Fifth-Order Demonic Essence

The Thousand-Year Sea Turtle has a pretty good idea.

But no one likes such a two-faced traitor.

The wisest choice is naturally not to accept the other party's surrender, thus avoiding potential future problems.

After a brief lull.

A fierce battle erupted once again.

However, this time, after losing their most important trump card for turning the tide, the Sea Race Demons gradually showed obvious signs of decline.

Half an hour later.

Under the combined attack of the Human True Lord, the last Six-fin Barracuda failed to break through and was killed on the spot.

Thus, the entire Battle of the Shallow Sky Sea finally came to a complete end.

For the Human Race...

Although there were many twists and turns and unexpected events along the way, the result can be described as a great victory.

Moreover, it was an unprecedented and resounding victory.

In total, they annihilated twelve Fourth-Order great demon of the Sea Race, hundreds of Third-tier Sea Fish, and hundreds of thousands of Foundation Establishment lesser demons.

It also destroyed more than twenty Fourth-tier Defensive Formation and one super- Linked Grand Array.

It can be said that their record is quite impressive, and their results are extremely fruitful!

What's even more commendable is that our side's losses were relatively minor.

There were no important casualties or serious injuries, and the disciples below also did not suffer significant casualties.

It definitely deserves a proper celebration.

"Daoist Xiao, Daoist Qian Shu, what do you think about hosting tonight's Celebration Banquet as a crab feast?"

Gang Yuan True Monarch beamed, "Perfect timing to have Daoist Iron Fan's ancestral secret recipe as the grand finale."

Xiao Chen naturally had no objection. "Great! I'd love to try Daoist Iron Fan's secret recipe and see if it's any good."

Qian Shu True Monarch clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "That's exactly right!"

"Especially that Gilded Overlord Crab, it caused us a lot of trouble before."

"I've been wanting to put it on a plate and cook it for a long time."

They fought each other for over a year, and Thousand Machines Valley lost many disciples; there was indeed some grudge between them.

However, everyone is still busy cleaning up the battlefield, and dinner will have to wait until evening.

The term "cleaning up the battlefield" is just a general term; it doesn't mean that everyone needs to actually clean up the environment.

Rather, it's because many Golden Core Sea Fish still survive in the Sea Race, and there are also many remaining Array Foundation and Stronghold nearby.

Therefore, the Human Race also had to send people to deal with them one by one.

In fact, even at this point, dozens of Golden Core Sea Fish and tens of thousands of ordinary Sea Fish were still fleeing in all directions.

The reason why they all seemed to not exist before is because...

It's just that in the fourth-tier battlefield, their presence or absence doesn't really play a role, let alone interfere with the overall situation.

In the Cultivation World, if one's level of attainment is insufficient, one can often only drift along with the tide.

If the Human Race had suffered a crushing defeat today, it would be the Golden Core Disciple of the various sects who would be fleeing now; it's the same principle.

"Daoist Xiao, why don't you rest for a while?"

Seeing Xiao Chen running around catching Sea Fish, Cloud Vortex True Monarch offered a word of advice. "Taking on tasks like this can be handled by the disciples."

"Besides, let's give them a chance to earn Points too."

The disciples below can carry out missions in the war, and their personal contributions will be counted in the form of Points. Afterwards, they can redeem various rewards.

For some capable and lucky disciples, this is also a great opportunity.

If you are lucky enough to accumulate enough Points to exchange for Breakthrough Spirit Item, you will have the opportunity to rise to the top in one step.

"Cloud Vortex Fellow Daoist, please don't misunderstand. I don't care about the Sea Fish my disciples have a chance to catch; I'm only eyeing those that have almost successfully escaped."

Xiao Chen explained, "What I'm actually worried about is that if we leave everything to the disciples, some might slip through the net."

"Once these Golden Core Sea Fish escape and find a place to hide, they will become Great Demon, posing a serious threat to passing rogue cultivators and merchant caravans."

"Could there be a special cleanup plan later?"

Logically speaking, after the war ended, the major sects, especially the True Lord, shouldn't have made a point of returning to eliminate any future troubles, right?

Wouldn't that mean many rogue cultivators would lose their lives to those who slipped through the net?

"I see. Daoist Xiao truly cares for the common people. I was inconsiderate."

Cloud Vortex True Monarch immediately understood, and said, "Then I will come along too, and try to restore peace to the Shallow Sky Sea."

Ah, this...

Actually, Xiao Chen's catching of Sea Fish wasn't entirely for good deeds.

He had another objective: to take the opportunity to locate the Sea Race ' supply depot.

It's important to understand that setting up multiple large formations and maintaining their operation over a long period requires a massive amount of spiritual materials and Spirit Stone.

Typically, Human Race would establish Stronghold and build warehouses to store these items.

If transport or replenishment is needed, it is mostly done via spirit ships.

By the same token, the Sea Race should also have similar functions.

Strangely, Xiao Chen had searched almost the entire area but found no trace of the area.

The Sea Race do not appear to have built large warehouses.

On a nearby small island, about twenty-four very limited warehouses were set up here and there, and a number of Mid-Grade Spirit Stone were piled up inside.

All of it added up to only a little over 20,000 yuan.

In terms of quantity, it is completely outmatched by a super formation like the Linked Grand Array.

Furthermore, the two sides did not fight for very long in total, so it should not have been exhausted in a stalemate.

Where exactly are their spare Spirit Stone and Spare Array Foundation hidden?

As night fell and the stars twinkled, the Human Race officially sounded the retreat.

Xiao Chen was still unable to find the remaining supplies of the Sea Race.

He even began to doubt. "Am I overthinking it? Did the Sea Race only prepare this many Spirit Stone?"

Could it be that they were betting that the Thirty-Six Revolving Cold Smoke Golden Talisman would buy them a lot of time, so they didn't prepare more Spirit Stone?

Just as he was pondering this...

Suddenly, someone called out, "Daoist Xiao, come here quickly! Guess what we've found?"

The one who spoke was Gang Yuan True Monarch, who was waving vigorously and revealing the answer, "That guy Hai Hong actually hid a Storage Bag under his navel."

"We estimate that the Sea Race ' Mid-Grade Spirit Stone and Spare Array Foundation are stored inside."

"Perhaps there are even more rare and precious heavenly materials and earthly treasures."

Depend on!

Previously, none of the Great Demon of the Sea Race had the habit of carrying spiritual objects or Storage Ring.

As a result, Xiao Chen didn't think in that direction due to habitual thinking.

It turned out that the item was actually in Hai Hong's hands, causing him to search for it extensively outside.

Fortunately, he and Cloud Vortex True Monarch eliminated many Golden Core Sea Fish that their disciples had missed, thus averting a significant future demonic threat, so it wasn't a complete waste of time.

"It's quite a rare thing that it can even use Storage Spirit Tool."

Xiao Chen sighed as he followed the conversation, then leaned over to check the situation, only to be surprised to find. "Huh, why hasn't this Storage Bag been opened yet?"

The brown Storage Bag lay quietly on the tray, its opening tightly closed.

There was also Demonic Essence flowing on it, and the surface occasionally rippled with water-like patterns, clearly indicating that even the restrictions had not been broken.

"I've been waiting for you to come back."

Gang Yuan True Monarch said, "We've been waiting for you for ages, just waiting for you to come and see what's inside."

ah?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen looked around.

Sure enough, it was discovered that apart from Iron Fan True Monarch, who was probably busy preparing the grand finale, all the other True Lord had come to the side.

And it seems everyone has been waiting for quite some time.

Qian Shu True Monarch was even sitting cross-legged to recover his true energy, and had just completed half a cycle of energy circulation, so he kept his eyes closed and couldn't speak.

"Everyone's waiting for me, isn't that a bit unnecessary?"

Xiao Chen was quite surprised and a little embarrassed. "It doesn't really matter who opens it, I don't really care about these things."

He's the kind of person who doesn't care about the formalities beforehand, as long as he gets his fair share when it comes to the final distribution of things.

"Oh, that's different."

Crane Cry True Monarch said, "Daoist Xiao, you are currently protected by Fortune. You can even stumble upon ruins while just going out for a stroll. You are a blessed person."

"The person who can open this Storage Bag is truly none other than you."

"We all hope you can find something good."

The others chimed in, and the scene was filled with laughter and joy.

Of course, this is all just a joke.

Actually, there are two main reasons.

Firstly, among everyone present, Xiao Chen made the greatest contribution and should be the first to choose the spoils.

Secondly, at least on the surface, everyone is a sect cultivator, except for Xiao Chen, who is a rogue cultivator.

At this time, if the others could open the Storage Bag first while Xiao Chen was away.

That would be somewhat inappropriate, making it seem as if sect cultivators were ostracizing independent cultivators.

Especially after it gets out, it's easy for malicious people to spread rumors and gossip.

It wouldn't be good if any slanderous words reached Xiao Chen's ears and caused him to harbor resentment.

That's why everyone chose to wait a little while, and in the meantime, they thought of the auspicious sayings mentioned above to make jokes.

"Well... I've actually been pretty lucky, but there shouldn't be any connection between this and what."

Xiao Chen politely declined, saying, "The amount of supplies the Sea Race carry should be fixed; it doesn't matter who leads the way."

"Daoist Gang Yuan is proficient in array formations. Wouldn't it be faster for you to handle these Sea Race restrictions?"

First of all, this really has little to do with luck.

Secondly, he was indeed unfamiliar with the Sea Race ' restrictions, and it might take him several hours to open them before dinner.

"Sigh, what's the use of light speed? Daoist Gang Yuan is such an unlucky guy."

Cloud Vortex True Monarch jokingly added, "If he were to open it, there might be a thousand or eight hundred unused Spirit Stone left inside."

Crane Cry True Monarch also said, "That's right, Daoist Xiao, there's no need for you to be modest."

Everyone wants you to drive, so please take on this responsibility.

The key point is that everyone has been waiting for him for quite a while.

So Xiao Chen stopped making excuses. "Since everyone thinks so highly of me, let me find a rare and heavenly materials and earthly treasures."

"Let's agree on this beforehand: whoever is in charge of driving gets to choose first."

"Don't try to take it from me then, you can just be envious."

Upon hearing this, no one was worried; instead, they all continued to joke around.

Including Xiao Chen himself, no one really believed that the Sea Race would put anything particularly valuable in their Storage Bag.

Because the Storage Bag wasn't originally an important Storage Spirit Tool.

It's just that the Storage Bag's internal space is too small, and the Storage Ring is too expensive.

Then came a type of Storage Spirit Tool used to load and transport large quantities of goods.

It's worth mentioning that these things can be traced back millions of years.

Moreover, even at that time, only a few powerful forces used it, and the total number was very small, resulting in almost no pieces surviving, and the production technique has been lost for a long time.

The portraits are only preserved in Ancient Books.

It's rare to see real artifacts again among the Sea Race.

From a collector's perspective

This thing itself should be worth more than any of the spiritual objects inside.

Cheap products are often much less safe.

Even though Xiao Chen was completely unfamiliar with the Sea Race's restrictions, he was almost forcibly breaking through them with his true essence.

However, it only took a little over half an hour to successfully destroy all the restrictions before the meal was served.

Based on this situation, replacing the Sea Race Great Demon could at least halve the time.

If it's a thief with a lot of hacking experience, they could probably cut the time in half again, meaning they could take the contents in less than 15 minutes.

"All done."

Xiao Chen picked up the Storage Bag and placed it in the center of the low table in front of him, grasping the opening with both hands to open it. "Fellow Daoists, watch closely, the outcome is about to be revealed."

The bag opening of this item is designed to be very large, with each side measuring three feet in length, and is distinguished by different colors.

This is also one of its drawbacks.

Just like Storage Bag, only items that are large enough to fit through the opening can be put in and taken out; otherwise, they cannot be stored.

In this respect, Storage Ring are more convenient; anything that can fit inside can be directly stored.

Therefore, it easily replaced the Storage Bag and phased out this old-fashioned item.

"Open!"

Xiao Chen yanked open the bag and peered inside.

Before they could even see what was inside, a beam of purple light burst forth, instantly illuminating the entire hall.

"What is it?"

Gang Yuan True Monarch subconsciously activated his personal Spiritual Power Barrier before asking, "Could there be a mechanism inside the bag?"

The others were also startled.

Out of caution, they all took measures to protect themselves first, and only then did they look over with curiosity again.

Only Xiao Chen, who was closest to the bag, was not afraid at all. He ignored the dazzling purple light, reached into the bag, and touched something that looked like a water snake.

ah?

There shouldn't be any living creatures Storage Bag, right?

Xiao Chen curiously took it out and examined it, only to find that it was a smooth and moist tentacle.

Its appearance is very strange, with a bewitching bright purple color all over. The surface is also covered with fine, dark patterns that look like blood vessels.

The patterns seemed to be slowly writhing in some kind of rhythm, as if they were breathing.

Even more strangely, it was at the fingertips where Xiao Chen made contact with the tentacles.

The nearby patterns seemed to be drawn by some force, slowly twisting slightly and moving closer to his fingers.

As the distance drew closer, tiny bumps appeared, as if countless tiny insects were crawling under the skin.

Then, tiny black Blood Beads seeped out from within the patterns.

It seemed to come alive, and rolled towards Xiao Chen's fingertips on its own.

"What is that?"

Qian Shu True Monarch instinctively sensed a threat.

"Something's not right. You can't carry living creatures in Storage Bag."

Crane Cry True Monarch was as if he had seen a ghost, and began to recall the contents of the Ancient Books he had read in the past.

"Daoist Xiao, be careful!"

Gang Yuan True Monarch spoke up, reminding them, "These tentacles might be fake; there might be a hidden trick from the Sea Race inside."

However, he had clearly worried for nothing.

Xiao Chen fully demonstrated what it means to Skillful People Are Bold.

He let the seemingly slow-moving black Blood Beads touch his hand, bringing a slightly cool sensation.

The Blood Beads struggled to penetrate his fingertips, and then nothing more.

Very good, it seems to be some kind of contingency plan with negative consequences.

Then there was the pattern itself. Xiao Chen neither dodged nor avoided it, letting it slowly approach his fingers.

Unsurprisingly, the scaly lines began to spread upwards along his fingers.

At the same time, another wave of black Blood Beads was released.

This time, Xiao Chen finally felt a trace of extremely concentrated power gripping his fingers.

This feeling is very strange.

If I had to describe it, it would be like a dozen pythons tightly coiling around his fingers, creating a strong sense of restraint.

It was as if a mountain was hanging from his fingertips, bringing an almost irresistible weight that was pulling his fingers outward.

After a brief moment of hesitation.

Xiao Chen finally understood what this was. "Hiss~, it has Demonic Essence!"

That's right, these aren't patterns at all, but rather the demonic essence left behind in the tentacles by some Great Demon Demonic Essence!

Even more outrageous was that when he mobilized his true energy to suppress and expel the enemy...

But he found that when his True Essence Flushing over, it was like waves crashing against rocks.

If this happens, there's only one possibility.

This wisp of Demonic Essence spreading from the tentacles possessed an absolute advantage in quality over his true essence.

Moreover, this advantage is not a gap that can be formed at a lower level, but rather comes from a lead at the Major Realm.

Oh no! It's not poison or Curse, it's actually a fifth-tier Demonic Essence!

The moment Xiao Chen realized this, he immediately tried to let go.

However, his fingers seemed to have lost their will and remained motionless.

Under the suppression of the Demonic Essence, several fingers that were in direct contact with the tentacles were firmly captured and unable to move.

No, damn Hai Hong, did she forget her brain when she went out?

Once the crabs are served, Xiao Chen must open their heads and check them.

Why the hell did you put the tentacles of Fifth-Tier Great Demon in your Storage Bag?

Do you not have Storage Ring or do you not have hands?

Hmm, it seems crabs really don't have hands; they can wear rings even in their normal form.

But even so, you can't do it like that!

Xiao Chen was speechless.

This time, they were careless; they didn't use Flash.

He mainly believed that with the Divinity Veil and the absence of any living creatures in his Storage Bag, he would be safe and sound no matter what happened.

I never expected to encounter the remnants of a fifth-order Demonic Essence.

The key problem lies with the fifth rank; any fourth-rank Demonic Essence can be easily overcome.

But it's okay, the current situation isn't a big problem.

It's important to understand that this wasn't a Fifth-Tier Great Demon attacking Xiao Chen.

It was just a severed tentacle, along with a few remaining Demonic Essence, spontaneously invading living beings.

Although it looked rather dangerous, especially since his right hand seemed to be out of control.

However, there will actually be no further threat, since the total amount of Demonic Essence that such a tentacle can hold is very limited.

Just like even the most potent poison, the dosage matters.

Insufficient dosage will ultimately pose no threat.

Even if this tiny tentacle is entirely composed of Demonic Essence, it's still... well, that would indeed be somewhat threatening.

Fortunately, no such extreme situation occurred.

No new patterns emerged from the tentacles; only the patterns on the other side were slowly trying to move closer.

It's clear that without the Great Demon driving it, the remaining Demonic Essence can't go very fast.

at the same time.

Xiao Chen's shouts immediately reached the ears of the other True Lord.

"Demonic Essence?"

Gang Yuan True Monarch was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized. "Not good, it's a fifth-order Demonic Essence!"

He decisively released his true energy, beginning to dispel the surrounding purple light.

After confirming that the lights posed no threat, they quickly approached Xiao Chen.

Begin observing the situation and considering solutions.

But to be honest, there's almost no good way to solve this.

Texture is merely an external appearance.

In fact, some of the Demonic Essence had already seeped into Xiao Chen's right hand through his fingertips.

At this time, in addition to the cultivator himself using his own true essence to resist and prevent it from invading key parts such as the heart meridian, sea of consciousness, or Nascent Soul through the meridians,

Others can hardly get involved.

After all, this is a fifth-order Demonic Essence, and the quality of the true essence of others may not be as high as that of Xiao Chen himself.

Even if they did try, it would be like throwing an egg against a rock.

Moreover, the true essence of different cultivators is different. Rashly allowing a large amount of true essence to enter the body may cause new conflicts or damage.

"What should we do?"

Crane Cry True Monarch and the others also gathered around with concern. "To expel fifth-order true essence, we'd probably need Fifth-Tier Spirit Item."

"Does any fellow cultivator carry Fifth-Tier Spirit Item with them?"

Everyone shook their heads.

It's not that they're stingy, it's that they genuinely don't have any.

In all honesty, the number of Fifth-Tier Spirit Item is already small, and besides, this is the Compassion Sea, not the Three Mountains Grotto-Heaven, so there is no stable source of them.

Although occasionally there may be some Fifth-Tier Spirit Item from special Secret Realm or ruins.

But most of it has already been used up; how could it possibly have survived until now?

"Oh dear, to be honest, I do have a fifth-tier Spirit Herb, but I kept it hidden within the sect and didn't bring it out."

Cloud Vortex True Monarch asked with concern, "Daoist Xiao, if you feel you can hold on, I'll go get you the medicine right away."

At his speed, a round trip would take him almost a month.

If you can't hold on, there's no point in making the trip for nothing.

"Hey, no need for all that trouble, what are you all thinking?"

Xiao Chen was somewhat amused and exasperated. "There's only a tiny bit of Demonic Essence in here, I'll be perfectly fine."

"I feel that as long as I wait a little while and the initial shock passes, everything will be fine."

"Everyone, please go back and sit down. We'll get ready to eat. Don't worry about me."

This wasn't just him trying to reassure himself; he genuinely felt fine.

He was even a little happy that he had actually gotten something good.