Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

The ruins.

Su Ye stroked the jade slip, his thoughts racing as he finalized his plan.

’Frame Qinghua. Make that remnant of the Demon Palace, that disciple of the Blood Moon, act as my shield and draw all the fire.’

’I’m sure that once news gets out about a Demon Palace remnant appearing—even if it’s just a rumor—it will be enough to occupy a significant portion of the Jade Void Sword Sect’s attention...’

’Or better yet... it might directly mislead them, making the Jade Void Sword Sect think the unfamiliar Nascent Soul they’re hunting *is* the Demon Palace remnant.’

A smile graced Su Ye’s lips as he considered this.

Then, with steady steps, he walked into the darkness.

He had promised to refine the Dao Source. It was time to fulfill that promise.

’After I refine the Dao Source, I’ll hunt a few more Golden Cores. With Qinghua taking the blame, it’s no big deal...’ Su Ye thought casually. When you have a scapegoat, you can act without fear!

Lost in thought, Su Ye moved swiftly, passing through one corridor and chamber after another.

The power of the Dao Source that permeated these ruins suppressed most Escape Techniques and forbade flight.

However, the suppression on the physical body wasn’t strong. Given Su Ye’s Physical Realm, his speed was not hindered in the slightest.

As for the ruin monsters that tried to block his path, he dispatched them quickly, turning them into experience points to bolster his foundation.

Soon.

Following the directions, Su Ye reached the underground entrance.

As it was also a Li Huo Divine Hall, the architectural style was more or less the same. The layout of this ruin was also shaped like an inverted pyramid, extending deep underground.

"Huh?"

’Someone already beat me to it?’

Su Ye stared at the open bronze doors of the underground entrance.

Noticing the lingering traces of battle near the doors, he raised an eyebrow.

It seemed that more than one cultivator had already reached this place.

’They’re making quick progress...’

’Then again, this is what these cultivators came for.’

Su Ye mused, not particularly surprised.

Over the past few days, he had been busy slaughtering Golden Cores and hunting monsters.

As for exploring the ruins, he hadn’t really put much thought into it.

It was only natural that he had fallen behind.

HUMM.

Su Ye narrowed his eyes, and the map shared by the Dream Guardian appeared in his mind.

A quick glance showed several points of light representing cultivators.

"Hm?"

’These three dots are quite close... and from the looks of their trajectory, two are chasing one?’

’Could they be fighting?’

Su Ye muttered to himself, a smile spreading across his face.

As the old saying goes: When the snipe and the clam grapple, the fisherman profits!

’Besides...’

’Qinghua, in their madness, cultivated the Blood Moon Demon Skill, killing people to steal their cores and refine techniques. That sort of thing needs a few witnesses...’

Su Ye murmured under his breath and melted into the shadows.

Having refined a trace of Dao Source, and with the ability to mobilize Shadow Power using the Netherworld Skill, this cold and terrifying ruin could be considered his semi-home turf.

...

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"

"My luck today is the absolute worst!"

Down the long corridor, a petite figure hurried along with graceful, lotus-like steps.

She had delicate features and a healthy, vibrant, wheat-toned complexion. It was Wu Yiling, the Golden Core from the Profound Light Cave who had briefly met Su Ye before!

"Hand over the treasure!"

"Or today will be the day you die!"

Behind her, two cultivators in different attire, both radiating a sinister aura, were in hot pursuit!

One was a middle-aged man in a tattered black robe, with graying hair at his temples. His eyes were completely black, with no visible whites.

This gave his otherwise ordinary face a terrifying and demonic quality that was unsettling to behold.

The other was a young man with red hair scattered over his brow, carrying a gloomy air about him.

’Wu Tong.’

’Xuetu.’

Wu Yiling glanced back, her mind racing as indignation filled her face!

These two were only at the Mid-stage Golden Core Cultivation Realm. Moreover, they were rogue cultivators from humble origins. Even though they had sided with the Star Casting Hall, their foundations were already set, making it difficult for them to obtain any profound and powerful techniques!

If Wu Yiling were at her peak, killing these two Golden Cores might be a little difficult, but she could defeat them in a matter of moments and send them fleeing for their lives!

’Detestable...’

’If that ferocious corpse fiend hadn’t damaged my foundation...’

’What would these two rogue scoundrels amount to?!’

Wu Yiling was furious.

She was a late-stage grand cultivator being chased by two mid-stage ones. Of course she was seething with frustration!

"Ugh..."

It seemed her rage had aggravated her injuries, causing them to flare up.

Her face paled, and a coppery, sweet taste rose in her throat, making her want to vomit blood.

She quickly took out a talisman and slapped it onto herself, finally managing to suppress the injury.

"Her injuries are acting up! After her!"

The two rogue cultivators behind her shouted with glee!

"Damn it!"

Wu Yiling was incredibly annoyed.

While exploring the first underground level, she had stumbled upon a hidden compartment by a stroke of luck.

It contained some excellent items that made her heart pound with desire, but the compartment was guarded by a corpse fiend whose strength was close to the Golden Core Perfection realm. It was exceptionally ferocious!

Their first exchange had left her slightly injured.

It was only because the corpse fiend had low intelligence and lacked adaptability that she had a chance.

But even so, she had to go through immense trouble, use all of her Divine Techniques, and rely on setting up an Array Formation ambush just to kill it and obtain the few treasures inside the secret room!

In the process, the corpse fiend’s final counterattack had left her severely wounded!

Of course, Wu Yiling felt the price was worth it.

But then, the commotion from killing the corpse fiend seemed to have attracted attention.

In no time, two rogue cultivators from the Star Casting Hall’s side arrived, drawn by the sound!

At first, they probed and threatened her. But upon seeing she was heavily injured, their rogue cultivator instincts took over, and they attacked without another word!

Left with no choice, Wu Yiling could only fight a retreating battle and try to escape.

"Heavenly materials and earthly treasures belong to the virtuous!"

"Ghostly Stab!"

Wu Tong shouted, and a brilliant light gleamed in his pitch-black eyes.

A ghostly light shot out, forming a terrifying specter that shrieked as it flew like an arrow loosed from a bow, aiming straight for Wu Yiling’s back!