CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: DEMON SUPPRESSION BEGINS

’You wanted to say boastful just now, right?’

Xu Ping was speechless inside, but he still offered congratulations, "Congratulations, congratulations, Fellow Daoist Zhang, there is hope for your Foundation Establishment."

Zhang Chenyu looked old, but he was actually only forty-three years old.

At forty-three years old and at the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation, he should have a chance for Foundation Establishment if all goes well, but the chances of success are slim.

"Fellow Daoist Xu flatters me. At my age, I’ve long abandoned ambitions for Foundation Establishment." Zhang Chenyu’s smile grew wider.

...

After a few more casual exchanges, Xu Ping asked about the Linghu Gang’s recruitment expansion.

"I’m not very clear on that matter, it was the Gang Leader’s own decision." Zhang Chenyu shook his head.

"And it’s all mysterious, most people in the gang don’t know the specifics, just that there is such a thing."

"So mysterious?" Xu Ping frowned slightly, but soon relaxed. No matter how mysterious it is, as long as it doesn’t affect him, that’s fine.

"Yes, recently the Gang Leader has become very secretive and has been collecting a lot of array materials." Zhang Chenyu nodded.

"Array materials?"

"Perhaps to study formations." Xu Ping said with a bit of envy.

To be honest, what he wanted to learn most now was formations, but unfortunately, the inheritance of formations was hard to find.

Known since ancient times as being the most valuable, no other cultivation arts could compare.

...

After seeing Zhang Chenyu off, Xu Ping, taking advantage of the fact that it was not yet noon,

hurriedly went to the bedroom to draw Exorcism Talismans.

Even though with his current proficiency, he could likely succeed even at night, it was smoother and easier at noon.

An hour later.

Six Exorcism Talismans were neatly placed on the table, and Xu Ping let out a long sigh of relief.

The price of Exorcism Talismans had risen again to two Spirit Stones during this period.

Although the profit was still relatively small, such talismans belonged to strategic resources and might soar the next time evil spirits appeared.

He had also accumulated quite a few Exorcism Talismans by now.

...

...

Eight days later.

In a dense forested valley in the market, a hidden cave entrance was obscured by decaying plants; the deeper it went, the wider the cave became, and the light grew dimmer.

The interior of the cave was winding and twisting, and after a few turns, the dim environment suddenly began to glow with faint red lights.

The red light intertwined with the surrounding rock walls like fine silk, neither hot nor bright, blending with the darkness, exuding a hint of eeriness

Within the array, a pungent smell of blood permeated, making one nauseous.

Ma Hui and Gao Jun stared intently at the black snake cultivating in the center of the array.

Around the black snake, corpses lay in piles, the bodies of cultivators quietly lying there, blood trickling like small streams, outlining intricate patterns, with the convergence point where the black snake coiled.

Blood continuously flowed into the black snake’s body, and its body trembled occasionally, with bright red light flashing on it, like a burning flame.

At this moment, the black snake’s aura had reached its peak, even its size swelled, as if it was a supreme demon beast about to awaken.

Boom—

Intense fluctuations surged from the black snake, and the blood flowing from the surrounding cultivators’ bodies was swiftly absorbed.

Buzz—

At this moment, a phantom figure appeared from the black snake’s back.

Ma Hui and Gao Jun felt the gaze of the phantom sweep over them.

They felt a chill rise from their feet to their heads, goosebumps erupting all over their bodies.

Quickly, the phantom merged into the black snake, and they both let out a sigh of relief, simultaneously thinking, "The ancestor is truly becoming more powerful."

"Congratulations to the ancestor on achieving divine mastery." As the black snake opened its eyes, Ma Hui quickly kneeled to the ground.

"Congratulations to the ancestor on your smooth path to immortality." Gao Jun also quickly kneeled.

"Hmm."

The black snake looked down on the two, then turned its gaze to Gao Jun, "You have been doing well recently, I am satisfied with the blood offerings. This is your reward."

A porcelain bottle was spat from his mouth, landing in front of Gao Jun.

"Thank you, ancestor, for the reward." Gao Jun was overjoyed, immediately kowtowing.

In this porcelain bottle were fifteen Blood Pills, enough to advance his cultivation significantly, maybe even to break through to the eighth layer of Qi Cultivation with another bottle or two.

"Hmm."

The black snake nodded, then asked, "Are the materials I asked you to prepare ready?"

"Ancestor, they are ready." Gao Jun pulled out a storage bag from his bosom, offering it to the black snake with mana.

The black snake scanned it with his Divine Sense briefly, nodding, "Very good, it’s all there. Once I perfect the array, we can lure the Demon Suppression Team to this valley."

"You can leave now, remember not to forget the daily blood offerings."

"I understand."

...

...

Seven days later.

The first watch of the night.

Darkness cloaked the earth, moonlight filtered through sparse treetops, casting mottled silvery light, reflecting on the moist soil.

Bedroom.

Xu Ping ended his cultivation, exhaling stale air, lowering his hands slowly.

Then he habitually opened the proficiency panel.

[Realm: Sixth layer of Qi Cultivation: 5/100; Nourishing Life Skill Level 2: 93/100]

"Finally, another point."

Since he broke through to the sixth layer of Qi Cultivation, the Spirit Gathering Pill’s effect had diminished; now it nearly took five days to gain one point.

At this cultivation speed, it would take over a year to reach the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation.

"It’s a bit slow." Xu Ping murmured.

He had thought about finding better pills, but the current market had none.

Not only were there few alchemists, but even medicinal materials were scarce.

With more Demon Beasts invading the market, fewer dared to venture out for herbs.

"Alas, who knows how long it’ll be until the people from Longevity Sect arrive." Xu Ping sighed.

The market’s resources were decreasing more and more.

It was barely enough to meet daily cultivation needs.

Buzz--

As he lamented, the Yin Yang Talisman in his bosom suddenly lit up, buzzing.

"The demon cultivator... is here!" Xu Ping’s eyes narrowed, quickly channeling a wisp of mana into the Yin Yang Talisman.

The Yin Yang Talisman emitted a strong light, then with a ’whoosh’, it darted outside.

Xu Ping followed closely.

Although he and Zhang Changqing only had a verbal agreement, not a binding contract.

He still planned to jointly exterminate the demon cultivator.

Though he was not exactly a good person, he still intended to keep his promises within his abilities when possible.

Of course, ensuring his capability came first.

...

...

Outside the valley.

Nearly a hundred cultivators guarded the valley entrance, with four people standing at the front.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, why are we not entering yet? The demon cultivator acts oddly, it’s best to deal with him soon to avoid dragging it out." Gao Jun urged.

"Waiting for one more person." Zhang Changqing in white, appeared calm and composed.

"Who are we waiting for?" a gracefully shaped female cultivator asked. She was Ye Qing, the president of the Four Directions Association.

"Bai Zhiyuan." Zhang Changqing replied.