At first sight of the Lake Immortal's horned head, Huangfu Yi thought it was some beast, perhaps another great dragon, at the very least a Jiao, or maybe some creature like a pig dragon. But when the demon body fully emerged to be seen, it seemed more like a Chinese giant salamander.

Yes, essentially a baby fish, but born with scales and horns, with a dragon's head and lizard-like form. Whether it's a dragon seed or a mutation, it measured a full three zhang from head to tail. Its skin was incredibly smooth, the texture as crystalline as snow, with only fine silver scales on its toes. In the sunlight, it shimmered like a rainbow. If not for the violent death from a club to the head, its appearance was certainly quite beautiful.

And indeed, worthy of having cultivated to become an immortal, there was not a trace of demonic scent or earthiness on its body. Even the demon core in its belly was refined like a pearl or moon, radiating brilliance when extracted, without any impurities. Clearly, it had practiced arduously for a thousand years in the pond, absorbing the essence of sun and moon, merging the creation of heaven and earth, finally refining into the dragon pearl, achieving the right path of the demon fairy.

So much so that when Huangfu Yi skinned it, he could smell an overwhelming fragrance, compelling him to cut a piece of meat and consume it, which melted instantly in his mouth, tender and remarkably free of any fishy taste, awakening his appetite.

So then he dug in.

The dragon pearl was a precious great treasure, swallowed directly into the belly, slowly refined and absorbed. His essence blood turned jade-like, as thick as nectar, which when fully drank filled his Qi Sea and lungs, significantly boosting his cultivation.

He skinned it, hanging it on a tree branch nearby to dry. He quartered the corpse, slightly frying the prime fatty meat, which turned a golden wheat color, releasing oil, ready to eat heartily.

The organs needed some processing, but this monster was raised in a spirit vein, kept clean, and regarded as rare material, all storable for later using storage plaques.

Thus, having ingested the demon body's essence blood and the clear water of the pond, he voraciously ate all the large meat, even collecting the scattered brain, gathered in the skull cap, slurping it clean like delicate tofu.

Huangfu Yi finally ate his fill, and felt satisfied for the moment. Seeing the blood stains had almost dried on the skin, he draped the giant salamander's demon skin over himself, sank to the bottom of the green pond to recuperate, preparing for the coming surprise attack.

One must say, the gains from this tribulation were immense. Having completed only half the task, Huangfu Yi felt his meridians overflowing with spiritual breath, his true qi surging, and the dense earth vein spiritual spring around him gave him a faint sense of breakthrough to Core Formation. Coupled with the earlier intense battle with the Martial God, stretching his muscles and bones, the Mysterious Goddess Technique slightly improved, now completely capable of forging a Golden Core in this spirit vein.

However, considering the system had warned that this was an advanced level, with lurking dangers amidst calamities, and the next wave of enemies could appear at any moment, now was clearly not the time for a calm breakthrough. Yet, doing nothing would waste this high-quality spiritual spring and the opportunity for breakthrough. Thus, after careful thought, Huangfu Yi decided to forge a sword.

Yes, forge a sword.

A sword uncast is of no use. Since it wasn't the time for a breakthrough, Huangfu Yi used the Nine Qi of Mysterious Lady, while lungs and Qi Sea churned, to repeatedly cultivate the 'not yet time for emergence' Basic Sword Control Technique. Watching and emulating the key's shape like a willow leaf, he refined and polished an innate sword qi. Gradually, the silk-like lifebound sword qi was refined and strengthened into the size of a cow horn needle tip.

Attempting to send this sword qi out, it proved as sharp as a flying sword, parting the waves in the pond, slicing a distinct water trail, shooting ten zhang away.

Though unnamed, this Sword Control Technique was quite powerful, attached to the key flying sword, unstoppable by gods and demons alike. Each casting sharpened the sword light by three degrees. Unfortunately, each Qi Manipulation Sword depleted true qi, especially the initial drawing that, if delayed, would inevitably weaken from vigor to exhaustion, vulnerable to countering by magic treasures. Overall, a true scripture requiring constant tempering and careful forging.

So, Huangfu Yi calmed his mind, practicing boxing in the spirit pond, conducting exercises, honing the sword with care, time unknowable, when suddenly, "Plop!", a muffled sound from above, as if something plunged into the water.

Huangfu Yi opened his eyes, seeing a shiny silver axe fall into the pool.

Here it comes! Here it comes!

"Splash!"

Huangfu Yi emerged, wielding staff and axe, breaking the water. At a glance, he saw a young handsome nobleman standing ashore, wearing a magpie tail crown, dressed in luxurious clothes, adorned with gold and silver, embroidered robes, and jade pendants, surrounded by Daoist energy, Five-colored Divine Light protecting him, with a brilliant Qingyun over his forehead, as splendid as a peacock fanning its tail, his power indeed extraordinary. Presently, he was respectfully and formally bowing on his knees,

"Cai Jingxiu of Magu Mountain, meet the Jade-Coral Immortal Lady..."

"Bang!!"

Without another word! He smashed the back of the head with a club!

"Ow!!"

The nobleman was caught off guard by the sneak attack. Though his body was shielded by Daoist energy, blocking a multitude of sword light and sword qi, he was still clubbed atop his head, his skull cracked, howling in pain, collapsing face-down. For a moment, stars swirled in his eyes, blood spurting from his five orifices, his face bewildered, looking up in disbelief, meeting Huangfu Yi's gaze...

"Ow!!"

Faced with the drawn-in, grotesque, terrifying mien of the immortal's skin mask, the nobleman was nearly scared out of his wits, releasing another scream, reflexively trying to flee, only to be stopped by a wave of agony, flipping onto his back, inevitably looking down...

"Ow!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.