57: Prepare the ingredients and start the killing!

Jiang Yuheng sat cross-legged within a talisman array, with numerous talismanic patterns burned into the ground within a dozen steps around him.

Several spiritual talismans were affixed to the nodes of the talisman array.

Shi Chuan sat quietly on a meditation cushion nearby; he had already sensed Yu Jiao's location—she had arrived outside the Immortal Cave.

He had long since prepared an enhanced version of the Fiend Vine Transfer Talisman Array to assist Jiang Yuheng in refining the Blood-Patterned Treasure Python.

Shi Chuan certainly wouldn't refine this Blood-Patterned Treasure Python himself; this item must have been placed under a Restriction by Elder Changfeng of the Jiao Demon Sect.

Moreover, it was a Treasure Python birthed by the other party, sharing the same origin Qi.

Using this kind of Blood-Patterned Treasure Python for consumption to forcefully Breakthrough a Realm would have significant side effects.

However, Jiang Yuheng, with his Profound Wood Spiritual Body, inherently possessed detoxifying and healing effects, and his vitality and lifespan far exceeded Cultivators of the same rank.

After refining the Blood-Patterned Treasure Python, the impact of its side effects on him would definitely be much smaller than if Qin Zhizhi refined it.

"Master, Elder Changfeng gave me a Blood-Patterned Treasure Python spirit pet and asked me to hand it to Fellow Daoist Qin Zhizhi to help her Breakthrough her Realm."

"He also said..."

Yu Jiao bowed respectfully, holding up the spirit pet bag in her hands, and recounted everything Elder Changfeng had told her.

"Good."

"You may leave now."

Shi Chuan sensed the Demonic Fiend Vine threads within Yu Jiao's body and, finding nothing unusual, raised his hand to retrieve the spirit pet bag.

"Yes, Master."

Yu Jiao rose and left, glancing at Jiang Yuheng within the talisman array beside her as she went, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Could it be that Master already knew what kind of treasure capable of increasing cultivation she was bringing back?

Had he already finished arranging things for Qu Linglu?

Yu Jiao's emotions fluctuated inwardly, but her face remained calm, and she walked out of the stone chamber with steady steps.

At this moment, Shi Chuan carefully sensed the Blood-Patterned Treasure Python within the spirit pet bag; the aura of this blood python was powerful, at least at the Qi Refining ninth-layer cultivation.

After refining such a Treasure Python, Jiang Yuheng's cultivation could at least rise to the Qi Refining fourth or fifth layer and above.

"Spirit Transformation Talisman."

"Soul Fusion Talisman."

"Qi Transfer Talisman."

"..."

"This Jiao Demon Sect Elder really did all the work and spoon-fed it to them."

Shi Chuan's Divine Thought sensed that although the Blood-Patterned Treasure Python's aura was incredibly powerful, it was a tiger with its teeth pulled out, with pitifully little combat power.

Within this blood python's body, the Jiao Demon Sect Elder had planted at least twenty different types of spiritual talismans.

All of them were for assisting refinement; once refinement began, this Blood-Patterned Treasure Python could even actively refine itself.

With dozens of spiritual talismans activating simultaneously, it only required one party to begin refining and a slight guidance to gradually refine it, nourish the body, and raise one's Realm.

This arrangement's effect was even better than Shi Chuan's talisman array, especially the Spirit Transformation Talisman among them—this was a Low Grade second-tier spiritual talisman, and the value of this single talisman alone surpassed the other twenty-odd spiritual talismans.

The effects of the spiritual talismans were all for assisting refinement, with no hidden Restrictions.

After several careful checks with his Divine Thought, Shi Chuan confirmed there were no issues.

Only then did he hand the spirit pet bag to Jiang Yuheng within the talisman array.

This item was birthed by a Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivator; although the spiritual talismans within the Treasure Python were fine, that didn't mean there weren't other problems.

They could only wait to see if there would be any other special reactions after Jiang Yuheng refined it.

When dealing with Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivators, one naturally needed to be cautious!

"This Blood-Patterned Treasure Python..."

Jiang Yuheng received the spirit pet bag, and his Divine Thought entered it, seeing the Blood-Patterned Treasure Python lying inside, waiting to be refined.

"Master, this item..."

A thoughtful look flashed in Jiang Yuheng's eyes; the sheer number of spiritual talismans within this Treasure Python alone was something a Qi Refining Cultivator could never achieve.

"No need to say more, just start refining!"

"It's best if your cultivation can reach the Qi Refining sixth layer or above; this is a rare Opportunity for you."

Shi Chuan told him.

"Thank you, Master!"

Jiang Yuheng nodded heavily, his eyes filled with determination.

In a flash, he performed the hand Seals taught by his Master, activating the talisman array, and at the same time, took out the Blood-Patterned Treasure Python from the spirit pet bag.

With a slight activation of the pure blood Spiritual Qi on the Blood-Patterned Treasure Python's body, the massive, nearly ten-zhang-long python's surface began to show fist-sized blood-colored vortices, from which wisps of light-red blood Qi flew out, all drilling into Jiang Yuheng's body.

While Jiang Yuheng was refining, Shi Chuan, outside the talisman array, threw out dozens of recently drawn barrier talismans in one go, Sealing the talisman array.

He also took out two Soul Burial Talismans, holding one in each hand, his gaze cautiously fixed on Jiang Yuheng, who was refining the blood python.

After several hours passed, Shi Chuan finally felt a little relieved.

One-tenth of the refined blood python's body had already diminished, and Jiang Yuheng had successfully advanced to the Qi Refining fourth layer.

He had already reached the limit of the Qi Refining fourth layer, and the next step was the Qi Refining fifth layer.

The Profound Wood Spiritual Energy within his body surged, and the aroma of Spiritual Qi it emitted caused the Demonic Fiend Vine within Shi Chuan's body to produce a desire to devour it.

In the eyes of the Demonic Fiend Vine, this dish was becoming increasingly fragrant.

In a blink, a day passed.

【zi shi (11 pm - 1 am) has arrived】

【Received a green intelligence report】

【Green intelligence report: Xiao Jueying, Peak Lord of Soul Refining Peak and Qu Feng have set up a hidden second-tier killing array on Corpse Refining Peak. The origin of the killing array seems to have come from an Inner Sect Disciple of Refining Soul Peak, Zhao Xiang. What no one noticed is that Zhao Xiang has secretly left the Sect several times in recent days.】

...

"A second-tier killing array."

"This act must be from the Sects that ambushed them outside; it should be the Purple Cloud Sect."

"It seems the Jiao Demon Sect and Purple Cloud Second Sect already divided their tasks: the Jiao Demon Sect is responsible for infiltrating Corpse Refining Peak, and the Purple Cloud Sect is responsible for infiltrating Refining Soul Peak."

"These two Peaks are the core strength of the Yellow Springs Demon Sect; stirring up trouble there can only benefit them."

"Besides the second-tier killing array, does Inner Sect Disciple Zhao Xiang have any other spiritual items on him?"

Shi Chuan pondered.

However, after such a long time, they finally discovered the Purple Cloud Sect's hidden agent. As for the Jiao Demon Sect's hidden agent, Yu Jiao was assigned several tasks due to her background.

Although she failed, fortunately, she was protected by her Elders in the clan.

"If it's a second-tier killing array, I'm afraid the Corpse Puppet of the Corpse Refining Peak Master's backup plan won't be able to handle it!"

Shi Chuan assessed their combat strength. Originally, it was a two-on-two situation. If the Corpse Refining Peak Master's methods were limited to only the Corpse Puppet in the Corpse Mound,

Then they would already be at a disadvantage.

A second-tier killing array alone could trap and kill the Corpse Puppet. With two against one, and the unknown injuries of Feng Niu Mo, the chances of winning were already very slim.

...

"Qi Refining sixth layer!"

"Good, good, good!"

"This Treasure Python is indeed extraordinary!"

"Come, you can end your cultivation. Release your Profound Wood Qi, and let this old man have a good meal!"

At this moment, Shi Chuan suddenly sensed a Qi Refining sixth-layer aura from outside. Looking at Jiang Yuheng, whose Profound Wood Spiritual Energy was several times stronger than before within the talisman array, his eyes filled with joy.

Elder Changfeng's methods were extraordinary; if he could get two or three more such pythons, that would be even better.