Chapter 57 Exploring the Ruins 5: Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Artifacts
"General, the area around the volcano has been taken over by Zhi Yan and his men. The Tiger Clan has given us a lot of benefits, and I heard they even brought out a considerable amount of the alchemy master's treasures."
A demon soldier was following behind a woman, reporting on the situation of exploring the secret realm.
Although the Demon Realm has reached a cooperation agreement with the Tiger Clan, not all demons are without ulterior motives. They are nominally subordinates of Qiong Cang, one of the four Demon Lords, but secretly they have also split into several factions.
Those who arrived at the volcano early were a faction under the command of Demon General Zhi Yan. The woman who arrived now is named Yuan Li, who is also a Demon General of equal status to Zhi Yan. However, she arrived several days late, causing her demon soldiers to only watch with envy as Zhi Yan's people obtained the treasure from the Tiger Clan.
Yuan Li arrived so late that her demon soldiers naturally complained. The demon soldier who had just spoken complained inwardly, and his tone couldn't help but carry a hint of resentment, "General Yuan, do you have a way to take back the volcano area from Zhi Yan?"
Everyone knows that the Tiger Clan's ultimate goal is alchemy, and only the Demon Clan who helps them complete the alchemy process can obtain the greatest benefits, and the volcano is of paramount importance.
Yuan Li's long hair moved without wind, and she glanced coldly at the demon soldier who had spoken, her dark red eyes saying, "What I plan is none of your business!"
The demon soldier curled his lip. Demons have always respected the strong. Yuan Li had been missing for many days, and when she returned, she was covered in blood. Even though she tried her best to hide it, the other demons could still tell that she was seriously injured and her cultivation had dropped significantly. Naturally, they did not show her the same respect as before.
But this demon soldier wasn't stupid. Knowing that Yuan Li's cultivation had regressed further and that he was no match for her, he could only secretly plot to join Zhi Yan's ranks as soon as possible...
"There is demonic energy."
Yuan Li suddenly stopped, staring at the ground smeared with ash, her expression unreadable.
The demon soldier was unimpressed, only wanting to get to the volcano as soon as possible to seize territory. "This place is very close to the volcano. It's possible that some demon accidentally leaked their aura. It's not surprising."
Yuan Li didn't speak. She knelt on one knee, gently brushed the ground with her right hand, and the next moment, three phantoms appeared on the ground. Two of them poisoned a demon and found a pill furnace in the demon's lost storage bag.
"This alchemy furnace..."
The demon soldier exclaimed in surprise, "I heard that the Tiger Clan just gave us a treasure furnace that Wei Shengyue used. Could this be it? Who are these two people? Using such a vicious scheme, are they demons?"
How could he forget? Yuan Li's ability to track down and trace is unparalleled, and few can match her. Even though her cultivation has regressed, she has not lost this ability. With her around, they will soon be able to find the two cultivators who stole the alchemy furnace!
"General Yuan! Why don't we take back the alchemy furnace from them first? This would not only be a huge slap in the face to Zhi Yan's demonic soldiers, but also..."
"Well--"
Before the demon soldier could speak, he was grabbed by the neck and lifted up. Yuan Li stared at him coldly, without saying a word, and snapped his neck.
"It's not your place to tell me how to do things!"
Yuan Li released his grip, and the demon soldier's corpse fell heavily to the ground. Suddenly, a crack appeared in the ground, swallowing the demon soldier's corpse without leaving any trace.
The illusory figures in the air were still reenacting the scene from not long ago. Yuan Li stared at the illusory figure of the masked female cultivator, slightly lost in thought.
She excels at tracking and is extremely sensitive to scents; once she has smelled a scent, she will never forget it.
...
Mei Zihan, Qianqian, Xu Xing, and Shen Du, who had each eliminated two Golden Core stage demons, reunited.
Xu Xing showed no reluctance and took out the Azure Feather Heavenly Fire Furnace directly. "Qianqian, this is Senior Wei Sheng's alchemy furnace. Here, return it to its rightful owner."
"You..." Qianqian was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words. As an alchemist, how could she not know the value of this alchemy furnace? Yet she gave it up so easily...
Qianqian lowered her head and stroked the green outer wall of the alchemy furnace, as if she could feel the lingering warmth left by that brilliant alchemy master from hundreds of years ago. Her eyes were slightly red, and she said softly, "Since you took it back, it is yours."
She concealed the reluctance in her eyes, glanced at Mei Zihan, and then looked up at Xu Xing earnestly, saying, "I am already satisfied to be able to touch what Master Weisheng left behind. I am not an alchemist and cannot inherit Master Weisheng's mantle, but perhaps you can."
Mei Zihan also said, "That's right, whoever gets it keeps it. We appreciate Fellow Daoist Xu's kindness, but there's really no need for this."
Xu Xing was not one to mince words. After thinking for a moment, she accepted the gifts and took out two Myriad Spirit Pills, several Detoxification Pills, and a few magical artifacts from her sleeve, handing them to Qianqian. "These are little gadgets I made myself. You might find them useful. Although they can't compare to the Azure Feather Heavenly Fire Furnace, I will never forget you if I ever refine high-level pills in the future."
Seeing that she accepted it, Qianqian smiled and said, "Okay!"
After finishing their alchemy work, the group continued to lie in wait near the volcano.
"It seems something has happened. There are only two Golden Core stage and three Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivators left in the volcano."
"Since we have destroyed the evidence, the demons shouldn't discover that two demon cultivators have died so quickly, unless they have some secret method."
Mei Zihan coughed twice silently, then turned his head to wipe away the blood from the corner of his mouth without making a sound. "No matter what, we must speed things up and rescue these people before the other demonic cultivators return!"
“Fellow Daoist Shen, you and I will take turns on the left and right to subdue those two Golden Core demonic cultivators; Qianqian, you and Fellow Daoist Xu will cover the rear and hold off those three Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators.”
"good!"
After observing for a while, the four seized the opportunity when the two Golden Core demon cultivators went their separate ways to patrol. Chen Du and Mei Zihan suddenly rushed out, catching the demon cultivators off guard.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, I'll handle these two, you..."
Qianqian shielded Xu Xing behind her, took out her magic weapon, and was about to deal with the two demonic cultivators herself, while letting Xu Xing, who only had the cultivation of the early Foundation Establishment stage, restrain the third one. Unexpectedly, she saw Xu Xing lean out and throw several bead-like objects at the demonic cultivator who was the first to rush over.
Blood red and bursting white light intertwined.
The torn flesh and flying dust mingled together, and the huge explosion that should have been produced was firmly covered by the white shield, with only a muffled echo heard.
The demonic cultivator didn't even utter a sound before being blasted into ashes.
"..."
Qianqian was stunned.
The other two Foundation Establishment demon cultivators, who were flying in mid-air, were also stunned.
Xu Xing stroked his chin. The three second-tier Thunderburst Beads with added spirit and the two Spirit Shield Beads could indeed kill an unsuspecting Foundation Establishment cultivator without causing a huge commotion. Unfortunately, the losses were still a bit too much. But if it were a third-tier Thunderburst Bead, one would be enough.
After receiving the fourth-tier Thunderburst Bead from Li Yuan, she took some time to replicate several second-tier ones for self-defense. She used these demonic cultivators as practice. Now it seems that the second-tier Thunderburst Beads she refined are definitely more effective than ordinary second-tier ones. With the added enhancement of spirit attachment, their power is significantly greater.
Qianqian subconsciously looked into her storage bag and saw the several magical artifacts that Xu Xing had just given her. If she wasn't mistaken, some of them were the ones Xu Xing had just thrown out. How could these little things have such great power?!
She was still somewhat dazed and didn't have time to ask any more questions. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the two remaining Foundation Establishment demon cultivators looking terrified and about to turn and run away. She quickly reacted and whispered, "Don't let them escape!"
After Qianqian and Xu Xing subdued the remaining Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivators, Shen Du and Mei Zihan also captured the two Golden Core stage demonic cultivators.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, your swordsmanship is superb!" Mei Zihan exclaimed, admiring the mediocre spirit sword in Shen Du's hand.
His judgment was indeed correct. Shen Du's swordsmanship was superb, and if they fought with all their might, he might not be Shen Du's match. But what surprised Mei Zihan the most was Xu Xing. Although the commotion Xu Xing made just now was not obvious, he was not far away and saw the explosion that was annihilated in the shield.
Thinking back to the magical artifacts Xu Xing had given Qianqian earlier, which he claimed were little gadgets he had crafted himself, Mei Zihan suddenly had a bold guess in his mind: the magical artifact that killed the Foundation Establishment Demon Clan was probably made by Xu Xing!
Those who cultivate both alchemy and artifact crafting have existed throughout history, but few have been able to excel in both. Most have one strength and one weakness, making it extremely difficult to achieve a balance.
The magic weapon capable of instantly killing a Foundation Establishment cultivator is likely of the third tier, meaning that Xu Xing is very likely both a third-tier alchemist and a third-tier weapon refiner...
Mei Zihan pondered to himself, but his expression remained unchanged. However, his gaze toward Xu Xing grew even more intense.
Shen Du stood to the side with his sword drawn, seemingly sensing something. He glanced at Mei Zihan, his eyes clearly devoid of emotion. Mei Zihan, however, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Realizing something, he finally withdrew his gaze and stopped staring at Xu Xing.
Xu Xing and Qianqian were unaware of the brief eye contact between the group. They went forward to check on the bound cultivators, but most of them were unconscious and had no spiritual energy left.
As for the alchemists, Xu Xing noticed that they also lacked spiritual energy fluctuations. The spiritual energy they used for alchemy came from the array around the volcano. No wonder these alchemists had such a low success rate; it turned out that their own spiritual energy was being restricted.
"Thank you for saving us, fellow Daoists!" one of the alchemists said, his face pale. "But we're afraid we can't escape. The alchemists whose identities have been verified at the entrance to the secret realm are all in the hands of these demons. Even if they don't discover our escape for a while, we can't leave through the entrance unless we find another way out."
Thinking that her senior brother and Xu Xing had left spiritual energy at the entrance of the secret realm, Qianqian's heart sank. But then she heard Chen Du say in a deep voice, "With so many people, it is indeed impossible to leave smoothly. Making too much noise will only attract the attention of the demons. It would be better to put ourselves in the game."
"you mean……"
The four of them simultaneously turned their gazes to the demons who were cloaked, their figures and faces concealed.
"What...what do you want?" One of the Golden Core cultivators had just died because Shen Du had hit him too hard. Another one, looking at the group of people walking towards them, said with a fierce but weak voice, "The entire secret realm is full of demonic cultivators. If you dare to make a move, you will surely die without a burial place!"
Xu Xing glanced at the boiling volcano and suddenly had a brilliant idea, "Since Rong Jun wants to refine pills, presumably the demonic cultivator's body can also be used. Why don't we lend him a hand?"
The demonic energy carried by demons is something that cultivators of other races avoid at all costs. The Heavenly Soul Azure Nether Pill is supposed to reshape the spiritual body, but if it is tainted by demonic energy, the pure white newborn body will be covered with black spots that are difficult to remove.
Qianqian's eyes lit up, and she slapped her palm, "Not bad!"
How come Xu Xing has so many good ideas? Qianqian looked at her with bright eyes. Both the method of killing the demon just now and this suggestion were very much to her liking. If it weren't the time for a conversation, Qianqian would really like to pull her aside and have a good chat!
...
On his way to the volcano, Yuan Li, who had found several subordinates, encountered a group of demons leading a group of captured alchemists toward the volcano. They were demon soldiers under Zhi Yan's command.
"So it was General Yuan."
The demon soldiers exchanged glances, but their tone was not very respectful. "General Yuan, your timing is perfect. The elixir will be completed within three days. Did General Yuan come here specifically to celebrate?"
Yuan Li snorted coldly, "The Medicine Valley hasn't been found yet, and without Wei Shengyue's remnant soul, where is Rong Jun going to find a ninth-level alchemist? It's too early to say that the elixir is about to be completed, isn't it?"
The demon soldier cursed inwardly. How could he forget that Yuan Li's greatest skill was tracking and finding clues? That's why Rong Jun valued her as much as he valued General Zhi Yan. The matter of finding the remnant soul might still depend on her efforts.
Thinking of this, the demon soldier's tone softened a bit, "With General Yuan here, the remnant soul has nowhere to hide. Our general is still discussing matters in the Mountain Lord's Hall, so why don't we invite General Yuan to come with us to the volcano and wait for the elixir to be completed?"
Yuan Li stopped talking and followed several demon soldiers to the foot of the volcano.
A group of alchemists were refining pills with their heads bowed and eyes lowered. Several cultivators were tied up nearby to be used as meat for the pills, while four demons patrolled the area.
"Why are there only a few of you?" one of the demon soldiers frowned. "Did they all go to find the alchemist?"
Mei Zihan replied in a hoarse voice, "Yes."
The demon soldiers split up to check on the progress of the pills, but Yuan Li stood still, his gaze fixed on two of the cloaked demon soldiers.
Upon noticing that gaze, Shen Du suddenly felt a sense of unease. It was true that they had destroyed the body and covered up the evidence, but the demons were full of tricks and could not possibly have missed any clues. Could it be that this demon had discovered something?
Xu Xing was surveying the group of bound cultivators, completely unaware of the impending crisis that his identity was about to be exposed.
She glanced at the unconscious cultivators and was about to leave when she heard one of them groan twice and open his eyes.
When Li Yuan opened his eyes from his coma, the first thing he saw was a cultivator wearing a black cloak whose face was obscured.
He was filled with remorse. He had many magical artifacts on him, and if he hadn't fallen into their trap, he wouldn't have been captured. These demons who ambushed him were truly hateful! Now he was completely drained of spiritual power, and his storage bag had been looted. He was utterly powerless to fight back. He just didn't know if Xiang Yuquan, who had gotten separated from him, could find his way here...
Thinking this, Li Yuan looked warily at the motionless "demon" before him, a sense of fear gripping him. He swallowed hard and spat out a defiant curse, "Do you know who I am? I advise you to release me now, or else..."
Before Xu Xing, disguised as a demon, could even reveal her identity, she was berated by Li Yuan. She was speechless. If she were really a demon cultivator, she would definitely throw Li Yuan into a volcano first, knowing Li Yuan's personality.
Xu Xing thought for a moment, then quietly took out the fourth-tier Thunderburst Bead from his sleeve and quickly waved it in front of Li Yuan's eyes. Li Yuan's eyes lit up, overjoyed, "Xu..."
Xu Xing pinched his mouth shut, covering half his face with her cloak, leaving only his bright eyes visible. She winked and said coldly, "Prisoner, what nonsense are you spouting?!"
"Mmm! Hmm! Mmm!"
Li Yuan nodded frantically to show that he understood. Only then did Xu Xing release his grip, lean close to him, and whisper, "Cooperate with us and act according to the situation."
Yuan Li suddenly spoke up, pointing at Xu Xing, who had his back to her, "That demon soldier over there, yes, you! Come here!"
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Author's Note: Thank you to (●—●), 看星星, 与同, 苏念卿城, and 梦满枝 for the generous votes! Thank you! [heart] =3= [heart]
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I just discovered that Jinjiang now has a bug-catching and location function. Thank you so much for everyone who caught bugs!
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