Chapter 461
"A criminal?"
Lu Xuan muttered softly as he observed the bald Blood Brother confined within the forbidden area, his movements restricted by a chain magical artifact clamped around his collarbone. Based on Lu Xuan's understanding of the sect's laws, the crimes committed by the bald Blood Brother must have been significant.
"That's correct. In my youth, I was impulsive and easily angered, committing the grave sin of taking lives. However, there were reasons behind those actions, and my crimes were not deemed worthy of death. Thus, Uncle Cangwu confined me here in the forbidden land to deal with demon beasts and temper my desire for slaughter," the bald cultivator explained slowly.
"Staying alone in the forbidden land, spending every day among demon beasts, centuries have passed without my noticing, and I have no idea what the outside world has become," he added, his blood-red eyes looking profoundly into the depths of the tunnel, remaining silent.
"Imprisoned for centuries, spending every day slaughtering demon beasts."
"‘Slaying demons and exorcising devils within the Myriad Beasts Grotto's forbidden land’?"
A ludicrous thought flashed through Lu Xuan's mind, realizing he initially had no knowledge of the bald Blood Brother's existence.
He stood quietly to the side, pondering the truthfulness of the bald cultivator's tone.
His identity as a disciple of the Sky Sword Sect should not be false. After all, the sect would not confine an unrelated person or a nefarious cultivator within the forbidden land of the Myriad Beasts Grotto.
However, the exact nature of his sins was indeterminable.
Nevertheless, it had little to do with Lu Xuan. What he valued were the abundant demon beast carcasses within the forbidden land.
"Do you not grow tired of slaughtering demon beasts every day, Blood Brother?"
Lu Xuan inquired tentatively.
"I've grown accustomed to it, not feeling any particular aversion or fatigue," replied the bald cultivator.
"Judging by your condition, the years of slaying beasts seem to have had a significant impact on you."
"Heh, that's inevitable," the bald cultivator said with a smirk, revealing his sharp teeth.
"There are three types of demon beasts that need to be dealt with in the forbidden land."
"The first type is of common origin, mainly used for various experiments and as food for certain demon beasts within the Myriad Beasts Grotto that require blood."
"This process is relatively simple; after killing them, the useful parts are separated out."
"In the blessed lands, there are spirit beasts which are quite picky eaters. Even normal demon beasts used purely as food, certain parts of their bodies cannot be used to feed them."
"However, those demon beasts that fail the experiments contain various toxic and yin gases in their bodies, making them a bit more troublesome to deal with."
"The second type comprises ferocious beasts. Although these beasts are sealed by various formations and magical artifacts, they must be unsealed during processing, which can cause them to become extremely violent in an instant, making them relatively more difficult to handle."
"Finally, there are the malevolent beasts. Each one is exceedingly strange, and utmost caution must be maintained during processing to prevent their strange energies from contaminating and altering oneself."
The bald cultivator, perhaps due to not having spoken to anyone for a long time, spoke incessantly to Lu Xuan.
"How are the carcasses of the slain demon beasts and ferocious beasts handled?" Lu Xuan asked curiously.
"Those that can be used to feed spirit beasts are properly stored and placed in storage bags. As for the scraps that cannot feed spirit beasts, if they are harmless, they are simply piled up in the forbidden land. Those harmful to demon beast cultivators are refined through formations or taken out of the forbidden land for destruction," the bald cultivator explained in detail.
Lu Xuan's eyes lit up at the significant potential for operation.
"Blood Brother, I wonder if you need any help. If so, I can come over to assist you from time to time."
"Lu Junior Brother, you should focus on your cultivation. Why would you want to come to the forbidden land to deal with demon beasts?" The bald cultivator was puzzled. The forbidden land was filled with bloodthirsty and other toxic energies. Other sect members would avoid it if possible, so why would anyone want to come here to handle demon beasts?
"I don't have much to do in the blessed land, just wanting to do some minor work for the sect."
"Don't worry, Blood Brother. I understand the importance of priorities and won't neglect my cultivation," Lu Xuan said decisively.
"The reason I want to assist you, Blood Brother, is to take this opportunity to learn about the body structures and characteristics of various demon beasts. In case I encounter them outside in the future, I can exploit their weaknesses and safely eliminate them."
He casually fabricated a sincere-sounding reason.
"If you don't mind, Junior Brother, you can stay here and deal with the demon beasts with me. I will tell you the detailed characteristics of each type of demon beast we kill."
The bald cultivator believed most of Lu Xuan's reason.
"Then I'll trouble you, Blood Brother," Lu Xuan said, smiling slightly.
The spirit beasts within the blessed land had been domesticated, their dietary habits naturally different from those of demon beasts. To avoid affecting their physical condition and growth, many dietary restrictions were necessary.
However, the bizarre spirit plants and Flesh Spirit Deity in the Underworld Courtyard were different.
Being inherently nefarious and strange, they would prefer demon beast flesh tainted with toxic and strange energies, hardly being picky eaters.
Perhaps if Lu Xuan brought them a pile of flesh tainted with toxic gases, blood scent, or yin and filthy airs, they might even find the taste too mild!
"Since you're determined to handle the demon beast flesh, Junior Brother, please help me dispose of these scraps."
"A thousand zhang deep abyss lies a few miles ahead, where these demon beast scraps are usually discarded."
"My mobility is limited, and disposing of them is not as easy as killing a few demon beasts. From now on, this task will be yours, Junior Brother."
"No problem."
Lu Xuan agreed readily, effortlessly approaching the pile of useless demon beast scraps and stuffing the mountainous materials into a storage bag.
"I never imagined, as a distinguished inner sect disciple and the most famous spirit plant cultivator of the Sky Sword Sect, I would end up scavenging in the forbidden land."
Carrying a pile of scraps, he followed the bald cultivator's directions to the dark, deep abyss.
The abyss was filled with an unknown quantity of accumulated demon beast flesh, with blood energy surging. Even from a high vantage point, Lu Xuan could clearly sense it.
As his spiritual sense swept the surroundings, a greyish-white pupil appeared vaguely in the void. Opening the storage bag, he poured a large amount of demon beast scraps downward.
Just as they fell less than thirty feet, a wrinkled, light grey pouch appeared below. The mouth of the pouch opened wide, swallowing all the demon beast scraps.
It was a fifth-grade treasure originating from the Profound Insect Vine, the Gluttonous Insect Pouch. Its space was many times larger than that of a normal storage bag, able to keep the demon beast flesh as fresh as possible, making it ideal for storage.
"Unfortunately, there aren't many demon beast scraps left in the abyss. Otherwise, I could go down and collect them into the Gluttonous Insect Pouch."
His eyes gleamed faintly as he looked at the bottom of the abyss, noticing that not many demon beast scraps remained.
"Fortunately, I have the Gluttonous Insect Pouch. It can hold a large amount of scraps and keep them fresh."
"From now on, I'll take advantage of the opportunity to handle demon beast scraps, collecting them to feed the Blood Woe Flower, the Aberrant Longevity Peach, and the Flesh Spirit Deity."
"Running a household is not easy, having to scavenge to feed the plants."
Lu Xuan sighed inwardly.