Chapter 69: Assessment (For Heavenly Emperor Dao Master Alliance Leader! )
The first ray of morning sunlight shone upon the massive serpent corpse, plating its scales with a golden luster.
A metal battle boot stepped onto the serpent's head, stomping down hard.
The sole remaining vertical pupil seemed to twitch, as if it would rise again in the next moment.
"This beast. . . it still tries to scare people even in death. As the saying goes, the serpent's nature is truly enduring!"
Linghu Shan spat, then looked at Fang Xi.
As per their agreement, all the materials from this serpent flood dragon belonged to Fang Xi.
Fang Xi, at this moment, disregarded all etiquette, collecting the serpent flood dragon's blood in numerous buckets. While working, he kept muttering, "What a loss, what a loss. . ."
Fang Xi looked at the blood the serpent flood dragon had spilled on the battlefield earlier, feeling a pang of heartache.
This was the blood of a first-order superior-grade demon beast, and it even had a trace of flood dragon bloodline!
But if taken to a Talisman Master like Chen Ping, he would probably turn red-eyed with covetousness!
This was a spiritual material for concocting top-grade talisman ink!
Not only for talisman masters, but it should also be of great use to alchemists.
"I'm rich, I'm rich. . ."
First, he collected the serpent blood, then the serpent skin, serpent meat. . .
"This serpent bone and serpent fangs can be used for artifact refining; they are raw materials for superior-grade artifacts. And the serpent scales can definitely be made into superior-grade spirit armor. . ."
Fang Xi did a quick estimation and felt a bit dizzy.
This serpent demon, regardless of its grade or size, was the largest he had ever encountered.
All in all, it was worth at least a thousand Spirit Stones!
He sliced open the serpent's belly, took out its gall, and then searched carefully, suddenly sighing.
"Little friend, what are you looking for?"
Linghu Shan leaned over, his face full of curiosity.
"I've heard that serpent flood dragons might incubate an inner core within their bodies, but I didn't expect there to be none. . ."
Fang Xi looked at his blood-stained hands and sighed.
In reality, most demon beasts capable of condensing an inner core were great demons of the third-order or above. If one appeared in the State of Yue, it would inevitably cause a bloody storm.
Aside from that, only a few exceptionally talented second-order demon beasts might possess a demon core — which would also be priceless!
Unfortunately, this serpent flood dragon was merely first-order and had no inner core.
Fang Xi estimated that with this serpent flood dragon's bloodline talent, if it were second-order, it would certainly produce a demon core—but then it would be he who had to flee, and he might not even be able to escape!
However, he was already very satisfied.
"Little friend must have misremembered. On this sect's secret records, there's a lot of information about demon beasts, but it never mentions anything about condensing inner cores. . ."
Linghu Shan said with a chuckle.
Since his great revenge was avenged, the old man had put a burden down, appearing very relaxed.
"Is that so? May I borrow it for a look?"
Fang Xi's eyes lit up.
He had long been very interested in the demons and monsters of this world.
Furthermore, he wanted to search Da Liang to see if there were other Heaven and Earth Spirit Roots or the like.
After all, that Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning was truly a bit sinister; it was better to avoid using it if possible. . .
...
Dingzhou border.
A massive boundary stele stood tall.
On the wide official road, a figure suddenly appeared at some unknown time.
This person was about forty years old, with bronze skin and hands hanging by his knees. From afar, he resembled an ancient bronze statue.
He came before the boundary stele, somewhat emotional: "Dingzhou. . . it's been ten years since I last came, hasn't it?"
"Zhou Tong! I didn't expect the Society to send you this time."
On top of the boundary stele, a figure was seated at some unknown time.
This figure was an old man, dressed in a black martial artist's robe. His face was deeply wrinkled and covered in age spots, but his eyes alone glittered, giving off an unsettling feeling, like a giant bat.
"So it's Senior Yan of the Hundred Falcons Fist! " Zhou Tong immediately cupped his fists in greeting: "Is Senior also here with me to assess that newcomer?"
"Indeed. A mere Grandmaster, ordinarily I wouldn't need to come personally, but I heard that this person has extraordinary talent, breaking through before the age of thirty, and even possessing a Hundred Li Flying Sword technique. I was restless and thought I'd come take a look. . . " Elder Yan sighed: "In every generation, talented individuals emerge in the world!"
Zhou Tong silently felt a bit of apprehension for that newcomer.
Everyone was a Grandmaster at the peak of human limits; praising him that much was a bit excessive.
See, the Society even specifically sent him and Elder Yan to assess him.
Although they were all Grandmasters, their strengths and weaknesses were clearly defined.
For example, himself, with his extraordinary talent, and Elder Yan, who was old and shrewd.
They were both Martial Gods of the Grandmaster Society!
The Grandmaster Society accommodated a large number of Martial Gods, sharing secret techniques and learning from each other's strengths to compensate for weaknesses, creating supreme and ultimate techniques superior to first-rate martial arts!
Both of them had cultivated the Society's supreme ultimate techniques, and even possessed top-tier secret arts imitating the 'Demons'.
In terms of strength, they could rank among the top among all Martial Gods in the world!
This trip to assess the newcomer also served as a bit of a show of force.
"Let's go. I'm eager to meet that young fellow soon, and also my old friends on Yuan He Mountain. . ."
Elder Yan chuckled, his figure vanishing in an instant.
Zhou Tong let out a bitter laugh, having no choice but to follow.
...
Yuan He Mountain.
Thunder Peak.
Upon returning to Yuan He Mountain, Fang Xi immediately requested all the secret scrolls concerning 'Demons' and began to examine them carefully:
[Blood Hand of Shanyan City: In the 27th year of Emperor Muzong of Da Liang, the 'Blood Hand Demon' appeared in Shanyan City, highly contagious, with symptoms of red hands. . . After seven days, all those with red hands went mad and died, incurable, eventually forming a forbidden zone. . . ]
[Dream Demon of Wanghai City: In the 6th year of Emperor Yingzong of Da Liang, the residents of Wanghai City constantly fell into dreams, never waking. . . Finally, everyone in the city died in their sleep. . . ]
[Sword Demon of Pingnan Prefecture: In the 13th year of Emperor Xianzhong of Da Chu, an ironsmith in Pingnan Prefecture forged a precious sword that could cut iron like mud. It was then presented to the palace. . . The following year, Emperor Xianzhong of Da Chu wielded this sword to kill his empress, crown prince, imperial princes, and 53 concubines. . . The Da Chu imperial palace fell into a demonic domain. The outer court made full efforts to rescue, suffering heavy casualties among Grandmasters, but ultimately declared failure. . . ]
...
These scrolls detailing 'Demons' made Fang Xi's expression extremely solemn: "Compared to demons beasts. . . the power of 'Demons' is even more terrifying, more bizarre, and inexplicable!"
He read to the last scroll and found that the Black Stone City's Progenitor Demonic Tree was also recorded.
But apart from that, there wasn't a single other tree-shaped 'Demon'.
"It seems. . . there are no other substitutes."
Fang Xi felt utterly helpless.
‘Furthermore. . . when the power of 'Demons' truly erupts, it's simply unsolvable. . . For instance, Da Chu, which seemed to be the dynasty before Da Liang, was actually annihilated because of a single Sword Demon. . . ’
‘Even with the entire Da Chu imperial court's power, they couldn't solve one 'Demon'. . . Fortunately, the number of 'Demons' is extremely scarce, far fewer than demon beasts, otherwise, the human race in this world would simply be unable to survive. . . ’
Suddenly, his expression shifted, and he walked out of the room.
He saw a black shadow crossing the mountains in the sky.
He landed lightly on the plants in the forest, each light touch allowing him to glide eight zhang. From afar, he looked like a large bat flying in, his movement art having reached an astonishing level of mastery.
"Who goes there? State your name!"
Fang Xi stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the large bat, and said calmly.
"Heh heh. . . Insolent junior, let this old man teach you a lesson!"
The large bat landed, revealing an old man with silver hair and deep wrinkles. His hands formed a bird's beak, and he fiercely lunged forward!
Chirp! Chirp!
His fist technique was incredibly strange, swift as lightning, and carried the sound of a bird's cry!
"Take my Hundred Falcons Fist!"
Terrifying True Vigor gathered and condensed at his fingertips, faintly forming the shape of a falcon!
"Excellent!"
Fang Xi praised, casually throwing a palm strike. The airflow in the void seemed to be drawn into his palm with this strike, forming a dam.
Countless falcons crashed against the dam, emitting piercing cries, and finally dissipated without a trace. . .
"You do have some skill. Again!"
The black shadow twisted, already arriving beside Fang Xi, and even more piercing bird cries rang out.
"Secret Technique: A Hundred Falcons Chime in Unison!"
In an instant, the old man's body swelled, as if transforming into a demon with a hundred arms and a hundred hands. Countless bird beaks appeared, all striking at Fang Xi!
"Take this punch!"
Fang Xi's expression was solemn. He suddenly roared and punched out, as if cleaving the sky:
"Secret Technique: Limitless Staff!"
Bang! Bang!
Countless fist shadows and finger shadows intertwined, and True Vigor overflowed, landing on the white stone ground, creating numerous small holes.
Finally, Fang Xi's fist collided with the old man's, meeting in an even match!
"Good lad, I am Yan Sun. I acknowledge you. . . Ah!"
Seeing this, the old man's face showed a look of emotion. Just as he was about to reveal his identity, he noticed a golden streak of light suddenly appearing from Fang Xi's sleeve, like lightning, striking his chest!
A crimson True Vigor defense immediately appeared on his chest, but he had already expended too much earlier, and now with his punch against Fang Xi, a large amount of his energy was drawn away. This True Vigor appeared very flimsy.
It was briefly obstructed, then torn apart by the golden streak of light, and a sword light flashed, piercing through his chest.
"Pfft!"
The old man retreated a few steps, falling to the ground. Looking at his bleeding chest, his finger trembled as he pointed at Fang Xi: "You. . . young man, you don't play by martial ethics. . . You said we'd use fists, how can you. . . use a sword? !"
"When dealing with enemies, why bother with so many rules?"
Fang Xi came before the old man, raising his fist to strike down.
At this moment, Linghu Shan's shout came from afar: "Old Yanzi, stop! That's. . ."
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two figures entered the courtyard one after another: Linghu Shan and another bronze-skinned middle-aged man.
Seeing this scene, Linghu Shan was alright, but Zhou Tong's eyes widened like copper bells: "How could this be? Elder Yan. . ."
Although Yan Sun had a peculiar temperament, he was one of the top ten masters in the Grandmaster Society!
How could he lose to a newly promoted Grandmaster?
"Oh, Old Shan, who are these two?"
Fang Xi already had a guess in his heart, but still asked knowingly.
"Haha. . . Let me introduce you, Brother Fang. These two are Yan Sun and Zhou Tong, both from the Grandmaster Society. They are here to discuss your joining the Society, Brother Fang."
Linghu Shan's eyes darted, and he said with a smile, completely omitting any mention of an assessment.
"Oh, then how do the two of you see me? Am I qualified?"
Fang Xi looked down at Yan Sun, asking with a smile.
"Qualified, of course qualified. . ."
Zhou Tong glanced at the lying Elder Yan and quickly replied.
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