Chapter 26: The Interstices and the Sweet Dreams of Old Demon Xu

Deacon Chen had fallen into a deep, comatose slumber, and the names recorded in Jiang Fan’s "Great Dao Heavenly Book" were gradually fading.

Jiang Fan, however, remained indifferent. He continued his training tirelessly, using his ability to transfer damage to shift all his exhaustion onto Deacon Chen.

Another night passed in the blink of an eye. The three leaders of the Wild Wolf Gang were still plotting, showing no signs of rushing into action. As for the Daxuan Inn and the Wealthy Casino, the gang had already dispatched two new deacons to take charge.

Deacon Chen’s comatose state had not yet become public knowledge. Since he usually managed the Wind and Moon Pavilion, spending his days in revelry and indulgence, it was common for him to sleep through an entire day. Given his high status, no one dared to disturb his rest. His Post-Natal realm cultivation was, in reality, largely the result of his father, the leader of the Wild Wolf Gang, feeding him various precious elixirs and treasures; otherwise, with his lazy nature, he would never have reached such a level.

"After a day and a night of cultivation, thirty percent of the spiritual power droplets in my dantian’s vortex have crystallized. At this rate, I only need two more days of full-effort training to reach the true limit of the second level of Qi Refining. By then, although I will still be at the second level, the spiritual power within me will be nine times that of an ordinary cultivator at the same stage," Jiang Fan thought silently, plunging back into his frantic cultivation.

Around him, a group of children and youths were also training with all their might. However, their talent was clearly inferior to Jiang Fan’s; in fact, they possessed almost no aptitude for cultivation at all. After more than three months, they could not even sense the spiritual energy, let alone practice. If they failed to make progress, their only fate would be to be executed by Old Demon Xu or the Wild Wolf Gang.

"Not bad, not bad! This boy is truly diligent. With such effort, it won't be long before he breaks through to the third level of Qi Refining! When that time comes, it will be the moment to refine him into a Human Blood Treasure Pill..." Old Demon Xu looked at Jiang Fan with increasing satisfaction, thinking to himself with glee: "Once his cultivation reaches the third level, I will drain his blood and refine a furnace of Human Blood Treasure Pills, which should be enough for me to reach the next breakthrough! It has been over thirty years since I was trapped at this stage! But this time, I will surely succeed..."

Old Demon Xu was delighted, viewing Jiang Fan as the key to breaking through his bottleneck. Consequently, he placed great importance on the boy and would not allow anything to happen to him.

"I hear two deacons from the Wild Wolf Gang have died. I should go and take a look; it might be related to that 'evil cultivator'... I must flush that person out, or even I might be in danger." After giving Jiang Fan a satisfied glance, Old Demon Xu left the training grounds.

His trip, however, was destined to be fruitless. Less than an hour later, he returned with a dark expression and eyes full of irritation.

"The Wild Wolf Gang is becoming increasingly arrogant, showing me no respect at all! If I hadn't helped them defeat a Peak Post-Natal martial artist years ago, they would have been wiped out long ago!" Old Demon Xu was fuming. "I only wanted to examine the bodies of those two deacons, yet they obstructed me at every turn and even dared to show their temper! It’s outrageous! They deserve to be targeted by that 'evil cultivator.' Fine, let that evil cultivator deal with them; he shouldn't be bothering me for now... And once young Jiang reaches the third level of Qi Refining, my own cultivation will improve! With mid-stage Qi Refining power, dealing with a mere evil cultivator will be effortless."

Old Demon Xu reasoned that if the evil cultivator could openly confront him and the Wild Wolf Gang, he wouldn't need to rely on underhanded tactics. The fact that he remained in hiding was proof of his weakness. Being on the verge of reaching the mid-stage of Qi Refining, Old Demon Xu naturally felt fearless.

"If it weren't for the fact that three people have already died at the hands of that evil cultivator, I would have suspected the gang itself was involved! But it seems not; the two deacons who died were close to the second and third leaders. Even if they were involved with an evil cultivator, they wouldn't sacrifice their own son and brother..." Old Demon Xu stopped suspecting the gang. However, their poor attitude toward him today had created a rift.

"Wild Wolf Gang, once I reach the mid-stage of Qi Refining, none of you will have a good end! Although you aren't cultivators and lack spiritual energy, refining martial artists into Human Blood Treasure Pills will be just as effective! If I refine every martial artist in your gang, my cultivation will surge forward..." Old Demon Xu muttered viciously. "If you dare to disrespect me, don't blame me for being ruthless. Ordinary methods won't help me reach higher levels, so I might as well refine you all to fulfill my ascent!"

In truth, Old Demon Xu had long coveted the three leaders and the thirteen deacon martial artists of the Wild Wolf Gang, but his lack of strength had held him back. Once he broke through to the mid-stage, he would have the absolute power to slaughter them. His eyes brightened as he envisioned his strength skyrocketing after refining the entire gang, and later, using the same method on other sects until he eventually reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

Lost in these beautiful delusions, the gloom in Old Demon Xu’s eyes vanished, replaced by a faint smile. This smile was caught by Jiang Fan.

"What evil plot is this old demon brewing now?" Jiang Fan felt a chill down his spine, but he quickly bowed with a fawning smile. "Greetings, Master."

"Are you itching to go out for a stroll? Go if you wish, but remember to resume your training when you return," Old Demon Xu said with a smile.

"Master truly has keen eyes. I was just thinking of heading out to visit the deacons on Nanping Street and catching up with them," Jiang Fan replied.

"Good, good. Don't be constrained when you go. If you need money, go to the Wealthy Casino; if you want women, visit the Wind and Moon Pavilion; if you're hungry, head to the Daxuan Inn!" Old Demon Xu laughed. "Remember, you are my disciple. If they dare to charge you, it's a lack of respect for me—feel free to beat them back."

"I understand, Master!" Jiang Fan replied obsequiously.

"By the way, how is the spell I taught you coming along?" Old Demon Xu asked curiously.

"Reporting to Master, I have just grasped the basics. I expect to have an initial mastery within a day or two," Jiang Fan said respectfully, careful not to reveal that he had already mastered it and could unleash it multiple times.

"Excellent! Then wait until you have mastered the 'Green Wood Seal' before you go," Old Demon Xu said. "That way, no one on Nanping Street will be able to touch you."

"Yes, Master!"

"Go! Master your spell first, then go and enjoy yourself on Nanping Street. Oh, and here is the periodic antidote for the Seven-Day Heart-Eating Powder. Take it with you, and make sure nothing goes wrong!" Old Demon Xu handed Jiang Fan a small jade bottle.

"Thank you, Master!" Jiang Fan took it, his heart racing with excitement. He planned to take this antidote to the medical clinics on Nanping Street to see if they could finally purge the poison. Once he was free of the Seven-Day Heart-Eating Powder, he would have no more concerns regarding Old Demon Xu.