The sun rose in the east, dawn breaking through.
Households emerged from their cellars one by one.
Xu Dezhao gathered the Dongxi residents, arranging for people to re-cultivate the fields, irrigate the land, and so on.
The Xu family manor.
Wu Tao's corpse was covered with white cloth, lying quietly in the front hall.
Xu Dejing's fingers had just touched the edge of the white cloth when she froze as if struck by lightning.
She slowly knelt to the ground, a faint sob escaping her throat, like a sound forcibly cut off.
The cloth slipped down half an inch, revealing a familiar face.
"Father!"
Wu Rushan turned her head away, two lines of clear tears flowing from the corners of her eyes, unable to bear watching.
Xu Mingyuan's eyes also reddened with moisture. He patted Xu Dejing's shoulder, "Wu Tao died saving Dezhao. He has rendered great service to our Xu family. Chongming can receive the most core cultivation.
The Wu family will also receive two priority slots."
"Father, why was it Wu Tao who died? Why?!" Xu Dejing's eyes were bloodshot as she turned to stare fixedly at Xu Mingyuan.
"Jing'er, don't make a scene. Yesterday's danger was such that even your grandfather and Deling were severely wounded and nearly died. Moreover, this battle didn't only claim Wu Tao's life, there were also Wu Zhen, Wu Da, Wu Er.
If your aunt hadn't had Azure Fire Eagles Ah Da and Ah Er sacrifice their lives to save her, she probably would have been killed by the demonic cultivators too."
Hearing this, Xu Dejing knew her questioning was inappropriate. She said in a low voice, "I apologize, Father."
"Pull yourself together. You still need to handle Wu Tao's funeral arrangements, and there's Chongming. You don't want him to lose his mother too, do you?"
Xu Dejing and Xu Chongming looked at each other. Xu Dejing nodded slightly, "Daughter understands."
Xu Mingshu was also deeply affected by the deaths of the two Azure Fire Eagle brothers. She secluded herself in the Beast Taming Hall, seeing no one.
Wu Mingsheng handled the funeral arrangements for Wu Da and Wu Er at the Wu residence.
In the afternoon, most of those who had come from the Guangling branch returned to Guangling.
Those like Xu Mingyuan and Wu Mingsheng who had lost relatives temporarily remained in Dongxi.
Xu Mingwei returned to the Guangling branch to temporarily handle clan affairs in Xu Mingyuan's stead.
Xu Chuan organized what Blood Ming and the others had left behind, sorting the techniques, secret arts, magical artifacts, spirit herbs, artifact refinement materials, spirit stones, and such into categories.
Having previously annihilated many Qi Refining families, they had accumulated quite a collection.
They had originally planned to find ways to dispose of these items after returning to Great Jin, but now it all became wedding clothes for the Xu family, nearly doubling the Xu family's foundation.
Counting only immortal cultivation resources, the Xu family's foundation was probably comparable to a second-rank family.
Especially in terms of pills and magical artifacts, they were not inferior even to first-rank families.
"They're all garbage. Only that Blood Devouring Bead has some merit. If provided with large amounts of essence blood, its power might be comparable to a dharma treasure."
Xu Chuan looked with surprise at the Blood Devouring Bead in his hand, "Even you say so, then it truly is a good item."
"Unfortunately, this object is most suitable for those cultivating Blood Demon Dao. If you try to refine it, you can at most display seventy to eighty percent of its power. Moreover, given this object's current power,
Even Foundation Establishment cultivators might be eroded by its baleful qi, becoming cruel and bloodthirsty."
"By the way, I noticed those four people seemed to cultivate different demonic Dao techniques. Moyue, you're well-traveled and knowledgeable. Could you tell me about them?"
Moyue raised his dragon head, "At least you have some discernment."
"The first one who died cultivated the Slaughter Demon Technique. With each person killed, his baleful qi would increase. Upon reaching Foundation Establishment, he could condense baleful qi armor, comparable to defensive magical artifacts.
The second was a ghost cultivator. The soul banner should have been his natal magical artifact. It can capture souls and nurture ghost creatures and yin corpses. If the cultivated ghost creatures become too strong, he might suffer backlash.
The third, the woman, cultivated a Concubine Pleasure technique, rapidly advancing through harvesting yang to supplement yin.
The last one cultivated Blood Demon Dao techniques. Such techniques are bizarre. If he hadn't harbored thoughts of mutual destruction with your Xu family and truly tried to flee, with my current state, I might not have been able to completely stop him."
"Though demonic Dao techniques aren't suitable for your Xu family, some of their secret arts, like the technique for condensing baleful qi armor, dual cultivation secret arts, ghost controlling and soul nurturing methods, or blood escape techniques, learning them could enhance your capabilities."
"The Dao makes no distinction between righteous and demonic. As long as it benefits my Xu family, I naturally won't be particular about such things."
"I like this attitude of yours." Moyue grinned, then swam through the air for a while before saying again, "This seat is tired. I'll return to Jade Cold Pool for a brief rest."
With that, he dove into the cold pool, splashing water everywhere.
Xu Chuan perused these demonic Dao techniques, extracting the useful secret arts from them, then sealed away the techniques.
Next, he handed over the organized materials and such to Xu Dezhao for him to handle.
Several days later, Dongxi had returned to normal.
Everyone resumed their previous peaceful lifestyle.
At the same time, the Great Wei royal Cao clan issued a mission to all Immortal Officials to search for traces of demonic cultivators, with great rewards for those who could eliminate them.
Unfortunately, despite many Immortal Officials searching in Guangling Commandery and surrounding commanderies, they found no trace of the demonic cultivators.
After a month or so, they gradually gave up.
They figured these demonic cultivators must have fled from Great Wei.
Another month later, the Xu family sent people to deliver the prepared betrothal gift list to the Tongshan Commandery Prince's Manor.
Cao Jinming glanced at the gift list, his brows and eyes curving with a smile as he nodded, "Thank you for your trouble, Nephew Mingqing. This gift list, my Tongshan Cao clan has no objections."
Xu Mingqing said, "My father also asks, regarding the wedding ceremony, when does Uncle Cao think would be suitable?"
"Three months from now is Yang'er's wedding. Let's place Lin'er's half a year later, on the eighth day of the eleventh month. How about that?"
"That's acceptable. My Xu family has no objections."
"Haha, then it's settled."
Xu Mingqing didn't linger long in Tongshan Commandery. Having finalized the marriage arrangements, he led people back to Dongxi.
Three months later, Cao Shengyang held his wedding. As the Xu family was about to become in-laws, they naturally received an invitation.
Xu Chuan, Xu Mingqing, Xu Chonghui, and Xu Mingyuan went to attend.
The wedding was quite lively.
Many third-rank and fourth-rank families came to offer congratulations.
After returning to Dongxi, Xu Chuan began closed-door cultivation.
Having experienced the previous battle, his cultivation had improved slightly.
In just over a month, he reached the peak of the third layer of Foundation Establishment, touching upon the bottleneck of mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
Xu Chuan merely regulated his breathing for half a day, then consumed a Void Breakthrough Pill to assault mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
Three days later, he successfully broke through.
He became the Xu family's first mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Soon after, the Nine Flames Formula reached great accomplishment.
Xu Chuan refined a furnace of Qi-Drawing Pills, producing nine pills, each one superior-grade.
Even when refining second-rank True Essence Pills, the number of superior-grade pills reached seven or eight.
Xu Chuan struck while the iron was hot, refining all the second-rank pill spirit herbs in his possession. During this process, there was even one instance where all the second-rank pills produced were superior-grade.
"Next comes the Demon Spirit Pill. This pill works best using essence soul, inner core, and essence blood from the same type of demon beast. It can even transform a demon beast's bone structure.
Moyue's strength has currently declined to the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment. Going to the Azure Sea Forest like this would be too dangerous, but the White Scale Flood Dragon's essence soul was already used to forge the Black Evil Banner."
"Forget it, I'll make another trip to Tongshan Commandery. There were originally eleven Foundation Establishment demon beasts. Some families should still have essence souls remaining."
Xu Chuan immediately set out.
Arriving in Tongshan Commandery, Xu Chuan first visited Cao Jinming. If he could help negotiate, it would be much more convenient.
"Brother Xu wants Foundation Establishment demon beast essence souls? May I ask what purpose?"
Xu Chuan spread his hands, "What else could it be? Naturally for artifact refinement or pill refinement. My Xu family's foundation is shallow. Top-tier magical artifacts are hard to come by, so we can only spend great costs.
I wonder, does Brother Cao have any essence souls?
If you do, Brother Cao, please name your price. If the price is right, I'll take it.
Of course, if you have other uses for it, I won't insist. But if you know who else might have some, I'd appreciate you letting me know."
Cao Jinming pondered for a moment, "Very well, I do indeed have an essence soul."
"During that beast tide, the Qin family obtained the Blood Python Tiger's demon core, while my Cao clan obtained its essence soul. I originally wanted to keep it for future use as material for a top-tier magical artifact but since Brother Xu needs it, I'll trade it with you."
Blood Python Tiger essence soul?
Xu Chuan was delighted. He had its inner core and essence blood. If he could refine a Demon Spirit Pill, the effect should be even better than the White Scale Flood Dragon's.
Moreover, if he had multiple pills, he could even give them to White Tiger and the others in the clan, allowing their bone structures to transform.
"What does Brother Cao want?"
"One bottle of superior-grade True Essence Pills, plus three superior-grade Pure Truth Pills." Cao Jinming's lips curved slightly, "In terms of value alone, the essence soul is even more valuable than the demon core."
"That's not necessarily true. Each has its merits. Essence souls can be used for artifact refinement, but demon cores can not only be used for pill refinement, they can also help Qi Refining demon beasts break through to Foundation Establishment."
Xu Chuan offered a rebuttal, but then continued, "However, for Brother Cao's sake, this trade can be made."
With that, he waved his hand over his storage pouch. Two porcelain bottles flew out and were handed to Cao Jinming.
Cao Jinming inspected them and confirmed they were indeed superior-grade pills. He smiled, "Please wait here, Brother Xu. I'll go retrieve the essence soul right away."
A moment later, Cao Jinming returned and presented the sealed Blood Python Tiger essence soul.
After Xu Chuan accepted it, he asked again, "By the way, Brother Cao, do you know where other demon beast essence souls might be, such as the Purple Lightning Thunder Hawk and Green Blood Python?"
The Green Blood Python also contained flood dragon bloodline, though not as concentrated as the White Scale Flood Dragon's.
"The Purple Lightning Thunder Hawk essence soul should be in the He family's possession, while the Green Blood Python essence soul should be with the Huang family."
Xu Chuan clasped his fists, "I'd trouble Brother Cao to help negotiate for me."
"Naturally. In a bit over a month, our two families will officially become in-laws. We should help each other."
Cao Jinming held high status in Tongshan Commandery. With his help, Xu Chuan smoothly obtained these two essence souls.
The He family traded for three superior-grade Divine Sense Pills and two superior-grade Pure Truth Pills, while the Huang family traded for one bottle of middle-grade True Essence Pills and two superior-grade Pure Truth Pills.
From these trades, it seemed the Pure Truth Pills were for the family's talented members participating in the Wuhua Dharma Assembly.
One superior-grade Pure Truth Pill was definitely a life-saving medicine for Qi Refining cultivators.
"Looks like next time I'll need to raise the price on Pure Truth Pills."
Xu Chuan thought to himself, then bid farewell to Cao Jinming and returned to Dongxi.
The dozens of mu of Dragon Tooth Spirit Rice planted at Jade Cold Pool were all growing rapidly.
Superior-grade spirit rice was comparable to spirit medicine, extremely precious.
This was mainly because the spiritual energy here was abundant, plus with Moyue living here, the area was suffused with rich flood dragon aura, which allowed successful cultivation.
He left these matters to Xu Mingqing to manage while he went into closed-door cultivation to refine Demon Spirit Pills.
First, he used the Green Blood Python essence soul and White Scale Flood Dragon demon core as materials.
To enhance its medicinal effects, he also obtained some flood dragon blood from old dragon Moyue.
Though not natal essence blood, it was still considerably better than the White Scale Flood Dragon's.
Knowing Xu Chuan was refining this Demon Spirit Pill for him, Moyue had no choice but to donate blood.
The battle with the demonic cultivators had yielded many spirit herbs. Originally, there were only enough materials for two or three batches of Demon Spirit Pills, but now there were over six batches.
As for thousand-year spirit herbs, the Xu family currently had nearly twenty plants.
One set of demon core and essence soul could be used for three refinement attempts.
If all three attempts failed, they would completely dissipate.
Xu Chuan didn't dare be careless.
Unfortunately, these materials weren't all spirit herbs, so Xu Chuan couldn't use Divine Farmer's Hundred Herbs to deduce their medicinal properties in advance.
Xu Chuan formed hand seals and deployed True Yang Fire, burning the White Scale Flood Dragon demon core, Green Blood Python essence soul, and Moyue's blood.
This process lasted a full day and night.
Next, using special techniques, he began fusing the three, during which he added the required spirit herbs according to specifications, using split consciousness to control the fire for refinement and purifying the medicinal liquid then he integrated it all.
The Demon Spirit Pill was extraordinary, but Xu Chuan's current mastery had definitely reached the level of refining third-rank pills.
After continuing for three days and nights, the Demon Spirit Pill refinement succeeded.
Three pills condensed, one superior-grade pill and two middle-grade pills.
As the refinement concluded, Xu Chuan exhaled a long breath.
This was the first time his pill refinement had lasted so long.
"If all the main materials were from Golden Core demon beasts, it would probably take ten days to half a month."
"However, this should be due to the special nature of the Demon Spirit Pill."
Xu Chuan put away the pills and headed to Jade Cold Pool.
As soon as he arrived, Moyue burst out from the pool, "This seat seems to smell the fragrance of Demon Spirit Pills. Xu Chuan, did you really succeed in refining them?"
Xu Chuan turned his hand and retrieved a porcelain bottle.
Three round and full pills floated quietly before him.
"One superior-grade, two middle-grade. Your pill Dao mastery is quite good. You can probably refine quite a few third-rank pills now, can't you?"
Moyue swayed his dragon tail, his slender silver-white dragon whiskers drifting casually, "With such pill refinement skills, even if you leave this godforsaken Great Wei, you could do very well in the outside world.
To be honest, this place is really too remote. It's just in the gap between the Tiannan Domain and Blackwater Domain, not suitable for your Xu family's development."
Xu Chuan silently noted these two place names, then looked up with a smile, "Perhaps. But the richer the resources, the fiercer the competition.
If we leave this region, I'm afraid Golden Core families like the Cao clan are common, right?
Before Golden Core families, my Xu family's meager strength can only be exploited by others."
Moyue thought for a moment, "What you say does make some sense. Foundation Establishment families can only depend on some Golden Core family. As for Qi Refining families, they're basically servant-like existences.
At minimum, you need to be a Golden Core family to occupy a territory.
Take the Tiannan Domain I just mentioned. There are at least nearly a hundred Golden Core level forces. The Cao clan you speak of probably only has one Golden Core early stage cultivator.
They'd be considered the lowest tier of Golden Core forces.
Above them are some Nascent Soul level forces, and Tiannan Domain overlords with Transformation Deity great powers presiding."
"All this is still too far removed from my Xu family. Better not to set my sights too high."
Xu Chuan saw the dragon drool at the corners of Moyue's mouth dripping "splat splat" down. His lips revealed a three-part smile as he raised his palm, sending the three Demon Spirit Pills flying toward Moyue.
Moyue's dragon pupils shot forth two beams of brilliant light. He immediately opened his mouth and swallowed them then he swam freely through the air, stirring wind and clouds.
"The taste is quite good. Give me half a month, and I'll be able to completely stabilize my strength at Foundation Establishment perfection. Then I'll take you to that so-called Azure Sea Forest.
Let's go stock up on supplies. No need to keep staring at other people's bowls all the time.
There are plenty of resources outside!"
Moyue dove back into the cold pool.
Shortly after, Xu Mingxian walked out from a nearby bamboo house.
"Father."
Xu Chuan nodded slightly, looking at him and asking, "How are the aftereffects of burning lifespan?"
"Already no major issue."
"Then return to the Array Hall from now on. Also, go find Deling and have her custom forge the most suitable magical artifacts for you. Hand over your previous ones back to the clan.
We should also make final preparations for the Wuhua Dharma Assembly."
Xu Mingxian nodded in agreement, "Father speaks reasonably. However, regarding the selection of participants, this child feels we could choose a few more from the clan with appropriate strength to enter together."
Xu Chuan stroked his chin, "I'll consider this matter."
On the eighth day of the eleventh month.
Xu Chonghui married Cao Shengling.
Such cross-commandery marriage alliances were always extremely rare.
For convenience and liveliness, the Xu and Cao families specially held two ceremonies.
One in Tongshan Commandery, one in Yuehu Commandery.
Being able to become in-laws with the Cao clan, the Xu family's reputation rose again across all commanderies.
Later, Xu Chuan refined more Demon Spirit Pills.
He successfully refined the Purple Lightning Thunder Hawk Demon Spirit Pills and Blood Python Tiger Demon Spirit Pills.
…
Beast Taming Hall.
"Mingshu, come see me." Xu Chuan arrived at the Beast Taming Hall. Not finding Xu Mingshu, he immediately transmitted via divine sense.
At this time, Xu Mingshu was in the back mountain cultivating spirit insects.
In the previous battle, thousands of Red-Spotted Spirit Insects were lost, and even over two hundred Iron-Devouring Flying Ants had died.
"Father is looking for me?"
Xu Mingshu immediately returned to the Beast Taming Hall.
"Father." Xu Mingshu greeted.
"Call the Azure Fire Eagle and Little White over."
"Yes." Xu Mingshu wasn't quite clear on Xu Chuan's intent, but she still complied.
They were both Xu Mingshu's spirit beasts. Through telepathic connection, she only needed to call once and they all rushed over.
Xu Chuan retrieved two Demon Spirit Pills.
Upon seeing these pills, both creatures' eyes filled with longing.
However, with the pills in Xu Chuan's hands, neither Azure Fire Eagle Ah San nor White Tiger dared presume. They frantically called to Xu Mingshu through their mental bond.
"Master, I want those pills!"
This was the first time Xu Mingshu had seen them like this. She couldn't help but ask, "Father, what are these two pills?"
"These are Demon Spirit Pills. Moyue provided the pill formula. They can only be taken by demon beasts. This one was made from the Purple Lightning Thunder Hawk's essence soul, demon core, essence blood, supplemented with thousand-year spirit herbs and eight other precious herbs.
The other was made with late-stage Foundation Establishment Blood Python Tiger essence soul, demon core, and essence blood.
Both can be considered third-rank pills."
"Third-rank?!"
Xu Mingshu's almond eyes suddenly widened, her raven-feather-like lashes tracing a trembling arc through the air.
"For Ah San and Little White?"
"This pill has the effect of transforming demon beast bone structure when first consumed. It's extremely miraculous. The more common the bloodline, the more significant the effect.
As our Xu family continues to develop, resources useful to us will become increasingly scarce.
I plan to set my sights beyond Great Wei.
After Ah San and Little White consume these, within one or two years they can become Foundation Establishment demon beasts, serving as your support for entering the Wuhua Secret Realm.
This pill's medicinal power is strong. Digesting it completely within a few years, advancing to mid-stage Foundation Establishment should pose no problem.
By then, my Xu family will possess multiple mid-stage Foundation Establishment combat powers. We can jointly explore dangerous places like the Azure Sea Forest, and can also go to Great Liang or Great Jin to seek opportunities."
"Thank you, Father."
Xu Mingshu accepted the pills and said with a smile, "Ah San, Little White, you're in luck."
With that, she fed the pills to them respectively.
"During this time, they should fall into slumber. You must watch over them carefully."
With that, Xu Chuan left the Beast Taming Hall and returned to the Pill Refining Palace.
Before long, Ah San and Little White indeed fell into slumber.
After all, they weren't Moyue, who could easily refine Demon Spirit Pills.
Two months later.
Ah San actually grew purple crystal feathers at his tail, each feather wreathed in pale purple lightning arcs. The azure flames atop his head were also tinged with purple, gradually transforming toward purple flames.
His entire plumage became increasingly hard, half azure and half purple, his body considerably larger.
He emanated an aura approaching Qi Refining perfection.
Little White's body didn't grow larger, but actually shrank a size. His fur hadn't changed at all. However, his body contained an aura that even made Xu Mingshu wary.
Xu Mingshu invited Xu Chuan over. After Xu Chuan looked for a while, he also called Moyue over.
"You fed them Demon Spirit Pills?"
"That's right. Ah San ate the Demon Spirit Pill made from Purple Lightning Thunder Hawk demon beast materials. Little White's pill used late-stage Foundation Establishment Blood Python Tiger as the main material."
Moyue stared at them both. After a short while, he said, "No need to worry, this is a good thing. Qi Refining demon beasts consuming Demon Spirit Pills do indeed have a slight chance of inheriting that demon beast's talents.
Obviously, when he fully awakens, he should become a spirit beast with dual thunder-fire attributes. Among the same realm, he'll probably be able to compete with some high-grade bloodline demon beasts."
"High-grade bloodline?"
"The offspring of Golden Core and above demon beasts." Moyue looked toward Little White as he spoke, "As for this little fellow, his fortune is even more astonishing. He should have awakened one of the Four Divine Spirits' bloodlines, the White Tiger bloodline."
"The Four Divine Spirits' bloodlines are True Spirit bloodlines, even more formidable than my flood dragon bloodline. They're comparable to True Dragon bloodline."
Xu Chuan and Xu Mingshu's eyes both brightened.
"However, don't get too excited. It's at most just a trace." Moyue said, "Of course, even this trace is enough to give him a chance at becoming a Golden Core level spirit beast.
The richer his bloodline power, the stronger his potential."
"I must say, your Xu family's luck is quite good!"
Xu Chuan thought for a moment, then said to Xu Mingshu, "From now on, grant them both my Xu clan surname. He'll be called Xu Ying, and he'll be called Xu Bai."
"Thank you for bestowing names, Father. When Ah San and Little White awaken, I'll inform them."
Xu Chuan nodded slightly and left with Moyue.
"Xu Chuan, when are we going to that Azure Sea Forest? This seat wants to go have a feast."
"Three days from now."
"That's settled then. We've already delayed so many days."
Xu Chuan shook his head with a laugh.
Three days later.
Xu Chuan, Ren Xiaoyao, and Moyue headed to the Azure Sea Forest.
Ren Xiaoyao was not far from the peak of the third layer of Foundation Establishment. Xu Chuan brought him along, hoping this experience could help him break through.
The two flew continuously eastward along the Cangwu Mountain Range.
After more than a day, they arrived at Cangwu's end.
This was the mountain range's final ridge, its craggy rocks wrapped in dense greenery.
The two stood in the air, gazing at the boundless forest dozens of li away, whose sky was covered by milky-white mist that never dispersed year-round.
Xu Chuan patted his spirit beast pouch, releasing Moyue.
At this time, Moyue had shrunk to a zhang in length, his aura also restrained to early-stage Foundation Establishment.
"So that's the Azure Sea Forest. Looks somewhat familiar. That's right, this seat once killed a Golden Core stage wolf demon there.
Back then, three Golden Core stage demon beasts occupied three locations."
Xu Chuan was secretly alarmed but said nothing. Instead, he said, "Let's go."
The two humans and one flood dragon flew toward the Azure Sea Forest.
Ancient trees towered everywhere here. Their bark was cracked like old dragon scales, with thick moss and dead branches accumulated in the fissures.
Occasionally squirrels poked their heads from tree hollows, or spirit birds carrying berries darted past the branches.
Some ancient trees' trunks were already hollow, yet still sprouted new branches and leaves. Clear dew accumulated in the hollow cavities.
Still other ancient trees had root systems rising from the ground, coiling and extending like giant pythons. Small medicinal herbs grew in the root crevices, emanating faint fragrance.
"Such rich spiritual energy!" Ren Xiaoyao exclaimed in surprise.
"Naturally. This place definitely has spirit veins, more than one, though most are probably occupied by Golden Core stage demon beasts."
Xu Chuan and the others continued deeper.
Moyue had been told not to act unless they encountered mid-stage Foundation Establishment or higher demon beasts.
Two days later.
They suddenly encountered three Foundation Establishment demon beasts.
Two on shore, one in the lake.
On shore were respectively a green fox and a red toad. In the lake was a black long-horned giant crocodile.
That green fox had fur like liquid jade throughout, with a silver stripe on its spine. Its four feet hovered three inches above the ground.
Its massive fox tail swayed like a broom, its tip three inches displaying white.
Its green dual pupils stared at the three-petaled lotus flower not far from the giant crocodile.
The red toad was dozens of zhang from the green fox. Its entire body was covered in scarlet tumors, with sulfurous poisonous smoke permeating the gaps. Its bulging vocal sac vibrated like thunder.
That giant crocodile was covered in black jade horny scales. Atop its head grew a dark golden single horn. Most of its body was underwater, with only its head, spine, and tail exposed.
A pair of cold crocodile eyes stared fixedly at the green fox and red toad.
"Third layer Foundation Establishment Mystic Armor Crocodile, second layer Foundation Establishment Azure Mist Fox and Crimson Fiend Toad, and that is... Pure Water Lotus?!"
"Grand Elder, is Pure Water Lotus very precious?" Ren Xiaoyao asked curiously.
"Naturally. It can definitely be considered a heavenly material earthly treasure. It grows one petal per century, so three petals means three hundred years. It's more precious than some thousand-year spirit herbs.
Refined into Pure Spirit Pills, it can eliminate hidden problems, dark injuries, and pill toxins that are difficult to detect in the body. It purifies spiritual power and can increase Golden Core formation chances by half a percentage point."
"Increasing Golden Core formation chances, then it truly is precious."
"I don't have the pill formula for this pill either. I only heard about it from the Dan Hall Chief."
It seemed the formula should be in that jade slip.
"Moyue, you protect that Pure Water Lotus. I'll deal with that Mystic Armor Crocodile. Xiaoyao, you handle the Azure Mist Fox and Crimson Fiend Toad."
"Yes, Grand Elder."
"Small matter. Leave it to this seat. Set your heart completely at ease."
Moyue immediately transformed into an arrow, breaking through clouds and piercing sky, heading straight for the Pure Water Lotus.
Upon discovering this, the Mystic Armor Crocodile immediately condensed a dozen water arrows, shooting them toward Moyue.
Moyue paid no attention. With a wave of his dragon claw, a great wave surged up, instantly sending the Mystic Armor Crocodile flying. As for the water arrows it condensed, when they struck Moyue's scales, they only produced sparks.
The Azure Mist Fox and Crimson Fiend Toad wanted to snatch the Pure Water Lotus, but five flying swords broke through the air, forcing the Azure Mist Fox to retreat and deflecting the Crimson Fiend Toad's long tongue.
Then Ren Xiaoyao, carrying the Five Spirits Casket on his back, appeared between the Pure Water Lotus and them.
"Clang!"
The long swords rang out, flying back before him.
These long swords were currently still fine-quality magical artifacts. To upgrade the Five Spirits Casket to top-tier would be equivalent to six top-tier magical artifacts plus array modifications.
With the Xu family's artifact refinement materials surging, Xu Deling had already begun upgrading the Five Spirits Casket. She was currently cooperating with Xu Mingxian to deduce a more powerful Five Elements Sword Array.
If successful, its sword array power would be truly terrifying, even stronger than ordinary talisman treasures by far.
The Mystic Armor Crocodile rode the waves back.
Xu Chuan held the Phoenix Furnace with the True Yang Treasure Bead overhead, also blocking before it.
Without another word, Ren Xiaoyao activated the Five Elements Sword Array, planning to first eliminate one demon beast. He chose the Crimson Fiend Toad.
For no other reason than it looked rather unappetizing.
"Spirit Condensing Technique!"
Ren Xiaoyao split his consciousness to activate the divine sense attack technique, condensing it into a spike and viciously stabbing toward the Crimson Fiend Toad.
At this moment, the Crimson Fiend Toad was preparing to attack. Being struck by the Spirit Condensing Technique, its attack was immediately interrupted.
The next moment, Ren Xiaoyao formed hand seals. The five elements combined into one, transforming into a seven or eight zhang five-colored giant sword that fell toward the Crimson Fiend Toad.
Boom!
The Crimson Fiend Toad was instantly killed. Seeing this, the Azure Mist Fox's dual pupils filled with terror. Wind surged around its body. Taking advantage of the dust and smoke, it fled in a flash.
It disappeared into the dense forest in an instant, vanishing without a trace.
If it had been a demon beast with powerful defense like the Mystic Armor Crocodile, Ren Xiaoyao might not have been able to kill it in one strike.
The Crimson Fiend Toad's advantage lay in its techniques containing poison.
Its poison was quite virulent. If struck, even mid-stage Foundation Establishment might be defeated.
Xu Chuan formed hand seals and opened the Phoenix Furnace. Large amounts of Phoenix Separation flames poured out.
Wherever they passed, the lake water boiled like rolling oil.
Within a hundred zhang radius, the lake water evaporated into towering white mist.
The Mystic Armor Crocodile burst forth in the mist. Dark blue radiance surged around its body. While resisting the Phoenix Separation flames, it opened its giant maw to bite toward Xu Chuan.
The True Yang Treasure Bead immediately released myriad golden rays, dispersing the white mist while forming a pale golden light screen that blocked the sharp crocodile teeth.
The Mystic Armor Crocodile's biting force was extremely powerful.
The light screen formed by the True Yang Treasure Bead kept trembling.
At this moment, the Phoenix Furnace suddenly swelled to several zhang in size, viciously ramming toward the Mystic Armor Crocodile and sending it flying.
"Burn!"
The flames transformed into three giant pythons, coiling around the Mystic Armor Crocodile. The dark blue light screen around its body shattered in an instant. It could only use its scales to resist the burning Phoenix Separation flames.
Its scales were extremely hard. Even being scorched by the flames, they only turned slightly red.
Of course, if this continued, the Mystic Armor Crocodile would ultimately just be burned to death.
It immediately wanted to dive back into the lake, but Xu Chuan moved faster. He instantly cast a superior-grade ice element spell, freezing the lake surface.
With Moyue protecting the Pure Water Lotus, it remained unaffected.
Xu Chuan also activated the Spirit Condensing Technique. His execution was considerably more powerful than Ren Xiaoyao's.
The Mystic Armor Crocodile opened its mouth in a pained cry. At that moment, a crimson light instantly entered the Mystic Armor Crocodile's mouth, crushing its internal organs and bursting out through its belly.
The Mystic Armor Crocodile died on the spot.
Ren Xiaoyao flew over, scratching his head, "Grand Elder, that Azure Mist Fox ran too fast. It also has the ability to erase its own aura. I..."
"No matter. But next time when facing multiple enemies, remember to consider all angles. Even if you defeat ninety-nine people but lose to one, that's still defeat.
Defeat can mean death!"
Ren Xiaoyao clasped his fists, "Xiaoyao will remember the Grand Elder's teachings."
Xu Chuan took the three-petaled Pure Water Lotus. The two humans and one flood dragon continued deeper eastward.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Xu Chuan and Ren Xiaoyao experienced seven or eight battles, large and small.
Small battles involved being besieged by a dozen or twenty late-stage Qi Refining demon beasts. Large battles involved encountering mid-stage Foundation Establishment demon beasts.
They were also once pursued by large numbers of demon beasts and could only flee for their lives.
This trip, they eliminated eight early-stage Foundation Establishment demon beasts and three mid-stage ones.
Among them was a sixth layer Foundation Establishment Two-Headed Azure Scale Python. After Xu Chuan and Ren Xiaoyao struggled for half an hour without prevailing, Moyue took action and killed it.
If not for Xu Chuan's abundant supply of essence restoration and healing pills, plus having Moyue as a bodyguard, they probably would have left the Azure Sea Forest long ago.
However, this trip wasn't wasted. They obtained numerous demon beast materials, plus two thousand-year spirit herbs, three spirit medicines like the Pure Water Lotus, and seven or eight common herbs of five or six hundred years.
Most precious was the five-thousand-year Earth Heart Jade Marrow Mushroom accidentally discovered in an underground cavern.
This spirit medicine possessed bottleneck-breaking efficacy.
It was also effective for Foundation Establishment bottlenecks.
Using this spirit medicine to refine pills would approach the efficacy of Foundation Establishment Pills.
"Time to return." Xu Chuan said lightly, glancing around, "After fleeing for our lives so many times, who knows where we've ended up?"
"What's there to fear? With this seat here, how could we encounter danger?"
Moyue led the way.
Half a day later.
"Grand Elder, there seems to be movement ahead." Ren Xiaoyao said.
"Don't create unnecessary complications!" Xu Chuan said, preparing to change direction but Moyue said, "Too late. Their divine sense has already discovered us. They're heading this way."