The Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World

A month later, on the Heavenly Metal Battlefield.

Chu Xuan returned to Heaven-Six City as usual, prepared to bring the blood crystals to Yang Feixiong. This time, he had deliberately left numerous superficial wounds on his body. At first glance, they looked severe, but a gentle touch revealed they were only surface injuries.

Of course, the story he would tell was that these were wounds inflicted by ancient beasts. After all, he was only a Nascent Soul First Layer cultivator, a mere beginner. How could he have slain a thousand Nether Crocodiles without suffering some injuries?

However, when he returned to the city, he discovered that Yang Feixiong was missing. The only person waiting for him was Luo Yan, who looked slightly sorrowful.

"Where is Senior Brother Yang?" Chu Xuan asked.

Luo Yan shook his head. "He's dead. We took on a task to attack an herb garden but were ambushed by demon cultivators. I only managed to retrieve half of his body and buried him hastily."

Chu Xuan sighed deeply. "Life and death are unpredictable. Senior Brother Luo, my condolences."

Luo Yan glanced at the storage pouch that Chu Xuan handed over but didn't examine it closely. He waved his hand. "Enough. Let's go see Senior Brother Ximen."

A moment later, in Ximen Changqing's room.

Chu Xuan, Luo Yan, and Miaoyong sat in their respective seats.

Chu Xuan, being the weakest in terms of cultivation, sat at the furthest back.

Ximen Changqing's expression was solemn. "Everyone, the upper sect has assigned us an important task."

Seeing his serious demeanor, the three of them immediately became tense.

Ximen Changqing spoke with authority, "The upper sect wants us to set up a formation one hundred miles east of Heaven-Six City. We need to station a Nascent Soul cultivator and three Nascent Soul early-stage puppet beasts there to await further orders.

As long as we guard it for one month, those three Nascent Soul early-stage puppet beasts will be considered rewards, and we can take them with us afterward. Additionally, before we leave, we'll receive twenty large spirit stones, a bottle of Nascent Soul healing pills, and three Heavenly Thunder Talismans."

With that, he took out a storage pouch. "Everything is in here."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yan and Miaoyong's breathing quickened. Not to mention the other rewards, just the three Nascent Soul early-stage puppet beasts alone were enough to make them fight for it.

Luo Yan was getting older. At this point, he only wanted to accumulate resources for his family's descendants. Most of his magic treasures could only be used by Nascent Soul cultivators, so his descendants couldn't use them.

But puppet beasts were different. As long as there were enough spirit stones, they could be activated. Even if he only brought back one of those Nascent Soul early-stage puppet beasts, it could serve as the foundation for his family.

From then on, if enemies attacked, he could summon the puppet beasts to defend. With that, as long as nothing major went wrong, his family would have more than enough strength to sustain itself until the next Nascent Soul cultivator emerged.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Miaoyong's thoughts were different from Luo Yan's. Miaoyong was still in his prime, with a long lifespan ahead of him. But he, too, needed Nascent Soul early-stage puppet beasts as his trump card. After all, who would ever complain about having too few trump cards?

Chu Xuan, while not particularly interested in these things, still put on a very eager expression, as if he really wanted it. He had long since understood the importance of playing the part well, and this was one of those moments.

Ximen Changqing's gaze moved between Miaoyong and Luo Yan before finally resting on Miaoyong.

"Miaoyong Master, this task is of great importance, so I'll leave it to you," Ximen Changqing said I and Junior Brothers Luo and Gao will remain in Heaven-Six City to handle other matters."

Miaoyong raised his voice, "Alright! Thank you, Senior Brother Ximen! I will complete this task for the sect!"

Ximen Changqing smiled gently. "Junior Brothers Luo and Gao, you two may pick other tasks."

As usual, Chu Xuan intended to select a task involving ancient beast slaying. However, this time he discovered that such tasks were no longer available. Moreover, the other tasks had become rather strange.

While the rewards were substantial, the difficulty had also increased significantly. Given Gao Xuan's current cultivation, the only task he could take was one with a high risk and a low reward.

Everything else was either low-reward but incredibly tedious tasks, or simply impractical for him to attempt.

Chu Xuan, puzzled, asked, "Senior Brother Ximen, why are there no tasks involving ancient beasts? The number of Nether Crocodiles outside Heaven-Six City is still quite large."

Ximen Changqing smiled. "Junior Brother Gao, you might not be aware, but the sect has shifted its focus. While ancient beasts threaten both us and the demon cultivators, we only need to ensure that the area around the city does not become overrun with them, forming a beast tide. There is no longer any need to actively clear the ancient beasts."

Chu Xuan nodded thoughtfully, "I understand now. But I am still too weak, Senior Brother Ximen. What task should I take?"

Ximen Changqing pointed to a task and smiled. "This one looks good. Does Junior Brother Gao have any interest?"

Chu Xuan furrowed his brow. The task in question was to guard a medium-level spiritual stone mine located near Heaven-Four City. That was right on the frontlines where righteous and demonic cultivators clashed. To go there was essentially asking for trouble.

With a sigh, Chu Xuan said, "Senior Brother Ximen, I... I fear I'm not capable of handling such a task."

Ximen Changqing became more serious. "This task offers the reward of five Nascent Soul late-stage puppet beasts. As your senior brother, I will give you an additional Nascent Soul early-stage puppet beast. Although this one is somewhat damaged, if you can find the appropriate metals, you can repair it and restore it to its peak condition. Junior Brother Gao, what do you think?"

At that moment, Luo Yan, hearing the details, seemed rather moved. "Senior Brother, why don't I go instead?"

Ximen Changqing shook his head. "This task would be too easy for you, Junior Brother Luo. Currently, there is a shortage of manpower in Heaven-Six City. We must make use of everyone's strengths."

Ximen Changqing turned back to Chu Xuan and asked again, "Junior Brother Gao, would you be willing to take on this task?"

Chu Xuan showed a thoughtful expression on his face. But deep down, a sense of unease suddenly rose within him. Something didn't feel right.

In his memory, Ximen Changqing wasn't someone who would just give away a Nascent Soul early-stage puppet beast so easily. Even a heavily damaged puppet beast could be repaired by a puppeteer and still be powerful enough to battle Nascent Soul cultivators. For him to just give it away like this didn't seem to fit Ximen Changqing's usual style.

At that moment, Chu Xuan suddenly thought of Han Yirian and Yang Feixiong. Both had accepted missions from Ximen Changqing and not long after, both had died. The missions were lucrative, but they didn't have the chance to enjoy the rewards.

A bold guess began to form in Chu Xuan's mind.

"I'm still too weak and may not be able to handle it. This task is better suited for Senior Brother Luo."

After a long pause, Chu Xuan finally spoke up, rejecting Ximen Changqing's offer.

Ximen Changqing's brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't show any other signs of displeasure. He sighed softly. "What a pity, this task is just a bit challenging for you..."

Luo Yan, however, was eager and immediately accepted the task.

The next day.

Luo Yan and Miaoyong set off in opposite directions, heading to their respective mission locations. Chu Xuan stayed behind in the city, as he had taken on a task to repair a puppet beast.

This type of task was precise and intricate, making it unsuitable for lower-level cultivators in the city. However, the reward was quite low, so it wasn't a popular choice. Thus, it had been left to Chu Xuan.