352: The murderous intent of the green ivy

Bone Fiend City.

Liu Residence.

Since the appointment of the Pacification Commissioner was announced, and Liu Xuan's status as a Third-Rank Alchemist and Personal Disciple of True Lord Haoran spread, there has been a constant stream of visitors every day.

There were officials from the Beast Taming Sect in nearby cities, shop owners, and people from the three major Nascent Soul Sects seeking cooperation... Most Foundation Establishment Cultivators didn't even have the qualification to see Liu Xuan and could only meet with the high-level members of the Merchant Alliance. Even Golden Core True Persons were polite and gave him plenty of Face.

They had to give him Face; Liu Xuan was often followed by three Big Black Bears. A few days ago, a Golden Core True Person came to request a pill, and acting arrogant due to his status and cultivation, his tone was a bit aggressive. He was slapped away by Fatty, spitting blood.

Once the news spread that the sisters An Yunxi and An Yunmiao were temporarily staying at the Liu Family residence, no one dared to provoke Liu Xuan anymore. Even the Golden Core True Persons of the Beast Taming Sect had to keep their distance.

The jurisdiction of the Pacification Commissioner included dozens of Third-Rank Spiritual Veins across the entire northern battlefield, making it incredibly vast.

"He'er, Ran'er, our Liu Family's overall strength is currently insufficient. We should focus our operations on the Bone Fiend City area and prioritize trade and cooperation elsewhere without spending too much effort."

To manage and control a city with a Third-Rank Spiritual Vein, one needs a Golden Core True Person, at least ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and countless trusted Qi Refining Cultivator confidants.

The Liu Family also has its headquarters, the Red Pine Sect, to manage, and they lack enough manpower to control Bone Fiend City.

"Don't worry, husband, we can handle the Merchant Alliance's affairs!"

"By the way!" Xiao Ran's cold Face broke into a sweet smile. "To help our Liu Family integrate into the Beast Taming Sect as quickly as possible, I've organized a Concubine selection beauty pageant for you, husband, focusing on the beautiful female Cultivators of the Beast Taming Sect's South Courtyard."

"As long as you nod, husband, the pageant can start immediately, and the first selection can be completed within a month."

"This..."

"It might not be appropriate..."

Liu Xuan had over three hundred Concubines, and even the oldest group was still in the prime of their beauty; he certainly didn't lack women.

Now, only the winner of the Red Pine Sect's annual beauty pageant could enter the inner palace. Any more, and Liu Xuan wouldn't be able to look after them all.

To hold a pageant and take Concubines within the Beast Taming Sect, Liu Xuan also had to consider the thoughts of An Yunxi and An Yunmiao; one wrong move could do more harm than good.

"Forget it!"

"Do as you say; I'll oversee the final selection personally!"

After some consideration, Liu Xuan agreed. It was only three hundred or so Concubines. Excluding those who weren't very favored, those who weren't very fertile, those currently pregnant, and those busy with tasks, only a few dozen were left. It wasn't many!

There are three thousand beauties in an imperial harem; where did three hundred even rank? It would be good to add some fresh blood.

As for the sisters An Yunxi and An Yunmiao, Liu Xuan's persona had always been like this. What objections could they have?

Furthermore, regardless of whether they had objections, Liu Xuan was destined to keep taking Concubines. No one could stop him!

...Peach Blossom Sect.

Peach Blossom Secret Realm.

A hundred flowers bloomed, competing in beauty, and the rich floral fragrance was refreshing. While the outside world was dark with war, this Secret Realm remained completely unaffected; the flowers were even more vibrant.

"Lvluo, I heard a Mid Golden Core Great Demon from the Bat Wing Clan died. Why hasn't the Demon Core been delivered yet?"

This time, the Peach Blossom Demon Lord wasn't watering the plants but was leaning back in her chair, flipping through a book with a lazy expression.

Despite the disadvantage on the battlefield and the Beast Taming Sect's army of Cultivators advancing toward the Sect's core every day, not a hint of tension could be seen on her Face.

Lvluo, the Grand Elder of General Affairs of the Peach Blossom Sect, stood beside her and explained, "Yunhe's side sent word that the Demon Core has already been refined into pills and cannot be sold to us."

"Refined into pills?" The Peach Blossom Demon Lord's jade-like hand paused as she flipped the book, her willow-leaf eyebrows arching slightly. "The price I offered is enough to cover the cost and risk of Alchemy. What foolish Alchemist would use a Demon Core to refine pills?"

For the Myriad Spirits Grand Array, she bought Demon Cores at high prices. Using a Demon Core to refine pills carried the risk of failure, and even if successful, the profit would be about the same as selling it directly to her.

There were plenty of Alchemy Materials; no normal Alchemist would engage in such a losing business.

"Supposedly, it's a newly promoted Third-Rank Alchemist, named... Liu Xuan."

"He was originally a Disciple of the Red Pine Sect, a Golden Core Sect within the Heavenly Sword Sect's territory. Somehow, he suddenly became the Personal Disciple of True Lord Haoran."

"Xiao Changfeng, the Golden Core True Person who killed the Bat Wing Great Demon, was once his Grandmaster, so the Demon Core fell into his hands."

"This person not only refined the Third-Rank Middle-Stage Demon Core into pills but is also buying large quantities of high-level Yao Beast Essence Blood at high prices. The amount Yunhe previously agreed to sell us has decreased by nearly half."

"Oh?"

The Peach Blossom Demon Lord became interested, putting down the book and asking, "High-level Yao Beast Essence Blood? What pills is he refining?"

"demon blood beast pill."

"Beast Pill?"

The Peach Blossom Demon Lord grew even more puzzled. "A Third-Rank Alchemist refining Beast Pills? Interesting!"

"He also refined that third-rank Medium Grade Demon Core into a Beast Pill? With so much Yao Beast Essence Blood, how can he possibly refine it all?"

Lvluo hadn't fully investigated the situation, so she spoke with uncertainty. "He did indeed refine the Demon Core into Beast Pills. Scouts reported that those pills seem to have been consumed by his own family members and were not sold."

"As for that massive amount of Essence Blood, the Liu Clan has specifically trained a group of over a hundred Alchemists to refine Beast Pills. It seems they intend to refine all of it into Beast Pills."

"Consumed by his own family?" the Peach Blossom Demon Lord pressed.

Lvluo nodded. "I heard that Liu Xuan specifically researched a mild pill called the xuanhuang undying pill. Although it's a Beast Pill, Cultivators can also take it. It can enhance physical strength and slightly increase cultivation speed."

"Liu Xuan possesses a special Physique, hundreds of wives and Concubines, and hundreds of children. The members of the Liu Family all practice Martial Arts. Scouts reported that he refined the Demon Core into pills without knowing its value, but I suspect he likely did it on purpose."

"Pills refined from a Third-Rank Middle-Stage Demon Core were not for his own use, nor were they sold at a high price, but were just used to nurture his children?"

Based on her years of experience, the Peach Blossom Demon Lord felt this was impossible; it was just that Lvluo was missing some key information.

Lvluo didn't believe it herself either. She explained, "I specifically reviewed the intelligence on this matter. According to the scouts, the reason is that Liu Xuan recently became a Third-Rank Alchemist, so he used the Demon Core and high-level Alchemy Materials to hone his refining skills."

"Sect Master, if the Liu Family is allowed to continue refining Beast Pills, it will inevitably affect your Myriad Spirits Grand Array. Should we eliminate him?"

It would be one thing if Liu Xuan were refining pills alone, but the fact that he's leading over a hundred Alchemists in mass production is a major problem.

Some monster beast flesh and blood or low-level Yao Beast Essence Blood wouldn't matter, but Liu Xuan is also hoarding large amounts of high-level Yao Beast Essence Blood, which are all needed for the Myriad Spirits Grand Array.

The Peach Blossom Demon Lord smiled faintly. "It's just a little bit of Yao Beast Essence Blood; it won't affect the overall situation."

"Just do as you see fit. Kill him if you can, but if you can't, don't force it."

The situation was far from as serious as Lvluo described. The small amount of Essence Blood Liu Xuan bought was insignificant compared to the entire battlefield.

"Yes!"

Lvluo withdrew. Killing Liu Xuan was just a passing thought, and she intended to first evaluate the cost and success rate of taking action.