Chapter 303 ·《My Nascent Soul Father and My Nascent Soul Mother》

Chapter 299: 《My Nascent Soul Father and My Nascent Soul Mother》

“Twenty ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍li north of here, there’s a cave that blends naturally into the surrounding mountain terrain. Fellow Daoist Wang Luo previously set up a formation there. We can go there to rest for a while and recover our strength.”

Captain ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Chang Kun’s voice sounded in Ji Yuan’s Sea of Consciousness.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍squad, which had been traveling close to the ground, immediately turned sharply north and disappeared into a mountain ravine.

Nearly ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍ten days had passed since they left the city, and Ji Yuan was still traveling with the squad, gathering information about the surrounding area.

During ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍this period, they had encountered two groups of Demonic Cultivators.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍first group consisted of only three Foundation Establishment cultivators, with the strongest merely at Late Foundation Establishment. Naturally, Ji Yuan’s group had dealt with them easily.

The other group consisted of more than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators. After observing them for a while, Ji Yuan and the others had no choice but to avoid them from a distance.

Firstly, the enemy was too strong. Once fighting broke out, they might become bogged down in battle and be unable to disengage, potentially attracting even more Demonic Cultivators.

Secondly, that group was not the target of the Demon-Hunting Squad’s current mission.

Back when they were still at the Pill Refining Room, Ji Yuan had already heard Chang Kun and the others explain their objective.

There had originally been a town nearby called Hundred-Year Town, where many cultivators lived.

However, after the Demonic Path invaded, the town fell into their hands.

The Demonic Cultivators occupying it were neither particularly strong nor particularly weak. They were led by a False Core cultivator and accompanied by eight Foundation Establishment cultivators, whose cultivation ranged from Early Foundation Establishment to Peak Foundation Establishment.

They were precisely the kind of opponents the Demon-Hunting Squad could target.

Chang Kun and the others had indeed set their sights on them.

Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, their movements were discovered by those Demonic Cultivators.

The False Core Demonic Cultivator then secretly followed them and ambushed Wang Luo during a subsequent operation, killing him.

With no other choice, Chang Kun and the others had retreated to the Pill Refining Room.

Thus, their primary objective on this expedition was to seek revenge against the Demonic Cultivators occupying Hundred-Year Town.

“We’ll have to leave this formation to Junior Brother Wuyou.”

Chang Kun and the others had never managed to learn much about formations.

Ji Yuan, however, had revealed back at the Pill Refining Room that he possessed a little knowledge of formations.

“No problem.”

Ji Yuan’s figure swept over from a distance. Holding a Formation Disk, he easily took control of the simple Concealment Formation in just a few movements.

A short while later, the group settled down to rest inside the cave.

Of course, such a minor task was not even enough to warm Ji Yuan up, much less require him to rest.

After all, he was a Peak Foundation Establishment Body Cultivator.

However, he had already spent enough time blending into the squad and had rediscovered the feeling of wandering the cultivation world as he once had.

There was little point in continuing to follow the group.

He approached Chang Kun, who was sitting in meditation.

Seeing Ji Yuan approach, Chang Kun opened his eyes and acknowledged him.

“Mm. Senior Brother, I’m planning to head out and operate independently from here.”

Ji Yuan had already mentioned this back at the Pill Refining Room, so he brought it up directly.

His reasoning was simple: he was accustomed to fighting alone and was particularly skilled in concealment techniques. Acting independently would allow him to contribute more effectively.

Of course, these were merely his explanations on the surface.

Chang Kun was no fool. Hearing Ji Yuan’s words, he understood that Ji Yuan had his own secrets and that acting alongside everyone else would be inconvenient for him.

Moreover, Ice-Fire Elder had given him instructions beforehand, so he did not make things difficult.

He merely asked with a hint of surprise, “So soon?”

“Mm.”

Ji Yuan nodded.

“We’re already fairly close to Hundred-Year Town. I’ll head over first and investigate. If anything happens, we can contact each other through Communication Talismans. If you decide to make your move, remember to send me a message beforehand. If I don’t reply… I suggest you don’t rush into action.”

“All right… You can rest assured.”

When it came to being steady and reliable, Chang Kun was indeed someone who inspired confidence.

The others also knew that Ji Yuan intended to operate independently, so they reminded him to be careful.

Ji Yuan did not say much more.

Only after stepping outside the cave did he send Liu Yuan a Divine Sense Voice Transmission.

“If I haven’t sent you a message, make sure you keep something in reserve even if the squad starts fighting.”

“Understood.”

Liu Yuan naturally trusted Ji Yuan and did not ask why.

According to the topographical map Chang Kun had given him, Hundred-Year Town lay directly east of their current location.

Therefore, after leaving the cave, Ji Yuan adjusted his course slightly and headed northeast instead.

Initially, he traveled aboard his Sky-Splitter Flying Boat.

After flying for a little over an hour, he finally spotted a lake deep within the mountains.

He piloted the Flying Boat straight into the lake and remained underwater for four or five breaths.

When he emerged again, the Sky-Splitter Flying Boat beneath his feet had already been replaced by the skull-shaped Flying Boat that had originally belonged to Yin Tongzi.

His green Spiritual Robe had also disappeared.

In its place, he wore the standard Demonic Path robe that Liu Tian had issued him during his previous visit to the Demonic Den.

The robe was grayish-black and covered in blood-colored patterns. With a little Spiritual Energy, it could summon black mist to protect its wearer.

Combined with the Seven Fiends Infant-Crying Bells floating around Ji Yuan, which produced the ghostly cries of infants and billowing black smoke wherever he went, he looked even more like a Demonic Cultivator than an actual Demonic Cultivator.

Previously, he had needed to exercise extreme caution whenever he traveled.

But now that he was traveling again…

Caution?

When the Demonic Path of Western Shang had not yet invaded, a Demonic Cultivator like him from Eastern Shang naturally had to be careful.

But now that the Demonic Path of Western Shang had invaded, he was still supposed to be careful?

Wouldn't that mean the Demonic Cultivators of Western Shang had come here for nothing?!

The ones who should be careful now were those useless Righteous Path cultivators!

Ji Yuan… no, “Qiu Qianhai,” adjusted his mindset accordingly.

From then on, he acted with even fewer restraints.

Whenever he encountered other Demonic Cultivators along the way, he would even glare fiercely at them.

Until he encountered another Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivator.

Ji Yuan was still displaying the cultivation of Late Foundation Establishment, while the other party was merely at Middle Foundation Establishment.

The man had watched him from afar for quite some time before finally daring to approach and strike up a conversation.

“May I ask whether Fellow Daoist is a native cultivator of Eastern Shang?”

Ji Yuan glared at the delicate-looking man dressed in green robes.

“How did you know?”

Although he appeared fierce on the surface, Ji Yuan had already prepared himself to attack.

Moreover, he could see a trace of an old acquaintance in this man.

Hu Li.

That cunning Demonic Cultivator had been as slippery as an eel, always fleeing faster than anyone else whenever danger appeared.

He had also possessed such a delicate appearance, although he had been better-looking than the Demonic Cultivator standing before Ji Yuan.

…With that bastard’s personality, he had managed to survive even in Eastern Shang’s previous environment, much less the current one.

Ji Yuan simply wondered whether he would ever have another opportunity to encounter him.

“Because those of us who came from Western Shang simply can’t walk with such an imposing stride.”

The green-robed Demonic Cultivator cupped his hands and smiled.

“Are you mocking me?”

Ji Yuan reached forward with his right hand.

A gigantic skeletal claw materialized out of thin air, seemingly about to seize the Demonic Cultivator and crush him to death.

Of course, it was merely for show.

If Ji Yuan truly intended to attack, he would have already employed his Body Cultivation techniques and smashed the man into pieces with a single punch.

The green-robed Demonic Cultivator hurriedly transformed into a streak of black smoke and fled.

Reappearing some distance away, he quickly begged for mercy.

“That wasn’t my intention, Fellow Daoist! Please forgive me, forgive me!”

“Then what exactly do you mean?!”

Ji Yuan brandished the Bone-Transforming Yin Claw and grinned viciously.

“Could it be that you look down on me, Qiu Qianhai?!”

“I wouldn’t dare! It’s just that we’ve only recently arrived from Western Shang and aren’t familiar with the situation in Eastern Shang. We were hoping to find a local Fellow Daoist who could guide us.”

“Heh.”

Ji Yuan sneered.

“You’ve been here for so long. How could you possibly lack someone to guide you? You simply saw that I was alone and thought you could recruit me.”

“Speak! What’s your background? Hurry up and identify yourself!”

The smile on the green-robed Demonic Cultivator’s face stiffened.

He had not expected this Qiu Qianhai, who appeared so reckless, to actually be so meticulous.

Consequently, he became somewhat more serious and replied:

“Since Fellow Daoist has already seen through my intentions yet is still willing to speak with me, I presume you’re interested as well.”

“I won’t hide it from you. We serve under the White Bone Sect, one of the Three Holy Sects of Western Shang. We’re currently stationed in nearby Hundred-Year Town. If Fellow Daoist is interested, you can accompany me there and take a look.”

“Oh, and my name is Luo Ma.”

…Luo Ma? Falling off a horse?

Fellow Daoist, that name of yours is rather inauspicious.

“White Bone Sect?”

Ji Yuan’s heart stirred upon hearing this.

Naturally, he also allowed a suitable amount of surprise to appear on his face.

The White Bone Sect was one of the Three Demonic Sects of Western Shang.

Its status in Western Shang was even higher than that of the Six Immortal Sects in Eastern Shang.

Of course, Western Shang had far more than just three Demonic Sects. Those three were simply its largest Demonic Path powers.

To encounter a cultivator from the White Bone Sect here… was a stroke of luck.

It also explained why Wang Luo, a Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator from Corpse-Driving Mountain, had been killed in a single ambush.

His opponent came from an equally formidable background.

“Precisely.”

Luo Ma unconsciously leaned backward slightly, raising his chin.

If the White Bone Sect was considered sacred ground by the Demonic Cultivators of Western Shang, would it not hold the same status among the Demonic Cultivators of Eastern Shang?

No, no, no.

To them, it was even more sacred.

Thus, merely mentioning those three words was enough to tempt the Demonic Cultivators of Eastern Shang.

Just like… now.

“In that case, I’ll accompany you and take a look.”

In truth, Ji Yuan had already become interested the moment Luo Ma mentioned Hundred-Year Town.

After all, the nearest gathering place of Demonic Cultivators was precisely Hundred-Year Town.

It was therefore unsurprising that this fellow had appeared here.

“Fellow Daoist Qiu, just follow me.”

With that, Luo Ma took the lead and flew forward.

Naturally, Ji Yuan hurriedly followed.

Several hours later, a riverside town overflowing with Demonic Qi appeared in Ji Yuan’s field of vision.

Every fish and shrimp in the river had died, and the water itself had turned somewhat black.

He had no idea what these Demonic Cultivators had done, but even the surrounding trees showed signs of withering.

“Now this is the kind of atmosphere our Demonic Path ought to have.”

Ji Yuan praised them insincerely.

“Heh, Fellow Daoist Qiu, you probably haven’t seen anything like this before, have you? Those hypocrites of the Righteous Path secretly use every Demonic Path method imaginable, yet they insist on labeling us as Demonic Cultivators.”

Luo Ma sneered.

“Fellow Daoist Qiu, you might not know this, but a few days ago, we killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator from Medicine King Valley. Do you know what we found in his Storage Pouch?”

“What?”

Ji Yuan asked curiously.

“Human hearts! And they had been removed from living people! There were also corpses of people who had been tortured to death. Medicine King Valley claims to belong to the Righteous Path, yet they use living people to refine pills. And they call themselves righteous?”

Luo Ma’s mockery grew even more pronounced.

His words inevitably reminded Ji Yuan of his previous experiences purchasing corpses near the Water Dragon Sect.

Corpses were also known as Immortal Materials.

Back then, Hu Li had told him that the business was actually being managed by a Core Formation cultivator from the Water Dragon Sect.

Ji Yuan still did not know who that person was.

“We’re here. Fellow Daoist Qiu, please follow me.”

Ji Yuan had already infiltrated organizations midway through their activities countless times.

There had been the Great Love Sect in the beginning, his later encounter with Jiang Hong at the Ancient Battlefield Ruins, and his visit to the Demonic Den a year earlier.

Each experience had been more or less the same.

In short, when wandering the cultivation world, having more identities was never a burden.

And this time was no different.

Following Luo Ma, Ji Yuan naturally met the False Core Demonic Cultivator stationed here.

His name was “Wandering Cultivator Empty Soul.”

It was unclear what Demonic Art he practiced, but his entire body looked as though all its Yang Energy had been drained away.

His complexion was unnaturally pale, and even his movements seemed somewhat sluggish.

However, the aura of his False Core cultivation was anything but sluggish.

Naturally, Wandering Cultivator Empty Soul was extremely welcoming toward a Late Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivator willing to join them.

He quickly summoned the other Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivators and held a welcoming banquet.

Back when Ji Yuan had first joined the Great Love Sect, he had been somewhat uncomfortable in such situations.

By the time he visited the Ancient Battlefield Ruins, he had become rather experienced.

As for now… only four words could describe him——like a fish in water.

He even felt as comfortable as though he had returned to his own home.

However, once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Wandering Cultivator Empty Soul called Ji Yuan aside.

He first poured Ji Yuan a cup of wine mixed with some unknown blood, then asked with a smile:

“Brother Qiu, where did you operate before coming here?”

…So, he was investigating my background?

Previously, when the Righteous Path held the advantage, they had to guard against Demonic Path spies.

Now that the Demonic Path held the advantage, they naturally had to guard against Righteous Path spies.

Fortunately, Qiu Qianhai, this Demonic Cultivator, had a perfectly legitimate background.

Ji Yuan held the cup of wine without drinking it and replied with a smile:

“I used to operate around Ghost-Seeking Hollow, near Joy Palace. I wonder whether Brother Empty Soul has heard of it. Back then, I joined the Great Love Sect, but that small faction was destroyed not long afterward, so I continued wandering.”

“A few years ago, things became easier for people like us, so I joined another Branch. Look, I’m still wearing the equipment they issued me.”

Ji Yuan patted his robe.

“Heh. Don’t worry. Life will only get better for us Demonic Cultivators from now on.”

After listening to Ji Yuan’s account, Wandering Cultivator Empty Soul felt somewhat reassured.

At the very least, he knew of the famous Ghost-Seeking Hollow.

Combined with Qiu Qianhai’s behavior… just the way he had fraternized with everyone at the banquet made him seem even more like a Demonic Cultivator than the actual Demonic Cultivators.

“Of course.”

Ji Yuan replied as though it were only natural.

“Good! Brother Qiu, perform well. Once you’ve earned some merit, I’ll take you to meet our Young Master.”

Wandering Cultivator Empty Soul patted Ji Yuan on the shoulder and departed with a hearty laugh.

“Young Master?”

Ji Yuan soon learned about this Young Master from Luo Ma.

In fact, he managed to obtain detailed information not only about the White Bone Sect’s Young Master but also about the Young Masters of Blood Luo Mountain and Demon Flame Palace.

After all, certain matters were secrets to Ji Yuan, a cultivator from Eastern Shang.

But to cultivators from Western Shang, they were common knowledge.

For example, the Young Master of Blood Luo Mountain was actually an old acquaintance of Ji Yuan’s.

Jiang Hong.

“Jiang Hong?”

“That’s right. Has Fellow Daoist Qiu heard of Young Master Jiang? Nowadays, he is unquestionably the number one Young Master of Western Shang.”

Luo Ma clicked his tongue in admiration.

Ji Yuan’s thoughts raced briefly before he carefully replied:

“A few months ago, I encountered a Fellow Daoist from Western Shang. I remember hearing him say that Young Master Jiang’s strength wasn’t particularly impressive before.”

Indeed, it had not been particularly impressive.

Back then, Jiang Hong had not even been able to defeat Ji Yuan.

To call him the number one Young Master of Western Shang seemed rather excessive.

“Jiang Hong, ah… Tsk. His background really is something worth discussing.”

Luo Ma recalled.

“Oh? Brother Luo Ma, do tell.”

Ji Yuan was genuinely interested now.

He even took the initiative to pour Luo Ma a cup of wine.

Luo Ma found a chair and sat down.

Rather than speaking aloud, he switched to Divine Sense Voice Transmission.

“Actually, whether it’s Young Master Ye of our White Bone Sect or Young Master Ji of Demon Flame Palace, each of them has only one Nascent Soul True Lord standing behind them. Yet that alone is enough to make them nobles among men. But Young Master Jiang…”

“What about him?”

Ji Yuan asked curiously.

“Young Master Jiang has two Nascent Soul True Lords standing behind him. His mother is a Nascent Soul cultivator, and his father… is also a Nascent Soul cultivator. Moreover, his father is the number one cultivator of Western Shang, Blood Luo King.”

Even while communicating through Divine Sense Voice Transmission, Luo Ma seemed to be deliberately lowering his voice.

“Wh… what?!”

Ji Yuan performed an exaggerated gasp of astonishment.

But in reality… there was not much acting involved.

Because he really was shocked.

When they had fought previously, Ji Yuan had known that Jiang Hong had a Nascent Soul cultivator supporting him and was the son of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

But he had never heard that both of Jiang Hong’s parents were Nascent Soul cultivators!

And his father was actually the number one cultivator of Western Shang…

Just what kind of person had I beaten up back then?

Wait, if both his parents really were Nascent Soul cultivators…

Damn it, even a dog born into that family would be able to soar to the heavens, wouldn’t it?

Then why had Jiang Hong seemed so weak back then?

…Whatever the case, he absolutely could not summon Real Person Heaven Silkworm so casually in the future.

If someone discovered him and spread the news, things could become extremely dangerous.

“The information you heard probably came from before. In the past, Jiang Hong merely followed his mother, Blood Lady, around. His father, Blood Luo King, didn’t even acknowledge his identity. I heard that Blood Lady didn’t particularly like him either. She said his arrival in this world had been an accident.”

“What? There’s actually such a secret behind all this?!”

Whether cultivators belonged to Eastern Shang or Western Shang, gossip was something that naturally brought people together.

Ji Yuan was no exception.

Thus, Old Demon Ji cooperated enthusiastically, responding in an exaggerated tone.

“Exactly, exactly! Back when neither parent cared about him, Jiang Hong’s strength really wasn’t anything special, from what I heard. But not long ago, something happened.”

Luo Ma was extremely satisfied with Ji Yuan’s reaction, so he became even more enthusiastic about telling the story.

“What happened? Brother Luo Ma, hurry up and tell me!”

Luo Ma paused, then said solemnly:

“My surname is Luo, and my given name is Ma. Brother Qiu, you can simply call me Brother Luo.”

“It’s fine. Doesn’t calling you Brother Luo Ma sound more friendly?”

“Very well, suit yourself. Not long ago, for some unknown reason, Jiang Hong suddenly returned to his ancestral family and was formally acknowledged by Blood Luo King. He even gained Blood Lady’s affection.”

“As a result, he became the object of everyone’s affection and received personal instruction and inheritances from two Nascent Soul cultivators. Naturally, his strength rose by leaps and bounds.”

“I heard that although he’s only at Peak Foundation Establishment, he can already defeat Golden Core cultivators in direct combat.”

“That’s far too powerful…”

Ji Yuan murmured thoughtfully.

If that was true, then Jiang Hong was undoubtedly stronger than him.

After all, even when Ji Yuan killed a Core Formation cultivator, he had to choose one who was already severely injured.

“Heh. Did you think having two Nascent Soul parents was just for show?”

“Then, Brother Luo Ma, why don’t you tell me about the two Young Masters of our White Bone Sect and Demon Flame Palace as well?”

It was rare to encounter someone so willing to talk.

Naturally, Ji Yuan had no intention of missing this opportunity to gather information.

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