Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 149 - 123: Niu’Er Doesn’t Cry

Lin Chang’an nodded silently. Along the way, he also saw some cultivators using certain types of fan-like spiritual artifacts to temporarily dispel the miasma.

To provide the demon hunting squad with a suitable combat environment.

There were also accompanying perception barriers, so it can be said that those who dare to venture deep into the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, each have their own means.

"Finally found it."

Diving deep into the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, especially into areas dense with miasma, Lin Chang’an finally discovered an early stage Tier Two demon beast.

It wasn’t that there weren’t any before, but upon realizing from a distance that they were in groups, he decisively turned around without any hesitation.

Some territories are adjacent to similar demon beasts, or there are squads of cultivators in the distance.

In the distance, in the rotting, damp, and dark forest, a dark green centipede, two to three zhang long, suddenly clamped down on a prey.

With the injection of venom, the prey only struggled for a moment before losing its life breath within a breath.

Secretly witnessing this scene, Lin Chang’an cautiously did not disturb the centipede enjoying its prey, but silently observed the surroundings first.

Upon confirming there were no other demon beasts or human cultivators nearby, he began his preparations.

A moment later.

As the gigantic Tier Two spiritual insect centipede was enjoying its prey, a magical barrier slowly appeared around it.

Driven by instinct, the centipede immediately became alert, instantly releasing its prey, and swiftly coiled up a giant ancient tree.

The dark environment was filled with endless danger.

Suddenly, a chill struck from the shadows.

[Ice Talisman]

In an instant, the ice talisman exploded behind the Tier Two poisonous centipede, freezing even most of the ancient tree.

Before the poisonous insect could hiss, a wild and powerful ox bellow echoed within the barrier.

"Moo!"

A cyan-horned bull with white breath spewing from its nostrils, blood-red eyes roared angrily, and charged with immense power.

With a thunderous leap!

"Crack!"

The hard shell of the Tier Two poisonous centipede shattered, and the ancient tree was directly smashed and collapsed to the ground.

The centipede, enraged, twisted its body pierced by the bull’s horn, furiously coiled on the cyan-horned bull’s head as green blood and venom sprayed wildly.

After the cyan-horned bull landed with a roar, it lowered its head and pinned the opponent’s body beneath it, furrowing a deep trench with a thunderous drive.

Meanwhile, despite the centipede’s venom injection, the cyan-horned bull showed no signs of poisoning.

"Moo!"

This absolute show of strength made Lin Chang’an unable to resist praising.

It seems that once this poisonous insect lost its strongest weapon of poison, its power severely decreased.

However, he couldn’t just watch the cyan-horned bull battle the centipede, as the longer the fight dragged on, the more unpredictable the situation could become.

"Let’s try my sword aura!"

With Lin Chang’an’s cold shout, several sword auras suddenly emerged from the miasma, slicing the centipede into several parts.

"Moo!"

The cyan-horned bull roared wildly, intending to trample the poisonous insect, but was stopped by Lin Chang’an.

These are spirit stones; they shouldn’t be wasted.

However, recalling the terrifying vitality of the centipede, Lin Chang’an raised his hand and unleashed several fire bomb techniques until the opponent was scorched through.

"Well done, looks like raising you wasn’t in vain, you brute!"

Looking at the fierce cyan-horned bull beside him, no longer the flattering demeanor when begging for spirit grass, but a fierce demon beast indeed.

Lin Chang’an nodded with satisfaction, having experienced the power of the cyan-horned bull today.

As long as he could create a situation for a direct confrontation, the cyan-horned bull’s wild charge was something few demon beasts could withstand.

"Yet, the centipede’s shell is indeed tough."

While inspecting the spoils, the sword marks on the centipede’s shell left Lin Chang’an secretly amazed.

If it weren’t for the cyan-horned bull piercing the centipede, and his timely sword aura attacks on its weak joints, it may not have been so easily severed.

It seemed that though this early-stage Tier Two demon beast was easily slain, in reality, many factors played a role.

Firstly, Lin Chang’an’s sword formulas provided attack power comparable to a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, secondly, the cyan-horned bull excelled in strength.

The result was a wild charge that maximized power.

Using one’s strength to attack the weak point, success is inevitable.

Additionally, the centipede’s most potent venom was completely ineffective.

In this context, it was a matter of balance.

This poisonous creature never fully exploited its own advantages, being restrained from start to finish.

"Moo moo."

When Lin Chang’an took out the crystal core, the Cyan-Horned Bull couldn’t help but show a fawning expression, mooing humorously.

"In view of your excellent performance, work harder in the future, and I’ll reward you with this demon core."

As Lin Chang’an tossed the demon core into its mouth, the Cyan-Horned Bull lifted its hoofs in excitement and cheered.

For a demon beast to evolve, the best supplement is indeed the demon core.

Previously, no matter how many spirit stones Lin Chang’an earned, he couldn’t afford to feed the Cyan-Horned Bull with Tier Two demon cores, as he himself needed the cores for hunting in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range.

"But all of this is worth it."

Seeing the Cyan-Horned Bull’s excitement, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but reveal a satisfied smile.

The strength of the Cyan-Horned Bull had been fully displayed; even a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator would be sent flying in a direct collision.

He certainly didn’t mind his spirit pet being stronger.

Moreover, if he wanted Niu’Er to run fast, he had to be willing to feed it demon cores.

If you feed the bull well, it will have the strength to fight later on.

After all, with the initial probing, he found himself in the poisonous miasma region of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, at ease, naturally wanting to make good use of his conditions.

"For the Cyan-Horned Bull, a demon core is akin to a high-level elixir for human cultivators to enhance their cultivation."

Lin Chang’an was pleased as he dismantled the centipede shell and poison sac for collection.

These are excellent materials for artifact refining, whereas the demon beast meat, especially from poisonous creatures, is largely inedible.

"Niu’Er, we should continue searching for the next prey."

The massive Cyan-Horned Bull mooed energetically, and carrying Lin Chang’an on its back, their figures gradually disappeared into the miasma.

...

Several months later.

Deep within the poisonous miasma area of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, the figure of a man and a bull slowly emerged.

"Moo!"

"Can’t blame me for this one; who would’ve thought it was a Double-tailed Poison Scorpion, hiding a poisonous hook under its belly?"

Emerging from the miasma, the Cyan-Horned Bull’s head sported a large bump, tears welling up in its eyes.

Though the poison could be neutralized, the scorpion’s barbed sting was genuinely painful.

The Cyan-Horned Bull had every reason to be aggrieved; even Lin Chang’an felt heartsick.

It’s said that even a Fake Pill Master would shed tears after being stung by the barbed sting of a Double-tailed Poison Scorpion.

Over time, the Cyan-Horned Bull also sustained a few scars, but under Lin Chang’an’s Evergreen Mana, the injuries healed themselves.

"Moo moo!"

"Alright, alright, I’ll give you an extra demon core next time."

Consoled by the vision Lin Chang’an painted, the Cyan-Horned Bull dejectedly lowered its head and continued forward, though its tears were relentless.

This sight made Lin Chang’an both heartbroken and amused.

"Although poisonous creatures are a type of demon beast, they differ significantly from regular demon beasts."

During this period, Lin Chang’an had his eyes opened, exclaiming endlessly.

Some poisonous creatures possessed terrifying venom, with even their soft bodies filled with toxic liquid.

However, when struck by the Cyan-Horned Bull and crazily trampled into toxic sludge, only the crystal core was of any value.

Weighing the risk of battling Tier Two poisonous creatures, the meager gain made it a significant loss.

"There’s nothing to be done; hunting demon beasts is a feast-or-famine business. Sometimes a demon beast is worth tens of thousands of lower-grade spirit stones, while other times it’s just worth pennies."

Lin Chang’an shook his head; occurrences like this were all too common.

This is also one of the biggest reasons for the unstable income of Demon Hunting Squads over the long term.

Value among demon beasts of the same tier could vary significantly.

"But this time, having been out for so long, the harvest was good, so it’s time to head back for a bit of rest."

In the treacherous Cloud Mist Mountain Range, though he wasn’t afraid of poison, nowhere offered the peace of mind of Celestial Profound City.

And whether for alchemy, talisman painting, cultivation, or preparing for the next demon hunt, he needed some preparation.

"Niu’Er, time to go back."

With Lin Chang’an’s gentle pat on the Cyan-Horned Bull’s forehead, the life-filled Evergreen Mana soothed it, seemingly alleviating some of its pain.

This time, apart from the Cyan-Horned Bull consuming one demon core, there were still four more in his storage bag.

It could be called a fruitful return.