The Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World

Liu Zhengxiong appraised Chu Xuan as if seeing this Qi Refining stage junior for the first time.

"What realm have you reached by now? At least the eighth level of Qi Refining, right? I remember, back when the Infinite Sect was still standing, you were at the fourth level. I didn't expect such significant progress," he said, his smile genuine.

Chu Xuan nodded, though he did not admit that he had actually reached the ninth level of Qi Refining. If Liu Zhengxiong thought he was at the eighth level, then so be it. Keeping some of his strength hidden was never a bad idea.

"Very good! Among the Qi Refining stage disciples, you have the highest realm!" Liu Zhengxiong's joy deepened. "Come with me to the Wu family estate, I will support you fully in your effort to reach the Foundation Establishment stage!"

Chu Xuan immediately shook his head. What a joke. He had to travel to the Blue Star periodically; how could he be around Infinite Sect disciples all the time?

Constant contact with others would inevitably lead to the discovery of his secrets. His ability to freely travel between the Mystic Azure Realm and the Blue Star was his most crucial ace, which he could not afford to reveal to anyone.

Liu Zhengxiong was taken aback. He had offered such substantial support, yet Chu Xuan had declined? His expression turned slightly sour.

Chu Xuan quickly explained, "Uncle Master Liu, I am confident in my ability to concoct the Foundation Establishment Blood Pill and advance to the Foundation Establishment stage on my own. But if you were to expend resources to aid me in advancing, it might cause discontent among the other senior brothers and disciples. The Infinite Sect has fallen, and those of us who remain should work together in harmony. It would not be right to disrupt the unity of the sect's disciples for my sake alone."

Liu Zhengxiong's eyes widened, touched by the sentiment. What a fine prospect! Strong-willed, independent, powerful, and considerate of others. How had he not noticed such a disciple before?

If it were the old days, when the Infinite Sect was still flourishing, he would have surely asked his own master to invest heavily in Chu Xuan's cultivation. Resources would have been poured into helping him reach the Foundation Establishment stage swiftly. In doing so, the Infinite Sect's core Foundation Establishment stage strength would have been bolstered. But now, such support was difficult, all too difficult.

As Chu Xuan had mentioned, the demonic cultivators were now weak, and resources were limited. Distributing all to Chu Xuan would naturally diminish the cultivation resources available to other disciples. People do not complain about scarcity as much as they complain about inequality. Favoring one person with resources over time would inevitably lead to discord and fragmentation among the disciples, which would be harmful in the long run.

"You..." Liu Zhengxiong struggled to find words.

Chu Xuan bowed again, "I wish to rely on my own abilities, please do not mention it further, Uncle Master."

Liu Zhengxiong sighed deeply, "If the sect were still in its prime, I would never stand by and watch such a talent be neglected."

Chu Xuan felt relieved. Liu Zhengxiong's words meant that he would no longer insist on him staying with the other Infinite Sect disciples.

Chu Xuan then said, "However, I indeed need the subsequent techniques; may I know what price Uncle Master desires for the 'Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture'?"

Liu Zhengxiong chuckled, "No need to talk about the price, I have already transcribed several copies of the 'Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture' and can give one to you directly. However, I still need to consider the needs of the sect's disciples... do you have any blood beads? One hundred blood beads, and the transcribed 'Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture' is yours."

Chu Xuan was greatly moved. The 'Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture' was a Foundation Establishment stage technique, and even a transcribed copy would require a thousand sect contribution points to exchange—equivalent to at least two thousand five hundred small spiritual stones.

One hundred blood beads amounted to only two to three hundred small spiritual stones. Liu Zhengxiong had deeply discounted the price of the technique, almost giving it away.

However, even with one hundred blood beads, Chu Xuan did not immediately produce them. He possessed them, but showing his hand too readily was unwise. After all, one must always guard against revealing too much, as human intentions can be hard to predict.

Chu Xuan looked troubled, "Uncle Master, I only have just over fifty blood beads; can I make up the rest with spiritual stones?"

Liu Zhengxiong waved his hand, "Fifty is also fine; I don't really need them. They're mainly for the cultivation use of Qi Refining stage disciples."

Chu Xuan nodded and handed over the items. Liu Zhengxiong took out the transcribed Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture and handed it to Chu Xuan.

"Go now," Liu Zhengxiong said solemnly, "With Ouyang Hao having escaped severely injured, the Divine Star Sect will surely start a new sweep near Peace Market. Take care, and if you really can't hold out, come find me at the Wu family estate."

Chu Xuan paused. Ouyang Hao had escaped injured? The man's body was lying quietly in his storage bag. Chu Xuan didn't correct him but simply nodded. Then, the two parted ways.

At the Wu family estate, Liu Zhengxiong removed his disguise, his expression wistful. Such a promising young cultivator, yet he couldn't keep him close for guidance. As Liu Zhengxiong returned, disciples like Chen Ge, Wei Hua, Xu Ming, and Bai Feng gathered around him eagerly.

"Uncle Master, did you find that disciple?" Xu Ming asked hastily.

Liu Zhengxiong smiled, "I did."

"Who is it?" everyone asked curiously.

Liu Zhengxiong glanced oddly at Xu Ming, "You know him."

Xu Ming was taken aback, "I do?"

Chen Ge, Wei Hua, Bai Feng, and the others were puzzled.

Liu Zhengxiong laughed heartily, "I won't keep you in suspense any longer—it's Chu Xuan. He's now reached the eighth level of Qi Refining."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ming's eyes widened, and he was speechless for a long time. He had been training harder than ever, still struggling just to reach the sixth level of Qi Refining. And Chu Xuan, whom he had considered of mediocre talent, had reached the eighth level? Impossible!

Chen Ge, Wei Hua, Bai Feng, and the others were also stunned. They couldn't fathom how Chu Xuan's cultivation could have advanced so dramatically. The Infinite Sect had fallen less than a year ago, and yet Chu Xuan had soared to the eighth level of Qi Refining?

Suddenly, Chen Ge recalled something and hesitantly said, "Last time we saw those three dead Divine Star Sect disciples, could it have been Senior Brother Chu who killed them?"

Liu Zhengxiong raised an eyebrow, "That's very possible. With the capabilities of the eighth level of Qi Refining, he could have swiftly eliminated those three if he caught them off guard."

Chen Ge exclaimed with joy, "Xu Ming, it's like Senior Brother Chu saved our lives!"

Xu Ming's face darkened. He had always believed that with hard work, he could surpass Chu Xuan. Hence, he hadn't regarded Chu Xuan as very formidable. Now reality had slapped him hard. Chu Xuan was not only formidable, but he had far surpassed him!

Wei Hua, Bai Feng, and the others expressed their envy, "Senior Brother Chu must have had some incredible fortune to advance so rapidly. We're really envious of him."

Liu Zhengxiong pulled out a storage ring, "Here are fifty blood beads; you guys split them evenly."

"This is also a resource that Chu Xuan brought," he added.

Chen Ge and the others excitedly accepted the blood beads.

"You don't want any?" Wei Hua asked Xu Ming curiously.

"I..." Xu Ming looked at the bright red blood beads, feeling a lump in his throat.

"If you don't want them, we'll just divide them up, and each of us will get one more," Chen Ge chuckled mischievously.

"I'll take them!" Xu Ming said through gritted teeth, snatching the blood beads.