Chapter 177: Preparations for the Beast Tide, Riding the Six Dragons, and the Second-Stage Explosive

Chapter 177: Preparations for the Beast Tide, Riding the Six Dragons, and the Second-Stage Explosive Ape (Part 1)





"Are you sure you want all of it?" asked Meng Rou Dao You, looking at Luo Chen with skepticism.

Bear Kun was also observing Luo Chen with a mix of belief and doubt.

Standing between them was the Heavenly Star Master, acting as an intermediary.

The black market auction had already concluded, and only three people remained in the hall.

Moments ago, the Heavenly Star Master had sent a message to Bear Kun, interrupting the auction of the demonic beast's corpse and postponing it until the end.

He wasn't worried that Luo Chen wouldn't buy it, as demonic beast corpses had always been in high demand.

Even if Luo Chen didn't want it, the intermediary, Heavenly Star Master, had the ability to take it himself.

In any case, he wouldn't be at a loss.

Luo Chen's inexplicably turbulent emotions had already calmed down.

Regarding the sudden decision to purchase the demonic beast's corpse, he began to calculate the gains and losses.

It was a second-stage demonic beast, and its body was relatively intact.

He wondered what method this person had used to kill such a powerful demon.

If he bought it, he could use it as the main ingredient for the Imperial Flowing Plasma Formula.

After all, the requirements for the main ingredient of the Imperial Flowing Plasma Formula were quite specific.

It had to be the flesh, blood, and bones of a demon of the same origin, and if there was a demonic core, it would be even better.

He walked around the corpse, occasionally using the Spirit Eye Technique to examine its condition.

As he inspected it, he carefully selected the best parts.

"The most valuable Flaming Cloud Wings have been damaged on one side, greatly reducing the value of this demon!"

"The flesh and blood are well-preserved, but the demonic core has been overstimulated, and the demonic energy within is almost nonexistent."

After speaking, he looked at Bear Kun.

"Senior, with the two most valuable materials of this demon damaged like this, I'm afraid I can't offer you the price you're expecting!"

Bear Kun let out a cold snort, "Do you think anyone can kill flying demonic beasts?"

"Not to mention, just the name 'Flame Cloud Phoenix' alone is worth five thousand spirit stones."

"Additionally, I haven't taken any of the other materials, and they are worth another five thousand spirit stones!"

Was he insisting on a price of one thousand spirit stones, refusing to budge?

Luo Chen was helpless. He had only researched the Imperial Flowing Plasma Formula to a certain extent.

His Water Alchemy Technique was still a step away from the entry-level, stuck at the Cloud Transformation Palm stage.

Even if he obtained this demon, he wouldn't be able to directly refine the Imperial Flowing Plasma Formula.

Bear Kun also recognized Luo Chen, who had previously collaborated with another person to purchase his incomplete technique.

He sent a cold smile through a message, "You just want to use this demonic beast to cultivate the incomplete Heavenly Peng Transformation, don't you?"

"One thousand spirit stones, and you won't lose out!"

Luo Chen was taken aback. He hadn't thought of it that way.

He sighed, "But it's too expensive. To be honest, this is a dead second-stage demonic beast. Its value should be assessed as a second-stage material. One thousand spirit stones is already the entry-level price for magical treasures."

The prices of second-stage materials were always highly volatile.

For pill-type items, the starting price was around three to five hundred spirit stones.

For medicinal herbs, the price also started at this range, depending on their effectiveness. Even for rare items like the Celestial Root that could break through cultivation barriers, the price only increased to over five thousand spirit stones.

The prices of mineral-type items were often based on volume.

This demonic beast's corpse had damage to its two most valuable materials.

One thousand spirit stones was indeed excessive.

Bear Kun furrowed his brows. He had originally intended to take advantage of Luo Chen.

However, it seemed that Luo Chen didn't have a strong desire to acquire it at all costs.

After a back and forth between them, both sides were stuck in an awkward situation.

At this moment, the Heavenly Star Master, as the intermediary, played a mediating role.

"Young friend, the price of five thousand spirit stones is indeed low. After all, this is a resource that Bear Dao Friend risked his life to obtain."

Luo Chen nodded in agreement. He acknowledged this point.

Any resources obtained by risking one's life to hunt demons in the mountains were worth a high price.

The Heavenly Star Master paused and looked at Bear Kun.

"But the price of one thousand spirit stones is indeed difficult for most people to afford. Otherwise, Bear Dao Friend wouldn't have wanted to turn this auction into a slaughterhouse!"

Upon hearing this, Bear Kun's face turned awkward.

He had indeed intended to do so during the auction.

Such a large corpse would be challenging to handle without the involvement of major sect shops like Bell Cauldron Family, Spirit Source Pavilion, Spirit Herb Pavilion, and Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.

Earlier, his auction plan was to cut out the desired materials on the spot for whoever needed them.

If that scene had played out, the Zhenlong Black Market auction hall would have instantly transformed into a gory slaughterhouse.

Seeing this, the Heavenly Star Master seized the opportunity.

"Even if I were to purchase this, it would take a long time to convert it into spirit stones."

"If there are any complications along the way, the price might not satisfy you either."

"In that case, why don't we each take a step back and agree on a fixed price, ensuring we're both satisfied?"

Both Bear Kun and Luo Chen showed signs of interest.

The Heavenly Star Master smiled slightly, "In my opinion, eight thousand spirit stones is a very reasonable and auspicious number."

Bear Kun hesitated, as this would mean a reduction of two thousand spirit stones.

For him, a wandering Foundation Establishment Cultivator, this was not a small amount.

Unlike other Foundation Establishment Cultivators in Dahexian Market, he had no backing from a sect, family, or unique skill.

His cultivation resources were entirely dependent on hunting demonic beasts himself.

He was truly risking his life to earn money.

However, the Heavenly Star Master's words made sense. Rather than selling the materials separately, it would be better to agree on a fixed price and complete the transaction directly.

Although the profit would be slightly less, the time saved could be dedicated to cultivation.

"Eight thousand it is. I'm willing to compromise," Luo Chen said with a pained expression.

Bear Kun also reluctantly agreed.

After all, the Heavenly Star Master and Luo Chen had given him face.

Luo Chen increased his offer from five thousand to eight thousand, adding three thousand spirit stones, while Bear Kun reduced his asking price from ten thousand to eight thousand, letting go of two thousand spirit stones.

In this way, face was maintained.

After the transaction was completed, Luo Chen didn't linger and immediately took his leave.

Only Bear Kun and the Heavenly Star Master remained in the hall.

After Luo Chen left, Bear Kun cautiously asked, "Dao Friend, you mentioned earlier that if there were any complications. Does that mean something is about to happen soon?"

The Heavenly Star Master avoided the question and instead asked with a smile, "What are your thoughts on joining our side?"

Bear Kun hesitated.

After a long pause, he shook his head firmly.

"No, I'm used to being a free spirit. Although life is a bit tough, at least I'm not bound by so many rules and regulations."

The Heavenly Star Master didn't insist, "If that's the case, I respect your choice. Even if I'm not around in the future, you can use my token for transactions at any Zhenlong Black Market."

This provided Bear Kun with a trading channel.

Bear Kun expressed his gratitude with a respectful bow.

Before leaving, he asked curiously, "Dao Friend, when are you leaving?"

The Heavenly Star Master sighed, "Soon, very soon!"

...

Under the night sky, a figure rose into the air at an incredible speed.

A black cloud suddenly appeared, supporting the body and lifting it away from the ground.

The pillaging cultivators who were waiting outside also witnessed this scene, and their thoughts of killing and looting were dispelled.

Although the silhouette only exhibited Qi Condensation Stage spiritual energy fluctuations, the ability to ride on clouds was something only Foundation Establishment True Cultivators could achieve.

No one dared to provoke a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator.

Above the black cloud, Luo Chen's heart was pounding.

It wasn't because he had spent eight thousand spirit stones to buy a demonic beast corpse.

But rather, during his previous conversation with the Heavenly Star Master, he had almost inadvertently revealed the other party's origins.

"Cloudfall Smoke Method."

"It's a sect's heritage."

"Such a method is not something that can be easily obtained; it's clearly the alchemy technique of the Falling Cloud Sect!"

During their previous conversation, Luo Chen had a sudden realization, and this thought came to mind.

If it was just a random association, it wouldn't have been a problem.

But recently, Luo Chen's mind had been particularly sharp, unlike his usual self, whose mind was often clouded.

In that moment, he almost instantly thought of the various inconsistencies in the Zhenlong Black Market.

It had branches in various markets and operated as a chain.

There were often puppets for sale, and even a combat-type puppet that rivaled a Qi Condensation Great Perfection Cultivator had appeared.

This wasn't something that could be obtained just by having connections and channels.

Because in the Jade Cauldron Domain, only the Falling Cloud Sect could produce combat-type puppets, and they never sold them externally.

If the Zhenlong Black Market was an enterprise of the Falling Cloud Sect, then everything would make sense.

There was also that gray-robed Golden Core cultivator who had released three Ghost Kings, a move that was not just a result of an extreme personality.

Ghost Kings were extremely violent beings, and once freed, they wouldn't care who had shown them kindness.

But that gray-robed cultivator had done it anyway and even used the Ghost Kings to surround and kill the sword cultivator Pang Renxiong.

Ordinary Golden Core cultivators wouldn't be able to achieve such a feat.

However, if it was a long-planned scheme using the puppet techniques of the Falling Cloud Sect, it wouldn't be difficult to accomplish.

It was just a matter of using the three Ghost Kings as puppets!

It was only after figuring this out that Luo Chen's scalp went numb.

He didn't dare to think about what would have happened if he had exposed the other party's origins on the spot.

Would the Heavenly Star Master have killed him to silence him?

Therefore, he quickly changed the topic and didn't continue the conversation.

A business deal for a demonic beast corpse worth eight thousand spirit stones should be enough to make the other party overlook his strange behavior, right?

At least, from the fact that he had left the Zhenlong Black Market safely, it seemed that the Heavenly Star Master hadn't noticed.

"It's hard to say, these old foxes may have already sensed my suspicions."

"If that's the case, then the reason they didn't take action is because of the Blood-Boiling Pill transaction."

"Blood-Boiling Pill... Blood-Boiling Pill."

Luo Chen licked his lips, and the fog that shrouded his mind seemed to dissipate.

This kind of pill was considered a trump card for Qi Condensation Cultivators.

But for Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, it wasn't that significant.

Yet, the Heavenly Star Master placed great importance on the Blood-Boiling Pill and even purchased it in large quantities.

His intentions were clear.

"It's definitely not a case of buying low and selling high; the pill might not fetch a high price elsewhere."

"He bought it for his own use, clearly for the benefit of the Falling Cloud Sect behind him."

"Why does the Falling Cloud Sect need so many Blood-Boiling Pills?"

Luo Chen's throat moved as he swallowed.

He had an inkling of a word.

"War!"

The icy north wind slapped Luo Chen's face, chilling his heart.

He had always wondered how the Zhenlong Black Market dared to surround and kill Pang Renxiong.

This was tantamount to declaring war on the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.

But he never expected that the other party had already been preparing for war.

Black markets were everywhere, collecting spirit stones and various resources on a large scale.

This was obviously the work of stockpiling resources before a war.

Even the sect's puppets were being sold.

It seemed that the Falling Cloud Sect had made all the necessary preparations.

"But how dare they challenge the local overlord?"

Suddenly, Luo Chen remembered a rumor.

When he first met Qin Liangchen and his wife, they were sending their son Xiao Hu to participate in the Falling Cloud Sect's disciple recruitment ceremony.

They had mentioned that the Falling Cloud Sect's Grand Elder Han Zhan possessed the bearing of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Could it be that he had truly reached that realm? That's why they dared to challenge the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect? If so, it all made sense.

A single domain, although rich in resources, would struggle to support two Nascent Soul stage sects.

Initially, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had launched a war because they couldn't continue developing in their original territory.

Now, it seemed that the Falling Cloud Sect had reached a similar situation.

With their strength, it would be difficult for them to initiate a war.

Unable to expand externally, they could only fight for dominance internally.

"I don't know if my guess is right or wrong."

Luo Chen sighed, knowing that in this era of great change, he, a mere Qi Condensation Ninth Level cultivator, could only go with the flow.

But he had finally established a stable foundation for himself.

Who would want to go with the flow? He didn't want to end up like Bear Kun, a wandering cultivator who relied on hunting demonic beasts for a living.

"Forget it!"

"There's no point in overthinking this."

"The most important thing now is to cultivate and break through to Foundation Establishment as soon as possible."

"With the Luo Tianhui around, even if a war truly breaks out, I'll have enough buffer time to make various choices calmly."

Luo Chen sighed as he rode the black cloud, circling around before heading towards the Luo Tianhui.

In the cold night, the black cloud moved slowly.

It was unremarkable, and even if cultivators looked up, they wouldn't notice it.

It didn't take long for Luo Chen to return to the outskirts of Crescent Moon Valley.

But even before he landed, his heart was already racing.

"This is going to destroy my foundation!"

Moonlight poured down like mercury.

Outside Crescent Moon Valley, a five-colored light screen had already been set up.

The thick, pungent smell and the continuous roars of beasts signaled that the Luo Tianhui was facing its biggest crisis since its establishment.

Beast tide!

...

...

Half an hour ago.

Sima Huiwang had just finished her cultivation and was about to go to sleep when Yuan Xiaoyue hurriedly woke her up.

"President, a large number of demonic beasts have gathered nearby!"

Looking at the anxious young girl, Sima Huiwang was startled, but her expression remained calm.

She put on her coat and headed outside.

"What's the situation?"

Yuan Xiaoyue was Luo Chen's personal assistant, tasked with running errands and delivering messages for her.

Although this arrangement had a hint of supervision, it also meant that she wanted to take good care of this girl.

Under Sima Huiwang's influence, Yuan Xiaoyue also calmed down.

"The demonic beasts were discovered by the Battle Hall's patrolling cultivators."

"They mostly come from the ancient Yuan Mountain Range, primarily ape-like demons."

"Currently, Elder Zhou Yuanli is leading the construction of a defensive line. The Battle Hall has been fully notified."

Sima Huiwang paused in her steps.

She turned around and frowned, "Demonic beasts from the Ancient Yuan Mountain Range?"

It was well-known that Crescent Moon Valley was adjacent to the Howling Moon Mountain Range, backed by Kaguya Mountain.

The demonic beasts there were mostly Gray Leaf Demon Wolves.

Why would ape-like demons suddenly appear?

The closest mountain to the Ancient Yuan Mountain Range was Zhou Yi Mountain, which was indeed inhabited by numerous ape-like demons.

However, it was quite distant, over several hundred miles away.

Why would those demons travel such a long distance to reach this place?

Yuan Xiaoyue was clueless.

Sima Huiwang shook her head, knowing that the other party didn't have much knowledge.

She immediately walked outside and issued orders.

"Gather the Four Hall Elders."

"Please ask Elder Duan Feng to lead the Minor Five Elements Array, and if necessary, use the reserved Medium Grade Spirit Stones to activate the array's full power."

"Finally, notify the President!"

After giving the orders, Yuan Xiaoyue immediately ran out.

Sima Huiwang rubbed her forehead, her heart filled with doubts.

Although Crescent Moon Valley was isolated outside the Dahexian Market, it rarely encountered demonic beast attacks.

Today's encounter, while rare, was still within the expected range.

However, demons from Zhou Yi Mountain?

Before she could finish her thoughts, she quickly arrived at a watchtower.

Zhou Yuanli was on top, issuing commands and sending people to establish defensive lines.

The two nodded in understanding, and Sima Huiwang activated her Spirit Eye Technique, looking outward.

Outside the city walls, Explosive Apes, Golden Bright Spirit Monkeys, and Green Rock Monkeys had already appeared.

Their numbers weren't significant, just a scattered dozen or so.

However, Sima Huiwang's heart sank.

Usually, these demons wouldn't gather together.

It was clear that a high-level demon was controlling them, using them as a vanguard to assault Crescent Moon Valley.

"How many more demons are there?" Sima Huiwang asked immediately.

Zhou Yuanli replied in a deep voice, "According to the scouts' reports, there are at least a hundred, or even two to three hundred."

Hearing this number, Sima Huiwang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, this could only be considered a small-scale demon tide.

In the history of Dahexian Market, such small-scale demon tides were numerous.

Moreover, they often occurred during the winter season.

Given the current weather, it wasn't that unusual.

However, Sima Huiwang also knew that she couldn't afford to be careless.

After all, Crescent Moon Valley only had nearly a hundred cultivators.

The number of cultivators suitable for battle was only thirty to fifty.

"Notify the Battle Hall to mobilize all forces."

"All cultivators in the other three halls at the Qi Condensation Stage and above will also participate in the battle!"

"Yes, we obey the President's order!"

Zhou Yuanli bowed and immediately sent someone to convey the command.

Although he held the honorary position of Law Enforcement Elder, he couldn't mobilize all the cultivators from the various halls.

Only Sima Huiwang, appointed by President Luo Chen as the President, had the authority to make critical decisions in times of crisis and command the overall situation.

Before long, the entire Crescent Moon Valley was brightly lit.

Streams of escaping light flashed in the night sky.

Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, Sima Huiwang issued another command, "Elder Duan Feng, lead the array formation."

"Elder Zhou, you're skilled in battle command. I'm entrusting this place to you. If there are any needs, inform me directly, and all cultivators from Luo Tianhui will cooperate with you."

Zhou Yuanli nodded and readily accepted the task.

From the watchtower, he used his spirit energy to amplify his voice and began issuing commands.

Taking advantage of the fact that the demon tide hadn't gathered yet, he dispatched small teams of cultivators to eliminate the vanguard demons.

In the darkness of the night, the slaughter began.

With the coordinated efforts of the cultivators, the scattered and disorganized demons were no match for them.

As magical tools swirled and danced, they often caused geysers of blood to spray.

The stench of blood became increasingly intense.

Sima Huiwang stood at the back, holding her magical tool, ready to respond to any demons that broke through.

She looked around, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"Hasn't the President and the Hall Master Wang Yuan come out yet?"

Liu Qiang shook his head, "The array formation in the President's room has been activated, and the communication talisman received no response."

"As for Hall Master Wang Yuan..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Zhou Yuanli's stern shout suddenly rang out from the watchtower.

"The demon tide is approaching! Everyone, be careful!"

"All cultivators outside, return and defend the formation!"

In an instant, the cultivators who were still wandering and hunting outside returned like swallows to their nests.

They landed on the tall city walls, their hearts tense.

After witnessing the defensive capabilities of the Fu Family Fort during the Fu Family Battle, Luo Tianhui also expanded the city walls in a similar manner.

Built against the mountain, with the valley as its center.

For cultivators, this wasn't a difficult task.

The only thing lacking was the Fu Family's ability to integrate talismans into their defenses.

However, Luo Tianhui also had a set of Minor Five Elements Supreme Array.

In a short time, even Foundation Establishment True Cultivators could withstand one or two attacks.

For this reason, the cultivators of Luo Tianhui's Battle Hall weren't overly panicked.

However, as they witnessed the increasing number of demons outside, everyone's hearts began to pound with anxiety.

One hundred! Two hundred!

Three hundred!

Under the cover of night, the shrieks of the apes grew increasingly urgent.

Eventually, it felt like a mighty roar from the mountains and seas, with thousands of voices screaming.

Although they were aware that it was only a small-scale demon tide of two to three hundred, the overwhelming demonic energy soaring into the sky instilled a sense of fear in everyone.

For a moment, numerous cultivators turned their gazes towards Zhou Yuanli and Sima Huiwang.

One was responsible for battle command, and the other was the President with the authority to make critical decisions for Luo Tianhui.

Zhou Yuanli's face was taut, showing no sign of fear.

This wasn't his first time encountering such a situation.

It was just another battle.

Sima Huiwang's face turned slightly pale. In the past, she had only run a single gang, and had never seen such a spectacle.

If it were before, she would have undoubtedly fled with her older brother and younger brother without hesitation.

But now, she was the President of Luo Tianhui.

If placed in a sect, she would be the sect leader.

How could she possibly retreat in the face of battle?

Taking a deep breath, Sima Huiwang spoke in a low voice, "Everyone, prepare for battle!"

"Behind us is Luo Tianhui, with the results of our construction over the past six months, and the families who rely on us."

"This battle, we cannot retreat!"

Hearing these words, the cultivators looked at each other in dismay.

There were still some people who were hesitant to fight.

Although the beast tide was terrifying, it was only a few hundred strong.

If they scattered and fled towards the shanty towns, the casualties wouldn't be too severe.

Sima Huiwang instantly sensed this atmosphere.

She leaped into the air, looking down at the cultivators below.

"Are you willing to abandon this hard-earned foundation?"

"Where can we run to?"

"President Luo Chen gives you such high salaries every month. Is it so that you have the strength to run away during critical moments?"

"Let me tell you, without the Luo Tianhui, no other power outside will offer you such good treatment."

"Nonsense, I won't say more."

"I'll just say one thing! For each demon beast killed in this battle, you will earn one merit point! Five merit points can be exchanged for two hundred spirit stones. Ten merit points can be used to exchange spells from the Hall of Merit. If you have twenty or more, you will be directly rewarded with a high-grade magical tool!"

With the last sentence, the crowd's emotions surged.

Twenty demon beasts could be exchanged for a high-grade magical tool!

Within the small-scale beast tide, there were numerous weak first-stage demon beasts.

Most of them were late-stage Qi Condensation Cultivators, and they weren't too afraid.

In an instant, everyone's eyes turned red.

Outside, it seemed like not demon beasts, but spirit stones and magical tools.

Finally, their morale was boosted.

Sima Huiwang heaved a sigh of relief.

It wasn't a sect or a family power, so their unity was insufficient.

When disaster struck, everyone wanted to run.

The so-called achievements and family bonds were just empty words.

Only by binding them with interests could they be driven.

"Murong Hall Master, please take charge of calculating the merits later."

Mengmou Qinglian was startled. Was she not going to be allowed to fight? Qin Liangchen, who was beside her, squeezed her hand.

She nodded in agreement.

Everything was ready.

The beast tide outside had already reached the city walls.

Then!

"Fight!"

Following Zhou Yuanli's command, the late-stage Qi Condensation Cultivators of the Battle Hall and the Luo Tianhui joined the battle.

...

"Kill!"

Flying swords crisscrossed, and in an instant, a weak Explosive Ape was killed within the vast beast tide.

The successful cultivator revealed a ferocious smile.

In truth, low-level demon beasts weren't that strong.

Without robust physiques, most couldn't fly, and their attack methods were mediocre, let alone possessing intelligence or tactics.

The reason they were difficult to kill before was because the demon beasts resided deep within mountains and swamps.

The complex terrain made it difficult to guard against them.

Additionally, indiscriminately slaughtering demon beasts could easily provoke high-level beast generals or beast kings.

Therefore, the demon beast business was challenging.

Only the Po Shan Gang, with its large numbers, could maintain a stable hunting channel.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end