Chapter 167: with translation of chapter title

Yao Shou Shijie, Huanhu Dao.

「Strange. 」

Lying on the sunbathing platform, Yunhe looked doubtful.

According to past experience, as the Cultivation Base of both bodies strengthens, the connection between the two bodies becomes ever tighter; once the Cultivator Body achieves a breakthrough in Cultivation Base, the Demon Beast Body will immediately gain insight and likewise break through its Cultivation Base.

But this time.

The Cultivator Body has already broken through to Golden Core early stage for half a month, yet the Demon Beast Body still shows no sign of smoothly breaking through to the Third Stage.

「The spiritual energy flowing in from the unseen has indeed increased considerably, indicating that the connection between the two bodies has not weakened but rather become tighter. 」

「Is it because of the breakthrough of a major realm? The Third Stage, i. e., Golden Core realm, is not as easy as the Foundation Establishment stage, or perhaps」

He calmed his mind and inwardly inspected with his powerful Demon Sense.

At this moment, in his qi sea dantian, three bright inner elixirs spin at extremely high speed, continuously drawing in spiritual energy.

Some is absorbed along the meridians after he circulates his technique, and some comes from that unknown source in the unseen.

「Three inner elixirs. 」

In fact, he had already formed a certain guess; after these days of observation, he could almost confirm that his conjecture was correct.

Although the three inner elixirs grant him more and stronger demonic power, correspondingly, wanting to fully store the demonic power that the three inner elixirs can hold is undoubtedly much more difficult than when he had only one inner elixir.

「Huh—」

Yunhe let out a long breath.

「Speaking of which, I actually felt it when the Cultivator Body reached Foundation Establishment perfection. During the Foundation Establishment stage, the Cultivator Body's mana was already far stronger and greater than that of other Foundation Establishment cultivators, but that was only compared to other cultivators. Compared to the Demon Beast Body possessing three inner elixirs, however, it is indeed lacking by leaps and bounds. 」

When the Cultivator Body reached Foundation Establishment perfection, the Demon Beast Body's demonic power was actually still far from reaching saturation.

That is to say.

The Demon Beast Body has not yet reached late-stage Second Stage perfection.

He originally thought that after the Cultivator Body's realm breakthrough, even if the Demon Beast Body's demonic power was not yet full, it should at least be able to attempt a breakthrough to some extent.

Now it appears.

「We still need to first raise the demonic power. 」

Over forty to nearly fifty years of cultivation have not managed to bring his demonic power to perfection, and he does not know how much longer he must persist.

「However, the Cultivator Body's breakthrough is also a good thing, just as when they were at the First Stage and the connection between the two bodies was not yet so tight; the one that breaks through first can always drive the slower one's Cultivation Base upward. Compared to other demon beasts, the Demon Beast Body's Cultivation Base increase speed is already faster by who knows how many folds. 」

Of course.

No breakthrough in Cultivation Base does not mean he is not making progress.

Yunhe pinched his increasingly dragon-claw-like claws, feeling the power within his body and the surging, mighty demonic power.

「Now, if I face that Thunder-Horn Mystic Crystal Crocodile, I should have a chance to kill it, right? 」

Originally, when he had one inner elixir, filling his demonic power only required filling one bucket; but after undergoing that 'Wash Demon Pool' expedition, not only did the bucket's capacity increase, it went from one bucket to three—how could it be as easy as before?

But those three 'buckets' also brought him more demonic power.

In most cases, quantitative change can never compare to qualitative change, but when the quantity reaches a certain level and there is also external force, it is not necessarily so.

Although the Demon Beast Body's Cultivation Base has not yet welcomed a breakthrough, his Demon Sense at this moment is truly that of a genuine Third Stage demon beast.

Moreover, it is far stronger than the Demon Sense of the vast majority of Third Stage demon beasts.

He might not be able to instantly kill the Thunder-Horn Mystic Crystal Crocodile with a single move, but the attack launched by his Demon Sense at this moment is something that the Thunder-Horn Mystic Crystal Crocodile, as a demon beast, absolutely cannot withstand.

「Besides, if it's not necessary, there's no need to provoke it too much; that fellow's recent mood hasn't been good. 」

Since the Thunder-Horn Mystic Crystal Crocodile's 'Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence' was taken by Yunhe, that fellow has gone mad; now in that region, no demon beast or beast spirit dares to approach, and they are liable to be struck by lightning at any moment.

「Actually, it's just a matter of accumulating demonic power; after the Cultivator Body's breakthrough, those two stalks of thousand-year dragon blood ginseng can also be used, and the cultivated 'Foster Pellet' is at least a middle-grade Third Stage Elixir, which should help the inner elixirs accumulate demonic power more quickly. 」

Once his demonic power is full, he can attempt to break through to the Third Stage.

「King! 」

At this moment.

The White Ape King arrived before him, accompanied by the Azure Shadow Swallow and the Red-Bellied Snake.

At this time, the three demon beasts have all reached early Second Stage.

Moreover.

They have all cultivated Yunhe's created technique 'Mysterious Beast Technique'; not only is their Cultivation Base increase speed much faster, their combat ability is quite good—ordinary early Second Stage demon beasts are no match for them, and they can even hold their own against mid Second Stage.

「Monkey, swallow, viper. 」 Yunhe gave a slight nod, and under the three demon beasts' gazes full of reverence and eagerness, he said softly:

「Expand. No need to expand too much; push the territory outward thirty li. 」

Upon hearing this, the three demon beasts looked at each other.

All along, Yunhe has believed in holding a single position; as long as outside demon beasts do not come to provoke, they also rarely take the initiative to attack.

It can be said that Huanhu Dao is almost becoming a secluded utopia far from conflict.

Now, the King actually issued an order to expand the territory?

Although a thirty-li range is not large for them, and can even be said to be small, this is indeed their first expansion.

「Yes! 」

Now, among the demon beasts on Huanhu Dao, those whose spiritual wisdom has opened to a certain extent mostly cultivate Yunhe's created technique; when facing ordinary demon beasts, they have a great advantage.

Watching the three subordinates depart enthusiastically, Yunhe's heart had not much turbulence.

Given the impression Huanhu Dao has left on surrounding demon beasts over these years, expanding thirty li should not provoke too much resistance.

Of course, if there is resistance, it is not necessarily a bad thing for him.

Just that.

Not long after the three subordinates left, Yunhe suddenly froze.

Because a voice sounded in his ear.

"Big Turtle—No, Yunhe, long time no see, do you miss me?"

Haah—

Specks of crystal sparkle drifted away.

A phantom phoenix bird flickered in and out of view before him.

Its eyes glittered with amusement, evidently hoping to see embarrassment and delight on Yunhe's face.

But unfortunately.

It saw the delight, but hardly any embarrassment.

It involuntarily puffed out its cheeks.

"Long time no see, Qingyao." Yunhe smiled.

As for this being that had lived who knows how many years, with a mindset still somewhat childlike, the blue phoenix, he indeed felt a bit of pity and a bit of anticipation.

"Mm." Qingyao sobbed, "How long have I slept?"

"About fifty years."

"Alright, turns out it's only been a short while."

Upon hearing that, Yunhe's eye twitched.

He had only lived over a hundred years so far; fifty years amounted to nearly half his age, yet to the blue phoenix it was merely a moment.

"Huh?"

Suddenly.

Just as it was about to land on Yunhe to preen his feathers, it suddenly seemed to sense something and glanced toward the medicine field.

"How come?" Yunhe showed a puzzled expression.

But Qingyao didn't answer right away; she simply fluttered her wings and flew toward the medicine field.

Seeing this, Yunhe had some guesses in his mind and immediately followed.

"King!"

Noticing Yunhe's arrival, the several monkey demon beasts guarding outside the medicine field hurriedly shouted respectfully.

However, they seemed not to notice Qingyao's presence, or rather, they simply couldn't see Qingyao.

After entering the medicine field, Qingyao also had a clear destination, heading straight to where the roots of the Firewood Paulownia were located.

"It really is paulownia wood!"

Its eyes glowed with light as it gazed at the even soil layer, sensing the faint undulations emanating from a small segment of root beneath, and it exclaimed unintentionally.

"Paulownia wood? Isn't it Firewood Paulownia?"

Yunhe's eyes slightly rose.

But he didn't take it to heart.

Perhaps it's just a different name for such a divine tree in the two worlds.

But Qingyao's next question left Yunhe somewhat bewildered.

"Yunhe, why won't you let it take root and sprout?" Qingyao asked, puzzled.

"Huh?"

Yunhe also looked completely bewildered.

"What do you mean by not letting the Firewood Paulownia take root and sprout?"

He had tried so many times to no avail, and finally had no choice but to give up.

"Use your essence blood, your essence blood!" Qingyao fluttered her wings, looking somewhat excited.

"Mine?" Yunhe froze for a moment.

"To be honest."

Although he had tried many methods, he really hadn't tried using his own essence blood to water the Firewood Paulownia.

The main point is, the Firewood Paulownia belongs to the fire-wood element, and as a water-attribute demon beast, he couldn't be sure whether his essence blood would cause wood to meet water and grow, or fire to meet water and die out.

If it were a large piece of Firewood Paulownia, Yunhe wouldn't worry about this; the point is, it's only a small segment of root.

"Exactly."

Qingyao kept nodding.

"I'm a water-attribute demon beast."

"No, you can't be considered an ordinary water-attribute demon beast; although you're somewhat lacking compared to a true spirit, your essence blood can meet the paulownia wood's needs. Paulownia wood won't grow, thrive, or dwell without a spirit; ordinary demon beast essence blood is useless."

After a pause, Qingyao continued:

"As for your water attribute, it's actually a good thing; extinguishing the wood fire will only make it focus on growth, and when the flames blaze again, it will become even more vigorous!"

"As for who understands this divine paulownia tree best, no one compares to the True Phoenix, and next comes the Blue Phoenix."

Upon hearing that, Yunhe fell into thought.

It's undeniable that what Qingyao said also makes sense.

After a brief pondering, he hesitated no longer.

He lightly tapped his claws, and a strand of essence blood flew from his mouth.

Anyway, he could do nothing with this segment of Firewood Paulownia root.

A mere strand of essence blood wouldn't have much effect on him now.

Might as well give it a try.

Sizzle—

As the essence blood flowed in, the deeply buried Firewood Paulownia root finally burst forth with vigorous vitality.

The essence blood of demon beasts that Yunhe had previously watered with was not entirely useless; it not only made the soil here extremely fertile, but also created an excellent growing environment for the Firewood Paulownia.

Under the gaze of his Demon Sense, that section of root grew finer rootlets, slowly drawing nutrients from the soil.

And the faint red hidden within the rootlets also gradually faded.

But in exchange came a purer jade-green wood color.

A fine little sprout pushed out from the soil.

Success!

But Yunhe was not very happy.

"Fire Paulownia" without fire is equivalent to being half useless.

The facts prove it.

His guess and judgment were not wrong; water-attribute essence blood could promote its growth, but it also extinguished the wood-fire.

Moreover, this tiny sapling, although slightly better than the previous small root section, was not much different.

Qing Yao also showed a thoughtful expression, murmuring:

"Mmm, it's a bit small, but... should be enough. Yunhe, can you find this kind of spiritual wood?"

Speaking of which, Qing Yao, having heard of her relationship with Yunhe, transmitted an image of a spiritual wood to him.

"Blood Crystal Wood?"

After a brief glance, Yunhe recognized this wood.

It is a spiritual wood ranked 129th on the Divine Wood Ranking, relatively rare, but undoubtedly easier to find than Fire Paulownia.

"I'll give it a try; it should work."

By this point, Yunhe also understood what Qing Yao intended to do.

Because this is a secret technique recorded in the Phoenix and Mandarin Duck Twelve Refinements cultivation method.

Phoenix and Mandarin Duck Essence Fire Rebirth Technique!

Using wood to draw fire, using fire to temper blood, using blood to forge the body.

The Phoenix and Mandarin Duck are born bathing in the paulownia's fire; the paulownia grows nourished by the Phoenix and Mandarin Duck's aura.

This way, not only can Qing Yao be reborn through nirvana, but the paulownia can also grow alongside.

And the paulownia can grow.

Yunhe's eyes gradually brightened.

Gazes collided.

Qing Yao lightly flapped her wings twice.

With a hint of solemnity and some excitement, she said word by word: "Yunhe, let's ignite it together!"

The world of cultivation.

"City of Myriad Immortals" Yun Palace City.

Spiritual woods ranked in the top hundred on the Divine Wood Ranking are hard to find, but given the number of cultivators in Yun Palace City within a hundred li, there should still be a chance.

Moreover, after he put out the word seeking Blood Crystal Wood, someone came knocking in the past month.

Moreover, they are not strangers.

————

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(End of chapter)