The Dragon-Horned Demon King looked at Lin Yu in disbelief, never expecting to fall to him moments after escaping. Fortunately, he had received the Demon God's blessing, capable of flesh and blood rebirth. Though the Wind Sword Intent pierced his brow and重创 (severely injured) his soul, he could recover given time.
"I know what you're thinking—demon cultivators can regenerate, right? But my cauldron refines all things. Guess where those escaped demons went?" Lin Yu glanced at the Dragon-Horned Demon King, then grinned, summoning the God-Eating Cauldron from his sea of consciousness.
"Hurry up—I'm tired of waiting!" Lord Cauldron unleashed starlight ripples toward the fallen demon before Lin Yu could speak.
"Dammit! I have the Demon God's blessing! If I die, the Demon God will—!" Terror filled the Dragon-Horned Demon King's eyes, cut off by Lin Yu.
"I know—the Demon God's curse. I'll refine you and the curse together!" Before Lin Yu finished, Lord Cauldron dragged the demon into the cauldron.
"Lord Cauldron, we've killed all demons in the pagoda's lower level. What next?" Lin Yu retracted the cauldron, frowning. "Upper-level demon cultivators are at least Myriad Transformations realm—I can't handle them yet."
"Hehe! After refining this demon, I'll help you advance to Seventh Rank Purple Mansion, then teach you a secret art deadlier than Wind Sword Intent. Mastering it will let you defeat Myriad Transformations warriors!" Lord Cauldron boasted, as if this were trivial.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go advance to Seventh Rank!" Lin Yu was eager. Since refining the royal library, all techniques Lord Cauldron provided were peerless. If it said Seventh Rank could rival Myriad Transformations, it would.
...
Back at the imperial mausoleum, Lin Yu urged Lord Cauldron to refine the Dragon-Horned Demon King. Vast spiritual energy flooded his body as he circulated the Saint Emperor Heart Method,冲击 (charging toward) Seventh Rank Purple Mansion.
As time passed and the demon's energy was fully refined, a howling storm surged within Lin Yu, swirling in the stone chamber and nearly destroying it. When Lin Yu opened his eyes, his gaze, once bright as thunder, was now内敛深沉 (contained and profound), like a bottomless pool.
"Lord Cauldron!" Lin Yu called after sensing his Seventh Rank power.
"What is it?" Lord Cauldron drawled.
"Where's the secret art?" Lin Yu grinned, cutting to the chase.
"This art is called Nine Heavens Sword Control True Art. To practice it, you need a flying sword," Lord Cauldron explained. "It lets you ride the sword, take heads from a thousand li. Even as Seventh Rank Purple Mansion, you can match a First Rank Myriad Transformations expert with this art!"
"Then what are we waiting for? I'll get a sword tonight!" Lin Yu was eager, itching to practice.
"Flying sword—you need a flying sword!" Lord Cauldron interrupted. "Nine Heavens Sword Control lets the sword cross a thousand li in an instant. Ordinary swords can't withstand the spiritual energy—they'll turn to dust."
"Guess I need to visit the Great Han royal armory," Lin Yu nodded. Flying swords, rare treasures, were only found in top sects or royal armories.
"I've wanted to see the royal armory for ages!" Lord Cauldron chuckled. "It's almost dawn. I need to rest. We'll visit later."
Lin Yu shook his head. A God-Eating Cauldron needing rest? Shouldn't it refine day and night? But today was the day Chu Chu visited, so he cleaned the chamber and stabilized his cultivation.
"Third Uncle..." Chu Chu's voice came from outside. Lin Yu went to greet her, but the usually cheerful Chu Chu wore a愁容 (worried look).
"Chu Chu, what's troubling you?" Lin Yu was surprised. As a prodigy, Chu Chu was doted on in the royal family, enjoying every privilege—even the Seventh Princess training at Lingtian Sect paled in comparison. What could worry her?
"Third Uncle, I don't want to get married!" Chu Chu looked at him委屈 (wronged), throwing herself into his arms.
"Who dares make you marry?" Lin Yu was confused. As the royal family's hope, Chu Chu would surely advance to Purple Mansion. The family would keep her in the capital, possibly taking a consort, not marrying out.
"Third Uncle, Grandfather said the Inner Sect Saint Son of Supreme Sword Sect and Ninth Prince of Great Qi sent a marriage proposal. Grandfather can't refuse—Supreme Sword Sect will come to propose soon!" Chu Chu explained after calming down.
"Supreme Sword Sect!" Lin Yu frowned. A powerful sect towering over dynasties, it stayed out of affairs but had Myriad Transformations experts, commanding respect from all. The Ninth Prince of Great Qi was a rumored prodigy, advancing to Innate at fifteen—his cultivation at twenty-one was fearsome.
"Exactly. Grandfather says we can't offend Supreme Sword Sect—he might agree to the marriage," Chu Chu looked up, eyes reddening.
"Great Qi plays a clever game," Lin Yu snorted. Chu Chu's talent was known worldwide. Great Qi, using Supreme Sword Sect, forced this marriage—a blatant plot. If Chu Chu obeyed, Great Qi would shower her with resources, cultivating her as their own. If not, they'd cut her off, ensuring even a prodigy couldn't outpace the Ninth Prince.