27 Treasure map

Alchemy was divided into three main paths. Usually, alchemists chose one of the paths and dedicated their lives to it.

The first path was known as the Qi Path. An alchemist that followed that path specialized in the creation of Qi pills and Cultivation pills like the Qi Gathering Pill, the Qi Replenishing Pill, or the Body Strengthing Pill.

The second path was the Healing Path. An alchemist that followed that path specialized in the creation of Healing pills, elixirs, and drugs.

Finally, the third path was the Poison Path. An alchemist that followed that path studied poisonous spiritual plants and venomous Demonic Beasts in order to create poisons and antidotes.

A cultivator that studied and used poison was not considered as following the Demonic path. So, in this world, there were a lot of sects and clans that specialized in poison.

Li Yuan Yuan was a 1-star Alchemist who followed the Poison Path, it meant that she was able to create rank-1 poisons that could kill cultivators in the Qi Gathering realm or tier-1 Demonic Beasts…

Li Jing approached curiously the Demonic Black Bear on the ground and suddenly noticed that it was still breathing.

"It still alive." He said

"I know… I still can't create a poison able to kill these beasts instantly... But it will die in a minute." She said, annoyed.

Alchemy was very complex. It was not enough to follow a recipe to successfully create a pill or a poison. In a sense, alchemy was quite similar to cooking: it was not because one followed the recipe of a dish to the letter that it would be good or beautiful. Only by practicing and experimenting, an alchemist could improve.

Li Jing nodded and decided to kill the beast himself to gain Experience Points. He walked towards the bear and stomped on its head, exploding it upon contact.

[Host has killed a tier-1 Demonic Beast: XP + 15.]

"Do you need its Demonic Core?" He asked.

Technically, it was Li Yuan Yuan who killed the beast. Li Jing finished it but it would still be dead because of the poison.

Although this was the second time she had seen Li Jing kill a demonic beast, Li Yuan Yuan was still shocked at how easily he could kill them. Even if she used all her strength she couldn't do that!

Because she had a D-grade talent, in six years of cultivation she has only reached the sixth level of the Qi Gathering realm and was stuck at this level. But, wasn't Li Jing supposed to have started cultivating just a few days ago? To be able to destroy the sturdy body of a Demonic Beast so easily, it meant that he was at least two times stronger than her! How did he become so strong so quickly? She was really intrigued and thought that maybe he could help her.

Noticing that Li Jing was about to open the beast's chest, She quickly exclaimed:

"Don't touch the beast's body, it's poisoned!"

Hearing this, Li Jing stopped his hand mid-air and sighed. He was a little disappointed that he couldn't get the beast's Demonic Core.

"Anyway, why do you need it? if you ask the clan, they'll give you tons of cores." She asked

"It's a long story." Simply said Li Jing.

Since he had nothing more to do here, he prepared to leave to resume his journey.

"Well, it was nice to meet you. I have to go now, bye." He said, smiling.

"Wait!! What is your cultivation realm? How strong are you?" She exclaimed.

"Why do you ask?" Asked Li Jing, frowning.

"Please, answer me." Said Li Yuan Yuan, anxious.

"I'm very strong… But why are you interested in knowing this?" He asked.

Hearing that Li Jing didn't want to answer her, Li Yuan Yuan sighed.

"I-It just… Fine, I will tell you… A few weeks ago, I found a treasure map on the body of a dead Beast Hunter. According to the map, there is a treasure hidden in the territory of the Crimson Blood Spiders. If you help me get the treasure, we can share it." She said.

Li Yuan Yuan would have normally never talked to anyone about the treasure map. But Li Jing and her were from the same clan and he had a very good reputation in the clan. Moreover, she was good at judging people and thought that Li Jing seemed to be someone nice, so she doubted that he would betray her.

Alone, she could never get the treasure because the Crimson Blood Spiders were immune to her poison. She hesitated for a long time to ask someone to help her, but she didn't know anyone strong enough she could trust. Even now, she wasn't sure that she could trust Li Jing but it was a risk to take and she hoped not to regret it.

She didn't know what the treasure contained but she hoped that it would be something that could help her to finally breakthrough the seventh level of the Qi Gathering realm. Her dream was to become a 2-star Alchemist but to become one, she first needed to reach the Foundation Establishment realm…

Li Jing was very curious about this treasure, especially since it was not mentioned in the web novel.

He thought for a moment about Li Yuan Yuan's proposal. The Crimson Blood Spiders were very strong tier-1 Demonic Beasts. Their territory was outside the edge of the forest and near the territory of the Four-eyed Jade Monkeys. Although it will make him take a detour, if he could get a treasure, it was definitely worth it.

But he didn't completely trust Li Yuan Yuan. Maybe she was stronger than him and wanted to trap him? He needed to know more about this girl and wondered if he could see her cultivation realm if he used his perk Appraisal on her. He decided to try it.

[

Name: Li Yuan Yuan

Race: Human

Qi cultivation realm: Qi Gathering VI

Body cultivation realm: Mortal

]

'So, she is only in the sixth level of the Qi Gathering realm…' He thought.

Li Jing thought that, although her poison could be a problem, with his current strength he could easily kill her in case she had bad intentions… She probably kept an antidote on her.

"Alright, I will help you. But you must first give me an antidote to your poison." He said.

He was not so suspicious in his past life, but he knew that in this world, anyone could be an enemy.

Li Yuan Yuan was very happy when she heard that. She knew that Li Jing wouldn't have agreed to help her if he wasn't strong enough to kill a Crimson Blood Spider. Of course, she understood that he still didn't fully trust her.

She took out a small porcelain bottle from her pouch and gave it to Li Jing.

"Thank you! In this bottle, you will find the antidote." She said.

Li Jing didn't know if it was really the antidote but he decided to trust her. He took the bottle and stored it inside his spatial ring.

"The territory of the Crimson Blood Spiders is in the northwest direction. If we walk quickly, we can reach it before nightfall." She explained.

He nodded and followed Li Yuan Yuan through the forest.