Crimson Pellet

Everyone was startled by the crimson pellet. It looked far too much like a demon core! Only great demons at the Demon Core stage could form a demon core, the equivalent of a human cultivator's golden core at the Core Formation stage. For Kong Xin to use a demon core to ward off the blood miasma seemed an extravagant waste of heavenly treasures, not to mention outrageously audacious. Soon, however, everyone realized something was amiss. The crimson pellet lacked the legendary oppressive aura of a true demon core; it was merely an empty facsimile. "Hehe, so it's the inner core of a Heavenly Flame Jiao..." Among those present, only Yunyouzi recognized the true origin of the crimson pellet at a glance. Under the curious gazes of the others, he explained, "The Heavenly Flame Jiao is not a true jiao, but an unusual demon beast that resembles one. "This kind of demon beast has wings growing from its flanks, bearing some resemblance to the legendary divine beast Yinglong. However, it possesses no dragon bloodline, only the shape of a jiao. "The Heavenly Flame Jiao's greatest peculiarity is that it can form an inner core even before reaching the Demon Core stage. "Naturally, the inner core of a Heavenly Flame Jiao and a true demon core are not the same thing. "The inner core contains the flame power the Heavenly Flame Jiao absorbs from the outside world throughout its life, condensing it into a core. This flame power transmutes within the inner core, aiding the beast's cultivation. "Once the Heavenly Flame Jiao reaches the Demon Core stage, during its breakthrough, the inner core is replaced by a true demon core and shed alongside its molted skin. "Only then can the flame power within it stabilize and exist independently of the beast. "The inner core of a Heavenly Flame Jiao is rarely seen. Although most of the flame power within it is devoured by the emerging demon core, it mutates during the breakthrough, giving birth to an extraordinary demonic flame with effects remarkably similar to the flames of a Demon Core stage Heavenly Flame Jiao. "An inner core like this happens to counter the blood miasma. For Fellow Daoist Kong to use it here could not be more fitting." Understanding dawned upon the crowd. A look of admiration appeared on Kong Xin's face, and he cupped his hands to Yunyouzi. "After obtaining this crimson pellet, it took me a great deal of effort to uncover its origins. I didn't expect Fellow Daoist to see through it with a single glance. "Your breadth of knowledge is truly admirable! "However, there is one detail Fellow Daoist didn't mention. Because the Heavenly Flame Jiao's demonic fire is so peculiar, the flame inside this crimson pellet barely maintains its form. It cannot be lightly disturbed; the slightest touch causes the demonic fire to destabilize and incinerate the pellet, making it impossible to use as a spiritual material for artifact crafting. "Aside from keeping it close for warmth, the pellet has no other use. Yet here in the frigid Wuya Valley, it serves its purpose perfectly—it is my reliance for entering and leaving the valley." With that, Kong Xin channeled a wisp of spiritual power and gently touched the crimson pellet. A brilliant blaze erupted from the pellet, unleashing an aura of sheer chaos. The body of the pellet turned dazzlingly red, its surface gleaming like a layer of flowing glaze as though it might melt at any second. The onlookers were astonished. Kong Xin hurriedly withdrew his spiritual power and inspected the pellet. Seeing that it was undamaged, he finally relaxed. Yunyouzi also showed a hint of surprise. "This old Daoist had indeed heard bits and pieces of this, but only through hearsay. Having never seen the inner core of a Heavenly Flame Jiao in person, I dared not speak rashly on its properties. Only after hearing Fellow Daoist Kong's explanation do I know it is indeed true." Qin Sang nodded inwardly. *So it's just an oversized Warm Yang Bead.* Within the blood miasma, the Warm Yang Bead was of little help, barely better than nothing. As expected of something harboring the demonic fire of a Demon Core stage Heavenly Flame Jiao, the fiery aura Qin Sang sensed from the crimson pellet was far more formidable than that of a Warm Yang Bead. "Follow closely, everyone." Holding the crimson pellet aloft, Kong Xin took the lead and stepped into the blood miasma, with the others following right behind him. Once they truly entered the blood miasma, the dense vapor closed in from all sides, and the pressure instantly multiplied dozens of times over. The Qingyang Demonic Fire coating Qin Sang's body abruptly dimmed, threatening to extinguish. Qin Sang hastily poured more spiritual power into the jade pendant, finally stabilizing the flames. The demonic fire blocked a portion of the cold, keeping it tolerable. During the brief instant when his demonic fire barrier had nearly breached, Qin Sang felt that the blood miasma was not merely lethal poison; it also carried a vicious malice capable of bewitching and confounding a cultivator's mind. Protected by the jade Buddha, he had nothing to fear from the miasma, but glancing at the others, every single one of them was guarding their mind with solemn vigilance, as if facing a mortal foe. The group trailed closely behind Kong Xin, flying forward in silence. The terrain within the blood miasma was ever-changing, with undulating mountains making it difficult at times to even tell direction. Kong Xin, however, was intimately familiar with the area. He altered their course repeatedly with complete confidence. After advancing through the blood miasma for some time under Kong Xin's lead, the journey remained thoroughly safe, without a single mishap. The group's trust in him grew with every passing moment. Before long, a chilling roar suddenly echoed from far ahead. The roar was laden with thick madness—it was certainly not the cry of an ordinary demon beast! Hearing the terrifying roar so abruptly, the group's expressions shifted slightly. Qin Sang peered into the distance as far as he could, but the blood miasma obstructed his view. He thought to himself that these had to be the blood demon specters spawned from the vicious, bloody baleful qi of Wuya Valley. Leading the way ahead, Kong Xin suddenly halted his flying light and said in a solemn tone, "From here on, blood demon specters will grow increasingly numerous. Those in the outermost periphery aren't as powerful, but it's best not to provoke them if we can help it. Some places gather thousands, even tens of thousands, of them. Just in case, everyone must obey my commands and refrain from acting on your own!" The others agreed one after another. Kong Xin nodded in satisfaction. With a flash of his light, he flew toward the front-left, choosing to detour around the area. As they ventured deeper, they occasionally heard more of these eerie roars. Kong Xin truly lived up to his fee. Guiding them through twists and turns, they did not run into a single blood demon specter along the way, always evading every potential danger in advance. Without realizing it, they had already traveled inside Wuya Valley for several hours, when Kong Xin suddenly made an unnerving move. Though roars could be heard continuously ahead, Kong Xin led them straight forward. Even as they drew close to the source of the roars, he showed no intention of taking a detour. The others exchanged glances, filled with doubt and alarm. Yunyouzi spoke up to ask, "Fellow Daoist Kong, specters are entrenched right ahead. Why aren't we going around them?" Kong Xin looked back and replied, "You may not know this, but I discovered a small path right in the valley ahead. Passing through here won't alert the specters, and it will save at least three hours compared to detouring." The woman in red said distrustfully, "Being so close to the specters, can you guarantee our safety?" Kong Xin patted his chest and said, "Since I dare lead you down this path, I naturally have confidence. As long as you follow my arrangements, you certainly won't be discovered. Besides, I am with you; if an accident occurs, I won't escape death either. I have no grudge against any of you—what good would it do me to sacrifice my own life just to frame you?" With that, Kong Xin turned to the master and disciple. "Fellow Daoists, the spirit herb you seek grows right behind the specter nest ahead. I happened to discover it by chance. According to our agreement, my task is complete once I bring you to the location. Harvesting the spirit herb will be entirely up to you." Hearing this, the disciple's face lit up with joy. The old man's voice also carried a trace of excitement. "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Kong!"