"Is it the one who slew my Separate Consciousness and Thoughts? He hasn't gone far, has he?"

Monk remained calm, but the slight curve of his lips was as sharp as a blade.

"Moon Demon" knew that his partner and superior was indeed a very composed individual. However, this did not mean he was without anger. To him, a Separate Consciousness and Thoughts was of utmost importance. It was tied to his very essence, and considering the complexity of the nature of Separate Consciousness and Thoughts, being destroyed and voluntarily giving up were two entirely different things.

Sensing a chance to build a closer relationship, "Moon Demon" snorted vigorously, and soon said, "There are traces here, here, and here. But the cold wave swept through, causing considerable damage. Hmm, it seems to have moved upwards, but this time it has closed its pores, a rather meticulous move."

Closing the pores meant that tracking by scent was impossible. "Moon Demon" was helpless. Looking at the cliff wall, he was taken aback, impressed by the extraordinary illusion technique, and couldn't help but marvel, "Indeed, the Illusionary Power is not falsely named."

Finally managing to suppress his own bad habits, Monk glanced at him and said,

"The Illusion Technique Mechanism laid out here by the Ghost Beasts is quite ingenious. Even after its old adversary's destruction, it maintains significant effectiveness. I was able to find the precise location only with the 'Dark Sun Soul Technique' bestowed by the Bodhisattva. This place must be very important to the Ghost Beasts."

As he spoke, he slapped the Illusionary Appearance on the cliff wall. Black Flames transformed into a ripple-like form, spreading across it. This layer of Illusionary Appearance was already on the verge of collapse due to the aftermath of the battle between the two-headed demon and the Ghost Beasts, combined with the impact of the cold wave. With a little more effort from Monk, it was completely destroyed.

With the Illusionary Appearance deactivated, a cave entrance as large as a city gate appeared before the two.

"Moon Demon" sniffed again, then spat, "Indeed, it's the stench of the Ghost Beasts. I didn't expect it to be hidden so well... There's also that guy's scent inside. I wonder if he's still there?"

The second half of his sentence changed the subject, but the teasing tone was more prominent. Monk didn't bother with it, and simply ordered, "Remember this scent! This person is a variable. The damage to my Separate Consciousness and Thoughts is too coincidental. It's very likely that he has been watching all the way. I don't know how many secrets he has seen. If you see him in the future, capture him alive. If you can't, kill him!"

"Moon Demon" responded with a grin, then peered inside, "I wonder if there are any treasures?"

"Even if there are, they are probably just some trinkets that the esteemed one has grown tired of and discarded. Of course, anything that catches the esteemed one's eye must be extraordinary."

Monk seemed lost in thought, glancing downward and casually letting out another jab at his partner, "If that person has been here, they've probably cleaned it out. You shouldn't entertain any foolish hopes."

"Moon Demon" knew this was the truth, but he was not ready to give up. He stepped into the cave, chuckling, "Maybe that fellow didn't recognize the gem in front of him... Eh, aren't you coming in?"

"I'll go down and take a look. Keep an eye out for any clues inside."

A quarter of an hour later, "Moon Demon" came out, cursing under his breath. Monk was also climbing up, holding something in his hand. The two met at the cave entrance.

"That guy is overly cautious. Except for the scent that can't be erased, he cleaned up pretty well inside..."

In other words, they found nothing.

This was within Monk's expectations. He didn't say much, just tossed the thing he was holding down at his feet.

"Is this the Yin Realm Tree?"

"Moon Demon" looked at it with bright eyes, "Where's the root? That thing is a treasure!"

"It was taken by that person."

Monk's brows furrowed slightly. He wasn't upset about the root itself, but was thinking about other issues, "The Underworld Tree Root can be used in medicine and is highly valuable, but its uses are limited..."

"It's more than limited, there's only one use, and that is to refine the 'Vacuum Energy Life Extension Pill'."

"Moon Demon" was well-versed in the art of External Elixir, even considered an expert. He said, "It collects the pure 'Xuan Zhen' from the Outer Realm of the Nine Heavens, incorporates it into the Elixir and Pill, and is used by those who have just ascended to the 'Vacuum Walking' realm to refine their bodies. It's like planting flowers... Of course, this thing can also extend the life of a Golden Elixir cultivator, but it's a great waste."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Monk turned to look at him, "Is this Elixir Recipe common?"

"Of course not! If it were, there wouldn't be so many stalwarts dying in the Outer Realm of the Nine Heavens every year! To my knowledge, there are no more than five Sects in the world that have this Complete Pill Method, and no more than ten that have the Imitation Pill Method, including the few big businesses of the Hundred Crafts Alliance."

Monk gave a sound of acknowledgment, "Do the Lichen Sect or Sunset Sect have it?"

"The Lichen Sect definitely has it."

"Moon Demon" responded quite readily, "Not long ago, Elder Jie Liang from the Lichen Sect did a big favor for the 'Self-Improvement Hall', and unusually, he specifically asked for this Elixir Recipe as a reward. People said he was taking advantage of the situation, and it caused quite a stir. Have you forgotten?"

Monk nodded, then shook his head, "It's not him."

"Moon Demon" laughed when he heard this, "Of course it's not him! He's a stickler for tradition, and as long as the No Entry Stele jointly established by the two sects stands for a day, he won't take half a step down the valley... Ah, you mean his disciples, or the disciples of the Lichen Sect?"

Sky Rift Valley had always been a crucial area for the Lichen Sect to gather herbs. Although the number of visitors had diminished in recent years due to the issue with the No Entry Stele, it was not within their traditional territory, yet they had to be on guard.

"Moon Demon" thought so, as did Monk. However, Monk took it a step further, "If the Lichen Sect gets involved, we'll completely lose control of the situation. But, it will surely muddy the waters even more..."

As he was deep in thought, "Moon Demon" suddenly let out a sound, his voice filled with palpable tension.

Monk fell silent.

He knew that the "Moon Demon Puppet", obtained by Bodhisattva through some channel, was a remarkable creation. Although it was only at the level of a Magical Instrument, that was due to the design requirements. Its real utility was by no means inferior to a standard magical treasure. This puppet, made from the real body of the Moon Demon, retained many of the Demon's talents, especially its sensitivity in harsh environments like the Underworld Cold Tide, which was highly reliable.

His current Separate Consciousness and Thoughts, with insufficient Cultivation Level and poor condition, were far less powerful than the "Moon Demon". He didn't say much, just observing his partner's reaction.

In the next moment, "Moon Demon" jerked Monk's shoulder and started to move. Monk didn't resist, he simply asked calmly, "Liu Guan?"

"Moon Demon" didn't respond, he didn't even dare to breathe, transforming into a streak of light, and in a blink, they had flown seven or eight miles, already out of the range of the cold tide.

Monk then looked down and saw a trail of fire twisting and turning in the depths of the cold tide, its speed was not bad. However, beneath it, several figures were pursuing, and the piercing shrieks of real Demons could faintly be heard.

Yet, what truly caught his attention was a faint shadow silently trailing them from below. Within the dark territory, it was hardly noticeable. But Monk, having anticipated this, managed to spot it.

Liu Guan was of extraordinary origin, a significant figure in this world over a hundred years ago. Despite being plotted against and suffering a significant drop in his Cultivation Level, he still possessed the Cultivation Level of a true person, capable of conjuring storms in this world. Monk and "Moon Demon" had just provoked him using a forbidden name, so they dared not cross paths with him again. Therefore, "Moon Demon" pushed every bit of potential within the puppet, hoping to create a safe distance.

However, he soon couldn't help but complain, "Didn't you say you were going to abandon this Separate Consciousness and Thoughts? Now is the critical moment, why can't you let go?"

Monk didn't say much, he just channeled his energy, paused slightly, then let out a low shout, "Let go!"

Without any hesitation, the "Moon Demon" let go. The Monk's body, like a ragged doll, plummeted, tumbled a few times against the cliff wall, and disappeared into the unknown. But before this, several strands of black mist had emerged from his mouth and nose, coiling briefly before seeping into the body of the Moon Demon Puppet.

Freed from the burden of more than a hundred pounds, the "Moon Demon" increased its speed drastically, disappearing from sight in a blink.

For them, staying in the Sky Rift Valley was no longer an option.

Below, the flames were still raging, casting distorted shadows of the pursuing Demons, and further deepening the darkness that was blending into the black curtain below.

**************

Amidst the pervasive cold fog, the raging flames were rather conspicuous.

After a while, Yu Ci also noticed something from afar.

Through the hazy cold fog, Yu Ci saw the vague glow. However, through the layers of fog, he could not discern the distance of the light with his naked eye. From the Divine Map, from his current position, towards the area of light, which is along the sheer cliff all the way south, until it exceeded the fifty-mile radius of the Divine Map, the scattered three or four foggy areas of varying sizes, while interfering with judgement, also sent a chill down one's spine.

A simple calculation, if considering a Golden Elixir cultivator or Demons influencing a square mile as a standard, in the southern area, there were at least ten formidable beings lurking or moving about, with an astonishing density. In contrast, the north was much quieter.

Using the Monster Nest as a reference, Yu Ci was approximately sixty miles north of it and about twenty miles deep. He took a rather winding diagonal path, sometimes even descending a distance, to avoid the chaotic Demons on the way, and of course, the equally riotous living beings in the valley.

He tightened the bundle on his back, in which a Stone Box containing the Fish-Dragon in a state of suspended animation was stored.

In the end, Yu Ci used the method taught by Old Daoist Yu Zhou, using a spare Stone Box to seal the Fish-Dragon. He even took great pains to wrap the Stone Box tightly with a bundle of skin and spare clothes. This way, even if the Fish-Dragon broke the box, the two layers of wrapping outside could serve as a buffer.

However, this time it went very smoothly. The Fish-Dragon had not moved yet, making Yu Ci increasingly certain that the previous accident was definitely related to that Hook Rope.

Unfortunately, now was not the time to get to the bottom of it.

He exhaled a breath of hot air, the white mist swirling around the Divine Map, making the chaotic scene inside even more eerie.

***************

I have also posted the following more chapters [All free] on: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e