The lecture lasted forty-nine days.
The wondrous sound echoed throughout the Eighteen Mountains, akin to celestial music.
Jiupan Mountain was crowded with people, and thundering filled the sky as a spring rain sprinkled the earth.
The gentle rain fell on their bodies, bringing a sense of refreshing peace.
A human cultivator, with blurry eyes, murmured, “Since the disappearance of the sun, moon, and stars, humanity has not heard divine sound again!”
A monster lay prostrate on the ground, ready to worship Qi Yuan as the supreme sage.
Qi Yuan sat on a large stone, his voice clear: “The Way of the Human-Demon, this… imprisons the demons!”
With his final words, a technique named the "Demon Confinement Technique" was etched into the hearts of all present.
The mountain was filled with dazed monsters and human cultivators.
At this time, an elderly human knelt down, “Thank you, divine one, for bestowing this technique, saving my race in times of crisis!”
The "Demon Confinement Technique" primarily helped practitioners build a cage to trap the demons within their hearts.
In this way, emotional agitation wouldn’t suddenly unleash the demons from their bodies.
This was of great significance for both humans and monster spirits.
As the old man knelt down, the rest of the humans and monsters, regardless of their cultivation level or status, all knelt down, chanting in unison, “Thank you, divine one, for bestowing this technique, saving our races in times of difficulty.”
The sight of monsters and humans bowing to Qi Yuan was awe-inspiring.
Xue Yan was stunned.
Everyone was kneeling; should she kneel too?
She quickly dismissed the thought.
How could her childhood friend make her kneel alone?
If kneeling was necessary, they should kneel together.
She looked at Qi Yuan, her beautiful eyes filled with pride.
Qi Yuan stood up, looking at the vast crowd of humans and monsters, many thoughts flashed through his mind.
Finally, he said one sentence.
“The lecture is over; everyone return to your homes.”
He hadn’t intended to lecture.
It was just that he had reached the pinnacle of his comprehension of the Way of the Human-Demon, feeling the need to express it.
He sorted out his way, chanting naturally.
Monsters and humans gathered below after hearing it.
Gradually, Qi Yuan realized that preaching was also sorting out the Way of the Human-Demon.
The more he spoke, the clearer his understanding became.
After sorting it out… everyone should leave, or it would be awkward with them staring at him.
The vast crowd of humans and monsters, upon hearing Qi Yuan's dismissal, performed the disciple’s salute again and slowly left.
Finally, twenty-six people stayed behind.
Half were human, half were monsters.
Looking at Qi Yuan, they approached sincerely: “We are willing to serve the Blood Lord as our master.”
Qi Yuan, wearing a blood-red robe and having cultivated with blood, was rightly called the Blood Lord by them.
Qi Yuan felt reluctant.
Why should he take disciples for no reason?
However, glancing at the Gate of Myriad Forms in the sky, many thoughts crossed his mind.
He did need some people to help gather more information about the Gate of Myriad Forms.
Moreover, he didn't know when he would return next time; having some familiar faces around would be good.
“I do not take disciples, but if you wish to stay, then stay.”
The twenty-seven people, though initially disappointed, were excited to hear they could stay.
Thus, none of the twenty-seven chose to leave.
“We are willing to serve the Blood Lord!”
Xue Yan stood beside Qi Yuan, her eyes on one of the women among the twenty-seven.
That woman was the white fox, Shang Yanran, from before on Jiupan Mountain.
Seeing Shang Yanran, Xue Yan immediately clung to Qi Yuan's hand, looking down on her with her nose in the air, displaying her superior attitude.
At this moment, Qi Yuan said, “Find a place on Jiupan Mountain and build your homes.”
“Yes.”
Regardless of their previous identities or personalities, all twenty-seven now looked at Qi Yuan with reverence.
After all, Qi Yuan’s preaching on Jiupan Mountain, especially the final "Demon Confinement Technique," could change the fate of both humans and monsters.
The twenty-seven understood that after today, the lecture and teaching on Jiupan Mountain would spread quickly throughout the Flowwind Realm.
They knew that this seemingly ordinary lecture held significant importance.
Before long, Jiupan Mountain would become a true holy land.
The Blood Lord would become a revered figure for countless beings.
Staying here would be an incredible opportunity.
“Jiupan Mountain is my territory. I'll help you find houses!” Xue Yan was very enthusiastic.
Especially since these twenty-seven were her childhood friend's followers.
Qi Yuan didn’t object.
Xue Yan could do whatever she wanted.
He would continue to comprehend the Gate of Myriad Forms.
The rest could be dealt with later.
Leading the twenty-seven, Xue Yan was excited.
“The Blood Lord, his name is Blood Pearl, and he’s my childhood friend!” Without Qi Yuan around, Xue Yan’s chatter began.
In the group, the white fox Shang Yanran looked at Xue Yan with envy, “The Blood Lord truly dotes on Canary Fairy.”
She recalled how recently, the Blood Lord flew around the Eighteen Mountains with Xue Yan, playfully declaring her the top beauty.
The enigmatic Blood Lord engaging in such frivolous acts showed his affection for Xue Yan.
Beside her, her husband, Bai Ze, said, “The Blood Lord did declare Canary Fairy the top beauty of the Eighteen Mountains.”
Their words revealed what happened in the Eighteen Mountains.
Everyone’s view of Xue Yan changed.
Initially, they thought Xue Yan was merely the Blood Lord’s attendant, but now it seemed their relationship was special.
Their attitudes towards Xue Yan became more flattering.
Hearing this, Xue Yan blushed slightly.
She knew how to be shy.
...
Twenty years passed since Qi Yuan's lecture.
Now, the "Demon Confinement Technique" began to spread in the world.
Every day, numerous cultivators came to Jiupan Mountain to worship.
Jiupan Mountain had become a holy land in the Flowwind Realm.
People said that a natural saint named Blood Lord resided on Jiupan Mountain.
The Blood Lord emerged from chaos, lectured on Jiupan Mountain for forty-nine days, and created the "Demon Confinement Technique," temporarily suppressing all Heart Demons.
As long as one practiced the "Demon Confinement Technique," Heart Demons would not suddenly emerge.
This act saved the world. Searᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Previously, only one in a hundred humans and monsters survived from birth to adulthood; from birth to old age, it was one in ten thousand.
With this technique, the population of humans and monsters increased significantly.
Some proposed that the Blood Lord should be revered as a saint for both humans and monsters.
Qi Yuan declined.
He felt unworthy of being called a saint.
Nor did he want to be considered a saint for humans and monsters.
One day, Qi Yuan stood at the peak of Jiupan Mountain, the place where he first arrived.
Now, his understanding of the Gate of Myriad Forms had deepened.
Unfortunately, he couldn't get any closer to the gate a few hundred feet away.
Approaching it would evaporate him.
If he could approach or enter it, his understanding of the origin would deepen.
Standing at the peak in a blood-red robe, five individuals exuding a terrifying aura stood below him.
These five were part of the original twenty-seven who stayed on Jiupan Mountain.
“Blood Lord, the 'Demon Confinement Technique' has spread across eleven continents in the Flowwind Realm and is expected to spread worldwide within a century.” The wooden-faced man spoke, but his face showed worry, “Recently, the spread has slowed; someone seems to be obstructing it.”
The wooden-faced man was the leader of the twenty-seven, known as the Foolish Taoist.
The other four looked grim upon hearing this.
The spread of the "Demon Confinement Technique" was crucial for the Flowwind Realm, yet someone was obstructing it, making them angry and confused.
“Who dares to obstruct the spread of the 'Demon Confinement Technique'? I’ll chop them down!” The burly man had a violent temper.
Several times, his inner demon almost broke out, nearly killing him.
Fortunately, he practiced the "Demon Confinement Technique," preventing such incidents.
But his temper had worsened.
“Let’s not discuss this.” Qi Yuan wasn’t concerned. He smiled at Bai Ze and Shang Yanran, “What have you discovered about the Gate of Myriad Forms?”
The twenty-seven and those who later followed Qi Yuan sometimes received his guidance on the Way of the Human-Demon and the "Demon Confinement Technique."
Each guidance greatly enlightened them, deepening their reverence for Qi Yuan.
Of course, Qi Yuan wasn’t entirely selfless; he also had them gather useful information.
Bai Ze and Shang Yanran were tasked with investigating the Gate of Myriad Forms.
White fox Shang Yanran stepped forward: “Blood Lord, the origin of the Gate of Myriad Forms seems to involve ancient gods.”
Qi Yuan’s interest was piqued: “Tell me more.”
Shang Yanran continued, “It’s rumored that in ancient times, there was a great demon in the Flowwind Realm, called Buddha.”
“Buddha?” Qi Yuan was surprised.
That name shouldn't be used lightly.
“According to records, Buddha was an immortal or god undergoing trials in the mortal world. After enduring the worldly tribulations, he could return to the realm of gods and immortals.
However, he encountered a woman who changed his fate in Rakshasa City.
At first sight, he fell for her, considering her his lifelong companion.
The woman was the daughter of a great demon, attacked by righteous forces.
Buddha saved her, and they fell in love.” Shang Yanran spoke with a hint of regret, “I say, Buddha shouldn't have saved the demoness, avoiding all the trouble!”
Bai Ze said, “What wrong did the woman do? Should she be attacked just because she was born in the demon path?”
Shang Yanran gave her husband a look. Being Bai Ze, symbolizing auspiciousness, he naturally had a compassionate heart.
Qi Yuan was reminded of some fantasy dramas.
“That Buddha didn’t destroy the world for her, did he?”
Being willing to oppose the world for someone seemed common.
“No.” Shang Yanran smiled, “In the end, between the world and the demoness, Buddha chose the world, and the demoness died.”
She was clearly pleased with this outcome.
Bai Ze murmured, “How could a weak woman bear such a burden?”
“What happened next?” Qi Yuan was more interested in the connection to the Gate of Myriad Forms than in their love story.
“Unfortunately, Buddha’s heart wasn’t firm enough. The demoness’s death caused a crack in his will to endure worldly tribulations.
Though he saved the world, leading to her death, the world saw him as hypocritical and ruthless, using the pure demoness to achieve fame, making her a stepping stone.
Buddha sat by her grave for three hundred days, eventually going mad and becoming a great demon.”
Shang Yanran continued with a cold smile, “People respect power, not virtue. If Buddha had killed those slandering him, there wouldn’t be such trouble.”
Bai Ze sighed, “Killing doesn’t solve problems.”
“What’s the connection to the Gate of Myriad Forms?” Qi Yuan asked.
Ultimately, it still revolved around love and destruction.
“Buddha became a demon, his thoughts turning into Heart Demons, triggering the Flowwind Realm’s Heart Demon Calamity, making everyone susceptible to Heart Demons.
Heart Demons spread through people’s minds, and neighboring realms closed their gates to the Flowwind Realm.
The Flowing Wind Realm became isolated, and endless Heart Demons eventually summoned or created a gate, a replica of the legendary Gate of Myriad Forms.
In legends, the Gate of Myriad Forms contains endless Heart Demons, and even gods and immortals would fall if they entered.
It’s said that only by opening the true Gate of Myriad Forms can all Heart Demons vanish.”
Opening the gate and entering didn’t contradict each other at this moment.
“Endless Heart Demons created a replica of the Gate of Myriad Forms?” Qi Yuan’s eyes gleamed.
Didn’t that mean the Gate of Myriad Forms was filled with valuable experience?
He looked at the Gate of Myriad Forms, feeling greedy, wanting to taste it.
He wondered why there was no Gate of Myriad Forms during the Southern-Northern Decision.
Was it eaten?
If so, it was unforgivable.
...
“Back?” Qi Yuan looked around Wugui City, a flash of images in his mind.
This time, comprehending the origin took him a hundred and twenty years.
The biggest gain was the Way of the Human-Demon and the "Demon Confinement Technique."
“So, the reason people only face Heart Demons upon dying of old age is because of me?” Qi Yuan pondered, “Can I change the past and affect reality? It’s beyond comprehension. I need to think carefully and stop random thoughts.”
He decided not to dwell on it.
It was just a game.
Enjoying it and leaving no regrets was enough.
Qi Yuan thought of his neighbor, Canary Fairy.
“When will we meet again?”
“At level 120?”
“Or has she already perished with time?”
“Without comprehending the origin, even the mysteries of reincarnation are beyond reach.”
“After reaching level 120, I hope to enter the Gate of Myriad Forms.”
Before leaving, Qi Yuan hinted to Canary Fairy.
She should be able to accept the reality better.