Chu Xuan gazed at the towering black smoke in the distance, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"The eruption of Desolate Island's volcanoes—fortune or disaster? Can I profit from this?"
He immediately began considering his options.
"Once the volcanic eruption subsides, a large number of cultivators will undoubtedly flock to Desolate Island, seeking the treasures that have erupted from the depths of the earth. Where there are treasures, there will be conflict. And where there is conflict, there will be casualties."
Chu Xuan's eyes gleamed. This was a golden opportunity to gather treasures. He had accumulated quite a few magical talismans and pills, all of which were produced at a very low cost. He could easily bring them to Desolate Island and exchange them for a variety of valuable items.
And, along the way, he could also collect the bodies of fallen cultivators to spare them from being left to rot in the wilderness.
The only issue was the balance of risk and reward. Was the potential gain worth the danger involved in venturing to Desolate Island?
Chu Xuan's strength was undeniable. As long as a Deity Transformation cultivator didn't intervene, no one could match him. Moreover, the Starshatter Sea had clear rankings of power.
The First Ring consisted of A-tier forces, with Deity Transformation late-stage cultivators in command. The Second Ring comprised B-tier forces, with Deity Transformation mid-stage cultivators at the helm. The Third Ring was made up of C-tier forces, such as Moon Island, Yellow Spring Island, Black Wind Island, and Nine Yin Island. These were all C-tier powers, governed by early-stage Deity Transformation cultivators.
Even if Desolate Island were to yield treasures, it would only attract the attention of Deity Transformation early-stage cultivators at most.
Chu Xuan himself possessed the combat strength of a Forty-First Layer Body Refining cultivator. Even if he couldn't defeat a Deity Transformation early-stage expert, he could certainly withstand a few blows and escape if necessary.
After pondering for a while, Chu Xuan decided to wait and see how things unfolded. After all, the mighty forces of nature were the most terrifying. He had heard that even Deity Transformation cultivators dared not venture too deep into the volcanoes beneath Desolate Island.
There was no need for him to rush into danger now. He would wait for the eruption to subside, then make his way to Desolate Island and engage in some profitable transactions.
Sure enough, as Chu Xuan piloted his flying boat back to Nameless Island, he immediately noticed many flying boats heading toward Desolate Island. They were all desperate souls, valuing wealth over life. However, upon a brief glance, he saw that among them were quite a few elderly cultivators with white hair—some in Golden Core and some in Nascent Soul stages.
The goal of the Golden Core elders seemed simple enough: they hoped to obtain a few Nascent Soul spiritual treasures before their time ran out, so they could break through and prolong their lives for a few more centuries.
The Nascent Soul elders, on the other hand, likely had the future of their descendants in mind. They were also seeking the Nascent Soul treasures, hoping to secure something valuable for their heirs.
Chu Xuan sighed lightly. "Such unfortunate people."
He didn't linger on the matter, speeding up to head straight back to Nameless Island.
In the following days, Chu Xuan often piloted his boat near the waters surrounding Desolate Island. The volcanic range on the island, which usually only emitted small bursts of ash and lava, had been erupting on a large scale for days. This time, it seemed impossible to stop. The eruptions lasted for five days before they began to subside.
Only half a month later did the volcanoes finally calm down. By then, a large number of cultivators began sailing toward Desolate Island in waves. The majority were Golden Core cultivators, with Nascent Soul cultivators forming the core and backbone of the group.
Chu Xuan did not rush to the island at first. Who knew if the volcanoes would erupt again? There was no need to hurry; after all, he had plenty of time and was in no rush.
Several more days passed. By now, the eruptions had shown no signs of reigniting. Chu Xuan finally steered his flying boat toward Desolate Island, taking his time to reach the island.
Upon arrival, he found that many cultivators had already started flying to the island. The peripheral areas were crowded with cultivators trading with one another, and a bustling little marketplace had begun to form.
Chu Xuan chose a vacant, flat area to set up his stall. He was about to sit down when a Golden Core female cultivator sneered, "Move aside, this spot is mine."
Chu Xuan didn't bother to argue, casually setting up his table and chairs while releasing a faint aura of Nascent Soul.
The Golden Core female cultivator, about to argue further, felt the aura and froze. She immediately stiffened, her face breaking into a wide smile. "Ah, I didn't realize it was a Nascent Soul grand cultivator. Please, please, this spot is yours!" she said, quickly stepping aside. "I'll just set up in that little corner!"
Chu Xuan gave her a cold look. "That's still too close. Move farther away."
The Golden Core female cultivator awkwardly smiled and backed off even further.
"Still too close," Chu Xuan said.
She stepped back again, clearly frustrated but not daring to say anything more.
"That's fine," Chu Xuan said, finally satisfied. "You can stay there."
The Golden Core female cultivator stood there, looking at the vast ocean behind her, tears almost welling up in her eyes.
"Does he expect me to dive into the sea?"
After setting up his table and chairs, Chu Xuan sat back, his posture relaxed and unhurried. His right hand held a demon talisman manual, which he flipped through leisurely, a faint smile on his face.
In front of him, his stall was filled with demon soul talismans, and a few Nascent Soul-level pills like the Black Dragon Pill and Boiling Blood True Pill.
At first, few people came by. Most cultivators flocked to the more established stalls they were already familiar with. However, once the first cultivator arrived at Chu Xuan's stall and saw the demon soul talismans, word spread like wildfire. Within an hour, more than thirty cultivators had gathered around his stall, buying up the talismans.
The reason demon talismans were so popular was simple: they packed enormous power. Unlike regular talismans, which required spiritual qi to activate—even if the amount was minimal, there was still a cost—demon talismans required none. All one had to do was throw it, and the magic would trigger on its own.
The demon soul talisman, as the most sought-after among the demon talismans, was especially beloved. It didn't need spiritual energy to be activated, nor did it require any manipulation or attention. With just a simple toss, it would summon a ghost or beast soul to fight for the user.
Who wouldn't want such a simple but powerful trump card?
Within just three hours, all one hundred demon soul talismans Chu Xuan had brought were sold out. He had received a large number of treasures in exchange. Among them were jade marrow and light spirit crystals, rare items used to cultivate Nascent Soul, which he had acquired in decent quantities.
Sadly, he hadn't gotten any Deity Transformation treasures. Those were likely still tightly guarded by cultivators, who were reluctant to sell them.
Chu Xuan didn't mind, though. He had ways of coaxing treasures out of their holders. After all, the demon soul talismans he sold contained only first-level ghost kings, and many were low-quality ones he had created when he first began making talismans. Their power was considerably diminished.
For the next few days, he planned to clear out his stock of these inferior ones. Once most cultivators had a few such demon soul talismans in hand, he could begin selling better-quality ones, making another profit.
This method of "scamming"—or rather, business—was something Chu Xuan had long mastered.
However, by displaying so many demon soul talismans, he had inadvertently interfered with the livelihood of other talisman makers. These other talisman creators had been earning hefty profits before his arrival, but now their income had been slashed in half. How could they not harbor resentment?
Not far from Chu Xuan's stall, two talisman makers glared at him from a distance, their expressions cold as ice.
"Looks like he's about to pack up. Send someone to follow him and find out where he's staying. Interfering with our Black Wind Island talisman makers' earnings… he must be tired of living."
Chu Xuan was in the middle of packing up his stall when he felt the unmistakable gaze of the two talisman makers watching him from behind. Despite his casual demeanor, his soul strength far exceeded that of most Nascent Soul cultivators, making it nearly impossible for him not to sense their scrutiny.
"It's normal to attract envy when one earns too much," he mused internally, shaking his head slightly. "But of all people, why must it be me?"
He quickly gathered his belongings and was about to leave. After all, it was a bit of a "blessing" to have people willingly deliver themselves to his doorstep. However, just as he was about to make his exit, a soft voice called out to him, "Senior!"
Chu Xuan turned around to see the Golden Core female cultivator who had almost been forced into the sea by him earlier.
"What is it?" he asked casually.
The female cultivator lowered her voice, "I saw the two talisman makers from Black Wind Island watching you from behind just now. It seems they're plotting something. They might try to make a move against you. You should be careful when you leave Desolate Island."
Chu Xuan couldn't help but chuckle softly at her warning. He looked at her again, sizing her up more carefully. She had a pleasant expression, certainly above average in appearance. The only feature that truly stood out were her long, well-toned legs, which were undeniably striking.
"What's your name?" he asked, his tone still nonchalant.
The female cultivator's face lit up, eager to answer, "My name is Chen Xin, I'm from Rocky Peak Island. May I ask for your honorable name, senior?"
"I am Liu Zhenxiaong," Chu Xuan nodded, his eyes already moving past her.
He could tell that this woman probably thought his ability to trade demon soul talismans meant he had some real strength. That's why she had decided to warn him.
He recognized the type—sharp and calculating, always looking for an opportunity to gain something. Chu Xuan had encountered plenty of such people before, so he saw right through her intentions.
Chen Xin flashed a smile and continued, "I have a third uncle who is also a Nascent Soul cultivator. He's about to leave Desolate Island. He is a Nascent Soul Seventh Layer cultivator and specializes in escorting people from Desolate Island back to Moon Island. Since a Nascent Soul late-stage cultivator is guarding him, the people from Black Wind Island won't dare make a move. If Senior doesn't mind, you could board my third uncle's ship, and we can leave together. It would also be a form of protection."
Chen Xin grinned, adding, "For Golden Core cultivators, the price is only fifty medium spiritual stones. If you're willing to offer a higher price, we can provide better and safer services."
Chu Xuan couldn't help but chuckle again. So it was all just a business deal. It was to be expected. After all, with so many powerful cultivators around, one could easily be devoured if not careful.
Chu Xuan looked at her, amused. "I see. You're offering me a ride, aren't you?"
Chen Xin smiled innocently, but there was a glint of calculation in her eyes. "Of course, Senior. Consider it a small favor from me."
He paused for a moment, considering her offer. "How much are you charging for the 'better and safer' services?"
Chen Xin's smile grew wider, clearly sensing that her hustle was working. "Well, if you want a private escort and some added security, we could go up to one hundred spiritual stones."
Chu Xuan couldn't help but shake his head, still smiling. "How about this, you go ahead and make arrangements, and I'll think about it. I might even take you up on your offer."
Chen Xin nodded eagerly, clearly pleased that Chu Xuan had shown some interest.
"Of course, Senior! I'll make the arrangements immediately!"
As she scurried off, Chu Xuan couldn't help but muse, "Well, at least this won't be a boring trip."
Golden Core cultivators banding together for safety was quite normal, but...
Chu Xuan was about to decline the offer when suddenly, a figure walked quickly toward them. "Xin'er, why haven't you left yet?"
Chu Xuan turned his gaze to see a middle-aged cultivator, plump and slightly bloated, walking toward them. As soon as the middle-aged man saw Chu Xuan, he immediately sensed the Nascent Soul aura around him and cupped his hands respectfully. "I am Chen Huozhao. May I ask who this esteemed fellow daoist is?"
Chu Xuan had already thought of a fake name. He smiled faintly and replied, "Liu Zhenxiong."
Chen Huozhao immediately broke into a smile, "Ah, so it's Fellow Daoist Liu. A pleasure to meet you. I was just admiring your sale of the demon soul talismans earlier—impressive!"
Chen Xin quickly explained the situation to her uncle, and Chen Huozhao's expression changed slightly. "Fellow Daoist Liu, I recognize those two Nascent Soul talisman makers from Black Wind Island. They're ruthless and dangerous. Anyone who dares to interfere with their business usually ends up with a tragic fate.
"This trip back to Moon Island, there are already two Nascent Soul cultivators and twelve Golden Core cultivators traveling with us. If you're worried about trouble from Black Wind Island, you're welcome to join us. We'll have your back."
Chen Huozhao patted his chest, making a solemn vow. "Fellow Daoist Liu, rest assured! I've been in business for many years and have always been honest in my dealings. I would never deceive you! All I need is ten percent of the profit you made from the talismans today, and I will personally ensure your safety. No one will dare touch a hair on your head!"
Chen Xin nodded eagerly, adding, "Yes, yes, senior, you can be at ease! With so many people boarding the ship, if we treated you poorly, the others would certainly take notice. We would never do such a thing."
At this moment, two more cultivators walked over swiftly. One of them, without waiting to approach, impatiently called out, "Fellow Daoist Chen, what's going on? I'm in a hurry to get home. Why aren't we leaving yet? If you keep delaying, I'll find someone else to travel with."
The other cultivator frowned and added, "Are you still trying to get more people? Never mind him, can we just pay extra and get going?"
Chu Xuan couldn't help but smile internally. However, he maintained an expression of thoughtfulness on his face, pretending to contemplate the offer for a long moment before finally gritting his teeth and replying, "Fellow Daoist Chen, what you don't know is that although I made quite a bit from selling the demon soul talismans, the cost of production is also quite high."
"The profit this time isn't as much as it seems... sigh... Honestly, I do have some tricks up my sleeve. If someone really does target me..." He paused for effect. "I'm not someone who can just be easily dealt with."
Chen Huozhao's eyes widened slightly. "Fellow Daoist Liu, you're truly someone who values money over life..." He hesitated but couldn't help but continue, "Black Wind Island is known for being domineering, and their strength is overwhelming. You're alone. If they surround you, there's only one outcome—death. It's better to come with us. The more allies, the greater the chance of survival."
Chen Xin quickly followed up, "Yes, even if Black Wind Island is powerful, they wouldn't dare to attack such a large group on a ship. They're worried about angering everyone."
Chu Xuan shook his head slightly. "My mind is made up."
Without further hesitation, he took out his flying boat and sailed off, leaving the island in his wake.
Nearby, a Nascent Soul cultivator frowned. "This kid is stubborn and won't listen to reason."
Chen Huozhao squinted his eyes. "He's clearly wary of us. A smart one, after all. Hmph, I'm curious to see how he plans to deal with the Black Wind Island pursuers on his own."
Chen Xin seemed to be mulling something over. "He was able to take out so many demon soul talismans, so he must have some tricks up his sleeve."
Chen Huozhao smiled faintly. "Maybe. But let's not waste time on him. Let's go find some other easy targets."
...
Meanwhile, Chu Xuan was already cutting through the waves on his flying boat, making his way across the sea.
As expected, shortly after his departure, two figures who had been waiting for this moment followed him, piloting their own boats to trail behind. Cultivators in the market who witnessed this couldn't help but shake their heads.
"Those two are definitely going to chase after him."
At the same time, Chen Huozhao and his group were huddled around a Nascent Soul cultivator in the early stages.
"Did you see that? Those two are going after him."
Chen Huozhao pointed at the two rapidly disappearing flying boats, his expression gentle but calculating. "Anyone with wealth or who hinders someone's profit will become a target. Come aboard my ship, and I'll guarantee your safety. What do you say?"
The Nascent Soul cultivator immediately nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, of course!"
...
Elsewhere, Chu Xuan had already invited the two pursuing cultivators into the Heavenly Corpse Tower without any drama. After all, they were just two Nascent Soul cultivators at the third stage.
...
The next day.
When Chu Xuan appeared, full of vitality, at his original stall, the surrounding cultivators were stunned.
"Didn't Black Wind Island send two people to chase you? How are you still here, completely unharmed?"
Chen Xin was standing nearby. She glanced at Chu Xuan for a moment and couldn't help but ask, "Senior, weren't you being chased by people from Black Wind Island yesterday?"
Chu Xuan shook his head casually. "Yes, two ordinary pursuers. I dealt with them easily; they weren't from Black Wind Island. Although Black Wind Island is a bit tyrannical, they wouldn't stoop to such underhanded tactics. I have it under control."
He said this on purpose, not wanting to openly antagonize Black Wind Island just yet.
Chen Xin, observing his calm demeanor and tone, didn't sense any deception. She stood there confused. Could it be that Black Wind Island really didn't act on it? Had they had a change of heart?
Without delay, she went to find her third uncle, Chen Huozhao, to report the matter.
Chen Huozhao looked up from afar as he spotted Chu Xuan calmly seated at his stall, selling talismans just like yesterday. He was stunned. The person who had been marked by Black Wind Island was still alive?
"How is that possible?" he muttered to himself. "Didn't they send people after him?"
At the same time, the two Nascent Soul talismans from Black Wind Island, Dong Wei and Wang Pengjie, were staring at each other in confusion.
Dong Wei furrowed his brow. "We sent someone after him last night, right?"
Wang Pengjie nodded. "Yes, we did. We even paid to have people from Brother Song's side take care of it."
The two exchanged a look, their confusion growing.
The "Brother" they referred to was Song Tianlong, a Nascent Soul cultivator in the later stages, known for his formidable combat strength and volatile temper.
Dong Wei couldn't help but mutter, "Do you think Brother Song took our money but didn't do anything?"
Wang Pengjie pondered for a moment. "It's very possible…"
Neither of them dared to approach Song Tianlong to address the matter directly. They couldn't even bring themselves to question whether he had actually sent anyone. This kind of loss was one they would have to swallow, no matter how bitter.
After much contemplation, Dong Wei scratched his head. "How about we send two people tonight? No need to bother Brother Song; he took our money and did nothing."
Wang Pengjie nodded. "I have a friend, a Nascent Soul cultivator at the fourth stage. He's also a poison cultivator."
Dong Wei agreed. "I know someone with similar strength. If we promise them some rewards, they'll definitely help us out."
Wang Pengjie grinned. "With these two, we should be able to deal with that troublemaker."
The two exchanged satisfied nods.
...
The news that Chu Xuan had returned to the market and set up his stall again quickly spread. Most of the cultivators who had been in the area yesterday were particularly curious.
They had seen with their own eyes that someone had followed Chu Xuan when he left, only to find him back without harm.
Chu Xuan, however, paid no attention to the curious glances. After all, he was just a humble talisman seller, minding his own business.
Soon, his demon soul talismans were once again snapped up by eager buyers. This time, it took less than two hours for them to sell out completely.
After that, Chu Xuan quickly packed up his stall and headed home, his business for the day done.
In the distance, Dong Wei and Wang Pengjie exchanged glances, silently passing a message to each other.
After Chu Xuan had left, it wasn't long before two cultivators followed his trail.
Chen Xin and Chen Huozhao looked at the receding figures of the two pursuers, both shaking their heads.
"I recognize both of them. One is an expert in poison and insect cultivation, the other raises a Dark Eagle," Chen Xin remarked. "Their strength is considerable—both of them appear to be at the Nascent Soul fourth stage."
Chen Huozhao smiled faintly. "With both of them acting together, that Liu Zhenxiong won't last long."
He then paused, deep in thought. "However, he did take out a hundred demon soul talismans yesterday, and today he has more than fifty again. I wonder where they came from. It's highly likely he found a demon cultivator's corpse and obtained the talismans from it. I suspect he may also have other demonic magic treasures on him."
Chen Xin sighed. "It's a pity. All those treasures will likely end up in someone else's hands."
Chen Huozhao nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's truly a shame. If he weren't so wary of us, all those treasures would already be in our pockets. Let's go. We still need to find more 'fat sheep' today."
Chen Xin nodded and followed him.
...
On another isolated island, Chu Xuan smashed the skulls of the two pursuers with a single strike. Their Nascent Souls were casually extracted and tossed into the Umbrella.
"How is it that you're back again?" Chu Xuan muttered. "Didn't I already kill you both yesterday? Didn't learn your lesson, did you?"
He shook his head with a sigh. The endless stream of pursuers was becoming quite troublesome.
"Those two talisman masters just can't seem to leave me alone..."
A plan suddenly formed in his mind.
"I'll lure those two talisman masters out and deal with them all at once."
While going through one of the pursuer's storage bags, Chu Xuan found a Sound Transmission Jade. He immediately used it to send a message to Dong Wei.
Disguising one's voice was part of Chu Xuan's expertise in disguise techniques, and it was easy for him to mimic someone else's voice.
"We've trapped this talisman master on an island, but he's using an array to resist. We need your help to break it! The island is 1,100 miles northwest of Desolate Island, come quickly!"
Dong Wei and Wang Pengjie received the transmission and, without suspecting anything, immediately boarded their flying vessels and set off. On the way, Wang Pengjie furrowed his brow, a strange thought crossing his mind.
"Do you think this could be a trap?"
Dong Wei was momentarily taken aback. "A trap? What do you mean?"
Then he suddenly realized. "I get it now—you're worried that the two cultivators we hired are planning to attack us, right?"
He waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry. We're talisman masters of Black Wind Island, they wouldn't dare act against us."
"Aren't you worried about offending Black Wind True Master?" Wang Pengjie scratched his head.
He had a nagging feeling something wasn't quite right. Just a moment ago, a frightening thought had flashed through his mind.
"What if Liu Zhenxiong managed to turn the tables on the two pursuers and lured us into a trap on this isolated island?"
But this thought vanished as quickly as it had come.
Unless Liu Zhenxiong was a Nascent Soul late-stage cultivator, it was almost impossible for him to kill two robber cultivators.
Moreover, most late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators had ventured deep into Desolate Island to search for treasures. Only a few cautious ones stayed on the outskirts of the island, still seeking treasures.
Compared to exchanging talismans and pills for goods, directly searching for treasures was obviously faster and required fewer resources.
Besides, few would bring out their most precious treasures for trade—they would rather keep them for themselves.
Dong Wei and Wang Pengjie could never have imagined that Chu Xuan was an exception.
"We're here."
It didn't take long for the two cultivators to arrive at the deserted island. There were many nameless, desolate islands with no Spiritual Qi in the Southern Third Ring, and even more scattered across the entire Starshatter Sea.
At this moment, the starlight was sparse, and the night was as dark as ink. The island felt eerie, like a ghostly realm.
"Where is he? Why aren't there any traces of battle? Where is the array?"
The two looked around, suspicion rising in their hearts. A strange feeling began to grow within them, one that made them uneasy. Reason told them that an ambush was almost impossible.
But their instincts told them that something was very wrong here. The contradiction between the two left them unsure whether to advance or retreat. After all, they had long coveted the treasures Liu Zhenxiong had acquired from selling his demon soul talismans. If they left now, wouldn't they miss out on all those treasures?
Just as they were about to venture deeper into the island to investigate, the ground suddenly began to tremble violently. Before they could react, a massive creature suddenly charged out, knocking them both over. Both cultivators, furious and alarmed, quickly summoned their defensive magic treasures.
However, before their defenses could fully materialize, two figures streaked out from the shadows with lightning speed!
The two dark figures were none other than Hu and Long. After merging with the True Steel Centipede, Hu's body had expanded tremendously, and his strength had surged. On the other hand, Long, who had merged with the Blue Tuft Silk, didn't possess the overwhelming strength of Hu, but his power and speed had increased across the board. As a result, Long's speed was astonishingly fast.
Dong Wei's defensive magic treasure was a square handkerchief. When activated, it inflated and was about to envelop him. However, before it could fully unfold, Long had already reached him.
In a panic, Dong Wei instinctively threw out two Slowdown Talismans, hoping to slow the Corpse King's speed, buying just a little more time to activate his defensive treasure completely.
The Slowdown Talismans did have some effect. Long's body was briefly delayed. However, before Dong Wei could even catch his breath, a flood of blue threads began pouring out from Long's facial features.
In the blink of an eye, these blue threads had wrapped around Dong Wei, tightly binding him in place. He only realized then what was happening. These weren't threads at all. They were poisonous insects!
"Blue Tuft Silk!"
Dong Wei, who had some knowledge of poisonous insects, immediately recognized the situation. His mind raced, and he quickly recalled the form of the Blue Tuft Silk. A surge of panic and dread hit him.
The fact that these poisonous insects could parasite inside a corpse puppet was utterly unheard of.
What kind of evil sorcery was this?
"The Blue Tuft Silk's level isn't high, it's barely a third-tier gu insect!"
Dong Wei gritted his teeth in fury, roaring as he released his Spiritual Qi to try and expel the insects. He hoped to break free, thinking he still had a chance if he could just remove the parasite's grip.
But he quickly realized the Blue Tuft Silk threads were far more durable than he had expected. They weren't anything like a simple third-tier gu insect at all.
In fact, they were sturdier than some top-tier magic treasures!
"This... this is impossible! Impossible!"
As Dong Wei struggled, his eyes bulged out, and blood began to seep from his body. The Blue Tuft Silk had completely ensnared him.
In his desperation, he roared, and with one final effort, he tried to escape by using his Nascent Soul to break free, retreating into the spiritual realm. But before he could make his escape, two massive hands emerged from the darkness, effortlessly grabbing his Nascent Soul.
And then, in the eerie, chilling darkness, there was a terrifying presence. It was the unmistakable, clawed grip of a Ghost King!
Wang Pengjie's fate, however, was a bit more straightforward. Hu's speed was slightly slower than Long's, giving Wang Pengjie just enough time to raise a large shield to protect himself. But just as he was about to unleash more magic treasures to strike back at Hu, the giant fist of Hu descended.
There was a thunderous crash.
Wang Pengjie, along with his defensive magic treasure, was sent crashing into the ground. His body, along with the shattered remnants of his treasure, was reduced to a mess of blood, flesh, and bone.
Only then did Chu Xuan step out of the shadows.
Dealing with these two was hardly a challenge. The Ghost King and Corpse King under his command could easily take down Nascent Soul mid-stage opponents.
"Two talisman masters dead... Black Wind Island will surely investigate my whereabouts." Chu Xuan gave a faint smile, then boarded his flying boat and returned to Nameless Island.
His personal philosophy had always been: When facing difficulty, run—no second thoughts, just get away.
As long as he delayed things long enough, time would naturally diminish the repercussions of the two talisman masters' deaths. Even if Black Wind True Master was determined to investigate, he wouldn't find a single trace of him.
And besides, Black Wind Island wasn't unified. When someone dies, it's not like it's their own life on the line. With the meager monthly stipend, who would risk their life for such trivial matters?
Blue Star.
Chu Xuan leisurely reclined on a soft chair, enjoying the comfort. His thoughts stirred, and the Universe Bag appeared before him. Various treasures flew out one by one, each revealing itself.
There were spiritual items used to nourish and enhance cultivation. Among them were several ancient secret techniques, rare medicinal recipes, and rare spirit plants—most of which he had exchanged with various cultivators.
"Desolate Island is indeed a treasure trove. Every volcanic eruption brings forth a wealth of treasures from the ground," Chu Xuan mused as he observed these items, clicking his tongue in amazement.
However, as he carefully examined a few spiritual sense jade slips, he suddenly fell into thought.
"Strange, these jade slips that contain sealed secret techniques are all made from the same type of precious jade," he murmured. "These spiritual sense jade slips, compared to the current ones, transmit information much faster."
He quickly shifted his focus to the martial techniques contained within. "And they all seem to be body-refining techniques, as if they form a complete system on their own."
Chu Xuan then turned his attention to the medicinal formulas and spirit plants.
"These valuable medicinal formulas are all for replenishing vital energy." He examined them more closely. "And these rare spirit plants are teeming with life force, ideal for refining the body."
His mind immediately sharpened. When he had conducted the earlier trade, he hadn't noticed anything unusual. But now, connecting all the treasures together, he suddenly realized the possibility.
"Could it be that beneath Desolate Island, there is the cave of a senior body-refining cultivator?"
"No!" he quickly corrected himself. "If it were just a cave, there's no way it would have spit out so many treasures."
With a sudden start, he sat upright. A realization flashed through his mind.
"It's more likely that beneath Desolate Island lies a sect relic specifically focused on body-refinement!"
Only such an explanation could account for the large number of similar treasures found in the area.
Chu Xuan felt a surge of excitement. This was a golden opportunity for him! He was currently full of strength, but lacked the methods to fully harness it. The martial arts he possessed were limited—he only had the Great Extinguishing Thunder Fist as a trump card.
If he could acquire more martial techniques and methods from the underground relics of Desolate Island, his strength would increase dramatically.
As for body-refining magic treasures, they were only used by weak Qi Refining cultivators. Body-refiners never used magic treasures. Their bodies were the strongest weapons they could wield!
"Unfortunately, I've only reached the forty-first level of body-refinement. Without the continuation of the techniques, I can't progress further in cultivation. If I only rely on the power of the forty-first level, rashly venturing into the depths of Desolate Island could put me in mortal danger."
He shook his head, thinking, "Without overwhelming strength, how can I step out into the world confidently?"
With this in mind, he went to the Enlightenment Institute to wander around as usual, suppressing his presence. When he confirmed there had been no progress, he decided to visit Taotie Tree on the small island in the Eastern Sea to reminisce and draw on some of its life essence to replenish himself.
Time passed quickly, and after ten months...
Chu Xuan sat cross-legged in the Alchemist's Room, exhaling a breath of turbid air. Before him lay a Great Soul Spirit Pill, round and full, which caused a satisfied smile to spread across his face.
After the Spiritual Shadow Root matured, he immediately set to work refining the Great Soul Spirit Pill.
With his True Blood Pill Body and innate alchemical talent, Chu Xuan had a high aptitude for pill-making. After one failed attempt, he succeeded continuously. Now, he could easily refine the Great Soul Spirit Pill, with an over eighty percent success rate. Many well-known Nascent Soul alchemists couldn't match this level of consistency.
Swallowing one Great Soul Spirit Pill, Chu Xuan immediately felt his soul quiver. After fully refining the pill, his soul expanded slightly. He could feel his senses sharpened, becoming more precise than ever before.
"If I had enough of these Great Soul Spirit Pills, I might even be able to push my soul to the level of a Deity Transformation cultivator," he mused with a touch of longing.
Unfortunately, such pills that permanently enhance the soul couldn't be consumed indefinitely. There was a limit—once he reached a certain threshold, the effect would taper off to the point where taking more would be almost pointless.
Just as Chu Xuan was preparing to refine another batch of Great Soul Spirit Pills, a loud, ecstatic shout came from outside the cave.
"Immortal! The technique has succeeded! The technique has succeeded!"
Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. The technique has been completed? The voice seemed familiar, certainly Luo Gang's. With a flash, he appeared several kilometers away.
Strictly speaking, Chu Xuan's abode was merely the Water Curtain Cave. However, in a broader sense, the Water Curtain Cave and the surrounding zombie farm, the various formations, and the thousands of square kilometers around it, all belonged to his domain. Thus, anyone wishing to meet him would hesitate to enter his territory without permission.
Yet, for Chu Xuan, such a distance was nothing; in the blink of an eye, he had crossed it. When he reappeared, he saw Luo Gang, Xiong Zhen, and Liu Huafang standing there, their expressions full of excitement. Upon seeing the immortal's arrival, the three immediately knelt in respectful reverence.
"We greet the Immortal!"
Chu Xuan nodded slightly. "What is it?"
The three exchanged glances, and it was Luo Gang, the strongest among them, who stepped forward first.
"Immortal," Luo Gang began with utmost respect, "After consuming the meat of the Purple Star Rhinoceros, we three entered the twenty-first level of Body Refinement simultaneously, about half a year ago. The doubts and confusion we once had while practicing the 'Giant Elephant Body Refining Art' vanished in an instant. We even had some new insights. From time to time, visions of the beast's scales and claws flash in our minds."
Luo Gang continued reverently, "In recent days, I've often dreamed of a colossal pillar reaching to the heavens and the earth. Upon closer inspection, I realized it wasn't a pillar at all but rather the hoof of a giant beast!"
Xiong Zhen followed suit, adding, "Immortal, I too dreamt of a part of this giant beast's body—a long nose that spanned across the sky. When it inhaled, it could drain a great lake. When it exhaled, it created torrential rain."
Liu Huafang quickly added, "Immortal, I dreamt of a vast gray plain, though it was constantly rising and falling. Upon further perception, I realized it was not a plain, but the back of a giant beast. We initially suspected this was the Dragon Elephant Visualization from the 'Thousand Trials Dragon Elephant Art,' but upon further comparison, we realized it was not."
Luo Gang, growing more respectful, continued, "We three combined the visions we each experienced and drew an image of this giant beast. We believe this might be the visualization diagram for the next phase of the technique."
He retrieved a scroll, presenting it with both hands.
With a casual motion, Chu Xuan summoned the scroll, and it floated in midair, unfurling before his eyes. Immediately, the image of a vast and mysterious giant beast appeared.
Its head rested against towering mountains, its gaze reaching for the heavens. Its long nose swept across the stars, its enormous hooves stomped the underworld. Even the immortals and buddhas would flee in terror; demons and monsters would tremble and bow in fear!
The giant beast's hooves, nose, and back were depicted with unparalleled detail. Yet other parts of its body lacked the same lifelike quality.
This was only natural. After all, Luo Gang and the others had only dreamt of three parts of the beast's body. Unless they had dreamed of the full form of the giant beast, the depiction would inevitably be incomplete.
However, this was already enough for Chu Xuan. The rest, he could naturally complete himself, relying on his powerful soul.
As the saying goes, "A glimpse of one part reveals the whole."
Now, two-thirds of the beast had been depicted, and if he couldn't fill in the remaining third, then his status as a Nascent Soul cultivator would be for naught.
"Excellent!"
Chu Xuan nodded in satisfaction.
With a wave of his hand, a piece of Purple Star Rhinoceros meat, weighing three pounds, materialized before the three men.
"You have done well. This piece of Purple Star Rhinoceros meat shall be divided among you three."
Luo Gang and the others were overjoyed. They immediately bowed deeply. "Thank you, Immortal, for your generosity!"
When they lifted their heads again, Chu Xuan had already vanished.
Without another word, the three of them took the meat and departed.
One pound of Purple Star Rhinoceros demonic beast flesh was more than enough for a Body Refinement cultivator at the twenty-first level to sustain themselves for a long time.
After all, the Purple Star Rhinoceros was a Nascent Soul-level demonic beast. Even a small bite would leave them feeling satiated.
Luo Gang and the others, being sharp-witted, certainly knew they were working for the Immortal. But so what? As long as they could become stronger, as long as they could break through to higher realms, what did it matter to work for someone else? Many would spend their entire lives and never have the chance to serve an Immortal!
Meanwhile, Chu Xuan had returned to the Water Curtain Cave. Staring at the giant beast's depiction, his satisfaction grew. The Enlightenment Institute had truly been worthwhile. Especially Luo Gang and his companions, who had managed to reach the twenty-first level of Body Refinement despite the sparse resources available. This alone proved their exceptional talent for Body Refinement.
If they could, like Chu Xuan, consume demonic beast meat without restraint, their cultivation speed would likely surpass his. Of course, he would never allow that to happen. Blue Star was his personal sanctuary, his most stable refuge.
The beings within his sanctuary should have some strength, enough to serve him better. But they should never surpass his own limits.
"It's time to begin the completion."
Chu Xuan hung the depiction in front of him, focusing intently, his gaze fixed. Before long, he was completely immersed in it. There was nothing else in the world, only the image of the beast.
As time passed, even the image itself seemed to fade away. All that remained was the still figure of the giant beast. Slowly, the giant beast began to stir. It was as if it had awoken from a long, deep slumber.
As the giant beast began to move, Chu Xuan's thoughts also raced at high speed. A brand-new image gradually took shape in his mind. The details that Luo Gang and the others had failed to depict were swiftly filled in by him, at an astonishing pace.
A month later, within Chu Xuan's consciousness, the giant beast no longer moved stiffly and slowly. It had fully come to life, becoming a living being in its own right.
It was at this moment that the image Chu Xuan had woven in his mind was finally complete!
Chu Xuan's eyes turned blood-red, but he did not blink. With a swift motion of his hand, the pen and paper flew into his grasp.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Under his hand, a fresh, new image of the giant beast took shape rapidly. In the blink of an eye, the entire beast's depiction was completed in one continuous stroke!
At that moment, the entire Water Curtain Cave seemed to tremble with a violent jolt. Only then did Chu Xuan close his dry, exhausted eyes and fall into a deep slumber.
His soul had been drained from the intense effort, and he was utterly fatigued. Were it not for the fact that his soul far surpassed that of most Nascent Soul cultivators, he likely wouldn't have been able to endure such strain.
After sleeping for ten full days, Chu Xuan suddenly awoke.
"Ha..."
He gazed at the completed image of the giant beast, a smile appearing on his face. Now, it was no longer just an ordinary picture. It had become a Visualization Diagram! For it had fully captured the essence of the legendary giant beast.
Were an ordinary person to gaze upon this image, they would likely be frightened half to death, as if the beast were about to leap out and trample them into the earth.
"The preface of 'Giant Elephant Body Refining Technique' mentions that this technique is formed by visualizing the giant elephant," Chu Xuan mused, his smile deepening.
"And the giant elephant, in the end, is the descendant of the Dragon Elephant. The Dragon Elephant is an ancient beast, and before the Dragon Elephant, there existed the Beast King, the Ancient Elephant, the giant beast that once ruled the primordial world!"
Chu Xuan stared at the Visualization Diagram, his smile widening.
"Through a thousand trials and countless temperings, it finally becomes a great tool. Let this be named 'Thousand Refining Ancient Elephant Technique'!"