Chapter 123: Cows Don't Cry
Deep in the cloudy mountains.
Even the scorching sun could not pierce through the dense fog deep within the Cloudmist Mountain Range. Some patches of poison miasma, under the sun’s rays, even emitted green or purple halos.
“The talismans are well-prepared, and with two magical artifacts on me, I far surpass the average Foundation Establishment cultivator. Not to mention the pills...”
In the jungle, Lin Chang’an, dressed in black and wearing a mask, stood with a solemn expression, gazing into the perilous depths of the Cloudmist Mountain Range, silently evaluating all his preparations.
“And there are also several maps of the Cloudmist Mountain Range I bought from the marketplace.”
He had purchased one each from the Many Treasures Pavilion of the Xuanyin Pavilion, the Gathering Treasures Pavilion of Tianxuan City, and a street vendor outside.
Comparing them with one another, the demarcations of the hazardous areas around the periphery were roughly the same.
【Killing Origin Sword Art (Proficient 856/1000)】
Seeing the progress in this demonic art, Lin Chang’an felt a hint of relief.
While most cultivators would typically avoid areas thick with poison miasma, Lin Chang’an did the opposite.
He went straight into the regions where the miasma was most dense. If others were to learn of this, they would surely think he was courting death.
Even though Foundation Establishment cultivators could withstand it with Detoxification Pills, the denser the miasma, the greater the harm. Moreover, poisonous insects and demonic beasts were far more common in those regions.
Yet once Lin Chang’an ventured deeper, the extremely toxic miasma gave him a sense of comfort instead.
“Why does it feel like a fish in water?”
Surrounded by the miasma, Lin Chang’an revealed a trace of surprise. Upon contact with the miasma, his body actually felt refreshed and clear-headed.
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an began to speculate inwardly.
It was likely due to his Life-bound Spirit Plant that he was unaffected by ordinary poisons.
More than half the power and future potential of this ancient cultivation method relied on the Life-bound Spirit Plant.
The stronger the Life-bound Spirit Plant, the greater its ability to feed back power.
However, not long after delving deeper, Lin Chang’an felt a hidden sense of alarm.
“This is still only the outer perimeter, yet divine sense is already being obstructed.”
Though he was immune to the miasma’s toxicity, the miasma had another effect — it blocked divine sense, making it difficult for cultivators to discern direction.
Divine sense was practically the eyes of a cultivator. Once obstructed, it was like being blind. Whether in battle or detecting danger, they would be fumbling in the dark.
【Spiritual Eye (Grandmaster 232/5000)】
However, in the next instant, after activating the Spiritual Eye, the dense miasma around him became as clear as if it didn’t exist at all.
The ability of the Spiritual Eye to see through fog and stone proved critical at this moment.
“As expected. All these years of training the Spiritual Eye have finally paid off.”
Lin Chang’an smiled. It wasn’t in vain that he had cultivated it with Spiritual Liquid for so many years.
However, after years of relying on divine sense, losing it all of a sudden and having to rely solely on his eyes still made him a bit unaccustomed.
It felt like losing one of his senses.
“This feeling… it's like back when I had just entered the world of cultivation and joined the Demon-Hunting Squad.”
At this thought, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental.
Back then, he had only just begun cultivating and relied more on mundane martial experience.
He hadn’t expected that now he would once again be using techniques like listening in all directions and watching all around.
“But I must not let my guard down.”
After briefly readjusting to these nearly forgotten techniques, Lin Chang’an cautiously proceeded deeper into the mountains.
He also took out a clean beast-hide parchment and began recording the detailed map he had discovered through his own exploration.
After all, ordinary cultivators avoided the dense miasma areas, while he did the opposite.
……
Half a month later.
Deep within the Cloudmist Mountain Range, where human presence was rare, the surroundings were utterly silent—except for the sudden chirping of insects. That was the sound of hunting.
To Lin Chang’an’s eyes, empowered by the Spiritual Eye that could see through fog and stone, nothing remained hidden — everything was crystal clear.
“Truly perilous. Even ordinary insects and ants here are highly toxic, enough to kill the average Qi Refining cultivator.”
Along the way, relying on his unmatched Breath Concealment Technique and Invisibility Technique, he had witnessed the dangers of the Cloudmist Mountain Range’s depths.
Though these insects weren’t particularly powerful, a single bite could fatally poison their prey.
He had also encountered human cultivators along the way — experienced members of Demon-Hunting Squads.
These well-coordinated squads operated with clear roles — some on guard duty, others working together to hunt demonic beasts.
He had also come across cultivators engaged in battles for treasure — either out of greed or simply as Robber Cultivators.
All of this gave Lin Chang’an a nostalgic feeling, as if he had returned to the days when he first stepped into the world of cultivation.
“No matter how dangerous the Cloudmist Mountain Range is, cultivators will always find ways to overcome it. But the slaughter born of greed is a hurdle that can never be surmounted.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head. All this time, he remained a mere observer.
As he delved deeper, he hadn’t seen another cultivator for quite some time.
The dense miasma had become a natural shield for him. With its ability to obstruct divine sense, even a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with higher cultivation than him had failed to notice his presence.
He had merely watched that cultivator from afar, and the other party, only sensing the gaze of a predator, nervously fled without realizing anything.
“Breath Concealment Technique, combined with this miasma-laden environment — truly seamless.”
When cultivators lost their reliance on divine sense, his Breath Concealment Technique became his strongest weapon. In this environment, even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn’t be able to detect him.
“But I still mustn’t become complacent. What makes human cultivators formidable is their ability to leverage various techniques.”
Lin Chang’an nodded quietly to himself. Along the way, he had seen cultivators using banner-type magical artifacts to temporarily disperse the miasma.
This created a suitable combat environment for their Demon-Hunting Squads.
Others used portable sensing barriers. It could be said that any cultivator daring to enter the Cloudmist Mountain Range had their own unique methods.
“Finally found it.”
After threading through the most miasma-dense areas of the Cloudmist Mountain Range, Lin Chang’an finally discovered an early-stage Second-rank demon beast.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen any earlier, but whenever he spotted a group-dwelling one from afar, he had decisively turned back.
Some territories even bordered those of similar species or had nearby cultivator squads.
Up ahead, in the rotting, damp, and gloomy forest, a two-to-three-zhang long dark green centipede suddenly snapped its pincers onto a prey.
With the injection of venom, the prey only struggled momentarily before losing all signs of life in less than a breath.
『And hiding in the shadows, Lin Chang’an, who witnessed this scene, cautiously refrained from disturbing the beast enjoying its prey. Instead, he silently observed the surroundings first.』
When he confirmed that there were no other demon beasts or human cultivators present, he finally began his preparations.
A moment later—
As the massive second-rank spirit insect centipede was feasting on its prey, a formation barrier gradually emerged around it.
Driven by instinct, the centipede immediately grew alert. It abruptly released its prey and slithered up a giant ancient tree with a series of swishes.
The gloomy environment was filled with perilous tension.
Suddenly, a chilling gust of air swept out from the darkness.
【Ice Talisman】
In an instant, the Ice Talisman exploded behind the second-rank poison insect centipede, freezing a large portion of the ancient tree along with it.
Before the poisonous insect could even shriek, a wild, powerful bellow of a bull echoed within the barrier.
“ㄴMoo!”
A green-horned ox, steam puffing from its nostrils and its eyes bloodshot, roared furiously and charged forth with the force of ten thousand jin.
With a thunderous leap—
“Crack!”
The sound of the second-rank poison insect centipede’s hardened shell shattering rang out, and the massive ancient tree was snapped in half, crashing heavily to the ground.
The poison insect, now enraged, wrapped its body—impaled by the ox’s horn—around the ox’s head, thrashing wildly. Green blood and venom spewed furiously in all directions.
Upon landing with a heavy thud, the green-horned ox roared again, lowered its head, and drove the centipede’s body into the ground, plowing a deep trench with thunderous rumbling.
Yet, despite being injected with the centipede’s venom, the green-horned ox showed no signs of poisoning.
“ㄴMoo!”
This overwhelming display of brute force drew admiration from Lin Chang’an, who couldn't help but praise.
As expected, once the poisonous insect lost its most dangerous weapon—its venom—its strength diminished drastically.
However, Lin Chang’an had no intention of letting the green-horned ox continue battling the poison insect. The longer the fight dragged on, the higher the risk of unexpected events.
“Let’s see how my sword light fares!”
With a cold shout from Lin Chang’an, several streaks of sword light suddenly burst forth from within the miasma, slicing the centipede into multiple segments.
“ㄴMoo!”
The frenzied green-horned ox still attempted to trample the poison insect further, only to be stopped by Lin Chang’an.
That was all Spirit Stones—it couldn’t be wasted.
Still, aware of the terrifying vitality of poison insects, Lin Chang’an raised his hand and cast several Fireball spells until the remains were thoroughly roasted.
“Well done. Seems raising this brute wasn’t in vain.”
Glancing at the fierce green-horned ox by his side, it bore no trace of its former submissive demeanor when begging for spirit herbs. It now looked every bit the ferocious demon beast.
Lin Chang’an nodded in satisfaction. Today, he had truly witnessed the ox’s strength.
As long as he could create a head-on confrontation, with the green-horned ox’s savage charge, few demon beasts could endure it.
“But this centipede’s shell was certainly tough.”
While inspecting the spoils, Lin Chang’an was secretly shocked to see sword marks on the centipede’s exoskeleton.
Had the green-horned ox not pierced through the centipede directly, and had he not attacked its weak joints with sword light, it might not have been so easy to kill it.
Though it appeared that this early second-rank demon beast was slain effortlessly, there were many factors involved.
First, Lin Chang’an’s sword art attack power was already comparable to a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator. Second, the green-horned ox specialized in brute strength.
As a result, a savage charge maximized its force.
Using one's strength to strike the enemy’s weakness—how could it not succeed?
Moreover, the centipede’s strongest asset, its venom, had zero effect.
This was truly a case of mutual suppression.
The poison insect never had the chance to display its advantages and was countered from beginning to end.
“Moo moo.”
After Lin Chang’an retrieved the Crystalline Core, the green-horned ox gave a flattering look and mooed pitifully, making him chuckle.
“For your excellent performance, work hard from now on. This demon core will be your reward.”
As Lin Chang’an tossed the demon core into its mouth, the green-horned ox lifted its hoof in excitement and let out a cheer.
For demon beasts seeking evolution, the best supplement was none other than demon cores.
Previously, no matter how many Spirit Stones Lin Chang’an earned, he couldn’t afford to feed the green-horned ox second-rank demon cores. After all, even he had to hunt in the Cloudmist Mountain Range due to the lack of demon cores.
“But all this was worth it.”
Seeing the excited green-horned ox, Lin Chang’an smiled in satisfaction.
The ox’s strength had now been revealed. In a head-on collision, even a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator would be knocked away.
Naturally, he didn’t mind having a powerful spirit beast.
And to make the ox run faster, he had to be willing to feed it demon cores.
A well-fed ox would have the strength to fight.
This first probe had shown that he moved freely in the miasma zones of the Cloudmist Mountain Range. Of course, he would put that to good use.
“For the green-horned ox, demon cores are no less than high-grade pills that boost cultivation for human cultivators.”
Lin Chang’an nodded in satisfaction and began dismantling the centipede’s shell and venom sac for storage.
These were excellent materials for Artifact Crafting, though most poison insects’ meat was inedible.
“Ox, let’s go find our next prey.”
The massive green-horned ox let out an enthusiastic moo, carrying Lin Chang’an on its back as the man and beast slowly vanished into the mist.
…
Several months later—
Deep within the miasma region of the Cloudmist Mountain Range, a man and an ox emerged.
“Moo!”
“Don’t blame me! Who would’ve thought that thing was a twin-tailed venomous scorpion hiding a poisonous stinger under its belly!”
From within the miasma stepped the familiar figures. A massive bump had formed on the green-horned ox’s head, its face full of grievance and brimming tears.
Though the poison was neutralized, the scorpion’s stinger still caused excruciating pain.
This wasn’t just the ox being pitiful— even Lin Chang’an felt heartache.
According to rumors, even a False Core Realm True Lord couldn’t help but cry after being stung by the twin-tailed venomous scorpion’s barb.
During this period, the green-horned ox had also accumulated several wounds, though they healed under Lin Chang’an’s Evergreen Art.
“Moo moo!”
“All right, I’ll give you an extra demon core next time.”
Pacified by Lin Chang’an’s painted promises, the green-horned ox lowered its head and moved forward, albeit still shedding tears from its large eyes.
The sight made Lin Chang’an both amused and heartbroken.
“Though poison insects also fall under demon beasts, they are vastly different from typical ones.”
Over time, Lin Chang’an had his horizons broadened and couldn’t help but marvel.
Some poison insects had terrifyingly potent venom, with bodies so soft they were practically liquid, yet filled to the brim with poison.
But when struck directly by the green-horned ox and trampled into venomous pulp, only the Crystalline Core had any real value.
In the end, risking his life to fight a second-rank poison insect yielded minimal returns—a severe loss.
“There’s no helping it. Hunting demon beasts has always been a feast-or-famine business. Sometimes, a single beast is worth tens of thousands of low-grade Spirit Stones; sometimes, it’s worth only a fraction of that.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head. This was completely normal.
It was also one of the main reasons Demon-Hunting Squads suffered unstable long-term incomes.
Even demon beasts of the same rank could vary drastically in value.
“But this trip has yielded enough. Time to return and recuperate.”
Though he wasn’t afraid of the poison in the treacherous Cloudmist Mountain Range, it was nowhere near as safe as Tianxuan City.
Besides, whether it was alchemy, Drawing Talismans, or preparation for the next hunt, he had things to get ready.
“Ox, let’s head back.”
With a gentle pat on the green-horned ox’s forehead, the life-rich Evergreen Art calmed its pain slightly.
This time, aside from the one demon core the ox ate, there were still four in his Storage Pouch.
One could say they were returning fully loaded.