15: Chapter 15: Dividing the Spoils

At this moment, Xiao Ran had already flown over the mining area.

Behind him, the Bear Yao was in hot pursuit.

"Human, you're looking for death!"

The Bear Yao roared and struck out with its palm!

A massive phantom of a bear's palm descended from the sky, covering an area of ten zhang!

Xiao Ran glanced back, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"I've been waiting for you."

His figure flashed as he activated Blood Shadow Escape, instantly appearing a hundred zhang away.

The bear's palm struck empty air, leaving a massive palm print on the ground.

The Bear Yao was stunned.

Such speed!

Just as it was about to give chase again, it suddenly felt the ground give way beneath it.

Looking down, it realized that at some point, it had flown over a deep pit.

The pit was filled with densely packed Formation Flags.

"A Formation?"

The Bear Yao was shocked and tried to fly out.

But it was already too late.

"Activate!"

Xiao Ran pointed a finger from mid-air.

Buzz!!!

The Formation Flags lit up simultaneously, forming a massive light barrier that trapped the Bear Yao inside.

"A Demon-Trapping Formation?"

The Bear Yao was both shocked and furious. "You set a trap beforehand?!"

"Otherwise?"

"Did you really think I'd fight you head-on?"

Xiao Ran laughed. The Yao Race really were a bunch of simple-minded fools with more brawn than brains.

Such a simple scheme was enough to trick them.

This Formation was something he had Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing set up in advance.

And the explosion at the mining area had been caused by the Blood Fiend Sect people, with the goal of drawing the Bear Yao out.

As for Li Changsheng...

Xiao Ran looked toward the Ghost Crying Cave.

There, the battle had already ended.

The Wolf Yao and Fox Yao lay in pools of blood, their fates unknown.

Li Changsheng stood with his sword, his moon-white Daoist robe spotless.

The two of them locked eyes across hundreds of zhang.

The plan had succeeded.

...

One hour later.

Inside the Ghost Crying Cave, all twenty-seven kidnapped people were rescued by Li Changsheng.

The earthly fiend spirit marrow was also found, located in a newly opened earth vein at the deepest part of the cave.

There wasn't much spirit marrow, only three drops.

But every single drop contained terrifying energy.

How should they divide the treasure?

From the moment they saw the earthly fiend spirit marrow, the two had already discussed it through Soul communication.

"How should we split it?"

"Two drops for you, one for me," Li Changsheng said.

"You put in more effort, and this spirit marrow is more effective for your Physique."

"Alright!"

Xiao Ran didn't stand on ceremony.

Thus, the two began to fight for it in front of everyone, with flashes of blades and swords and surging Devilish Qi.

In the end, Xiao Ran got his wish and obtained two drops of earthly fiend spirit marrow.

Li Changsheng snatched one drop.

"Go!"

After Li Changsheng grabbed the spirit marrow, he immediately made a decisive departure.

Xiao Ran watched Li Changsheng's receding back and cursed a few times without giving chase.

Only when Li Changsheng had completely disappeared from sight did Xiao Ran look at the earthly fiend spirit marrow in his hand.

Inside the jade bottle, two drops of spirit marrow, black as ink and radiating a dense Evil Qi, flowed slowly.

"Congratulations, Junior Martial Uncle!"

Zhao Ying was quick-witted and immediately stepped forward to offer his congratulations.

Seeing this, the other two also stepped forward to congratulate him.

After this mission, they could see that Xiao Ran was a truly reliable powerhouse!

Although he started late, his talent was incredibly high!

Moreover, he was generous to his subordinates. If they didn't follow a boss like this, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.

Thus, the three of them were determined to follow the Ninth Demon Son.

Xiao Ran was naturally happy with this. Although these three were a bit weak, they were obedient and willing to work hard, and could handle some trivial tasks for him.

It wasn't a loss to take them in.

So, Xiao Ran took the three of them back to the cave, where there were still Ores excavated by the Yao Race.

Since the Yao Race had been dealt with, the spoils naturally belonged to him.

Xiao Ran distributed some Ores to each of the three.

The three were so moved they almost cried.

Having worked as odd-jobbers in the demon Sect for so long, they had never seen such a generous boss.

They immediately expressed their willingness to go through fire and water for Xiao Ran.

...

On the other side.

Li Changsheng had already departed on his flying boat.

On the boat, he sat cross-legged and swallowed a drop of earthly fiend spirit marrow.

Instantly, a surge of majestic energy exploded within his body!

Li Changsheng let out a muffled groan, his face flushing red.

"Circulate your Cultivation Technique!"

"Don't let it go to waste!"

The Vagrant beside him gave a word of guidance.

Li Changsheng gritted his teeth and fully circulated the Taishang Induction Chapter.

One hour later.

Li Changsheng's aura surged from Foundation Establishment Mid Stage all the way to the Late Stage!

He was only a step away from the Foundation Establishment Peak!

"It's done..."

Li Changsheng opened his eyes, his face full of surprise and joy.

...

Meanwhile, on the demon Sect's flying boat.

Xiao Ran also swallowed two drops of spirit marrow.

His aura also began to skyrocket.

Foundation Establishment Mid Stage... Late Stage... Peak!

Finally, it came to a steady halt at the Foundation Establishment Peak Realm!

Two drops of spirit marrow had allowed him to break through two minor Realms in a row!

He was now only one step away from becoming a Golden Core powerhouse.

"Refreshing!"

Xiao Ran felt the surging demonic essence in his body and grinned.

This trip was worth it.

Three days later, Eternal Night Demon Sect.

Deacon Hall.

Xiao Ran handed in his mission token.

After checking it, the Deacon Elder nodded. "Well handled. Although you didn't catch the culprit, you rescued the people and settled the matter. The mission is considered complete."

With that, the Law Enforcement Elder handed Xiao Ran a Storage Pouch containing the rewards for this mission.

Seeing this, Xiao Ran calmly accepted it, while simultaneously sliding a small Storage Pouch down his arm and into the Law Enforcement Elder's sleeve.

"Elder, I had some unexpected gains during this mission. Please take this for some tea."

The Law Enforcement Elder was stunned for a moment, but as his consciousness swept over the Storage Pouch, he immediately nodded with satisfaction.

"The Demon Son is too polite. Then I shall... accept it with gratitude."

His old face was beaming with joy, and he looked at Xiao Ran with more and more approval.

Thus, the two parties parted in such a harmonious atmosphere.

The moment Xiao Ran turned around.

[Ding!]

[Ultimate Demon Lord Cultivation System, dedicated to creating the world's number one Demon Venerable.]

[Mission: Demon Son's Debut completed.]

[Reward: Profound Rank High Grade Martial Skill "Three-Part Return to Origin Finger", 5000 System points. These have been placed in the System shop and can be viewed at any time.]

Hearing this, a smirk involuntarily played on Xiao Ran's lips.

Not bad.

This mission not only increased his cultivation and earned him points, but the mission was also completed.

Moreover, he had seen Changsheng and they had put on a show together.

Perfect.

Walking out of the Deacon Hall, Xiao Ran ran straight into Lu Qing.

Upon seeing Xiao Ran, Lu Qing's expression was quite unsightly.

Clearly, he had already heard about Xiao Ran's performance in the Heifeng Mountains.

"Uncle Xiao."

Lu Qing gave a forced bow.

"Mm." Xiao Ran nodded and walked straight past him.

He didn't even give him a second glance.

Lu Qing stood there, his face turning pale and flushed by turns.

He knew that from now on, he would never again be worthy of this new Demon Son's attention.

Unless... his brother Lu Yan took action.

But Lu Yan was currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Golden Core Realm, and had no time for him.

"Just you wait..."

Lu Qing gritted his teeth. "When you challenge Lord Blood Child... I'll show you!"

Xiao Ran didn't know what Lu Qing was thinking.

Even if he did, he wouldn't care.

What he was thinking about now was something else.

"The Demon Son Ranking Battle is in half a year..."

"Half a year to go from Foundation Establishment Peak to Golden Core Mid Stage..."

"Crossing a major Realm and a minor Realm might be a bit difficult."

Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment were the two most basic Realms on the path of cultivation, but once one stepped into the Golden Core Realm, things became different.

A Golden Core cultivator could be considered a pillar of strength anywhere.

Even in large Sects like the Eternal Night Demon Sect, one could become an Inner Sect Disciple at the Golden Core Realm.

Within half a year, Xiao Ran had to achieve the Golden Core Realm, and even go beyond it.

Because only at the Golden Core Realm would he be qualified to challenge the Blood Child and truly gain a firm foothold in the demon Sect.

"I need to find a way to get more resources."

Xiao Ran said, rubbing his chin.

His Myriad Dao Guixu Body was powerful, but it was a true gold-swallowing beast.

Although Xiao Ran now had the 500 Medium Grade demon crystals he had just received from the mission, as well as the demon crystal Ores obtained from the mine.

But Xiao Ran still felt it wasn't enough.

He needed heavenly treasures, the kind that could truly make a big difference.

Just as he was thinking, Li Changsheng's voice came through the Soul link.

"Xiao Ran, I'm back."

"Mm, I'm back too."

"How are things on your end?"

Xiao Ran replied.

"The mission is complete, and the Palace Master was quite satisfied," Li Changsheng said.

"It's just... there's something I think I should tell you."

"What is it?"

"I heard that the Sect Master of the Blood Fiend Sect... failed his Breakthrough."

Xiao Ran's footsteps paused.

The Blood Fiend Sect Master, a Void Refinement Peak powerhouse, had been in seclusion to break through to the Body Integration Stage.

If the Breakthrough failed... what did that mean?

It meant the Blood Fiend Sect no longer had the qualifications to stand on its own.

It meant the Eternal Night Demon Sect could rightfully take over this disobedient subordinate.

"Is the news reliable?" Xiao Ran asked.

"Reliable," Li Changsheng said.

"My Master told me. He also said the demon Sect might send someone to take over the Blood Fiend Sect. Xiao Ran, do you think... this could be your chance?"

Xiao Ran's eyes lit up.

A chance?

This was a massive opportunity!

If he could participate in the mission to take over the Blood Fiend Sect, the potential for profit... would be enormous.

"Changsheng, thanks."

Xiao Ran smiled. "This news is very useful."

Sometimes one can't help but marvel that it's your opponent who knows you best.

The Righteous Path was actually the first to know about what happened in the Demon Gate.

Of course, it was also possible that Xiao Ran had not yet entered the core circle of the Demon Gate.

"We're brothers!"

"No need for formalities between us."