300 miles outside the Red Rock Forest.

Atop a wild hill.

The moonlight poured gently like water.

In the grass, the autumn insects were silent.

The leaves of a large tree rustled "whoosh whoosh."

Shen Xuan sat cross-legged on the main trunk of the tree, using the Concealing Breath Technique and Invisibility Technique to hide his form with the tree's aura.

The Dao-Magic war in Cyan Yang Prefecture had reached a stalemate.

At this time, the prices of various strategic resources like Spirit Pills, Talismans, Spirit Rice, and Demon Beast Meat had significantly increased.

Conversely, items like magical artifacts and demon artifacts began to decrease in price.

The reason was simple.

The number of cultivators participating in the war was increasing, and the number of fatalities was also rising.

Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Realm were still relatively few.

After all, their numbers were limited.

Throughout Cyan Yang Prefecture, there were barely over a hundred Dao and Demon Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators combined.

But Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators numbered over ten thousand.

Especially the Demon Cultivators, who kept coming from Liang Country to join the war.

Most were at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, seeking opportunities for Foundation Establishment in Cyan Yang Prefecture.

The more fierce the battles, the more deaths occurred, which was more suitable for the cultivation of Demon Cultivators.

This was the original intention behind the Dao and Demon Sects waging war.

To experience the Core Formation Seed, deplete the number of cultivators and mortals, and alleviate internal conflicts.

The four demon treasures in Shen Xuan's hands were obtained from a Demon Sect cultivator at the Middle Stage of Demon Foundation, and their quality was excellent.

The Blood Cicada Sword, White Bone Banner, Demon Soul Banner, and an unnamed Demon Shield.

If Shen Xuan were a Demon Cultivator, he wouldn't bear to sell them.

Tonight.

He specifically came to find Wu Yulan.

To sell these four demon treasures for a good price.

After all, with the changing situation of the Dao-Magic war, it wasn't easy to frequently meet Wu Yulan.

Half an hour later.

A white escape light flew over swiftly.

It was the renowned Immortal Yulan.

It had been many years since their last meeting.

Wu Yulan exuded a strong sense of confidence, with an aura of authority and oppression.

"Master Shen, Yulan has arrived, why not show yourself?"

At this time, Shen Xuan's Perfection Level Concealing Breath Technique and Invisibility Technique made it difficult for Foundation Establishment cultivators to detect his trail unless they were within thirty feet.

"Immortal Yulan, long time no see!"

Shen Xuan revealed himself and leaped down from the tree, standing before Wu Yulan.

The two exchanged glances.

Both were slightly surprised.

In Shen Xuan's eyes, Wu Yulan's aura was strong, clearly at the Late Stage of Demon Foundation.

This also meant she was preparing to condense a Demon Pill.

In Wu Yulan's eyes.

Shen Xuan was still just an Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

However, he was calm and composed, with an indescribable quality to him.

He seemed to have everything under control.

This made Wu Yulan secretly surprised.

Now, she was Late Stage Demon Foundation.

One of the three major Demon Cultivators in Cyan Yang Prefecture.

With her strength, defeating an Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Dao Sect should be easy.

Let alone one, she was confident she could handle nine of them.

However, upon seeing Shen Xuan, Wu Yulan had her doubts.

Her intuition told her that Shen Xuan was definitely not easy to deal with.

If they were to engage in magical combat, the outcome was uncertain.

Wu Yulan collected her thoughts, bowed slightly, and asked, "Master Shen, did you have important matters for Yulan?"

"It's a small matter! These four demon treasures, Immortal Yulan, please take them off my hands!"

Shen Xuan waved his sleeve, revealing the Blood Cicada Sword and the other three demon treasures on the ground.

"The Blood Cicada Sword! Did Liu Zhanfeng fall at Master Shen's hands?"

"Oh. So Immortal Yulan recognizes it. That makes things easier!"

Wu Yulan was speechless for a moment.

Liu Zhanfeng was a fellow sect member of hers in the Blood Spirit Sect, extremely powerful, only slightly weaker than the Saint Child and Saintess.

Shen Xuan smiled and said, "I'm sure Immortal Yulan knows their value. I happen to be short on Spirit Stones lately, please don't undercut the price."

"How much do you want?"

"For a Tier Two Middle Grade demon item, four thousand Spirit Stones each, sixteen thousand for all four."

Wu Yulan nodded: "That's not expensive."

"However, Yulan also lacks Spirit Stones."

At this, Wu Yulan looked at Shen Xuan.

"Yulan has a suggestion, perhaps Master Shen would like to hear it."

"I'm listening."

"For killing Demon Cultivators, the Dao Sect awards sect contribution points. Yulan has four heads of Middle Stage Demon Foundation cultivators, how about exchanging them for the four demon treasures in your hands?"

Shen Xuan understood clearly.

The reason for these four Middle Stage Demon Foundation cultivators' demise was unknown.

They likely got injured in the Dao-Magic war and lost their value, leading to Wu Yulan killing them.

Previously, he saw Wu Yulan and Nangong Guang kill Demon Cultivators, seizing their body's magic power for their own.

Devouring is always the most common cultivation method for Demon Cultivators and Demon Beasts.

"For Immortal Yulan's sake, I'll be generous this once, let's make the trade!"

Shen Xuan agreed immediately.

Four heads of Middle Stage Demon Foundation cultivators could be exchanged for forty thousand sect contribution points.

Almost equivalent to the price of twelve thousand Spirit Stones.

After advancing to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, Shen Xuan planned to return to the sect and exchange for a Tier Two Middle Grade magical treasure.

Being able to trade for forty thousand sect contribution points, he was satisfied.

Wu Yulan took out four heads of Middle Stage Demon Foundation cultivators from her storage pouch.

This made Shen Xuan secretly amazed.

Perhaps Wu Yulan kept the heads after killing Demon Cultivators and absorbing their body's magic power, just waiting to sell them back to the Dao Sect's cultivators?

For Wu Yulan's shrewd planning, Shen Xuan wasn't surprised at all.

He could think of reaching out to someone like Wu Yulan to trade demon treasures.

Wu Yulan could naturally plan for herself too.

As for the Dao-Magic war.

Both of them were clear in their hearts.

It was nothing more than training and slaughter for the Core Formation Seeds of the Dao and Demon Sects.

The lives of cultivators and mortals were insignificant in the eyes of the sect's high-ranking individuals.

In fact, the sect's intention was to take this opportunity to consume the number of cultivators and mortals.

To alleviate the scarcity of resources and the entrenched internal conflicts.

The transaction between the two was completed.

Wu Yulan curiously asked, "Is Master Shen close to breaking through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment?"

The reason she asked was to confirm whether Shen Xuan would participate in the Taoist-Demonic war.

In her heart, Shen Xuan's strength was unfathomable, comparable to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Back then, Shen Xuan made a move and fought Nangong Guang, who had transformed into Murong Jun, bringing great pressure to Nangong Guang.

However, with Shen Xuan's current realm cultivation progress, at most he would advance to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment during the Taoist-Demonic war.

No need to get involved.

The insider news Wu Yulan received was that Shen Xuan refused to join the battle, only providing some Thunder Talismans for his fellow sect members in the rear.

"Not so soon, still some years to go!"

"After breaking through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, I will return to the sect,"

Shen Xuan deliberated and said.

Meaning, I will not participate in your struggles.

Wu Yulan seemed relieved.

The two exchanged polite pleasantries for a few moments.

Shen Xuan took his leave.

As the figure in blue receded into the distance.

Wu Yulan murmured to herself.

"Old Hou, can you discern the true strength of Shen Xuan?"

A vortex appeared on the ground before her.

A figure slowly emerged from it.

It was none other than Hou Feifan, one of the three leaders among the demon cultivators of Cyan Yang Prefecture.

"Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, nearing a breakthrough to the Middle Stage."

"Cultivating three Techniques: Water, Ice, and Thunder, possessing three Foundation Establishment Corpse Beasts, thousands of Shadow-devouring Demon Insects, countless exquisite Thunder Talismans and Poison Talismans."

Hou Feifan rolled his bizarre eyes.

"In addition, he possesses a body full of mysterious techniques, all at the level of Great Success."

"If there is no other choice, old Hou would rather not become his enemy."

Wu Yulan asked, "Old Hou, do you have no odds against Shen Xuan?"

"What do you mean by no odds? If I have to pay the price of serious injury to kill him, old Hou would rather not!" Hou Feifan said emphatically.

In reality, there is no assurance, no odds.

At the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, he already has so many formidable means.

Once he breaks through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, he will be even harder to deal with.

Fortunately, Shen Xuan has made his stance clear.

Having no intention to participate in the Taoist-Demonic conflict.

"It is quite normal. After all, Shen Xuan is a disciple of the Cyan Cloud Sect, also a Tier Two Talisman Master!"

"Like the disciples of the Profound Celestial Sect, Divine Sword Sect, they all have the ability to battle across small realms!"

Wu Yulan nodded in agreement and said, "What old Hou says is indeed true."

"Shen Xuan has no intention of participating in the battle, so he is not to be worried about. As for He Zhengming, who is aggressive, does old Hou have any plans?"

"Let's talk about it when we return! I always feel something is amiss here."

"Alright!"

The two transformed into escape lights, speeding away.

One hundred breaths later.

A figure in blue appeared slowly one hundred zhang away.

It was Shen Xuan.

"Do not underestimate these demon cultivators."

After leaving Wu Yulan's sight, Shen Xuan again used Concealing Breath Technique and Invisibility Technique to quietly return.

He also felt something amiss.

Suspecting Wu Yulan had called for help, ambushed in the shadows.

That old Hou deliberately concealed himself using earth escape technique, even a Core Formation True Master would hardly detect his presence.

Shen Xuan's Insight Technique was obstructed by the thick earth, equally unable to discern old Hou's existence.

However, Shen Xuan did not worry about Wu Yulan turning against him.

Once the Thunder Escape Technique was mastered, even if he couldn't win, escaping safely was no problem.

He believed Wu Yulan was a smart person, not one to act recklessly.

The urgent matter for Wu Yulan was to maintain the standoff, suppress He Zhengming.

Then she could take advantage of the Taoist-Demonic war to continue gathering cultivation resources, enhance her strength, and increase her chances of reaching Core Formation.

Without absolute certainty, there was no need for Wu Yulan to engage in a life-and-death fight with Shen Xuan.

At their level of realm cultivation, actions are increasingly cautious.

The stronger Shen Xuan was, the more polite Wu Yulan and other demon cultivators would be.

Strength is what earns respect from others.

...

The Cyan Cloud Sect's crusade army camp.

In the central tent, Zhou Haoyu sat, several Foundation Establishment junior brothers were counting the heads of demon cultivators and calculating meritorious deeds.

These were to be rewarded with sect contribution points.

Many Qi Cultivation cultivators, along with their entire families, charged to the front lines, all for the contribution points of the Cyan Cloud Sect to exchange for a sect Foundation Establishment Pill.

Upon hearing of Shen Xuan's visit, Zhou Haoyu frowned slightly.

He didn't like this junior brother.

Merely the registered disciple of an ordinary Core Formation True Master.

The sect had taught cultivation techniques and aided his cultivation.

Allowing him to make a splash in the sect.

Yet when the moment arrived, he watched from the sidelines, indifferent.

The reason the crusade army was struggling in battle.

Of course, there were reasons like the Zhao Patriarch and Zhou Patriarch preserving their strength and not wishing to fight fiercely.

The lack of high-end combat power, no one able to single-handedly withstand the three leaders of the demon cultivators, was also an important reason.

Zhou Haoyu followed Senior Brother He to train.

He was at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, and was equally unsure against the three leaders of the demon cultivators.

Therefore, He Zhengming did not let him lead the army independently.

But this Junior Brother Shen Xuan was different.

According to Senior Brother He, his strength was not inferior to his.

Not only could he make exquisite Thunder Talismans, but he also cultivated extraordinary Thunder Techniques, fully capable of directly confronting the three leaders of the demon cultivators.

However, considering they were both disciples of a True Master.

Zhou Haoyu still stood up to greet.

"What delightful breeze brought Shen Junior Brother, such a busy person, to visit Zhou?"

"Shen Xuan greets Senior Brother Zhou."

After saluting, Shen Xuan took out four demon cultivator heads.

"These are four demon cultivator heads at the Middle Stage of Demon Foundation, please allow Senior Brother Zhou to verify and issue a Merit Spirit Contract for the sect."

Beside him, a sect disciple suddenly cried out, "Isn't this the Red-haired Demon Monarch who was severely injured and near death by Senior Brother Zhou?"

The demon cultivator head he pointed to was full of red hair, even the facial muscles were red, making it very identifiable.

Another sect disciple spoke up, "A few days ago, the Red-haired Demon Monarch fought Senior Brother Zhou, nearly being beaten to death by Senior Brother Zhou. How did the head end up in Shen Junior Brother's hands?"

Zhou Haoyu's expression suddenly turned unsightly.

He looked at Shen Xuan with a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

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