Chapter 41

Mountain Axe (1-star magical artifact): Requires Qi Cultivation Level 2, Attack 16-24, Unique Passive: Attack Speed +10%, Durability 22/32, Weight 13.

Buffalo Leather Armor (1-star magical artifact): Requires Qi Cultivation Level 3, Defense 15-20, Unique Passive: Max Health +30, Durability 30/33, Weight 9.

Tiger Bone Demon Ring (1-star magical artifact): Requires Qi Cultivation Level 2, Attack 6-8, Unique Passive: Attack Speed +10%, Durability 24/26, Weight 1.

Speed Boots (1-star magical artifact): Requires Qi Cultivation Level 1, Defense 4-6, Unique Passive: Movement Speed +20, Durability 31/35, Weight 4.

A series of magical artifact data made Zhuge Xiang smile. The Mountain Axe was not suitable for him or Niu Geng, so he put it in his storage belt. The Speed Boots, which he already had a pair of Star Chasing Boots, he naturally left for Niu Geng. As for the Buffalo Leather Armor and Tiger Bone Demon Ring, which greatly enhanced combat power, Zhuge Xiang did not hesitate to take them.

Equipping the Buffalo Leather Armor and Tiger Bone Demon Ring, Zhuge Xiang nodded in satisfaction with his current equipment. For the new disciples, his magical artifact equipment was indeed luxurious, and no one could compare.

From head to toe, Zhuge Xiang looked at his equipment: Frost Headband, Buffalo Leather Armor, Flowing Cloud Cloak, Tiger Bone Demon Ring, Storage Belt, Star Chasing Boots, Blood Refining Blade as a weapon, Hundred Refining Bow for ranged attacks, and Blocking Blade as a secondary weapon. This lineup was very luxurious for a new disciple.

Although Zhuge Xiang was only at Qi Cultivation Level 3, the enhancements from these magical artifacts made him a standout at Qi Cultivation Level 4.

Pulling up the character interface, Zhuge Xiang was only missing two arm guards, one ring, and a pair of pants for his equipment slots to be full. In terms of combat power, Zhuge Xiang was very enthusiastic about pursuing better equipment. Stronger equipment meant a greater ability to kill monsters above his level, which in turn meant faster growth.

Soon, Lu Yuling and others opened their eyes and stood up one by one. A series of popping sounds came from their bodies, and their faces were filled with joy, clearly indicating that the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill had brought them immeasurable benefits.

"This Nine Apertures Mystic Pill is indeed marvelous. My cultivation speed has increased by 50%," Lu Yuling said, unable to hide her joy. For a genius like her, a 50% increase in cultivation speed was truly remarkable.

Following Lu Yuling's words, Ling Wufeng and others also reported their improvements. Compared to Lu Yuling's talent, they were not far behind, but their cultivation level was one level lower, so the benefits were even greater, with their qi cultivation speed increasing by about 60%. However, Hua Nongying's improvement was only about 70%.

Facing the curious gazes of the others, Hua Nongying looked somewhat dejected. "Before taking the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill, I had just broken through to Qi Cultivation Level 3."

Seeing Hua Nongying's expression, the others smiled. A breakthrough in cultivation was usually a cause for celebration, but breaking through just before taking the pill made her look this way. The lower the qi cultivation level, the greater the benefits.

"You? Niu Geng? How much has your cultivation speed increased?" Finally, Zhuge Xiang looked at Niu Geng with anticipation, and the others also watched closely.

Niu Geng was only at Qi Cultivation Level 1 and had only recently grasped qi. With his low talent, his improvement must have been significant. After all, the improvement data for Lu Yuling and the others was based on their genius status, while Niu Geng was of average to low talent. Especially since he had only grasped qi with the help of a Blood Spirit Fruit, his talent was likely the lowest among the thousands of new disciples.

"Double," Niu Geng said, glancing at Ling Wufeng and the others, his face filled with joy.

A double increase? That was a good number, but with Niu Geng's low talent, even a double increase in cultivation speed would only make him average among the new disciples. Although Zhuge Xiang was disappointed, it was still a significant benefit for Niu Geng.

Soon, a rumbling sound came from the cave entrance. Zhuge Xiang and the others exchanged glances, all smiling. As usual, Niu Geng collected some toxins from the demon moth, and Lu Yuling collected some of the demon moth's blood. Then they left the cave.

Standing at the cave entrance, they all looked back, feeling a sense of rebirth. This had been a life-and-death situation, but the benefits were astounding, especially for geniuses like Lu Yuling, whose cultivation speed and talent had improved, making them even more outstanding in the sect.

"Niu Geng, these are the boots I took from Lei Potian. His axe is of no use to us, so we put it away. I kept the other two magical artifacts for myself," Zhuge Xiang said, stepping back to Niu Geng and handing him the Speed Boots.

"Good," Niu Geng said, taking the Speed Boots without hesitation. He had no complaints about Zhuge Xiang keeping the other two magical artifacts, as he would use them.

Seeing Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng discussing the magical artifacts, Ling Wufeng and the others did not pay much attention, as the magical artifacts were their spoils of war. For them, obtaining the benefits of the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill was already a great gain.

"By the way, the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill, did it really only double your cultivation speed?" Zhuge Xiang asked in a low voice, making sure no one else was paying attention.

In the cave, when Zhuge Xiang asked this question, Niu Geng had glanced at the others before answering. Zhuge Xiang realized that Niu Geng, though seemingly honest, was actually quite cautious, especially since they were all from the Demon Sect, a sect of the demonic path, and conflicts over interests were inevitable.

Hearing Zhuge Xiang's question, Niu Geng smiled, his face filled with excitement. He did not speak but quietly raised four fingers.

Zhuge Xiang's pupils dilated. A fourfold increase? That meant his cultivation speed was now five times what it was before. No wonder, given his vastly different talent from Lu Yuling and his lowest cultivation level, such an improvement was not surprising. With a cultivation speed five times that of an ordinary person, the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill had already elevated Niu Geng to the ranks of the geniuses, and he was likely not far behind Ling Wufeng and the others.

If the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill were worth 100 silver, then Lu Yuling and the others, who already had 200 silver, would only see a 50% increase. However, Niu Geng, who had only 20-30 silver, would see a much larger increase, possibly 130 or even 150 silver, given his lower cultivation level.

Although this was a simple analogy, Zhuge Xiang knew that the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill had indeed improved Niu Geng's talent to this extent. Even if the benefits of the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill were significant, Niu Geng might not catch up to Lu Yuling and the others, but he would not be far behind.

With only about 100 miles left, Zhuge Xiang and the others cautiously advanced. After slaying several 1-star high-grade and over a dozen 1-star mid-grade demon beasts, they finally arrived at the base of the Aurora Demon Tower at dusk.

At the base of the Aurora Demon Tower, the tower's grandeur became even more apparent. Looking up, the light pillar almost spanned the heavens, towering about 2,000 meters high. Such a structure, standing between heaven and earth, could be seen for hundreds of miles.

At the base of the Aurora Demon Tower, there were about 1,700 to 1,800 people, which made Zhuge Xiang sigh. At this point, most of those who were supposed to come had already arrived, but there were only about 1,700 to 1,800 people, indicating that the escape from the heart of the Endless Mountains had been very deadly.

The base of the Aurora Demon Tower was covered by a circular area of about 1,000 meters in radius. At the edges of this area, ten Demon Sect disciples were floating in the air, sitting cross-legged, on swords, on knives, or on gourds.

"Finally, we are safe," Niu Geng and the others sighed in relief. Coming here meant they were finally safe. Although the escape had only lasted two days, those two days had felt very long and dangerous.

While Niu Geng and the others felt safe and relaxed, Zhuge Xiang's gaze was fixed on the ten floating disciples, his eyes filled with enthusiasm. In fact, many of the present disciples also had looks of longing and desire.

Riding a magical artifact and flying was a sign of breaking through to the Qi Cultivation and Spirit Formation stage, a mark of having survived the heavenly tribulation and transcended the mortal realm. Not to mention the powerful magical abilities, breaking through to the Spirit Formation stage increased one's lifespan by 300 years, which alone was enough to make people strive for it. It seemed that the sect had reacted quickly to the attack, sending ten Spirit Formation disciples to guard the area.

"One day, I will reach this level, and even surpass them," Zhuge Xiang clenched his fists, looking at the ten disciples. Why had he come to the Demon Sect? Wasn't it to be like them, standing above all others?

(PS: Today is Sunday, and the homepage for new books will be refreshed at midnight. I wonder if we can make it to the top? Let's wait and see. As always, if we make it, I will add an extra chapter. My chapters average around 3,000 words, and I have never written 2,000-word chapters to boost clicks. I have also never missed a day of updates. After over 20 days, I hope my actions have proven my dedication. I will add an extra chapter around 10:00 AM. If you have votes, please cast them at midnight. Your support is needed.)

Page break for ads

Page break for ads end