Translator: AnubisTL
"Damn it! The Red Moon Secret Power has completely overwhelmed Fan Tong's mind!" Li Qing stood up, his eyes filled with anxiety.
Fan Tong's pupils now showed no trace of clarity.
Li Qing condensed true essence in his hand, preparing to completely seal the berserk Fan Tong.
But the next moment, he sensed an unusual movement within his storage pouch.
With a thought, Li Qing immediately checked what was stirring.
It was a crimson lotus seed!
"A Blood Lotus Seed?"
Seeing Fan Tong about to rampage, Li Qing didn't hesitate. He immediately retrieved the seed.
As soon as the eerie, blood-red lotus seed emerged, it floated into the air and began spinning rapidly.
In the next instant, the Red Moon Secret Power permeating the surroundings seemed drawn to the seed, converging upon it like iron filings to a magnet.
"Is this... the Blood Lotus absorbing the residual Red Moon Secret Power from the air?" Li Qing exclaimed in astonishment.
But before he could fully process his shock, Fan Tong slowly turned his head, his crimson tiger eyes locking onto Li Qing.
Those eyes burned with intense madness, clearly indicating he had completely lost control and no longer recognized Li Qing.
Seeing this, Li Qing immediately resolved to seal Fan Tong away.
However, before he could act, the lotus seed suddenly floated up and landed on Fan Tong's head.
Vast amounts of Red Moon Secret Power surged from Fan Tong's body, converging into the crimson lotus seed.
The madness in its tiger eyes gradually cleared, and reason returned.
"Awoo!" Fan Tong howled weakly, then slowly lowered its head, avoiding Li Qing's gaze.
Clearly, it retained some memory of what had just transpired, aware of its recent rampage.
"It's alright. Use this opportunity to complete your final metamorphosis. If you don't hurry, the Red Moon Secret Power will be completely drained," Li Qing murmured.
Hearing this, Fan Tong shook its head, dislodging the Blood Lotus Seed onto the ground.
Having absorbed a massive amount of Red Moon Secret Power from Fan Tong, the Blood Lotus Seed began to sprout roots.
Thin tendrils emerged from its smooth surface, then abruptly pierced the hard rock floor, as if determined to take root there!
"This lotus seed isn't just absorbing Red Moon Secret Power—it's even drawing in spiritual energy!"
Li Qing narrowed his eyes, his voice filled with astonishment.
Meanwhile, Fan Tong, having regained his senses, intensified his efforts to harness the remaining Red Moon Secret Power within his body, aiming to complete his final metamorphosis in one fell swoop.
As a result, the dense spiritual energy within Li Qing's cave abode was being plundered, surging simultaneously into Fan Tong's body and being absorbed by the Blood Lotus Seed.
The two entities had begun competing for the cave's heaven and earth spiritual energy, creating an eerie spectacle.
Boom!
Seeing this, Li Qing immediately retrieved several hundred spirit stones from his storage pouch and hurled them into the Formation Core, instantly converting them into pure heaven and earth spiritual energy.
Of course, if this proved insufficient, he would immediately retrieve the Blood Lotus Seed to prevent it from hindering Fan Tong's progress.
However, Li Qing's concerns proved unfounded. With his continuous replenishment of spirit stones into the Formation Core, the cave's spiritual energy managed to barely sustain itself, preventing complete depletion.
Finally, Fan Tong's metamorphosis neared its conclusion!
His black fur now gleamed like polished silk, his entire tiger frame having undergone a profound transformation. Even his Tiger bones had been completely reshaped.
With the metamorphosis complete, the next step was to ascend to the level of a third-tier demonic beast!
Boom!
In an instant, Fan Tong's aura surged violently, his power escalating rapidly.
Within its body, the demon beast crystal core continued to collapse and compress.
The key to advancing from a second-tier to a third-tier demonic beast lay in refining a demon beast inner core.
A second-tier demon beast crystal core was angular, with irregular protrusions and indentations. Only by transforming it into a demon beast inner core could true advancement be achieved.
Upon successful advancement, the demonic beast would undergo a profound transformation from within, not only strengthening its fleshly body but also unlocking numerous innate divine abilities.
Some demonic beasts with extraordinary bloodlines could even transform a specific part of their body into an absolute weapon, its power rivaling that of magical artifacts refined by human cultivators.
These materials were also highly prized for refining magical artifacts.
Fan Tong's advancement had begun, its aura fluctuating wildly, surging and receding erratically.
Li Qing could only watch helplessly, unable to provide any meaningful assistance.
His worry was futile; all he could do was silently pray for Fan Tong's success.
Seven days later, Fan Tong's aura finally stabilized.
This prolonged advancement had taken far longer than Li Qing's own core formation.
Yet the rewards were immense. Fan Tong now radiated a refined aura, its irregular demon beast crystal core replaced by a perfectly spherical inner core.
Immediately afterward, a massive surge of spiritual energy began to cleanse Fan Tong's body from within, continuously refining it in a profound baptism.
This baptism was remarkably thorough; with each passing moment, Fan Tong's fleshly body grew noticeably stronger.
Finally, after nearly a full day, Fan Tong's transformation was complete!
"Aowu!"
The aura of a third-tier demonic beast erupted from Fan Tong's tiger form, its presence surging outward with overwhelming force.
The tiger's might shook the mountains and forests, its influence spreading hundreds of miles in every direction!
At that moment, every cultivator on Nanyang Spirit Peak felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of oppression.
Fortunately, Li Qing acted swiftly to conceal the aura. The brief surge of energy from Fan Tong's successful advancement was immediately suppressed.
No one knew what had just occurred!
"What was that just now? I felt a primal terror deep in my bones."
"I don't know. For a moment, my breathing stopped involuntarily."
"It was like a fleeting wave of overwhelming pressure, the kind only a true lord in the core formation realm could exert."
"Could a powerful cultivator have passed through here recently?"
"..."
Many speculated, but none could imagine that a peerless third-tier Demon Tiger had just been born!
The scene shifts back to Li Qing's cave abode.
"You money-wasting beast! Just one advancement cost me over two thousand spirit stones!" Li Qing couldn't help but laugh and scold Fan Tong, who had successfully advanced.
Of course, he wasn't actually upset about the spirit stones. He would have gladly spent all the tens of thousands he had just acquired if it meant Fan Tong could advance smoothly.
Li Qing had never been a miser. Spirit stones could always be earned again, but a trustworthy companion was irreplaceable.
"Awoo! Awoo!" Fan Tong's eyes had become much more intelligent, a clear sign of his growing spiritual intelligence.
Facing Fan Tong's sudden pounce, Li Qing dared not underestimate him as before.
His physical cultivation level was still only quasi-third tier, making him no match for Fan Tong after his advancement.
Fan Tong now resembled a normal tiger in size, his entire body jet-black, yet his frame contained an overwhelmingly terrifying power.
"Hahahaha! So this is the body of a third-tier demonic beast? Truly astonishing!" Li Qing exclaimed, stroking Fan Tong's body. He felt a primal, heart-pounding sense of power radiating from the creature, an unmatched strength.
Especially striking were Fan Tong's retracted claws, now as hard and sharp as if forged from metal and gold. They could undoubtedly clash head-on with ordinary magical artifacts.
As for innate divine abilities, Fan Tong's bloodline was too ordinary to produce any truly powerful ones. He only possessed a few barely practical abilities.
The first was the Tiger's Roar. His roar had become terrifying, carrying an inherent, overwhelming power of intimidation. Ordinary cultivators or demon beasts were utterly unable to resist it, freezing in place upon hearing it, completely paralyzed.
The second was Claw Strike. Fan Tong's razor-sharp claws could now cleave a small mountain in two with a single strike, their power rivaling that of some ordinary magical artifacts.
The third was Aerial Flight. Just as cultivators reached the core formation realm, third-tier demonic beasts gained the ability to fly. Even without wings, Fan Tong could soar through the air using his innate demonic instincts.
Like a tiger gaining wings, his transformation perfectly embodied this proverb.
"Alright, you've finally advanced. Go familiarize yourself with your new abilities. I need to examine this Blood Lotus Seed."
After dismissing Fan Tong, Li Qing approached the Blood Lotus Seed, which had already taken root. He gazed intently at the blood lotus, lost in deep thought.
He had witnessed the blood lotus's power firsthand within the Blood Lotus Sect in the World of Eternal Night. Back then, the Blood Lotus Sect Leader had cultivated it using vast quantities of strange beast blood, then used the lotus to cultivate, seemingly seizing its good fortune.
Li Qing had often wondered if he should bring the Blood Lotus Seed back to a world rich in spiritual energy and cultivate it there, hoping to reap some benefits.
However, due to his preconceived notions, he subconsciously believed that cultivating the blood lotus would require collecting vast quantities of blood from rare and exotic beasts, just like Yue Qiusheng had done.
"Now that I think about it, the blood lotus's growth doesn't necessarily depend on blood as nourishment."
"That's right. When strange beasts from the World of Eternal Night enter a place with spiritual energy, they undergo a corresponding metamorphosis. The blood lotus should be able to grow using spiritual energy as well."
"Still, supplementing it with blood might accelerate its growth."
Li Qing stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Since the blood lotus had already taken root and sprouted, he couldn't abandon it easily. He had to cultivate it properly and see if he could gain anything from it.
"Sigh, I'm starting to sound more and more like a demonic path cultivator."
"But there's no rush to collect blood. Let's try cultivating it with spiritual energy first."
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Qing's eyes widened as if he had suddenly remembered something.
The transformation chapter of the Myriad Lives Demonic Art allowed him to condense a unique seven-colored life essence. According to the records, this vital essence could even enhance the potency of spirit herbs.
"What would happen if I fed this newly sprouted Blood Lotus Seed seven-colored life essence?" Li Qing wondered aloud, feeling compelled to experiment.
Fortunately, his lifespan was still abundant, so wasting a few decades wouldn't be a significant loss. If he achieved something extraordinary, it would be a tremendous gain.
With this in mind, Li Qing began circulating the transformation chapter of the Myriad Lives Demonic Art, converting his lifespan into vital essence.
Strands of seven-colored life essence began to coalesce within him, gradually thickening into a dense mass.
Before long, a substantial amount of the vibrant essence had accumulated, costing him thirty-five years of lifespan!
It wasn't that Li Qing lacked prudence; rather, this vital essence wouldn't dissipate if stored within his body—it would remain indefinitely. Even if he converted a few extra years' worth, he knew he would eventually find a use for it.
In fact, he planned to maintain a reserve of seven-colored life essence within him for emergencies.
This would prevent him from having to find opportunities to convert vital essence during critical moments in battle, which would enhance the power of his divine arts and techniques.
Just like his battle against the Crimson Hair Immortal, if the Black Furnace hadn't bought him enough time, he would have had no chance to condense vital essence and secure victory.
Opening his eyes, a multicolored radiance shimmered in his pupils.
In an instant, he pressed two fingers together, and strands of seven-colored life essence, like silken ribbons, spiraled from his fingertips.
Guided by Li Qing, these vibrant strands swiftly merged into the Blood Lotus Seed.
The entire process proceeded smoothly, without any complications.
Li Qing was overjoyed, his eyes fixed on the Blood Lotus Seed with anticipation, eager to witness the changes that would occur.
However, his hopes were soon dashed.
The Blood Lotus Seed remained unchanged, its aura completely unaltered.
Upon confirming this, Li Qing's face darkened.
"I wasted several years of my lifespan for nothing! Not even the slightest change!"
Li Qing couldn't help but sigh. He had imagined that after absorbing his vital essence, the Blood Lotus Seed would grow more rapidly.
Alas, that was nothing but wishful thinking. Not only did it fail to accelerate its growth, but he couldn't detect any change in the seed whatsoever.
"The seed clearly absorbed my vital essence, yet remains completely unchanged. This is truly baffling."
Frowning deeply, Li Qing racked his brain for an explanation, but none came to him.
In the end, he temporarily abandoned these unrealistic notions, resolving to wait until the blood lotus had fully matured before attempting to feed it more vital essence.
He had more pressing matters to attend to, and couldn't afford to waste time here.
With that thought, Li Qing dug up the entire patch of earth where the Blood Lotus Seed was rooted and transplanted it into a secret chamber within his cave abode.
After replanting the seed, he retrieved a withered vine from his storage pouch.
Yes, this seemingly lifeless vine was the treasure he had brought back from the Ghost Sword Sect.
(End of the Chapter)
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