On the other side, Jiang Miaoyin, standing beside Chu Xiu, looked at the smile on his face and said somewhat aggrievedly: "Senior, you’ve made a fortune this time, but I’ve 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 didn’t mind, and casually tossed the newly acquired King Tier Equipment over to her.

Jiang Miaoyin’s 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 advisors’ 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 Miaoyin’s 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.

It’s because, as soul-type entities, they lack physical bodies, making it easy to link together in special forms. It’s 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.

She’s only been able to receive twenty percent, but in these recent months, she’s 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, "There’s no rush; let’s 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, she’s 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. Aren’t 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 wasn’t enough to support so many ghosts in cultivation.

In no time, the area covering several miles was filled with Chu Xiu’s 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 Miaoyin’s voice came through: "Senior, now that your summoned creatures are this powerful, surely you don’t 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, "Don’t go."

"You’ve 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 aren’t worried that I’d sneak off with resources, are you? We’ve been together for so long, and you still don’t trust me at least that much?"

Chu Xiu shook his head: "I’m worried for your safety out there."

"What danger is there? I’m not going into the inner..." Jiang Miaoyin paused halfway, as if realizing something, and said incredulously: "Wait, Senior, don’t tell me that Murder Ghost is still following us?"

"Indeed." Chu Xiu also felt a bit helpless; he was tempted to applaud the Murder Ghost’s persistence.

For these three months, it’s 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 hasn’t found a suitable chance. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

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 person’s neurotic tendencies, it’s 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 Miaoyin’s voice, somewhat smug, drifted over from beyond the dense iron armor, "Why didn’t you just say so? You’re really not a straightforward person, Senior."

Chu Xiu’s mouth twitched: "You’re 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 Atlas’s description isn’t exaggerated, even the lowest quality ones are comparable to Heroic Spirit Level Myths, like the Royal Five Dragon Crown! Achieving Demigod Level wouldn’t even be surprising!"

Demigod Level Myths; even those Celestial Kings don’t possess many.

The most terrifying part was that some artifacts might have even higher power!

Artifacts beyond Myth? Chu Xiu couldn’t even begin to comprehend the extent of their power or even know what they’re 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 Kyoto’s 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 he’d 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)]