Ye Bufan was unaware that someone had already begun plotting against him.
His earlier spiritual scan had been hasty—he hadn't dared to probe too deeply. Using spiritual senses recklessly in the Heavenly Demon Sect, where experts lurked everywhere, would be suicidal.
"A Foundation Establishment cultivator has a lifespan of two hundred years. With the additional years gained from the Blood Spirit Art, I still have over a century left."
Ye Bufan wasn't complacent. Even though he had achieved Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, his innate talent remained unchanged—still a low-grade Yang Spirit Root. Whether he could reach Core Formation before his natural lifespan ended was uncertain.
After all, even a genius like Chu Zixue was stuck at the Great Perfection stage of Foundation Establishment.
He took out a bronze mirror and examined his reflection. His appearance had reverted to that of a twenty-year-old—jet-black hair, youthful and handsome, completely shedding his previous decrepit, near-death image.
"Damn, I'm good-looking!"
After admiring himself, he activated the Divine Concealment Art, reverting to his old, withered appearance—the kind that looked ready to keel over and attend his own funeral at any moment.
He then resumed cultivating the Blood Spirit Art.
After a while, he opened his eyes, disappointment flashing across his face.
"After reaching Foundation Establishment, the lifespan-extending effects have weakened drastically. The cultivation speed is also lacking—this technique is clearly outdated now. I need a Foundation Establishment-level cultivation method."
The side effects of the demonic Foundation Establishment Pill could accelerate his cultivation, but the Blood Spirit Art was only a Qi Refinement technique. Without a proper Foundation Establishment method, how could he progress?
Foundation Establishment had nine stages: the first three were the early stage, the next three the middle stage, and the final three the late stage.
The further one advanced, the slower the progress.
Lü Luo, with her mid-grade Wood Spirit Root, had been stuck at the third stage of Foundation Establishment for years. This showed just how difficult Foundation Establishment cultivation could be.
He needed a Foundation Establishment technique with severe side effects.
The Heavenly Demon Sect had plenty of such demonic arts, but since he wasn't an official disciple, obtaining one was impossible.
"Once I leave the Heavenly Demon Sect, opportunities will abound."
Ye Bufan's eyes gleamed with determination. For now, he had to escape as soon as possible.
Though he had achieved Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, granting him far greater power than ordinary cultivators, his opponent was Chu Zixue—a prodigy of the demonic sect, already at the Great Perfection stage of Foundation Establishment.
His storage pouch only contained low-grade magical tools, a few dozen concealment and wind-escape talismans, and a handful of Fire Dragon Talismans capable of killing Qi Refinement Great Perfection cultivators.
His offensive techniques were equally lackluster—basic fireballs, wind blades, ice walls, and the Divine Concealment Art.
He stood no chance in a direct confrontation.
"Still, with the purity and depth of my Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment's spiritual power, I should be able to handle a fourth-stage Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator."
He stood up, planning to descend the mountain, steal an identity token from a Heavenly Demon Sect disciple, and make his escape.
The sect's protective formation made it impossible to leave without a token.
Creak—
Before he could take a step, the courtyard gate swung open.
Lü Luo walked in and handed Ye Bufan a pill.
"This is a Tiger Demon Pill. It can extend your lifespan, stimulate your potential, and help you break through to the thirteenth level of Qi Refinement faster."
Initially, Ye Bufan's progress with the Blood Spirit Art had been rapid, but upon reaching the twelfth level, he had hit a bottleneck.
For days, there had been no improvement.
But Lü Luo didn't care. Distracted, she was still pondering who among them had achieved Supreme Foundation Establishment.
"Who could it be? Zhou Yuan? Li Guihe?"
Her delicate brows furrowed as she mentally reviewed the candidates.
She lived on the mid-slopes of the Demon Sword Peak, where spiritual energy was far denser than at the base. Only Foundation Establishment disciples resided here, with a handful of Qi Refinement exceptions—those with powerful backers, either elders or core disciples.
Before returning, she had investigated several Qi Refinement Great Perfection disciples, but none matched.
The disappointment weighed on her.
"If only I could find a Supreme Foundation Establishment cultivator as a Dao Companion… With my beauty, even becoming a concubine would be better than scrambling for resources like this."
Ye Bufan took the pill, and a system notification chimed in his ear:
[Tiger Demon Pill]
Effect: Greatly depletes potential, increases cultivation speed, extends lifespan by half a month. Side effect: Severe physical deterioration after the duration expires!
Ye Bufan: "..."
"Damn, if I didn't have this system, I'd have been ruined long ago."
[Reverse Side Effects]
New effect: Greatly enhances potential, increases cultivation speed, extends lifespan by half a month, and significantly boosts physical constitution—granting the strength of a dragon or tiger!
"Incredible."
Without hesitation, Ye Bufan swallowed the Tiger Demon Pill.
Instantly, his body grew scorching hot. His muscles subtly expanded, and a surge of raw power flooded his senses.
He felt that even without cultivation, his sheer physical strength could now crush a Qi Refinement cultivator with a single punch.
Most cultivators focused on Qi refinement—body refiners were rare. For them, this pill would be a treasure.
In essence, even as a mortal, Ye Bufan's enhanced physique would let him dominate Qi Refinement cultivators.
Moreover, his mind sharpened, as if he had taken some divine elixir—his spirit invigorated.
"Getting a final power boost before leaving? How thoughtful!"
"Come with me. I'm taking you to the Demon Shadow Peak."
Lü Luo sensed something different about the old man but couldn't be bothered to care. Impatient, she added, "Senior Sister Shangguan Qingyao wants you."
Shangguan Qingyao resided on Demon Shadow Peak.
Lü Luo needed to deliver Ye Bufan quickly to claim her reward.
"Demon Shadow Peak? Doesn't Chu Zixue have a feud with them?"
Ye Bufan paused, narrowing his eyes.
Over the past days, he had overheard conversations between Lü Luo and her admirers, giving him some insight into the sect's internal factions.
The six major peaks were locked in fierce competition, with casualties common.
Among them, Demon Shadow Peak and Demon Sword Peak were bitter rivals, their conflicts the most violent.
"Senior Sister Shangguan Qingyao has taken an interest in you."
Lü Luo's tone was icy, not bothering to hide the truth.
"What? Another one who wants to sleep with me?"
"What the hell is so appealing about an old man?!"
Ye Bufan's expression darkened.
He took a deep breath, staring at Lü Luo. "And if I refuse? What will you do?"
"Refuse? You don't have a choice."
Lü Luo sneered, releasing the crushing pressure of her Foundation Establishment cultivation.
Yet Ye Bufan stood firm, his expression growing grimmer.
"The Blood Spirit Art truly lives up to its reputation. Even a Qi Refinement cultivator can withstand Foundation Establishment pressure?"
Lü Luo was surprised.
In the Heavenly Demon Sect, Foundation Establishment might not be much, but in the Zhao Nation's cultivation world, such figures were revered as ancestors of cultivation clans.
A mere wisp of their aura could overwhelm Qi Refinement cultivators.
She looked down at him with mocking disdain, forming a hand seal. A massive, translucent palm materialized, reaching for Ye Bufan.
"Without Foundation Establishment, you can't begin to comprehend its might. You—"
BOOM!
Ye Bufan's face remained impassive. Without even forming a seal, he raised a hand, summoning a blade of condensed spiritual energy—larger than the palm itself.
The ethereal hand shattered like paper.
The blade continued unimpeded, aiming straight for Lü Luo's head.
This was one of the unique advantages of Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment—basic spells like wind blades required no incantations or hand seals.
"What?! Foundation Establishment?!"
Lü Luo's eyes widened in shock.
The density and purity of his spiritual power far surpassed hers!
How was this possible?!
"Smoke Shield!"
She had no time to think. With a flick of her wrist, a wisp of green smoke burst from her storage pouch, forming a hazy shield.
A high-grade magical tool!
CLANG!
The shield trembled violently as if struck by a mountain. The impact sent Lü Luo flying backward, crashing into the courtyard wall.
Dazed, she coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Ye Bufan observed the dimmed but intact shield, sighing inwardly.
"The major sects truly are something. Even an ordinary Foundation Establishment disciple has high-grade magical tools!"