Chapter 67: A Place to Rest

The scorching sun hung high in the sky like a blazing torch, and the previously calm sea suddenly churned with violent waves. Beneath the water, a massive shadow, over a dozen zhang in length, sped forward with lightning-fast momentum. However, just as it swam a few zhang further, a dazzling beam of light abruptly pierced through the seabed, firmly locking onto the entirety of the dark figure.

Trapped within the beam of light, the shadow emitted a deafening roar, sounding eerily like a crying infant, shrill and despairing. Though it struggled desperately like a cornered beast, it remained utterly unable to break free from the shackles of the light.

In an instant, countless flying blades rained down from the sky like a torrential downpour, carrying a bone-chilling frost as they plummeted fiercely toward the shadow. *Puff, puff, puff, puff*—the sound of the blades piercing the water intertwined with the mournful cries of the beast. Immediately following, a spurt of crimson blood gushed forth, staining the seawater as vivid and red as fresh gore.

"Senior Demonic Fiend, who would have thought this Ink Fragrance Whale could be slain so easily? I honestly expected a grueling battle," Cao Yun said, standing steadily atop a silver-gleaming flying sword with a small cauldron hovering above his head, a hint of surprise lingering in his voice.

"Boy Cao, hurry and harvest the luxurious fragrance from within the Ink Fragrance Whale! Once the creature dies, the scent of the luxurious fragrance will seep out along with its blood, and attracting hordes of fierce beasts then will spell big trouble," the Demonic Fiend urged anxiously.

Hearing this, Cao Yun immediately cast the Water-Averting Technique, transforming his figure into a streak of azure light that instantly plunged into the sea. Before long, he shot back out from the water, turning into a blue rainbow as he sped swiftly toward the barren island in the distance.

Returning to the earthen dwelling he had condensed using the Earth-Binding Art, Cao Yun followed the Demonic Fiend's instructions and began refining a beast-luring magical artifact. Before long, a small, pagoda-shaped artifact took form in his hands.

"This beast-luring artifact is divided into three tiers. The base of the pagoda can lure Foundation Establishment-stage beasts, and used independently, it can be employed over a hundred times. The body of the pagoda can draw in Core Formation-stage beasts, but after five uses, the luxurious fragrance within the artifact will be completely exhausted. As for the spire, it is capable of attracting Nascent Soul-stage beasts; however, for each artifact, the spire can only be used a single time. Moreover, when the spire is activated, Foundation Establishment and Core Formation beasts will also catch wind of it and swarm here en masse," the Demonic Fiend explained leisurely.

"Many thanks for your guidance, Senior," Cao Yun expressed his gratitude.

"I shall now impart to you the formula and refining method for the Harmony-Unifying Pill." As the Demonic Fiend's voice faded, the small cauldron above Cao Yun's head began to emit wave after wave of blue light. The blue radiance slowly seeped down through the crown of his head, merging directly into his consciousness.

"Senior, inner cores are items found within Core Formation-stage beasts, and the attributes required by this pill formula demand at least three different types. Surely Senior does not believe I am capable of hunting down three Core Formation-stage beasts of varying attributes?" Cao Yun asked, a look of perplexity crossing his face.

"Since you were capable of slaying the Core Formation-stage descendant of the demon race, mere Core Formation beasts are hardly worth mentioning to you! Furthermore, you still hold three immensely powerful Violet Lightning Talismans in your possession. Slaying a few beasts should be as effortless as turning your hand over for you," the Demonic Fiend laughed heartily, his tone a mix of flattery and elusive mockery.

Cao Yun spoke with modesty, "Senior flatters me. I am merely a humble Foundation Establishment cultivator; how could I possibly have the ability to easily annihilate Core Formation-stage beasts? The only reason I managed to slay Yun Zhuzi that day was pure luck—a secret art of mine happened to perfectly restrain him. Moreover, that technique requires a lengthy recovery period after being cast, and unless my life is on the line, I dare not use it lightly..."

"Enough, Boy Cao, drop the false modesty," the Demonic Fiend interrupted. "Use the Violet Lightning Talismans to deal with three Core Formation-stage beasts, refine the Harmony-Unifying Pill, and elevate your cultivation to the Great Circle of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage—that is the proper course of action. Besides, you still possess two precious beast inner cores. Once the Dust-Shedding Pills are refined, they will undoubtedly assist you in breaking through to the late Foundation Establishment stage in one fell swoop."

Cao Yun pondered for a moment and decided that the Demonic Fiend's words made logical sense. Furthermore, the threads of killing intent within his body had grown noticeably denser and more refined of late. Since that was the case, he would follow the Demonic Fiend's advice and raise his cultivation level first.

Though these Violet Lightning Talismans were quite handy, they still fell somewhat short compared to his threads of killing intent.

"Since Senior advises thus, this junior will act according to your instructions," Cao Yun replied respectfully.

"With the aid of this spiritual treasure, my primordial spirit has also recovered quite a bit," the Demonic Fiend said. "Let me use my divine sense to help you locate Core Formation-stage beasts. Once you possess the capability to annihilate them, you can use the beast-luring artifact to summon them in swarms. There is no need to waste effort prematurely right now."

"That would be wonderful. I must trouble Senior to make a move," Cao Yun said respectfully.

"Oh, and Boy Cao, though this barren island is small, you should check whether you have a magic array disk capable of enshrouding it. From now on, this place will be your foothold until you reach the Nascent Soul stage," the Demonic Fiend reminded him once more.

"Senior is unaware, but that demon race descendant was a grandmaster of array formations. His storage pouch happens to contain several grand arrays capable of covering this entire island," Cao Yun replied.

"Good. Then you should first set up the grand array on this island, recover your spiritual power, and tomorrow you and I shall go hunt down Core Formation-stage beasts," the Demonic Fiend instructed.

"Since Senior has commanded it, this junior shall proceed accordingly," Cao Yun said indifferently.

After several hours of busy work, Cao Yun finally completed the setup of the island-protecting grand array. Looking at it from outside the island now, one would only see a hazy, mist-shrouded expanse of sea, leaving no trace of the barren island whatsoever.

Having finished all this, Cao Yun returned to the earthen dwelling to recover his spiritual power.

The next day, as the first rays of dawn broke, Cao Yun executed his magical tool and flew toward the sea horizon, leaving the barren island behind.

"Fifty kilometers further ahead, there is a Core Formation-stage beast," the Demonic Fiend said. "This beast is lurking deep within the seabed. With your current Water-Averting Technique, you likely cannot dive deep enough. You had better find a way to lure it up."

"Very well. As long as it is within my divine sense range, I will use my flying sword to draw it out," Cao Yun said, full of confidence.

Within the time it takes to eat a meal, Cao Yun was hovering high above the location of the Core Formation-stage beast, clearly perceiving the aura of the creature below.

With a slight gesture from Cao Yun, a silver-gleaming flying sword magical treasure shot into the water like a gale. Before long, the flying sword penetrated a thousand meters deep into the seabed. By this point, Cao Yun felt as though he had exhausted nearly all his spiritual power merely to maintain control over the sword. If it went even a hundred meters lower, the sword would likely slip entirely out of his control and plunge straight into the fathomless depths of the ocean.

No wonder the Demonic Fiend had said his current Water-Averting Technique couldn't reach the deep sea; it seemed the mysteries of the vast ocean were truly unfathomable.

Fortunately, the distance to that Core Formation-stage beast was now less than ten meters. For Cao Yun, by gritting his teeth, landing an attack on the creature was still entirely achievable.

Swallowing seven or eight spiritual pills meant for recovering magical power, Cao Yun abruptly drove his spiritual energy. The silver flying sword on the seabed suddenly accelerated, plunging straight into a flat-bodied, monstrous fish roughly three to four zhang in size. Fresh blood instantly gushed from the creature's body.

The monstrous fish let out a sharp, piercing cry, transforming its body into a streak of dark light as it shot rapidly toward the surface of the water.