Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 781 - 764: Demon Race Pursuit Order, Tree Demon News

"Cough, cough, cough, I was a bit careless this time. I didn't expect that after the Chongming Demon King burned his True Spirit Bloodline and performed the True Spirit Transformation Divine Technique, his power would rival that of a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator!"

"Fortunately, this state is difficult for him to maintain. Otherwise, even with Fellow Daoist Lan's help, it would be hard to kill him!"

In a misty valley tens of thousands of miles away from the "Flame River Valley," Zhouyang, with a somewhat pale complexion, coughed lightly, spitting out clotted blood from his body, his eyes flashing with a hint of relief.

The information Lu Caixia gave him only mentioned that the Chongming Demon King was a Tier Six Middle-grade Demon King with a relatively pure Chongming Bird bloodline, which should meet his requirements.

But even Lu Caixia didn't know that the True Spirit Bloodline in this Chongming Demon King's body was so rich that after using the True Spirit Transformation Divine Technique, it was indistinguishable from an actual Chongming Bird.

Zhouyang wasn't aware of this information, which is why he was caught off guard by the sudden surge in strength and got injured, almost getting counter-killed.

Of course, this can't be blamed on Lu Caixia. After all, she only met the Chongming Demon King once while traveling the Celestial South Continent Cultivation Realm and didn't have a deep relationship, so she naturally didn't know how strong the other party truly was.

"Luckily, I brought Ying'er this time. Otherwise, although this injury wouldn't be too harmful to me, it would take years to fully recover without resting, which might delay the upcoming important matters!"

Thinking of this, Zhouyang immediately released his Dao Companion, Xiao Ying, who was stored in the Dongxuan Pearl.

"Husband, you're injured!"

As soon as Xiao Ying appeared in the valley, seeing Zhouyang's pale face and the traces of blood at the corners of his mouth, she was immediately shocked. She hurriedly summoned her Lifebound Spiritual Artifact, the Rejuvenating Immortal Bottle, to heal him.

Unlike Zhouyang, who needed to cultivate various Combat Divine Techniques, Xiao Ying has spent these years solely focused on the cultivation techniques recorded in the Qinghua Calamity Crossing Scripture and has cultivated all these divine techniques to a Great Success Realm.

Although after reaching the Nascent Soul Stage, she switched to the more advanced Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Longevity Creation Immortal Scripture as per Zhouyang's request, she did not lose the divine techniques she learned before.

At this moment, she summoned the Rejuvenating Immortal Bottle, which had advanced with her cultivation to a Tier Six Lower Grade Spiritual Artifact, and wove a set of spells, causing a green Spiritual Mist to gush out from the bottle's emerald green mouth, enveloping Zhouyang, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground.

As the life-force-filled green Spiritual Mist merged into his body, Zhouyang's injuries from the Chongming Demon King were greatly alleviated, and his complexion visibly became more rosy.

But merely supplementing vitality wasn't enough. There was a part of Zhouyang's internal injury resulting from the backlash of using the Azure Dragon Sky Splitting Slash, which was hard to heal solely by vitality.

Previously, he might have relied on meditation to slowly recover from this part of his injury.

But now he could only bear some expense, take out some Blood Dragon Rice, and consume it to heal his physical wounds.

This was also because he had two flood dragons helping him cultivate the Blood Dragon Rice. Otherwise, he would be reluctant to use such a spiritual object for healing purposes.

After recuperating in the valley for half a month with this two-pronged approach, Zhouyang's injuries had nearly fully recovered.

Afterwards, he didn't linger any longer and directly identified the direction to return to Cloud Peak Immortal City.

Cloud Peak Immortal City.

While Zhouyang was still on his way back to Cloud Peak Immortal City, he received a message from Duan Zhengming, asking if he was involved in the death of the Chongming Demon King in the "Flame River Valley."

From this, it could be seen that the Zhengyang Sect had never relaxed their attention to his whereabouts.

He didn't hide anything either, knowing that such matters couldn't be concealed, he straightforwardly admitted it.

This led to Duan Zhengming hastily coming to see him as soon as he returned to Cloud Peak Immortal City.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you're truly incredible, killing a powerful demon king who has cultivated for over five thousand years in less than half a day. Such strength is truly admirable!"

Upon seeing Zhouyang, Duan Zhengming spoke with admiration about his feat of slaying the Chongming Demon King.

The sudden fall of a Tier Six Middle-grade Demon King was a significant event in the Celestial South Continent Cultivation Realm, enough to attract and concern many powerful beings of both Human and Demon Races.

Especially since the person who slew the demon king was a Nascent Soul Cultivator from another cultivation realm.

But as Zhouyang heard Duan Zhengming's words, he remained calm and said indifferently, "Fellow Daoist Duan, I'm sure you're not here just to flatter me."

"Cough, cough, fellow Daoist Zhou, you're astute, so let's not beat around the bush," Duan Zhengming paused embarrassedly before looking at him seriously, "I have two pieces of news for you, one good and one bad."

"The good news is that there's progress regarding the Tier Six Tree Demon you asked me to find. A fellow daoist claims to know its whereabouts but wishes to discuss it with you in person."

"The bad news is that due to the death of the Chongming Demon King, the Celestial South Great Demon, the Cyan Scale Demon King, has issued a pursuit order against you, personally intending to avenge his friend!"

Since Zhouyang was active in the Celestial South Continent Cultivation Realm, he naturally gathered information on any beings from either the Human or Demon Races who could pose a threat to him.

From what he learned, the Cyan Scale Demon King is actually an Exotic Beast known as the Cyan Scale Tiger, and has been a Tier Six High-grade Demon King for over two thousand years, previously battling a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" Cultivator without defeat.

This demon is one of the top-ranking great demons in the Celestial South Continent Cultivation Realm, holding a very high position among the Demon Race, and it is very likely, like Zhu Zizhen, a member of the Demon Saint Palace.

Upon hearing that this great demon intended to avenge the Chongming Demon King by pursuing him, Zhouyang did indeed feel some pressure.

Of course, it was just some pressure, far from fear.

He simply furrowed his brows slightly and then relaxed, giving Duan Zhengming a slight nod and said, "I understand, thank you for telling me, Fellow Daoist Duan. Please pass on to the daoist who knows about the Tier Six Tree Demon that I'm willing to meet him and discuss the matter. The location can be of his choosing, but the sooner, the better."

"As long as you understand, Fellow Daoist Zhou. I'll convey your words to the daoist as quickly as possible. He should respond soon," Duan Zhengming said before giving Zhouyang a meaningful look and leaving.

After he left, Zhouyang returned to his residence and couldn't help but smile wryly, "Haha, it seems I overestimated my influence. With just one great demon speaking out, the Zhengyang Sect is eager to get rid of me from Cloud Peak Immortal City!"

After speaking, he smacked his lips and murmured to himself, "But at least they still maintain a semblance of decency, not directly expelling me, and even helped gather the information I wanted. It wouldn't be fair to criticize them too harshly."

After slaying the Chongming Demon King and obtaining the demon pill, all Zhouyang needed now was the heart of the Tier Six Tree Demon to complete the substitute spiritual objects required for the improved version of the "Five Elements Barrier-Breaking Technique."

Now that news of the Tier Six Tree Demon had surfaced, Zhouyang was in quite a good mood.

Duan Zhengming acted with exceptional speed this time. Zhouyang waited less than three days before obtaining the basic information about the meeting place and the person he was to meet from him.

After receiving this information, Zhouyang kept his promise and immediately departed from Cloud Peak Immortal City to head to the meeting location.

However, to be safe, when meeting the designated person, Zhouyang did not send his true self but instead sent a clone in his place.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, sending a clone to the meeting does not seem as sincere as Fellow Daoist Duan described. Is it that you do not trust Fellow Daoist Duan or me, Ou?"

In the darkness, atop a barren rocky mountain several hundred zhangs tall, Zhouyang's clone and a black-clad middle-aged man with a face full of bluish-black mosquito welts stood dozens of zhangs apart, observing each other.

Upon hearing the man's words, the clone immediately replied, "Fellow Daoist Ou, you speak too seriously. I sent a clone to avoid unexpected factors disrupting this meeting. Moreover, this clone can fully represent me, so there's no need for you to worry about my reneging on our agreed terms afterward."

The so-called unexpected factors were something the black-clad middle-aged man Ou Mingyu naturally understood.

He couldn't help but cast a deep glance at Zhouyang's wooden-looking face, then nodded slightly, saying, "Since Fellow Daoist Zhou believes the clone can represent you, then I, Ou, shall not mind this trifling detail."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ou, for your understanding."

Ou Mingyu did not rush to state his intentions. Instead, he wore a pondering expression, his eyes occasionally shifting as if brewing something.

After some considerable time had passed, he suddenly pointed to the bluish-black mosquito welts on his face and asked Zhouyang's clone, "Does Fellow Daoist Zhou know from whence these poison welts on my face came?"

How could Zhouyang answer that question? He realized the other party was about to tell a story and promptly raised a hand and said, "Please, Fellow Daoist Ou, go ahead."

"I suppose Fellow Daoist Zhou might have learned about my situation from Fellow Daoist Duan. Although the Celestial Silkworm Sect where I, Ou, was born is not as powerful as the Zhengyang Sect, it is still a major sect with a four-to-five-thousand-year legacy with unique secret techniques in insect-exorcising and beast-taming."

"In the Celestial South, poison and insects are inseparable; any cultivators that can command poisonous insects usually know some techniques to use and neutralize poisons. I, Ou, who have cultivated for over two thousand years, dare not boast about being on par with those major sect fellows who specialize in poison, but I am confident in dealing with most known strange poisons."

"Yet, as Fellow Daoist Zhou can see now, despite being a dignified Third-Layer Nascent Soul cultivator, I find myself unable to remove the strange poison on my face. I even have to use illusion techniques to cover my face in front of the sect's juniors, losing so much face!"

As Ou Mingyu spoke up to this point, his face muscles twitched, and his tone brimmed with resentment.

"And the chief culprit that brought me such humiliation is a group of matured Barbaric Strange Insects known as the Cyan-faced Flood Dragon Mosquito. The Tier Six Tree Demon that you, Fellow Daoist Zhou, are seeking, is the mastermind behind this group of Cyan-faced Flood Dragon Mosquitoes!"

Barbaric Strange Insects, the Cyan-faced Flood Dragon Mosquito?

Zhouyang's clone furrowed his brow slightly, looking across at Ou Mingyu, and spoke faintly, "So, is Fellow Daoist Ou's condition for me to help exterminate that group of Cyan-faced Flood Dragon Mosquitoes?"

"No! If merely exterminating that group of Cyan-faced Flood Dragon Mosquitoes were the case, I could have asked Fellow Daoist Duan from the Zhengyang Sect. Their sect's Inheritance Spiritual Artifact, the Purple Sun Celestial Fire Banner, is a nemesis of such poisonous insects and also counters the Tree Demon's magical techniques!"

Ou Mingyu shook his head, outright rejecting Zhouyang's clone's assumption.

"Then what does Fellow Daoist Ou want me to do?"

"My condition is for Fellow Daoist Zhou to help me slay the Tree Demon and capture that group of Cyan-faced Flood Dragon Mosquitoes. At that time, the Heart of the Tree Demon will naturally belong to Fellow Daoist Zhou, but all other spoils must belong to me!"

Ou Mingyu stated his condition firmly.

He really dares to make such a lion's demand!

Zhouyang's clone's eyes darkened, his tone growing slightly frosty, "Doesn't Fellow Daoist Ou find his condition overly greedy? As an Insect Cultivator, I can understand your desire to capture and tame the Cyan-faced Flood Dragon Mosquitoes, but taking all other spoils as well seems somewhat overboard!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you misunderstand!"

"Tier Six Tree Demons are extremely rare. Without my precise information, who knows how long Fellow Daoist Zhou would take to find the Heart of the Tree Demon he seeks, not to mention the need for exchanging other rare spiritual objects."

"And given Fellow Daoist Zhou's strength in slaying the Chongming Demon King and how your cultivation techniques counter the Tier Six Tree Demon and the Cyan-faced Flood Dragon Mosquitoes, this endeavor poses no danger at all."

"It's a no-danger opportunity where you can easily obtain the Heart of the Tier Six Tree Demon for just one effort; it should be said that Fellow Daoist Zhou stands to gain!"

Ou Mingyu shook his head repeatedly, seemingly not perceiving his condition as overly demanding, but rather looking at Zhouyang with an expression that said, "You've scored a win," with no shame whatsoever.

Zhouyang's clone naturally was not swayed by Ou Mingyu's rhetoric to believe he was benefitting.

Yet, from Ou Mingyu's words, he realized this fellow intended to use him as labor, confident that Zhouyang would collaborate to obtain the Heart of the Tier Six Tree Demon.

And it had to be admitted that Ou Mingyu's assessment was accurate this time.

Zhouyang indeed was determined to secure the Heart of the Tier Six Tree Demon.

Therefore, despite the dissatisfaction of being used as a hired hand, he contained his anger to quickly assemble the substitute spiritual objects to break through the Late-Stage Nascent Soul. He concealed his feelings, remaining outwardly calm.

He glanced deeply at Ou Mingyu and said solemnly, "Very well, as Fellow Daoist Ou says, I shall only take the Heart of the Tier Six Tree Demon!"

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Zhou is indeed wise and just, and I, Ou, am impressed."

Ou Mingyu's face broke into a smile as he cupped his hands towards Zhouyang's clone in praise.

Then he turned his eyes and said in a low voice, "However, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, I must ask Fellow Daoist Zhou's true self to sign a blood contract with me. I believe Fellow Daoist Zhou can understand my concerns."

"Since Fellow Daoist Ou is so distrustful, it shall be as you wish."

With a brief glance, Zhouyang's clone moved to fly toward his true self's location.

Seeing this, Ou Mingyu also followed with a beaming smile on his face.