Translator: Lynn
Five days had passed.
Inside the secluded room, nurous auras compressed together, filling the space without any gaps. In the center, a vortex had ford, twisting the surrounding aura into a long rope that spun around the whirlpool before converging and pouring into its core.
Seated on a futon at the heart of the vortex was a handso young cultivator. His legs were crossed, hands resting on his knees, as he perford a mysterious incantation. Above the acupuncture points on his head, spiritual energy flowed in like a long dragon, eager to descend and almost solidifying.
A closer look would reveal that his entire body was enveloped in a radiant layer, resembling white mist, giving him an ethereal appearance.
After a considerable amount of ti, the aura suddenly quickened, causing the young man to furrow his brow. Suddenly, an explosion occurred!
His limbs trembled slightly, and his eyes shot open—
“Hoo—” A cloud of green qi burst forth from his mouth before being drawn back into his abdon.
The young man’s eyes emanated a green glow, and his expression turned solemn. With a series of intricate hand gestures, he uttered a command, gathering all the Qi around him.
At that mont, the young man’s body exuded warmth and tranquility, as if he had montarily descended from the immortal realm into the mortal world, evoking a sense of closeness.
Gradually, the green luminescence in his eyes, around his body, and in his dantian faded away.
“Finally, a small success.” Xu Ziqing smiled gently.
During these days of ditation, Xu Ziqing had fully imrsed himself in the battle between himself, Su Xin, and the blood demon. Every movent made by Su Xin and the blood demon had been ticulously analyzed countless tis by Xu Ziqing and reconstructed repeatedly.
Through constant reflection, Xu Ziqing not only morized the trajectory of Su Xin’s sword but also gained a clear understanding of the blood demon’s formation.
Naturally, Xu Ziqing had no intention of learning the cruel and malevolent “Corpse Devil Bone Etching Formation,” but rather sought to deduce cultivation thods utilized by higher-level cultivators from the blood demon’s formation techniques.
Although the blood demon had inhabited Jiao Tu’s body at the ti, his cultivation level was relatively weak, but his realm was still present. Delving into such intricate techniques would inevitably lead to enchantnt.
Apart from that, Xu Ziqing also resolved a hidden issue.
To break the formation, Xu Ziqing released the Bloodthirsty Demon Vine, which absorbed all the blood mist within the formation, thus shattering it.
However, despite Xu Ziqing successfully subduing the vine through the Essence of Ethereal Wood and making it the foundation of his control over all vegetation, it remained untad and bloodthirsty by nature.
Due to Xu Ziqing’s insufficient cultivation level to suppress the vine, he had refrained from allowing it to feed on flesh and blood in the past. This ti, Xu Ziqing unsealed the Bloodthirsty Demon Vine, enabling it to feed to its heart’s content.
However, the blood mist within the formation consisted entirely of human blood, infused with the strong emotions of resentnt, anger, injustice, and hatred from the Southern region’s unfortunate victims.
These negative emotions served as nourishnt for the blood demon, amplifying the power of the formation, and were also a delectable feast for the demon vine. Yet, as soon as Xu Ziqing made contact with the Bloodthirsty Demon Vine and communicated with it after his ditation, these emotions assailed him, almost corroding his mind.
Fortunately, Xu Ziqing had few cravings in life and possessed a gentle and benevolent nature, resulting in a resilient dao heart. He swiftly composed himself and imdiately absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, employing the “Ten Thousand Woods Seeding Heart Technique” to pacify the Bloodthirsty Demon Vine. Gradually, the vine awakened from its instinctual state and returned to docility.
Together, the demon vine and Xu Ziqing worked diligently to dispel the resentnt and anger of the Southern victims, gradually regaining clarity.
Xu Ziqing considered himself fortunate that he had made the conscious decision to stabilize his Qi refining cultivation at the eighth level and had voluntarily initiated the technique to connect with the Bloodthirsty Demon Vine. Otherwise, if the Bloodthirsty Demon Vine’s consciousness had suddenly grown restless and erupted while he was in the midst of his ditation, the consequences would have been dire, potentially driving him to madness.
Finishing his cultivation practice, Xu Ziqing rose from his seat.
As he stood up, the atmosphere in the room abruptly dissipated, as if it had lost its magnetic pull.
After erging from the tranquil room, Xu Ziqing gestured to lift the barrier and discovered a small courtyard secluded from the outside world.
Within the courtyard, Qingfeng was diligently sweeping while Miaoyue, true to her na, had adorned the enclosed flower garden with fragrant flowers and trees, creating a delightful aroma.
As soon as Xu Ziqing appeared, both servants noticed and ceased their activities to pay their respects.
Miaoyue showed keen perception. “Master Xu, would you like to have a al now?”
Xu Ziqing was taken aback, realizing his hunger and initially intending to provide Qingfeng with gold and jade to purchase ingredients. However, he didn’t expect Miaoyue to suggest it first.
Noticing his confusion, Qingfeng hastily explained, “Immortal Master is an esteed guest with a first-class token, and the Loose Cultivator Alliance is willing to provide hospitality.”
In the Outer mbers of the Loose Cultivator Alliance, those with a third-class token were given accommodation, while those with a second-class token received additional servants. Furthermore, those with a first-class token, like Xu Ziqing, were provided regular als by the Loose Cultivator Alliance, in addition to the other benefits.
Xu Ziqing was far from the Valley’s realm, so he would have had to spend a considerable amount on food. However, with Su Xin obtaining a first-class token for him, he could save himself the trouble. This shifted Xu Ziqing’s perspective of Su Xin, a seemingly impulsive young man. He realized that beneath the recklessness, Su Xin possessed thoughtfulness and care.
Smiling, Xu Ziqing nodded. “I am hungry. Let’s eat.”
Qingfeng swiftly brought over a stone table, his muscular arms indicating his strength. anwhile, Miaoyue headed to a side room where a small kitchen had been set up. Anticipating the master’s ergence from seclusion, Miaoyue and others had prepared and kept the food warm, ensuring utmost diligence.
In no ti, the al was served.
The dishes were presented on jade utensils, infused with spiritual energy. Xu Ziqing glanced and noticed three white jade plates on the table—two vegetarian and one non-vegetarian.
The vegetarian dishes consisted of spiritual lon and spiritual vegetables, while the non-vegetarian option featured a leg of a beast, deriving its spiritual energy from a first-rank demonic beast. The main dish was a bowl of spiritual food, with white, delicate, crystalline rice, containing spiritual energy within each distinct grain. A quick sniff revealed a clear and refreshing fragrance.
Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but sigh at the thoughtfulness displayed by the Loose Cultivator Alliance.
Miaoyue stole glances at her new master, fearing that her position on Lingzhi Mountain would be jeopardized if she failed to serve him well. Being chosen as a maidservant on the mountain had drawn envy from her fellow sisters, but the prospect of expulsion due to poor service made her worry about becoming a laughingstock.
Unaware of her concerns, Xu Ziqing simply picked up his bowl and began to eat slowly. In both his past and present life, having co from a prominent family, he possessed an inherent elegance and natural grace in his every movent.
Observing his deanor, Miaoyue and Qingfeng grew increasingly respectful and admired him even more.
Once the al was finished, Xu Ziqing placed the dishes down and instructed Miaoyue to clean up.
Curiosity piqued, Xu Ziqing inquired, “Are there any upcoming events in the next few days?”
Qingfeng promptly responded, “In response to Immortal Xu, soone has indeed co to visit you.”
Xu Ziqing was montarily surprised. “Who is it?”
Qingfeng spoke respectfully, “It is the Young Alliance Master.”
As a result, Qingfeng and Miaoyue beca even more cautious in their service toward Xu Ziqing. Having been at the Alliance for a long ti, they were well aware of Xu Xin’s difficult and unpleasant personality, along with his arrogant and forthright nature. Yet, Xu Xin had personally visited Xu Ziqing and imdiately left upon hearing about his seclusion, instructing them to take good care of him. How could they not be extra careful?
Xu Ziqing pondered montarily and asked, “When did Daoist Su arrive?”
Qingfeng replied, “Just yesterday.”
Xu Ziqing smiled, gaining so clarity. He had been in seclusion for a few days, and Su Xin’s cultivation level was slightly lower than his, so it was natural for Su Xin to erge from seclusion earlier. However, Su Xin kept his word and acted accordingly, without retracting his promise.
With this in mind, Xu Ziqing took out his red jade sword and slapped it forward. The jade sword transford into a red beam of light, swiftly piercing through the air and disappearing from sight.
Afterward, he sat down on a stone bench, patiently awaiting Su Xin’s arrival.
As luck would have it, in less than a mont, a fiery red cloud erged from the sky, resembling a teor, and descended directly toward him. Within the blink of an eye, it drew near, struck the ground, and transford into a handso young man dressed in wide robes with billowing sleeves. He looked up at the sky, displaying a graceful and elegant deanor.
The young man stored away his flying sword and appeared bright and cheerful. “Fellow Daoist Xu, you erged from seclusion a day later than . How did it go?”
Xu Ziqing smiled faintly. “I have made so progress in breaking through a barrier, and I can see that you have also made significant advancents.”
Su Xin was overjoyed and took a seat directly across from Xu Ziqing.
Xu Ziqing flicked his sleeve, and Miaoyue and Qingfeng, understanding his intention, quickly served fragrant tea.
Su Xin took a sip and smiled. “Like you, I have advanced in my cultivation and reached the sixth level of Qi refinent. I have also opened several acupuncture points on my back, allowing to make further progress.”
His face flushed with happiness, making him even more remarkable.
Xu Ziqing found it pleasing to the eye and returned the smile. “Congratulations, then.”
However, Su Xin continued, “Apart from that, I have so inexplicable feelings, but I am unsure how to articulate them.”
Xu Ziqing contemplated for a mont. “Is it related to the blood demon’s attack?”
Su Xin clapped his hands. “Exactly! Could it be that you have experienced it too, Daoist Xu?”
Xu Ziqing nodded slightly. “The blood demon’s realm is several levels higher than ours, so it is natural that he may not understand it yet. Why don’t we record our experiences and reflect upon them as our realms continue to advance?”
Su Xin agreed with the suggestion.
The two of them engaged in a conversation, sharing their insights and corroborating their encounters with the blood demon.
After about two hours, the aromatic tea had been changed several tis, and they felt that their spiritual power had beco more solid. They had identified nurous mistakes and omissions, resulting in a much more solid foundation compared to their previous frivolous state.
With smiles exchanged, they simultaneously ceased their discussion.
Upon reopening his eyes, Xu Ziqing’s expression turned slightly peculiar. “Fellow Daoist Xu, aside from protecting you and verifying my gains from seclusion, there is actually another matter that brought here this ti.”
Xu Ziqing was taken aback. “What is it?” He chuckled and added, “Please tell , Daoist friend Su.”
Su Xin cleared his throat. “It concerns the flesh of the blood demon.”
Xu Ziqing froze.
He heard Su Xin say, “In the Chenghuang Kingdom, we devised a plan called ‘striking the west with sound’ to obtain the blood demon’s flesh. To be honest, I was so engrossed in inviting you to my Loose Cultivator Alliance that I completely forgot about it.”
“Yesterday, as I exited the gate, my master summoned and inquired about the demon extermination. It was then that I rembered and ntioned it.”
Indeed, not only had Su Xin forgotten, but Xu Ziqing had also completely overlooked it.
During that ti, after acquiring the blood demon’s flesh, Xu Ziqing stored it in his storage ring and severed its connection with the blood demon, making it unable to easily summon its flesh and necessitating its removal.
Following the battle with the blood demon, Xu Ziqing felt relieved after crushing its spirit, and his mind beca at ease. It was then that Su Xin extended an invitation to join the Loose Cultivator Alliance, which Xu Ziqing had forgotten about.
As this realization crossed his mind, Xu Ziqing’s expression turned slightly peculiar.
After obtaining the blood demon’s flesh, his friend Yun Ling had an aversion to it and preferred to remain outside the storage ring. However, after the battle with the blood demon, Yun Ling had erased so mories of Xin, the host, and re-entered the storage ring… Now that he thought about it, could it be that at that ti, Yun Ling also forgot where the blood demon’s flesh was?
If that were the case…
The first thing Xu Ziqing decided to do was to inquire about those who were present at that ti.
He composed himself and said, “I still have the blood demon’s flesh in my possession. If you want to see it, I can bring it out.”
Su Xin was also concerned that Xu Ziqing had lost the flesh, but upon hearing that it was still intact, he felt relieved. “It’s not that I personally want to see it, but my master is skeptical and needs to witness it with his own eyes to believe .”
Understanding the concern of Su Xin’s master, Xu Ziqing replied, “Naturally, it is understandable that your master is worried about you. I will present this flesh as a gift upon my entry into the Alliance.”
Hearing this, Su Xin beca overjoyed. “That’s wonderful! My master will be pleased!”
Without further ado, Xu Ziqing flicked his sleeve and placed the flesh in an open space not far away.
As the blood demon’s flesh erged, a strong aura of blood imdiately perated the surroundings. The entire mountain rock seed to be filled with a suffocating and oppressive sensation, making even breathing difficult.
The withered and desiccated body resembled a skeletal figure, with thin flesh and blood barely covering the skeleton, resembling a skinned corpse. The face was shapeless, with seven orifices and no trace of hair.
Seeing the blood demon’s flesh for the first ti, Su Xin was caught off guard. His eyes widened, and he instinctively covered his mouth and nose, almost gagging. The grotesque appearance was simply too repulsive…
Quickly realizing the discomfort, Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
Once Su Xin regained his composure, he felt slightly embarrassed by Xu Ziqing’s tolerant attitude. “Fellow Daoist Xu, I apologize for making you laugh.”
Shaking his head, Xu Ziqing chuckled. “Daoist friend Su Xin, you have a pure heart. The sight of the blood demon’s flesh is indeed… unpleasant when first encountered.”
Upon hearing Xu Ziqing’s understanding, Su Xin felt a sense of irony in his heart. He had never been close to others, but interacting with Xu Ziqing felt like a refreshing breeze, causing him to develop a fondness for him. He spoke candidly, “Fellow Daoist Xu, we have only known each other for a few days, but I feel a strong connection. May I address you as ‘Brother Ziqing’?”
Admiring Su Xin’s straightforward nature, Xu Ziqing naturally accepted and replied, “It would be my honor. Please feel free to address as you wish.”
Su Xin waved his hand. “Brother Ziqing, you are excellent in all aspects, but you are overly modest and polite. Since I call you ‘Brother Ziqing’ and you are two years older than , please call ‘Younger brother’ or ‘Ah Xin’.”
Xu Ziqing smiled and said, “Younger Brother Xin.”
The two of them exchanged smiles once again, both feeling a sense of camaraderie.
After spending a few more monts with Xu Ziqing, Su Xin stood up, pushing his chair back. “Brother Ziqing, my master is still waiting for to hand over the blood demon’s flesh, so I should go first.”
Xu Ziqing also rose to bid him farewell. “Please, Younger Brother Xin, go ahead. There’s no need for to see you off.”
The two exchanged their goodbyes, and Su Xin summoned his flying sword, which appeared behind him. With a swift leap, he mounted the sword and nodded to Xu Ziqing. With a slight movent, he vanished on the flying sword.
Xu Ziqing turned around, a smile playing on his lips.
Qingfeng and Miaoyue stood respectfully nearby.
Xu Ziqing gave her instructions. “I will be descending the mountain, and I’m unsure when I will return. You two should take care of the house.”
They imdiately replied, “Yes, sir.”
With a thought, Xu Ziqing conjured two blue leaves beneath his feet, and he descended the mountain, floating on the leaves.
“The two of them were in the sa boat,” he thought to himself.
As mbers of the Alliance, they were bound to follow its rules.
Su Xin had inford Xu Ziqing about the practice of exchanging resources within the Alliance, where people traded items they didn’t need for contributions and then used those contributions to acquire the resources they required. It was a convenient system.
Reflecting on his experiences since leaving the secret realm, Xu Ziqing realized that his cultivation still needed to be deeper, and he had many areas in which he fell short. The “TTen Thousand Woods Great Heart Planting Technique” he was practicing was incredibly intricate, but it demanded high requirents.
Xu Ziqing realized that during his ti in the secret realm, he had obtained demon vines as his primary spiritual trees and acquired more than a dozen varieties of secondary trees. However, he still lacked a few. Although the demon vine possessed great power, its instinctive behavior was difficult to control, making it unsuitable for frequent use in battles. Reflecting on this, Xu Ziqing concluded that the secondary trees held significant importance, and he preferred not to select them during the Qi refining stage. Therefore, he needed to acquire a few more secondary trees and dedicate ti to their cultivation.
Taking stock of his current resources, Xu Ziqing carefully assessed his net worth. Having spent five years in the secret realm, he had accumulated nurous high-quality spiritual plants in the underground cave at the bottom of the lake. The quantity in his storage ring likely exceeded a thousand, with the lower estimate being around two or three thousand.
Additionally, the bloodthirsty demon vine required blood as sustenance while it grew, so Xu Ziqing would venture out daily to hunt monsters and beasts for feeding purposes.
Considering the substantial value of his collection, Xu Ziqing realized it was impractical to display everything at once. After contemplating for a while, he decided to prioritize a visit to the trading hall.
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