Chapter Sixteen: The Thirty-Six Transformations of the Great Evolution

Yang Nan saw the wild joy on Chiyang's face and felt a weight lift from his heart. He softly closed the main hall door and walked into the front chamber, where Fish Maiden, Lotus Butterfly, and the assembled demon soldiers stood respectfully, awaiting his arrival.

More than three years had passed since they'd last seen him. The demons, witnessing their master's surge in power, rejoiced quietly. Yang Nan saw their spirited demeanor, their disciplined bearing, and imagined Old Crab had invested much effort in their training. He was satisfied; although most of the demon soldiers recruited from the Hun River were not particularly strong, it was an ideal opportunity to cultivate their loyalty.

After all, why would the powerful, ancient demons willingly submit to a mere military master such as himself? Demons, too, are best raised in one's own household... With this thought, Yang Nan felt a warmer affinity for Old Crab and his fellows. He proceeded to recount his journey to Demon Valley. Upon hearing it, Old Crab thumped his chest and declared, "Young master, rest assured. Aren’t these just some furry beasts from land? Let Old Crab assist you in subduing them. If they refuse, I’ll cut them down to the last!" Mention of land-based demons left Old Crab with a look of disdain; to him, they were nothing more than unkempt wild beasts.

Golden Scale King, however, was not as optimistic. He frowned and said, "Young master, forgive my bluntness, but demon kings of the grandmaster level are exceedingly difficult to handle. You must be cautious." Golden Scale King had become a grandmaster after many fortuitous encounters; had it not been for Step-Into-the-Void’s presence that day, Golden Scale King alone could have destroyed the Wang family’s fleet—proof of a grandmaster’s might!

Yang Nan shared this concern. For a human cultivator to achieve grandmaster status, one needs grandmaster-level techniques and unique spiritual energy. For demons, it is even harder; they are born without formal techniques, relying solely on instinct to absorb the essence of sun and moon. Though their demon power is strong, they often halt just short of the grandmaster realm. Thus, while demons are numerous, demon kings are exceedingly rare.

Golden Scale King was the last of the demons to pledge allegiance, but Yang Nan recognized the value of his prudent advice. He nodded, "It’s fine. I know my limits. Just assist me when the time comes."

Upon hearing their master’s words, all the demons responded solemnly. Once the demon soldiers had departed, Yang Nan turned to Butterfly Robe and the other two women, saying, "During my absence, it was thanks to you that this home was kept in order. Starting tomorrow, you will all accompany me to Kunlun."

The three women’s faces brightened. Fish Maiden bowed, "Thank you, young master, for your support. To enter the fairyland of Kunlun and cultivate there is a great blessing for us demons."

Yang Nan nodded. Butterfly Robe, shedding her shyness, approached and began to massage his shoulders and back. Now that the demons had entrusted their fortunes to Yang Nan, their fate was tied to his. If his journey to Demon Valley failed, they would no longer be able to remain in Kunlun, and their hopes would be dashed. Whether for personal or collective interest, they would surely give their all.

Compared to humans, demons were far more loyal.

Yang Nan sat in the hall, quietly pondering: the ancestor Qingya failed to create a method to control demons, and without such a method, demons in later generations developed rebellious ambitions. Raising these demon soldiers was manageable for the short term, but if he were absent for too long, their loyalty would be hard to guarantee. He would eventually need to find a proper solution.

Though he thought this, he had no good answer yet. Currently, he was desperate for helpers—even demons had to be counted among his allies. Fortunately, if he continued to advance swiftly in cultivation, and with the reputation of Step-Into-the-Void to intimidate, the demons would not dare betray him. After all, cultivating in a human body is much faster than in a demon body. Demons are simple-minded; once they recognize a master, their allegiance rarely wavers. If Yang Nan could maintain his current momentum, the demons would never dare entertain disloyalty.

The three women served him food and tea. Yang Nan considered, then asked about their cultivation progress. Of the three, Fish Maiden had the highest realm—Demon Master level, fifth stage. Lotus Butterfly and the other woman had only just entered the Dao. After three years, Yang Nan had reached Military Master, second stage, yet Fish Maiden had not advanced even one stage, and Lotus Butterfly remained at the fifth stage of spellcaster—progress was painfully slow!

One must know that the military level is the entry realm and usually advances quickly. Demons cultivating human techniques have different meridians and unsuitable methods, naturally diverging greatly from human progress.

Though disappointed, Yang Nan was secretly grateful. Had he not acquired the Heavenly Origin Clear Void Divine Talisman from the Hun River, he would never have broken through to the master level in three years.

Only upon reaching the master level does one possess real power. Spellcasters and military masters are but ants in the eyes of true cultivators.

The next day, Yang Nan used the Mountain and River Ring to store the demons, left Steward Chang Fu in charge of the household, and headed for Kunlun Mountain. With his decree, he easily brought the demons back to his own cave residence.

Having brought the demon soldiers back to the mountain, Yang Nan needed to register them at Purple Qi Peak. When he arrived, he found Hu Yuan in an utterly different guise—no longer the burly, bearded giant, but a charming and delicate beauty!

Yang Nan stared in amazement at the lovely maiden before him, then glanced at the guiding disciple, suspecting he was being duped.

The disciple, seeing his uncle’s skeptical gaze, smiled wryly, "Uncle, this really is the First Senior Brother!"

Yang Nan was taken aback. Just as he failed to discern anything amiss, the alluring maiden suddenly transformed, with a puff, into a horse-headed, human-bodied demon! The horse’s face was long, the body human beneath the neck, clad in cloth armor, wielding a sharp axe.

Yang Nan jumped in fright. Using his spiritual sight, he saw a true demonic aura atop the horse demon. He barked, "Where are you from, demon? Where is my First Senior Brother?" The demonic aura was real—there was no deception.

The horse demon laughed, "Yang Junior Brother, how about my Thirty-Six Transformations of the Great Cycle?"

Yang Nan recognized Hu Yuan’s voice, though he wondered why Hu Yuan had suddenly appeared in this guise, so flawless?

Seeing Yang Nan’s confusion, the horse demon transformed again, with a puff, back to the bearded visage. Hu Yuan waved the disciple off, then grinned at Yang Nan, "Junior Brother, you were fooled. This transformation technique is an ancient Daoist power. Did you not know?"

Transformation techniques were known to Yang Nan, but a bearded man turning into a beauty was rare. He admired it inwardly, but outwardly he smiled wryly, "Senior Brother’s powers are formidable. I’ve seen many transformation techniques, but few as seamless as yours. My knowledge is shallow; please forgive my ignorance."

Ordinary transformation techniques abound, but most are mere illusions. Cultivators with spiritual sight can easily see through them, unlike mortals. For one such as Hu Yuan to fool even a seasoned cultivator like Yang Nan was extraordinary and rare, and Yang Nan’s curiosity about this magical transformation grew.

Hu Yuan stroked his beard and chuckled, "You’re mistaken. The Thirty-Six Transformations of the Great Cycle are not without flaws—quite the opposite, there are many. You simply lack the cultivation to perceive them."

Yang Nan’s heart stirred. He thought, "Senior Brother is showing off his powers today—could he have a message for me?"

He bowed respectfully, "I was about to seek Senior Brother’s guidance."

Inner disciples would seek advice from the First Senior Brother regarding technique questions, so Yang Nan’s request was natural. Indeed, Hu Yuan said meaningfully, "Junior Brother, you’ve been in the sect for over a year. I am ashamed to have never guided you in Daoist arts. Today, I wish to teach you the Thirty-Six Transformations of the Great Cycle as an apology. Are you willing to learn?"

Yang Nan was overjoyed. To gain a powerful technique for nothing—why refuse? He bowed, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your kindness. I am eager to learn."

Who says a First Senior Brother must pass on his skills? Usually, he only answers questions, not imparts techniques. Hu Yuan was clearly doing Yang Nan a special favor, and Yang Nan was deeply appreciative.

Hu Yuan nodded, casually transmitted the incantations to Yang Nan. The Thirty-Six Transformations of the Great Cycle was originally called the Great Cycle Transformation of the Universe, with one hundred and eight transformations. By the time it reached Hu Yuan, only thirty-six remained, thus the new name.

Though only thirty-six transformations remained, they were far superior to common illusion techniques. With this power, unless facing someone of greater cultivation, it was nearly impossible to detect the flaws. For example, Yang Nan had been unable to tell any difference in Hu Yuan’s transformations; Hu Yuan was at grandmaster eighth stage, Yang Nan at master second stage—the gap was too wide.

However, at the level of immortal sage, the Thirty-Six Transformations were useless; under immortal vision, any disguise would be revealed.

But in a world with so few sages, as long as one’s power was strong, the Thirty-Six Transformations were extremely useful. Yang Nan, having acquired this marvelous technique, could hardly contain his joy. Had he possessed such an ability earlier, there would have been no need to impersonate a woman.

Hu Yuan saw his delight and smiled with satisfaction. As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father; he and Yang Nan had a deep bond. Yang Nan had been marginalized by the Li faction, forced into peril, and Hu Yuan, unable to help directly, decided to teach him this technique, hoping it would provide extra protection.

The Thirty-Six Transformations allow for thirty-six distinct forms. Yet the creatures of heaven and earth number in the thousands; the technique covers only thirty-six types.

However, mastering the incantation and possessing the requisite power does not guarantee a flawless transformation.

Hu Yuan had cultivated for years, achieving perfect transformations. Yang Nan, a beginner, inevitably produced comical results—transforming into demons with heads but no tails, people with chests but no backsides, monsters with shells but no armor...

Though Hu Yuan was over sixty, seeing Yang Nan’s bizarre transformations made him laugh heartily, stroking his beard, while nearby disciples doubled over in laughter.

Yang Nan’s attempts at transformation were worse than not transforming at all—his creations were so absurd they drew ridicule. Yet, as a beginner, flaws were inevitable; Hu Yuan did not blame him.

Fortunately, Yang Nan possessed more power than others, and his natural intelligence and insight helped. Eventually, his transformed beauties had proper proportions, and his monsters were passably accurate. Achieving Hu Yuan’s flawless mastery was impossible, but he was improving.

Hu Yuan generously shared all his insights into transformation, and Yang Nan found that guided practice was far superior to self-study. With these tips, his learning progressed rapidly.

Under Hu Yuan’s careful instruction, Yang Nan practiced for several days, eventually grasping the key to transformation. With the right incantation and guidance, mastering the thirty-six transformations was not difficult. The depth of one’s power only affected how long the transformation could be maintained.

Yang Nan finally tested each of the thirty-six forms. Finding no major errors, he was overjoyed—such a power would bring countless advantages in the days to come.