exactly did that letter say to bring about such a significant change
Old Eighteen, I am leaving. One day I will return. I hope by then you will have helped your brother reclaim the fifth title. Don't be like a woman, crying and whining. I am too lazy to comfort you again. Take good care of the other little ones. Additionally, there are twenty jars of fine wine stored in the cellar behind the small building. Remember to drink sparingly when you return.
For countless generations, only three individuals from the Tian family of the Qinyang Star have achieved the transformation into the Three Yuan Blood Phase at the age of sixteen, and "Fifth Brother" is one of them. Even more astonishing is that he has defeated numerous skilled opponents, maintaining the fifth position for an impressive four years.
"What are you talking about? Fifth Brother will always be Fifth Brother. Maochun will always be your cousin, but how could you have changed like this? Back in the day, your physique was no less than mine, full of vitality and strength, yet now?"
Tian Maochun's eyes became moist as he cursed, "Damn it, these past two days have truly been like a woman. Fifth Brother, you must come back!"
Alright, Maochun, you are already a grown man; what is the point of crying and whining? It is not as bad as you imagine. The demonic affliction only had frequent episodes during the first three years. After that, most of my true essence dissipated, and it became much easier. Do you know why I chose to live in this desolate place? Because this area is home to a special herb, the Wuchang fungus
Today marks the occasion when the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect's group of witches, the Pipa Old Ghost, has extended an invitation. According to reliable sources, the imperial court's undercover agents within the righteous path have been uprooted overnight, suggesting numerous hidden circumstances. His Majesty the Demon Emperor hopes that the heads of various sects and prominent families will select resilient young individuals to voluntarily abandon their cultivation and infiltrate the righteous path as undercover agents. The Pipa Old Ghost has personally promised that each undercover agent may make one request before their departure as a form of compensation. I will explain the situation regarding Ping'er. Fortunately, the Heavenly Demon Sect possesses numerous recorded methods, providing ways for treatment. If the treatment is successful, it would count as one individual sent by the Tian family. Although this mission is fraught with danger, Ping'er must seize this opportunity firmly to revive past glories.
The youth continued to speak: "I, Tian Maoping, am not afraid of ordinary demon beasts. Even if I encounter two commander-level beasts at the same time, I can barely withstand them. However, it is unfortunate that I suddenly faced two emperor-level beasts. I remember a saying from my home: 'It is shameful to lack power.' At that moment, I truly understood the meaning of this phrase. I had never felt so helpless and powerless before. In the end, I had no choice but to activate 'Devour Magic,' hoping to perish together with the two powerful demon beasts, but unfortunately, it did not go as I wished"
Tian Maochun felt a pang in his nose, opened his mouth wide, and stepped forward to embrace the young man. The emotions that had been hidden in his heart for many years erupted like a mountain flood, and he cried out loudly: "Brother, since we were little, we have lost our parents. If it weren't for your careful care, Maochun would be nothing in the family and would often cause trouble and make you angry. Twelve years ago, you disappeared without a word, and you have no idea how anxious I was. At that time, I was even very angry, thinking that you no longer wanted Xiaochunzi. That kind of loneliness was unprecedented. Oh my God, it turned out to be a forbidden magic, a taboo in the family. I, this foolish person, even buried my grievances against Fifth Brother deep in my heart. He is not a person, he is scum. You have suffered so much over the years, please allow Maochun to stay and serve you!"
"Oh? A letter sealed with green amber, it seems that something significant is happening." Tian Maoping did not dare to be negligent, taking the letter and pressing his thumb against the beeswax.
"Come. Follow me." The frail young man waved his hand enthusiastically, as if calling a child, leading Tian Maochun to a corner of the room. Here, there was a lifting mechanism, and it was only then that Tian Maochun noticed that the spacious ceiling had been opened up to create a half-level space for use as a study.
The study is quite spacious, with the desk piled high with blueprints. Surrounding it are books, both ancient bamboo slips and yellowed, old simplified seal script, as well as high-quality jade eyes. Particularly striking are the seven white bronze mirrors embedded in the wall, from which slender beams of light descend through small holes in the ceiling, reflecting the courtyard and the distant pine forest scenery. Next to them are various small horns, no wonder that Fifth Brother noticed my arrival immediately; it must be the work of such marvelous mechanisms.
Tian Maoping has had an impressive memory since childhood. After suffering from the magical erosion, his nervous system experienced a tremendous shock, resulting in a significant reduction in pain sensitivity to merely a fraction of that of an ordinary practitioner. However, his mental resilience and strength have increased by more than a hundredfold. The greatest benefit of this transformation is that his mind has become more precise and agile. Particularly, he can effortlessly remember any book after just a light skim. Over the past twelve years, he has traversed the famous mountains and rivers of Qinyang Star. Although he did not dare to venture into perilous areas, he has gained considerable knowledge and has integrated all the books he encountered into his mind, cross-referencing them to distill the essence and discard the superfluous. His engagement with knowledge is not merely superficial; he has become an expert in many disciplines.
The youth's demeanor bore a hint of desolation, and his eyes could not conceal the traces of hardship: "When I was awakened by the Great Ancestor, my muscles continuously collapsed and atrophied, leaving me utterly powerless. However, this was not the worst of it; in fact, I had not completely escaped the state of demonic erosion. Every half month, I would endure the excruciating pain of having my liver and intestines severed and my bones scraped, a torment that invaded my marrow. For over a decade, my arduous cultivation of true essence had changed in nature, and this essence, which should have been a source of pride, constantly tormented my spirit, challenging the limits of my endurance. I once... thought of seeking liberation through suicide. "I once... thought of seeking liberation through suicide. "
Tian Maochun sighed inwardly, reflecting that it had been twelve years since the night he fell into a coma. How is Fifth Brother doing? ... Back then, it was rumored that he had sustained serious injuries, and all the brothers made every effort to investigate his whereabouts. However, they did not obtain a single clue. Just as everyone was about to give up hope, the Great Ancestor suddenly ordered someone to send out a handwritten letter...
"Cousin Weiwei? In terms of vassal families, you are indeed outstanding. You little ones have grown up and worked hard, not disappointing my heartfelt efforts." Tian Maoping felt somewhat downcast. He was a person who valued emotions deeply and took special care of these orphans who were closely related by blood. Although the family also had a responsibility to nurture them, the atmosphere was thick with iron will and coldness, and not being able to stay by their side to witness their growth was somewhat of a regret
The two brothers conversed in the study about their experiences over the past twelve years, with an abundance of past events to share. Unbeknownst to them, night had fallen, and they were still not finished with their discussions. Thus, they moved to the small building by the courtyard to drink and continue their storytelling. Tian Maochun was naturally delighted to have found his family, especially knowing that his brother had the opportunity to escape the clutches of the demon. He drank heartily from the wine jar, and by midnight, he was already in a state of drunkenness. The wine was rich and exquisite, and even those who practiced cultivation could not withstand the immense quantity of thirty jars.
The youth's eyes were exceptionally clear, seemingly indifferent to the past, as he slowly spoke: "It is nothing. Do you remember that terrifying night twelve years ago at Taihe-Tu-Shu Yin Star? The color of the blood moon suddenly turned an incredibly deep red. No one expected that the emperor-level demon beast, which appears once every sixty years, would arrive two years early, and in such great numbers. The reason Tian Maoping has fallen to this state today is all thanks to that night."
Maochun, you have grown up and learned to observe the things around you. However, it was still quite amusing when you were a child, full of energy and enthusiasm. Among our family, you are the closest in blood relation to me. A year ago, I heard from the envoy sent by our great ancestor that you have been promoted to the nineteenth position. Well done, young man, that's quite impressive! From now on, I shall address you as Brother Nineteen!
With a look of helplessness, the burly man walked over and, with a single hand, exerted tremendous force, lightly commanding, "Rise." The Qingming Flying Shuttle was then hoisted onto his shoulder. This man was also quite formidable; with a powerful push of his feet, he leaped over ten meters in a single bound. As he descended, he jumped again as if gliding on a gentle breeze, covering thirty meters effortlessly. In the blink of an eye, he had vanished from sight, having landed on the treetops of the pine forest and soared forward.
Tian Maochun's pupils constricted, yes, how could he forget that terrifying night twelve years ago? The five major families of the Demon Path stationed on the Taiyin Star suffered heavy losses, with over ninety-five percent of their hundreds of battle teams decimated. Various development departments faced severe losses, and it was rumored that the "Fierce Fortress" of the Heavenly Demon Sect nearly fell. This incident even alarmed the current Demon Emperor, who issued three golden edicts inviting the elders of the three major holy sects to join forces to annihilate the imperial demon beasts. In an instant, the atmosphere was tense, and the entire world was watching.
Rising from the first floor, I discovered that the roof had eight skylights. Upon closer inspection, I realized they were "crystal convex lenses," channeling sunlight directly downwards. All the rays converged into a cluster, illuminating the jade decorations on the beams. In various positions throughout the room, these jade stones were embedded, emitting a faint glow, as if nourished by the morning light. Suddenly, those jade stones brightened, causing the entire room to radiate.
This place is extremely elegant, free from worldly disputes. Although it lacks the grandeur of majestic scenery and the wonders of nature, it possesses a sense of tranquility and serenity, filled with the breath of natural harmony
"Wow, impressive! Fifth Brother is truly remarkable, he has fixed this thing." Upon approaching, I discovered several lines written in chalk beneath the cabin's revolving door
Foolish boy, if the aftereffects of the Demon Devouring were so easily resolved, they would not be considered taboo. However, through prolonged illness, one becomes knowledgeable. Over the years, I have dabbled in various fields and compiled numerous ancient texts. Among them are the jade eyes sent by the founding emperor and some folk remedies obtained from the countryside. By chance, I acquired a formula to enhance physical constitution, named 'Black Jade Warmth Ointment,' with the primary ingredient being the Impermanence Fungus. Thanks to this medicine, my muscles and bones have not atrophied again in the past eight years
Only a faint blue light flowed gently, the envelope vanished on its own, and a page of gilded paper slowly floated up. Although there were words on it, only Tian Maoping could see them clearly. This technique could only be mastered by a mere few dozen individuals within the entire realm of sorcery.
The paper and silk writings have completely vanished, leaving only a map. Tian Maoping carefully stored it away and said with a sense of relief: "Maochun, thank you for bringing this letter. I fear I must embark on a long journey, but there is hope to cure 'Mo Shi'. This process must remain strictly confidential, and you need not inquire further. For now, rest here for the night, and we will return tomorrow."
Tian Maochun shrank his neck and explained, "How could that be? The rules at home are very strict, and we dare not overstep them. The Ancestor has never revealed a word, he is truly ruthless. However, last night he suddenly asked me to deliver a handwritten letter, and here it is." After saying this, he respectfully took out a letter sealed with blue beeswax from his bosom and handed it over.
Dear Ping'er, it is written: The righteous and the demonic have been at odds since ancient times, and as time has evolved, we have forgotten the roots of our conflicts. Currently, both factions are only vying for the increasingly scarce resources of heaven and earth, and among the various sects, there is mutual strife, leading to perpetual unrest! Among the disciples of the family, you possess the highest talent, yet you cannot escape your calamity, having fallen into the shadow of the moon for over ten years without treatment, how tragic! I am still half a step away from achieving the Great Perfection of Chaos, yet this is not the highest realm. Recently, I learned of a secret: above the chaos, there is a title known as 'Star Radiance,' which is also divided into three tiers. It seems there is still a long road ahead, thus I have decided to enter seclusion for ten years. Family affairs have been arranged properly, but I feel it is a great pity for you, Ping'er, to be wasted in the wilderness.
The back of the letter is printed with a map indicating the direction to be taken. Upon arrival at the location, someone will come to guide you. All actions must be carried out in secrecy, and once you reach the Heavenly Demon Palace, someone will explain the details.
Fifth Brother, I have good news to share with you. I have actually secured the eighteenth position in the family. Now among the brothers, I hold the highest rank. The other brothers who were originally under your guidance are ranked as follows: Tian Maofeng is in thirty-seventh place, Tian Maoxin is in forty-second place, and as for the forty-ninth position, you would never guess it—it is Fang Weiwei.
Following the stairs to the courtyard, I happened to see the azure flying shuttle hovering two meters above the ground. Its brand-new chassis showed no signs of wear, quietly awaiting the arrival of its master
With a dull thud, countless giant pines collapsed and swayed, as if something had forcibly plowed a trench several hundred meters long through the forest, startling numerous birds that circled in the sky
Although the mechanical diagrams may not be complete, the knowledge they encompass has become various puzzles. However, through gradual exploration and organization, the rewards have been substantial. I have now mastered five techniques: "gear transmission, mechanism cracking, magnetic manipulation, mortise and tenon locking, and three-dimensional kinetic arrays." While I still do not dare to hope for the true creation of mechanical beasts, many of the mechanical creations that have made the various prominent families envious in recent years have originated from the hands of "Fifth Brother."
Tian Maoping was not suited for drinking. Seeing Tian Maochun passed out, he got up and covered him with a quilt. Then he glanced at the place where he had lived for many years and let out a slight sigh, feeling somewhat reluctant. Rubbing his pale face, he rallied himself; being sentimental was not in the character of Fifth Brother. There were still many things to do that night. He took out different magnetic rings and fitted them onto his fingers and wrists. The intricate inscriptions began to rotate, and soon a dark "Xuan Iron Patterned Mechanism Man" appeared at the entrance of the small building, shouldering the Qingming Flying Shuttle.
To know that "Old Six"'s cultivation surpasses that of Fifth Brother by two levels, yet he consistently suffers defeat at the hands of Fifth Brother during the family competitions, it is evident that cultivation and combat power are not entirely proportional. A person's talent is innate, and despite relentless efforts afterward, many factors constrain true strength
The sound of the wind howled in Tian Maochun's ears, his thoughts drifting as if it were just yesterday. That imposing figure stood before the exhausted team members like a mountain, instantly extinguishing all the attacks from the demonic beasts. How powerful was that? The Dominant Blade was drawn, tearing through the sky, and the air currents dispersed with a buzzing sound. Before losing consciousness, he could only manage to murmur the words "Fifth Brother".
The bronze-patterned wooden automaton moved a beautiful armchair over from the side, which was covered with a snow-white fur. The young man invited, "Please, have a seat. Very few people come here. I usually travel during the winter and spring seasons. Fortunately, it is early autumn now; otherwise, you would have surely found no one here. This purple bamboo chair is a specialty from the south."
It is indeed true; I still have thirty jars of fine wine stored here, and there will be plenty to drink tonight
He nodded firmly and thought to himself: "Rather than languishing all day, it is better to take a chance. Even if it means risking my life, it is still better than the present situation. Under the torment of the demon, I have few years left to live anyway; this deal is already worth it!"
Maocun, do you have many questions? It's cold outside, let's go inside and talk
Puff... Hiss, white mist spread around, and a figure stood up from the end of the trench, cursing loudly: "Damn it, Fifth Brother actually came to live in such a remote place. That cursed Qingming Flying Shuttle, still dozens of kilometers away from the destination, and here I am, completely worn out. What a damn stroke of bad luck."
Echo laughed and said, "Goodness, the Qingming Flying Shuttle is in such a sorry state, with the chassis shell worn down so severely. Maochun, after twelve years, I didn't expect you to still be so clumsy, unable to even operate a flying mechanism properly. Aren't you ashamed?" As soon as the words fell, a youth stepped out from the room. His pale face bore no trace of color, and his frail body seemed as if it would topple over with a gust of wind. Could this really be the once-renowned genius master of the demonic path family? It was unimaginable. A youth stepped out from the room, his pale face devoid of any color, and his weak frame seemed likely to fall at the slightest breeze. Could this truly be the legendary genius master of the demonic path family from back in the day? It was beyond belief.
Tian Maochun regained his composure, wiped away his tears, and asked: "What is the impermanence bacteria? Can it really restrain the demon's devouring?"
In the desolate land of the Qinyang Star, there lies an inconspicuous pine forest. The tranquility before dawn is suddenly shattered as a light resembling a shooting star draws closer, ultimately plunging resolutely into the woods.
Fifth Brother, is this the place where you have devoted your heart and soul for twelve years? So many mechanisms, but unfortunately, Maochun is a rough man and cannot understand them clearly
The Magic Path families have always held strength in high regard. Anyone under the age of one hundred must establish their rank through competition. With a large population in the family, there are only forty-nine titles, and those who can rank in the top ten are undoubtedly the elite among the elite
The official brought tea and snacks, and Tian Maoping smiled, saying: "By the way, Maochun, it was the Great Ancestor who informed you of this place, right? I heard that you little ones have caused quite a bit of trouble for him, haven't you?"
A two-meter tall man brushed off the dust from his body, and as the white mist dissipated, a striking eight to nine-meter long jujube-shaped shuttle appeared behind him. It was pointed at both ends and slender in the middle, with enough space to accommodate only two adults.
The breeze in the forest blew recklessly, and Tian Maochun faintly saw an open area several kilometers away. His heart raced; there must indeed be someone surviving in this cold coniferous forest, it must be Fifth Brother. With a powerful push against the ground, he moved forward, the green cloak tracing a graceful arc in the air. After a few leaps, he arrived in front of a large courtyard
Having finished reading the letter, Tian Maoping trembled as he grasped the parchment. For many years, he had yearned to escape the influence of the demonic forces. He never expected such a great favor from the founding ancestor, granting him this opportunity. Although it was tied to the interests of his family, the status of the Heavenly Demon Sect was esteemed. They promised to do one thing for each undercover agent, but it would undoubtedly not be that simple. Sometimes, even with high cultivation, one may not have their wishes fulfilled. Many would willingly take risks and try, perhaps truly managing to break free from the cage of fate. However, the esteemed status of the Heavenly Demon Sect and their promise to do one thing for each undercover agent would certainly not be straightforward. Even with high cultivation, one may not always have their wishes fulfilled. Many would willingly take risks and try, perhaps truly managing to break free from the cage of fate.
Tian Maoping once asked himself why he managed to endure the torment of the demonic devouring, and he concluded that it was probably due to his emotional attachments. Perhaps over the past decade, he had grown accustomed to taking care of that spirited little brother. Furthermore, he was certainly not someone who would easily accept defeat. In order to prove his worth to the family, he devoted himself to the study of mechanical engineering, which was made possible by a half-volume of mechanical diagrams left by his mother's Fang family. To be more precise, these were diagrams depicting the disassembled structures of mechanical beasts drawn during the peak of ancient cultivation.