Chapter 226: Chapter 225: Subduing the Qi Family and Purging Donglong

「The next day.」

「Liuli Island.」

The Ghostly Flood Dragon blotted out the sky, suspended among the clouds.

Su Ye stood at the ship’s prow. The gentle drizzle touched his skin, bringing a faint chill.

Between heaven and earth, Spiritual Qi swirled like a vortex, converging on the Qi Family’s estate.

After a long while, everything fell silent.

"He succeeded." Su Ye’s gaze shifted slightly.

If an ordinary Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator tried to refine a Demon King’s Inner Core, there would still be a chance of failure.

But with Qi Chengjian’s accumulated foundation, he had a slight chance of breaking through to the Crystal realm on his own. With such a basis, refining a Demon Pill was more than enough!

A moment later.

An Escape Light shot out from the Qi Family’s estate and landed on the deck of the Ghostly Flood Dragon.

"Greetings, Master."

Qi Chengjian bowed his head, his tone even and his heart surprisingly calm.

He had clearly accepted reality.

’A Fake Core is a Fake Core.’

’After all, even if I can’t advance another inch, at least I have the combat power of a third-tier cultivator.’

’Besides, refining a Demon King’s Inner Core to become a Fake Core Adept also increases my lifespan.’

Even if the increase was slightly less than that of a true Crystal realm cultivator.

But now?

Qi Chengjian’s lifespan had reached a little over four hundred years.

Nearly double that of the Foundation Establishment Realm!

What cultivators seek is nothing more than ’freedom’ and ’longevity.’

He had lost ’freedom’ but gained ’longevity.’

’All things considered, it’s still acceptable.’

"Rise."

Su Ye’s expression was indifferent as he stood with his hands behind his back.

He sized up Qi Chengjian, his Divine Sense stirring as he sensed his aura.

Perhaps it was due to his deep foundation, or perhaps it was the enhancement from Blood Light Soul Splitting. In any case, although Qi Chengjian had only a Fake Core, his aura was comparable to He Muyun’s.

According to Su Ye’s assessment...

...if most Early-stage Crystal cultivators didn’t have a Dharma Treasure, their conventional combat power would likely be inferior to Qi Chengjian’s.

Of course, if that Crystal Adept used Quasi-Techniques, it would be a different story...

’But this is enough.’

Su Ye nodded slightly, showing his satisfaction.

’That Demon Pill wasn’t a waste!’

’Especially since his combat power will increase even more after he refines his own Dharma Treasure.’

Su Ye mused, calculating inwardly.

As for rewarding him with a Dharma Treasure...

Huh?

’I don’t even have a Dharma Treasure myself yet!’

’I recommend self-reliance.’

Su Ye shrugged.

Then, his thoughts turned elsewhere.

’So it seems Blood Light Soul Splitting doesn’t affect a cultivator’s advancement?’

After subjugating Qi Chengjian, Su Ye had used Blood Light Soul Splitting to strengthen him... or was it more of a restriction?

He then ordered him to refine the Demon King’s Inner Core.

’Now that Qi Chengjian has successfully formed a Fake Core and stepped into the third tier, does this mean Blood Light Soul Splitting doesn’t conflict with the path of immortal cultivation?’

’No, that’s not right...’ Su Ye mused.

’Refining a Demon King’s Inner Core isn’t a traditional method of advancement, so there might be some deviation...’

’Besides, the sample size is too small.’ Su Ye shook his head.

’I should wait until some of the cultivators from the Immortal City have advanced to Foundation Establishment before I use it to strengthen Zhao Li, Luo Qingjun, and the others...’

Blood Light Soul Splitting could repair missing limbs and supplement one’s foundation.

To a certain extent, it could also cleanse the physical body and purify pill toxins.

With this enhancement, among Su Ye’s friends and family, even those with poorer aptitude or physical disabilities would have a much higher chance of reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm!

However, this matter concerned his friends and family.

Su Ye was rather cautious about it and didn’t make a rash decision.

’For now, I need more samples.’

’And I need to observe them more closely over time... I’ll wait and see...’

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

In reality, only a moment had passed.

Su Ye reined in his thoughts.

He looked calmly at Qi Chengjian and began to explain the job.

"This is your first mission."

"Find and capture the target alive."

Su Ye used his Magical Power to levitate a jade slip and pass it to Qi Chengjian.

This jade slip contained information about Priestess Marina!

This concerned the development of the new continent.

Su Ye placed great importance on this ’person from the Divine Continent.’

Taking the jade slip, Qi Chengjian scanned it with his Divine Sense, quickly memorizing the information.

"Find someone?"

Qi Chengjian frowned slightly, looking troubled.

Searching for a specific target in this vast sea... it was no different from finding a needle in a haystack!

"This mission... it might take a very long time..."

Qi Chengjian said, choosing his words carefully.

Su Ye nodded in agreement.

He wasn’t the type of person to ignore a mission’s difficulty and simply demand his subordinates show initiative.

"Don’t worry. You won’t be doing this all by yourself."

"The intelligence networks of the Immortal City and the Cyan Profound Sect will both provide assistance."

"All you need to do is follow the intelligence, go to the designated location, and capture the target alive."

Su Ye said nonchalantly, his gaze profound.

Hearing these calm words, Qi Chengjian’s heart was thrown into turmoil. His eyes flickered.

This assurance seemed ordinary.

But it involved the two major powers in this sea region!

Moreover, the Immortal City and the Cyan Profound Sect were hostile toward each other...

Yet Su Ye was saying they would work together for a single objective?

This was simply unbelievable!

’Is this mission so significant that it has wide-reaching implications?’

’Or could it be...’

Qi Chengjian’s heart pounded as he shot a subtle glance at Su Ye.

’Is he already capable of... mobilizing the forces of both the Immortal City and the great sect?’

Such influence...?

Was this something a newly advanced Crystal realm cultivator could do?

The thought left Qi Chengjian deeply shaken, and he couldn’t calm his racing heart for a long time.

He took a deep breath and bowed low.

"I, Chengjian, humbly accept this command!"

...

By using both threats and promises, he had subdued the Qi Family.

And gained a Fake Core combatant!

Su Ye was in a good mood.

’Repaying grievances with virtue, turning weapons of war into gifts of jade and silk... it’s a beautiful thing, really.’

’What a magnanimous personality.’

’Needs no further comment!’

Next.

Leaving Liuli Island, Su Ye piloted the Ghostly Flood Dragon toward Donglong Island!

By now, this island Su Ye was so familiar with had become a paradise for demonic beasts.

Several second-tier demonic beasts had taken over Luoyue Mountain, and various monsters darted through the complexes of buildings!

However, because the evacuation was timely, the Luo Family had already taken everything of value.

The actual losses were negligible.

Even the mortals on the island had suffered few casualties, merely a great deal of panic.

To demonic beasts, mortals who didn’t cultivate were just part of the food chain and not something to be targeted deliberately.

After all, compared to other demonic beasts, mortals weren’t particularly tasty and weren’t very nutritious.

Soon.

Su Ye slaughtered all the demonic beasts on the island.

He had cleared Donglong Island!

As a side-note, he also reassured the mortals.

He left behind a dozen or so cursed crewmen and a second-tier Array Plate to guard the island!

An Array Plate of Su Ye’s own making!

’By the way... now that I’ve advanced to the Crystal realm and my Divine Sense has greatly improved... I wonder if my skill in the Dao of Arrays can also be upgraded?’

Su Ye pondered, ’After the Crystal-Ascension Ceremony is over and I’ve officially taken over as Lord of the Immortal City and established diplomatic relations with the Cyan Profound Sect... once my power base is solidified, I’ll focus on improving myself...’

’Divine Sense, Magical Power, Dharma Treasures, cultivation techniques...’

’My own cultivation level is the cornerstone of everything.’

Su Ye’s gaze was profound; on this point, he was crystal clear.