Chapter 2781: A Crown Like a Stele

Chapter 103: Standing Tall Like a Monument

Li Fuyao raised his head and looked at the distant sky, then slowly lowered his gaze. He knew it was a very small possibility, almost negligible.

His entire being was a miracle.

The two of them looked at each other, feeling the silence between them.

"It's actually very simple. The world's Dao originates from three people. First, the Sect Leader of the Dao Sect, then the Buddhist Saint, and finally the Demon Cult Leader. Among the Demon Cult Leader's many disciples, two are the most prominent: the Demon Empress and Master Yuan Li. Master Yuan Li was the first of the Demon Cult Leader's disciples to ascend, but later, for reasons unknown, he fell to the mortal realm. The Demon Empress took over the position of Demon Cult Leader. When Master Yuan Li fell, he was surrounded and attacked by many cultivators. He was very strong and killed many people, but ultimately he was severely injured and fell into a deep sleep."

These words were difficult to comprehend, but Li Fuyao understood. The three most powerful beings in the world were the Dao Sect Leader, the Buddhist Saint, and the Demon Cult Leader. And this Master Yuan Li was once a disciple of the Demon Cult Leader and had ascended to the heavens before the Demon Empress. However, he later fell back to the mortal realm and was injured, falling into a deep sleep.

"In the past thousands of years, the Demon Cult has tried everything to find his whereabouts, but they haven't succeeded. We also didn't expect him to be in the Canghai River, even more so that he would be found by you."

Qing Qiu looked at Li Fuyao. "Do you know why the Demon Cult Leader didn't search for him himself?"

Li Fuyao shook his head. He didn't know.

"Because after Master Yuan Li fell to the mortal realm, he was no longer a member of the Demon Cult. He cut ties with the Cult Leader. That's why, despite the Demon Cult's efforts, they couldn't find him. But the Cult Leader knew where he was. The Cult Leader is just unwilling to intervene."

Qing Qiu looked at Li Fuyao. "Master Yuan Li was also a sword cultivator. The Canghai River was where the Demon Cult Leader first taught him swordsmanship. Perhaps that's why he returned there. And the Demon Cult Leader knew, but he didn't care."

These words made sense.

Li Fuyao asked, "Then why did you come to me?"

Qing Qiu smiled and pointed to his abdomen. "Because he is currently in your Dantian. Only you can wake him up."

Li Fuyao was silent. He knew this was a huge matter. The Demon Cult had searched for Master Yuan Li for thousands of years without success, yet this person was now in his body.

"Then what do you want me to do?" Li Fuyao asked.

Qing Qiu was silent for a moment, then said, "Do you know what happened to Master Yuan Li? He fell because he was betrayed by a woman. He was severely injured. The person who injured him was a Buddhist cultivator, and it was the Buddhist Saint's personal disciple, Bodhisattva Jing Ci. But the one who ultimately sealed him was the Dao Sect's Grand Elder, Tian Quan."

Li Fuyao's eyes widened. The Buddhist Saint's disciple and the Dao Sect's Grand Elder?

"Actually, there was also the Demon Cult. At that time, there was a group of people in the Demon Cult who wanted to replace Master Yuan Li. The Demon Empress was only successful later because she had the support of these people."

"So, he was betrayed by many people?"

Qing Qiu nodded. "That's right. It was a complex situation. The three sects were involved."

Li Fuyao was silent for a long time, then said, "Then, what do you want me to do?"

Qing Qiu smiled. "The Demon Cult wants to wake him up. This is what the Cult Leader hopes to see."

Li Fuyao frowned. "But why does the Demon Cult Leader want to see this? Didn't he cut ties with him?"

"Because he is his disciple. The Cult Leader knows everything. He knows that Master Yuan Li was betrayed. The person he wants to kill the most is Bodhisattva Jing Ci."

"Bodhisattva Jing Ci is very powerful. Master Yuan Li was defeated by her. And he wasn't alone in that battle. He was also attacked by Tian Quan. That's why he fell into a deep sleep. If he wakes up, he will definitely seek revenge on Bodhisattva Jing Ci. And if he does, the Buddhist Saint will definitely intervene. If the Buddhist Saint intervenes, the Dao Sect will definitely intervene. This will be a war between the three sects!"

Li Fuyao's heart sank. This was indeed a huge matter.

Qing Qiu looked at Li Fuyao. "The Demon Cult wants to wake him up, and you are the only one who can do it. If you help the Demon Cult, the Demon Cult will help you. The Cult Leader has said that as long as you are willing to wake him up, he will help you retrieve the sword you lost to the Great Liang Dynasty's empress."

Li Fuyao was surprised. The Demon Cult Leader was willing to help him retrieve the Cangyun Sword?

"Are you serious?"

Qing Qiu smiled. "The Demon Cult Leader never breaks his word."

Li Fuyao was silent. This was a difficult choice. If he helped the Demon Cult, he would be involved in a war between the three sects. But if he didn't, he might never retrieve the Cangyun Sword.

"How do I wake him up?" Li Fuyao asked.

Qing Qiu said, "He is in your Dantian. You can try to communicate with him. Perhaps he will respond."

Li Fuyao nodded. He decided to try.

He sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes. He tried to communicate with the figure in his Dantian.

After a long time, he heard a voice in his mind.

"Who are you?"

Li Fuyao was startled. It was a very old voice, full of weariness.

"I am Li Fuyao."

"Li Fuyao? I don't know you. Where am I?"

"You are in my Dantian, in the Canghai River."

"Canghai River? I remember. I was defeated. Where is Bodhisattva Jing Ci?"

"I don't know. I just met the Demon Cult's emissary. They said they want to wake you up."

"Demon Cult? Are they trying to use me?"

"I don't know. But the Demon Cult Leader promised to help me retrieve my sword if I wake you up."

"Sword? What sword?"

"The Cangyun Sword. It was taken by the Great Liang Dynasty's empress."

"Cangyun Sword? I remember. That was the sword I used when I was young."

Li Fuyao was surprised. This Master Yuan Li actually used the Cangyun Sword before him?

"Is that true?"

"Yes. I gave it to the Demon Cult Leader. It's a good sword."

Li Fuyao was even more surprised. The Cangyun Sword was given to the Demon Cult Leader by Master Yuan Li?

"Then, are you willing to wake up?" Li Fuyao asked.

The old voice was silent for a long time, then said, "I am very tired. I don't want to wake up."

Li Fuyao was disappointed.

"But," the voice continued, "if you can help me do one thing, I will wake up."

"What is it?"

"Help me kill Bodhisattva Jing Ci!"

Li Fuyao's heart sank. This was exactly what he had been afraid of.

"I cannot do that," Li Fuyao said. "I am not strong enough to kill Bodhisattva Jing Ci."

"I know. But you can help me find her. And if I wake up, I will personally kill her."

Li Fuyao hesitated. This was still a very difficult matter.

"I need to think about it," Li Fuyao said.

"Alright. But don't take too long. I don't have much time."

The voice fell silent.

Li Fuyao opened his eyes and looked at Qing Qiu.

"He wants to wake up, but he wants me to help him kill Bodhisattva Jing Ci."

Qing Qiu was not surprised. "I expected that. Master Yuan Li was very angry with Bodhisattva Jing Ci. He was betrayed by her."

"But I cannot do it. I am not strong enough."

"You don't need to do it yourself. You just need to help him find her. Once he is awake, he can kill her himself."

Li Fuyao was silent. This was still a difficult choice.

"What do you think I should do?" Li Fuyao asked Qing Qiu.

Qing Qiu smiled. "That's up to you. But I can tell you that the Demon Cult Leader is very sincere. If you help us, the Demon Cult will be your strong ally."

Li Fuyao thought about it. The Demon Cult was a powerful force. Having them as allies would be beneficial.

"Alright," Li Fuyao said. "I will help him. But you have to promise that you will help me retrieve the Cangyun Sword."

"I promise," Qing Qiu said. "The Demon Cult Leader's promise is worth more than anything in the world."

Li Fuyao nodded. He had made his decision.

He closed his eyes again and communicated with the figure in his Dantian.

"I will help you," Li Fuyao said.

The old voice seemed to sigh. "Thank you. Then, I will wake up. But it will take some time. I have been asleep for a long time."

"How long will it take?" Li Fuyao asked.

"I don't know. But during this time, you need to help me gather some strength. You need to cultivate the Demon Cult's cultivation method."

Li Fuyao was surprised. "Cultivate the Demon Cult's cultivation method?"

"Yes. My cultivation method is in your mind. You can start cultivating now. It will help me wake up faster."

Li Fuyao hesitated. He had been cultivating the Dao Sect's cultivation method. Cultivating the Demon Cult's method might cause conflicts.

"Will there be any problems?" Li Fuyao asked.

"No. My cultivation method is unique. It will not conflict with your current cultivation method. It will only strengthen you."

Li Fuyao was still a bit hesitant, but he decided to trust Master Yuan Li.

"Alright," Li Fuyao said. "I will cultivate your cultivation method."

"Good," the old voice said. "Then, I will begin to wake up. And you, young man, will become very strong."

The voice fell silent.

Li Fuyao opened his eyes. He felt a surge of power in his Dantian. It was the power of the Demon Cult's cultivation method.

He knew that he had made a significant decision. His life was about to change drastically. He would be involved in the affairs of the three sects, and he would be facing powerful enemies.

But he was not afraid. He had made his decision, and he would face the consequences.

He looked at Qing Qiu and smiled. "I have made my decision."

Qing Qiu smiled back. "Good. Then, welcome to the Demon Cult."

Li Fuyao was silent. He was not officially a member of the Demon Cult, but he was now connected to them.

He stood up and looked at the distant sky. The clouds were rolling, and the wind was blowing.

He felt a surge of power within him. He was becoming stronger.

He knew that this was just the beginning. He would face many challenges ahead. But he was ready.

He stood tall like a monument, unyielding in the face of adversity.

His path was now intertwined with the Demon Cult, and his destiny was tied to the awakening of Master Yuan Li.

He was ready to face whatever came his way.