Chapter 159: What? The demonic cultivator's already been dealt with?

Chapter 159: What? The demonic cultivator’s already been dealt with?

Inside Qingyang Spirit Mine, Chang Shunping stared at the fallen Cao Wunian, his heart churning with disbelief.

The last time he’d seen Xiao Chen unleash his might—cutting down Foundation Building cultivators one after another with a single sword strike—Chang had placed absolute faith in Xiao Chen’s strength. That was why he’d rushed here in such a panic today, eager to consult him about strategies.

But just moments ago, when Cao Wunian’s aura had suddenly surged, even agitating the surrounding spiritual energy, Chang’s resolve had faltered. The pressure radiating from that figure was unmistakably beyond any Foundation Building cultivator’s.

Chang had encountered numerous peak-stage Foundation cultivators before. He’d seen them fight. But none had ever made his heart pound and limbs tremble like Cao Wunian had just done from hundreds of zhang away.

Instinctively, he’d launched a signal arrow to summon nearby reinforcements. At the same time, he’d drawn his flying sword, ready to aid Xiao Chen in battle. Normally, facing a powerful enemy together would be far more effective than fighting alone.

Yet as Chang took a step forward, he froze.

Cao Wunian’s power had reached its zenith, and fear gripped him. Chang was merely an ordinary cultivator who’d relied on pills and spirit herbs to forcefully elevate himself to the sixth layer of Foundation Building. Benefiting from his ancestors’ legacy, his cultivation journey had been smooth sailing—too smooth. He’d never faced true adversity, let alone combat experience.

Thinking of his family’s need for protection, of White Bone Gate’s infamous past, he hesitated. Should he charge forward or flee while he still could? He stood rooted to the spot, torn between duty and self-preservation.

But before he could decide, Cao Wunian completed his transformation.

His body expanded to a full zhang in height, morphing into a skeletal white giant whose every movement sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Each step left a crater in the earth, feet-deep and zhangs wide. A single punch sent gales roaring across dozens of zhangs, shaking even top-grade defensive magic artifacts to their core.

A hulking demon god descended into the mortal realm.

Chang shuddered. If that fist had targeted him, he’d have been reduced to a smear of gore.

Yet the next moment, he witnessed something utterly unthinkable.

Xiao Chen actually withdrew all his magic artifacts, standing motionless with hands clasped behind his back.

Chang’s mind reeled. What did this mean? Was Xiao Chen surrendering?

But he soon understood. What unfolded next was sheer mockery.

The skeletal giant, capable of leaping fifty zhang in a single bound, suddenly moved like a clumsy toddler before Xiao Chen.

No matter how Cao Wunian charged, leapt, or slashed, a golden light technique wove through the air, rendering every strike futile. Each flicker of that golden glow sent Xiao Chen’s figure reappearing dozens of zhangs away.

Darting across Qingyang Mountain like a dancer in the wind, his robes billowed elegantly, leaving a trail of whistling gales.

As an observer, Chang could barely follow the action, his eyes struggling to track Xiao Chen’s position without an expansive field of view.

If the skeletal giant represented power beyond Foundation Building, then this golden light technique embodied speed equally impossible for the same realm.

A question rose unbidden in Chang’s mind: Could a Foundation Building cultivator truly move this fast?

He was mistaken, though. Even Xiao Chen couldn’t maintain such speed over long distances. But in this familiar terrain, short bursts of rapid evasion were entirely feasible.

From the moment Cao Wunian swallowed the Holy Pill, the battle’s outcome had been sealed.

As Xiao Chen bent down to retrieve a storage bag from the ground, Chang finally snapped out of his trance, realizing he’d been standing still the entire time, too timid to intervene.

He hastily sheathed his flying sword, feeling both ashamed and relieved—ashamed of his weakness, grateful for having survived the crisis thanks to Xiao Chen.

Hastening forward to congratulate him, Chang said, “Congratulations, Cultivator Xiao! The Spirit Origin Sect has offered a double merit bounty this time. Your merits are already complete!”

Earlier, during casual conversation, Xiao Chen had mentioned his aspiration to become a Demon-Slaying Guard. He’d needed two more late-stage Foundation Building demonic cultivators to meet the requirement. Now, Cao Wunian alone had fulfilled that quota. Come next month’s rotation, Xiao Chen would ascend directly, no longer bound by the sect’s station assignments and free to act as he pleased.

Chang continued, “I’ve heard that the fastest previous Demon-Slaying Guard took half a year to accumulate enough merits.”

“But you, Cultivator Xiao, have achieved this in just two months! Truly a gifted prodigy, unmatched in strength!”

“This pace… I doubt anyone will surpass you in the future.”

Xiao Chen smiled faintly. “You flatter me, Fellow Cultivator Chang. I’ve simply had favorable opportunities.”

This wasn’t mere humility. Being assigned to a place like Qingyang Spirit Mine—where encountering enough demonic cultivators depended heavily on luck—was itself a matter of fortune. No matter how strong he was, without opponents to fight, merits couldn’t be earned.

As they spoke, a sword beam suddenly streaked across the sky.

A middle-aged man in black robes descended, clutching a jade ruler. He asked urgently, “Fellow cultivators, we sensed violent spiritual energy fluctuations and saw your signal arrow. What’s the situation? Where is the attacking demonic cultivator now?”

Only after finishing his question did a gust of wind and spiritual energy turbulence arrive, delayed by his incredible speed.

Judging from this display, he was clearly a peak-stage Foundation Building cultivator.

Chang blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected his signal arrow to actually summon reinforcements.

He explained, “I am Chang Shunping of Qingyang’s Chang Family. I launched that signal arrow.”

“Thank you for coming, but Cultivator Xiao has already dealt with the demonic cultivator.”

Hearing the crisis had already passed, the newly arrived Yang Huaian raised his eyebrows, turning his gaze to Xiao Chen.

Since receiving the Spirit Origin Sect’s transmission yesterday, he’d set out immediately to patrol, determined to intercept the demonic cultivator before they could wreak havoc with the Fire Crystal Stones.

As one of the current eight Demon-Slaying Guards, Yang had extensive experience battling demonic cultivators. He’d deliberately chosen a route where they were most likely to appear.

From a hundred li away, the disturbance had alarmed him. Who could be fighting on Qingyang Mountain?

Then, a signal arrow had shot into the sky from that direction—a clear sign that an ally was under attack and calling for help.

Yang had immediately realized the spiritual energy disturbance must stem from an exceptionally powerful demonic cultivator. Unlike Chang Shunping, he’d merely furrowed his brows before rushing over on his flying sword.

With a top-grade defensive magic artifact at his side, he felt confident in his safety. He’d intended to stall the enemy, buying time for other allies to escape.

But he hadn’t expected to arrive and find the battle already over—only two unfamiliar cultivators cleaning up the scene.

This puzzled him. What had happened?

When Chang confirmed his words, Yang’s mind reeled.

“What? The demonic cultivator’s already been dealt with?”

He turned to Xiao Chen, disbelief etched across his face.

Though he hadn’t witnessed the skeletal giant himself, the residual spiritual energy turbulence and the battlefield’s devastation clearly indicated a formidable foe.

He’d braced himself for a brutal fight, even prepared for injuries.

Yet someone had already eliminated the threat.

Chang pointed at the remains nearby. “Yes, right there.”

Yang scanned the area with his spiritual sense—and nearly jumped in shock.

The residual energy from the corpse confirmed it: a peak-stage Foundation Building cultivator.

Yet not a single bone remained intact—a clear symptom of White Bone Gate’s Holy Pill.

A peak-stage Foundation Building demonic cultivator consuming the Holy Pill could temporarily transcend the realm’s limits, gaining unimaginable strength, defense rivaling top-grade magic artifacts, and speed that utterly crushed ordinary Foundation Building cultivators.

This was precisely why White Bone Gate, despite lacking Golden Core Zhenren-level experts, had withstood the Three Great Sects of Hezhou for so long.

The sects’ Foundation cultivators had to form teams when hunting White Bone Gate members, never daring to act alone, lest the enemy use the Holy Pill to take them down in a final, desperate strike.

This coordination shortage had left them perpetually understaffed, often arriving too late to corner their targets.

When they did succeed, they’d often face a skeletal giant holding them off—capable of stalling seven or eight late-stage Foundation cultivators alone.

Yang had never imagined he’d live to see someone defeat a Holy Pill-enhanced White Bone Gate cultivator single-handedly.

The reason Chang Shunping was immediately ruled out for solo combat was clear—based on past experiences fighting the White Bone Gate, cultivators below the late Foundation Building stage were not only useless in such battles but would only become burdens.

“Cultivator Xiao? Could it be you, Xiao Chen?”

Yang Huaian recalled all the late Foundation Building cultivators he knew and immediately thought of the recent monthly report’s top name. He had wondered earlier who this sudden newcomer was. Now, he was meeting him in person.

“It is me.”

Xiao Chen nodded at the question and countered, “I’ve long heard of a cultivator in the Spirit Origin Sect known as Yang Fellow Cultivator, the ‘Soul Severing Ruler.’ You carry a jade ruler two feet and two inches long. Since the war began, you’ve slain countless demons and are now one of the only eight Demon-Slaying Guards. Might you be that Yang Fellow Cultivator?”

Yang Huaian waved his hand hastily. “Cultivator Xiao flatters me. I’m merely a name without substance. I can’t compare to your ability to single-handedly defeat a White Bone Giant.”

He spoke sincerely, without a trace of insincerity.

Yang Huaian knew that if he faced a White Bone Giant alone, he would surely lose. At best, he might survive by enduring severe injuries and stalling until the opponent’s pill effects wore off. Yet Xiao Chen stood before him, his breath steady, complexion rosy, and his Magic Robe unscathed—showing no sign of battle.

Reflecting on this, Yang Huaian felt humbled. A desire to befriend Xiao Chen quietly took root in his heart.

He stayed behind to help fill the craters left by the battle and volunteered to return to the Spirit Origin Sect to notify the Inspection Envoys for merit tallying.

After seeing off Yang Huaian and Chang Shunping, Xiao Chen returned to the spirit mine to examine Cao Wunian’s abandoned storage bag.

As expected, it was packed full of Fire Crystal Stones. Yet there were no spirit stones or miscellaneous items—only half a bottle of Spiritual Fasting Pills and exactly twenty-four vials of toxic smoke.

It was clear Cao Wunian had deliberately cleared out other items beforehand, preparing to leave nothing behind if he died.

“To think he’d do something like this…”

Xiao Chen rummaged through the bag but found nothing else, frowning slightly.

Thankfully, he had also gained a top-grade magical artifact—a white bone staff used by Cao Wunian. Alone, this artifact was worth ten thousand spirit stones.

Combined with double merits and points from the battle, he now met the requirements to become a Demon-Slaying Guard.

This meant the first step of his plan, formulated aboard the flying vessel, was complete.

The next step was to avoid the frontline and stay at the Spirit Origin Sect’s rear, hunting demonic cultivators who sneaked in to cause chaos.

Originally, being assigned to Qingyang Spirit Mine seemed like a waste of time. Now, he no longer needed to participate in the second rotation.

“Still, this success was thanks to the Zongdi Jinguang.”

After resting briefly, Xiao Chen retrieved Purple-Gold Spirit Sand from his storage bag. Having tasted the benefits of escape techniques again, he decided to focus on refining them until he achieved the Grand Mastery Realm.

Of the one jin and six taels of Purple-Gold Spirit Sand he’d obtained earlier, he still had one jin and four taels left. If he used it recklessly, he might push the Zongdi Jinguang to the Grand Mastery Realm.

Since the sand was free, he had no qualms about using it lavishly.

---

“What? The demonic cultivator has already been dealt with?”

Inside the Spirit Origin Sect, Sect Master Gong Lingfeng exclaimed in shock.

He stared at Yang Huaian, his reaction puzzling the surrounding elders—what was wrong?

The elders were also surprised but mainly at Xiao Chen’s speed. The bounty notice had been issued only a day ago, yet he had already found and stopped the thief of the Fire Crystal Stones.

But was this truly so shocking? Why did the Sect Master seem so flustered?

Yang Huaian froze, confused why Gong Lingfeng had reacted so strongly before he even reached the climax of his story.

Unknown to them, Gong Lingfeng had been tormented for two days. He had foreseen the crisis in Qingyang County but couldn’t reveal it or send help in advance. Though he maintained composure outwardly, he had secretly felt anguish.

Unlike other cultivators, Gong Lingfeng wasn’t the most accomplished among his peers. A severe injury from a past battle with a demonic cultivator had left him the least likely to form a golden core. After a period of despair, he dedicated himself to building the sect, visiting every territory under its jurisdiction countless times.

Now, hearing Yang Huaian’s good news, relief surged through him like a weight lifted.

Thank the heavens! Qingyang County is safe!

But soon after, he realized, “Wait—did you say the demonic cultivator was already dealt with?”

He pressed urgently, “How did this happen? Who defeated him?”

Yang Huaian recounted what he saw, emphasizing the White Bone Gate’s Holy Pill the opponent had consumed.

When he finished, the elders exchanged stunned glances.

What are you talking about?

They had all participated in hunting White Bone Gate cultivators, many having fought White Bone Giants enhanced by the Holy Pill. They knew firsthand how absurdly powerful the pill was—it burned a cultivator’s blood, lifespan, and cultivation in exchange for overwhelming strength.

Past tragedies proved no Foundation Building cultivator could face a White Bone Giant alone.

Yet Xiao Chen from Li Prefecture had shattered this “truth.”

How could they not be shaken?

Grand Elder Yao Dehai was stunned speechless. If Yang Huaian hadn’t confirmed it, he’d have dismissed it as nonsense.

He first heard of Xiao Chen’s name in a letter from the Chen Family, where Chen Tianyuan specially requested protection for Chen Zhi’an, Chen Zhiquan, and Xiao Chen—particularly the latter, a pill forging prodigy.

Now, Yao Dehai wondered, If Xiao Chen is this strong, was that letter even necessary?

The monthly report’s first place had already shocked him. Now, someone claimed Xiao Chen hadn’t even shown his true strength yet.

Is this really the level a Pill Forging Master should reach?

Still, he remembered to speak up, “Esteemed seniors, the Fire Crystal Stones were recovered thanks to Xiao Chen’s efforts. As per tradition, spoils belong to the slayer. If we reclaim the stones, we should compensate him fairly.”

He nudged Elder Qiu, expecting objections to save sect resources. Sect Master Gong Lingfeng, after all, had been cutting costs for the war effort.

But to his surprise, Gong Lingfeng nodded, “Agreed. We should offer spirit stones as compensation. Recovering the stones likely prevented a catastrophe. Let’s pay double the standard price.”

The room fell silent.

Yao Dehai was taken aback. What does this mean?

The elders sensed something amiss. Does Xiao Chen have connections with the Sect Master?

Gong Lingfeng ignored their confusion, finalizing the decision, “Since no one objects, it’s settled.”

He then went to the back hall to report to Lei Yin Zhenren.

“What? The demonic cultivator was already dealt with?”

Lei Yin Zhenren frowned. “Tell me everything.”

Gong Lingfeng had received two omens from the Gongliang Master. To avoid interference, he was told not to alter the first.

Yet now, the first omen had changed.

Would the second still hold?

After hearing Gong Lingfeng’s account, Lei Yin Zhenren’s frown deepened. The battle’s outcome diverged sharply from the omen, signaling an unexpected variable.

Could this Xiao Chen be the anomaly?

“Bring me all the records on Xiao Chen.”

Gong Lingfeng soon delivered a jade disc. Its contents mirrored the Lihuo Sect’s records, including a public battle log.

Lei Yin Zhenren tapped the armrest, his eyes lingering on the words Low-Grade Wood Spirit Root.

Though Xiao Chen’s rise was meteoric and filled with fortuitous encounters, a mere Low-Grade Wood Spirit Root couldn’t make him a golden core cultivator.

Only a golden core could rival another golden core.

Only a golden core could shape the war’s outcome.

A cultivator relying on spirit herbs and a low-grade root could never reach that level.

There had to be another reason.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end