Chapter 15
The battle ahead ended swiftly.
The disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall looked disdainfully and flicked their hands, releasing fireball spells that crackled as they thoroughly cleansed the battlefield.
Not even ashes remained of the demons.
Zhang Yuan chuckled, “See? I told you it was easy to handle. It’s just that the numbers are a bit annoying, and there’s not much to gain from it.”
Demon flesh was sour and foul, inedible. Their bones and inner cores were somewhat useful, but low-rank demons lacked inner cores, and their bones were only moderately hard. If it weren’t for sect missions, no one would bother hunting them—it just wasn’t worth it.
Gu Changqing pondered deeply; perhaps it was precisely because it wasn’t profitable that low-rank demons kept multiplying.
Along the way—
“Bang!”
A streak of azure sword light pierced a demon’s skull at lightning speed.
“Junior Brother Gu, your combat ability isn’t bad,” Zhang Yuan remarked.
Gu Changqing had also joined the demon-slaying effort.
He had never truly fought before despite his cultivation, so this was a great chance. Hunting low-rank demons was not too dangerous, especially with the Law Enforcement team providing escort.
He smiled, “I’m no match for Senior Brother’s quick reflexes.”
Among family, one knew their own strengths and weaknesses. He relied on a trifecta of spiritual energy, stamina, and physical cultivation to shine, but in truth, his combat reactions were quite poor.
Of course, when it came to life-or-death situations, that was another story—he still had a few hidden tricks up his sleeve.
Yang Ziyi laughed, “Practice makes perfect. I improved through fighting, too.”
Gu Changqing nodded earnestly. Indeed, he needed more practice. Hunting low-rank demons was perfect—efficient and low risk.
He deliberately lowered his cultivation to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement, refraining from using other techniques, training purely through combat against demons.
“Bang!”
Another demon attacked.
Gu Changqing charged bravely, swinging his sword. His movements earned the Law Enforcement Hall’s approval but also drew fiercer attacks from the demon.
“Howl!”
Black mist seeped from the demon’s body. Its rage fixed on Gu Changqing with hatred, its claws gleaming as it lunged.
“Crack!”
The next moment, its head flew off.
Gu Changqing couldn’t help but feel a bit speechless—this was like grinding through low-level mobs. These low-rank demons had no reason or diverse attack methods; killing them was truly easy.
He improved slightly, accelerating his demon-slaying speed.
He casually appraised the fallen demon.
The Celestial Mirror revealed information.
[Corpse of a Fang-toothed Green Ape, a low-rank demon, unclassified grade. Originally a wild monkey from the mountains, it evolved into a demon due to exposure to sinister energy. This energy also rendered it savage, bloodthirsty, and irrational. It holds no value. However, by soaking its corpse in Qingling Grass, Phoenix Tail Flower, and Yellow Root, then brewing it with purification talismans for three days and nights, the meat of the Fang-toothed Green Ape becomes exquisitely delicious, can slightly clear meridians, and strengthen the body.]
Gu Changqing’s eyes flickered. He hadn’t expected demon meat to be edible in this way.
It felt like he had found a path to wealth.
But he needed to be cautious.
He quickly reined in his thoughts. The demon meat market was lucrative but not easy to manage. The early bird gets shot; he had no desire to become a target.
Better to wait and see.
News about demon meat shouldn’t be hidden, but it couldn’t be openly advertised either. He had to carefully consider how to quietly get rich and create a win-win situation.
Only profit would motivate people.
Once the value of demons was known, many would eagerly hunt them, thus eliminating the demon threat swiftly.
What worried Gu Changqing most was the sinister energy.
From what he knew, sinister energy only arose in extremely yin places. There was no such yin land near the Lingxu Sect. So how did these demons come to be? Why were they affected by sinister energy?
“Junior Brother Gu, stop daydreaming.”
Yang Ziyi slashed away a demon and turned to chastise him. On the battlefield, Junior Brother Gu’s distraction could cost him his life countless times.
Gu Changqing smiled. He had talismans to defend himself and wouldn’t be harmed by demons. Of course, there was no need to argue; Yang Ziyi meant well.
He stored the Fang-toothed Green Ape’s corpse.
“Junior Brother Gu, what do you need the corpse for? Low-rank demons are useless.”
“I want to study it.”
“Suit yourself.”
Yang Ziyi looked exasperated. Demons had been studied countless times before; the Demon Codex had 108 volumes detailing every demon imaginable. He thought there was no point in further research, especially on worthless low-rank demons.
“Just be careful not to be corrupted by the sinister energy.”
Gu Changqing nodded, “I will. Thanks for the reminder, Senior Brother.”
Yang Ziyi chuckled, “I’m just saying, this kind of low-rank demon’s sinister energy won’t harm you much—at worst, it’ll make you uncomfortable for a few days. Just get some sun and you’ll be fine.”
By then, the wave of demons was wiped out.
The Law Enforcement team members flicked their hands, casting fireballs onto the corpses, igniting fierce flames that emitted a foul stench.
“Let’s go,” Yang Ziyi said, pinching his nose in disgust as they regrouped.
Gu Changqing followed closely behind.
After walking a distance, he glanced back at the burning corpses. Using his Qi-seeing technique, he observed wisps of black mist rising from the flames.
This was sinister energy.
Unlike yin energy, sinister energy was an evil, distorted aura that could cause grotesque mutations with prolonged exposure.
Strictly speaking, demons were creatures mutated by sinister energy.
A chill ran through Gu Changqing’s heart. He looked up at the clear sky, which seemed to be veiled by a shadow.
He flicked out several purification talismans. After a sizzling sound, the black mist struggled and dissipated into the air.
However, the stench grew even stronger.
At that moment, Zhang Yuan approached, seeing his actions, and smiled, “Junior Brother Gu, no need to waste purification talismans. This kind of dispersed sinister energy will vanish in a few hours.”
Gu Changqing smiled, “I just want peace of mind.”
It didn’t seem dangerous now, but what about later? Would the sinister energy produced by the deaths of countless demons truly disappear so easily?
Zhang Yuan glanced at him, stifling a laugh. “Don’t worry. The sect already has countermeasures. You really don’t need to fret.”
“Haha,” Yang Ziyi laughed heartily, teasing, “Junior Brother Gu, I’ve heard you’re meticulous and always prepared. Seeing you today proves it.”
Gu Changqing was speechless.
He took it as a compliment; thoughtful caution was one of his few virtues.
Zhang Yuan added, “Junior Brother Gu, have you ever considered joining the Law Enforcement Hall? With your careful nature, you’d surely be valued.”
Gu Changqing shook his head repeatedly. “No way. The Law Enforcement Hall is a high-risk job. I’m too weak to cause trouble.”
“You’re no trouble. I’ve heard you always turn misfortune into fortune. Others say you’re timid as a mouse, but I don’t believe that…” Zhang Yuan casually recounted the Law Enforcement Hall’s findings, including how Gu Changqing had access to secret realms but chose not to enter, earning three thousand spirit stones instead.
Gu Changqing’s face flushed with embarrassment. They’d investigated him too thoroughly—he didn’t want to talk to them anymore.
“Junior Brother Gu, don’t go!”
“Really no interest?”
“No interest.” Gu Changqing turned and walked away. He already owned plenty of property and wealth—wasn’t it better to lie back and relax than to seek out trouble?
“Such a pity,” Zhang Yuan said.
“Ha ha, Senior Brother Zhang, don’t scare Junior Brother Gu anymore.”
“Who’s scaring him? I think he’s a promising talent.”
“…”
Gu Changqing returned to the carriage, still hearing their teasing. His face darkened, but he endured it.
“Pfft!”
Ji Yan’s eyes brightened as he couldn’t help but laugh—a genuine smile with a touch of relief, far less forced than before.
Gu Changqing’s lips twitched, lamenting the decline of manners.
Indeed, no matter how repressed or tragic one’s heart, if their happiness was built on another’s suffering, they would still find joy.
Of course, Gu Changqing didn’t consider himself unhappy—it was just light teasing, easy enough to endure.
After the two senior brothers’ banter, he truly felt reassured.
Upon reflection, if he could think of these problems, surely the sect had also considered them.
When the sky falls, there will be someone tall to bear the weight. He needn’t worry too much, and worrying wouldn’t help anyway.
At least for now, everything was under the sect’s control. Rather than waste energy on frivolous thoughts, he might as well focus on how to profit by purifying demon meat.
No one ever complained about having too many spirit stones.
That was Gu Changqing’s current mindset.
If demon meat were edible, many wandering cultivators would be tempted to hunt low-rank demons for resources.
If they got greedy, they could even hunt mid-grade demons. Their inner cores, skins, and bones were excellent materials, not to mention the delicious meat and its beneficial effects, plus sect mission rewards—altogether a substantial income.
Profit always drives the heart.
In this way, he would gain a large sum of spirit stones, wandering cultivators would have extra income, and low-rank demons would be suppressed before they could grow—a triple win.
Perhaps some would even form specialized demon hunting teams for profit...
Demon = food.
Demon = spirit stones.
Demon = cultivation resources.
Setting aside high-rank demons, as long as low-rank demons were eradicated before growing, the Canglan Continent would see no demon uprisings. Peace would prevail, and he would have a safer space to grow.
The more Gu Changqing thought about it, the better it seemed. He began to consider how to discreetly spread the purification methods for demon meat to earn spirit stones without exposing himself.
However, Gu Changqing never imagined he would face a setback the very next day.
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The next day.
The weather remained clear and cloudless.
Their team raced swiftly through the forest, killing demons on sight. Gu Changqing continued to join the demon-slaying efforts, initially feeling proud—hunting demons was too easy, and his combat reactions had improved greatly.
But as time passed and more low-rank demons died, he grew bored—not out of pity, but because the process was too simple, like crushing ants underfoot. It was neither thrilling nor challenging.
Out of boredom, he casually appraised another demon corpse.
The Celestial Mirror displayed its information.
[Corpse of a Soul-devouring Rabbit, a low-rank demon, unclassified grade. Originally a mountain herb-seeking rabbit, it evolved into a demon due to exposure to sinister energy. This energy rendered it savage, bloodthirsty, and irrational. It has no value. However, by soaking its corpse in Awakening Herb, Spirit-nurturing Flower, and Water Lotus Seeds, then brewing it with purification talismans for three days and nights, the meat becomes exquisitely delicious, can clear the mind, and slightly enhance spiritual awareness.]
Gu Changqing was speechless.
His only thought was, I truly am not a child of destiny.
The purification herbs for the Soul-devouring Rabbit differed from those for the Fang-toothed Green Ape, and their effects differed as well—one enhanced physical strength, the other spiritual awareness.
While this was good news, the differing purification materials complicated matters.
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