Demonic Cultivator (451-460) (Patreon)

Chapter 451: Your Life, I Shall Claim Another Day!

Chu Xuan gazed at the colossal hoof descending from the heavens, immediately recognizing it as a technique from Moon True Master's cultivation of the "Shattered Peaks Skill."

This skill envisioned a formidable ancient beast, Shattered Peak, resembling a giant tortoise, yet spanning ten thousand zhang, its massive hoofs like pillars holding up the heavens.

With a single stomp, entire mountain ranges would collapse into basins. This very hoof was one of the physical cultivation techniques from the "Shattered Peaks Skill." No wonder Moon True Master was brimming with confidence throughout—such formidable skills were already within his grasp.

However, Chu Xuan merely smiled lightly in response. You have your powerful techniques, and do I not have mine?

"Heaven Descending Furnace!"

With a low shout, Chu Xuan's blood surged wildly, coalescing into a titanic furnace above him. The moment this blood-fueled furnace materialized, Moon True Master's face displayed stark astonishment.

"How is this possible! How long have you possessed this body cultivation skill to have already mastered such a technique?!"

His heart was fraught with disbelief. How long had it been since Chu Xuan arrived at the Eight Extremes Palace? Even if by some miracle, Chu Xuan had obtained a thousand corpse demon beads on his first day, and by another stroke of fortune, found the legacy site of the Melting Furnace Hall, it would be impossible to have mastered such techniques so swiftly! These were not skills that one could simply master upon initial entry into the "Melting Furnace Skill."

Just as Moon True Master was lost in his incredulity, the blood-fueled furnace collided violently with the titanic hoof. A thunderous roar erupted, vibrating every spectator's eardrums and nerves. A ferocious gale swept across the area, hurling everyone far and wide.

Thud, thud, thud!

Zhong Tianshuo, Tie Jun, and others slammed against the broken walls and ruins, bleeding profusely and visibly shaken. Meanwhile, Hu, Long, Two Arms, and Four Arms, having braced themselves, only retreated a short distance before quickly stabilizing.

All eyes turned towards the two colossal figures formed of condensed blood in the sky. Moon True Master's expression turned unsightly in an instant. At the moment of impact, he had felt that something was amiss.

This sensation... it was all wrong!

As expected, a crisp crack resounded through the air. The colossal beast's hoof displayed a clear fracture, which, in the blink of an eye, spread like a spiderweb across its structure.

With a thunderous crash, the furnace pulverized the titanic hoof. The latter disintegrated into a cloud of blood mist, dissipating into nothingness. The blood-fueled furnace, undeterred in its trajectory, plunged directly towards Moon True Master.

Moon True Master's pupils contracted sharply, and he quickly marshaled his blood energy into a giant tortoise shell to shield himself. With a deafening boom, the blood furnace smashed down. Dust flew and stones scattered, obscuring visibility.

Zhong Tianshuo, Tie Jun, and the others stared in shock at the cloud of dust. Mixed feelings of anxiety and relief surged within them. If Moon True Master were to fall here, they would be freed from his service forever.

Chu Xuan, however, narrowed his eyes towards the dust cloud. He could sense that Moon True Master's life force had not been extinguished. Instead, it had surged unexpectedly.

"Had he taken some elixir? Or triggered some secret technique?" Chu Xuan frowned, realizing it wouldn't be so easy to kill him.

The winds howled furiously, and the dust soon cleared. A massive crater now marked the ground, and a figure suddenly burst from the pit's depths, hovering in mid-air—it was Moon True Master. His once immaculate white robe was utterly shattered, no longer bearing the semblance of a sage. Now, only tattered clothes clung to his robust, muscular frame. Covered in wounds, these healed at a visibly rapid rate.

Moon True Master looked down at Chu Xuan, his expression grim. He had three Sea Boiling Pills passed down from his ancestors—potent medicinal pellets concocted by body cultivators of the Boiling Sea Hall, designed to explosively augment one's blood energy temporarily.

These pills not only healed injuries but also enhanced strength. However, they had a significant drawback: they only lasted for half an hour. After the effect wore off, one would suffer from debilitating weakness for ten days and drop five minor cultivation levels, accompanied by severe bodily pain. In a bygone era, other medicinal pellets could be used in conjunction to mitigate these side effects, but such auxiliary medicines were long lost.

Furthermore, the ingredients for the Sea Boiling Pills were exceedingly rare, now depleted with each use. This last pill was meant for dire emergencies, and he had not anticipated having to use it in such a situation.

Chu Xuan, sensing the surge in Moon True Master's vital energies, realized that the man now matched a body cultivator of the forty-first level. They were but a minor level apart in cultivation. Still, Chu Xuan was not daunted; after all, he himself was at the forty-second level, one step above Moon True Master.

Just as Chu Xuan was about to gather his energies for another descent of the Blood Furnace, a series of unpleasant growls echoed from all directions, followed by the sounds of numerous corpse demons approaching.

Surveying his surroundings, Chu Xuan identified a number of unusually large corpse demons mingling with the throng of ordinary ones. These titanic beings were at least twice the height and strength of their counterparts, exuding an aura as formidable as that of a body cultivator of the fortieth level.

Chu Xuan recognized them instantly as the great corpse demons Zhao Xuan had mentioned. A quick count revealed at least ten of these behemoths, with ordinary ones numbering over a thousand. Surrounded by such a horde, continuing the battle was no longer advisable. It was time to break free.

As the light column next to him began to dim, the knowledge from the Boiling Sea Hall's cultivation technique melded into a sphere of light and entered Chu Xuan's mind. With a thought, he retreated, his corpse puppets and spirits in tow. Zhong Tianshuo, Tie Jun, and the others each sought their own escape, scattering from the area.

Moon True Master, eyes fixed on Chu Xuan, ground his teeth and bellowed, "Don't let him escape!" Propelling himself off the ground, he chased forward.

Chu Xuan let out a cold laugh and swiftly maneuvered through the ruins. Moon True Master, sensing something amiss, frowned, only to have his path explode with a burst of sword energy from a concealed formation.

The unexpected barrage of sword energy caught him unprepared, piercing him thoroughly. Yet, having ingested the Boiling Sea Pill, which temporarily elevated his cultivation to the forty-first level, the sword energy generated by a Nascent Soul-level formation could only slightly impede him without inflicting serious damage.

The energy dissipated with a series of clangs as Moon True Master continued his pursuit. Then came another array, and another, each ingeniously timed to slow him, forcing him to defend himself. This pattern of haste and delay allowed Chu Xuan to vanish from his sight.

A swarm of corpse demons, attracted by his robust vital energies, charged towards him—their instinct drawn irresistibly to the scent. Cursing under his breath, Moon True Master roared, "Your life, I'll take it another time!" With that, he turned and forced his way through a less crowded area to escape.

Chapter 452: Strike First

Chu Xuan watched Moon True Master's retreating figure with a faint smile. After the effects of the Boiling Sea Pill wore off, Moon True Master would rapidly weaken. For now, it was wise to avoid his peak strength. The next time they met, Moon True Master would no longer pose a threat.

Chu Xuan swiftly vanished among the ruins, reappearing within a secluded cave where he instructed Hu and Long to stand guard. He then quickly returned to the Water Curtain Cave.

Meanwhile, the clash between Chu Xuan and Moon True Master had not gone unnoticed by the other cultivators, including White Bone True Master, who had been ready to watch the fight from the shadows.

Witnessing Chu Xuan force Moon True Master into a disadvantage, White Bone True Master was thankful for his earlier decision to avoid conflict, realizing he might not have survived an encounter.

Shang Xingchen, witnessing the fight from another vantage point, felt vindicated in his decision not to vie with Chu Xuan for the other heritages. Content with just the Sky Piercing Hall inheritance, he considered following Moon True Master at a distance, hoping to capitalize on the weakening effects of the pill.

Others, like White Bone True Master and Tie Jun, shared similar thoughts.

On another front, Chu Xuan spent ten days in the Water Curtain Cave mastering the Boiling Sea Art. The first technique, "Explosive Blood Technique," sounded unassuming yet proved incredibly powerful. The technique allowed him to surge his blood energy for an hour, with only a day of weakness afterward—essentially a stronger, more efficient version of the Boiling Sea Pill but with less downtime.

Armed with this new skill, Chu Xuan's combat abilities soared. Even against Moon True Master enhanced by the Boiling Sea Pill, he could easily prevail. However, such pills were exceedingly rare, and it was likely Moon True Master had exhausted his supply.

Having already secured the inheritances of the Melting Heaven Hall and Boiling Sea Hall, only the Unceasing Hall's heritage remained. Days later, Chu Xuan, while dispatching any ill-fated corpse demons that crossed his path, effortlessly discovered the Unceasing Hall and claimed the "Unceasing Technique," unchallenged.

Chu Xuan marveled at the unique focus of the Unceasing Art, which prioritized the restoration of vitality, akin to the endless flow of rivers into the sea, constant and unending. The visualization for the art itself was that of a river, not rapid or grand, but ceaseless, flowing day and night.

Delighted with this discovery, Chu Xuan felt content with acquiring three of the Eight Extremes Palace's heritages. Any more might prove too burdensome to master thoroughly, adhering to the principle that biting off more than one can chew is seldom wise.

After securing the Unceasing Art, Chu Xuan began an urgent search for the location of the teleportation formation, guided by the information in Zhao Xuan's spiritual sense jade slip.

However, with five centuries having passed, the current state of that location and whether it had been damaged by corpse demons were unknowns that only a direct assessment could resolve.

...

Meanwhile, Moon True Master was caught in a prolonged state of debilitation. His blood had dried up, and he could no longer muster his spiritual qi. Only by relying on the power of the Boiling Sea Pill and some luck was he able to escape the encirclement of corpse demons. He could feel many eyes on him, waiting for him to fall. These onlookers were like hyenas, watching him tirelessly, yet hesitating to draw close, perhaps fearing his potential for a deadly counterattack in his final moments.

"Ahead... that should be the Celestial Star Hall," Moon True Master muttered to himself. His ancestor had once mentioned that the statue of the Celestial Star Hall would autonomously absorb stellar energy, which could heal injuries if one could make contact with it. "If I can just reach there, there may still be hope for me..."

His vision blurred, overwhelmed by the multitude of wounds that marred his body, some so deep that bone was visible, remnants of his frantic escape. While the power of the Boiling Sea Pill was active, these injuries were manageable, but now they began to fester and turn against him.

Suddenly, a vast chasm appeared before him. The path ahead had vanished, giving way to a deep, dark abyss. Looking down, he could see the glow of molten lava churning below. Moon True Master's face registered shock as he realized the devastating truth—the Celestial Star Hall was gone.

It was an impossible feat, he realized, for anyone to gather all eight legacies and leave this place. He was destined to be trapped here forever, never to escape. All his efforts and arduous journey to reach the Celestial Star Hall were in vain—the hall was gone.

With a sudden burst, Moon True Master's heart seemed to clench tightly; he opened his mouth and violently spewed fresh blood, collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud. Shang Xingchen, White Bone True Master, Tie Jun, and Zhong Tianshuo, along with other cultivators, watched from a distance, none daring to approach immediately. They looked at the severed path and the dark abyss below, their hearts sinking.

"It was said that if all heritages were obtained, one could leave," Shang Xingchen murmured, his brow deeply furrowed. "Now, it seems the Celestial Star Hall and the Hundred Rivers Hall are missing."

Could it be they were doomed never to leave?

White Bone True Master, who also possessed considerable information about the Eight Extremes Palace, shared this uncertainty. Beyond their concern over the puzzling situation, they suspected Moon True Master might be feigning death as a trap to lure them closer for slaughter. Even White Bone True Master, despite his Deity Transformation status, dared not advance—he couldn't utilize his full powers, and his physical cultivation was negligible compared to Moon True Master.

Everyone waited.

Soon, a corpse demon, drawn by the scent of the living, leaped towards Moon True Master. Brainless as it was, the demon saw no reason not to partake in the feast laid before it. Crunching sounds filled the air as it savored the rich, juicy flesh—the first it had tasted after such a long slumber.

Zhong Tianshuo was the first to move, flying towards the scene and bellowing, "Moon True Master the villain, who controlled his disciples with poison, deserves death! I'll strike first!"

White Bone True Master scoffed, "He has repeatedly encroached upon my White Bone Island's territory. His life should end by my hand!"

Chapter 453: Isn't that a bit discourteous?

Moon True Master was a Deity Transformation cultivator with no small prowess in physical cultivation, likely a descendant of an Eight Extremes Palace disciple. It was rumored he possessed an orthodox physical cultivation technique from the Palace.

The potential treasures within his universe bag made him a target for all. Under normal circumstances, White Bone True Master's intervention would deter others from acting recklessly, given his status. But in the confines of the Eight Extremes Palace, the power disparity between Deity Transformation and Nascent Soul cultivators was minimal.

Thus, White Bone True Master, Zhong Tianshuo, Tie Jun, and Shang Xingchen all sprang into action, each vying for Moon True Master's universe bag. And if they could procure his physical body as well, all the better. The body of a cultivator, especially one versed in physical arts, was a treasure trove in itself. His bones, flesh, and even skin could be transformed into magical artifacts.

...

Chu Xuan, detecting the distant clamor of battle, chuckled lightly. He had anticipated such a conflict might occur but did not expect it to be delayed until now. The Sea Boiling Pill was a double-edged sword—it could harm others as much as it harmed oneself. Should one be unable to withstand the repercussions, death might follow.

"It should be just ahead," Chu Xuan murmured as he continued forward. Soon, he discovered the sanctuary's highest teleportation array, its surroundings marked by dried blood that still bore a faint stench despite the years—a testament to the unique nature of the corpse demons.

Observing the array, Chu Xuan noted its size was significantly reduced, almost tenfold smaller than typical arrays, likely permitting only one person to pass at a time. After a thorough inspection, he sighed in relief. "Fortunately, only a corner is damaged. Repairing it shouldn't be too challenging. Had it been more extensively damaged, even I would be at a loss."

Chu Xuan shook his head, his gaze lost in contemplation. The art of array formation was as vast as the ocean, and while he had a basic grasp of alchemy and talisman crafting, his skills in the art of tool crafting and the notoriously complex array crafting were merely rudimentary.

Nevertheless, even his modest expertise was sufficient to set up and mend a Nascent Soul-level array. Though the arrays of the Deity Transformation stage were intricate, they were essentially combinations of multiple Nascent Soul-level arrays. With enough time, the principles of the teleportation array could be thoroughly understood.

Taking out a blank spiritual sense jade slip, Chu Xuan quickly recorded the array's configuration. He then retreated to a nearby dwelling, where he set up numerous defensive arrays from his universe bag, unconcerned about their potential loss. With his preparations complete, he stationed Hu and Long to guard the site, then returned to his haven in the Water Curtain Cave on Blue Star to delve deep into his studies.

Time flowed differently here; ten days in the Water Curtain Cave amounted to barely a day in the Eight Extremes Palace. Chu Xuan was determined to use this to his advantage, slowing the progression of the corpse demons as much as possible.

Water Curtain Cave.

Day by day, from ten to thirty, Chu Xuan stared intently at the complicated array before him, his eyes bloodshot and veined. The more he immersed himself in understanding the array, the more he recognized its profound and archaic intricacies. Each line seemed to resonate with the fundamental truths of the universe, immutable and unyielding.

Teleportation arrays were among the most challenging to master. Even those array masters who dabbled in Deity Transformation-level arrays started with the simplest ones, not the dauntingly complex teleportation arrays.

Thankfully, Chu Xuan needed only to focus on the damaged segment. Otherwise, even five or ten more years might not suffice for him to fully master it.

Taking a deep breath, Chu Xuan stamped his foot as four layers of merit wheels appeared behind his head. "I refuse to believe my talent for arrays is insufficient!" he roared, his voice echoing in the hollow cavern. He resumed his study with renewed fervor, and it seemed as if some cosmic force began to unravel the convoluted pathways of the array.

Suddenly, the intricate and interwoven lines, which had been layered and piled upon each other for days, became as clear as troops aligning at the command of their general. What had been a muddled mess was now unraveling before his eyes.

"Excellent!" Chu Xuan exclaimed, his spirit lifted by the revelation. "I knew my talent for arrays was extraordinary. I may not be a top-tier genius, but mending a broken corner of a teleportation array is well within my abilities."

Chu Xuan nodded in satisfaction. With a single step, he returned to the Eight Extremes Palace. As soon as he arrived, he heard Hu growling aggressively as he and Long obliterated a massive corpse demon.

Chu Xuan frowned and scanned his surroundings, only to discover more of these formidable corpse demons converging on their location. Almost no regular corpse demons were in sight, and numerous cultivators were rapidly approaching the higher reaches of the Eight Extremes Palace, where the fewest corpse demons lingered.

Unbeknownst to them, the scarcity of corpse demons in this area was due to Chu Xuan's previous visit and the thorough cleansing he had administered. Scanning the crowd, he recognized several familiar faces.

White Bone True Master, Shang Xingchen, and Zhao Kongming had all survived the ordeal, though from White Bone True Master's grim appearance, it seemed he hadn't managed to seize Moon True Master's universe bag.

Without wasting any time, Chu Xuan approached the teleportation array and began repairing it with various materials he had brought along. His sudden appearance surprised Shang Xingchen and others. "He was here all along..." Shang Xingchen thought, astonished.

White Bone True Master pointed at the teleportation array exclaiming, "A teleportation array! There's a way out!"

Zhao Kongming added excitedly, "Fellow Daoist Liu, you know how to repair arrays?!"

As Chu Xuan worked, an even larger swarm of corpse demons, led by the most formidable among them, converged from all directions. Each was as powerful as a cultivator of the 40th level of physical refinement. While Chu Xuan could easily dispatch them one-on-one, their overwhelming numbers were not something even he wanted to engage with directly.

As he completed the last pattern of the array, a strange teleportation glow emerged, casting a bright blue light. Zhong Tiankuo exclaimed with emotion, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Liu! I will never forget this kindness for as long as I live!" He made to dash towards the array, but Chu Xuan merely smiled and gestured. Hu and Long, like two towering iron sentinels, immediately blocked access to the array.

This unexpected move stunned everyone present. Only Shang Xingchen gave a wry smile, understanding Chu Xuan's intent. Chu Xuan offered a mild smile, "I have single-handedly repaired this teleportation array, yet you all wish to pass through it without so much as a word; isn't that a bit discourteous?"

With that, all the cultivators understood his implication. Indeed, he was asking for a toll.

Chapter 454: Extort A Toll

Amidst the rising tumult caused by the corpse demons, more cultivators converged from every corner of the Eight Extremes Palace. Among them were Song Tianlong from Black Wind Island and Qu Xiao from White Bone Island. Drawn by the glow of the teleportation array, they arrived to find two corpse puppets obstructing the way, quickly deducing that someone was using this situation to extort a toll.

In the crowd, some remained silent while others were visibly outraged, including Song Tianlong. He pointed at Chu Xuan and bellowed, "Liu, don't think you can do whatever you want just because you have corpse puppets! We have many among us, including Deity Transformation cultivators and masters of the 40th layer of physical refinement! Do you really plan to charge a toll to each of us? Do you dare incite such wrath?"

Song Tianlong looked around at his fellow cultivators, rallying them, "Fellow cultivators, we are many, and he is but one! We cannot let him dictate terms!" His impassioned speech, however, garnered only a few nods, with many opting to remain silent.

Scratching his head in frustration, Song Tianlong muttered, "What's there to fear from a mere two corpse puppets..."

Shang Xingchen cast a sympathetic glance at Song Tianlong. The man had barely escaped the corpse demons after pushing open a tomb door and had clearly not witnessed Chu Xuan's clash with Moon True Master. He was oblivious to Chu Xuan's strength.

Likely, those few who sided with Song Tianlong were equally unaware of Chu Xuan's true capabilities. Were they still perceiving Chu Xuan as merely a diligent talisman master?

As those who knew of Chu Xuan's prowess stepped aside, Song Tianlong found himself staring directly into Chu Xuan's eyes, his initial confidence wavering. However, having recently acquired the 'Shattered Mountain Technique' and having ascended rapidly in physical cultivation levels plus mastering a new physical technique, he reassured himself of his strength.

Emboldened, Song Tianlong regained his bravado. "Indeed, I am Song Tianlong of Black Wind Island, the chief disciple under Black Wind True Master."

"I know you too, the talisman seller from Demonic Talismans. I've bought talismans from you, giving you face," he continued. "If you remove those corpse puppets and let us pass, we can consider this matter settled. It's better for you, for me, and for everyone else."

"But if you refuse to budge..." Song Tianlong clenched his fists, muscles bulging as he sneered, "then don't blame me for not recognizing you anymore!"

As the vital energy around him swirled, Song Tianlong's form coalesced into a colossal hoof of a mythical beast. It was an imposing sight, so detailed that even the creases upon it were vividly discernible. Gasps of awe echoed among the spectators, each one feeling the immense oppressive force exuded by the gigantic hoof.

However, White Bone True Master, Shang Xingchen, and Zhong Tianshuo exchanged knowing looks. They had seen this technique before. Not long ago, during the struggle for the Boiling Sea Hall legacy, Moon True Master had summoned a similar, yet far more massive and powerful hoof against Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan appraised Song Tianlong with a casual glance, confirming the reports about the man: quick to anger and lacking subtlety. It was clear that the Shattered Mountain Technique legacy had fallen into his hands. The technique Song Tianlong was boasting about was indeed powerful, but it was a heritage passed down by Moon True Master's ancestors, not something he had acquired through his own merits.

Noticing Chu Xuan's scrutinous gaze, Song Tianlong mistook it for fear and burst out laughing triumphantly. "Liu!" he shouted. "You see the power of my move! If you clear the way now, you might still save yourself!"

Chu Xuan offered a faint smile in response, then turned to his side and casually ordered, "Hu, take his head."

"At once!" Hu growled, and in an instant, he vanished from sight.

Song Tianlong barely registered a blur before a gust of wind rushed directly at him. In the blink of an eye, a towering figure stood before him. As he was about to react, he heard a crisp snap.

Suddenly, Song Tianlong found himself rising higher, the world spinning dizzyingly around him. He had never witnessed such rapid rotation in his life.

"Why is there a headless corpse falling? It looks... familiar..." Those were Song Tianlong's last coherent thoughts.

With a thud, his severed head hit the ground, and his body collapsed, blood gushing like a fountain. Hu strode over, picked up the head, and slung the body over his shoulder, returning to Chu Xuan's side.

"Master," Hu said respectfully.

Chu Xuan nodded slightly and nonchalantly placed the remains into the Heavenly Corpse Tower.

Chu Xuan sighed softly, "I alone maintained this teleportation array, exhausting massive amounts of time and celestial materials. My eyes reddened from strain, and my storage bag has been emptied. Is it not reasonable to ask for some toll fee? Why must you force my hand?"

The cultivators who had previously echoed Song Tianlong's sentiments now vigorously nodded in agreement. "Exactly! What Master Liu says is right!" they chorused. "That Song Tianlong truly deserved his fate!"

Chu Xuan then turned his gaze upon the crowd, his smile warm and inviting as a spring breeze. "My friends, the corpse demons approach swiftly. If not now, when would you leave?" Yet, everyone understood the devilish nature hidden behind his congenial smile.

Suddenly, Shang Xingchen asked, "Fellow Daoist Liu, may I inquire where does this teleportation array lead?"

Chu Xuan nodded. "This is a random teleportation array. It can transport us out of the Eight Extremes Palace, but its destination is uncertain."

This revelation sparked a flurry of thoughts among the crowd. A random teleportation array? If they ended up in a dangerous place, wouldn't that be asking for trouble?

Just as White Bone True Master and others were about to speak, a continuous roar of corpse demons came from behind. Chu Xuan spread his hands. "The delay in those corpse demons' speed is also thanks to my formation. If you are still unwilling to compensate for my losses, I must leave and let the corpse puppets destroy the formation."

He possessed numerous corpse puppets within his Heavenly Corpse Tower. Releasing a few lower-tier Corpse Kings to sabotage the array was more than feasible. The random teleportation array, unlike point-to-point arrays, was not particularly stable; a targeted attack could damage it. Chu Xuan didn't intend to completely destroy it—just enough to render it inoperative.

Faced with the impending threat of corpse demons, the expressions of the cultivators fluctuated wildly.

Shang Xingchen finally spoke in resignation, "Fellow Daoist Liu, I am willing to offer a treasure." He produced a low-grade spiritual weapon. "This is the Yellow Springs Blade, frequently used by Yellow Springs True Master."

Chu Xuan nodded appreciatively. "Very well, you may pass." Shang Xingchen cast a lingering look at Chu Xuan before stepping into the shimmering curtain of light and vanishing from sight.

Chapter 455: Return

As people began to pay their tolls and pass through the teleportation array, the remaining crowd could no longer hold back, each hurriedly paying their own fees. After all, each moment they lingered increased their peril.

White Bone True Master tossed a jade bottle forward, his voice grave, "This contains Deity Transformation Spirit Essence, suitable for a fellow daoist who has depleted his resources to rebuild this teleportation array. It is right that we compensate."

Chu Xuan nodded with a smile, "Very well, True Master. Proceed quickly, and I shall certainly thank you in person someday."

White Bone True Master's mouth twitched.

A personal thank you someday, huh? Well, if you don't, you'll be the loser.

Without hesitation, he stepped into the glowing portal and disappeared.

Chu Xuan turned to the rest, still smiling, "If you have Deity Transformation spiritual items, one item will suffice for passage. If not, you'll need to offer more valuable treasures."

The rest cursed White Bone True Master under their breath.

That old trickster had to pull out the Spirit Essence, now where are we supposed to find Deity Transformation level items?

But it was too late to complain. One by one, people like Zhong Tianshuo and Tie Jun opened their treasuries wide, begrudgingly pulling out their cherished treasures to compensate Chu Xuan for the teleportation array's repair. Some, who had exhausted their stores fighting the corpse demons, painfully surrendered treasures they had hoarded for years.

Chu Xuan collected three bottles of the Spirit Essence, along with other top-grade magical treasures, Nascent Soul-level elixirs, and lower-grade spiritual weapons and Deity Transformation elixirs. Not only did he recoup his losses for rebuilding the array, but he also turned a substantial profit, especially with the three bottles of Spirit Essence which significantly aided his chances of advancing to Deity Transformation—a certainty of success with a few more such items, propelling him into the ranks of major cultivators with a thousand more years to his life.

Soon, everyone had entered the teleportation array. Chu Xuan's formations around the area were nearly destroyed by the invading corpse demons. He recalled Hu, Long, Two Arms, Four Arms, and all but a few first-tier Corpse Kings into the Heavenly Corpse Tower and the Sky-Shielding Umbrella.

As he watched the swarms of ordinary corpse demons and powerful greater corpse demons converge from all directions, he smiled faintly and stepped into the teleportation array himself. His last command before leaving was for the remaining Corpse Kings to destroy the teleportation array, to prevent the corpse demons from possibly using it to escape the Eight Extremes Palace.

With a hum, the world spun around him. A whirlwind of bizarre and dazzling sights assaulted his brain, the disorienting sensation of teleportation enough to make even the most steadfast warriors lose consciousness.

Despite his struggle to maintain consciousness through the intense dizziness of teleportation, Chu Xuan managed to deduce from the duration of his disorientation that he had been transported well beyond the South Three Rings Sea region—the farther the teleportation, the longer the disorientation lasted.

Suddenly, a sensation of weightlessness overwhelmed him, and instead of landing on solid ground, Chu Xuan found himself plummeting towards the earth. Looking down, he noticed the islands below appeared minuscule. Initially, he thought his vision was impaired, but a closer inspection revealed he was actually high in the sky.

Cursing the randomness of the teleportation array for such a predicament, Chu Xuan quickly activated his Spiritual Qi. Now free from the suppression of spirit-dampening stones in the Eight Extremes Palace, his Spiritual Qi burst forth, enveloping him and stabilizing his descent.

Relieved, Chu Xuan extracted a flying boat from his storage bag, gently landing upon the sea's surface. He knew better than to touch the waters until he reached Deity Transformation—its perilous nature was well documented among cultivators.

Looking east, where mist obscured the horizon, Chu Xuan recalled a small island in that direction. Such islets were unlikely to be bustling hubs for cultivators, but as long as he could gather some information, it would suffice. Newly arrived, he was in dire need of understanding more about his surroundings.

Days later, as Chu Xuan approached the island, he sensed something amiss. Sounds of combat echoed continuously, and a faint smell of blood tainted the air. Peering into the distance, he saw dense clouds of blood roving the skies, trailing abrupt, silenced screams in their wake.

"Are Blood Cultivators slaughtering lower-level cultivators here?" Chu Xuan pondered. The Starshatter Sea had no mortals, but it was home to numerous low-level cultivators. Naturally, cultivators reproduced, birthing offspring who also pursued the path. Even the least among them were at least at the Foundation Building stage; Qi Refining cultivators barely survived in the Starshatter Sea.

Considering his options, Chu Xuan decided against landing on the island. Judging by the size and density of the blood clouds, the Blood Cultivators were not particularly powerful, mostly at the Golden Core stage, with perhaps a Nascent Soul leader at best.

Without knowledge of the local powers, Chu Xuan was not keen on slaying minor players only to potentially provoke more formidable foes. Preferring to avoid needless complications, he prepared to leave, unwilling to attract trouble when so much remained unknown.

Just as Chu Xuan was about to depart, the sea beneath him began to churn violently. Within moments, swarms of blood-red fish surfaced, their bodies small but their eyes disproportionately large, giving them a sinister appearance. These fish quickly opened their mouths and exhaled clouds of blood mist, which swiftly enveloped Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan was intrigued by this ambush. "Interesting," he mused, acknowledging the cleverness of the trap. Normally, his spiritual sense did not extend beneath the surface of the weak water, as powerful demonic beasts tended not to venture close to the islands where the water was too shallow for their comfort. Lesser demonic beasts were of no concern to him; if they dared to emerge, he was more than willing to taste their flesh.

He shook his head lightly, admonishing himself, "I can't afford to take chances anymore; from now on, I must extend my spiritual sense even beneath the sea."

As he contemplated his next move, three figures appeared on the edge of the island. They had spotted Chu Xuan trapped in the blood mist from a distance. The leader, a burly man, chuckled and said, "Collecting blood on the territory of the Divine Sword Sect, I had prepared for the possibility of their cultivators appearing. It seems someone has indeed blundered into my trap!"

A woman with a sultry voice expressed her surprise, "Is that the Blood Devouring Herring raised by senior brother Jin? I recall the blood mist from such herrings to be rather ineffective; how come the ones raised by senior brother Jin..."

Her companion, a tall, thin cultivator, laughed weirdly, "That's a little secret of senior brother Jin's. There are things you're better off not knowing."

The woman pouted and fell silent. The burly man laughed heartily, "The method I use to cultivate these Blood Devouring Herrings still needs refinement. It's hardly elegant. Let's kill the intruder first."

They moved swiftly towards the edge of the blood mist. The burly man gestured to disperse it, but suddenly, the blood mist began to be sucked away visibly, completely vanishing in a matter of seconds.

The sultry woman and the thin man praised, "Such a technique to dispel the blood mist into thin air, we can't even begin to fathom it!"

The burly man scratched his head, puzzled. "I didn't do that…"

Chapter 456: Blood Cloud Cavern

As the blood mist vanished, only a figure in black remained suspended midair, an easy smile gracing his handsome features. Draped in a black cloak bordered with gold thread, the cloak emitted an eerie black light, drawing the gaze so intensely it seemed difficult to look away. The burly man stared at this figure, his unease deepening as he recalled the sudden disappearance of the blood mist.

Years of surviving the Starshatter Sea kicked in. Without hesitation, he barked to his junior brother and the woman, "Attack together, let's finish this quickly!" But as they launched their magic treasures towards the figure, he turned and fled alone. In the face of uncertainty, his instincts screamed to escape—a precaution that could never be wrong.

Chu Xuan watched the burly man make his retreat and couldn't help but chuckle at his quick response. "Leaving so soon? That's hardly courteous. Perhaps a more intimate conversation would be appropriate," he mused.

With a mere thought, Chu Xuan deployed Hu and Long from the Heavenly Corpse Tower to pursue the fleeing burly man. He then turned his attention to the magic treasures hurtling towards him from the sultry woman and the tall, thin man.

Slapping his storage bag, the White Dragon Claws soared out, splitting and swelling in size almost instantaneously. They caught the incoming treasures effortlessly. With a crisp snap, the treasures crumbled into pieces under the dragon's claws.

Chu Xuan frowned slightly in disappointment. He had hoped they were high-quality treasures, but they turned out to be easily destroyed. "Such a waste," he lamented.

The woman and her companion were struck with terror at this display of power, suddenly understanding why their senior brother had fled so precipitously. "Split up and run!" the tall man shouted. "We need to inform the master!"

The two exchanged glances and split apart, fleeing east and west with practiced ease. Chu Xuan smiled faintly and waved his hand casually, releasing a black cloak that billowed out behind him. In the blink of an eye, it expanded several times over, sweeping across the sky to envelop the fleeing figures. The enchanting woman and the gaunt man had not escaped far before the dark cloak tightly bound them and summarily dragged them back before Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan stroked his chin thoughtfully, musing on the effectiveness of the spiritual artifact. It utterly dominated against mere magical treasures, crushing them effortlessly from start to finish. Its only drawback, he noted, was its substantial consumption of spiritual energy, which was considerable even for him at his current level.

The two prisoners watched him with despair in their eyes. The woman, with a pitiable look, pleaded, "Senior, please spare our lives. We are disciples of the Blood Cloud Cavern, merely here to collect blood for the Divine Sword Sect's territory."

"We did not mean to offend you, senior. We deserve death," she continued, her voice trembling. "However, our master, the Blood Cloud Elder, is fiercely protective. If he learns of our deaths, he would surely seek vengeance without end."

The thin man added gravely, "Our life tokens are with our master. Should we perish, he would know instantly. Please, senior, granting us mercy benefits us all."

Chu Xuan smiled faintly, amused by their good-cop-bad-cop routine. Releasing them would only invite future troubles. Now that they had seen his face, leaving them alive was not an option.

"So, you are disciples of the Blood Cloud Elder," Chu Xuan mused, his smile widening. "It's like a big water washing over the Dragon King's temple—family members unrecognizably mixed up. Very well, I shall release you then."

Relief washed over the pair, and internally they praised the power of their master's reputation. But the next moment, Chu Xuan's large hand was upon their heads.

Soul Searching!

Moments later, their bodies were stored in the Heavenly Corpse Tower, their souls claimed by the Sky-Shielding Umbrella. Shortly after, Hu and Long returned, dragging the captured burly man.

Chu Xuan nodded slightly and casually killed the bloodthirsty fishes lurking in the waters before stepping onto the island.

The island was dense with disciples of the Blood Cloud Cavern, primarily cultivators of the Blood Path, with numerous blood clouds swirling overhead—perfect for filling his Blood Demon Flask.

"Uncle master! All the cultivators here have been slaughtered!" a voice announced suddenly.

Several Golden Core cultivators hurried over, only to find no sign of their seniors—just a mysterious figure in black.

Chu Xuan, pulling out his Blood Demon Flask, waved his hand. A vast expanse of blood clouds uncontrollably surged toward him, funneling into the pot.

The Blood Cloud Cavern cultivators, terror-stricken, tried to flee, but they couldn't resist the pot's pull. In moments, they were reduced to clouds of blood, absorbed by the pot.

Soon, not a soul was left on the island.

Chu Xuan wandered the area once more, unleashing a wave of flame that erased all traces of battle, leaving the land pristine before he departed. He had already extracted the information he sought from the minds of the three Nascent Soul stage disciples of Blood Cloud Cavern.

This place was located in the Eastern Third Ring of the Fragmented Star Sea, a hotspot where the three major forces—Blood Cloud Cavern, Divine Sword Sect, and Serpent Buddha Temple—converged. The small island he was on, known as Green Leaf Island, lay on the border between the territories of Divine Sword Sect and Blood Cloud Cavern.

Southward from here lay Neon Garment Island, one of the most prosperous islands under the control of the Divine Sword Sect. Now, with Deity Transformation techniques in his possession and only lacking the essential Deity Transformation spiritual items, Chu Xuan planned to settle temporarily on such a bustling island, where cultivators frequently trafficked.

Moreover, Divine Sword Sect claimed allegiance to the righteous path, which usually meant better order than in the territories ruled by demonic cultivators, where murders and robberies were commonplace.

Whether the righteousness was genuine or merely a facade, as long as they maintained appearances, it suited Chu Xuan's interests. After all, he was not fond of constant fighting. Thus, he could comfortably reside on Neon Garment Island, gathering the necessary Deity Transformation spiritual items at his leisure. Given his lengthy lifespan, time was on his side.

...

Days later, a figure in a bright red robe approached Green Leaf Island, surrounded by swirling blood clouds—Blood Cloud Elder, a Deity Transformation cultivator of the Blood Cloud Cavern. His expression was exceedingly grim as his spiritual sense swept across the island, finding no signs of life. Closer inspection revealed only charred remnants, the aftermath of flames that left no trace of battle.

"Cursed be!" he thundered. "Three of my Nascent Soul early stage disciples, all slain?"

Blood Cloud Elder had only six Nascent Soul disciples under his command, and the loss of half was a blow not easily borne.

Suddenly, a formidable voice descended from the heavens, "Blood Cloud old ghost, this is the territory of Divine Sword Sect. What right have you to trespass here?"

The voice vibrated through the air like a sword being drawn from its sheath. Shortly after, a figure appeared before Blood Cloud Elder.

Blood Cloud Elder roared, "Yun Feijian, was it you who killed my worthless disciples?"

Yun Feijian paused, then burst into laughter. "Dead? Good! They deserved it. Whether I killed them or not, what does it matter? Demonic cultivators are condemned by all!"

Enraged, Blood Cloud Elder brandished a spiritual weapon and charged at Yun Feijian, who drew his heavy sword with a scoff.

The two Deity Transformation cultivators clashed immediately, their energies—a surge of blood essence and fierce sword qi—violently colliding above Green Leaf Island!

Chapter 457: Misunderstanding

Neon Garment Island bustled with life at the port, where over a hundred flying boats were moored alongside several massive tower ships. Cultivators bustled about, embarking and disembarking in a lively scene.

Chu Xuan, too, alighted from his flying boat, landing gracefully onto the pier. No sooner had he touched down than a slender cultivator approached him hastily, bowing deeply.

"Senior, I am a native cultivator of Neon Garment Island. Do you require guidance for trading, purchasing goods, or seeking seclusion? I can assist you with all these for only one medium-grade spiritual stone per three days."

Chu Xuan eyed him; a fairly handsome young cultivator with only a beginner's level in the Foundation Building stage. Chu Xuan offered a faint smile. "What is your name?"

The young cultivator replied respectfully, "I am He Zha, of the He family, which is one of the minor families on Neon Garment Island."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly. "Then, you shall be my guide. Perform well, and you'll earn two medium-grade spiritual stones. Perform poorly, and you won't even receive a small one."

Taken aback, He Zha clenched his teeth before responding earnestly, "Yes, thank you, senior! I will serve you to the best of my abilities!"

Chu Xuan said casually, "I've come from the Southern Third Ring and am unfamiliar with Neon Garment Island. Please, enlighten me about this place."

He Zha bowed and began, "Neon Garment Island is governed by the Divine Sword Sect and managed by the He family, a family of Golden Core cultivators. We have a permanent Nascent Soul cultivator stationed here to deter the demonic cultivators of the Blood Cloud Cavern. The island is fertile, featuring three superior cultivation gardens that produce numerous spiritual plants."

Chu Xuan mulled over this. "So, the prices of spiritual plants are relatively low here?"

He Zha nodded, "Exactly! The prices on Neon Garment Island are generally ten percent lower than on the other two major islands controlled by the Divine Sword Sect. It would be even lower if not for the demonic beasts that occasionally emerge from the weak waters surrounding us."

Chu Xuan acknowledged with a nod, seeing the potential for refining and selling pills as a lucrative option here.

He Zha continued his explanations as they walked through the bustling streets, and soon Chu Xuan had a good grasp of the island's dynamics.

After a lengthy discourse, He Zha asked, parched, "Senior, where would you like to go now? I can take you anywhere you wish."

Chu Xuan smiled slightly, "Let's find a cave dwelling to rent first."

"Yes, follow me, please. We'll need to go through the He family for that; I know exactly where to go!" He Zha nodded vigorously.

Just as they were about to head towards the He family's estate, a loud sonic boom caught everyone's attention. They instinctively looked up to see dense blood clouds rising on the horizon, colliding with bursts of golden sword energy. The two forces clashed spectacularly, neither yielding an inch.

He Zha stared wide-eyed, "Blood clouds? Could it be the Blood Cloud Cavern's technique?"

The surrounding cultivators also wore expressions of astonishment. Why would Blood Cloud Cavern's cultivators venture here?

"No, observe the expanse of that blood cloud; it is certainly not the work of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator of the demonic path, but more likely that of a Deity Transformation stage true demon!"

From a shop nearby, a Nascent Soul cultivator stepped out, gazing at the sky with a grave expression.

Another Nascent Soul cultivator spoke solemnly, "That golden sword energy, it must be the technique of Senior Yun Feijian. I suspect that Senior Yun Feijian is currently clashing with Xue Yunzi of the Blood Cloud Cave."

The surrounding cultivators nodded repeatedly in agreement. It was the only explanation for the magnitude of the sonic booms heard. Even the cultivators on the Neon Garment Island could hear it clearly.

Chu Xuan's expression was peculiar.

Xue Yunzi was quick to react.

However, why had they begun to fight?

Could it be that Xue Yunzi suspected Yun Feijian of slaying those three Nascent Soul demonic cultivators?

At this moment, He Zha had recovered from his earlier fright.

He whispered, "Senior need not worry. I have heard of Senior Yun Feijian's reputation; his strength is formidable. Moreover, the Neon Garment Island is protected by the Chaotic Wind Sword Formation that envelops the entire island. Even a Deity Transformation early-stage cultivator would need to exert some effort to break through. The Neon Garment Island has remained unbreached for tens of thousands of years—it is very safe!"

He feared Chu Xuan might worry about the island's security and opt for another island, which would mean He Zha might not receive his medium spiritual stones.

Chu Xuan chuckled, "Let's go to the He family. What are you waiting for?"

With that, He Zha felt somewhat relieved and hastily led the way. The He family residence, located at the center of the Neon Garment Island, was also the most majestic building on the island.

Yet, the cultivators of the He family were very humble. Even when facing Golden Core cultivators, they showed no disdain. And now that Chu Xuan had revealed his early Nascent Soul cultivation, they were even more earnest and dared not show any negligence.

A graceful and beautiful woman glided forward, her face alight with a welcoming smile, and approached Chu Xuan. She produced a mirror, which displayed the status of all the cave abodes. Some were marked in red, indicating they were occupied, while others were in blue, showing they were vacant.

The beautiful woman bowed respectfully. "Senior, the cave abodes on the Neon Garment Island are divided into three tiers. The top-tier caves have abundant Spiritual Qi, suitable for Nascent Soul cultivators to practice. Each of these comes fully equipped with training rooms, alchemy chambers, and artifact-refining rooms. Of these top-tier caves, only those used by my He family's ancestors are not for rent. The others are currently available for lease. A top-tier cave requires one large spiritual stone per year. Please, feel free to choose whichever you prefer."

Chu Xuan glanced over and selected the one furthest from the majority of the caves. "This one."

The beautiful woman immediately retrieved a complete set of items from her storage bag, presenting them to Chu Xuan with both hands.

She smiled warmly. "Senior, this contains the token for opening the cave, as well as some small magical tools gifted by my He family to make your stay on the island more comfortable."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly and tossed a large spiritual stone towards her. "Much appreciated."

The woman caught the stone, her smile widening. "It is our honor to serve you, Senior."

Lowering her voice, she added, "Would you require someone to attend to you? I have two nieces, twins, both Foundation Establishment cultivators. They are sweet and well-mannered, with graceful figures..."

Chu Xuan gave a soft chuckle and immediately shook his head. He often traveled between Blue Star and the Shattered Star Sea. How could he allow outsiders near his resting place?

The only ones he trusted were the corpse puppets and ghosts he personally created. As for others, anyone with a mind and independent thought was untrustworthy.

Seeing Chu Xuan's firm rejection, the beautiful woman had no choice but to relent, watching him leave.

He Zha, on the other hand, looked at Chu Xuan with an entirely changed expression. He had originally thought Chu Xuan was merely a Golden Core cultivator. Never had he expected him to be a great Nascent Soul cultivator! He had immediately chosen a top-tier cave and tossed out a large spiritual stone! He was almost stunned speechless!

Before Chu Xuan could speak, He Zha immediately bowed low, his tone servile. "I am at your service, Senior! As long as you are on the Neon Garment Island, at your command, this humble cultivator will be there without hesitation!"

Chu Xuan gave a faint smile. This was a clever person who knew how to attach himself to a powerful figure. He tossed a sound transmission jade to He Zha. "If I need anything, I will contact you."

"Yes!" He Zha replied, his head nodding eagerly, his expression filled with fervor.

Even the smallest favor from a big shot could benefit him for a lifetime! He had truly stumbled upon a great fortune!

Chapter 458: Old Fox Can't Hold Back Any Longer

"Tea Appreciation Pavilion?"

Chu Xuan gazed at the plaque of this top-tier cave with a faint smile.

Chu Xuan took out the storage bag the beautiful woman had given him and retrieved an ancient sandalwood token from within. With a slight wave, the heavy stone door rumbled open.

Just as he was about to step inside, a figure quickly approached from the side, seemingly returning to the cave. Upon seeing Chu Xuan about to enter, the person immediately displayed an expression of surprise.

"This Tea Appreciation Pavilion has always been vacant. Fellow Daoist, have you rented this cave?"

Before Chu Xuan could respond, the man smiled warmly. "I am Ji Canghai, residing in the small pavilion next door. May I ask, Fellow Daoist, what is your name and where do you hail from?"

Chu Xuan looked at the man. He was tall, with a sturdy build—a broad back and a narrow waist. His attire was a vibrant blue martial outfit, with a jade belt around his waist, adorned with a dozen or so small jade bottles, their purpose unknown.

The man's face was not sharp or imposing, but rather gentle and approachable. One could not help but feel a sense of likability upon first glance.

Chu Xuan instinctively felt wary of such people. The more humble and courteous someone appeared, the more dangerous they might be. He had encountered many like this before.

However, he didn't reveal his caution and simply responded with a smile. "I am He Liang, a cultivator of the alchemical arts. I came to Neon Garment Island to engage in some small business."

He had already learned from He Zha that the Divine Sword Sect strictly forbade the sale of demonic talismans and evil elixirs. Therefore, he had not used the identity of Liu Zhenxiong, the demonic talisman master. Instead, he had adopted the identity of He Liang, a legitimate alchemist. At present, he was a genuine righteous alchemist, not a demonic cultivator.

Ji Canghai immediately nodded. "Ah, a distinguished alchemist! A pleasure to meet you! I just so happen to be in need of some medicinal pills. Would it be possible for Fellow Daoist to refine some for me?"

Chu Xuan shook his head. "I am new here and plan to rest for a while. Once my shop is open, I will send you a message, Fellow Daoist Ji. When the time comes, I hope you will come and support me."

Ji Canghai smiled and nodded. "Of course, of course!" With that, he took the lead and returned to his cave.

Chu Xuan entered the Tea Appreciation Pavilion. Though it was called a cave, it was not located within a mountain, but rather was a refined courtyard. Pavilions, towers, small bridges, and flowing streams—everything one could desire was present. The decorations were exquisite, crafted to perfection.

Chu Xuan had already examined it. The size of this top-tier cave was five times that of a mid-tier cave, and twenty times that of a low-tier cave!

"The array here is insufficient. I'll need to add a few more," he muttered.

After walking around the cave a few times, Chu Xuan immediately began enhancing the various defensive and early-warning arrays. The original formations within the Tea Appreciation Pavilion were not to his trust, especially for the training room, where he frequently traveled between realms. He would need to set up a small array to thoroughly block any detection. He could not allow anyone to learn of his secret ability to traverse between worlds.

Once the arrays were set up, Chu Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, took a step, and returned to Blue Star.

...

Blue Star, Water Curtain Cave.

Before Chu Xuan lay a row of barbecue grills. The meat of the Black Magic Whale was turning on the grill. Ordinary mortal fire could never roast meat from a Deity Transformation stage demonic beast. Instead, he used the Netherfire.

At this moment, golden oil droplets were beginning to drip down from the Black Magic Whale meat. The aroma of the grilling meat was like a gentle woman's hand, stirring the heartstrings with every whiff.

Beside the grill, Hu stood like an iron tower, motionless. In its hand, it held a large iron tray, filled with various seasonings. Chili powder, black pepper, salt, cumin powder… everything was there.

Chu Xuan sprinkled each piece of Black Magic Whale meat with different spices before picking it up and chewing heartily. It wasn't that he particularly enjoyed the food.

In fact, after eating so much, he had begun to feel a bit queasy. So, he had to change it up a bit. Today, stew; tomorrow, barbecue; the day after, dumplings.

Fortunately, with the cooking skills from his past life stored in his mind, he was able to handle it. Otherwise, he would truly be at a loss.

Lying on the reclining chair, Chu Xuan devoured the charcoal-grilled Black Magic Whale meat, his gaze drifting up to the azure sky.

"I've already reached the forty-second stage in body refinement. By rights, I should be able to cross the stars with my physical body now.

"However… the scientists of Blue Star have long explored the stars, and the solar system that Blue Star resides in only has three planets, and no signs of life on any of them except for Blue Star.

"At most, I could reach the edge of this star system, the Pegasus Star, or further still, the Soul Star. That would take an unimaginable amount of time."

Chu Xuan pondered for a moment, then dismissed the thought. He could use the Golden Dragon ship instead. But it would consume too many spirit stones. It would not be worth the cost. After much contemplation, only two matters remained for him to focus on.

First, he needed to monitor the situation in the cave world and manipulate the King of the Myriad Insects, Xiao Renjie, to obtain more Diamond-tier insect cultivation methods. Second, he had to push the mermaid corps to accelerate their search of the deep seas and uncover the origins of the giants.

The second task had yielded no news for a long time. Over a million mermaid corpses had already been dispatched, but decades had passed with no response.

"Hmm? The Myriad Insects Kingdom is making a move. Looks like that old fox, Xiao Renjie, can't hold himself back anymore."

Chu Xuan smiled faintly, and immediately linked his spiritual sense to the fragment of the mirror.

...

Cave World.

The King's Palace of the Myriad Insects Kingdom.

Xiao Renjie stared at his reflection in the mirror, his expression growing increasingly grim.

"My time is running out. The Diamond-tier insect cultivation method of the Heavenly Cave Kingdom must be mine!"

In the mirror, his face was haggard, his aging features all too evident. After obtaining the recipe for Earth Longevity Wine, he had ordered his entire kingdom to gather the necessary herbs. Within a year, he had crafted the wine. One bottle of Earth Longevity Wine could extend his life by twenty years.

But now, after consuming four bottles, the increase in his lifespan had grown progressively smaller. It was clear that Earth Longevity Wine could no longer satisfy his needs.

However, he was still far from reaching a higher realm. He did not believe that, in his current state, he could break through to a higher level above the Diamond-tier Insect Master. He could no longer hold himself back. He was ready for war. He would annex the other two major kingdoms!

But victory would not come simply by making grand declarations. Crushing the aristocracy, consolidating power, reforming the military, reducing excess personnel, increasing taxes, stockpiling supplies, gathering intelligence, sowing discord among enemy nations…

All of these required time. In the past, he had refrained from acting out of fear of offending the aristocrats and destabilizing his foundation. But now, he had no choice but to take action. For years, he had been gathering strength.

Moreover, he had taken the moral high ground. The small frictions and conflicts along the border between the Myriad Insects Kingdom and the Heavenly Cave Kingdom had all been intentionally allowed to escalate.

He had even ordered the Insect Masters of the Myriad Insects Kingdom to retreat, showing weakness in front of the Heavenly Cave Insect Masters, allowing their arrogance to grow unchecked.

Everything had been done to prepare for this moment. When the minor skirmishes eventually escalated into bloody incidents and sparked public outrage, his purpose would be fulfilled. Now, the Myriad Insects Kingdom had a mighty army, ready for battle!

Meanwhile, the Heavenly Cave Kingdom was plagued by disasters and public discontent.

If not now, when?

Chapter 459: Heavenly Cave Insect Cultivation Method

Three years passed in the blink of an eye on Blue Star. In the Water Curtain Cave, a roar that shook the heavens and the earth suddenly echoed through the air.

Chu Xuan leapt to his feet, his expression filled with excitement. His body refinement realm had ascended once again, stepping into the forty-third stage of body refinement!

With the Melting Heaven Technique as his cultivation method, the speed at which he refined demonic beast meat had indeed increased drastically.

Over the past three years, he not only visualized the Dragon Elephant but also the Melting Heaven Furnace, Boiling Sea Flame, and the Unceasing River.

The latter two were the visualization objects of the Boiling Sea Technique and Unceasing Technique, respectively.

Given these circumstances, to still reach the forty-third stage of body refinement showed just how terrifying the Melting Heaven Technique's speed in refining flesh and blood was!

Thinking of this, Chu Xuan suddenly gathered his qi and blood into a furnace, unleashing the Furnace Heaven Strike, and slammed it onto the thick stone slab of the training room.

He performed the technique five times in succession before finally feeling a sense of emptiness within his qi and blood.

A smile appeared on his face.

This was the martial technique he had learned from practicing the Unceasing Technique.

It was called Unceasing Vitality.

It could not be actively released, but whenever his qi and blood were depleted, it would accelerate their recovery.

In the past, he could only perform this technique three times in one breath. Afterward, he would be exhausted and have to wait for his qi and blood to regenerate.

Now, however, he could perform it five times in one go! And his recovery speed had also increased by leaps and bounds compared to before!

These supplementary body refinement techniques had greatly enhanced his overall strength. Whether it was his explosive combat power or his endurance in long battles, both had surpassed his previous limits.

Chu Xuan exhaled, gathering his energy and focus as he turned his attention back to the cave world.

Over the years, under Xiao Renjie's leadership, the Myriad Insects Kingdom had aggressively attacked the Heavenly Cave Kingdom.

In the beginning, the momentum was like a landslide, nearly reaching the royal capital of Heavenly Cave. However, despite the ruler of Heavenly Cave being foolish and the imperial court in disarray, there were still capable people within the kingdom.

Once they recovered, they mobilized a large number of insect masters, managing to halt the Myriad Insects Kingdom's fierce assault. The two sides had since fallen into a temporary stalemate.

The last time Chu Xuan paid attention was half a year ago. At that time, the two sides were facing off at the Copper Pass, five hundred miles from the royal capital of Heavenly Cave.

If the Myriad Insects Kingdom could take the Copper Pass, the road to the Heavenly Cave capital would be wide open.

He wondered how the situation had evolved. If this war between the two kingdoms continued to stalemate, it would be highly detrimental to the Myriad Insects Kingdom.

After all, their supply line was stretched thin, making it easy for small groups of Heavenly Cave insect masters to launch guerrilla attacks, causing shortages of food and supplies on the front lines. But this was not the most troubling issue.

What was truly worrisome was if the two powers remained locked in a stalemate, it might attract the intervention of a third party—now that would be the most dangerous outcome.

The strength of the Flying Dragon Kingdom could not be underestimated.

"Hmm? The Copper Pass has been taken?"

Chu Xuan's spiritual sense spread out, and he was astonished to find that the insect masters of the Myriad Insects Kingdom had already breached the Copper Pass and were advancing directly toward the royal capital!

On both sides of the road, the bodies of Heavenly Cave Kingdom's insect masters and demonic insects littered the ground. The sight stretched for ten miles of corpses and a hundred miles of blood-soaked land.

At that moment, the ruler of the Myriad Insects Kingdom, Xiao Renjie, sat proudly within his golden palanquin, exuding an aura of triumph. Even the old age on his face seemed to have faded somewhat.

Chu Xuan smiled faintly.

"It looks like I'll be receiving the new Diamond-level Demon Bug Cultivation Method soon."

A few days later.

The royal capital of Heavenly Cave was breached. A large number of noble families fled for their lives.

A few more days passed.

The flag of the Myriad Insects Kingdom hung above the Heavenly Cave royal capital.

Xiao Renjie, in front of the Heavenly Cave kingdom's ruler, shattered the statue of the Heavenly Cave Insect. This act symbolized the complete collapse of the Heavenly Cave Kingdom. Countless people were stunned by this news.

The balance of the three major kingdoms, which had been in place for generations, had been upended in just a few short years. The once vast Heavenly Cave Kingdom was now entirely under the control of the Myriad Insects Kingdom?!

Within the lavish Heavenly Cave royal palace.

Xiao Renjie, now bare-chested except for a soft white robe wrapped around his waist, dismissed the eight beautiful concubines who had served him. He then took out a cherished fragment of a mirror.

"Mirror, oh mirror, I've obtained the Heavenly Cave Insect Cultivation Method. I want the Orifice Opening Scripture!"

Xiao Renjie placed the black crystal next to the mirror fragment, his expression filled with fervor.

Chu Xuan's spiritual sense swept through the fragment, immediately absorbing the Heavenly Cave Insect Cultivation Method. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. As expected, this was indeed a Diamond-level Demonic Insect Cultivation Method. Mysterious, obscure, yet strangely powerful!

The Heavenly Cave Insect Cultivation Method focused on the transplantation of demonic insect organs. The founding ancestors of Heavenly Cave Kingdom had experimented with countless combinations before arriving at the best one. By grafting the organs of five powerful demonic insects together, they created an extraordinarily potent mutated insect. This insect was called the Heavenly Cave Insect.

Many years ago, Heavenly Cave Kingdom was the most powerful of the three kingdoms. However, the royal family of Heavenly Cave became indulgent, focusing only on pleasure and neglecting the affairs of the state.

Moreover, the Heavenly Cave insect bloodline was unstable, gradually collapsing, and becoming weaker with each passing year. As a result, Heavenly Cave had fallen to become the weakest of the three kingdoms. This weakness was precisely why Xiao Renjie had set his sights on it, and why it was the first to fall.

"Diamond-level Demon Insect Cultivation Method... The wisdom contained within is comparable to Deity Transformation-level techniques. This method is quite sinister. If it were modified slightly and applied to the cultivation world, it could undoubtedly create a master of the Gu Path!"

Chu Xuan sighed deeply, reflecting on this.

He then focused his spiritual sense and manifested the Orifice Opening Scripture on the surface of the mirror fragment.

"Good, good, good! With this Orifice Opening Scripture, I will definitely reach an even higher realm!"

Xiao Renjie was overjoyed, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Not only can I free myself from its influence... Perhaps, like our founding ancestor, I can ascend from this world!"

Hearing these words, Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. That was a lot of information to take in. In this Cave World, could it be that some Insect Masters are capable of ascension?

The concept of ascension was familiar in the cultivation world. It was said that those at the Tribulation Stage, after overcoming the greatest and most powerful thunder tribulation, could undergo transformation and ascend to the higher realms—becoming true immortals. But Xiao Renjie's idea of "ascension" likely couldn't be compared to the ascension known in the cultivation world.

Chu Xuan's curiosity was piqued. The matter of Insect Masters flying up likely involved some of the ultimate secrets of the Cave World. However, since Xiao Renjie's cultivation would still take some time, he would need to wait.

Five more years passed in the blink of an eye. Chu Xuan consumed black magic whale meat daily, and his vital energy grew with each passing day. Yet, the leap from the forty-third to the forty-fourth level was a significant hurdle. The cultivation process had become considerably more difficult.

"Perhaps it's time to step out and check. He Zha should have prepared everything for me."

With a firm step, he left and returned to the Tea Appreciation Pavilion on Neon Garment Island.

As expected, just as he returned, the Transmission Jade vibrated lightly. A voice from He Zha came through.

"Senior, the twelve types of Gu insects you requested have been located. Three of them are stored at the He family, while the other nine are with a few of the older Gu Masters."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly.

This was exactly what he had instructed He Zha to do.

He had sent him to collect the necessary Gu insects for the Heavenly Cave Insect Cultivation Method. To be cautious, he had ordered He Zha to collect a few extra types—better safe than sorry.

Chapter 460: Dragon-shaped Bug

Chu Xuan pushed open the door of the Tea Appreciation Pavilion and strode into the He family estate. The beautiful woman was waiting, with He Zha standing respectfully to the side.

Upon seeing Chu Xuan, the woman immediately broke into a wide smile and stepped forward. She handed him a small insect-rearing bag and respectfully said, "Senior, these are the three types of Gu insects you requested. If you need anything else, please feel free to contact me directly. I will do my best to fulfill your request."

Chu Xuan smiled faintly. "It's just some minor matters. There's no need to trouble the He family's cultivators."

"Let's go," he said, turning to look at He Zha.

"Understood."

Chu Xuan and He Zha walked side by side out of the He family residence, moving quickly.

The beautiful woman stood still, speechless.

A He family cultivator nearby murmured, "This Senior He, it seems he is not fond of women. Even with such a beautiful lady like you, he remains unaffected."

The woman, with a melancholic expression, sighed. "He hasn't even asked for my name... Alas..."

The nearby cultivator thought she was about to give up. But the woman's resolve firmed again. "A Nascent Soul guest elder, every family would want one. This Senior He is new here, and has not yet aligned himself with any faction. We must pull him into our He family's camp."

...

Elsewhere, Chu Xuan and He Zha had arrived at Neon Garment Square on Neon Garment Island. This was the largest market on the island, managed by the He family.

Though Gu insects were often associated with the dark arts, not all Gu insects consumed flesh and blood. Many of them fed on rare and precious materials instead. Thus, Neon Garment Square also had a place for these insects.

Before long, He Zha led Chu Xuan to a group of Gu Masters. The first eight types of Gu insects were acquired smoothly, as these Gu Masters were all in the Golden Core stage and didn't dare haggle with a Nascent Soul cultivator like Chu Xuan.

In no time at all, Chu Xuan and He Zha arrived at the last location. This was a shop called "Little Insect Pavilion", located in the central area of Neon Garment Square. This part of the market had the best location and the highest prices.

Compared to the surrounding stores, the Little Insect Pavilion was unusually small, delicate, and elegantly ancient. It looked as if a pearl had been embedded in the ground. The shop was impeccably clean, with only a pleasant fragrance lingering in the air, but not a hint of the usual Gu insect odor. Those unfamiliar with it might easily mistake the shop for a place selling spiritual plants rather than Gu insects.

...

Behind the counter stood an old Gu Master in his Nascent Soul stage. The Gu Master was dressed in gray robes, his body hunched with age. He looked extremely frail, his eyelids drooping, his face gaunt and lined with deep wrinkles. Each crevice on his face seemed to tell the story of countless years of life experience.

Beside him, in a wooden box, lay a palm-sized, shimmering golden insect. This insect was the Dragon-shaped Bug. It had two horns growing from its head and scales covering its body. Aside from lacking claws and a tail, it resembled a miniature dragon, more so than any other creature.

In Chu Xuan's design, the Dragon-shaped Bug was the core of his plan. Only an insect that had the shape of a dragon, but lacked the dragon's aura—an insect with abundant vital essence, thick skin, and resilient flesh—could bear the powerful organs of other Gu insects.

The old Gu Master looked at Chu Xuan and shook his head with a sigh. "I'm afraid I can't sell it for now. Here's your deposit back." He took out three large spirit stones and handed them over.

The Dragon-shaped Bug was priced at six large spirit stones, and Chu Xuan had previously asked He Zha to pay a deposit of three large spirit stones.

Hearing the old Gu Master's words, Chu Xuan frowned. Everything had been fine before—why the sudden change?

The old Gu Master seemed to hesitate, his face showing some difficulty. After a long pause, he spoke again. "If you truly want it, I can sell it to you, but the price has gone up to twenty large spirit stones."

Chu Xuan's frown deepened.

The Dragon-shaped Bug was merely slow to mature—it had no real combat ability. Its only value was in its shed skin, which could be used in medicinal preparations.

However, this Gu insect shed its skin only once every fifty years, which made it unbearably slow in growth. There were many other Gu insects whose shed skins could be used as a replacement.

The price of six large spirit stones was reasonable. But twenty large spirit stones could buy two high-quality magic treasures. While Chu Xuan had some wealth, he wasn't willing to throw it away without a good reason.

Though he could see that the old Gu Master seemed troubled, it didn't appear to be a deliberate attempt to raise the price.

He Zha quickly pulled Chu Xuan aside and whispered, "Senior, when I came here before, the price wasn't this high… don't know why, but as soon as you showed up, he raised the price."

He Zha was nervous, fearing that Chu Xuan might take his displeasure out on him.

Chu Xuan patted his shoulder reassuringly. "It's fine, this isn't your fault."

He Zha immediately felt relieved. This was a long-time ally—he definitely didn't want to fall out of favor now.

...

The old Gu Master sighed deeply. "You might want to try another Gu Master. That Gu Master Ma has also raised a Dragon-shaped Bug for over a hundred years. If you need the shed skin for medicinal purposes, it should be enough."

Chu Xuan smiled. "Senior, why the sudden price increase? If you don't mind, I'd like to hear the reason."

At a glance, he could tell that the Dragon-shaped Bug in the old Gu Master's hands was at least three hundred years old. The older the Dragon-shaped Bug, the better. A hundred-year-old one would likely be unable to bear the powerful organs of other Gu insects.

The old Gu Master froze when he heard Chu Xuan's words. He sighed heavily, his voice tinged with weariness. "Young man, at my age, I have no hope of reaching Deity Transformation. In this life, I have only two wishes—first, to leave behind a name, and second, to see my descendants grow up safely."

He chuckled bitterly. "I, Ning Tai, have spent most of my life here in the Eastern Third Ring. If it weren't for circumstances beyond my control, I would never ruin my reputation."

Chu Xuan listened quietly, piecing together the old Gu Master's story. The price increase must have something to do with his descendants.

Ning Tai sighed again. "I have no true family—only a few grandchildren. Not even a full hand's worth. But in this Shattered Star Sea, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, I cannot even protect them."

He continued with a hint of sorrow. "Over the years, some have died, some have gone missing. Now, I only have one remaining descendant. Not long ago, he offended a senior from the Divine Sword Sect, a Deity Transformation cultivator. Not only was he captured, but the shop he ran was sealed as well."

Ning Tai paused for a moment before adding, "I heard that the Deity Transformation senior is fond of collecting rare and unique Gu insects. My Dragon-shaped Bug has been raised for three hundred years. Perhaps he might be interested in it, so I thought to offer it to him."

"Of course," he smiled bitterly, "if the Dragon-shaped Bug can sell for twenty large spirit stones, that would be a good thing. I could buy a few more Gu insects and send them to him. That would be even better."

At this point, Ning Tai chuckled faintly, "That's when I decided to raise the price. I see that you are a kind-hearted person, fellow daoist, so I thought I'd explain myself. I hope you won't hold it against me."

Chu Xuan pondered for a moment. It made sense. Such things were not unusual. The Divine Sword Sect ruled with an iron fist. Anyone who offended them would suffer a dreadful fate.

However, Chu Xuan didn't want to give up on the Dragon-shaped Bug just yet. After thinking for a while, he suddenly spoke. "Since that Deity Transformation senior likes to collect unique Gu insects, I have one here that he will certainly be interested in."

With that, Chu Xuan flipped his palm, and a jade box appeared in his hand. Inside it lay a quiet fire bee.

...