The Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World

"This soul is excellent, pure and solid. It's perfect for sealing into a demonic talisman," Chu Xuan nodded in satisfaction, casually tossing the soul into the Sky-Shielding Umbrella for safekeeping.

With another casual gesture, the red cloud that had enveloped the mine tunnels was sucked back into the Blood Demon Flask. He strode purposefully toward the mine's exit. Outside, the sounds of the ongoing battle were still audible, though they had already quieted down. It seemed the battle was nearing its end.

Sure enough, as he stepped out of the mine, he saw Wei Ji commanding a puppet, which cleaved the head of a Nascent Soul cultivator. However, that Nascent Soul cultivator managed to forcefully escape from his body, wrapping his soul and fleeing with his life intact. The other three had already fallen to the ground. Their faces were still contorted in agony, clearly poisoned by Shang Xingchen's toxin.

"It seems fellow daoist Chu is done as well," Shang Xingchen said, folding his white silk gloves with a smile.

Wei Ji, breathing heavily as he regained his Spiritual Qi, noticed Chu Xuan standing unscathed, his face calm and steady as if nothing had happened. Admiration flickered in his eyes.

Chu Xuan, on the other hand, felt a tinge of regret. Shang Xingchen and Wei Ji, fighting two against four, had taken down their enemies effortlessly. He had planned to put Shang Xingchen in a dangerous position and force him to reveal the formula for the Great Soul Spirit Pill, but it seemed that opportunity was lost.

"Ah, well, I'll have to find another chance," he thought with a sigh.

"This battle should make quite a name for us in the Heavenly Metal Battlefield," Wei Ji said, his voice grave.

Shang Xingchen nodded, "The Crazy Dragon Valley only had a few of their top people. Now, most of them have fallen at fellow daoist Chu's hands."

Chu Xuan responded nonchalantly, "It was a loss to all of us. We are all disciples of the Heavenly Infinite Sect, after all. There is no separating us."

Shang Xingchen smiled and nodded in agreement, "You're absolutely right, fellow daoist Chu."

"We'll be leaving now, fellow daoist Chu. Take care of yourself," Shang Xingchen said, quickly collecting the bodies of the fallen cultivators before leaving with Wei Ji.

As they departed, Chu Xuan couldn't help but chuckle to himself. "They're quick with their hands, thinking I might take their spoils?" He snorted coldly and turned back toward the great spirit stone mine.

Meanwhile, as they walked away, Wei Ji muttered, "Good thing you were quick, or he might have taken them from us."

Shang Xingchen chuckled softly. "When dealing with Chu Xuan, quick hands always win. I knew that from the start."

Wei Ji nodded in deep agreement. A few days later, news spread throughout the surrounding area: all the Nascent Soul cultivators from Crazy Dragon Valley had been slain.

Fiery Sky Cloud Tower's base.

Upon hearing the news, Shangguan He immediately became restless, pacing back and forth.

Kang Jia scratched his head. "Senior Brother, what should we do? Should we join forces with the cultivators from Red Flame Pavilion to avenge the Crazy Dragon Valley cultivators?"

Shangguan He shook his head, "Avenge them? They're Crazy Dragon Valley cultivators, not our Fiery Sky Cloud Tower disciples. Let them die. What does it have to do with us?"

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Kang Jia clicked his tongue. "So, Senior Brother thinks...?"

Shangguan He furrowed his brows, deep in thought. "As I expected, Chu Xuan's ability to kill Song Lingfeng, force back Dong Qi and Su Jue, proves his power is formidable. Now that he's killed Qiu Wanhong, he's fully showcased his strength. I plan to visit and meet with Chu Xuan, the disciple of the Heavenly Infinite Sect."

Kang Jia's eyes widened. "Senior Brother isn't afraid he'll take action against you?"

Shangguan He smiled bitterly, "I'm afraid, that's why I need to make the stakes clear to him. If we want to leave the Heavenly Metal Battlefield, we need to act together. Otherwise, we'll remain as scattered as sand."

Kang Jia's face showed shock. "Senior Brother, what courage!"

Shangguan He coughed lightly. "Actually, it's because the three disciples of Heavenly Infinite Sect are too strong. So, we need to ally with them."

Kang Jia's expression grew serious. "But Senior Brother, aren't you worried about what the other righteous cultivators will say behind our backs?"

Shangguan He sneered, "If gossip behind our backs can help us survive on this battlefield, then I don't mind a little gossip."

Kang Jia pondered for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

Cold Ironwood Forest Base.

When Ximen Changqing delivered the news to Xiao Xian, the latter's expression, once jovial, immediately turned somber.

"Why the grim face, fellow daoist Xiao?" Ximen Changqing asked, puzzled.

Xiao Xian spoke in a low tone, "This person, to have killed Qiu Wanhong, his strength is too overwhelming. He can probably rank within the top five of those below Deity Transformation. Then there's the other two from Heavenly Infinite Sect, Shang Xingchen and that Wei Ji... I can't remember his full name."

Ximen Changqing supplied, "Wei Ji."

Xiao Xian nodded, "Right, Wei Ji. Shang Xingchen and Wei Ji are clearly united with Chu Xuan, not working against him. Their combined strength is formidable as well."

Ximen Changqing followed, "What does fellow daoist Xiao think we should do?"

Xiao Xian paced a few times before answering seriously, "We should visit them, form an alliance, and share intelligence, working together. If we can seize other outposts from the enemy, then Heavenly Infinite Sect should leave us alone."

Ximen Changqing clapped his hands. "That makes sense. But what will the other righteous cultivators think of this?" he added with concern.

Xiao Xian sneered, "I'm sure they're all worried about it. Still clinging to the idea of keeping to the so-called righteous dao. But in a place like the Heavenly Metal Battlefield, those who still differentiate between the righteous and the demonic are probably the ones with issues."

Ximen Changqing chuckled but said nothing.

Similar scenes played out across other outposts. Righteous cultivators were mostly anxious, sensing that the balance of power was shifting. Their concern stemmed from a deep-seated fear of being caught in the crossfire of the Heavenly Infinite Sect's growing influence.

Demonic cultivators, on the other hand, weren't overly rejoicing. Heavenly Infinite Sect's strength was undeniable, and they too understood that such power would eventually affect them.

Nonetheless, despite their unease, the Falling Sun Demon Fortress and Heavenly Corpse Palace sent emissaries to deliver gifts and convey their respect. After all, no one wanted to offend such a formidable figure as Chu Xuan.

Outside the great spirit stone mine.

Shangguan He and Kang Jia stood quietly.

Kang Jia scratched his head. "Senior Brother, do you think he will let us in?"

Shangguan He shook his head. "Even if he lets us in, we won't be able to enter. It's his domain inside."

"We wait here," he added simply.

Kang Jia nodded repeatedly, understanding the situation.

Soon, Chu Xuan strode out with confidence.

Kang Jia's face showed clear surprise. "Dong Qi?!"

Chu Xuan smiled. "Greetings, fellow daoists. Chu Xuan of the Heavenly Infinite Sect, a pleasure to meet you."

Shangguan He was also taken aback but, being experienced, he quickly grasped the situation. He couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "I didn't expect that we had already met. Fellow Daoist Chu, a pleasure."

Kang Jia's expression shifted dramatically as he looked at Chu Xuan. The idea of sincerity and trustworthiness... none of it was real!

Shangguan He casually gestured, and a Golden Core early-stage puppet emerged, holding a jade box with both hands.

"Fellow daoist Chu, this is a small token from Feiry Sky Cloud Tower. Please, accept it."

Chu Xuan smiled, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? No reward without effort. Why does Fellow Daoist Shangguan want to send me a gift?"

Shangguan He smiled back. "Our Feiry Sky Cloud Tower wishes to form an alliance with the Heavenly Infinite Sect. This is a small token I have prepared. Even if sect master Chu does not wish to form an alliance, the gift has already been given. Let this serve as a gesture of goodwill."

Chu Xuan waved his hand casually, and Hu shot out from behind him, swiftly taking the jade box. It opened, revealing two jade bottles inside.

"Black Dragon Pills, ten of them. Soul Spirit Pills, ten of them. Please, fellow daoist Chu, don't refuse."

Shangguan He smiled, watching closely.