48

Since Huangzhu Island lacked spiritual energy, elixirs were scarce, and there were no instructors to teach and guide practitioners,

Qingchen decided to find another path: to cultivate by slaying demonic beasts and obtaining their essence and blood.

After all, tempered by the *Demon Seed Golden Lotus* secret technique, his spiritual power and resilience already fully met the requirements for the first level of the *Brahma Refining Demon Art*.

He could even begin cultivating the second level of the *Brahma Refining Demon Art*.

Now, all he lacked was a large amount of essence and blood rich in spiritual energy to aid his cultivation.

With these resources, his magical power would accumulate rapidly.

"There are so many martial artists on the island, hehehe!"

Hearing the old town chief's words, Qingchen changed his mind.

He had originally planned to use the blood and qi of the island's mortals as bait to lure sea monsters.

However, the blood and qi of the mortals seemed too weak and turbid.

He estimated that it would require gathering the life force of at least a dozen, even several dozen, mortals to barely create enough attraction.

Doing so would lead to the deaths of many mortals.

Within a few attempts, hundreds, even thousands, of mortals could be killed.

Such a large number of mortals disappearing would inevitably cause panic on the island.

If the matter were exposed, the sect would definitely intervene to investigate.

In comparison, using martial artists as bait seemed more feasible! After all, they were fewer in number, making them a smaller target.

Dozens, even hundreds, of martial artists, including many second-rate experts.

Their vast amounts of energy and life force would be far more attractive to demonic beasts than the life force of thousands of mortals.

"If used sparingly, it should be enough for five years of cultivation!"

Although Qingchen was very curious about the old town chief possessing spirit stones,

he understood that now was not the time to investigate.

"Yes, indeed. You have devoted yourself to Huangzhu Island for thirty years, your contributions are immense, and these mortals have certainly gone too far."

Qing Chen deliberately paused, watching the old town head bend even more, before continuing:

"However, as a resident cultivator on the island, they are all my subjects, which truly puts me in a difficult position..."

"Ah? This, this..." Upon hearing this, the old town head was stunned, his face instantly turning pale, his hands clutching the hem of his robe, and beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Immortal, those unruly people are truly outrageous. If they are not dealt with, this old man..." He hadn't expected Qing Chen to say this so suddenly, and for a moment he panicked.

Qing Chen chuckled inwardly, but his face remained tense. "Old Mayor," he said, "you know my cultivation requires resources. Don't you think it's appropriate?"

The old mayor panicked even more upon hearing this. He hurriedly said, "Ah, this... this old man only has these two spirit stones; I really can't offer any more."

Qing Chen didn't speak, simply closing his eyes, seemingly to rest.

His hearing had long been honed by the *Demon Seed Golden Lotus*, and he could hear the old mayor's heartbeat.

It was pounding like a drum, and his hand, hidden in his sleeve, was trembling.

This old man was definitely not telling the truth.

After about fifteen minutes, the old mayor suddenly knelt down again with a thud, his voice trembling with sobs:

"Immortal! This old man has three more! These were bestowed upon me by past immortals over the past thirty years. If you are willing to help, I am willing to offer all these spirit stones to you for my own protection."

Hearing this, Qingchen slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the spirit stones the old town chief had held up.

The five pale blue stones, gathered together, shone with a faint yet brighter light.

His doubts deepened: Where would the island's resident cultivators find the leisure to appreciate spirit stones?

In this place where spiritual energy is scarce, spirit stones are a rare resource even for cultivators. How could they possibly give them to a mortal?

This old man clearly doesn't understand the hardships of cultivators; his excuse is quite flimsy.

This old man is definitely hiding something else.

The cultivators stationed here are those without backing, without connections, with weak cultivation levels; they would split a spirit stone in two if they could.

He didn't expose the truth, but simply gestured for the old mayor to rise, his voice flat and emotionless:

"Old mayor, you have rendered great service; these unruly people are unforgivable. I will handle this matter for you, rest assured."

The old mayor hurriedly kowtowed, his knees pounding loudly on the stone ground. His legs were weak when he stood up, and he had to lean on the doorframe for support before retreating, his back hunched.

Meanwhile, Qing Chen pondered in his heart that this old fellow definitely had more than five spirit stones; he was surely hiding something from him.

Qing Chen was not as simple-minded as the previous island-stationed cultivators—they had cultivated within the sect since childhood, knowing nothing of the world, like fledglings just beginning their training.

But he, Qing Chen, had weathered storms, tasted the bitterness and sweetness of human nature, killed, tricked, harmed, and even deceived hearts.

He was utterly ruthless.

He had his own plans regarding the tricks of this old fox, and had long since developed a keen eye for discerning people's hearts.