Chapter 1734: Dead Silence

After Long Nv manifested her true form, she finally released the full power of the Dragon Clan's bloodline; first-realm demonic beasts, even if stronger than her, all trembled and were suppressed by Long Nv.

After Long Nv devoured several first-realm demonic beasts, she also realized this problem and turned to attack early second-realm demonic beasts.

Thus, Long Nv also joined the Thunder Kill Squad of Ye Liuyun, his clone, and Lei Ming.

Man Shu, meanwhile, took Ye Tiandao and the Black Panther to slay late first-realm demonic beasts, no longer letting Ye Liuyun protect them so they could truly face danger.

After the Magic Vine killed the strongest demonic beast here, it began sweeping away demonic beasts of early second stage and above.

The wails of the demonic beasts in the whole Maple Fire Forest echoed for half a day before gradually subsiding.

Afterward, the Magic Vine returned to Ye Liuyun's Xuan Kong Shi to sleep and digest.

Ye Liuyun and his companions' battle, though also fierce, was not as tumultuous as the Magic Vine's; occasional demonic beast roars did not affect much.

They fought here for over ten days, and everyone had a satisfying bout.

Before leaving, Ye Liuyun released the awakened Magic Vine again.

"Go sweep a bit; we're leaving—how many you can hunt depends on your ability!"

Ye Liuyun told the Magic Vine.

The Magic Vine also didn't disdain the low realm of the remaining demonic beasts.

Thus, the howls of demonic beasts rang out again inside the Maple Fire Forest.

When Ye Liuyun emerged from the Maple Fire Forest, this place was already utterly silent.

Aside from the timid Mortal Realm demonic beasts that had fled earlier, most demonic beasts had been devoured by the Magic Vine.

The others had all returned to Ye Liuyun's Xuan Kong Shi to cultivate.

Only Ye Liuyun, wearing the Invisibility Cloak, quietly rushed back to Ice Spring City.

The Martial Cultivator teams that had been scared away earlier waited another two days, and upon seeing no movement inside, they returned to investigate.

But they walked all the way into the depths of the Maple Fire Forest and still saw not a single demonic beast.

Moreover, the deeper they went, the more severe the destruction of the Maple Fire Forest became.

Everywhere lay fallen trees, the desolate scene after the True Essence barrage.

Much of the ground had been overturned, as if the Maple Fire Forest had experienced an earthquake.

"The demonic beasts here?"

"Wiped out completely?"

"What kind of creature caused such massive destruction?"

"Is it related to that dragon's roar?"

"Could a true dragon have appeared here?"

The Martial Cultivators speculated wildly.

The news spread quickly; even before Ye Liuyun returned to Ice Spring City, the city already knew this information.

Only the Yuan family knew that Ye Liuyun and company were behind it.

But the strength to wipe out all demonic beasts in the Maple Fire Forest also made the Yuan family patriarch tremble with fear.

He immediately issued a gag order, forbidding the Yuan family from spreading it outside, lest it bring trouble to the Yuan family.

Thus, outside rumors spread that a true dragon had appeared in the Maple Fire Forest, having slain all the demonic beasts there.

Many Martial Cultivators formed teams and rushed to the Maple Fire Forest, hoping to capture the true dragon.

Even many Martial Cultivators from nearby cities formed teams and rushed to the Maple Fire Forest.

The Maple Fire Forest, too, shifted from utter silence to bustling once again.

But all of this had nothing to do with Ye Liuyun anymore.

He had now returned to Ice Spring City and gone back to the City Lord's residence.

Li YuanYang, upon hearing that Ye Liuyun had returned, was so happy he almost hugged him.

"How did you escape back?"

Li YuanYang pulled Ye Liuyun back to his residence, then began asking about his experiences.

"After Xiao Bingxin kidnapped me, she locked me in a formation, forcing me to concoct pills for her."

"After I finished the pills, she no longer paid much attention to me, so I seized the chance to run back."

Ye Liuyun explained.

"Concocting pills?"

"You've concocted a second-stage pill?"

Li YuanYang asked excitedly.

"Yeah! But Li YuanYang didn't let me keep a single pill; he snatched them all away!"

Ye Liuyun said, feigning innocence.

Indeed, his clone had previously concocted the pills.

But Ye Liuyun did not want to give them to Li YuanYang.

If you want the pills, you must buy the materials again.

"No worries—since you have this ability, you needn't worry; you can concoct again!"

Li YuanYang comforted Ye Liuyun.

Now Ye Liuyun can concoct second-stage pills; in Ice Spring City, he counts as a senior alchemist.

But Li YuanYang also realized and asked, "The materials are all gone?"

"Of course! Otherwise, what would I use to concoct pills for Xiao Bingxin?"

Ye Liuyun retorted.

"This..." Li YuanYang, helpless, could only curse Xiao Bingxin to vent his frustration.

After venting his feelings, he also calmed down; as long as he had Ye Liuyun, he wasn't worried about being unable to recover his costs.

"All right, just come back.

"I'll go buy the medicinal ingredients tomorrow."

"Oh, right, after you were kidnapped that day, Liu the Alchemist from Mysterious Origin Pavilion also came after you, saying he wanted to ask how you changed the medicinal ingredient ratio."

"After learning you were kidnapped, he also said that the next time he sees Xiao Bingxin, he'll intercede for you and get him to release you! It seems his attitude toward you has changed."

Li Yuan Yang then told Ye Liuyun.

Upon hearing that, Ye Liuyun immediately realized it was because he had changed the medicinal ingredient ratio, which had caught Liu the Alchemist's eye.

He thought for a moment, then threatened Li Yuan Yang: "I reckon that old coot must have some other plan."

"If you want me to steadily help you make pills, don't let him know I'm back."

"Otherwise, there might still be some trouble."

Li Yuan Yang thought it over and agreed.

Ye Liuyun was already able to refine second-rank pills, and he had no particular demands of that old coot.

"Fine, I'll have someone else go buy the medicinal ingredients tomorrow."

"Send different people to go, buying the pills after splitting them up, so they won't notice! Then write me another copy of that ratio."

Ye Liuyun then split the medicinal ingredients, wrote Li Yuan Yang a few sheets, had him arrange people to purchase them separately, and only then sent him off.

As soon as Li Yuan Yang left, Li Man Fu ran over.

"Brother Ye, after learning you were kidnapped by the Grand Steward of the Mysterious Ice Palace, I was really worried sick about you! Fortunately you finally escaped back!"

Li Man Fu said somewhat excitedly.

He had previously thought that relying on Ye Liuyun's pills to gain an advantage had come to nothing.

Seeing Ye Liuyun return, he was genuinely excited, now he could have free pills to use.

"Thanks for your concern, Brother Li! Has the selection matter been decided?"

Ye Liuyun asked.

"Decided! The inspectors sent from above have already arrived."

"It's supposed to start within this week."

"Brother, I've already smoothed things over for you; getting you in will be absolutely no problem!"

Li Man Fu patted his chest and guaranteed.

Actually, he didn't need to use any connections; he could arrange it directly, just to curry favor with Ye Liuyun.

"Then thank you, Brother Li!"

Seeing that the matter was settled, Ye Liuyun also relaxed.

"I saw the City Lord just go out looking quite pleased; is there still some good news?"

Li Man Fu inquired of Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun also knew he couldn't hide it from him, so he deliberately lowered his voice and told him: "I can now refine second-rank pills!"