Chen Li sat cross-legged in the courtyard, closing his eyes as he summoned the system. Two beams of light appeared in his vision—one golden but pale, and the other red, tinged with black. The golden merit beam had transformed into a solid light column, while the red sin beam remained unchanged, still in its original form.
Chen Li guessed the transformation of the merit beam into a light column was likely due to his act of saving General Wang. Apart from that, he couldn't think of any other reason.
"System, I want to exchange merit for enlightenment in formations," he commanded.
[You have sufficient merit for one incense stick's worth of enlightenment time in formations. Do you wish to exchange it?]
"One incense stick of time? That's too short... but I don't have a choice right now. Exchange it."
[Ding! You have successfully exchanged one incense stick's worth of enlightenment time in formations.]
As the notification sounded, the golden light of merit column dimmed and an incense stick materialized in Chen Li's vision and ignited. Wasting no time, he began comprehending the Spirit Gathering Formation.
This time, the process was extraordinarily smooth—his understanding flowed effortlessly, like a fish in water. Concepts that once seemed obscure unfolded clearly before him. Compared to his previous attempts without the system's aid, the difference was like heaven and earth.
Chen Li delved deeper into the Spirit Gathering Formation, dissecting its intricate parts until they revealed their indivisible core elements. Beyond that point, he began to sense something indescribable and elusive. It was a profound, illusory feeling, tantalizingly close yet beyond his grasp.
Before he could explore further, the feeling abruptly vanished. The light column and beam reappeared in his vision, while the incense stick had already burned away. He realized that his allotted time had ended.
Even so, Chen Li was satisfied. He had fully understood the Spirit Gathering Formation and only needed to decide what type of formation to construct.
Although he had gathered various formation techniques, he lacked the materials to create rune-based formations that could be moved or stored at will. His space ring contained only spirit crystals, pills, and a few treasures. Terrain-based formations could be built by altering the environment, but they were immovable and unsuitable for his current circumstances. Moreover, he had yet to settle on a permanent location—one that not only supported a formation but also provided opportunities to gain merit and further strengthen himself.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Spreading his spirit sense, he saw three figures nearing the courtyard: General Wang, whom he had saved earlier, and two others he didn't recognize. From their aura, he could tell that the newcomers were cultivators.
"Your Excellency, may I come in?" General Wang called out respectfully. Though this was his own mansion, he dared not enter the courtyard without permission.
"Come in," Chen Li replied calmly, rising to his feet and walking toward the stone pavilion with its simple chairs and table in the courtyard.
The three visitors entered the courtyard and approached the pavilion, but they stood respectfully, not daring to sit.
"What is it?" Chen Li asked, his tone indifferent.
"Your Excellency, this is King Qi, the younger brother of the current Emperor," General Wang introduced.
"Your Excellency, it is my honor to meet you," King Qi said, bowing respectfully.
Chen Li glanced briefly at King Qi before turning to General Wang. "Is this your backer?"
The blunt question made the atmosphere slightly awkward. Sensing the tension, King Qi quickly interjected, "Your Excellency, I've prepared a small gift for you." As he spoke, he retrieved a jade bottle from his sleeve and placed it on the table.
Chen Li's eyes lit up when he saw the jade bottle. King Qi noticed and smiled, but the smile quickly froze when Chen Li spoke.
"This jade is nice. How many do you have? I'd like to buy them," Chen Li said.
King Qi smiled bitterly and replied, "Your Excellency, the gift is not the jade bottle but what's inside it. While this jade is precious, it's merely jewelry. If Your Excellency desires more, I can provide as many as you want."
"Fine. I'll take hundred pieces," Chen Li replied nonchalantly, opening the jade bottle. He sniffed its contents, his brows furrowing. "This spirit liquid is abnormal. Its energy is more violent and contains more impurities than spirit crystals. Where did you get this?"
"This was a tribute to the Emperor from the Martial Alliance. My brother, the Emperor, bestowed 20 drops upon me. This bottle contains 10 of them," King Qi explained.
"The Martial Alliance?" Chen Li murmured, puzzled. "How can martial artists possess spirit liquid of this nature? Are they body cultivators? They must be. Only body cultivators could withstand such violent energy without life-guarding treasures."
Chen Li pondered for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I accept your gift. If you ever need assistance, you can ask. As long as it's within my power, I'll help you." With a wave of his sleeve, the jade bottle disappeared into his space ring.
King Qi's eyes brightened at the sight and quickly said, "Thank you, Your Excellency. I do have a request—please save General Wang again."
"Save him again?" Chen Li raised an eyebrow.
"It's like this, Your Excellency," General Wang began to explain. "I returned to the capital to request reinforcements. Although the Emperor agreed, he's unable to send any high-ranking cultivators due to pressure from the imperial court. Without high-end power, we won't be able to hold the demons back for much longer. That's why we humbly beg for your help."
At the end of his words, General Wang knelt down.
Chen Li thought for a moment before responding, "Fine. I'll help you once—just once. If you need more help, you'll have to exchange something for it."
"Thank you! Thank you, Your Excellency!"
Both General Wang and King Qi expressed their gratitude sincerely, bowing deeply.
After General Wang and King Qi left the courtyard, some time passed before Chen Li returned to his earlier spot. Sitting cross-legged again, he took out the jade bottle from his space ring. He began absorbing the spirit liquid into his body without hesitation.
Even though the spirit liquid's energy was wild and full of impurities, Chen Li didn't worry. He had the Nine Oceans Pearl. As he expected, its power calmed the violent energy, making it gentle and easy to guide into his dantian. The impurities didn't bother him either. Thanks to the Nine Oceans Art, he was somewhat immune to impurities and could refine them later. Confident in his ability, Chen Li absorbed the spirit liquid without fear.
When he finished, Chen Li opened his eyes and thought to himself, "These ten drops of spirit liquid are equal to absorbing one spirit stone, but the impurities are ten times worse. This Great Xuan Dynasty, where the Black Tortoise told me to stay, is not simple. I need to be careful."
In an underground chamber, two masked men sat at a table. One sat at the head, clearly in charge, while the other sat to his right.
"How is it going?" the leader asked.
"The plan failed," the second man said. "A Foundation Establishment cultivator saved him. But don't worry—he won't escape us for long."
"And the Emperor?"
"He still doesn't believe us," the second man replied.
The leader snorted. "Hmph… stubborn fool. If he won't fear death, we'll show him the coffin."
One month later.
Demon Slayer City.
The city was under siege, its towering walls battered relentlessly by an overwhelming horde of demons. They came in waves, their grotesque forms a nightmarish blend of claws, fangs, and glowing red eyes. Each charge struck the defenses like a thunderstorm, shaking the very ground beneath the soldiers' feet. On the walls, the defenders fought with everything they had, their faces hardened with grim determination.
The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the acrid scent of burning flesh. Screams of pain and rage echoed across the battlefield, mingling with the guttural roars of the demons. The soldiers, though brave, were clearly struggling under the relentless assault. They moved as a single, desperate force—arrows flying, spears thrusting, swords slashing—trying to hold the line.
But the battle was merciless. Blood pooled on the stone ramparts and soaked the earth below. For every demon struck down, another seemed to rise in its place. Soldiers fell one after another, their cries lost in the chaos, their bodies crushed or torn apart by the monstrous attackers. The relentless tide of demons threatened to overwhelm the walls at any moment, turning the defenders' courage into an act of sheer defiance against an unstoppable force.
On the gate tower, General Wang stood watching the fierce battle calmly. Next to him was a handsome man in white robes—Chen Li. While Chen Li looked calm on the outside, his mind was restless.
In both his past and present life, Chen Li had never seen such a bloody battle. Cultivator fights were powerful but never this desperate. Here, mortal soldiers fought with everything they had, not for glory but to protect their country. Watching them struggle deeply moved Chen Li, though he stayed silent.
As the sun began to set, the demons retreated. The battlefield was a gruesome sight—bodies piled up like hills, and blood flowed like rivers.
"General Wang, what do you do with the bodies of demons?" Chen Li asked.
"We burn them," General Wang replied with a bow. "They can't be eaten or used for refining. Every part of their bodies is highly poisonous."
"In that case, send one to my place. I want to study it," Chen Li said.
"Yes, Your Excellency." Although confused, General Wang didn't refuse. He turned to a soldier and gave the order.