Demonic Cultivator: Immune To Common Side Effects - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: The Martial Aunt’s Hidden Stash

As Eldest Senior Brother Mingshan gazed longingly at the Ebony Sword in Li Yan’s hand, Second Senior Sister Mingyue placed a restraining hand on his shoulder.

“Brother, dawn is approaching. We should return to our chambers to rest and heal our injuries as quickly as possible.”

“You’re right, Little Sister,” Mingshan said, cupping his fist in a salute toward Li Yan. “We owe it to Junior Brother for sealing the Martial Aunt with that sword.”

“Just luck! Pure luck!” Li Yan returned the gesture and watched as Mingshan and Mingyue departed.

Outside Stone Workshop Hall, Mingyue turned to Mingshan with a reproachful expression. “Brother, don’t let greed ruin our plans.”

Mingshan waved dismissively. “I had no intention of stealing his treasure. I was merely curious and wanted to borrow it for a look.”

Meanwhile, Mingyue was deep in thought. “What kind of Medicine Pill did Master feed Junior Brother? Upon closer inspection, his Cultivation Base has already reached the sixth layer of the Blood Condensation Realm!”

“That’s indeed strange! Junior Brother only arrived a few days ago, yet he already possesses such power!”

The siblings were perplexed. Li Yan, a newly joined disciple of the Tranquil Void Temple, had already reached the sixth layer of the Blood Condensation Realm.

They themselves had begun cultivating at a young age and had trained under Master for over a decade, yet they had only reached the ninth and eighth layers of the same realm, respectively.

For Li Yan to attain such strength within days of his arrival was highly unusual.

Mingyue speculated, “Perhaps… he’s a Flesh Pill being nurtured by Master.”

“This is the only explanation! I’m afraid he won’t last long.”

Li Yan overheard every word of their conversation.

Standing at the window, he watched the pair disappear into the distance, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Eldest Senior Brother and Second Senior Sister are clearly saying this on purpose, for my ears only.

They couldn’t possibly believe that Li Yan’s current cultivation base would prevent him from hearing them.

Flesh Pill.

The name itself spoke volumes—artificially inflated cultivation.

From the memories Li Yan had absorbed, he understood that Flesh Pill cultivators were force-fed vast quantities of rare and precious resources in a short period, causing their cultivation base to surge temporarily.

However, this rapid advancement came at a terrible cost. Their inflated cultivation was unsustainable, riddled with side effects and long-term consequences, and would eventually regress over time.

The perfect term for Flesh Pill cultivators? “Force-fed chickens.”

Their final fate was to be tossed into Old Ghost Xuanwang’s mortar and pestle, ground to powder, and transformed into alchemy ingredients.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes, watching the backs of Eldest Senior Brother and Second Senior Sister as they walked away.

Why are they deliberately warning me? What are they hinting at?

Could they be plotting to break free and start their own sect, unwilling to remain under Old Ghost Xuanwang’s thumb?

For now, it was just speculation. Li Yan had no desire to become entangled in their schemes unless absolutely necessary.

As the two seniors disappeared around the corner of the courtyard, the dim sun finally began to rise, marking the end of a perilous but uneventful night.

“With my current strength, joining them in plotting against Old Ghost Xuanwang would likely end even worse for me. I’d better stay out of it…”

As soon as Li Yan spoke those words, the Ebony Sword in his hand suddenly began to tremble.

“Hmm?”

He looked down to see the Ebony Sword shaking, the Martial Aunt sealed within it growing increasingly restless.

“Martial Aunt, do you… have something to say?”

Li Yan slowly released his grip, watching the Ebony Sword hover in mid-air.

Black blood seeped from the blade, marking the ground with a forward-pointing arrow: ↑.

The Martial Aunt seemed to be hinting at something, but Li Yan, by nature suspicious and prone to paranoia, feared she might be leading him into a trap.

His gaze fell upon the Ebony Sword, and information about it appeared in his mind:

Nine-Foot Yin Immortal Ebony Sword

Status: Sealed

Master-Repelling Side Effect Reversed – Obedience

Obedience?

The Ebony Sword possessed a master-repelling attribute. However, with the side effect reversed, the Martial Aunt had become obedient.

Reassured, Li Yan released his grip entirely, allowing the Ebony Sword to float freely.

Dawn had just broken, the demonic energy had dissipated, and the other disciples of the Tranquil Void Temple hadn’t yet ventured out.

Following the floating sword, Li Yan arrived at a secluded mountain area within the Tranquil Void Temple grounds.

“Where is this?”

Li Yan realized that while still within the Tranquil Void Temple, this place was rarely visited, making it extremely remote.

The Ebony Sword, sealed with his Martial Aunt’s spirit, led Li Yan into a crack in the cliff face.

Right before his eyes, the Ebony Sword activated a mechanism within the Formation, and a hidden door slowly swung open.

Peering inside, Li Yan discovered a remarkably secluded stone Cave Mansion. It contained not only an alchemy furnace but also a stash of medicinal herbs.

He immediately scanned the surroundings with his Mind’s Eye to ensure no one was following him. Only then did Li Yan enter the Cave Mansion, pressing the mechanism to seal the stone door behind him.

“A concealed Formation is set up outside, and there’s an alchemy furnace and herbs inside…”

“Could this be Martial Aunt’s little treasure trove?”

Li Yan suddenly realized something profound. Now that the Ebony Sword’s rebellious nature had been rectified, his Martial Aunt’s own alignment had shifted as well.

She was helping him!

Excited, Li Yan rushed into the Cave Mansion and examined the herbs hidden in a cabinet.

“Ten-year-old Blood Ginseng, Blood Clotting Grass, and Turtle Spirit Oil.”

“These are all ingredients for refining the Blood Condensation Pill!”

In his excitement, Li Yan gradually calmed down.

The faster his Cultivation Base advanced, the more likely he was to attract the attention of that old ghost Xuanwang. What he truly needed were life-saving Medicine Pills and Cultivation Techniques.

Speaking of life-saving Medicine Pills…

Li Yan suddenly had a whimsical thought. “Martial Aunt, do you have any poisons? The more toxic, the better!”

Though she didn’t understand why Li Yan wanted such poisons, the Martial Aunt, sealed within the Ebony Sword, manipulated the weapon to drift toward a corner.

Black hair sprouted from the Ebony Sword’s blade. Eerie, dark strands coiled around several Medicine Pill bottles and arranged them on the table.

Poison Numb Powder

Corrupt Blood Pill

Bone-Corroding Pill

The names alone revealed their chilling effects.

Yet Li Yan’s face lit up with joy.

“Excellent! The latter two will be a great boost for me!”

He gazed at the vials of deadly poison as if they were life-saving elixirs.

This baffled his Martial Aunt, who had died centuries ago and now existed only as a remnant of her former consciousness.

The Ebony Sword’s tassel even scratched against its hilt, as if it were scratching its head.

How could anyone mistake poison for a nourishing tonic?

Only Li Yan knew the truth: the more potent the side effects of the Corrupt Blood Pill and Bone-Corroding Pill, the greater their benefits.

For others, these poisonous pills would induce blood corruption and bone erosion.

But for Li Yan, they were the ultimate health boosters, making him stronger and more invigorated with each dose.

Just then, a booming voice echoed from outside the Cave Mansion:

“Tranquil Void Temple disciples, heed my command! This venerable one has located Broken Sword Valley. Assemble immediately and follow me!”

Hearing that voice, Li Yan realized that Old Ghost Xuanwang had returned!

Something major must have happened; the old fiend was mobilizing every disciple in the Tranquil Void Temple.

Broken Sword Valley again? Something big must be brewing…

Remembering the tracking restriction Xuanwang had placed on him, Li Yan dared not linger in his Cave Mansion.

He hastily grabbed the bottles of “tonics” and hurried to the Tranquil Void Temple’s assembly square.