Chapter 51: Demonic Cultivators


    <span style="font-weight:400">Li Lang was instantly on guard when the person he was conversing with confirmed he was a demonic cultivator. He had heard no good things about them from his time within Spirit Grove or in his memories. Even in cultivation novels he had read when researching immortality, they all depicted demonic cultivators as cunning and merciless killers.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“...I understand we don’t have the best of reputation, especially within the territories of the righteous sects, but I want to make things clear. We aren’t the evil viins they have made us out to be. While some of us who cultivate the so-called demonic techniques are deranged criminals, most of us are normal people.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Li Lang furrowed his brows at Jian Beiyun’s pleadings. He wasn’t sure if this was some trickery to get him to lower his guard, but he realized it wasn’t far-fetched that the righteous sect would spread propaganda to defame their foes.


    <span style="font-weight:400">From what he knew of the righteous sects, they controlled vast territories rich in resources. They would sometimes demand unreasonable things from themon people under the pretext of contributing to the defense against demonic cultivators. He had witnessed instances of this even on the short trip from Xiang Yang to Prity City.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Okay, and why should I trust you? In fact, why are you even trying to help me?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Right, I’m getting ahead of myself. I am a member of Nightmoon Valley. We pride ourselves on upholding order within the Luminescent Domain and keeping all demonic cultivators in check. While I talked to you because I suspected a rogue demonic cultivator may have threatened you to do their bidding, I’m still happy to assist anyone in need.”


    <em><span style="font-weight:400">Is this demonic cultivator really spewing how he wants to help people as if he’s a champion of justice?</em>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Thest demonic cultivator I saw kidnapped my friends, so you’re going to have to forgive me if I find your words hard to believe.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Really? Tell me more. Our Nightmoon Valley would not let such acts stand. Do you have a name or description? Where did you see them?”


    <em><span style="font-weight:400">If his words are true…Does this mean they can help me rescue Zi Xi and Zi Xiao Mei much earlier than I had thought? </em>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“...I believe she was called the Abductress. She came to my hometown within the Yellow Qilin province.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“...” Jian Beiyun’s excitement was immediately doused at hearing Li Lang’s answer. “I’m sorry to hear that…as much as I hate to admit it, the Abductress isn’t someone we can handle. In the first ce, she is famous for being elusive and cunning. We wouldn’t be able to find her even if we wanted to.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Based on your words, is she really so strong that your entire sect can’t handle her? Your sect must have at least Violet Core elders or even someone stronger, right?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Yes…based on rumors, she is at the peak stage of Spirit Divide, the realm after Violet Core. You could say she is one of the peak experts throughout the entire Violet Isle. Without the help of an immortal from the maind, she is practically untouchable.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I see… the maind…” Li Lang muttered. “Anyway, thank you for the information.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“What about the matter of relocating to Emberglow City? Based on what I heard, if you can’t stay in the righteous sects’ territories, it is the best choice for you.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Li Lang tried not to roll his eyes as he formted a response. It would be foolish of him to blindly believe the words of a stranger, not to say a demonic cultivator during their first meeting. At the same time, he didn’t want to offend the potentially dangerous man, either.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll have to think it through and discuss it with mypanions. Thank you for the offer, though.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Understandable. I will be staying in Prity City for the rest of the week. You can find me here at the guild should youe to a decision.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">The two parties parted ways and Li Lang was finally free to rent out a refining room and began his work.


    <hr>


    <span style="font-weight:400">After selling his newly refined pills for a decent sum, Li Lang exited the Alchemist Guild.


    <span style="font-weight:400">When Li Lang returned to the inn, he spotted his twopanions having dinner in the restaurant by the entrance. The ce was boisterous with many guests, but his friends were just so eye-catching and easy to find.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“What’d you guys do all day?” Li Lang asked as he plopped himself down beside them.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I just went window shopping, but you should ask Wei Ping. He actually did something productive and gathered information while I was frolicking.” Long Yi proudly dered for some reason.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I-I just asked t-the residents about the c-city.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Oh, and what did you learn?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">”Just h-how high the c-cost of living is a-around here. I-it’s basically only c-cultivators who live here. T-the only time t-they employ a bunch of o-outside workers is during the a-annual auction.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah, I figured as much…” Li Lang quickly ced an order with the waitress. “Anyway, I had a… sketchy encounter earlier. I met this demonic cultivator who—”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Demonic cultivator?!” Long Yi shot up from his seat and yelled. He swiftly brought his hands to cover his mouth, but it was already toote.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He drew a few nces from the neighboring seats, but they otherwise carried on as if nothing happened. However, one of them continued to stare their way. The three boys exchanged ufortable gazes with each other and the man looked at them until he decided to take a seat at their table.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He had long ck hair dressed in a bun and a frail appearance like that of a schr.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You gentlemen seem to be new here if you’re so afraid of demonic cultivators. Let me rify a few things for you.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Sir…We wouldn’t want to bother you,” Long Yi politely replied.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“It’s fine. I was the same back when I first arrived in Prity City, so I’d like to do my part as well.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">The three children reluctantly nodded and the man joyfully continued.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Unlike what is said back in my hometown, the demonic cultivators aren’t such a united force that we thought them to be. There are good and bad people among them.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“T-then why a-are they called d-demonic cultivators?” Wei Ping sharply asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“That is because they all practice demonic cultivation techniques. Any technique that steals the cultivation of others is categorized as such.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“So they do hunt down cultivators!” the rmed Long Yi blurted out.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Only some of them who had let their cultivation techniques cloud their minds. You see, demonic cultivation isn’t perfect and is more prone to affect their thoughts and behavior. The ones you hear about outside the Demonic Cultivator Territory are outliers, not the norm.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">The man continued to extol the different types of demonic cultivators he had encountered until hispanions called him over to continue drinking.


    <span style="font-weight:400">The trio let out a sigh of relief, having finally gotten rid of the stranger from their table.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Let’s eat first and continue our conversation in our room,” Li Lang dered.


    <span style="font-weight:400">They did just that.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“So, as I was saying. I encountered a demonic cultivator in the alchemist guild who told me quite a few things. He suspected me of being manipted by a nefarious demonic cultivator after overhearing my conversation about finding people. After clearing the misunderstanding, he’s basically offering to take us to Emberglow City, where we can find test subjects.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“T-that does sound s-sketchy. Where even is E-Emberglow City?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Demonic Cultivator Territory, or Luminescent Domain, as they call it.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Hearing those words, Long Yi took a deep breath and released a long sigh.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You’re basically telling me a demonic cultivator invited you to go with him to his territory. Does that not ring any rm bells for you?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“It did, which is why I politely turned him down. But after hearing what that guy said at dinner, I think we should look into it more,” Li Lang quickly retorted.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll g-go ask a-around right away!” Wei Ping thumped his chest and dered.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“We can wait until morning. There is no need to hurry.”


    <hr>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Two dayster, Li Lang and hispanions all visited the Alchemist Guild together first thing in the morning.


    <span style="font-weight:400">When they asked the receptionist about Jian Beiyun, the demonic cultivator Li Lang had encountered, they were escorted to a private room and told he would arrive shortly.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Just as the clerk had said, Jian Beiyun showed up in his grey robes within five minutes.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“That was fast. Are you at the guild all day or something?” Li Lang couldn’t help but ask upon seeing him.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“No, but I am normally in the area. I instructed the guild to inform me if you were looking for me. Seeing how you have sought me out, I take it you would like to take me up on my offer?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Maybe, but we wanted to ask a few questions first.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Of course. Prudence is a good virtue to have, especially for people at such a young age. Ask away.”