89: Extermination of Evil Campaign

By the time Zhang Daobai finished refining the Medicinal Pill's effects and came out of the house, Youying was already lying asleep in a clean pot.

Seeing this, Zhang Daobai immediately sent it into the spirit taming space, then cleaned up the remaining kitchen utensils and trash.

After finishing this, Zhang Daobai came to the spirit field and began watering and accelerating the growth of the spirit plants.

Having had two experiences making spirit meal, Zhang Daobai gradually grew fond of the extreme deliciousness.

Therefore, he was even more excited about the spirit meal that could be made once these spirit plants matured.

In the following days, apart from farming, Zhang Daobai spent every day on Alchemy.

Zhang Daobai handed the Medicinal Pill he refined to his neighbor, Mu Yuruo, for consignment sale.

Although he had to pay Mu Yuruo a ten percent consignment fee, the price was slightly higher than the purchasing price of the Medicinal Pill shops, and it saved Zhang Daobai a lot of time.

As for Mu Yuruo, she was very willing to help Zhang Daobai sell the Medicinal Pill, even if she didn't take a cut.

Because Zhang Daobai's Medicinal Pill were of high quality, they were very popular among the Loose Cultivators, and every sale would be swept clean in a very short time.

Due to the Medicinal Pill, her Talisman business also increased significantly. Many customers who came for the Medicinal Pill would conveniently buy a few Talisman to round up their purchase.

Although her Talisman seemed like an accessory to the Medicinal Pill, the sales genuinely increased.

Inside the pavilion in the courtyard,

Zhang Daobai and Mu Yuruo's mother and daughter sat beside the stone table, dividing the Spirit Stone earned from the month's Medicinal Pill sales.

Excluding costs and Mu Yuruo's commission, Zhang Daobai's Medicinal Pill sold for a full 760,000 Spirit Stone this month.

This was thanks to the high quality of Zhang Daobai's Medicinal Pill; among similar Medicinal Pill, the price could increase by twenty to thirty percent.

"I want to learn Alchemy too."

Watching her mother hand the Storage Pouch to Zhang Daobai, Mu Lingxi spoke with eyes full of envy.

She worked hard to farm three mu of spirit fields, harvesting a batch of Spirit Medicine and spirit plants every two or three months, yet she could only sell them for about 200,000 Spirit Stone, and that was the income before deducting costs.

"Stop fooling around. You have Water-Wood Spiritual Root. Why would you learn Alchemy?"

Mu Yuruo lightly tapped Mu Lingxi's head, shattering her fantasy.

"Sigh, precisely because I know I can't learn it, I'm envious." Mu Lingxi puffed out her cheeks and sighed melancholically.

Hearing this, Zhang Daobai smiled and then said, "It's not entirely impossible. You can buy a Pill Furnace equipped with a Fire Gathering Formation. You can still perform Alchemy by driving it with Wood-attribute Spiritual Qi."

"However, because the flame is driven by the Formation, the difficulty of Alchemy is much higher than that for a normal Alchemist."

Hearing this, Mu Lingxi's eyes brightened then dimmed, and she shook her head, saying, "Forget it then. I'll just stick to farming honestly."

"I asked you to learn Talisman drawing from me, but you refused," Mu Yuruo said, tapping Mu Lingxi's forehead in annoyance.

"Water-attribute and Wood-attribute Talisman are the hardest to sell. Even if I learned, I wouldn't earn many Spirit Stone. It's better to farm."

This was the first time Mu Lingxi felt troubled by her Spiritual Root attribute.

Seeing this, Zhang Daobai thought for a moment and suggested, "If you insist on learning another miscellaneous cultivation skill, I can recommend you learn how to make spirit meal."

"The effect of spirit meal is similar to Medicinal Pill, but the difficulty is much lower than Alchemy."

"spirit meal?"

Hearing Zhang Daobai's words, Mu Lingxi immediately straightened up, suddenly becoming interested.

"Are they like the spirit meal in Heavenly Fragrance Tower?"

"Yes, spirit meal with exquisite taste can cost even more than Medicinal Pill of the same grade, and they are always in short supply."

"However, spirit meal recipes are mostly the lifeline of a spirit meal Master. They are generally not leaked, and even when teaching a Disciple, they hold something back."

"So, if you want to learn spirit meal, the hardest part is obtaining the Legacy."

Zhang Daobai first piqued the young girl's interest, then unhesitatingly poured a basin of cold water on her enthusiasm.

"Ah?"

Hearing this, Mu Lingxi's face immediately became dejected again.

"A spirit meal recipe? I think I have one here."

Just then, Mu Yuruo took out a green book from her storage ring.

Zhang Daobai and Mu Lingxi heard this, immediately turned their heads to look, their gaze falling upon the book.

"yang family recipe book?"

Zhang Daobai looked at the name on the cover of the recipe and couldn't help but be stunned.

Don't they both have the surname Mu? Why did she pull out the yang family recipe book?

"yang family recipe book? Doesn't my father have the surname Zhao?"

After glancing at the recipe's name, Mu Lingxi couldn't help but look at Mu Yuruo with suspicious eyes.

"Slap!"

Seeing this, Mu Yuruo immediately slapped Mu Lingxi's head hard in annoyance.

Then she angrily said, "I picked this up when I explored a Secret Realm before! What in the world are you thinking about all day?"

This was the first time Zhang Daobai saw the gentle-natured Mu Yuruo angry.

But recalling Mu Lingxi's words just now, Zhang Daobai felt that she deserved the slap, and he even wanted to laugh a little.

"Mother, I was wrong! I'm sorry!"

Mu Lingxi quickly covered her head and apologized, looking at Mu Yuruo's angry expression.

Seeing Mu Lingxi's pitiful expression, the anger in Mu Yuruo's heart quickly dissipated.

"You should know that I'm not good at cooking. So after picking up this recipe, I tried it but couldn't learn it, and it has been kept in my storage ring ever since."

"If Fellow Daoist Zhang hadn't brought it up today, I wouldn't have remembered this recipe."

Mu Yuruo shook her head helplessly while holding the recipe.

Of course I know you can't cook.

Mu Lingxi also looked helplessly at Mu Yuruo, complaining in her heart, "After all, whose child starts living off bigu pill and Spirit Fruit from the age of three?"

Of course, Mu Lingxi didn't voice these thoughts, lest Mu Yuruo hit her head again.

So Mu Lingxi took the yang family recipe book and began reading it with great interest.

Seeing this, Mu Yuruo immediately turned to look at Zhang Daobai and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, recently Evil Cultivators have been causing chaos recklessly. Other forces are uniting with the Rogue Cultivator Alliance to prepare for the Demon Slaying Operation. What is your opinion on this matter?"

"Demon Slaying Operation?"

Zhang Daobai was startled upon hearing this, looking at Mu Yuruo with some surprise. He hadn't heard this news yet.

"Fellow Daoist Mu, I haven't left the house recently, so I'm not clear about the news outside. Could I trouble you to tell me about it in detail?"

Zhang Daobai's gaze sharpened; he instinctively felt that this matter was definitely not simple, and might even be related to the previous invasion of Purple Maple Immortal City by Evil Cultivators.

Hearing this, Mu Yuruo did not refuse and immediately recounted the recent events.

It turned out that starting a month ago, the Evil Cultivators, who usually hid like rats, suddenly started going crazy en masse for some unknown reason.

They were frantically slaughtering Mortals and Immortal Cultivators, frequently refining cities and performing blood sacrifices.

In the past month, according to incomplete statistics, those Evil Cultivators have killed at least tens of millions of people!

Among them were many clansmen and Disciples from various major Families and Sects, and even many Loose Cultivators suffered successive misfortunes.

Even the descendant of a Nascent Soul Stage Expert fell victim to the Evil Cultivators' malicious hands.

These frenzied actions of the Evil Cultivators completely enraged the major Families and Sects, so they began uniting with various major forces, preparing to establish the Demon Slaying Alliance to encircle, suppress, and execute all Evil Cultivators.

Compared to the major Families and Sects, the Rogue Cultivator Alliance will not mandate all Loose Cultivators to participate in this Demon Slaying Operation.

Instead, they will issue missions, allowing Loose Cultivators to voluntarily accept and participate.

Furthermore, for this Demon Slaying Operation, the major Families and Sects, as well as the Rogue Cultivator Alliance, have taken out a large amount of resources, and even Legacy Cultivation Technique, etc.

As long as one accepts a mission and participates in the campaign, one can obtain Demon Slaying Points, which can be freely exchanged for these resources and Legacy Cultivation Technique.

For Loose Cultivators, this Demon Slaying Operation is both a crisis and a major opportunity.

Resources and Legacy Cultivation Technique that usually cannot be bought even with Spirit Stone now have a chance of being obtained, provided one dares to risk their life.

For most Loose Cultivators, this is nothing short of a Heaven-Defying opportunity to change their fate.

Zhang Daobai also understood this principle. At the same time, he and Lin Luoxue truly needed this opportunity.

Although the two of them do not lack Cultivation resources, they lack Legacy Cultivation Technique.

Lin Luoxue comprehended the Geng Metal Sword Intent, but she lacks a Sword Technique that can perfectly unleash this Sword Intent.

Zhang Daobai also needs a Cultivation Technique capable of developing the Void Sacred Body, as well as Cultivation Technique or Medicinal Pill that can increase Soul Power, and so on.

At the same time, White Moon also needs Medicinal Pill and poisons for rapid growth. Dragon Lapis and Youying need special space-attribute resources... Most of these items are rarely seen on the market. Perhaps this Demon Slaying Operation will be Zhang Daobai's best chance to gather these resources.

Thinking of this, Zhang Daobai immediately said, "Fellow Daoist Mu, are you thinking of teaming up with us to hunt Evil Cultivators together?"

Hearing this, Mu Yuruo smiled and shook her head, saying, "No, I am not proficient in combat, so I don't plan to take risks."

"I plan to take this opportunity to draw more Talisman and sell them for a good price. The reason I asked for your opinion is to ask you if you want to take this opportunity to refine more Medicinal Pill."

"I see. I need to consider it carefully. Fellow Daoist Mu, do you know when this Demon Slaying Operation will start?" Zhang Daobai pondered for a moment after hearing this, then continued to ask.

Mu Yuruo shook her head slightly, saying, "I'm not sure about that. I heard it's still being rapidly organized. But since the snake has been alerted, I imagine it should be soon."

Zhang Daobai nodded in agreement upon hearing this, and immediately took out a pile of Medicinal Pill from his storage ring.

"These are the Medicinal Pill I recently refined. I'll trouble Fellow Daoist Mu with them."

"What trouble? It's clearly me who is benefiting from you in this matter."

Mu Yuruo smiled and retorted, then put away the Medicinal Pill.

Next, the two continued to exchange some Cultivation experience. Seeing that it was getting late, Mu Yuruo prepared to take Mu Lingxi and leave.

"Oh, right, Fellow Daoist Mu, during this period, could I trouble you to help me keep an eye out for news about the Demon Slaying Operation?"

Just before the two left, Zhang Daobai suddenly spoke up with a request.

Hearing this, Mu Yuruo did not hesitate and nodded directly, saying, "No problem, I will keep an eye out."

"Then thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Mu." Zhang Daobai stood up and thanked her upon hearing this.

Soon after Mu Yuruo and her daughter left, Zhang Daobai called out Lin Luoxue and told her about the Demon Slaying Operation.

"These Evil Cultivators are acting so frantically; there must be some unspeakable secret behind it. I fear this Demon Slaying Operation won't go smoothly."

After listening to Zhang Daobai's account, Lin Luoxue frowned slightly and voiced her conjecture.

"What you said makes sense, but this opportunity is rare, and I don't think we should give it up."

Although Zhang Daobai usually acts cautiously, the benefits of this Demon Slaying Operation are enormous, enough for him to risk trying.

"Indeed, we shouldn't give up on this Demon Slaying Operation, but I suggest we don't venture deep into the Yinyue Mountain Range; acting only in the periphery should be fine."

Lin Luoxue thought for a moment, then continued, "I always feel like those Evil Cultivators are plotting something major in the Yinyue Mountain Range, and rashly entering could be dangerous."

The Yinyue Mountain Range is one of the three major Evil Cultivator gathering places in the Xuantian Region; the other two are the Blood Fiend Sea and the Ten Thousand Demon Cave.

The Evil Cultivators who attacked the various Families and Sects this time were from the Yinyue Mountain Range, mainly the three Evil Path Sects: Yinmo Sect, Corpse Puppet Sect, and Yin Yang Tower.

"That suggestion is fine. With our current strength, plus the other Spirit Tamers, as long as we don't run into a Late Golden Core Stage Evil Cultivator, we'll be okay."

"However, within the three Evil Path Sects in the Yinyue Mountain Range, there are plenty of Nascent Soul Evil Cultivators and Soul Transformation Stage Evil Cultivators. There's no need for us to risk going inside."

Zhang Daobai strongly agreed with Lin Luoxue's suggestion, after all, Evil Path Cultivators have no moral bottom line.

If those Nascent Soul Evil Cultivators and Soul Transformation Stage Evil Cultivators went mad and attacked the weak ones like them, they might not even have time to run if they were careless.

"I think we should prepare more items that ward off evil during this time. The Yinyue Mountain Range is covered in sinister Qi year-round, so we should take more protective measures."

Lin Luoxue thought for a moment and proposed another suggestion.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Daobai nodded and immediately discussed with Lin Luoxue in detail the various points that needed attention.

The benefits of this Demon Slaying Operation are great, but the danger is equally great, so they must prepare thoroughly beforehand.

In the period that followed, news about the Demon Slaying Alliance and the Demon Slaying Operation began to spread widely.

Many Loose Cultivators, upon receiving the news, began eagerly preparing, as this would be a major opportunity for them to achieve change their fate.

During this time, Mu Yuruo went to Four Directions Island every day to sell Talismans and Medicinal Pills, and incidentally inquire about various news concerning the Demon Slaying Operation.

She would tell Mu Lingxi the news she gathered every day, and then have Mu Lingxi relay it to Zhang Daobai.

Zhang Daobai also used the opportunity of Mu Lingxi coming daily to relay messages to give her the Medicinal Pills he refined each day to take back for Mu Yuruo to sell.

Just as Mu Yuruo had said before, the prices of Talismans and Medicinal Pills on the market had soared during this period, even reaching the point where supply could not meet demand.

After all, Loose Cultivators cherish their lives the most, and since they were going on a dangerous mission like hunting Evil Cultivators, they naturally needed ample preparation.

Furthermore, it must be said that Mu Lingxi really had some talent for making spirit meals.

Relying on a recipe book, she managed to learn three spirit meals during this time, despite having no teacher or foundation.

Although the taste and effect did not meet the highest standard, they were already considered qualified spirit meals.

After learning how to make spirit meals, Mu Lingxi confidently sought out Zhang Daobai, saying she wanted to show off her skill.

However, after tasting the roasted chicken made by Zhang Daobai, she immediately fell silent.

But Zhang Daobai did not discourage her; instead, he gave her pointers on controlling the heat and knife skills, which significantly improved her craft.

"Brother Daobai!"

A familiar voice rang out from outside the wall. Zhang Daobai immediately opened the Restriction on the door, allowing Mu Lingxi to enter.

Soon, Mu Lingxi, dressed in a green silk dress, pushed open the door and jogged in like a fawn in the woods.

"Brother Daobai! There is major news today!"

Mu Lingxi quickly ran to the pavilion and excitedly spoke to Zhang Daobai.

"Has the time for the Demon Slaying Operation been confirmed?" Zhang Daobai guessed upon hearing her.

Mu Lingxi was stunned for a moment, then put away her excited expression and nodded, "Brother Daobai, you guessed correctly. The Rogue Cultivator Alliance just announced that the Demon Slaying Operation will begin in three days."

"Sit down first, and speak slowly."

Zhang Daobai said, pouring Mu Lingxi a cup of tea.

Seeing this, Mu Lingxi sat down and continued, "The Demon Slaying Operation starts in three days. At that time, the Rogue Cultivator Alliance will set up the demon slaying ranking list on Thousand Star Island."

"The demon slaying ranking list?"

"The demon slaying ranking list is specifically for posting missions to kill Evil Cultivators, distributing different tasks based on the Evil Cultivator's cultivation, sins, identity, and special circumstances."

"Are they taken individually, or can everyone accept them?"

"Everyone can accept them. After registering, the Rogue Cultivator Alliance will issue a shadow retention token to everyone to record the process and result of completing the mission."

"Finally, they use the shadow retention token and the Evil Cultivator's head to exchange for contribution points."

"Has the exchange list for contribution points been announced?" Zhang Daobai asked after thinking for a moment.

"It has been announced!" Mu Lingxi said, taking out a Jade Slip and handing it to Zhang Daobai.

After Zhang Daobai took the Jade Slip, he probed it with his Divine Sense and began reading.

"Hiss!"

Upon seeing the exchange list on the Jade Slip, Zhang Daobai's heart immediately trembled.

He hadn't expected that the various Families and Sects were truly enraged this time, even bringing out Earth-Grade Cultivation Techniques.

However, these Cultivation Techniques, regardless of grade or attribute, could not compare to the Spirit Communication Art, so Zhang Daobai did not pay much attention to them.

Next, Zhang Daobai quickly searched for the resources and Cultivation Techniques he wanted.

It must be said that there were many things Zhang Daobai desired on this exchange list.

For example, the space-attributed Cultivation Technique, Shocking Void Fist. One punch sends space oscillating!

There were also Medicinal Pills that could accelerate a Spirit Beast's Cultivation, Spirit Medicine that could increase a Spirit Beast's Bloodline, and so on.

In addition, Zhang Daobai also saw a Low Grade Earth-Grade Sword Dao Cultivation Technique suitable for Lin Luoxue, the Geng Jin Sword Art.

Regardless of its grade or attribute, it was highly suitable for the Geng Metal Sword Intent that Lin Luoxue had just comprehended.

"core formation pill!"

Zhang Daobai suddenly saw that the core formation pill was actually present on this exchange list.

The core formation pill is an auxiliary Medicinal Pill used to help Purple Mansion Stage Cultivators Break through to the Golden Core Stage.

It can increase the Core Formation chance by 30%, and if the Breakthrough fails, it can also protect the Spiritual Veins and Dantian, preventing damage to the Cultivation base.

Although Zhang Daobai did not need the core formation pill, Lin Luoxue did!

Lin Luoxue has already Broken through to the Late Purple Mansion Stage and is not far from the Golden Core Stage.

Although Lin Luoxue possesses the Spirit Channeling Dao Body, making the difficulty of Breakthrough much lower than others, there is still a possibility of failure.

Therefore, they must prepare a core formation pill in advance to be prepared for any eventuality.

It must be said that this exchange list was extremely tempting to Zhang Daobai.

If he saw an Evil Cultivator now, he would definitely rush up and kill them without hesitation to exchange for contribution points.

Soon, Zhang Daobai called Lin Luoxue, who was Cultivating inside the house, and showed her the exchange list.

After reviewing the exchange list, both Zhang Daobai and Lin Luoxue saw a hint of fervor in the other's eyes.

"Oh right, it seems registration for Thousand Star Island starts today. After registering, you can directly accept missions when the Demon Slaying Operation begins."

Just then, Mu Lingxi suddenly remembered something and quickly spoke up to remind them.

"Alright, we know. Thank you and Aunt Mu for gathering information for us," Zhang Daobai said, smiling in gratitude upon hearing her.

"Are you really going to participate in the Demon Slaying Operation?" Mu Lingxi asked, looking at Zhang Daobai with a worried expression to confirm.

Zhang Daobai and Lin Luoxue nodded upon hearing this.

"Then... then you must pay attention to safety."

Mu Lingxi wanted to persuade Zhang Daobai and Lin Luoxue not to take risks in her heart.

But realizing this was their choice, Mu Lingxi could only bless them both internally.

"Don't worry, we don't plan to go deep into the Yinyue Mountain Range. We'll just hunt some low-Cultivation Evil Cultivators on the periphery; we won't take any risks," Zhang Daobai said, pretending to be relaxed to comfort her.

Throughout this period, both Zhang Daobai and Lin Luoxue could tell that Mu Lingxi truly regarded them as close friends.

Therefore, Zhang Daobai and Lin Luoxue were also very friendly toward her.

Not long after, Mu Lingxi bid farewell and left.

After she left, Zhang Daobai and Lin Luoxue began discussing which items to prioritize and which were absolutely essential to exchange for.

Over the next three days, Thousand Star Lake did not become lively due to the impending start of the Demon Slaying Operation; instead, the atmosphere became much heavier.

Because everyone knew that they would soon face a group of inhumane beasts and lunatics, who were also powerful enemies capable of taking their lives at any moment.

During these three days, Zhang Daobai stopped practicing Alchemy. Instead, he organized his equipment and adjusted his state, waiting for the Demon Slaying Operation to begin.

Lin Luoxue, on the other hand, was the opposite; she spent these three days practicing her sword and honing her Sword Intent.

The day before the Demon Slaying Operation began, Zhang Daobai sent Youying to the Xuantian Mountain Range to catch some Yao Beasts, and then he prepared a spirit meal.

Although this wouldn't be considered a good omen in his previous life, Zhang Daobai didn't shy away from it.

Soon, the day the Demon Slaying Operation began arrived, and tens of thousands of Loose Cultivators gathered on Thousand Star Island.

In the square where missions were usually posted, a huge light screen, over thirty meters high, was now projected.

The light screen was densely covered with missions; just looking at it made one's scalp tingle.

Fortunately, everyone present was a Cultivator, and their eyesight was excellent, allowing them to clearly read the words even from a distance.

If they found a mission they liked, they could use the mission number to go to the Rogue Cultivator Alliance staff and collect the relevant intelligence.

Zhang Daobai and Lin Luoxue arrived relatively early, so they quickly found suitable missions.

However, they were not in a hurry to retrieve the intelligence and complete the missions; instead, they continued to read through all the missions on the light screen.

After all, if they happened to discover other mission targets during their mission, wouldn't they be able to complete them along the way?