The Journey of Immortal Cultivation
Chapter 104 - 81: Moon Essence (10 consecutive updates upon release 9)_2

Chapter 104: Chapter 81: Moon Essence (10 consecutive updates upon release 9)_2

Yet no sooner had the merchant team set out on its journey, than a powerful and resonant call descended from the heavens. The voice, likely imbued with Divine Skills, sounded as if it was right beside everyone, vibrating incessantly in their ears, "Mortals below, halt!"

These seven words, steeped in stark class discrimination, immediately gave Ning Xiaoxian the urge to flip the sky the bird. However, the rest of the merchant team seemed unfazed. They were used to dealing with Immortal Sects and knew that these terrestrial immortals had their eyes set high above their heads, so this was nothing new to them.

Four people floated down from the sky, all dressed as Cultivators with high hats and wide robes, each embroidered with a small symbol on the left chest. Even to her eyes, the symbol was very abstract—a trio of parallel curved lines, likely symbolizing "Qingfeng." These individuals must be from the Cultivation Sect of the local tyrant, Clearing Void Sect. They appeared to be in their twenties or thirties, of no exceptional countenance, but there was an air of transcendence about them, making them seem several tiers above the rough men in the merchant team at a glance.

The leader casually walked into the ruins of the station and glanced around before asking, "Did anyone witness the entire process of the attack?" It was obvious to even a knee that this incident couldn’t have been the doing of passing merchant teams.

Deng Hao stood upright with his hands dangling, and respectfully recounted everything the merchant team had witnessed passing by this place. After listening, the man’s expression turned to disappointment: "Ah, so you also did not see who the attackers were."

"We did not witness that. However, we encountered a strange incident last night. I have traveled this commercial road three times over the past fifteen years and have never come across it." Deng Hao faithfully narrated last night’s encounter, where the Wolf Caravan had been wiped out by the Belly Drumming Frog. Firstly, he provided clues to the Cultivator, and secondly, he laid some groundwork with the Immortal Sect in case the head office of Langxing Trading Company learned of any discord with the Qingzhou branch team and could testify that the team’s downfall wasn’t at their hands.

The leading Cultivator showed surprise for the first time: "To think that even the Belly Drumming Frog has appeared; as the day of the Emperor’s Fluid eruption nears, these demons become increasingly restless. We are not equipped to handle this; we must inform the sect." He turned around and issued a few commands, and one of his Disciples released a Spirit Jade Bee for transmission. This was similar to Quan Shifang’s paper crane transmission, but the bee, being made of Spirit Jade, had a much faster flying speed and a much broader range of flight.

After managing this matter, they no longer paid any heed to the merchant team and flew away on their Magic Artifacts.

Their rudeness naturally didn’t trouble anyone. However, there were many in the team with exceptional hearing, and what the Cultivator mentioned about the "Emperor’s Fluid" sparked everyone’s interest. As soon as the Cultivators left, people began inquiring about it.

Deng Hao sighed and said, "I’ve never encountered such a thing myself; I’ve only heard the elders at home mention it. It’s what merchants fear the most, and yet what we fear seems to always come to pass. The road ahead will probably be difficult."

Demons cultivate differently than humans, most commonly by absorbing the essence of moonlight at night to nourish and strengthen themselves. Every sixty years, the moonlight contains "Emperor’s Fluid," a huge explosion of moon essence. It takes the form of countless olives, ten thousand strands of golden silk, heavily interconnected and hanging down. The essences taken up by the vegetation of the Mortal World can result in demons, while other demons consuming it can manifest Divine Skills. The essence complements the lifeless nature of vegetation which possess character but no life; for demons that already exist, consuming Emperor’s Fluid is of great benefit.

It is said that the effect of demons absorbing "Emperor’s Fluid" for one night is equivalent to a hundred years of their own cultivation.

How could demons let go of such a godsent opportunity? Therefore, as the centennial draws near, countless Great Demons awaken from hibernation, waiting for the opportune moment to draw on "Emperor’s Fluid." After sleeping for decades, their first order of business upon awakening? To eat! The Mortal World will inevitably become turbulent, and merchant teams, already struggling to navigate through mountains and rivers, will face fatal blows.

"The next ’Emperor’s Fluid’ is due to arrive on the night of the 15th of the eleventh month, which is in about three months. From now on, a number of formerly dormant demons will awaken one after another. The recent chaos is just a foreshadowing. Alas, the road ahead is going to be troublesome." Deng Hao sighed, pondering whether to let everyone rest for a few months before proceeding.

Ning Xiaoxian was cursing inwardly. Just casually crossing over to this world and heading westward, she stumbled upon the "once in a hundred years" probability. It was just like a Huaxia person who saved money for years to travel abroad only to board the doomed MH370 flight. All those demons buried in water and earth were about to emerge, drastically reducing her chances of survival. How could it be so exact, so coincidental? When buying lottery tickets back in her original world, she never hit such good shitty luck!

Regardless of her dejected mood, the journey must continue. Thus, the Cloud Tiger Trading Team set off once more, but the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive, and everyone’s mood slightly heavy.

Changtian quipped, "It’s understandable for other mortals to be downhearted, but why are you so forlorn as well?"

"With the Emperor’s Fluid appearing and great monsters coming out, can I still keep my life?" She replied irritably.

"There are two sides to everything. You only see the Emperor’s Fluid’s emergence and the revealing of numerous demons as detrimental to your westward journey. But have you considered that the Emperor’s Fluid could also be a great supplement for you? In a few more days, you will complete your Body Refining and begin Cultivation."

She was greatly surprised: "Didn’t Deng, the team leader, say that only vegetation and demons can enjoy the Emperor’s Fluid? Isn’t it a problem for me as a human?"

...Indeed, he had never told her that he planned to teach her the Demon Cultivation Technique. But now was not the time.

He had to be intentionally vague: "I have my ways. Focus on getting through these three months for now." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets, Monthly Tickets, at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)