PFC Chapter 304 - 173: Obtaining Flowing Cloud Dew, Comprehending the Yin-Yang Profound Mechanism (Part 3)
Chapter 304 - 173: Obtaining Flowing Cloud Dew, Comprehending the Yin-Yang Profound Mechanism (Part 3)
The former was an expert at raising Spirit Beasts, and they would have to rely on him to judge the quality of the Spirit Turtle Egg.
The latter specialized in Demon Beasts and was responsible for guiding their route to avoid running into any Golden Core Demon Beasts.
Both of them were essentially indispensable; the mission would be difficult to pull off without either one.
"Ah, so you’re Qi. I saw the Flying Handkerchief you used at Li Mountain yesterday. It was quite a marvel."
Xiao Chen had seen him yesterday, ranked at the very top of the third tier.
Flying with a handkerchief was a rare sight, so he had taken a second look.
"You’re too kind, Xiao."
Qi Xingwen immediately waved his hand. "It’s just a minor trick, nothing that can compare to your Mastery of the Golden Escape Technique."
Xiao Chen then turned to Song Jingyi. "Since you’re a veteran in the study of Demon Beasts, Song, we’ll have to rely on you to lead the way into and out of the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range."
"To be honest, I haven’t done much research on the habits of High-Tier Demon Beasts."
"If it’s not too much trouble, I’ll have to take this opportunity to ask for your guidance."
Song Jingyi readily agreed. "You’re too polite, Xiao. I merely have a minor specialty."
"It’s hardly worthy of being called ’guidance’."
"Feel free to ask about anything that interests you."
The two men were very cooperative, making the scene as harmonious as a reunion of old friends.
"In that case, let’s set out."
Xiao Chen, seeing it was already 7:15 AM, immediately suggested, "The sooner we leave, the sooner we can return."
The two immediately agreed, and together they bid farewell to Qiu Qichen.
They transformed into three streaks of Tunneling Light, flying side-by-side as they departed to the north.
Soon, they reached the outer perimeter of the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range. They suppressed their Tunneling Light and began to travel on foot.
This was to avoid the Demon Beasts along the way as much as possible.
As they ventured deeper, Song Jingyi moved to the very front and slowed his pace once more.
Every now and then, he would use different Magic to sense their surroundings.
His main focus was to probe for the lingering auras of any Golden Core Demon Beasts that might have passed through the area.
This was the greatest challenge of their journey.
While consulting Ancient Texts in the Scripture Pavilion, Xiao Chen had come across a good deal of information related to the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range.
From the outer edges of the mountain range to its center, the number of Demon Beasts increased dramatically.
The deeper one ventured into the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range, the more likely one was to encounter a Golden Core Demon Beast.
Fortunately, most of these Golden Core Demon Beasts had their own territories.
Theoretically, it was possible to sneak in by sticking close to the border between the territories of two Golden Core Demon Beasts.
Firstly, this border was often rather vague.
It required extensive experience or exquisite Magic to discern.
Secondly, they had to guard against unruly Golden Core Demon Beasts that might be roaming about, or those with nothing better to do who decided to patrol the edges of their territory.
This was especially true for the winged ones, which had excellent eyesight.
The God-Avoiding Incense they carried could only mask them from a Demon Beast’s Divine Sense; it had no effect on their eyes.
If they were caught, it would mean certain death.
.
"Something’s not right. Let’s hide for a moment."
Song Jingyi frowned, dug a pit right where they stood, and then sprinkled a circle of Spiritual Liquid around the area.
This Spiritual Liquid was made from a secret family formula and could effectively block a Cultivator’s aura from spreading.
After all, besides their eyes, some Demon Beasts also had incredibly sensitive noses.
The key issue was not knowing what they might encounter, as the Golden Core territories within the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range weren’t entirely static.
And sometimes, some Golden Core Demon Beasts just ran around randomly.
Xiao Chen asked in a low voice, "Have we entered the territory of a Golden Core Demon Beast already?"
They had only traveled about seventeen thousand miles; logically speaking, they should still be in the outer region.
Song Jingyi shook his head. "Not yet, but the feedback from my Magic is a little off."
"We’d best wait here for a while."
He wasn’t entirely sure, but at a time like this, it was better to waste a little time than to take risks out in the open.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen obediently stayed hidden in the pit, closing his eyes and beginning to comprehend the Heart Method of the Yin-Yang Unity Contract.
This was already the seventh time they had been forced to hide since setting out.
And, as one might expect, there would be many more.
About two hours later, a late-stage Foundation Establishment porcupine passed by, even casting a surprised glance at the new mound of earth on the ground.
It didn’t pay it much mind, however, and swaggered off.
"Oh, it was just that thing. We’re fine, let’s go."
Song Jingyi breathed a sigh of relief. He took out some more Concealing Breath Spirit Liquid and sprinkled a few drops on each of them.
This was the seventh time he had made a mistake in his judgment, but he seemed to have grown used to it.
As they walked, Xiao Chen thought back to the porcupine that had just passed.
’If I remember correctly, the quills on its back are a top-tier material for Magical Artifacts. They sell for a pretty penny, too.’
’Too bad this is the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range. Otherwise, I’d be tempted to grab them and earn a few Spirit Stones.’
Stopping and starting like this, they advanced another ten thousand miles.
Finally, they came to a large, shattered boulder. With a grave expression, Song Jingyi leaned over it and observed it for a while.
Then he turned back and said, "We’re here. These are the marks left by that Golden Eagle. They’re no more than two years old."
Xiao Chen knew before they’d left that they would have to cross the territories of three Golden Core Demon Beasts.
The first was a Golden Eagle, and it appeared to still be the master of this territory.
To avoid its patrols, the three of them hid in caves every day.
If they couldn’t find one, they would dig one themselves, camouflaging the entrance with a net of vines they had prepared in their Storage Bags.
They traveled only at night, between 9 p.m. and 3:00 AM, sticking as close to the territory’s edge as possible. To do so, they had even made a detour of an extra thirteen hundred miles.