Chapter 103: Fadao Fire Ape

The "Xihe Flower," which grows in the Tanggu Sea, perpetually blooms, constantly absorbing the radiance of the Fusang Divine Tree and the Golden Crow. If this isn't considered the ultimate Yang flower, Li Weiyi couldn't imagine what other marvel in the world could be.

He had once consulted his knowledgeable Master Coffin about it.

Master Coffin had found records of the Xihe Flower in ancient texts of the Jiuli tribe. These records described it as a rare ancient herb, yet one containing a terrifying fire poison capable of incinerating a martial artist's body. Only a select few top-tier pharmacists, using ancient secret prescriptions, could temper the Xihe Flower's fire poison to create a supreme elixir.

However, this process was incredibly delicate, and ordinary pharmacists wouldn't dare attempt it.

This, however, was true for humans.

For the demon race, the Xihe Flower was a legendary, transformative divine medicine. They were immune to its internal fire poison, making it an incredibly rare and sought-after treasure.

It was only after learning that Yaoyin possessed demon blood that Li Weiyi considered helping her gather the Xihe Flower.

However, with his current cultivation level in "Square Inch Bright Fire" psychic energy, he couldn't traverse the spatial barrier between Shaoyang Star and the Tanggu Sea. He would need to break through to the realm of a Grand Meditation Master to even have a chance.

From "Square Inch Bright Fire," the third realm of a Meditation Master, to "Square Foot Earth Fire," the first realm of a Grand Meditation Master, there was only one realm difference. Yet, this represented a major breakthrough, requiring a prolonged period of absorbing light to cultivate spiritual fire.

Normal cultivation could take anywhere from one or two years to three or five years.

Yaoyin's Ice Soul Cold Qi could flare up at any moment, and she might not be able to wait that long.

To rapidly advance his psychic energy realm, he could only purchase Light Flame Pills.

Each Light Flame Pill cost 100,000 silver coins. How many would be needed to achieve such a significant breakthrough?

Yaoyin said, "Whatever amount of money is needed, I can transfer all the assets my mother left me. That should be enough to raise a considerable sum."

Li Weiyi averted his gaze from Yaoyin's clear, captivating azure eyes, which sparkled with infinite hope for the future. He regretted his impulsiveness of the previous night, feeling he shouldn't have offered her hope when he wasn't certain.

Without hope, she could calmly face any grim outcome. But to be given hope, only for it to be crushed again, would be truly devastating.

"It's just a faint possibility for now, let's not discuss it," Li Weiyi quickly said. "Hidden Twenty-Five is back!"

The light in Yaoyin's eyes dimmed, but her fingers clenched tightly within her sleeve, a sign that she had made a firm decision.

Hidden Twenty-Five, carrying a standard Horse-Chopping Saber identical to Li Weiyi's, exuded a cool aura. He stepped before them and spoke in a low voice, "I've confirmed it. This demon monkey is from Tianya Ridge and is known as the Fiery Ape of the Dao."

"In the past two days, four Nine Springs Supreme Beings from the Jiuli tribe have gone to challenge it. Three were severely wounded, and one had his head exploded. Not only has the tribe suffered heavy losses, but they've also completely lost face, becoming a laughingstock among martial artists worldwide. And they can't even retaliate, because in recent months, the Jiuli tribe has only managed to cultivate four Nine Springs Supreme Beings."

Li Weiyi asked, "When dealing with evil demons, can martial artists of the Five Seas Realm not intervene?"

Hidden Twenty-Five explained, "Firstly, this demon monkey isn't an evil demon; it's a legitimate demon who cultivates human scriptures. Secondly, it hails from Tianya Ridge, a place with an intimidatingly powerful background. Any high-ranking human martial artist who dares to attack it would undoubtedly invite a deadly catastrophe."

"There's a concept of 'legitimate' demons?" Li Weiyi asked, surprised.

Hidden Twenty-Five elaborated, "A thousand years ago, during the Lingxiao Shengjing era, humanity alone was powerful, suppressing all four realms and dominating the Nether Realm. Many among the demon races began studying human cultivation scriptures, attaining intelligence and wisdom. They followed the path of the Spring Eye, Qi Sea, and Dao Seed Birth, eventually even transforming into human form after achieving longevity."

"They studied human astronomy, geography, military economy, artifact refining, talisman crafting, customs, and arts, among other things. Although their understanding was often rudimentary, they considered themselves the true lineage of the demon race, a symbol of civilization, distinct from the crude, bloodthirsty evil demons who still consumed raw flesh."

"Tianya Ridge is the foremost demon domain in the Southern Realm, teeming with countless demon soldiers and generals, spirits, and wraiths, wielding immense power. The Four Extremes Ape King is one of the four great demon kings from the Lingxiao Shengjing era, having lived for 1,600 years. He can conjure a thousand miles of clouds and mist with a single breath, and a mere wave of his hand can trigger mountain collapses and earthquakes."

"Considering such a supreme being, capable of almost altering heaven and earth, backing the Fiery Ape of the Dao, do you think the Jiuli tribe's Five Seas Realm martial artists would dare to attack it? If anything were to happen to the Fiery Ape of the Dao in Lizhou, the Jiuli tribe's patriarchs would likely not sleep soundly at night."

Li Weiyi secretly gasped. To have lived for 1,600 years, wasn't that equivalent to living from the Wei-Jin and Southern-Northern Dynasties all the way to the 21st century?

What distinguished such a being from the gods and demons of myth and legend?

He asked, "Since the Four Extremes Ape King and Tianya Ridge are so powerful, couldn't they simply crush the Jiuli tribe?"

At least the Jiuli tribe, as it appeared on the surface, seemed far too vulnerable in the face of Tianya Ridge's assembled demons.

Hidden Twenty-Five replied, "Not quite! As long as Yu Yaozi is still alive, the four great demon kings wouldn't dare to intervene personally. Furthermore, with the Zuoqiu Clan present in the Southern Realm, the Four Extremes Ape King cannot simply dominate everything."

Yaoyin harbored strong animosity towards the demon race. Her gaze fixed on the arena, she spoke with an eager glint in her eyes, "This Fiery Ape of the Dao seems to possess a Glazed Pure Immortal Body. I wonder how many Dao Mark Veins it has cultivated within itself?"

Hidden Twenty-Five stated, "It's said that among the four Nine Springs Supreme Beings from the Jiuli tribe who challenged it, one had transformed into a Pure Immortal Body after ingesting a rare medicine. Yet, within a hundred moves, his legs were broken by the ape."

Yaoyin declared, "If I reach the Nine Springs realm, I will certainly make it realize that there are always stronger beings and higher heavens."

"Come on, there's no benefit for us here, let's not get involved," Li Weiyi urged.

The chill in Yaoyin's eyes faded, and her face regained its elegant calm. She then headed towards Yaoguan City, accompanied by her two personal attendants, who had used disguise techniques.

Li Weiyi needed to enter the city to purchase Spring-Breaking Needles.

Hidden Twenty-Five walked alongside Li Weiyi and murmured, "It's not entirely without benefits. The Fiery Ape of the Dao has put up a rare 'Cloud-Dyed Herb' as a prize; if you defeat it, you can claim it. However, to challenge it, you must offer an otherworldly coffin as collateral."

Li Weiyi chuckled, "Everyone knows that otherworldly coffins are priceless, and it's no surprise what kind of treasures might be found within them. The Jiuli tribe, specifically, has no shortage of them. So, they can both gain benefits from the Suizong and win back their own coffins... That's quite a clever way to make money."

Hidden Twenty-Five, who held the Jiuli tribe's honor in high regard, suggested, "Why don't you set up a banner proclaiming that all martial artists of the Spring Realm from Suizong are nothing but 'mud chickens and tile dogs'? Then, charge a hefty fee for each challenge. You'd definitely make a fortune."

"Never mind that," Li Weiyi dismissed. "Tomorrow is the Grand Sacrifice of Mang Mountain, and serious matters are at hand. Won't we earn more by entering Buried Immortal Town to gather rare herbs?"

Li Weiyi's mind was entirely preoccupied with the Tenth Spring Divine Aperture and the matter of becoming a Grand Meditation Master. He had no desire to put himself in the limelight, which would be both dangerous and a distraction from his main objectives.

Due to the gathering of martial artists, large quantities of cultivation resources had been transported to Yaoguan City.

The Coffin Sea Merchant Guild's branch in Yaoguan had seventeen Spring-Breaking Needles in stock. However, the price was significantly higher than in Jiuli City a few months prior, with each needle costing two thousand silver coins.

"A rip-off! Absolutely a rip-off," Li Weiyi muttered.

Li Weiyi turned and walked away without the slightest hesitation.

In Jiuli City, a single Spring-Breaking Needle only cost one thousand silver coins.

Li Weiyi looked at Hidden Twenty-Five, silently asking if the Hidden Gate had any special channels to acquire cheaper goods from the Coffin Sea Merchant Guild.

Hidden Twenty-Five replied, "I'm merely a new Hidden agent; I only joined the Hidden Gate a year before you. Logically, there must be Hidden agents holding high positions within the Coffin Sea Merchant Guild. If you were to become a Divine Hidden agent, you would naturally gain access to the list of all Hidden agents."

Li Weiyi then looked at Yaoyin.

She said, "With the Yaoli Tribe's waist token, we might get some discount, but it wouldn't be significant."

"Buy them! Buy all of them!" Li Weiyi declared.

Li Weiyi compromised, taking out a pouch of Spring Coins and handing them to Yaoyin.

Regardless, breaking through to the Tenth Spring was paramount at this stage.

Yaoyin was surprised and asked, puzzled, "All seventeen?"

"That might not even be enough!"

Li Weiyi walked with his hands clasped behind his back, a bitter expression on his face, towards the Tianyi Merchant Guild. He suddenly stopped and said, "Ask them how many Light Flame Pills they have; I'll buy them all."

After some bargaining, Yaoyin spent thirty thousand silver coins to purchase all seventeen Spring-Breaking Needles.

When she and Hidden Twenty-Five arrived at the Tianyi Merchant Guild, they saw Li Weiyi emerging, his face grim.

Yaoyin reported, "The Coffin Sea Merchant Guild currently has three Light Flame Pills, and they're offering each at a low price of 130,000 silver coins. I suppose it's because most of those gathered in Buried Immortal Town are martial artists, making psychic energy elixirs difficult to sell."

"Such a large merchant guild, yet only three Light Flame Pills? What good is that? And 130,000 silver coins is considered a 'low price'? That's far more expensive than what Hidden Twenty-Four charged!"

Li Weiyi recalled the price he had just inquired about at the Tianyi Merchant Guild—140,000 silver coins per Light Flame Pill, an even greater rip-off than the Coffin Sea Merchant Guild. Thinking about it now, Hidden Twenty-Four seemed quite reliable, having only charged 100,000 silver coins for a single pill.

He had certainly misunderstood her before!

Li Weiyi took the long-desired Spring-Breaking Needles from Yaoyin, and a good deal of the frustration in his chest dissipated.

Yaoyin said, "She's different. She must have acquired those Light Flame Pills from the Jiuli Divine Temple."

Li Weiyi's heart stirred, and he asked hopefully, "Can you obtain Light Flame Pills at a low price from the Jiuli Divine Temple?"

"It's hard to say," Yaoyin replied. "After all, the person at the Jiuli Divine Temple is her biological maternal grandmother. Although I also call her grandmother, there's always that degree of separation by blood." Yaoyin had lived at Hidden Twenty-Four's home since childhood and called Hidden Twenty-Four's mother "mother," but she was not her biological mother.

Li Weiyi had indeed amassed a significant sum from the Changlin Gang and wasn't short on money. However, if he were to spend it all on Light Flame Pills, he still wouldn't be able to buy many. The matter of breaking through to Grand Meditation Master would have to be a long-term endeavor.

After instructing Yaoyin to go to the Tianyi Merchant Guild and buy out all the Spring-Breaking Needles, the three of them left the city.

"Paintings for sale! Paintings for sale! The finest 'Thousand-Li Sui River Map,' truly excellent value for money!"

"My friend, take a look at my calligraphy here. It boasts rigorous composition, exquisite layout, and profound artistic conception."

An elderly man, dressed like a scholar, was selling calligraphy and paintings by the roadside. Several of his finest works were hung prominently, clearly indicating his high self-regard.

On this street, teeming with martial artists and fierce beasts, such a scene was strikingly out of place. He had been selling for half the day, but not a single piece had sold.

Li Weiyi was secretly astonished. Since arriving in this martial-arts-dominated and peculiar world, it was the first time he had encountered an elderly man so engrossed in calligraphy and painting. He even had a certain scholarly demeanor, reminiscent of a Confucian disciple.

Driven by curiosity, he approached and kindly advised, "Senior, you've come to the wrong place. Selling calligraphy and paintings here is no different from selling fans in winter or padded jackets in summer."