Liu Yuansu's eyes were wide with fury, all trace of his usual calm and collected demeanor entirely gone. "Say that again!" No matter how many times it was said, the fact remained the same.

Wang Shang, a third-generation disciple of the Mount Tai Sect, had stolen the sect's supreme treasure, the Dragon's Tooth Ancient Mirror, murdered Liu Yue, the Sect Master's beloved son, injured over thirty fellow disciples, and fled beyond the borders of Mount Tai, his whereabouts unknown. "Crack!" Liu Yuansu's face was ashen; he had physically wrenched the armrest off his thousand-year-old Ironwood chair.

The skin around his eyes twitched, his mouth spasmed—it was impossible to tell if the expression was grief or rage. "Send the order down: all Mount Tai disciples are to descend the mountain immediately and track down that apostate!

Under no circumstances are we to fail in retrieving the Dragon's Tooth Ancient Mirror!" To lose a son was devastating grief, certainly, but one could always have another. The Dragon's Tooth Ancient Mirror?

There was only one! ※ This single Dragon's Tooth Ancient Mirror now rested in Feng Zikang's hand.

His fingers lightly traced the surface of the mirror, caressing a distinct sword mark etched into it. "It is said that on the night of the full moon, the shadow of that one sword technique can be seen upon the mirror's surface." "That technique?" Huo Zhongguang sucked in a sharp breath.

He certainly remembered the terrifying might of that world-shattering sword style from the Demon Residence. Just thinking about it made his limbs turn cold, his chest tight, and cold sweat prickle his forehead; he dared not recall the details.

That sword stroke was extinction; it was annihilation. Even recalling the mere phantom of it made Huo Zhongguang tremble with fear.

In that moment, he had truly believed he was about to die beneath the blade. "A pity.

We are only a day's journey from Dragon's Tooth Island. It seems we won't be able to wait for the full moon." Feng Zikang sighed.

This sword mark, however excellent, was merely the residual shadow left when Daoist Qingmu defended against that strike. If the original could be found within the East Sea Demon Residence, this mere mark would be of little use.

"Junior Brother, why do I feel a sense of foreboding about this Demon Residence?" The closer Huo Zhongguang got to Dragon's Tooth Island, the more uneasy he felt. While he knew the Demon Residence undoubtedly contained countless hidden treasures and world-altering secrets, the memory of that ultimate sword strike kept him unsettled, accompanied by a vague, ominous premonition.

"You cultivate the Demonic Path. What need have you for auspicious signs?" Feng Zikang sneered.

Huo Zhongguang felt it, but Feng Zikang perceived it even more keenly: the Demon Residence held both immense danger and immense opportunity. Just as he had unhesitatingly headed south when he encountered the Ink Phoenix, the Dragon's Tooth Demon Residence was his absolute goal, and retreat was impossible.

"Junior Brother speaks wisely..." Huo Zhongguang retreated sheepishly, yet his mind continued to race, unable to halt its anxious speculation. Dragon's Tooth Island lay hundreds of miles out in the East Sea—a submerged mountain peak that breached the surface like a sharp fang.

The island was ringed by fine white sand beaches, and the water was a deep sapphire blue; quite a scenic view. Atop the central peak grew a thousand-year-old Fusang tree—the very objective Huo Zhongguang had completed his mission of merit advancement upon previously.

"Junior Brother, be careful. Sea demons frequent this area.

While they pose little significant threat, they are intensely annoying!" As they neared Dragon's Tooth Island, Huo Zhongguang offered his warning. Before the words had even settled, a blue fish demon shot skyward, hundreds of feet high, materializing a waterspout as it lunged toward Feng Zikang.

Feng Zikang snorted coldly, casually swung his sword, and severed its head. "Long Que, descend!" Feng Zikang was genuinely too bored to bother slaying these low-level sea demons.

With a shout, he commanded Long Que, the carriage beast, which roared its assent and shot into the air. Indeed, countless sea demons rose up, all torn to shreds by Long Que, staining the sea surface with blood.

"Junior Brother, let's move quickly. The scent of blood here is too heavy; the sea demons will only gather in greater numbers.

If a truly fierce demon appears, it won't be pleasant." Huo Zhongguang had suffered a minor setback here last time and only barely managed to fight his way out. Killing these minor demons was fruitless, and they seemed endless—extremely vexing.

Feng Zikang nodded, let out a soft whistle, and his spirit horse, Tianma, unfurled its wings and soared, accelerating across the stretch of sea until they finally descended above Dragon's Tooth Island. "There are sea demons lurking in the mountains too, but the flatlands surrounding the base seem calm.

If you intend to search for the Demon Residence, perhaps we should find lodging in the village below first?" There was a small village on Dragon's Tooth Island. Due to the constant threat of sea demons, it was cut off from the outside world.

For unknown reasons, the sea demons never ventured onto the land, and the shore monsters never came ashore, making it a relatively peaceful and idyllic haven. The villagers were intelligent and long-lived, with many elders, and they were exceptionally hospitable.

It was rare to see cultivators visit, and most travelers chose to stay in the village. When the villagers saw them arrive, they were overjoyed, bringing forth fresh fruit and fine wine for a warm reception.

Feng Zikang sampled a few fruits; they were indeed exquisitely sweet, unlike those from elsewhere. He nodded his approval and, in return, gifted them a few longevity and healing elixirs.

The villagers were ecstatic, treating him as an honored guest. "Junior Brother is unusually generous," Huo Zhongguang remarked, unable to partake in the wine or fruit but warmed by the local atmosphere.

He couldn't resist teasing Feng Zikang. Feng Zikang smiled faintly, making no defense.

To him, a few insignificant pills were entirely worth gaining the villagers' trust and respect. His Demonic Path was not one of mere plunder, but the Heavenly Demon Way of seducing hearts and controlling the overall situation.

The little fox’s eyes turned red upon seeing the locally brewed wine. After that drinking contest with Wen Lingsu, it had developed a taste for alcohol.

It planted its behind firmly next to a wine jar, thrust its little head inside, and began drinking with gusto, inhaling like a whale. That night, a cool breeze blew, and the moon and stars were bright.

Feng Zikang strolled slowly through the village, looking around while contemplating the location of the Demon Residence. Huo Zhongguang had entered the Demon Residence on his last visit while returning after retrieving the Fusang wood, getting caught in the midst of a chaotic sea demon swarm.

He only knew it was somewhere within Dragon's Tooth Mountain but not the precise location; he had been swept in blindly. By the time that sword strike ripped through the air, shattering the cave dwelling, he had lost consciousness and woken up by the seashore.

Judging by that, not only was the entrance unknown, but the extent of the dwelling’s domain was also unclear. He tilted his head back, looking toward the mountain summit.

He saw the branches of the Fusang tree spread out under the moonlight, possessing a somber magnificence and a unique quality. Besides that, there was no other vegetation on Dragon's Tooth Mountain—only stark white rocks, resembling piles of bone, glimmering with an unsettling sheen.

Feng Zikang knew that Dragon's Tooth Mountain was formed from the fang of a Fire Dragon, containing true Dragon Fire Qi. Ordinary flora could not survive here; only the Fusang tree, which relied on the True Solar Fire for sustenance and could host the Golden Crow, could grow here, thriving even more luxuriantly by absorbing the Dragon Fire Qi, bearing a resemblance to the colossal Fusang tree that legend claimed housed the Golden Crow in the heavens.

Regardless, an exploration of the mountain was inevitable. The key to the Demon Residence, the Dragon's Tooth Ancient Mirror, had been forged from the mountain's tip; therefore, the most likely location for the entrance remained beneath the Fusang tree, at the summit of Dragon's Tooth Mountain.

In the distant village, bonfires still blazed, filled with laughter and merriment. Those mortal beings were so carefree; though their lives were brief, they lived them happily.

Feng Zikang's eyes showed neither sorrow nor joy; he had entered the state of the unmoved demonic heart once more. The murderous Qi and demonic Qi within his body churned wildly, seemingly on the verge of a minor breakthrough.

"It’s fast recently." He had recently faced numerous life-and-death situations, gaining considerable insight from each. His foundational accumulation had reached an unbelievable state, and today, upon a sudden realization, his cultivation realm showed signs of another breakthrough.

The six centers of his Qi vortexes—the Dantian, the Sea of Qi, the Taiyang Lung Meridian of his right hand, the Zuyang Stomach Meridian of his foot, the Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian of his left hand, and the Jueyin Liver Meridian of his foot—suddenly began spinning furiously, surging internal energy into a single mass that slowly descended. Feng Zikang felt a numbing soreness erupting from the Yongquan acupoint on his sole—a clear indication that the Qi vortexes were about to break through and pierce the Earth Gate among the Three Gates of Heaven, Earth, and Man!

A cultivator who reaches the sixth layer of Qi Condensation, with the meridians of his limbs cleared, must next pierce the Three Gates to advance into the late stage of Qi Condensation. The Earth Gate is the Yongquan point on the sole of the foot.

Once this point is opened, the Qi channels flow smoothly; from then on, one is immune to all common illnesses, connected to the profound virtue of the Earth, like a towering giant tree that will not easily wither. The Man Gate is the Huiyin point.

Once opened, it connects one to the Human Dao, allowing the Qi of Heaven and Earth to mix and circulate, reshaping the mortal body. This forms the foundation for the subsequent Foundation Building stage and even the Quasi-Immortal Body of the Nascent Soul stage.

The Heaven Gate is the Baihui point atop the head. Opening this signifies reaching the ninth layer of Qi Condensation; from then on, one is brilliantly astute and undisturbed by external matters.

Feng Zikang had only reached the sixth layer of Qi Condensation a few days prior, but his foundation was deep. The true Qi within his body now flowed like an unstoppable great river, rushing downward, impacting the Yongquan point on his sole.

The seventh layer of Qi Condensation was right before his eyes. "How fast!" Huo Zhongguang, who had been following behind him, exclaimed in amazement at this strange phenomenon.

To advance another level effortlessly within days, without relying on external aids—this Junior Brother’s foundation depth was truly astonishing. He felt both envy and jealousy.

He himself had been stuck at the barrier of the Three Gates for a full ten years, managing only to open the Man and Earth Gates, reaching the eighth layer of Qi Condensation. Only later, by utilizing Feng Zikang’s Heavenly Demon Devouring Method, did he forcibly break through the Heaven Gate, merging his internal Qi vortexes to reach the Great Perfection stage at the peak of Qi Condensation.

Had it not been for Feng Zikang’s help, he might have been stuck at the eighth layer for decades longer, dying silently as old age consumed him. But looking at his Junior Brother's current situation, this breakthrough of the Earth Gate seemed so natural; perhaps the Heaven and Man Gates would also be effortless for him.

Long Que also cheered happily. It naturally wished its Master's abilities to be as high as possible; otherwise, for a dignified Divine Dragon Mechanism Beast to follow an incompetent master would be shameful.

Fortunately, although Feng Zikang's current profound cultivation was low, his potential was infinite, and sooner or later, he would rival his former Master... Thinking of this, Long Que suffered a splitting headache, always feeling as if it couldn't grasp anything—it only remembered its duty of loyalty to Feng Zikang, lest its life be forfeit.

After Long Que gained the ability to speak upon receiving the skull of the White Bone Divine Monarch, Feng Zikang had questioned it about its origins and divine powers, but it remembered nothing, only the pride and might of its time as a true dragon; it knew nothing concrete. Feng Zikang had probed for a long time without success and had to drop it, waiting for the dragon soul trapped within the mechanism beast to slowly recover, hoping for guidance then.

Long Que shook its head, ceasing its rumination. Hearing its Master call out with vibrant energy—a sure sign that the Earth Gate was opened and Earth Qi was entering the body—it immediately clapped its paws in celebration, shaking its head proudly, appearing quite simple and honest.

The drunken little fox suddenly scampered over from somewhere, chirping in celebration as well. Feng Zikang felt exhilarated.

He felt the seven Qi vortexes spinning rapidly within him, drawing Earth Qi into his body, remodeling his meridians, clearing blockages—a feeling of refreshment beyond words. The seventh layer of Qi Condensation was achieved.

From now on, even if he stopped cultivating diligently, Earth Qi would continuously flow in through the Yongquan point, constantly increasing his power—this was the aspect that pleased Feng Zikang the most. The stronger he became, the less stable the seats of those high and mighty Spirit Transformation experts would be.

Feng Zikang laughed aloud, his mind utterly clear. ※ The next day, Feng Zikang took Long Que and ascended Dragon's Tooth Mountain.

The mountain peak was slick and sharp; ordinary people certainly could not climb it. However, he manipulated objects to fly, rising slowly, and encountered no major difficulty initially.

But as they flew higher, various types of monsters began to appear in succession. First came a swarm of black eagles with golden beaks and sharp talons, engulfing the sky as they rushed upward.

Long Que, lacking purchase in mid-air, merely unleashed random golden light, which proved marginally effective. Feng Zikang couldn't be bothered to tangle with them.

He took out the Profound Essence Pearl and released a hundred-zhang radiance, forcing the black eagle flock to retreat continually. Any who were unruly and broke into the radiance were instantly cut down into bloody gore.

After slaying hundreds, perhaps a thousand, black eagles, their leader finally showed fear. It let out a sharp cry and led the flock away.

Next came a swarm of golden wasps, each the size of half a hand. These wasps possessed a strange ability: they were immune to the light emitted by the Profound Essence Pearl, instead constantly ramming and striking.

Their venomous stingers were incredibly potent; even Long Que’s skull developed three or four lumps, making it look quite comical. Naturally, Feng Zikang would not allow the wasps near him.

With a sharp command, he executed the Starlight Great Extinction Sword Technique, protecting himself with a shroud of Heavenly Thunder power. The wasps, impervious to the golden light, feared the sharpness of the blade.

With a single spinning strike, most were cleaved into several pieces and fell to the ground. However, their numbers were endless; killing a few dozen meant nothing to them.

The wasps swarmed in a dense mass, managing to form a sphere that encased Feng Zikang! Yet, they could never penetrate the pale-gold arc.

The moment they entered, they were sliced apart, without exception. Seeing his Master in peril, Long Que summoned its divine might, wildly flailing its five claws, smashing those annoying insects to pieces.

Enduring intense pain and itching all over its body, it rushed forward to help Feng Zikang bat away the bees outside the circle. Its rear end and tail were stung several more times in the process, causing it to cry out loudly.

A surge of anger rose in Feng Zikang's heart. He shouted an order, and the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King manifested, raising its pagoda and releasing countless scarlet, raging flames.

Indeed, insects and vermin feared fire. A single sweep of the scarlet flames ignited the wings of many wasps, causing them to drop with buzzing cries—highly effective.

When the wasps realized they gained no advantage, they turned and flew away. Feng Zikang broke free, swept his sword to kill a few stragglers, and gave a wry smile.

"Senior Brother Huo, was it this difficult when you came last time?" Huo Zhongguang also nodded with a bitter smile. "Brother, naturally, it wasn't as carefree as it was for you, Junior Brother.

Those black eagles up front were manageable, but these wasps stung my head until it was covered in bumps, much like Long Que..." Long Que glared fiercely at him upon hearing the mockery. Its eyes were merely two black holes, which looked rather terrifying.

"The demons on this mountain are truly endless; you can never kill them all..." Huo Zhongguang sighed, still fearful, shaking his head. "By the end, I could only fight and flee simultaneously, rushing straight to the base of the Fusang tree.

I snatched a branch and ran immediately; that’s how I barely succeeded." "Compared to those things higher up, these black eagles and bees are nothing!" Huo Zhongguang looked up toward the summit, shaking his head in lingering fear.