Chapter 136: Red-eyed Fire Demon
Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Red-eyed Fire Demon
Purple Extreme Sect, Mo Zhaoli’s residence.
The banquet was a lively affair, but the festive atmosphere seemed to have nothing to do with the Green Robe Cultivator seated at the table.
It was as if an invisible wall had formed around him in the vast hall, shutting out all the merriment.
Pouring his own drinks and occasionally filling the cup of the old man beside him, Lin Changheng didn’t mind. He had no intention of socializing with the others and was happy to be left to his own devices.
"Changheng would like to toast Ink Master."
Lin Changheng raised his cup and smiled. "Thank you, Ink Master, for showing me a clear path just now."
"There’s no need for such pleasantries."
Ink Master chuckled, not taking it to heart.
He held a high opinion of Lin Changheng. His Heart Nature and character were both excellent. If not for his slightly inferior Spirit Root and insufficient Cultivation, he would have been a fine choice of partner for his granddaughter.
But now that his granddaughter had entered the Foundation Establishment Stage, a chasm had opened between them. Still, he hoped they could maintain their friendship and continue to help each other.
After all, Lin Changheng’s Talent for Alchemy was undeniable. Combined with their shared history and the bond forged by him, an elder, they could develop a solid friendship, becoming allies who could trust each other with their lives.
"The Immortal Path is long, and personal interests often come first. Making a true friend is not easy. Changheng, you should get along well with Miss Li. I’ve said this to her before, and she agrees."
Ink Master spoke earnestly, his cloudy old eyes fixed on Lin Changheng as he gave his advice.
He truly worried himself sick over the younger generation.
"I understand. I will be sure to cherish this friendship."
What Ink Master said aligned perfectly with Lin Changheng’s own plans, so he naturally agreed without hesitation.
"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent!"
Ink Master laughed heartily and drained his cup. Just then, a handsome, middle-aged Male Cultivator in white robes approached with his cup. His aura was powerful, that of someone in the Foundation Establishment Stage, and he came to offer a toast to Ink Master.
"I am a close acquaintance of Zhao Li’s and have long heard of your deeds from her, Grandfather. I am filled with admiration and have been eager to meet you. If not for Elder Mo, I fear our Purple Extreme Sect would not have gained such a heaven-blessed disciple like Zhao Li. Now, at this banquet, my wish has finally been granted, which brings me great joy. I have come especially to offer you a toast."
"Hahaha, you’re too kind."
Elder Mo clinked cups with him and drank with a smile.
However, hearing this speech, Lin Changheng instantly knew. ’This man is probably interested in Mo Zhaoli and is just trying to make a good impression on her grandfather.’
After that, many other Sect Cultivators came to offer toasts, and Ink Master responded to them all.
It had to be said, the flavor and potency of this Upper Grade Spirit Wine were far beyond that of ordinary Spirit Wine. After a few more drinks, even Ink Master was getting dizzy, and Lin Changheng was starting to feel the effects as well.
The wine was called Pear Blossom Spirit Brew. It was made using the nascent flower buds of Tier One Upper Grade Golden Pear Wood as the main ingredient, combined with a Tier One Spiritual Spring and several Spirit Grasses. The process, which used the Brewing Skill from the Hundred Arts, was quite complex.
It had less Medicinal Power than an Elixir, but it made up for it in taste and enjoyment.
In fact, this was the core difference between the Skills of Brewing and Alchemy.
With a slight circulation of the Red Sky Demon Fire within him, the effects of the alcohol were instantly refined away, and even his Cultivation saw a small increase.
’Good wine.’
Lin Changheng’s eyes brightened, and his cup never paused.
He seemed completely focused on the drink in his hand, but his hearing was fully extended, capturing all the information in the hall.
This was an enhancement to his hearing brought on by reaching the Tier One Late Stage of the Body Refining Realm.
Although his hearing wasn’t as all-pervasive as Divine Sense, it carried no risk of being detected like eavesdropping. In fact, it could be said that anything one could overhear with normal hearing was information a Cultivator didn’t mind being public. Otherwise, they would have used voice transmission.
Bit by bit, Lin Changheng pieced things together. The Foundation Establishment male cultivator from before was called "Senior Brother Feng." He was likely an experienced Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. His master was a Fake Core Master and was well-acquainted with Mo Zhaoli’s master—a middle-aged beauty at Late Stage Foundation Establishment—so their circles were quite close.
As a result, their respective juniors also interacted frequently.
He also overheard that two Male Cultivators at the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation had feelings for Mo Zhaoli. ’I wonder if their desires are suppressed now that the gap in their Cultivation has widened so significantly.’
In this Cultivation Realm, the prevailing dynamic for Daoist couples was for the man to be stronger than the woman.
Among Mo Zhaoli’s martial siblings, most were at the Eighth or Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation. There was also a Foundation Establishment senior sister with Middle Stage Cultivation who was all smiles, a graceful and socially adept woman.
She was quite popular among the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators and navigated their circles with ease.
...
In the blink of an eye, dusk arrived, and the banquet slowly came to an end. The guests began to take their leave.
"Senior Brother Feng" acted as if he were the host, greeting guests and seeing them off. A look of helplessness crossed Mo Zhaoli’s eyes, but she didn’t say anything.
Once all the guests had left and Mo Zhaoli returned from seeing them out, Lin Changheng also announced his departure.
"Brother Lin, it’s already dark. Why don’t you rest here in the residence for the night and leave in the morning?"
Mo Zhaoli still felt a little embarrassed about the earlier situation and urged him to stay.
Ink Master also chimed in, adding that it wasn’t safe to travel at night.
"Very well."
That reason was the deciding factor. Lin Changheng finally nodded with a smile. "I just hope this won’t cause any trouble for Zhao Li."
But Mo Zhaoli laughed, full of confidence. "In the Purple Extreme Sect now, Li’Er may not have high status and great power, but I’m no longer someone that just anyone can push around."
Hearing this, Ink Master and Lin Changheng looked at each other, smiled, and nodded in deep agreement.
...
Lin Changheng was given a side room in the residence to stay in.
After locking the door, he habitually swept the area with his Perfection Realm Spirit Detecting Skill. There were no hidden tricks.
Then, he eagerly took out the Wooden Box Mo Zhaoli had given him as a return gift while they were in the Escape Light.
He opened it immediately.
Inside was a box filled to the brim with dazzling Essence Blood.
Lin Changheng drew a sharp breath, his eyes immediately drawn to one type in particular.
It was sitting right on top.
The Essence Blood was a deep crimson.
Its Spiritual Light was restrained, yet one could faintly perceive its immense power.
A strange light flashed in his eyes as he identified it. ’This is Profound Spirit Essence Blood. Only Profound Spirit Essence Blood could possess such a potent Spiritual Light!’
A quick count revealed a full twenty-eight bottles!
’Judging by the color, it most likely belonged to a Fire-element Demon Beast!’
’An unexpected delight!’
After suppressing the surge of excitement in his heart, Lin Changheng noticed that the Essence Blood in the box was divided into two colors.
The smaller portion was deep crimson, while the larger portion was an earthy yellow.
The latter was clearly blood from an "old acquaintance"—the Mountain-moving Ape.
Lin Changheng shifted the vials around a bit and noticed a small Wooden Token tucked between them. On it, written in small, elegant script, was a thoughtful note detailing the Essence Blood.
"Mountain-moving Ape Essence Blood, Earth Element, Muddy Evil Bloodline. Two hundred and twelve bottles. Part of it was obtained from completing a Demon Hunting mission, and the rest was acquired from fellow sect members to make up the difference."
"Red-eyed Fire Demon Essence Blood, of the Mountain and Marsh Spirits type, Fire Element, Profound Spirit Bloodline. Twenty-eight bottles. Recently obtained from a Sect senior."
After reading, Lin Changheng was first overjoyed, then stunned. "Red-eyed Fire Demon? Another one of the Mountain and Marsh Spirits!"
This was the second time he had encountered one.
The last Mountain and Marsh Spirit was the Wood Element Lantern Grass Essence; this time, it was the Fire Element.
At the same time, he mentally calculated the value of all this Essence Blood. ’It’s worth over a thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones...’