Translator: AnubisTL

Under Li Qing’s mental control, the lifeless Dark Willow Spirit Puppet seemed to come alive, its willow branches coiling around the demonic infant he had thrown out.

In the next moment, the demonic infant, which had previously been lively and resembled a miniature ancient demon, began to wither at an astonishing rate.

The Dark Willow Spirit Puppet had actually devoured the demonic infant’s primordial origin. Its indiscriminate appetite left Li Qing dumbfounded.

As the Wooden Spirit Puppet was under his control, Li Qing could clearly sense the changes within the dark willow.

The massive dark willow, its trunk already dark and black, seemed to grow even darker after consuming the demonic infant, with faint wisps of black qi swirling around it.

"The spirit puppet seems to be able to wield some of the divine abilities of ancient demons. A pure primordial demonic qi has accumulated within its trunk."

"Wait, what else is being secreted?"

To Li Qing’s perception, ink-black buds were forming on the dark willow’s branches.

These buds could be detached. They resembled fruits, but Li Qing had no idea of their purpose.

"Interesting... The mysterious power contained within these spores is rather peculiar. It’s neither spiritual energy nor demonic qi; its nature is truly unique!"

Li Qing observed them carefully, even plucking some to examine closely, but he couldn’t identify what they were.

He decided to collect a portion of them, leaving the rest to remain on the branches of the willow tree for now.

Though he didn’t know their purpose, he felt these things might be extraordinarily valuable. After all, they had formed after refining the demonic infant of an ancient demon, and contained a peculiar Secret Power!

Moreover, after absorbing the demonic infant’s primordial origin, the spirit puppet itself seemed to have undergone significant changes. It now resembled a demonic plant from the demon realm, its core brimming with primordial demonic qi of exceptional purity.

Li Qing even felt he might be able to use it to cast some of the ancient demon’s divine abilities, though he knew little about them.

"According to the memories of that ancient demon, there are powerful demonic beasts and plants in the demon realm. Could it be that after absorbing a demonic infant, the spirit puppet has become something similar?"

Unable to clarify the situation, these strange plants that had suddenly appeared in the World of Eternal Night were truly perplexing.

In the end, Li Qing decided to take the dark willow with him.

His primary purpose for visiting the World of Eternal Night had been this. With nothing else to attend to, he immediately performed interdimensional travel upon completing his task, returning to the Azure Ridge Domain.

Back at the mountain gate, Li Qing began planning his next moves.

The entire Human Realm was currently ravaged by the demonic race, and all cultivators were inevitably caught in this demonic cataclysm.

After the Demonic Refinement he had just performed, Li Qing clearly felt his cultivation level had increased.

Suddenly, he felt an urge to take the initiative, to continue hunting ancient demons and use them as fuel to enhance his cultivation.

In the absence of appropriate pill formulas and spirit herbs, this method of strengthening himself seemed ideal.

"But these ancient demons are extremely dangerous. What if I encounter a team led by a Divine Transformation stage demon? That would be a disaster."

Li Qing stroked his chin, his eyes flickering as he pondered strategies.

"The Azure Ridge Domain currently has a demonic nest, constructed from demonic seeds derived from countless slain ancient demons."

"We know for certain that this nest is guarded by only five Nascent Soul stage ancient demons, with no Divine Transformation stage presence for now."

"Five Nascent Soul stage ancient demons... That’s still too much pressure."

At that moment, Li Qing had indeed set his sights on the ancient demons invading from the lower realms.

He even began calculating the combat strength of both sides, comparing their methods and considering how to take down the demonic nest.

"If I could catch them off guard, there might be a chance of success. But that depends on whether the nest has received any new ancient demon reinforcements from the lower realms."

"If there are too many, I’ll have no choice but to sigh in frustration."

Soon, Li Qing devised a plan to strike the demonic nest, cutting off the supply lines of the ancient demons invading the Azure Ridge Domain.

From the memories of the demonic infant he had just defeated, Li Qing learned a crucial fact: the demon realm was not as harmonious as one might imagine.

It made sense. In a realm where strength reigned supreme, competition was fierce to an extreme, with ancient rivalries and blood feuds running deep.

Even the human race in the Human Realm had split into numerous immortal dao factions. How could a vast and diverse demon realm possibly coexist peacefully?

If not for the suppression of the great saint ancestors, the demon realm would likely be engulfed in perpetual warfare, with each race and tribe locked in endless conflict.

"Those Doma Clan ancient demons are venturing into other great domains to seize battle merits from other ancient demonic races. If I clear out this demonic nest here, it will make it much harder for them to replenish their forces later."

Just as cultivators need to expend their mana during combat, the primordial demonic qi within these ancient demons is not inexhaustible. Once depleted, it must be replenished.

In the Human Realm, there is no surplus primordial demonic qi for them to absorb and refine.

Only by refining an ancient demon’s body into a demonic seed can demonic qi be generated. Otherwise, they must return to the demon realm to replenish it.

Li Qing planned to clear out the demonic nest and use the ancient demons’ bodies to feed the blood lotus, thereby nourishing himself.

"The situation is tense. In this life-or-death scenario, I must act swiftly!"

With that, Li Qing made his decision and prepared to personally clear out the demonic nest.

But at that moment, a visitor arrived at the mountain gate of Lingyun Sect.

"I am True Lord Yuanbao of the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild, here to pay my respects to Senior Limitless!"

A harmonious voice rang out from beyond the mountain gate. A core formation realm cultivator with an elegant and scholarly demeanor stood suspended in the air, respectfully cupping his fists in greeting.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild?

Li Qing immediately used his divine sense to get a clear look at the man. Unlike True Monarch Tianbao, he didn’t exude the typical merchant’s aura; instead, he resembled a scholarly, well-read scholar.

"So it’s a fellow daoist from the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild! Please come in quickly!"

Li Qing held the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild in high regard and decided to personally meet this core formation realm cultivator.

True Lord Yuanbao respectfully cupped his hands toward Li Qing. "Greetings, Senior Limitless. I hope you have been well recently?"

Li Qing studied him with amusement. He doesn’t live up to his name. Despite being called True Lord Yuanbao, he doesn’t carry even a whiff of copper.

"Not well at all," Li Qing replied. "Our sect recently suffered an attack from ancient demons. We barely managed to repel them after tremendous effort. Moreover, the Demonic Realm Rift in the central-southern region remains open, with ancient demons stationed there, forming a demonic nest. Our Lingyun Sect is now in a precarious position."

"Fellow daoist, is the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild perhaps considering aiding our Lingyun Sect through this crisis?" Li Qing asked with a playful smile, though he held little hope. The Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild is likely struggling to manage its own affairs. How could they spare resources for us?

But True Lord Yuanbao’s next words immediately sobered Li Qing.

"Senior Limitless, you jest. While our Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild has successfully suppressed one Demonic Realm Rift, our branches across the great domains have suffered significant losses. We currently lack the capacity to provide substantial aid to your sect."

"However, I have come bearing important news for you!"

(End of the Chapter)

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