Chapter 339: You Are Sick, Kidney Deficiency

Chapter 339: You Are Ill, Kidney Deficiency

Yang Guang’s face shifted and changed.

“Brother Qi, the demonic beast blood essence from two early-stage Jade Blood realm creatures… should be enough, right?”

A bad premonition stirred in his heart.

Could it be that one can know a person’s face but not their heart?

Was Qi Yuan simply unwilling to hand over the entry token to the Genius Alliance, deliberately making things difficult for him?

“Not enough.” Qi Yuan shook his head, holding the two hundred drops of demonic beast blood essence, and said softly, “The ancestor of the Taihuang Palace is too strong; I need to rapidly increase my strength.

Mm… let me show you right now… how I devour demonic beast blood essence.”

With Qi Yuan’s words, four hundred drops of demonic beast blood essence were tossed into the air, then fell into his palms and pores.

An Qiao’s eyes widened wide. Last time Qi Yuan cultivated, she hadn’t watched carefully.

This time… she had to see clearly whether Qi Yuan truly used demonic beast blood essence to cultivate.

She studied Qi Yuan, not missing a single detail.

“He actually devoured it!” Seeing Qi Yuan’s actions clearly, An Qiao’s pupils shrank, her eyes filled with shock.

Yang Guang froze, his mind stunned.

“Brother Qi, doing this… you’ll burst and die!”

He hurriedly warned in alarm.

Consuming a large amount of demonic beast blood essence in a short time would cause the body to fail and explode to death.

He was both anxious and self-blaming.

Had he thought that Qi Yuan was provoked by his words, and thus swallowed all four hundred drops of demonic beast blood essence at once?

But the next moment, a strange voice rang out, and Yang Guang was stunned, staring blankly at Qi Yuan.

“You have consumed 400 drops of demonic beast blood essence and begun cultivation.

100 drops of demonic beast blood essence consumed, you have gained one hundred days of cultivation. Your blood and qi are abundant, reaching the early-stage perfection of the Jade Blood realm.”

“300 drops of demonic beast blood essence consumed, you wish to push through in one go to the late-stage Jade Blood realm.

However, though you are gifted with talent and wisdom beyond others, the demonic beast blood essence, alas, is somewhat malnourished and holds you back. Your breakthrough fails, but you gain 300 days of cultivation.”

As the voice faded, Qi Yuan opened his eyes, a look of joy on his face.

This time, pretending to be the system had yielded new gains—it had learned to flatter its host.

“See? I swallowed all 400 drops of demonic beast blood essence, and I’ve already risen to the mid-stage Jade Blood realm.” Qi Yuan looked at Yang Guang and stretched out his hand. “So, I still need more demonic beast blood essence, bodyguard… you know the drill.”

Seeing this, Yang Guang’s mind was in turmoil.

What he had just witnessed surpassed his understanding.

Could it be… that Qi Yuan had a special talent?

A great capacity to eat, a great ability to absorb?

Only that could explain it.

Yang Guang convinced himself, then turned to Qi Yuan and asked with difficulty, “How much more demonic beast blood essence do you need?”

“Almost enough. As long as the demonic beast blood essence lets me reach a level where I can defeat my great enemy, I’ll stop killing.” Qi Yuan said earnestly.

Because of the innate seed, any increase in strength in this world would almost entirely be reflected back onto his original body.

So, improving here meant he was improving in the Canglan Realm as well.

“Brother Yang, you’re not running out of steam, are you?” Seeing Yang Guang hesitate, Qi Yuan continued, “If it’s too much for you, this time I won’t let you face the demonic beasts alone—I’ll fight alongside you.”

“No need! I can handle it!” Yang Guang replied loudly.

No matter how much Qi Yuan could devour, there had to be a limit.

Besides, his enemy, the ancestor of the Taihuang Palace, was probably only at the mid-stage Jade Blood realm.

Killing one or two more mid-stage Jade Blood realm demonic beasts would surely be enough.

It was fine—he just had to hold on a little longer.

He was at the mid-stage Jade Blood realm’s great perfection, strong enough to rival even Zhou Yuan.

Seeing Yang Guang so brimming with confidence, Qi Yuan couldn’t help but praise, “This bodyguard was worth hiring!”

“Hmph, I would never let Brother Qi suffer a loss.

On this mission, whenever we encounter demonic beasts, I will slay them for Brother Qi, extract their blood essence, and ensure Brother Qi returns fully laden!”

Yang Guang would rather suffer for the sake of face than admit defeat—after all, he had handled everything himself the previous times.

Since he had come this far, he wanted to end it perfectly.

Hearing Yang Guang’s words, Qi Yuan was very pleased.

Huo Mushi was also very pleased.

After all, the corpses of demonic beasts could all serve as food.

Next, the yamen runners who had followed them all carried the demonic beast corpses back to Zhenyang.

Only Huo Mushi remained in the mountains, leading the way for Qi Yuan and the others.

Over the next half day, they visited three more territories of scattered demonic beasts.

Yang Guang slew three late-stage Blood Qi realm demonic beasts, two early-stage Jade Blood realm ones, and even one mid-stage Jade Blood realm.

By now, he was a far cry from the beaming figure who had first entered the mountains. He bore injuries, his blood-warrior qi was severely depleted, and he looked quite miserable.

Watching Yang Guang haul back a demonic beast, Qi Yuan couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up: “So powerful! I simply can’t see where your limit lies.

Just now, when you staggered off to hunt the demonic beast, I thought you’d ask me to go with you—but you came back.

I really want to sing you ‘The Lonely Warrior,’ but unfortunately, I’m too old and don’t remember the lyrics.”

“Cough, cough…” Yang Guang gasped heavily for breath, staring at Qi Yuan with a resentful look.

What Qi Yuan had said was exactly what he most wanted to say.

He wanted to ask Qi Yuan… where is your limit?

After all this demonic beast blood essence, you still want more?

But, since he had given his word and put on this act, he had to see it through, even if it meant crying while doing it.

“Here, have a watermelon and take a break.” Qi Yuan tossed a watermelon, and Yang Guang caught it.

He took the watermelon and ate it slowly.

What had once seemed like an ordinary watermelon now tasted incredibly delicious.

The truth was… his blood-warrior qi was severely depleted.

At this point, if he encountered another Jade Blood realm demonic beast, he would have to flee immediately.

Otherwise, if he lost any more blood-warrior qi, he would have no means to protect himself and would be unable to leave the Shu Demon Mountains.

"Are you not feeling well? You look so weak," Qi Yuan asked, looking at Yang Guang with concern.

"No, I can protect you without any problem!" Yang Guang threw the watermelon rind to the ground with force.

"That's good. Seeing your face, I thought you had kidney deficiency," Qi Yuan said. He couldn't diagnose illnesses, but whenever someone seemed sick, he'd claim it was kidney deficiency—nine times out of ten, it was right.

"No, I'm incredibly strong now. One demon comes, I kill one; a group comes, I kill them all!" Yang Guang quickly replied.

A man could never admit he wasn't up to the task.

And besides... the label of kidney deficiency couldn't be pinned on him!

Not far away, An Qiao saw this and couldn't help but chuckle.

"That's good, I'm relieved." Qi Yuan let out a sigh.

Noticing the change in Qi Yuan's expression, Yang Guang paused. He looked at the darkening sky and tentatively said, "Today... are we still killing demons? Isn't it too late?"

"Don't worry, I'm not a heartless capitalist. I won't make you go kill demons in the dead of night," Qi Yuan quickly explained.

He strictly adhered to the eight-hour work system.

Yang Guang breathed a sigh of relief.

His life was saved.

"But..." Qi Yuan mused, "I don't kill demons, but demons come to kill me.

Today, we went on a killing spree on the outskirts of Shu Demon Mountain, attracting the attention of the demons.

To lure more demons here and collect their demon blood, I deliberately... didn't conceal our aura.

So... not far from us, over a dozen demons are heading this way.

Hmm... none of them are strong, not as strong as the ones you killed.

Only three at the early Jade Blood Realm, and over a dozen at the Blood Qi Realm."

"???" Yang Guang's eyes widened.

He seemed to hear a crack—the sound of his heart breaking.

"What... demons are heading this way?"

He quickly probed outward. Not checking was fine, but checking gave him a shock.

He suddenly locked eyes with over a dozen pairs of eyes.

His heart jolted.

If he got tangled up with these dozen or so demons now, he might truly be drained dry.

Before he could speak, he saw Qi Yuan's expectant gaze.

"Brother Yang, it's your turn. I want their demon blood."

Yang Guang wanted to cry but had no tears, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

He seemed to recall a time before he became a martial artist, years into his marriage, when his wife looked at him that way.

"Brother Qi... how about we run?" Life was still more important than face.

At this moment, Yang Guang accepted reality and decided to flee.

If he lost his combat strength and got entangled by these demons, drawing the attention of the demon camp's army, he really wouldn't leave Shu Demon Mountain alive.

Not to mention having to go to Wind Flower Cave to see the flower demon Man Luo and complete the mission.

"Run?" Qi Yuan was stunned, looking at Yang Guang. "Why should we run? They're not strong, not as strong as the ones you killed before."

Hearing this, Yang Guang stammered, "As the saying goes, there's no field that can't be plowed, only an ox that gets exhausted. The demons on Shu Demon Mountain... are too many."

"More is better, a blessed land," Qi Yuan said, then looked at Yang Guang with disappointment. "I see, you're sick—kidney deficiency.

Looks like... I'll have to rely on myself this time."

With that, Qi Yuan stood up directly.

Yang Guang's expression changed slightly: "You've just entered the mid Jade Blood Realm. Maybe we should still... leave first. Once we're surrounded and the demon camp people close in, we won't be able to escape."

An Qiao's face also showed worry.

At this moment, running was the best option.

"Why run?" Qi Yuan's eyes held a smile. "Today, on this Shu Demon Mountain, when I picked up this stick, I understood... Shu Demon Mountain... is my blessed land."

In Qi Yuan's hand was a straight stick.

Such a straight stick was rare.

When people were young, picking up such a stick made them feel like the Great Sage, Heaven's Equal.

Holding this stick, Qi Yuan also felt overwhelmingly powerful.

He gripped the wooden stick and charged forward without hesitation: "Women, children, and those with kidney deficiency... stay where you are. Today, I will protect you all!"

An Qiao and Huo Mushi were moved.

Yang Guang wanted to retort that he wasn't kidney deficient.

But at this moment, the atmosphere made it hard for him to speak up.

Just then, over a dozen demons appeared.

They were colorful and grotesque.

At their head was a dog demon.

"Are you the ones from the Demon Suppression Bureau, killing demons recklessly on the demon mountain?"

The dog demon looked wary, sizing up the four before him.

The other two early Jade Blood Realm demons also looked serious.

Originally, upon learning that two late Blood Qi Realm demons had been killed, they were sent to investigate.

But... the enemy was stronger than expected.

"If you want to live, leave your demon blood!" the dog demon said, clearly not wanting a direct confrontation with Qi Yuan and the others.

After all, with two Jade Blood Realm opponents, a fight could cause heavy casualties—not worth it.

They would pretend to let them leave, then summon more demon soldiers to surround and kill them.

Hearing this, Yang Guang was thrilled, wanting to help Qi Yuan agree.

But a cold voice rang out.

"When I picked up this wooden stick, it was destined that this night... would not be peaceful."

Kill!

The blood and martial aura within him boiled at that moment. Qi Yuan, like a giant bird, lunged directly at the dozen or so demons.

Though he was at the Yuan Dan stage, having dropped a major realm in this world—like a Yang Shen not yet at the Principle Realm going to another world—

But in the Qin Yuan Kingdom, with the company and help of the golden canary, Qi Yuan's cultivation had skyrocketed.

After all, what to do when spiritual energy is insufficient?

Find a canary to steal a kiss from, draw in a bit of spiritual energy, and perhaps engage in dual cultivation while he was at it.

His cultivation base would surge in no time.

In the mortal realm, he had already achieved the perfection of the Origin Core stage.

He stood but a single step away from the Divine Infant realm.

Even within the game, he possessed the prowess of the late Jade Blood stage.

Forgoing his martial arts capabilities and relying solely on his immortal cultivation, he could easily slaughter these demons.

Upon the wooden staff, a flash of brilliant light erupted.

"Grow!"

At Qi Yuan’s command, the wooden staff in his hand seemed to be gilded with a golden radiance, transforming into something akin to the legendary Ruyi Jingu Bang.

"Die!"

Gripping the staff, Qi Yuan exuded an awe-inspiring majesty as he swept it across in an instant.

The colossal staff looked as though it weighed a hundred thousand catties.

The wind whipped up by its swing ripped the surrounding trees out by their roots and sent them flying.

A tempest roared with fury, sounding like the hushed whispers of gods and demons.

A formidable wall of wind instantly trapped the dozen or so demons, rendering them completely immobile.

"What is this?"

The leading hound demon’s face was filled with utter shock and terror.

The remaining monsters fared no better, the spectacle before them causing their jaws to drop in sheer disbelief.

Regrettably, the time allotted for their astonishment was fleeting.

The gargantuan wooden staff slammed directly into their bodies.

Even though they manifested their true forms, they possessed no power to resist this single strike.

The staff, resembling the golden cudgel, crashed down and instantaneously pulverized them into a bloody paste.

An instant kill!

An absolute, instantaneous slaughter!

Not far away, Huo Mushi’s eyes widened, completely filled with an expression of envious admiration.

An Qiao’s gaze was laced with sheer exaggeration.

Last time... Qi Yuan wasn't this powerful, was he?

Yang Guang, meanwhile, was a picture of shock mingled with deep suspicion.

You’ve got to be kidding me, brother, you’re so strong you could easily kill me in a heartbeat, and yet you still hired me as a bodyguard?

Are you trying to humiliate me?

Furthermore... is this even martial arts?

What Qi Yuan displayed did not seem to be martial arts at all.

Rather... it was the legendary path of immortal cultivation.

But... when immortal cultivation entered this world, wasn't it supposed to be suppressed by an entire major realm?

Then just how powerful... must Qi Yuan’s true body be?

His mind reeled, not daring to ponder further.

At that moment, several hundred drops of demon essence blood were credited to his account, yet Qi Yuan’s expression remained serene.

It was as though he had merely crushed a dozen or so ants.

"It’s still better to smash them into fine paste, no need for burial, and turning into soil nurtures the flowers."

The wooden staff in his hand reverted to its original form as Qi Yuan spoke nonchalantly.

Seeing this, Yang Guang offered a strained, awkward smile.

He felt that his previous self had behaved somewhat like a clown.

With Qi Yuan’s level of strength, did he even need protection?

He feared that even Zhou Yuan wouldn't survive a single strike from that staff.

"Brother Qi, you kept me in the dark so cruelly, your strength... is far greater than mine.

My claim to guarantee your safety is nothing short of a joke," Yang Guang sighed.

He felt that any thoughts of validation from the Alliance of Geniuses were completely out of the question now.

"Well, I have already dropped my disguise before you and revealed a portion of my strength, shouldn't you also drop your disguise for me?" Qi Yuan inquired.

"Ah?" Yang Guang blinked, utterly bewildered by Qi Yuan’s meaning, "What disguise have I put on?"

"Weren't you daring enough to challenge my great enemy, the Patriarch of the Taihuang Palace?" Qi Yuan asked in all seriousness.

"..." Yang Guang assumed a deeply aggrieved expression, "I actually thought... he was weak, but if he is capable of being your opponent, I am absolutely no match for him!"

"Is that so?" Qi Yuan looked at Yang Guang with a placid expression, and after a few moments of silence, he spoke, "You are not lying, the source of your bloodline is indeed far inferior to his."

Yang Guang looked completely baffled, failing to grasp the meaning behind Qi Yuan’s words.

What did any of this have to do with the source of his bloodline?

However, as for claiming that the source of his bloodline was weak, that was something he refused to accept.

Even though Qi Yuan was an immortal cultivator with a profoundly high realm in reality, making him a formidable grandmaster.

The source of his own bloodline, however, was an existence revered as a sect founder and ancestor.

Naturally, he did not dare to utter these thoughts aloud.

After all, Qi Yuan’s manner of doing things was rather incomprehensible.