https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-539-Fellow-Cultivator-Let-s-Talk-This-Out-/12942177/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-541-The-Nine-Zhang-Giant-Cauldron-Refining-a-Hundred-Pills/12942179/
Chapter 540: Blood Nightmare Marrow Demon, The Twelve Stream Masters
Chapter 540: Blood Nightmare Marrow Demon, The Twelve Stream Masters
"I am Wu Qi, pleased to meet you, fellow Daoist."
"I am Qing Yang, temporarily acting as the master of the Flying Swans Archipelago."
The Ten Mile Flat Lake was shrouded in white mist, creating a mystical atmosphere.
On Moon-inviting Island, two Daoists sat facing each other.
As he stared at Luo Chen, Wu Qi's eyes revealed a look of admiration. Qing Yang Demon Lord's abilities were truly extraordinary!
In just a few moves, the other party had displayed exceptional prowess in soul cultivation and spellcasting.
Combining this with the rumors he had heard about Qing Yang...
He couldn't help but ask, "Fellow Daoist Qing Yang, could it be that you are truly the direct disciple of Yuanmo Sect who escaped its downfall?"
Luo Chen's expression remained calm as he replied, "Yuanmo Sect has already disbanded, so whether I am or not, what difference does it make?"
Wu Qi's expression froze.
Logically, it made sense, but if he could act under the name of Yuanmo Sect, then traveling in the cultivation world once controlled by Yuanmo Sect would undoubtedly...
Suddenly, he realized.
If he did so, there would be both advantages and disadvantages.
Under Yuanmo Sect's rule, it had the reputation of a sacred land, but it didn't exert as much control over the Northern Sea as other sacred lands did in the other continents. Additionally, the arrogance of its disciples and followers had secretly offended countless powerful individuals.
Even now, no one dared to openly attack them.
But in the shadows, who knew how many were trying to eradicate the remnants of Yuanmo Sect.
No one dared to provoke the Nascent Soul Cultivators of Yuanmo Sect.
But for someone like Qing Yang Demon Lord, it would be much easier to take action.
Judging by his secluded location on the Flying Swans Archipelago, he was clearly someone who disliked trouble. Naturally, he wouldn't invite greater trouble for such minor convenience.
Believing that he had figured it out, he had already associated Luo Chen with the direct lineage of Yuanmo Sect.
This was exactly what Luo Chen wanted.
He had not only found a background for himself but also minimized the corresponding risks.
Sometimes, it was best to leave things unsaid.
However!
Sometimes, things needed to be made clear.
Looking at the black-robed Daoist with his hair in a high bun, Luo Chen spoke in a cold voice, "Fellow Daoist Wu, are you from Mara Stream?"
Wu Qi smiled, "Indeed, I am from the Mara Stream. I am one of the Twelve Stream Masters under Blood Nightmare Marrow Demon, and I am currently the Grand Elder of Wu God Island."
With this statement, he revealed his name, address, background, and backing.
Luo Chen pondered over the information.
The Twelve Stream Masters referred to the twelve Nascent Soul True Monarchs within Mara Stream.
Among them, there were even top-notch late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators.
However, the name of this sect originated from a Nascent Soul early-stage Cultivator, none other than Blood Nightmare Marrow Demon.
He was a direct descendant of Yuanmo Sect and an outstanding member of the Blood God lineage within the Demon Sect. He had even risen to the position of a Demon Sect Elder.
During Yuanmo Sect's downfall, he was away on a mission for the sect and managed to escape the catastrophe.
Having survived, he was constantly thinking about reviving the sect.
With the support of several Nascent Soul True Monarchs, he established Mara Stream under his Daoist name, aiming to reclaim Yuanmo Sect's territories.
Currently, Mara Stream was one of the top forces opposing the Canghai Righteous Alliance.
Clearly, Wu Qi's direct mention of being under Blood Nightmare Marrow Demon was both a show of sincerity and a subtle hint to Luo Chen.
"I have a powerful backing."
Luo Chen naturally understood the implication of his words, but his expression remained calm.
"You must have come here for Yan Nantian!"
Wu Qi nodded, "Indeed. When Mara Stream was first established, there were other forces trying to take advantage of the situation. The Yan family of Laboring Swallow Island was foolish and manipulated, offending Mara Stream. Yan Nantian is a formidable thief, yet he is bold and cautious, causing harm to many of our people. Killing him is one of the tasks of our sect."
"That's exactly right!" Luo Chen said coldly, his face showing a hint of displeasure.
Wu Qi was taken aback, "What do you mean?"
Luo Chen looked at him coldly, "I have never disrespected your sect, and I even eliminated your enemy, Yan Nantian. Both emotionally and logically, you should be grateful to me. However, why do you come here with such hostility? I demand an explanation."
His demeanor was neither servile nor arrogant, but it carried a hint of dominance!
As if he didn't care about the backing of Blood Nightmare Marrow Demon behind Wu Qi.
Wu Qi's expression changed slightly.
Could it be that Qing Yang Demon Lord held a high position in Yuanmo Sect even before its downfall, and even Blood Nightmare Marrow Demon didn't care about him?
Upon closer inspection, when he saw Qing Yang's incredibly young face, he had a faint sense of confirmation.
Such a young Cultivator had already reached the third layer of the Golden Core stage, an impressive cultivation level.
Even within the Demon Sect, he would have been considered a prodigy.
Perhaps, Qing Yang Demon Lord truly didn't fear Blood Nightmare Marrow Demon?
After much contemplation, Wu Qi's expression turned solemn, and he clasped his hands towards Luo Chen.
"My apologies, fellow Daoist Wu. I was misled by a petty person. I will give you an explanation for this matter!"
After speaking, he didn't hide anything and sent a spiritual transmission in front of Luo Chen.
Then, he calmly drank spiritual tea with Luo Chen.
Luo Chen didn't rush him; instead, he wanted to know what kind of explanation it would be.
Soon after.
A streak of light flew in from outside the island, hovering over the Ten Mile Flat Lake, hesitant to approach.
The Moon-inviting Island, shrouded in white mist, seemed to sense the visitor and voluntarily opened a small path.
The streak of light hesitated for a moment before flying in.
Following the guidance, Kun Jiao, the leader of the Jiaolong Gang, arrived at the Qing Yang Grand Hall with a nervous expression.
As soon as he entered, he felt two intense gazes upon him.
The unrestrained spiritual pressure weighed down on him like a mountain.
His face turned slightly pale.
Plop!
He knelt on the ground, gritting his teeth, "Kun Jiao, I pay my respects to the two seniors!"
Just as he was about to raise his head, he heard a voice filled with laughter.
"Fellow Daoist, this is the explanation I promised you."
The voice seemed to echo in his ear.
But when he listened again, he was at a loss and didn't know how to react.
Kun Jiao only saw a headless corpse, kneeling on the white jade floor tiles.
A fine head rolled around in the hall, circling four or five times.
Luo Chen looked at Wu Qi with a smile that was not quite a smile.
"Is that all?"
Wu Qi calmly said, "He used flattery to deceive me, so killing him is only natural. Of course, perhaps you still have some dissatisfaction. In that case..."
As he spoke, he reached out his hand.
Two bags at Kun Jiao's waist flew over.
One was a storage bag, and the other was a spirit beast bag.
Both bags landed in front of Luo Chen.
Wu Qi pointed at the two bags and said, "As the leader of a gang, Kun Jiao should have some savings. Moreover, in this spirit beast bag, there's a Rank Three Black Scaled Python in the early stages. Even if it's not as good as us Golden Core Cultivators, it's still capable of dealing with the vast majority of Foundation Establishment Stage juniors. I see that your cultivation area only has four or five Rank Two Blue Ringed Giant Fang Sea Snakes as guards, which is a little shabby. With this Black Scaled Python guarding your home, it will also add some prestige to your place."
His words were reasonable and well-founded, neither arrogant nor humble.
He not only gave a way out after killing Kun Jiao but also offered benefits.
At this point, if Luo Chen were to continue pursuing the matter, he would truly be unaware of propriety.
Luo Chen was not someone with low emotional intelligence.
After a moment of silence, he slowly nodded.
"It turns out that you were deceived by a petty person. In that case, the past grudges between us are resolved."
"Haha, yes, yes!" Wu Qi laughed heartily, as if he didn't care about the previous incident at all.
Luo Chen gained some insight.
Perhaps this was also one of the customs in the Northern Sea Cultivation World.
In the Eastern Wilderness, one would first introduce their background and status, clarify their positions, and then decide how to act.
But in the Northern Sea, regardless of right or wrong, they would fight first and talk later!
Only if you have the strength to make me acknowledge you, then we can sit down, chat, and share our backgrounds.
It was clear that his previous performance had gained the other's recognition.
After all!
Luo Chen didn't think he was much stronger than Wu Qi.
During that brief exchange, he had also felt the pressure and was prepared for an all-out battle, which was why he took out the Mystic Flame Sword.
However, after retreating back into the sea, Wu Qi's words were submissive, but his aura was even stronger than when he was on land.
Otherwise, Luo Chen wouldn't have invited him to the Moon-invoking Island.
As Luo Chen deeply understood these principles, Wu Qi was also constantly observing the environment, occasionally sniffing the air.
Finally, his slightly shocked gaze landed on Luo Chen.
Facing this strange gaze, Luo Chen frowned, "Yan Nantian is dead, and you've given me an explanation. There's nothing else, do you have any other matters?"
It seemed he was hinting for Wu Qi to leave.
Wu Qi quickly waved his hand, "I do, I do!"
He couldn't help but ask, "Qing Yang, are you a Rank Three Alchemist?"
Luo Chen tugged at the corners of his mouth, neither confirming nor denying.
Wu Qi seized the opportunity, "Based on my observations, you're not only a Rank Three Alchemist but also a master among them!"
"How can you tell?" Luo Chen asked in return.
Wu Qi sniffed his nose, his expression filled with reminiscence, "In Mara Stream, there's a Stream Master who has also cultivated alchemy and has reached Rank Three. Once, he refined a high-grade Rank Three pill and, in his joy, rewarded those below him."
"I didn't receive the pill, but I was fortunate enough to observe it from others."
"The fragrance of that high-grade pill was like a heavenly aroma, but even so! It's not as strong as the residual pill fragrance on your body, which is only a tenth of its strength!"
As he spoke, his expression became excited.
"Friend, could you possibly refine top-grade Rank Three pills?"
Luo Chen's thoughts raced, and he sniffed his own body.
Indeed!
Before the fight, the top-grade True Incarnation Pill he refined still left a faint fragrance on his body.
In the past, he would habitually use cleansing techniques to remove it.
However, after arriving in the Northern Sea, to preserve the killing aura from slaying demons, he reduced the frequency of using cleansing techniques.
Being confined to the Orchid Chamber, he had become unaware of the pill fragrance.
But he never expected Wu Qi's observation skills to be so sharp, allowing him to glimpse some of his secrets.
Since it was already exposed, there was no need to hide it further.
"I was only fortunate to succeed once, it's not worthy of your praise."
Wu Qi shook his head repeatedly, "No, no, no! Although Kun Jiao deceived me in some matters, he also mentioned your accomplishments in pill refinement."
"At that time, I thought he was just an ordinary cultivator with limited knowledge, mistaking mediocrity for sacredness."
"Now it seems he is indeed an ordinary cultivator with shallow knowledge. He only knew you were a Rank Three Alchemist but was unaware that even among Rank Three Alchemists, there are differences in skill."
"A master like you, in our Mara Stream, would be a respected guest. Even the Twelve Stream Masters would set aside their pride and personally interact with you."
Luo Chen twitched the corners of his mouth. Was this praise a bit excessive? But after a moment's thought, he realized that someone capable of refining top-grade Rank Three pills was indeed exceptional.
Even Qing Dan Zi and Meng Chang Shou, at their peak, could only refine high-grade Rank Three pills with an uncertain success rate.
Although they could refine one or two Rank Four pills, they were as simple as the Incarnation Pill.
Even so, Qing Dan Zi and Meng Chang Shou were renowned in the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World, no less than ordinary True Monarchs.
After understanding this, Luo Chen's mood became more relaxed.
Seeing his calm demeanor, Wu Qi took a deep breath.
Indeed!
No wonder the Azure Sun Demon Lord showed no concern when he mentioned the backing of Blood Nightmare Marrow Demon.
An alchemist capable of refining top-grade Rank Three pills was undoubtedly a highly sought-after existence by any True Monarch-level major power.
The Blood Nightmare Marrow Demon, despite his formidable background, was not the only one with a remarkable reputation.
The other possessed an incredibly exquisite Pill Refinement Technique, not inferior to the other's Nascent Soul Stage.
It was clear who was superior, and the other party did not need to bow down.
Swallowing his saliva, he suppressed all the greed he had before and seriously said, "Fellow Daoist, are you interested in joining my Marrow Demon Sect?"
"I'm not interested!"
Without hesitation!
Luo Chen immediately rejected the offer, showing no courtesy to the other party.
If it were an ordinary person being so rude, Wu Qi would have been furious.
But the person before him was a Master-level Apothecary!
It was only natural to be arrogant with such talent!
Unbothered, he continued to invite enthusiastically.
He meticulously listed the vast resources and numerous followers of the Marrow Demon Sect, each of the Twelve Stream Masters exuding an awe-inspiring presence, and the countless resources under their command.
Moreover, there were hundreds of Golden Core Cultivators, tens of thousands of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, and countless Qi Refinement Cultivators.
Once he joined the Marrow Demon Sect, he would undoubtedly become the chief Apothecary, a position of unparalleled prestige.
Seeing Luo Chen's slight hesitation, he seized the moment and said, "Master Qingyang, it's a fact that you killed Yan Nantian. Although he's not that important, he did nominally join the Jianghu Righteous Alliance. That's a Sacred Land-level power with Divine Transformation Power. Aren't you worried they'll come after you?"
Offering benefits didn't work, so he decided to highlight the potential harm.
Unexpectedly, Luo Chen scoffed at the idea.
"With my capabilities, I'm like the moon to Yan Nantian's firefly. The cultivators of the Jianghu Righteous Alliance aren't fools. Once I demonstrate my Pill Refinement prowess, won't they still treat me as an honored guest? Moreover, as you said, they have a Divine Transformation Power, which is better than the Marrow Demon Sect."
Wu Qi was dumbfounded.
Unwilling to give up, he thought carefully again.
After a while, he spoke with uncertainty, "Everyone knows that the Jianghu Righteous Alliance, although a righteous force, is quite loose. That Li surname's Divine Transformation Power rarely shows himself and never handles affairs, so it's as good as not having one. The forces opposing the Jianghu Righteous Alliance are mostly like the Marrow Demon Sect, backed by the Yuan Demon Sect, or have the involvement of overseas powers. In my judgment, this Jianghu Righteous Alliance won't last long. Why bother joining a force that will eventually wither?"
Luo Chen raised his eyebrows, gaining a deeper understanding of the Northern Sea Cultivation World's situation.
No wonder these forces without Divine Transformation Power dared to oppose the Jianghu Righteous Alliance.
The Yuan Demon remnants were the legitimate power of the Northern Sea.
The overseas forces must be the Sacred Lands of the other four continents.
This explained why the Li surname's Divine Transformation Power in the Jianghu Righteous Alliance rarely showed himself and left affairs to the Nascent Soul True Monarchs below.
He probably didn't want to offend the Sacred Lands on the mainland too much.
In that case, it would be even less suitable for him to join the Marrow Demon Sect.
In such a grand power struggle, it was easy for innocent bystanders to get caught in the crossfire.
Seeing Luo Chen unmoved, Wu Qi's heart was filled with a strong sense of defeat.
The other party's strength was no less than his, and their Pill Refinement prowess was exceptional.
If they were truly detached and unattached...
Wait!
Wu Qi recalled carefully; when he mentioned the Marrow Demon Sect's vast resources and numerous followers, the other party seemed slightly tempted.
Master-level Apothecaries often had many followers, ready to serve at their command.
While this demonstrated the prestige of a Master-level Apothecary, it also indirectly proved that such existences needed people to act on their behalf.
Although the Azure Sun Demon Lord appeared detached, if he were truly a free-spirited wanderer, why would he boldly kill Yan Nantian, with whom he had no grudges? Wasn't he after the people and resources in the Feiyan Archipelago? After realizing this, he relaxed.
A smile spread across his face.
"Fellow Daoist Qingyang, by joining the Marrow Demon Sect, you'll enjoy countless benefits, as I don't need to elaborate."
"But the Twelve Stream Masters are all Nascent Soul True Monarchs. They can provide insights into Nascent Soul Formation, and you're not tempted?"
"Of course, perhaps you're afraid of trouble. But no matter how troublesome it is, it won't fall on an Apothecary. You don't need to worry about that."
"How about this!"
Wu Qi didn't act like a nagging woman, chattering endlessly.
He took out a blood-red, diamond-shaped token from his storage bag.
"This is the Blood Nightmare Token, given by the Blood Nightmare Demon Lord to those who have greatly contributed to him. If you're willing to join the Marrow Demon Sect, you can hold this token and find me in Jade Cold City ten years later."
"Ten years?" Luo Chen asked, puzzled.
Wu Qi nodded, "I'm not sure about the exact time, but it'll be around ten years. During that time, I'll definitely travel from the Witch God Island to Jade Cold City. Of course, if you're willing, you can also go directly to my Witch God Island."
As he spoke, he gave Luo Chen a map.
At this moment, he no longer had any lingering attachments.
After exchanging a few polite words with Luo Chen, he departed.
Standing on Moon Invitation Island, watching the other party's silhouette disappear, Luo Chen held the crimson token, his eyes filled with hesitation.
An aged voice came from behind him.
"Are you tempted?"
Without turning back, Luo Chen replied, "A little, but I'm more afraid of trouble."
"Cultivation is bound to be troublesome. It's impossible to always have smooth sailing."
Luo Chen shook his head, lowered his head, and carefully examined the token in his hand before storing it in his ring.
"Let's talk later!"
"With my current capabilities and your current state, I can't handle those troubles."
At this moment, Han Zhan, hidden in the Soul Banner, let out an awkward laugh.
"Actually, you've replenished the souls in my Ten Thousand Souls Banner, and I still have some tricks up my sleeve."
There was no response.
Luo Chen had already returned to his cave abode and taken out the bottle of top-grade True Flame Pills.
(End of Chapter)
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