Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 1202 - 1056: Essence Blood

Chapter 1202: Chapter 1056: Essence Blood

"Water Monkey!"

The door opened, and Fang Xi walked out leisurely, eyeing the monster in the courtyard.

Its torso was humanoid, covered in scales and fur, and at the moment, the area where its mouth was on its cheeks split open, revealing a purplish-black, foul-smelling tongue that shot out like a snake.

Ordinary people, even if they caught sight of this scene, would be overpowered by the fear in their hearts, their limbs growing weak, unable even to flee for their lives.

This was not merely fear but also the oppression ordinary people felt in the presence of supernatural entities.

It was similar to how an ordinary person might tremble uncontrollably in front of a tiger!

Fang Xi was naturally highly sensitive to spirits, and upon seeing this monster, he immediately confirmed it was the same one that had ambushed him in the water before!

Even as his spirit sensed the vague patterns on the scales, more information surfaced in his mind.

"Water Monkey... one of the water demons, incredibly strong in water, with the strength of three bulls, but once out of water, its strength is only about equal to that of an adult human..."

Of course, even though its strength was similar to that of an adult, with the defense of its scales and its intimidating presence, slaughtering more than a dozen unarmed adults was as easy as picking up something trivial.

"Finally couldn’t resist making your move, could you?"

Fang Xi mumbled to himself.

Ever since their fallout earlier in the day, he had made his judgment about Fang Chengdong’s next actions.

The adversary was indeed impatient, acting directly tonight.

Whoosh!

The sound of the wind arose.

The purplish-black tongue, like a concealed weapon, came tearing through the air.

Fang Xi stepped to the side, his body drifting backwards like a sheet of paper, narrowly avoiding the tongue.

His gaze locked with the wild amber pupils of the Water Monkey, a smile emerging on his face as he drew out the ’Yin Dog Bone’.

After his mind had wandered the Netherworld, he knew exactly how to use the Yin Dog Bone in his hand.

Although he could potentially kill the Water Monkey out of water using his own skills, it would be too troublesome.

Whimpering!

He rubbed his palms over the ’Yin Dog Bone,’ his expression suddenly becoming utterly calm, reciting several strange notes under his breath.

It sounded somewhat similar to the convoluted incantations of the Upper Yin Master.

’I haven’t advanced yet and lack mystical powers, but there are some within this piece of Yin Dog Bone... Recently, I am merely using keen spiritual sensitivity, combined with the incantations, to trigger the mysterious powers within.’

The surrounding darkness seemed to become even deeper.

Woof woof!

Two pale green Ghost Fires appeared, and out of the darkness, suddenly leapt a large black furred dog.

Its shape was somewhat ethereal, as if made up of countless black streams of air, with two pale green Ghost Fires burning in its eye sockets.

With a pounce, the large black furred dog immediately pinned the Water Monkey to the ground, emitting a low mournful sound from its mouth.

"The soul of a Yin Dog... summoned through the remains of a Yin Dog Bone, far inferior in all aspects to a real Yin Dog, but still much stronger than a weakened version of a Water Monkey."

Seeing the black furred dog firmly biting the Water Monkey’s throat, Fang Xi nodded inwardly.

At the same time, his spirit felt a slight influence from the Netherworld.

This told Fang Xi that rashly using such remains and mysterious powers not only required the right incantations and methods to activate but also came with a price.

Perhaps after using it a few times, one would start to become abnormal.

Of course, for him, this small taint was nothing compared to the Yin Monarch.

Crack!

Amid the grating sound of biting, the Water Monkey’s tongue desperately wrapped around the black furred dog but ultimately weakened, then drooped.

The black furred dog howled one more time, then disappeared into the darkness without a trace.

Fang Xi hurried over, took out a bottle, and filled it completely with ’Water Monkey’s Blood’.

"This, whether used for advancing to a Water Controller or a Qi Refining Knight, is quite good..."

According to his deductions, the Secret Medicine for a Qi Refining Knight, whether based on the Five Elements or Earth-Fire Wind-Water, must include Water Ghost blood.

This Essence Blood was quite suitable.

"It’s a pity... Right now, I have no knowledge of any tracking spells, otherwise I could have traced my way back and counterattacked."

Fang Xi sighed, then looking at the well, a hint of disgust appeared on his face: "This well... can’t be used anymore."

...

The next day.

Fang Xi left the house, ready to buy breakfast, and then headed to the Chaotic Burial Mound.

Since he had decided to advance to a Qi Refining Knight, he needed to thoroughly collect materials.

Among these, the ’Lonely Tomb Flower’ at Chaotic Burial Mound should be an Earth Attribute spirit material.

He would also take a stroll through the city’s shops, and perhaps he could gather the Five Elements or the Four Symbols.

If there were Yang Attribute spirit materials, he could head straight for the Yin-Yang path.

Black Marsh City offered a wide variety of breakfasts, and Fang Xi certainly wouldn’t go for those stiff pancakes. Instead, he found a stand and ordered a bowl of soy milk and two donkey meat buns.

The donkey meat buns were generously filled, and the meat inside was genuine without any adulteration, and they were also quite affordable.

After eating his fill, Fang Xi paid attention to his body’s reactions and couldn’t help nodding internally, "The saying goes, ’The poor pursue literature; the rich pursue martial arts.’ This body of mine is alright, but it’s still far from the robust vigor and strength of an ordinary person’s limit. I need to nourish it properly... Hmm, it seems I’m almost out of money. It’s possible to sell that house, considering I was originally a wastrel anyway, isn’t that an obvious choice?"

"Or perhaps, go and press Fang Chengdong to pay back the money?"

While contemplating, he headed towards the outskirts of the city.

Passing by the Martial Ancestor Temple, a robust man just happened to be walking out.

This man was tall and imposing, with a purple-red face. Seeing Fang Xi, his eyes lit up, "What a fellow martial artist. Your steps, as you walk like a nimble cat, your body like a drawn bow, have already become instinctual, transforming into true intent... I didn’t expect to encounter a martial artist when stepping out today."

After taking another look at Fang Xi’s face, he expressed some confusion, "Your vitality seems lacking...quite strange, huh, aren’t you that Fang Family Child?"

"It turns out to be Uncle Zhang."

Fang Xi glanced at him, recognizing him as a friend of his parents from his previous life, named ’Zhang Longyi.’ He had only met him a few times and hadn’t expected him to be associated with the Martial Ancestor Temple.

"It seems you’ve been looking everywhere for strange occurrences, and you’ve indeed found some clues."

Zhang Longyi seemed to think of something, his expression becoming somewhat melancholic, "Actually, dealing with such matters might not be good for you. It would be better if you devoted yourself to martial arts practice, strengthening your body, and then find a wife to continue your family line—that would be more proper..."

"Thank you for the advice."

Fang Xi smiled, gave a respectful gesture of his hand, and directly took his leave.

Such elders always liked to preach and share their life experiences.

But times change, and their experiences might not always be relevant. If one has a clear plan in mind, then it’s fine to simply ignore it.

’But this Zhang Longyi... he’s no simple man... He possesses unique powers. It turns out there really is something special within the Martial Ancestor Temple.’

Fang Xi exited the city gate and immediately dashed towards Chaotic Burial Mound.

Recently, the world had been in turmoil, and many ordinary people had died unnatural deaths.

Nearly every day, someone would come to Chaotic Burial Mound to dump corpses.

The Corpse-eating Fox of Chaotic Burial Mound had remained undiscovered for many years, which clearly meant it would not appear during the day. Therefore, collecting Lonely Tomb Flowers during daylight should be relatively safe.

...

"This young man..."

Zhang Longyi watched Fang Xi’s departing figure, shaking his head, "Alas... In the end, we are all getting old."

He strode forward and soon arrived at a government office.

Great Yue had been established for over three hundred years and had set up the Strange-Suppressing Bureau to suppress dark spirits across the land.

Within it, the lineage of the Martial Ancestor was extremely powerful.

Zhang Longyi was as well a member of the Strange-Suppressing Bureau, holding the rank of a Ninth-rank [Martial Brother]!

He entered the office and made his way to a room.

Inside, a few other people were already waiting.

One of the elders had hair half black and half white but looked youthful and spirited, clearly well-maintained.

"Old Xue..."

Zhang Longyi greeted him.

If Song San were still alive, he would have recognized this Old Xue as none other than the miraculous acupuncturist from Qinglu Clinic!

"Younger Brother Zhang, you’ve arrived just in time..."

A listlessly bored, yet strikingly beautiful woman, who seemed to be embroidering, smiled slightly, setting aside her needle, "Old Xue found the hideout of that Skywater Sect demon yesterday; today, it’s up to us to take action and capture him!"

Old Xue was also from the Strange-Suppressing Bureau, known only to a few, and usually responsible for logistics, holding the rank of a Ninth-rank [Physician]!

Some people from evil factions sought him out for medical treatment, often falling into his trap.

"Oh? The four of us Ninth-ranks combined shouldn’t have a problem taking down a [Water Controller]..."

The last to speak, the lazy young man, laughed with a cynical smirk, "We are the government officials, and when conducting official business, we don’t fight fair, we fight with the advantage of ten to one, or even a hundred to one... A [Water Controller] isn’t that formidable a position. The key is the reward."

At this, the expressions of everyone became serious.

No one lives on air alone. Whether it’s clothing, food, shelter, or furthering one’s cultivation, money is required!

Old Xue spoke unflappably, "Brother Qi doesn’t have to worry. The bureau already issued the document. Capturing that Yin Master will be rewarded with a hundred taels of silver... Beyond that, whatever the man possesses, we are free to divide amongst ourselves."

The lazy young man, named Qi Liuzhi, trained under the Divine Thief Sect, and now his eyes lit up, "This reward is indeed not small... It seems that my ’Evanescent Divine Hand’ will finally have a chance to shine today."

The secret medicines of the Divine Thief Sect could advance someone to a Ninth-rank [Divine Thief]!

Although its reputation might be somewhat dubious, having the aid of a [Divine Thief] in battle was indeed an added edge.

Usually, the secret medicine for advancing to Ninth-rank was valued at around a hundred taels of silver.

If one also considered the Upper Yin Master’s possessions, it might amount to two hundred taels, enough for the few of them to split tens of taels each, almost equivalent to nearly a year’s salary!

"The man is in Small Elm Lane to the east of the city, with an old fisherman covering for him..."

Old Xue continued to share his intelligence, "The only thing to be cautious about is that there’s a Dark River not far from Small Elm Lane, which connects directly to the Black Marsh River... If he realizes something is wrong, he will certainly escape through the waterways. If it comes to underwater, we would have difficulty capturing that [Water Controller] even if we tied ourselves together..."

"Indeed, this is a matter of concern..."

Zhang Longyi frowned.