The changes in the five internal organs were the most obvious. Every time the spiritual energy passed through, he could feel his organs becoming tougher and his vitality more vigorous. This sensation was mysterious and hard to describe accurately in words.

But Brian Carter knew that his body had truly changed. His ears could hear farther, his skin could sense the movement of air, and he could even feel the sound of his own pulse beating.

This discovery made him ecstatic. Brian Carter knew he had truly entered the early stage of the Qi Refining period, but he didn’t realize that reaching this stage in just one day was unimaginable for ordinary cultivators. For those with no foundation in cultivation, it usually took about three years to reach this realm, even for the fastest.

However, before cultivating, Brian Carter had spent his days climbing and hunting in the forest, which had made his body exceptionally strong. The last outburst of the eight-winged purple python’s inner core had further transformed his body, and most importantly, Brian Carter’s comprehension was truly astonishing.

For ordinary people, their first contact with cultivation was so abstract that it was hard to understand. Even with detailed explanations, it was impossible to grasp immediately; only after repeated failures could they truly find the correct method. But Brian Carter had directly skipped this most confusing period, so it was understandable that he could reach this stage so quickly!

When Brian Carter opened his eyes again, he realized it was already noon the next day. Yet after a whole night of cultivation, not only did he feel no discomfort, he actually felt full of energy and refreshed. He could even see the pores of plants dozens of meters away. Brian Carter was no longer surprised by the changes in his body; the mysteries of cultivation had made him start to believe that anything was possible!

Although he didn’t feel hungry, Brian Carter was still some distance from the fasting stage, so he caught a roe deer to fill his stomach and replenish his strength!

When he arrived at the library again, he found that the third-generation disciple guarding the door was still sitting there, looking half-dead. This time, Brian Carter didn’t hurry past, but instead looked at him with interest.

This person’s appearance was extremely ordinary—the kind of person who, if you threw a big rock into a crowded market, you might hit. He looked about twenty, but Brian Carter knew that a cultivator’s age couldn’t be judged by appearance. From Franklin Clark’s comment about no new disciples in twenty years, it was clear!

As if sensing Brian Carter’s probing gaze, the man opened his eyes, rubbed them sleepily, and looked at Brian Carter, saying, “Kid, am I that good-looking?”

“Not really, I just have some things I want to ask you. I was going to wait until you woke up, but since you’re not really asleep, this is perfect!” Brian Carter said calmly.

Brian Carter wasn’t a bored person, but as a newcomer, he knew very little about the Wuji Demon Sect, which wasn’t good for his future actions. It was better to ask and be clear—this was also the caution of a hunter.

“Oh, kid, do I have any reason to answer you? What’s in it for me? Judging by your outfit, you’ve just joined. What good stuff could you possibly have for me?” the man said lazily, his tone full of disdain.

Brian Carter actually found this person rather interesting. Although he was also motivated by profit, he didn’t seem to act like a typical demon sect member—truly an oddball!

Although Brian Carter hadn’t interacted much with people from the demonic path, just from observing Franklin Clark and Eric Brooks’s behavior, he already had an idea. This man’s tone, though unfriendly, wasn’t malicious.

“Judging by your dignified appearance, senior brother, although we are both third-generation disciples, you are already managing such a large library. Every time I see you, you are diligently cultivating—your skills must be profound. I truly admire you!”—Since he needed something, his tone changed quickly, his sincerity seeming to come from the heart.

“Well... Junior brother, though you’ve just joined, your eye is sharp—you’ve guessed most of it. Fine, I’m in a good mood today. Whatever you want to know, just ask. I won’t make you pay tribute this time!”

The man’s lazy demeanor vanished, and he became spirited, looking at Brian Carter much more favorably.

“As a newcomer, I know nothing about our sect. I hope senior brother can tell me some basic information—how strong is our sect in Duanhun Mountain, how powerful are our cultivation techniques, and what should I watch out for? I will always remember your guidance!” Brian Carter said humbly, bowing.

He sighed, “To be honest, junior brother, our sect is the weakest in all of Duanhun Mountain. Cultivation is a long process, but the creator of this Wuji Demon Art didn’t seem to realize that—instead, he made the process even longer. Other demon sects take about two hundred years to reach the Nascent Soul stage, but for us, it takes four hundred. No matter what realm, our progress is always at least a notch slower than other sects. If two people start cultivating at the same time, after a hundred years, our disciples are usually two realms behind others, and the gap only widens over time! It would be one thing if our techniques were just slower than other demon sects, but even Daoist sects cultivate faster than us. What’s worse, even though we’re slower, at the same realm, we’re still not a match for other sects. I really don’t know how such a lousy technique has managed to survive.”