Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Exploring the Gray Mist Forbidden Zone

Of course, mastering the technique is one thing, and putting it into practical use is another.

As for how much power this sword technique could exert, Chen Ansheng needed to find an opportunity to verify it.

Later, Chen Ansheng did not leave; instead, he sat cross-legged on the ground, cultivating the Spirit Gathering Art.

This Spirit Gathering Art is the foundation of cultivation in the celestial realm. It is not particularly difficult to practice, but it requires years of effort to enhance the integration rate of celestial spiritual energy.

Two days later.

Chen Ansheng sensed that Li Huaizhen had returned, so he awakened from his meditation and summoned him.

“Young Master, I have killed that old man,” Li Huaizhen reported.

“Good.” Chen Ansheng nodded lightly. “Was it smooth? Did you leave any traces?”

“Very smoothly,” Li Huaizhen said. “I only needed one strike to sever his head; he didn’t have time to send out a message.”

Chen Ansheng nodded slightly and said, “That’s good. By the way, how has your practice of the True Demon Heart Sutra progressed? Have you reached the threshold of the first level?”

Upon hearing this, Li Huaizhen smiled ruefully and said, “I am dull-witted; after practicing for half a year, I have only gained a slight understanding and have not yet reached the entry-level realm.”

Chen Ansheng said, “This is not your fault. This technique is a wondrous art that seizes the heavens and earth’s creation; its difficulty is extraordinary. If you can reach the entry-level within thirty years, your ascension will be hopeful.”

Hearing this, Li Huaizhen was greatly surprised. To think that just reaching the first level could lead to ascension!

This technique is truly powerful!

“Thank you, Young Master, for your guidance. I will definitely do my utmost in my cultivation,” Li Huaizhen said, excited.

Chen Ansheng smiled and said, “In cultivation, determination and perseverance alone are not enough. Without opportunities, no matter how hard you work, you cannot reach the peak.”

Li Huaizhen nodded solemnly and said, “What you say is very true, so I am preparing to explore that forbidden zone again. Perhaps I can gain some opportunities.”

Chen Ansheng said, “I think the same way. Let’s go together.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Later, Chen Ansheng first recognized the defensive celestial artifact as his own, then checked the remaining two celestial talismans: one was a talisman for escape, and the other was a talisman for attack.

After all, this was Chen Ansheng’s first time entering a forbidden zone, so being cautious was never a bad idea.

…

At the edge of the forbidden zone.

Chen Ansheng and Li Huaizhen landed in front of a patch of gray mist.

Compared to six months ago, the gray mist area had expanded a hundredfold, enveloping a region of several hundred kilometers.

Among them, many towns and villages had been submerged by the gray mist.

Because of this, many external cultivators had come to the news, hoping to reap some benefits from the forbidden zone.

“Let’s go in.”

With a call, Chen Ansheng flew into the gray mist area first.

“Young Master, when I entered a few days ago, it wasn’t this misty; my spiritual sense could barely spread. I didn’t expect that in just a few days, the mist inside would be this thick.”

As soon as they entered, Li Huaizhen said in surprise.

“Don’t mention your spiritual sense; even my celestial sense is obstructed— I can only detect things within a ten-zhang range,” Chen Ansheng said.

Li Huaizhen was even more astonished. If even the Young Master’s celestial sense could be blocked, it seemed this forbidden zone was indeed extraordinary.

“Let’s go; let’s check out that cave.”

“Mm.”

The two continued forward.

Not long after, a cultivator whose body was in a state of decay burst out from the gray mist.

“Help me, save me…”

He fell to the ground, his hand, covered in rotting flesh and blood, reached out toward Chen Ansheng.

Chen Ansheng frowned and asked, “What wounded you?”

“I don’t know, help me, please…” The man shouted in agony.

“Huaizhen, kill him.”

Chen Ansheng did not wish to show any mercy, and since the man was completely corrupted by demonic energy, even if they wanted to save him, it was impossible. It would be better to end his suffering quickly.

“Ah, beast, I’ll fight you!”

Hearing this, the man went into a fury and abruptly lunged at Chen Ansheng, attempting to bite him.

Whoosh!

Li Huaizhen acted quickly; a flash of blade light, and the man’s head fell to the ground, yet his body did not collapse, continuing to charge forward.

Li Huaizhen followed up with another strike, cleaving the headless corpse in half.

Black, oozing blood splattered all over Li Huaizhen.

Hiss…

When the black blood touched Li Huaizhen’s skin, wisps of black smoke immediately rose.

Fearful of being poisoned, Li Huaizhen attempted to use his spiritual power to eliminate the poisonous blood.

However, as soon as he began to channel his energy, the black blood seeped into his flesh, leaving no trace where it had contaminated him.

“Eh?”

Seeing this, Chen Ansheng was curious and asked, “Did you absorb his blood?”

Li Huaizhen focused his thoughts and sensed the situation, saying, “Indeed! His blood is like pure spiritual energy, spreading within my body!”

Chen Ansheng said, “Is there such a good thing? Try to actively absorb his blood.”

Li Huaizhen immediately spread his palm, using spiritual power to lift the black blood from the ground. Sure enough, the black blood was completely absorbed again.

Li Huaizhen said excitedly, “Young Master, this black blood works exceptionally well. I don’t even need to refine it; it actively integrates into my limbs and bones. The effect is better than spiritual energy!”

Chen Ansheng did not understand the mystery behind it but speculated, “You now possess a demonic body and have cultivated supreme demonic techniques; perhaps devouring is indeed your best path in cultivation.”

The demonic path is inherently about seizing the heavens and earth’s creation, taking shortcuts; if one were to practice in a rigid manner, how could they still call themselves a demonic cultivator?

“Mm!”

Li Huaizhen nodded in agreement.

Thus, he no longer needed to meditate to cultivate; he just needed to devour and absorb blood containing demonic energy to improve his realm—simple and quick!

The two continued through the gray mist.

About half an hour later, Li Huaizhen had found over a hundred cultivators corroded by demonic energy; some had been dead for some time, while others were still barely alive.

As long as there was blood to absorb, Li Huaizhen did not let a single drop go, absorbing all their blood.

“Younger Master, I have broken through and officially entered the Great Ascension stage!”

“Very good.” Chen Ansheng nodded in satisfaction and said, “As long as this forbidden zone exists, there will surely be a steady stream of cultivators intruding. You just need to come back periodically to absorb. Now, let’s go check out that cave.”

“Understood.”

Walking in the gray mist, Chen Ansheng actually felt quite thrilled, having never explored beyond the mines before.

Soon, the two arrived at the cave Li Huaizhen had visited earlier.

The entrance of the cave was shrouded in thick black mist, surging with terrifying demonic energy, making it chilling to the bone.

Even Chen Ansheng felt somewhat uneasy.

“Why don’t you try going closer?”

Chen Ansheng, not daring to touch the black mist himself, instructed Li Huaizhen to go.

Li Huaizhen naturally obeyed and flew to the edge of the black mist, reaching out to probe it.

“Hiss!”

Li Huaizhen felt a sharp pain and quickly retracted his hand.

Unfortunately, he was a second too late.

Li Huaizhen’s hand had already been corroded by the black mist, transforming into a blood-bone claw.

Chen Ansheng couldn’t help but retract his neck, murmuring, “Is it that fierce?!”

The more this happened, the more curious Chen Ansheng became about what was hidden in this cave.