As Hong Ye had said, Xuan Kong's talent was indeed astonishing. When he poured his full effort into cultivation, in just a quarter of an hour he had already cultivated this yellow-rank technique to the second layer. Yet, there was still no abnormal reaction on his body.
At this time, the others also began one after another to reach the first layer. This technique was never difficult to practice, let alone for those gathered here. Everyone present in the square belonged to the most gifted cultivators of the Qingxiao region.
The second person to reach the first layer was also from Qingxiao Pavilion. And surprisingly, it was someone Yun Jin was familiar with—Elder Jin Guang. The instant he reached the first layer, Jin Guang let out a pained howl. Behind him, a pitch-black demonic shadow instantly manifested.
The others were startled by the cry and turned their gazes over.
"Demonic qi! That's demonic qi!"
Some immediately panicked.
Qingxiao Pavilion was a Holy Land, yet one of its elders carried demonic qi? After Lin Xiao's death, Jin Guang was practically the strongest in Qingxiao Pavilion. And now, the strongest of Qingxiao Pavilion… revealed demonic qi! So the rumors from before… were actually true? Could it be that Qingxiao Pavilion really had ties with the demons?
Even Jin Guang himself had not expected that upon reaching the first layer, his body would undergo such a change. Terror flashed in his eyes as he instinctively tried to take flight and escape.
Yun Jin remained seated, unmoving.
Expressionless, she extended her hand. A wave of spiritual force unfurled from her fingertip, instantly binding Jin Guang's entire body tight.
In a single motion, Yun Jin dragged him back. Her face cold, she said flatly: "Continue cultivating, or die. The choice is yours."
Jin Guang stared at her in fear. "If I continue cultivating, will I live?"
Yun Jin arched a brow. "You may die a little later."
The demonic shadow behind him had nearly solidified. At this degree, he was fully corrupted. There was no hope of purification. That meant only a road to death remained. In this world, demons were born beneath the eerie Blood Moon. Bathed in its light, they became vessels for every negative emotion.
Greed.
Bloodlust.
Combativeness.
Envy.
Murderous intent.
These creatures bore no positive emotions, impossible to reform.
And not only were demons themselves synonymous with evil, they actively spread corrupt practices among humankind. Those who practiced such wicked methods were gradually consumed by negative emotions, until they became nothing more than blades for slaughter.
Gu Jinghong's Blood Dao Codex back then had been one such wicked art. If not for Yun Jin having corrected its fatal flaws in time, once Gu Jinghong had sunk too deeply into corruption, no one would have been able to save him.
Now Jin Guang…
Was already beyond salvation. Though his body was human, his soul had long become that of a demon. Such a human was no different from a demon.
Jin Guang clenched his teeth. If death was certain, what difference did it make?
He cast his gaze over the crowd and shouted: "This technique is flawed! It is this technique that brought forth the demonic qi, it has nothing to do with me! Yun Jin spread this technique only to find an excuse to kill us! Do not listen to her—if we unite and resist, even Yun Jin cannot kill us all!"
Jin Guang roared loudly.
Yun Jin rubbed her ear, patience spent. She flicked her finger lightly.
Jin Guang's eyes instantly lost focus, his body slackening. His primordial soul tore free instinctively trying to flee.
Yun Jin snapped a spark of flame into the air. In a blink, Jin Guang was annihilated, body and soul.
For his demonic qi to be so thick proved that his very soul was already nearly indistinguishable from a demon's. Even if he entered reincarnation, he would either be reborn as a demon or as some villain of monstrous cruelty. For such a man, it was better to sever the cycle altogether.
With casual ease, Yun Jin erased Jin Guang.
Then, she turned her gaze upon the rest. Her tone was calm: "This technique identifies demonic qi. Jin Guang had fallen too far into corruption, so I personally ended him—for the sake of the people, one more calamity removed.
This technique itself does not generate demonic qi. Take Pavilion Master Xuan Kong for example. He has already cultivated it to the second layer, and yet nothing has changed."
Yun Jin gave Xuan Kong as an example.
Indeed, Xuan Kong continued cultivating without the slightest abnormality.
Some felt relieved.
Others only grew more terrified.
Wushuang Sect disciples had already sealed off every possible exit, preventing anyone from attempting to flee.
Yun Jin lifted her brow. "All of you, continue cultivating. If within one day you fail to reach the first layer… you die."
She released her full aura. A terrifying pressure spread, enveloping every soul beneath it.
The crowd hesitated only a moment before resuming their cultivation.
Soon, more people began reaching the first layer.
Some were normal.
Some manifested faint demonic qi.
Those with thick, obvious demonic qi were isolated into another area under Wushuang Sect's guard, forced to continue cultivating.
By the third layer, their demonic qi would become even clearer, sometimes even revealing the origin of their corruption.
Yun Jin was particularly interested in tracing where these influences came from. As long as they cultivated obediently, they could live for a few more days—until they reached the third layer, then die.
One day passed.
Every single person had reached the first layer.
Yun Jin arched her brow.
This was a little better than she had expected.
Among Qingxiao Pavilion's high ranks, aside from Xuan Kong, every single one was corrupted and had already been isolated.
Among the ordinary Qingxiao Pavilion disciples, the rate of demonic influence was still far higher than in other sects. Nearly everyone bore some trace of corruption. But only those with demonic qi nearly solidified were taken away.
For those with faint traces, Yun Jin continued observing. These disciples who had manifested demonic qi were initially trembling with dread. Yet, when they realized Yun Jin had not ordered their immediate removal, their hearts settled slightly.
Yun Jin's calm voice rang out.
"Demonic qi varies in thickness. The closer one's nature is to a demon's, the easier it is to be influenced, the stronger the corruption. But if it is merely a moment of weakness, a fleeting lapse in heart that lets demonic qi seep in, without nourishment it cannot grow.
For those whose demonic qi is not too deep, after you complete this technique, I will teach you methods of purification and grant you another chance."
With this, Yun Jin set the tone.
Someone nearly asked aloud what separated those who would be granted a chance from those who would not. But in the end, he dared not speak.
Yun Jin had no intention of explaining either. She carried her own standards.
The worst: annihilation of body and soul.
Next: execution, but allowing the soul to reincarnate.
Next: punishment, yet sparing life.
Lastly: innocence, merely stained by accident.
She had her own judgments.
Just as when she faced the Heart Demon Tribulation of self-questioning.
She would walk her Path as she defined it.
No need for others to speak.