Journey to the West Creation Technique

The Crimson-Crowned Firewing has its own set of hunting methods.

It will kill a wild boar, or some other living creature, first.

They kill the animal but don't eat it; instead, they gnaw it in two and hang it on a tree.

The smell of blood attracts predators.

All it needs to do is wait patiently.

When predators come, it will only eat half of the food, and then hang the other half on the tree to attract more.

That's how Lu Chengjun came to see the half-eaten wild boar and the monster carcass hanging on the tree.

It hunts both day and night.

It will sleep, but it will never fall into a deep sleep.

It's light sleep...

They will wake up at the slightest sound, especially when prey comes to their door.

As for their vigorous patrols of territory during the day, they actually find it difficult to catch prey.

Behind a large tree, the three-zhang-tall fire-feathered dragon was almost completely hidden in the darkness, with only its pair of vertical pupils gleaming with a cold golden light.

No prey...

Not a single bait hanging on the tree was missing.

The Firefeather Dragon moved slowly, each step silent. It circled its hunting grounds once, but still found no intruder.

The prey was very alert...

It's that little ape.

There are native people in the Southern Desolate Continent, and the Crimson-Crowned Fire-Feathered Dragon has naturally seen humans before.

However, almost all humans in the desolate state are protected by giant demons, and it is extremely rare for them to appear alone.

That little ape was very clever; it managed to escape even after being discovered by itself.

It must be him!

A mocking glint flashed in the Fire Feather Dragon's enormous golden eyes.

There will never be another deadwood mantis in these mountains and forests.

He can't escape.

Fire Feather Dragon was unaware that Lu Chengjun had left three talismans on the ground.

Three quicksand symbols that he personally drew.

The material for making talismans is "Qingyun Tickets," which he has plenty of.

Nanming Guards planted spiritual herbs in the city gate, and the roots and stems of the spiritual herbs were used to make paper.

This kind of paper, imbued with spiritual energy, is called Qingyun Ticket.

Lu Chengjun has mastered the first-tier spell Quicksand Technique. With just a little practice, he can draw quicksand talismans.

These three quicksand talismans were placed in three different locations.

The first one has now been launched.

The first quicksand talisman ignited, and the magic contained within it was activated, instantly turning the hardened earth around it into soft quicksand.

The Crimson-Crowned Fire-Feathered Dragon, which had been lurking in the darkness searching for prey, suddenly darted out, its fierce golden eyes filled with doubt.

It sensed the magical fluctuations but found no prey.

The hardened soil turned into quicksand that swirled towards the center.

This makes it even more puzzling.

A moment later...

The quicksand technique stopped, and the land returned to its hardened state.

How could that be?

Why?

Could it be that the little ape has hidden underground?

Crimson-Crowned Fire-Feathered Dragon considered this possibility, knowing that five days ago, the little ape had appeared silently from the ground.

So the Fire Feather Dragon stomped hard on the hardened ground.

boom!

A deep pit.

There was nothing there except a huge claw mark.

The magical fluctuations reappeared.

This time, it didn't wait for the quicksand spell to end before stepping on it.

boom!

Sand flew everywhere, but this time there were no footprints, only a deep pit. The quicksand spell was broken.

Such minor spells are actually ineffective against massive monsters.

I've been tricked twice in a row...

When the spell fluctuations of the third quicksand spell appeared, it was already unresponsive.

This time, the quicksand swallowed the dead mantis's carapace.

In the end, Fire Feather Dragon had to admit that the little ape-man had escaped right under his nose again.

"Roar!" A roar that shook the mountains and forests exploded out, venting the resentment in his heart.

It searched the entire hunting grounds but couldn't find a single person, and was tricked several times in a row. Its anxiety completely overwhelmed its patience.

Its enormous body rampaged through the forest, snapping trees and sending dirt flying, accompanied by a series of furious roars.

At this time, Lu Chengjun was hiding in an underground shelter.

The aardvark, which had been sleeping soundly, was awakened by those kicks, its big eyes filled with terror.

Lu Chengjun took two radishes out of the basket on his back.

The chubby boy hugged the radish and started gnawing on it, oblivious to the cataclysmic events unfolding outside.

Hearing the commotion outside, Lu Chengjun smiled.

The more frenzied this ferocious creature is, the better; once it runs out of energy, it will naturally rest.

If the other party remains hidden and silent, it will be difficult for him to figure out their background and he will not dare to show himself easily.

"Tell Rou Dun to dig three zhang in this direction after he finishes eating the radish, and bring the food back to me," Lu Chengjun instructed the tabby cat beside him.

"Meow..." Amiya responded softly.

Three zhang away from here, the thick, broken skin of the dead mantis sank into the soil, waiting to be dug up.

……

The next day.

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

Lu Chengjun had already returned to the salt station, travel-worn and exhausted.

He still carried a basket on his back and had his tabby cat with him, but the hoe in his hand was gone, replaced by a piece of tree bark.

The piece of bark was about the length of a person, thicker than five fingers, and had a firm texture, making it appear incredibly tough.

Lu Chengjun gently placed it in the corner of the wall like a hoe, then took off the basket on his back and took out the bag of refined salt.

Then they went to have dinner.

After eating.

He said to Zhou Hu, "I need to go to the Southern Underworld Guard and will return tomorrow."

Zhou Hu didn't dare ask why, he just told him to be careful.

Although Lu Chengjun had been busy all night, he didn't plan to rest. He took the tabby cat, picked up the piece of bark, and left.

We walked until the afternoon.

Lu Chengjun had already arrived at Nanming Guard.

He went straight to his residence near the government office and found Zhou Mo, the headmaster of the school.

Upon seeing him return, Zhou Mo asked with concern, "Lu Chengjun? You've had a tough month of transporting salt. Did you encounter any danger?"

"Once we figure out the Fire Feather Dragon's habits, there will be no danger," Lu Chengjun replied casually.

"Oh... what are the habits of the Fire Feather Dragon?"

"I need to sleep at night."

"That simple?" Zhou Mo was somewhat surprised.

"Hmm... but we can't break into its lair," Lu Chengjun added.

"So... it's not like you're indispensable for transporting salt," Zhou Mo muttered to himself, seemingly considering his options.

After thinking for a moment, he looked up and asked, "Did you come back specifically for something?"

Lu Chengjun stated frankly, "The abbot previously promised to personally craft a magical artifact for me."

Zhou Mo smiled faintly. He had indeed agreed to this condition in order to persuade Lu Chengjun to go to the salt station to protect the salt.

However, he was required to provide the materials himself, and he was only allowed to make one attempt.

Now it seems he took it to heart.

"Do you have the materials?" Zhou Mo asked with a smile.

Lu Chengjun immediately handed over the thick bark in his hand.

Zhou Mo frowned. Although he was skilled in weapon crafting, he couldn't make anything out of an ordinary piece of tree bark.

He ran his fingertips over it, examining it closely, then his expression suddenly changed: "This is the carapace of a demonic beast!?"

"Master Zhou has a good eye! This is the shell of a withered mantis." Lu Chengjun explained, "This demon is good at hiding. Its shell can resist water and fire, and can also isolate its own aura. If it can be refined into a magic weapon, it will be an excellent protective item for me."

Zhou Mo held it in his hands, examining it repeatedly, and pondered, "There are quite a few damaged parts, but its material is truly rare. I need to carefully consider the method of refining it. Once it is finished, I will personally deliver it to you at the salt station."

"Thank you, Headmaster." Lu Chengjun cupped his hands in thanks again. "I need to hurry back to the salt station, so I'll take my leave now."

"You've worked hard. The more than 15,000 members of the Nanming Guard rely on your efforts. On behalf of the elders and folks of this place, I thank you." As soon as Zhou Mo finished speaking, he disregarded his status as a Foundation Establishment cultivator and the headmaster of the academy and solemnly bowed to Lu Chengjun.

Upon seeing this, Lu Chengjun was slightly taken aback, his heart fluttering for a moment. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "You flatter me, Headmaster."