Unless he could kill this beast with a single strike, but because of the existence of this golden-scaled fish, Zhang Ling wasn't confident he could kill the Flame Hoof Beast with one blow.
After all, he was currently inside this spatial treasure, and the artifact spirit was controlled by the Flame Hoof.
Just as he was pondering a good solution.
The Flame Hoof Beast shook its head, and two balls of hot air spewed from its nostrils. "Your cultivation is very strong; even if I weren't injured, I wouldn't be your opponent. If you want my demon core, I can give it to you, but you must agree to my condition."
These words surprised Zhang Ling; he didn't expect this beast would actually yield.
Then, the Flame Hoof Beast opened its mouth and spat out a cyan-red round bead, swirling with the power of wind and fire—precisely this beast's demon core. However, a ball of blood light emerged from its body, and it spat out another ball of black blood, covering the demon core.
Instantly, the demon core was dyed pitch black.
Seeing this, Zhang Ling's expression sank. He could sense a strange demonic aura contained within this demon core, as if it had been defiled by an evil spell. The wind and fire power on it became unstable.
The Flame Hoof Beast's aura immediately weakened by a third, as if it had also been greatly affected. "I can offer you the demon core, but you must take me back to the Eastern Region to find my master."
This condition made Zhang Ling frown. "Eastern Region? Are you talking about the Eastern Region cultivation world? And who is your master?"
The Flame Hoof Beast nodded and called out his master's name, "Lord Dragon Creek."
Zhang Ling had never heard this name, but the name Dragon Creek was exactly what was engraved on that gold plaque.
"Master, Lord Dragon Creek, in the Northern Origin cultivation world, is what you call the Dragon Phoenix Fairy."
"So it's this person."
Judging from this, the Dragon Phoenix Fairy can be called a Lord, so she is likely royalty from some country. Zhang Ling thought to himself. He didn't expect this ancient cultivator to be from the Eastern Region cultivation world.
"Five thousand years ago, Master encountered a great calamity and accidentally came to the Northern Origin cultivation world. After spending more than two hundred years, after much exploration, she found an ancient teleportation array left over from ancient times, repaired it, and left. But in order to kill a powerful enemy, I was not strong enough at the time, so I was left here. Master said that the enemy who killed her would come to pick me up, but I didn’t expect that this wait would be more than four thousand years."
The Dragon Phoenix Fairy was an ancient cultivator from five thousand years ago, how could she have such a long lifespan. "For such a long time, your master is probably already dead. How can you find her?"
The Flame Hoof Beast roared angrily. "Master is not a human cultivator, but a half-demon. She also has the bloodline of a true spirit, and her cultivation is infinitely close to that of a Heavenly Demon. Before leaving, she had already touched the bottleneck of the Heavenly Demon. She must have already stepped into the Heavenly Demon realm."
Heavenly Demon is the demon clan's name for Deity Transformation cultivators. There are indeed rumors speculating that this Dragon Phoenix Fairy had the opportunity to break through to the Deity Transformation stage.
Unexpectedly, she is still a half-demon body. The lifespan of this kind of alien cannot be inferred according to the human race. However, Zhang Ling still didn't believe it. Even if it is a Nascent Soul stage half-demon, its lifespan may be a little longer than that of humans. I am afraid that it will be difficult to live more than two thousand years. Even if he really breaks through to the Deity Transformation stage, it will be difficult to live for four or five thousand years in the human world.
Regarding the issue of lifespan, he once consulted Lan Que and learned some secrets.
According to Lan Que, in the lower realms like theirs, especially the lower realms where the world's spiritual energy has been damaged and weakened. Even the Deity Transformation monks have a lifespan of up to three thousand years.
In the spirit world, human Deity Transformation monks can easily live for more than three thousand years. If they can survive the Small Heavenly Tribulation, their lifespan will increase slightly.
The main reason is that the spiritual energy of the human world is insufficient and cannot support higher realms.
Of course, if it is a special race such as the demon race, the lifespan will be very different. But in fact, the lifespan of most demon clans is longer than that of human monks, but it will not be too outrageous.
"Deity Transformation monks, does the Eastern Region cultivation world still have such existences?" Zhang Ling's mind raced and he couldn't help but ask.
He just asked casually, but he didn't expect the Flame Hoof Beast to say this. "The Eastern Region cultivation world is not comparable to the Northern Origin cultivation world. As far as I know, five thousand years ago, the Dragon Marsh Kingdom where my master was born had a Dragon Marsh Holy Monarch in the Deity Transformation stage.
There are many demon cultivators at the Transformation level overseas in the Eastern Region, and there are also rumors of Heavenly Demons among them."
Hearing this, Zhang Ling's eyes lit up. In the Northern Origin cultivation world, except for the Rakshasa woman and the three-headed dark snake that appeared on Ghost Island in the sea more than ten years ago. Rumors of Deity Transformation monks have spread.
If it is the Eastern Region, there were Deity Transformation monks five thousand years ago. Maybe there are still such strong people there now.
Thinking of this, Zhang Ling couldn't help but feel a little turbulent in his heart. There was some yearning.
Now he is in the middle stage of Nascent Soul. There is no shortage of ordinary cultivation resources. Coupled with the mysterious round beads in his hand, and with the assistance of spiritual grass and elixirs. He is still very confident in breaking through to the late Nascent Soul stage. But he still knows very little about the Deity Transformation realm.
Previously, in the independent space on Ghost Island, he had learned from the aborigines that the human world is more than just the Flowing Cloud Sea and the Northern Origin cultivation world.
There are also several regions such as the Western Pole Continent, the Eastern Continent Islands, and the Eastern Region cultivation world. Although it was just a few words, the Eastern Region cultivation world among them does seem to be much stronger than the Northern Origin Immortal World.
Now hearing what the Flame Hoof Beast said also confirms this. Zhang Ling naturally also had the idea of wanting to travel.
The Flame Hoof Beast roughly talked about his master's origins, and finally threatened, "As long as you promise to take me back to the Eastern Region, I will offer this demon core with both hands. If not, I will now detonate the demon core and die with you."
The wind and fire demon core immediately rotated in the air, and violent wind and fire power erupted from it. At the same time, the golden-scaled fish also quickly circled, creating a wave of spatial fluctuations.
Zhang Ling didn't say a word, staring closely at the demon core, as if he hadn't heard the threatening words.
For a time, the atmosphere became stiff.
Suddenly, he asked again, "You just said that your master repaired an ancient teleportation array and left the Northern Origin cultivation world through the teleportation array. Is that teleportation array here? Then why don't you leave through the teleportation array?"
The Flame Hoof spat out a breath of hot air angrily. "The ancient teleportation array is indeed hidden here, but Master didn't leave a teleportation talisman before leaving, and I can't transform, so I can't get a teleportation talisman. Without a teleportation talisman, this kind of ultra-long-distance ancient teleportation array, even if I have some strength now, I can't resist the spatial pressure during the teleportation process."
The Flame Hoof Beast cannot transform, so even if it wants to sneak into human territory, it is extremely difficult. It is indeed difficult to get a teleportation talisman.
After thinking for a while, Zhang Ling nodded and agreed. "As long as you hand over the demon core, I can take you back to the Eastern Region cultivation world. When you get to the Eastern Region, you can leave on your own. But I will not accompany you in finding your master."
Hearing this, the Flame Hoof Beast's eyes flickered and it circled around in place. After neighing a few times, it lowered its horse head, "Okay. As long as I return to the Eastern Region, I will offer this demon core immediately."
"Fellow Taoist, didn't you hear clearly? I said you should offer the demon core first." Zhang Ling frowned slightly. This beast seemed to want to bargain.
"Human monks are cunning, I can't trust you easily. What if you regret it after handing over the demon core?" The Flame Hoof Beast also called out without showing weakness.
Hearing this, Zhang Ling chuckled, "I am not discussing with you." With a thought, the floating ball of Heavenly Star Sand flowed and formed five or six Earthly Fiend Earth Spirits, shooting out streams of petrifying spiritual light.
The Flame Hoof Beast didn't seem to expect that he would suddenly attack. It quickly turned into a stream of fire to avoid the attack.
Zhang Ling's figure also swayed and disappeared strangely. The next moment, a ball of faint black and white mist appeared in front of the Flame Hoof Beast, about two feet away.
The Flame Hoof Beast immediately changed direction, but saw a black light flashing out from the mist, suddenly enlarging, and turning into a section of black bone giant claw ten feet wide, slapping over.
The Flame Hoof Beast spewed out a dazzling pillar of fire, trying to resist this attack. However, it underestimated the power of the giant claw.
The giant claw extinguished the fire light in one fell swoop. The power did not weaken much, and black and bright claw glows pressed on the Flame Hoof Beast. Immediately, claw marks appeared on the beast's body.
Between life and death, the Flame Hoof Beast neighed. Then, the golden-scaled fish circled its head. Released a piece of golden mist.
The black bone giant claw grabbed into it, but strangely deviated its direction and appeared more than ten feet away. With a loud bang, a huge claw print was smashed out there. Even more black and bright claw glows burst out in all directions, and the soil, rocks, grass, and trees within a hundred feet were immediately torn to pieces.
Zhang Ling's expression did not improve. With the artifact spirit there, it was indeed difficult for him to kill this beast with one blow. The Flame Hoof Beast also quickly shouted, "Stop it."
"What else is there to say?"
Zhang Ling was unmoved and gently pointed at the black bone giant claw, and the treasure turned into a stream of light and attacked again.
"Okay, I'll do as you say, I'll hand over the demon core first." Although the Flame Hoof Beast was unwilling, but seeing the powerful attack coming again, it could only completely give in.
Although it can control the artifact spirit and temporarily be in an invincible position. But the human monk in front of him has powerful cultivation, and is followed by an insect that also has spatial powers. In a real life-and-death struggle, it can only last for a while.
The final result will not change, but will become even worse.
It can't die now, not only because it wants to see its master again, but also because there is a cub that has not yet grown up. If it dies now, the cub will also be difficult to survive.
Under Zhang Ling's control, the black bone giant claw immediately stopped in the air. His actions actually had two purposes.
The main purpose, of course, was to see if he could kill this beast with one blow. If not, he could also deter this beast and let the Flame Hoof Beast know that he had no way out.
As for angering this beast and detonating the demon core.
Zhang Ling was not worried. The Flame Hoof Beast dared to negotiate terms with him, which proved that this guy was not really afraid of death.
Although most demon beasts are not afraid of life and death, and often break the net, but like transformed demon cultivators and this kind of alien beast that has opened its intelligence. In fact, there is no difference from human monks.
Seeing him withdraw his attack, the Flame Hoof Beast lowered its head and neighed, releasing a ball of fire, wrapping the demon core and floating over.
Zhang Ling did not take it with his hands, but raised his hand slightly, and shot out a piece of yellow light to cover the demon core, dispelling the fire light on it. The layer of black blood on the demon core also dissipated.
Only then did he feel relieved, and scanned it carefully several times with his spiritual sense. After not observing any abnormalities, he shot out streams of runes and sealed the demon core.
Finally, he wrapped the demon core with a ball of Heavenly Star Sand and put it into the Earth Element Gourd.
The Flame Hoof Beast watched with fire in its eyes, but just groaned. The aura of its whole body dropped a lot. It has lost its demon core, and its current strength has been reduced by more than half. Its aura is no longer as good as that of an ordinary eighth-order demon beast.
After this human refines its demon core, then it will truly lose its demon core. Its cultivation will definitely plummet.
Zhang Ling was in a great mood, looked at the weakened Flame Hoof Beast and said. "I am not a bloodthirsty person. If I take your demon core, I will not break my promise. Now you can talk about the situation here." His eyes turned to look around.
At a glance, the place where they are now is a mound, and there are several high mountains around. It seems that the space here is larger than his Sumeru Cave, and the spiritual environment is also very abundant.
"You better not break your promise." The Flame Hoof Beast warned again with a fiery temper.
Zhang Ling pretended not to hear, and released his spiritual sense to sense that there were some palaces, pavilions and other buildings on the surrounding mountain peaks. The Flame Hoof Beast also groaned and introduced him to this space.
"The space here has an area of five or six hundred miles. It was a spatial treasure, the Dragon Phoenix Picture, refined by an ancient monk who was proficient in formations in the master's cultivation family by cutting off a small piece of space crack. The master's cave is on that mountain." Saying that, Yan Ti looked at the tallest mountain in the distance.
Zhang Ling's eyes lit up, and he also looked at that mountain. It was a thousand-foot peak, with half of the peak inserted into the clouds. "Oh, your master's cave. Can you take me to see it?"
This Dragon Phoenix Fairy had obtained many treasures. He was naturally very interested. I don't know if there are any remaining treasures.
The Flame Hoof Beast hesitated for a moment, then ran towards that mountain. Zhang Ling smiled, and a flash of blue light flashed under his feet and followed. After a while, he reached the top of the mountain.
The top of the mountain was surrounded by clouds and mist, covered with a thick layer of sea of clouds. Zhang Ling could clearly sense the restrictions, and there were obviously formation restrictions.
The Flame Hoof Beast neighed, and the golden-scaled fish artifact spirit rushed to the front. Wherever it passed, the sea of clouds separated and a cloud ladder appeared.
"This place was set up by the master with a misty sea restriction. If I didn't have the bloodline restriction left by the master in my body. It is also difficult to enter here." Along the cloud ladder, the Flame Hoof Beast said with nostalgia.
Zhang Ling also knew that the reason why this beast could control this artifact spirit was also because of the bloodline restriction left by his master.
Moreover, according to this guy, the Dragon Phoenix Picture is the Dragon Phoenix Fairy's family secret treasure. Even if other monks get this picture, they cannot control this spatial treasure.
Zhang Ling did not deny this. He looked at the semi-transparent golden-scaled fish in front of him. This artifact spirit was full of spirituality. If it was refined by a special method. Then even if this spatial treasure is snatched, I am afraid it will be difficult to use.
He can enter here, relying on the Void Insect.
Zhang Ling felt slightly disappointed in his heart, but he just thought about it and smiled, and did not dwell on it.
The Dragon Fish Picture also looks like the same spatial cave as his Sumeru Cave. At best, it is only equivalent to a portable mobile cave. Perhaps the grade is higher. But it is also similar. Although this kind of treasure is extremely precious, one is enough.
It is said that in ancient times, there were attack-type spatial treasures, which were the top treasures.
After walking through the clouds and mist for half a cup of tea, the eyes suddenly opened up, and he had reached the top of the mountain.
Before me lay a shimmering blue celestial pool, thousands of feet wide, surrounded by thick white bamboo that formed a grove. Swaying in the breeze, the bamboo rustled softly.
This translucent white bamboo was a third-grade spiritual wood, known as Jade Bamboo. Such a vast expanse of it was incredibly valuable. White Jade Bamboo that's five or six hundred years old can be used to refine magical treasures.
A winding stone bridge arched over the water, leading to a tall pavilion in the center of the celestial pool.
On the far side of the pool, I could see pavilions, terraces, and a palace. Its architectural style resembled the dilapidated palace outside.
The golden-scaled fish, which had been flying ahead, seemed excited to arrive. It transformed into a streak of golden light and plunged into the celestial pool. Instantly, the water shimmered with golden light and the sound of a dragon's roar echoed.
Zhang Ling narrowed his eyes. The celestial pool emanated an astonishing spiritual energy, even stronger than that of a high-grade spiritual vein. It seemed the spiritual core of this place might be underwater.
The Flame Hoof Beast headed towards the pavilion in the center of the celestial pool. It was a seven-story pavilion, over thirty feet tall. Strangely, it was covered in a layer of cyan and crimson spiritual light. Reaching the pavilion, the Flame Hoof Beast turned to look at Zhang Ling. "The restriction tokens are in your hands."
Zhang Ling smiled and tossed the two gold tokens into the air. "These two tokens are so similar. What are their magical uses?"
The Flame Hoof Beast was silent for a moment, then shook its head. "The two tokens are the same; there's no difference."
"Is that so?" Zhang Ling gave a strange smile; this was clearly a lie. He flicked his hand and picked up the gold token engraved with a cross-shaped knife mark and the words 'Dragon Stream'. "How do I activate it?" He directly asked about the method to activate the token.
The Flame Hoof Beast's expression became complex when it saw him take out this token. It snorted. "Cunning human! These two gold tokens are related to the master's background."
