Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 686 - 670: Gold-Dissolving Gourd

The [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake] is not a demon beast but a barbaric exotic species similar in existence to the Barbaric Strange Insects.

These barbaric exotic species are not demon beasts and generally lack the spiritual wisdom akin to demon beasts; they mostly act on instinct.

They typically share the same characteristics: difficulty in reproduction, slow growth, and difficulty coexisting with other organisms.

These traits make them increasingly rare in the Cultivation Realm, and they can only be found in places like the remote Wilderness Jungle.

They are even harder to adapt to the current Cultivation Realm than the Barbaric Beasts.

However, that doesn't mean they are weak. In fact, any existence dubbed barbaric exotic species or Barbaric Strange Insects possesses truly formidable strength.

Generally, mature Barbaric Strange Insects and barbaric exotic species, at worst, have the power to harm Golden Core Stage Cultivators of the Human Race.

And for well-known barbaric exotic species like the [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake], once reaching maturity, even Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators don't dare underestimate them.

However, it's not easy for these Barbaric Strange Insects and barbaric exotic species to reach maturity.

Take the [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake] before Zhouyang as an example; this barbaric exotic species can grow only by residing in ore veins rich in Golden Qi, absorbing the Golden Qi inside to nourish itself for proper growth.

Under such circumstances, it can only grow three inches in length every century, and a mature [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake] must exceed ten feet in length.

In other words, the small, finely scaled snake of seven feet in front of Zhouyang actually has a true lifespan of over two thousand years!

In fact, most Barbaric Strange Insects and barbaric exotic species are like this [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake], not only with special requirements for their habitat but also growing at a pitifully slow speed.

The vast majority of Barbaric Strange Insects and barbaric exotic species don't live to maturity and die prematurely for various reasons.

Of course, even if it hasn't stepped into the mature stage, a seven-foot-long [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake] is enough to make most cultivators below the Nascent Soul Stage cautious.

This is evident from the fact that this snake just managed to strike Zhouyang's flying sword away in one blow.

To speak of it, this [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake] doesn't possess much in terms of divine techniques; its strength mainly lies in the [Bone-Dissolving Golden Light] it sprays from its mouth, in addition to its scales, which are hard for blades and swords to damage.

The [Bone-Dissolving Golden Light] is the [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake]'s only attacking divine technique. This technique is formed by the snake's venom and absorbed Golden Qi, not only unparalleled in sharpness but also containing a bone-dissolving poison.

If it's a mature [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake], a spray of [Bone-Dissolving Golden Light], and an ordinary Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator wouldn't dare take it head-on.

If accidentally hit by that [Bone-Dissolving Golden Light] on their body, even the flesh of a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator would quickly dissolve away under the corrosion of the bone-dissolving poison, difficult to rescue.

Similarly, the scales of a mature [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake] are hard to break, even for Tier Six Flying Swords, and ordinary fire burns, freezes, and lightning divine techniques struggle to affect it.

Zhouyang, during his year-long expedition in the Wilderness Jungle, encountered two or three kinds of mature barbaric exotic species and Barbaric Strange Insects and deeply felt the tenacity of these special existences during the confrontation.

Even with his divine techniques, without using the [Vermilion Bird Fan], it is very hard to annihilate these beings.

If the current [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake] were mature, Zhouyang definitely wouldn't engage for a few Tier Five Spirit Gourds.

But now, an immature [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake] still doesn't warrant his attention.

He thought to himself, and a golden flame shield quickly formed outside the protective shield created by [Exorcism Treasure Robe], then he directly flew towards the Spirit Vine.

Hiss!

The [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake] let out a hiss, decisively launching an attack at the enemy brave enough to approach and defend its Spiritual Object.

Its snake mouth slightly opened, and a foot-long golden light shot straight towards the approaching Zhouyang.

However, that [Bone-Dissolving Golden Light], capable of killing ordinary Golden Core Stage Cultivators, hit Zhouyang's golden flame shield, causing only a slight tremor as the golden flame refined it into a puff of golden smoke.

Even though this [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake], without developed spiritual wisdom, instinctively showed fear upon witnessing this scene.

The creature's instincts made it disregard the Spirit Vine, which greatly aids in its growth, and immediately turned its body towards the cliff behind, attempting to escape this dangerous place.

But how could Zhouyang be willing to let go of such a rare barbaric exotic species?

"Come, Thunder!"

He executed a spell, and with a wave of his hand, an arm-thick red-gold lightning struck down on the [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake], knocking it straight to the ground.

However, just as Zhouyang thought his [Nine Heavens Qianyang Demon-Annihilating Divine Thunder] had killed it, the little snake on the ground twitched its body and started crawling again.

"Oh, it's not dead yet!"

Zhouyang was truly surprised at this point.

Although he had just mastered his [Nine Heavens Qianyang Demon-Annihilating Divine Thunder], it was executed by a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator like him, more than sufficient to kill any Tier Five Demon Beast.

Unexpectedly, a mere immature [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake] endured it.

"Could this be the potential of a barbaric exotic species? Truly astonishing!"

A flash of light in his eyes, Zhouyang raised his hand, causing a golden treasure tower to appear, which he threw at the crawling little snake.

By using his lifebound spiritual artifact [Qianyang Golden Tower] to suppress and capture the injured but still alive [Bone-Devouring Golden Snake], Zhouyang proceeded to the Spirit Vine before him. A flash of Sword Light followed, and all five Spirit Gourds on the vine fell cleanly down.

Casually grabbing a gourd in his hand, he lightly sliced the gourd's lid open, and instantly an aura of red-gold Spiritual Light surged out, sweeping directly towards his face.

Seeing this scene, Zhouyang was not frightened but rather delighted, exclaiming repeatedly, "Good, good, this truly is a naturally nurtured Spiritual Object; this time I've truly found a treasure!"

Moreover, that aura of red-gold Spiritual Light, before actually touching him, was blocked by the [Exorcism Treasure Robe], causing no harm to him.

But this was unimportant; what's important was that the gourd indeed had the ability to absorb and nurture [Crimson Golden Radiance] as Zhouyang expected.

Despite Zhouyang being able to traverse these Crimson Golden Radiance-covered mountains, it's not to be assumed that the power of such heavenly wonders is trivial, indeed due to his exceptional methods.

Moreover, although the [Crimson Golden Radiance] in the mountains covers a large area, it is dispersed due to its spread. If it were an extremely concentrated [Crimson Golden Radiance], Zhouyang definitely wouldn't be able to handle it so easily.

Now, however, the gourd in Zhouyang's hand makes him see the possibility of refining and purifying the [Crimson Golden Radiance].

If he refines it into a magical artifact, absorbing a large amount of [Crimson Golden Radiance] into the gourd for refinement and purification, the [Crimson Golden Radiance] released later could absolutely threaten Nascent Soul Stage cultivators. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The best part is, the magical artifact refined from this gourd could reach at most Tier Five, allowing Golden Core Stage cultivators, and even Purple Mansion Stage cultivators, to use it.

Such a magical artifact, with great power and low usage requirements, can sometimes be worth as much as a Tier Six Spiritual Artifact.

Imagine, if a Golden Core Stage cultivator could wield means that threaten Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, they would have considerable advantage in magical combat with peers.

If it weren't for the fact that this place isn't suitable for long dwelling, Zhouyang would have thought about staying immediately to open a furnace for artifact refining.

But now he can only put five Spirit Gourds into his storage ring, continuing his mountain exploration to find a route through.

Several days later, after exploring the mountain for several days, Zhouyang returned to the mountain's edge to rendezvous with Jiang Fengxian, explaining the results of his exploration to her.

"Overall, traversing the mountain range is feasible, the only thing to be wary of inside is a group of Barbaric Strange Insects known as [Tiger-Headed Red Gold Bees] that feed on [Crimson Golden Radiance]!"

The [Tiger-Headed Red Gold Bees], though not powerful among Barbaric Strange Insects, when mature can threaten Golden Core Stage cultivators. With Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian's abilities, even encountering hundreds of mature [Tiger-Headed Red Gold Bees] poses no threat.

Thus, after hearing Zhouyang's findings, Jiang Fengxian immediately nodded and said, "Then let's traverse the mountain range!"

"No rush, let me refine a few magical artifacts first, this time I've acquired a good Spiritual Object inside, which can be useful in crossing the mountain after refining into a magical artifact."

Zhouyang smiled and shook his head, revealing his plan.

"Artifact refining? Right here?"

Jiang Fengxian looked at him in disbelief, totally unexpected he would say that.

Understanding Jiang Fengxian's concerns, Zhouyang immediately calmed her with, "Don't worry, it's just refining a few Tier Five Spiritual Artifacts, won't take much more than half a year!"

"Half a year? It's not long."

Murmuring softly to herself, Jiang Fengxian gently nodded, agreeing to Zhouyang's decision.

Thus, the two immediately found a secluded spot outside the mountain to establish a temporary cave abode, where Zhouyang plunged into artifact refining.

Half a year later, Zhouyang emerged from the cave abode with a joyful face and headed straight for the mountain range filled with [Crimson Golden Radiance].

"Collect!"

Among the mountains, Zhouyang tossed a golden gourd into the air, striking a spell with his hand, causing the gourd's lid to directly open and release a massive suction force, absorbing all nearby [Crimson Golden Radiance] into the gourd.

Once the gourd absorbed enough [Crimson Golden Radiance], Zhouyang altered the spell in his hand, shouting, "Transform!"

Immediately, the golden gourd filled with [Crimson Golden Radiance] began to spin rapidly in mid-air.

After about half a quarter of an hour, Zhouyang changed the spell in his hand again, his face showing anticipation as he softly shouted, "Manifest!"

Instantly, a crimson long rainbow shot out fiercely from the gourd's mouth, rapidly landing on a small hill below.

The small hill, also part of the [Crimson Golden Radiance] covered mountains, had bare blackish-red stones on its surface, rich in metal. Any piece knocked off and melted in a furnace could yield Spiritual Gold sufficient for refining low-tier artifacts.

Yet, this often illuminated hill by [Crimson Golden Radiance] was now turned to dust by the sweeping crimson long rainbow from the golden gourd, almost a quarter of it vanished.

It was real dust!

The vanished part of the peak was instantly obliterated into nothingness by the force contained within the crimson long rainbow.

"What domineering power! Zhou Lang, is this gourd truly only a Tier Five Spiritual Artifact?"

A cry of astonishment sounded behind Zhouyang, from Jiang Fengxian who couldn't help but exclaim after witnessing his experiment with the new magical artifact.

Hearing her words, Zhouyang turned around with a smug smile and laughed, "Hehehe, how about it, these six months didn't leave you waiting in vain, right? Does the newly refined [Gold-Dissolving Gourd] meet your expectations, Fengxian?"

"Zhou Lang, stop tricking me. This spiritual artifact is powerful but possesses only individual force, and to unleash such an attack requires pre-absorbing sufficient [Crimson Golden Radiance] into the artifact. In essence, this artifact is no more than a reusable spirit talisman!"

Jiang Fengxian recovered her composure and looked at Zhouyang with a hint of blame, bluntly pointing out the [Gold-Dissolving Gourd]'s weaknesses.

After speaking, she shook her head slightly, remarking, "[Crimson Golden Radiance] isn't easy to find. Here, Zhou Lang can freely use it but once we leave this Wilderness Jungle, finding enough [Crimson Golden Radiance] to use the gourd spiritual artifact will be difficult."

"Hahaha, Fengxian, you're mistaken!"

Zhouyang laughed heartily, smiling proudly, "As if I don't know about the scarcity of [Crimson Golden Radiance]? Although my gourd only has one strike ability now, it can also absorb metal and morning rays to transform into [Crimson Golden Radiance], albeit slowly, but it's a solution!"

"Is that so? Then congratulations Zhou Lang for obtaining another treasure!"

Jiang Fengxian's eyes flashed with surprise, but restrained the contempt and congratulated him.

"This treasure may not mean much to beings like us, merely icing on the cake, but for the Zhou Family juniors, having this item at hand offers an additional life-saving card during future adventures, lessening the danger of being harmed!"

As Zhouyang spoke, he tossed the gourd towards his daughter Jiang Yufeng: "Let Feng'Er use this gourd first, after all, it's an additional trump card."

Then, he turned to Jiang Fengxian and said, "You must be impatient over these six months, let's set off across the mountain range to the Celestial Phoenix Race!"

When she heard this, Jiang Fengxian instead advised, "We've waited six months, there's no rush now, Zhou Lang, you've been refining artifacts all this time, why not rest a few days before departing."

"Alright, I'll take a few days' rest."

Zhouyang smiled slightly, fully agreeing.

Three days later, after resting, Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian ventured into the mountain range filled with [Crimson Golden Radiance], heading straight towards the Celestial Phoenix Race territory.