Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 395 - 304 masters gather_1

Chapter 395: 304 masters gather_1

Refuse Barbarian City, the frontline stronghold where the Human Clan resists the Barbarian Tribe, bustles with towering buildings and teeming streets.

A red Escape Light appeared in the distant sky, blinking towards Refuse Barbarian City above. As the light retracted, a flying boat with shimmering red light was revealed, carrying Du Yinyin, Shen Long, Ning Qianqian, Qian Dafu, and several hundred other cultivators.

Leading the team personally, Du Yinyin and Shen Long, along with hundreds of cultivators, hastened to the frontline, including as many as ten Core Formation cultivators.

"Fairy Du, Taoist Friend Shen, you all have arrived quite early!"

A hearty male voice called out.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a huge painting scroll glowing with azure light flew over from the distant horizon, with Chen Yidao and a hundred or so cultivators standing atop it.

"Taoist Friend Chen, it’s you leading the team."

Du Yinyin greeted him with a slight smile.

"We from Badao Villa can’t compare with your Spirt Control Sect, so we can only send one Nascent Soul Cultivator to lead the expedition."

Chen Yidao spoke.

In the last battle, Badao Villa lost a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

Du Yinyin nodded slightly, formed a spell with her hands, and the red flying boat slowly descended onto a vast Azure Stone Plaza. Qi Shan, accompanied by a group of cultivators, walked over.

"Junior bows in respect to Senior Du and Senior Shen. You must be weary from your journey; we have arranged accommodation for you. Rest well for now. Later, Master Uncle Lu will convene a meeting to distribute tasks."

Qi Shan spoke respectfully.

Du Yinyin nodded and instructed Qian Dafu and the others: "You all go and register first!"

After bidding farewell to Du Yinyin and Chen Yidao, Shen Long left the place.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Shen Long appeared at a plaza where Loose Cultivators had set up their stalls, browsing around.

Golden Crow Reverend hurried over and bowed: "Senior Shen, my master invites you. Would it be convenient for you to meet?"

"It’s convenient, lead the way!"

Shen Long instructed.

He had yet to meet the Golden Crow True Monarch, whose fame and strength were at the forefront of the Donghua Five Immortals.

Golden Crow Reverend complied and led the way.

Shen Long followed the Golden Crow Reverend to a five-story golden pavilion, its doors firmly shut and bearing a plaque engraved with the words "Golden Crow Pavilion."

As the doors of the Golden Crow Pavilion swung open, a loud male voice echoed from within: "I have long admired Taoist Friend Shen’s reputation; today, I finally have the honor to meet you in person."

Shen Long strode in and saw a tall golden-robed elder sitting in the main seat, his complexion as fair as jade and his presence vast as the ocean.

To his sides sat a short, plump elder in a yellow robe and a skinny elder in a green robe, both Nascent Soul Cultivators.

"I am Shen Long, greetings to the three Taoist Friends."

Shen Long clasped his hands together, announcing his name.

"I am Wu Dong, greetings to Taoist Friend Shen."

The yellow-robed elder introduced himself.

"I am Wu Xi."

The green-robed elder spoke up.

"Taoist Friend Shen, my disciple often mentions you, and upon meeting you today, you truly carry an impressive presence!"

Golden Crow True Monarch said cheerfully, fluttering his sleeve to close the door.

Shen Long took his seat, "I’m sure Taoist Friend Qin didn’t ask me here to discuss this."

"Taoist Friend Shen, I’ve heard you can refine top-grade Elixirs. I would like to request that you refine a batch for me."

Golden Crow True Monarch flicked his sleeve and a golden Jade Slip floated towards Shen Long, landing before him.

Shen Long caught the Jade Slip and, upon a sweep of his Divine Sense, said, "There are other fourth-tier Alchemists in the Donghua Cultivation Realm capable of refining top-grade Elixirs, why seek me out particularly, Taoist Friend Qin?"

"Taoist Friend Shen, you are less well-known, which makes it easier for me to meet your demands. Besides, I would also like to befriend another peer. What do you think of this answer, Taoist Friend Shen?"

Golden Crow True Monarch said.

Shen Long nodded and asked, "I can refine the Three-Leaf Jade God Pill. What do you propose to offer as compensation, Taoist Friend Qin?"

It seemed strange that both Xu Mo and Golden Crow True Monarch had the Pill Formula for the Three-Leaf Jade God Pill and both had requested Shen Long’s help in refining it. He wondered if they knew each other.

Golden Crow True Monarch flicked his sleeve again, and a cyan jade box flew out, landing in front of Shen Long.

Shen Long opened the jade box to reveal one silver and one red Demon Core.

"A fourth-stage Silver-Eyed Spirit Fox and a fourth-stage Fire Cloud Turtle’s Demon Cores as compensation, how does that sound?"

Golden Crow True Monarch inquired.

"No problem, once they are refined, I will contact Taoist Friend Qin."

Shen Long agreed, pocketing the jade box.

"It’s a deal."

Golden Crow True Monarch agreed, and then as something came to his mind, he continued, "Taoist Friend Shen, coming from the Spirt Control Sect, do you know of any Miracle Elixirs that can increase the purity of bloodlines for Spirit Beasts and Spirit Birds?"

The Golden-Eyed Golden Crow started at level three and even after growing to level four, its bloodline purity had remained unchanged.

"No, if there were such a thing, it would have been widely known by now. If Taoist Friend Qin could obtain high-grade blood essence or Demon Cores of the same species to feed it, perhaps it could improve the purity," Shen Long suggested.

"That’s going to be difficult; my Golden-Eyed Golden Crow carries the Golden Crow Bloodline, and the essence blood or Demon Cores of ordinary Spirit Birds are ineffective, unless they are from high ranked Spirit Birds with the Golden Crow Bloodline. However, such Spirit Birds are rare," Wu Dong commented.

Shen Long nodded, "Indeed! Given the high starting point of Taoist Friend Qin’s Golden-Eyed Golden Crow, increasing its bloodline purity is challenging. He must have already tried all possible methods."

Golden Crow True Monarch sighed, nodding in agreement: "That’s true. Over the years, I’ve tried every method I could think of. Unless I can get a Demon Core or essence blood of a Fire Attribute Spirit Bird with purity level four or higher, across the entire Qianyang Realm, such Spirit Birds are indeed rare."

"I have heard of a rank four Dark Phoenix seen in the Hengduan Mountains. Has Taoist Friend Qin considered making a trip there?"

Shen Long spoke, having heard it from Chu Buyu.

"A fourth-order Dark Phoenix! Taoist Friend Shen, do you know its exact location?"

Golden Crow True Monarch pressed for an answer.

"I don’t know, I’ve only heard about it, and whether it’s true or not is uncertain."

Shen Long shook his head firmly.

"Even if it is a fourth-order Dark Phoenix, the Purity of Bloodline might not reach four. If the Purity of Bloodline is just three, even obtaining its Demon Core might not be useful. Taoist Friend Qin doesn’t need to take this matter too seriously. Besides, even if the Golden Crow’s Purity of Bloodline were to increase, its Divine Skills wouldn’t improve significantly. It’d be better to focus on enhancing your own Cultivation," Wu Xi suggested.

"I’ve been stuck at a bottleneck for many years; it’s not that easy to overcome," sighed Golden Crow True Monarch.

"When I was traveling in the Northern Sea Cultivation Realm, I heard that Taoist Friend Qin once attempted to kill a fourth-order Wind Flood Dragon but didn’t succeed?" Shen Long inquired curiously.

"Indeed, that happened. The Escape Speed of the fourth-order Wind Flood Dragon was too fast for me to catch up with, and venturing deeper into the Absolute Spirit Sea Domain is too dangerous," the Golden Crow True Monarch explained.

Shen Long suddenly understood. After chatting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he took his leave.

"Is he capable of refining it?" Wu Dong asked with a frown.

"One has to try. The power of Medicine King Valley is too strong; asking an Alchemist from Medicine King Valley to help with Alchemy, they demand too high a price. A failure matters little—it’s just a waste of some materials," Golden Crow True Monarch said.

"It’s not the waste of materials I’m worried about, it’s that I don’t want it to affect our plans. Your Divine Sense is not strong enough to break through that restriction," Wu Dong said, frowning.

"There are many ways to increase Divine Sense, including Elixirs, Spiritual Wine, Spirit Insects and spells. There’s no hope for spells, but we can try to remedy it with Spiritual Wine and Spirit Insects. In this upcoming great battle, many Nascent Soul Cultivators will participate, which affords us an opportunity to exchange Cultivation Resources," Golden Crow True Monarch said in a grave tone.

Wu Dong nodded, "That’s all we can do, then. Let’s hope it doesn’t impact our plans."

······

Shen Long strolled leisurely down the street, looking around as he walked.

"Oh, Senior Shen."

A voice brimming with joy rang out from a woman, and as the words fell, a fragrant breeze passed by, and Fairy Qingmei appeared in front of Shen Long.

"Taoist Friend Qi, it’s you."

Shen Long was somewhat surprised as his gaze swept over to a burly golden-robed young man.

The golden-robed young man looked refined, and his every move exuded a strong, imposing presence.

"Senior Shen, this is my Grand Master Xuan, Haoyang True Monarch. I owe my life to you, Senior Shen, as you saved your grandchild from disaster," Fairy Qingmei introduced.

"Taoist Friend Qi, you’re being too polite; it was nothing more than lending a hand, not worth mentioning," Shen Long replied modestly.

"Although it might have been a simple gesture for Taoist Friend Shen, for me, it is a great favor. Taoist Friend Shen, would you come to my residence for a chat?" Haoyang True Monarch invited politely.

Shen Long nodded and followed Haoyang True Monarch to a quiet golden-tiled courtyard with a three-story green loft and a matching stone pavilion inside.

Haoyang True Monarch and Shen Long sat down in the stone pavilion where Qi Mei began to prepare tea.

Haoyang True Monarch started a casual conversation with Shen Long, expressing great interest in Myriad Poison Valley. Learning that Shen Long had stayed in Myriad Poison Valley for decades, Haoyang True Monarch was astounded.

"Right, Taoist Friend Qi, I heard you have immense powers. Do you have a Demon Core of a high-order Spiritual Fox?" Shen Long asked.

"I don’t have the Demon Core of a high-order Spiritual Fox, but I have other fourth-order Demon Cores," Haoyang True Monarch took out more than ten jade boxes and placed them on the azure stone table, presenting them one by one.

"An inner core of a fourth-order initial stage Pursuing Spirit Beast?" Shen Long’s gaze fell on a white Demon Core.

Pointing at three particular cores, he said, "Taoist Friend Qi, name your price; I’ll take these three Demon Cores."

"Senior Shen saved my descendant. If you fancy these three Demon Cores, then they are yours," Haoyang True Monarch said with a jovial smile.

"One must not confuse gratitude with business. How about this? I’ll exchange some Myriad Poison Paste with you," Shen Long took out a golden gourd and handed it to Haoyang True Monarch.

"Myriad Poison Paste!" Haoyang True Monarch exclaimed in surprise, prying open the gourd stopper, only to have a pungent smell rush out. He sniffed a little and immediately felt dizzy and lightheaded.

He quickly plugged the stopper again and nodded, "Then I won’t stand on ceremony, thank you, Taoist Friend Shen."

"By the way, Taoist Friend Shen, I’ve heard that your Spirit Control Sect possesses a kind of Spiritual Medicine that can lure Monster Beasts and Demon Insects of fourth order and below. Do you have any?" Haoyang True Monarch inquired.

"Are you talking about the Nine Curves Demon Tempting Scent, Taoist Friend Qi? I happen to have one stick, but it’s only effective on Monster Beasts and Demon Insects of the fourth order or below, and higher Purity of Bloodline would render it ineffective," Shen Long took out a stick of Nine Curves Demon Tempting Scent and handed it to Haoyang True Monarch.

Over the years, the Spirit Control Sect’s cultivators had collected many things, including a poison sac from a third-order Jiuxia Beast. Shen Long refined the Nine Curves Demon Attracting Powder and produced a stick of the incense.