Demon of Dawn and Dusk

The moment I entered the Purple Poison Pill bath, it started to eat away at my body. At first I felt a mild burning sensation, but the longer I stayed in the bath, the more painful it grew. However, I was used to it by this point, so I ignored the pain. Instead, I took the Foundation Breakthrough Pill out of my storage ring and swallowed it. A burst of qi rushed into my body. At the same time, I took in the fire qi from the surrounding environment.

I focused my spirit sense on my dantian. There, I saw that ocean of golden qi that was my cultivation base. It looked like liquid starlight, with a single mote of demonic qi in the center. The star qi from the Star Flame Fruit, the fire qi from the Earth Fire, and the qi from the Foundation Breakthrough Pill rushed into my dantian like raging rivers.

According to my research, when building a Qi Foundation, a cultivator created a pillar out of the qi in their dantian region. For those creating Physical Foundations, the process was similar, except they created the pillar out of their flesh, bone, and blood, mixed with the qi they used for physical refinement. To create a Dual Foundation, I needed to do both at the same time.

With my spirit sense, I reached towards the mote of demonic qi in the middle of the ocean of golden qi. With the mote in the center, I started to condense the golden qi into a pillar. The star qi, the fire qi, and the qi from the Foundation Breakthrough Pill assisted in this process. A whirlpool formed in the ocean of golden qi as I condensed it, and a crystalline golden pillar started to take shape in the center. Inside the pillar was the mote of demonic qi.

At the same time, I looked beneath and beyond the ocean of golden qi. When I first researched the various kinds of foundations, the process of forming a Physical Foundation confused me. How could anyone form a pillar in their dantian out of flesh, bone, and blood? However, as I studied my dantian for answers, I realized how narrow minded I had been. I needed to focus on the vessel that contained the ocean of golden qi.

To my spirit sight, the vessel that was my body looked like a massive landscape with tributaries of golden qi running through it. These tributaries all fed into the ocean situated in the very center. At the moment, the black demonic qi provided by the Purple Poison Pills broke down the vessel.

However, instead of reforming the vessel using the very same demonic qi that broke it down, I used my spirit sense to take part of the vessel and formed a crystalline black pillar out of my flesh, bones, and blood. The tributaries looked like golden veins running through this pillar. The demonic qi, the fire qi, and the qi from the Foundation Breakthrough Pill assisted in this. The crystalline black pillar burst out from the bottom of the ocean of golden qi, right next to the crystalline golden pillar.

While this was simple to describe, the process itself was quite difficult. Condensing my qi into a pillar and building another pillar out of my vessel required complete focus on my part. I had to split my attention in half. More than once, I almost lost control which would have resulted in failure. However, I practiced the Song of Dawn and Dusk technique, which strengthened my spirit sense and my mind. Without it, I likely would have failed already.

I lost track of time as I formed the two pillars: one golden, one black. The ocean of golden qi continued to shrink as I condensed it. Meanwhile, the Purple Poison Pills broke down my body, which helped in forming the black pillar. Soon, the two pillars were complete. They stood tall and proud, without any imperfections. However, I wasn’t done yet. Now came the most difficult part.

With my spirit sense, I took the two pillars and attempted to fuse them into a single pillar. This turned out to be more difficult than anticipated. The two pillars seemed to repel one another, resisting my attempts to fuse them together. None of my research mentioned anything like this happening, so I was at a loss as to what to do.

What is it because I was a divine qi refiner and a demonic physical refiner?

I felt my energy flagging. If I didn’t find a way to fuse the pillars, I would fail to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm. That, or I would have to give up on forming a Dual Foundation. However, I couldn’t accept that, not after all the preparations I made. Still, I needed to find a solution and soon.

I studied the two pillars, trying to figure out why they kept repelling each other. After a few moments, I noticed something strange. The mote of demonic qi within the golden pillar remained the same size as it had when I first created it, back when I formed my dantian. It was a tiny speck compared to the rest of the pillar. The same could be said of the golden tributaries within the black pillar. They were tiny and thin.

A thought occurred to me. What if I nourished them as well? A foolish thought perhaps, but it was better than doing nothing and failing my breakthrough. I took the demonic qi from the Purple Poison Pills and used it to nurture the mote of demonic qi inside the golden pillar. At the same time, I took the divine qi from the Star Flame Fruit and channeled it into the gold tributaries within the black pillar. I used the fire qi from the environment and the qi from the Foundation Breakthrough Pill to assist with both.

The mote of demonic qi within the golden pillar grew, forming vein-like tributaries. Meanwhile, the golden tributaries within the black pillar widened and grew as well. The two pillars stopped repelling each. The demonic qi within the golden pillar reached for the black pillar, and the divine qi within the black pillar reached for the golden pillar.

When the demonic qi met the black pillar and the divine qi met the golden pillar, the two pillars spiraled together and fused with one another to form a single pillar. Half of this new pillar was golden with tributaries of demonic qi, and the other half was black with tributaries of divine qi. Together, they formed a harmonious whole. A Perfect Dual Foundation.

The moment the pillar formed, I felt something inside me open up. Divine qi and demonic qi surged throughout my entire being, refining my body and soul, as well purging impurities from my being. My meridians widened and grew firmer, while my flesh, bones, and blood were cleansed and strengthened.

I sat up and opened my eyes. The world around me seemed clearer and sharper than before. All of my senses were enhanced, including my spirit sense. My body was stronger and tougher than before. The quality and quantity of my internal qi had expanded by a significant degree.

A smile stretched across my face. I had done it. I had reached the Foundation Establishment realm.

I basked in the joy of reaching Foundation Establishment for a few more minutes, before I got out of the jade bathtub and started cleaning. During my breakthrough, I expelled a large amount of impurities. So much so, that the bath now looked more like black sludge. It took me some time to clean myself and the jade bathtub. Thankfully, with my new cultivation base, my cleaning technique was far more effective than before.

After I finished cleaning and put everything away, I opened the door to the antechamber and told my sisters the good news. I received hugs and congratulations from each of them. They wanted to return to the Dawn and Dusk Sect in order to throw a celebration right away. However, I shook my head.

“I want to stabilize my new realm first.” I said. “We can celebrate after that.”

My sisters glanced at each other, before nodding at me.

“Very well.” Sidra said. “However, let us bring you back to the Dawn and Dusk Sect. While you can now use flying magic treasures now, your speed is much slower than ours. It would take you a long time to return to the Dawn and Dusk Sect on your own.”

I gave it some thought, before nodding. While a part of me wanted to go out and fly around right away, prudence won in the end. Besides, I hadn’t learned how to fly yet. I accompanied my sisters back to the Dawn and Dusk Sect. After I reached my estate at Flame Fiend Hall, I shut myself in my meditation chamber and went into seclusion for the next two weeks to stabilize my new realm.

After I emerged from seclusion, my sisters hosted a feast to celebrate my new realm. Several people wished to attend, including those who wanted to form stronger ties with my family, but we decided to keep things small and intimate. We just invited my friends and loved ones within the Dawn and Dusk Sect.

My sisters attended, of course, as well as Elliot. From Flame Fiend Hall, we invited Senior Brother Kayden, Senior Sister Eliana, and Senior Sister Zenia. From Celestial Warrior Hall, we invited Cultivator Aneira, the minions, and Cultivator Raphael. Second Master also attended, bringing a letter of congratulations from Uncle Jericho, who couldn’t attend. And of course, I couldn’t forget about Cultivator Willow, Cultivator Harlow, and Junior Sister Clarissa. To accommodate everyone, we hosted the feast in one of the buildings near the welcoming hall, since that area contained neither divine qi nor demonic qi.

I was a little sad that Ellen couldn’t attend, though I took solace in the thought that I would see her again soon. Cultivator Jasmine couldn’t attend either. I sent an invitation, but Palace Master Golden Lily replied with a letter that said Cultivator Jasmine was in seclusion and couldn’t attend. However, Palace Master Golden Lily sent a congratulatory gift in her stead.

During the feast, everyone ate, drank, and made merry. Some of our guests already knew one another, and took this opportunity to catch up. Others met for the first time and got to know each other. However, not everyone got along.

Cultivator Harlow and Junior Sister Clarissa disliked Senior Sister Zenia on sight, though I wasn’t sure why. Meanwhile, Cultivator Willow got along well with Senior Sister Zenia and the two became fast friends. In fact, they decided to become drinking buddies, which made me happy. The more the merrier.

Cultivator Aneira felt uncomfortable at first, due to her past experiences with large gatherings, but grew more relaxed with a little coaxing from myself and others. She spent a lot of time with Junior Sister Clarissa, and soon the two started chatting along like sisters.

Towards the end of the feast, I received gifts from everyone. Zenia gave me a bottle of expensive spirit wine. Second Master gave me several bottles of mid-grade Healing Pills and mid-grade Qi Restoration Pills, five Shield Talismans suitable for Foundation Establishment, and a set of crimson and gold robes that were a defensive mid-grade Foundation Establishment magic treasure. He also delivered Uncle Jericho’s gift to me, which turned out to be a single serving of Starsoul Tea.

Astra gave me a jade slip containing the Heartflame technique, which was apparently useful for pill concoction and refining magic treasures, since she noticed that I was interested in both. Sidra gave me the spirit enhanced leather gauntlets, as well as a high-grade flying sword meant for combat rather than travel. Estelle gave me a mundane rock with a fist imprint on it. At first I thought this was a joke on my second eldest sister’s part, but she sent me a telepathic message saying otherwise.

‘Trust me,’ she said in a serious voice, ‘This will help you when you start learning fist intent.’

While I was still skeptical, I decided to trust my second eldest sister and kept the rock instead of throwing it away.

Palace Master Golden Lily sent me a scroll with the character for “fire” drawn on it in exquisite calligraphy. I realized right away that if I studied this scroll, I would gain insights into Fire.

Everyone else either gave me spirit stones or bottles of pills. Not that I was going to complain. I was just happy to receive any gifts at all. Not everyone could afford to give me talismans or magic treasures. However, Junior Sister Clarissa also gave me a kiss on the cheek, much to the amusement of everyone else. Taking it as a challenge, Cultivator Willow kissed my other cheek before giving Cultivator Harlow a smug look. The latter huffed and turned away.

Not wanting to leave her out, I decided to give her a kiss on the cheek instead. She blushed and stammered at me, which I found adorable. Teasing someone I liked was fun. Of course, this earned me the ire of Cultivator Willow and Junior Sister Clarissa. I ended up having to dodge a few attacks that they sent my way, though said attacks lacked any killing intent.

The feast started at sunset and lasted well into the night. Near midnight, however, an unexpected guest arrived. It was a pale-skinned man, who wore a set of black robes. He had black hair which he wore loose, dark eyes, and features that were more beautiful than handsome. He wore a few pieces of tasteful jewelry, which gave him an elegant and noble air. I couldn’t sense his cultivation base, even though I was now in Foundation Establishment, which suggested that he was above the Nascent Soul realm.

My sisters and Second Master seemed surprised to see this man, and rushed over to greet him. Nobody else recognized him, including myself, but we treated him with respect anyway. If nothing else, his high cultivation base meant that we couldn’t afford to offend him. However, I noticed that Cultivator Willow seemed unsurprised by this man’s appearance. When she caught me looking at her, she gave me a mysterious smile.

“Sect Leader Twinheart,” Sidra said, bowing to the man, “You honor us with your presence.”

This man was the leader of the Dawn and Dusk Sect? When I realized this, I bowed to him as well. Everyone else did the same.

“We greet Sect Leader.” Everyone said.

Sect Leader Twinheart smiled.

“Please, there is no need for such formalities.” He said in a pleasant sounding voice. “Not for such a brief visit.”

There was no way anyone here would treat him casually. He had a high cultivation base and was the leader of the Dawn and Dusk Sect. The only ones with higher status than him were the patriarchs and matriarchs of the sect, cultivators who had reached the Path Seeking realm, which stood above the Domain Creation realm, and were among the most powerful people in the world.

“I am here to offer my congratulations to Martial Nephew Darian for reaching Foundation Establishment within such a short amount of time.” Sect Leader Twinheart said, looking right at me. “As one of our Dawn and Dusk Sect’s divine demons, you represent the future of our sect.”

“You honor me with your words, Sect Leader.” I said, abashed.

Sect Leader Twinheart chuckled.

“Nonsense,” he said, “I said the same to Martial Niece Willow when she reached Foundation Establishment. I could do no less for you.”

I glanced at Cultivator Willow, who grinned at me. So that was why she didn’t seem surprised to see the Sect Leader arrive. The same thing happened to her.

“Now, I do not wish to interrupt the festivities any longer,” Sect Leader Twinheart said, “So I shall deliver my gift and depart.”

“You’re not interrupting anything, Sect Leader Twinheart.” Sidra said. “Why don’t you stay and join us?”

I swallowed back a retort. As honored as I was by Sect Leader Twinheart’s arrival, I don’t know if I would be able to relax if he stayed and participated in the feast. His cultivation base and his status were both too high for that. I was a divine demon, yes, but I was also just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. From the looks on everyone’s faces, they felt the same way. However, I couldn’t say any of that out loud.

“No,” the Sect Leader said, “If I stayed, no one here would enjoy themselves, which would defeat the purpose of holding this feast. Everyone would be too afraid of offending me.”

No one said anything, but their silence spoke volumes.

“Here, Martial Nephew Darian.” Sect Leader Twinheart said, holding out a token with the Dawn and Dusk Sect’s crest on it. “You can turn this token in at the scripture pavilion or at any of the sect’s halls in exchange for any technique of your choosing. This includes techniques exclusive to each hall.”

I sucked in a breath. That was indeed a great gift.

“Thank you, Sect Leader Twinheart.” I said, taking the token and placing it in my storage ring.

Sect Leader Twinheart smiled at my reaction.

“Now then, I shall take my leave.” He turned to go, but stopped himself. “Oh, I forgot to ask. Do you plan on participating in the upcoming Rising Heroes Tournament, Martial Nephew Darian? You certainly qualify for it.”

I grinned.

“Yes.”

That was the right answer, since Sect Leader Twinheart eyed me with approval.

“Excellent.” He said.

With that, the Sect Leader left the feast. After his departure, everyone chattered to one another in excitement. For the Sect Leader himself to make an appearance spoke of how much the Dawn and Dusk Sect valued me. More than one person eyed me with envy.

However, the expectations that came with such regard felt heavy on my shoulders. I enjoyed special status as a divine demon, but that came with certain responsibilities. The Dawn and Dusk Sect’s divine demons were the reason why it was able to stand against the other great sects in the Northern Region. Astra told me about it before, when I first started cultivating, but the Sect Leader’s visit made it more real. That realization weighed on my heart.

I shook my head clear of such thoughts and turned my attention back to the party. Tonight was a celebration. I would worry about such matters later.