Attaining Immortality, Starting From Slaying Demons
Chapter 977 - 638: The Honest Man Who Got Promoted_2

Chapter 977: Chapter 638: The Honest Man Who Got Promoted_2

"Meng Xiuwen?" Min Zhiyan let out a bitter laugh.

Who didn’t know that among the many great prefectures’ Demon Slayer Officers, Chief Meng was the most powerful? Yet over the years, he hadn’t been promoted, not just due to his somewhat murky background but also because of his hot-headed temperament, which was one of the main reasons.

"Temporarily revoke his Demon Slayer Officer duties and let him take care of his temper."

Ye Lan slowly stood up, "Is Jing’er still the only Demon Slayer in Jianyang Prefecture?"

Hearing this, Min Zhiyan’s bitter smile deepened, "That’s not the case, we’ve recently added another one, named Shen Yi..."

He had originally wanted to find someone to control this calamity with an innate killing destiny, but just after a few days, Meng Xiuwen was directly removed from his post. Could it be that this wasn’t a calamity star, but rather a sweeping star?

"Understood, I have other matters to attend to, I’ll visit you again next time."

Ye Lan nodded lightly and turned to walk towards the edge of the forest.

"Lord Ye, please wait a moment, the old man has one more thing to say." Min Zhiyan stood up and called out to him again, "Did you also come this time after hearing about the Bodhi Sect’s expert preaching Dharma?"

"..."

Ye Lan slowed his steps and sighed quietly, confirming his intention.

"I have a few good friends, who mentioned that the expert issued Buddha Stickers this time and preached the Lotus Platform Technique, a very rare event. Even the Immortal Court will send people to observe. The old man suggests... the Demon Slayer Bureau should just keep a watchful eye, better not to get too involved."

Min Zhiyan remained standing his expression tinged with melancholy.

In theory, a great teaching willing to pass on their Dharma to the people should be a good thing.

But it depends on what Dharma they are spreading.

Lotus Platform Technique for transcending the physical tribulation isn’t bad, but if it’s for transcending the mind tribulation, it’s a Dharma that requires absorbing the Heaven and Earth Emperor Qi.

In Min Zhiyan’s judgment, if this thing spreads widely, it might not be a good omen.

"Many thanks for the reminder."

Ye Lan bowed in thanks, then vanished like a fleeting cloud.

...

Jianyang Prefecture Inn.

Shen Yi was perusing the Jade Slip in his hand, which was less of a Cultivation Technique and more of a collection of reflections and annotations made by Yulong Ancestor upon hearing the Dharma.

Tedious and obscure, full of lengthy discourse, it was enough to make one’s eyes sore.

After a long while, he rubbed his temples, having finally finished all of the annotations.

[Seventh Grade. Jade Dragon Wood Transformation: Not entry-level]

Bad news, this was a fringe wild Dharma, far less effective than the orthodox teachings of the three sects.

It’s roughly the same concept of experiencing tribulations and understanding the heavens and earth, but this wild Dharma involved many detours, wasting countless years.

But the good news was, this thing could directly lead to the Seventh Grade Perfection Realm... perhaps, after all, even Yulong Ancestor who created the technique had not personally cultivated it.

Shen Yi lacked both a mentor and enlightenment; even if Yulong Ancestor himself were present to teach the Dharma, he probably wouldn’t comprehend anything better.

Whatever works.

Besides, according to his understanding, as long as one could walk the path, in the end, it’s all for the sake of obtaining the Dao Fruit, all paths lead to the same destination.

[Remaining Demon Lifespan Years: One Hundred Eighty-Five Tribulations]

The eight Tribulations of lifespan that had been consumed were now transformed into the Black Bear Town Stone, standing quietly in the Ten Thousand Demon Hall.

Shen Yi closed his eyes, and in a moment, the entire Demon Lifespan Years poured into this fringe wild Dharma.

[First Tribulation, you achieved the Jade Dragon True Form, Soaring Nine Heavens, suddenly hearing the Dao, falling among rugged strange stones, beginning to comprehend the heavens and earth to better appreciate the mysteries within, you settled here, weathering the changes of the sea into mulberry fields, gradually taking on the appearance of Azure Wood]

Having personally experienced the Lotus Platform Technique, Shen Yi, just beginning his cultivation, felt the difference between the two.

Those who walk amongst the living with their flesh bodies directly apprehend the heavens and earth, where is the need to transform themselves into other forms like Yulong Ancestor, which only delayed progress.

But without doing so, a dispersed Immortal without the protection of True Skill couldn’t even qualify to glimpse the true face of the heavens and earth.

Indeed, as the Demon Lifespan Years rapidly drained away, the Azure Wood grew extremely slowly, barely extending new buds at a pace invisible to the naked eye.

Dead wood sprouting anew, over and over.

When reaching the level comparable to the Third Tribulation of the Lotus Platform, Shen Yi had already expended nine Tribulations of lifespan.

"Don’t think it’s just a threefold increase in consumption; for a cultivator, it means constantly having to find opportunities to extend one’s lifespan, even to the point of reincarnating and starting over time and again. The risks involved multiply too much, and one misstep could lead to the end of one’s path and the dissipation of one’s body."

"Offshoot practices and wild techniques, in the end, cannot stand in the limelight."

"What looks like a feasible path is in fact not one that even several more lifetimes granted to the Yulong Ancestor would suffice to complete... unless one truly had an abundant lifespan."

"[Remaining Demon Lifespan: One Hundred and Sixty-seven Tribulations]"

"[Seventh Grade. Jade Dragon Wood Transformation: Perfection]"

The Azure Wood sprouted new branches for the sixth time, its entire form now towering within Shen Yi’s body, distinct from the Lotus Platform, as it was not inherently linked to this physical vessel.

On the contrary, it was like an inexhaustible Spiritual Spring, wantonly releasing the essence of heaven and earth.

The difference between a walker and an immortal was finally becoming pronounced.

Shen Yi felt the vast aura envelop him like a vast sea, giving him a sense of floating towards immortality as if he could ascend to the heavens in just one step.

Although it consumed a full eighteen lifespan years for an effect that was meant for only the Sixth Tribulation, it indeed helped him reach the True Immortal Perfection Realm.

"Still not quite there."

Shen Yi compared the strength of his mana to the gap with the White Rhinoceros Seal. His realm had indeed reached the limits of the Seventh Grade, but in terms of power, it still fell short, likely due to the inferiority of the cultivation technique itself.

At that moment, a clamor from outside disrupted his train of thought.

"Being dismissed from office is being dismissed— who cares!"

Shen Yi raised an eyebrow and drew back his spirit sea into the Azure Wood before pushing the door open and walking out.

If he guessed correctly, it must be the Demon Slayer Bureau handling the aftermath of the recent event.

He also wanted to seize this opportunity to see exactly what stance the Heavenly Dynasty held. If they were indeed too strict, even if he had just tasted the sweetness of success, he would have to reluctantly give up his identity as a Demon Slayer.

Entering his line of sight was Meng Xiuwen, who stood with arms crossed and a look of dissatisfaction, leaning against the railing: "But I have to make it clear upfront—you can penalize me, but you can’t penalize my two subordinates."

The woman dressed as a white-clad heroine quietly stood in front of him, speaking concisely, "Now you’re her subordinate."

"Huh?"

Meng Xiuwen straightened up in disbelief, looking at the person next to him: "Who? Her?"

The white-clothed woman did not entertain him, simply flicking her hand and a fine iron badge flew out of Meng Xiuwen’s bosom into her palm.

Then she turned around and handed the iron badge to a stunned Ye Jing beside her: "Keep a close eye on him, don’t let him stir up more trouble."

Ye Lan did not intend to explain too much, knowing full well how obedient her own sister was.

"Uh."

Ye Jing blinked, silent for a long time, and as Ye Lan looked on in slight astonishment, she suddenly took two steps back: "I can’t manage Head Meng."

"Hmm?" Ye Lan narrowed her eyes slightly but then heard her sister continue, "But he can."

Hearing this, she instinctively followed Ye Jing’s gaze to the young man leaning casually against the door rail, as if watching a play from the sidelines.

Because she understood her sister well, Ye Lan rarely questioned her words.

And this young man indeed appeared to be much more composed than Meng Xiuwen.

After a moment’s hesitation, she handed the iron badge to the young man: "His conduct is too impulsive and reckless for a Demon Slayer Officer. Take his place temporarily, watch over him. If he refuses to obey, you can use this to send a message directly to me. Can you do that?"

"..."

Shen Yi lifted his gaze slightly.

It seemed that she only restricted Meng Xiuwen and did not require anything from him.

With this in mind, he reached out and took the iron badge.

Seeing this, Ye Lan finally turned to glance at Meng Xiuwen: "Behave yourself."

The man in the white garment, who had been looking defiant just moments ago, stood silently in place, his eyes filled with confusion.

As her voice faded, Ye Lan vanished from the inn.

"Cough cough."

Meng Xiuwen turned back around leisurely. Did that woman make some mistake? There were three lives lost in this venture, two of which fell into the hands of this so-called "honest person."