I am grinding experience in another world - Chapter 798 - 786: Demon Qi

Mistaken Heaven, with sunshine bright and the sky clear and azure.

A cloud formation spanning five to six miles drifted slowly across the sky.

The wind blew fiercely, causing ripples around the white clouds, yet they remained condensed and unmoving.

Piercing through the mist, a vast space was revealed inside.

An apricot yellow flag was fluttering in the air, from which waves of white clouds emanated, dispersing into the surrounding cloud formation.

Beneath the large flag, tents and wooden huts were densely distributed.

In a corner on the edge, a two-person-high Green Jade Shell was hidden among many tents.

At the door of the snail shell, on a rocking chair, Chen Mu lay there, gazing at the flag in the sky, lost in thought.

“A cloud, akin to flat ground, not only able to hold tens of thousands but also capable of rapid flying escape.”

“Remarkable skill!”

The large flag is called the Five Directions Flag, crafted as a magic treasure by the Yellow Springs Sect. The massive cloud formation below is one of the miraculous uses of the Five Directions Flag.

Even though Chen Mu had stayed on this cloud formation for more than ten days, he still couldn’t help but marvel.

“I wonder where Yuan Zhen and Tang Zhimu have gone, are they also traveling somewhere aboard the Five Directions Flag?”

Upon arriving from the coast of Yizhou to Mistaken Heaven, the moment they set foot, everyone was distributed to various places.

Yuan Zhen, Tang Zhimu, and other disciples of the Yellow Springs Sect had already been arranged, while Chen Mu and the Daoist soldiers also each had their destinations.

“I can only wish them a smooth journey on their path.”

Having cultivated for nearly thirty years, transferred through many places. Nine Peaks Mountain, although didn’t have a good ending, the interactions with the people there were rather pleasant.

Now, with everyone separated, Chen Mu couldn’t help but feel sentimental.

He shook his head to dispel his wandering thoughts, beginning to contemplate his own cultivation.

Having been in Mistaken Heaven for more than ten days, although there hadn’t been any conflicts yet, it was only a matter of time. Naturally, he hoped his Dao could improve.

“Unfortunately, the Vital Energy isn’t enough.”

Chen Mu looked again at the Five Directions Flag in mid-air.

The flag holds profound mysteries, not only carrying everyone for flight but also releasing a large amount of Earth Spirit Vital Energy. It’s like a moving dojo, allowing tens of thousands of Daoist soldiers on the cloud platform to recover mana.

But it can only support mana recovery.

Chen Mu wanted to use it to refine Spirit Treasure Talismans, be it the quantity or quality, it was somewhat insufficient.

He flipped his hand to take out the God-sending Order, sending a thread of mana into it. After a while, yet no movement was around.

“To think of using Hundred Intentions Heaven’s God-sending Order to command Star Lords of Outer Heaven Mistaken Heaven, is indeed wishful thinking.”

Chen Mu shook his head helplessly.

After leaving Yizhou, it was temporarily peaceful. But the God-sending Order lost its effect due to the change in heavens, halting the cultivation of the Yellow Springs Gourd.

“I also wonder if leaving Yizhou was right or wrong.”

While pondering, a chubby middle-aged man appeared at the door.

“Is this the Thousand Mechanisms Sect’s Green Jade Immortal Residence? Good stuff!” He glanced at the faintly visible large space inside the snail shell, full of envy.

“I am Wen Tong, the Camp Master of the neighboring Ren Character Camp. How should I address you?” the chubby middle-aged Wen Tong smiled, clasping his hands in greeting.

Chen Mu’s ears twitched.

Truth Listening Divine Power had already captured the rhythmic movements of the aura around the other person.

Stable and strong, clearly another Daoist Qi Refiner.

“I am Chen Mu, greetings to Mr. Wen.” Not daring to be negligent, Chen Mu stood up and returned the salutation with clasped hands.

“Camp Master Chen, don’t be nervous. Our Xin and Ren Two Camps are neighbors, I just came over to make acquaintance.” Wen Tong laughed, making a waving gesture.

“Are you a Qi Cultivator?” he continued to ask.

How did this guy know?

“Mr. Wen, you have a keen eye.” Chen Mu raised an eyebrow.

“My eyesight isn’t that great.” Wen Tong shook his head: “I just know, if you are following the Path of Heavenly Demon Reincarnation, then you and your Ren Character Camp wouldn’t be arranged at this remote location.”

Is there such a saying?

Chen Mu was puzzled.

“Our Flag Lord Jiang Men, Daoist Monarch Jiang, is a cultivator walking the Path of Heavenly Demon Reincarnation, mastering the True Form of Heavenly Demon.”

“All six Camp Masters near the Five Directions Flag are followers of the Path of Heavenly Demon Reincarnation.” Wen Tong spoke meaningfully.

Is there a factional struggle in this?

Chen Mu couldn’t help but frown.

“I’ve established my Dao Foundation years ago, signing the Daoist Soldier Contract this time, for obtaining a High Grade Embryo Artifact for Outer Cultivation of Magic Treasure, hoping to advance further.”

“But this requires a vast amount of Dao, if fought alone, it would be very difficult, far less than… cooperative win-win!” Wen Tong looked eagerly at Chen Mu.

So, the intention is to form an alliance.

Chen Mu realized.

Unfortunately, he follows the Path of Inner Cultivation of Spiritual Treasure, not really interested in the rewards such as Embryo Artifact and Outer Cultivation Secret Technique provided by the Yellow Springs Sect.

“I’ve already met two other Qi Cultivator friends, they’ve both agreed to join hands to earn Dao.”

“With the constraint of the contract, there’s no fear of any dirty dealings, safe and secure.”

“Mr. Chen, what do you think…” Wen Tong was full of hope.

“Thank you for your kind offer, but I have only recently achieved my Dao Foundation, my strength is weak. This time, I only want to preserve my life, not daring to seek Embryo Artifact.” Chen Mu smiled, politely declined.

He didn’t trust the constraint of contracts much, he himself is not afraid of contract backlash, and he can’t guarantee there aren’t others like him who don’t care for Daoist Soldier Contracts.

“The road of seeking Dao requires courage and progression.”

“Fortune is sought amidst danger, Mr. Chen.” Wen Tong hurriedly advised.

Chen Mu still shook his head.

“Alright, friend, consider more on this.”

“If one day you truly understand, come find me, I’m right across in the neighboring camp.” Wen Tong shook his head with quite a bit of disappointment.

Seeing that Chen Mu indeed had no intention to ally, he lost interest in continuing the conversation, exchanged a few pleasantries, and turned away.

Chen Mu watched him walk away, frowned, and sat back in the rocking chair.

Back in the Thousand Mechanisms Sect, as a Daoist soldier, he could only be an unnoticed butcher.

Now, accomplishing his Dao Foundation, he starts as a camp leader, with over three thousand Daoist soldiers under him.

Yet in this grand war initiated by the Daoist Ancestor, a Daoist Qi Refiner is still merely a larger ant.

He hides whenever possible, how could he take the initiative to engage.

“But even if I reject Wen Tong, avoiding proactive actions, conflicts and battles are unavoidable.” Chen Mu sighed helplessly.

…

Xin Camp Center.

Inside a massive tent.

Wen Tong walked in, where a man and a woman, both middle-aged, had been waiting for quite some time.

“How is it?” The short, plump middle-aged man was the first to speak.

“This Mr. Chen is somewhat cautious about his life,” Wen Tong shrugged and said.

“Cautious? I see it as lacking initiative,” the short, plump man snorted disdainfully, “He doesn’t know how to seize the opportunity. I guess he’ll always be like this…”

“Everyone has their own way of living, you can’t force it,” Wen Tong waved his hand, interrupting the other’s complaint.

“It’s also good that it’s just the three of us working together; too many people would be hard to coordinate, making it easy to overlook things.”

“That’s true…”

The short, plump man pursed his lips, but finally nodded, and they turned to discuss how to earn more Daoist cultivation in the upcoming conflict.

…

A few days later.

A floating island appeared not far in front of the cloud platform.

It was a vast land several dozen miles in length and width, complete with mountains, forests, and rivers, looking very vibrant.

The flying island hung motionless in the air, like a nail embedded in the void.

Below, the mist flowed, and through the gaps in the mist, one could vaguely see the endless blue sea surface.

At the center of the cloud platform, beneath the Five Directions Flag, stood a solemn palace named Xuanyuan Hall.

Chen Mu arrived here according to the summons.

When he entered the main hall, nine camp masters, including Wen Tong, had already lined up on both sides, all present.

Facing the scrutinizing gazes of everyone, Chen Mu nodded slightly. After greeting Wen Tong individually, he naturally stood by his side.

Soon, a person walked out from the back of the hall.

This man, dressed in an outfit with a black base and gold patterns, had sharp eyes and was a rather imposing middle-aged man, none other than Flag Lord Daoist Monarch Jiang.

He gave everyone a glance and immediately spoke, “The flying island ahead is not our target, but it’s a great opportunity for you to practice.”

“Groups A to F will form the Myriad Phenomena Array with me and attack the flying island.”

“The remaining Daoist Soldiers will patrol the area to prevent monsters from escaping,” he instructed.

“I also need one of you camp masters to stay and oversee the Five Directions Flag, anyone willing to volunteer?”

Upon hearing this, several camp masters lowered their heads and remained silent.

The Five Directions Flag is a rare magic treasure, highly spiritual and capable of operating autonomously.

To say one is overseeing it is merely to provide mana for it, which is quite consuming, yet earns little Daoist cultivation.

They came to the Mistaken Heaven to earn Daoist cultivation, and no one wanted to do this thankless task.

Just as the atmosphere became still, Chen Mu who was standing at the end of the line stepped forward and cupped his hands, “Daoist Monarch, I am willing to guard the Five Directions Flag.”

Just by guarding the Five Directions Flag and expending some mana, he could avoid direct confrontation with the Mistaken Sky Demons. Wasn’t this exactly the kind of job he dreamed of?

Daoist Monarch Jiang’s displeased expression immediately softened, “Then I entrust this to you, Mr. Chen.”

“It’s my duty.” Chen Mu cupped his hands again and returned to the line.

Wen Tong beside him looked at Chen Mu with a complex expression.

This friend really is cautious about his life.

It’s just as well this friend values his life.

Otherwise, if Daoist Monarch Jiang had personally assigned someone to stay, it might have been him.

…

A moment later,

Everyone returned to their respective camps to command their Daoist Soldiers.

Daoist Monarch Jiang flew into the air and cast a spell into the Five Directions Flag.

Buzz!

A thick crimson ray of light shot out from the apricot yellow flag, trailing a long flame as it flew directly toward the distant island.

As if in response, an invisible light shield appeared in the air above the island.

Bang!

The Sun-piercing Rainbow collided with the light shield, and within a few breaths, the shield was completely shattered.

Daoist Monarch Jiang’s body suddenly swelled, transforming in the blink of an eye into a giant black serpent with wings blocking the sky.

The six camp masters who practiced the Heavenly Demon Rebirth Path also revealed their true forms of Heavenly Demons.

The Daoist Soldiers under their command also underwent drastic transformations, growing sharp fangs, long fur, bone spurs, and barbed hooks, each exuding a more vicious aura than the last.

“All Daoist Soldiers, follow me to the flying island, to subdue demons and vanquish devils!”

With those words, he let out a ferocious roar and in a blink, charged into the distant flying island.

Tens of thousands of cultivators of the Heavenly Demon Rebirth Path soared into the air with wild cries, following closely behind.

Seeing those frenzy-filled faces, Chen Mu’s face twitched harshly.

Subdue demons and vanquish devils?

Who the hell are the demons here!

…

The battle concluded in just two quarters of an hour.

The once lush flying island was now pitted and scarred, with the monstrous corpses scattered everywhere.

After spending an hour cleaning up the battlefield, the numerous Daoist Soldiers reluctantly returned to the cloud platform.

Chen Mu stayed on the cloud platform the entire time, using the Sealing Demon Curse to unite the mana of his three thousand Daoist Soldiers and replenish the Vital Energy of the Five Directions Flag.

Watching the Daoist Soldiers return to the cloud platform one after another, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Thinking the battle was finally over, he could now return to his camp and slack off.

But the moment the first Daoist Soldier stepped onto the cloud platform, Chen Mu sensed something was wrong.

He noticed his Jade Seed Dao Foundation suddenly start to tremble slightly.

Chen Mu immediately turned his gaze to the distant Daoist Soldiers.

At this moment, a large amount of white mist rose from those Daoist Soldiers, like water droplets falling on a red-hot iron plate, sizzling loudly.

“Is it because of the Mistaken Sky Demon Qi?”

Chen Mu frowned.

Upon arriving at Mistaken Heaven, every Daoist Soldier was given a Jade Slip.

It recorded much information about Mistaken Heaven, the most important being the Demon Qi.

It pervades Mistaken Heaven, a special Vital Energy unique to Mistaken Heaven. A great tonic for local monsters, but poisonous to outsiders.

The Five Directions Flag has the ability to dispel evil; the white mist on the Daoist Soldiers now was the Demon Qi being stripped away by the Five Directions Flag.

And at this moment, Chen Mu’s Jade Seed Dao Foundation was rhythmically flickering with golden light, unexpectedly revealing a natural craving for the Demon Qi, like a thirsty person seeing heavenly rain!

Could it be, the Jade Cicada Dao Foundation can absorb and refine Demon Qi?

This… This can’t be right!