Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Qi Refining Eighth Layer
In his hiding spot, Xu Chang’an took out numerous Storage Bags.
He began to inspect them one by one.
Among these Storage Bags, Jin Ling’er’s contained the most resources.
Two Middle-grade Magical Artifacts, seven or eight Low-grade Magical Artifacts, and numerous Elixirs, Demon Talismans, Demon Stones, and Ores.
A rough estimate put their value at nearly two thousand five hundred Demon Stones.
’The little rich girl of Langlang Mountain, indeed!’
Xu Chang’an’s eyes lit up.
Next was the Black Crow Spirit’s Storage Bag, which also contained quite a few Magical Artifacts and Demon Talismans, as well as some rare ore materials.
Including the Trapping Magical Artifact, the Earth Suppression Order, it was worth over a thousand Demon Stones.
Then there were the Storage Bags of the other seven or eight demon leaders from Black Crow Mountain.
Added together, they were also worth over a thousand Demon Stones.
In total, this haul reached a staggering sum of over five thousand Demon Stones.
"Another windfall!"
Xu Chang’an clicked his tongue with a smile.
’Looks like I need to find a chance to clear out some of this inventory!’
Now that Xu Chang’an was wealthy, if he found the time to leave the mountain, he could plan to purchase a Top-grade Magical Artifact.
Typically, an Old Demon who has just entered the Qi Refining Seventh Layer with a shallow foundation would find it difficult to own even one Middle-grade Magical Artifact.
An Old Demon at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, however, would usually possess one to three Middle-grade Magical Artifacts as their standard Guarding Methods.
As for Top-grade Magical Artifacts, even slightly flawed or damaged ones were typically only owned by Old Demons at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.
Of course, this didn’t take into account the Direct Lineage demons specially cultivated by major powers.
Among all the Storage Bags, the one with the largest storage space was Jin Ling’er’s.
It had a full six cubic meters of space.
After gathering all the resources he didn’t currently need into this Storage Bag, Xu Chang’an hid it once more.
Demons in the Qi Refining Stage had not yet developed Demon Sense, so Xu Chang’an wasn’t worried about any imprints being left on them.
The hiding spot he had chosen was carefully selected.
Hiding the resources there should be perfectly safe.
’If only I had a Magical Treasure!’
Xu Chang’an sighed with emotion.
A Magical Treasure could be nurtured within his body, so he wouldn’t have to worry about Magical Artifacts stored in a Storage Bag being discovered.
’I’ve cleaned up all the loose ends related to this haul. So, next...’
’It’s time for a breakthrough!’
With a focused gaze, Xu Chang’an took out the Cultivation Elixirs and Spirit Medicines from the numerous Storage Bags.
’Oh, and the Ore!’
The panel could also absorb the Energy contained within the Ore.
However, in comparison, absorbing Energy from Ore was just not cost-effective.
For the same value, an Elixir might produce an effect of 10.
The Ore would be lucky to even reach 1.
But since he had the Ore on hand now, Xu Chang’an naturally wouldn’t let it go to waste.
One by one, the Elixirs, Spirit Medicines, and pieces of Ore were swallowed, transforming into a rolling wave of heat that swept through his entire body.
Normally, Ore is incredibly tough and difficult to digest, but it was still digested and absorbed by some unknown power.
The Energy Points were steadily accumulating!
After reaching a certain threshold, Xu Chang’an focused his mind and chose to advance his Cultivation.
WHOOSH~
His aura changed, and the air around him stirred without any wind.
Only by exerting all his control did he prevent a major disturbance.
’Qi Refining Eighth Layer!’
Xu Chang’an’s mind was calm, feeling neither joy nor sorrow.
He hadn’t finished consuming the Elixirs and Spirit Medicines yet.
’Continue!’
The warm current appeared once again!
After a long time, Xu Chang’an finally let out a slow breath.
Name: Xu Chang’an
Bloodline: Common Grey Rat (Ungraded)
Lifespan: 36 years
Realm: Qi Refining Eighth Layer
Skills: Alchemy (Tier One Low Grade)
Energy: (27/300)
...
’Three hundred Energy Points!’
Xu Chang’an’s gaze flickered, and he then stood up.
’Time to go back!’
He once again concealed his cultivation aura, hiding it at the Qi Refining Second Layer.
...
About ten days passed after Xu Chang’an broke through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.
An order finally came from Langlang Mountain’s Elder Peak, recalling the Mountain Goat Spirit to the Alchemy Hall.
Xu Chang’an naturally returned with the Mountain Goat Spirit as well.
Now that the situation had stabilized, it was no longer appropriate for the Mountain Goat Spirit to guard the Spirit Plant Garden.
News was scarce in the Spirit Plant Garden, but after returning to Hundred Arts Peak, there were many demons coming and going.
Xu Chang’an managed to learn quite a lot, in much greater detail than he could have in the Spirit Plant Garden.
"Vanguard Steel Fang, are you saying that the King’s cultivation has advanced, and he’s already got one foot in Mid-stage Foundation Establishment!"
Xu Chang’an put on a timely look of shock as he looked at the Wolf Demon, Steel Fang.
Steel Fang had been quite lucky in the great battle, slaying several Mid-stage Qi Refining demons.
He also earned other merits and was said to have already applied at the Merit Hall to exchange for a Tier-Breaking Elixir, the Qi Gathering Pill!
However, the battle had also left its mark on Steel Fang.
A huge scar had appeared on his face, giving Steel Fang an extra dose of menacing Evil Qi.
"That’s right. The outside world was spreading rumors that the King hadn’t emerged from his long seclusion because he was injured and healing in isolation."
"But who would have thought that the King was actually comprehending his chance for a breakthrough!"
Speaking of the King, Steel Fang’s face beamed with pride.
Xu Chang’an immediately played along, praising the King’s wisdom and unparalleled bravery.
’One foot in Mid-stage Foundation Establishment!’
’The Peak of Early-stage Foundation Establishment!?’
The Cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Realm is slightly different from the Qi Refining Realm.
It is divided into Early, Middle, and Late Stages.
Within each of these stages, there are distinctions of Minor Achievement, Great Success, and Peak.
Since he had one foot in the Middle Stage, he was undoubtedly at the Peak of Early-stage Foundation Establishment.
’However, since I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, I can’t know for sure if it’s true.’
’It might just be a baseless rumor spread among the lower-ranking demons.’
’Still, since Jin Yuanba, the Foundation Establishment Great Demon of Langlang Mountain, was able to force the Black Crow King into retreat in just a few rounds...’
’His Realm is probably at least Early-stage Foundation Establishment Great Success!’
As a Vanguard of Langlang Mountain, Steel Fang was naturally incredibly busy.
He usually had no free time.
The only reason he made time to speak with Xu Chang’an was because he saw his extraordinary talent and aptitude for Alchemy.
Besides, he was the one who had led him to the mountain in the first place.
After their exchange, Steel Fang left the Alchemy Hall.
"Grey Rat, congratulations!"
the Mountain Goat Spirit said to Xu Chang’an with a smile.
Now that some days had passed, the Mountain Goat Spirit’s vigor and spirit had gradually returned to normal.
He was congratulating Xu Chang’an on breaking through to the Qi Refining Third Layer the day before, taking his cultivation up another level.
Xu Chang’an had used the opportunity of cultivating in the Spirit Plant Garden to appropriately raise his displayed Cultivation to the Qi Refining Third Layer.
’I need to display my Alchemy Skill, but if my Cultivation is too weak, my influence within Langlang Mountain will ultimately be limited!’
’Since I’ve decided to stay in Langlang Mountain for a while longer, I can’t just keep acting as a cannon-fodder Little Demon!’
As long as it was consistent with the performance expected of his Bloodline aptitude, Xu Chang’an didn’t mind revealing a bit more of his Cultivation.
As evening approached, Xu Chang’an was tidying up in the Alchemy Hall, preparing to return to his cave.
Xiong Da came looking for him, all excited.
Speaking of that big oaf, he had been slightly injured on the battlefield.
But it wasn’t a major issue; in fact, it was a blessing in disguise, as he smoothly broke through to the Qi Refining Fifth Layer!
For someone with Xiong Da’s Bloodline aptitude, such a cultivation speed was considered fast!
"Grey Rat, there’s a letter for you."
"It’s from the Yellow Wasp Spirit."
"He sent me one too."
"Oh!?"
Xu Chang’an took the letter, a look of surprise on his face.
