In a secret chamber in a region north of Zhenhai City designated for cultivators of the Tianwu Cultivation World, only Yue Long and Old Monster Tiansheng were present.
Old Monster Tiansheng took out a black orb, about the size of a thumb, from his embrace. After casting a hand seal, the orb instantly transformed into a cloud of black mist.
After a moment, the black mist rippled, and a face with indistinct features slowly appeared.
Old Monster Tiansheng and Yue Long immediately straightened their expressions and said respectfully, "President."
Clearly, this person was the renowned President of the Nine Immortals Association—Yuanzun.
Facing him, even Yue Long, who was at the Mid Spirit Transformation stage, appeared very respectful.
"Tiansheng, I roughly sensed your previous encounter with that Ning Fa. Thank you for your trouble," a hoarse voice emanated from the black mist.
Old Monster Tiansheng waved his hand first, then said with both anger and apprehension, "That brat is indeed extraordinary. In the future, when he grows into a Spirit Transformation Cultivator, he should not be underestimated.
President, if you suspect that the powerful treasure which allowed that brat to kill a Spirit Transformation Cultivator was obtained from the Abyssal Heavenly Pool, then it would be best to capture him before he grows stronger."
"No, do not act rashly. Until I give the order, do not make any moves against that Ning Fa."
The man said without hesitation.
Old Monster Tiansheng's expression immediately tensed, and he agreed.
The man in the black mist chuckled and then dissipated.
Yue Long and Old Monster Tiansheng exchanged glances, feeling somewhat puzzled.
Previously, when Old Monster Tiansheng had tested Ning Fa's strength, it wasn't because he disliked Ning Fa, but on the orders of the President. They genuinely couldn't understand the President's intentions.
Meanwhile, in a secret location far away in the Tianwu Cultivation World.
In a pitch-black space within a hidden area, a man slowly opened his eyes.
"It seems this brat truly possesses the Five Elements Thunder Body," he said slowly, a hint of joy in his tone.
Simultaneously, another hoarse male voice echoed from within him.
"Although the Five Elements Thunder Body is extremely rare, it's not of much use to you and me at this moment.
After all, your end of lifespan is approaching. Even if you were to body snatch this brat, you wouldn't have many years left to live.
Furthermore, regarding a top-tier spiritual body like the Five Elements Thunder Body, though I don't know much about it, I do know that cultivators with such a spiritual body find it extremely difficult to advance, especially at higher realms.
In a way, this spiritual body is more like a shackle.
So, don't aim too high. For you and me, the most important thing is that Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant.
I didn't expect there to be a Saint Puppet in this world. If this were the Spirit Realm, it would be revered as a holy envoy by our Puppet Spirit Clan.
Now that he is only at the Shapeshifting Realm, it's clear he has suffered severe injuries, which presents an opportunity for you and me.
As long as we can devour its core, we can replace it and become the new Saint Puppet.
Then, not only can we easily obtain the treasures in Mi Tian Valley, but we can also return to the Spirit Realm. It won't be impossible to become a Mahayana cultivator in the future."
This voice was filled with endless temptation, but the man in the black shadow remained calm.
"Even though that Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant is severely injured, his strength is still extraordinary.
If I go all out, I might be able to defeat him, but capturing him might be difficult.
Moreover, according to the intelligence we obtained before, the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant has been in perilous situations before, but he possesses a very special escape technique, so your plan might not be so easy to implement."
Another voice chuckled, "Then that will depend on you to figure something out. For our plan of achieving Longevity, you'll have to put in more effort."
With that, the voice fell silent.
The man in the black shadow said no more, only a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
On the other side, Ning Fa and the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant had arrived at the sea surface a thousand miles south of Zhenhai City.
On the boundless sea, a colossal ship, over a hundred zhang long and shaped like a purple flood dragon, was anchored.
The two of them changed their trajectory and landed on the deck.
"Greetings, sir."
Two cultivators at the Core Formation stage in black armor on the deck immediately came forward and bowed respectfully.
The way they addressed him felt strange to Ning Fa.
"Daoist Tianbao, please wait for me outside for a moment," Ning Fa said to the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant.
The Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant nodded.
Soon, Ning Fa entered the main cabin.
He saw Huangfu Jin sitting alone by a black pear wood table, leisurely drinking wine. Upon seeing Ning Fa arrive, he gestured for him to sit.
Ning Fa sat opposite him, glanced around, and asked, "Are Daoist Zi Yue and Zhuo Qing not here?"
Huangfu Jin put down his wine cup and replied, "I feel you seem to be more affectionate towards Zhuo Qing, still using her name without change."
"Zhuo Qing has been by my side for some time, so I am naturally more familiar with her," Ning Fa shrugged.
"Speaking, he changed the subject and got straight to the point, asking, 'That rumor from Zhenhai City before, was that your doing?'
Huangfu Jin smiled slightly, 'You make it sound so serious. We didn't forge anything, we just spread a little bit of what already happened.'
'Just so people would believe I'm one of your Zi Yin clan members?' Ning Fa's expression turned cold.
Huangfu Jin chuckled, clearly admitting it.
Seeing Ning Fa's displeasure, he sneered, 'Do you think it was subtle when you fought Ying Xiao that day and the Divine Wood Totem appeared behind you? The major powers must have known already.'
'What exactly are those mysterious runes on my Thunderwood?' Ning Fa no longer dwelled on the previous matter. Instead, he looked directly at Huangfu Jin and asked the question that concerned him most.
Huangfu Jin looked at him with a strange expression, 'You really don't know?'
'Do I look like I'm joking with you?' Ning Fa's sword-like eyebrows furrowed.
Ning Fa's attitude made Huangfu Jin snort in dissatisfaction, but he ultimately suppressed his anger and slowly said:
'Clearly, the fruit that Lord Divine Wood gave you before contained an Innate Divine Ability.
The power of the runes you used that day was also clearly the Innate Divine Ability contained within that fruit.
My Divine Wood Totem also possesses this type of Innate Divine Ability.
Generally, only the most outstanding members of our Zi Yin clan have the chance to obtain such an Innate Divine Ability fruit.
Your Innate Divine Ability fruit is a bit different from what we received before. To be precise, it's of a much higher level, so it's normal for it to be special.'
As he spoke, even Huangfu Jin couldn't help but reveal a hint of envy in his eyes.
To this day, he couldn't understand why Lord Divine Wood favored this outsider so much.
'Innate Divine Ability fruit.' Ning Fa's expression shifted.
The devouring ability of the mysterious rune-turned-chains did indeed resemble a type of Innate Divine Ability.
But the problem was, he couldn't sense it at all now. Could it be that this divine ability could only be activated once?
He voiced his question.
Huangfu Jin answered without hesitation, 'Your situation is likely because you haven't cultivated our Zi Yin clan's secret cultivation method, which Lord Divine Wood also bestowed upon us before.
The mana cultivated through these methods is different from ordinary cultivation methods. To be precise, it should be called - Demonic Essence.
I suspect it's because you don't have Demonic Essence in your body that your Innate Divine Ability hasn't been truly activated.
The ability you unleashed that day might have just been something the fruit itself possessed, which is why it could only be used once.'
'Demonic Essence...' Ning Fa frowned upon hearing the name.
At this moment, Huangfu Jin reached out in front of him, and several ancient scrolls appeared amidst a burst of light.
"'Demon Codex of Void Transformation,' 'Heavenly Devouring Art of the Nether,' 'Formless Heavenly Demonic Scripture'..."
These scrolls were clearly cultivation methods, and judging by their titles, they were top-tier demonic arts of considerable origin.
'These are all secret cultivation methods of our clan, and only core members are qualified to cultivate them.
It's no exaggeration to say that even the secret cultivation methods of those Spirit Transformation Demonic Sects might not compare to these.
These were also bestowed by Lord Divine Wood before. If you cultivate these methods, you will naturally produce pure Demonic Essence.'
Huangfu Jin said with a faint smile.
Ning Fa didn't answer. Instead, his Spiritual Sense quickly scanned the general outlines of these cultivation methods.
Soon, he said with a blank expression, 'You know I possess the Five Elements Thunder Body. Cultivating these demonic arts is useless to me.
Moreover, these are all primary cultivation methods. I can't just switch and start over.'
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Jin seemed to just remember, patted his forehead, and took out another ancient scroll from his Storage Ring, chuckling, 'This cultivation method isn't a primary one. You should be able to cultivate it as a secondary method.'
Ning Fa looked closely and saw that on the surface of this purplish-black scroll, several large characters were engraved: 'Mysterious Yin Demonic Seed Joyful Union Scripture.'
This was clearly a Dual Cultivation method.
Ning Fa was stunned.
'This is a Dual Cultivation method, and only the most outstanding members of our Zi Yin clan are qualified to cultivate it, as it's harmful to those with lower aptitude. It can greatly accelerate the progress of both parties' demonic cultivation.
If you're willing, I can arrange for the most outstanding female cultivator in our clan to dual cultivate this method with you right now. I believe it will be enough to generate Demonic Essence in your body within a short period.'
Huangfu Jin raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
Looking at his smiling face, Ning Fa understood that this person had been waiting for him here all along.
Seeing Ning Fa's expression turn cold, Huangfu Jin's smile vanished, and he said calmly:
'I wasn't trying to hide anything from you. Just like I told you at our Clan Land before, whether you admit it or not, you are already a member of our Zi Yin clan.
Our pure-blooded clan members usually marry within the clan, so marrying a member from another branch of the clan is only a matter of time.
After all, you also bear the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the Zi Xiao lineage.
As for that Innate Divine Ability and the Demonic Essence needed to activate it, I haven't lied to you. I can make a Heart Demon Oath for this.'
As Huangfu Jin spoke, he immediately made a Heart Demon Oath.
Ning Fa's expression softened slightly. It seemed Huangfu Jin hadn't lied to him.
He hesitated, however, wondering if he should agree for the sake of this Demonic Essence.
It didn't take long before he made up his mind.
After all, he wasn't exactly a paragon of virtue, and the mysterious rune's ability was too tempting to pass up.
If he could use it regularly, absorbing the essence blood of other demon cultivators to replenish himself, then the body refining cultivation that had always troubled him might no longer be an obstacle. It could even greatly accelerate the cultivation of his Divine Firmament Manifestation, which was incredibly important in this crisis.
Seeing Ning Fa's expression, Huangfu Jin naturally knew he had made his decision and breathed a sigh of relief.
He put away the demonic cultivation manuals he had taken out earlier and chuckled, "Don't rush off. Take some time here to comprehend the general principles of this cultivation method."
Without further explanation, Huangfu Jin left the cabin.
Ning Fa pondered for a moment and then decided to take the cultivation manual in hand and start reading.
Unbeknownst to him, several hours passed.
A strange, faint fragrance suddenly filled the room, and the lamp abruptly extinguished.
The cabin door opened again, and an alluring figure entered. Her feathered skirt was hazy, perfectly outlining her tall, slender, and curvaceous figure, hinting at the infinite charm she exuded.
Her face was breathtakingly beautiful, her skin like jade, unrealistically perfect. Her eyes, like pools of autumn water, held a mixture of shyness and purity, and she looked at Ning Fa with a complex expression.
The person who entered was Huangfu Ziyue.
Although Ning Fa had a premonition, he was still slightly shaken to see that it was indeed Huangfu Ziyue.
The fragrant breeze intensified as Huangfu Ziyue gracefully approached him. Her starry eyes gazed directly at him, and her cherry lips parted slightly, "Brother Ning, are you disappointed to see me? Or were you hoping it would be Sister Qing?"
Ning Fa sighed softly, "Does it have to be this way?"
Huangfu Ziyue lowered her gaze, her voice deepening, "Every member of the Zi Yin clan is like this. Ziyue is already very lucky. After all, I don't reject combining with you; in fact... I'm quite happy about it..."
As she spoke, Huangfu Ziyue's delicate face flushed.
She moved closer, her clothes slowly falling away, revealing a flawless, jade-like body.
It was clear that Huangfu Ziyue was nervous, her delicate body trembling slightly, yet she gently helped Ning Fa undress.
Their bare chests touched. Huangfu Ziyue tilted her pretty face up, a familiar playful glint appearing in her starry eyes:
"Do I have to be the one to initiate this, little sister? Little sister knows Brother Ning has many female companions; you should be quite experienced with this sort of thing."
Ning Fa stared at her, his restraint finally breaking. He lifted her chin with his right hand and kissed her deeply.
Soon, their figures intertwined.
A series of soft, moaning sounds echoed from the room.
After an unknown amount of time, Ning Fa opened his eyes and sat up. He was alone in the room.
Ning Fa subtly probed his internal energy. Then, he raised his right hand, and a purplish-black ball of light appeared in his palm, its aura completely different from his mana.
This was the Demonic Essence Huangfu Ziyue had transferred to him during their dual cultivation.
Ning Fa's mind stirred, and with a rustling sound, the Thunderwood appeared behind him again.
The surface of the Thunderwood was now covered in those mysterious purple runes. This time, Ning Fa could clearly perceive them and knew their detailed information.
"[Essence Devour]"
This was the ability represented by the rune, the innate divine ability Huangfu Jin had mentioned.
The information also indicated the ability's rank: Purple-grade High.
Ning Fa didn't know the exact ranking system, but it was clearly not low.
Huangfu Jin hadn't lied to him; after he obtained the Demonic Essence, this innate divine ability had indeed been activated.
Its function was to devour the essence and blood of other living beings, refine the impurities and bloodline power within, and convert it into pure vital energy.
This pure vital energy could be absorbed by him to improve his body refining cultivation.
It could also be used to condense Vital Energy Fruits, whose effects were comparable to top-tier body refining spiritual materials, and it had some special uses.
A look of shock and joy appeared on Ning Fa's face.
Undoubtedly, this Essence Devour innate divine ability was incredibly potent and perfectly suited for him.
However, this ability had its limitations:
Firstly, the opponent's realm could not be too much higher than his own. Otherwise, not only would he fail, but he might even suffer a backlash.
Specifically, the opponent could not be more than one major realm higher. If they were within the same major realm, even if he was in the early stage and the opponent was in the late stage, there was a high chance of successfully devouring their essence.
Of course, if the opponent was in poor condition or severely injured, even if they were a major realm apart, it might still be possible to devour their essence.
Secondly, there was a cooldown period of one month, and there were also limitations on the proportion of essence blood that could be converted into vital energy.
Despite these limitations, this ability was currently only in its initial stage, meaning it could continue to grow and advance. The key to its advancement was possessing more Demonic Essence.
After advancing, its power would increase, the cooldown period would shorten, and the amount of vital energy that could be converted with each absorption would also increase.
In fact, at higher stages, it would be able to devour not only the opponent's essence blood but also other things, such as mana, spiritual souls, and even luck... It could also condense different types of Vital Energy Fruits.
The reason he was able to use Essence Devour on the Spirit Transformation Demon Cultivator Ying Xiao last time was likely, as Huangfu Jin had said, a one-time ability granted by that fruit, and its power was incomparable to his current initial-stage Essence Devour.
It was no wonder Huangfu Jin had been so envious before. This kind of innate divine ability was indeed extremely powerful and had high growth potential.