Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 2366 - Fire Nation’s Demon Gate, Goldfinger Fowl Demon King

Many people could not help but experience heart palpitations and feel a chill rising up from the soles of their feet after hearing what Priest Purewood had said about the ancient blue topaz leopards. These ancient desolate beast were killing machines. In front of them, there was simply no hope for escape. Nobody wanted to end up encountering them, but greed was intrinsic to human nature, and rewards came hand-in-hand with risks. There would be no reward without risk. 

Yet, when Qing Shui heard about the ancient blue topaz leopards, his eyes glowed. He really wanted to encounter some pure-blooded ancient desolate beasts to concoct the Blood Strengthening pill. It could be used to strengthen the bloodlines of his beasts, turning them into truly terrifying demonic beasts.

He was a little excited, but seeing so many people around, if this priest led everyone to kill these two ancient blue topaz leopards later on, there would probably be nothing left for him. After all, every part of these beasts could be considered treasures.

Just when Qing Shui was thinking about this, a group of people had moved forward. A fifth chose to remain behind in the face of danger, preferring their lives over treasures they may not have the luxury to enjoy.

Soon, the valley came into view. It was a hundred meters all the way down. It might not even be called a valley but more like a great basin with a cluster of little mountains within, all less than a hundred meters tall. This basin was massive, with endless forests and rivers in sight.

Walking inside, Qing Shui took some time to feel the area out but did not detect any signs of danger, and quickly understood the reason. As the overlords of the basin, the Ancient Blue Topaz Leopards were probably deeper within.

Although everyone was following Priest Purewood, everyone had their own circles, and wouldn’t actually fully trust others. 

“There are numerous caverns ahead, maybe they’re filled with treasures. Let’s take a look,” Just as Priest Purewood said, there were numerous caverns on the giant rocks, some even with windows. Clearly, these rocks were a residential area.

“Would there be any dangers within?” Someone cautiously said.

“It wouldn’t be the Ancient Blue Topaz Leopards, no matter what. Let’s hurry up. If we’re too slow, there’ll be nothing left for us.”

    ……

Many people began mobilizing and since there were many caverns, perhaps left behind by some organization—regarding the large party, everyone split up to find their own caverns. Some even fought over the caverns.

Qing Shui shook his head in disappointment. There hadn’t been any discoveries yet, and greed had already caused battles to occur. Qing Shui’s group slowly walked to a random cavern nearby.

“Sorry, this cavern happened to pique our interests,” A voice sounded out.

Qing Shui turned around and simply stated, “Even you can utter that kind of foolish words, huh.”

Only after speaking did he look at the middle-aged man with a plain appearance. The only noteworthy thing about him was his hands with an exceptionally long middle finger. It was double the length of his other fingers, with a faint golden glint seemingly carrying a mysterious force.

Goldfinger Fowl Demon King!

Qing Shui had not expected for this existence to be here. Though the name sounded boorish, the opponent was a Demon King Inheritor originating from the Fire Nation’s Demon Gate. With the help of the inheritance memories, he faintly recalled that this Goldfinger Fowl Demon King was absolutely dangerous. He was one of the strongest in terms of fighting power at the same level of strength.

The Goldfinger Fowl Demon King was slightly shocked by Qing Shui’s fierce rhetoric, but he still said, “I’d advise for you to leave, else we cannot guarantee your safety.”

Hao Tian stood by the side, saying while laughing, “I’d seen young people this dumb, but I’d never expected such an old fogey to be this dumb too. How pitiful.”

Hao Tian loved to argue with others. Seeing that Qing Shui already had the ball rolling, and hearing the ridiculous comments made by this Goldfinger Fowl Demon King, he simply couldn’t resist.

This time his face turned black, as he stared angrily at Hao Tian. He wasn’t even that old. When did he become an old fogey...

“Big brother, let’s not waste time talking. Let’s just kill them. We have to get rid of them anyway so might as well do it early,” A younger man behind the Goldfinger Fowl Demon King spoke up.

Qing Shui had already prepared everything. Since both parties had irreconcilable differences, there was no need to reconsider. He simply smiled at the Demon King and said, “Stop hesitating already. Shall we?”

Though they were quarreling, there was still some distance between them so Qing Shui didn’t make a move. If both sides were a little closer, Qing Shui wouldn’t hesitate to use a Stellar Transposition to instantly strike first blood.

Looking at Qing Shui’s confident expression, the Demon King simply couldn’t understand the source of his confidence, though he recognized that this was the Water Nation Divine Palace’s leader.

In the nick of time, a voice was heard, “Everyone, could you leave some face for me and put aside your differences? The road ahead will be dangerous and if we keep having infighting like this then we cannot progress anymore. What’s more, I doubt you came here merely to settle grievances.”

Priest Purewood spoke with a warm expression, full of righteousness in his voice.

Qing Shui indeed wasn’t here to settle grievances, so he smiled at Priest Purewood and replied, “Greetings. I didn’t want to stir trouble, but these people are just taking me for an easy target.”

“Priest, don’t listen to this kid’s drivel. They were cursing at us incessantly. We’ll listen to you, but we found this cavern first. I hope you’d give it to us,” The Goldfinger Fowl Demon King spoke courteously.

Qing Shui looked at him and just smiled: “You’re already so old and yet you still use such childish methods. Do you think that the priest can’t see through what you’re doing, acting smart and all? We’ll just cede this to you.”

Qing Shui had used his Heavenly Vision Technique and found nothing impressive inside, so he used this as a way of giving Priest Purewood some face.

The Goldfinger Fowl Demon King was really unhappy with this development, as he glared angrily at Qing Shui.

“Haha. Thanks to all for your understanding,” Priest Purewood laughed happily, even beaming at Qing Shui.

The Goldfinger Demon King brought his group into the stone cavern, but they quickly came out unhappily as there was nothing inside. Even worse was that they could hear sounds of exclamation ringing about near them.

“There was a decent Divine Weapon over there! Though it’s pretty old, it seemed to be pretty decent.”

“Dalong found a ten-thousand years old Golden Sunflower.”

“Bai Yong’s group found countless demon beast materials, and it’s said that there were even pure-blooded ancient desolate beast materials there.”

    ……

With a flurry of exclamations around them, some of joy, some of envy, some of disappointment, Qing Shui’s group had searched through a few caverns with little of interest to Qing Shui.

“Oh, what’s that?” Qing Shui saw an interesting item in one of the caverns that had already been searched.