Demonic Cultivator(216-221) (Patreon)

Chapter 216: Another Betrayal

Chu Xuan stood among the crowd in Heavenly Sword City, his eyebrows raising as he read the posted notice. The bounty for Zhang Xingshan was higher than the reward of Huikong. What secrets did Zhang Xingshan harbor, or rather, what was the true nature of that seed?

Silently, Chu Xuan retreated from the crowd, lost in thought. The appearance of Reincarnation Divine Church cultivators in Heavenly Sword City indicated they were seeking Shangguan Hao.

This implied that Shangguan Hao might know what the seed was. To the current Chu Xuan, Shangguan Hao, merely at the early stage of Nascent Soul, was not a formidable opponent. Yun Zhongyu had posed little challenge, and thus Shangguan Hao would be even easier to handle.

However, Chu Xuan had already discerned Shangguan Hao's habits. The man kept to his abode, rarely venturing out, with his subordinates handling nearly all affairs. How could Chu Xuan gain control over him?

If he were to storm the residence, he doubted he could break through the dwelling's protective formations quickly. If Shangguan Hao had time to react, the situation would deteriorate. Chu Xuan could imagine his whereabouts becoming known soon after, leading to a perilous state of being hunted.

The worst outcome would be the necessity to reveal the Blood Mirror, using it to escape right under the watchful eyes of many. That would be troublesome. He might never be able to return to the extraterritorial battlefield, as there could always be someone waiting on the other side of the Blood Mirror, ready to catch him as he emerged.

"Rash actions are unwise," Chu Xuan concluded. "I should lie low in Heavenly Sword City. Surely, Shangguan Hao cannot stay secluded in his dwelling forever."

Chu Xuan calmed his mind and made a plan. He spent some effort to bribe a low-level Golden Core cultivator residing above Shangguan Hao's mansion, claiming he wished to meet Shangguan Hao and inquiring about the times he might emerge from seclusion.

The other party, suspecting nothing amiss, agreed immediately. After all, Shangguan Hao was the lord of Heavenly Sword City, a prestigious Nascent Soul cultivator. Many sought an audience with him, and Chu Xuan's actions did not draw any particular attention—mostly thanks to the substantial sincerity he had shown with his bribe.

In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed on the extraterritorial battlefield, while five years had elapsed on Blue Star. Chu Xuan spent most of his time on Blue Star practicing the "Thousand Refinement Dragon Elephant Technique," but he never allowed himself to become too immersed in it.

Periodically, he would return to Heavenly Sword City to check on Shangguan Hao's movements. Despite his intermittent training schedule, supported by the substantial flesh of the Nether Crocodiles, Chu Xuan had elevated his physical cultivation to the thirty-first level. This realm was now comparable to the combat power of a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator.

Furthermore, when Chu Xuan had time to spare, he would stroll around Heavenly Sword City, purchasing anything he needed on a whim. He took an interest in several poison scriptures and bought them all in one go.

Additionally, he acquired a breath-concealment technique from the auction house. Previously, he had cultivated the "Turtle Breath Technique," a Foundation Establishment Stage method that allowed him to freely alter the strength of his aura.

However, this technique was less effective now that he was beyond the Foundation Establishment Stage. He had since upgraded to the "Abyssal Return Method," a top-tier Golden Core breath-concealment technique with only three levels. If cultivated to the highest level, one could even learn a secret art of feigning death, embodying the essence of the Path of Survival.

Although cultivating the "Abyssal Return Method" did not significantly increase his overall power, it substantially enhanced his survivability.

During his wanders, Chu Xuan also encountered several old acquaintances. For instance, there was the middle-aged cultivator Duan Que, who had changed his appearance and even his name to "Ning Que."

His once bald head was now covered with thick black hair, making one suspect he had experience in fleeing. Others, like Wan Wuying, Zhao Wuya, and Huang Yuanwu, were conducting their cautious small businesses in Heavenly Sword City, which mostly involved occasional assassinations and treasure robberies.

Yet, they were clearly still troubled by the scarcity of Nascent Soul spiritual items. Like them, many other robbers did not receive much attention from Shangguan Hao, who seldom expended effort to manage the robbers around Heavenly Sword City.

Moreover, the trio knew well whom they could provoke and whom they could not, and thus they never attracted any formidable enemies. Life was relatively comfortable for them.

Chu Xuan recognized them, but they could not recognize him. His skill in disguise was not quite at the pinnacle, but it was certainly masterful. Even some Nascent Soul cultivators might not see through his disguise. Chu Xuan had no desire to reveal his identity to them, as that could potentially invite unnecessary trouble.

As Chu Xuan patiently waited, an opportunity finally presented itself. Shangguan Hao emerged from seclusion! Surprisingly, though he nominally entered the Shangguan family estate, he actually changed his appearance and secretly slipped out the back door, leaving the city!

"Interesting indeed, who could he be meeting so secretly?" Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow in curiosity. He remembered that Shangguan Hao once had an affair with his female disciple, and he was known for being under his wife's strict control. It was very likely that this outing was for a clandestine rendezvous with a woman. With a smack of his lips, Chu Xuan too left the city.

However, no sooner had he mingled with the crowd and passed through the gates than he noticed two figures also discreetly leaving Heavenly Sword City within the throng. He recognized their faces instantly; they were the two Reincarnation Divine Sect cultivators who had visited Heavenly Sword City that day. One was at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul, and the other at the early stage. It appeared they were following Shangguan Hao as well.

Chu Xuan's interest grew stronger.

Could it be... that catching a cheater now required the involvement of the upper sect? Since when had the Reincarnation Divine Sect been so strict about the personal conduct of its disciples?

Something didn't add up.

Silently, Chu Xuan followed them.

...

Six hundred li south of Heavenly Sword City, there lay a region riddled with numerous caverns known as Thousand Caverns. The dark grottos within could suddenly erupt with thousands of nether crocodiles. It was common for cultivators from Heavenly Sword City to come here to clear out ancient beast remains.

From a distance, Chu Xuan saw Shangguan Hao enter one of the caverns of Thousand Caverns. The two from the Reincarnation Divine Sect followed him inside. Chu Xuan was puzzled but then, the cavern erupted with earth-shattering explosions.

Boom!

Four figures suddenly flew out, engaging in pairs.

"Shangguan Hao, you dare to leak the sacred secrets of our sect to the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect; you deserve death!" roared the younger Nascent Soul cultivator of the Reincarnation Divine Sect.

Shangguan Hao said nothing and fought while retreating, clearly outmatched by the younger Nascent Soul cultivator. The other combat scene was not so one-sided; it saw the Reincarnation Divine Sect's Nascent Soul cultivator being overpowered by a figure in black.

Hidden in the shadows, Chu Xuan realized his mistake. It turned out Shangguan Hao was meeting with someone from the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect, betraying the secrets of the Reincarnation Divine Sect.

How misleading.

Yet as he pondered, Chu Xuan recalled information about the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect. This sect was a formidable sixth-tier cultivation sect, on par with the Reincarnation Divine Sect. The two had been at odds for thousands of years, a rivalry marked by intense animosity.

Two thousand years ago, the Reincarnation Divine Sect had even seized two resource-rich cultivation stars from the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect. But now, the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect was rising, ready to turn the tables.

Shangguan Hao's actions were nothing short of treachery against the Reincarnation Divine Sect. What awaited him was a fearsome crackdown. What benefits had the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect offered to tempt Shangguan Hao into such betrayal?

Chapter 217: How long do you intend to hide?

Boom, boom, boom!

The battle among the four Nascent Soul cultivators was truly earth-shattering. The aftermath of their fight alone was enough to alter the landscape. The noise and fury of their battle soon caught the attention of some bandit cultivators in the vicinity.

As word spread, it drew more attention from other wandering bandit cultivators. Their gazes locked onto Shangguan Hao and the others like hyenas watching a group of lions, ready to pounce at any sign of weakness. To these cultivators, Nascent Soul ancestors were usually lofty figures.

Yet, should these elders be gravely injured in battle, they too would face nothing but death if confronted by bandit cultivators.

The bandit cultivators waited patiently. They awaited the fall of the mighty lion so they could swarm and feast on the remains.

Among them, Wan Wuying and his companions, also bandit cultivators, had also noticed the battle among the four Nascent Soul cultivators from a distance. Huang Yuanwu was tempted to join and claim his share of the spoils.

However, Wan Wuying cautioned him, "The strife of Nascent Soul cultivators is not something we can meddle in. If you wish to take a share, first assess if you have the means to do so."

After some deliberation, Huang Yuanwu and Zhao Wuya nodded repeatedly, suppressing their restless thoughts.

Chu Xuan, unlike most bandit cultivators who were drawn close to the Thousand Caverns, kept himself well hidden. He could see that Shangguan Hao was no ordinary cultivator.

Throughout the confrontation, Shangguan Hao had remained silent amidst the Reincarnation Divine Sect cultivators' roars and curses, possibly holding back a trump card—perhaps reinforcements or a strategic formation. Thus, Chu Xuan refrained from indulging in the fantasy that the others might wound each other grievously.

As expected, the fight among the Nascent Souls had barely lasted a moment when an agent from the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect, dressed in black, seized an opportunity. With a fierce punch, he penetrated the skull of the early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator from the Reincarnation Divine Sect. His Nascent Soul barely escaped the body before the black-clothed man casually captured it and tossed it into a bag.

During the battle, this agent had not revealed his cultivation in bodily refinement. Instead, he struck in an instant when a flaw was exposed, demonstrating admirable judgment and timing.

In the blink of an eye, the situation shifted to two against one, encircling the mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator from the Reincarnation Divine Sect.

Shangguan Hao spoke indifferently, "Don't bother trying to send the information out. Around these Thousand Caverns, I've already laid out a formation well in advance. Once inside, no one can leave. As for the transmission jade, it's equally incapable of sending out even the slightest bit of information. Ming Rui, you might as well surrender here!" With that, he took out a formation disk and suddenly activated it.

Ming Rui's gaze sharpened as he immediately surveyed his surroundings. As expected, a protective barrier had risen around the Thousand Caverns.

Sword qi surged endlessly around them, attacking anyone attempting to leave the area. The bandit cultivators showed signs of fear and desperately tried to escape, only to be sliced into countless pieces by the fierce sword qi in an instant.

Chu Xuan noticed the soaring sword qi as well and raised an eyebrow in response. Shangguan Hao had set a deep trap for Ming Rui to fall into, inadvertently ensnaring the marauding bandit cultivators who plagued the vicinity of Heavenly Sword City as well.

Fortunately, Chu Xuan had remained cautious and kept a significant distance from the Thousand Caverns, thus he was outside the range of the formation. A quick glance was enough for him to recognize the formation as one of the Nascent Soul level, with the controlling disk still in Shangguan Hao's hands.

Had he been too greedy and ventured closer, he might have been caught inside the formation. With his current strength, even though he might have been able to break free, it would have forced him to reveal many of his hidden capabilities.

Praising himself for his cautious nature, Chu Xuan continued to watch the unfolding events from beyond the formation.

Meanwhile, the black-clothed man from the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect let out a sinister chuckle, "Hehehe, you must be a disciple of True Master Tiancang, right? Today, another one dies by my hand."

Ming Rui's pupils contracted, "Senior Brother Yun Zhongyu was killed by you?"

The man in black only laughed strangely, "I would have liked to kill him, but alas, he didn't die by my hand." He continued, "True Master Tiancang loves to cultivate disciples with spiritual bodies, nurturing them for hundreds of years before slaughtering them to extend his own life, claiming their deaths as accidents."

"You must be still in the dark, right?" he taunted.

Ming Rui's pupils shrank drastically, his mind deeply shaken.

"Die!"

Shangguan Hao took this opportunity to burst forth, attacking in tandem with the black-clothed man from left and right.

Despite being a direct disciple of True Master Tiancang, Ming Rui could not withstand the combined assault. He tried several times to break out from the encirclement of Shangguan Hao and the black-clad man, but the sword qi formation forced him back each time. Soon, he was gravely wounded and on his last breath.

In a final act of desperation, he roared, "I only ask one thing, is what you said true? Did my master really... slaughter my senior brothers? Tell me, so I can die with some understanding!"

The man in black sneered, "I was once a disciple of True Master Tiancang myself, and I barely escaped with my life. At this point, I have no reason to lie to you."

With a furious roar, Ming Rui died from exhaustion, his body plummeting towards the ground.

Within the formation, Shangguan Hao and the black-clothed man had nearly annihilated all the bandit cultivators, claiming their storage bags for themselves.

The two bandit cultivators knelt before Shangguan Hao, pleading for mercy, "Master! We have always served you loyally, plundering loose cultivators on your behalf. It was also at your behest that we spread the word to lure these bandit cultivators here, please grant us a chance to live..."

Before they could finish their plea, Shangguan Hao unleashed a slash of sword qi. Their heads soared into the air, and they died without understanding why Shangguan Hao had killed them so readily.

The man in black let out a strange chuckle, "Fellow Daoist Shangguan, you're quite decisive in killing your disciples."

Shangguan Hao gave a slight smile, "They were merely deeply malevolent bandit cultivators, deserving of death. These two were once my disciples, but long ago we lost any master-disciple affection. It is only right that I eliminate them for the greater good."

The man in black smiled silently.

Shangguan Hao looked around to make sure no one else had survived. He nodded in satisfaction. With no third party left alive, there was no one to know they had met.

Turning to the man in black, Shangguan Hao bowed respectfully, "Emissary, the disappearance of Ming Rui will sooner or later attract the attention of that old ghost Tiancang. He has the ability to divine the future. If he suspects that Ming Rui is dead, he might trace it back to me. I intended to remain in this extraterritorial battlefield to seek out the Taotie Tree species for the sect, but I am not strong enough on my own..."

The man in black chuckled softly. He could clearly hear what Shangguan Hao was implying: he wanted the protection of the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect.

The man in black pulled out a blood-colored gem and tossed it to Shangguan Hao. "This gem contains a drop of True Master Tiancang's blood essence. I refined it specifically to counteract his divination. The personal imprint on the blood has been removed, so it cannot be sensed by Tiancang. Even if Tiancang uses a significant portion of his lifespan to divine the future, at most he can discover that Ming Rui died in the Thousand Caverns, but he won't be able to trace it back to you. Keep this gem with you and continue your search for the Taotie Tree seeds without worry."

Shangguan Hao was overjoyed, "Yes! Thank you, Emissary! I will certainly devote himself entirely to the sect, heart and soul!"

The man in black let out a strange laugh and with a light step, his figure vanished like a gust of wind.

Shangguan Hao did not leave immediately. Instead, he looked around carefully. After a long while, he suddenly spoke, his face showing a cold expression, "How long do you intend to hide?"

Chu Xuan sneered silently, remaining hidden in his spot.

After a while, Shangguan Hao nodded in satisfaction, "It seems there really is no one else around, very good..."

Chapter 218: Everything Can Be Discussed!

Shangguan Hao's face beamed with joy as he made his way toward Heavenly Sword City. This journey could indeed be described as killing three birds with one arrow.

Firstly, he had connected with the formidable Heaven Shaking Divine Sect, securing the promise of a bottle of Deity Nurturing Elixir, which would aid in his soul transformation. Secondly, by eliminating Ming Rui, he was no longer hindered nor worried about being discovered by True Master Tiancang. Thirdly, he had eradicated most of the marauding cultivators around Heavenly Sword City. It was a triple victory!

Shangguan Hao could hardly contain his pride at his own cleverness. However, he had barely escaped a few dozen zhang when a chilling sensation prickled at his back, and an immense sense of foreboding arose within him. Without hesitation, Shangguan Hao immediately cast a defensive spell and activated his protective magic treasure.

Boom!

Two ghost kings, one in front and one behind, swung their five lifebound ghost weapons furiously, smashing down with terrifying force.

Boom!

The power of the second-tier ghost kings was indeed formidable. In an instant, they shattered Shangguan Hao's defensive spell. His protective magic treasure let out a mournful cry, its light dimming instantly before plummeting to the ground.

Shangguan Hao's pupils constricted sharply. He recognized these two ghost kings! They were the very ones who had slain Yun Zhongyu under the command of a Golden Core monk!

Shangguan Hao was petrified. He knew all too well that his own strength was no match for Yun Zhongyu's. If that Golden Core monk could kill Yun Zhongyu, he could certainly kill him with ease!

"With no grudges or grievances, why would you attack me so unprovoked, fellow daoist?" Shangguan Hao yelled, retreating rapidly while urging another protective magic treasure in front of him, hoping for a peaceful negotiation.

Chu Xuan suddenly appeared, his hair standing on end and eyes wide with fury. "Shangguan Hao, I am He Liang! Do you remember me now?" he roared. "Your Majestic Sword Sect annihilated my entire sect! This enmity cannot coexist under the same sky, die now!"

He Liang's voice thundered.

Shangguan Hao's heart skipped a beat. His most beloved female disciple had died at the hands of someone named He Liang. He had searched long and hard for him but never found his whereabouts.

The Majestic Sword Sect had destroyed many sects, making it difficult to trace which one He Liang belonged to. As time passed and new disciples came, the matter faded from his mind.

Today, with He Liang revealed himself, Shangguan Hao suddenly remembered. He also realized something. The Golden Core monk Huikong and He Liang were the same person!

It was likely that the battle at Great Chasm that night was intended for him. Fortunately, Yun Zhongyu had confronted him instead, otherwise, it would have been him facing death.

Relief washed over Shangguan Hao as he acknowledged his narrow escape.

"Fellow Daoist, please hold!" Shangguan Hao called out as he retreated. "There's room for discussion! Within the Majestic Sword Sect, there are many factions, and it's likely that another faction's cultivator destroyed your sect!"

"If you're willing, we can join forces against those responsible!" His words were earnest, filled with a plea for understanding.

Chu Xuan's expression wavered with hesitation upon hearing this. Sensing an opportunity, Shangguan Hao pressed on warmly, "I understand your concerns. Even if you've slain one of my disciples, it's of no consequence. She was spoiled and arrogant—likely she provoked you, and you had no choice but to act. This is a trivial matter, merely a single disciple!"

Chu Xuan hesitated again, momentarily easing the assault of the two ghost kings with a casual gesture. He moved closer to Shangguan Hao, skepticism mixing with curiosity. "Is that true? You would cooperate with me?"

With a reassured heart, Shangguan Hao praised his quick wit silently. "Of course! I, Shangguan Hao, have always been upright and honorable. I would never renege on a promise!" he declared confidently. "Rest assured, fellow Daoist. Just give me some time, and I will help you uncover exactly who was responsible for annihilating your sect."

Patting his chest with a vow-like sincerity, Chu Xuan seemed swayed by his words and moved even closer. "If so, I demand you make an oath-bound by your inner demons. If you fail to help me eradicate my enemies, may your cultivation stagnate!"

Cursing internally at Chu Xuan's cunning, Shangguan Hao knew he was outmatched and had no choice but to comply. He raised his right arm, beginning to swear an oath.

Before he could finish, a massive palm formed from a concentrated spiritual sense slammed down! With a booming sound, it smashed directly into Shangguan Hao's sea of sense.

Shangguan Hao's own spiritual sense instinctively formed into a massive shield to counter, but his defensive secret technique was far inferior to Chu Xuan's. Moreover, Chu Xuan's attack was long-premeditated and enhanced with a strand of his soul essence, nearly doubling its destructive power.

In just an instant, Shangguan Hao's spiritual sense shattered like glass. The Great Devouring Palm erupted with a powerful suction force, sweeping away his spiritual sense in one swift motion, continuing unabated into his sea of sense. At this critical moment, his spirit suffered severe damage, and even his Nascent Soul had no chance to escape.

Shangguan Hao's eyes went blank as if his system had crashed.

Chu Xuan swiftly employed a soul search technique. Normally, soul search could only be used on those with weaker spirits, and as a Golden Core cultivator, it should have been difficult for Chu Xuan to search the soul of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

However, with Shangguan Hao's spirit severely compromised and Chu Xuan's own spirit far surpassing most Golden Core and even some False Soul cultivators, he faced no resistance.

Quickly, Chu Xuan perused Shangguan Hao's memories clearly. He then snapped Shangguan Hao's neck, tossing his body into the corpse tower for puppets to feast upon.

Afterward, he cast a Corpse Refining Blood Fire to obliterate all traces of the battle from the area before vanishing without a trace.

Blue Star.

Chu Xuan sat comfortably in a soft chair, sipping on steaming spirit tea while recalling everything he had seen through the Soul Search technique.

"The Taotie Tree seeds... Under mysterious orders, Zhang Xingshan stole them. Consequently, the sect has set a substantial bounty to capture him alive and retrieve the seeds. The sect's Holy Maiden, Leng Hanshuang, even enlisted True Master Tiancang to locate the Taotie Tree seeds. Yet, they could not pinpoint their exact location.

Another disciple of True Master Tiancang, Ming Rui, was tasked with secretly finding the location of the seeds. Trusting Shangguan Hao as a friend, Ming Rui confided in him, hoping to jointly discover the whereabouts of the seeds. However, witnessing the dismal fate of the Feather Transformation Heaven Palace and swayed by the lucrative offers from the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect, Shangguan Hao decided to side with them instead..."

Chu Xuan clicked his tongue.

Everything was connected now. As the men in black from the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect had said, once the Taotie Tree seeds grow, they could consume an entire cultivation planet, leaving nothing behind. This rare and uniquely terrifying entity had been universally condemned by the top-tier cultivation sects, including both the Reincarnation Divine Sect and the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect.

An extermination order was issued: should the Taotie Tree seeds or saplings be discovered, everything within a thousand li would be annihilated, leaving no living being behind. This was because the seeds could parasitize a living host, lying dormant until the opportunity to sprout anew arose.

Chapter 219: Devour!

The elder of the Reincarnation Divine Sect, unbeknownst to others, had acquired a seed of the Taotie Tree, aiming to use it to break through to a higher realm. Now, he has gone missing. Given this knowledge, the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect could not stand idly by and watch the Reincarnation Divine Sect engage in such cruel and inhumane deeds.

"It's mostly because we cannot bear to see the Reincarnation Divine Sect use the Taotie Tree seeds for such destructive purposes," they argued, "not to prevent their elder from ascending to a higher realm."

"I understand, I understand," Chu Xuan chuckled lightly. After a brief laugh, he stroked his chin, contemplating the uses of the Taotie Tree seed.

At first glance, it seemed to be an immensely terrifying and evil entity, untouchable by all. Yet even the Nascent Soul elder of the Reincarnation Divine Sect had planned to use it to overcome his own cultivation hurdles. Perhaps, Chu Xuan mused, he could also use it to break through some of his difficult bottlenecks.

"Let's first check what's inside Shangguan Hao's storage bag," he decided. "As a Nascent Soul elder of the Majestic Sword Sect and the patriarch of the Shangguan family, he surely had a substantial treasure trove."

After meticulously erasing Shangguan Hao's spiritual imprint on the storage bag, Chu Xuan opened it.

"Over two hundred thousand small spiritual stones!" he exclaimed. "More than ten thousand medium spiritual stones! A jade pendant of essence blood! Two bottles of Core Transforming Elixir! Two jars of Gold Fragment Mud!"

Chu Xuan marveled at the wealth. It seemed Shangguan Hao had amassed quite a fortune after swallowing up the Lei family's assets. Chu Xuan had spent a considerable amount of his spiritual stones on acquiring the "Abyssal Return Method" and several toxicology scripts. Shangguan Hao's timely delivery had significantly replenished his resources.

The CoreTransforming Elixir and Gold Fragment Mud were likely intended for the younger generations of the Shangguan family. It was unfortunate, however, that there was no Deity Nurturing Elixir.

But then again, it made sense. Even Yun Zhongyu, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, didn't possess such Deity Transformation level items in his storage. Being only at the early stage of Nascent Soul, Shangguan Hao wouldn't have much use for such high-level spiritual objects. He likely would have offered them to stronger Nascent Soul cultivators in exchange for items he needed more immediately.

Moreover, even if Chu Xuan had received a bottle of Deity Nurturing Elixir now, it would essentially be useless to him. Holding such a potent item was akin to holding a hot potato—difficult to wield and even harder to trade. When the time came for its use, who knew how many years might have passed?

"These Nascent Soul spiritual items are more than enough for my breakthrough into the Nascent Soul stage," Chu Xuan noted with certainty. "The success rate is absolutely one hundred percent!"

He nodded in satisfaction, counting the treasures before him: three Soul Breaking Spikes, two bottles of Core Transforming Elixir, and two jars of Gold Fragment Mud. Probably only the two holy sons of the Reincarnation Divine Sect could expect such generous provisions.

But, considering they were qualified to be holy sons of a sixth-tier cultivation sect, their talents must be extraordinary. Likely, they possessed what were called Heavenly Spiritual Roots and probably didn't even need that many Nascent Soul objects.

Chu Xuan estimated that the Nascent Soul spiritual objects he had could be enough for four late-stage Golden Core cultivators to attempt their breakthrough into the Nascent Soul stage. Of course, if one was truly fearless, even a single Nascent Soul spiritual item might suffice for the advancement!

Carefully stowing away the Nascent Soul objects, Chu Xuan had no plans to rush his progression to Nascent Soul. While he had ample resources, his own mental state also played a significant role in the process. If one were anxious or panicky at the time of advancement, the likelihood of success would definitely be compromised. A tranquil and steady mind was essential for a true breakthrough into the Nascent Soul realm.

Chu Xuan then took out the jade pendant containing the essence blood. He pondered over it; the black-robed men from the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect had given this item to Shangguan Hao, claiming it had the power to counteract True Master Tiancang's divinatory abilities.

Currently lacking the materials needed to craft Acquired Miraculous Jade, there was no immediate need to destroy this treasure to extract the essence blood. He decided to wait until he had a suitable cauldron that could extract an acquired spiritual body before proceeding.

For now, the jade pendant would serve to shield against divination.

Chu Xuan pulled a wooden box from his storage bag and and flew toward the distant horizon. Soon, he arrived above the East Sea, to the east of the Han country, where he found a small island. He descended there and began to set up an array of formations.

Mist, defense, attack... Chu Xuan employed intricate methods like layered and nested formations. He laid down eight different formations in total before he finally allowed himself a sigh of relief. Given the terrifying nature of the Taotie Tree seed, he had to prepare thoroughly before attempting to harness its power.

Only after all these preparations did Chu Xuan solemnly take out the Taotie Tree seed. He didn't handle it directly with his hands but instead used his spiritual sense to carry it, ensuring every precaution was maintained against such a dangerous entity.

Chu Xuan was concerned that exposing the Taotie Tree seed to Spiritual Qi might trigger horrifying effects. According to the description from the black-robed men of the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect, the Taotie Tree seed thrived on cultivation stars rich in Spiritual Qi, showing disdain for those devoid of it. Perhaps, to the Taotie Tree, stars lacking in Spiritual Qi were like distasteful food.

At that moment, the dull-gray Taotie Tree seed hovered in mid-air, seemingly harmless. Chu Xuan took out a blood pearl and flicked it towards the seed. Upon contact, the seed dropped towards the ground. Instantly, two slender tendrils extended from the seed, wrapping around the blood pearl and absorbing it in the blink of an eye.

After devouring the blood pearl, the tendrils quickly multiplied from two to three, and they writhed as if seeking more. Pondering this, Chu Xuan continued to toss more blood pearls. Before long, the area around the Taotie Tree seed sprouted a dense mass of slender tendrils, which was quite unsettling to behold.

As Chu Xuan flicked another blood pearl, the seed seemed less interested, even actively repelling the pearl.

"It's getting picky now," he noted. He then threw a larger blood pearl. True to his prediction, numerous tendrils surged forward and devoured it instantly. In just a moment, one of the tendrils thickened significantly, growing almost three times its original size.

Chu Xuan extended his spiritual sense to make contact, hoping to perhaps communicate or understand it better. However, within the Taotie Tree seed, there was only a pure, insatiable desire to consume. No matter how Chu Xuan tried to connect, the only response he received was a singular, overwhelming impulse: Eat!

"I'll just keep eating!" The seed seemed to proclaim with its actions, relentless in its hunger.

Chu Xuan's mouth twitched involuntarily. He had initially thought that the Taotie Tree seed might be akin to a demonic beast, one with which he could possibly forge a soul contract. However, this creature was entirely resistant to such notions. It knew only hunger, making it impossible to establish any soul pact.

At this moment, having not consumed anything for a few seconds, the seed's tendrils began to thrash about more frantically, as if intending to destroy everything in their vicinity.

Chu Xuan snorted coldly. His spiritual sense condensed into a needle-like spike, which he thrust sharply at the seed. The Taotie Tree seed emitted a piercing scream of fear, retracting all its tendrils back into its shell, remaining motionless like a turtle.

"This thing is truly sinister," Chu Xuan muttered. "Currently, there seems to be no way to control it... Perhaps only those higher-ranked cultivators know how to truly master it."

Shaking his head, Chu Xuan acknowledged the failure of his attempt. Nevertheless, it didn't particularly bother him. He decided to just keep the seed as it was. As long as he didn't feed it too much, it wouldn't grow. He had already set up multiple layers of formations around the area. With a few corpse puppets and ghosts left as guards, he could ensure absolute security.

Chapter 220: Where Can One Find the Top-tier Nascent Soul Technique?

After securing the Taotie Tree seed, Chu Xuan returned to his main base. With the Nascent Soul spiritual substances already in hand, the only thing missing was a suitable Nascent Soul technique.

"Finding a Nascent Soul technique is actually easier than acquiring Nascent Soul spiritual substances," he mused. "Families that have produced Nascent Soul cultivators generally possess such techniques, and they are often available at auction houses. However, finding the most suitable technique for myself is crucial."

Chu Xuan returned to Heavenly Sword City on the extraterritorial battlefield, where three days had passed since the grand battle involving four Nascent Soul cultivators.

The sudden disappearance of Shangguan Hao had left Heavenly Sword City leaderless. Seizing the opportunity, the Majestic Sword Sect sent a new Nascent Soul cultivator, Ximen Changqing, to take control.

The city's name remained unchanged, and while the Shangguan family still existed, their power had significantly diminished. Now, monks from the Majestic Sword Sect managed Heavenly Sword City, effectively turning it from the private domain of the Shangguan family into the second major city of the Majestic Sword Sect.

The newly appointed Nascent Soul cultivator took vigorous action against the marauding cultivators around the city, which suited Chu Xuan well. This would likely attract more people to Heavenly Sword City to do business and auction treasures acquired from the extraterritorial battlefield.

Chu Xuan did not enter the second-tier cave dwelling he had previously rented but instead re-entered Heavenly Sword City with a new identity.

"Identity, name, and purpose of visit," a cultivator from the Majestic Sword Sect asked calmly.

Chu Xuan replied with a smile, "He Liang from the Mystic Azure Star's Heavenly Seal Sect. I have some knowledge of alchemy and am here to conduct some small-scale business."

The expression of the Majestic Sword Sect cultivator immediately turned more respectful. He handed over an identity jade slip, saying, "Alchemist He, please, you are most welcome."

In the world of cultivation, formation masters were held in the highest regard, followed closely by alchemists. To many cultivators, alchemists were highly sought after.

Chu Xuan, having absorbed the Acquired Miraculous Jade and developed the "True Blood Elixir Body," indeed had a fair understanding of alchemy. With his current abilities, he could casually produce any pill below the Nascent Soul stage. Even if the quality was subpar, adding a drop of essence blood could forcibly enhance the pill's quality. However, he would never add his essence blood to pills intended for others, as it could potentially leave evidence that could be used against him.

Upon entering Heavenly Sword City, Chu Xuan first rented a second-tier cave dwelling and then leased a shop in the city's Pill Pavilion. He then began to operate under the genteel guise of "Alchemist He," focusing solely on acquiring a suitable Nascent Soul technique without stirring up trouble. Of course, if someone insisted on causing trouble, he wouldn't mind hastening their journey to the afterlife.

In Heavenly Sword City, one month later, Chu Xuan was earning the respect and gratitude of many for his alchemical skills.

A Golden Core cultivator, almost in tears and on the verge of kneeling, praised him, "Alchemist He, several alchemists in this city have tried and failed, yet you succeeded in creating the pill! I cannot thank you enough!"

Chu Xuan helped the cultivator up, saying modestly, "Creating medicines is simply my duty."

"No need for excessive thanks, just focus on your cultivation with this pill," Chu Xuan advised.

"Yes!" the Golden Core cultivator replied gratefully.

After the cultivator left, Chu Xuan reviewed his earnings and couldn't help but marvel at the lucrative nature of being an alchemist. He had access to precious pill recipes for free, retained any excess pills he produced, charged a fee for his services, and still received heartfelt gratitude.

When Chu Xuan initially hung out his shingle for alchemy, few sought his services—after all, cultivators prefer alchemists they know and trust. However, as word of his abilities spread, more and more cultivators began seeking him out. Now, he was as well-known as the long-established alchemists in Heavenly Sword City.

"Too much attention can be a bad thing," Chu Xuan mused. "A couple of failures aren't enough; it seems I might need to botch a few more batches to avoid envy from the other alchemists."

Lounging in a wicker chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully, Chu Xuan noticed two individuals watching him. He pretended not to see them, continuing to browse through alchemical texts. Despite his enhanced talents due to the True Blood Elixir Body, he understood the need for constant study and practice to truly master the art of alchemy.

After the two onlookers left, Chu Xuan's suspicions grew. He had been observed covertly several times recently. Initially, he thought his disguise might have been penetrated and kept his spells at the ready when returning to his cave dwelling. Yet, there had been no confrontation; it seemed they were just watching.

Chu Xuan also realized that not just he but other alchemists in Heavenly Sword City were being watched. It appeared someone was targeting alchemists, but since there had been no direct action, Chu Xuan chose to play ignorant.

That evening, after closing his shop, he attended an auction before returning to his cave dwelling. This routine had defined his days over the past month. During this time, he had acquired several Nascent Soul techniques, mostly of medium quality, with only one considered superior.

"Where can one find the top-tier Nascent Soul technique?" Chu Xuan sighed in resignation, the search continuing to elude him.

...

That day, as Chu Xuan casually strolled through Pill Pavilion, searching for alchemical ingredients he needed, he noticed two cultivators standing outside his rented shop, seemingly waiting for someone. His gaze lingered on them briefly, sensing something unusual about the pair.

The male cultivator had a distinguished and handsome appearance, his robes fluttering elegantly. The female cultivator was robust and vibrant, resembling a blooming peony.

His junior, who was helping at the shop, spotted Chu Xuan from a distance and hurriedly called out, "Alchemist He! You're finally back! This is Xun Zhao, senior Xun, he specifically came to see you!"

Chu Xuan looked at the two with a hint of surprise. After Shangguan Hao's mysterious disappearance, Heavenly Sword City had been left without a leader, plunging into disarray.

The Majestic Sword Sect quickly seized the opportunity and appointed a Nascent Soul cultivator, Ximen Changqing, to take charge of the city. Most Nascent Soul cultivators spent their time in seclusion, striving for higher realms of cultivation.

The day-to-day management of Heavenly Sword City was actually handled by Ximen Changqing's two capable disciples, his fourth disciple Wu Shang, and his sixth disciple Xun Zhao. Ximen Changqing's other disciples had either died in magical duels or disappeared on the extraterritorial battlefield.

Wu Shang, with his seniority and strength, oversaw most of the city's affairs. Only minor matters were left to Xun Zhao, the sixth disciple. Wu Shang was no ordinary cultivator. As soon as he took charge, he immediately dispatched people to search for Shangguan Hao. He seemed very diligent as if determined to see the living or find the dead.

However, Chu Xuan, having resided in Heavenly Sword City for a month, observed these developments clearly. He could tell that Wu Shang's search for Shangguan Hao was merely for show, a tactic to project diligence and responsibility. This facade was likely maintained to stabilize the city's situation and assure the local cultivators and citizens that everything was under control.

Chapter 221: Giving You a Chance, Yet You Prove Useless!

Shangguan Hao dominated alone, plotting to turn Heavenly Sword City into the private domain of the Shangguan family. Such actions had undoubtedly stirred discontent among many Nascent Soul cultivators. Shangguan Hao's mysterious disappearance was, paradoxically, a stroke of luck for the Majestic Sword Sect.

However, appearances still had to be maintained. After all, Shangguan Hao was a Nascent Soul elder of the Majestic Sword Sect. The sudden disappearance of such a distinguished elder demanded an explanation, from top to bottom.

Chu Xuan greeted Xun Zhao with a formal bow, "He Liang, greets fellow daoist Xun."

Xun Zhao chuckled, "No need for such grand gestures." He introduced, "This is Zhao Qian, fellow daoist Zhao, also an alchemist."

Chu Xuan also bowed to her. Zhao Qian, if he remembered correctly, was once the dao companion of Shangguan Hao. But now, she seemed quite close to Xun Zhao, her attitude clearly warm and intimate, indicating she had moved on. This was normal among cultivators. After all, cultivators lived much longer than mortals. If a dao companion died, one simply found another.

Chu Xuan bowed again, "May I know why fellow daoist Xun has graced my threshold today?"

Xun Zhao smiled, "This place is not suitable for speaking. Please, Master He, let's move to the third-floor private room in the Pill Pavilion. I have prepared it already."

Moments later, in the private room on the third floor of Pill Pavilion, the three of them sat facing each other.

Xun Zhao then spoke, "Master He, are you familiar with the Heavenly Lifespan Pill?"

Chu Xuan nodded slightly, "Of course. The Heavenly Lifespan Pill is a pill of the Deity Transformation stage, which can extend one's lifespan by three hundred years. It is indeed a precious elixir that prolongs the life of great Deity Transformation beings."

Xun Zhao continued, "Do you know how to concoct this Heavenly Lifespan Pill?"

Chu Xuan smiled, continuing, "The process of making the Heavenly Lifespan Pill is extremely intricate. First, one must concoct the Lifespan Pill of the Golden Core stage, then reforge the Lifespan Pill to make the Earth Lifespan Pill of the Nascent Soul stage. Only after reforging the Earth Lifespan Pill can one finally concoct the Heavenly Lifespan Pill. On average, one hundred Lifespan Pills yield only one Heavenly Lifespan Pill."

Xun Zhao clapped his hands, "Exactly! I have come in person to request that you, fellow daoist He, concoct the Heavenly Lifespan Pill."

"Of course, as a Golden Core stage alchemist, you only need to complete the first step, which is the concoction of the Lifespan Pill." He smiled, "This is a task assigned by the Reincarnation Tower. Should you do well, Nascent Soul spiritual items, soul transformation techniques, and various magic treasures are yours to choose from!"

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow.

The Reincarnation Tower? From Shangguan Hao's memories, he knew that the Reincarnation Divine Church controlled an extraterritorial battlefield, where a Reincarnation Tower was established.

The tower housed cultivators from the Reincarnation Divine Church, possibly Nascent Soul or even Deity Transformation cultivators. This particular extraterritorial battlefield's Reincarnation Tower was guarded by the True Master Tiancang Deity, a Transformation cultivator.

"Is it True Master Tiancang who needs the Heavenly Lifespan Pill?" Chu Xuan pressed.

Xun Zhao smiled affirmatively, "Indeed."

"All alchemists must go to the Reincarnation Tower, with materials supplied by True Master Tiancang, so there's no need to worry about failing the pill concoction," he explained. "If you handle this well, you're certain to win True Master Tiancang's favor. You might even be taken as a direct disciple by that Deity Transformation grand cultivator!

True Master Tiancang's disciples, like Yun Zhongyu and Ming Rui, are they not among the elite of the Nascent Soul cultivators? Fellow daoist Zhao Qian here has already planned to join. Would you, fellow daoist He, be willing to contribute?"

Chu Xuan appeared troubled, "I indeed wish to make an appearance before True Master Tiancang, but unfortunately, my skills in the dao of alchemy are mediocre, not yet sufficient to concoct the Lifespan Pill."

Hearing Chu Xuan's words, Xun Zhao was somewhat surprised. Such a golden opportunity to appear before a Golden Core cultivator and Chu Xuan was declining?

He had visited several alchemists who were all very eager. Xun Zhao invited him several more times, but seeing Chu Xuan still hesitant and worried about his insufficient alchemical skills slowing down the progress of the Heavenly Lifespan Pill, he eventually gave up.

Zhao Qian looked at Chu Xuan with a hint of disdain, though she hid it well and did not show it on her face. In her view, Chu Xuan was overly cautious, missing out on such a great opportunity. Such chances were rare, once in a hundred years! Giving you a chance, yet you prove useless!

Xun Zhao sighed lightly, "It's a pity... fellow daoist He, perhaps you do not realize, but you just missed a great opportunity."

Zhao Qian did not say much. In her view, she and Chu Xuan were clearly on different paths. As long as she did well in the task, she would soon become a favorite by True Master Tiancang's side.

Perhaps she could even receive the true teachings of Master Tiancang's alchemy! And become a disciple of that grand cultivator! By then, she would truly be a phoenix that has ascended from a sparrow!

Chu Xuan gave a bitter smile, "I really am insufficient in my skills and dare not undertake such a heavy responsibility. I must take my leave." With that, he turned and left.

After his departure, Xun Zhao took a sip of tea and casually asked, "Qian'er, how do you rate that man's skills in alchemy?"

Zhao Qian tapped the table thoughtfully before responding, "I have seen his pills; he seems to have not long embarked on the path of alchemy, with many failures. His skills are average, but his talent is decent. In at most twenty years, he will surpass those old fellows in Heavenly Sword City in the dao of alchemy. Give him fifty years, and he will definitely surpass me."

She sneered, "But this man is overly cautious, letting such a great opportunity slip by. With such an attitude, how can he achieve greatness? Senior brother Xun, you thought too highly of him. There was no need for you to visit him personally today; we could have just sent someone casually."

Xun Zhao sighed lightly, "I didn't expect him to be so timid... well, no matter. We have already gathered three alchemists, plus the personal contacts senior brother has drawn in, so we have indeed completed the task."

Xun Zhao grinned, "Qian'er, would you like to discuss alchemy with me?"

Zhao Qian covered her mouth and giggled, "Naturally, let's go to my place! We'll discuss on the Cold Jade Bed that old geezer Shangguan Hao bought for me!"

Laughing heartily, Xun Zhao, with an arm around Zhao Qian's slender waist, also left the Pill Pavilion.

…

Blue Star.

Chu Xuan lay on a soft chair, his understanding now clear. Recently, there had always been those who covertly observed him among other alchemists, likely gauging their talent in the dao of alchemy.

Memories of Shangguan Hao flickered through Chu Xuan's mind, causing him to shake his head repeatedly. The concoction of the Heavenly Lifespan Pill seemed merely a pretense. Those alchemists who went to the Reincarnation Tower would probably soon become fodder for True Master Tiancang.

Previously, True Master Tiancang had only consumed those with superior spiritual bodies. Why would he now target alchemists? Nevertheless, True Master Tiancang was a notorious cannibal. How could Chu Xuan concoct pills for such a person?

Moreover, he had stolen the Taotie Tree Seed and killed Yun Zhongyu and Ming Rui. Although he possessed the essence blood jade pendant, which could conceal his destiny, being so close to True Master Tiancang in the Reincarnation Tower risked exposure.

No matter how he thought about it, he should not go. As for Nascent Soul spiritual items, soul condensation techniques, and various magic treasures... he would eventually obtain them without taking such risks.

"Wait a bit longer, and a top soul condensation technique will come without haste."

With a calm mind, Chu Xuan continued his cultivation of the Great Protective Golden Wheel Scripture and other practices.