Chapter 108: Chapter 109: Able to Devour Anything
"Hungry!"
The Jade Qilin Snake hadn’t emerged from its shell yet, but its thoughts were already transmitted.
Then, a triangular white jade-like head cautiously peeked out, its pupils barely visible through the misty light, and its entire body gleaming with jade brilliance. The eggshell was completely shattered, clearly having turned into a two-foot-long spirit snake.
This snake was entirely as pure as white jade, exceptionally translucent. Its tail was even broader than that of an ordinary Jade Qilin Snake, resembling a thin white jade blade, sharp and menacing.
It flicked its tongue and slowly crawled towards Ye Jingcheng, its Divine Soul fluctuating continually. Its clear eyes glanced at Ye Jingcheng and then at the nearby Spirit Nurturing Liquid and the Middle Grade Water Attribute Spirit Stone.
It appeared extremely anxious.
"Drink up!" Ye Jingcheng nodded, knowing the Jade Qilin Snake was starving.
This Spirit Nurturing Liquid was not only for spirit eggs but also suitable for newborns, so the young Jade Qilin Snake could consume it as well.
Once Ye Jingcheng gave the command, the young Jade Qilin Snake transformed into a flash of jade light, moving at an incredible speed towards the jade basin filled with top-grade Spirit Nurturing Liquid.
It began to gulp it down whole, astonishingly consuming the entire small basin of Spirit Nurturing Liquid!
Its body started to enlarge, expanding nearly twice its original size.
However, the jade snake’s head remained the same size, making it look rather comical.
Apparently, even when devouring the Spirit Liquid, the Jade Qilin Snake absorbed it all at once, only to digest it slowly later.
Seeing Ye Jingcheng’s gaze, the Jade Qilin Snake seemed to understand his intent. It stretched its head towards him, flicking its tongue very slowly, opening its mouth slightly, appearing rather well-behaved!
Ye Jingcheng reached out his hand, feeling a hint of coolness like white jade from the surface of the Jade Qilin Snake, then infused it with Treasure Light.
The Jade Qilin Snake, just like the Red Flame Fox and the Golden Scale Beast, quickly became elated, yet it didn’t have eyelids and couldn’t close its eyes. Its gaze then lowered, fully demonstrating its submissive intent.
As the Treasure Light descended, the jade glow on the young Jade Qilin Snake became incredibly dense, transforming into waves of Spirit Wave that rippled across its snake hide.
On closer inspection, one would notice these ripples gradually tightening and compacting its previously swollen body.
Its aura undoubtedly revealed itself as a Tier One Middle-grade Peak Demon Beast.
Upon birth, it was already equivalent to a cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, which greatly delighted Ye Jingcheng!
At Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer now, it meant it wouldn’t be far from the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, enabling him to soon integrate the Beast Communication Pattern and enhance his cultivation speed.
The juvenile stage of the Demon Race, unlike cultivators who require cultivation, relies on its bloodline. As long as they are fed with Spiritual Objects, they can quickly enhance their strength.
However, once the power of their bloodline is exhausted, their progress slows down significantly, potentially becoming harder to break through than for cultivators, relying solely on the long passage of time to seize opportunities.
The Jade Qilin Snake’s innate talent made Ye Jingcheng feel the efforts and Spirit Stones he invested in it were worthwhile.
Once the Beast Communication is successful, and the Four Phase Celestial Essence Scripture becomes three-phase, that speed also sparked his anticipation.
After the Treasure Light’s release, the young Jade Qilin Snake conveyed its intent to rest. With Ye Jingcheng’s signal, it headed towards the Spirit Array, evidently considering it home.
What satisfied Ye Jingcheng the most about the Jade Qilin Snake was its exceptionally high spiritual wisdom from birth, showing no temptation, even when faced with the Spirit Array and Spirit Nurturing Liquid.
This trait was particularly commendable in Ye Jingcheng’s eyes.
At least it’s better than the Golden Scale Beast!
Thinking of the Golden Scale Beast periodically pouncing on the Jade Ring Rat, Ye Jingcheng couldn’t help but feel a bit displeased.
Currently, the Jade Ring Rat was still somewhat useful to him.
Overall, his mood was indeed pleasant. He took out three catties of Blood Jade Spirit Rice and began to steam it, also taking out a Red Section Fish.
Regrettably, it had been a while since he visited the market, and Ye Jingli hadn’t come by for a long time either, so without Cyan Bamboo Wine, he opted for some Spirit Tea.
He prepared a dish of Blood Jade Spirit Fish Cuisine.
Sitting in the courtyard, he enjoyed the velvety taste of the spiritual cuisine while gazing at the endless mountain range. Occasionally, he would raise a cup of Spirit Tea, feeling especially content.
While cultivation emphasizes gradual progress over time, it also requires moderation between tension and relaxation. Compared to the serene abstinence of the five grains, he preferred the vibrant cultivation enriched with spiritual cuisine and spirit wine.
Sometimes, simply connecting with nature’s beauty was enough to relieve the tedium from prolonged cultivation.
The same was true for spiritual cuisine.
The Golden Scale Beast and Red Flame Fox both came over, and they also enjoyed the spiritual cuisine.
In fact, now they would even roast the Lush Forest Boar Spirit Beast Meat with spiritual fire before consuming it.
After several months, the Red Flame Fox’s fur had become even more vibrant, with its two large fox tails resembling two clusters of blazing flames.
Its aura was a few breaths stronger compared to a few months ago.
However, it still hadn’t reached the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.
Because of practicing, it had mastered the use of Purple Gold Wings, and its whole body appeared more slender, exuding a crimson elegance.
The Golden Scale Beast’s aura had also strengthened considerably, its golden scales becoming more solid, covered with spirit patterns.
The greatest transformation was in its two front paws, which had become much burlier.
After several months, the Earth Spike Skill it executed could reach nearly a zhang in length, and this Great Earth Spike Skill could be cast continuously three times.
Even the Red Flame Fox found it extremely difficult to dodge, faster than a Spirit Talisman.
As for the dense Earth Spike Array, it was a vast, contiguous expanse.
However, the growth in aura was much slower, even during the late stage of Qi Cultivation, not much faster than Ye Jingcheng.
Ye Jingcheng shared a significant amount of Blood Jade Spirit Rice with the two beasts, and this time, he specially cooked three catties of Blood Jade Spirit Rice and a three-foot-long large Red Section Fish, considering this.
Even so, he still underestimated the appetite of the two beasts and had to take out some Spirit Beast Meat and Spirit Nourishing Pills for them.
Of course, the Jade Ring Rat nearby also shared, though the inequality continued. The spirit cuisine for the Jade Ring Rat was just to taste, while its main food remained the Spirit Nourishing Pills that Ye Jingcheng could refine ten of in a furnace.
To Ye Jingcheng, the Golden Scale Beast and the Red Flame Fox were crucial for his future cultivation progress and its limits, so he couldn’t be careless.
The Jade Ring Rat, on the other hand, was a functional spirit beast, slightly weaker, but not much of a problem.
Moreover, the growth potential of the latter was not very high. Its size had increased by a circle, but its aura remained at the Mid-stage First Tier, seemingly about to step into maturity.
Only the pair of Wind-Inviting Jade Ring Ears made Ye Jingcheng somewhat satisfied.
Ye Jingcheng looked at the Golden Scale Beast, also preparing to take out the last Golden Scale Pill to let it advance again and enhance its bloodline.
At that moment, unexpectedly, the Jade Qilin Snake once more conveyed its thoughts — it was hungry.
It slithered out the door, gazing at Ye Jingcheng from the doorway with innocent eyes, habitually flicking its snake tongue.
As if not understanding why it hadn’t been invited to the special meal.
It could swallow anything.
Ye Jingcheng couldn’t help but give a wry smile; the bloodline of this Jade Qilin Snake was indeed extraordinary and potent!
Yet he estimated that he would need to improve his alchemy skills next.
Otherwise, he might not be able to support the three beasts and his own cultivation.
The extent to which this Jade Qilin Snake devoured spirit stones seemed beyond his expectation.
After all, it was a juvenile of a Tier Three Great Demon, also carrying the Flood Dragon bloodline.
Ye Jingcheng took out a large piece of Lush Forest Boar Pork, the size of a millstone. Once he released it, the Jade Qilin Snake conveyed thoughts filled with joy and longing.
After Ye Jingcheng nodded, it transformed into jade light, swallowing the millstone-sized Spirit Pig Meat in one gulp.
Instantly, a large bulge appeared on the snake’s body.
Seeing this, the Jade Ring Rat nearby did not dare to make a sound.
The Golden Scale Beast might just pounce on it, while this one — one bite, and not even a strand of rat hair would remain!
After swallowing, the Jade Qilin Snake lifted its snake head, tenderly approaching, making Ye Jingcheng very satisfied. This Jade Qilin Snake was not picky, very good!
Unlike the Red Flame Fox and Golden Scale Beast, which just stared motionlessly when he ate Blood Jade Spirit Rice and Red Section Fish.
Ye Jingcheng infused some treasure light, and the Jade Qilin Snake nodded before slowly moving back inside. The Spirit Array wasn’t activated now,
but the Jade Qilin Snake still habitually coiled there.
Like a piece of glowing spirit jade, illuminating the somewhat darkened room brightly.
After taking a look, Ye Jingcheng felt relieved, then took out a jade talisman and began studying alchemy.
He intended to switch the main elixirs he refined to Tier One High-Grade Red Ganoderma Pill and Lotus Yellow Pill as soon as possible.
These two elixirs were quite popular among cultivators, but previously, his yield was not too good, only four or five pills with a formation rate of seventy percent.
Not as cost-effective as the Cyan Spirit Pill.
Yet continuing with the Cyan Spirit Pill would now seem tight.
Ye Family was feared among the four great families because of the strength of spirit beasts in magical combat.
But it wasn’t valued much because the Ye Family was quite poor.
From top to bottom, poor.
For instance, other Tier One High-Grade Alchemists, which of them didn’t have five or six magical artifacts, even their magic robes were gilded and colorful, warming in winter and cooling in summer, refreshing and energizing.
Yet most of Ye Jingcheng’s magical artifacts were unsightly stolen goods.
To maintain his cultivation progress, Ye Jingcheng either needed to enhance his alchemy skills or find new ways to earn spirit stones.
In Ye Family, there were those who farmed spirit fish and spirit beasts, and those skilled in spirit insects went on to cultivate spirit plants.
For Ye Jingcheng, lacking good channels, he thought he should spend more effort improving his alchemy skill or perhaps visit the Alchemy Pavilion more often.
Seek advice from the Guardian Elder Ye Haitian, and if he could meet the Fourth Elder Ye Haiyun, even better.
Ye Jingcheng decided on this course of action, so the next morning, he brought some spirit tea and headed to the Alchemy Pavilion early.
The morning at Lingyun Peak appeared exceptionally serene, and because it was after the autumn equinox, a light frost formed around the mountainside.
Occasional bird calls came from the forest, and with each breath, one could feel the rich spiritual power and moist air.
Compared to earlier, the water attribute spiritual power was more abundant.
When Ye Jingcheng arrived at the Alchemy Pavilion, to his surprise, it was bustling with activity.
Besides Ye Haitian, there were quite a few young members of the Jing Generation present — most of them were teenager-like, in the early stage of Qi Cultivation, clearly at the initiation stage of alchemy.
Once upon a time, he was among them, and precisely because he had excellent perception and manners, Ye Haiyun and Ye Haitian took extra care of him.