Chapter 367: 210, Enter Crane Emblem Country, Kill Golden Jiao (8k6 Big Chapter)_5
These are quite valuable, each worth over one hundred thousand Spirit Shells.
"Daoist Xu, you’re too kind." He True Monarch’s expression softened considerably after receiving the Yunjin Pill. Xu Xing had killed the Golden Jiao this time without informing him beforehand, which inevitably made it seem as if Xu Xing disregarded him. After all, He True Monarch was in charge of the Crane Emblem Country, and the Golden Jiao could be considered his possession.
However, upon witnessing Xu Xing’s formidable strength in single-handedly slaying the Jiao, he had felt apprehensive and hadn’t pressed the issue.
"This Golden Jiao Demon King was previously injured by Daoist He," Xu Xing continued. "Daoist He also deserves partial credit for my success in killing it."
He had chosen to kill the Golden Jiao Demon King alone, rather than joining forces with He True Monarch, for three reasons.
First, to demonstrate his strength to the Starfall Sect and reduce potential complications after joining. Second, to use this opportunity to befriend He True Monarch. Third, to make a name for himself in the Crane Emblem Country and deter any "malice" from the Starfall Sect.
Small and medium-sized sects had coveted the heritage of major sects for a long time.
Countless True Lineage disciples who had become renegades from the Flying Feather Immortal Palace had been secretly assassinated by these smaller sects.
Therefore, the news of his intention to join the Starfall Sect needed to spread, making some within the Starfall Sect hesitate to act against him due to potential repercussions.
"Daoist Xu, you’re too modest..." He True Monarch’s face instantly lit up with a smile.
The corpse of a Demon King at the middle stage of Dao Pill was exceedingly valuable, especially a Golden Jiao, a dragon-type demonic beast. Its entire body was a treasure.
The value of this Flood Dragon was, at the very least, five to six million Spirit Shells.
If one were to ask the sect’s alchemists and artifact refiners to process it into pills and magical artifacts, its value would double.
Since Xu Xing was connected to Saintess Wu Miao, he could have completely bypassed He True Monarch, the stationed House Elder of Crane Emblem Country, and monopolized the Golden Jiao Demon King’s corpse. Procedurally, this would have been entirely reasonable.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two formally introduced themselves.
He True Monarch was unfazed upon learning Xu Xing was a renegade from the Flying Feather Immortal Palace. He comforted Xu Xing, saying, "Renegades from the Ten Major Sects, though rare, are not unheard of. The former master of the Dragon Mountain Villa was once the Chief of the Yin Wind Gate. He married into the Dragon Mountain Villa, wedding the Li Family’s young lady of that era."
"The founding Sect Leader of the Bitter Crossing Sect was also a renegade from the Mingquan Sect..."
The two paused before the Crane Hall. He True Monarch patted Xu Xing’s shoulder, signaling him not to overthink things.
The Ten Major Sects of East Huangzhou had a long and storied history.
The legacies of many small and medium-sized sects were connected to the Ten Major Sects.
...
...
「After the banquet.」
Xu Xing and He True Monarch had developed a considerable friendship.
They had almost become confidants.
However, Xu Xing understood that He True Monarch’s goodwill towards him wasn’t solely because he was generous and methodical in his dealings.
There was another key reason.
He True Monarch had been assigned to the Crane Emblem Country because he was Wu Miao’s martial uncle, belonging to the Sect Master’s faction.
Of course, if Xu Xing hadn’t made such a concession after slaying the Golden Jiao today, He True Monarch wouldn’t have become so amiable, even if he already held a favorable opinion of him.
The Ghost Immortal Elixir Symbol and Martial Artist Cave have successfully merged. It’s time to go to the Heavenly Abyss and leave this remote place.
「Crane Emblem Country, Eldest Princess Mansion.」
With a shift of his thoughts, Xu Xing focused most of his consciousness on his "other-self" body.
...
...
「Emperor Jin World.」
「Heavenly Abyss.」
"Five thousand miles into the Heavenly Abyss is a temporary resting place for Returning to the Netherworld Realm Ghost Immortals and Earth Yuan Realm martial artists. Ten thousand miles down is the resting place for Fate Determining Ghost Immortals and Heavenly Origin Realm martial artists..."
Yin Shou craned his neck to glance into the bottomless Heavenly Abyss, then quickly recoiled, his face etched with apprehension.
"Yin Shou, if you don’t dare to descend into the Heavenly Abyss, you can stay at the Immortal Mushroom Sect. I’ll grant you your freedom," Xu Xing said, glancing at Yin Shou, his expression indifferent.
Once one path is comprehended, all techniques become clear.
Since his successful advancement to the Returning to the Netherworld Realm, his cultivation progress as a Ghost Immortal had been swift. In just over thirty years, he had reached the late stage of the Fate Determining Realm.
Now, he was just one step away from the Life Spring Realm within the Shaping Life Realm.
Under his guidance, Yin Shou, who had initially been three or four minor realms away from the Fate Determining Realm, had also broken through to its early stage.
"The Fate Determining Realm is just the beginning," Yin Shou said with a wry smile. "How could this old servant... hold myself back?"
Since Xu Xing had far surpassed him in cultivation realm, Yin Shou had become increasingly respectful. The status of a servant, which he once considered shameful, now felt less burdensome, and he no longer minded it.
Serving a powerful expert put him in an exceptional position—subordinate to one, yet superior to myriad others.
"Nangong Ancestor, have you also decided to enter the Heavenly Abyss?" Yin Shou glanced at the beautiful female cultivator beside him and kindly reminded her, "There’s still time to change your mind."
Even as a Fate Determining Ghost Immortal, he felt terrified entering the Heavenly Abyss.
For Nangong Ancestor, who was only at the Returning to the Netherworld Realm, to enter the Heavenly Abyss was incredibly audacious.
"This is an opportunity..." Nangong Ancestor pursed her lips. "With my own strength, I’d have no chance of ever leaving the Heavenly Abyss in this lifetime. But perhaps, by following Fellow Daoist Gongyang, I might..."
"After we enter the Heavenly Abyss," Xu Xing stated, "if I am able to lend assistance, I will not be stingy. However, if I cannot..."
He had obtained many resources for his breakthroughs from the Immortal Mushroom Sect and the Fragrant Fox Sect. Nangong Ancestor of the Fragrant Fox Sect, even if she hadn’t achieved great merits for him, had certainly toiled diligently.
"I understand perfectly," Nangong Ancestor said, giving a delicate nod. "If Fellow Daoist Gongyang finds it necessary to abandon me during our journey, I will harbor no resentment or regret."
Seeing their unwavering determination, Xu Xing said no more. With a flick of his sleeve robe, he enveloped Nangong Ancestor in its protection, and the three of them proceeded down into the Heavenly Abyss.
In an instant, they descended thousands of miles.
Along the way, they encountered several Undead.
They indeed carry an aura of my non-living substance. After casually dispatching these few Undead, Xu Xing sensed the Dao Principles lingering on their bodies and thought to himself. Non-living substance is a type of Dao Principle. It contains the Dao Principle of longevity. This Dao Principle is connected to the Longevity God Treasure within the domain of the Seven-God Treasure. Back then, he had given Shi Yuyan a portion of his blood, which saved her many detours in her cultivation. This was partly why Shi Yuyan had progressed so rapidly.
"Blood..."
"Your blood..."
"Are you connected to Emperor Xi?"
As they delved seven thousand miles into the Heavenly Abyss, the Undead became increasingly numerous. Xu Xing gradually found himself under pressure and was wounded by a Heavenly Origin Realm Undead.
A portion of his aura had leaked out.
Some powerful experts, who had initially been observing from the sidelines, began to close in.
"Master," Yin Shou said, frowning at the sight, "abandon Nangong Wei. She’s a burden..." With his and Master’s strength, they would have a much easier time without Nangong Ancestor weighing them down.
"My apologies, Daoist Nangong."
Xu Xing nodded, withdrawing his protection from Nangong Ancestor.
He flicked his sleeve, unleashing a burst of Magic Power.
He intended to send Nangong Ancestor back to the upper levels of the Heavenly Abyss.
But at that very moment, Nangong Ancestor transformed into her true form—a seven-tailed Red-haired Fox—and dodged the Magic Power Xu Xing had directed at her.
This Red-haired Fox was over ten zhang tall, clutching a Jade Coffin in its jaws.
The Jade Coffin emitted a brilliant, shimmering light.
It enveloped Nangong Ancestor’s entire vulpine form.
Any Undead that touched this jade-like luminescence were instantly repelled.
Immediately afterward, Nangong Ancestor shot towards the depths of the Heavenly Abyss at extreme speed, completely disregarding the surrounding Undead, as well as Xu Xing and Yin Shou.
That damned vixen was hiding such a trump card! Yin Shou cursed inwardly.
The two men hurriedly pursued Nangong Ancestor.
Under the protection of the jade-green coffin, an isolated zone effectively cleared out around Nangong Ancestor.