CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 88: SUBDUE DEMONS AND PRACTICE ALCHEMY!

"So, all the Sect Aristocracy within the province have been drafted?"

By a mountain stream, Qi Xiu plunged into the clear, icy water, vigorously scrubbing himself.

He hadn’t bathed for over five months.

Although at his current cultivation realm, he hardly produced any filth, psychologically, he still felt as if he were about to become a mud man.

"That’s right, Senior. The County Yamen issued the Military Governor’s decree across Dianchuan Province, and naturally, no one dared to disobey. Especially with inspectors from the court roaming everywhere. If one wishes to remain in Dianchuan Province, one must carry out this decree to suppress demons and eliminate evil," Miao Zhong explained.

"In that case, is the province much more stable now?"

Wiping water droplets from his face, Qi Xiu’s gaze flickered.

The more peaceful the times, the more it benefited him. A chaotic era was like trudging through mud, not conducive to the growth of hardworking geniuses like him.

"Well... It hasn’t really improved that much."

After a moment of contemplation, Miao Zhong’s reply surprised Qi Xiu, who asked in confusion, "That can’t be right. Since the Sect Aristocracy have all joined the effort to suppress demons and eliminate evil, how could there not be an improvement?"

"It’s strange, to say the least. Recently, the number of Demonic Evil Cultivators within the province has grown alarmingly. It’s not just those fleeing from Xiangchu Province; demons from other provinces are also frequently entering Dianchuan Province. Added to that are the native evil cults within our own province. Right now, we can only say a precarious balance is maintained. However, if the number of Demonic Evil Cultivators continues to grow like this, this balance will soon be shattered."

With a worried expression, Miao Zhong spoke with evident distress. The worsening situation within the province had overwhelmed the court. This, in turn, had dragged the Sect Aristocracy, who could have otherwise cultivated in peace without concern for worldly affairs, to the front lines.

The saying ’when the city gates catch fire, the fish in the moat suffer’ was apt; today served as a stark example. If not for their chance encounter with this Senior, he and his junior sister would most likely have become two dried skeletons in this desolate wilderness.

Less time for cultivation and increased danger—how could this not trouble and worry disciples from prominent sects like them, who had been pampered from a young age and accustomed to peaceful solitude?

Having cleaned himself, Qi Xiu retrieved a long robe from the Flood Dragon Pool. With a casual shake, all moisture instantly evaporated from it.

"Senior, if you have no particular destination for now, you could accompany me back to the Mysterious Sword Sect. We must properly express our gratitude for saving our lives," Miao Zhong said with utmost sincerity. His inherently honest and steadfast nature meant he felt deeply indebted to Qi Xiu for saving him and his sister, an act of kindness he was determined to repay.

"There’s no need; it was a small effort. Oh, by the way, do you know of any nearby places with a high concentration of demons?"

Having changed into fresh clothes, Qi Xiu casually tied up his ink-black hair, which now reached his waist. A purple flame erupted in his palm, singeing away his beard. He once again resembled a refined and clean-cut scholar.

"A place with many demons? About one hundred and fifty miles from here, to the southwest, there’s a place called Red Flower Town. That town is currently occupied by a group of Demonic Evil Cultivators and has become one of_ their strongholds. Furthermore, since it lies outside the territory of any Sect Aristocracy, no one has gone to clear it out. Senior, you’re asking about this because..."

After revealing the location, Miao Zhong seemed to realize something, and his gaze towards Qi Xiu filled with even greater respect.

This Senior truly has high morals and noble principles! He just left seclusion and is already eager to suppress demons and save the common people. Even as a Loose Cultivator, he possesses such a sense of duty to the country and its people. It’s laughable that we, who have cultivated since childhood and consider ourselves direct disciples of the orthodox path, are so averse to the court’s demon-subduing decree. The contrast makes the difference in character stark!

"Senior, take me with you!"

With a resolute and determined gaze, Miao Zhong suddenly stepped forward, his tone firm.

"Take you with me?"

Startled by Miao Zhong’s earnest righteousness, Qi Xiu was somewhat mystified.

I’m going to capture demons for alchemy; what’s he going to do? The Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture Mystery is already accomplished. Next is the continuous creation of [Primordial] for body refinement. This process will be much faster with the Gathering Yuan Pill. Although the Medicine Talisman can also deduce and replicate the Gathering Yuan Pill’s medicinal effects, it produces only one-tenth of the original strength. Besides, inscribing the Gathering Yuan Medicine Talisman significantly exhausts the spirit. Writing just two a day causes headaches and palpitations. Thus, it would take five days to accumulate the medicinal power of one Gathering Yuan Pill. Now, with the Heavenly Stem Tribulation Sequence stirring, there isn’t enough time to slowly accumulate Medicine Talismans. Therefore, I can only look for demon hotspots to capture demons and perform alchemy, maximizing the speed of the Hunyuan Body Refinement.

"Yes!" Miao Zhong nodded firmly.

Sensing that this sect disciple might have misunderstood something, Qi Xiu waved his hand. "Your sentiment is enough. However, your cultivation is too low. Even if I were to take you, could you protect yourself? You would likely end up distracting me. Go back, cultivate diligently, kill a few more demons, and then my effort in saving your life won’t have been in vain."

"This..."

Miao Zhong opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but he understood that Qi Xiu’s words were entirely reasonable.

Subduing demons isn’t a leisurely jaunt or child’s play. If I insist on tagging along, I’ll only become a burden and endanger my benefactor.

"Senior, rest assured. I, Miao Zhong, will definitely cultivate diligently in the future and strive to, like you, Senior, suppress demons and protect the country and its people as soon as possible," Miao Zhong, his expression enlightened, promised Qi Xiu with conviction.

Observing Miao Zhong’s clear, resolute, and sincere gaze, Qi Xiu thoughtfully sized him up before smiling. "Good. I hope that one day, you and I can fight side by side."

With those words, Qi Xiu turned and departed. His figure became ethereal, covering tens of meters in a single step, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished into the dense jungle.

Gazing in the direction Qi Xiu had disappeared, Miao Zhong silently clenched his fists. Rest assured, Senior. I, Miao Zhong, will keep this firmly in mind!

「...」

In a long valley encircled by several mountain ranges, a town built against the mountainside lay nestled within.

As night deepened, lanterns throughout the town lit up, glowing crimson like blood. They resembled pairs of bloodshot eyes, covertly scrutinizing all who approached from every direction.

This town was known as Red Flower Town.

It was famed for producing a tea called Red Flower Gold Thread. Located at the central junction of key towns like Long Wall, Qingyao, and Solid Town, it frequently saw passing travelers and merchants.

Until one day, a sudden plague with extreme infectivity struck the town.

To prevent the disease from spreading, the counties of Long Wall and Qingyao, after consultation, decided to seal off the roads leading from the mountains, forbidding the people of Red Flower Town from leaving until the cause of the plague was clearly identified and a cure was found.

But the plague struck with terrible ferocity. Before its cause and a cure could be found, nearly 7,000 people in Red Flower Town had all perished.

Subsequent County Magistrates tried relocating refugees and disaster victims to the old site of Red Flower Town. But strangely enough, anyone who entered Red Flower Town was doomed to die violently within their homes within days, their deaths gruesome, their faces twisted in horror.

Thus, a widespread rumor emerged: the restless ghosts of those who had been trapped and had perished in Red Flower Town were to blame.

From then on, the town was abandoned, and no one dared to live there again.

Until three months prior.

A group of Demonic Evil Cultivators discovered this place. The area was not clearly demarcated under any Sect Aristocracy’s territory. Consequently, more and more Demonic Evil Cultivators flocked there upon hearing the news. It eventually developed into a substantial demon stronghold, even housing Dao-Entering Realm demons, and its reputation grew increasingly notorious.

After crossing a man-made gap blasted into the mountainside, Qi Xiu could see from afar the strikingly crimson lanterns in the low valley nestled among the deep mountains.

Is that Red Flower Town? Such a heavy demonic aura!

Even from several miles away, Qi Xiu could detect the overwhelmingly foul and nauseating stench of demonic energy.

I can’t go looking like this. Otherwise, before I even get close, these demons will probably mark me as their next meal.

Looking down at his attire, Qi Xiu took out the Hundred Faces Mask and put it on. In an instant, he transformed into Kongxuzi: white-robed, with a deathly pale face and large, dark circles under his eyes.

He silently circulated the Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture Mystery. His vibrant life aura quickly receded, replaced by a forbidding, deathly chill—an eerie presence that warned all living beings to keep away.

Hmm, this should be about right.

Nodding with satisfaction, Qi Xiu strode towards the distant Red Flower Town.

As he made his way up the mountainside, shadowy figures gradually became more numerous in the dim, cold, dense forest around him. Emerging from unknown corners, these figures all emitted a bloody scent, some faint, some strong, along with the bizarre and potent aura of demonic energy.

There were even some terrifying figures utterly unlike humans: short, dark "Mountain Monks" with manic grins, cradling human skulls and scooping out brain matter spoonful by spoonful; Back-Eyed Ghosts, which had heads and faces but no features upon them, instead possessing a single vertical eye on their backs that shot golden light to kill on sight; and Hemp-Clad Fiends, humanoid figures in hemp robes and hats, wielding copper staffs and craving human hearts...

All manner of strange demons passed by Qi Xiu. To them, Qi Xiu, this human Demonic Cultivator, was merely glanced at before they hurried off, seemingly uninterested.

They’re in such a hurry? Is there a meeting?

Noticing that the passing Demonic Evil Cultivators all seemed to be rushing, as if in great haste, Qi Xiu’s eyes flickered.

"Hey, hey, brother, it’s my first time here today. Why is everyone in such a rush?" Qi Xiu called out, stopping a man with bluish skin, a pallid complexion, and a bamboo basket at his waist, asking with a smile.

"You son of a... you’re quite lucky today! It’s Lord Tianyu’s day for bestowing a feast, and all demons get a share. If you don’t hurry, forget eating, you won’t even get any soup!"

Stopped by Qi Xiu, the pale-faced man had been about to curse. But upon sensing an aura several times stronger than his own, his smile instantly blossomed like a flower as he explained in a soft, hurried voice why all the demons were rushing.

A feast? What kind of feast?

Hearing this, Qi Xiu instinctively thought of King Jincai. That toad also lured many demons and Demonic Evil Cultivators under the pretense of a longevity banquet, only to attempt to stuff them into the Gathering Yuan Treasure Bag as materials for alchemy to make Gathering Yuan Pills. Could this feast from Lord Tianyu be the same sort of trap? If that’s the case, it won’t do at all. I’ve worked so hard to come all this way; I can’t let him ruin everything for me in one go!

With a flicker in his eyes, Qi Xiu wasted no more time. He promptly followed the pale-faced man, swiftly making his way towards Red Flower Town.

「...」