Chapter 239
Chapter 239
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 239
Chapter Title: Tieniu's Blood Escape, Xiao Hei's Breakthrough
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Maoqiu?
Chen Jianghe looked into Xiao Hei’s earnest eyes.
He thought of Maoqiu.
With a third-grade low-tier bloodline, it had already cost Chen Jianghe a great deal of resources just to cultivate it to the mid-second tier.
To advance to the late-second tier, given the purity of Maoqiu's bloodline, would require even more resources.
In other words…
Even if Chen Jianghe spared no expense, the most he could do was raise Maoqiu to the peak of the second tier.
As for breaking through to a third-tier spirit beast?
A third-grade low-tier bloodline had no chance at all, unless some incredible stroke of fortune could alter its bloodline and foundation.
Xiao Hei currently possessed a third-grade high-tier bloodline, but its chances of becoming a third-tier spirit beast were also very low—at most thirty percent, even with a demon core.
But Xiao Hei was different from Maoqiu.
For the sake of Xiao Hei’s cultivation, he would spare no expense, because Xiao Hei was his brother.
When he first got Maoqiu, Xiao Hei had worried that Maoqiu would usurp its place in Chen Jianghe's heart.
During that time, Xiao Hei had been exceptionally well-behaved whenever it spoke to Chen Jianghe.
Later, though Xiao Hei would scold and discipline Maoqiu, it also fought to secure many resources for it.
Now, Xiao Hei was worried that Chen Jianghe would abandon Maoqiu, which was why it had Latiao take such a risk to get the Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Herb.
"Xiao Hei must have sensed that Maoqiu was struggling to advance its cultivation, which made it worry I would abandon it."
After reaching the mid-second tier, Maoqiu's cultivation speed had indeed slowed considerably, even when devouring spirit cores.
It wasn't as fast as before; this was the limitation of its bloodline talent.
It was just like a cultivator's spiritual root aptitude.
The higher the cultivation, the greater the limitation.
Chen Jianghe had indeed been hesitating whether to raise Maoqiu to the late-second tier and then stop investing in its training.
Latiao's bloodline was of higher purity.
As a fourth-grade low-tier bloodline, with proper nurturing, it had a high chance of becoming a third-tier spirit beast.
Focusing on cultivating Latiao was clearly more cost-effective than cultivating Maoqiu.
But with Xiao Hei's intervention, bringing back the Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Herb for Maoqiu, he had to choose carefully.
"Xiao Hei, the path of immortality is fraught with difficulty and danger at every step. You and I are still struggling to cross this sea of bitterness; we can't afford to be struck down by even a single wave from the cultivation world."
"Both you and I must act with caution. We must think thrice before doing anything."
"If you encounter something like this again, you must discuss it with me so we can find a foolproof plan."
"And I will not abandon Maoqiu."
Chen Jianghe spoke earnestly, his words holding no blame for Xiao Hei, only clarifying the dangers of the cultivation world and the need for caution in all things.
"Mmm," Xiao Hei nodded.
"There are four stalks of the Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Herb here. If you were to consume them, could you advance to a fourth-grade bloodline?"
Chen Jianghe asked.
"I would only need to consume two stalks to reach a fourth-grade low-tier bloodline. But even if I consumed all of them, I wouldn't reach a fourth-grade high-tier bloodline."
Xiao Hei paused, then added, "I have the Spiritual Seal. I don't need the Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Herb."
"If Maoqiu consumes them, one stalk can elevate its bloodline to third-grade high-tier. Four stalks can raise it to fourth-grade low-tier."
"What about Latiao?"
Chen Jianghe asked via voice transmission.
Xiao Hei glanced to the side at Latiao, who was secretly stealing glances at the Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Herb, and sent a mental message.
"Consuming all four stalks would allow it to reach a fourth-grade high-tier bloodline."
"Alright then, we'll let Maoqiu consume them."
Chen Jianghe gave Xiao Hei a definite answer.
It was obvious that letting Latiao consume the Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Herb was more cost-effective, but sometimes, decisions couldn't be based on cost-effectiveness alone.
There were many other factors to weigh.
"However, we need to wait until you break through to the late-second tier. If the Spiritual Seal grants you an opportunity to enhance your bloodline, then these four stalks will go to Maoqiu."
"If the opportunity is not related to your bloodline, then you will consume three stalks, and Maoqiu will consume one."
Chen Jianghe cared about Xiao Hei's opinion, but when it came to their fundamental interests, prioritizing Xiao Hei's improvement was still paramount.
"Mmm." Xiao Hei did not object and agreed to Chen Jianghe's words.
"For the time being, we will cultivate here. We won't talk about leaving until you've broken through to the late-second tier."
Chen Jianghe had made his decision.
After just one month outside, he had come to deeply understand the weight behind the saying that mystic realms were filled with treasures.
However, no matter how many treasures there were, one had to be alive to use them.
The longer they spent in the mystic realm, the greater the danger would become.
Many peak second-tier demonic beasts had been provoked, and the entire realm was in turmoil.
By then, they would not only have to guard against peak second-tier demonic beasts but also be wary of ambushes from other cultivators.
Chen Jianghe reverted to his own appearance.
He took off the black robes and changed back into his usual plain-colored long garments.
For the next period, he would enter seclusion three hundred fathoms underground to cultivate. He would not leave until Xiao Hei broke through to the late-second tier.
He appeared to have obtained many precious treasures, but only those he could carry out of the mystic realm would truly be his. Otherwise, they might all end up becoming someone else's prize.
...
Golden Eagle Cliff.
Xiao Chen formed hand seals, executing a sword art to control his Spirit-Nurturing Artifact as he battled the Golden-Crowned Roc.
Dozens of sword energies formed a whirlwind, enveloping the Golden-Crowned Roc.
*Clang! Clang!*
The sound of metal clashing echoed for over ten miles.
The Golden-Crowned Roc protected itself with its wings. The sword energies struck its black-gold feathers, creating sparks of blue fire.
"Senior Brother Xiao Chen, we're here to help you."
"Thank you for your kind intentions, Junior Sister Peiyao and Fairy Luo, but I alone am sufficient!"
Even while dueling the Golden-Crowned Roc, Xiao Chen could spare the mental energy to notice the approaching Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue.
His combat prowess was unparalleled, and his foundations were profound.
The golden longsword in his hand was no simple Spirit-Nurturing Artifact, but a Dharma Treasure Embryo.
The sword art he wielded was a secret technique from the Sky-Bearing Peak lineage, the Sky-Bearing Sword Art. Cultivated to mastery, it could cleave chasms in the earth and split mountains and rivers.
"Has Chen Jianghe been here?"
Luo Xiyue's cold voice rang out.
"Daoist Friend Chen has not come."
Xiao Chen moved like the wind, dodging the Golden-Crowned Roc's attacks. The hand seals he formed changed, and his flying sword sought an opportunity to breach the roc's defenses.
This was a peak second-tier demonic beast. Any other late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator would have long been devoured.
But Xiao Chen fought it with ease, seemingly not even using his full strength.
This was completely different from the rumors outside.
The story that Xiao Chen had slain a late-second-tier demonic beast in the Arctic Snow Forest at the cost of only a minor injury was clearly false. Even a peak second-tier demonic beast could hardly harm him.
He certainly wouldn't have been lightly injured while slaying a late-second-tier demonic beast.
"He didn't come."
Luo Xiyue glanced at Gao Peiyao and said calmly, "You've already obtained the Flawless Fruit. The Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Heart in his possession is mine."
"Thank you, Sister Xiyue, for helping me get the Flawless Fruit. If Brother Jianghe obtains the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Heart, it will naturally be yours."
Gao Peiyao nodded.
"I'm going to find him."
"I'll go with you, sister."
Luo Xiyue flew directly west, in the direction of the Snow Palace of the Great Snow Mountain.
"The Snow Palace?"
Gao Peiyao's heart trembled. She hadn't expected the place Luo Xiyue was searching for Chen Jianghe to be the Snow Palace.
There were third-tier demonic beasts there.
She wasn't surprised that Luo Xiyue had secretly sent Chen Jianghe a message, telling him of an escape route.
After all, she herself had arranged an escape route for Chen Jianghe.
It was just that the escape route Luo Xiyue had arranged was far too risky.
The Snow Palace had third-tier demonic beasts, and more than one at that. The second-tier demonic beasts outside didn't even dare to approach the Great Snow Mountain.
Relatively speaking, the Great Snow Mountain range was both absolutely dangerous and absolutely safe.
As long as one didn't disturb the third-tier demonic beasts, there was no need to worry about attacks from second-tier ones.
And as long as one didn't move recklessly, one wouldn't trigger any remnant formations or restrictions.
"The Great Snow Mountain?"
Seeing Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue fly towards the Great Snow Mountain, Xiao Chen frowned. He looked at the Golden-Crowned Roc, his eyes surging with killing intent.
He had entered the mystic realm to protect Gao Peiyao.
He wasn't worried when Gao Peiyao went to Sunset Pool; at most, there would be peak second-tier demonic beasts there.
But the Great Snow Mountain was different. It housed third-tier demonic beasts. Even he could only flee in the face of a third-tier demonic beast.
"Daoist Friend Chen went to the Great Snow Mountain? How reckless. If he had come to find me, for Junior Sister Peiyao's sake, I would have certainly protected him within this mystic realm."
Xiao Chen looked at the Golden-Crowned Roc, all traces of playfulness gone from his eyes. Three second-grade high-tier talismans appeared in his hand.
He activated them in an instant.
A storm erupted, and two fire dragons were swept into it, forming a massive storm tornado that turned everything in its path into a domain of fire.
A terrified shriek rang out.
Wind blades and flames enveloped the Golden-Crowned Roc. Its black-gold feathers fell away, revealing a flaw in its defense.
"Sky-Bearing Sword Art, River-Parting Strike."
The golden longsword expanded to ten fathoms, tearing through the sky as it slashed towards the spot where feathers had fallen from the Golden-Crowned Roc's neck.
A long, startled cry.
The crest of the Golden-Crowned Roc suddenly burst with golden light, forming a shield that blocked the wind blades and flames.
*Bang!*
The sword fell, the shield shattered, and half a wing was severed.
The Golden-Crowned Roc shrieked and instantly transformed into a golden streak, fleeing.
"Without using a Talisman Treasure, I still can't kill a peak second-tier demonic beast. My comprehension of the Sky-Bearing Sword Art is still too shallow. If I could cultivate it to the fourth level, I could surely slay a peak second-tier demonic beast."
"Father was right. If I wish to form a Core, I can do so within ten years. But if I want to form a Golden Core, I must first comprehend the fourth level of the Sky-Bearing Sword Art."
Xiao Chen didn't pursue the fleeing Golden-Crowned Roc. In this mystic realm, he couldn't catch a raptor skilled in flight.
With a thought, he pulled the third-tier spiritual item guarded by the Golden-Crowned Roc into his hand.
Looking at the section of a Thousand-Year Sandalwood Heart, a smile appeared in his eyes. He then mounted his sword, turning into a golden streak of light to chase after Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue.
...
"Daoist Friend Cen, run! Don't come over here, run!"
"Daoist Friend Ruan, what are you doing?"
Qian Zhengdao was overjoyed when he saw Cen Linchuan and He Lingchuan flying toward them. They were finally going to have some backup.
But when he heard Ruan Tieniu's words, he was instantly dumbfounded.
They had been chased by the Icy Triangle Python for seven days and seven nights.
If not for their profound magic power and second-tier Spirit Restoring Pills, their magic power would have long been depleted, and they would have become a once-in-three-hundred-years meal.
Junior Sister Liang had become its meal seven days ago.
And two days ago, Junior Sister Liu had sacrificed herself to become its meal, buying him a chance to survive.
Now, he had finally seen a glimmer of hope.
That Cen Linchuan had sixty second-grade high-tier talismans. Even if he had sold over twenty of them, he should still have more than thirty left.
It would definitely be enough to kill the Icy Triangle Python.
As for the Golden-Horned Tiger Bull trailing behind the Icy Triangle Python, the four of them could totally fight it.
And win.
"Daoist Friend Qian, this Icy Triangle Python is about to break through to the third tier. Its power is terrifying, beyond what we can handle. Even if Daoist Friend Cen and Daoist Friend He join us, we won't be able to win."
"That bastard Boss Feng led the Icy Triangle Python to us, but we can't do the same and bring disaster upon Daoist Friend Cen and the others!"
Ruan Tieniu declared with great righteousness, his voice loud and honest.
"Daoist Friend Cen, run! The snake is coming..."
From a distance, Cen Linchuan saw two figures and heard the strange shouts, which made him frown.
"Daoist Friend Cen, who is that?"
He Lingchuan asked doubtfully.
"A mid-stage Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator from Thousand Mountains Market City, a brother of the Talisman Dao Grandmaster, Chen Jianghe."
"Talisman Dao Grandmaster Chen Jianghe?"
"The husband of the Artifact Refining Grandmaster, Fairy Luo."
Cen Linchuan explained, then immediately cast a spell, opening his Dharma Eye to look towards Ruan Tieniu.
When he saw a blurry figure, his expression changed drastically.
"Bastard!"
"Daoist Friend He, run!"
Cen Linchuan cursed, turned, and fled, but he changed his direction.
"Daoist Friend Cen, run, the snake is coming~"
Seeing Cen Linchuan run in a different direction, Ruan Tieniu didn't hesitate to change his course and chase after him, kindly reminding Cen Linchuan to run faster.
"Daoist Friend Cen, this Ruan Tieniu is a scoundrel!"
He Lingchuan followed closely behind, madly fleeing northwest with Cen Linchuan, preventing Ruan Tieniu from chasing them directly.
Otherwise, the Icy Triangle Python would have been able to intercept Ruan Tieniu and Qian Zhengdao.
"Daoist Friend Qian, if we want to live, we have to take a gamble."
Ruan Tieniu sent a voice transmission.
"What's the gamble?"
Only then did Qian Zhengdao realize he had misunderstood Ruan Tieniu.
Ruan Tieniu wasn't trying to warn Cen Linchuan to escape; he was trying to delay Cen Linchuan's escape, giving them a chance to shift the crisis.
"Turn back and chase them."
"Turn back? Wouldn't that be walking right into the Icy Triangle Python's mouth? Even if the python can't intercept us in time, that Golden-Horned Tiger Bull definitely can."
"I have two second-grade mid-tier attack talismans, and you should have two second-grade high-tier attack talismans. We'll attack the Icy Triangle Python at the same time, then change direction."
Ruan Tieniu said directly.
He had a clear memory of every talisman Cen Linchuan had sold, who had gotten attack talismans, who had gotten defensive talismans, and who had gotten escape talismans.
The second-grade high-tier talisman Qian Zhengdao had purchased was indeed an attack talisman.
Besides, as a sect disciple, it was impossible for him not to have prepared some second-grade high-tier talismans.
"Alright, I'll follow your lead, Daoist Friend Ruan."
A cold glint flashed in Qian Zhengdao's eyes.
Their group had started with eight people, but now only he and Ruan Tieniu were left.
Even Golden Core prospects like Liang Wanru and Liu Zhinging had fallen.
Yet this mid-stage Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator was still alive and kicking, even running faster than him.
Even if it was a supreme escape art comprehended from a cultivation technique, it couldn't sustain such speed indefinitely.
Casting a supreme escape art was extremely draining on magic power.
It had been seven days and seven nights.
He, a sect disciple with great potential as a Golden Core prospect, was almost out of magic power, yet this guy could still run!
He must have a secret technique, or a secret treasure.
In an instant.
Just as they turned back and met the Icy Triangle Python, its cavernous maw was already before their eyes, and they could clearly smell the thick, foul stench.
"Daoist Friend Qian, use the second-grade high-tier attack talisman, quickly!"
Ruan Tieniu shouted.
"Alright!"
Just as the Icy Triangle Python was about to breathe its icy breath, Qian Zhengdao took out a second-grade high-tier talisman.
However, it wasn't an attack talisman.
It was an escape talisman.
Instantly, he turned into a gust of wind, sweeping towards Ruan Tieniu at a speed that was nearly thirty percent faster.
Ruan Tieniu used his second-tier talisman at the same time.
He transformed into a bolt of purple lightning and fled into the distance.
"That bastard! He promised a second-grade attack talisman but used an escape talisman instead. What a scoundrel!"
Qian Zhengdao cursed inwardly.
Both of them had used second-grade high-tier escape talismans to escape the range of the Icy Triangle Python's breath.
They chased after Cen Linchuan.
"Daoist Friend Cen, there's a Golden-Horned Tiger Bull too?!" He Lingchuan exclaimed in shock.
He clearly hadn't expected Ruan Tieniu and Qian Zhengdao to bring such a huge disaster.
They had chosen their escape route to harm Ruan Tieniu and Qian Zhengdao, but they hadn't expected another Golden-Horned Tiger Bull to be trailing behind the Icy Triangle Python.
They had run right into it, entering its attack range.
*Moo!*
The Golden-Horned Tiger Bull was already furious, and getting whipped away by the Icy Triangle Python's tail had only enraged it further.
Seeing Cen Linchuan and He Lingchuan, it charged straight at them.
"Use talismans. We can't get entangled."
Cen Linchuan didn't hesitate. He immediately took out a second-grade high-tier attack talisman and activated it. Runes materialized, and a water dragon shot out from them, lunging at the charging Golden-Horned Tiger Bull.
A look of pain crossed He Lingchuan's face.
The Cen Clan was a family of talisman masters, and Cen Linchuan himself was a Talisman Dao Grandmaster. He had no shortage of talismans. Rumor had it that he had entered the mystic realm with sixty second-grade high-tier talismans.
But he was different.
Without that old, third-tier spirit beast, the two clans of Qinghe were already in decline.
Because he was entering the mystic realm, the two families had only managed to scrape together four second-grade high-tier talismans for him.
He had already used two of them while fighting Yuan Chenyu for the third-tier spiritual item.
Later, while being chased by demonic beasts, he had been separated from Lu Qingming.
If he used another one now, he would only have one second-grade high-tier talisman left for protection.
He was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
Once he lost his protective measures, Cen Linchuan would likely pick him clean.
"Daoist Friend He?!"
"Daoist Friend Cen, I'm out of second-grade high-tier talismans. I used them all when I was stealing the spiritual item with Daoist Friend Yuan and Daoist Friend Lu."
He Lingchuan transmitted his voice, sounding a little embarrassed.
Cen Linchuan glanced at the Golden-Horned Tiger Bull, then at He Lingchuan. Without another word, he used a second-grade high-tier escape talisman to put distance between them.
Fortunately, the supreme art He Lingchuan had comprehended was an escape technique. Even without an escape talisman, his speed was not slow at all.
It was just that it consumed a massive amount of magic power and couldn't be sustained for long.
Earth Escape!
He Lingchuan found his chance and遁 into the ground.
However, he didn't遁 in Cen Linchuan's direction, but deeper into the earth.
He was taking a gamble!
He was betting on whether the Golden-Horned Tiger Bull would chase him or Cen Linchuan.
At this moment, he had to gamble.
In that last instant, he had sensed killing intent from Cen Linchuan. Even if they escaped the danger, Cen Linchuan would still make a move on him.
If he kept running, there was no chance of survival.
He might as well遁 underground and bet on his luck.
"A supreme escape art?!"
Cen Linchuan exclaimed in surprise.
In an instant, He Lingchuan had遁 beyond the range of his spiritual sense.
The Golden-Horned Tiger Bull paused for a moment, then continued chasing Cen Linchuan. It seemed He Lingchuan's "Earth Escape" had also taken him beyond the beast's perception range.
The earth itself could block auras, and combined with the speed of He Lingchuan's supreme escape art "Earth Escape" deep underground...
He had managed to shake off the Golden-Horned Tiger Bull's senses.
"Daoist Friend Cen, please lend a hand and save me and Daoist Friend Qian."
Ruan Tieniu was extremely fast, a purple streak of lightning flying towards Cen Linchuan. A gust of wind followed closely behind him; it was Qian Zhengdao, using a Raging Wind Cloud-Sweeping Talisman.
*Moo!*
The Golden-Horned Tiger Bull, having been tricked several times, roared in fury. The twin horns on its head shone with a brilliant golden light, then suddenly broke off, shooting directly at the approaching Ruan Tieniu and Qian Zhengdao.
Ruan Tieniu's face showed utter horror.
This savage bull was actually making a desperate move.
Breaking its horns was an act of destroying its own foundation.
He didn't dare be careless, quickly activating the second-grade high-tier Yimu Green Vine Shield Talisman that Chen Jianghe had given him.
Vines poured out from the runes, instantly forming a vine shield in front of Ruan Tieniu.
The golden light flared, piercing straight through the vine shield and heading for Ruan Tieniu's head.
"Blood River Escape Art!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Ruan Tieniu severed one of his arms, which exploded into a blood mist, making the incoming golden horn lose its target.
*Bang!*
The Golden-Horned Tiger Bull's other horn pierced through Qian Zhengdao's top-tier defensive artifact and ran through his chest.
His life force drained away rapidly.
Ruan Tieniu cast a spell with one hand. His disk-shaped artifact, concealed from spiritual sense, snatched Qian Zhengdao's storage bag and artifacts.
At the same time, it swept up the two golden horns.
He then detonated his other arm, turning it into a blood mist to escape into the distance.
This series of sudden events happened so fast that by the time Cen Linchuan could react, Ruan Tieniu was already gone.
"A demonic secret art?!"
"That rogue cultivator actually possesses a demonic secret art!"
Cen Linchuan's heart pounded with terror. He immediately took out a second-grade high-tier escape talisman and fled, not daring to hold anything back.
Qian Zhengdao was dead.
He Lingchuan's whereabouts were unknown.
Ruan Tieniu had used a demonic secret art to shake off two peak second-tier demonic beasts.
Now he was left to face two peak second-tier demonic beasts all by himself!
"It's only been half a month since I split from Boss Feng. How did he manage to offend an Icy Triangle Python on the verge of breaking through?"
"That guy really is a walking disaster!"
"Although Ruan Tieniu and Qian Zhengdao led the Icy Triangle Python here, it was Boss Feng's fault to begin with. In the final battle, I must make that damned robber pay the price!"
...
Three months passed.
Three hundred fathoms underground, within a five-fathom-wide cavern, it was pitch black and silent, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.
Chen Jianghe, relying on his exquisite talisman-crafting skills, was drawing a Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman.
In these past three months, he had created four Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans, adding to his offensive capabilities.
He sealed the spirit and put down his brush.
After successfully creating the fourth Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman...
Chen Jianghe stopped making second-tier talismans and began crafting Barrier-Breaking Talismans and Sealing Talismans. These two types of first-grade high-tier special talismans were very useful in the mystic realm.
Especially the Sealing Talisman.
Although it couldn't block the spiritual sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator...
It could conceal his own aura, which was an excellent treasure for hiding and self-preservation.
Unconsciously...
Another half a month passed.
Chen Jianghe put away his talisman brush, looked at the two stacks of first-grade high-tier talismans, and stored them away with satisfaction.
Then, he turned his gaze to Xiao Hei, which was glowing with a dim yellow light.
The patterns on its turtle shell flickered with an earthy glow, making the lines on it even clearer in the darkness.
These runes were complex, yet they followed a distinct pattern.
"It's been four and a half months since we entered the mystic realm. It's finally about to break through!"
(End of this chapter)