Soul-Slaying Maiden: Master Of Ancient Divine Weapons

"IS THIS THAT GUY'S ALCHEMY FURNACE? HOW CAN IT POSSIBLY BE IN YOUR HANDS?"

The moment the black mist saw the Shennong Cauldron, a sharp voice burst out, its tone far more agitated than before.

"Looks like you recognize it. That makes things easier. So, will you leave on your own, or should I help send you on your way?"

Jiang Huai stared at the scene before him, utterly perplexed.

The once arrogant black mist, a symbol of curse and misfortune, had cornered them into despair.

But now, Han Zhen pulled out seven or eight Lesser Revival Pills and summoned a mysterious cauldron, and the mist instantly chickened out.

What kind of plot twist was this? As the leader of the Jiang clan, Jiang Huai felt completely lost.

Before he could make sense of it, Han Zhen raised one hand and lightly pressed downward.

The Shennong Cauldron flipped, its opening aimed downward, and it slammed fiercely towards the black mist.

Just as Han Zhen had predicted, the Shennong Cauldron, which was effective against Lesser Revival Pills' anomalies, also had a strong suppressive effect on the terrifying black mist formed by the curse.

The moment the cauldron descended, the mist dispersed and vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.

All that remained was the black-winged tiger, radiating a terrifying aura. But without the black mist, it seemed to lose its vitality and remained motionless.

Was it over just like that?

Han Zhen glanced at the Shennong Cauldron floating above. In this world of the Scared Heart of Hundred Worlds, it felt like the ultimate cheat code.

Using cheats is thrilling, but using cheats forever is blissful, Han Zhen thought, thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Saint Master, should we head back now?" Jiang Huai's attitude had shifted dramatically. He now looked at Han Zhen with a fawning expression.

He had no choice. With the Lesser Revival Pills in Han Zhen's hands, his own survival depended on Han Zhen's mercy.

"Go back? No. Since we're already out here, we might as well explore thoroughly. My time is limited, so I don't have the luxury of playing games."

Han Zhen hadn't forgotten his true goal: uncovering the truth hidden in the Sacred Heart of Hundred Herbs world.

With the power of the Lesser Revival Pills, Han Zhen and Jiang Huai ignored the immobilized beast and continued forward.

Not long after, Han Zhen came across an ancient towering tree.

"This must be the tree Jiang Yue was hiding near when she was playing hide-and-seek earlier," Han Zhen thought as he approached and reached out to touch the tree.

What happened next was unexpected—his hand passed right through the tree trunk and disappeared.

"A fake tree?"

Jiang Huai was equally surprised. When Han Zhen glanced at him, he quickly waved his hands. "Don't look at me. I don't know anything about this. The daytime world and nighttime world are completely different. That little girl from the Jiang Huo family must have hidden here after dusk. We've passed by this spot during the day, and this tree wasn't here at all."

Han Zhen nodded after hearing Jiang Huai's explanation.

Throwing a Lesser Revival Pill to Jiang Huai, who quickly caught it, they each swallowed a pill before Han Zhen charged directly into the tree.

There was no collision, no expected pain.

Instead, Han Zhen felt a void open before him. When he opened his eyes again, he was inside a cave.

The cave walls had alcoves carved into them, holding candleholders with eternal flames that illuminated the space and revealed the scene within.

"This is a hidden sanctuary?"

"If I'm not mistaken, this place must also be under the protection of the Shennong Saint Master."

"You mean we can stay here until dawn without worrying about being consumed by the night?"

"Exactly," Han Zhen replied as he walked a few steps further into the cave.

On a clay table in the center of the cave, he spotted a piece of paper that resembled the recipe he had seen earlier.

Picking it up, Han Zhen confirmed it was indeed another alchemy recipe.

"Mixed Essence Pill!" Jiang Huai exclaimed, his voice trembling as he picked up the recipe. He was more excited than Han Zhen. "The second recipe. It's real! The legend is real."

"What legend?"

Without waiting for Han Zhen to ask further, Jiang Huai continued excitedly, "It's said that the Shennong Saint Master left alchemy recipes that could save this world and free us from the curse. But despite searching for centuries, the Jiang clan never found another recipe. I can't believe it was here all along."

No, it wasn't that they couldn't find it. They simply never had a chance.

One Lesser Revival Pill allowed a person to stay safe in the night for three hours.

But dangers still lurked in the night, like the black mist they had encountered earlier. While it couldn't directly attack someone under the pill's protection, it could trap them until the pill's effects wore off.

Reaching this towering tree required Lesser Revival Pills and the ability to repel or defeat the black mist.

But the Jiang clan, strong in the daytime but weaker than ordinary people at night, could never have reached this second recipe.

'So, who was this recipe really for?', Han Zhen thought of himself.

With the Shennong Cauldron, Han Zhen could ignore nighttime dangers and rules, enjoying the thrill of this "cheat."

"Clan Leader Jiang, I'll be holding onto this recipe. You don't have any objections, do you?" Han Zhen asked, his tone light.

Jiang Huai's expression grew complex as he looked at the young man before him.

At first, Jiang Huai had felt irritated, his pride as a clan leader wounded. He had planned to settle the score with Han Zhen come daylight.

But as they delved deeper into the night together, Jiang Huai realized just how unfathomable this outsider was.

The cauldron that had shattered the black mist, the seemingly endless supply of Lesser Revival Pills, and now the discovery of the second recipe—this young man might truly be the key to breaking their curse.

With that realization, Jiang Huai shook his head. "Saint Master, this recipe is yours to keep. The Jiang clan won't demand it. If you need any materials mentioned in the recipe, just ask, and I'll do everything in my power to assist you."

Jiang Huai's attitude pleased Han Zhen.

A wise man knows when to adapt.

Seeing Jiang Huai's understanding, Han Zhen handed him two Lesser Revival Pills without hesitation.

"Clan Leader Jiang, our goals align. Let's find the recipes and uncover this world's truth together. I look forward to working with you."

Hearing this, Jiang Huai finally relaxed and nodded.

At that moment, Han Zhen noticed words carved into the table beneath the recipe, left behind with a sharp tool:

"Void… consumed this world… never allow… never allow it!"

"Death is not the curse… use the cycle to obliterate…"

Were these words left by the Shennong Saint Master?

As Han Zhen touched the carving, a vivid image suddenly appeared in his mind, seemingly left intentionally by the Saint Master.

Han Zhen's eyes widened in shock, his expression frozen in disbelief.

Jiang Huai held his breath, unsure of what was happening.

After a long pause, Han Zhen exhaled deeply, muttering two words: "Insect race!"

═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═

patreon.com/ZenonTL

🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.