[Current Dao Cultivation: Three Thousand One Hundred and Forty-Seven Years]
The massive Dao Cultivation gained from slaying the Lotus Cultivation Demon King now had less than half remaining.
But Jiang Yuechu didn't feel distressed.
Dao Cultivation is something meant to be spent once earned.
Looking at the remaining three thousand plus years of Dao Cultivation, she pondered briefly, her gaze finally settling on the Saber Technique of the Dianmo Realm.
[Consume one thousand two hundred years of Dao Cultivation, White Tiger Geng Metal Blade upgraded to the Supreme level]
Buzz—
A more majestic and sharp Saber Intent instantly flowed throughout her body.
Jiang Yuechu could even feel it.
The Cold Moon Long Saber beside her was currently emitting low hums, seemingly echoing the Geng Metal Qi within her body.
"Hoo..."
Jiang Yuechu let out a long breath, feeling the complete and flawless Saber Intent within her, and her heart settled.
This is enough for now.
Although the consumption of Dao Cultivation was huge this time, every expenditure was well-spent.
Whether it was the changes brought by the "White Ape Bone Transformation" or the advancement of the White Tiger Geng Metal Blade, both resulted in a qualitative leap in her strength.
However... Jiang Yuechu lowered her eyes slightly, sinking her mind into her Sea of Consciousness to look at the Celestial Demon Martial Practice.
The greatest gain was not these things.
But the White Ape Duke.
From the beginning, she hadn't expected the White Ape Duke, after being upgraded to the Heavenly Accomplishment level, to bring her much of a combat power increase.
After all, this monkey was merely Core Formation during its life, and its Bloodline was ordinary; no matter how much it improved, it couldn't compare to the Black and White Twin Dragons.
What she truly valued was the brain of this white ape.
Based on the Demon's memories, the White Ape Duke was undoubtedly the most intelligent among the Yao Race members she had currently collected.
Other Demons might be able to Master different Divine Abilities and talents based on instinct.
But only this white ape could observe the heavens and earth on its own and comprehend a Divine Ability like Moving Mountains and Filling Seas.
What did this represent?
It represented Comprehension Ability far surpassing ordinary Demons!
Since its Comprehension Ability was outstanding, wouldn't allowing it to enter the Celestial Demon Martial Practice to deduce martial arts yield twice the result with half the effort?
Thinking of this, Jiang Yuechu no longer hesitated.
Her consciousness sank into her Sea of Consciousness, and the ancient, desolate Martial Practice Stage reappeared.
On the stage, three great Demons were practicing with fervor.
"Come out."
With a thought, Jiang Yuechu dragged the avatar of the White Ape Duke, which had reached the Heavenly Accomplishment progress, into the Martial Practice Stage.
Buzz—
A flash of light.
A tall and slender figure appeared out of thin air in the center of the Martial Practice Stage.
Unlike the ferocity of the other Demons.
This Old White Ape was dressed in a scholar's robe, standing with its hands clasped behind its back.
It did not look around confusedly the moment it appeared, unlike the other Demons.
Instead, it tilted its head slightly, first surveying the surrounding environment, then its gaze fell upon the few Demons currently practicing.
At this moment, the Martial Practice Stage was a chaotic scene of Demons dancing wildly.
The Green-Faced Gentleman transformed into an afterimage; although extremely fast, its footwork was messy, and it occasionally crashed into the virtual stone pillars, producing dull thuds.
The Mythical Ape was puffing and panting while circulating the Blood Food Technique, blood mist permeated its entire body, yet it constantly gathered and dispersed unpredictably, making it look quite strenuous.
As for the Black Mountain Bear Lord, he was sitting cross-legged on the ground.
His bear face was filled with an expression akin to constipation.
Watching this scene.
The White Ape Duke frowned slightly and shook its head in a very human manner.
Jiang Yuechu's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Before she could assign a Cultivation Technique to the white ape.
The White Ape Duke stomped its foot and instantly appeared beside the Green-Faced Gentleman.
At this moment, the wolf Demon was about to leap into the air to change position; its old strength was depleted, and new strength had not yet been generated.
The White Ape Duke extended its slender finger and seemingly casually tapped the wolf Demon's lower back.
Snap.
The rapidly moving wolf Demon's body suddenly stalled, and the force of that single finger actually managed to forcibly change the direction of its exerted strength.
Its body, which was about to crash into the stone pillar, brushed past it at an extremely strange yet fluid angle.
The wolf Demon landed, looking completely dumbfounded.
It turned its head blankly, looking at the white ape that had appeared without warning.
The White Ape Duke ignored it, and instead, slowly raised its leg and demonstrated the movement right in front of it.
Although the wolf Demon was stupid, this movement wasn't complicated, and it subconsciously imitated the step.
Swish—!!!
Its figure instantly vanished.
When it reappeared, it was already several zhang away, landing silently with stable Qi.
Compared to its previous reckless charging, this was immeasurably superior!
In Jiang Yuechu's field of vision, a line of conspicuous text suddenly popped up.
[The White Ape Duke is guiding the Green-Faced Gentleman in deduction, efficiency increased...]
"Holy crap..."
Even the usually cool and composed Jiang Yuechu couldn't help but curse aloud at this moment.
One must know that the Dao Cultivation consumed by the Celestial Demon Martial Practice was fixed.
Ten years of Dao Cultivation per hour.
Originally, this wolf Demon had dull Aptitude, and spending those ten years of Dao Cultivation would have barely made a difference.
But now... Jiang Yuechu's eyes flickered.
If she collected more and more Demons in the future, and the Cultivation Techniques became more varied.
If the White Ape Duke could continue to guide the deduction like this.
Wouldn't that mean... she had struck gold!
...The next morning.
Outside Suzhou Prefecture City.
Jiang Yuechu, dressed in black robes, with the Cold Moon hanging from her waist, slowly walked out, leading her horse named Yunbo.
Granny Liu and Elder Wang were, after all, the foundation of the Demon Suppression Division and bore the safety of the Great Tang; after the Taihu Lake incident concluded last night, they had flown away overnight.
After all, to them, Taihu Lake was just a mess.
Now that the mess was cleaned up, the remaining cleanup work would naturally be handled by those below them.
"Little Jiang."
A rough shout broke the morning tranquility.
Yue Huaiyuan was not wearing armor; he was dressed only in coarse linen clothes, holding two oiled paper packages in his hand, and strode over quickly.
He shoved the oiled paper packages into Jiang Yuechu's arms.
"Take these."
Jiang Yuechu lowered her head and sniffed; a steaming aroma of meat wafted into her nose.
"This is..."
"Braised beef from that century-old shop in the city, and two roasted geese."
Yue Huaiyuan chuckled, his face full of wrinkles: "The journey back to the capital is long and arduous. If you miss an inn, these will keep you full and satisfy your cravings."
Jiang Yuechu did not refuse, casually hanging them beside the saddle.
"Thank you."
Yue Huaiyuan looked at the girl, who was only a few years older than his own daughter, a trace of complexity flashing in his eyes.
"Little girl."
"The capital region is not like the Region East of the River. Don't do things there like you did in Yu Hang."
The old man sighed and reached out to pat Jiang Yuechu's shoulder, "If you run into any trouble, write a letter back."
"Although I am just a rough fellow in the Ink Dot Realm, I have quite a few connections in the capital. If necessary, I'll go to the capital and back you up!"
His words were full of bandit-like bravado.
But they were also so sincere that they warmed the heart.
Jiang Yuechu looked at the old man's weather-beaten face, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
"Alright."
She nodded: "If that day truly comes, I won't stand on ceremony."
Xie Tinglan also stepped forward from the side.
"Lord Jiang."
"There are still many remnants of the Taihu Lake incident. I need to assist Master in clearing them out, so I cannot escort you far."
"We shall meet again."
"When the day comes that I, Xie, have the opportunity to enter the capital to report on my duties, I will surely prepare fine wine and seek your guidance again."
Jiang Yuechu flipped onto her horse and waved her hand.
"I'm off."
She nudged the horse's flank; Yunbo let out a neigh, and its four hooves seemed to generate wind as it galloped away, leaving dust behind.
Not until the silver-white figure vanished at the end of the morning mist.
Did Yue Huaiyuan retract his gaze, sniff, and grumble: "That stubborn girl, her heart is truly hard, she didn't even look back."
He then turned around and slapped Xie Tinglan on the back of his head.
"Alright, stop staring. She's long gone. Did she take your soul with her?"
Xie Tinglan rubbed his head, feeling somewhat forlorn.
"General Yue... what do you think will happen to Lord Jiang once she goes to the capital?"
"What will happen?"
Yue Huaiyuan looked at the northern sky and chuckled.
"Naturally... she will soar like a Dragon riding the clouds."
...On the official road.
Jiang Yuechu was not in a hurry to travel, instead letting her horse maintain a steady, leisurely trot.
After traveling about five or six li.
Beneath a withered tree at a fork in the road.
A figure dressed in golden robe stood there like a spear planted in the ground.
You Wujiang carried that pale long sword on his back, crossed his arms over his chest, and frowned deeply, seemingly pondering some great matter concerning the common people of the world.
Hearing the sound of hooves.
He slowly raised his head.
His handsome face, which had been expressionless, seemed to stiffen for a moment when he saw Jiang Yuechu.
Jiang Yuechu pulled the reins; Yunbo snorted and stopped in front of him.
The two stared at each other.
A gust of wind blew past, swirling up a few withered leaves.
The atmosphere was a little awkward.
After a long while.
Jiang Yuechu spoke first: "Lord You?"
"Mm."
"Waiting for me?"
"Mm."
"Why aren't you waiting in the city? Why wait out here?"
"Mm."
"..."
The conversation couldn't proceed.
Jiang Yuechu sighed and pointed north.
"Well... shall we go?"
You Wujiang nodded.
Following that.
Under Jiang Yuechu's slightly astonished gaze.
He silently turned around and started walking on his two legs.
He walked step by step behind Jiang Yuechu's horse.
Jiang Yuechu: "?"
"Aren't you riding a horse?"
You Wujiang paused, raised his head, and looked earnest.
"Granny didn't give me any silver before she left. I don't have money to buy one."
"..."