First Word of the Ancient Demon Abyss

Master Gu's arrival drew the eyes of the rogue cultivators and caught Xu Yan's attention as well.

At the entrance to the Thousand Mechanism Hall, a dark-faced old man strode toward the crowd. He was powerfully built, his muscles knotted all over, and his tiger-like eyes commanded respect even without a trace of anger. Yet for some reason, a few threads of worry now clouded them.

"Master Gu probably came to ask Elder Wu to accept the task. His only son has already held on for half a month after being struck by the poisonous mist in the Ancient Demon Abyss. By now, it's probably seeped into all his vital organs. If no one refines a Detoxification Pill soon, he'll die and his cultivation will perish with him." A rogue cultivator who knew the inside story looked at Master Gu with sympathy.

"Heh, Gu Feng certainly had some nerve. Who doesn't know that the Ancient Demon Abyss is the foremost forbidden ground in Fufeng Commandery? It even ranks among the top three in the Jade Radiance Kingdom. Poisonous mist runs rampant there, and death traps are everywhere. Even mighty Golden Core cultivators wouldn't dare venture too deep." Other rogue cultivators expressed their bewilderment.

The man had barely finished speaking when another rogue cultivator rebutted him.

"Fellow Daoist, you're only at the fourth level of qi refining, so naturally you can't understand how Gu Feng felt. As a cultivator at qi refining perfection, he could only risk venturing into the Ancient Demon Abyss if he wanted to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill. The Ancient Demon Abyss may be extremely dangerous, but it holds countless Heavenly Treasures. Unfortunately, he went in at the wrong time."

His words seemed to stir the rogue cultivators' interest in the discussion, and those with good sources began showing off their knowledge.

A cultivator in pale gold Daoist robes had somehow squeezed his way to the front of the crowd. He deliberately coughed several times to attract everyone's attention.

He was none other than Inspired Rogue Person. Seeing all those gazes turn toward him, he looked thoroughly pleased. After surveying the crowd, he ostentatiously pulled a gold-paper fan from his Storage Bag and began speaking, swaying his head.

"Do you know the origins of the Ancient Demon Abyss?" Inspired Rogue Person deliberately paused. He glanced around, and when no cultivator answered, he gently waved his gold-paper fan and continued with a hint of smugness.

"It's said that the Ancient Demon Abyss is connected to a mysterious race from ancient times, the Ancient Demon Race."

"The Ancient Demon Race's territory was what we now call the Ancient Demon Abyss. At some unknown point, their entire race perished, and their homeland became the forbidden ground it is today."

"Besides poisonous mist, the Ancient Demon Abyss also contains demonic qi. Every five years, that demonic qi erupts, and its violent surges scatter the poisonous mist within the abyss. The upheaval lasts for a full month. That is also when the Six Great Immortal Sects jointly open the Ancient Demon Abyss and send their disciples inside to gather spirit herbs."

"In addition, each of the Six Great Immortal Sects sends elders in the foundation establishment realm to lead their disciples and set up third-tier formations inside the Ancient Demon Abyss, hoping to weaken the poisonous mist. Rogue cultivators who want to enter would do best to wait until then and go in alongside the Six Great Immortal Sects. However, during that period, the six sects control the entrance, and ordinary rogue cultivators must pay a hefty price to enter."

"That's why Gu Feng took the risk."

Inspired Rogue Person's explanation made the circumstances behind Master Gu's task quite clear. Though he had shown off a little, he had also taught Xu Yan about this terrifying forbidden ground in Fufeng Commandery.

Once Inspired Rogue Person finished speaking, everyone turned their attention back to Master Gu.

His hair streaked with gray, Master Gu forced a faint smile as he approached the old man in fine robes and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Elder Wu. I've now added a Space Stone to the reward for this task. Would that satisfy you? Could you accept the task and save my son's life?"

Master Gu adopted an exceedingly humble posture. Xu Yan had just learned from the others that he was a first-tier artifact refiner.

At this, the old man in fine robes gave a strange laugh and said, his face full of anger, "Some fool who doesn't know the height of heaven or the depth of earth has already decided to accept your task. I couldn't help even if I wanted to. Judging by the time, your son probably won't last more than a few days, will he?"

With that, the old man in fine robes stood leisurely to one side, looking ready to enjoy the show.

His words visibly unsettled Master Gu. Following the old man's gaze, he noticed the stern-faced cultivator standing before the Crystal Stone.

Master Gu slowly approached Xu Yan and cupped his fists. "I am Gu Xiao. To be frank, Fellow Daoist, you would be better off not accepting this task."

Seeing how earnestly the man spoke, Xu Yan returned the salute. He was determined to secure this task. He had only held back because he was considering how to trip up the old man in fine robes.

Gu Xiao continued explaining.

"Among these spirit herbs is a stalk of seven-absolute grass that has matured for a full sixty years. It is extraordinarily poisonous. Even accidental contact is extremely dangerous for a cultivator. I know several alchemists, but every one of them refused to refine the pill when they heard about the seven-absolute grass. With no other choice, I posted this task."

"That's all right. I have my own method." Naturally, Xu Yan would not reveal the Green Pearl's existence, so he could only give a calm reply.

No sooner had Xu Yan spoken than the old man in fine robes began sneering again.

"You truly have no idea whether you're courting life or death! Gu Xiao posted this task specifically for me. With my Jade-Eyed Cold Toad's help, I can remove the poison from the seven-absolute grass. What gives you the right to make a spectacle of yourself here?"

The old man's words drew agreement from the rogue cultivators.

"Exactly. Elder Wu's Jade-Eyed Cold Toad is a top-grade first-tier spirit beast that can neutralize a hundred poisons. That's why he dared to boast that he could accept the task. Who knows how much ability this fellow actually has?"

"You can tell at a glance that there's something wrong with this alchemist's head. Even if he can complete the task, so what? He's offended a master alchemist for no reason."

"Heh heh, he probably just joined the Rogue Cultivator Alliance and hasn't witnessed Elder Wu's thunderous methods."

Xu Yan paid no heed to their mockery. His gaze fixed firmly on the old man in fine robes, he said, stressing every word, "If I can refine this pill, how about you give me a hundred low-grade spirit stones?"

Xu Yan's words enraged the old man so much that he laughed. He stared at Xu Yan with naked malice. "And what if you can't refine it?"

"Naturally, I'll give you a hundred low-grade spirit stones!" Xu Yan replied slowly.

"No, I have another condition." The old man shook his head.

Looking down at Xu Yan, he said coldly, "If you fail to refine this pill, you must also kneel and kowtow to me three times, striking your head loudly against the ground!"

At that, murderous intent surged in Xu Yan's heart. He stared hard at the old man in fine robes. "Fine, but a hundred low-grade spirit stones won't be enough anymore. If I succeed, you must also hand over your Jade-Eyed Cold Toad!"

A clear flicker of displeasure crossed the old man's face at Xu Yan's words. The Jade-Eyed Cold Toad was his precious treasure, tied to his future cultivation. He had already spent an enormous number of Spirit Stones on it. If he lost... At that thought, he glanced at Xu Yan. Seeing the calm look in Xu Yan's eyes, he felt an inexplicable jolt of alarm. But the arrow was already on the bowstring. With so many rogue cultivators present, if he backed down now, he would probably never have a place to stand here again.

Hardening his heart, he agreed.

"You fool who doesn't know whether he's courting life or death, I accept! Those three kowtows had better satisfy me!"