"Have you heard? Dark Night recently divorced all of his dozen or so Dao companions!"
"Hah! That's old news. How many Dao companions has Dark Night divorced over the years? If not a hundred, then at least eighty."
"Why does he always change his Dao companions so frequently?"
"Yeah, he doesn't seem like a lecherous person!"
"You're all still young and don't know the reason behind it."
At this moment, an old man with a mustache sitting in the corner interjected.
Instantly, everyone in the tavern who had been discussing the matter turned their gazes towards the mustached old man.
Shi Xue, who had been eavesdropping from the shadows, felt her heart tighten upon seeing the old man. Many memories surged to the forefront of her mind.
Has the once handsome and dashing youth now become like this?
She recalled how, when she was imprisoned on Demon God Mountain, many of her friends had avoided her like the plague. In the end, it was this person who secretly intervened and helped her escape.
She wondered what he had experienced all these years!
"So it's Old Kong. You're among the oldest of our Demon God Clan, and you've seen a lot. Can you tell us about it?"
Facing the burning curiosity in the eyes of the youngsters.
The old man, referred to as Old Kong, unhurriedly poured himself another cup of immortal brew.
After the immortal brew went down, he smacked his lips, savoring its unique flavor, and said,
"This immortal brew in the tavern today is excellent!"
The other youngsters understood and immediately signaled the innkeeper, paying for Old Kong's drinks and even asking for a large pot of immortal brew for him.
Seeing this, Old Kong showed an expression of 'teachable youth.'
"All of you youngsters are only at the Demon Lord cultivation level. Once you comprehend the Great Dao, you can become Demon Kings.
But after becoming Demon Kings, if you wish to advance further and ascend to Demon Venerable, do you know how to cultivate?"
Everyone in the tavern shook their heads. They were all young cultivators at the Demon Lord realm, and hadn't even reached the Demon King realm, so how could they understand cultivation beyond that?
"Actually, from Demon Lord onwards, the cultivation paths for the Human, Monster, and Demon races are all the same. They all require comprehending the Great Dao, only the titles differ.
Humans and Monsters become Golden Immortals, while we Demons customarily call them Demon Kings. It's just a difference in nomenclature; the cultivation methods are largely the same."
"However, most cultivators reach their limit once they attain the Demon King realm and cannot advance further."
"Since the beginning of the universe, in the entire Immortal Realm, only three individuals have successfully broken through the Golden Immortal realm.
They are Xuan Tian Dao Venerable, Lei Peng Demon Venerable, and our Demon Clan's ancestor, San Yang Demon Venerable.
It was precisely because these three powerful beings successfully broke through that they led their respective races to overpower others and become the most formidable forces in the Immortal Realm."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the tavern displayed looks of longing.
The Demon King realm was already a great challenge for them. If they could reach the Demon King realm in their lifetime, most would be content.
They had grown up listening to the stories of San Yang Demon Venerable, and for such legendary realms, they could at most fantasize about them, not dare to hope for them.
"But for these three supreme powerhouses to break through the Demon King realm, besides consuming vast amounts of top-tier treasures.
There were also many elements of opportunity and coincidence involved, which cannot be replicated.
Therefore, even after countless eons, the Immortal Realm has only had these three supreme powerhouses."
For a moment, many youngsters looked at Old Kong with fervent eyes.
Some with sharper vision had already refilled Old Kong's empty cup with immortal brew.
Everyone wanted to know what kind of treasures and opportunities could allow a Demon King to break through and become a supreme being.
"Don't get your hopes up. Treasures and resources of that caliber are unique, which is why they cannot be replicated.
In the later eras, the Immortal Realm, with its maximum of Golden Immortals, tried countless methods but failed.
By now, the immortal and demonic energies have become thin, the Immortal Realm is on the verge of destruction, and all sorts of treasures are depleted, making it even more impossible for such treasures to exist."
However, the surge of excitement that had just ignited in these youths was not extinguished by Old Kong's words; they continued to press him.
"Then you mentioned that Dark Night frequently changing Dao companions is related to this. Can you elaborate?"
As many brought up this question, they were already contemplating whether they should replace their own worn-out wives or their 'yellow-faced women' when they returned home.
Perhaps the reason for their own lack of progress in cultivation was due to not changing their Dao companions.
"Let me tell you, back then, our Demon Venerable Ancestor, through repeated research, created a method that could successfully break through the Demon King realm and reach the supreme realm.
Although this cultivation technique was newly developed and not yet verified, its feasibility was extremely high."
"What method? Can you stop playing coy and tell us in detail!"
Everyone in the tavern perked up their ears, growing a bit impatient.
"Cough, cough, cough... This method requires sacrificing the Great Dao comprehended by others to fulfill one person.
Using the Great Dao of others to nurture the Great Dao of one individual, strengthening their foundation, and thus achieving a breakthrough in one go.
However, the cost of doing so is very high, requiring the sacrifice of many others.
Do you think this method is worth it?"
Old Kong said this, looking meaningfully at the many young people in the tavern.
"Of course, it's worth it!"
"Even if it means sacrificing a portion of people, if it can create a supreme powerhouse for our Demon race, it's definitely a worthwhile exchange."
"If our Demon race can gain another supreme powerhouse, ruling the entire Immortal Realm will be as easy as flipping a hand."
"To achieve any great feat, some people must make sacrifices."
"Such sacrifices are absolutely worthwhile!"
It was clear that these young people had all placed themselves in the position of the beneficiaries.
They all felt that they were the ones who would receive the sacrifices of others and ultimately become the supreme being of the Demon race.
This way of identifying was relatively easy and more satisfying.
"Then, if you were asked to sacrifice yourselves, would you be willing?"
"Of course, we would be willing. But isn't it only for Demon Maidens? I'm a male, so I can't help."
A young man said matter-of-factly.
Other youths echoed his sentiment, clearly sharing the same idea.
"I didn't say it was only for females! When men are needed to make sacrifices, would you still be willing?"
At this, the tavern became much quieter, and no one dared to give a definitive answer.
Only the young man from before tried to argue.
"I'm only at the Demon Lord realm and haven't comprehended the Great Dao yet, so I'm not needed. Otherwise, I'd still be willing."
"Perhaps Demon Lords also have an effect, just a lesser one. Are you all willing to make self-sacrifices?"
At this moment, the tavern fell silent. Everyone lowered their heads to drink, fearing that they might be chosen next!
"Hahaha..."
Old Kong picked up the wine pot, lifted the lid, and poured all the wine into his mouth, then left the tavern laughing heartily.
After leaving the tavern, Old Kong walked towards a secluded path with a desolate air.
A thin, small figure followed him from a distance.
"You've been following me for so long, come out!"
Old Kong stopped under a tree, looking towards a large rock behind him.
The next moment, Shi Xue's figure emerged from behind the rock.
"Brother Kong Liang, long time no see!"
As Shi Xue walked up to Old Kong, her original appearance was already revealed.
"Shi Xue, you're finally back!"