chsdbacks Chapter 189 The Cicada Sheds Its Shell
Chapter 189 The Cicada Sheds Its Shell
Chapter 189 The Cicada Sheds Its Shell
"Also, this humble monk is traveling south to enter the secret realm and would like to use Xu Jiu's name. I wonder if that would be convenient?"
The little monk continued.
"I don't understand what the young master is talking about. I am just an ordinary chef in the Miaoyin Sect and I don't know who Xu Jiu is."
Chen Yi replied calmly.
The young monk's face twitched slightly, thinking to himself, "When it comes to shamelessness, this humble monk still doesn't understand Benefactor Chen."
The image I had when we first met was clearly that of Xu Jiu.
"In order to deceive the immortals guarding the formation, this humble monk needs to use Xu Jiu's signature skill, [Thunder Crystal]. Would Benefactor Chen be so kind as to lend this humble monk a few?"
Chen Yi didn't reply, but instead flicked out more than a dozen unclaimed lightning crystals from his hand and shot them towards the little monk.
The young monk silently absorbed them one by one into the bone cavity of his wrist.
Chen Yi's first reaction to the young monk's desire to use Xu Jiu's name was disapproval. The young monk's current stance was that of a demonic cultivator, and if this were exposed, it would damage his reputation.
Then, after a moment's thought, he came up with an excellent solution and immediately agreed.
Behind,
Chen Yi then inquired with the young monk about the higher-level reasons for the demonic invasion, as well as the current state of the powerful figures in the demonic path.
Some of the information was just speculation for the young monk, and he couldn't understand the core purpose of the demonic path either.
It seems the demonic path's aim this time is to establish contact with the corrupt demon realm as it approaches.
The demonic path contains many lost ancient demonic techniques that require the use of impure demonic power for cultivation.
Meanwhile, the demonic path, having hidden in the Monster Mountain Range for ten thousand years, has now recovered some of its strength and wants to establish itself in cleaner spiritual veins, blessed lands, and secret realms to recover and develop.
As the Nascent Soul cultivators analyzed, Qi Kingdom, being a peripheral corner of the Great Qing cultivation world, had few cultivators and its overall strength was weak, making it relatively easy to bully.
As for the higher-ups in the demonic path, the little monk knew there were at least three Nascent Soul cultivators.
A genius in beast taming, a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator in the last hundred years, now only over 300 years old, he controls a powerful demon in the mid-stage of the fourth rank, half snake and half dragon, with ancient bloodline, and is extremely fierce.
The other one is a Nascent Soul cultivator who has mastered the orthodox lineage of ancient demonic cultivation.
Another one is a heretical Nascent Soul cultivator who practices demonic techniques.
These three are the three temple masters.
In addition, there are dozens of Core Formation cultivators, and quite a few elders at the late Core Formation stage.
The demonic path has been passed down for hundreds of thousands of years, and it possesses numerous powerful techniques, secret arts, and supernatural abilities.
Although they may seem few in number, their fighting strength is not weak.
The young monk also guessed that...
It is highly likely that a Grand Hall Master in the late Nascent Soul stage has emerged from the demonic path.
Otherwise, they might not have dared to leave the Monster Mountain Range so rashly.
It should be noted that although the Qi Kingdom does not have any late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, the Central Plains does, and there are more than one.
After learning about the strength of the demonic path, Chen Yi's desire to uphold justice and fight against the demonic path to the end was once again firmly suppressed in his heart.
I'll say it again: I'm just a newly promoted Core Formation cultivator, and you keep making me dance among Nascent Soul experts.
Are you worried that I'm not dying fast enough?
Chen Yi analyzed that although the Qi Kingdom had the Qi Emperor, even if the late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator from the demonic path didn't intervene,
Even the cultivation world of Qi might not be able to withstand the invasion of the demonic path.
Ten years ago, Zhongzhou said that Qi should hold off the first attack, and they would send a large army of cultivators to support them later.
Now ten years have passed.
There has been absolutely no sign of support.
Chen Yi guessed that the Central Plains were also observing the situation. After all, sending a large army of cultivators across the Demon Beast Mountain Range would involve terrifyingly high long-distance transportation and supply costs.
There are many powerful forces in Zhongzhou. It is very normal for the various forces to wrangle for ten or eight years from reaching a consensus on the order to go to war, to preparations for battle, and the actual deployment of troops.
Moreover, they also wanted to wait and see if the Qi Kingdom could figure out the true nature of the demonic path before making a move.
Otherwise, if the demonic path is weak, their countless spirit stones and massive army would only amount to nothing more than an elephant stepping on an ant.
That's not enough of a loss.
As for the strategy of besieging a point and attacking reinforcements, choosing to attack the Demonic Beast Mountain Range and force the demonic path to retreat, that's even more unrealistic.
The Monster Mountain Range is incredibly vast, and much of the spiritual energy within it is corrupted by demonic energy and malevolent energy. If a normal cultivator stays inside for an extended period, their magical power will be contaminated, making it extremely difficult to attack.
Otherwise, the demonic path, having hidden deep within the Monster Mountain Range for so many years, would have been wiped out by the righteous path long ago.
"In short, in the current war of demonic invasion, the Qi Kingdom still has to rely on itself."
"Currently, the demonic beast army is rampaging openly, while in secret, the demonic cultivators are stirring. Qi's high-end combat forces are all holed up, waiting for an opportunity to find a way to destroy the demonic cultivators' most fundamental objective."
At the same time, they were testing the true strength of the demonic cultivators, hoping to secure support from the powerful cultivators of Zhongzhou.
Chen Yi had basically assessed the current situation on the entire Qi battlefield.
Of course, this may only be superficial, but it's enough.
The demonic beast army was merely a cover; the cultivators behind both sides paid it little attention.
As long as you don't get truly involved in the major events behind the demonic path, it shouldn't be a big problem to extricate yourself in time.
The reason Chen Yi was willing to cooperate with the little monk was...
He had also considered that when the Qi Kingdom was about to fall, the Nascent Soul cultivators of Qi might force all Core Formation cultivators to fill in the gaps.
At that time, he should have run away earlier.
There are two options for escaping now. One is to go out to sea, but the sea is teeming with monsters, and the environment for human cultivators is even worse than in the Monster Mountain Range.
The second plan is to find a way to cross the Monster Mountain Range and sneak into Zhongzhou.
Generally speaking, even a Nascent Soul cultivator would be in danger of perishing if they traversed the Demon Beast Mountain Range alone.
However, with the guidance of the young monk, an old man who had survived in the Monster Beast Mountain Range for ten years, Chen Yi was not without a chance.
When it really comes to that, the Qi royal family and all the major powers will quietly send away their chosen disciples. Chen Yi will then find a way to infiltrate their ranks.
With his ability to conceal his breath and his overall strength, protecting himself shouldn't be a big problem.
There was another reason why the idea of using the Monster Mountain Range to escape or hide arose.
That's what the little monk mentioned to Chen Yi later.
Within the temple, on the side of the ancient orthodox demonic sect's lineage, it seems there has been an additional holy maiden.
Although I have never seen the young monk in person, rumors say he is extremely talented and has an exceptionally beautiful face.
It is very similar to Ning Bu'er, who disappeared.
If it really is Ning Bu'er, then Chen Yi hiding in the Monster Beast Mountain Range would provide an extra layer of protection.
After all, Ning Bu'er still owed Chen Yi 50,000 spirit stones.
If they can successfully pass through the Monster Beast Mountain Range and enter the Central Plains...
Both the cultivation resources and spiritual veins there are far more abundant than those in the Qi Kingdom.
Even advancing to the Nascent Soul stage is easier over there than in Qi.
Chen Yi has now reached the Core Formation stage. In the Qi Kingdom, most of the cultivation resources for further advancement are controlled by a few Nascent Soul forces, making them extremely difficult to obtain.
In the short term, he can still make some money from the war and earn some high-level resources by brewing Azure Thunder.
But this is not a long-term solution.
Especially the Myriad Sounds Sect, which only has a third-grade low-level spiritual vein, barely enough to support Chen Yi's cultivation to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
His cultivation of the Three-Pattern Purple Extreme Golden Core required a much higher level of spiritual energy from heaven and earth compared to ordinary True Core cultivators.
In addition, his physical cultivation has also slowed down considerably since leaving the Thunder Pool environment of the secret realm.
Therefore, Chen Yi was already planning his route to leave Qi and head to Zhongzhou.
Of course, this is all on the premise of absolute safety.
The young monk left and went south to explore the secret realm of the former Lake and Sea Immortal City.
Qin Chengcheng is still in her recovery period.
Chen Yi spent several more months with her in a shameless and carefree life.
Qin Chengcheng's body now contains 99 lightning crystals, which are being nourished by Chen Yi every few days.
Her body refinement cultivation is getting closer and closer to the third level.
On this day,
A decree from the Qi Kingdom's royal court stated that Chen Yi's one-year consolidation period for Core Formation cultivation had ended, and Qin Chengcheng's rest period was also due. Given the critical situation at the front lines, the Miaoyin Sect was ordered to send a Core Formation cultivator to be stationed there permanently.
If Master Chen were to substitute with [Azure Thunder Brew], two bottles per year would be equivalent to the duty of one Master stationed there.
The raw materials for Thunder Brew are provided by the royal family, or by forces and cultivators who come to exchange for Thunder Brew.
Chen Yi replied, choosing to use [Azure Thunder Brew] instead.
Three months later, Qi Wuba, the newly promoted Core Formation expert of the royal family, personally led a team to deliver the first batch of materials for [Azure Thunder Brew].
Twenty bottles of third-tier, low-grade Thunder Beast essence blood, each containing one drop, with powerful Thunder Spirit energy within.
And then,
The Miaoyin Sect is currently decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, preparing for the Golden Core Formation Ceremony of the Evergreen Immortal.
The Immortal of Everlasting Green is naturally Chen Yi.
He chose this Taoist name based on the idea of longevity inherent in his Golden Core essence.
This title is widely used in the cultivation world, but in recent years in the Qi Kingdom, the previous Changqing Zhenren (True Immortal Changqing) lived to the age of 550 and passed away.
The Taoist name had been vacant for about a hundred years, so Chen Yi took it.
Originally, Chen Yi did not plan to hold a Core Formation celebration; during wartime, he did not want to be too high-profile.
However, the young monk, posing as Xu Jiu, caused quite a stir in the southern secret realm.
This included ostentatiously displaying the body-refining power of Jin Jing and Lei Jing, and engaging in a fierce battle with Long Xiang Zhenren, a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator on duty.
A few days ago, Xu Jiu, disguised as a bald, muscular man, unleashed an incomparably powerful body-refining technique.
With his mid-stage third-tier body refinement cultivation and extremely high-level physical techniques,
He beat Long Xiang Zhenren so badly that he fled in terror, suffering numerous internal injuries.
He hit and cursed at the same time.
"Master Longxiang, you are a heartless and unjust person! You owe me the White Dragon Jade and not only refuse to repay it, but you also have the audacity to accuse me of owing resources to your Jade Dragon Sect!"
Back then, at the entrance to the secret realm, I, Xu Jiu, swallowed my pride and endured endless humiliation.
Today, I have achieved success in my cultivation, and I will take back everything that your Jade Dragon Sect has done to me!
Master Longxiang never expected that after ten years, the bald-headed Xu Jiu would have become so powerful.
He was beaten badly.
His entire body was covered in injuries, his magical power was stagnant, his qi and blood were depleted, his face was bruised and swollen, and even his meridians and dantian were internally injured.
Without rare and precious elixirs, it will take several years to recover.
Master Longxiang was eventually defeated and subdued.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, let's talk this out, please stop fighting."
I'll give it to you, isn't that enough?
"Once you emerge from the secret realm, come to the Jade Dragon Sect. I'll give you the White Dragon Jade, and we'll be even. Is that alright?"
The young monk, after all, wasn't as shameless as Chen Yi. Seeing that Master Longxiang had stopped, he also stopped fighting.
If it were Chen Yi, he might have asked for a few more White Dragon Jade as interest.
"Very well. If Sect Master Longxiang goes back on his word again after I emerge from the secret realm, then don't blame me for beating you every time I see you!"
The young monk thought to himself, "This time I've avenged Benefactor Chen and gotten the White Dragon Jade back. Benefactor Chen will probably thank me later."
Well, at least they won't hold it against me for impersonating Xu Jiu to enter the secret realm.
The little monk had no idea.
After learning that Xu Jiu had brutally beaten up Master Long Xiang in the secret realm...
Chen Yi immediately had a flash of inspiration and decided to hold a grand Core Formation celebration at the Miaoyin Sect.
I invited several Core Formation experts from within tens of thousands of miles around, as well as some old friends.
They openly held lavish banquets for a month.
The timing coincides perfectly with the time when the young monk, posing as Xu Shen, caused a ruckus at the entrance of the secret realm.
The two places are tens of thousands of miles apart, so it is impossible for anyone to simultaneously cause a great disturbance in the secret realm and hold a celebration in the Miaoyin Sect.
As a result,
The fact that Chen Yi is not Xu Jiu has been definitively established.
Chen Yi was just an ordinary third-tier spirit chef of the Wonderful Sound Sect, and an ordinary Core Formation cultivator.
Xu Jiu, this body-refining brute, has absolutely nothing to do with him.
This is the only reason why Chen Yi held the Golden Core Ceremony.
The young monk hadn't considered that he only wanted to use Xu Jiu's identity to enter the secret realm.
However, this actually allowed Chen Yi to completely expose Xu Jiu's possible identity.
"Congratulations on achieving the Core Formation, True Immortal Changqing."
The Ma family, a Core Formation Beast Taming clan near the Miaoyin Sect, sent a female cultivator who had just reached the Core Formation stage to offer her congratulations.
"Congratulations, Master Changqing! May you live ten thousand years, as evergreen as an ancient tree!"
While everyone uttered words they themselves didn't believe, they secretly held Chen Yi's choice of the Taoist name "Changqing" in utter contempt.
Throughout the tens of thousands of years of recorded history in the cultivation world, there have been countless individuals named Changqing. The last one to cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage and change his name to True Monarch Changqing was over five thousand years ago.
The rest all died; not one remained evergreen.
Chen Yi didn't care about this.
Anyway, he now eats and drinks spiritual food and beverages with everyone every day.
If you encounter someone who enjoys studying cultivation techniques, you can discuss various methods and arts together.
Occasionally, they would also give away some first-tier high-grade small puppets or small spiritual foods to junior disciples who came to offer congratulations.
"Master Changqing has superb skills and a craftsman's spirit."
Some people were full of praise for Chen Yi's puppetry and culinary skills. These days, at the Core Formation Ceremony held by the Miaoyin Sect,
Chen Yi would often personally prepare spiritual food and distribute it to everyone to enjoy.
He would occasionally cast spells and discuss Dao with individual Core Formation cultivators.
Thus, from the perspectives of skill, magical power, and many other aspects, it can be confirmed that he is indeed the genuine spirit chef Chen Yi.
Meanwhile,
Hao Youren, whom I hadn't seen for ten years, and Lao Hu also came.
These two were among the few low-level cultivators who could sit in the VIP lounge. Hao Youren was in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, while Old Hu was only at the ninth level of Qi Refining.
Her daughter, Hu Mingyue, is sixteen years old and has already reached the third level of Qi Refining.
With almond-shaped eyes, cherry lips, skin as smooth as jade, and long, flowing black hair, she already possessed a captivating beauty.
Upon entering the main hall, which housed several fake cultivators and two or three true cultivators, one was greeted by a host of attendants.
Hu Mingyue attracted a lot of attention with her youthful and charming looks.
(End of this chapter)