Chapter 107: Great Demon

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Great Demon

The next morning, at the crack of dawn, the mountains were shrouded in a thin mist and crisp air.

Chen Yue pushed open his cabin door, ready to explore his new surroundings, only to find Yao Jin already waiting outside the small courtyard, his breath misting in the early morning light.

"Senior Brother Yao? Why are you here so early?" Chen Yue asked, a little surprised.

Although Yao Jin had agreed to show him the ropes yesterday, they hadn’t set a specific time.

Yao Jin smiled when he saw Chen Yue emerge.

"Good morning, Junior Brother Chen. Showing you the ropes on Dan Peak is an assignment Martial Zhao personally gave me yesterday. It counts as a type of Sect mission. Since I accepted it, I naturally have to do my best.

Besides, I can collect some Contribution Points afterward, so I can’t afford to slack off."

His tone was frank, holding nothing back.

Hearing this, Chen Yue nodded. ’So, within the Sect, even something like orienting a new disciple is considered a mission for earning Contribution Points.’

’It seems the Contribution Point system really does permeate every aspect of the Sect’s operations.’

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Yao," Chen Yue said, cupping his hands.

"Don’t mention it, Junior Brother. It’s my duty."

Yao Jin waved his hand dismissively and said enthusiastically, "Come on, I’ll take you to breakfast first. The dining hall on our Dan Peak is famous throughout the entire Outer Sect!"

The two walked down the quiet morning mountain path and soon arrived at the dining hall Chen Yue had passed yesterday, which was situated on a wide platform on the mountainside of Dan Peak.

Wisps of smoke were already rising from its kitchen, and a unique, appetizing aroma of food mixed with medicinal herbs filled the air.

Inside, the dining hall was spacious, filled with dozens of long wooden tables and benches.

Many disciples were already eating. Some nodded in greeting as Yao Jin and Chen Yue entered, while others simply kept their heads down and ate. The atmosphere was relaxed.

"Our Dan Peak’s dining hall is different from the big-pot meals on the other peaks."

Yao Jin led Chen Yue forward, saying with no small amount of pride, "The food here is varied, and much of it is medicinal cuisine. Many of the senior brothers in charge of the cooking also understand pharmacology and incorporate mild-natured medicinal herbs into the dishes.

So not only does it taste good, but eating it long-term is highly beneficial for one’s physique. Many Outer Sect disciples from other peaks will even go out of their way to eat here, just for a taste."

Chen Yue looked at the food on the other tables and saw that many of the dishes were indeed vibrant in color, with aromas far richer and more enticing than ordinary meals.

Following Yao Jin’s recommendations, he ordered a few medicinal dishes that looked good. When he paid, he found they were indeed more expensive than regular food, but still within an affordable range.

The two found a seat by a window. The moment the food entered his mouth, he found it was delicious. After swallowing, a gentle warmth spread through his body, making him feel comfortable all over and instantly revitalized.

As they ate, Yao Jin said, "And this is just the ordinary medicinal cuisine. Junior Brother Chen, if you’re willing to spend Contribution Points, you can even order dishes here made from carefully prepared Demon Beast Flesh! The restorative effects are much stronger than these regular medicinal meals and are a great benefit to one’s cultivation!"

"Demon Beast Flesh?" Chen Yue’s hand, holding his chopsticks, paused. A look of clear surprise crossed his face.

In Youlin County, Chen Yue had only encountered sinister entities like evil spirits. The term "demon beast" was somewhat foreign to him.

’No, wait!’

Chen Yue’s eyes flickered as he suddenly recalled the terrifying Mountain Monarch outside Youlin County.

Yao Jin didn’t seem surprised by Chen Yue’s reaction. He swallowed his food and said with a smile:

"What’s so strange about it? All things in creation have their own spirituality, and all things can cultivate the Dao. It’s not just us humans who can absorb Primordial Qi and temper our bodies.

This Celestial State Prefecture is a land of outstanding people and beautiful landscapes, rich with Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, making it a treasured land for cultivation. Our Sect chose to establish itself here, and naturally, those beasts and monsters that have gained intelligence also want to occupy such a blessed land to cultivate.

Most of them hide in remote places and keep to themselves, but some venture near towns and come into conflict with us. After being processed, their flesh, blood, and bones are highly nourishing."

Chen Yue nodded slowly. ’This world is indeed vaster and more wondrous than I ever imagined.’

"In the deep mountains outside the county town I came from, there was a powerful Mountain Monarch. On the day of the Heavenly Dog Devours the Sun, that Mountain Monarch headed toward the town..."

Yao Jin’s face showed surprise at this. He put down his chopsticks, looked at Chen Yue seriously, and sighed.

"Such a thing happened? A Mountain Monarch that can manifest phenomena is likely no ordinary demon beast, but one approaching the level of a Great Demon! Junior Brother Chen, to escape from such a dangerous place alive, you must be truly blessed with great fortune and incredible luck!"

Chen Yue nodded. "It was indeed a close call!"

The phantom image of a roaring, ferocious tiger that had appeared in the sky that day flashed through his mind. If he had been any slower to flee, he would have truly been trapped in Youlin County.

After finishing breakfast, Yao Jin led Chen Yue from the dining hall toward the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.

As they walked along the winding mountain path, they were flanked by lush woods and neatly cultivated medicinal fields.

Chen Yue was admiring the Sect scenery, so starkly different from Youlin County, when he suddenly asked:

"Senior Brother Yao, our Sect has a long history. I was wondering, are there any pill formulas specifically for Bone Marrow Cleansing? Something like the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, but more powerful?"

Yao Jin nodded without hesitation. "Of course, there are. More than one, in fact. The Pill Formula section in the Hidden Skills Pavilion has records of several such formulas, some with quite impressive-sounding names. However..."

Yao Jin’s tone shifted. "Almost no disciples bother to research these kinds of elixirs."

"Oh? And why is that?" Chen Yue asked, looking at Yao Jin.

Yao Jin chuckled. "The reason is simple. The Bone Marrow Cleansing effect of these elixirs is often minuscule, practically better than nothing, but not by much."

He pointed at Chen Yue. "Take the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill you refined yesterday, for example. Its main value lies in healing hidden injuries and improving one’s cultivation. As for the Bone Marrow Cleansing effect in its name..."

Yao Jin shook his head. "It’s just not worth it to put so much effort into refining a difficult elixir whose primary effect is so weak."

Chen Yue listened and nodded. ’He’s right. If it weren’t for the panel, I wouldn’t be so persistent about taking the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill myself.’

As they spoke, they happened to pass by a well-tended medicinal garden.

The garden was filled with all sorts of herbs, some familiar to Chen Yue and some not, all vibrant with life in the morning light.

Yao Jin pointed to the garden and continued, "Many of the medicinal ingredients recorded in these pill formulas are extremely rare nowadays. Even in our Dan Peak’s own gardens and storerooms, the stock is minimal, or we have none at all.

We naturally prefer to refine elixirs whose ingredients are relatively common and which are in steady demand."

Hearing this, Chen Yue’s gaze flickered, but he didn’t give up.

"Senior Brother Yao, in your opinion, among the currently available pill formulas, is there one with a noticeably stronger effect than the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill? And at the same time, are its main ingredients stably supplied in the peak’s storerooms?"

The effects of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill were starting to diminish for Chen Yue; he had to find a replacement.

An elixir that could simultaneously reduce the experience cap for various cultivation techniques and raise his cultivation level was extremely cost-effective for him.

Yao Jin’s steps faltered for a moment, and he gave Chen Yue a slightly surprised look.

He had thought that after his explanation, Chen Yue would understand that Bone Marrow Cleansing elixirs were an unpopular and cost-ineffective choice on Dan Peak. He hadn’t expected this new junior brother to still be so interested.

But on second thought, Yao Jin figured that every Alchemy Master had their quirks. Some enjoyed tackling obscure and difficult pill formulas to prove themselves, or simply out of curiosity.

So he didn’t dwell on it, simply chalking it up to Chen Yue’s youthful ambition.

"Since you’re asking, Junior Brother..."

Yao Jin pondered for a moment, searching his memory, then said with a serious expression:

"There is one, actually, called the Bone Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining Pill. It’s considered an enhanced variant of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill. According to the pill formula, its medicinal power is more potent and concentrated. If a Martial Artist at the Marrow Refining Realm were to take it, they might indeed be able to stimulate a small amount of Marrow Cleansing and Bone Forging effect."

"But what this elixir is truly valued for is its body refining effect. Therefore, although it’s not easy to make, there is some demand for it among Inner Sect Disciples, and people do occasionally come to exchange for it."

’Bone Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining Pill...’ Chen Yue repeated the name to himself and nodded.

’Once the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill becomes completely ineffective, I’ll start preparing to take this Bone Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining Pill. As for whether I refine it myself or exchange for it, I’ll decide that when the time comes.’

’I have to admit, being in a Major Sect is so much better!’

In Youlin County, finding a Bone Marrow Cleansing elixir better than the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill would have been like finding a needle in a haystack. But here, a single casual question yielded several options.

At the same time, a point that Yao Jin had just casually mentioned was one Chen Yue had subconsciously overlooked.

It wasn’t just about finding the pill formula with the strongest effect or the biggest name. The key was whether, under current conditions, there was a stable supply of medicinal ingredients to support long-term refinement.

If even a Major Sect like the Panshi Sect had a scarce inventory or none at all, then in the marketplaces outside, the ingredients would likely be available in name only, impossible to actually find.

"Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother Yao. I will remember it," Chen Yue said sincerely.

Yao Jin waved his hand and continued leading Chen Yue. Before long, they arrived at the Hundred Herbs Pavilion once again.

The familiar scent of herbs filled the pavilion. Zhao Weiyuan was still sitting behind the same desk as yesterday, his head bowed as he read through a pill formula, a cup of tea by his side.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up, his calm gaze sweeping over the approaching Chen Yue and Yao Jin.

"Martial Zhao," the two of them hurried forward and bowed respectfully with cupped hands.

Zhao Weiyuan merely nodded slightly. His gaze lingered on Chen Yue for a moment before returning to the pill formula. His tone was flat as he spoke.

"Hm, you’re here. Yao Jin, show Chen Yue the rules."

His words were brief and to the point, showing no intention of further conversation.

Chen Yue and Yao Jin quickly acknowledged his order.

Chen Yue understood. ’It seems Martial Zhao really was in a good mood yesterday. That must be why he was willing to chat so much about the Innate Realm and the Alchemy Dao.’

’Today, he’s back to his usual stern and taciturn self.’

Yao Jin was clearly used to Zhao Weiyuan’s style. After another respectful bow, he led Chen Yue toward a relatively open area in the back of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.

Dozens of pill furnaces of various sizes were arranged there. Disciples were carefully tending to some of them, their fires blazing and the medicinal aroma growing even thicker.