"Truly... an eye-opener." In the quiet room, Tao Qian couldn't help but sigh as he closed the book. Five days ago, he had a deep curiosity and countless questions about the Great Abyss Origin Sea and the All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds; now many of these questions have dissipated. At this moment, Tao Master Tao, boasting "Great Abyss All-Knowing," seemed quite justified. Indeed, he had truly achieved knowing all secrets of the Source Sea without stepping out of his door. Though the price was somewhat heavy. His dharma body had long stiffened on the meditation mat, and he felt as if a mountain was pressing on his shoulders, rendering him immobile. Additionally, within his body, wisps of Source Qi, invisible to the naked eye, continuously leaked out, akin to "body odor." His eyes were swollen and bloodshot. At the same time, his Heart Soul was constantly invaded by various distracting thoughts, which even his mental state cultivation couldn't suppress. "Who would have thought simply reading some books would lead to such exhaustion." "Fortunately, compared to the gentle and naive Aunt Pan Si, this True Monarch's means are far more diverse." With that said, Tao Qian began to act. First, gray flames spewed simultaneously from his nostrils and mouth. As the True Fire of Suppressing Evil emerged, it instantly burned away the chaotic Source Qi, turning them into mottled grains of sand that appeared in mid-air and fell silently. He then let out a cold snort, releasing a burst of golden light within to protect his wonderful body while cleansing his Heart Soul. All impurities removed, distracting thoughts vanished. Tao Qian placed the last book back in the box, and summoned Zhong Doudou, instructing the now-mature Crystal Demon Girl: "Send this box back to Red Sleeve Island." Having given his instructions, Zhong Doudou left with the box. Tao Qian then summoned the special leather-bound Secret Book, ready to clasp it with both hands and refine it. He was curious about what kind of "soul body" would materialize upon refining it. But just at that moment, the void of the quiet room began to ripple. Amidst the flashing demon light, rowdy, chattering Outer Realm Heaven Demons squeezed in. Among them were the Star Zha Demon, Decree Demon, Red Lady Demon, and others—the ones Tao Qian favored most as his subordinates. Upon their emergence, they couldn't contain themselves and began to file complaints. "Master, master, those demons claim that Penglai Sea is Spirit Treasure Sect territory, a Daoist Holy Land, and unless captured or imprisoned, their Demon Sect cultivators would never set foot." "Hmph, such arrogance, surely they wish master to personally welcome and invite them, it's laughable to think so highly of themselves." "Following your command, master, we've invited all those demons into the Ascending Immortal Star Acupoint, now attended by Spirit Marrow Lady." "Master, I fear some among them are quite disrespectful towards you and might act offensively on seeing you." "Rest assured, master, it's not due to our incompetence. Those demons are extremely savage, each skilled in controlling and refining demons, looking down upon us completely. We've labored hard to welcome them, yet they didn't even offer us any 'courtesy'…" New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚·𝔫𝔢𝔱 Upon hearing this last complaint, Tao Qian glanced at the shameless Red Lady Demon. These genuinely honest demons had gradually become slick and deceitful, he lamented. You Outer Realm Heavenly Demons asking Secret Demon Sect's strong men for benefits, it's no wonder you get such a poor reception. "Oh, inconsiderate of me to task you with welcoming guests, the Secret Demon Sect seniors will inevitably deem me, Tao Qian, as a cunning rogue as well." "Ruining the sect's reputation, ruining the sect's reputation indeed." Tao Qian's face darkened slightly as he lamented and strode out towards the Star Aperture. It took a while for the demons to realize with delayed reaction. They exchanged glances and grumbled: "Servants take after their master, no matter how cunning we get, how could we surpass True Monarch master." "Exactly, could it be that master plans to deduct our compensation?" "No way, all in all, a hundred Demon Pills, master is always generous and wouldn't shortchange us." "Generous as he is, however, master values his face and enjoys malicious amusement. Seeing our chaos, he may well feel tempted to tease us... In a few days, we might not get even a single Demon Pill." "Wow... master, please don't." As Decree Demon solemnly finished, led by Red Lady, they began wailing loudly while chasing on. Meanwhile, within the Ascending Immortal Star Acupoint, calm for three years, things were now bustling. Approximately several hundred cultivators with extraordinary energies gathered there. Containing both the Human Clan and Alien Species, along with devil beasts, ghosts, and others. They shared a single trait: each one emitted a strong demonic aura. Most also wore expressions of rampant arrogance, flaunting an air of sole supremacy atop heaven and earth. Those unfamiliar might mistakenly believe these cultivators practice Emperor Skill rather than Secret Demon magic. However, if anyone has truly dealt with the Secret Demon Sect, they are well aware that most Secret Demon Cultivators possess this disposition, from ancient times to the present. "No wonder Yuan Gong told me in advance that a true Secret Demon Cultivator will attract enemies no matter where they are." "I used to be puzzled why the two major paths of Daoism and Buddhism, along with many major sects, would take turns besieging the Secret Demon Sect. Now it seems much more reasonable." "Everyone wears a face that incites hatred, perhaps a common price for cultivating the 'All Heavens Secret Demon Scripture'?" As Tao Qian stood at the entrance of the Star Aperture, observing a group of elders and peers, he secretly complained in his heart. His own figure also entered the eyes of the people of the Secret Demon Sect. The first impression was naturally extraordinary. Including those at the front, several old demons chatting with Yuan Gong, upon seeing Tao Qian, were all shaken in spirit and couldn't help but praise: "What a magnificent Spirit Treasure Subduing Evil True Monarch." This kind of reaction was nothing unusual. In Southern Yue, Tao Qian was just an elegant scholar, but as his cultivation became more powerful, he underwent multiple transformations, and now, regarding appearance and aura, he had few rivals in the vast Longevity Realm. However, soon, all demons noticed the group of little demons from the Outer Realms swirling around Tao Qian's back, shoulders, and feet. These were precisely the Star Zha Demon, Decree Demon, Red Lady Demon, and others. Each was wailing, pleading with the master not to forget to feed them, not to cut their rations short. The appearance of such a scene was naturally because Tao Qian usually interacted with these little demons in this way. Yet, in the eyes of the demons, this behavior was deemed entirely inappropriate. Many elders and disciples furrowed their brows, secretly thinking: "This Subduing Evil True Monarch indeed does not conform to the orthodox Secret Demon Child, clearly a gentle and kind person. Outer Realm Heavenly Demons are inherently fierce and deceitful creatures, treating them well will not earn their gratitude but will sooner or later bring retribution." "This child, indeed, is worthy of being Yuan Shixiong's disciple, quite unconventional, but this way of Demon Control has veered off course; once we become closer, I should offer some advice." "In the Mortal World and the Cultivation World, it is said that Tao True Monarch has an unusual temperament, unlike ordinary cultivators. Now I see it's true; those of us who cultivate demons can't treat Outer Realm Heavenly Demons , losing all sense of rank." "Everyone knows the Spirit Treasure Subduing Evil True Monarch's supernatural power, for even Alchemists have been destroyed by him. The Evil Sect of the Demon Buddha Temple now dares not make a sound. But contesting for the Secret Demon Sect Master is another matter. The ancestral land has suffered various calamities, leading to its decline, yet the demon offsprings of all worlds are formidable. If he were to take on this role, wouldn't he be devoured completely by other Secret Demon Children?" For a moment, the demons were worried about Tao Qian's prospects for the leadership of the Secret Demon Sect. While they scrutinized and speculated about Tao Qian, he was also observing them. The first to catch his eye were, naturally, the group of Secret Demon Elders from the front row, who were of the same generation as Yuan Gong. Besides Yuan Gong, there were six others, two women, three men, and one child. Each one had a cultivation realm and mana not inferior to Tao Qian, their aura intense and overwhelming. It was clear that these Secret Demon Elders had survived the great wars of the past, inheriting most of the Secret Demon Sect's legacy. After years of hiding and cultivating, they not only surpassed Yuan Gong but each had also nurtured significant followings. If the opportunity presented itself, one or two might even be able to comprehend the Daoist Transformation Realm. Tao Qian approached to pay his respects, and Yuan Gong directly introduced the leading elder, an old woman in plain robes. Although her body was bent and her face aged, full of wrinkles like lotus leaves, her attire was tidy, her demeanor composed, and her eyes, predominantly white with little black, made anyone who met her gaze tremble in spirit. She held a green jade stick with her left hand, and in her right carried an unlit white lantern. Behind her, the void was an eerie darkness, as if no light could dispel it. Even with Tao Qian's spiritual resonance eyes, he could see nothing. Upon seeing these, without needing Yuan Gong to speak, related information surfaced in Tao Qian's mind: "Jiang Luan, known as the 'Thousand Puppet Mother,' an elder of the Secret Demon Sect, cultivator of the 'Heavenly Puppet Book' from the Heavenly Chapter of the All Heavens Secret Demon Scripture, skilled in divination and calculation, renowned in this area along with Duobao Daoist of the Spirit Treasure Sect and the high monk Lian Huasheng of the Dharma Cakra Temple." "The darkness in the void behind her likely conceals the thousand Heavenly Puppets she has refined." "Transforming all living beings into puppets...with the secret treasure Heavenly Light Lantern illuminating the spiritual resonance, and another secret treasure, the Green Jade Ruyi Stick, to manipulate them, causing the puppets to act out all scenarios and glimpse into the future." "This great method is indeed extremely profound, yet from what I've heard, it is not as superior to the 'Divination Technique' taught by my master. She manipulates puppets for her divination, calculating many things, whereas my master intercepts the Heavenly Dao, predicting the heavens and earth, which should be superior. Yet, I am curious about what kind of divinatory method that sage 'Lian Huasheng' cultivates?" "However, Yuan Gong also mentioned that Jiang Luan is not an ordinary human, but of the Ancient Holy Emperor's bloodline, having actively cut off ties to the Holy Emperor's lineage to cultivate Secret Demon great methods for many years, and is not far from comprehending Daoist Transformation." "If she truly succeeds, she will be known as the 'Mother of Ten Thousand Puppets, Yuan Saint Demon Mother'." Such countless thoughts fell in the blink of an eye. On the surface, Tao Qian maintained the etiquettes of the Secret Demon, smiled and nodded at Granny Jiang Luan, and said: "Greetings, Senior Jiang!" "Senior Master Yuan has told me that much credit for the preservation and resurgence of the Daoistic tradition of the Secret Demon Sect is due to your strategic vision." "Having met you today, the reputation is truly deserved." "Senior's Heavenly Puppet Technique is indeed endlessly profound. Although I possess spiritual resonance eyes that can peer into the essence of all things, they can't see through the mystery behind your technique. But from what I've heard about my master's Divination Technique, while senior refines all living beings into puppets for divination and makes many calculations, my master intercepts the Heavenly Dao itself to predict heaven and earth, which seems superior. Yet, I am curious what kind of divination technique that elder 'Lian Huasheng' cultivates?" Tao Qian's courteous words quickly brought a smile, full of new lines, to Jiang Luan's face. On the other hand, Senior Master Yuan beside her, and many Secret Demon disciples behind, all cursed Tao Qian inwardly: "As expected, how cunning, to start flattering right at the beginning."