https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-685-The-Scripture-of-Poison-and-Calamity/12544939/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-687-A-Seventh-Grade-Treasure-the-Liuli-Chifeng-Bone-/12544944/
Chapter 686: The Phoenix's Cry
Chapter 686: The Phoenix's Cry
As his thoughts faded, a bizarrely shaped ancient tome appeared in Lu Chen's hands.
The cover of the book was a kaleidoscope of colors, seemingly made from some kind of insect hide, and where it touched Lu Chen's skin, he felt a slick, slippery sensation.
The vivid colors swirled together, constantly shifting, and if one stared too long, it induced a sense of dizziness and nausea.
Focusing his mental energies on the tome, Lu Chen immediately gained insight into its details.
The Calamity Poison Canon, a sixth-grade treasure, was penned and refined by a Nascent Soul True Lord of the Calamity Infant Sect, an expert in the art of poison.
The canon contains detailed information on countless types of poisons and their antidotes, as well as several secret techniques related to poison, and a method to refine a toxic treasure.
"It seems I'm veering more and more towards unorthodox and even sinister paths," Lu Chen sighed. "This doesn't quite align with my peaceful nature as a spirit herbologist..."
With a sense of resignation, he opened the multicolored tome.
A quick glance revealed that the book recorded information about various poisonous insects, beasts, gases, and more, with corresponding countermeasures listed beneath each type of poison.
"It's a pity that I only have the upper section, and not the secret techniques and treasure-refining methods mentioned in the information."
"However, it will still enrich my knowledge and may even aid me in cultivating poison-attribute spirit herbs in the future."
"Additionally, it can serve as a cookbook for the Hundred Toxin Devouring Insect, and the antidotes within will save me a lot of trouble."
Lu Chen gazed at the transformed Hundred Toxin Devouring Insect beneath him and thought to himself.
The lower section of the Calamity Poison Canon would likely only be obtainable if the toxic insect could break through to the fifth-grade.
The Hundred Toxin Devouring Insect was already a fourth-grade creature, and it was no easy feat for it to grow to its current state. If it were to break through its own limits and become a fifth-grade toxic insect, it would need to be fed a large amount of fourth-grade and even fifth-grade poisons.
"We'll take it slow," Lu Chen thought to himself. "There might not be much else in the cave abode, but there are certainly enough treasures."
After spending nearly half a month in his cave abode, Lu Chen received a visit from Xuanyuan Zhe one day.
"Welcome, Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan," Lu Chen said as he sensed the familiar aura outside his abode, promptly inviting the young man in.
Among the Core Formation cultivators in the Thunderfire Planet Cave, he had a fairly good relationship with this person. They had traveled back from the Black Water Planet Cave together and had also gone to the Green Wood Planet Cave together.
"My mouth has been itching for a taste of your spirit brew, Fellow Daoist Lu, so I brought a fourth-grade demonic beast as a side dish," Xuanyuan Zhe said with a smile as he placed the beast's meat on the ground.
"There's no need for such formality, Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan. If you enjoy the spirit brew, feel free to come by anytime," Lu Chen said, promptly offering spirit fruits and brew, and then preparing the demonic beast meat.
The two men sat in the courtyard on the mountainside, gazing at the thunderous lights in the distance, drinking and chatting merrily.
"To be honest, sometimes I really envy your life, Fellow Daoist Lu," Xuanyuan Zhe said, setting down his bronze cup. "You spend your days in your cave abode, doing what you love, without the need for tedious cultivation or risking your life in secret realms for opportunities."
There was a tinge of melancholy in his voice.
"There are pros and cons to everything, and it's all a matter of personal choice," Lu Chen replied calmly.
"My talent is average, and I'm content with reaching the Core Formation stage. Plus, I'm naturally cautious, so I chose to stay in my cave abode, tending to my plants, seeking a peaceful life."
"While it's safer than venturing into secret realms, it also drastically reduces the chances of progressing further."
"And I certainly won't be able to compete with you, Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan, for opportunities and treasures in secret realms."
Lu Chen's expression remained serene as he spoke.
"I can only hope for gains from the spirit plant light spheres," he added silently to himself.
"Then I must be overly concerned. It's just that things haven't been very peaceful in the Celestial Star Cave lately," Xuanyuan Zhe said.
"Do you remember Fellow Daoist Huang Yan Dong from the Green Wood Star Cave?" The young man asked mysteriously.
"Vaguely, we met briefly in the Green Wood Star Cave. What about him?" Lu Xuan replied nonchalantly, his eyes revealing a hint of well-placed curiosity.
"Fellow Daoist Huang's cave abode was intruded upon by evildoers, and everything inside was looted. As for Fellow Daoist Huang himself, no one knows his whereabouts, and his life or death is uncertain," Xuanyuan Zhe said.
"Such a thing has happened?! " Lu Xuan exclaimed, rising from his seat in surprise.
"Is it possible that Fellow Daoist Huang left the Green Wood Star Cave of his own accord and went elsewhere?" He pondered for a moment before sitting back down.
"The possibility is extremely low. There were signs of intrusion on the protective array outside his cave abode, and it appears that a struggle took place inside as well," Xuanyuan Zhe explained.
"However, from the traces at the scene, the battle didn't seem very intense, and it was likely a one-sided affair."
"Then, the cultivator behind the killing of Fellow Daoist Huang must be terrifyingly powerful," Lu Xuan inhaled sharply, his acting skills kicking in as he feigned indifference.
"Indeed," Xuanyuan Zhe nodded. "According to the Core Formation cultivator who entered Fellow Daoist Huang's cave abode, the attacker was likely at the mid-Core Formation stage."
Lu Xuan nodded thoughtfully. "Could it be related to the rogue cultivators we encountered before? I recall that quite a few cultivators died at their hands."
"It's possible," Xuanyuan Zhe agreed. "But initially, most of the victims were Foundation Establishment cultivators. If a Core Formation cultivator could be killed silently, then it would be truly baffling."
The young man, believing his strength to be on par with the skinny old man, couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie as he thought of the possible fate of his fellow cultivator.
"It's a dangerous world out there. One could be minding their own business in their cave abode and still attract the attention of evildoers," Lu Xuan said, his words carrying a double meaning.
"Indeed, but Fellow Daoist Lu, you have nothing to worry about. The disappearance of a Core Formation cultivator in the early stages will certainly not go unnoticed by the inspectors of the Celestial Star Cave, and they won't suspect you or me, either," Xuanyuan Zhe said self-deprecatingly.
Lu Xuan quickly nodded in agreement. With the Clear Cicada Wing Robe treasure in his possession, he wasn't concerned about someone deducing his whereabouts through divination, let alone a Core Formation cultivator going missing; the investigation wouldn't warrant the attention of a Nascent Soul cultivator using their divination abilities.
"However, Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan's reminder does bring something to my attention. I must properly conceal the few Bloodthirsty Demon Trees that I obtained from Fellow Daoist Huang Yan Dong," Lu Xuan said.
"The Bloodthirsty Demon Trees feed on flesh and blood, and Fellow Daoist Huang would likely not have revealed their existence to other cultivators. Still, it's better to be cautious to prevent any mishaps," he added.
With the powerful array formations in his cave abode, Lu Xuan knew that as long as he kept a low profile, others would have a hard time discovering the existence of the Bloodthirsty Demon Trees.
The two men moved on from the topic and continued to discuss the latest news and cultivation insights from the cultivation world.
After a satisfying meal and drinks, Xuanyuan Zhe bid farewell to Lu Xuan.
"Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan, you are always welcome here," Lu Xuan smiled.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Lu, you are most hospitable! Until we meet again!" Xuanyuan Zhe laughed heartily and transformed into a stream of light, disappearing into the horizon.
Lu Xuan returned to his cave abode and inspected each spiritual herb in his spirit fields. As he was watering them with spiritual rain, a crisp phoenix cry suddenly rang out from within the cave abode.
The sound was uplifting and soul-stirring.
(End of Chapter)
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