Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

Jade Dew Island.

The only fourth-tier spirit island in the southeastern Yaoguang Islands.

It was also home to the gates of the Cyan Profound Sect!

As far as the eye could see, there were countless, boundless spirit fields and terraced paddies. Innumerable spirit farmers, like ants in the distance, toiled diligently in their conical hats.

And above Jade Dew Island, amidst an ethereal Sea of Clouds, magnificent mountain peaks floated, appearing and disappearing within the mists!

Thousands of white cranes and spirit birds, raised by the members of the Cyan Profound Sect, danced joyfully between the peaks.

From time to time, Foundation Establishment cultivators would ride their Escape Lights out from the mountains.

The spirit farmers toiling on the ground would glance at this sight without the slightest surprise, completely accustomed to it.

The Cyan Profound Sect!

The hegemon of the southeastern Yaoguang Islands!

...

At the summit of an immortal peak.

"Such a marvelous sight. To think I won’t be able to see it anymore... what a shame..."

A handsome man with a flame-shaped mark between his brows gazed out at the Sea of Clouds, sighing with emotion as a look of reminiscence crossed his face.

Before long, a hoarse, aged voice sounded from behind him.

"Not bad. After taking those two great medicines, you have indeed reached Foundation Establishment Perfection..."

A gaunt old man in red robes with gloomy eyes walked over slowly, a satisfied look on his face.

The gap between Late-stage Foundation Establishment and Foundation Establishment Perfection was purely a matter of Magical Power accumulation. As long as one was willing to pay the price, it wasn’t difficult to force an advancement.

Of course, a cultivator who reached Foundation Establishment Perfection by relying on the power of great medicines would have absolutely no chance of breaking through to the Golden Core realm.

One could say their path of cultivation was severed.

’However... for the primary material of a divine seed, this is perfect!’

"I assume that today is the day Master intends to take my life?"

Shu Shaojing turned around, sighed, and looked at Hongri before asking another question.

"How is the Shu Family?"

"Rest assured, I am not one to go back on my word," Hongri said flatly.

"The war is over. The Shu Family has been settled in a spirit land on Jade Dew Island. As long as they don’t leave the island, I guarantee their safety for three hundred years."

"They will not learn of your death. They will only be told that you have traveled to the Outer Sea to carry out a secret mission..."

Taking someone’s Dao Foundation to refine a divine seed.

If the target cooperated willingly, the results would be significantly better.

This was why Hongri had been so accommodating toward Shu Shaojing.

"Your arrangements are very thorough, Master. I am relieved..."

Shu Shaojing nodded in relief, as if a heavy chain had been unbound from him.

In the next instant, spiritual light flashed around his body, and an aura as sharp as a divine weapon appearing in the world swept across the summit! 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"What do you think you’re doing?" Hongri remained as still as a mountain, frowning as he spoke.

"Nothing much."

Shu Shaojing raised his head, meeting Hongri’s gaze without a trace of fear, and revealed a set of white teeth.

"Master, you taught me the Dao and guided me onto the path of cultivation. You allowed the Shu Family to flourish, and even in defeat, you have made proper arrangements for them..."

"You have shown me kindness, and you have shown the Shu Family kindness!"

"I also understand that you wish to form a Three-Method Golden Core, suppress the other sect elders, and reorganize the sect..."

"However..." Shu Shaojing said, word by word.

"Even so, I still harbor resentment!"

"During my days of confinement within the sect, I comprehended a sword strike in my meditation!"

"This strike will not damage my Dao Foundation or use any Forbidden Technique. It is forged solely of my heart, my method, and my will!"

"Master, do you dare to receive this strike?!"

Hongri’s brows twitched slightly as he gave Shu Shaojing a deep look.

His expression was stern as he uttered a single word.

"Come."

Shu Shaojing took a deep breath, and a crimson Immortal Sword materialized in his hand!

The next moment!

A terrifying black hole seemed to form around him, pulling all the surrounding Spiritual Qi toward Shu Shaojing!

BZZZZ!

A crimson-gold sword light flared to life, ringing out wantonly.

With unstoppable determination, it slashed toward Hongri!

Hongri’s expression remained calm. He did not dodge or evade, simply extending a forefinger wrapped in red light to tap at the sword light!

However...

The instant his finger made contact with the sword light!

The previously calm and composed Hongri’s face was suddenly filled with astonishment!

SHHIIING!

The sword light blazed brightly!

The protective red light shattered!

A blood-stained fingertip flew through the air!

Though ninety percent of its power was spent, the crimson-gold sword light continued to hum as it shot straight for Hongri’s face!

SHLICK.

Hongri tilted his head slightly. The last of the sword light grazed his cheek, leaving a bloody gash!

A round drop of fresh blood trickled down.

The remnants of the sword light, its momentum not yet spent, shot into the distance.

RUMBLE!

It carved a path over a hundred feet long through the forest on the summit!

"A Foundation Establishment cultivator wounding a Golden Core cultivator..."

Hongri was not angry. His tone was haunting.

He raised his hand. Flesh writhed at the stump of his finger, and in an instant, it regenerated. He then brushed the drop of blood from his cheek.

"Truly... a genius!"

He sighed, looking at Shu Shaojing.

At this moment, Shu Shaojing’s body had begun to blur and disintegrate, turning into specks of light that dissipated into the air.

He propped himself up and slowly bowed to Hongri, performing the final rite of a disciple.

A moment later, Shu Shaojing was no more!

Only a single, undamaged Flame Heart Jade remained.

Gazing at the Flame Heart Jade floating in mid-air, Hongri’s eyes flickered, his thoughts unreadable.

After a moment, he used his Magical Power to draw it to him and swallowed it.

Then, he took out a Communication Talisman.

"Change the spirit land for the Shu Family. Yes, the one under my name—that top-tier, first-rank spirit land."

"For the Foundation Establishment Elixir distribution in fifteen years, save one of the best quality for them."

"The reason..."

"Shu Shaojing established great merit while performing a secret mission. This is his reward."

...

「Donglong Island.」

The cultivators of the Luo Family returned in triumph, enjoying flowers and fine wine.

Although they hadn’t managed to take White Iron Island, they had recaptured Fuling Island and seized three of the Shu Family’s islands.

In addition, the Shu Family’s sea territory had now become the Luo Family’s hunting grounds.

The profits from the Luo Family’s Demon Hunting Ships had increased!

As a result of these two factors, the Luo Family’s languishing economy had begun to recover!

Furthermore, the retaliation from Shu Shaojing of the Shu Family, which the Luo Family had been worried about, never materialized.

Moreover, news had spread.

Shu Shaojing had left the sect to carry out a secret mission.

’Isn’t that too much of a coincidence?’

’Maybe... someone within the Cyan Profound Sect is preventing him from participating in family wars?’

Su Ye guessed, feeling his deduction was probably close to the truth.

But regardless, for the next few decades, he shouldn’t have to worry about the Shu Family’s threat.

And while the Qi Family had indeed occupied White Iron Island, they had not yet escalated the conflict any further.

In short, the situation was stable, and the seas were calm!

After relaxing and indulging in some tender moments for a few days, Su Ye began preparing to acquire the Sea Successor Remains!

He had already verified the effects of the Sea Successor Remains.

The two special materials needed to upgrade the Golden Sword Orchid to a top-tier spirit ship were Golden Cloud Bamboo and Iris.

The Sea Successor Remains could also be used as a substitute!

And the compatibility rating was still as high as one hundred and five percent!

’By that logic, it’s highly probable that the Sea Successor Remains can also substitute for the upgrade materials of a second-tier spirit ship!’

’A second-tier spirit ship...’

At this thought, Su Ye’s heart trembled with anticipation!

After witnessing the power of the Soul Gold with his own eyes, Su Ye’s desire for a second-tier spirit ship had undoubtedly grown even stronger!