032. The Secret Behind Soul Cultivation’s Astonishing Speed!

Within the demon clan, the four young demon kings sat together.

The young Peng King glanced around. “Who has the confidence to face Yi Ya?”

Young Ape King, Xiong Yu, and Young Flood Dragon King exchanged looks, none daring to speak up.

Young Peng King spoke in a grave tone, “The gap between each generation’s leader of the Grand Void Palace and the other disciples is immeasurable. Yi Ya’s strength may be shockingly formidable.”

“Even I cannot guarantee victory.”

Xiong Yu said, “I can give it a try.”

Young Peng King responded, “No need. I’ve already made my decision.”

“Let Shan Yan take the stage. At the very least, he can fight Yi Ya to a draw.”

“As for the much-rumored Lu Wu, I’ll deal with him personally.”

“The younger generation of Grand Void Palace has formed a Grand Void squad and recruited many strong fighters. The third person left shouldn’t be too powerful. Let our Ape Brother, with his balanced abilities, handle that one.”

“At the very least, we can guarantee not to lose.”

Xiong Yu remarked, “I believe that Lu Wu isn’t nearly as strong as they claim. His reputation has been inflated by those in the Grand Void Palace.”

“Peng Brother, you should be able to win.”

Young Ape King nodded. “I agree.”

Young Flood Dragon King hesitated, “Is it really a good idea for Shan Yan to take the stage?”

Young Peng King explained, “Cultivation is a trinity of physical body, soul, and essence. Shan Yan cultivates only the body and soul, neglecting the essence. To defeat Yi Ya is nearly impossible, but he’s just as unlikely to lose.”

“But to go up merely to take a beating—I wonder if Shan Yan will agree.”

Young Flood Dragon King said, “I’ve heard Shan Yan likes to eat rare metals. I happen to have a piece of Deep Cold Fine Iron. Perhaps it can entice him to volunteer.”

Young Peng King’s eyes lit up. “That settles it!”

“This time, we must severely dampen the Grand Void Palace’s morale.”

“If we lose the duel, their army will be demoralized in the coming war, making our task easier.”

…

At the Grand Void Palace encampment, Yi Ya said, “Uncle Master, this is currently our strongest helper.”

Lu Wu looked at the little girl before him. “This…”

The girl cupped her hands, “Uncle Master, disciple Chu Xu, seventh layer of Qi Gathering, cultivating the Grand Void Dao Sutra, with supplementary training in the Immortal Spirit Sword.”

Lu Wu pondered, “The four young demon kings are all at the ninth layer of Qi Gathering, and they likely possess special innate abilities from their demon royal bloodlines.”

“This will be a difficult fight.”

Yi Ya was speechless. “There’s nothing to be done. Senior Sister has taken the strongest disciples on a Grand Void mission. Chu Xu ranks eighth in this generation’s disciples—her attack is fierce, her movement is excellent, but her defense is lacking.”

Lu Wu thought for a moment. “Yi Ya, who do you think the opposing side will send against us?”

Yi Ya replied, “Young Peng King is the strongest among the four. He’ll surely choose to face either you or me.”

“Young Flood Dragon King is said to cultivate Dragon-shaped Yuan Qi—probably very aggressive. These two should be the opponents for us, Uncle and Nephew.”

“If Young Peng King wants to win, the third round will surely be Young Ape King. The ape demons are known for their balance—they’re strong in all aspects, except for flight.”

Lu Wu said, “If Chu Xu cultivates a set of techniques that counter ape demons, and another set of defensive secret arts, would that give her a chance of victory?”

Yi Ya’s eyes brightened. “Not just a chance—almost certain victory!”

“The demon clan’s strength lies in their innate power, but the human clan’s strength lies in superior cultivation. In Qi Gathering, one has only just entered the threshold of true cultivation.”

“At this stage, most cultivators spend their time on basics and advancing their realm, rarely polishing secret arts and techniques.”

“If Chu Xu cultivates two more sets of techniques, victory is nearly assured.”

Chu Xu protested helplessly, “Senior Brother, Uncle Master, the battle is in three days! How can I possibly cultivate two sets of techniques in such a short time?”

“Let alone two powerful arts—even two ordinary martial skills would be impossible!”

Yi Ya’s lips curled upward. “That’s because you don’t know how formidable Uncle Master is!”

“Uncle Master was born in Grand Void Palace and trains daily in the library, having mastered countless secret arts and scriptures.”

“Moreover, he’s skilled in soul arts and can use his soul to directly impart his cultivation results to you.”

“With three days of learning from a standard soul imprint, you’ll improve immensely.”

Chu Xu was left dumbfounded. “Uncle Master has mastered countless secret arts and scriptures? All to perfection?!”

“Is such talent even human… Oh right, he’s not human to begin with…”

Lu Wu said, “We must win at least two bouts. Every bit of strength is another safeguard.”

“If we lose, morale will plummet in the ensuing war.”

“There’s no time to waste—you’ll come with me to the main peak’s library and choose which secret arts you wish to learn.”

Lu Wu didn’t particularly want to put in so much effort, but there were benefits to be gained—namely soul medicine and cultivation experience.

Besides, Li Daoyun had gifted him the precious Sumeru Belt. It wouldn’t sit right not to contribute.

Initially, Lu Wu thought the Sumeru Belt was nothing special, until his recent conversation with Ziyu revealed her spatial pouch had only one cubic foot of space.

Mu Yuanlou valued his disciple above all else, showering Ziyu with the best treasures.

Lu Wu then realized Li Daoyun’s Sumeru Belt was six feet in length, width, and height—a rare treasure.

Ziyu’s pouch was only one cubic foot, but Lu Wu now possessed two hundred and sixteen cubic feet of space.

It was a leap in quality far beyond ordinary.

…

Lu Wu and Chu Xu left quickly and returned just as fast.

After two days, Chu Xu returned, transformed and exuberant. When Yi Ya asked about her progress, Chu Xu was so spirited she declared, “I want to spar with Senior Brother right now!”

Yi Ya saw Chu Xu was even more brash than himself, so he asked no further and simply prepared for battle.

Lu Wu was busy counting his treasures.

Li Daoyun, upon hearing of the matter, personally fetched two spirit-grade soul medicines—Tiger Soul Vine—to supplement Lu Wu.

Li Daoyun only knew Lu Wu cultivated the “Ten Thousand Beasts Chart,” and that his soul was strong enough to guide others in cultivation.

But he didn’t realize that Lu Wu’s version of the Ten Thousand Beasts Chart differed entirely from others’, and didn’t consume nearly as much.

Three days flew by.

The two armies’ Foundation Establishment cultivators remained at their camps, while the Qi Gathering cultivators marched to the arena.

A three-foot-tall stage, a hundred meters square, separated the two sides.

Young Peng King said, “Yi Ya, I hope this clash of strength will be interesting.”

“Let’s have our weakest, then average, then strongest, enter the arena and fight directly—how about that?”

Yi Ya replied, “Agreed.”

Young Ape King didn’t mind being called the weakest. With a leap, he landed on the stage. “Ten Thousand Demon Mountains, Young Ape King stands here—who dares face death?”

Chu Xu, her dress fluttering, leapt gracefully onto the stage. “Grand Void Palace, Chu Xu.”

At that moment, Lu Wu was staring in surprise at the Book of Knowledge.

The Book of Knowledge displayed information about those nearby.

One entry caught Lu Wu’s attention.

“Shan Yan, twofold mountain stone-type demon beast. Twofold cultivation, without essence.”

“Hm?” Lu Wu had never encountered someone who cultivated only body and soul, neglecting essence.

Lu Wu himself cultivated neither body nor essence—only soul.

“This Shan Yan is quite unique.”

Lu Wu had questions, and the Book of Knowledge quickly responded.

“Ordinary cultivators distribute their resources equally among body, soul, and essence.”

“Those who cultivate only twofold increase efficiency by one and a half times.”

Lu Wu understood.

Following the conventional path, he should have advanced all three aspects together.

But he always selected the mimicry option.

Meaning, his efficiency was three times higher than ordinary cultivators?

Combined with the difference between blood absorption and conventional training, this explained his rapid advancement.

Lu Wu suddenly realized why Grand Void Palace disciples—no matter how talented, like Yi Ya—needed six years to go from entry to peak Qi Gathering, making it impossible to break through to the Flight Realm.

Yet he had reached peak Qi Gathering in less than two months.

First, he trained by feeding, growing stronger through blood absorption.

Second, he wasn’t following the threefold path, but walking a solitary bridge.