I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 619: Cao Youqian: Senior, I Have Come Again

Inside the depths of the Demon Lake, a voice resounded in Cao Youqian's sea of divine sense. His knees buckled, nearly causing him to drop to the ground, yet he swiftly stabilized his Dao heart and ceased staring straight at the enormous arm ahead. With utmost respect, he declared, “This junior pays respects to Senior.”

The giant arm queried in confusion while eyeing the strange face in front of it, “And who are you? Where is that little long worm?”

“Does Senior refer to that silly dragon?” Cao Youqian responded. Following a momentary shiver, he composed himself, his voice growing far more stable. Leisurely, he added, “I've already grilled and devoured it. Senior isn't here to hassle me about that silly dragon, right?”

“Kid, you're awfully bold. Do you truly believe that these nine chains binding me prevent me from handling you?” the giant arm remarked, as beams of demonic radiance burst from its gaze and headed straight for Cao Youqian.

Upon detecting the demonic radiance, Cao Youqian swiftly summoned his Dharma Aspect. The beams landed on it without breaking through, and realizing this, he quickly retracted the Dharma Aspect, letting the radiance hit his frame directly.

Before long, a searing heat surged over his form. This sensation was entirely new to him ever since practicing the Chaos Body-Refining Art, momentarily reminding him of the times he'd been scorched by earthfire.

Cao Youqian stayed calm. He channeled the technique through his body, using the demonic radiance to refine his flesh.

Watching the youth slowly transform into a charred mass, the giant arm showed clear approval in its eyes.

In a brief span, the giant arm decided the punishment was enough and pulled back its demonic radiance. It inquired, “Lad, do you grasp my might now? I form one limb of a Supreme Demon God. Even sealed at ninety percent power, squashing a youngster like you remains effortless.”

Cao Youqian gradually lifted his eyelids and called out with a smile, “Thrilling. It's been ages since I sensed something this invigorating. Senior, could you repeat it a couple more times? I believe I can take more.”

The giant arm stood utterly stunned. It pondered inwardly that this youth surely suffered from some grave affliction, for any ordinary individual would have escaped ages ago to purge the demonic essence after such an assault, but this one insisted it wasn't sufficient.

“As you desire,” the giant arm answered.

Fresh surges of demonic radiance engulfed Cao Youqian, and a crackling, burnt odor emanated from his figure. Clenching his jaws, Cao Youqian reflected that he was just shy of the mark, and persisting a touch longer would elevate his body refinement further, given no other spot offered such an exceptional training approach.

After yet another quarter-hour, the giant arm observed the youth wholly corroded by demonic essence and chuckled, “Junior, henceforth you serve as this seat’s demon puppet. What do you think of that?”

“Demon puppet?” Cao Youqian gazed at the giant arm with bewilderment and stated, “Senior, do you care to hear your own words?”

The giant arm remained unangered. “Lad, cease your defiance. My demonic essence has already disrupted your exceptional meridians. Should it reach your vital organs, you'll fully turn into a Heavenly Demon Seed. Then, solely I can bestow upon you ultimate cultivation techniques, and to grow mightier, you'll need to follow my commands obediently.”

“I'm sorry to say Senior will find disappointment,” Cao Youqian noted. “Your demonic essence lacks true potency. To me, though, it's a precious resource for body refinement. Until tomorrow, Senior.”

With those words, Cao Youqian spun around and dashed off, denying the foe another opportunity to attack and thus preserving the sword qi his master had bestowed.

The giant arm made no move to halt him. From its perspective, in seven days this youth would evolve into a Heavenly Demon Seed, and once molded into a saint-tier demonic entity, escape from this confinement would be assured.

With a resounding splash, Cao Youqian burst from the Demon Lake. The Thunder Qilin, patiently stationed at the edge, spotted the silhouette shrouded in demonic essence and pitch-black like coal, and reflexively bellowed, “From whence comes this fiend? Behold as this king subdues you.”

“Quit fooling about. I'm not in the mood for a brawl today,” Cao Youqian responded.

The moment his words rang out, the Thunder Qilin gaped in shock, its mouth nearly unhinging. Gazing at Cao Youqian in astonishment, it cried out in alarm, “Brother Qian, how did you attract such disaster? In our Qilin lineage, any touched by calamity faces suppression from the ancestor.”

“It's just demonic essence, no cause for concern,” Cao Youqian assured. “Head out and keep watch for me. Come morning, this demonic essence will vanish.”

While speaking, Cao Youqian settled into a cross-legged position right there and started harnessing the raging demonic essence inside to further hone his build.

“Brother Qian, you're truly okay?” the Thunder Qilin pressed, doubts lingering.

To its mind, disaster wasn't so simply banished. If it were, the Qilin lineage wouldn't dread it intensely. Per the ancestor, this disaster originated from realms beyond the skies, beyond this world's capacity to counter.

“Speak less, and I'll be fine,” Cao Youqian shot back, irritation evident.

At that, the Thunder Qilin had no choice but to pivot and depart, quietly grieving for Brother Qian within.

Time flew by in an instant, a full day elapsed. At dawn the following day, Cao Youqian abruptly widened his eyes, a thrilled grin spreading across his features, for his physique had strengthened slightly more.

He extended his arms and legs, initially planning to seek that colossal hand anew for further refinement. Yet, mindful that the Thunder Qilin still stood sentry outside, he headed that way instead.

“Blast it,” the Thunder Qilin burst out upon witnessing Cao Youqian step forth utterly unscathed, even borrowing its signature phrase. “Brother Qian, you're genuinely okay. How on earth?”

Cao Youqian snapped back testily, “You're a Thunder Qilin, but you ignore how heavenly lightning counters demonic essence. Provided the body holds sufficient fortitude, dispelling this demonic essence comes naturally.”

By now, the Thunder Qilin was fully persuaded and declared, “Brother Qian, from my earliest days to present, I've recognized no one. You're the initial to win my respect.”

“Cut the chatter,” Cao Youqian instructed. “I'm off to toy with that Demon Lord some more. Should humans arrive seeking audience, employ this testing treasure orb to probe their roots. If their blood provokes a glow exceeding seven chi from the orb, they can join under this seat’s sect.”

As he uttered this, Cao Youqian retrieved a treasure orb from his storage ring and passed it to the Thunder Qilin. He hadn't overlooked the goal that brought him and his master to this realm, for even amid cultivation, bolstering the Dao Inquiry Sect remained essential.

“And the various other races?” the Thunder Qilin inquired, head tilted in curiosity.

Cao Youqian pondered briefly. The Dao Inquiry Academy boasted grand sages such as Uncle Master Golden Eagle, so the Dao Inquiry Sect might accommodate them too, though not without caution.

He continued, “Talented prodigies from the other myriad races must undergo this seat’s personal test prior to admission under my sect.”

“Got it. I'll assuredly fulfill the duty you've assigned, Brother Qian,” the Thunder Qilin affirmed promptly.

After parting from the Thunder Qilin, Cao Youqian proceeded to the Demon Lake. Swiftly, he reached the giant hand and hailed it with a wide beam.

“Senior, I have come again.”

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