The Thousand-Year Scarlet Toad

"The red snake's... dead?"

Dumbstruck, the simple-looking youth could not believe his eyes. 

The youth in black's eyes were also filled with shock but he looked towards Ling Xiao with revere. 

What insane talent! He, at ninth tier Pulse Unsealing Boundary, had slaughtered a second stage peak demonic beast that was comparable to ninth tier True Qi Boundary. Even Nangong Qing, Longevity Sect's most talented disciple did not achieve such a magnificent feat when she was at Pulse Unsealing Boundary. 

Who was this mysterious young man who was proficient in Lesser Titanium Punch? 

"Big brother, the man's last move looked like the Longevity Sword Technique!" 

The adorable woman's eyes gleamed. 

"Longevity Sword Technique? How is that possible?"

The youth in black was in disbelief. "Longevity Sword Technique is only a martial arts foundation. Cultivating to a Pinnacle stage would only give out a drive of an Amber level superior martial arts, but this man's last sword move was an unstoppable flowing light. The way I see it, it's at least the force of an Onyx level superior or peerless martial art!"

"Big brother, it is the Longevity Sword Technique! He... cultivated the sword intent!"

The adorable woman's cheeks were flushed red from excitement. Nevertheless, she firmly stated her beliefs. 

"Sword intent?"

The youth in black and simple-looking youth exchanged glances. They were numb from multiple shocks. After all, they were in for quite a blow today. 

Purposeful conception was the territory of great geniuses and unattainable by ordinary people. 

Ling Xiao smiled after he overheard the trio's conversation. He could tell the trio were Longevity Sect's disciples the moment he rescued them, or else he would have waited for the Dark Dam Red Snake to kill them before he struck. 

"Dare we ask, sir, are you a disciple of Longevity Sect?" the adorable woman carefully asked. 

"Yes!" Ling Xiao smiled and gave a confirmed answer. 

"You really are Longevity Sect's disciple? Senior Brother must be a legacy disciple to have such talent. We are grateful to have Senior Brother save us. This is my big brother, Liu Chuanxiong, and my young brother Gu Zhong, I am Wang Han. We're pleased to meet you, Senior Brother"

The adorable woman pointed to the youth in black and simple-looking youth respectively. Then, the trio happily saluted Ling Xiao. 

"I am Ling Xiao. As for my identity, you'll know when you return to Longevity Sect!"

Ling Xiao smiled faintly without giving much explanation. 

"I only need the gall from this snake and have no use for its other parts. You can take them!"

Liu Chuanxiong paused before he waved his hands in the air. "We would have died if it wasn't for you. How could we possibly accept this demonic beast? This is your prey and we're willing to assist Senior Brother in transporting it back to Longevity Sect!"

Ling Xiao carefully observed Liu Chuanxiong, Gu Zhong and Wang Han. He nodded in his mind after he realized that their pure eyes carried no selfish motives. 

So, Ling Xiao fished out a dagger and split open the Dark Dam Red Snake's abdomen to retrieve a shining golden gall. Not only did it not have a fishy smell to it, but instead, it released a faint aroma. 

Ling Xiao cautiously placed the gall in a jade box before he kept it. 

"You can bring back the Dark Dam Red Snake, I have no use for it! You lot are good-natured. I see you have reached a bottleneck in your cultivation. If you wish to overcome it and become a legacy disciple, you can find me in Jin Se Pavilion! Remember, this opportunity will only be presented once!" Ling Xiao said with a faint smile. His intention to solicit was obvious in his tone. 

Liu Chuanxiong's group was a grateful bunch. Moreover, Ling Xiao was happy with the way they presented themselves before a treasure, and they had good endowments. As Ling Xiao was all alone, he had thoughts to take them under his wing, but it was still dependent on their choice. 

Liu Chuanxiong and the rest were in a daze to learn Ling Xiao's intention. 

Although Ling Xiao had an amazing gift, submitting to someone with cultivation at ninth tier Pulse Unsealing Boundarywas a hard pill for them to swallow. 

"Thank you for granting us, Senior Brother, we will take our time to consider!" Liu Chuanxiong answered with respect. 

Ling Xiao nodded. He swept a glance at the trio before he turned to leave. 

"Big brother, it seemed like Senior Brother Ling Xiao wanted to take us in? Why didn't you agree to it?"

Gu Zhong may be simple, but he was not stupid. He had waited until Ling Xiao had left the scene to ask the question that was confusing him. 

Wang Han sighed and explained, "Big brother is being too cautious! We would've been able to get to Senior Brother Ling Xiao's good side if we immediately pledged allegiance but big brother did it right as well. After all, we don't know him well!"

Liu Chuanxiong nodded. "That's right! This isn't enough for us to submit! The identity of Senior Brother Ling Xiao is too mysterious. We should only make our decision after we have looked into him back in the sect! It wasn't easy for us to come this far so even if we were to seek patronage, we should find the one who's worth following!"

The trio was in a discussion for a while before they lifted up the huge Dark Dam Red Snake and left the place. 

Ling Xiao was finally at ease after getting his hands on the Dark Dam Red Snake's gall. Without wasting more time, he headed straight to the direction of the Diversified Golden Lotus Fire. 

Although he had come across many second and third stage demonic beasts while on his way, Ling Xiao had carefully dodged past them. 

After all, attaining the Diversified Golden Lotus Fire was the priority. 

A few hours later, Ling Xiao arrived at a common valley after traversing the dense forest and mountain peak. 

This valley was mostly made out of bare boulders and a few trees with bare branches that were all blackened. 

However, Ling Xiao's senses had quickly picked up the rising temperature in the valley upon entering. 

"Is this the life force of a universal spiritual fire?"

Ling Xiao's eyes lit up after taking a whiff.

"There usually is a powerful demonic beast protecting a universal spiritual fire. I wonder what's the demonic beast here?" Ling Xiao thought to himself. He would be able to handle it if it was an early third stage demonic stage, but he would have to take a hike if it were anything past that. 

Carefully treading into the valley, Ling Xiao took light steps without making any noise. He bypassed a huge green rock and took a peek into the depth of the valley when a sharp glow flashed past his eyes. 

Deep into the valley was a red toad-looking demonic beast with lumps all over its body, lying on a rock. With red eyes, it was opening its mouth to a golden lotus-shaped flame on its head. 

It was devouring the golden lotus. It was intriguing to see as curls of golden mist ended up in its tummy and enshrouding the area. 

"Thousand-Year Scarlet Toad!"

Ling Xiao immediately recognized its origins after seeing the toad. 

The golden lotus that the Thousand-Year Scarlet Toad was devouring was the Diversified Golden Lotus Fire!