The third day the demon hunting team entered the gray desert.
It's two o'clock, that is, half past nine in the morning.
After each member of the team took turns eating, the team set off on time as planned under the instructions of captain Shi Jun.
Today is a sunny day, and the sun shines very brightly. Affected by this, the visibility in the gray desert has also improved a lot.
Across the chaotic demonic energy surging around him, Gao Yuan squinted his eyes and looked into the distance.
Wherever he looked, he could vaguely see the vague outline of a small mountain peak hundreds of meters high, which was the end point of their exploration.
According to Shi Jun's plan, the team will arrive at this hill this afternoon, spend half a day collecting resources here, and camp here at night.
Then starting tomorrow, the team will go around this hill and return to Forward Camp No. 1 via another route.
That's right, Shi Jun's team's planned trip in the gray desert this time is six days.
In fact, this is also the standard itinerary for many demon-hunting teams formed by ordinary cultivators to explore in the gray desert. Very few demon-hunting teams explore the gray desert for more than seven days at a time.
Because exploring the depths of the gray desert is a very tiring task. During this period, you must maintain a high degree of alertness, and from time to time, you must rely on the opening and closing of sensory blind spots to promptly discover the succubi lurking nearby. After they appear, they are often still there.
It takes a fierce battle to kill it.
Although Kaiyuan Realm monks have far more energy than ordinary people and can take about three hours of rotational rest time after each camp, this cannot make up for the energy consumption caused by a day of high concentration.
Over time, fatigue will inevitably lead to inability to concentrate or even mind wandering.
And in the gray desert where danger is everywhere, even a brief distraction can be fatal!
What's more, as the demon-hunting team continues to deepen into the gray desert, the frequency of succubi appearing becomes higher and higher, and its average strength becomes stronger and stronger!
Just like now, after two days of trekking, Shi Jun's team is now thousands of miles away from the No. 1 forward camp.
Succubi in the early Kaiyuan period, which were common in peripheral areas, are now very rare.
From noon yesterday to before setting up camp in the evening, the team encountered 9 waves of 14 succubi in total, including 11 in the middle stage of the Kaiyuan realm and 3 in the late stage of the Kaiyuan realm, but none of them had initial strength!
Just when Gao Yuan's thoughts were racing, he suddenly heard Shi Jun's quiet voice coming from behind him:
"Two succubi! Be on guard for attack!"
At the same time, he suddenly felt two strange and gloomy auras coming from behind, which were the afterglow of the succubus attack!
Before he could think about it carefully, Gao Yuan had already started chanting and forming seals to condense the master-level Explosive Flame Curse before he could turn around.
At the same time, his spiritual thoughts suddenly let go, covering the two succubi with strange black smoke billowing around them.
With the intensity of the black smoke on his body, he instantly determined the strength of the two succubi, one in the middle stage and the other in the late stage!
fine!
Gao Yuan thought and felt slightly relieved.
At this time, Shi Jun had stopped the succubus from the late Kaiyuan period, and Zhai Youzhi also activated the magic weapon to entangle with the remaining one.
He didn't waste any time. While the realm of law dispersed, his spiritual thoughts also locked firmly on the mid-stage succubus.
A moment later, under the guidance of his spiritual thoughts, a red cloud emerged close to the high-speed moving body of the succubus.
At the same time as it was enveloped, it suddenly turned into a blazing fireball, bombarding its fluttering figure to a halt, and was then submerged by the thunder and lightning chains shot by the Yan Huaili brothers.
In an instant, all kinds of rays of light were seen mixed with dense explosions one after another. After the succubus paused, it no longer had time to breathe. It was soon torn into countless pieces by the violent energy, and the charred remains of the body were scattered everywhere.
splash.
After taking care of one of them, the remaining one didn't last long and was soon severely damaged by the combined attacks of several people.
Then, Gao Yuan fired the second blasting spell in order to steal people's heads, and was blown to pieces.
…
In the evening three days later.
Outside the south gate of Forward Camp No. 1, teams of demon hunters of varying sizes returned from the gray desert from different directions from time to time.
Among them were casual cultivators dressed in different styles, as well as powerful followers wearing standard equipment.
Gao Yuan's team was also one of them. After six days of journey in the gray desert, they finally returned to the No. 1 forward camp again.
·
After entering the area covered by the protective barrier of the camp, the nerves of several people who had been tense for several days finally relaxed a little, and there was no trace of joy on their faces.
They had gained a lot from this trip to the gray desert.
During this period, as many as 73 succubus of all levels were killed, and 73 second-level crystallized magic cores of all levels were harvested, including 39 at the elementary level, 22 at the intermediate level, and 12 at the advanced level.
This batch of crystallized magic cores alone is worth more than 1,000 intermediate spirit stones!
In addition, there are various spiritual materials including 6 clumps of magic grass, the total value of which is at least 2,000 intermediate spiritual stones!
Although this kind of income cannot be compared with those of professional demon hunting teams composed of family disciples, among the casual cultivators, it can already be described as a bumper harvest!
·
As a veteran demon hunter who has been in the gray desert for many years, Shi Jun has established stable cooperative relationships with many shops in the city.
Therefore, within half an hour after entering the city, he successively sold various resources that the team had harvested in the gray desert at a price that was more than 10% higher than the market price, and finally exchanged them for 3,700 intermediate spiritual stones!
Even excluding a series of cost expenses such as the rental fees for talismans, elixirs, and array devices, the net profit from this operation was almost 3,000 intermediate spirit stones!
…
After all the things were sold, the few people didn't waste any time and went straight back to the room that Shi Jun rented at the Baifu Inn.
Looking at the six 'Dang Bai Ling' pushed in front of him, Gao Yuan looked at Shi Jun sitting opposite with a surprised expression.
According to the distribution ratio agreed upon before departure, he could only receive a maximum of 500 intermediate spirit stones this time, instead of the six "100 orders" worth the same as 600 intermediate spirit stones that the other party pushed in front of him.
Seeing Gao Yuan looking at him, Shi Jun said with a smile:
"Our team has always distributed the spoils based on each person's contribution in the operation.
Brother Fang, you have contributed a lot to this trip to the Gray Desert. It would be unfair if we still distribute it according to the previously agreed ratio.
So brother Fang, there is no need to refuse, these six hundred coins are exactly the reward you deserve."
When Zhai Youzhi and others heard what he said, they all echoed in agreement.
Gao Yuanyuan no longer refused. With his current net worth, he didn't care too much about 100 more or less than 100.
Secondly, what Shi Jun said is true. Without him, the harvest this time would definitely not be so rich, at least the killing of the succubus would not be so straightforward!
Tanshou put away these six mahjong-like tiles, and Gao Yuan was about to stand up and leave.
During this trip to the gray desert, the harvest of 600 intermediate spirit stones was just incidental to him. What he valued most was the various experiences and insights accumulated during this process.
Secondly, there was a large amount of source of mutation income. During the period, more than half of the 73 succubi they killed died at his hands. At this time, his number of sources of mutation had accumulated to 2196!
Seeing Gao Yuan was about to leave, Yan Xueli, who was sitting next to him, grabbed him and said:
"Hey, don't leave in a hurry yet, Brother Fang!"
"Yes, there is still more than an hour before the curfew. It's not too late to stay and have a meal before leaving." Zhai Youzhi from the opposite side also interjected.
"Exactly, a few days ago I heard from the shopkeeper Shi of Yuan Zhao Ji that Linyuan City Headquarters sent him a batch of Lao goat meat from the Western Regions.
The shabu-shabu of 'Yuan Zhao Ji' is a must-have in Linyuan City. Coupled with the rare Lao goat from the Western Regions, it is a rare delicacy. Tonight we will go to 'Yuan Zhao Ji' to set up a table as a side dish.
Shi Jun glanced at Gao Yuan calmly, then persuaded with a smile.
Gao Yuan was a little moved when he heard this, but quickly regained his composure.
He didn't really want to be an ordinary casual cultivator who wanted to make a living in the Gray Desert. He temporarily joined Shi Jun's team just to accumulate some experience in the depths of the Gray Desert.
At this point, the goal has been achieved, and it is time for him to withdraw and leave.
When he thought of this, Gao Yuan looked around, cupped his hands and said:
"Thank you Brother Shi for your kindness. Thanks to your advice these days, Fang feels that he has benefited a lot. Logically speaking, this meal should be a banquet for Fang. But after these days of fighting, I have many insights in my heart.
Haha, I was in the gray desert last time and had no time to comprehend it. When I returned to the city, I couldn't wait to find a place to comprehend it in detail. I might not be able to retreat for a while, so this meal was just for me.
That can be left for later.”
After hearing his words, Shi Jun and others all had complicated expressions on their faces.
In fact, whether they are casual cultivators or disciples of major forces, those who are willing to risk their lives wandering in the gray desert are basically people who have certain ideas about the path of cultivation.
Exploring the gray desert to earn cultivation resources is only one of its purposes. In addition, there is also the idea of promoting breakthroughs in cultivation with the help of high-intensity battles.
Otherwise, with the Kaiyuan realm's cultivation and cards, it would be more than enough to live a carefree life if you can find a place to lie down, let alone dominate the outside world!
At this time, hearing Gao Yuan say that he had learned something from the previous battle, how could Shi Jun and the others not feel envious?
In view of this, they did not try to persuade him to stay. They only said that they would wait until Gao Yuan made a breakthrough before working together.
…
Unlike Shi Jun's long-term rental of rooms, Gao Yuan had previously stayed in a room that was charged by the day, so he had already returned the room when he set out a few days ago.
After coming down from the small building where Shi Jun rented, he was going to the inn's cabinet to open another guest room.
Unexpectedly, he had just turned the corner from the stairs, and before he had taken a few steps, he heard an old voice coming from the front:
"This fellow Taoist has invited you."
Gao Yuan raised his head in surprise when he heard the words, only to see an old man with a pale face and a slightly bald head standing two meters away from the opposite side, looking at him with a smile on his face.
He subconsciously looked around, but Sakon found no one except him, so he asked with some uncertainty:
"Your Excellency, are you talking to me?"
The old man Qing Kui nodded, and then asked with a smile:
"Exactly, I am a bit unfamiliar with my fellow Taoist. Do you dare to say that you have just arrived at the No. 1 Forward Camp?"
Seeing the other party's silent smile, Gao Yuan frowned subconsciously. He did not answer the other party's question and asked directly:
"What do you want your Excellency to do with me?"
The old man Qing Kui also seemed a bit unexpected at Gao Yuan's cold reaction. He paused briefly before saying with a smile:
"Fellow Taoist, don't worry too much. I am a casual demon hunter who has been ordered by the captain to recruit new team members.
I saw that fellow Taoist was a little unfamiliar, so I stepped forward to ask. Fellow Taoist is new to this place, and if you are interested in joining the demon hunting team, you might as well join us."
Gao Yuan was stunned when he heard this. He didn't have much doubt about this. Inns, taverns and other places were the main places where the demon hunting team recruited new members.
When he first settled here a few days ago, didn't Shopkeeper Yu help Shi Jun contact him?
However, there are only three days until the alliance's exclusive trading area opens. Since the specific status of the Exile Alliance among the cities in the Northern Territory is still unclear, he has never liked to use the Exile mask in urban areas.
This was also the main reason why he refused to have a dinner party with Shi Jun and others. He was planning to leave early tomorrow morning for a trip back to the wild forest.
Besides, the cooperation between him and Shi Jun is very pleasant. Even if he really wants to join the demon hunting team, he will not consider other teams for the time being.
Therefore, he didn't think much and refused directly:
"I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint fellow Taoist. I already have a fixed team, and I get along very well with my teammates. I have no plans to change the team for the time being."
After saying that, he bowed his hands to the other party and started to leave.
"Hey, fellow Taoist, please stay." When Tang Dexian saw that the man named Fang Huai was about to leave, he hurriedly called out. When he saw the other person's eyes focused on him, he quickly took a few steps to catch up and said with a smile:
"Fellow Taoist, stay here. Please allow me to finish my words first. The team I belong to is also among the top among the entire casual cultivators. Not only is the captain a great monk in the late Kaiyuan realm, but several other teammates are also in the middle stage of the Kaiyuan realm.
, if fellow Taoist joins, the future benefits will definitely be much better than those in other teams..."
Gao Yuan listened patiently for a few words, but soon lost interest. Seeing that the old man Qing Kui wanted to talk more, he interrupted directly:
"I'm sorry. I feel that my cultivation is low. Even if I join your team, it will only make me a laughing stock. If my fellow Taoist is serious, why don't you find someone else."
After saying that, regardless of what the old man said next, he quickly walked towards the main hall of Baifu Inn.
Tang Dexian stood there quietly, watching the man named Fang Huai gradually go away. The smile on his face slowly disappeared, and a cold light suddenly flashed in his slender eyes wrapped in thick eye bags.
After a while, he raised the corner of his mouth and smiled coldly, then turned around and walked away.
…
After paying the room fee for two intermediate spirit stones, Gao Yuan took a look at the brass token and couldn't help but feel shocked.
I saw that the number on the token was exactly the same as the one he lived in before. He stayed in the same room today as last time!
It seems that I am very destined to this house!
While urging the brass token to open the stone door, Gao Yuan joked in his heart.
With the dried meat and water stored in the storage space, he quickly made his own dinner.
Then he sat cross-legged on the stone platform with an animal skin futon and opened the system panel:
【Name】: Gao Yuan
【Shouyuan】:22/203
[Realm]: The third level of Kaiyuan Realm
[Gong method]: Kaiyuan chapter of Tongshenjue, Grandmaster
【Skill】:
…
[Analysis]: Twisted Will: 23576, parsable
[Deduction]: Source of mutation: 2196, can be deduced
Looking at the words 22/203 in the Shouyuan column, Gao Yuan was slightly startled before he reacted.
Time flies so fast, it is already February of the new year, and in more than six months, it will be two years since he came to this world!
In the past year or so, he has experienced a lot and changed a lot. Even his longevity has increased from 73 at the beginning to 203 now!
Tsk, a life span of more than two hundred years, and this is not the real limit yet. As long as his cultivation level can continue to improve, his life span will continue to increase.
With the momentum of 20 years of improvement from the first level of Kaiyuan Realm, by the time he reaches the ninth level of Kaiyuan Realm, his lifespan may be as high as 323 years!
After briefly exhilarating himself for a few seconds, he immediately opened the deduction panel and browsed through the various skill promotion information listed on it. Finally, he focused on the Explosive Flame Curse.