Chapter 10

The strength of an individual, besides their own abilities, largely depends on power and wealth.

Power needs no further explanation.

Why can Zhao Huayu, the city lord of Changjun, stand in a transcendent position and watch the Cold Moon Demon Sect, Hellfire Demon Sect, Huangtian Dao, and Zhengyi Dao fight endlessly?

It is because he commands six thousand elite troops.

Relying on these six thousand elites, as long as he is willing, he can crush any sect's stronghold with his iron hooves.

Even if the four sects join forces, they would still find it hard to escape death when surrounded by six thousand elites.

The six thousand elites are not just six thousand soldiers.

Apart from the basic body-tempered elites, there are also many viscera-refined warriors, blood-replaced centurions, and even qi-refined, gale-condensed, and core-embraced commanders and generals.

On the battlefield, they can defeat an army of thirty thousand.

Compared to core-embraced true qi, the total increase in true qi for spirit-refined practitioners is not significant, but because they nurture divine intent, they have precise control over their bodies and exquisite manipulation of true qi, allowing them to exert twice or thrice the effect with the same effort, thus gaining an absolute advantage in one-on-one combat.

Moving up to the divine transformation realm, the divine intent is even stronger, transforming into a yin spirit to interfere with others' wills, weaken enemies, and secure victory.

However, a ten-thousand-strong army is different from one-on-one combat; it does not emphasize intricate sword techniques or agile movements.

A skilled sword technique kills a small soldier in one move, and even without weakening the opponent, it can still be an instant kill. The enemy can trap and exhaust you with their numerical advantage.

Human strength has its limits.

Therefore, even powerful spirit-refined or divine transformation practitioners cannot escape death once they are trapped in a ten-thousand-strong army.

Only those who have cultivated to the level of a primordial spirit true lord, capable of flying with a sword and moving through the azure sky, can remain invincible and regard a vast army as nothing.

Besides power, there is wealth.

To do a job well, one must first sharpen the tools.

The standard for elites is to wear iron armor, and the mighty warriors carry fifty-pound heavy armor, all of which require money.

Even among core-embraced practitioners, the importance of divine weapons and tools is emphasized.

For example, if Gu Jinlai had used a supreme treasure sword in his battle with Zhang Buyi, a few clashes would have broken Zhang Buyi's sword and cut him down.

If he had a supreme treasure armor, he could have traded injuries for life, quickly securing victory.

Gale qi is said to be indestructible, but it is difficult to tear through a supreme treasure armor.

Not to mention, above treasure tools, there are spirit tools.

These are spirit treasures refined by celestial masters, extracting the essence of demonic spirits, making them responsive to the user's will, versatile, and extraordinary.

However, a divine transformation true person often has to exhaust their wealth to obtain a spirit tool sword, a treasure that even Gu Jinlai in his prime could not imagine, let alone now.

Besides spirit tools, there are also spirit beasts and divine beasts.

Demonic spirits fused with fierce beasts become demons, but celestial masters can refine demonic spirits, extract their essence, and inject it into fierce beasts to tame them as mountain-protecting spirit beasts.

Spirit beasts and cultivators share a mental connection and linked true qi, often achieving a synergistic effect greater than the sum of their parts.

Gu Jinlai's intention in entering the Demon Subduing Hall was to kill some demons and, ideally, obtain a spirit-refining technique.

At the very least, he could exchange for a treasure armor, which would give him a better chance in a crisis, even if it's a lower-grade treasure armor.

...

A secret courtyard.

Gu Jinlai examined the map, selected his target, and simultaneously pondered some issues.

"Ma Zheng's karma was like blood, and when I killed him, I received a beam of light."

If he could obtain a spirit-refining technique, he could quickly advance to the spirit-refined stage with this beam of light.

Or he could cultivate the eighth-level Dragon Roaming Body Technique to the minor accomplishment stage, allowing him to move freely.

However...

"Sharpening the axe does not delay the woodcutting!"

Used resources are good resources.

He thought about the danger and intensity of his battle with Zhang Buyi, focusing his consciousness on the green lotus.

The next moment, the beam of light flickered.

His brain began to operate at an incredible speed, and in ten seconds, it felt like he had reviewed all the knowledge he had learned in high school and college.

Invisible Sword Qi: Beginner → Minor Accomplishment.

The efficiency of the minor accomplishment stage of Invisible Sword Qi has improved.

The key is that it can immediately trigger a hidden and lethal move.

Metallic reflection plus invisible sword qi.

"So, I should get a new sword to better utilize the characteristics of the Invisible Sword Qi."

Gu Jinlai looked at the sword in his hand.

After several battles, his treasure-grade sword had sustained some damage and needed maintenance.

The maintenance cost was not low, so it was better to get a new sword.

As an elder, Gu Jinlai received an annual salary of 60,000 taels from the sect and another 40,000 to 50,000 taels from Changjun City, totaling 100,000 taels per year.

But with high income came high expenses.

Cultivation and training, as well as recruiting subordinates, all required money.

A regular treasure sword cost 20,000 to 30,000 taels, which was only a third of his income, but he couldn't come up with the money right away.

"I can only wait."

Gu Jinlai turned his gaze to the map.

Joining the Demon Subduing Hall had multiple considerations.

Cultivators who commit evil deeds turn red-named, but what about demons?

Demons feed on souls, and humans are known as the most intelligent beings, so the great demons must have countless human souls.

If demons were all red-named...

Wouldn't he be flying high in the future?

...

"Master."

At this moment, Su Nanxing entered with a book and a box. "Master's personality is somewhat solitary, and I have been thinking that even if Lin Xiao was dissatisfied with you for failing to recruit you, he wouldn't necessarily oppose you. But recently, I realized it might be related to something."

He opened the box, revealing a blood-patterned jade pendant.

"What is this?"

"Half a year ago, when I was stationed at the Fallen Dragon Mountain mine, I found a corpse inside with this jade pendant. I couldn't determine its origin, so I presented it to Master."

Su Nanxing said.

"..."

Gu Jinlai was unaware of this.

"Recalling the events, several people inquired about the corpse at the Fallen Dragon Mountain mine. Half a month ago, I investigated some records."

Su Nanxing opened the book and pointed to a section. "This might be a jade slip."

"Jade slip?"

Gu Jinlai, of course, knew about this rare item.

Jade slips are used to store information, but their refinement techniques involve the use of primordial spirit.

In other words, this jade slip was likely left by a primordial spirit true lord.

True lord!

That was the pinnacle of existence!

Tai Shang Lu Zhanxian, one of the ten great experts of the demon path, was a primordial spirit true lord.

If it was for a jade slip containing information left by a primordial spirit true lord, it would make sense for Lin Xiao to target him.

"Jade slip."

Gu Jinlai held the blood-patterned jade pendant. "Unfortunately, my divine intent has dissipated, and I cannot read the information. Otherwise, I could have understood what it contains."

After a moment, he seemed to think of something. "It has been several days since I reported the merit of killing two core-embraced practitioners of the Huangtian Dao. The Nourishing Spirit Pill should be available. With its help, I have a good chance of recovering my cultivation. Then, I can read the jade slip and obtain the legacy of a primordial spirit true lord, achieving a double success."

He stood up. "To the Hellfire Sect's base!"

...

Gu Jinlai soon arrived at the base.

But after less than half an hour, he walked out with a dark expression.

His Nourishing Spirit Pill was gone.

His hope of recovering his spirit-refined cultivation was shattered.

"Isn't this Elder Gu?"

At this moment, a voice came from the entrance.

Fang Cai led several disciples, seemingly about to leave. "Elder Gu, you received the transfer order but did not go to Huayin County. Instead, you are wandering around Changjun City. Are you defying orders?"

Gu Jinlai glanced at him and said in a low voice, "Fang Cai, when did you dare to speak to me like this?"

"What's wrong with what I said? Since Elder Gu has packed your things, please leave as soon as possible. The Elder Hall is waiting to verify Elder Gu's identity."

Fang Cai said calmly.

Gu Jinlai looked at the protector who had obeyed him a month ago. "What do you want?"

"I don't understand what Elder Gu is saying..."

"Have you become so eager to please your new master?"

Gu Jinlai said.

This blunt statement made Fang Cai's face change.

But then, he laughed. "I have no choice. I am just a core-embraced practitioner. In life, one must have value. Without value, one will be chased like a stray dog, and might be killed in some unknown corner one day."

"Master, he wants to provoke you."

Su Nanxing whispered to Gu Jinlai.

Gu Jinlai understood this.

If he lost control and attacked, he would be taken down by the three core-embraced practitioners and dozens of disciples without Zhou Yunyi's intervention.

In the Hellfire Demon Sect, internal strife is a taboo.

He did not speak, but gave Fang Cai a deep look.

Patience brings calm.

It's not time to make a move yet.

"Let's go."

Gu Jinlai said and quickly left with Su Nanxing.

...

On the way, Gu Jinlai did not speak.

Su Nanxing was the same, but his coldness grew stronger.

"Alright, the more unfavorable the situation, the more we need to stay calm. Don't think about assassinating him tonight; it will only lead you into a trap."

Gu Jinlai said to Su Nanxing.

Su Nanxing lowered his head and did not speak.

"Patience brings calm, and stepping back brings a broader horizon. I have decided to turn over a new leaf and stay away from the Hellfire Demon Sect's conflicts since half a month ago."

Gu Jinlai said.

Su Nanxing still did not speak.

"Once the transfer order is issued, there is usually a one-month period to take up the post. In other words, we are safe for this month. Honestly, I haven't had a good look around Changjun City for a long time. Let's enjoy ourselves this month."

Gu Jinlai was talking to himself.

Su Nanxing followed half a step behind, head down.

"The ancient and elegant Changjun City, tsk tsk, this experience is much better than those imitation ancient buildings. I need to think about how to spend the next month, how to have fun... I should visit the Jade Beauty Shop at least once."

Gu Jinlai pondered.

As he thought, he stopped and looked at the darkening sky, suddenly asking, "Do you think demons might be hiding in the Hellfire Demon Sect's base?"