Chapter 57: Fortunate to Have Abstained

Given the limitations of the token, which only permitted information retrieval, Zhang Shen could not directly relay his speculations to Lin Yuan City.

With the suspected presence of the Bone Demons nearby, he couldn’t possibly abandon his responsibilities within the Ancient Covenant and dash to Lin Yuan City with the news.

Thankfully, there were other avenues to explore.

Beyond general data on the Mainframe Tree, many encrypted pieces of information were available, accessible only from specific locations or by certain identities. The internal forum of Lin Yuan City was one such special place.

Leveraging his status as a formal member, Zhang Shen quickly located the information he sought on the forum.

From the moment he learned that True Cores born near the Endless Wilderness and Lin Yuan City received preferential treatment, he had surmised that he wasn’t the sole True Core to join Lin Yuan City from this area.

If these individuals had remained within Lin Yuan City, that would’ve been the end of it. However, if they were still active within the Endless Wilderness, the chances were high that they would band together for mutual warmth and protection.

Zhang Shen’s assumptions were spot on. There indeed were such gatherings within the Endless Wilderness. Due to the vast expanse of the wilderness’s borders, such small groups were not uncommon.

Such a group existed within a mere three to four thousand miles from him.

In seven days, this group was planning a members’ gathering.

The organizer posted the news on the forum, both to inform the group members, most of whom, like Zhang Shen, only had tokens allowing retrieval but no real-time communication, and to notify other formal members of Lin Yuan City. If any members happened to be traveling nearby or new members wanted to join, they were welcome to attend.

“It’s not far. A short half-day journey there and back. It’s within the ten-thousand-mile communication talisman range. Should anything arise with the Ancient Covenant, they can notify me immediately.”

Seven days later, after offering some instructions to Zhang Yu and the others, Zhang Shen set off for the gathering at Wu Feng Mountain.

Validated by his token, he effortlessly joined the gathering.

The purpose of the gathering was to foster connections and mutual support, and it also doubled as a mini-trade fair.

Although Lin Yuan City’s exchange center was commendable, such small-scale trade fairs were indispensable. Members often bartered here, acquiring treasures they desired.

No one dared to act recklessly during the event, especially given the host was the formidable Law Manifestation expert, Duan Hai. He was known for his impartiality and strict adherence to principles. His Cold Ice Mace was famously ruthless.

Anyone foolish enough to cause trouble during his gatherings would become a frozen statue in his collection unless they were someone he could not afford to offend.

Zhang Shen’s pockets were empty, pitifully so. He could only watch the treasures of the gathering with longing, silent tears in his eyes.

Only during the information-sharing segment did he become more animated.

While the mainframe had abundant information, certain details were seldom uploaded. These included juicy gossip, valuable intelligence, or information from those too poor to even own a terminal leaf.

During the information exchange, Zhang Shen brought up the suspicion of the Bone Demon’s presence in this region. His conjectures, based on various clues, drew the attention of several attendees. After joining Lin Yuan City, demon heads became valuable commodities, exchangeable for points.

Many wondered, why would he share such valuable intel. Wouldn’t it be better to act on it discreetly?

But then they realized, “Ah, he’s merely at the first layer of the True Core stage, an insignificant fledgling.”

Recalling Zhang Shen’s self-introduction, it became clear. The Bone Demon had appeared near his faction’s territory. No wonder he revealed this information. If he hadn’t, he might have found himself and his faction wiped out.

Everyone pieced together how Zhang Shen had joined Lin Yuan City. Only a rookie at the first layer of the True Core stage would get the opportunity to become an official member through special treatment.

However, they didn’t look down on him. Most present had ascended through similar means.

After the two-day gathering concluded, Zhang Shen briefly made an appearance before heading back to his base.

Nobody approached him to establish ties. Being only at the first layer of the True Core stage, whether he could even survive the endless wilderness for an extended period was still an open question.

Zhang Shen didn’t mind. His objective was accomplished, and there was no need for him to worry about the subsequent affairs. Those who thirsted for points would surely take care of everything.

After returning to the Ancient Covenant, he stood by the lakeside of the Shanshui Residence, rubbing the token in his hand.

“These people will come to deal with the Bone Demon, but I wonder if any of them will try to take advantage of the Ancient Covenant.”

They might be driven by the allure of accumulating points, but there was no doubt they were being used by Zhang Shen. It wouldn’t be surprising if some hoped to make an extra profit from the situation.

“The same event can be interpreted differently depending on who’s looking.”

Zhang Shen was slightly concerned. With his current strength, he couldn’t possibly win against them.

“Sacrifice wealth to avert disaster? It’s not a bad idea. Once my cultivation advances, I can always reclaim what’s mine.”

This was a strategic retreat.

For a while thereafter, Zhang Shen sensed several battles taking place in the distance. He didn’t intervene, choosing to remain at the Shanshui Residence. Yet, after a long wait, no one came to extort him.

To Zhang Shen’s surprise, there was a tinge of disappointment. He had mentally prepared hundreds of potential scenarios and countermeasures, but it seemed they were all for naught.

“Has the moral integrity of Lin Yuan City’s residents risen to such heights? Or is there some unknown restraint at play?”

Zhang Shen felt the latter was more likely.

However, this was a relief. The significant threat posed by the Bone Demon had been eliminated, easing his worries. Unfortunately, Zhang Shen couldn’t find any related information on Lin Yuan City’s internal forum.

It made sense. Such matters didn’t need to be broadcast on the forum. Moreover, even though these Bone Demons had been expelled by the Bone Deamon Clan, they were still members of that tribe.

Indiscriminately posting news about their extermination would likely leak information to the Bone Deamon Clan.

The borderlands had always been a friction point between humans and the demon race. While full-blown wars hadn’t erupted, low-intensity conflicts were ever-present. Even those at the Law Manifestation level were frequently drawn into battles.

The Bone Demon Clan, a faction of demons that had long been stationed in the Endless Wilderness, was no stranger to the human race. They’d been clashing for thousands of years.

Being blacklisted by the Bone Clan? Should there be any future conflicts, one might just be singled out and reduced to ashes.

Any sane person wouldn’t dare upload such information. Wasn’t it more satisfying to quietly cash in those points?

“Alas, they missed one,” Zhang Shen murmured, his voice trailing off. 

His deep gaze drifted toward the locations of the previous battles.

He personally didn’t venture there, but his senses were constantly fixated on the area. Instead of using a spiritual sense that’s easily detectable, he relied purely on his physical senses. It was vague, but he could detect the robust life force there. After the battle, a strong but faint aura lingered, slowly recuperating.

That wasn’t a human life force.

“Sloppy work.” 

Zhang Shen left the Shanshui Residence. He couldn’t let this surviving Bone Demon escape.

He wouldn’t make the mistake of allowing a tiger to return to the mountain.

***

In a devastated rocky landscape, pocked with craters and desolate dryness, a fragment of bone lay quietly buried in the sand. After a long pause, a white glow emerged from the bone fragment. It expanded into a human shape and then shattered.

“Damn humans,” the Enchantress Bone Demon cursed, her teeth gritted. 

Her skin was as white as bone, devoid of any color. A large chunk of her abdomen was missing, revealing the ghastly white innards.

She placed both hands on the wound, and the flesh writhed. The missing part was swiftly regenerated.

“I need to leave this place quickly. In my current condition, I’m merely a shadow of my former self. If a human True Core cultivator discovers me, it’ll spell trouble.” 

The Enchantress Bone Demon’s aura was weak, yet she managed to survive the previous battle.

It wasn’t because she was stronger than the other Bone Demons, but because of her unique ability, Bone Substitution.

It was a divine technique the Enchantress Bone Demon had awakened after reaching the True Core stage. With this ability, she managed to deceive the eyes and spiritual sense of the human True Core cultivators and lived on.

But the previous battle left her gravely wounded, and she was in dire need of recuperation.

Panting heavily, the bare-skinned Enchantress Bone Demon’s chest heaved as she readied herself to flee.

Suddenly, an ominous sense of peril sent shivers down her spine, as if a primeval beast was right behind her. Sharp bone spikes erupted from her spine, hundreds of them, thrusting toward the impending threat.

But then…

Body Manipulation, Tenfold Burst, Annihilation Intent! Inferno Blade of the True Core Stage!

Clang! 

The searing Inferno Blade, carrying unmatched destructive power, obliterated all bone spears and slashed mercilessly at the Enchantress Bone Demon.

“Back off!” 

On the brink of life and death, the Enchantress Bone Demon unleashed unparalleled potential, channeling all her demon power despite her grievous injuries, erecting a bone barrier to block Zhang Shen’s attack.

With a vicious throw, a blood-red streak shot out, piercing through the Enchantress Bone Demon’s magical barrier with lightning speed, embedding itself between her brows.

“Cursed…” The Enchantress Bone Demon fell silently, her spirit extinguished.

The bone barrier shattered on cue, and Zhang Shen, wielding his Sun Moon Blade, approached.

He felt somewhat relieved that he hadn’t engaged earlier. A gravely injured Bone Demon had forced him to use all his skills and employ the element of surprise. Had he intervened sooner, he would have undoubtedly been cannon fodder.

“It’s no surprise. A fifth layer True Core Bone Demon, even if injured is a major threat. I wouldn’t dare ambush her recklessly.”

Zhang Shen had been nearby for a while. He sensed the presence of another Bone Demon but couldn’t pinpoint her exact location, so he chose to lie in wait.

If only the Enchantress Bone Demon had been a little more patient, hiding for another month or two, she could’ve surely worn out Zhang Shen.

“Patience truly is a virtue,” he murmured. 

With a throw, Zhang Shen pierced the fallen demon with his Sun Moon Blade.

“Good, she isn’t feigning death this time.”

Saying this, he recalled his Sun Moon Blade, and imitating an earlier move, he stabbed her from a distance nearly a hundred times. Only after tearing her to pieces was he completely at ease.

In the depths of his heart, Zhang Shen held profound respect for the survival instincts of the Enchantress Bone Demon, especially given that she had managed to deceive a group of human True Core cultivators.

“If she can still survive after all this,” he mused, “then I’m truly at my wit’s end.”

Only now did Zhang Shen retrieve the Soul-Seazing Arrow that was embedded between the Enchantress Bone Demon’s eyebrows, and he began to search her remains.

“A storage pouch! And what’s this?”

As her flesh dissolved away, what remained was a crystalline bone structure, radiant as if it were some celestial treasure! It was enough to make one’s mouth water.

Zhang Shen had been indifferent to her voluptuous form in life, but now, the lustrous bones she left behind in death piqued his interest.

These weren’t human bones. They were the remains of an unknown creature, adorned with bone spikes and gleaming with a captivating luminescence.

He reached out to touch them.

“I wonder how much experience I’d gain if I consumed these bones? The prospect is tantalizing.”

Zhang Shen had no intention of revealing that he had slain the Enchantress Bone Demon. In fact, he didn’t even plan on heading to Lin Yuan City to exchange her corpse for points. Keeping her remains with him seemed far more beneficial.