Chapter 263: Shifting Situation
The four were surprised by the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust’s actions, but in the next moment, Su Yan’s face immediately broke into a smile.
The Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust actually extracted a large piece of Myriad Fiend Crystal from the Earth Vein. It was as large as a human head, completely dark red and crystalline, like a gem formed from solidified blood.
Yuan Hong’s eyes widened: “Such a large piece of Myriad Fiend Crystal, it’s a rare item even among third-order high-grade materials. It’s probably worth forty to fifty thousand contribution points.”
According to the contribution point rewards of the Lingnan Prefecture Righteous Path Alliance, the head of a first-heaven Dan Qiao Realm True Person is probably worth around one hundred thousand contribution points.
If such a large piece of Myriad Fiend Crystal were used to temper a Spirit Tool, it could probably allow a third-order mid-grade Natal Spiritual Artifact to transform into a third-order high-grade one.
Xiang Ge showed a look of envy, but in his heart, he could only sigh: ‘This kid’s luck is truly invincible.’
The malevolent energy of Cold Shadow Peak was nurtured by Yao Lixuan for many years. This was just a catalyst, and it’s unlikely that Myriad Fiend Crystal was originally formed here, otherwise, it wouldn’t have remained until now.
The reason it was able to form was inseparable from Yao Qingqing’s actions just now, condensing the malevolent energy and infusing it into the underground Spiritual Vein, ultimately resulting in this.
Long Qiushui said: “Yao Qingqing wanted to use the malevolent energy to transform her Weeping Blood Sword’s True Intent. It’s likely that this Myriad Fiend Crystal was also part of her brother’s and her scheme, but now it’s benefited you.”
Although she said it benefited Su Yan, she actually demarcated its ownership.
Su Yan did not decline and accepted the item. It was related to the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust’s metamorphosis. Even if Yuan Hong and the others had made the first merit, he would have found a way to exchange for it.
…
After the great victory at Cold Shadow Peak, the towns within and outside its jurisdiction finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Yuan Hong and Xiang Ge issued orders for disciples at the True Intent Realm to lead teams in pursuing and killing Demonic Path disciples within their jurisdiction, completely driving them out.
Only by eradicating their foundation could the safety of Cold Shadow Peak be completely guaranteed.
Su Yan and Long Qiushui were stationed at Cold Shadow Peak.
To say they were stationed was actually Long Qiushui taking on all the responsibilities; she was in charge of all the deployments.
It was a critical time for sect warfare. Even after clearing out the Demonic Path Martial Artists, the work continued from day to night, never-ending.
She did this without a word, leaving all this time for Su Yan, her disciple, to continue his cultivation.
Su Yan knew his Master’s good intentions and did not refuse. He was not good at management and instead focused his energy on improving his cultivation.
Currently, he had two Fierce Insects in the Metamorphosis Stage. The first was the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust; its four Molting Materials had gathered the Myriad Fiend Crystal, and now it only lacked the Soul Spirit True Silkworm, Blood Dripping Profound Crystal, and Sky Abyss Ore.
Shi Ze had already been suppressed. Under the interrogation of the Ten Thousand Insects Devouring Heart, he had no secrets left.
His breakthrough to the Third Heaven only utilized the Origin of the Soul Spirit True Silkworm, which was still in the tribe.
As for the Blood Dripping Profound Crystal and Sky Abyss Ore, Su Yan planned to check if the Righteous Path Alliance had them for exchange.
The second one about to undergo metamorphosis was the Flame Armored Scorpion.
The Flame Armored Scorpion was only one Fierce Fire Purple Scorpion away from metamorphosis, but this Fierce Fire Purple Scorpion was a rare item among third-order Feral Beasts, and it was impossible to find news of it for a while.
Although the Shadow Horn Spider and Troop Devouring Ghost Moth were both in the Mature Stage, only the Shadow Horn Spider was slightly closer to metamorphosis. The Troop Devouring Ghost Moth was still a long way off.
Not to mention the Dragon-Eating Worm, Rock Demon Ant Queen, and Blood Bone Centipede King.
“It’s been a while since I used up the Beast Essence Pill, and the second-order pills are no longer enough.”
Su Yan had consecutively killed several Dan Qiao Realm True Persons, including Gu Kuixing, Ji Wenchuan, and Xiao Weizhi. Even though some of the contribution points were allocated to Long Qiushui and the other two, he still took the lion’s share of the contribution points obtained.
Moreover, Su Yan had almost single-handedly annihilated the Demonic Path disciples of Feng Yan Mountain. The contribution points for this were not much less than the above.
It could be said that once the settlement was done, Su Yan would be rolling in wealth.
In addition, from several Dan Qiao enemies, he had also looted a considerable number of Spirit Herbs and Spirit Ores, which were valuable items.
Su Yan inventoried his belongings. The nourishment from the Insect Yuan continuously improved his body’s Bone Structure. Through the tempering of Body Cultivation, his Qi and Blood became increasingly vigorous, making him almost like a human-shaped Feral Beast.
However, Su Yan knew this was not enough. His Star Apertures were only twenty, and the accumulation of Star Apertures had lagged behind his Physical Body cultivation. To achieve a Qi and Blood Golden Core with Nine Revolutions, he would likely need a strong True Essence and Qi and Blood to reach this goal.
The Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust took several days to finish absorbing the Myriad Fiend Crystal. Su Yan, meanwhile, reviewed his current situation.
The urgent matters were nothing more than the breakthrough of his Fierce Insects and the refining of Pills to accumulate his foundation.
After waiting for a few days, Long Qiushui sent someone to summon Su Yan to the main hall.
Upon arriving at the main hall, Su Yan noticed that the atmosphere was indeed a bit off.
The expressions of the three were very grim.
“What happened?”
Su Yan immediately inquired. Long Qiushui looked at him and then said: “The contribution points have been calculated. You killed Gu Kuixing in battle, set a trap to kill Ji Wenchuan and Xiao Weizhi, jointly killed Shi Ze and Yao Qingqing, and annihilated Feng Yan Mountain. The total contribution points are three million.”
Three million contribution points, even among the Dan Qiao Realm, few could achieve such a significant amount so quickly.
Currently, only Huang Shuzhen, Yin Yuxi, Liu Yan of the Nine Peaks Sect, and Xiong Conghan of the Sword One Sect, prominent figures in All Stars Heaven, who had consecutively killed several Dan Qiao enemies, had reached such a number.
Su Yan was unique, like a shoe in excrement – one of a kind.
However, Su Yan could see that the unhappiness of the three could not be because of this.
“Is the matter related to contribution points?”
“Two pieces of news.”
Long Qiushui said: “The person responsible for material exchange for the Nine Peaks Sect this time is Cao Cangfeng from the Dragon Transformation Lineage. You know the relationship between their lineage and ours. It’s likely that these three million contribution points won’t be spent easily.”
Su Yan frowned slightly. The Dragon Transformation Lineage was precisely the lineage that his Uncle Master, Poison Dragon Daoist, had joined.
All the True Disciple secret manuals of their lineage were learned, and even the treasured artifact for lineage transmission, the Dragon Nesting Pool, had become the current Poison Dragon Pool.
One must know that the so-called Dragon Transformation Lineage, transforming into a dragon with one’s body, and having a flesh and blood Dharma Aspect, the key aspects were the Cultivation Manuals and the Dragon Nesting Pool.
Now that one of these two was missing, even with methods to reforge it, it would likely be far inferior to before.
Uncle Master Poison Dragon Daoist Tai Lingyue’s actions in this matter were not glorious. Even if there were some hidden details, the situation had become so dire that the two lineages could be considered irreconcilable enemies.
Even if they met, they would kill each other, and as long as it wasn’t done in the open, no one would care.
Not to mention that now, they might just make things difficult.
“The resources corresponding to the contribution points may not all be obtained from his Nine Peaks Sect, and with so many sects cooperating, they wouldn’t dare to mess around too much.”
Yuan Hong said this at this moment, his brows tightly furrowed, and continued: “The second matter is troublesome. Yao Lixuan has released news that he will definitely kill the four of us and will not spare anyone involved. If he succeeds, he will help that person break through to the Dharma Aspect Realm.”
Xiang Ge’s eyes turned cold, and he snorted, “Yao Lixuan is merely a minor Dharma Aspect True Person. Does he really think he’s invincible?”
In the Ninth Level of Dharma Aspect, only those at the fifth level or above are considered Head Seat-level Great Dharma Aspect True Persons.
Yuan Hong said: “Yao Lixuan is a renowned genius of the past three hundred years. Upon his breakthrough, he obtained the fourth-order Natal Spiritual Artifact, Myriad Bones Sword. His teacher is even Meng Cheng, the Vice Sect Leader of the Sacred Weapon Path, so naturally, he dares to say this.”
Su Yan’s eyes narrowed, but he said: “Two Martial Uncles, we are already in an antagonistic relationship. Whether he releases this news or not, it will likely not end well.”
Long Qiushui said: “It’s just a reminder for you to be more careful. The events at Cold Shadow Peak are gradually spreading. For us three, it’s fine; we were on the Dragon Ranking in earlier years, so we have a foundation and won’t be targeted. But you…”
Xiang Ge took over, looking him up and down with a strange expression: “Becoming famous at a young age, almost invincible at the same level. In Lingnan Prefecture, whether it’s the Demonic Path or the Righteous Path, no one has seen such talent. A tall tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind; those who cannot stand to see you do well are not just from the Demonic Path.”
The reason the three specifically summoned Su Yan was not only for his contribution points but more so to remind him.
Su Yan nodded in agreement, a sense of urgency rising in his heart.
‘I still need to get the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust and the Flame Armored Scorpion to transform.’
After the reminders, Yuan Hong and Xiang Ge also recounted the recent battle situation.
Wangtian Pass had indeed become the key to the conflict at the Hundred Peaks Barrier. Dharma Aspect Realm Elders from both sides had intervened several times, turning the area in front of the pass upside down.
In just a few days, the casualties among disciples on both sides exceeded five thousand, and the fallen Dan Qiao Realm experts were more than twenty.
A Dharma Aspect Realm Elder from Fuyue Peak of the Beast King Sect was severely injured and lost an arm, and a Dharma Aspect cultivator from the Three Flames Divine Palace directly perished.
The high-level martial artists who were usually held in high esteem had also become sacrifices in such a great war.
Their lives were like grass, nothing more.
Although both sides suffered heavy losses, Wangtian Pass remained as solid as a mountain.
However, the situation in other areas was difficult to describe.
In a few days, several passes of the Hundred Peaks Barrier were lost, and the entire Hundred Peaks Barrier was cut into smaller areas.
On the battlefield that had penetrated Lingnan Prefecture, the Righteous Path Alliance, utilizing their advantage in cities and troop numbers, pressed forward step by step, compressing the offensive momentum of the Demonic Sects by nearly a hundred li.
Both sides had their strengths and weaknesses; it was likely to be another protracted war.
After Yuan Hong and Xiang Ge finished speaking, they left first, as there were still many arrangements to be made inside and outside Cold Shadow Peak.
Long Qiushui and Su Yan remained alone in the hall, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat peculiar.
The two sat facing each other, and Long Qiushui carefully observed her disciple.
“Master, what is it?”
As Su Yan asked, Long Qiushui’s expression flickered slightly, and then she said: “I was supposed to guide your cultivation, but I didn’t expect you to almost catch up to me.”
Su Yan smiled: “It’s just a bit of luck.”
Long Qiushui shook her head slightly. Which cultivator doesn’t rely on luck? This is not a matter of taking shortcuts.
Her gaze fell on Su Yan, and then she said: “Master, you said your True Essence Golden Core has Nine Revolutions. Will your next two Golden Cores also be eight revolutions or higher?”
“Approximately.”
Long Qiushui’s eyes narrowed, revealing a smile: “Tell me the truth.”
Although she didn’t interact with Su Yan as much as Gu Sanqian, she felt that his personality was somewhat similar to hers: strong-willed and striving for perfection.
Now, at the beginner stage, he had achieved Nine Revolutions, and only wanted eight revolutions for the next two Golden Cores. How could this be possible?
Seeing her ask, Su Yan honestly replied: “Nine Revolutions, with my physical body foundation and soul strength, it’s not impossible.”
Long Qiushui pondered carefully, reached out and held Su Yan’s wrist, True Essence flowing through him. Su Yan felt threads of coldness enveloping his body.
“Everyone underestimates you.”
Long Qiushui’s eyes were filled with surprise. She thought she had already overestimated her disciple, but now, judging by the fullness of his Qi and Blood, it was comparable to a Dragon Beast.
She said seriously: “With your current Qi and Blood, even without any preparation, seven revolutions for your Golden Core is definitely not a problem. If you want to achieve eight revolutions, you’ll need to prepare Pills to replenish Qi and Blood and diligently temper your foundation. This is not difficult. If you want to quickly achieve nine revolutions, you can focus on the Poison Dragon Valley.”
“Master, what about you? How many revolutions do you aim for with your Golden Core?”
Long Qiushui did not hide anything from Su Yan. Her body exuded a frost-like fluorescence, and in her upper, middle, and lower Dantians, the appearance of her Golden Cores emerged: Qi and Blood Golden Core, True Essence Golden Core, and Divine Soul Golden Core. Seven extremely bright, silk-like Dan Patterns were visible on them.
“I have currently achieved seven revolutions. The opportunity for eight revolutions is also in the Poison Dragon Valley. If I obtain the inheritance of martial arts from my Uncle Master and undergo the baptism of the Poison Dragon Pool, I am confident I can break through to eight revolutions.”
After eight revolutions comes All Stars Heaven.
Long Qiushui asked: “Do you know what All Stars Heaven is?”
Su Yan was no longer the naive beginner he once was. He replied, “The so-called All Stars Heaven is when, after condensing Golden Cores in the upper, middle, and lower Dantians, one condenses a vortex Golden Core using the Zhou Tian acupoints, revolving around the Dantian like the stars of the heavens, hence the name All Stars Heaven.”
Long Qiushui nodded: “That’s right. Three Golden Cores, three hundred sixty-five Star Apertures. Each step is cultivated to perfection, and then the Physical Body cultivation is complete. After that, one can sense nature and break through to Dharma Aspect. However, there is the saying of nine revolutions for Golden Cores, and there is also a saying for All Stars Heaven.”
Su Yan’s eyes lit up slightly: “What is the saying?”
He could sense that Long Qiushui wanted to do something significant, and seemed unsatisfied with ordinary All Stars Heaven.
Indeed, with the background of their lineage, breaking through to Dharma Aspect, while not easy, was not an unattainable goal. Therefore, they had the time and energy to focus on solidifying their foundation.
“The number of Zhou Tian is just the superficial perfection of All Stars Heaven. Above it, there is a layer called the All Stars True Intent Diagram. The so-called All Stars True Intent Diagram is to integrate True Intent into the Star Apertures, using the Star Apertures as a guide to communicate with the power of nature. At this point, the Star Apertures seem to stop increasing, but in reality, they will continue to discover hidden meridians and acupoints within the body, even a drop of blood or a single strand of hair can become an existence like a Star Aperture…”
Su Yan frowned and immediately asked: “Doesn’t that mean the entire body is covered in Star Apertures?”
Long Qiushui’s bright eyes were clear, and she smiled and asked back: “The stars of the heavens number in the billions, how could it not be?”
Su Yan fell into thought. Long Qiushui said: “This All Stars Heaven constructs a Star Chart, using the upper, middle, and lower Dantians as the central palace to accommodate more Essence, Qi, and Spirit. This is how one opens up the Star Sea and becomes a leader among All Stars Heaven. Star Chart, Star Sea… Once one reaches this realm, breaking through to Dharma Aspect will be within reach, and achieving a Golden Body will also be more hopeful.”
