312: resource

What does it mean?

Chen Xuan gazed at the majestic Demon Suppressing Tower ahead, his thoughts involuntarily drifting far away.

If his own Dao Seeking Sect could also possess such a Demon Suppressing Tower, with tens of thousands of Yao Race beings at their disposal, what kind of scene would that be? The first thing that came to his mind was the ten thousand demon blood quenching pool that Ye Hao and Li Pingan had personally experienced.

That blood pool could cleanse the marrow and meridians, solidify the Foundation of the Physical Body, and even purge Impurities from cultivation within the body. It was one of those rare opportunities that could be encountered but not sought.

If Wanqing, Xie Xingchen, and the other Disciples were to soak in it, they might be able to break through one or two more Realms.

Chen Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a calm tone, 'Fellow Daoist, are you referring to resources?'

A flicker of surprise flashed in Chu Haotian's eyes as he nodded, 'Exactly!'

'Every year, countless foreign Cultivators travel to the Rain God Continent. Some come to slay demons and monsters, some to broaden their horizons by witnessing the Demon Race Continent across the way, and others specifically for opportunities like the ten thousand demon blood quenching pool.'

'But... more Sect Disciples come under orders to purchase demon cores.'

Beside him, Zhao Jingchen and Lin Xiuqin were both stunned.

Clearly, this was the first time the two of them had heard these inside details.

Chu Haotian continued slowly, 'Although Yao Race beasts are troublesome, they are treasure troves for Cultivators. Demon cores can be refined into medicine, demon blood can be used for body tempering, and their skin and bones can be forged into artifacts.'

'To be honest, Fellow Daoist, a significant portion of the cultivation resources for our Three Great Sects comes from these Yao Race beasts.'

'Some need to refine various strange Medicinal Pills like Heart Realm Pills or Lifespan Pills but lack demon cores, are unwilling to take risks to find them, or cannot locate suitable materials. Coming to the Demon Suppressing Tower in the Rain God Continent is the best choice.'

Chen Xuan suddenly understood. It was just like how common folk below the mountain raised cattle and sheep—simply turning the Yao Race into a usable resource.

'So that's how it is!'

He sighed softly, 'It seems the most precious thing in the Chusheng Sect is not the Spirit Treasure Pavilion or the Library Tower, but those six Demon Suppressing Towers.'

Chu Haotian picked up the thread, 'That Tianxuan Daoist, in order to refine the demon transformation pill, slaughtered countless Yao Race beings. I estimate the stock in the six Demon Suppressing Towers is nearly depleted.'

'But as long as we can survive this great battle, we can slowly recover in the future.'

He paused, his gaze turning to Chen Xuan, 'Would Fellow Daoist's Dao Seeking Sect be willing to lend a hand?'

'After the battle ends, I will propose that the Sect Master and the Five Elders discuss and allocate two Demon Suppressing Towers for the Dao Seeking Sect to manage.'

Chen Xuan was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile.

Chu Haotian wasn't particularly disappointed either; it was just a casual mention in conversation.

The ultimate ownership of the Chusheng Sect's six Demon Suppressing Towers would have to wait until they survived the current crisis.

As the two conversed, Master Qing Xuan had already finished setting up the Formation and returned.

'All set. With this Formation in place, we can proceed with confidence.'

Chen Xuan scanned his surroundings but detected nothing unusual. He couldn't help feeling somewhat bewildered and, unwilling to give up, channeled his Spiritual Qi to investigate further, yet still found nothing.

Seeing this, Master Qing Xuan slightly raised his head and introduced with a hint of pride, 'Fellow Daoist, there's no need for doubt. This Formation is called the 'Spirit-Locking Talisman Formation.'

He waved his hand, and a faint golden Spiritual Light flew from his sleeve, gently circling around the group. In the originally empty Void Realm, delicate golden patterns suddenly emerged, intertwining and spreading like a spider's web. They vanished into the air in an instant, nearly undetectable unless one deliberately sensed them.

Seeing this scene, Li Pingan beside them felt a stir in his heart and immediately took out a bluish-green Talisman from his storage ring.

This was a contingency prepared earlier when heading to the Chusheng Sect's back mountain, but it hadn't been used because his Revered Master arrived in time.

Master Qing Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly and said with a smile, 'Young friend, is that in your hand a Shatter Void Spirit Migration Talisman?'

With that, he raised his hand, signaling Li Pingan to go ahead and try it.

Li Pingan looked at Chen Xuan and, after receiving permission, immediately activated the Talisman. The Talisman ignited without fire, instantly enveloping him and transforming into a streak of brilliant light that shot far away. However, after only a few miles, it was pulled back by an invisible force and returned.

Master Qing Xuan explained, 'Talisman escape relies on its own Spatial Fluctuation or escape Spiritual Light. This Spirit-Locking Talisman Formation creates a Spiritual Qi barrier, like an invisible cage. It neither damages the Talisman itself nor hinders its normal activation but firmly binds the escape trajectory within the Formation—no matter how the Talisman moves, it cannot break through the Formation's range.'

'Even top-tier escape Talismans like Shatter Void or Spirit Migration, once activated within the Formation, have their Spatial Fluctuation instantly captured by the Formation, their escape path directly locked. In the end, they either return to their starting point within the Formation or are forcibly suppressed by the Formation, unable to move even a fraction away.'

Chen Xuan wondered if it was because he was immune to Formations that he didn't see the slightest abnormality.

But judging by Li Pingan's earlier situation, it seemed this Formation indeed had something to it.

Hmm... this Master Qing Xuan appears to be quite skilled in the Dao of Formations.

Chen Xuan said sincerely, 'Fellow Daoist, impressive skill. Such an exquisite Formation has truly broadened my horizons.'

Upon hearing this, Master Qing Xuan stroked his long beard, a pleased smile appearing on his face. Just as he was about to respond, Chu Haotian already said in a deep voice, 'Since the Formation is complete, let's continue according to our previous plan.'

'We'll trouble you to keep watch, Fellow Daoist.'

This hastily set up Spirit-Locking Talisman Formation specialized in countering Talisman escapes but could not stop Cultivators themselves from fleeing.

If a Cultivator fought desperately to break out, it would ultimately rely on human interception.

Chen Xuan waved his hand, 'Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. With me guarding here, no one will escape easily. If we encounter that Yun Che Daoist, please leave him for me to deal with.'

'Naturally!'

Hearing this, Li Pingan beside him was stunned for a moment, instantly recalling the scene when he first met his Revered Master at East Stone Valley.

No wonder his Revered Master got involved in this matter.

So it was to help him and his Junior Brother seek justice.

A moment later, Chu Haotian and Master Qing Xuan transformed into two streaks of Spiritual Light and vanished on the spot.

Chen Xuan then led Li Pingan and the other two to find a spot with a clear view and quietly observed... In the elegant room on the tenth floor of the ninth Demon Suppressing Tower.

Incense smoke curled upward, drifting over the pile of documents stacked like a mountain on the desk.

Chisong Daoist sat cross-legged on a cloud-patterned cushion, holding a gleaming white message talisman between his fingertips. Spiritual Light flickered on the Talisman, and lines of golden seal script emerged.

He lowered his gaze to look, his expression gradually darkening.

On the other side of the elegant room, a handsome scholar reclined on a carved pearwood chair.

He wore a moon-white robe, with a mutton-fat jade hairpin slanting in his hair. A half-open book lay beside his hand as he asked without looking up.

'How are things?'

Chisong Daoist looked up, slapped the message talisman onto the desk, and said solemnly:

'Two days ago, judging from the celestial phenomena transmitted from the Chusheng Sect's back mountain, that old scoundrel Tianxuan indeed successfully refined a Heaven Rank Medicinal Pill. In all likelihood, it was that demon transformation pill.'

'But why that old scoundrel fell and died is still unknown.'

Chisong Daoist's brows furrowed even tighter.

'However, I speculate that those who could suppress and kill that old scoundrel should be from the Tianque Sect. Besides them, there probably isn't anyone else on the Rain God Continent with such strength and such methods.'