8: Ambush the demons and steal the treasure

The next day.

Li Gongyi arrived with wine and dishes.

“Thanks to Brother Gu’s Divine Ability, that Tiger Strength Daoist couldn’t even parry a single move.”

‘Nonsense, if he had parried it, you would have lost your life.’ Gu Changsheng smiled faintly and said, “Brother Li, you’re glowing, it seems you received a good amount of reward money.”

Li Gongyi was naturally tactful, and with a chuckle, he pulled out a five-hundred-tael silver note from his in my arms.

“This is the five hundred taels reward for slaying the Tiger Strength Daoist, it should rightfully belong to Brother Gu, please accept it.

Also, I would like to ask Brother Gu for help.”

“Oh, how so?” Gu Changsheng calmly put away the silver note.

“In three days, that group of fiends will probably reach the county yamen and assault the yamen.

I hope Brother Gu can seal a few more Divine Abilities, just like last time, so our brothers can also keep their lives.”

“Well, that…”

“All the reward money goes to Brother Gu.”

“Well, that’s not impossible.”

A glint of light flashed in Gu Changsheng’s eyes.

The more fiends from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect that came, the better; perhaps he could collect all the Animal Husbandry Method in one go.

Familiar with the Animal Husbandry Method, he knew very well the upper limit of this Contemplation Realm method; it would be difficult to Cultivate it to the Late Stage of the Contemplation Realm.

No matter how many came, they were all easy pickings.

The truly powerful ones wouldn’t be so hounded and pursued by these common folk.

For the next few days, Gu Changsheng secretly guarded the vicinity of the county yamen.

Additionally, he found an excuse to draw a portrait of the Tiger Strength Daoist, gaining the [Animal Husbandry Method. Tiger] Dao method.

After Breakthrough to the third stage, a [Sharpness Technique] was born.

It can be applied to blades and swords, increasing their sharpness by one level.

Gu Changsheng tried it on a rusty kitchen knife at home, and immediately, all the rust was gone, and the blade gleamed with a cold light.

A first-stage Sharpness Technique could transform a rusty knife into a fine product.

As the grade increased, it wouldn't be surprising for the longquan sword to transform into a peerless treasure sword that could cut through iron like mud.

The third stage was also the limit of [Animal Husbandry Method. Tiger], so he naturally performed Fusion and fed it to the Jade Faced Python Fox, which then grew sharp tiger fangs in its mouth.

A fox body, tiger fangs, leopard skin, and snake tail.

The appearance of the Fox Spirit was becoming increasingly strange.

Unfortunately, the Jade Faced Fox Method still remained at the fifth stage.

He estimated that after fusing a few more yellow-grade Contemplation Realm methods, it could Breakthrough.

On the night seven days later, the constables, who had been on continuous watch for a week, were exhausted and drowsy.

“Boss, if these fiends don’t come soon, our brothers will die of exhaustion first.”

“That’s right, the roots soaked in medicinal wine have been in the yamen hallway for a week, why is there still no movement?”

From the initial trepidation to the current fatigue and irritation.

The constables’ Heart-Nature was being worn away; they wished for it to end sooner.

Li Gongyi was somewhat helpless, but there was nothing he could do, so he could only comfort them, “Just wait a little longer…”

On an old locust tree not far from the yamen gate, Gu Changsheng leaned leisurely against the trunk, examining a palm-sized section of tree root in his hand.

The roots were densely packed.

It was the remaining root of the Human-faced Beast-hearted Fruit Tree.

The day after the ambush, he used the Fox Shadow Technique to conceal his figure, secretly snuck into the yamen, and easily stole the roots using a second-stage theft method.

As for what was currently soaking in the medicinal wine, it was a section of tree root Gu Changsheng dug from under an old poplar tree at the west entrance of the village.

“The Qi is weak; unless there’s a special technique to stimulate the essence of the plants, it simply cannot be cultivated and grown.”

Spiritual plants have strong vitality, but after being burned and soaked in wine, eighty to ninety percent of their plant Qi was gone, and Gu Changsheng had no solution.

As for the Magistrate’s hoped-for longevity effect, there was none at all.

Its effect was similar to the poplar root currently soaking in the wine jar.

Suddenly, the wind stirred, and the leaves rustled.

Gu Changsheng’s ears twitched.

They’re here!

Eight dark figures appeared outside the yamen.

All were masked, with black Qi steaming from their bodies.

“Old Turtle, your divination wasn’t wrong, was it?

Is the thing really inside?”

The leader, the Ferocious Dog Daoist, asked.

“It can’t be wrong.”

A low voice came from within the group.

The few exchanged glances, a hint of excitement in their eyes.

The Human-faced Beast-hearted Fruit Tree was a rare spiritual plant; although its grade was only yellow, it was a rare Heaven And Earth Treasure that could extend life.

For this, he even invited the Black Fish Spirit and the Willow Tree Demon.

Just as the few were about to move, the Willow Tree Demon in the group sneered, “I didn’t expect there to be more than a dozen two-legged sheep ambushing around.”

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Countless emerald green roots extended from his sleeves, as tough as steel bars and chains, spreading towards Li Gongyi and his group.

In the blink of an eye, the vines pressed close.

“Not good, we’ve been exposed!

Kill them!”

The constables all drew their simple sabers, their blades gleaming silver, and as they swung them, they chopped down the willow branches in front of them as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

The simple sabers, empowered by the Sharpness Technique and the Beast Pointing Technique, had their power greatly increased.

Gu Changsheng had put some thought into this.

“No wonder they dared to ambush us, they have some skill.”

“They’re just common folk anyway, let’s all go together, kill them all and share the blood meal.”

The few cast their spells, their bodies swelling and bursting through their Daoist robes, transforming into ferocious beasts that pounced on everyone.

The timid constables were instantly scared witless.

It was Li Gongyi who steadied his mind, silently recited a mantra, and his saber glowed brightly as a cloud sparrow flew out, spitting Saber Qi.

A flash of white light appeared, instantly piercing through the giant wolf’s head.

“Brothers, unleash your Saber Qi, follow me and kill!”

Seeing Li Gongyi slay the pouncing giant wolf with a single move, the constables all boosted their morale and activated the Beast Pointing Technique that had already been sealed in their simple sabers.

More than a dozen cloud sparrow Saber Qi flew out, tearing apart the ferocious dog, poisonous scorpion, and hyena.

“Damn it, they’re tough, run!”

The Turtle-backed Daoist shrieked, his turtle shell, which had blocked the Saber Qi, was covered in cracks.

The Willow Tree Demon, not caring about the damaged branches, fled, enveloped in black Qi.

Whoosh—

A sound of air being torn echoed, and a white fox sword light flashed, like a white ribbon piercing the sky, instantly cutting off the Turtle-backed Daoist’s head.

Immediately after, another flash of Saber Qi, piercing the Willow Tree Demon through the heart in mid-air.

The sword light shifted, and willow leaves danced everywhere.

A green light spread, and the original injuries rapidly recovered.

“Hmm? A recovery-type spell, rare.”

Gu Changsheng held the longquan sword, his steps light.

Black Qi covered the sword body, and his Qingfeng Swordplay was flawlessly executed, firmly blocking the Willow Tree Demon’s escape route.

In a short while, eighty percent of the Willow Tree Demon’s branches were damaged.

“Human, spare me.

I can help you catalyze the Human-faced Beast-hearted Fruit Tree, and the Human-faced Beast-hearted Fruit it bears can extend your life.”

The Willow Tree Demon’s response was an even thicker sword light.

A single sword pierced through its tree heart, extinguishing its vitality.

“Extending life is useless to me.”

Gu Changsheng said faintly.

With a flick of his sword, a verdant tree heart fell into his palm.

Vitality surged towards him, and all his pores seemed to open up.

“Such dense plant Qi, perfect for catalyzing the Human-faced Beast-hearted Fruit Tree.”

The Fox Shadow Technique activated, Gu Changsheng concealed his figure and pulled out his sketchbook, sketching lines.

A large amount of content appeared on the panel in response.

Five Animal Husbandry Methods, corresponding to wolf, dog, scorpion, turtle, and pig, respectively.

With good luck, after Fusion, the Jade Faced Fox Method could even reach the sixth stage.

Additionally, the Black Fish Spirit and the Willow Tree Demon contributed two Divine Abilities.

[Spring Breeze Transforming Rain Technique] and [Sword Planting Technique]

The former can exhale water vapor, creating clouds and bringing rain.

The latter is a unique and extraordinary art of nurturing swords with spiritual wood.

Such ingenious ideas made Gu Changsheng exclaim in admiration.