Chapter 368: Red Cinnabar

Everyone was startled by the red pill.

This red pill looked too much like a demon core!

Only great demons at the Demon Core stage can produce a demon core, which is equivalent to the Golden Core of human Core Formation cultivators. For Kong Xin to use a demon core to ward off the blood miasma seemed incredibly wasteful and audacious.

However, everyone quickly realized something was off. The red pill lacked the legendary oppressive aura of a demon core; it was merely a facade.

"Haha, so it's a Skyflame Dragon's inner core…"

Among those present, only Yun Youzi recognized the red pill's true origin at a glance. Under everyone's curious gazes, he explained, "The Skyflame Dragon isn't a true flood dragon; it's a peculiar demonic beast that resembles a flood dragon but isn't one.

"This type of demonic beast has wings growing from its ribs, which somewhat resembles the mythical beast Yinglong. However, it doesn't possess the bloodline of a true flood dragon, only its form.

"The Skyflame Dragon's most distinctive feature is its ability to produce an inner core even before reaching the Demon Core stage.

"Of course, a Skyflame Dragon's inner core is not the same as a demon core.

"The inner core contains the Skyflame Dragon's lifelong accumulation of flame energy absorbed from the outside, condensed into a pill. This flame energy transforms within the inner core, aiding the Skyflame Dragon's cultivation.

"When a Skyflame Dragon enters the Demon Core stage, during the breakthrough process, its inner core will be replaced by a demon core and discarded along with its shed skin.

"At this point, the flame energy within it stabilizes and can exist independently of the Skyflame Dragon.

"The Skyflame Dragon's inner core is quite rare. Although most of the flame energy within the inner core is absorbed by the demon core, it mutates due to the Skyflame Dragon's breakthrough, giving rise to a peculiar demonic flame that shares similarities with the demonic flame of a Demon Core stage Skyflame Dragon.

"This inner core happens to counteract the blood miasma, so for Kong Xin to use the Skyflame Dragon's inner core here is perfectly fitting."

Everyone suddenly understood.

A look of admiration appeared on Kong Xin's face as he cupped his hands to Yun Youzi.

"It took me considerable effort to research the red pill's origin after I acquired it. I never expected Fellow Daoist to discern it with a single remark.

"Fellow Daoist's knowledge is truly vast; I am impressed!

"However, there's one more thing Fellow Daoist didn't mention. Due to the unique demonic flame of the Skyflame Dragon, the demonic flame within this red pill is barely solidified and cannot be easily disturbed. Any slight agitation will cause the demonic flame to become chaotic, leading to self-destruction and rendering it useless as a spiritual material for artifact refining.

"Aside from keeping it nearby for warmth, the red pill has no other use. Yet, it perfectly serves its purpose in the frigid Boundless Valley, acting as my reliance for entering and exiting it."

As he spoke, Kong Xin channeled a wisp of spiritual energy and gently touched the red pill.

The red pill immediately flared with intense light, and an extremely chaotic aura burst forth. The pill itself glowed a dazzling red, its surface appearing like flowing glaze, as if it would melt at any moment.

Everyone was astonished.

Kong Xin hastily retracted his spiritual energy, checked the red pill, and only relaxed when he saw it was unharmed.

Yun Youzi was also somewhat surprised. "I, too, have heard bits and pieces, but they were all hearsay. I've never personally seen a Skyflame Dragon's inner core, so I dared not speak presumptuously about the red pill's specific properties. Hearing Fellow Daoist Kong's explanation, I now know it's true."

Qin Sang nodded secretly, realizing it was essentially an oversized Warm Yang Orb.

In the blood miasma, the Warm Yang Orb's effect was minimal, barely better than nothing.

As expected of a demonic flame from a Demon Core stage Skyflame Dragon, Qin Sang sensed that the flame aura from the red pill was far more potent than that of a Warm Yang Orb.

"Fellow Daoists, stay close to me."

Kong Xin, holding up the red pill, led the way into the blood miasma, with the others following closely.

Upon truly entering the blood miasma, the dense miasma closed in, and the pressure instantly increased tens of times. The Azure Sun Demonic Flame enveloping Qin Sang's body suddenly dimmed, on the verge of extinguishing. Qin Sang quickly increased his spiritual energy to activate the jade pendant, thereby stabilizing the demonic flame.

A portion of the chill was blocked by the Azure Sun Demonic Flame, making it tolerable.

In that brief moment when the demonic flame barrier was almost breached, Qin Sang felt that the blood miasma was not only highly poisonous but also contained a malevolent intent that could disturb a cultivator's mind.

He had the Jade Buddha for protection, so he wasn't afraid of the blood miasma's effects. However, he observed that everyone else was guarding their minds carefully, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Following closely behind Kong Xin, everyone flew forward silently.

The terrain within the blood miasma was varied, with undulating mountains, and sometimes it was difficult to discern direction. Yet, Kong Xin was exceptionally familiar with the area, constantly changing direction with evident confidence.

After traveling through the blood miasma for some time, guided by Kong Xin, the journey remained safe, with no incidents encountered. Everyone grew increasingly convinced of Kong Xin's abilities.

Not long after, a chilling roar suddenly echoed from far ahead. The roar carried a strong sense of madness; it was clearly not from an ordinary demonic beast!

Startled by the terrifying roar, everyone's expressions subtly changed.

Qin Sang strained his eyes to see, but the blood miasma obstructed his view, preventing him from seeing too far. He thought to himself, 'These must be the blood demons and ghastly creatures born from the malevolent blood-fiend energy within the Boundless Valley.'

Kong Xin, who was leading the way, suddenly halted his escape light and said with a solemn tone, "From this point onward, there will be more and more blood demons and ghastly creatures. Those on the outermost fringes aren't as powerful, but it's best not to provoke them if possible. Some areas gather thousands of these creatures. To be safe, everyone must follow my orders and not act on your own!"

Everyone assented one after another.

Kong Xin nodded with satisfaction, and with a flash of his escape light, flew to the left front, choosing to take a detour.

As they delved deeper, they occasionally heard these eerie roars.

True to his reputation for earning his fees, Kong Xin maneuvered them skillfully, avoiding every single blood demon and ghastly creature along the way, always anticipating and steering clear of potential dangers.

Unbeknownst to them, they had been traveling through the Boundless Valley for several hours when Kong Xin suddenly made an unsettling move.

Despite the continuous roars ahead, Kong Xin led them straight forward, nearly approaching the source of the roars without any intention of detouring.

The others exchanged glances, all filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Yun Youzi spoke up, asking, "Fellow Daoist Kong, the ghastly creatures are clustered directly ahead. Why aren't we detouring?"

Kong Xin turned back and replied, "Fellow Daoist, you might not know, but I've found a small path within the valley ahead. Passing through here, we won't be detected by the ghastly creatures, and it will save us at least three hours compared to detouring."

The woman in red didn't believe him. "So close to the ghastly creatures, can you guarantee our safety?"

Kong Xin thumped his chest and declared, "I wouldn't dare lead you down this path without being certain. As long as you follow my instructions, you definitely won't be discovered. Moreover, I am with all of you; if an accident occurs, I too will not escape death. I have no grudge against any of you, so what benefit would I gain by risking my own life to harm you?"

With that, Kong Xin looked at the old man and his apprentice. "Fellow Daoists, the spiritual medicine you're looking for grows behind the ghastly creatures' nest ahead. I discovered it by chance. As per our agreement, my task is complete once I bring you to the location; gathering the spiritual medicine will be up to you."

Upon hearing this, the apprentice's face lit up with joy.

The old man's tone was also somewhat agitated. "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Kong!"