Feeling relatively secure for the moment, Wang Yu reorganized his storage pouches, consolidating all the Profound Essence Flowers into one. He now had an additional four shares equivalent to a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator's haul.
The number of first-grade Profound Essence Flowers reached seven hundred.
The number of second-grade Profound Essence Flowers reached fifty.
Using pill-sealing methods for preservation, he planned to use these flowers after breaking through to the sixth level of Qi Refining to quickly overcome the bottleneck and complete the second spiritual refinement.
It wasn't really suitable to use them now.
The essence of the Profound Essence Flower was to wash and concentrate spiritual power; the more it was washed, the less remained. Currently, he had accumulated over half of the spiritual power required for his next breakthrough. Using the flowers now would only push the breakthrough further away. Therefore, he would wait until after breaking through to the sixth level.
Completing the second spiritual refinement in one go would allow for rapid consecutive breakthroughs, directly reaching the seventh level of Qi Refining. At that point, he could consume all the Profound Essence Flowers to facilitate the transformation of his spiritual power towards liquid True Essence.
His combat power was currently sufficient, finding few worthy opponents in the Qi Refining realm. He didn't lack the boost from one or two levels, and his spiritual power reserves could be supported by top-grade pills.
"Trouble dealt with. Time to explore these ruins."
A thought struck Wang Yu. He replaced the Corpse Demon Secret Art in his placement slot with the Mysterious Yin Hand to check the time required to cultivate it to Perfection.
**[Placement Slot 3: Mysterious Yin Hand]**
`Mysterious Yin Hand (0/100): Nine cycles per day. Estimated completion in ten years.`
A second-grade high-grade technique actually required ten years!
Wang Yu recalled that all the high-grade techniques he had placed so far, although first-grade, took at most three months. Suddenly facing a ten-year requirement was truly hard to accept.
After pondering for a moment, he dutifully put the Corpse Demon Secret Art back in the slot.
This secret art was related to his future... happiness, and like the "Coldblooded Art," it was a top-priority placement.
Now that the secret art was Perfected and his limb reattached, granting him great power, he had to bear the corresponding side effects.
His body resembled an ancient corpse.
His body was cold, emotions were muted, physical sensations were diminished, his 'second brother' was unresponsive, and he occasionally experienced bloodthirsty, murderous impulses. The sacrifices were considerable!
By conservative estimates, it might take twenty years of work before recovery was possible. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, he was reluctant to remove the Corpse Demon Secret Art.
As for the Mysterious Yin Hand, since he had the Yin Marrow Liquid to assist, he could try cultivating it himself first, keeping just one portion of the materials for refining the 〈Frost Python Pill〉.
......
......
One incense stick's time later, Wang Yu wasn't in a hurry to go to the highest point, the [Condensing Moon Palace]. Instead, he stopped at the second-highest level of the staircase and found the Scripture Depository of this ancient sect's ruins.
No opportunity or treasure held as much attraction for him as the formula for a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. He wondered if it might be here.
Due to the fight with Su Qingshan and the others, he had been delayed. There were already figures from the Gu Poison Peak here—three of them, all at the seventh level of Qi Refining.
The Scripture Depository here was a three-story pavilion structure with upturned eaves and bracket sets. The corners were carved with various rare and exotic beasts, and ancient, rusted bronze bells hung from them.
Six vermilion-purple dragon-patterned pillars stood at the entrance, supporting a long corridor.
There was a reclining chair. A corpse in a gray robe with moon patterns lay on it, holding a palm-sized teapot as if drinking tea.
The legendary library guardian, dead in such a peculiar pose, suggested a sudden event, perhaps without any chance to resist, perishing in the blink of an eye, indicating the enemy's immense strength.
The problem was, along the way, he hadn't found any other corpses, except for this one...
He glanced sideways at the three fellow disciples on the first floor of the Scripture Depository.
They were standing before a black stone stele, also secretly observing Wang Yu. Making the connection sent a chill down Wang Yu's spine.
The corpse showed no signs of having been moved. They were clearly waiting too—waiting for some reckless fool to test the waters. Realizing this, Wang Yu gave a silent, scornful laugh, brushed his sleeves, and strode directly into the Scripture Depository.
The three indeed showed looks of disappointment.
Wang Yu stepped forward with a smile. "Might I ask what you three are observing? Have you gained any insights?"
"Hmph!"
"None of your business."
One spoke rudely, not concealing his disdain for Wang Yu.
"Ah, Junior Brother Wang, please don't mind him.
"Brother Zhang is just frustrated, it's not directed at you. Come, take a look at this ancient demonic script with us."
At this moment, another cultivator, dressed in an emerald green robe, wearing a jade crown, and idly rolling two jade balls in his hand, spoke up. He first defused the tension, then invited Wang Yu to examine the stele inscription with them.
Wang Yu stepped past them and focused on the black stele. It was indeed inscribed in the Blood Script, a type of ancient demonic script, consistent with the script on the mysterious silk manuscript he obtained from Xu Jiaojiao.
So-called [Ancient Demonic Scripts] were said to be characters closer to the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, possessing mysterious power. This "Blood Script" was just one of the most widely spread varieties.
Faced with this Blood Script inscription, no one could understand it.
Wang Yu had intended to investigate it before but never found the time. He originally planned to commission the Alchemist Association, but his relationship with Zhao Shang had deteriorated to the point of drawn daggers.
Unexpectedly, he encountered it again here in the underground palace ruins.
"Since a Blood Script stele was left, this underground palace must have been left by a senior demonic path practitioner. That's not good news for us."
They were well aware of the demonic path's nature. This palace undoubtedly concealed numerous dangers.
Wang Yu pondered, "Do any of you three know of any ancient demonic sects in the Crimson Kite Demon Domain that match the characteristics of this place?"
The one who had shown dislike spoke again, his tone scornful:
"The turnover of demonic path sects is so rapid.
"With the scale of this palace, it was at most a Core Formation sect. Don't talk about searching through the ancient history of the demon domain; even if you were a master of past and present knowledge, you couldn't guess which region this belonged to."
Wang Yu's expression instantly darkened. Once, twice, now a third time! With no one else around, killing intent surged within him.
"Brother Zhang…"
The peacemaker was about to speak when he felt the temperature plummet sharply. Frost spread outwards from Wang Yu as the center. The three's expressions changed, and they tried to retreat.
Wang Yu threw a punch at the Zhang surnamed cultivator. Due to their proximity from viewing the stele, the distance was too close. The second-grade Strength Corpse arm struck, creating a visible shockwave ring.
Unsurprisingly, they never expected Wang Yu to suddenly attack. As the saying goes, *those who hold sharp weapons naturally harbor killing intent*.
He had just openly killed Su Qingshan and his three companions; why would he fear three seventh-level Qi Refining cultivators? Moreover, with Liu Jinxian absent and the Gu Poison Peak disciples scattered throughout the palace, this was a perfect opportunity to weaken her forces.
In the blink of an eye.
The Zhang surnamed cultivator exploded into fragments. The remaining two, horrified, scrambled towards the Scripture Depository entrance, showing no will to resist.
They were clearly intimidated and finally understood why Liu Jinxian treated Wang Yu with courtesy.
—Strength!
"Hmph."
Drawing the Frostveil Sword, he slashed towards the one who had remained silent. The ice sword rapidly enlarged to three *zhang* long. Focusing his mind on the spell formula, he叠加 (superimposed) it with the Ice Sword Technique, causing the cold intent to surge violently.
At the critical moment, that person struck his own chest, spitting out essence blood.
A centipede-like gu insect flew out, rapidly enlarging and coiling around its master, attempting to use its carapace to block the descending ice sword.
The two forces僵持 (deadlocked) for only a moment before Wang Yu's left hand, forming a fist and palm, pressed horizontally against the sword's body. With immense force, he smashed both the gu and its user into a pulpy paste.
The advantage of raw power was undeniable.
The last person was utterly terrified, almost pleading tearfully:
"Wang Yu, I never offended you! Why go this far!"
**(End of Chapter)**