Ma Zikang did not linger in Da Liang City, leaving immediately. After asking for directions, he mounted his cloud chariot and flew northeast toward his enemy's location.

In this True Human Realm, only temples' enshrined figures possessed such divine abilities to traverse heaven and earth. Given the distinctive attire—red robes and a ceremonial crown—the figure was unmistakably either a demon or a celestial fiend, easily identifiable.

Therefore, Feng Zikang had to proceed with extreme caution, avoiding the crowds. He even employed the (Spiritual Witch Bone) to cast an illusionary spell, shrouding his form so as not to be easily discovered.

To this day, many mysteries remained unresolved for him.

Where exactly had Luo Lianxin gone? Why was there absolutely no trace or news of her?

What grand principle was this True Human Realm, constructed by the Heavenly Emperor, truly upholding, and why must it employ soul-deceiving techniques against ordinary mortals?

And what exactly were these so-called Great Demons?

"Junior Brother, that old man should have the cultivation of the Foundation Establishment stage, right? But that Dao foundation doesn't seem to be self-cultivated, and his various divine abilities aren't wielded at will. It's truly strange."

Huo Zhongguang poked his head out from the sword light. Master Hongfa's cultivation was indeed peculiar. To say he was at the Foundation Establishment stage was accurate; after all, his Three Flowers gathered at the Crown and Five Qi returning to the Source, his Dao foundation was complete. Yet, up close, he couldn't detect Feng Zikang's cultivation at all, treating him as just an ordinary person.

"If what the books say is true—that the cultivation of those enshrined in the temples is not derived from personal practice but granted by the Heavenly Emperor—then it makes some sense."

Though cultivation not personally refined could still yield potent divine abilities, it might not allow for flawless execution in subtle aspects. According to the old man's account, the demon of Lou Long Mountain was exceptionally formidable, especially since multiple enshrined figures attacking together failed to subdue it. This suggested the demon's own prowess was not weak. Feng Zikang dared not underestimate it.

"Is it appropriate for us to barge in so rashly?" Huo Zhongguang, perpetually cautious, always tended to overthink things. "What if this demon isn't the Great Demon mentioned in the mission? Wouldn't that be a wasted effort?"

Feng Zikang shot him a look. With no leads whatsoever, the only option was to fight until a clue emerged and investigate slowly. Who knew how long that would take? Since there were no true powerhouses in this Profound Realm, as long as he didn't offend that mysterious and unfathomable Heavenly Emperor, Feng Zikang was confident he could preserve his life.

"Hmph! If we don't go, what better plan do you have?" the Ghost King Tu scoffed lightly.

At this moment, Long Que drove the chariot, Qin Li’er stood guard somewhat dazedly, while the Ghost King Tu and Huo Zhongguang were mere phantoms, constantly bickering. They both understood that their current value depended entirely on Feng Zikang's judgment. Should he feel even slightly displeased, Feng Zikang could instantly reduce them to ashes.

Huo Zhongguang, having offered up his Nascent Soul Heart Core, could only be absolutely loyal. The Ghost King Tu, being a spirit child, was currently weak, and her life was firmly controlled by Zhu Li’er, who had now become Feng Zikang's puppet. With a mere thought, he could force her to self-destruct her Ghost Mother Divine Secret Art, resulting in the spirit and body of the Ghost Child being utterly destroyed. After this circuitous route, servitude ultimately returned to Feng Zikang.

Therefore, at times like this, they had to strive to demonstrate their worth, ensuring Feng Zikang knew they were useful and wouldn't be discarded casually.

"This old woman believes the Young Master is wise, divine, and decisive in action..."

Unfortunately, though both had once been Foundation Establishment cultivators with some insight, they were currently at a loss for ideas. They could only compete to see whose flattery rang louder.

After several days, the Ghost King Tu had also come to terms with things. At least her daughter was still alive in her current state, and perhaps the secret art of puppetry could still be undone.

She observed Feng Zikang’s actions closely these past few days, certain he would achieve greatness. If she served him well, perhaps she could earn some merit later, which might provide a way to save her daughter. From that point on, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly, not daring to hold anything back.

Feng Zikang had no time to spare for their inner thoughts. He gently stroked the little fox’s fur, deep in contemplation.

"Master, we have reached Hun Long Mountain!"

After flying for a day and a night, the cloud chariot arrived within the territory of the northeastern Hun Long Mountain. Long Que pulled back the celestial steed and reported over her shoulder. Feng Zikang gazed out; it was a barren, rocky mountain with no scenery, save for a few small monkeys scrambling about—it possessed utterly no imposing aura.

However, deep within the mountain's belly, there was indeed a faint trace of demonic energy.

"What do we do now?"

Huo Zhongguang always presented a simple, honest demeanor, but this was actually a way to highlight Feng Zikang's brilliance and martial prowess—a form of indirect flattery.

"What else can we do? An uninvited guest will surely not be welcomed. It seems we must fight our way in!"

Feng Zikang smiled faintly and pointed toward the mountain's core.

"My Lord, allow this old woman to take the vanguard!"

The Ghost King Tu had made up her mind; this was clearly an excellent opportunity to earn credit. Having nourished herself in the Profound Realm for several months, although she was still a mere phantom unable to solidify, she could now begin employing various divine abilities.

"Subdue—"

Feng Zikang had intended to let Long Que act, but seeing the Ghost King Tu volunteer, he understood her intent and nodded.

"Ghost King Tu, then you go and test the waters!"

"Yes!" The Ghost King Tu agreed, propelling herself forward. With a gesture of her hands, she summoned several streams of the Styx River, slamming them forcefully into the mountain’s interior.

"Boom! Boom!"

The water of the Styx was notoriously corrosive and immensely heavy. After just a few impacts, the mountain's interior violently fractured, revealing a large breach. The monkeys in the mountain were terrified, scattering everywhere and squeaking wildly.

Huo Zhongguang watched her show off, feeling envious. He secretly glanced at Feng Zikang. His junior brother had long promised to help him find a new body for rebirth. Now, apart from his worldly knowledge, he was rarely of use, finding it difficult even to run errands.

Sensing his expression, Feng Zikang chuckled, "Senior Brother, rest assured. How about I find someone in this True Human Realm for you to possess?"

Huo Zhongguang was overjoyed, showering Feng Zikang with fawning compliments and exaggerated praise, though Feng Zikang paid him no mind.

Just then, a loud shout echoed, "Who dares cause trouble outside my cavern?"

From the large hole in the mountain, charged a middle-aged giant demon, bristling with fury. He had a face full of yellow whiskers, a robust frame, his upper body bare save for two bronze rings adorning his chest. Covered in yellow fur, it was unclear what creature he had transformed from.

"Good! Good!"

Seeing the large rent in his mountain cave enraged him further. He roared, "You creatures are utterly unreasonable, daring to shatter my mountain gate? Do you think Zhu San is easy to bully?"

This demon, named Zhu San, had long occupied this territory. Recently troubled by an issue, being confronted like this only fueled his rage. He somehow drew forth a stone staff and swung it wildly at the Ghost King Tu, who was at the forefront.

The Ghost King Tu snorted disdainfully and whipped the Styx River, meeting the blow.

Zhu San’s stone staff was fierce, splashing the Styx water into spray, and the sheer pressure was astonishing. The spectral body of the Ghost King Tu could not hold up and was driven back.

Long Que gave a cry and surged forward, striking the stone staff. The two clashed, a cacophony of banging and clanging. "Senior Brother, are you satisfied with this demon's body?"

Feng Zikang remained unconcerned. Although Zhu San was fierce, his cultivation was low. He might be useful against those enshrined figures who relied on the Heavenly Emperor's granted power for their cultivation, but in Feng Zikang's eyes, the demon was full of flaws, easily dealt with.

However, this demon possessed a body of bronze head and iron bones, with perfectly clear meridians—truly like a piece of raw, pure jade. If used for cultivation, it would be immensely beneficial.

"A... a demon?"

Huo Zhongguang hadn't expected his junior brother to act so immediately, offering him a demon's body. Though he practiced demonic arts, he still considered himself human and had never contemplated becoming a demon.

He carefully examined the demon's skeletal structure and form; it was indeed an excellent vessel. Furthermore, this demon had overcome its primal nature and managed to cultivate a humanoid form. Although its appearance was ugly, cultivators cared little for looks; strength was all that mattered.

"Willing... I am certainly willing!"

He declared his commitment emphatically.

Feng Zikang burst into loud laughter, shouting, "Long Que, don't use too much force! Hit him lightly! I still have plans for this body. Don't cripple him! If he reverts to his original form, it will take extra effort."

Long Que acknowledged the instruction, slightly retracting the light from her five claws, merely restraining Zhu San.

The demon, however, was drenched in sweat, his waist weak and his body limp, losing all fighting spirit. Initially, his first few strikes were ferocious, relying on innate strength to overwhelm the slower enshrined figures, causing a few deaths. But his opponents today were all unfathomably profound. The beautiful middle-aged woman just now, despite being disadvantaged by his staff, remained completely unharmed. This monster before him was even more powerful; he knew he couldn't possibly win.

Hearing Feng Zikang's shout, he grew anxious and contemplated retreat, feigning a swing before bolting backward.

How could Long Que allow him to escape? Her five claws shot out, gripping his head and limbs firmly, refusing to let go. Feng Zikang laughed heartily, positioning himself behind Huo Zhongguang and shouting, "Hurry up! What are you waiting for?"

Huo Zhongguang tumbled out, feeling panicked, and rushed straight toward Zhu San's body. Feng Zikang silently concentrated his divine sense, channeling brilliant light through his eyes. He fixed a stare upon Zhu San, unnerving him, destabilizing his Nascent Soul and spirit, lending power to Huo Zhongguang's effort.

The bloody shadow entered the body, and Zhu San immediately let out a scream like a slaughtered pig. Long Que held him tightly, and soon Zhu San’s eyes turned blood-red, fangs protruding from his mouth. In a short while, his eyes rolled back, foam appeared at his lips, and he finally passed out.

"In this True Human Realm, whether human or demon, although their cultivation is decent, their temperament always has issues. To have their Nascent Soul suppressed so easily—this demon is too disappointing..."

Feng Zikang shook his head. If this were his original world, a demon capable of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage would possess at least a tenacious temperament and would never be so easily infiltrated. He vaguely felt this had something to do with the unique Dao in the True Human Realm.

From his observations over the past two days, the so-called Dao in the True Human Realm was merely "Belief." The origin of the Dao stemmed solely from belief in the Heavenly Emperor, and this belief was built upon the illusory foundation that the Heavenly Emperor was omnipotent and omniscient—it was blind faith, misguided belief.

Although blind faith could generate divine abilities, it did not lead to the true understanding of the Dao, and the temperament would be inherently fragile. If this belief were shattered, the individual's mind and spirit would likely suffer a severe shock, and their cultivation would plummet.

No wonder this place tolerated no heretical ideas—it feared anything that might affect this core belief. Even true disciples seeking enlightenment risked being fatally harmed.

By this logic, he truly was an Outer Realm Celestial Fiend...

If he truly entered this True Human Realm, every word and action would gradually cause the laws of this world to collapse, shattering this blind faith in the Heavenly Emperor, thus destroying the very existence of the True Human Realm.

A living being descending from beyond the heavens, whose every move threatened to subvert the existing world—how could he not be called an Outer Realm Celestial Fiend?

Feng Zikang chuckled to himself. Thinking back, when he was the Formless Celestial Fiend entering his previous world, the situation was essentially the same.

In worlds beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, the Formless Celestial Fiends had their own way of existence; no one called them demons because everyone survived that way.

But upon entering a new world, his way of existence and his Dao clashed violently with the world’s inherent Dao. Whatever he did was destroying the world’s Dao, hence he was the demon. Thus, regardless of his actions, the high-level experts of that world would unhesitatingly try to kill him.

Unfortunately, a demon resides in every human heart. That was why Feng Zikang successfully lurked within the military clans. Likewise, in this True Human Realm, every person inevitably held paths outside of 'Belief'—like the spontaneously generated path of carefree longevity, or the path of Nirvana and Buddhahood. These thoughts, to this world, were heretical evil paths that deserved eradication.

So, if that were the case...

That so-called Great Demon causing trouble—a sudden flash of inspiration crossed Feng Zikang’s mind, his eyes snapping open, only to dim gradually again.

"No, impossible—"

A wildly improbable thought crossed his mind, but upon reflection, it seemed entirely impossible.

For his cultivation world, the existence of this True Human Realm might itself be the result of a monstrous demon's machinations. It was also possible that the creator of this True Human Realm, the so-called Heavenly Emperor, was that very monstrous demon.

But if that were true, given the sheer scale of this True Human Realm, the Heavenly Emperor's strength would be immeasurably deep. How could a mere peak Qi Induction disciple possibly confront such a being? A 'God-tier mission' targeting a demon potentially at the Nascent Soul stage or higher was tantamount to a suicide mission!

Feng Zikang momentarily lost his train of thought. As he was pondering, he heard Zhu San let out a cry, but the voice emerging from his mouth was Huo Zhongguang's.

"Hahaha, Junior Brother, I succeeded! Thank you! I have a body again!"

His possession was complete.

Huo Zhongguang was ecstatic, experiencing a strange sensation as he felt strength flowing through his limbs once more—it felt even better than his original body.

Feng Zikang smiled faintly and asked, "Do you know what kind of creature this body used to be?"

"Let me see!" Huo Zhongguang closed his eyes and probed slowly. Suddenly, his eyes flew open, his face shifting between an expression of weeping and laughter. Gritting his teeth, he roared:

"Damn it! I've been tricked! This damned thing is a gelded pig!"