Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 826: Meridian Refining Art

"Senior, this junior isn't doubting your statements, but the truth is that a legendary ferocious beast such as the Taotie was only present during the ancient times of the Cangyun Realm, a period now almost entirely severed from today. Records of those days are incredibly rare, so this junior grasps just the broad strokes.

The Cangyun Realm in that distant past spanned far beyond its current size, immeasurably larger.

Yet, amid the fierce clashes between Immortals and Gods, it underwent relentless division and destruction. Certain pieces were utterly annihilated, others transformed into minor thousand worlds linked to the Cangyun Realm, while some segments separated completely, drifting endlessly through the void...

Renshou observed Chen Huaian's reaction before pressing on, "Exactly due to the foggy and obscure nature of that historical epoch, I struggled to accept your reference to the Taotie.

I believe your demonic beast simply carries the Taotie bloodline.

Should it actually be a full Taotie, subduing an archaic savage creature like that would prove impossible for anyone. A mere widening of its jaws could engulf the skies themselves. It stands as a truly ominous and perilous being!"

These words prompted Chen Huaian to narrow his gaze.

Who would have thought the Cangyun Realm hid such mysteries?

Even though it's labeled a minor thousand world tied to the Cangyun Realm, its power framework shows no stark separation from the Cangyun Realm's.

That defies the usual hierarchy separating grand from minor thousand worlds.

Such a divide should mirror the chasm between reality and imagination, like a strike from a lower dimension.

Evidently, the cultivation paths of Earth Star lack any such profound schism with the Cangyun Realm; in fact, they might trace back to the same roots.

For Earth Star cultivators can practice Cangyun Realm arts, and vice versa—Cangyun experts can wield Earth Star methods effectively, though they often disdain them.

Could it be possible, then?

That the fabled Primordial Chaos once formed part of the Cangyun Realm, with Earth Star as one of the larger fragments torn away during its rupture?

This theory would justify the Taotie myths persisting in Cangyun lore.

It would also account for the comparable power scales across these realms.

"You make a valid point." Chen Huaian offered no rebuttal here, replying steadily, "It might indeed bear Taotie lineage. Now, for a beast of this nature, what improvement strategies do you suggest?"

Hearing that, Renshou twirled his beard between fingers, mulling it over briefly, his face growing solemn. With the Chen Sword Master placing such high regard on this demonic beast, it undoubtedly carries immense import for him. Thus, commonplace approaches likely wouldn't appeal to the esteemed Sword Master.

In that light...

He rose gradually, drawing forth a jade slip of watery hue from his storage ring.

Channeling spiritual energy into it revealed three radiant flows upon its surface, floating amid the pair.

"Senior, when it comes to boosting a demonic beast's prowess, our sect draws from a millennium of legacy and offers three established techniques. Yet their tiers vary greatly, as do the expenses involved and the ultimate outcomes."

Renshou gestured toward the outer light in faint blue, speaking with a note of wariness. "This initial one bears the name 'Spirit Marrow Meridian Tempering Method,' viewed as the basic approach."

"It works by extracting 'Profound Yellow Spirit Marrow' from the depths of earth veins, blended with moderate spirit herbs such as 'Thousand-Year Purple Ganoderma' and 'Blood Ginseng King,' to prepare a broth for meridian fortification. The beast soaks within it. The marrow strengthens its meridians, the herbs restore its qi and blood, gradually stirring the latent Taotie potential in its lineage."

He halted briefly, then elaborated, "This technique's strength is its reliability, free from any rebound risks. It boosts the beast's bodily might and demonic force stores by thirty percent, speeding up its consumption rate too.

Yet the flaw stands out—it takes forever to yield results, demanding three months of steady immersion, and it merely rouses the shallow bloodline layers. Perhaps it'll sprout a handful of savage traits akin to the Taotie, but nothing substantial."

Chen Huaian scarcely reacted, his finger skimming the blue radiance, which promptly faded away.

Evidently, this option failed to intrigue him.

Renshou expected as much and indicated the central red flow. "The next, 'Myriad Spirits Blood Gathering Formation,' ranks as an intermediate technique.

It demands a 'Nine Revolutions Demon Refining Cauldron' at the array's heart to erect the Blood Gathering Formation. Next, gather lifeblood from thirty distinct demonic beast species—at minimum from Void Shattering realm and higher. Ideally, include three potent demon lineages, like the Flying Mane Profound Tiger or Crimson-Eyed Python King.

"The core idea uses the array's force to merge the 'baleful energy' and 'life essence' from those vital essences, aggressively cleansing the target beast's bloodline nodes to shatter its lineage bonds."

Here, Renshou's tone lifted a bit. "Success with this would refine the Taotie bloodline in your demonic beast. It might even instantly unlock the Taotie's ingestion gift—at which point, absorbed spiritual energy and demonic power turn straight into its vital force, without loss.

Besides, its form would develop Taotie scale plating, resistant to strikes from typical Great Ascension Stage experts.

That said..."

His voice altered, a strained expression crossing his features. "This approach carries two drawbacks. One, the setup needs seven full days and nights undisturbed; any interruption triggers array rebound that harms the beast's core.

Two, the overwhelming baleful aura from so many beasts proves fierce. The creature faces nine rounds of 'Bloodline Scorching' agony. Without a steely mind, it risks descending into madness, turning into a mindless slayer."

From Renshou's implication, Muscle Tyrant would need to attend.

The bloodline scorching torment would barely faze Muscle Tyrant.

Still, it appeared overly cumbersome.

Chen Huaian remained silent, directing his eyes to the last dark stream.

That radiance bore a subtle edge of murderous vibe, setting it apart from the others.

Renshou inhaled deeply, his words tinged with respect. "This final one represents our sect's pinnacle legacy, termed the 'Chaos Meridian Refining Art.'"

"Senior, are you aware the Taotie arose as a savage born from primordial chaos? Its lineage holds the pure quintessence of 'Devouring All Things, Refining Chaos.' This art aligns with that path, employing 'Chaos Profound Stone' to lead, fueled by the 'soul and vital essence of a demonic beast at Great Ascension Stage or stronger,' to outright reforge the beast's bloodline core."

With a motion, he traced an intricate symbol midair.

"The Chaos Profound Stone links to the Taotie essence deep in the beast's frame.

A Great Ascension demonic beast's soul harbors 'origin energy,' its vital essence 'baleful energy.' Combining these three forges a blaze to recast the lineage—not just awakening the full Taotie bloodline, but cleansing away dross, granting it the nascent shape of the ancient Taotie's 'Devour the Heavens and Earth.'"

"And the outcomes?" Chen Huaian inquired at last.

"Outcomes?" Excitement gleamed in Renshou's gaze. "Bodily power surges by no less than ten times. Tales claim even standard immortal tools can't breach it!

It enhances the beast's innate skills too. If your demonic beast holds true Taotie lineage, its ingestion ability's scope could stretch a thousand miles. Peaks, streams, foliage, spiritual force, vapors—all gulped down in an instant. Swallowed foes or items get smelted internally, fueling its own advancement.

Plus, no rebound effects here. Post-refinement, the bloodline locks in solidly. As cultivation advances, it can progressively reveal the ancient Taotie's innate powers."

Chen Huaian pondered these details silently for an instant.

This boiled down to lineage purification as well.

Yet it carried a sense that success might birth a Taotie duplicate.

Thus, applying this to Muscle Tyrant—would it mirror consuming a self-image, thereby amplifying its might twofold?

Quite enticing!

With a point of his finger, Chen Huaian absorbed the dark radiance into his hand, as the blue and red ones faded independently.

"We'll go with this." He declared evenly, settling on it.

The enthusiasm on Renshou's visage faltered into chagrin as he saluted. "Senior, while this technique shines... our sect lacks the spare resources."

"Oh?" Chen Huaian arched a brow. "What's required?"

"The Chaos Profound Stone we can handle; the sect vault retains a modest reserve." Renshou replied reluctantly, "But the 'soul and vital essence of a Great Ascension Stage demonic beast'—lately, quelling a berserk Profound Turtle in the sect drained our final store of such vital essence.

Souls prove scarcer still. Slaying Great Ascension demonic beasts is no easy feat. Even if their forms perish, demonic souls escape to distant places.

Right now, the whole Spirit Beast Sect holds not one fitting demonic soul and vital essence set."

"The vital essence and demonic soul from a Great Ascension Stage demonic beast..."

Chen Huaian rubbed his chin.

This pushed him toward striking at the Demon Race in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Well, how regrettable.

Hold on!

Recalling properly.

The Spirit Void Old Ghost had ventured into the Hundred Thousand Mountains earlier. Ages have passed without word. Did he meet his end there?