Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

Lu Chen proposed that Su Ye come to the temple ruins, regroup with them, and leave the Volcano Grotto Heaven together.

"The Grotto Heaven is treacherous. It’s best if we travel together for safety."

"That suits me just fine," Su Ye said, his interest piqued.

HUM.

After contacting Lu Chen, Su Ye piloted the Ghostly Flood Dragon and arrived at the cluster of temple ruins.

"Mr. Lu, Qin..." Su Ye’s gaze swept across the area. Not far from the ruins, Lu Chen, Qin Wuyou, Feng Shaochai, and other Golden Core cultivators, along with numerous Crystallization Realm cultivators, were all gathered.

’Not bad. The people I know are still alive.’

Su Ye’s thoughts stirred, and he transformed into an Escape Light, landing nearby.

At this moment, seeing Su Ye approach, Feng Shaochai and Zheng Yunzhe, the two Golden Core cultivators from the True Treasure Pavilion, both stood up.

They saw that Su Ye was safe and sound. Although his face was slightly pale, he wasn’t missing any limbs, nor did he seem to have suffered any permanent, incurable injuries. Both of them relaxed in relief.

"Mr. Su, it’s good to see you’re safe!"

After all, Li Jinhua was in the Day Flame Sea Region. If the person she held in high regard died inexplicably, the two of them would have to take the fall, even if they weren’t directly responsible.

"I was just lucky."

"Thankfully, the evil creature’s aura dropped sharply during the fight. That gave me the chance to use the item bestowed upon me by the True Lord..." Su Ye explained, putting on an expression of lingering fear.

These words were not transmitted via Divine Sense.

Lu Chen and the others could also hear him.

Hearing this, Lu Chen’s eyes shifted slightly, and he nodded to himself. A life-saving measure given by Li Jinhua seemed reasonable.

’Otherwise, my display of power would have been too shocking, too terrifying.’

’I don’t want to be put in the spotlight, under the intense scrutiny of the Nine Sects of the Inner Sea.’

Su Ye coughed lightly into his hand while thinking to himself.

’At least...’

’Not before I reach the Nascent Soul realm.’

...

Then, fifteen minutes later, the cultivators from the three sects administered first aid for their injuries.

This field medicine wasn’t particularly effective, but it was enough to keep their injuries from worsening.

At the same time, there was good news.

Three Golden Core cultivators had arrived.

They were the Golden Core cultivators who had previously been confirmed missing. According to their own accounts, they had also been trapped in the dreamscape.

However, they had not encountered Su Ye, nor had they explored the deeper underground levels. Instead, they had confined themselves to the first level, moving stealthily using a Breath Concealment Skill.

Considering their cultivation levels—two at Early-stage Golden Core and one at Mid-stage Golden Core—and the fact that they would have struggled even against the animated armor, Lu Chen didn’t blame them, offering a few words of comfort instead.

At least these three Golden Core cultivators were still alive.

’But even so, our losses this time are disastrous,’ Su Ye thought, pretending to meditate and heal as he squinted and scanned the crowd.

Fifteen Golden Core cultivators and forty Crystallization Realm cultivators.

That was the expedition team’s roster when they set out.

But now...

Of the fifteen Golden Core cultivators, only ten remained.

Of the forty Crystallization Realm cultivators, more than half were gone!

A total of five Golden Core cultivators—elites from the Nine Sects of the Inner Sea, no less—had perished here.

By sect, the fallen were two from the Jade Void Sword Sect, two from the True Treasure Pavilion, and one from the Profound Light Cave... a devastating loss!

The three-sect alliance had only twenty-three Golden Core cultivators in the Day Flame Sea Region in total.

And just like that, only eighteen remained.

’Damn. If a few more die, the Golden Core cultivators left on guard outside will outnumber the survivors of this expedition...’ Su Ye mused, clicking his tongue.

Of course, besides the losses, there were also gains... In a sense, if one ignored the value of life and made a purely utilitarian comparison, the gains actually outweighed the losses!

The Sun Crystal Core, a sixth-tier gemstone, was currently lying quietly in Lu Chen’s Storage Ring.

A sixth-tier gemstone. This single gain was enough to compensate for the loss of personnel.

In addition, the ruins in the physical world held many other valuables. The Array runes from the ruins, for instance, were a form of precious knowledge.

The animated armor could be smelted down for Artifact Refining materials.

The venom and body of the Thousand-legged Demon Centipede could also be refined into poisons and magical treasures.

The areas underground, rich in yin energy, had also produced some rare materials.

And... the Undead Lord’s long halberd, a fifth-tier Divine Artifact on par with a Dao Artifact, had also been claimed by the expedition.

’Good.’

Su Ye wasn’t jealous; he was happy to see it.

’If their losses had been too great, making the expedition not worth the cost, why would the three sects be willing to explore the temple again?’

’Without them acting as cannon fodder, how could I possibly solo this dungeon? It would be a thorny problem even if I managed to advance to the Late-stage Golden Core realm as planned, right?’

’Besides... based on my contribution, I should still get a share of the spoils!’

Of course, he didn’t have much use for these particular spoils. Su Ye was thinking of forgoing his share and using his contribution points to exchange for some treasures from the vaults of the three sects.

’For example, some natural treasures that could help my physical body and divine soul ascend to the fifth tier...’ Su Ye mused.

Natural treasures of this caliber were strictly controlled. With his current status, it was nearly impossible to acquire them on his own. His only real hope was the Nine Sects of the Inner Sea.

Afterward, the entire group gathered. They boarded two spirit ships and headed for the Grotto Heaven’s nexus point. Using the passage there, they left the Volcano Grotto Heaven.

...

「Several months later.」

「Volcano State.」

In a tranquil and secluded cave residence with a superior environment.

Su Ye, dressed in loose, wide-sleeved robes with his long hair casually tied up, sat beside a garden stream, calmly sipping his tea.

Even in the scorching heat of Volcano State, if you were rich enough to splurge on Temperature Control Arrays, you could still own a cave residence with pleasant scenery and a comfortable climate.

"Not bad."

Taking a light sip of the Spirit Tea, Su Ye’s eyes showed delight.

Besides the taste of the Spirit Tea, what made him even happier was the progress in his own cultivation!

In these few months, his Magical Power cultivation had not improved much.

But his speed in comprehending the Laws was astonishingly fast!

[Law Comprehension: Netherworld Skill (100%), Erosion Flow Skill (34%), Life and Death Skill (60%)]

In just a few short months, his comprehension of the Erosion Flow Skill had risen to 34%!

Compared to before, it was almost twice as fast.

It was only natural.

After absorbing the Dao Source, his Life and Death Skill had taken a great leap. This freed up Su Ye’s time and energy, which, with the assistance of the Ghostly Flood Dragon’s source energy, could be focused entirely on comprehending the Erosion Flow Skill.

As such, the speed of his improvement was naturally astonishing!

’In another three months, I’ll meet the standard for advancement,’ Su Ye thought with satisfaction.

At this moment, a Communication Talisman lit up.

"Mr. Su... I have a lead on that item you wanted," Feng Shaochai’s voice came from within the Communication Talisman.

Su Ye’s interest was piqued. His eyes flickered as he waited for Feng Shaochai to continue.

The matter he had entrusted to Feng Shaochai was no trivial affair, but to exchange his contribution from the ruins for natural treasures.

Because it involved a fifth-tier treasure, the matter was very troublesome. Even with the True Treasure Pavilion’s channels, he had to wait for several months.

"Feng, how did it go?"

Feng Shaochai didn’t beat around the bush. "Regarding the natural treasures you requested, we don’t have anything for the divine soul at the moment."

"But there is one natural treasure that helps the physical body advance, and it’s a perfect fit."

"This item is called the ’Dragon Demon Heart.’ The Dragon Demon was a fifth-tier Demon Emperor, famous for its powerful physique. Refining the essence blood of its heart is extremely beneficial for the physical body!"

"However..."

"This treasure does not belong to the True Treasure Pavilion, but to the Sword Sect... The Sword Sect has tentatively agreed to the exchange, but there is an additional condition."

Feng Shaochai paused.

Su Ye’s expression was calm. "What’s the condition?"

He wasn’t surprised; he had already expected this.

A fifth-tier treasure was very difficult to obtain. If it belonged to the True Treasure Pavilion, Li Jinhua could have pulled some strings, but something from the Sword Sect wasn’t so easy to get.

Having an extra condition was normal.

Feng Shaochai lowered his voice and said, "Kill someone!"

"Kill a Golden Core cultivator from the Star Casting Hall!"

"I seem to recall... I already killed a True Disciple from the Star Casting Hall?" Su Ye asked with a raised eyebrow.

"So, if you kill one more at Late-stage Golden Core, you’ll have fulfilled the condition," Feng Shaochai said.

"Fine."

Su Ye thought for a moment and agreed.

"Tell me their location. I’m in a hurry."