Chapter 30 Old Demon Ye

From then on, Ning Daoran tried his best to restrain himself, everything on the surface remained as usual with Big Stupid Deer, but once it came to cultivation, it had to be done underground, especially the Shape-shifting Technique of Big Stupid Deer, which had to be practiced underground.

Twenty meters deep underground, layers of barriers, even interspersed with mottled spirit veins, so that even the divine sense of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator might not be able to penetrate.

After practicing the Shape-shifting Technique, Big Stupid Deer's cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds.

The evil Qi from the demon beast in its bloodline grew heavier and its cultivation quickly approached the Late-stage Qi Refining, soon enough almost catching up to Ning Daoran.

The consumption of demon meat also accelerated drastically, depleting Ning Daoran's stock in just a month, leaving no choice but to catch more spirit fish to replenish his blood Qi.

The black market could not be frequented too often now due to its high risk, and the soaring demand for demon meat was equivalent to exposing himself.

Therefore, Ning Daoran would rather let Big Stupid Deer slow down his cultivation and set aside the Shape-shifting Technique for a while, rather than be overly eager for quick results.

...

Half a month later.

Qiongbi Peak, gathering on the ridge.

"Recently, things have not been peaceful in the sect, everyone try not to go out too much at night," said Ma Quanyou, who was the most well-informed.

"Fellow Taoist Ma."

Granny Yun Cui asked, "Did something major happen again?"

Ma Quanyou replied grimly, "Indeed, a major incident, last night three servant disciples were killed in succession in their own huts in the Outer Mountain."

"Ah?"

Huang Shan shuddered slightly.

Qin Xiang frowned and said, "It seems like a storm is brewing within the Chaotic Sect, first the brothel in Yellow Dragon Square being wiped out, and now this mysterious power begins to willfully kill servant disciples..."

He worried, "If these people dare to kill even servant disciples, aren't we spirit farmers in danger..."

"Don't scare yourself."

Granny Yun Cui said, "We are just spirit farmers who rent spirit land, not members of the Chaotic Sect. Unless it involves some interests, nobody is going to target our paltry gains."

"What Granny says makes sense."

Huang Shan said, "But still, with the situation tense, all fellow daoists should be cautious."

Ning Daoran, Big Stupid Deer, and Chen Weimo all nodded, agreeing that it made sense.

...

A few days later.

Amidst the sound of horse hooves, a group dressed in government black robes, consisting of arrest officers and constables, arrived at the gate of the Chaotic Sect. A middle-aged man dressed in the attire of Zhenxian Tower Captain spoke solemnly, "Captain Li Jue of Shanyang County's Town Immortal Tower, by order of the Lord Governor, seeks an audience with the Sect Master of Chaotic Sect!"

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

In the reception hall located at the waist of True Yang Peak, Elder Gongyang Yan, dressed in a short robe, flaunted his perfected True Yang Furnace Technique and appeared as a robust old man with a ruddy face, his entire presence radiating a terrifying spiritual pressure, leading a group of disciples, including Lin Sheng.

"Captain Li Jue, how have you been?"

Following the pleasantries, the two commenced a serious discussion.

Li Jue furrowed his brows and said, "Recently, the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range has been continuously unsettled, starting with the extermination of Flowers Pavilion, followed by several servant disciples of Chaotic Sect dying tragically. Lord Governor is concerned about this matter and has assigned us to investigate, we ask for your understanding for any disturbance."

"That's not a problem at all!"

Gongyang Yan said with a smile, "Has Captain found any clues?"

"Unless I'm mistaken, this is Old Demon Ye's doing."

Li Jue spoke gravely, "Based on the condition of the bodies, all were inflicted with Old Demon Ye's Blood Drinking Demon Technique. Looking all over Qingzhou, only Old Demon Ye has perfected this demon technique. Moreover, the incident occurred at a brothel.

Hmph, Old Demon Ye has always particularly fancied pleasures; must have had a conflict with the brothel that for some reason led him to extend his demonic hand towards the Chaotic Sect."

"If that's the case..."

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

"That's unlikely."

Li Jue shook his head, "Old Demon Ye is merely at the Early-stage Foundation Establishment, and although his methods are brutal and ruthless, they're not enough to provoke the Martial Immortal guarding Qingzhou. My visit to Chaotic Sect is to discuss with your sect about joining forces to capture Old Demon Ye."

"Joining forces?"

"Indeed,"

Li Jue said gravely, "We've already dispatched cultivators to track him, having learned that Old Demon Ye fled to the northeast of the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range after committing the crime. The Lord Governor has ordered that Chaotic Sect dispatch reinforcements, and my side will mobilize a hundred elite troops to spread a large net and capture Old Demon Ye deep in the mountains.

Elder, please see, this is the Governor's authorization."

Gongyang Yan glanced at it, "How many Chaotic Sect disciples are needed to assist?"

"Old Demon Ye has fierce methods, we'll need at least two hundred disciples."

Li Jue smiled slightly, "If the Great Elder is reluctant to have Inner Sect disciples go, then send Outer Disciples, along with a few Foundation Establishment Elders, it should not be difficult to hunt down Old Demon Ye."

Shortly thereafter, both parties reached an agreement.

...

In the evening, light rain scattered.

"Master Ning, are you home?"

The voice of Outer Elder Xu Ning came from outside the Small Cloud Mist Array.

Ning Daoran immediately disabled the array, saying, "Martial Uncle Xu, is there something?"

"Uh."

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

Remember, do not miss this, otherwise there's no need to keep tending to the Spirit land at Qiongbi Peak anymore."

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

Martial Uncle Xu rode off on his Royal Weapon.

"This son of a bitch..."

Ning Daoran cursed angrily. Among more than a thousand Outer Disciples, it was he, a Qi Refining Fourth Level Spirit farmer, who had been chosen.

It seemed that Martial Uncle Xu was indeed giving him some special attention!

Yet, he couldn't simply not go. If the Spirit field were to be taken back, wouldn't his entire "foundation" on Qiongbi Peak be lost to the streams of the east?

After much contemplation, he decided he still had to go, but as for putting in any effort... whoever wanted to put in the effort should do so. After all, his plan was to have Big Stupid Deer create a hole in the mountain to hide as soon as they entered the forest.

Deep into the night, in an underground chamber,

Ning Daoran slowly practiced his movement technique, while Big Stupid Deer practiced the Shape-shifting Technique.

"Aow~~~"

Accompanied by a deer cry, Big Stupid Deer's body slowly shrank, transforming into a large, blue turtle. At the same time as the transformation, it also acquired the Divine Skill connected to the Turtle Form Root Map: the Turtle Breath Skill.

From then on, Big Stupid Deer had acquired the same ability as Ning Daoran—to conceal its breath!

Moreover, the Turtle Breath Skill was even stronger than a Perfect Level Concealing Breath Technique, as it was a supernatural ability innate to demon beasts, deriving from their bloodline.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Ning Daoran perked up his ears, sensing that someone had disturbed the web of the Double-eyed Spiders outside the perimeter of the Small Cloud Mist Array. Following this, using the vision of the Double-eyed Spiders, he saw a figure swiftly moving towards the Small Cloud Mist Array.

"Old Lu, use the Turtle Breath Skill."

As he spoke, he also deployed his Concealing Breath Technique to perfection, and instantly, the breaths of both man and deer disappeared.

Hiding under the eaves, Ning Daoran saw a figure entering the small courtyard through the sight of a sparrow—it was a masked man, who seemed to have also used some Concealing Breath technique, but the powerful Blood Qi Power within his body was hard to conceal.

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

Should it come to a close encounter, an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator might not be able to withstand an Early-stage Condensed Liquid Realm Martial Artist!

This man rummaged through the courtyard, almost digging up the Green Bamboo Spirit Rice, and eventually left, seemingly not finding what he wanted, turning into a grey shadow as he departed.

Ning Daoran maintained his composure, still staying underground with Big Stupid Deer.

An hour later, another premonition came from the Double-eyed Spiders in the woods—a new visitor had arrived.

This time, it was a man dressed in pure black night clothes and wearing a mask, who seemed to possess a particular movement technique, with astonishing speed, gracefully landing in the small courtyard.

"Hmm?"

He frowned, seemingly realizing that the courtyard was unoccupied and bore the marks of having been searched.

"Could someone have gotten here first?"

He released his Foundation Establishment Stage Divine Sense, scanning above and below ground, finding those spiritual medicines over five hundred years old but not the item he wanted.

"Hmph, a mid-stage Qi Refining Little Spirit Farmer hiding so many treasure medicines, there must be great fortune upon him… If it were not for my schedule today, I would have swept this place clean!"

Saying this, the person didn't dare to stay longer and swiftly departed.

"Fuck this…"

Ning Daoran furrowed his brow, feeling the danger of the night; his small courtyard was almost becoming a public restroom—anyone seemed to think they could just come and go without asking the owner.

These two unwelcome guests, one was a Condensed Liquid Realm Martial Artist, and the other, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, were no ordinary individuals.

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

It seemed he had been targeted.

Over these months, someone must have followed leads back to him. Although he had been meticulous in killing Chen Huaiyi and erasing Fatty Wang's memory, he had visited the butcher shop that day, and there were other witnesses.

So, he had been listed as a suspect.

Indeed, it was likely that those three Chaotic Sect servant disciples had also visited the butcher shop.

In this way, his situation wasn't so dangerous after all. These two men only suspected that he might have come into contact with the Shape-shifting Technique, but they were not certain; otherwise, they would have come during the day.

Ning Daoran frowned.

The identity of the Condensed Liquid Realm Martial Artist was almost obvious; the government constables currently residing in the mountains were all Martial Artists, and among them, the only one in the Condensed Liquid Realm was Captain Li Jue!

As for the other individual, with his mysterious movement technique, it was likely the legendary Old Demon Ye.

Jianghu rumors suggested that Old Demon Ye not only practiced the powerful Blood Drinking Demon Technique but also an extremely fierce movement technique. According to Ning Daoran's deductions, the person who had lost the Shape-shifting Technique at the Flowers Pavilion was indeed Old Demon Ye.

Otherwise, he had no reason to annihilate Flowers Pavilion.

The situation was becoming complicated, and tomorrow's journey might be fraught with dangers.

But he could not simply choose not to go; refraining from going would only suggest more strongly that he was the one who had obtained the Shape-shifting Technique.

At that moment, Ning Daoran felt like he was on the brink of a great crisis—it was the most complicated situation he had encountered since entering the Cultivation World, and any careless move might lead to fatal consequences!

However, he must turn passivity into proactivity. Li Jue mattered little; he was only fixated on the Shape-shifting Technique.

But Old Demon Ye, who knew that he was cultivating a large amount of high-age Spiritual Medicines underground, must be dealt with, for dead men tell no tales.

The reason why Old Demon Ye might not have harvested the Spiritual Medicines could be the nearby roaming Foundation Establishment Elder.

The next morning, a light rain was falling.

Ning Daoran, dressed in a straw raincoat, arrived at the Outer Door Hall with Big Stupid Deer.

Before leaving, he had secretly harvested all the Spiritual Medicines he had been cultivating underground and placed them in his Storage Bag, to avoid Old Demon Ye finding an empty house.