Chapter 119: The Falling Stars

"Night Nine Demon, time's up!"

Suddenly, a cold, emotionless voice echoed from the attic.

"Just in time."

As Night Nine Demon finished speaking, his own voice rang out.

Clutching the carefully copied "Falling Stars," Night Nine Demon stepped out of the attic, bowed respectfully to the old man, then swiftly departed.

Now, it was time to claim his elemental crystals and then receive his own private cave dwelling. After all, every outer disciple had their own space, a mark of distinction.

Thus, Night Nine Demon’s immediate task was to collect his dwelling and elemental crystals, then arrange his Essence Gathering Formation within his cave to cultivate and condense his energy.

He went to the Reward and Punishment Hall and claimed his benefits without obstruction, then dashed all the way to his dwelling.

Previously, at the Tongxuan Sect, such treatment was unheard of. Now that he had it, Night Nine Demon felt a surge of eagerness. But upon arrival, he was stunned to find that Great Brain Sister’s cave was right next door.

Their dwellings were adjacent, and the concentration of energy was unparalleled, easily the best location among all outer disciples.

Night Nine Demon gave it little thought. Although those three old fellows were unscrupulous, his proper value guidance would soon help them understand that this dwelling was surely one of theirs.

“Why are you here?”

“It’s mine!”

Night Nine Demon waved off any further discussion, pointing at the cave as he spoke.

He stepped inside, leaving a dumbfounded Cao Sisi behind. But soon she went wild, dancing and gesturing excitedly.

“He… he… he lives next door to me.”

“Does this mean I get the advantage of proximity now?”

“Hahaha… Grandpa is still quite kind to me. I must go thank them…”

Cao Sisi muttered to herself, gesturing animatedly before turning to leave.

…

Inside the cave, Night Nine Demon pulled out a hundred elemental crystals from his Qiankun Ring. These crystals were rich in energy, far superior to elemental stones.

“The Essence Gathering Formation—once set up, cultivation should accelerate. Then I’ll have the strength to protect myself.”

With his innate talent, he felt strong, though his precise power level was still uncertain.

“Ha!”

Night Nine Demon unleashed a fierce punch, shouting loudly. The void trembled, and all directions grew uneasy.

“Probably my strength is nearly at the Celestial Realm. Perhaps just one chance is needed to step into that realm, to form a divine image and merge with heaven and earth!”

“First, arrange the Essence Gathering Formation, then cultivate the Falling Stars technique!”

Without hesitation, Night Nine Demon set to work. Though the formation was complex with many intricate patterns to carve, his rapid engraving skills meant it was completed in less than half an hour.

“Activate!”

He accurately tossed the elemental crystals into key points of the formation. Immediately, the cave was bathed in radiant light, then transformed into a brilliant white glow.

Moments later, the white light coalesced into a mist—not ordinary fog, but condensed energy manifesting visibly.

A glint of sharpness flashed in Night Nine Demon’s eyes. Understanding the power of the initial formation, he sat cross-legged at its core, entering cultivation.

His pores instantly opened wide, drawing in waves of condensed white energy that flooded his body, filling him with a profound sense of comfort.

The “Food and Sleep Technique” activated, circulating internal energy like engine oil, continuously absorbing external energy.

This created a seamless cycle of intake and output, causing energy surges within him. His bones cracked audibly, as if striving to break their shackles.

“Come on!”

Night Nine Demon roared deeply, the power within him swelling into roaring waves, crashing with ferocity.

The surging strength surged toward an unseen door within his body, as if breaking through would unleash a transformation like a carp leaping over the dragon gate.

“Crack…”

“Crack!”

“Thump… thump… thump!”

The sounds grew louder, resembling a drumbeat emanating from his chest.

“Bang!”

Finally, with a thunderous roar like divine lightning, a booming sound burst forth inside him as energy flooded through the inner door.

In that instant, Night Nine Demon’s aura shifted, becoming mysterious and unfathomable, as if he and the universe were one and the same.

The ethereal energy flickered, barely perceptible yet undeniably real—profound and enigmatic.

“Celestial Realm…” he murmured, sensing his breakthrough. But before he could say more, the seal on his forehead suddenly flared.

A scorching heat erupted from his heart, spreading through his entire body, forcing a bestial roar from his lips.

“Suppress me!”

Night Nine Demon instantly summoned the Heavenly Demon Fire within, directing it into the seal at his brow, then into his sea of consciousness.

This sea was the prison of nine great demons—also the source of his powerful soul, hardened by years of struggle.

But from within his sea, a second demon’s roar emerged, threatening to break the seal and take over his body.

“Boy, give up your resistance. No kindness will save you. Without the Heavenly Demon Fire, this body belongs to me, the Gluttonous Fiend!”

“Once I possess your body, I’ll avenge you…”

Dark, seductive threats echoed as the Yin-Yang fish spun wildly within his sea.

Yet Night Nine Demon remained unfazed, pouring more Heavenly Demon Fire inside, though its suppressive effect was minimal.

“Demon child, remember these words.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his mind, filling him with joy.

“On the ancient path, my thoughts are heaven, my will is earth. Mountains, rivers, sources, seas, and great kindness come forth; I command the sealing of all heavens!”

“This is… the Mountain and River Command!”

Inspired, Night Nine Demon chanted, his voice resonating with an otherworldly tone, part eerie abyss, part celestial melody. A mysterious force slammed into his sea of consciousness.

“Ah… I am unwilling!” the Gluttonous Fiend howled, laden with despair.

Exhausted, Night Nine Demon collapsed weakly to the ground.

“This Heavenly Demon Fire is ineffective against him. I must strengthen my soul, or when he next tries to break free, it will be my end!”

“And the Mountain and River Command from the Mysterious Lady seems to harbor a secret power. Otherwise, it wouldn’t suppress that demon. I must ask her about it later.”

…

Murmuring to himself, Night Nine Demon succumbed to drowsiness and fell into deep sleep.

Unbeknownst to him, as he invoked the Mountain and River Command, a strange creature appeared in the sky: one eye white, the other black.

Yet no one saw this beast, and it vanished as swiftly as it came.