Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 168 Desert Journey
Lu Xingzhou and his disciples entered the desert.

Compared to the vast desert outside, the desert in the Demon-Slaying Domain is not very large. But for two humans to trek through it, it could be described as endless.

Lu Xingzhou unfolded the map, intending to examine some of the oasis water sources marked on it, when the original owner of the map came running up behind him, no longer needing the map.

Lu Xingzhou chuckled as he put away the map: "Hey, didn't your protectors say they weren't going to follow us?"

Sheng Yuanyao chuckled, "You believe that? Of course, I have to follow you secretly."

"So you call this doing it in secret?"

"Why would you hide it from others? Do you expect others to protect you?" Sheng Yuanyao pushed Anuo aside and personally pushed the wheelchair: "The map is a public version, and many places are not marked. Come on, I'll take you to an oasis I saw before. The plants there are different from those outside. They will definitely be useful for your alchemy."

Ah Nuo looked at her empty hands, then looked up at the couple who had already been pushed far away, feeling as if she were in a dream.

They used to stare directly at Ah Nuo's face, but now they don't even act anymore.

Lu Xingzhou also laughed: "Why don't you put on an act? That third-rank gentleman over there probably has some kind of divine sense, which would allow him to see this."

"Is that possible? I heard that the range of divine sense at the initial third rank is very small. Oh well, it doesn't matter. Why should my Demon Suppression Division need to explain its actions to the Pill Academy? If you're so capable, go and complain to the leaders."

"It's awesome that the young master got promoted."

"That's right, after we go out we'll go to Qingyao Garden to see the flowers, it's been very lively lately."

Ah Nuo trudged through the desert with her hands clasped together, feeling like a child abandoned by her parents.

"Seriously, your wheelchair can roll in the desert? What kind of wheelchair is that...?"

"Otherwise, why do you think I'm so reluctant to give it up... after all these years of work? Wait, where's Qingli?"

Sheng Yuanyao lowered her voice: "I suspect that Mr. Wang is up to something. He pretended to quarrel with Qingli to send her to the volcano, but in reality, he left Qingli there to monitor him."

Lu Xingzhou blinked, quite surprised: "Huh... you've got a brain?"

Sheng Yuanyao retorted angrily, "I'm not stupid, except that I'm too lazy to use my brain in front of you!"

Ah Nuo stroked her round chin, suddenly remembering how she had once remarked that Sister Yao was quite clever. Back then, when Master was being watched so closely as a suspect that he was on edge, Sister Yao hadn't given up on suspecting Master in the end; she just hadn't pursued the matter further. But when exactly did she start to feel that Sister Yao was like a running puppy?
"Good, good, good, clever Commander Sheng." Lu Xingzhou pointed into the distance: "The sand over there is an unusual color, it's kind of blackish-red, what's going on?"

Sheng Yuanyao glanced at it: "That's because a demon once died there, and it was tainted by the stain. Hmm... It might not be anything special to others, but you alchemists might have some opinions about it."

Some demons, like the Balrog, have no flesh and blood, while others do, retaining bones and blood after death. Lu Xingzhou nodded: "Go take a look; it might be useful."

Putting aside any potential targeting, the main task this time is ultimately to collect materials for alchemy. Although the actual ranking doesn't matter, the trial itself is a growth assignment that the Alchemy Academy considers for its students. For the sake of personal improvement, it is worth taking seriously, and Lu Xingzhou has no intention of slacking off.

Upon arriving at the location, they found that the sand, spanning several tens of feet in radius, had been soaked in demonic blood. The demon's corpse must have been enormous, with glimpses of its bones still visible.

Demonic blood itself can be used for alchemy, but since the flesh and blood have already been mixed into the sand, and accumulated over time in this unique environment that depletes spiritual energy, physical changes may occur. Lu Xingzhou picked up a handful of sand and pondered for a moment, feeling that alchemy was unsuitable; it was more suitable for weapon crafting...

However, its grade is quite ordinary after its magic power is worn down, so it has not been taken away even after being exposed for so long.

Lu Xingzhou collected a small bag of sand and kept it, then continued to dig through the sand to examine the remains.

The dragon and tiger remains from the Dragon-Tiger Secret Realm back then likely had their power absorbed during alchemy, leaving only meaningless, calcified bones unusable. Although the magic power of these remains has been greatly diminished, they still possess a considerable amount of unique dark magic. Lu Xingzhou pondered for a moment, then extracted the spine.

Sheng Yuanyao asked curiously, "What? To make a gun? Many people have studied this bone. It looks tough, but it's not good enough to make a weapon. The grade isn't good enough."

Lu Xingzhou shook his head, and with his spiritual power, he probed into his spine and pulled out a clump of dark green moss-like substance.

As the moss appeared, a dark power rushed towards them, but Lu Xingzhou, as if prepared, used his Soul Banner to dissipate the power without a trace.

Sheng Yuanyao's expression changed.

The remains were not far from the edge of the desert, where there were countless trial participants, and no one had ever discovered anything inside. However, Lu Xingzhou discovered them as soon as he arrived.

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "This is not your fault. This place used to be mainly for the Demon Suppression Division's trials, and the Pill Academy rarely came here. The people of the Demon Suppression Division and the Pill Masters have different perspectives. The little things that might evolve from this bone marrow are mostly not within your consideration... As it turns out, the grade is indeed just average. It retains the fourth-grade upper level of the demon before it died, which is much better than the exposed bones and blood, but it can't be considered a bargain. However, it is just right for our pill refining mission this time."

Sheng Yuanyao watched expectantly as Lu Xingzhou collected the moss: "What's its purpose?"

"It's quite toxic, belonging to the dark soul category of materials. I can't think of anything I can refine for it right now; it depends on other combinations. Hmm... maybe using poison to fight poison and refining antidote pills might be effective, but it depends on the specific condition."

Sheng Yuanyao was a little disappointed. She thought that following him would bring her good fortune, but it turned out that wasn't the case.

Lu Xingzhou weighed his spine: "This is a bit too brittle for making a spear, but it's quite suitable for refining the shaft of my Human Emperor Banner. It won't crack as easily as it does now, and it can probably even improve the Human Emperor Banner's effects a little. I'll take it."

Sheng Yuanyao said with disdain, "Can't you just give up this evil Soul Banner technique?" "I've already replaced my martial arts cultivation method, but I can't find any Taoist cultivation methods anywhere. I have no choice."

"How about I find you a Taoist cultivation technique from the Demon Suppression Division?"

“If possible, I still want the Daoist cultivation part that goes with the Yin-Yang Ultimate Intent Technique. Anyway, my martial arts cultivation techniques are enough for now, so I’m not in a hurry for the Daoist cultivation part.” Lu Xingzhou turned his wheelchair: “Let’s go, let’s continue looking for things.”

The group continued deeper into the desert when two figures appeared at the edge, both with furrowed brows.

One was Xuanqing Daoist, and the other was Chen Yu, who had just tried to team up with Lu Xingzhou.

Neither of them went to the volcano that the public usually visits; instead, they went to different places, then circled around before following Lu Xingzhou.

“Judging from the ‘eyesight’ aspect of the trial assessment, Lu Xingzhou is still an outstanding one.” Chen Yu sighed: “I’m not going to consider the things that are lurking in the marrow of my bones anyway; it’s blind to what’s right under my nose.”

Xuanqing Daoist's expression was also not very good.

Watching others carry loads effortlessly, Lu Xingzhou searched for things with ease, as if any alchemist could find them. But those who were alchemists themselves knew very well that they might not actually be thinking that way. Otherwise, although not many alchemy academy students came here for trials, it wasn't unheard of. Why did previous students miss out?
“Now that Sheng Yuanyao is openly following him and trying to sabotage Lu Xingzhou’s gains, it’s very troublesome… Do you have any ideas?” Xuan Qing finally asked.

Chen Yu shook his head: "No, Sheng Yuanyao is openly following us. Unless you dare to kill her too."

Xuan Qing's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot: "Are we just going to watch like this?"

Chen Yu pondered, "Entering the desert might be the worst decision Lu Xingzhou ever made... because if something unexpected happens in the desert, sandstorms can easily blow up and obscure visibility. If things get chaotic, Sheng Yuanyao might not even know what happened."

Xuan Qing nodded: "There must be dangers deep in the desert. I don't believe he can be so calm and collected all the way."

In terms of alchemy skills, Xuanqing surpasses Chen Yu.

But in terms of combat prowess, Chen Yu is far more secretive than Xuan Qing.

As a member of the Prince of Jin's inner circle, he held the rank of fourth grade.

"Furthermore..." Chen Yu said in a low voice, "The entrance to the second level of the Demon Subduing Domain is well hidden by the Demon Suppression Division, and they will not let anyone know about it casually, so as to prevent anyone from sneaking in."

Xuan Qing's expression shifted slightly: "You mean... the entrance to the second level is in the desert?"

“Yes, although it is well sealed off and impossible to enter by accident. But if the timing is right, you and I could suddenly open it and maybe trap Lu Xingzhou in… Even if Sheng Yuanyao knows there is a second entrance here, she probably wouldn’t expect anyone to do this.”

Xuanqing's face lit up with excitement.

The Demon-Slaying Domain has five levels. The first level is filled with demons below the third rank, while the second level is entirely composed of third-rank demons! It is said that the deepest fifth level also suppresses a super-rank demon, but whether this is true or not is unknown.

Even though the demons on the second floor have been weakened by the Demon-Slaying Domain and no longer possess the power of a third-grade demon, there are still many demons that haven't died. How much cultivation do Lu Xingzhou and his group have? Going in is basically the same as not being able to come out.

At this time, Lu Xingzhou and his party had arrived at a small oasis.

“I discovered this oasis myself,” Sheng Yuanyao said enthusiastically. “It’s not marked on the public map. I made a comeback in this area back then and killed a Wind Demon.”

That tone, as if waiting for praise, made Ah Nuo realize she had stopped playing three years ago...

However, Lu Xingzhou was particularly experienced in coaxing children: "Commander Sheng is indeed the best. Back in the year of the Military Academy Trial, Commander Sheng must have been among the top performers, right?"

Sheng Yuanyao laughed so hard her eyes disappeared: "I'm number one! So don't think you're the only top scholar."

Lu Xingzhou looked around. The plants on the oasis were indeed unlike anything he had seen before. They were mostly mutated due to the influence of demonic energy and the special aura of the Demon-Slaying Domain. As for whether they were suitable for alchemy, that was another matter; at least the plants in this oasis weren't very suitable.

It felt extremely yin; the plants, which are supposed to represent vitality, had an aura of death.

After surveying the area for a while, Lu Xingzhou asked in a low voice, "What did Anuo find?"

Ah Nuo, who had been communicating with the plants, finally said, "There's something wrong with this oasis... It wasn't formed by groundwater. The information we get from underground is being blocked."

Plant roots and stems are deeply embedded in the ground, knowing this more clearly than anyone else.

Sheng Yuanyao's expression changed: "If it's not formed from groundwater, then what is it?"

Ah Nu hesitated for a moment: "There seems to be a huge skeleton below, and a thick layer of soil is piled on top of the bones. As for why it keeps gushing water, we may have to dig down to find out. Maybe it's the corpse water that has been purified by the spiritual energy of this place."

With a pale face, Sheng Yuanyao recalled her overjoyed experience of drinking water in the oasis years ago. Clutching her stomach, she ran to the side and vomited profusely.

(End of this chapter)