Chapter 774 - 303: Fog Kill

Inside the Cloud Water Upper Sect’s stronghold, the atmosphere was heavy.

Zhou Qianjun, Li Muyun, and Liu Hanyan sat in the seats of honor. They had previously received news that the Demon Sect had not left.

However, the three of them had been hesitating. After all, the Demon Sect could contend with the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, so their strength could not be underestimated.

But now, with rumors flying everywhere that the Demon Sect had obtained a great treasure deep within Smoke Wave Marsh, the three of them could no longer sit still.

"Those people from the Demon Sect must have stumbled upon a massive opportunity. Otherwise, they never would have taken such a risk to linger here after Lü Hanyin’s death," Zhou Qianjun said in a low voice.

The last time Chen Qing had snatched the Nine Nether Yin Fiend from right under their noses had left him deeply frustrated. If he missed an even greater opportunity this time, he would find it truly unacceptable.

"What do we do now?"

Liu Hanyan frowned. "There are quite a few experts around Longze Lake, and even in Black Water Giant City, who are getting restless. If we’re late, and the Demon Sect succeeds, or some other petty thieves take advantage of the situation..."

Li Muyun slowly raised his eyes, a glint of determination flashing within them. "We can’t wait. The news is spreading, and delays will only lead to complications. We’ll go search the core area now! With the three of us combined, using our Sect Secret Technique, we won’t necessarily be afraid of that Qi Yu."

He paused, his voice dropping slightly. "Besides..."

As he spoke, he flipped his palm over, and an elixir appeared. It was the size of a longan, crimson all over, yet entwined with a few strands of bizarre black silk.

The moment the elixir appeared, a scorching aura spread out, faintly stirring the surrounding Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi into a frenzy.

This was the Red Soul Burning Essence Pill, a great medicine secretly produced by the Cloud Water Upper Sect, unobtainable by anyone but Core Disciples of the True Essence Realm.

Its effects were incredibly potent, capable of stimulating one’s potential in a very short time, causing their True Essence to surge by several tenths for the duration of one incense stick.

However, the price of this pill was also immense. Each one consumed would cost the user five years of their lifespan, and they would fall into a brief period of weakness after the effects wore off.

It was a true life-saving trump card, never to be used lightly except in a matter of life and death.

"As long as we get the great treasure, our Cultivation will advance. We can refine our True Essence one more time, our Flesh Bodies and Divine Souls will ascend along with it, and a mere few years of lifespan can be recovered in the blink of an eye!"

Li Muyun’s tone was resolute. "Resources and strength are what truly matter! If we miss this chance, who knows how long we’ll have to wait for another opportunity like this!"

Zhou Qianjun and Liu Hanyan exchanged a look.

Having reached the realm of three refinements at such a young age, their temperaments were naturally decisive. They knew well that the path of Cultivation was like sailing against the current—to not contend was to fall behind!

"Alright!"

Zhou Qianjun took a deep breath and said, "We’ll do as Junior Brother Li says!"

Liu Hanyan also nodded firmly.

The trio hesitated no longer. After adjusting their bodies to their peak condition, they mounted their flying steeds and sped directly southeast, toward Smoke Wave Marsh!

After entering the dense fog of Smoke Wave Marsh, the three held their breath and focused their minds, carefully navigating between the scattered reefs and the hazy water vapor.

After nearly an hour of careful searching, they finally detected a faint fluctuation of aura near a strange stretch of water called "Black Stone Reef."

"Something’s strange! It’s deep within Black Stone Reef, just ahead!"

Zhou Qianjun exclaimed in a low voice. The three of them felt their spirits rise, and they immediately concealed their auras, creeping silently toward the source of the fluctuation.

The closer they got, the clearer the fluctuation became.

A faint, peculiar smell began to permeate the air, and the dense fog around them seemed to thin out slightly.

When they passed the last of the jagged, bizarre rocks that blocked their view, the scene before them made their pupils contract and their breath catch in their throats!

In the center of a relatively open stretch of water ahead, a massive black reef lay prone, like a resting ox.

Above the reef, a mass of spectral blue flame burned silently. An Exotic Beast was faintly visible in the center of the flame, emitting a heart-pounding aura.

And directly below the spectral flame, by the water at the base of the reef, a Spirit Plant shone with a brilliant light.

It was about a foot tall, with seven uniquely shaped leaves. The leaves were a perfect golden color, and it was as if liquid Gold flowed through their veins.

At its top, a budding golden lotus emitted a soft, pure glow. A vast and pure Supreme Yang Primordial Qi spread out from it, dispelling some of the surrounding yin chill.

"Is that... a Profound Nether Black Ox being tormented by Erosion Fire?!"

Li Muyun cried out in a hushed voice, having recognized the origin of the silhouette within the spectral flame.

"Heavens! A Seven-leaf Golden Lotus! And it’s about to mature!" Liu Hanyan’s beautiful eyes were instantly filled with an endless fervor, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.

The Profound Nether Black Ox was an extremely powerful Exotic Beast. Its Original Essence Blood could be refined into "Profound Nether True Water," a supreme treasure for cultivating Supreme Yin Divine Techniques. Every part of it—its sinews, bones, hide, and flesh—was a top-grade ingredient for Alchemy!

As for the Seven-leaf Golden Lotus, it was a legendary Treasure Medicine. One leaf represented ten years, so seven leaves meant seventy years of pure accumulation. The Original Essence contained within its Lotus Seed had an unimaginable, miraculous effect on breaking through bottlenecks and refining True Essence!

Either one of these two items was enough to drive them mad!

"Cloud Water Upper Sect? Your noses are quite sharp."

A cold female voice suddenly rang out, shattering the silence.

Not far away, the figures of Qi Yu and Lei Hong emerged from behind a giant reef.

Qi Yu’s expression was calm, as if she had long expected someone to arrive. But the gaze she directed at Zhou Qianjun’s group held a trace of icy coldness.

Lei Hong, on the other hand, grinned, revealing a mouth full of white teeth as his ferocious aura locked onto the trio.

"Demon Sect thieves! How dare you run wild in the Cloud Water Upper Sect’s territory and try to seize a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object! For a thousand miles in every direction, every blade of grass and every tree belongs to Cloud Water!"