Chapter 81

Chapter 81

"A'zhuo."

Ning Yuzhou reached out to pull Wen Qiao up, then took out a handkerchief to clean the blood from her face.

He did it meticulously. The fellow disciples of Crimson Heaven Sect who witnessed this wore odd expressions, wondering why he needed to do it manually when a simple Dust Removal Spell could have sufficed.

However, as it was a matter between the couple, they tactfully kept their thoughts to themselves.

Wen Qiao stood obediently, lifting her face for him to clean her up while she spoke, "Dearest, the Bursting Bead was quite effective and had considerable power. It's suitable against cultivators below the Yuan Zong realm, but it's not much use against those above that level."

"I'm aware," Ning Yuzhou replied. "It still needs improvement."

At the very least, if they were to continue using the Bursting Beads in the future, they couldn't rely on the Demon Spirit Beads as a medium. Of course, he could create some for his own people using the Demon Spirit Beads.

After wiping her face clean, Ning Yuzhou finally examined Sheng Yunshen's injuries.

Lying there for quite some time, Sheng Yunshen weakly commented, "Junior Brother, the Bursting Bead's power is indeed formidable. My junior sister and I were only slightly closer to its blast radius, yet we still felt its impact. I believe my organs might have been shattered by the force of the explosion..."

Ning Yuzhou remained calm and said, "Not really, just a few pieces."

"What difference does it make?" Sheng Yunshen asked with a glare.

"There's a big difference. At the very least, it heals faster, no need to regrow, and it reduces some pain," Ning Yuzhou explained gently, patting his fellow disciple's shoulder and slipping him an exquisite Revitalizing Pill he had refined.

As Sheng Yunshen happily chewed on the exquisite pill, he suddenly felt that the explosion was worth it.

When Sheng Yunshen finally managed to pull himself up, he saw Feng Rujian had returned, carrying a severely damaged high-ranking demonic fiend in tow.

The high-ranking demonic fiend was severely injured, looking like a ragdoll as it was carried back without resistance.

Feng Rujian reported, "There were four high-ranking demonic fiends in total. Junior Sister blew one up, one escaped, I killed one, and captured this one."

The captured high-ranking demonic fiend was male, with equally striking looks akin to the one Wen Qiao had personally captured a few days ago. However, his current battered appearance nullified any demonic allure, making it difficult for anyone to be bewitched by him.

The group gathered around. Those who had already encountered high-ranking demonic fiends firsthand exchanged glances with those who had only heard of them, all now curiously inspecting the captive. After their appraisal, they found that when these high-ranking demonic fiends didn't use their demonic energy, they appeared no different from humans, explaining how they could easily blend into human society.

"A high-ranking demonic fiend looks like this," marveled a disciple from the Talisman Cauldron Sect, seeing such a creature for the first time.

Qi Jiake remarked, "These demonic men and women are quite attractive."

The disciples of Purple Sun Sect stood at a distance, curious yet maintaining their composure, unwilling to jostle with the crowd.

Purple Sun Sect was a sect that specialized in Sound Cultivation, with its majority being female disciples. Each Sound Cultivator was both beautiful and talented, standing out prominently on the Holy Martial Continent as a renowned sect of fairy-like cultivators, much sought after by male cultivators.

Due to the sect's imbalance of Yin over Yang, many of its Sound Cultivators married outside, joining various sects. Over time, Purple Sun Sect became known as a place that groomed future brides for cultivators. Countless disciples had married into different sects, becoming their respective heads' consorts.

In their daily lives and cultivation, Sound Cultivators were meticulous about maintaining their ethereal image. They rarely acted in ways that would contradict their fairy-like personas.

This was precisely the case now.

Zhong Liyi glanced indifferently at the male demon, quickly diverting her gaze.

Unlike her, the other Purple Sun Sect disciples were less composed. They couldn't help but whisper secretly, "I've heard that high-ranking demons possess the Demon Enchantment technique, capable of captivating a cultivator's mind. Isn't this similar to the Seductive Arts of the Mozu's Joyful Union Sect?"

"Both mainly target a cultivator's sea of consciousness; the principle is the same."

"I've heard that those enchantresses from the Joyful Union Sect can refine their seductive arts to such an extent that even a single strand of hair can kill invisibly."

"Fortunately, our Purple Sun Sect's Melody of Snowflakes can dispel the Enchanting Sect's bewitching techniques, purifying one's mind and protecting us from their influence."

"Hundreds of years ago, an enchantress from the Enchanting Sect lured elite disciples from three sects with her seductive arts. It was our Ancestral Sage, Heavenly Sound, who intervened and saved them with his Melody of Snowflakes to Purify Souls. They were fortunate enough not to fall victim to those demonic women."

"..."

Once the disciples from various sects had satisfied their curiosity, they began dealing with the high-level demonic cultivator.

Human cultivators and demonic cultivators stood on opposite sides of a natural conflict; it was a matter of life and death, with no room for sentimentality. No mercy was shown simply because their adversaries possessed spiritual intelligence. If captured, they would be killed without hesitation.

The same applied in reverse: when high-level demonic cultivators captured human cultivators, they treated them as sustenance, draining their essence blood.

Qi Jiake stopped Yi Xuan from killing the high-level demonic cultivator, saying, "Let me study it first. Brother Ning's explosive talisman seems quite effective."

Yi Xuan glanced at Qi Jiake speechlessly, then at Nie Shenxuan, who had unprincipled nodded in agreement after hearing Ning Yuzhou's name. He silently walked away.

He really couldn't understand these supplementary cultivation practitioners.

Due to the earlier incident, aware that there might be hidden high-level demonic cultivators, they proceeded with much more caution in their subsequent actions.

Feng Rujian discussed with Yi Xuan, "Senior Brother Yi, there are only three days left until the trial ends. During this time, we might encounter more high-ranking demons. We can't just sit and wait for our fate; it's better to take the initiative."

Yi Xuan asked, "How do we take the initiative?"

Feng Rujian placed his sword in front of him, radiating the sharpness and determination of a swordsman as he said resolutely, "We charge forward and kill them."

Yi Xuan: "..." He must have been out of his mind to ask a swordsman for advice.

Though Yi Xuan didn't refute Feng Rujian's suggestion, he made a more suitable arrangement.

He assigned twenty Void Realm disciples from Scarlet Heaven Sect to Feng Rujian, instructing him to lead them in hit-and-run tactics, killing as many high-ranking demons as possible. If they encountered too many, they were not to engage but instead immediately activate their tokens to leave and preserve their lives. After all, it was just a matter of enduring for three days, which wouldn't be much for Scarlet Heaven Sect's disciples.

Feng Rujian led the twenty Scarlet Heaven Sect disciples away.

Nie Shenxuan and the others couldn't comprehend Scarlet Heaven Sect's actions. The outside world was fraught with danger, and who knew how many high-ranking demons lurked in the shadows. Only these battle-crazed lunatics would dare venture out at such a time.

If others wanted to court death, they had no intention of trying to dissuade them, lest they be ridiculed by these battle fanatics.

However, some people had set their sights on the Exploding Beads.

Everyone had witnessed the power of the Exploding Bead when it detonated earlier. If they could have such beads as a trump card, they might be able to withstand high-level fiends and serve as both a means of survival and a weapon.

Thus, some cultivators shamelessly approached Ning Yuzhou, hoping to buy some Exploding Beads for their own protection.

Upon learning their intentions, the Scarlet Heaven Sect disciples were alarmed. They hurriedly signaled Yi Xuan with their eyes, urging him to intervene and prevent Junior Brother Ning from being easily swindled by outsiders into selling the beads.

Ning Yuzhou maintained his amiable demeanor regardless of who he was dealing with. He spoke softly, "I'm sorry, but the Exploding Beads are all gone. I don't have the materials to create more at the moment."

Indeed, the Exploding Beads were depleted. The twenty beads he had given Wen Qiao were used up – apart from testing them, she had unhesitantly smashed the remaining ones during the unexpected mutation, resulting in such tremendous power.

The man left with a disappointed look on his face.

However, there were astute cultivators who had other plans. One of them immediately asked, "Young Master Ning, after the trial ends, would you consider crafting some Exploding Beads for us? We're willing to purchase them from you."

Upon hearing this, the other disappointed cultivators' eyes lit up.

Yes, they might not have any now, but that didn't mean they wouldn't in the future. After leaving the mystic realm, Ning Yuzhou could always refine more.

This time, Ning Yuzhou's reputation soared during the Demon Sealing Mystic Realm trial. Once he left, his fame would likely rise even further when the outside world learned of his abilities.

Given this, it was natural for them to try and establish a connection with him while still in the Mystic Realm, leaving a favorable impression so they could seek his help in the future for alchemy (or weapon refinement, or array plate crafting).

None of those present were fools; their minds were calculating at full speed.

Surprisingly, Ning Yuzhou declined. "Apologies, I might not have the time to craft this item."

Before the one who was refused could say anything, Nie Shenxuan stepped forward, unable to hold back. "Ning Junior Brother is right. After the trial, he'll need to contemplate on array formations. How can he dedicate himself to weapon refinement?

Qi Jiake immediately grew discontent. "What do you mean by that? Weapon refinement is fascinating! Ning Junior Brother is also proficient in this field, so why can't he focus on it? Don't bother him with your lousy array formations. Ning Junior Brother is supposed to study the Flame Bead with me..."

"Nonsense, array formations are truly fascinating!"

" Weapon refinement is the most impressive!"

"Array formations are the most impressive!"

"..."

The spectators around them were already accustomed to their bickering whenever they disagreed. Since ancient times, Alchemy, Talismans, and Arrays had held their allure as secondary skills. Many enthusiasts were convinced that their own specialty was the most powerful and fascinating, leading to endless debates with no clear conclusion.

Offstage, a cultivator echoed, "Frankly, I believe Alchemy is the most remarkable. It's indispensable for any practitioner."

This sentiment earned quite a few nods of agreement.

The debate about whether Arrays or Weapon Forging were superior continued, but Ning Yuzhou, who had triggered the argument, remained uninvolved and undisturbed.

Thus, those eager for the Explosive Beads continued to approach him, hoping to purchase them at a high price.

Ning Yuzhou still didn't commit, yet he didn't completely shut them down. He smiled and said, "If fellow daoists truly desire them, you can wait until Senior Qi refines his Flame Beads and then buy from him. Given Senior Qi's talent and comprehension, I'm sure he'll be able to forge them soon."

With his words spoken, there was nothing else to do but hope for Qi Jiake.

However, they all knew in their hearts that if Qi Jiake successfully forged Flame Beads with comparable power to the Explosive Beads, the demand would only increase. With too many seekers and not enough beads, it would be like the situation with Lei Family's Thunder Beads.

Once the crowd dispersed, disciples of Crimson Dawn Sect surrounded Ning Yuzhou, giving him earnest advice.

"Junior Brother Ning, if you ever refine more Explosive Beads in the future, please sell them to us first. Your senior siblings won't treat you unfairly."

Such a precious item, their Crimson Skypath Sect doesn't even possess one. How could they sell it to other sects? They must be dreaming.

Ning Yuzhou nodded slightly. "Senior Martial Brothers and Sisters, rest assured. If I were to refine more, I would definitely sell them first to our sect's disciples."

The senior martial siblings felt greatly relieved. Glimpsing Qi Jiake and the other still bickering, a shared sense of urgency arose in their hearts.

They couldn't let such a kind and accommodating Junior Brother Ning be swayed by those ill-intentioned outsiders.

***

After a brief rest, they continued their departure from the purified land to hunt fiends.

The number of fiends outside the purified land remained as numerous as ever.

"Hmm, I wonder how the disciples from the other sects are faring," Zhong Liyi mused, holding Jingxue Zither and gazing at the endless sea of fiends beyond the purified land, a hint of concern creasing her brows.

Unable to bear seeing the beauty troubled, Qi Jiake consoled, "Miss Zhong Liyi, don't worry. Everything will be fine. They're probably trapped in a similar purified land just like us. The trial ends in three days, and then the tokens will lead us out of the mystic realm. We'll know their situation then."

Zhong Liyi acknowledged with a soft hum, her gaze fixed distantly ahead.

Her gaze swept past the battlefield outside the sacred ground, pausing on a petite yet swift figure.

Zhong Liyi recognized this girl as one of the two new disciples that Venerated Master Zihao of Crimson Heaven Sect had recently taken in, a girl named Min Chu. The girl wore faint gold gloves, her fist crushing an evil fiend with such force that its flesh and blood splattered, scattering debris across the ground.

Zhong Liyi: "…."

Despite having seen it several times over the past few days, the Purple Sun Sect's sound cultivators still found it difficult to accept such a brutal fighting style.

They identified Wen Qiao as a body cultivator. Sound and body cultivators typically spoke different languages, unable to comprehend each other's combat techniques. While they didn't actively dislike one another, there was little interaction between them.

Remembering Ning Yuzhou's intimate behavior with "Min Chu," Zhong Liyi's eyes flickered, turning her head towards the Crimson Heaven Sect disciples. Sure enough, she saw Ning Yuzhou intently observing the battle.

Zhong Liyi began walking toward him.

"Lord Ning."

Ning Yuzhou turned, acknowledging her with a slight nod, his demeanor aristocratic. "Senior Zhong Liyi."

Zhong Liyi was a sound cultivator at the Yuanling Realm, while Ning Yuzhou was only at the Primordial Martial Realm. Their cultivation levels were vastly different. However, as Ning Yuzhou was a direct disciple of Heavenly Cloud Peak in the Crimson Heaven Sect, his status alone surpassed Zhong Liyi's, negating the need for formal junior etiquette.

"Master Ning, do you still have that green spirit herb that can counteract demonic poison?" Zhong Liyi explained her intentions. "I would like to exchange for a few more jars. Furthermore, if Master Ning has the time, I'd like to ask for your assistance in alchemy."

Ning Yuzhou glanced at her and said straightforwardly, "I'm only an Xuan Rank Alchemist. If the request exceeds the capabilities of an Xuan Rank, I'm afraid I won't be much help."

Zhong Liyi hurriedly replied, "They are indeed Xuan Rank pills, but the quality requirements are exceptionally high. They must all be top-grade, with the number... ideally, as many as possible, not less than a hundred."

Nearly a hundred top-grade pills—such a quantity was indeed substantial and not something an ordinary cultivator could produce.

Although high-ranking alchemists could also refine top-grade pills from lower rank formulas, due to habits, alchemy techniques, and other factors, their success rates were low. They might produce full furnaces of superior-grade pills, occasionally yielding a top-grade pill, but such occurrences were infrequent.

This was a level rarely achieved even by high-ranking alchemists.

It was precisely because of this that when Sheng Zhenhai and the others learned that Ning Yuzhou could consistently produce top-grade pills, they were astonished. Immediately, they recruited him into Crimson Heaven Sect without considering his background or some peculiarities about him.

Ning Yuzhou neither agreed nor refused. He simply said, "I can exchange that green spirit herb with you. As for alchemy, let's discuss it after we leave the mystic realm."

Zhong Liyi didn't insist and nodded readily.

After she left, Yi Xuan, who had been standing quietly by the side, spoke up, "Miss Zhong Liyi is a calculative person. The pills she seeks might not be ordinary."

Ning Yuzhou replied, "I understand. Thank you for your reminder, Second Senior Brother."

Yi Xuan nodded slightly and remained silent, focusing on observing the battles outside the arena.

As the trial neared its end, more and more demons appeared, making them wonder if all the demons within the mystic realm had converged in this area.

In addition, high-ranking demons that had been lurking in the shadows also began to make their moves.

Whenever a high-ranking demon emerged, Yi Xuan and his companions would recall the other disciples and take it upon themselves to confront and slay these powerful foes.

Through repeated encounters, they had ascertained that most of these high-ranking demons were at the Yuan Vein Realm. They had yet to encounter any with Yuan Zong-level strength; it was uncertain if they had not reached that level or if the even more formidable demons were hiding deep within the mystic realm.