Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

"These scales are all Second Order materials, very valuable. Moreover, I heard that Second Order Demon Beasts also have a Demon Core, which is the main ingredient for many high-level elixirs. However, I still haven’t found it!"

’Demon Core!?’ Chen Li almost forgot.

He remembered that this was mentioned in the tales of Loose Cultivators.

Unlike humans who need to reach the Golden Core Stage to form a core, Demon Beasts only need to reach Second Order to use their bloodline and demonic power to condense a Demon Core in their dantian. After that, it’s just a matter of continuously purifying and refining it, with their strength increasing day by day.

"I’ll look for it!" Chen Li said.

Right, where is the snake’s dantian?

He walked over to the pile of innards, which had been pulled out by the Traction Skill and looked like a mountain, and began sifting through them with his sword while holding his nose.

The still-beating heart,

pushed to one side.

Gallbladder.

Snake gallbladders are said to improve eyesight.

Set aside.

The swollen stomach, five to six meters long.

Chen Li hesitated for a moment but eventually couldn’t resist the urge and drew his sword to slice open the bloated stomach.

The stomach was surprisingly tough, and without infusing it with Spiritual Power, he couldn’t cut it open right away.

After a short while,

there was a "slosh" sound.

A large number of corpses, corroded by the stomach acid, poured out with the gastric juices like a flood, causing Chen Li to retreat in shock, his face pale.

At the same time, a mix of fishy, rotten, and acidic odors, which had been fermenting overnight as if they were some kind of biochemical weapon, assaulted Chen Li’s nostrils. Even with his experience, he nearly lost his composure.

It took him a while to compose himself before he could force himself to sort through the pile of filth.

The bodies were so corroded that only some rotten flesh was left, totaling seven or eight in number, beyond recognition. Even the exposed bones had their enamel completely eroded away, leaving them full of holes.

Never mind those bodies, Chen Li found that even Magic Artifacts were mostly corroded. As for Spirit Stones, not a single one remained, presumably all having been completely digested and absorbed.

Feeling his stomach churn, Chen Li really wanted to slap himself.

He cursed his impulsiveness.

He quickly used the Traction Skill to fill the giant hole that the snake demon had emerged from the previous day with this indescribable mess and the soil beneath it. Then he ’dug’ up more soil and thoroughly sealed it off.

As for burying the bodies not far from his bedroom, was he going to lose sleep over it at night?

Think about the several bodies buried in the yard last winter, how lushly the weeds are growing there now!

He had long since grown used to it. If it really came down to it, he’d just draw a few more Evil-Repelling Talismans and keep them in his bedroom.

...

He didn’t dare discard the emptied stomach.

After all, it came from a Second Order Demon Beast and could sell for a good amount of money.

It’s the same old story, anyway. It’s not like he’s the one who’s going to eat it.

After a long search, Chen Li finally found the Demon Core among a pile of intestines.

The Demon Core was a vivid red color, like blood.

Small enough to fit in one hand, it was the size of a ping-pong ball.

It felt very hard, akin to a crystal. Its surface was incredibly smooth and glowed mysteriously in the darkness, incredibly eye-catching.

With just a slight sensing, he could feel the powerful energy fluctuations inside, subtly making his heart beat faster.

Zhou Hong stopped peeling scales and curiously came closer: "This is the Demon Core, so beautiful!" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Both Qi Cultivation Stage Loose Cultivators, obviously, had never seen such a thing before.

"Can this be eaten?" Chen Li asked.

"Definitely not." Zhou Hong quickly said, "You better not eat it, I’ve never heard that it’s edible."

"What about soaking it in wine?" Chen Li asked again.

All things can be soaked.

"Anyway, don’t eat it. What if something goes wrong?"

"Alright!"

Chen Li was just asking. He wouldn’t dare to eat such a mysterious thing without understanding it clearly.

He put away the Demon Core and continued to work with Zhou Hong on the snake demon.

The entire snake demon, from head to tail, was seventeen or eighteen meters long, and every piece of it was a valuable spiritual material, especially the sharp fangs and the entire spine. They looked snow-white and translucent, shining with a faint spiritual light, all showing signs of crystallization.

Lunch was, of course, Second Order Demon Beast Meat.

He usually could easily eat a pound and a half of meat per meal.

But this time, after only one pound, he felt a bit full.

The flesh of the Demon Beast was firm and tough, like chewing on rubber bands, challenging to break down if one’s teeth were not strong; however, the taste was incredibly savory, particularly the broth made by stewing it, so delicious it was almost explosive to the taste buds.

Zhou Hong ate only a piece of meat and drank a bowl of the broth before she stopped eating.

The majority was left to him.

Not long after eating, my stomach began to feel warm and cozy, and then a feeling of dry heat spread throughout my body, turning my skin bright red.

Compared to the Qi and Blood Elixir, the effect was no less remarkable.

It was even arguably a bit better.

After finishing their meal, the two continued to work until they were still busy into the night.

Fortunately, the Second Order Demon Beast possessed extremely strong vitality and wasn’t as prone to decay as First Order Demon Beasts. Even after death, its muscles still instinctively twitched and writhed, producing no foul odor during dissection.

...

Evening.

Afterward.

"How much do you think we should sell this meat for?" Chen Li said.

"Previously, the market did sell Second Order Demon Beast Meat, generally at the price of one Low-grade Spirit Stone per pound. But now that everyone is short on money, I’m afraid few can afford this price," Zhou Hong, snuggled up in Chen Li’s arms, whispered softly.

"Naturally, it has to be cheaper. We have so much serpent demon meat, and it would be a hassle if it cannot be sold," Chen Li said.

"I think... let’s not sell it after all!" Zhou Hong hesitated for a while before voicing her concern, "The risk is too high, a Second Order Demon Beast could draw the attention of everyone."

"Let me think, let me think!" Chen Li murmured to himself, also hesitant in his heart.

The profit was too significant.

The matter too great.

It could possibly create a sensation in the market.

Just selling as a butcher, I’m afraid that facade won’t hold, and there are always those who itch for action.

But to not make money when it’s there for the taking felt too unsatisfactory.

Over ten tonnes, excluding bones and scales, there were at least ten tonnes of Demon Beast Meat.

Eating it ourselves, who knows until what year and month that would last.

And making all of it into jerky wasn’t practical either.

The key was salt.

With the caravans no longer coming, the Green River District was out of salt.

The salt used at home was purchased at a high price from some destitute Loose Cultivators in the market.

The price was exorbitant, but Chen Li didn’t care about that.

The key was where to buy such a large quantity?

"I’m not afraid of others, just wary of the Yu Family’s Foundation Establishment," Chen Li analyzed, his words occasionally revealing determination:

"However, he has been senile. Judging by his style since arriving here, he doesn’t seem like someone who enjoys taking risks. He has consistently kept a low profile, never once making a move to date.

He must still fear a Second Order Demon Beast.

Otherwise, whether for fame, profit, or authority, it wouldn’t have been my turn to kill this Demon Beast.

And one who fears a Second Order Demon Beast will also fear the person who killed a Second Order Demon Beast. He will be cautious and think twice before acting...

Moreover, he probably won’t care for such small profits."

...

The next day, when it was still dim outside, Chen Li left the house transformed into a butcher and knocked on Zhao Lin’s door.

"Big brother, what’s the matter?" Zhao Lin said, confused.

"It’s a big deal. I need you to buy some Evil-Repelling Talismans at whatever price you can get them for. I’ll give you three Mid-grade Spirit Stones for each, as many as you can get. Can you have them by tonight?" Chen Li got straight to the point.

The Evil-Repelling Talisman, known as the strongest defensive talisman during the Qi Cultivation Stage, was said to be able to withstand a strike from Foundation Establishment.

It rarely appeared on the market.

And its price fluctuated drastically.

The valuation was difficult to pinpoint, and was determined by market demand.

Chen Li was fully prepared to pay the price of a Mid-grade Magic Artifact for a one-time use Evil-Repelling Talisman.

After all, it was an item essential for survival.

Even if faced with a late-stage Qi Cultivation practitioner wielding a high-grade magic sword, it could withstand several hits without breaking.

With the Evil-Repelling Talisman in hand, Chen Li feared no enemy but the Yu Family’s Foundation Establishment.

Zhao Lin immediately became excited: "Big brother, are you going after the Demon Beasts again... With that price, someone will surely sell. Leave the Evil-Repelling Talismans to me; I guarantee you’ll have them by tonight."

There was no need for an Evil-Repelling Talisman for ordinary Demon Beasts.

Chen Li thought to himself.

Seeing how confident he was.

Chen Li couldn’t help but add, "No more than five!"

After some thought, he took out a pouch of Spirit Stones from his sleeve, grudgingly gave Zhao Lin fifteen Mid-grade Spirit Stones, and said, "It seems you’re out of money too, so pay me back the difference. Be extremely careful with everything, I’ll come find you again tonight!"

Looking at the substantial sum in his hand.

There was a moment when Zhao Lin felt an urge to take the money and run, to disappear and change his identity forever.

But that was just a thought:

"Big brother, rest assured! Even if we have to risk our lives today, we’ll get you a few Evil-Repelling Talismans."