The meeting at Sunset Peak had clearly yielded no results, and Ye Tiansheng returned with a look of utter disappointment. Feng Zikang had long anticipated this outcome; the fall of an irreplaceable, supreme master, with the sect's second strongest disciple being three full tiers below him—how could such a loss be remedied? No amount of discussion would change things.

"Master, how did the discussions go?"

Ye Tiansheng shook his head. "Senior Brother Lu is gone, and our Dragon Tiger Mountain School of Soldiers is far less influential than before. Yet, several martial uncles still cling to the airs of great established sects. If we offend our peers in the future, it will likely bring disaster instead of fortune!"

He sighed, though in his current position within the sect, he was merely a figure of leisure. Not holding the relevant office meant he couldn't interfere in policy, even if he worried.

Feng Zikang cared nothing for the future of the Dragon Tiger Mountain School of Soldiers; he had absolutely no sense of belonging there. Right now, his sole focus was on successfully guiding Qi into his meridians so he could commence his great path of Demonic Cultivation.

"Master, you said you would teach me the Daoist arts of the School of Soldiers once my health returned. When do we start?"

He smoothly changed the subject, deliberately infusing his tone with an eagerness that bordered on longing.

"Haha, you can't wait, can you?"

Seeing his disciple’s agitated state lifted Ye Tiansheng’s mood. "Perhaps your Senior Brother Miao reaching the fourth layer of Qi Introduction just now spurred you on? Very well! I shall transmit the Qi Introduction Daoist technique to you now!"

He glanced up at the sky. It was twilight, the western horizon ablaze with thousands of streaks of sunset glow, while the other half of the heavens had already turned deep blue-black. Night would fall in half a moment.

"The timing is just right. If you are not afraid, I can take you to achieve Qi Introduction tonight!"

Ye Tiansheng imparted the incantation for Qi Introduction. Though not profoundly esoteric, it was a genuine transmission of the orthodox method, existing outside of written script. Feng Zikang silently committed it to memory, branding every syllable into his Heavenly Demon Divine Sense, thereby eliminating any chance of forgetting it, before finally resting.

He was instantly eager to begin, but Ye Tiansheng stopped him with a smile.

"My small bamboo grove is too serene. If you run the School of Soldiers' Qi Introduction technique here, won't it be twice the effort for half the result? When darkness fully descends, I will take you to the ancient Songling Battlefield in the back mountains. Filled with the residual energies of slaughter and combat, that is the true place for Qi Introduction!"

Ye Tiansheng's suggestion brought Feng Zikang a sudden, profound realization, finally explaining why the School of Soldiers' method for Qi Introduction was so fiercely dominant and contrary to his initial expectations.

For cultivators, the processes of Qi Introduction for foundational establishment, and Core Condensation for forming an Infant Soul, were universal. But the methodologies of each school differed, and the ways to enter the Dao held unique subtleties. Take Qi Introduction, for example: the Daoist path cultivates the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth; the Confucian path nurtures the vast, righteous Qi; the Agricultural school draws upon the pure, natural atmosphere; the Mohist school seeks the benevolent and intimate Qi; the Yin-Yang school requires the transformative energy of Yin and Yang; but the School of Soldiers demands the energy of killing and weaponry.

The fundamental heart-method of the School of Soldiers emphasizes relentless advance, decisive killing, and unwavering resolution. The ancient Songling Battlefield at the rear of Dragon Tiger Mountain has accumulated these energies for a millennium, making its dense, murderous aura the perfect ground for new disciples to establish their foundation via Qi Introduction. This is also one of the reasons the Dragon Tiger Mountain School of Soldiers established its main gate here.

"Then why must we wait until night to go?"

The Qi of the School of Soldiers is fiercely (Yang), scarlet, and masculine. Why would cultivation require darkness? Feng Zikang was momentarily puzzled again.

Ye Tiansheng shot him a sidelong glance. "The killing aura of the ancient battlefield is intensely fierce. Under the True Fire of the sun during the day, the malevolent energy is even heavier. If your cultivation were successful, you naturally wouldn't fear it, but you are only just beginning Qi Introduction. How could your meridians withstand it? You must only go at night, relying on the calming influence of the lunar essence to temper and neutralize this extremely potent killing energy. Only then can your body barely endure it."

He opened his palm and pressed a jade bottle, entirely jade-green, into Feng Zikang’s hand.

"Even at night, this murderous energy is formidable. Do not be overly eager. If your body cannot bear it, take one Sheng Transformation Pill first, regulate your breath for a moment, and then resume absorption. Do not rush for quick success—do you understand?"

The Sheng Transformation Pill was a sacred medicine for low-level cultivators to heal injuries, supremely efficacious in repairing meridians and harmonizing blood circulation. Ye Tiansheng was emptying his reserves for this disciple.

Feng Zikang nodded his agreement and tucked the pill safely into his robe.

Seeing him store it with such care, Ye Tiansheng smiled broadly. "You cannot use a storage pouch yet. Once you successfully complete Qi Introduction, I will give you one. We, the true inheritors of the School of Soldiers, cannot have our belongings stuffed about in disarray—what sort of decorum is that?"

"Thank you, Master!"

Feng Zikang was overjoyed. The storage pouch was a valuable item; ordinary disciples who had just entered the Qi Introduction stage often didn't possess one. He hadn't expected this casual Master to be so generous, promising one as soon as he succeeded. It would certainly make organizing his belongings much easier later on.

Before long, the sky darkened completely. Ye Tiansheng took Feng Zikang’s hand, and they shot forward, flying straight toward the back mountains.

Ye Tiansheng manifested his mastery over objects in flight: it was a spear, incredibly sharp, slicing through the mid-air, leaving behind a streak of silver light like a bolt of silk. Feng Zikang knew that those who followed the Way of Soldiers possessed a life-bound weapon—a union of man and weapon that yielded infinite power. General Lu’s great crimson saber was his life-bound weapon; it seemed Ye Tiansheng’s was this long spear.

"My spear has not been tempered enough, and its killing aura is insufficient; it ranks at most as a treasure of the Profound Grade, second rank. Over the years, I have gathered many rare materials. When you reach Foundation Establishment, I will forge you an unparalleled, miraculous weapon that no one will dare look down upon!"

Ye Tiansheng saw him staring intently at the silver spear and assumed he was envious. He smiled slightly and made another promise.

"Thank you, Master!"

Feng Zikang felt a subtle stirring in his heart. Over the past few days, he had become quite accustomed to saying this phrase. Ye Tiansheng considered him in every aspect; how could he not feel the deep affection of a master-disciple relationship?

Originally, having been taken over by the Formless Heavenly Demon, he was shrouded in malevolent energy. After surviving the peril of his second demise, his hatred burned even fiercer. Yet, the first person he met upon waking was this truly benevolent Master, Ye Tiansheng. This relationship had actually diminished some of his overwhelming malice.

Those so-called righteous masters must certainly be killed; as for daily conduct, the principle remained: he would not attack unless provoked, but if someone obstructed his path, ruthless measures and vengeful retribution were certainly acceptable.

However, since his Master treated him well, he naturally valued gratitude and retribution. He felt thankful in his heart and was certain to repay it in the future.

The saying goes: if a man respects me one foot, I will respect him ten feet.

Unconsciously, Feng Zikang’s guiding philosophy for existing as a Demon began to take shape.

The ancient Songling Battlefield in the rear mountains was not far. After only a short flight, Feng Zikang suddenly felt a wave of bloody killing energy rush toward him on the wind—he judged the destination must be near.

As expected, Ye Tiansheng abruptly stopped his flight and gracefully landed.

"Which senior has come to the ancient battlefield to cultivate? Third-generation disciple Huo Zhongguang reporting."

As soon as Ye Tiansheng landed, someone came forward to inquire. To prevent the murderous aura of the ancient battlefield from dissipating uselessly, the Dragon Tiger Mountain School of Soldiers had long encircled it with protective formations, and disciples were always stationed at the entrance.

"Zhongguang, it is I, Ye Tiansheng."

Ye Tiansheng seemed to know the disciple well, calling him by name intimately. Huo Zhongguang rushed forward to pay respects. "Martial Uncle Ye, why have you come at this hour?"

"I am bringing your Junior Brother Feng here for his first Qi Introduction. The moonlight is excellent tonight; it is the perfect opportunity."

Ye Tiansheng pulled Feng Zikang forward, signaling him to meet his martial brother.

"Junior Brother Feng?"

Huo Zhongguang was stunned for a moment. When he clearly saw Feng Zikang’s appearance, he was even more astonished.

"Silly... idiot, you’re well now?"

Ye Tiansheng's expression darkened slightly. "Zhongguang, your junior brother's name is Feng Zikang. Do not call him that again."

"Yes, yes!" Huo Zhongguang knew he had misspoken and quickly agreed repeatedly. He obsequiously took Feng Zikang’s hand, inquiring after him warmly, and pressed a jade tablet into his palm.

"Junior Brother Feng, this is the pass for entering and exiting the ancient battlefield. Keep it safe!"

The ancient battlefield was filled with countless vengeful spirits and malevolent entities. If lower-cultivation disciples entered carelessly, they would often encounter trouble. This jade token contained the aura of ghostly entities; combined with the outer formations, even if they encountered any specters, the holder of the token would be perceived as one of their own. Immunity to evil influences would allow them to cultivate in peace.

At that moment, two third-generation outer sect disciples also arrived by flying artifacts. Seeing an elder present, they dared not approach. Ye Tiansheng, however, was affable, nodding to them with a smile. "It is convenient for you two to come here to cultivate. My disciple is entering the ancient battlefield for Qi Introduction on his first day, and the moon is very good tonight—take good care of him!"

The two outer sect disciples were overwhelmed with gratitude. They hurried forward to greet Martial Uncle Ye, and then each respectfully presented two spirit stones to Huo Zhongguang. Huo Zhongguang grinned, a look of mild satisfaction crossing his plump face, and contemptuously flung two jade tokens toward them, signaling that they too could enter.

Ye Tiansheng frowned slightly but said nothing further.

Feng Zikang observed this silently, a small sneer touching his lips. He instantly understood what kind of person Huo Zhongguang was.

The killing aura of the ancient battlefield was crucial for disciples in the early and middle stages of Qi Introduction. Naturally, it was the best place for the initial absorption of Qi; even after achieving success in Qi Introduction, one needed to constantly temper the internal true Qi with murderous intent to refine the sharpness characteristic of the School of Soldiers. Therefore, early-stage disciples needed to visit this place frequently for cultivation.

Huo Zhongguang was exploiting his privileged position guarding the battlefield cultivation site to extort resources from less influential fellow disciples—he was clearly afflicted by the vice of 'Greed.'

Feng Zikang secretly rejoiced. The Dao of the Heavenly Demon did not fear greed; it feared rigidity, incorruptibility, and meticulous adherence to rules. Since the man was greedy, he would be an easy target to handle.

Ye Tiansheng offered a few more earnest instructions before reluctantly waving Feng Zikang inside. Initial Qi Introduction relied entirely on the disciple himself; the Master could not help at his side, only adding pressure to the disciple. It was better to wait patiently nearby.

Watching Feng Zikang and the two outer sect disciples enter the ancient battlefield, Ye Tiansheng still craned his neck to look. Huo Zhongguang, shrewdly perceptive, brought him a rattan chair, while secretly envying the scene.

"Damn it all. Why didn't my master ever dote on me like this? If he were half as kind as Martial Uncle Ye, would I need to spend my days scraping together trash spirit stones from these outer sect disciples?"