The Grey Rat's Demon Path

Gray Rat Cave, in the Secluded Meditation Chamber.

He swallowed one Elixir after another.

A warm current surged through him, transforming into Energy that was absorbed by the panel.

Once the Elixirs were gone, he began consuming Spirit Plants and Spirit Medicines, followed by Ore and other related Spiritual Objects.

The Energy on the panel was constantly changing!

Before he had even consumed half of the resources he had gathered, the Energy accumulated on the panel reached a critical point!

Name: Xu Chang'an

Bloodline: Purple-striped Earth Rock Rat (Middle-class Bloodline)

Lifespan: 372 Years

Realm: Late-stage Foundation Establishment

Skills: Alchemy (Tier Two High Grade)

Energy: (20000/20000)

...

'The Energy accumulation is complete. I can break through at any time!'

Xu Chang'an's heart pounded with excitement.

After so many years of accumulation, he had finally reached this point!

If he could form an Inner Core—even one of the lowest quality, a Gray Pill—he would still ascend to a whole new Realm.

Among the Demon Race, to form an Inner Core was to achieve the status of a Demon King!

They would become a true High-tier of the Demon Race.

The most significant sign of this was the ability to take on a human form upon forming an Inner Core!

A Transformed Demon!

For any Top-tier Great Demon, this was an irresistible temptation.

Countless Demons would scramble for such an opportunity.

The chance for Core Formation was a pivotal moment in the struggle of the Demon Path, and no Demon would ever give it up.

But for Xu Chang'an, he only needed to accumulate enough Energy to cross this threshold with ease.

Moreover, with the help of his panel, if he were to undergo Core Formation, he would certainly achieve a Golden Core!

His foundation would be profound, far surpassing others of the same Realm!

'The commotion from Core Formation is far too great. This is absolutely not the right place for it!'

Xu Chang'an considered this and temporarily suppressed his excitement.

Early the next morning, the Elk Demon, Sherri, came to Gray Rat Cave to offer her apologies.

As a Steward Demon of Cloud Sea Peak, Sherri bore an undeniable responsibility for what had happened.

However, the main issue was that the Tribulation Cultivators had been too cunning. Their disguises were perfect, and they had immediately taken control of Sherri to trick her into opening the peak's Array Restriction.

Otherwise, had they been prepared in time, the power of the Quasi-Third Tier protection Array would have kept them perfectly safe.

Even against several Top-tier Great Demons and seven or eight Veteran Great Demons, it would have been enough to hold out for reinforcements from the Peacock Mountain Demons.

In response to Sherri's apology, Xu Chang'an simply told her not to worry about it.

It wasn't the fault of a single Demon; all the Demons of Cloud Sea Peak shared the responsibility!

Sherri repeatedly expressed her gratitude and, after apologizing once more, departed for the other cave residences.

Over the next few days, repairs were underway all across Cloud Sea Peak.

Xu Chang'an returned to his usual routine: Refining Elixirs, studying Magic, and relaxing.

However, he did have one new task: Nurturing his newly acquired Quasi-Magical Treasure, the Cyan Jade Bowl.

「Another ten days passed.」

The Earth Bear Demon, Huang Stone, paid a visit to Shuyun Peak.

Ostensibly, he was there to inquire about the aftermath of the Tribulation Cultivator incident, but in reality, he just gave Xu Chang'an a quick greeting before heading straight for the cave of the Scorpion Spirit, Yu Lulu.

That night, Huang Stone stayed over in Yu Lulu's cave and did not return!

The relationship between the two Demons was developing at a startling pace!

Then again, it takes two to tango.

「Two more months passed.」

The incident with the Tribulation Cultivators gradually faded into the past.

On this day, Xu Chang'an announced he was entering secluded meditation, but in reality, he concealed his aura and slipped away.

He traveled on foot, and once he was dozens of miles away from Cloud Sea Peak, he activated his Magical Artifact and flew due west.

After several days of travel, he arrived deep within an ancient mountain forest.

Xu Chang'an did not rush to begin his breakthrough. Instead, he concealed his aura and scouted out the area within a hundred-mile radius.

Afterward, Xu Chang'an found a secluded spot, laid down an Isolation Array, and used a Magical Artifact to begin digging.

The commotion from breaking through to the Demon King Realm was enormous, and since he was using his panel to form a Golden Core, the resulting phenomenon would be even more spectacular.

The stage where Spiritual Qi surged wildly and the commotion was at its peak generally occurred during the final phase of Core Formation.

Even if he were discovered at that point, there wouldn't be much danger.

However, for Xu Chang'an, it would be difficult to conceal his aura and his true form during the breakthrough.

His life might not be in danger if he were discovered, but his true identity and origins would be exposed.

That was not an outcome he wished to see.

Even though he had scouted the hundred-mile radius, he couldn't rule out a one-in-a-million chance.

Therefore, Xu Chang'an's plan was to dig an extremely deep tunnel.

He would then perform his breakthrough deep within the earth!

Thanks to his panel, the environmental requirements for his breakthrough weren't nearly as strict as those for a normal Demon!

A normal Top-tier Great Demon attempting to break through to the Core Formation Realm and form an Inner Core would need to prepare Mirror-breaking Elixirs. Furthermore, to increase the chances of success, their requirements for Spiritual Qi and the environment were extremely high.

The slightest mistake or overlooked detail could result in failure!

Using a Supreme-grade Magical Artifact to dig, the speed was incredible!

In just several hours, a pit hundreds of yards deep had already appeared.

Xu Chang'an entered and used his Demon Power to make some adjustments.

He then set down row after row of Array Flags, establishing several Arrays.

Finally, he moved a massive boulder into place. With a flash, he entered the tunnel, then used his Demon Power to pull the boulder over the entrance.

All preparations were complete. The only thing left was to begin.

Xu Chang'an sat cross-legged at the bottom of the tunnel, slightly adjusting his condition.

「A quarter of an hour later.」

He snapped his eyes open, his spirit condensing.

"Breakthrough!"

For a normal Top-tier Great Demon to form an Inner Core, they had to pass through four trials!

The Demon Sense Pass!

The Demon Power Pass!

The Heart Demon Pass!

The Transformation Pass!

Among these, the Demon Sense Pass was the least difficult.

Generally, any Top-tier Great Demon who attempted to break through to the Core Formation Realm would have already polished their Demon Sense to its peak. Some even consumed Spiritual Items beforehand to enhance it further!

Therefore, this first pass was rarely an obstacle.

Naturally, for Xu Chang'an, it was nothing to worry about either.

The second pass, the Demon Power Pass, required one to gradually solidify their liquid Demon Power. In the end, this solidified power would converge at the core and form the Inner Core!