Demonic Cultivator: Immune To Common Side Effects - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: The Third Shadow – A Cuckoo in the Nest

Elder Si Deng was baffled. He had meticulously planned his ambush, ensuring every detail was in place. Yet, the Su Clan’s pavilion ship suddenly set sail for the morning market in North Mountain Village to resupply.

Dawn was just beginning to break. If they launched an attack now, they risked exposing the Shadow Fiend’s presence. Helpless, they watched the pavilion ship drift away, their ambush foiled.

Frustrated, Elder Si Deng vented his fury on his subordinates.

Elder Si Deng: You useless trash! Who leaked our plans?

Lantern Bearers: Elder, we’ve all remained in position, awaiting your orders.

Lantern Bearers: Perhaps it’s just a coincidence? They might genuinely need supplies, and the morning market in North Mountain Village is quite famous.

Hearing his subordinates’ explanations, Elder Si Deng fell silent.

Could it truly be a coincidence?

Just as they were preparing to capture Su Chongyue, he happened to wake up, start the pavilion ship, and sail away.

Elder Si Deng: Fine. We’ll postpone the capture of the Su Clan traitor until tomorrow.

Elder Si Deng: The Dharma Propagation Assembly is currently underway in Mishan City. They won’t be able to enter the city anytime soon, giving us plenty of opportunities to capture them.

Unbeknownst to Elder Si Deng, Li Yan had already infiltrated the Shadow Network.

Li Yan observed their every move with his own eyes.

Just then, another message caught his attention:

Elder Si Deng: The Venerable One is currently in secluded cultivation and must not be disturbed. As punishment for the mission’s failure, each Lantern Bearer must sacrifice half a year of their cultivation base as an offering to the Venerable One.

At that very moment, a stream of Shadow Force flowed past Li Yan.

The System’s voice echoed in his mind:

Yin Shadow Force detected within the Shadow Network. This energy has severe side effects on the human body.

Side effects?

Li Yan reached out to intercept the energy within the Shadow Network.

A dense power surged into his body.

The Yin Shadow Force is corroding the host’s shadow. Side effect neutralized. Commencing absorption of its contained energy.

In the next instant, the Shadow Force transformed into golden threads, flowing into Li Yan’s body.

An indescribable power flooded into his Dantian, creating an exquisite sensation.

Closing his eyes, Li Yan began to siphon the energy flowing through the Shadow Network.

So, the energy he had previously stolen from the Sacrificial Formation was this very Shadow Force.

A portion of the cultivation base offered by the Shadow Fiends to the Venerable One was now flowing into Li Yan’s Dantian.

What did it mean to bask in the shade of a great tree?

With such a massive Shadow Network, Li Yan could siphon off a portion of the Shadow Force without anyone even noticing.

– The host has absorbed Yin Shadow Force, raising their cultivation base to the Fifth Layer of the Blood Shifting Realm.

– The host has absorbed Yin Shadow Force, raising their cultivation base to the Sixth Layer of the Blood Shifting Realm.

– The host has accessed information from the Shadow Network, deepening their understanding of the Blood Shadow Immortal Art. Their proficiency has advanced from Elementary to Small Accomplishment. Congratulations! The host’s maximum number of Sub Shadows has increased to two.

Li Yan watched as the shadow beneath his feet multiplied from two to three. He now had one Main Shadow and two Sub Shadows.

The Shadow Puppet beside him, Moon Shadow Daoist, immediately exclaimed, “Congratulations, Master! Your divine art is on the verge of great success!”

Su Mo, the Corpse Puppet who had been standing idly by, began clapping enthusiastically upon hearing the Shadow Puppet’s words. In her pure and simple world, Su Mo’s happiness stemmed solely from her Master’s growing strength.

“Master, so many shadows! Amazing!” Su Mo’s innocent laughter rang like a pleasant chime.

Li Yan slowly raised his hand, halting the absorption. He knew the importance of moderation, of knowing when to stop. Absorbing too much at once could alert the Venerable One.

The Venerable One’s true strength remained unknown. However, his ability to control so many Shadow Fiends clearly demonstrated formidable power.

“The Venerable One is currently in seclusion, meaning he’s not overseeing matters,” Li Yan mused. “While he’s in seclusion, I can safely steal small amounts of Shadow Force each day without being detected.”

Determined, Li Yan resolved to thoroughly exploit this opportunity.

From this flowing Shadow Network, Li Yan could not only steal shadow spells but also siphon the cultivation base offered to the Venerable One.

Fortune favors the bold, and the darkest corners hide the best deeds.

Having tasted the power of stolen Yin Shadow Force, an even bolder idea took root in Li Yan’s mind.

Using the Shadow Puppet Technique, he could replace the Shadow Fiends guarding the perimeter with his own puppets. By slowly draining Mishan City of its Shadow Fiends, he might even be able to pull off a cuckoo’s egg move!

But he needed to proceed one step at a time, lest his impatience expose his presence.

Li Yan continued monitoring the Shadow Network. So far, no one seemed to have noticed his theft of Yin Shadow Force.

Suddenly, a message flashed across the network:

Elder Si Deng: Dawn is approaching. All Shadow Puppets must return to their hosts immediately. No exposure allowed.

Lantern Bearers: Understood!

Watching the shadows retreat into the Daoist Temple, Li Yan beckoned. “Moon Shadow Daoist.”

The dark figure materialized before him instantly. “Master, your servant awaits.”

“Erase the memories of the Dao Children’s shadows within the temple and replace them with my mark.”

“This humble servant understands,” the Moon Shadow Daoist’s shadow said, bowing its head and slowly retreating from the room.

Its shadow stretched endlessly outward, reaching far beyond the chamber.

Within moments, all hundred-plus disciples of the Moon Gazing Daoist Temple had become Li Yan’s Shadow Puppets.

Just then, a rooster crowed outside the temple.

The Moon Shadow Daoist’s shadow immediately retreated back into the room, returning to the Daoist.

The Daoist, still half-asleep, rubbed his eyes and sat up.

Squinting, he looked at Li Yan, who stood before him.

“Who are you?”

The Moon Shadow Daoist was disoriented. He didn’t seem to recognize the young man. Why was this stranger in his bedroom?

After a moment, recognition dawned. “Ah, it’s my dear nephew! Ha, your father was my junior brother. I remember now.”

“Goodness, I must have been muddled by sleep—I, your Martial Uncle!” the Daoist chuckled awkwardly, patting his head.

He remained completely unaware that his memories had been altered by his shadow.

He had never met Li Yan before, nor did he know his father.

Thanks to the Shadow Puppet’s subtle manipulations, Moon Shadow Daoist felt as if he’d woken from a hazy dream, completely forgetting about his grand-nephew, Li Yan.

“Ah, Grand-Nephew! You arrived just yesterday, and I haven’t even arranged a separate room for you yet.”

“Let me show you around the Daoist Temple first, so you can familiarize yourself with the place.”

“And who is this?” Moon Shadow Daoist asked, glancing at Su Mo, the veiled Corpse Puppet.

Li Yan replied calmly, “This is my personal attendant.”

The Daoist stroked his goatee, a sly grin spreading across his face. “You little rascal! Your father spoils you rotten, sending you out into the world with such a beautiful attendant.”

Moon Shadow Daoist didn’t suspect a thing, as if everything were perfectly natural. Little did he know that the Shadow Puppet had quietly altered his memories.

This incident revealed the terrifying reality of Shadow Fiends—these sinister entities that parasitized cultivators. Their hosts would never realize what their shadows secretly did behind their backs in the dead of night.

Just as Moon Shadow Daoist was about to show Li Yan around the Daoist Temple, a Dao Child rushed in, panic in his voice. “Master! Elder Si Deng has arrived!”

Elder Si Deng? Li Yan’s brow furrowed. This visitor meant trouble.