Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

"Let’s save Nanshan first. His healing abilities are renowned throughout Yaoguang."

"As long as we wake him, our injuries can be treated."

Li Jinhua suggested.

"Alright."

Su Ye took out a medicinal pill, melted it into a liquid, and used it to treat Nanshan.

With the aid of the medicinal liquid, the tenacious life force of a Nascent Soul True Monarch began to take effect.

Nanshan’s mummified body gradually began to recover.

However, it would still be some time before he woke up.

Using this spare time, Su Ye informed Li Jinhua that Volcano State was besieged by a fifth-rank Array.

He also shared his suspicion that the masterminds behind the Array were likely remnants of the Demonic Palace.

"What...?"

"A fifth-rank Array! Remnants of the Demonic Palace!"

Li Jinhua’s golden pupils constricted. Learning that she and the others had fallen into a trap, her heart pounded!

After briefly explaining the situation, Su Ye probed further,

"When I saw the fifth-rank Array, I knew something was wrong and immediately wanted to inform all of you True Monarchs so we could join forces and stop the Demonic Palace remnants’ plot."

"But on my way here, I saw a fiery meteor shoot out from the gray mist and fall toward this place..."

"And then..."

Su Ye glanced around, hesitating to continue.

"May I ask, True Monarch Li, what happened?"

Even though Su Ye had inexplicably disappeared earlier, he had, after all, saved Li Jinhua’s life, which was enough to dispel any suspicion.

Therefore, Li Jinhua did not doubt him. With a sigh, she recounted everything that had happened.

"After Yuan Lan died, Xinghu made a decisive move and took the lead in suppressing the divine spear. The rest of us followed."

"This True Spirit Dao Artifact was indeed powerful. It took the five of us Nascent Soul True Monarchs working together to barely suppress it, slowly grinding it down in an attempt to seal it."

"But, right at that moment..."

"The True Spirit Dao Artifact self-detonated!"

Li Jinhua’s voice was heavy and held a slight tremor, as if she was still shaken by the memory.

"Xinghu and Shishanzi bore the brunt of the blast, taking most of its power. I can no longer sense any trace of their auras."

"As for the spirits of the Grotto Heaven, this turn of events seemed to be beyond their expectations as well. I could feel their shock when the True Spirit Dao Artifact self-detonated."

"Furthermore, a large portion of the True Spirit Dao Artifact’s power struck the core of the Grotto Heaven... It seems the Grotto Heaven’s spirits were also annihilated."

Li Jinhua paused.

"And even so, the residual power was still utterly terrifying!"

"Qixia, Nanshan, and I were all gravely wounded."

She gave a bitter, self-deprecating smile.

"So, it seems the cultivators of our Nine Sects, as well as the spirits of the Grotto Heaven, have all been played by the Demonic Palace remnants this time..."

With her intelligence, she had naturally put the pieces together by now, and her face was filled with bitterness.

"Nngh... This old man..."

Just then, a hoarse voice spoke. Nanshan’s eyes fluttered open, a hint of confusion in them.

"Nanshan, to make a long story short..."

Li Jinhua took the initiative to share the intelligence.

She let Nanshan know how critical the situation was: the Demonic Palace remnants were lying in wait outside, ready to wipe them all out.

This was also a precaution.

A healer can save lives, but they can also take them.

Nanshan belonged to a different faction than the two women. If he had any crooked ideas while healing them, it would be a disaster!

"The Demonic Palace remnants have surrounded Volcano State with a fifth-rank Array, planning to wipe us all out?"

"Is that really what’s happening?!"

Nanshan was aghast, his long eyebrows twitching.

And at this moment, he had no choice but to believe it.

As time passed, the gray mist surrounding Volcano State had already begun to shrink.

From the volcanic fortress, one could clearly see a thick bank of gray mist on the horizon.

"Nanshan, in this time of crisis, our only chance of survival is to work together!" Li Jinhua said in a low voice, emphasizing her point once more.

"I understand."

Nanshan took a deep breath.

"Then I must ask you, Nanshan, to heal us. Please awaken Qixia first."

Li Jinhua didn’t stand on ceremony and spoke directly.

"Of course."

Nanshan nodded, his tone solemn.

He summoned his Glazed Jade Purification Bottle, mobilized his Nascent Soul’s Magical Power, raised his right hand, and formed a Technique.

Su Ye could feel a mysterious aura surge as Nanshan cast his spell. A law of healing descended upon the area, channeled through the Glazed Jade Purification Bottle.

"Spring Rain, Dead Wood Reborn."

Nanshan waved his hand, and from the Jade Purification Bottle, a sweet dew gushed forth like a spring, forming a shower of nourishing rain.

As Li Jinhua was bathed in the sweet rain, a very human-like expression of relief appeared on her face.

The injuries on her true dragon body began to recover at a speed visible to the naked eye.

A few dozen breaths later,

Her body spun, and the massive dragon form flashed with spiritual light, revealing the figure of a graceful and noble woman.

Golden Scale Armor covered her body, forming a form-fitting, bright yellow skirted armor.

Su Ye knew this transformation meant Li Jinhua’s injuries had greatly improved; she no longer needed to maintain her true dragon form to stabilize her condition with its life force!

Soon, with a soft moan, the peach-blossom-faced Qixia awoke from her deep slumber.

After understanding the situation, the three Nascent Soul True Monarchs looked at each other.

Finding themselves in such a predicament, they all felt a bitter taste in their mouths.

"Everyone, there’s no need to be so pessimistic."

Li Jinhua’s golden pupils flashed. Her eyes sharp, she scanned the others and said encouragingly,

"The Demonic Palace remnants’ plan was to have us and the Grotto Heaven’s spirits destroy each other, then use the Array to capture us all in one fell swoop!"

"However, her scheme has its flaws."

"For example, Nanshan is an unforeseen variable. His healing abilities have allowed our injuries to recover quickly, preserving most of our combat strength!"

"Based on this, it’s possible to turn their own plot against them..."

Li Jinhua explained, her tone firm.

Hearing this, the eyes of Qixia and Nanshan, the two Nascent Soul True Monarchs, lit up as well.

"True Monarch Li is right!"

...

「Meanwhile, not far from the temple ruins.」

Su Ye leaned against a broken pillar the height of two men, idly toying with a Spirit Stone in his hand out of boredom.

After all, when Nascent Soul True Monarchs were talking, Su Ye naturally stepped away.

’I have no interest in exposing my true combat strength and attracting suspicion.’

Besides, with his Divine Sense, at such a close distance, the conversation between the three True Monarchs couldn’t escape his ears.

He heard their decision to turn the tables and ambush the Demonic Palace remnants to break the Array, clear as day.

’Not bad.’

’You guys do your best.’

Su Ye nodded to himself. If they could break the Array, it would be a joyous occasion for everyone.

’And even if they fail...’

’I’ll have a few Nascent Souls to draw their fire. When the time comes, I’ll activate the Human Skin Talisman and will most likely be able to escape.’

Su Ye had it all calculated.

’As for Li Jinhua’s safety in that scenario?’

’I’m not her babysitter.’

’I saved her once before. I consider my debt repaid.’

’If it doesn’t work out and she falls here, that’s just her fate...’

Su Ye shrugged, completely unconcerned.

His thoughts were not on this matter at the moment.

’Dream-guardians?’

’Are you still alive... Speak!’

Su Ye’s Divine Sense surged, attempting to contact the Dream-guardians with a specific frequency.

After several attempts, a voice finally echoed in Su Ye’s mind.

However, the voice was extremely faint.

It was also incoherent and contained no useful information.

’They’re not dead, but it seems... they’ve gone senile?’

The corner of Su Ye’s mouth twitched. He was speechless, but he patiently tried to continue making contact.

Compared to the Nascent Soul True Monarchs, he trusted the Dream-guardians more. If he could contact them, he could likely get some useful help.

However, just at that moment,

Su Ye’s body suddenly went rigid. A jolt, like an electric shock, shot up from the base of his spine straight to the top of his head.

The three Nascent Soul True Monarchs felt it even more keenly, and they all simultaneously looked toward the distant gray mist!

WHOOSH.

Within the gray mist, spiritual light bloomed!

An inexplicable aura emerged—lofty, vast, and ancient!

A figure slowly began to emerge!