Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

The Guardian’s Sea Folk script was perfectly standard.

But unfortunately for them, Su Ye, a descendant of the old gods, was merely a dabbler; he couldn’t understand a single word.

"What did you write? I don’t understand it."

Su Ye spread his hands helplessly.

It was all his poor education’s fault.

All the Guardian’s hard work was like winking at a blind man—a total waste.

Fortunately, upon seeing Su Ye’s reaction, the Guardian quickly realized the problem.

HUMMM.

On the pitch-black stone stele, the characters flickered. The Sea Folk script vanished, replaced by ancient cultivation script.

This was the common script used throughout the Spiritual Mechanism Immortal Dao Civilization Circle, from the Yaoguang Islands to the Xuan Continent. Nearly all Cultivation Techniques and inherited arts were recorded in this ancient script.

Once it switched to the ancient cultivation script, they could communicate without issue.

"You may call us the Dream Guardians, the guardians of this divine kingdom since the Li Huo Divine Lord departed for the celestial realm."

"Noble being, these words are for your ears alone. The kingdom of the Li Huo Divine Lord is being assailed by an ancient darkness. We desperately need your help..."

"Oh."

"What’s in it for me?" Su Ye asked calmly. ’Helping out of the goodness of my heart? Impossible. Even public servants get paid, so why should I work for them for free?’

The Dream Guardians were momentarily speechless.

’He’s talking about money right off the bat?’

’Hilarious. If we’re not talking about money, are we supposed to talk about our feelings?’

Su Ye folded his arms, his gaze critical as he sized up the pitch-black stone stele.

Although he still had no idea what these "things" were or what problem they faced, one thing was perfectly clear to Su Ye.

’Dream Guardians...’

’These guys really need my help,’ Su Ye continued to ponder.

’Based on my guess, their state of existence is similar to an earth spirit’s... which means I can assume that my every move since entering this Grotto Heaven has been watched.’

’In that case, what did I do to attract their attention?’ Su Ye’s thoughts raced as scenes flashed through his mind.

Finally, his thoughts settled on the temple ruins.

On the moment he killed the Undead Lord and refined the Dao Source!

’Dao Source?’

’Is that it?’

Su Ye figured that was most likely it.

His other actions within the divine kingdom only showed that he had ’outstanding combat power,’ far surpassing others of his rank.

But while combat power was important, it didn’t make him irreplaceable.

After all, if formidable combat power were the only criterion, the slumbering Undead Lord in the temple ruins—a fifth-tier being—would have been a candidate!

Its strength far surpassed Su Ye’s!

His uniqueness, he figured, must be his panel’s special ability to refine Dao Source!

...

Hmm.

Having finished his contemplation, Su Ye ventured a guess.

"Esteemed Dream Guardians, you want me to help refine the other Dao Sources in the divine kingdom?"

The script on the pitch-black stele flickered once more.

The Dream Guardians: "Yes."

The Dream Guardians readily admitted it and began to entice him.

"The Li Huo Divine Kingdom is home to countless treasures, and innumerable objects beneficial to cultivators."

"If you help us refine the Dao Source, you may choose from any of these Spiritual Objects!"

As the words formed, numerous images manifested before Su Ye’s eyes to prove their point.

The images were projections from a corner of the volcanic Grotto Heaven. Within them, one could see clusters of rare and precious Spiritual Objects growing together.

These Spiritual Objects were nearly all fourth-tier.

And there was no small number of fifth-tier Spiritual Objects as well!

Their spiritual light was rich and incredibly alluring. If placed in the outside world, this collection of Spiritual Objects would cause a massive uproar. Even someone as venerable as a Nascent Soul True Monarch would find it difficult to remain indifferent!

Su Ye, of course, was no exception.

His gaze shifted, focusing on one image in particular: deep within a mine, at the heart of a vein, was a Ruby that seemed to burn with an inner fire!

"This is..."

"The Crimson Tears, a fifth-tier soul-type treasure!"

Su Ye was overjoyed!

He had recently spent time poring over the True Treasure Pavilion’s collection, cramming information on high-tier treasures!

He paid special attention to treasures that could help his physical body and soul break through to the fifth tier, committing them to memory.

So now, he recognized the Crimson Tears with a single glance!

"’Crimson Tears, the Dragon Demon’s Heart... If I can get my hands on both of these ultimate treasures, it means that when I break through to the late-stage Golden Core realm, I’ll have a very high chance of elevating my physical body and soul to the fifth tier!’" Su Ye muttered, waves of excitement stirring within him.

He knew such opportunities were rare. In the current Yaoguang Islands, fifth-tier cultivation resources were almost completely monopolized by the Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

With his current status, it was already his absolute limit to have obtained a Dragon Demon’s Heart on this last fortunate occasion.

Even with Li Jinhua’s high regard for him, it would be difficult to make another exception. Besides, ultimate treasures that enhanced the body and soul were exceptionally rare; even the Nine Sects of the Inner Sea didn’t have many.

’I must have these Crimson Tears!’

Su Ye’s resolve was set.

However, he was well-versed in the art of negotiation. Despite the wild excitement in his heart, he let none of it show.

Instead, a troubled expression crossed his face, and he let out a sigh.

"Seniors."

"You must be well aware of what a thing like Dao Source is."

"I am currently but a Golden Core cultivator. Every time I refine Dao Source, I suffer a permanent loss. The price I pay is truly grievous."

"What I did back at the temple ruins was a desperate act of survival. I had no other choice..."

The Dream Guardians listened, half-believing and half-doubting.

What Su Ye said was plausible. The essence of Dao Source was exceedingly high. For a mere Golden Core cultivator like Su Ye to be able to refine it was already an astonishing feat.