CHAPTER 293: CHAPTER 14 DEMON DAO BEGINS TO EMERGE

Zhang Yan took out the Zhi Ma Fruit from his sleeve. As soon as this plump white fruit was removed, the bud split into four directions, and a white foal the size of a baby’s palm leaped out, its curious and lively eyes glancing around.

This Zhi Ma, born from the spiritual nourishment of Earth Qi, took a thousand years to take form. Its entire body was snow-white and tender, with whirlwinds of cloud mist circling beneath its four hooves, exceptionally majestic. The yin energy in this place seemed to delight it greatly, as it let out a chirping sound like a bird, excitedly running around Zhang Yan before disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Yan remained calm, not worried about the Zhi Ma getting lost. With the Ganoderma Bud in hand, no matter where this Zhi Ma ran off to, it would eventually return obediently.

Sure enough, not long after, the Zhi Ma returned, affectionately rubbing against Zhang Yan’s feet.

Mu Hongchen exclaimed with surprise, "I didn’t expect Daoist Zhang to have tamed this Zhi Ma so well."

The Zhi Ma is different from ordinary spiritual objects. Besides feeding on various yin energies, its owner must also nurture it with essence blood monthly. Over time, it becomes inseparable, obedient to commands.

The reason Mu Hongchen previously agreed with Zhang Yan to take two months was considering that Zhang Yan would need at least that much time to barely tame the Zhi Ma.

In her imagination, the time was already quite short, yet upon seeing it, she didn’t expect the Zhi Ma to be so well-behaved.

Zhang Yan gently smiled and said, "Just a stroke of luck."

Only he knew that the Zhi Ma was so obedient because it consumed a Shell Pearl daily.

The Shell Pearl, refined from the essence of Spiritual Shells, greatly nourished this Zhi Ma type of spiritually-formed objects born of heaven and earth. Now, it had long become addicted, unable to go a day without it, so how could it not listen to Zhang Yan?

Even the Five-Colored Spirit Lizards used for cleaning Cave Mansions on Spiritual Paper Island typically only prey on insects, consuming a Spiritual Pearl just once every few months. This form of cultivation and nurturing could only be afforded by cultivators like Zhang Yan, who could easily produce tens of thousands of Spiritual Shells.

Zhang Yan reached out a finger, ruffling the Zhi Ma’s tender nose. With a shift in his thoughts, this intelligent Zhi Ma immediately understood his intention. It chirped twice, and with a trail of white smoke under its four hooves, it darted into the depths of the Fifth Realm seeking Netherworld Qi.

He smiled and said to Mu Hongchen, "Fellow Daoist, I have sent the Zhi Ma to search for that Demon Storage. We can wait here."

He and the Zhi Ma shared a bond of blood and spirit, so as soon as there was a discovery, he could hurry there.

In this Fifth Realm’s Netherworld Qi, they were already quite close to the Nether River below. Xuan Guang Stage Practitioners with slightly weaker cultivation would not withstand the duration, and without that "Heart Protecting Lamp," aside from Zhang Yan and Mu Hongchen, the remaining two female disciples of Chenxiang Sect wouldn’t be able to hold on for much longer.

The Sixth Realm’s "Hooking Injury Resentment" was even more formidable. Just the inhalation of a trace could invade the skin and erode the bones, damaging the internal organs. Xuan Guang Practitioners, if equipped with a protective dharma treasure and not staying too long, might still manage a visit.

But the "Wu Qi Hen Qi" of the Seventh Realm was beyond the reach of Xuan Guang Stage Practitioners.

Under her veil, Mu Hongchen’s expression showed a hint of tension. The Demon Storage drifted with the Nether River Nine Qi, its path unpredictable. Although they had earlier determined that it lingered mostly between the Fifth and Sixth Layers, if it ventured into the Seventh Layer, there was nothing she could do but wait for it to return to the Sixth Layer before contemplating further.

The four of them waited patiently in the Fifth Realm. However, unexpectedly, the Zhi Ma was gone for an entire day.

Qi Yelan was the first to lose patience. Here, in the silence and without distinguishing day from night, and unable to step outside the Heart Protecting Lamp’s light, she couldn’t help but question, "Daoist Zhang, do you think your Zhi Ma ran off?"

Zhang Yan smiled faintly, about to answer, when suddenly his expression changed, and he said, "It’s found."

Mu Hongchen’s spirits lifted, and she couldn’t help but ask, "Where is it?"

Zhang Yan focused his thoughts, communicating with the Zhi Ma. Moments later, he said solemnly, "The Demon Storage is currently in the Sixth Realm. Judging by its roaming direction, it might take two more days to reach the Fifth Layer. If we rush there now, it will roughly take a day and a half. Daoist Hongchen, how should we decide?"

Mu Hongchen contemplated silently for a while. Logically, waiting for the Demon Storage to drift to the Fifth Layer was the safest choice, but who could guarantee it would be so?

In the Nether River Nine Qi, she had ventured several times, knowing it not only held murky netherworld Qi but also earth-evil yin winds.