On the other side, Jiang Miaoyin, standing beside Chu Xiu, looked at the smile on his face and said somewhat aggrievedly: "Senior, youâve made a fortune this time, but Iâve expended quite a bit of Instantaneous for reducing your exploration time."
Chu Xiu smiled, knowing full well that she was laying it on thick, but he didnât mind, and casually tossed the newly acquired King Tier Equipment over to her.
Jiang Miaoyinâs eyes lit up, and she hurriedly caught it, sweetly calling, "Thank you, Senior! This girl and her Instantaneous are wholeheartedly at your service!"
Chu Xiu waved his hand: "Any new intelligence?"
During these three months, other explorers were not idle, especially those two Heroic Spirits, who had already visited dozens of cities, bringing new intelligence every day.
Yet Jiang Miaoyin never haggled about this but always synchronized the latest news with Chu Xiu immediately, which had increased his favorable impression of her.
Although Chu Xiu has a rather cold personality, he is not someone who would use others and then discard them without any regard.
To be honest, having allies from a prestigious family does bring a lot of convenience.
"Yesterday, I asked two seniors and several friends again," Jiang Miaoyin began to report to Chu Xiu, "still no news on any survivors of the Exorcist Civilization."
"However, a friend of mine did discover a cellar that was remarkably well-preserved. It contains some artifacts from the past, not worth much money, but can be sent to us."
"Moreover, there is noteworthy information about High Tier Ghosts of this world."
"According to our advisorsâ analysis and judgment, the High Tier Ghosts around here basically all have the trait of an Extremely Yin Constitution, which greatly enhances their combat power in a Yin Qi environment. Not only can they harness Yin Qi against the enemy, but they can also devour it to recover from injuries."
"The higher the level and the larger the ghost, the more obvious this trait becomes."
"Furthermore, these High Tier Ghosts enjoy cultivating subordinate ghosts, usually forming their own factions, which can confer special aura and buff-like enhancements to each other."
"It would be quite difficult to deal with colossal ghosts like Kunpeng if we encounter them in the Inner Layer Area."
Jiang Miaoyinâs words made Chu Xiu nod in agreement, as he had some expectation.
After the Soul Banner upgraded to the Hundred Souls Banner, it began to manifest skills like General Order and Blood Devouring, and after becoming the Thousand Souls Banner, it developed traits with battle array effects.
The Ghost General could even absorb power from its subordinate ghostly creatures.
Itâs because, as soul-type entities, they lack physical bodies, making it easy to link together in special forms. Itâs not surprising that the ghosts here have this kind of Divine Technique.
As for the Extremely Yin Body, it makes perfect sense. After living in such a dense Yin Qi environment for a long time, they naturally developed corresponding means.
"But this further increases the risk level of the Inner Layer Area."
The ghost Chu Xiu encountered last time was truly massive; this kind of foundation comes from thriving in a Yin Qi-rich area for two thousand years. Such a colossal form conceals an immense amount of energy and control over a vast range of Yin Qi.
If it were outside, at most, it would be another Celestial Dragon Level King Tier, perhaps even inferior, but in this Yin Qi saturated Blessed Land, it poses a headache even for Heroic Spirits!
"So, Senior, what should we do next? The resources in the outskirts have nearly been exhausted."
"Some concealed paths and chambers remain, but continuing the search would be time-consuming with little promise of reward."
"Should we take a look at the Inner Layer?" Jiang Miaoyin asked with some anticipation.
Sheâs only been able to receive twenty percent, but in these recent months, sheâs gained considerable benefits, much more than she would have achieved alone, wandering blindly, and with increased safety assurances as well.
Chu Xiu pondered and said, "Thereâs no rush; letâs first pick a place to retreat. I need to make some preparations."
"Oh, are you going to make more mysterious toys, like the ones used against the Murder Ghost before?"
"Something like that." Chu Xiu nodded.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Miaoyin said no more, quickly deploying Instantaneous to search.
Over the past three months, sheâs nearly explored the entire outer layer, so swiftly found a suitable retreat location.
It was in a cave inward at the base of a deep valley. For reasons unknown, nearby Yin Qi gathered inward, making the concentration higher here than in other places, perfectly suited for closed cultivation.
The two came to the innermost part. Chu Xiu raised his hand, releasing all the ghostly creatures to absorb Yin Qi for cultivation. Jiang Miaoyin marveled repeatedly at how the Ghostly Legion had doubled in size in just three months, and lavished a chain of compliments.
This made Chu Xiu quite amused. Arenât geniuses from major families always high-minded, noses up in the air? How had the Jiang Family nurtured such a brownnoser?
He waved his hand, and the ghosts dispersed to cultivate; though the Yin Qi here was very thick, it still wasnât enough to support so many ghosts in cultivation.
In no time, the area covering several miles was filled with Chu Xiuâs ghostly creatures.
As for himself, he released the Resurrected Corpses of the three Celestial Gods like Yaksha for protection while he submerged himself into the Iron Armor Corpse to prepare for cultivation.
Upon leveling up, he naturally unlocked a new inheritance, and it was time for another round of point allocation.
Yet at this moment, Jiang Miaoyinâs voice came through: "Senior, now that your summoned creatures are this powerful, surely you donât still need this girl to act as Dharma Protector? How about I take this time to explore outside?"
Chu Xiu thought for a moment and said, "Donât go."
"Youâve also captured a few ghosts during this time, so use this opportunity to refine them into Curse Spirits."
Upon these words, Jiang Miaoyin pouted in grievance: "Senior, you arenât worried that Iâd sneak off with resources, are you? Weâve been together for so long, and you still donât trust me at least that much?"
Chu Xiu shook his head: "Iâm worried for your safety out there."
"What danger is there? Iâm not going into the inner..." Jiang Miaoyin paused halfway, as if realizing something, and said incredulously: "Wait, Senior, donât tell me that Murder Ghost is still following us?"
"Indeed." Chu Xiu also felt a bit helpless; he was tempted to applaud the Murder Ghostâs persistence.
For these three months, itâs been haunting the two like an avenging wraith.
It seems that due to the Yin Qi environment, the attributes of that Spirit Puppet have been greatly reduced, and its concealment abilities have greatly diminished, so the Murder Ghost hasnât found a suitable chance.
Even so, it persistently tracked them, while Chu Xiu constantly doubted if his identity had truly been compromised.
Otherwise, why would this person have nothing better to do than cling to them?
Yet considering this personâs neurotic tendencies, itâs hard to say.
Upon attaining Golden Embryo Divine Forger Perfection, Chu Xiu naturally no longer feared this individual, but Jiang Miaoyin wandering out alone could indeed entail some risks.
"So, Senior, you were worrying about me." Jiang Miaoyinâs voice, somewhat smug, drifted over from beyond the dense iron armor, "Why didnât you just say so? Youâre really not a straightforward person, Senior."
Chu Xiuâs mouth twitched: "Youâre getting a bit presumptuous."
Outside the Iron Armor, a series of bell-like laughs could be heard as Jiang Miaoyin summoned four Curse Spirits, standing guard cheerfully at the passage entrance like a dutiful bodyguard.
Chu Xiu ignored her, focusing instead on examining the newly unlocked inheritance.
From the line of Duo Bao Demon Venerable, naturally came the Artifact Refining Atlas, containing details of over a hundred artifacts, each leaving Chu Xiu dazzled.
And each one had a power so incredible it was astounding.
"If the Atlasâs description isnât exaggerated, even the lowest quality ones are comparable to Heroic Spirit Level Myths, like the Royal Five Dragon Crown! Achieving Demigod Level wouldnât even be surprising!"
Demigod Level Myths; even those Celestial Kings donât possess many.
The most terrifying part was that some artifacts might have even higher power!
Artifacts beyond Myth? Chu Xiu couldnât even begin to comprehend the extent of their power or even know what theyâre called!
This left him immensely anticipating.
With this venture into the Hundred Demons Melting Furnace World yielding considerable gains, and with half a month still left before Kyotoâs auction, he plans to conduct a shallow exploration in the Inner Area before returning to purchase materials.
If successful in refining an artifact, and then imbuing other equipment with Demonization and the powers of the Four Symbols...
Chu Xiu believed heâd then be genuinely able to hold his own against many Heroic Spirits in a frontal confrontation.
With this decision made, he continued reviewing the other two inheritances.
Two names came into view.
[Purgatory Demon Corpse (Supreme Demon Lord)]
[Demon Energy Soldiers (Innate Divine Demon)]