Chapter 30 Old Demon Ye

From that point on, Ning Daoran restrained himself as much as possible. On the surface, everything remained the same with Big Stupid Deer, but once he practiced cultivation, it was inevitably done underground, especially the Transformation Technique of Big Stupid Deer, which had to be practiced beneath the surface.

Twenty fathoms deep underground, layer upon layer of barriers, even interspersed with mottled Spirit Veins; not even the Divine Sense of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could necessarily penetrate it.

After practicing the Transformation Technique, Big Stupid Deer's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

The evil Qi from the beast bloodline in him grew stronger and heavier, and his cultivation level rapidly approached the Late-stage Qi Refining, almost catching up with Ning Daoran in the blink of an eye.

The consumption of demon meat also drastically increased. In just one month, Ning Daoran's stock was exhausted. There was no choice but to catch more Spirit fish to replenish his Blood Qi.

It was too risky to frequent the black market now, for the soaring demand for demon meat would expose oneself.

Therefore, Ning Daoran preferred to have Big Stupid Deer delay his cultivation and set aside the Transformation Technique for a while, rather than be overly eager for quick results.

…

Half a month later.

At Qiongbi Peak, a gathering on the field edges.

"The Sect has recently been quite uneasy; everyone should try to stay indoors at night," relayed Ma Quanyou, who always had the most informed news.

"Fellow Daoist Ma."

Granny Yun Cui asked, "Is there a major incident again?"

Ma Quanyou spoke solemnly, "Indeed, a major incident. Last night, three servant disciples died consecutively in their own homes on the Outer Mountain, all murdered."

"Ah?"

Huang Shan shuddered slightly.

Qin Xiang frowned, "It seems like a storm is brewing in the Chaotic Sect recently, starting with the annihilation of the brothel at Yellow Dragon Square and now this mysterious force brazenly killing servant disciples..."

He expressed some concern, "If these people dare kill even servant disciples, aren't we Spirit farmers in danger..."

"Don't scare yourself."

Granny Yun Cui said, "We are just Spirit farmers leasing Spirit lands; we aren't exactly members of the Chaotic Sect. As long as we don't get involved in certain interests, no one will bother with our trivial matters."

"That's also true," agreed Huang Shan. "However, with tensions running high recently, it is best for all fellow Daoists to be careful."

Ning Daoran, Big Stupid Deer, and Chen Weimo all nodded, feeling the truth in these words.

…

Several days later.

Amid the sound of hooves, a group of court constables and arrest officers clad in black robes arrived at the Chaotic Sect's Mountain Gate, led by a middle-aged man in the uniform of the captain from Qingzhou Town Immortal Tower. He spoke gravely, "I am Li Jue, Captain of the Zhenxian Tower in Shanyang County, ordered by the Lord Governor to seek an audience with the Sect Master of the Chaotic Sect!"

In the absence of Jiang Yu, Great Elder Gongyang Yan met them.

In the guest hall on the mountainside of True Yang Peak, the elder, clad in a short robe and leading a group of disciples including Lin Sheng, greeted them.

"Captain Li Jue, how have you been?"

Gongyang Yan, whose True Yang Furnace Technique had reached Great Success, appeared robust and spirited for his age, his face ruddy, emitting a fearsome Spiritual pressure.

"Great Elder Gongyang, how are you?"

After the pleasantries, they got down to business.

Li Jue frowned, "Recently, there have been continuous disturbances in the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, starting with the massacre at Flowers Pavilion, followed by several Chaotic Sect servant disciples dying tragically together. The Lord Governor is concerned about this matter and has appointed us to investigate. I hope for the Elder's understanding in this intrusion."

"Not a problem at all," Gongyang Yan chuckled. "Has the Captain discovered any clues?"

"Unless unexpected, it's the handiwork of Old Demon Ye."

Li Jue spoke gravely, "According to the condition of the corpses, all were victims of the Blood Drinking Demon Technique of Old Demon Ye. Throughout Qingzhou, only Old Demon Ye has cultivated the Blood Drinking Demon Technique to perfection. Moreover, the incidents occurred in a brothel.

Hmph, Old Demon Ye has always been fond of indulging in pleasures; it must have begun with a dispute in the brothel, and for some reason, he then turned his murderous intent towards the Chaotic Sect."

"If that's the case..."

Gongyang Yan said indifferently, "Will the Martial Immortal stationed in Qingzhou Town Immortal Tower take action?"

"Not likely."

Li Jue shook his head, "Old Demon Ye is merely an Early-stage Foundation Establishment and, although ruthless and cruel, is not significant enough to disturb the Martial Immortal guarding Qingzhou. My visit to the Chaotic Sect is to discuss with the Sect a joint effort to capture Old Demon Ye."

"A joint effort?"

"Indeed."

Li Jue spoke solemnly, "We've dispatched cultivators to trace him and found that Old Demon Ye fled to the northeast region of the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range after committing his crimes. The Lord Governor has ordered, requesting Chaotic Sect to send reinforcements while I will also deploy a hundred elite troops. We intend to spread a vast net in the deep woods and apprehend Old Demon Ye within the bounds of the law.

Elder, please see, this is the decree from the Governor."

Gongyang Yan glanced at it, "How many Chaotic Sect disciples does he need for assistance?"

"Given Old Demon Ye's ruthless techniques, we'll need at least two hundred disciples."

Li Jue smiled slightly, "If the Great Elder is reluctant to send Inner Sect disciples, then send Outer Sect disciples along with several Foundation Establishment Elders. Hunting down Old Demon Ye should not be difficult."

Before long, an agreement was reached.

…

In the evening, amidst light drizzle.

"Nephew Ning, are you home?"

The voice of Martial Uncle Xu, an Outer Elder, came from outside the Small Cloud Mist Array.

Ning Daoran immediately deactivated the array and asked, "Martial Uncle Xu, is there something you need?"

"Indeed."

Martial Uncle Xu calmly said, "Tomorrow, Chaotic Sect will send out two hundred Outer Disciples to assist the government constables in searching the mountains for Old Demon Ye. Outer Sect has selected Master Ning's name. You should wait at the Outer Door before dawn tomorrow, and set off as soon as everyone arrives.

Remember, do not miss it, otherwise there's no need to continue cultivating the Spirit land at Qiongbi Peak anymore."

"Yes, Martial Uncle, I will remember," Xu Ning replied.

Martial Uncle Xu then left, riding his Royal Weapon.

"This bastard..."

Fuming with anger, Ning Daoran cursed, from among thousands of Outer Disciples, it just had to be him, a Qi Refining Fourth Level Spirit farmer.

It seemed that Martial Uncle Xu really took special care of him!

But he couldn't afford not to go. If the Spirit field were taken back, wouldn't his "foundation" at Qiongbi Peak be washed away?

He pondered for a long time. He had to go, but as for exerting effort... let those who wanted to exert effort do so. He would just make Big Stupid Deer dig a hole on the mountain to hide as soon as they entered the woods.

In the dead of night, in the underground chamber,

Ning Daoran slowly practiced pushing the pile for Cultivation, while Big Stupid Deer practiced the Shape-shifting Technique.

"Aow~~~"

Accompanied by a deer's cry, Big Stupid Deer's body gradually shrank, turning into a big green turtle in the blink of an eye. With the transformation, it also gained the Divine Skill of the Turtle Form Root Map: Turtle Breath Skill.

From then on, Big Stupid Deer had the same ability as Ning Daoran, able to conceal his breath!

Moreover, the Turtle Breath Skill's breath-concealing ability was even stronger than the Perfect Level Concealing Breath Technique, after all, it was a bloodline power innate to Spiritual Beasts.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Ning Daoran perked up his ears, sensing that the webs spun by the Double-eyed Spiders at the periphery of the Small Cloud Mist Array had been touched. He then saw someone flying towards the Small Cloud Mist Array through the vision of the Double-eyed Spider.

"Old Lu, use the Turtle Breath Skill."

As he spoke, he also executed the Concealing Breath Technique to perfection, instantly erasing the breath of both man and deer.

Hiding under the eaves, Ning Daoran saw a figure entering the small courtyard through the vision of a bush warbler. It was a masked man, apparently also using some breed of Concealing Breath, but the robust Blood Qi Power within him was hard to conceal.

He was an Early-stage Condensed Liquid Realm Martial Artist, with strength equivalent to an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

If it came to close combat, an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator might not be able to withstand a Condensed Liquid Realm Martial Artist!

The man rummaged through the courtyard, nearly digging up all the Green Bamboo Spirit Rice, and eventually seemed to fail in finding what he wanted; he turned into a gray shadow and left.

Ning Daoran maintained his composure, remaining in the underground with Big Stupid Deer.

An hour later, the Double-eyed Spiders in the woods sent another warning; someone else was coming.

This time, it was a man dressed in pure black night clothes and wearing a mask, apparently possessing some movement technique, and he swiftly alighted in the small courtyard.

"Hmm?"

He frowned, seemingly realizing the courtyard was empty and showing signs of having been searched.

"Could someone have gotten here first?"

He released his Foundation Establishment Divine Sense and scanned the surface and underground thoroughly. He discovered the Spiritual Medicines over five hundred years old but didn't find the desired item.

"Hmph, a Mid-stage Qi Refining Little Spirit Farmer hiding so many treasure medicines, must have a great fortune… It's just my bad luck today that I'm in a hurry, otherwise I would have wiped this place clean!" the man muttered before swiftly departing.

"Damn it..."

Ning Daoran frowned, the night was perilous, and his small courtyard was nearly turning into a public restroom, where it seemed anyone could come and go without consulting the owner.

The two uninvited guests, one was a Condensed Liquid Realm Martial Artist and the other was a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, were no ordinary individuals.

What they were searching for was evident, the Earth Rank top-grade Spiritual Beast Secret, the Shape-shifting Technique!

It appeared he had been targeted.

In recent months, someone must have pieced clues together leading to him. Although the incidents of killing Chen Huaiyi and erasing Fatty Wang's memory were meticulously carried out, he did visit the butcher's shop that day, and there were other witnesses to that.

Thus, he was listed as a suspect.

If not for a surprise, those three Chaotic Sect servant disciples must have visited the butcher's shop too.

That being the case, the situation wasn't actually that dangerous, as the two men only suspected he might have come into contact with the Shape-shifting Technique, but they weren't sure, otherwise, they might have come during the day.

Ning Daoran frowned.

The identity of Ling Liquid Realm Martial Artist was clear—the only Condensed Liquid Realm individual living in the mountains happened to be the Captain, Li Jue!

Regarding the other person, with a mysterious movement technique, most likely it was the legendary Old Demon Ye.

Rumors in Jianghu claimed that Old Demon Ye not only cultivated the potent Blood Drinking Demon Technique but also developed a very powerful movement technique. According to Ning Daoran's deductions, the man who lost the Shape-shifting Technique at Flowers Pavilion was none other than Old Demon Ye.

Otherwise, he had no reason to wipe out Flowers Pavilion.

Things were growing complicated, and the expedition tomorrow might be filled with danger.

But he couldn't afford not to go. Failing to show would further imply that he was the one who obtained the Shape-shifting Technique.

Ning Daoran felt like he was on the brink of a battle, this was the most complex situation he had faced since entering the Cultivation World, and a single careless move could lead to lethal danger!

However, he needed to turn the passive into the active. Li Jue was inconsequential since he was only focused on the Shape-shifting Technique.

But Old Demon Ye needed to be eliminated, now aware of the high-aged Spiritual Medicines Ning Dao cultivated underground, as the dead keep secrets best.

The reason Old Demon Ye dared not harvest the Spiritual Medicines was probably because a Foundation Establishment Elder was patrolling nearby.

...

The next morning, light rain sprinkled down.

Ning Daoran, wearing an oil-paper coat, arrived at the Outer Door Hall with Big Stupid Deer.

Before he left, he secretly harvested all the Spiritual Medicines planted underground and placed them in his Storage Bag to avoid Old Demon Ye possibly finding an empty stash.