Demonic Cultivator: Immune To Common Side Effects - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: The Ebony Sword—A Miniature Divine Artifact—and Hoarding the Medicine Pills

When Li Yan grasped the Ebony Sword, a sharp pain shot through his palm.

The sword, gifted to him by Old Daoist Xuanwang, was trying to drain his blood!

Warning! The host has come into contact with a Magic Artifact possessing a severe side effect—the Death Yin Ebony Sword.

Side Effect: This artifact activates the Death Yin energy within its blade by consuming the host’s Blood Qi.

Side Effect Reversal: While wielding the Ebony Sword, you can absorb the energy of others nearby (both living beings and Resentful Souls).

Intriguing!

Li Yan never imagined that this seemingly ordinary Ebony Sword would transform into a heaven-defying miniature divine artifact after its side effect was reversed.

This is the very essence of turning trash into treasure—the unpredictable potential of side effect reversals.

Old Daoist Xuanwang stroked his beard, his eyes narrowing into a sly grin as he asked in a deep, sinister voice, “Disciple, why so silent? Do you not cherish the sword your master has bestowed upon you?”

Li Yan paused, then clasped his hands in a respectful bow. “Master,” he replied, “this Ebony Sword alone fills my heart with contentment.”

“Oh? I suspect you’re not being entirely sincere. Your Master has a treasured sword here that can slice through iron like mud. Would you like to exchange your Ebony Sword for it?”

Hearing Xuanwang’s offer to replace his minor divine artifact, the Ebony Sword, Li Yan hastily waved his hands. “Master, this disciple’s cultivation is still weak. The Ebony Sword is more than sufficient!”

However, Xuanwang’s offer was merely a test of Li Yan’s character.

Seeing Li Yan decline the precious sword, Xuanwang cast an approving glance and nodded in satisfaction. “Excellent. This little brat is clever. Only by avoiding greed can one live long.”

Unbeknownst to the Old Daoist, this seemingly useless Ebony Sword was nothing short of heaven-defying in Li Yan’s hands.

Its ability to reverse negative side effects far surpassed that of any precious sword.

The old man, pleased with Li Yan’s “lack of greed,” resolved to keep the boy by his side for further training.

“Disciple, work diligently, and your Master will not neglect you.”

“Go now. Take the medicine from the gourd on the table and feed the pills to the diners.”

Clasping the Ebony Sword, Li Yan bowed respectfully. “Yes, Master! This disciple takes his leave.”

Emerging from the Alchemy Hall, Li Yan gazed at the Ebony Sword in his hand, utterly captivated.

Senior Brothers passing by couldn’t help but chuckle when they saw him carrying the sword. “Look at this kid, flaunting that Ebony Sword like it’s some priceless treasure.”

Li Yan ignored their teasing. What suited him best was all that mattered; he cared little for others’ opinions.

He hadn’t forgotten his current responsibility: feeding the “guests” of the Stone Workshop Hall. His Medicinal Gourd contained dozens of Blood Egg Pills.

Staring at the gourd, a mischievous thought struck him. What if I secretly withheld a few Blood Egg Pills…?

But Senior Brother Ming Zhe’s memories reminded him that the “guests” of the Stone Workshop Hall were nothing more than alchemy ingredients for the Old Daoist. Their feeding couldn’t be neglected; every single one had to consume their Blood Egg Pill.

If a guest’s Blood Qi proved insufficient, delaying the alchemy process…

Old Daoist Xuanwang would choose a “lucky” disciple and grind them into minced meat in his mortar. And that unlucky disciple would most likely be Li Yan himself.

Since he was in charge of the Stone Workshop Hall, any delay in his Master’s alchemy would land him in the alchemical furnace.

“How can I secretly keep back some Blood Egg Pills?”

With this question swirling in his mind, Li Yan walked through the corridor back to the Stone Workshop Hall he oversaw.

As he pushed open the door, Medicinal Gourd in hand, countless diners surged forward, kneeling before him with outstretched hands, begging desperately.

“Master Li, please, just one more!”

“Two would be better—one’s never enough!”

“Please, I can’t bear another day without it!”

The room was filled with addicts, scratching their ears and cheeks as they pleaded for an extra pill. Li Yan knew their minds were controlled by the Insect Gu, driving them to instinctively crave more Blood Egg Pills. Once their bodies were completely infested with the parasites, they would become nothing more than alchemy ingredients.

His gaze habitually swept to the corner, where the girl named Xin Zhi once again met his eyes. This time, several new faces stood beside her.

“Those newcomers must be the latest additions to the Stone Workshop Hall,” Li Yan muttered to himself. “There are thirty-six diners in total, and thirty-six pills in my gourd. If…”

Li Yan began plotting, scheming to exploit his authority and withhold several Blood Egg Pills for himself.

“Xin Zhi and the newcomer make six normal people in total,” he thought.

“The Old Daoist needs ten diners as alchemy ingredients every seven days.”

His mind raced with possibilities. Ten diners would serve as this week’s alchemy quota, with twenty more kept in reserve. Any extra Blood Egg Pills? Li Yan could pocket them himself! That would mean six Blood Egg Pills for his own stash.

As the sole manager of the Stone Workshop Hall, Li Yan had plenty of room to maneuver.

Acting swiftly, he distributed thirty Blood Egg Pills to the diners already on death’s door. They snatched the pills without hesitation and shoved them into their mouths. As long as the Blood Qi levels of these pill slaves remained stable, Xuanwang wouldn’t cause him any trouble.

Then, carrying the Medicinal Gourd, Li Yan approached the young woman named Xin Zhi. She frowned deeply, staring at him.

Li Yan had changed into the gray Daoist robe of the Tranquil Void Temple, his waist badge now reading: “Outer Sect – Mingyan.”

“You… you were promoted from diner to servant yesterday, and today you’re already an Outer Disciple?”

Li Yan’s meteoric rise defied Xin Zhi’s understanding.

Noticing her astonishment, Li Yan feigned concern and poured a single Blood Egg Pill from the Medicinal Gourd.

“Want one?” he asked calmly.

Xin Zhi shook her head violently, her fear of Li Yan palpable.

She couldn’t believe it: Li Yan, who had arrived just yesterday, was now her direct supervisor, the manager of the Stone Workshop Hall.

The girl was terrified that Li Yan, in order to complete his mission, might force them to swallow Blood Egg Pills.

Li Yan casually inquired, “Were these five also just brought in?”

“Um… they arrived this afternoon.”

The shift in his status filled the girl with fear. She lowered her head, unable to meet Li Yan’s eyes.

The five newcomers, not yet parasitized by the Blood Egg Pills, remained conscious, their eyes wide with dread as they stared at Li Yan.

“How did you children end up here?” Li Yan asked.

One of the older children swallowed hard, summoning the courage to answer. “We heard we could get enough to eat here, so…”

Li Yan waved his hand. “That’s enough. Go back to your rooms.”

Seeing Li Yan let them go, the girl named Xin Zhi couldn’t help but step forward. “But what about you? Those pills… what will you do with them?”

Having lived in the Stone Workshop Hall for some time, Xin Zhi clearly knew the rules.

Li Yan’s lips curved into a faint smile, but he remained silent.

Carrying the remaining six Blood Egg Pills, he entered the finest private chamber in the Stone Workshop Hall.

After securing the doors and windows, Li Yan poured the six fresh Blood Egg Pills from the Medicinal Gourd into his palm. Tilting his head back, he swallowed them all in one gulp.