Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 803: Heavenly Demon Dharma Lakshana

The alchemist, though at the Core Formation Realm, had a head of white hair and an aged face.

His presence was extraordinary, leaving a deep impression at first glance.

From the attendant’s respectful demeanor, Qin Sang could tell that this alchemist held a high position in the auction house.

"Senior, this is Alchemist Yi."

After making the introduction, the attendant tactfully closed the door and withdrew.

"Alchemist Yi..." Qin Sang’s heart stirred. He showed a hint of surprise and immediately rose to greet him warmly. "I did not expect to trouble Daoist Yi. I am truly honored."

From his earlier inquiries, Qin Sang knew that Alchemist Yi was one of the most renowned alchemists of the Xiangan Auction House.

Seeing the man now, Qin Sang could not help but wonder inwardly if the spiritual fruit was some rare treasure to have drawn this man personally, though his expression remained calm.

The two exchanged courtesies and sat down.

"Daoist Qin, may I have a look at the jade slip?"

Alchemist Yi gestured toward the jade slip. With Qin Sang’s permission, he focused his attention and examined it carefully.

After a while, Alchemist Yi opened his eyes. Noticing Qin Sang’s curious gaze, he smiled slightly. "The attendant just now described the spiritual fruit you wished to purchase. I found the description rather peculiar, so much so that it is a type I have never seen before. I offered to come and take a look myself."

"Daoist Yi, do you have any clue what it might be?" Qin Sang asked eagerly.

Alchemist Yi frowned and thought for a moment before asking, "Do you only have these two illustrations? You truly have no other information at all?"

Qin Sang held firmly to this point, offering nothing more.

"To tell you the truth, the drawings seem faintly familiar, as though I have seen them somewhere long ago, but I cannot recall clearly. Moreover, I suspect this fruit may have been recorded in ancient texts of the demon race that I once studied when learning alchemy. Daoist Friend, why not return after some time? I will search through my records carefully once I go back," said Alchemist Yi.

"The demon race?" Qin Sang was taken aback.

If even a human alchemist of such renown could not identify it without consulting demon race records, could it be that this spiritual fruit was only suitable for demonic beasts?

If so, then it would all end up being fed to the Two-Headed Hou, making his efforts here a waste.

"Then I must trouble Daoist Yi. Please accept this as a small token of thanks."

Qin Sang produced a small pouch of spirit stones as payment.

Alchemist Yi accepted them without hesitation.

Afterward, the two conversed pleasantly, and Qin Sang took the opportunity to express his wish to learn demon language, seeking Alchemist Yi’s guidance.

"I have some modest skill in artifact refinement. I have heard that Tianxing City holds ancient demon race texts salvaged from the Demonic Sea, some of which discuss artifact refinement. Their methods differ greatly from ours, yet there is much to admire. Unfortunately, my own learning is shallow, and when I reach the deeper sections, it is as if I am lost in clouds and mist. I was hoping to find a master to shed light on them," explained Qin Sang.

From Alchemist Yi’s earlier words, Qin Sang had gathered that he was well-versed in demon language, so the thought of consulting him had arisen.

As a human, Qin Sang dared not rashly cultivate the demon race's arts until he had fully understood the Heavenly Demon Body Refinement.

Upon hearing this, and learning that Qin Sang was a rogue cultivator, Alchemist Yi regarded him with newfound respect. "For Daoist to be so young yet possess such a high cultivation, and even cultivate artifact refinement on the side, I admire this greatly. There is no need to speak of discipleship. I enjoy making friends, and demon language is no great treasure. Take this jade slip. Inside are not only my own insights but also the interpretations of demon language shared by my fellow auctioneers over the years. Once you have mastered it, you will be able to read the ancient texts."

Delighted, Qin Sang offered to pay, but was refused.

"This is merely my way of forming a good connection. Meeting a fellow cultivator with such boundless potential is a fortune. To be honest, all of us in the auction house keep a copy of this jade slip. It is no great secret."

Hearing this, Qin Sang did not insist further. He accepted the jade slip but, in return, bought a large amount of spiritual materials and even took out several demonic cores, consigning them for auction.

These materials were mostly intended for constructing spiritual arrays and crafting the poles of the Yan Luo Banners of Ten Directions.

The array was complex, requiring numerous resources.

The Xiangan Auction House was wealthy and resourceful. The attendant quickly returned with a Mustard Seed Pouch containing seventy to eighty percent of what he needed, and promised to help gather the rest over time.

Money is king. Such a lavish purchase made the auction house staff even more enthusiastic toward him.

After that, Qin Sang also made a request to purchase high-grade spirit stones.

This left Alchemist Yi looking a little troubled. "Daoist, you should know that high-grade spirit stones and top-grade spirit stones have special uses. For example, the protective arrays of big sects can only be activated with high-grade spirit stones; they cannot be measured solely by their market value. In recent years, the amount of high-grade spirit stones mined has decreased, and they are all controlled by major powers, rarely falling into individual hands.

"The two races have only barely secured their footing in the Demonic Sea and do not yet have the ability to conduct large-scale searches for spirit stone mines. As a result, high-grade spirit stones have become increasingly scarce, and their value continues to rise. Daoist, you can only wait for the opportunity. If someone is willing to sell, we will send word to you."

Qin Sang understood this well. High-grade spirit stones had already been treated by all major powers as strategic resources, and even the Xiangan Auction House, backed by the three great merchant guild alliances, was no exception.

The more turbulent Canglang Sea became, the more sought after high-grade spirit stones were. However, he only needed a few, so it should not be too difficult.

By the time he finally left the auction house, it was nearing midnight. He had reaped great rewards, though the amount he had spent was astonishing.

After leaving the auction house, Qin Sang did not linger and returned eagerly to study demon language.

Once back at his cave dwelling, Qin Sang sealed the spirit array, took out the jade slip, and shut out all distractions.

The jade slip’s content was far more detailed than anything he had studied before, providing deep explanations of demon language. It was clear the experts of the auction house had researched it thoroughly. Comparing it with the jade slip, Qin Sang focused on studying the Heavenly Demon Body Refinement.

With the jade slip’s guidance, he finally understood the art in its entirety.

The first half of the art was divided into four stages, with the rest hidden behind a shroud of mist. Qin Sang could now be certain this was because his cultivation was insufficient, preventing him from seeing what lay beyond.

He concentrated on the body refinement section.

The art claimed that in the end, one would refine into the body of a heavenly demon, making body cultivation its core.

In the first four stages, daily cultivation required drawing on the power of the cosmic orbit’s stars to gradually temper the body. However, with each breakthrough, one had to undergo a process known as Star Essence Infusion.

He was not a demonic beast and had no shortcut to take.

The Star Essence Infusion required summoning an immensely concentrated force of stellar power from the cosmic orbit to pour down in an instant, achieving a breakthrough. This naturally carried danger.

There was a reason why the Heavenly Demon Body Refinement was considered a top-tier art. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

In the first three stages, once one’s cultivation was sufficient, it was possible to cultivate a divine ability called Heavenly Demon Transformation. When activated, it could greatly increase combat strength. The art contained no detailed description of it, and one would only know its true effect after cultivating it.

Upon successfully breaking through to the fourth stage, it was possible to manifest the Heavenly Demon Dharma Lakshana[1]. It was said that this marked the true beginning of the art, and the Dharma Lakshana could grant a portion of the heavenly demon’s divine abilities.

In legends, heavenly demons were said to rival Mahayana Realm cultivators, only one step away from ascension itself.

Even possessing just a fraction of a heavenly demon’s divine abilities would be terrifying enough, and Qin Sang could not help but suspect that the art might have exaggerated the Dharma Lakshana's power.

1. Lakshana (Sanskrit: लक्षण lakṣaṇa) —derived from the combination of words lakshya and kshana—means "indication" or "symptom".[1] It also means "an auspicious mark", "attribute" or "quality". ☜