Dao of The Demonic Cultivator

Chu Xuan absorbed the surrounding voices into his ears. Duan Feipeng, Wang Jianyu, and Han Liuyun—these three names he had heard of in passing. They were celebrated as once-in-a-generation prodigies within the Heavenly Seal Sect, collectively known as the 'Three Scions of the Heavenly Seal'.

It was widely believed among the sect's Golden Core cultivators that, barring unforeseen circumstances, they were destined to tread the path of the Golden Core.

Among them, Duan Feipeng possessed an ultimate-grade Thunder Spiritual Root, and Wang Jianyu an ultimate-grade Wind Spiritual Root. Both these types of Spiritual Roots were mutant varieties, inherently more powerful than the traditional five elements' Spiritual Roots.

Undoubtedly, below the Golden Core echelon of the Heavenly Seal Sect, these two were the strongest. Even cultivators at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, of merely average talent, were no match for them. Many advances on the war fronts had been tied to their endeavors.

Han Liuyun's talent was slightly inferior, being endowed with a superior-grade Water Spiritual Root. As the third among the Three Scions of the Heavenly Seal, he always ranked last, seldom contending with the other two.

However, Chu Xuan had no personal interactions with them; his understanding was purely based on hearsay.

Before long, he approached the teahouse. Despite his absence of five months, the establishment remained unchanged. However, the Qi Refining cultivators guarding the entrance had been replaced several times over.

Upon his arrival, displaying the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a slender female cultivator immediately escorted him to the third floor. "May I ask, senior, are you here to buy or to sell?"

Chu Xuan responded casually, "Both. I have magic tools, cultivation techniques, blood beads, and Gu insects for sale."

Hearing this, the female cultivator promptly presented a finely crafted mirror, "Senior, you may use this to transmit messages, specifying what you have and what you need. If any of the Foundation Establishment cultivators are interested, they will initiate contact with you."

Chu Xuan was intrigued by the mirror. It had no defensive capabilities, but it was well-suited for private transactions and communication. However, one could not be too careful—the creator of the mirror might have left a backdoor in its design.

He chuckled lightly, "What is this mirror called?"

"Mirror of the Hundred Fish," the cultivator replied respectfully.

Chu Xuan nodded and submerged his consciousness into it. He immediately found himself transformed into a small orange fish, swimming in the mirror. After just a few strokes, he saw a string of bubbles passing by. With a gentle tap, one of them emitted a repetitive message, "I want a top-grade magic tool, I want a top-grade magic tool..."

Chu Xuan rolled his eyes. I want one too, he thought. Currently, he had only two such items himself. Then, he tried forming a bubble of his own.

"A high-grade offensive magic tool, related to Gu insects. Numerous blood beads, large blood beads... I need superior Foundation Establishment stage techniques and spells."

He continuously blew several bubbles. Yet, no one responded.

Just as Chu Xuan was about to retract his divine consciousness, he suddenly saw a bubble flying towards him.

A voice emanated from within.

"I want the high-grade magic tool! I'm on my way now!"

Another bubble flew towards him shortly after.

"Blood beads, large blood beads, I want them all; I'll be at the teahouse shortly."

Chu Xuan smiled.

A female cultivator respectfully served him tea and pastries.

Moments later, a burly cultivator and a gaunt cultivator arrived one after the other.

Chu Xuan's gaze sharpened.

Coincidentally, he recognized both men. The burly cultivator had slightly altered his eyebrows, nose, and mouth.

However, Chu Xuan's mastery in disguise techniques was exceptional. He recognized at a glance that this man was the same Han-surnamed burly cultivator from several months ago. Back then, he had purchased the Nurturing Evil Array and the Illustrated Guide to Demonic Arrays from him.

After five months of warfare, this man had remarkably survived. Clearly, he possessed some real strength. As for the gaunt cultivator, he was Lu Yin, a disciple under Zhao Wuya's command.

Initially, Liu Zhenxiong had facilitated a connection, hoping Chu Xuan would foster good relations with Zheng Changqing and Lu Yin, and perhaps purchase a couple of second-grade Gu from Lu Yin.

Yet, Lu Yin, disregarding the longstanding friendship between Zhao Wuya and Wan Wuying, both Golden Core cultivators, refused any discount, instead demanding a high price.

In the end, the two parties parted ways amicably.

The burly cultivator was about to speak with a hearty laugh when Lu Yin, unable to wait, interjected, "Where is that Gu-related top-grade magic tool? I want it! Bring it forth at once!"

Chu Xuan smiled slightly and took out a magic tool.

He calmly stated, "Ice Toad Bell, a top-grade offensive magic tool, greatly enhances the attacking desire of the Ice Toad."

Ice Toad is naturally adept with ice powers. For many cultivators born with variant or ice spiritual roots, Ice Toad was a treasure beyond measure. For Gu cultivators, Ice Toad also served as an excellent means of control.

Lu Yin's eyes flickered with pleasure, yet he gave nothing away, "So it's the Ice Toad Bell, barely passable, I suppose. I have a 'Blood Fury True Technique' and a 'Bone Transformation Method' here, both more valuable than your Ice Toad Bell. Which one would you like?"

Blood Fury True Technique is a practice from the Blood Fury Sect. Bone Transformation Method," a practice from the Bone Refining Manor. These were the techniques Chu Xuan sought from the native sects of Wu Province.

However, Lu Yin claimed that these techniques surpassed the value of the Ice Toad Bell. Clearly, he was aiming to extort him. This fellow was indeed avaricious.

Chu Xuan scoffed, shaking his head dismissively, "Fellow Daoist, don't assume I lack knowledge; these two techniques are merely inferior Foundation Establishment practices. Even among the cultivators of the Blood Fury Sect and the Bone Refining Manor, only those of mediocre aptitude would engage in such techniques. To compare them with the superior magic tool, the Ice Toad Bell, is laughable, isn't it?"

Unexpectedly outmatched in expertise, Lu Yin was seen through. Slightly embarrassed, he coughed before asking, "What exactly do you desire, fellow Daoist?"

Chu Xuan nonchalantly replied, "Bring out all the techniques, and I will choose for myself."

Lu Yin frowned but nodded. With a flip of his palm, seven thin booklets were neatly arranged in front of him.

These seven booklets, each only a few pages thick, were copied specifically for temporary viewing. This was mainly to prevent someone from running off with the manuscripts.

Chu Xuan's gaze swept over each booklet in turn.

Meanwhile, Lu Yin discreetly watched Chu Xuan's eyes. During trades, if the other's gaze lingered on a particular booklet for longer, or if they revisited it multiple times, he could roughly determine the urgency of their need.

He would then use this to extort an exorbitant price. He had employed this tactic many times before, always with unfailing success.

However, this time, Lu Yin found that he had miscalculated. Chu Xuan's inspection time was almost identical for each booklet, seemingly uninterested in any.

"These two are not bad," Chu Xuan casually pointed at two of them, picking them up to browse.

Lu Yin's eyes lit up, ready to inflate the price.

Yet, after reading a few lines, Chu Xuan shook his head and put them back down, "Never mind, these don't quite suit me. Let's look further."

Lu Yin was left speechless.

Chu Xuan was selective, going back and forth. Eventually, he settled on a single booklet.

"Just this one," he said casually.

The technique he chose was from the Blood Fury Sect.

The Boiling Blood True Decree.

This technique, somewhat akin to the Soul Refining Technique, lacked defensive capabilities but could enhance the regenerative properties of blood, including vital essence.

Most Blood Fury Sect spells utilized blood as a medium. Hence, nearly all Blood Fury Sect cultivators chose the Boiling Blood Decree as a supplementary practice. And the Boiling Blood True Decree was an advanced version of that.

Only the Golden Core cultivators of the Blood Fury Sect, or the most talented among the Foundation Establishment cultivators, were qualified to practice it.

"As for the value of this technique…"

Lu Yin glanced over, about to raise the price.

Chu Xuan calmly stated, "The Boiling Blood True Decree needs to be paired with blood techniques to be most effective. Guess how many Heavenly Seal Sect cultivators practice blood techniques in secret? Now guess, when will the next buyer come for your Boiling Blood True Decree?"

Lu Yin was left speechless.