Chapter 2316: Frostleaf's Deal

"All cultivators yearn to become stronger, and I am no exception," the Frostleaf State Preceptor said softly. "This Abuser-Eater perished at its peak; its brain core remains full of vitality — a solitary specimen rarely seen in the world. I wish to observe it closely."

He had said earlier that he liked collecting solitary specimens.

He Lingchuan glanced at him.

Doesn't the Frostleaf State Preceptor himself have one?

Is one brain core not enough for him?

Frostleaf continued: "This Abuser-Eater was born in the Middle Antiquity period, and within ten days of its birth it devoured countless living beings of 'Ayin City,' including even dragon offspring and over a dozen immortals, thereby gaining near heaven-shaking, earth-covering power."

So the ancient city that suffered the Abuser-Eater calamity was called Ayin City?

He Lingchuan followed up: "Why did the Ferry Ghost Mother choose this city to give birth?"

"In fact, Ayin City at that time was a major city under the rule of the Western Plains Dragon Clan, peaceful and prosperous, so quite a few immortal sects had also moved their foundations here. Because of the Dragon God, the Dragon Clan's prestige reached its peak in early Middle Antiquity; they firmly held humanity's faith. Had they continued to grow strong, humanity would not have worshipped heavenly gods."

He Lingchuan's brow twitched; I see.

If humanity does not worship heavenly demons, the latter can hardly stir up trouble in the mortal world or instigate wars.

Only when native gods decline or vanish can foreign heavenly demons seize faith and cultivate believers.

Still that old saying: when true gods disappear, false gods gain room.

"The attack on Ayin City was a meticulous design. It is said the Western Plains Dragon Clan was away on campaign, leaving only a white dragon to guard the home, and the three dragon eggs kept in the city were all devoured by the Abuser-Eater during the assault. This severely wounded the Western Plains Dragon Clan's vitality."

The Dragon Clan's reproductive capacity was poor to begin with, and with the decline of heaven-earth spiritual qi density, losing three offspring at once was a heavy blow.

"Surrounding immortal sects rushed to encircle and suppress it, yet this Abuser-Eater still escaped Ayin City, but it was already heavily injured, allowing the immortals of Yuanshan to pick up the final bargain."

This differs slightly from True Person Qianhuan's oral records, but legends spanning such vast time always have detail discrepancies. He Lingchuan smiled: "Since this Abuser-Eater was so formidable, giving you its brain core — isn't that asking for trouble?"

If this fellow got the golden core, would Wei'an City become a second Ayin City?

Strangest of all, with Frostleaf's depth, why would he lay everything bare? The more extraordinary the golden core's origin, the more He Lingchuan naturally refused to give it to him.

"Since you know of Abuser-Eaters, you should also have heard that the time limit for an Abuser-Eater's power surge is only within ten days after birth." Frostleaf's voice held a faint sigh. "An Abuser-Eater's power lies mainly in its body, not its brain core; moreover, over three thousand years have passed — even if power remains in the golden core, how much could be left?"

He Lingchuan's gaze shifted slightly.

Yes, an Abuser-Eater gorges in the first ten days after birth, able to endlessly raise its power ceiling — that is its golden growth period.

After that, even if its abilities still increase, it will no longer be a leapfrog advancement.

This secret, He Lingchuan had heard Mitiian speak of in the Panlong World, so he knew Frostleaf was not lying.

He was born in the Demon Nest Swamp; the number of humans he ate was far fewer than the golden core's owner, so the power he gained in his first ten days was naturally not as strong. But that Abuser-Eater lived a very short time, while Frostleaf ultimately sat on the Northern Demon Nation's State Preceptor throne with such origins.

How did an Abuser-Eater reach this step? In He Lingchuan's view, Frostleaf is far more terrifying than the golden core's owner.

"You see Qixia Sect treats the golden core as a magic artifact; each use consumes the power inside. It nourishes this mountain peak, contending with your national power, and is also nearing the oil-exhausted, lamp-dry stage." Frostleaf said leisurely, "No matter who obtains this golden core, even another Abuser-Eater, even if it absorbs the residual power within, it can no longer achieve thousand-li progress in a day. As the Lord of Cangyan, do you still fear this?"

He Lingchuan also smiled; he indeed did not fear.

Ten-odd years ago, seeing Frostleaf he would still detour, and would never hand over the golden core; but now the world seethes with change, immortals and demons emerge across the Cangyan land — which trouble stirred up could be small?

Apart from Great Heavenly Demons and True Immortals, individual martial force before a great nation of this scale is truly negligible.

"Then what use do you have for it?"

"This Abuser-Eater did not survive long, but I have a way to see its power growth process and growth experiences." Frostleaf pointed at the ground, face sincere.

He Lingchuan laughed: "Abuser-Eaters also need to learn?"

Frostleaf said indifferently: "Human cultivation requires learning knowledge from predecessors; I suspect Abuser-Eaters are no exception. Only they differ from humans — it is very hard to find a second of their kind."

By his kind, he did not mean ordinary Ferry Ghost spawn.

He Lingchuan keenly caught a key point:

An Abuser-Eater's growth also requires constant learning — at least for Frostleaf it is so.

Flying birds, running beasts, flowers, birds, insects, fish — once enlightened by Emperor Flow Pulp, naturally know how to cultivate; this is a bloodline-written talent, Heavenly Dao's favor; only humans must grope on their own.

And heavenly gods are not mortal creatures; Abuser-Eaters, as so-called "god-sons," fundamentally receive no favor from this world, and can only improve through learning.

Moreover, it is neither human, nor heavenly demon, nor demon beast — it has almost no kindred.

Then, over the past hundred-plus years, how has Frostleaf learned?

The only object He Lingchuan could think of was humans.

His seasoned cunning truly surpasses the master.

"Speak of your deal."

The Blood Demon Cloak on him cried out by He Lingchuan's ear: "Hey, you really going to give the golden core to him?"

Even it, a demon god covered in blood karma, felt giving the golden core to an Abuser-Eater, an enemy state preceptor, was improper.

He Lingchuan ignored it, only reaching out to pour wine for Frostleaf.

The stone couch he had carved out was large and flat, much like a countryside round dining table.

Between Frostleaf and He Lingchuan, they were separated by an arm's length.

If either reached out, they could grab the other's shoulder.

Had this scene occurred ten-odd years ago, when He Lingchuan had just taken the Yangshan Archipelago, it would surely have been his most feared nightmare.

But now, it is his turn to consider whether to seize the chance and take down Frostleaf. This thought is quite tempting.

Yet Frostleaf seemed unaware of his calculations; instead he pressed his arms back on the stone, propping his body, looking very relaxed:

"Not long ago, two heavenly gods achieved complete divine descent on Fu Nation's experimental island. You know this, right?"

He Lingchuan nodded: "I've heard a little."

Frostleaf chuckled: "Worthy of the Nine Nether Great Emperor — your eyes and ears reach both realms."