Chapter 48: Heavenly Demon Sect

After calming Gu Xiangxiang down, Lu Chen picked up the storage bags of Duguming and Wang Lan and began to tally the gains from this encounter.

After a simple tally, aside from the terrifyingly large quantities of spirit stones, killing aura bottles, alchemical ingredients, and beast materials, he noticed several noteworthy items.

The first was a sixth-grade cultivation manual, Yin Wind Escape, which could almost perfectly replace the Blood Escape Technique he had previously cultivated.

There was also a sixth-grade pill, the Ghost Spirit Pill, which, after being reversed by the system, could greatly restore soul power upon consumption. His soul was currently weak, and he needed such a pill.

Furthermore, there was a sixth-grade magical artifact, the Myriad Soul Banner, which imprisoned hundreds of souls and faintly emitted a strange aura fluctuation.

Accompanying it was a sixth-grade cultivation manual, the Yama Soul-Drawing Method, which, when used with the Myriad Soul Banner, utilized the imprisoned souls as attack means and was exceptionally effective against cultivators below the Cave Heaven realm.

And the most crucial and important ancient treasure was the Soul-Eating Pearl, which had just consumed Duguming's soul.

This pearl had extraordinary effects: as long as worn on the body, by consuming souls, it could continuously strengthen the wearer's soul power.

Although the Ghost Spirit Pill, as a one-time item, had a stronger short-term effect, over the long term, the Soul-Eating Pearl was absolutely more powerful.

The remaining items were some decent magical artifacts, but since his Blood Spirit Sword had already given birth to a Sword Demon, he had no intention of replacing his artifact in the short term.

After simply upgrading his equipment, the three finally saw the appearance of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

The majestic mountain gate of the Heavenly Demon Sect stood towering between mountains shrouded in black clouds.

The scarlet protective sect formation flickered in and out of visibility within the clouds and mist.

Through the formation, at the true center of the sect, one could see a colossal demonic statue standing, exuding an oppressive aura that made the heart tremble.

"Is this the Heavenly Demon Sect?"

Gu Xiangxiang raised her head, gazing at the Heavenly Demon Sect emanating a strong aura of death, and couldn't help but feel a surge of fear in her heart.

Just as the three approached, they noticed several unfamiliar auras rapidly approaching the Heavenly Demon Sect from not far away.

"They must be the holy sons and daughters of other sects," Su Qian glanced and immediately concluded.

The Heavenly Demon Sect had many subordinate sects; besides the Nine Nether Gate, there were naturally holy sons and daughters selected from other sects as well.

As those several auras gradually drew nearer, Lu Chen finally made out their appearances.

Two elder cultivators at the Concentration God realm, followed by a young male and female cultivator.

The leading male disciple was tall and robust, wearing a black long robe embroidered with dark gold patterns, indicating his extraordinary status.

Behind him, the young female disciple had exquisite features, dressed in white, with a few lotus flowers embroidered on the hem, swaying in the wind, giving off a rather delicate impression.

Her skin was fair, her eyes filled with cautious vigilance.

Although both were dressed splendidly, their auras revealed a stark contrast the moment they stood there.

"I didn't expect to run into people from the Nine Nether Gate."

"Elder Su, it's been years."

The leading elder, upon seeing Su Qian's figure, stepped forward to greet her.

"Hmm." Su Qian nodded slightly.

The other party were from the Seven Demons Gate.

The overall strength of the Seven Demons Gate was not much different from that of the Nine Nether Gate.

Just as the Nine Nether Gate required its female disciples with yin attributes to cultivate dual cultivation techniques, the Heavenly Demon Sect also had requirements for the Seven Demons Gate.

This requirement was the opposite of the Nine Nether Gate's: male disciples with yang spiritual roots must cultivate dual cultivation techniques.

Judging from the positions and expressions of those two disciples, it was likely similar to the situation with Blood No Shadow earlier.

Lu Chen paid slight attention to the two, a hint of caution flashing in his eyes.

It seemed he had noticed his gaze; the young man glanced at him, his expression somewhat unfriendly.

His soul was currently weak, and in the short term he did not wish to provoke trouble.

But if the other party truly were the type to seek trouble without cause, he would certainly not avoid it.

"Elder Su, the holy sons and daughters of your Nine Nether Gate are really getting worse year by year."

"Last year at least there was someone at the middle Pill Formation stage; how come this year only two are at the early Pill Formation stage?"

The elder of the Seven Demons Gate had a slight smile on his face; this year, their sect's holy sons and daughters were all at the late Pill Formation stage.

Su Qian did not respond, facing such mockery, her expression showed no fluctuation.

At this moment, an aura of the Concentration God realm emerged from the Heavenly Demon Sect's mountain gate.

Upon seeing this figure appear, the two elders of the Seven Demons Gate immediately clasped their hands in salute.

"Greetings, Elder Liu."

The visitor was the Ninth Elder of the Heavenly Demon Sect, Liu Jingmo.

Although his cultivation realm was similar to that of Su Qian and the two elders of the Seven Demons Gate, due to his different status, his position was worlds apart.

"It's you guys." Liu Jingmo looked somewhat pleased, a hint of smile at the corner of his eyes.

"Greetings, Elder Liu."

Immediately, the two holy sons and daughters of the Seven Demons Gate came to stand beside the elders and also saluted at once.

"Hmm, not bad. This year, the holy sons and daughters of your Seven Demons Gate are again at the late Pill Formation stage."

Although Liu Jingmo's tone carried praise, deep down he still seemed somewhat indifferent.

His reason for leaving the sect was not to attend to these few holy sons and daughters of the subordinate sects.

After all, he clearly knew that holy sons and daughters were merely tools of the sect master, having nothing to do with elders like them.

He left the sect mainly to welcome the alchemist personally invited by the sect master.

As his words fell, a figure appeared in the distance.

Upon seeing who had come, Liu Jingmo's face instantly broke into a smile as he stepped forward.

"Chu Xiaoyou!"

"The sect master has long ordered me to await you here in the sect."

"No need for pleasantries; I am merely here to complete the task given by my master." Chu Lian's gaze was not on Liu Jingmo.

Instead, he released his divine sense, seemingly searching for someone.

Needless to say, that person was naturally Lu Chen.

"Well said, well said. I wonder if Elder Yunshu is still in seclusion?"

"Yes, my master is still in seclusion." Chu Lian replied casually, then noticed Lu Chen and his group not far away.

Immediately, she smiled happily, bypassed Liu Jingmo, and came to Lu Chen's side.

"You really came."

Upon hearing her words, including Elder Liu and several members of the Seven Demons Sect, everyone was stunned.

"What's going on? How could the disciple of the Ancestor of Lingxie Valley know an ordinary disciple of the Nine Abysses Sect?" Liu Jingmo found it hard to believe.

At this moment, Chu Lian suddenly turned her head, looking at Liu Jingmo: "Elder Liu, arrange my accommodation together with him."

It seemed she felt she had missed something; Chu Lian turned back to glance at Lu Chen and his group, pointed at Gu Xiangxiang, and continued: "Also, arrange for this person to stay together."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiangxiang was somewhat dazed.

She had no idea what had actually happened.

But at this moment, Lu Chen gave her a reassuring glance, and she quickly relaxed.

"If there's nothing else, then hurry up and take us inside."