Chapter 119 Parting the Clouds 2 Spirit-Giving Grass?
"Farewell, Fairy Xu. If you have any business to do in the future, please give priority to Fuping Sect."
After the celestial ship docked, all the cultivators saw the attendants and guards on board respectfully bidding farewell to the young female cultivator with extraordinary fishing skills.
Xu Xing smiled politely, "Of course."
"Fellow Daoist Xu, farewell."
Cui Zheng cupped his hands in greeting to Xu Xing. He was about to head towards Yan Sui Mountain, taking a different route from Xu Xing and the others.
"Until we meet again."
After Cui Zheng left, Xu Xing watched the fairy ship return before turning his gaze away.
Unbeknownst to anyone, after the cultivators disembarked, the returning immortal ship was still fully loaded, carrying a special group of passengers back to the demon realm.
Xu Xing stretched out his hand, and in his palm, three transparent spheres revealed faint wisps of black light.
She gave two to Chen Du and Yun Lan, saying, "Keep them with you, so that others will see us as demonic cultivators."
Yunxi, who had the second highest cultivation level among them, obeyed Xu Xing's orders and accompanied the ship to send the martial artists and cultivators who had taken the pills back to the Golden Serpent Palace for investigation by the Serpent Clan.
Yes, after briefly taking those cultivators into his spatial storage, Xu Xing sensed something was wrong with them; the pills were indeed problematic.
It involves burning one's lifespan and essence into a golden core in an extremely short time. Although the duration is not long, anyone who has such an astonishing number of golden core cultivators in their hands will surely cause turmoil.
Xu Xing had tried the Detoxification Pill, and it was indeed effective. However, to stop the burning of lifespan, at least a fifth-grade Detoxification Pill was needed. She only had about ten pills, which was far from enough to detoxify those cultivators.
Moreover, although the Detoxifying Pill can remove the effects, the lifespan already lost is irreversible.
Therefore, Xu Xing has already sent a message to Masters Zhu Fangyun and Gu Hongguang of the Jade Cloud Sect's Alchemy Institute, and also sent two pill formulas to the Alchemy Institute, hoping to exchange them for asking Zhu Fangyun to publish the formula for the Detoxification Pill.
The pill formula announced by an eighth-level alchemist would naturally convince everyone. Moreover, if this problem were to occur in all races, then relying on her alone or on the alchemists of the Jade Cloud Sect would not be enough.
Only by publishing the formula can the various tribes avoid being helpless and waiting for their demise.
Zhu Fangyun also replied to the message, saying that some martial artists from the Jade Cloud Sect had indeed disappeared without a trace, and the sect was already investigating. She thanked Xu Xing for the reminder.
As for the pill formula, she will handle it well, so Xu Xing doesn't need to worry.
Xu Xing had a good impression of this "Senior Sister Yun" and felt relieved after receiving the assurance. Little did he know that a small-scale argument had broken out in the Jade Cloud Sect because of her.
“Master Zhu, although you are the dean of the Alchemy Institute, the Alchemy Institute is also under the Jade Cloud Sect. You can’t do whatever you want with it.”
Jiang Feichen's tone was dissatisfied.
Ning Wenbin's expression wasn't good either, but he was always good at dealing with people, and he gently advised, "The Taiyan Sect has already placed a large order, and other sects have also heard the news. Now is the perfect time for Yuxiao to surpass the Taiyan Sect and become the number one sect in the East. Master Zhu might as well reconsider the matter of making the pill formula public."
"Just for this? Are you just going to watch those low-level cultivators and martial artists die?"
Zhu Fangyun suddenly felt exhausted. She had also heard about the Demon Blood Incident at the Immortal Academy. She thought that the elders had reflected on the incident and no longer disregarded the lives of lower-level disciples, but she did not expect that they had not changed at all.
Perhaps they've been high above for too long, and they can no longer see the masses below.
"Of course not, I mean we should announce it later, at least until the Alchemy Institute has completed these orders."
This is an enormous amount of spirit stones. Various sects have also contributed many rare and precious materials to exchange for it. Ning Wenbin doesn't understand why Zhu Fangyun had to announce it at this time. Does she really hate Yuxiao Sect so much?
It turns out that the Jade Cloud Sect already knew about a peculiar elixir that was said to enable martial artists to cultivate immortality, which was circulating among its lower-ranking disciples.
They were initially surprised, as the increase in the strength of martial artists was actually a good thing for the Jade Cloud Sect. Moreover, although these powerful figures themselves didn't need such pills, their families and descendants naturally had low-level cultivators.
If it weren't for the fact that those martial artists who took the pills lost their minds and had their lifespans drastically shortened, then those pills would clearly be poison. Some people might even be hoping for more martial artists to test the pills on them...
Linghua lowered his eyes and watched the most respected elders in the inner sect arguing. He finally realized why Yu Jingzi had given him advice before he left.
"Yu Xiao wouldn't be so greedy as to covet the resources obtained in exchange for the Detoxification Pill."
Linghua finally spoke, "Not only should we announce it, but we should also inform all the major sects about the pills through the Immortal Alliance, so that everyone can be alerted."
"The sect leader is wise!"
Zhu Fangyun looked surprised; she had thought even the sect leader...
Linghua glanced at her indifferently and said, "Fangyun, let me ask you, did Xu Xing provide the formula for this Detoxification Pill?"
Zhu Fangyun knew he couldn't hide it any longer, so he nodded hesitantly.
Anyway, Xu Xing has already gone to the Demon Realm. Given her noble status, there's nothing the sect leader can do about it, no matter how much he regrets it.
"I agree to publish it, but on one condition: the Jade Cloud Sect must demonstrate its great righteousness by publishing the ancient elixir formula to save cultivators of all races from this dire situation..."
“It has absolutely nothing to do with the demon race or Xu Xing,” Linghua said calmly, her eyes undisturbed. “Do you understand?”
Although Xu Xing didn't want to take credit for it, Zhu Fangyun was still extremely disappointed when Linghua actually said it.
The sect leader is no longer the virtuous and noble immortal he once was.
"Um?"
On her way to Yancheng, Xu Xing received another spiritual message from Zhu Fangyun. After reading the message, she found it rather strange.
Chen Du looked down at her. "What's wrong?"
"Dean Zhu suddenly asked me which sect I was going to go to and what my plans were. It seemed like she guessed that I wouldn't stay with the demon race."
There's no point in hiding Xu Xing's desire to establish a sect, but the problem is that she hasn't decided on a name yet. A couple of days ago, when Cui Zheng asked her which sect she came from, she gave a vague answer.
"Senior brother, do you have any suggestions?"
Shen Du shook his head. "Your sect should naturally be named by you. Take your time to think about it."
Xu Xing looked up at the sky. The sky was high and the clouds were light. The cultivation world was all-encompassing, and everyone had infinite possibilities. Even the demon realm was full of vitality.
A sudden inspiration struck her, and without hesitation, she sent those three words directly to Zhu Fangyun using her divine sense.
"Qingyun Sect?"
Zhu Fangyun was slightly taken aback. The name was nice, but he didn't seem to have heard of this sect before.
Upon further reflection, she understood Xu Xing's unspoken meaning. Zhu Fangyun smiled slightly and drew two cross-strokes on the signature of the pill formulas that were about to be sent to various sects.
May she rise to great heights in the future, just like her name suggests.
A moment later, at the same time, a message was updated on the Myriad Manifestations Ranking of each sect. It not only described in detail the symptoms of low-level cultivators and martial artists after taking the pill, but also included the antidote formula.
All sects in the human realm that had registered with the Immortal Alliance saw the above content.
And like Shuiyun Immortal Capital, there were quite a few other immortal sects that recruited disciples of the demon race. Soon, sects from the Eastern Pole, the Northern Lands, the Southern Wilderness, the Western Border...
Within a day, all the sects in the human realm knew the news.
The strange pill and the antidote pill that could neutralize all poisons instantly sparked a discussion among the crowd.
Since pills that can instantly raise the cultivation level of martial artists and low-level cultivators to the Golden Core stage are not found everywhere, the most sought-after pill is the Detoxification Pill.
If it can cure demonic blood and such bizarre medicinal effects, then... what about elixir poisoning?
"Have you heard? That Detoxifying Pill can cure poisoning!"
"You just found out? It's been around for over ten years. It seems to have originated from a sect in the Eastern Pole. But that sect kept it a secret, and they wouldn't sell it to cultivators from other sects who wanted to buy it. I don't know why they suddenly became so kind as to announce it."
"Did you see the signature at the end of the prescription? What does that 'X' mean?"
"That should be the mark of that alchemist. I heard he's a master alchemist surnamed Xu..."
Xu Xing, who was in the Demon Realm, was unaware that in just a few days, the name "Master Xu" had spread throughout the entire human realm.
Meanwhile, the demons who had been hiding in the shadows and experimenting on martial artists and Qi cultivators were exposed one by one.
When the Jade Cloud Sect followed the clues to the top of Extreme Fire Peak, Zhu Xingyou had already disappeared. The once-prosperous Extreme Fire Peak of the Jade Cloud Sect also declined completely after losing two peak masters in succession, and was soon removed from the inner sect.
The Demon Realm.
In the darkness, Yu Jingzi, whose spiritual power had been completely depleted after losing his demon core, was resting his chin on his hand, listening to the conversation of several demons.
"The matter has been exposed! Now all the sects are keeping a close watch on things, and they can only capture some rogue cultivators from the human realm."
"So what if we're exposed? We now have a large army at our disposal, and even if the Immortal Alliance intervenes, they can't do anything to us."
"What did they say in Yancheng?"
"There's just one last batch of 'goods' left, which should arrive in the next few days."
“Very good. We’re running out of Frost-Destroying Grass for alchemy. We’ll take another batch from Medicine Valley on our trip to Yan City.”
"yes!"
“I said…” Yu Jingzi pointed to the sky, “Even though you are demons, you don’t have to talk in the dark, do you? Wouldn’t it be better to light a lamp?”
The demons exchanged glances, but no one spoke, and they left, ignoring Yu Jingzi.
The Venerable One said that this golden snake is merely a vessel and will not live much longer; there is no need to pay it any mind.
"Tsk, boring."
Yu Jingzi sighed in boredom, when suddenly she noticed a bright light around her. She realized that someone had appeared there at some point, holding a bright luminous pearl in their hands.
His lazy smile vanished, and he squinted, carefully scrutinizing the newcomer. Finally, he recognized him from a faintly familiar scent. He frowned. "What are you doing here?"
Xiang Yuquan didn't speak, but bent down and placed the luminous pearl next to Yu Jingzi.
He knew that Yujingzi always liked sparkly things, and even her bedroom was decorated in a magnificent style, so she naturally couldn't stand being in the dark.
Looking at Yu Jingzi, whose face was pale and who was no longer as glamorous as before, Xiang Yuquan recalled his vague childhood memories.
At that time, Yu Jingzi was already a demon king. He indulged in his desires and had many concubines around him, and that's how he came to have his own child.
However, Yu Jingzi never intended to have any offspring, and he never liked Xiang Yuquan, the child he had acquired by chance. If it weren't for the accident that happened later, he would not have sent Xiang Yuquan to the Yuxiao Sect.
Unfortunately, his desperate gamble failed, and now even two Nascent Soul demons dare to ignore him.
Seeing that Xiang Yuquan remained silent, Yu Jingzi's expression turned cold. "Whatever you want to do, stop right now and go back to Dongji immediately."
Xiang Yuquan remained silent for a long time until a slight tremor ran through his mind, at which point he came back to his senses and said softly, "I came to see you."
“I have never treated you as my own child, and you don’t have to.”
“I know,” Xiang Yuquan put a pill into his mouth, “I just… don’t want you to die.”
Feng Zhun leaned against the door with his arms crossed. "What a touching scene of fatherly affection. Are you done catching up?"
Xiang Yuquan's aloof expression vanished as he walked to his side. "What brings you here this time?"
"That little dragon has come to the Demon Realm. Catch her."
"I see."
Feng Zhun patted him on the shoulder, his expression unchanged, but his voice was somewhat cold, "You failed in the last attempt to seize the Flowing Cloud Sword. If you fail again, I have to doubt whether you are truly sincere in working for me."
Xiang Yuquan looked up and stared directly into Feng Zhun's eyes. "But I also successfully sent your good disciple into the Abyss of Eclipse. I would like to ask you, why did you let him escape from the Abyss of Eclipse?"
“Xu Xing’s cultivation is only mediocre. If Chen Du hadn’t been here, I would have been able to bring back the Flowing Cloud Sword long ago. Moreover, after this ordeal, she has gained another dragon scale. You should be happy.”
The two stared at each other for a moment. Seeing that Xiang Yuquan's gaze was unwavering, Feng Zhun smiled again. "Alright, I know what I'm doing. As long as you bring her back this time, I'll find a way to get the rest of the dragon scales."
After Feng Zhun left, Yu Jingzi angrily said, "Do you know what you're doing? Cooperating with him is like asking a tiger for its skin!"
Xiang Yuquan didn't turn around. "I'm just doing what you didn't finish back then."
...
In the Medicine Valley near Yancheng, Zuoqiu Xu and Wen Yao, disguised, were picking Frost-Crushing Grass among a group of herbalists.
When they traveled to this place, they unexpectedly discovered that the demons were secretly transporting a large number of poisonous herbs. They decided to investigate, but before they knew it, they were captured.
Fortunately, before the demons could administer the Soul Control Pills, they preemptively took the Detoxification Pills given to them by Xu Xing, thus remaining conscious and not being controlled. However, the area was heavily guarded, and their storage rings, which they were openly wearing, had been confiscated, leaving them unable to contact the outside world for the time being, forcing them to continue their covert operations.
To avoid being exposed, they dared not use their spiritual power and had no choice but to honestly pick the fruit alongside the martial artists, working for half a month without rest until their backs ached.
Watching the Frost-Destroying Grass being transported away, Zuoqiu Xu whispered to Wen Yao, "What are we going to do? We can't get out. Are we just going to stay like this forever? I'm exhausted."
"I think it might be over soon. Before complaining about being tired, let's think about how these demons will deal with us after we're done for." Wen Yao observed her surroundings, not very optimistic.
How did you know?
Wen Yao pointed to the barren medicinal herb field in the distance, "After they transported away the poisonous weeds this time, they didn't replant them or encourage new ones to grow."
Either the plan has been exposed, or it's almost finished; Wen Yao leans more towards the latter.
Zuoqiu Xu wailed, "Ah? Are we going to be killed?"
"Of course we can't just sit here and wait to die. We'll try to catch up with the transport truck tonight and take a look."
With the poisonous herbs almost completely harvested, the number of demons guarding the area decreased significantly, giving the two the opportunity to explore other places.
Zuo Qiuxu lifted the inside of his robe to take a look. Fortunately, he had hidden a lot of talismans close to his body, otherwise he would have been completely at a loss.
Tearing off a concealment talisman and handing it to Wen Yao, Zuo Qiuxu suggested, "Our storage rings are all on that leading Golden Core cultivator. Why don't we try to take them back first?"
Wen Yao held the warm talisman between two fingers, hesitated for a long time, and finally, urged by Zuo Qiuxu, pinched her nose and stuck it on.
As the two passed by a medicinal field planted with other spiritual herbs, Zuoqiu Xu exclaimed, "I thought there were only poisonous herbs here. It turns out there are quite a few other spiritual herbs as well."
"Huh?" He exclaimed in surprise upon seeing a large number of familiar spiritual herbs, "How come even a low-level spiritual herb like the Spirit-Stabilizing Grass is here?"
"What Spirit-Stabilizing Grass? This is Spirit-Gathering Grass!" Wen Yao said irritably when she saw that he still had the mind to look around.
Zuo Qiuxu was stunned. "Spirit-Giving Grass?"
"Yes, although this spiritual herb is non-toxic, it becomes a powerful tracking tool after being refined. With a little spiritual power, it can track the location of the person it has parasitized. If it is discovered in time, it will be fine, but if it is discovered too late, it will merge into the bloodline and become difficult to remove."
“The most terrifying thing is that, over time, the person who refines it can also control the parasite.” Wen Yao shook her head. “The demon race is indeed despicable, always engaging in these crooked and evil practices.”
Seeing Zuo Qiuxu's dazed expression, Wen Yao assumed he was embarrassed by her ignorance and offered a rare word of comfort, "It's not your fault. The Spirit-Gathering Grass is a specialty of the Demon Realm and is rarely seen in the Human Realm. Moreover, it looks very similar to the Spirit-Solidifying Grass, making it difficult to distinguish between them."
Zuo Qiuxu muttered to himself, "This is impossible, you must have mistaken me for someone else, it's impossible..."
Still don't believe me? Wen Yao directly turned his chin and made him look at the wooden sign next to him, which clearly read "Spirit-Giving Grass" in big characters.
When Wen Yao got close to Zuo Qiuxu, she realized that his eyes were fixed, his body was ice-cold, and his body was extremely stiff. He looked very strange.
She asked, puzzled, "What's wrong with you? Why are you so scared?"
Zuo Qiuxu's hands trembled slightly, his gaze was unfocused, and he suddenly remembered a small incident from when he first met Xu Xing many years ago.
Back then, Zuoqiu Xu was grateful for a meal and didn't know how to repay Xu Xing, who was still a mortal girl. So, his senior brother Xiang gave him a bracelet woven from the Spirit-Stabilizing Grass.
What my senior brother said at that time was—
"It is woven from the stems of low-grade Spirit-Stabilizing Grass, which can nourish the body. Most importantly, when it is tied to the hand, it can be integrated into the body without a trace, so there is no need to worry about it being discovered by someone with ulterior motives."
Zuo Qiuxu still remembered what that ordinary black bracelet looked like, and the faint patterns on it...
Every detail is exactly the same as the spirit herb in front of me.
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Author's Note: Thank you to 44201549, Zhouzhou, Rabbit Demon Osmanthus Cake, Yan Yan, Sleep a Little Longer, Happy Meow, Drowned Cat, and Yan Xi for the nutrient solution! =3=
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