Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2611  The Cultivation Of Demons

Lin Mu debated whether he should leave the Seventh Burdock Courtyard but then decided against it.

”It wonʼt be the most appropriate to leave her alone here, would it? There arenʼt even servants around,” Lin Mu thought to himself.

Due to the nature of the Demons, and out of consideration for the servants, the Seventh Burdock Courtyard was not assigned any attendants. Those who had been working there were temporarily dismissed, much to their relief.

Taking care of Demons and serving them wasnʼt something ordinary servants could handle. Most of them were just in the Spirit Realm, with a few high-ranking ones reaching the False or First Tribulation Stage of the Immortal Realm. Even with these levels of cultivation, an accidental misstep could anger the Demons, leading to disastrous consequences.

Besides, Demons werenʼt accustomed to such luxuries and wouldnʼt appreciate humans bustling about in their midst. Even Ziranʼs wife and family presented risks if an unforeseen incident occurred. Thus, the Crown Prince, in his wisdom, decided it was best not to assign servants to the Demonsʼ quarters.

Another factor Lin Mu had to consider was the unpredictability of the Demons. If Karliaʼs children found their mother unconscious and unresponsive, they might grow anxious and angry, suspecting foul play or even poisoning.

”My presence here might rile them up, but at least I can handle them if needed,” Lin Mu reasoned.

He had observed the Demons and noted their varying cultivation bases, ranging from the First Tribulation Stage of the Immortal Realm to the Fourth Tribulation Stage. He wasnʼt sure about their exact ages, but based on Ziranʼs marriage timeline of around three thousand years, the eldest child likely wouldnʼt exceed that age.

”Theyʼre all quite talented,” Lin Mu thought, reflecting on their cultivation progress.

The eldest childʼs cultivation base was close to Ziranʼs Fifth Tribulation Stage of the Immortal Realm. However, Lin Mu realized that Demons didnʼt follow the same methods as human cultivators.

Their cultivation realms were tied to tattoos that manifested on their bodies, representing the Dao in a physical form. These tattoos appeared when the required amount of Demonic Qi was accumulated along with sufficient proficiency.

Karliaʼs tattoos were numerous, merging together in complex patterns. From her cultivation base, it was easy to estimate that she possessed seven tattoos that had combined into a large, intricate design. The stages for Demonsʼ cultivation ranged from the Single Tattoo Stage up to the Seventh Tattoo Stage.

This racial trait gave Demons certain advantages. Unlike humans, they didnʼt face life-threatening Immortal Tribulations at each breakthrough. However, their cultivation journey was far from easy. Demons had to endure strict doctrines and personal beliefs. Breaking these could result in a tattoo imploding, severely injuring or even killing them.

They also werenʼt immune to common issues such as Qi deviation and Heart Demons—ironically named after them. These phenomena were more about personal flaws than something unique to humans.

Demons cultivated Demonic Qi through consuming resources, engaging in battles, and rigorous training. Their path to strength was akin to a blend of body cultivation and Qi cultivation. However, this came at a high cost. Many Demons perished in the pursuit of power, a fact that Ziran had shared with Lin Mu.

Ziran had lost over a hundred children to the perils of cultivation. While the grief lingered, he came to accept it as the way of the Demons, a culture where honor was paramount. Those who died in combat were venerated and enshrined in tribal tombs. Their souls received the tribeʼs worship for hundreds of thousands of years. Legends even claimed that these enshrined souls could reincarnate and assist the tribe in times of dire need.

These thoughts occupied Lin Muʼs mind as he sat in a pergola within the courtyard. The setting was simple yet charming, offering a change of scenery he could appreciate. While Lin Mu wasnʼt overly concerned with aesthetics, the peaceful environment was a welcome respite.

He brewed some tea using leaves from the Serene Glass Valley, letting the soothing aroma calm his thoughts. As he sipped the tea, Lin Mu mentally listed the questions he wanted to ask Karlia when she awakened. He also speculated about the reward she might give him. They hadnʼt discussed specifics, leaving it entirely up to Karlia to decide.

”Demonsʼ methods are fascinating but challenging to navigate,” Lin Mu mused.

His reflections were interrupted by the distant sound of footsteps. He turned his gaze toward the entrance of the courtyard, his senses sharp. The aura was faint but distinct, belonging to one of Karliaʼs children.

A tall figure entered, their crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. The young Demon bore tattoos that shimmered subtly on their arms and neck, a mark of their progress in cultivation.

”Iʼm Lin Mu,” he replied calmly not recognizing the Demon. ”Your mother is resting inside. Sheʼs fine but needs time to recover.”

The Demonʼs eyes narrowed briefly before they relaxed. ”Mother mentioned you,” they said. ”She spoke of a human cultivator who she wished to challenge. Is that you?”

Lin Mu nodded surprised that Karlia had managed to inform them during their little spar. ”Yes. Sheʼs strong, but the recent battle was intense.”

The young Demon stepped closer, their gaze scanning Lin Mu with curiosity.

 ”Youʼre not like other humans Iʼve encountered,” they remarked.

”Iʼve heard that before,” Lin Mu said with a faint smile. ”Your mother is remarkable, and I have no doubt sheʼll recover quickly. Still, I stayed to ensure everything was fine.”

The Demon inclined their head slightly. ”Thank you. Iʼll inform my siblings. Theyʼll want to see her.”

Lin Mu watched as the young Demon left the courtyard, their presence fading into the distance. He leaned back in the pergola, finishing his tea and pondering the encounter.

”Demons are certainly an intriguing race,” he thought. ”Not all of them seem to be high strung at least, seeing from this child.”

The courtyard grew quiet once more, the serenity broken only by the rustling of leaves.