Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 313 - 226 Half a year (gone today)_1

Chapter 313: 226 Half a year (gone today)_1

The next morning, Tian Hua arrived at the entrance of the Spirt Control Garden. Qian Dafu quickly approached with a respectful bow and said, "Elder Tian, Uncle Shen has been waiting for you for quite some time, please follow me."

Tian Hua nodded and followed Qian Dafu inside.

It wasn’t long before they reached the Golden Roc Courtyard. Shen Long was sitting in the Stone Pavilion, with a set of exquisite tea set placed on the tea table.

"Taoist Friend Tian, please take seat, have a cup of tea first, and then we can have a good talk about the mating process of the Spirit Scorpion," invited Shen Long.

Tian Hua nodded, took a seat, and Qian Dafu left them.

The two of them chatted about the Spirit Insect mating process over tea and discussed it in detail.

After a quarter of an hour, Tian Hua said, "Taoist Friend Shen, if there’s nothing else, let’s start!"

"This is not the appropriate place, let’s go to the secret chamber," Shen Long said, stepping towards the attic.

Tian Hua agreed and followed him inside.

Half an hour later, they emerged from the attic, with Tian Hua showing a look of joy.

"You have my thanks, Taoist Friend Shen," Tian Hua expressed his gratitude.

Shen Long smiled faintly and replied, "I didn’t exert much effort; it was my Spirit Scorpion that did the work."

"I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t trouble you further. If you ever have the chance to visit the Southern Border Cultivation World, you can find me at the Poison Dragon Sect," Tian Hua said, before taking his leave.

Shen Long went to the Shuwu Hall, took on a task related to alchemy, and received materials for elixir-making.

With the conflict lasting over three months, the consumption of elixirs, especially healing pills, was considerable.

Shen Long took on thirty batches of materials. By the rules, he had to hand over fifteen elixirs per batch, and could freely dispose of any extras. The handed-over elixirs could be exchanged for Kind Attribute, which could be used to trade for Cultivation Resources.

Returning to his residence, Shen Long entered the Alchemy Room, took out the Scarlet Crow Cauldron, and began alchemy.

Now, battles only occurred intermittently, with the majority of the time seeing only Foundation Establishment Cultivators in a fight to the death.

······

Skywolf City, Skywolf Hall.

Zhesen was seated in the main seat, with over thirty Nascent Soul Cultivators on either side, their expressions solemn.

With reinforcements arriving, the Barbarian Tribe and the Human Clan had engaged in fiercer skirmishes, leading to numerous cultivators dying every day. Foundation Establishment Cultivators had become expendable, and as it stood, the Barbarian Tribe was still holding on.

"After over three months of fighting, our losses are not small. I wonder how long the Human Cultivators plan to fight, as their reproduction ability is much stronger than ours," Zhesen said, frowning.

"I don’t think it needs to be so troublesome. If the Nascent Soul Cultivators from both sides take action and have a big battle, the direction of the war still depends on us," a burly, yellow-robed man with a loud voice said.

That was Zhuo Shan, the High Priest of the Black Crow Tribe, with Cultivation at the Late Stage of Nascent Soul.

The Black Crow Tribe was one of the Barbarian Tribe’s eighteen major tribes, and had close ties with the Golden Crow Tribe.

"Without a clear understanding of the Human Clan’s strategic intentions, rushing into a deadly battle with their Nascent Soul Cultivators - even if we win, the Human Clan will not retreat," Hao Hu said with a frown.

"The Human Clan’s strategic intentions won’t easily be shared with us, and the Nascent Soul Cultivators are likely to be in the know. Besides, this isn’t the first time the Human Clan has dealt with us," Zhuo Shan said indifferently.

"That may be, but we should still be cautious. Without a clear grasp of the Human Clan’s strategy, it’ll be difficult to respond effectively. Additionally, it’s not advisable to engage in a decisive battle with the Human Clan too early. Even if we win, they won’t retreat," Haidori shared her views.

"That’s better. Losing a drawn-out battle means more casualties. It’s better to just have a direct battle with the Human Clan and show them our might," Zhuo Shan was dismissive.

"Taoist Friend Zhe, you are in command of this war, so please share your thoughts," said Hao Hu.

Everyone looked toward Zhesen, their expressions varied.

The Nascent Soul Cultivators from the ten major tribes each had their own opinions; some advocated for a quick resolution, while others preferred a more methodical approach.

"We’ve fought the Human Cultivators many times. Our tribesmen’s bodies are strong, and we have mastered Totem Techniques, which have caused much trouble for the Human Clan. However, the Human Cultivators have many methods at their disposal, including Spirit Beasts, Formations, Talismans, Elixirs, treasures, Corpse Refinement, puppeteering, swordsmanship, music, and so on. Overall, we have suffered losses. For the moment, the Human Clan’s strategy is unclear, and it’s not advisable to engage in a decisive battle with them. However, we cannot let the Human Cultivators wear us down either. I plan to draw out a group of high-ranking Half-Barbarians; they have the blood of the Human Clan in their veins and can cause havoc in the Human Clan’s territory, creating some chaos and easing our pressure," Zhesen spoke.

A hasty decision to battle could result in the annihilation of the Skywolf Tribe.

"I agree with Taoist Friend Zhe’s view," Hao Hu stated.

"I agree as well," echoed Haidori.

Most of the Nascent Soul Cultivators agreed; none of them were eager to engage in a death battle with the Human Cultivators right away.

Seeing the consensus, Zhuo Shan did not say any more.

"Then let it be settled! In addition to drawing out Half-Barbarians, each major tribe should send some experts to kill more Human Cultivators and dampen their morale," concluded Zhesen.

The Cultivators wholeheartedly agreed, and orders were quickly passed down.

······

Half a year passed quickly, in the Spirt Control Garden.

In the Golden Roc Courtyard, the door of the Alchemy Room opened, and Shen Long walked out.

He had successfully concocted a batch of elixirs and only needed to hand them over to exchange for a considerable amount of Kind Attribute.

He went to the Shuwu Hall and found Qi Shan.

"Taoist Friend Qi, these are the elixirs I’ve concocted, please inspect them," Shen Long said, handing over a blue Storage Bag to Qi Shan.

Qi Shan took out dozens of porcelain bottles, carefully inspected the elixirs in each bottle, and after confirming there were no issues, he had Shen Long take out his identity token and granted Shen Long a large amount of Kind Attribute.

"Taoist Friend Shen, haven’t you made a move against the Barbarian Cultivators recently?"

Qi Shan asked curiously.

"I have no such plans for the time being, Taoist Friend Qi, feel free to speak your mind."

Shen Long said with a smile.

"No, I was just curious. The war has been going on for over half a year now, and you’ve only made a move once. I thought you might have been injured,"

Qi Shan explained.

Shen Long didn’t want to attract too much attention; so much time had passed, and probably a number of powerful Core Formation Cultivators had emerged among the Human Clan, surely drawing the attention of the Barbarian Tribe.

After chatting idly for a few moments, Shen Long left the Shuwu Hall.

A cup of tea’s time later, he showed up at the Azure Stone Plaza where stalls were set up, casually browsing around.

"Taoist Friend Shen, what a coincidence!"

A warm female voice sounded.

Following the source of the voice, Shen Long saw Han Yuwei and Lin Yutong approaching him.

"Fairy Lin, are you all right now?"

Shen Long asked with a smile.

"Thanks to Taoist Friend Shen, my sister is all right now,"

Lin Yutong said gratefully.

"That’s good to hear, otherwise it would have worried my master terribly,"

Shen Long said.

"Taoist Friend Shen, may I have a word in private?"

Han Yuwei asked politely.

Shen Long nodded and followed Han Yuwei and Lin Yutong to a tea house, where they asked for a private room.

"Taoist Friend Shen, Fairy Lin has told me everything; here’s a Seven Stars Spirit Cultivating Fruit as a small token of my gratitude,"

Han Yuwei took out a golden jade casket and handed it to Shen Long.

"Seven Stars Spirit Cultivating Fruit?"

Shen Long was somewhat surprised.

He was well aware of the preciousness of the Seven Stars Spirit Cultivating Fruit, and Han Yuwei’s ability to procure one showed no small feat.

"Madam Han, this is inappropriate. My master asked me to help; you don’t need to thank me,"

Shen Long said.

"One thing at a time. I’ll also thank him, Taoist Friend Shen, do you find it too little?"

Han Yuwei said uncertainly.

"Alright then! Thank you, Madam Han,"

Shen Long thanked her and accepted the golden jade casket.

"By the way, Taoist Friend Shen, Yutong is also an Alchemist but her skills aren’t very high; she hasn’t been able to concoct top-grade elixirs. Could you perhaps give her some pointers?"

Han Yuwei asked politely.

"Pointers?"

Shen Long was slightly taken aback.

"If Taoist Friend Shen finds it troublesome, then never mind, I was just mentioning it in passing,"

Han Yuwei said.

Shen Long pondered for a moment and then said, "Since Madam Han has asked, I can exchange some Alchemy knowledge with Fairy Lin. Whether she can concoct top-grade elixirs or not will depend on her own abilities."

"Thank you so much, Taoist Friend Shen,"

Lin Yutong said gratefully.

Shen Long discussed the art of Alchemy with Lin Yutong, who sought his advice with great humility, and Shen Long gave her patient instruction.

After chatting for a cup of tea’s time, Shen Long took out a red Messaging Plate, injected a spell into it, and frowned.

"Madam Han, Fairy Lin, I have urgent matters to attend to; we can talk more later. Here are some of my Alchemy insights; have a look at them for now! I hope they can help you with your Alchemy,"

Shen Long handed a green Jade Slip to Lin Yutong and excused himself to leave.

"Yutong, learn the art of Alchemy well from Taoist Friend Shen. If you can concoct top-grade elixirs, those old fellows won’t dare to belittle you anymore,"

Han Yuwei said.

"Mother, I don’t want to go back to the Han Family. You’ve suffered so much over the years. If they really treated you as one of their own, why would they abandon us? I haven’t forgotten my first time back at the Han Family when my cousin called me fatherless and I was taunted as a mongrel,"

Lin Yutong said, frowning.

"Mother isn’t asking you to go back to the Han Family. They’ve always looked down on us both. If you can concoct top-grade elixirs, they won’t dare to underestimate us anymore,"

Han Yuwei explained.

Lin Yutong had an epiphany, and curiously asked, "Mother, about you and Taoist Friend Shen’s master?"

"Children shouldn’t ask about adults’ matters,"

Han Yuwei said, not wishing to elaborate further.

Lin Yutong nodded and did not press further.

After leaving the tea house, Shen Long could hear a loud alarm.

Numerous Escape Lights were heading towards the city walls with great speed.

The Barbarian Cultivators were attacking again. Shen Long decided to go out and kill a few Core Formation Cultivators, perhaps taking this chance to break through his bottleneck.

He first returned to the Spirit Control Garden, changed his clothes, used the Shape-Shifting Lock to alter his appearance, and headed to the city wall above.

Outside the city, tens of thousands of Cultivators were spread out, engaged in fierce combat in an open field.

The sounds of battle shook the heavens, and many Cultivators fell, their blood staining the ground red.

Shen Long stamped his right foot on the ground and transformed into an Escape Light that flew out of Refuse Barbarian City.

Ice Silkworm True Person was embroiled in a struggle with a giant Golden Crow Giant Ape, while a broad-shouldered man in a golden shirt wielded a golden staff, attacking Ice Silkworm True Person.