Chapter 166: Bountiful Gains – The Divine Flame Cult's Retaliation

Chapter 166: Bountiful Gains – The Divine Flame Cult’s Retaliation

“Fujian Fellow Cultivator, don’t chase a desperate foe!”

As the Spirit Origin Sect’s Sword-Bearer Zhenren attempted to cross Huangniugang, Yu Sha Cultivator hastily warned him to stop.

They had already ventured 300 miles beyond the Luo Yan Mountain formation, a perilously close distance.

Moreover, Qianhong Zhenren had sacrificed two demonic artifacts to escape, even resorting to the Blood Escape Secret Technique.

For a Golden Core demonic cultivator, such a cost was staggering.

One could say Qianhong Zhenren was now severely weakened – under normal circumstances, he’d need at least three to five years to recover his vital blood and forge new demonic artifacts.

Meanwhile, the other Demonic Dao Golden Cores had also revealed significant secrets during the battle.

This clash had already granted their side a decisive advantage.

Yu Sha Cultivator had no desire to pursue further, fearing unforeseen dangers.

His caution stemmed not merely from his Sihai Sect allegiance (where he preferred minimal involvement), but also from a shared concern among all Orthodox Dao Golden Core Zhenren regarding the Divine Flame Cult’s potential use of the Yellow Spring Path Secret Techniques.

The Yellow Spring Path had left behind eighteen supreme secret techniques, each corresponding to one of the Eighteen Hell Realms, each rivaling the most potent Tier-3 spells.

While a single technique could be countered with preparation, defending against all eighteen simultaneously was nearly impossible.

The critical issue lay in the unknown: no one from the Orthodox Dao side knew how many complete legacies of these techniques the Divine Flame Cult possessed, which ones they’d mastered, or which Demonic Dao Golden Core wielded them.

This uncertainty made the techniques a lethal ace in the hole. If the Divine Flame Cult orchestrated an ambush, centuries of cultivation could vanish in an instant.

The stakes were unimaginably high.

Thus, until this card was played, no Orthodox Dao Golden Core Zhenren dared act recklessly without countermeasures.

This was why even the two Wanhua Valley Zhenren, backed by their sect’s grand formation, had refrained from direct confrontation.

“Fujian Fellow Cultivator, Jade Sand Fellow Cultivator speaks wisely – let’s end this on a high note,” Mingyan Zhenren chimed in, his words punctuated by a casual palm strike that crushed a fleeing Foundation-Building demonic cultivator beneath his foot.

Seeing Jin Jian Zhenren of Cangyan Sect also hesitate to pursue, the Sword-Bearer Zhenren reluctantly halted.

“By the way, that red glow from earlier felt off,” Mingyan Zhenren remarked mid-journey. “Though its sudden disappearance puzzles me, it was certainly more than a mere attack signal.”

Jin Jian Zhenren nodded. “I share your suspicion.”

Lei Yin Zhenren agreed. “Once we return, I’ll dispatch investigators to uncover its origin.”

Yu Sha Cultivator proposed, “Earlier, many Demonic Dao Foundation-Building cultivators infiltrated, but we prioritized the hexagrams over eliminating them. This time, let’s address the Soul Severing Needles first, then leave the rest for the juniors to handle as training.”

Lei Yin Zhenren readily agreed. “Wise. With the Divine Flame Cult’s recent retreat, they’ll likely remain inactive for now. We’ll keep rotating the juniors for patrols ahead.”

The four discussed strategy, while the Sword-Bearer Zhenren remained silent.

Yet he wasn’t idle – his spiritual sense scoured the path home, hunting hidden demonic cultivators.

Along the way, he personally slew thirteen Foundation-Building cultivators, while the others casually eliminated another twenty.

This bounty was thanks to the Divine Flame Cult’s ability to rapidly cultivate Foundation-Building disciples. Without such a method, finding so many would’ve been impossible.

Upon returning to Luo Yan Mountain, the Spirit Origin Sect’s Sect Master greeted them with news: “Esteemed Zhenren, all invading demonic cultivators have been eliminated.”

“Already resolved?” Lei Yin Zhenren blinked in surprise.

They’d debated this very issue en route, yet the matter was settled?

“How was this achieved so swiftly?” he pressed.

Gong Lingfeng presented a report, recounting Yao Dehai’s eyewitness account.

Initially, the Golden Core Zhenren paid little mind, preoccupied with analyzing their battle against the demonic cultivators. But soon, their expressions shifted.

Why did Gong Lingfeng’s report revolve entirely around one name – Xiao Chen?

He’d single-handedly slain demonic cultivators and destroyed formation disks?

Since when did a rear disciple grow so formidable?

When the account concluded, even the five Zhenren wore stunned expressions.

A False Core cultivator? Emerging so suddenly?

Jin Jian Zhenren’s eyes flickered, but he held his tongue.

Yu Sha Cultivator turned to Mingyan Zhenren. “Bright Flame Fellow Cultivator, hiding such a trump card – why keep it secret?”

He’d wasted breath discussing matters already resolved.

Yet Mingyan Zhenren himself was equally bewildered.

After summoning Xiao Chen last year, he’d speculated about the youth’s future – perhaps attempting a False Core if Golden Core proved unattainable.

But he’d never imagined success so soon.

Just one year had passed since their last meeting, yet Xiao Chen had already forged a False Core.

Foundation-Building cultivators attempting False Core cultivation faced daunting odds.

Not only must they find a spirit beast Internal Elixir compatible with their five elements, but the pill-forging process succeeded less than once in fifty attempts.

Were it not for such risks, countless Foundation-Building cultivators would’ve attempted it already.

“Well done! A swordsman’s spirit indeed!” the Sword-Bearer Zhenren suddenly applauded.

Hearing of enemies pierced by flying swords, he grinned. “Soloing foes, sword in hand – this youth mirrors my younger days! Bright Flame Fellow Cultivator, summon him for us!”

“Patience, Junior Sect Brother,” Lei Yin Zhenren interjected. “Let’s wait a few days. With the demonic cultivators retreating, now’s the time to refine counter-spells. Affairs below demand attention first. Once settled, summon Xiao Chen to Yuanci Peak for recognition.”

The others nodded. The recent clash with multiple Demonic Dao Golden Cores warranted thorough analysis of their demonic artifacts and techniques.

Uncovering weaknesses now could grant advantage in future battles.

---

Qingyang Spirit Mine.

Yao Dehai and the others had departed.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Chen retreated to his quarters to tally his spoils.

Chief among them were magic artifacts and storage bags.

The artifacts were mostly inferior – Foundation-Building demonic cultivators were notoriously poor, wielding only superior-grade items.

The Fuhu Spiritual Water was recorded in the Hezhou Travel Notes and was said to be a second-tier supreme spiritual elixir exclusively used by Body Cultivation cultivators.

It contained one Double-Blossom Azure Lotus, four Xunmei Gushen plants, and six Nanhua Huangzhu roots.

The Xunmei Gushen was produced exclusively from Xunmei Mountain on the frontline. It was a high-grade spiritual material used in pill forging, as documented in Elder Chen’s notes. The corresponding Xunmei Gushen Pill, when consumed, could regenerate flesh and bone from white ashes—a renowned Holy Pill famed for healing grave injuries.

The Nanhua Huangzhu, on the other hand, originated from the Central Domain. It was one of the premier core materials for crafting defensive magic artifacts. During the previous Qianzhu Hall auction, two Nanhua Huangzhu roots had appeared, each priced at six hundred spirit stones.

The Millennium Sword Bamboo also came from the Central Domain. At the time, Xiao Chen had wondered whether the Central Domain cultivators had a particular fondness for growing bamboo, even comparing its appearance to the Sword Bamboo.

Thus, upon seeing it again now, he recognized it immediately.

Finally, there were three particularly unique items:

Six jin of Xiangshan Guye, a renowned spirit tea from Hezhou, harvested from the only nineteen ancient tea trees remaining on Xiangye Mountain.

Three Baihua Guo fruits, noted in the Hezhou Travel Notes as a specialty from the Wan Hua Valley.

Two flasks of Moonlit Spring Wine, whose appearance seemed convincingly authentic.

After organizing all these items meticulously for easy access when needed, Xiao Chen exhaled deeply, "Hmph, finally done."

By now, it was already the second evening since his return. As he pushed open the door, he found Chang Shunping waiting at the main gate.

The demonic cultivators responsible for the invasion had already been eliminated. Du Mingjie had departed with Yao Dehai, and Yang Zhenghao had returned to Dongyuan County to regroup his clan.

Yet Chang Shunping remained at Qingyang Spirit Mine, as if he had forgotten to return home.

Of course, he hadn’t truly forgotten. Deep down, he had resolved to cling tightly to Xiao Chen’s side. The situation in Hezhou was far too perilous.

Just this invasion alone had reduced at least ten Foundation-Building families to ashes. What about the future?

Chang Shunping couldn’t predict what lay ahead, but he knew survival was the only path to a future.

This rare opportunity to stay at Qingyang Spirit Mine was too valuable to squander. As long as no one ordered him to leave, he wouldn’t abandon Xiao Chen.

He had already decided: at month’s end, when Xiao Chen departed, he would relocate part of his clan to the western slopes of Yuan Ci Peak.

As for the ancestral spirit fields and other heritage properties, he would leave them to the elders unwilling to leave.

As for himself, he would remain steadfastly close to Xiao Chen, offering whatever assistance he could.

While Chang Shunping wasn’t particularly skilled in dueling, he had a wide network of contacts and was well-versed in Hezhou’s affairs.

Based on his multiple visits to Qingyang Spirit Mine, he knew Xiao Chen was approachable to acquaintances but reserved toward strangers.

Back then, Chang had hosted three banquets before finally bringing delicacies directly into the spirit mine to invite him.

Thus, he deliberately stayed behind, and as expected, he soon secured a role as Xiao Chen’s temporary attendant.

After news spread of Xiao Chen single-handedly annihilating the demonic cultivators, cultivators from near and far began sending gifts and invitations to banquet gatherings.

But Xiao Chen was preoccupied with opening storage bags and had no time for such matters. Someone trustworthy was needed to handle these affairs.

Su Wanning was absent, making Chang Shunping the ideal candidate.

He stationed himself at the main gate, managing invitations and letters.

Admittedly, this was a thankless task.

Xiao Chen’s instruction was clear: reject all useless invitations. He had no time for feasts and revelry.

He’d rather spend that time cultivating a new spell or earning more merit points.

Yet, unexpectedly, when asked, Chang Shunping agreed enthusiastically, thumping his chest: "Rest assured, Cultivator Xiao. With me at the gate, no one will disturb your cultivation."

Now, seeing Xiao Chen emerge, Chang Shunping promptly approached with a list.

"Cultivator Xiao, ninety-three groups have come in the past two days. This is the register I copied from their invitations."

Xiao Chen glanced at the list: "So many invitations?"

Chang Shunping chuckled, "This is just the beginning. Once the news spreads further, even more will come."

He then pulled a gold-leaf-stamped envelope from his sleeve: "This is the Qiu family’s invitation. They’re hosting an auction soon."

"The venue is at Xianghe Bazaar, scheduled for the rotation days."

The requirement was to reject "useless" invitations.

This one, however, seemed valuable and was thus retained.

"Auction?"

Xiao Chen opened the envelope. Inside was a meticulously crafted invitation letter and a collection note.

Qiu Qichen’s letter, spanning over ten thousand words of courteous pleasantries, essentially conveyed that Xiao Chen, having recently vanquished demons, likely possessed an abundance of Spirit Herbs.

The Xianghe Bazaar’s upcoming auction was in dire need of various Spirit Herbs.

Thus, they hoped Xiao Chen might assist in gathering some.

The underlying message was clear: if he had surplus items to sell, they were eager to facilitate.

"What a coincidence. I was just wondering if there were any auctions in Hezhou."

Xiao Chen had indeed been contemplating how to dispose of his surplus items, particularly Spirit Herbs and Spirit Stones, through a proper channel.

Unexpectantly, the auction house had preemptively reached out for contributions.

Chang Shunping smirked slightly.

To his knowledge, Xianghe Bazaar had never held an auction in February before.

Still, he replied with a smile, "Indeed, the timing is remarkably convenient."

Xiao Chen pocketed the invitation and casually asked, "Fellow Cultivator Chang, I have another request. Would you mind?"

"Of course not!" Chang Shunping immediately straightened. "Ask anything. I’ll answer truthfully."

Xiao Chen wanted to dispose of his demonic sect-related materials. "Fellow Cultivator Chang, I’ll be blunt then."

"Are there any underground markets or night bazaars in Hezhou where one might sell… unusual items?"

At this, Chang Shunping understood instantly.

But the problem was, he’d never personally ventured into such places.

Come on, a man who usually avoided danger wouldn’t willingly enter a chaotic Black Market.

After a pause, he admitted, "If you’re not in a rush, I can inquire among my friends."

"It’s not urgent", Xiao Chen replied. "I’ll leave this to you, Fellow Cultivator Chang."

Chang Shunping beamed, "Too polite! Too polite!"

He wished for more such tasks in the future.

To show his dedication, Chang Shunping hurriedly descended the mountain to seek his friends’ help, ignoring Xiao Chen’s attempts to stop him.

With someone else handling the errand, Xiao Chen relaxed, resting briefly in the courtyard before resuming his cultivation schedule.

Few outside knew that this "False Core" elder was, in reality, only at the Seventh Floor of Foundation Building.

No matter. The final stages to Foundation Building’s Ninth Floor were just days away.

Yet, calamity often arrives before opportunity.

After opening eighteen storage bags consecutively, Xiao Chen was deep in sleep when, suddenly, his body felt weightless, as if plummeting from a cliff.

Since cultivation began, he’d never suffered nightmares.

Awakening startled, he was momentarily disoriented.

But the sight of raging fires across the mountain brought clarity.

Bad news: Qingyang Mountain was gone.

Literally.

The hundreds-of-zhang-high Qingyang Mountain had vanished, replaced by a ten-zhang mound and roaring black flames.

Good news: Xiao Chen possessed the Night’s Edge Blade.

Thus, he remained unharmed, calmly considering his escape route.

In such moments, panic was his enemy.

Activating his Truth-Seeing Spirit Eye, he spotted the eerie red mist he’d previously seen in the shattered spirit bead, now fueling the flames.

Even with half earth and half Huangluo Rock l(End of Chapter)

Chapter end