Looking at the Jiao Dan (Dragon Core), even though Shen Yi was used to hiding his emotions, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly.
Although young Jiao also had inner cores, they were more akin to beast cores, resembling bloody flesh balls.
But the one before him was smooth and clearly transcended the category of an "organ."
It was similar to what had been extracted from Zhang Hengzhou's body—a core that only those at the Core Formation Realm could possess.
And she called this a "small gift"?
Having practiced the Heavenly Demon Yama's Devouring Core External Alchemy Technique, Shen Yi had some understanding of the Core Formation Realm, even though the external alchemy technique was just a crude imitation by the fox demon clan.
When he had crafted his external core, it had gone through three stages: the initial formation of the core, the complete formation, and finally, the overflow of dense jade dew that covered the core, filling in its flaws and shaping it into a perfectly round and full state.
Shen Yi stared at the Jiao Dan before him, which was noticeably smaller than the previous one, containing only about sixty percent of the previous core's energy.
It was likely just an initial-stage core.
"So, the Heavenly Demon External Core imitates the fully formed core state," Shen Yi mused.
"Three thousand years of the Jiao Lord's cultivation could only fill half of it. If it were fully filled, for a normal martial artist, it would mean reaching the peak of the Core Formation Realm and stepping into the Core Nurturing Stage, where external objects could be used to nourish the core."
"Unfortunately, the Molten Sun Treasure Furnace isn't strong enough to suppress more powerful demonic energy."
Gaining a clearer understanding of his own strength, Shen Yi decided not to use this Jiao Dan for now, saving it to replenish his Heavenly Demon External Core in the future.
He then took out the several technique manuals he had acquired and began flipping through them casually.
Soon, several notifications appeared on his panel:
[Greenwood Turtle Breath Technique (Unlearned)]
[Exquisite Nine Orifices Transformation Technique (Unlearned)]
[Mountain-Seeking Qi-Sensing Technique (Unlearned)]
[Demon-Hunting Qi-Gathering Technique (Unlearned)]
Four manuals in total, and none of them had any realm-related affixes.
However, Shen Yi didn't underestimate them.
Sometimes, these techniques that didn't directly enhance combat power could be more practical than powerful high-grade martial arts.
But with so many techniques to learn and only a little over a thousand years of demon lifespan left, Shen Yi felt a slight headache.
He reopened the manuals and began studying them carefully, simultaneously adjusting his breath to try them out.
He quickly noticed the differences.
The Qi-Gathering Technique and the Qi-Sensing Technique were both simple methods.
The former had a single purpose: after discovering a demon, it allowed one to extract a wisp of its aura and store it in a silver bell.
Within a certain range, anyone holding the bell could sense the demon's presence based on the aura.
This effect was similar to when Shen Yi had consumed the Jiao Dan and could sense Zhang Hengzhou atop Qingfeng Mountain from a distance.
Of course, Zhang Hengzhou could also sense him.
The Qi-Sensing Technique, on the other hand, enhanced one's vision by channeling qi, allowing one to see things that were normally invisible, such as demonic energy.
Unlike the Qi-Gathering Technique, which was used to track a specific demon, the Qi-Sensing Technique was more suited for large-scale searches, like scanning mountains and seas for traces of demonic activity.
Both techniques were easy to grasp, and Shen Yi, having mastered so many high-level martial arts, found them trivial to learn.
However, the remaining two techniques were different.
Both the Turtle Breath Technique and the Transformation Technique required a high level of proficiency.
It would take three to five years to barely get started, and even then, the effects would be mediocre.
But if mastered to perfection, they could even deceive enemies' senses and conceal one's presence across realms.
Shen Yi had never been stingy when it came to life-saving skills.
Without hesitation, he opened his panel and began pouring his demon lifespan into these techniques.
...
By now, Shen Yi had gained some understanding of qi manipulation.
For brute force, he had the Four Harmonies True Aura, and for finesse, he had the Meridian-Severing Dragon Capture.
He was no longer the rookie he had been when he first started.
After spending just twenty-seven years of demon lifespan, Shen Yi sat on his bed like a withered tree or a clay statue, his aura completely restrained, almost undetectable.
[Greenwood Turtle Breath Technique (Perfected)]
[Exquisite Nine Orifices Transformation Technique (Perfected)]
[Remaining Demon Lifespan: 1,098 years]
He ran his hand over his face, and his handsome features instantly transformed into those of a withered old man, then a composed middle-aged man, and finally a young child.
It wasn't just a simple change in appearance; even the subtle details of his breathing and demeanor were flawlessly replicated.
"Interesting," Shen Yi muttered, putting away his playful mood and canceling the transformation.
He then tried out the Qi-Sensing Technique.
Soon, his clear eyes were completely covered in a golden glow.
His vision turned into a hazy gray void, and when he looked up, he saw a sea of white qi.
Occasionally, a few strands of golden light passed by—likely the auras of passing generals.
"Hmm?"
The golden-tinged white qi slowly approached his courtyard.
Shen Yi withdrew the golden light from his eyes and soon saw several generals cloaked in heavy robes entering the courtyard, carrying a large jade tray.
"Lord Shen," they nodded slightly, standing respectfully outside the room.
"These are the martial arts manuals you selected, along with a hundred years' worth of body-tempering treasures. We were worried you might leave in a hurry, so we brought them as soon as possible."
Although Shen Yi was a close aide, these generals didn't serve under Chen Qiankun and had no particular requests, so they didn't feel the need to be overly deferential.
"..."
Shen Yi paused for a moment before realizing that the "hundred years" they mentioned didn't refer to the age of the medicine but rather the duration he would need to consume it.
The jade tray was densely packed with a hundred small medicine bottles, each the size of a wine cup.
"Thank you for your trouble," Shen Yi said.
"You're too kind," the generals quickly responded, placing the tray down and cupping their hands in respect.
After all, Shen Yi was now a rising star in the Demon-Suppression Bureau.
"We won't disturb you further, Lord Shen," they said, glancing briefly at the books on the bed before quickly averting their eyes and leaving.
As they walked away, they couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
They had initially felt a bit resentful, as their subordinates were all eager to leave and follow Shen Yi to Linjiang County for a better life.
But now, seeing that Shen Yi had just returned from Qingfeng Mountain, exhausted, and instead of relaxing or enjoying himself, he was still diligently practicing martial arts in his room... it was hard to say anything.
"..."
Once he was alone, Shen Yi got up and closed the door, then picked up the two new martial arts manuals that had been delivered.
Both were Jade Liquid Realm techniques: the high-grade Bodhi Diamond Body and the mid-grade White Colt Divine Steps.
Either one of these could be the foundation of a new martial sect.
"Is this what Zhang the Butcher has been dreaming of?" Shen Yi thought as he flipped through the Bodhi Diamond Body manual.
He suddenly realized that he hadn't seen Zhang all day, even though the Demon-Suppression Bureau's return to the city was a big event.
It seemed that spending time with his lover was more important to Zhang than any official business.
Shen Yi recalled how Zhang had generously traded him the Golden Sun Eight Treasures Body Technique in exchange for a Blood Demon Saber Technique that Zhang couldn't even practice.
Zhang had also bravely stepped in to stop the Thin Monk, helping Shen Yi defeat the formidable ape demon and even securing a precious saber.
"You just trade for it; why worry about whether others can practice it?" Shen Yi chuckled, remembering Zhang's hearty laugh.
Giving Zhang the technique directly would cause trouble, and it had significant flaws.
Shen Yi decided to wait until he had deduced a new body-tempering technique from it before teaching it to Zhang.
Even demonic martial arts weren't suitable.
Shen Yi would have to keep an eye out for a flawless body-tempering technique during his travels.
It shouldn't be too hard to find one.
(End of Chapter)