Chapter 69: The Qualities of a Demonic Cultivator
“The wooden figure is ultimately a fake. It’s ti to face a real challenge. A demonic cultivator turns the impossible into the possible,” Elder Divine Pine said, retracting the wooden man.
Left with no target but his own frustration, Lin Jing muttered curses under his breath.
“Having Qi Refining cultivators fight Golden Core monsters isn’t turning the impossible into the possible—it’s sending Longevity at Buns to feed the dogs. No one cos back from that!”
The spatial herb might be tempting, but with Nascent Soul-level beasts around, and even Foundation Establishnt-level monsters being too strong for them, success seed out of reach.
“Squeak!” The Pine Leaf Mouse tugged on Lin Jing’s pant leg, its intent clear: Let’s do this!
It had a hopeful gleam in its eye, as if the spatial herb might help fulfill the wish it couldn’t achieve back at the Bodhi Heavens.
“You think it’s that simple?” Lin Jing glared at the mouse.
Using their Thousand Illusions technique to pose as a Nascent Soul demon king and fool the other monsters was a bold idea, but the risk was astronomical. Still, seeing Elder Divine Pine’s unwavering stance, Lin Jing knew there was no room for negotiation.
“Alright, fine. Let’s do it! We tricked the undying demon in the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda; why should we fear the beasts in this remote wasteland?”
“Senior, which direction?”
...
After resting and regaining their energy, Lin Jing, the Pine Leaf Mouse, and the dragon carp—disguised as a honeybee—set out again.
Black Wind Valley, the lair of a long-dead demon, lay shrouded in eerie, twisted trees. Their bare, gnarled branches rattled in the night wind like the wails of spirits.
Once abandoned and devoid of life, the valley now pulsed with a sinister demonic aura. Scores of gleaming eyes stared out from the shadows, fixated on a delicate white sprout growing at the valley’s center.
The beasts didn’t recognize the herb but were instinctively drawn to its overwhelming spatial energy and alluring fragrance. Despite their hunger, none dared act rashly.
First, the herb wasn’t fully mature. Eating it prematurely might yield no benefit.
Second, the corpses strewn around the valley—dozens of fallen beasts—warned them of the deadly cost of trying to claim it.
“Let’s retreat. This herb feels like bait,” whispered a human cultivator lurking in the darkness.
“But it’s a spatial herb! Rare and priceless. The Beast Taming Sect buys such treasures at high prices, no matter the type. If we get it, we won’t have to worry about cultivation resources for the rest of our lives!”
“The Beast Taming Sect is gone! Doesn’t that prove this herb is cursed?”
“That’s true... This place is crawling with beasts; we’re not in our elent here. Let’s go.”
Unseen in the shadows, Lin Jing and his team observed the valley. Overhead, the oppressive demonic energy mingled with the dark, forested terrain. Lin Jing dared not move recklessly.
“Elder Divine Pine, are there Nascent Soul-level demon kings here?”
“If we’re in danger, you’ll step in, right?” Lin Jing asked nervously.
Elder Divine Pine stayed silent for a long ti before responding, “This herb is known as Spatial Shift Grass, a fifth-grade spiritual herb. Its origin and growth process are mysteries. During its maturation, it frequently teleports to new locations, seeking diverse growth conditions.
“If you want it, act quickly. It could vanish at any mont.”
“And don’t worry about its immaturity; use the Everlasting Emperor's Longevity Art to sustain it after harvesting,” it added.
As Lin Jing mulled over this advice, a mole-like beast proficient in earth techniques tried to stealthily claim the herb. But it underestimated the hidden predators.
Boom!
A crimson beam shot from the darkness, piercing the ground. When the dust settled, the mole lay dead, a gaping hole in its chest.
Seeing this, Lin Jing found himself missing the wooden man.
“We’ll wait,” he decided.
Patience was key. There was no guarantee that posing as a Nascent Soul demon king would fool the monsters, especially with so many hidden threats.
As Lin Jing and his companions hunkered down, Elder Divine Pine watched them closely.
“Adaptability to environntal changes, calm vigilance, keen judgnt, and the wisdom to act decisively in complex situations... These are the basic qualities of a demonic cultivator. Good luck, Longevity Kid.”
...
One day passed.
Two days.
Three days.
Though Elder Divine Pine had warned that the Spatial Shift Grass might teleport away, Lin Jing waited. He remained hyper-alert, keeping his illusion intact and his presence concealed, avoiding detection by the hidden monsters.
During this ti, several more impatient beasts attempted to seize the herb, only to et grisly ends. Their failures helped Lin Jing map out the positions of several lurking predators.
Then, sothing unexpected happened.
“That’s her?” Lin Jing murmured in surprise.
A familiar figure entered the valley—a woman in simple white robes, a long sword floating beside her. It was Ling Yue Sword Immortal Feng Ning, whom he had encountered in Snow Moon City.
Feng Ning descended gracefully, her attention clearly focused on the Spatial Shift Grass. But, like the beasts before her, she quickly beca a target.
Multiple beams of demonic light shot toward her, but she was no ordinary cultivator. With a flick of her sword, she unleashed arcs of sword energy that annihilated the incoming attacks and struck down the hidden beasts with precision.
“Spatial Shift Grass?” Feng Ning murmured, stepping closer to the herb.
But before she could claim it, more powerful monsters erged from the shadows, their forms blotting out the sky.
Without hesitation, Feng Ning’s sword spirit activated, unleashing a storm of sword energy that obliterated the charging beasts. In an instant, the valley was littered with their corpses.
As Feng Ning approached the herb, Lin Jing knew he couldn’t wait any longer.
Boom!
A towering pine tree bathed in golden-green light entered the valley, exuding the overwhelming presence of a demon king. Each step it took revitalized the land, turning the autumn decay into vibrant greenery. Dead trees sprouted fresh leaves as if spring had returned.
“A demon king is here!”
The terrifying aura, coupled with Feng Ning’s presence, shattered the resolve of many hidden beasts, forcing them to flee.
“Damn it, who told you to use my form?” Lin Jing grumbled as he stepped forward.
“And why do I look so ugly? The hairstyle is all wrong!” Elder Divine Pine replied.
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