Chapter 48: The Three Great Gangs Join Forces and Come Knocking!

Jiang Fan knew that what Elder Xu the Demon was about to say would determine whether he could join a cultivation sect.

He did not care whether it was a demonic sect or an orthodox one. What mattered to him was whether he could obtain the cultivation techniques that followed.

And to acquire those techniques, he had to join a sect.

“According to the Strange Tales and Anecdotes recorded in Peaceful Town over the years, as well as the legends passed down among the common people, the tale from three hundred years ago should be true,” Elder Xu the Demon said. “It is said that three hundred years ago, an immortal was gravely wounded and left dying after battling another immortal. He eventually drifted to Peaceful Town, where he was rescued by a great benefactor. After recovering his cultivation, the immortal had no way to repay him. Since the benefactor had no descendants, the immortal granted Peaceful Town three opportunities to attain immortality. Each opportunity would allow one person to obtain a token he had left behind.

“It is said that those three opportunities are located on Godfall Mountain.

“Moreover, according to the Strange and Curious Events recorded in Peaceful Town, someone obtained the immortal’s token on Godfall Mountain one hundred years ago, and another person did so two hundred years ago. Both were then taken away by the immortal, who guided them through the void...

“That is how Godfall Mountain got its name.”

Elder Xu the Demon continued, “When I fell into the mortal world, I heard some of the legends surrounding Godfall Mountain. That was why I came to Peaceful Town and helped the Wild Wolf Gang defeat its rivals and seize control of the mountain. Over the years, I have been able to confirm that, in order to receive the immortal’s guidance, one must either reach a certain level of strength—or possess sufficient luck to trigger the token left behind by the immortal and obtain the final opportunity.”

Jiang Fan listened in silence, now possessing a general understanding of the matter.

“So, only by breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Refinement can one hope to obtain that token and attain the opportunity?” Jiang Fan asked, frowning slightly.

“That is my understanding. It may indeed be so. However, this is only my guess. It is also possible that one must possess sufficient talent, or that anyone who cultivates each minor realm to its utmost limit may be able to trigger the token and receive the immortal’s guidance.” Elder Xu the Demon answered uncertainly.

“You are willing to tell me all this. Surely you do not merely want me to join the Illusory Demon Sect?” Jiang Fan asked. He did not believe Elder Xu the Demon had suddenly developed such a kind heart. The elder hated him to the bone and would gladly kill him if given the chance. “Speak. What are you plotting?”

“Ahem! Master truly is exceptionally clever. But this subordinate would never dare plot anything. I merely... merely hope that after Master joins the Illusory Demon Sect, you can find more soul forms for me to devour. That way, I will be able to grow stronger and fight for Master.” Elder Xu the Demon spoke with a beaming smile.

“All right. You may return.”

The moment Jiang Fan finished speaking, Elder Xu the Demon transformed into a fading afterimage and vanished before his eyes.

Jiang Fan carefully pondered the elder’s words. He felt that Elder Xu the Demon had no reason to deceive him. Although he had become a soul form, he still desired greater strength—and once he had grown strong enough, he would certainly seek to escape Jiang Fan’s control.

Jiang Fan even suspected that the Illusory Demon Sect still contained cultivators who had once been on close terms with Elder Xu the Demon. He could not afford to let down his guard.

Still, judging from Elder Xu the Demon’s intentions, there was no reason for him to lie. What he had said should be true.

“According to Elder Xu the Demon, there are three possible ways to obtain the token on Godfall Mountain. First, one must possess sufficient talent. I naturally have no hope there. Second, one’s cultivation must reach the fourth level of Qi Refinement or higher. But that hope is equally slim, because the Evergreen Azurewood Technique I am cultivating cannot take me to the fourth level of Qi Refinement at all...

“That leaves only the third method. Perhaps I can give it a try.”

Jiang Fan drew a deep breath and muttered, “Then I will cultivate the third level of Qi Refinement to its utmost limit. Perhaps that will trigger the token left behind by the elder of the Illusory Demon Sect.”

The farther one advanced in cultivation, the more difficult it became, and the more time it consumed.

Jiang Fan had now reached the third level of Qi Refinement. Even if he ignored his exhaustion and cultivated without rest, advancing to the utmost limit would still be exceedingly difficult.

To cultivate the third level of Qi Refinement to perfection was harder still.

When he had broken through from the first level to the second, his progress had been so swift mainly because the second level did not require an astonishing amount of spiritual power. In addition, Elder Xu the Demon had provided him with Blood Qi Pills, Human Blood Treasure Pills, spiritual medicines, spirit herbs, and other aids. Combined with his ability to transfer his exhaustion elsewhere, these resources had allowed him to reach the limit of the second level in a short time.

The amount of spiritual power required for the third level was far greater. When Jiang Fan had broken through from the limit of the second level to the third, he had exhausted every low-grade spirit stone Elder Xu the Demon had given him, along with the Human Blood Treasure Pills and other resources. He had also relied on the Great Dao Heavenly Book’s ability to transfer exhaustion before he could break through to the third level so quickly.

Now, however, Jiang Fan had no spirit stones, treasure pills, or other aids. If he relied solely on his own cultivation, then even with the Great Dao Heavenly Book to transfer his fatigue, he would still need a considerable amount of time to reach the limit of the third level.

“To cultivate to the fourth level of Qi Refinement, I need a higher-grade cultivation technique. Only then can I open up a larger sea of energy within my dantian and contain the spiritual power required for the middle stage of Qi Refinement.

“Relying solely on my own efforts, I am probably incapable of breaking through at all... According to Elder Xu the Demon, the first three levels of Qi Refinement constitute the early stage. The fourth through sixth levels constitute the middle stage, while the seventh through ninth levels constitute the late stage. Breaking through each stage requires the assistance of a higher-grade cultivation technique...”

“A cultivation technique for the middle stage of Qi Refinement can only be sought gradually. For now, I should first cultivate the third level to its utmost limit.”

Jiang Fan returned to the second floor and sat cross-legged on the rooftop, silently beginning his cultivation.

As he cultivated, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth slowly drilled into his body from every direction, causing his cultivation to strengthen little by little. At the same time, he transferred his fatigue elsewhere.

Now that his cultivation had reached the third level of Qi Refinement, the amount of fatigue he could transfer had become terrifying. In the space of a single day, one of the twenty Wild Wolf Gang officers whom he had forced to swallow the Seven-Day Heart-Eating Powder was worked to death.

The following day, Jiang Fan cultivated through the night, and another of the twenty men was worked to death.

After only three days, the twenty Wild Wolf Gang officers who had committed countless evil deeds had been reduced to thirteen.

“I originally thought I would reach the limit of the third level in another three or four days. It seems this will not be so simple. I should continue cultivating. Thirteen of those twenty Wild Wolf Gang officers are still alive, so I can continue transferring the burden onto them.”

With that thought, Jiang Fan resumed his cultivation in high spirits.

This time, he cultivated for three full days. Six more Wild Wolf Gang officers were worked to death, while the countless flecks of spiritual power within Jiang Fan’s spiritual vortex had completely transformed into tiny crystalline particles.

Yet Jiang Fan’s brows furrowed.

“What is going on? By all rights, I should have already cultivated the third level of Qi Refinement to its utmost limit. Why does it feel as though I can still improve?”

Jiang Fan was utterly perplexed.

“I clearly feel that my spiritual vortex can no longer contain any more spiritual power, so why do I still have this sensation? Is my dantian too small? Or has something gone wrong somewhere?”

His mind filled with doubts, Jiang Fan could only suspend his cultivation for the time being.

“Something’s wrong! Help, Master! The Azure Dragon Gang, the Fierce Tiger Gang, and the Ironblood Gang have come attacking!”

At that very moment, a voice filled with panic rang out from downstairs, and Jiang Fan’s expression changed instantly.