Alien Science Cultivation

At that moment, an old man with long, snow-white hair hurried in from outside. His body was dark and sallow, and he was emaciated, as if nothing but skin remained. His slightly hunched back made him look frail. If it weren't for the glint of light in his eyes, which seemed to see through everything, anyone would have mistaken him for a zombie who had been dead for who knows how long. As the old man stepped through the open door, he was stunned by the scene before him. His eyes darted around the group, but he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. Ni Fang ignored the surroundings and the captain's words, focusing solely on venting her emotions. Zhang Qiang, with a silly smile, gently stroked Ni Fang's hair in his arms. After a moment, as if exhausted and having vented all her grievances, Ni Fang awkwardly noticed the old man in front of the door. She quickly pushed Zhang Qiang aside, stood up, and respectfully saluted the Shadow Clan ancestor. After all, these ancestors had awakened from their slumber to save her, some tragically dying in battle, others severely wounded. Even until the very last moment, they had not given up on Ni Fang. While they were no match for the coalition forces, it wouldn't be difficult for them to abandon Ni Fang and escape on their own.

It was clear how satisfied and caring these ancient, fossil-like figures were with Ni Fang. "Great Elder, what brings you here? Are you alright with your injuries?" Ni Fang bowed and greeted. The captain and two maids tried to kneel in greeting, but the old man's magical powers dissuaded them. "Haha... Saint, there's no need to worry about me. You are the Shadow Clan's hope. I'm fortunate to witness its current prosperity. Even if I die, I'll be able to brag to those old men for the rest of my life." The old man looked at Ni Fang with a gentle gaze and laughed heartily. He surveyed Ni Fang for a long moment, a smile on his face. Only after finding her safe and sound did he seem to remember Zhang Qiang in the room. He hurriedly bowed and said respectfully, "Young friend, your kindness is immense. The Shadow Clan is truly grateful. I present you the Shadow Clan's sacred order. Anything the Shadow Clan can help with, anything the Shadow Clan needs, please don't hesitate..." With that, the old man respectfully held a pitch-black token in both hands and handed it to Zhang Qiang.

The token was pitch black, exuding a mysterious aura. Made of something resembling both metal and jade, it reflected no light, seemingly absorbing the surrounding light. Carved with ancient, obscure patterns, the token's surface faintly revealed the vicissitudes of time and an indescribable majesty.

Zhang Qiang had no intention of accepting the Shadow Tribe's gratitude, but upon seeing the token, a strange sense of familiarity welled up within him. He accepted it without hesitation, then probed it with his spiritual sense. "What a strange material... It can absorb the surrounding light, even spiritual sense..." Zhang Qiang whispered softly. The moment the token appeared, the missing Dulong suddenly appeared outside the door, staring curiously at the token in Zhang Qiang's hand, as if guided by a summons.

The old man looked at Zhang Qiang and said slowly: "My friend, although this token is the sacred token of the Shadow Clan, it is not something that our clan can make. This token has been with me for more than ten thousand years, but I still can't figure out its material and true purpose. It cannot be reached by divine consciousness, and cannot be destroyed by magical powers. I think it is more like a key. Although it is the number one magic weapon of the Shadow Clan, it is more like a spiritual symbol. To be honest, in the Shadow Clan, it is just a display like a stone. Since you are a friend of the Saint, just take it." The elder said helplessly.

Zhang Qiang watched Dulong outside the door. As if sensing Dulong's curiosity about the token, he beckoned him in and casually handed it to Dulong for study. "Great Elder, there's no need to thank me for my assistance. I'm partly responsible for the Shadow Clan's casualties this time," Zhang Qiang said with shame. Then, a battered dagger appeared before everyone. "This is the third-ranked dagger of the nobles. It's just that for some reason, it's become like this," Zhang Qiang continued. The Great Elder, puzzled, picked up the dagger and examined it carefully. It took him a while to identify it as the Netherworld Dagger, but by then it had become an ordinary dagger. Those who hadn't handled a Netherworld Dagger before couldn't tell the difference. "Brother Zhang, did you kill that Crimson Blood Centipede with it?" the captain asked doubtfully. "Yes," Zhang Qiang replied.

"How did you get it... Qingshan Sect... or the trading stall... or was it given to you by my master?" Ni Fang asked in astonishment. After all, from the time he met Zhang Qiang to the time he entered the Dark Forest, Zhang Qiang had never taken out this dagger to defend himself, not even in life-or-death situations. She was indeed very curious about what kind of opportunity allowed a young cultivator in the Qi Refining Stage to obtain such a heaven-defying magical weapon, and even control it to kill the Red Blood Centipede with just two moves. "An old man at the trading stall gave it to me. At first I thought it was just an ordinary dagger, but after seeing the scabbard of the dagger in your master's ring, I roughly guessed it was the Netherworld Dagger. At first I also wanted to take it out and return it to the captain, but then when I planned to go to the entrance to Hell, I changed my mind. After all, it is the best weapon for self-defense along the way... I'm sorry." Zhang Qiang explained.

"Haha... young friend, don't blame yourself. You did nothing wrong. While this dagger is powerful, its use is also very demanding. It requires an exceptionally strong mind and spirit, otherwise it won't work at all. Otherwise, Elder Golden Eagle wouldn't have taken it into the Dark Forest back then, because none of us could control it. If we could harness even a tenth of its power, we wouldn't be... Alas... aside from the Heaven and Earth Cauldron, the Shadow Clan's first and third magic weapons are truly useless," the Great Elder said helplessly. They had endured immense hardships for this Netherworld Dagger, and for a time, he even couldn't understand the thoughts of his predecessors.

"Have you figured out the secret of this dagger?" Ni Fang asked curiously. Everyone looked at Zhang Qiang instantly, only Dulong was still staring at the token in his hand in a daze.

"Secret? Does the beast blood count as being powerful? I just borrowed the beast blood above, and that's it..." Zhang Qiang responded.

"Beast blood...isn't there a map of the immortal cemetery?" Ni Fang asked in confusion, "If I'm not mistaken, this token is the entrance to the immortal cemetery they are looking for..." Dulong's sudden words shocked everyone on the spot! Dulong's voice suddenly brought Zhang Qiang back to his senses. This is from the Tiancan clan! They rely on wisdom to gain a foothold in the world of immortal cultivation. After Zhang Qiang realized what was happening, he really wanted to slap himself. Such a living treasure is not used here, and everyone is guessing here. Everyone seemed to no longer care about what Zhang Qiang wanted to say next, and they gathered around Dulong. "My friend, are you saying that this token is the entrance? If it is the entrance, how do we get in? Isn't this a bit..." The elder asked in disbelief.

"According to records from my Celestial Silkworm Clan, there are quite a few such portals. And there's usually more than just one. There should be several. As for how to get in..." Dulong answered affirmatively, but the question of how to get in puzzled him. He had no idea. "Young friend, are you from the Celestial Silkworm Clan...?" the Great Elder asked, a bit puzzled. After all, everyone had seen his true form, while others might not have seen the Celestial Silkworm Clan. But the Great Elder was a fossilized figure. While he had no dealings with the Celestial Silkworm Clan, he had undoubtedly seen them. "Great Elder, there's no need to doubt it... I am from the Celestial Silkworm Clan, the ninth son of Clan Leader Zhu Meng, Zhu Jiuyin... I'm sure you've heard of me. As for how I became what I am now, it's a long story... It's because of me that your Netherworld Dagger was destroyed... If I can help this time, I won't refuse..." Dulong said sincerely. "You are Zhu Jiuyin... the smartest guy in the Tiancan clan in tens of thousands of years... Haha... I have finally opened my eyes today. The rumor that Zhu Meng killed his most beloved son with his own hands shocked the entire Xuanwu Continent. It seems that the rumor..." "It's true..." Dulong responded before the elder finished speaking. Everyone looked at each other in surprise. Zhang Qiang naturally knew everything. But Zhang Qiang seemed to remember something and looked at Dulong with a strange look. As soon as Dulong's eyes met Zhang Qiang's, he shuddered all over.