These records, annotations, and contemplations, though complex in narrative,
were in fact merely a few surging thoughts in Tao Qian's mind. After learning that "Demon Cleansing" sword technique, Tao Qian took an interest in the Summoning Demon Technique, especially the "Ten Thousand Demon List" contained within. This kind of strange and ancient book that could broaden one's horizons was exactly the sort that pleased Tao Qian the most.
As he was about to peruse it, he remembered something and looked up.
Indeed, dozens of ugly and terrifying faces were looking in his direction, huddling close with ingratiating smiles.
Though they all very much wanted Tao Qian to honor the Daoist oath and release them, none dared to speak first for fear of the ferocious Nine True Spirit Sound and Refining God Seal.
Their appearance was pitiable indeed.
Unfortunately, Tao Qian had seen such a sight all too many times. Demons are cunning and fickle by nature; if you truly took pity on them, death wouldn't be far behind.
The mingling of dozens of demons allowed Tao Qian to extract three Divine Power Skills, two of which were ones he urgently needed and could use to enhance his battle strength with Protecting Dao Skills.
Their value was essentially drained, though he could still wait for them to break their oaths and then crush them into sugar pills to consume.
But Tao Qian's Primordial Spirit was satiated, and it wasn't worth doing so.
Therefore, without further conversation with the group of demons, he waved his hand and a repulsive force arose from the Secret Acupoint Platform, expelling them back to the Outer Realm and closing off the moment in the process.
The group of demons only had time for one last whiff of the "Innate Dao Seed" fragrance before they were unable to gather and attack.
After sending away the demon lords, Tao Qian clapped his hands together, and the ghastly Bone Whistle transformed into a white light before merging into his Primordial Spirit.
In the blink of an eye, he had mastered the "Secret Demon Summoning Technique"; indeed, as the records had said, all the essential skills were missing, leaving only the basic summoning spell and the Ten Thousand Demon List.
Tao Qian was quite intrigued by the latter and immersed himself for a moment.
"Demons of the Outer Realm are limitless and bound by their own laws."
"However, this book merely describes their types, abilities, and preferences, among other characteristics."
"The lowest-tier inferior demon is born from desire, and although it can invisibly penetrate a cultivator's spirit platform, it lacks significant methods; a small measure of willpower is all it takes to block or even extinguish it."
"Then there are somewhat higher-ranked demon lords, who are craftier, wiser, and possess more flexible and varied methods. They even begin to have names, such as Charming Heart Demon, Illusion Demon, Enchanting Demon, and so on."
"Moving up a rank, there are Heavenly Demons with not only names but also Divine Skills and the ability to perform certain types of cultivation, like Power Demon, Eye Demon, Scorpion Demon, Night Demon, Death Demon, and so forth."
"Further up are those who are more accomplished in their practice and can control their own desires. Some even actively make contractual oaths to engage in barter with mundane cultivators for resources, like Five Directions Demon, Jiu Pan Demon, Soul-devouring Demon, Yin Yang Demon, Thousand Needle Demon, Heart Piercing Demon, and others."
"Ascending further, one finds Demon Generals and Lords, and even Demon Kings and Gods. These Outer Realm Great Demons are more terrifying than powerful cultivators in the Cultivation World and cannot be summoned with mere Summoning Demon Techniques."
"With my current Cultivation in the Qi Refining Realm, I could perhaps summon a Charming Heart Demon, but to command it, I would first need to make the vow with the Secret Technique, and each summons would require a Heart Refining Demon Pill; however, both of these methods have been concealed by the Secret Demon Sect... Hm?"
While pondering, an inspiration suddenly struck Tao Qian.
Although the Secret Demon Sect had hidden the Secret Method of gates, there were other ways to tame demons to heed one's command.
Tao Qian now knew of a second method, which was the one used by the Jade-faced Lady Lan Qing'er.
"The Summoning Demon Technique states that to command a summoned Power Demon, besides making an oath, one must also offer a 'Powerful Demon Pill' each time. Lan Qing'er once obtained the 'Power Demon Mountain Opening Technique' and could also summon Power Demons. Although she did not have any Oath Demon Elixirs to offer, she found another way by surrendering her body to dissipate the hostility of the Power Demon, which also allowed her to command it."
"I am immune to backlash from demons of equivalent rank; next time, I could experiment a few times to see if I can find a Demon Control Technique."
"If truly successful, my battle strength could greatly increase, and I might even be able to do some marvelous things."
"Keep in mind that within the Ten Thousand Demons, aside from the Power Demon skilled in combat, there are also Charming Demon, Yin Demon, Divine Movement Demon, Gui Cang Demon, and other special-function demons; to summon them to my command, wouldn't that be splendid?"
"Only, I seem to be increasingly proceeding in the direction of demon cultivation. Fortunately, I have also cultivated the Spirit Treasure Root Skill to an excellent level. With my Immortal Spiritual Qi and Dao Seed apparent, there should be no risk of being misunderstood."
With a few flashes of thought, Tao Qian formed a Dao Seal with his hands, cradled his Dao Seed, and in the guise of a true Daoist disciple, finished his session of Refining God.
Within the wooden hut, Tao Qian opened his eyes.
He felt his body light and his eyes brimming with Spirit Light, naturally producing Dao Rhyme. Moreover, his Primordial Spirit was full and pure, untainted and flawless. Fueled by the ninety-nine streams of Immortal Spiritual Qi, he felt as though he could take to the skies at any moment like an immortal.
Tao Qian intended to get up and conclude this period of reclusive cultivation.
Before that, however, another thought came to him, and he spat out the Mustard Seed Talisman Seed. With a flourish of light, the talisman seed spit out a round object as well.
It was a silver-whitish sword Elixir, roughly the size of a pigeon's egg. It looked ordinary on the surface but contained an intense sharp essence within.
Tao Qian wasted no time and pressed out a drop of Essence Blood imprinted with his Divine Soul into the Elixir.
He then began the refinement process using the method given to him by Lin Xiaohua.
As it was a new technique and a genuine Magical Treasure,
he lost track of time, and several days passed before Tao Qian finally completed the nurturing of the sword Elixir.
Opening his eyes once more, Tao Qian then had the thought, and saw a silver light in front of him that constantly transformed. Eventually, it took on the appearance of a fish swimming around his body fluidly.