Fiend Transformation Art

Fiend Transformation Art...

In the hallowed halls of the Emperor Star Academy, within the 7th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion, Qin Wentian's eyes suddenly snapped open. A sinister glint danced in his eyes as his aura bore a heavy taint of demonic Qi.

With a sense of accomplishment, Qin Wentian knew that he had successfully absorbed the beast spirit. He could feel a savage energy contained within his sea of consciousness.

"Will I gain the ability to sense the presence of more powerful beast-type Astral Souls within the Heavenly Layers once I absorb these spirits?" Qin Wentian pondered silently. He slowly rose to his feet, pushing open the door and stepping out of the entrance.

"I left of my own accord, and my spirit body remains intact. I can return to the testing ground in the future," Qin Wentian mused, gazing at the entrance to the secret realm. He couldn't help but think of Luo Tianya, who hadn't been as fortunate. His spirit body must have been destroyed, and he had hoped that his son could succeed where he had failed, ascending to the 8th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion.

What a bittersweet irony that the one who achieved this feat was Qin Wentian instead of Luo Qianqiu.

Qin Wentian's gaze shifted to the second entrance, adorned with the numeral '8' above it. According to the scrap of paper, obtaining one of the top ten ranked beast spirits listed in the Warbeast Index granted the right to enter the 8th level. He should meet the requirements.

Taking a step forward, Qin Wentian approached the second entrance. As he drew closer, he noticed several murals above the entrance, each depicting one of the top ten ranked demonic beasts listed in the Warbeast Index.

"How do I gain entry?" Confusion wrinkled Qin Wentian's brow. The door to the 7th level's entrance was open, allowing anyone on that level to enter. However, the entrance to the 8th level remained tightly shut.

"Insert the beast spirit into its respective mural," a voice echoed around him. Qin Wentian turned but found no one there. The source of the voice must have been the guardian of the 7th level he had encountered earlier.

Qin Wentian's gaze returned to the mural of the Blue-scaled Flood Dragon. With a glint of demonic light in his eyes, he retrieved the flood dragon's spirit consciousness from his sea of consciousness and placed it within the mural. Instantly, the mural radiated a brilliant light, and the entrance to the 8th level began to open slowly.

"It's opening." Qin Wentian stepped across the threshold, entering a vast, enclosed space. Above him, murals of numerous demonic beasts shimmered with Astral Light, so lifelike that they appeared to be breathing.

In the heart of this sealed chamber, a prayer mat lay at the center, beckoning Qin Wentian to sit down cross-legged. Astral Light emanated from the vivid murals, veiling his body and permeating his very being.

Witnessing this enigmatic spectacle, Qin Wentian closed his eyes, allowing the Astral Lights to seep into his essence. The sensation felt oddly familiar, as if he had experienced it before.

It was a memory fragment, a legacy left behind by the Azure Emperor.

"The countless creatures of the Heavens and Earth all possess the potential for cultivation, be they human or demon. Yet, marked disparities exist between these two races. In certain aspects, such as physical strength, defense, and regeneration, demonic creatures greatly surpass humans. Conversely, humans exhibit unparalleled insight and comprehension, giving birth to a multitude of potent innate techniques, allowing them to rival or even surpass demonic beasts, and thus becoming the darlings of the heavens."

"At a certain stage of their cultivation, demonic beasts, upon reaching the Heavenly Dipper Realm, can transform into human form and acquire the innate techniques of the human race. It's as if demons yearn to attain humanity. Nevertheless, even in their pursuit, they can never quite attain the innate insights and comprehension that humans naturally possess."

"Even those humans who were once demons cannot seamlessly amalgamate the strengths of both races. To strive for perfection, the only path left was to utilize their human foundation and infuse it with demonic arts. If human cultivators could harmoniously combine the mighty physical attributes of demons with their innate high comprehension and diverse innate techniques, what level of power could they reach?"

These words from the memory fragment resonated deeply within Qin Wentian, stirring an exhilarating excitement in his heart.

What an audacious concept – harnessing humanity as a foundation for cultivating demonic might.

"In truth, some human cultivators have already ventured down this path, advancing toward this very idea. These cultivators are known as Beast-type Astral Souls Stellar Martial Cultivators. Astral Souls offer the possibility of tapping into the ferocity of demonic beasts. Yet, there remain limitations. To unlock the true potential of humans through demonic energy, one must first possess an exceedingly potent Demonic Beast-type Astral Soul. Without it, the endeavor would be in vain."

Qin Wentian's heart pounded with anticipation, realizing that this newfound knowledge was the key to unlocking unimaginable power.

A mysterious voice whispered into Qin Wentian's ears. Suddenly, it all made sense to him - the purpose of the 7th level's trial was to hunt down one of the top ten ranked demonic beasts from the Warbeast Index.

The Azure Emperor intended for only those who possessed one of the top ten ranked demonic beast spirits to enter this sacred place. With these credentials, one could harness the ferocious power of Demonic Beast-type Astral Energy.

Another memory fragment infiltrated Qin Wentian's consciousness as the brilliant light above him gradually dimmed.

After some time, Qin Wentian fully assimilated the memory fragment. In the depths of his eyes gleamed an intense resolve. Within his mind echoed just three words – the Fiend Transformation Art.

"The Fiend Transformation Art!"

"What an audacious and insane cultivation technique!" Qin Wentian's heart surged with waves of awe and admiration for the unknown creator of this art. It was utterly perverse, pushing the boundaries of what human cultivators could achieve.

Human cultivators were truly astonishing.

Qin Wentian recollected the final words left behind by the Azure Emperor within the memory fragment.

"Long ago, through a series of fortunate events, I stumbled upon the Fiend Transformation Art. Filled with awe and trepidation, I knew that if this technique were to be revealed, the Sky Demon Palace would undoubtedly dispatch their forces to hunt down those who practiced it. Thus, I cultivated this art in utmost secrecy, reserving it only for moments of dire peril. However, should I pass from this world without leaving behind a successor for this technique, I would be guilty of a great sin. To avert this calamity, I refrained from passing the art down to the members of my Azure Emperor Palace. Nevertheless, I couldn't bear to let such a profound cultivation technique vanish with the passage of time."

Qin Wentian comprehended the gravity of the situation. The Fiend Transformation Art was of equal importance to him as his Spiritual Refinement Method. The revelation of these techniques to the public would undoubtedly bring catastrophe to their possessors.

Fortunately, the cultivation of the Spiritual Refinement Method did not exhibit any conspicuous external effects. To outsiders, it merely appeared that his attacks were remarkably more potent than others at the same level.

The Fiend Transformation Art comprised three levels.

The first level was the Fiendish Body Realm. By channeling demonic Qi and circulating it throughout the body's arterial pathways, energy channels, and meridians, practitioners could forge a fleshly body as robust as that of demonic beasts. It wasn't limited to the external body; the five viscera and six inner organs also needed to be fortified to a level akin to that of a demonic beast, vastly enhancing vitality. Indeed, the life force of demonic beasts far exceeded that of humans at the same stage of cultivation.

The second stage was the Fiendish Emergence Realm. Here, practitioners harnessed immense Demonic Yuan Energy to manifest a true demonic body that cloaked their real form. The power of this realm soared when bolstered by a formidable Beast-type Astral Soul.

Finally, there was the third stage, the Fiend Transformation. At this pinnacle, one could seamlessly shift into a demonic state, merging the most desirable attributes of both demons and humans within a single body. They could sprout genuine Garuda Wings, taking flight through the cosmos, or transform into a demonic dragon, wielding earth-shattering might.

Qin Wentian inhaled deeply, his heart racing with excitement. The revelation of this formidable technique hidden on the 8th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion stunned him. With this newfound knowledge, Qin Wentian pondered that the ninth and tenth ranked demonic beasts from the Warbeast Index didn't seem potent enough to fuel the Fiend Transformation Art. The most suitable option would be to condense Astral Souls corresponding to those top-ranked demonic beasts. This would provide the necessary Demonic Yuan Energy to master the Fiend Transformation Art.

However, this realization presented a new dilemma for Qin Wentian. Initially, he had intended to condense a Summoning-type Astral Soul for his third awakening. Yet, cultivating the Fiend Transformation Art necessitated a powerful Beast-type Astral Soul. It was a conundrum he chose to set aside for the moment.

Without further hesitation, Qin Wentian immersed himself in the cultivation of the first level of the Fiend Transformation Art. Its creator was well-versed in the breathing techniques of demonic beasts, having designed a unique method for breathing and Qi circulation tailored specifically for this art.

With closed eyes, Qin Wentian steadied his heart and began his cultivation. His breathing rhythm fluctuated, at times slow, at times frantic, until it reached an equilibrium. Each breath resonated with his heartbeat, causing his internal organs to pulsate in synchrony.

As Qin Wentian delved deeper, he entered a profoundly wondrous state. Unbeknownst to him, the blood coursing through his veins began to heat up, autonomously circulating throughout his body. It harmonized with his breathing technique and the Qi circulation method, creating an intricate and harmonious flow.

After two days, Qin Wentian emerged from the profound state of cultivation, his senses alert to the astonishing changes wrought within him. A sense of bewilderment swept over him. Could his talent truly be this remarkable? Was his physique uniquely suited for the mastery of the Fiend Transformation Art?

"It's time to depart," Qin Wentian muttered as he stood and left the Heavenly Star Pavilion. The cultivation demands of the first level of the Fiend Transformation Art were staggering, requiring vast reserves of resources for proficiency. Exiting the pavilion, he headed to the Sky Transport Network, where he dispatched a letter to Francis, granting him authority to address minor affairs. Following this, he resumed his secluded cultivation, dedicating his focus entirely to advancing his power.

In the far reaches of the galaxy, within the Heavenly Layers, Qin Wentian's consciousness traversed into the 5th Heavenly Layer. A constellation took shape before his eyes, its countless stars weaving together to form the emblem of the Blue-scaled Flood Dragon. The constellation emanated potent Demonic Beast-type Yuan Energy.

"Indeed, establishing a connection with this constellation is remarkably straightforward," Qin Wentian mused. He finally grasped the reason countless students and disciples from esteemed sects sought entry into the Spirit Beast Testing Grounds. Once they obtained the beast spirit, attaining an Astral Soul corresponding to the constellation became almost assured.

Meanwhile, at Qin Wentian's residence, Fan Le arrived, accompanied by Qin Chuan and Qin Yao.

"Is Wentian still immersed in cultivation, Uncle?" Fan Le asked Qin Chuan.

"Yes, he's remarkably dedicated. He entered closed-door seclusion immediately after his return from the Heavenly Star Pavilion. It's possible he gained insights," Qin Chuan responded. However, his mind was burdened with various concerns. He fully comprehended the ongoing changes in Chu and was weighed down by a complex mixture of emotions. Though he was aware his father had hidden significant matters from him, he couldn't act upon this knowledge. The entire Royal Clan was closely monitoring his actions, making him a virtual prisoner within the Emperor Star Academy.

The burden placed upon him and Qin Yao by the Royal Clan was indirectly endured by the academy itself. Yet, the Royal Clan was now poised to confront the Emperor Star Academy—a factor that had unpredictably evolved into a thorn in the side of the Royal Clan.

...In another corner of the Grand Xia Empire, the Qingzhou State, the base of the Nine Mystical Palace, was in a flurry of activity. Numerous disciples of the Nine Mystical Palace mounted their demonic beasts, setting forth towards the Chu Country.

Beyond the Nine Mystical Palace, Qingzhou State boasted several other formidable factions, with the Greencloud Pavilion being one such example.

The pinnacle of the Greencloud Pavilion soared into the heavens, its towering spire almost brushing the skies. Nestled atop nine majestic peaks, the pavilion comprised numerous grand halls that appeared to float amidst the clouds, evoking the imagery of an ethereal immortal realm.

Within a secluded corner of the Greencloud Pavilion, a poised and elegant young lady stood. Her aura exuded a regal charm, and despite her youth, she possessed an undeniable charisma.

"Miss, do you have any directives for me?" A subordinate inquired respectfully.

"Conduct an investigation on the Nine Mystical Palace. Determine whether they have any affiliations with a minor territory called Chu. If such a connection exists, I require a comprehensive report on an individual by the name of Qin Wentian." The young lady was none other than Meng Qianyu. That fellow had managed to snatch the ninth-ranked warbeast spirit from right under the noses of many, implying a certain degree of luck. Yet, it was his conduct and demeanor that intrigued her profoundly. She couldn't help but wonder if he would ever venture into the Spirit Beast Testing Grounds again.