Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Chapter 302 - 277: Immortals and Demons (Part 2) (Combined)

Murong Xia landed in the middle of the mountains with a carefree attitude, sat down on a wooden chair beside him, and looked at everyone with a smile. His gaze lingered on Li Qinghong for a while before he answered:

"The Demonic Path that our Murong Family cultivates is the authentic one... It has existed since ancient times. Cultivating by nurturing a source of heavenly pleasure within oneself is the most orthodox method for Devil Cultivators, even cultivators with Maha Dharma Appearance cannot find fault in it."

He paused, and seeing Li Qinghong shaking her head, he spoke softly:

"Everyone knows the way of the world. Zifu Golden Core cultivators sustain themselves on the common people, and practitioners of Maha Dharma Appearance never cease the cycles of reincarnation. For ordinary people, a lifetime is nothing but suffering, worse than death... It’s better to be devoured by me..."

Li Qinghong snorted with derision and retorted without holding back:

"It is precisely because of the likes of you devouring people everywhere that commoners’ lives are worse than death, not that their lives are inherently miserable and should be fodder for you. Taoist Fellow, you’re confusing right and wrong, reversing cause and effect. Don’t you find yourself deceitful and self-deluding?"

Murong Xia raised his eyebrows, and said earnestly:

"Not at all, not at all. Cultivating the Demonic Path is to save all beings in the world. My Murong Family wouldn’t be able to eat people without creating this source of pleasure, which is precisely why we do this."

He paused, looked at everyone, and said calmly:

"Within this source I have, there is a realm of pleasure, abundant with fine wine, delicious food, luxurious clothing, and wealth, countless pleasures, men and women enjoying themselves freely, without the torments of familial ties and the fear of life and death, nor the worries of strife and agony. Endless desires and heavenly rewards lie within."

"As long as you are consumed by me, you can enter this realm and be forever liberated from this mortal flesh. Souls become immortal, ancestors divine. As long as I, Murong Xia, continue to cultivate, everyone will enjoy inexhaustible pleasures and desires, isn’t that delightful?"

This statement, like a large stone dropped into a lake, stunned everyone into exchanging glances. Li Qinghong was momentarily at a loss for words. Murong Xia sighed and shook his head before answering:

"Our kind, the sect of the benevolent demons, ensures that whenever our Devil Cultivators fight, the victor will gather the souls obtained and immerse them in each’s realm, granting them eternal pleasure and desire. If everyone in the world followed our Demonic Path, only the cultivators would suffer, while the common folk would enjoy eternal bliss. This would then be the Sacred Land of Eternal Delight!"

With a look of compassion on his face, Murong Xia seemed to have a colorful halo faintly emerging from behind his head. Li Yuanjiao simply furrowed his brows and said:

"That’s merely your side of the story, who knows whether you truly consume them or collect their souls? If this is truly an act of great virtue, then why is your Demonic Path so bloodthirsty and detestable, despised by the world?"

Murong Xia laughed heartily, waved his hand gently, and from his belly came the sounds of wind, extravagant music, and the laughter of men, women, the elderly, and children. In front of several people, a green demon soul appeared, bowed down respectfully, and said:

"I’m a commoner from the foot of Jade Court Mountain, my name is Cao Yangxuan, greeting all Immortal Masters."

Li Yuanjiao and others were taken aback, for the town mayor of Jade Court Mountain was Li Yuanjiao’s own half-brother, serving at the side. He stepped forward to discuss with the demon soul, greatly shocked, and turned back to reply:

"Responding to the Family Head, I also recognize this person. His voice and smile are exactly as when he was alive."

Murong Xia burst into hearty laughter, but the demon soul suddenly knelt down and exclaimed:

"We are grateful for the generous grace of our clan, a debt we could not repay in ten lifetimes. Now that I have been enlightened by the Mage and have gone to Ultimate Bliss, I only have one request..."

Li Yuanjiao’s eyelids twitched, and he had an ominous premonition in his heart. He said:

"Speak."

The demon soul bowed respectfully and answered:

"There is an old farmer at the village entrance, named Cao Ye, who is my father. We lived a life of hardship, and now that I have this great opportunity, I hope the Family Head will call my father over. After thoroughly cleansing his body and bathing in incense, I would like for the Mage to consume him as well, so we can reunite in Ultimate Bliss and enjoy eternal fortune together..."

"Absurd!"

Before Li Yuanjiao could take a stance, Li Qinghong was already unable to listen any further. With a furrowed brow, she spat out Thunder Light and forcefully disrupted the spell. The demon soul was but a residual ghost; Thunder Light eliminates evil and vanquishes foul spirits, instantly causing the wretched demon’s soul to scatter. Murong Xia, furious, cursed:

"What a cruel woman! What a venomous heart!"

Watching the soul dissipate, Li Qinghong felt a twinge of guilt but raised her eyebrows unapologetically, bluntly saying:

"All your Cultivation Level sought after only delusion, all those dreams of a paradise, nothing but illusions."

"Illusions?"

Murong Xia chuckled coldly and answered:

"Who are you to decide for others? Go ask the commoners and peasants, whether they would rather struggle bitterly in this mortal world or enter my realm of illusionary pleasures!"

Turning away from Li Qinghong to address Li Yuanjiao, he continued:

"As for the Family Head’s comment about our Demonic Path being bloody and abhorrent, it is because we hide our utmost goodness and beauty within, presenting only that which is despised and dreadful to take its place! Our elders are also those who can sit and discuss the Dharma with practitioners of Maha. They are not evil followers."

Murong Xia’s voice thundered throughout the courtyard, he gritted his teeth and continued:

"In my opinion, it is you Taoist Cultivators of the Zifu Golden Core Path who are selfish and self-serving. On the surface, you glide gracefully in your robes, brimming with Immortal Qi, only seeking to transcend your own nature, regarding all beings as ants. That is true devilry! We might look ugly and behave improperly on the outside, but inside we are Immortal Cultivators!"

"Ha!"

Li Qinghong laughed in anger. The bodies of the one hundred and fifteen deaths were not yet cold, their severed limbs and blood still staining the town center in crimson. And yet, this Devil Cultivator dared to scold them. She said coldly:

"There’s no reasoning with those whose paths differ so greatly!"

The old Daoist shook his head, only patting his stomach and laughing, saying:

"Let’s have a duel or let me leave. Family Head, you’d better think carefully!"

The tension in the courtyard suddenly escalated, Li Yuanjiao quietly stroked the hilt of his sword, listening silently to something. After a moment, he exhaled and gestured with his hand, saying: