Chapter 242 - 210: Old Matters of Red Cloud, Breakthrough in Skills

Chapter 242: Chapter 210: Old Matters of Red Cloud, Breakthrough in Skills

’Sure enough, as my Alchemy Skill improves, I’m coming into contact with more and more high-end Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Materials! The panel’s accumulation speed is also increasing!’

After sighing with emotion, Xu Chang’an officially came out of seclusion.

After more than two months of continuous comprehension and insight, followed by three days of high-intensity Alchemy, Xu Chang’an needed to relax his mind.

The path of Cultivation required a balance between tension and relaxation—that was the natural way!

Walking out of the Grey Rat Cave, he found the scenery outside was exquisitely beautiful.

Over the years, Xu Chang’an had meticulously adjusted the dojo outside the Grey Rat Cave.

The Spirit Medicine Garden was brimming with life. Spirit Flowers vied for beauty over the pond, where Spirit Fish swam, occasionally blowing a few bubbles.

The sky was now approaching dusk, and the setting sun cast its rays downward.

A golden afterglow from the sunset still lingered on the pond’s surface. As the Spirit Fish swam, ripples spread out, scattering the light. But moments later, the golden brilliance would gather again, reforming into a solid sheet of light.

Xu Chang’an watched the scene before him, his heart filled with comfort.

’This is true Cultivation!’

To be detached from worldly strife, neither fighting nor scrambling, to possess one’s own Spirit Vein Dojo and run a business that draws wealth from all directions.

His own Cultivation was advancing steadily, with plenty of potential for continuous improvement!

"Gray Rat Alchemist!"

A voice called out. It was the Scorpion Spirit Yu Lulu.

"It’s been a while since I’ve seen you!"

Yu Lulu greeted him with a smile.

"I’ve had some profound insights lately, so I was in seclusion for a while."

Xu Chang’an replied with a smile.

Yu Lulu often interacted with him. However, ever since his promotion to Quasi-Third Tier Alchemist, her attempts to curry favor had become more frequent.

Except for the first year or two, her relationship with Huang Stone had not been harmonious recently.

Their initial deep affection was gone, replaced by frequent arguments.

’Looks like it won’t be long before Yu Lulu finds a new Dao Companion!’

However, this was ultimately a matter between the two demons, and Xu Chang’an had no intention of meddling.

After he had been in seclusion for nearly three months, Yu Lulu took the initiative to visit and chat, and Xu Chang’an politely engaged with her.

However, in the midst of their conversation, Yu Lulu mentioned some major news about Red Cloud Mountain that had been circulating widely.

"Red Cloud Mountain!?"

Xu Chang’an was quite curious about this.

"That’s right. The Red Crocodile Demon King of Red Cloud Mountain is getting married soon. Counting the days, it should be within the next day or two!"

"The Red Crocodile Demon King is getting married!? Who is his Dao Companion?"

Xu Chang’an was slightly surprised.

After forming an Inner Core and achieving the status of a Demon King, one’s lifespan became immense.

And the Red Crocodile Demon King, Shang Yan, was still young. It was unexpected that he would find a Dao Companion so early.

"Yes, I heard it’s with a Demon from Red Cloud Mountain who possesses a Demon King Bloodline. I haven’t looked into the specific details!"

Hearing this, Xu Chang’an froze.

If he remembered correctly, besides Shang Yan, the only one on Red Cloud Mountain with a Demon King Bloodline was Yu Ruyan.

’The Red Crocodile Demon King and Yu Ruyan!? How is that possible!?’

In their previous correspondence, Yu Ruyan would occasionally mention matters on Red Cloud Mountain.

One of the things she mentioned was that many of the Elders wanted to arrange a marriage between her and Shang Yan.

But she had refused!

’There must be another with a Demon King Bloodline!’

Xu Chang’an thought to himself.

However, ripples began to disturb the previously placid waters of his heart.

In the end, he had no heart to continue chatting with Yu Lulu.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, I just remembered I have something to attend to. Let’s talk another day!"

With a quick farewell, Xu Chang’an transformed into a streak of light and headed for Peacock Demon City.

Peacock Demon City, a gathering place for countless demons, was the best place for information.

Several hours later, Xu Chang’an had gathered the latest news within Peacock Demon City.

The Red Crocodile Demon King of Red Cloud Mountain was to be married soon. A ceremony would be held on Red Cloud Mountain, with a wide invitation extended to fellow cultivators from all regions.

The Red Crocodile Demon King’s Dao Companion was Red Cloud Mountain’s Yu Ruyan!

She...

...could not have been willing!

Of this, he was certain!

But, why...

For a moment, Xu Chang’an was lost in a daze.

That night on Red Cloud Mountain surfaced in his mind.

"Little rat, you look unfamiliar. You probably didn’t become a Demon on Cyan Mountain, did you?"

"I was lucky enough to become a Demon on the outskirts of Cyan Mountain. I don’t often come to its core."

"Little rat, your Bloodline doesn’t seem very strong. To have become a Demon, you must have gone through many hardships."

"Indeed, I suffered quite a bit."

This was their conversation when they first met on Cyan Mountain. She had been the one to approach him.

...

"Back when I joined Red Cloud Mountain, I performed a meritorious service and was rewarded with a Qi Condensing Pill."

"When I broke through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, I didn’t use any elixirs, so I had it left over."

"Now, we haven’t seen each other in seven years, and you happen to need it. Giving it to you can be considered a token of our friendship."

"Little rat, you don’t need to overthink it. We are both Cyan Mountain Demons."

"If I can lend a hand, I naturally will."

"By the way, Miss Yu, do you have any Qi Replenishing Pills?"

"I was thinking that if I manage to break through, I’ll need Qi Replenishing Pills for my cultivation."

"If you have some, you’d be helping a demon out completely."

"Qi Replenishing Pills... I need them for myself, too. I only have a little over two bottles."

"Hehe, thank you, thank you, Miss Yu."

"Miss Yu, don’t worry. I’ll definitely remember this favor. As for the elixirs, I’ll surely repay you in the future."

"Just don’t go back on your word."

"Don’t worry, Miss Yu. This little rat isn’t that kind of demon."

This was the help she gave him when they reunited at Yellow Wasp Mountain.

...

"Don’t you get it yet, little rat?"

"It’s because your Dao Heart is firm and your mind is steady that I see you in a different light!"

"Oh, right, little rat."

"You don’t have to call me Miss Yu, Miss Yu all the time."

"I’ve taken a new name, Yu Ruyan. You can just call me Ruyan."

Yu Ruyan!

"A fine name!"

"Little rat, there’s no need for such formalities between us."

"No need for pleasantries. We can just be our true selves with each other!"

"Be our true selves? Really!?"

"Of course."

"Then I have a question I’m very curious about."

"What is it?"

"Now that you have your Transformed Form, Miss Yu... is your tail still there?"

"My tail?"

"What are you thinking!? Little rat."

"I’m just purely curious."

"Mhm, just curious!"

"You damn rat!"

"You lecher!"

"A misunderstanding, Miss Yu! This little rat isn’t that kind of demon!"

This was their conversation during their small gathering at Red Cloud Mountain.

...

"Little rat, we haven’t seen each other in so many years. This is a small token from me."

"Thank you, Miss Yu. I will definitely remember this kindness."

"That’s what you said back on Yellow Wasp Mountain when I gave you the Qi Condensing Pill. So many years have passed, and I’ve yet to see you repay me!"

"You don’t need to use those lines for placating girls on me. Just take it!"

"Don’t worry, Miss Yu! Including the Qi Condensing Pill from before, this little rat will definitely repay you in the future!"

"Just don’t go back on your word! Alright, I’m leaving!"

This was her parting gift to him in Peacock Demon City.

...

Reuniting at the Foundation Establishment Celebration on Red Cloud Mountain, the years of correspondence...

They had known each other for nearly seventy years!

Scene after scene from the past flooded his mind like a movie.

"Little rat, if it were you, would you choose to be a Rebel Demon King!?"

"I’m not the Silver Thorn Demon King."

"But what if you were!"

"If I really were him, then I wouldn’t!"

"Why?"

"Being a Rebel Demon King is too risky, and the outcome is uncontrollable!"

"But in the end, the Silver Thorn Demon King became a Demon King and married his beloved. Isn’t that a perfect ending!"

"That’s because the Demon King of Leopard Ridge acknowledged him! What if he hadn’t!? The process itself is the risk! The good outcome didn’t depend on the Silver Thorn Demon King at the time, but on the other party!"

"But sometimes, to achieve our goals, we have to take some risks."

"Little rat, maybe you’re right!"

These were the words she spoke to him before the Demon King Hall on Red Cloud Mountain.

She had told him a story, the story of the Silver Thorn Demon King.

...

The Silver Thorn Demon King, as a top-tier Great Demon, became a Rebel Demon King!

And he, the Grey Rat, as a Quasi-Third Tier Alchemist, held a status even greater than a top-tier Great Demon!

If Silver Thorn could do it, why couldn’t he, the Grey Rat?

’Don’t worry, Miss Yu! Including the Qi Condensing Pill from before, this little rat will definitely repay you in the future!’

Xu Chang’an’s heart grew increasingly resolute.

What the Silver Thorn Demon King felt when he chose to become a Rebel Demon King, he couldn’t know.

But he understood what he had to do now.

’The Red Crocodile Demon King!? Becoming Dao Companions!?’

’If you are unwilling, why force yourself like this!’

’If you’re worried about the risks, if you have too many reservations! Then I...’

In that instant, an indescribable and incomparably brilliant light erupted from Xu Chang’an’s eyes.

The light was like a sword, as if it had physical substance.

"Then I will personally eliminate all risks! So you can make your decision again, without any reservations!"