"Refining a Demon Essence Pill requires not only a demon core but also a type of spiritual medicine, the Demon Companion Herb," Huo Yuan continued.
"Demon Companion Herb?" Yang Ji noted it down in his mind and then gestured with his eyes for Huo Yuan to continue.
"This Demon Companion Herb emits a very special scent that demonic beasts are particularly fond of smelling. This scent can put them into a cultivation state quickly, producing an effect similar to that of the Calming Heart Pill consumed by human cultivators."
"It's precisely because of the Demon Companion Herb's unique medicinal properties that it can suppress the demonic nature within the demon core, making the refined Demon Essence Pills suitable for human consumption."
"Moreover, the Demon Companion Herb is the main ingredient in the refinement of Temptating Demon Pills, making it extremely precious."
"Fortunately, this spiritual grass can be propagated through roots and seeds, and it is easy to grow. As a result, after so many years, there are still quite a few of them in the sea."
"Typically, a demonic beast that encounters such a spiritual grass will pick it and plant it in its own cave."
"Therefore, if cultivators want to find this type of spiritual grass, they just need to locate the lairs of demonic beasts."
"It is precisely because of the existence of the Demon Essence Pill and the Demon Companion Herb that a special profession has emerged in the Thousand-Islands Sea Area, the Demon Hunter!" Huo Yuan said slowly.
"Demon Hunters? Why isn't there such a term on Nanfeng Island, where the cultivators who go out to sea are generally called adventurers?" Yang Ji wondered and then asked, "Why have I never seen Demon Companion Herbs for sale in the major shops on Nanfeng Island?"
"Hehe, that's because there are no Demon Companion Herbs in the Thousand-Islands Sea Area at all, so Demon Hunters won't be found here. They reside outside the Thousand-Islands Sea Area, in the Demon Stench Sea Area. That sea area produces Demon Companion Herbs and is a paradise for demonic beasts, where Demon Hunters usually hunt demonic beasts and search for Demon Companion Herbs.
Demon Companion Herbs from the faraway Demon Stench Sea Area would never be sold here on Nanfeng Island, nor is there any need to do so, hence it is normal that you haven't come across them," Huo Yuan explained with a smile.
"I see!" Yang Ji nodded and asked, "So where can I buy Demon Companion Herbs?"
Demon cores were indeed sold in various major shops, but Demon Companion Herb was what he currently needed.
"Although the Demon Companion Herb is more common than those high-rank spiritual medicines, it is still precious. It is unlikely to be for sale on other islands, with only Canglan Island, Nanyuan Island, and Changqing Island being the places to look," said Huo Yuan.
"Brother Yang, it so happens that our merchant ship is setting sail again in three days, and we're headed to Canglan Island. If you'd like to go, you can come aboard with us. By the way, you could help me oversee the ship again, but I won't be able to pay you this time," Jin Dafu said, laughing.
"Alright, then thank you, Elder Jin," Yang Ji said, bowing with his hands folded, and then continued to discuss in detail with Huo Yuan.
Having left Myriad Treasures Tower by midday, Yang Ji went straight back to his small house in the south of the city.
When he returned, he started his furnace and, after a day of alchemy, the thirteen portions of herbs he had just bought had all turned into Spirit Origin Pills.
Over the next two days, he alternated between cultivation and calmly waiting for the day of the voyage to arrive.
Time flew by swiftly.
Three days passed in a blink.
Yang Ji left his house early to embark on the sea voyage, as invited.
This time, the destination was Canglan Island. According to the books, it was an enormous island, almost like a continent.
Canglan Island was as renowned as Nanyuan Island and Changqing Island, being one of the three largest islands within the Thousand-Islands Sea Area.
The island was known for its scenic mountains, clear waters, and bustling human activity.
There stretched an upper-grade spirit vein across the island, along with six middle-grade spirit veins and nine low-grade spirit veins, making it a rare treasure spot for cultivation.
However, this naturally gifted and spiritually vibrant treasure land was firmly occupied by the Canglan Sect, to the envy of others who could not lay claim to it.
...
At Nanfeng Port, a large ship was already beginning to set sail with the breeze.
Most of the people on the ship were still the same group who had voyaged previously.
After all, joining this sea journey as a crew member was a good job. One could earn several hundred Spirit Stones in a single trip, whereas in the perilous seas, bad luck could mean not earning that much in several months.
The crew enjoyed Spiritual Tea on deck, chatting and talking. Xu Xiangsong and the others even raised the topic of descending the volcano from the last trip, inquiring about Liu Yongqing's situation.
Yang Ji gave a vague answer, shaking his head regretfully, suggesting that Liu might have died amidst the snakes.
Xu Xiangsong, Tan Guanghong, and the others exchanged glances, but did not press further. The situation at that time was indeed very dangerous and tense. Anything could have happened.
Everyone shook their heads, speculating that Liu Yongqing had probably met with a misfortune, and then dropped the subject.
Yang Ji was pleased with that.
The ship sailed on, the journey was smooth, with no disasters or dangers.
After five days, the ship finally reached the port of Canglan Island.
The port was indeed worthy of being one of the three biggest islands, with a glance revealing thousands of moored large ships and countless small boats crowded like ants.
The constant traffic of ships and the bustling noise of people made the place extraordinarily lively.
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Just from observing this corner alone, one can tell how prosperous Canglan Island is.
Indeed, it's an extraordinary sight befitting the island where the Canglan Sect is situated.
Canglan Island is very large, with a direct distance of one hundred thousand li from east to west.
To go to Canglan City, flying would take a considerable amount of time, so using the teleportation array is the best choice.
After everyone disembarked, and having flown only a short distance, they saw a Teleportation Grand Hall in a square five li away from the port.
Inside the hall, there were eight teleportation arrays, all of which were carved into the ground filled with space stones.
The pattern of the teleportation array was circular and complicated, giving off a mystical and profound feeling.
"Where to?" A middle-aged cultivator wearing a white robe asked indifferently as he looked at the crowd.
"Canglan City!" Jin Dafu said. Searᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
"Ten spirit stones per person." The middle-aged cultivator said.
"Thank you." Jin Dafu handed over the spirit stones he had collected from everyone. The guard used his divine sense to scan and count the stones and then nodded, "Stand on the array."
As soon as everyone was in place, the array glyphs flashed.
A surge of immense power enveloped them amid the emerging spiritual light, pulling them into a different dimension space, swirling like being caught in a deep water vortex, wrapped in a mysterious force.
After a disorienting whirl, when the people opened their eyes again, they had already arrived at the teleportation hall on the other side.
Just as they stepped out of the grand hall, they saw the immense ancient city sprawled before them.
The ancient city was majestic, with thick walls reaching into the clouds, filled with the vicissitudes of time, reminiscent of an Immortal Palace that had fallen from the sky firmament, both quaint and grandiose.
On the city walls, in powerful brush strokes, were etched the three rugged characters "Canglan City."
It was Yang Ji's first time here, and he couldn't help but take a few extra looks.
But his gaze was quickly drawn to the scene beyond the ancient city.
Behind the city, where the line of sight reached the horizon, it seemed like a scene out of a painting.
The mountains were undulating, with rosy clouds hanging high, purple qi rising, spiritual birds occasionally visible amidst the clouds, and even divine rainbows flashing by, the atmosphere intensely imbued with the immortals' essence, as if it was about to overflow.
"That is..." Yang Ji murmured to himself.
Following Yang Ji's gaze, Jin Dafu chuckled and said, "That is the Canglan Sect. Are you entranced, Brother Yang? If you could get in there, I would have a connection inside the sect too."
"Which of us independent cultivators doesn't want to join a sect? Yet, how many can actually get in?" Everyone yearned, yet all felt regret.
"The sects only look at spiritual roots, how superficial." Someone spat disdainfully.
"Leaving spiritual roots aside, where am I inferior?" He Chao said.
"Stop grumbling, let's go, into the city." Jin Dafu smiled and lead the group into the city.
The city was bustling inside, with streets crisscrossing, crowds milling about, and shops standing in great numbers.
Tang Family Workshop, Xiao Family Pill Tower, Han Family Medicine Shop, Wu Family Talisman Shop, you name it, they had it.
Yang Ji's goal was clear, which was to purchase Demon Companion Herb, and incidentally, to look for high-grade medicine pills and spiritual medicines.
He moved in and out of various shops and buildings.
Going from one end of the city to the center, he visited dozens of businesses without exception, none sold Demon Companion Herb, nor did they offer high-grade spiritual medicines or medicine pills.
Besides, he noticed many independent cultivators with the same purpose as his, many of whom were inquiring about high-grade medicine pills.
Many cultivators had even been staking out major shops year-round, snatching up any available items with lightning speed, leaving no chance for him.
It was at this moment that Yang Ji realized just how severe the situation was. He was thankful for his proficiency in alchemy, or the consequences might be unthinkable.
No wonder there were so many independent cultivators who reluctantly turned to alchemy midway. It was all out of desperation.
Having found neither Demon Companion Herb nor high-grade spiritual medicines, Yang Ji walked out of a shop with a furrowed brow.
Then, he set off again, making his way from the city center towards the city's edge.
Again, he asked dozens of shops along the way, but still no Demon Companion Herb, nor any high-grade spiritual medicines or medicine pills.
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