Starting as a stray dog, I embarked on a journey of cultivation.

Upon hearing the conditions offered by the old fox, all the alchemists were eager to participate.

Receiving a thousand spirit stones every month is a condition that is almost comparable to that of the elders of major sects.

Furthermore, although these alchemists possessed some skill, it was limited to the area of ​​Ten Thousand Demon City.

Within the realm of human cultivators, alchemists like them are not considered outstanding.

You could even say they're plentiful.

Therefore, given their cultivation level, joining those major sects and receiving five or six hundred spirit stones per month would already be considered a pretty good treatment.

However, Long Youzi remained unmoved by the invitation.

Seeing this, the old fox smiled and asked, "What, you think it's not enough?"

Long Youzi did not deny it, but calmly replied, "I am still young. Although my cultivation and alchemy skills are still somewhat weak, I have a long way to go in the future."

"While the conditions you've offered are quite good, joining the City of Ten Thousand Demons will mean losing the guidance of a sect, which will inevitably affect my future cultivation path..."

Although Long Youzi did not explicitly say that he wanted to increase the stakes, the meaning behind his words was already obvious.

The old fox smiled slightly after hearing this, and simply said, "What you said does make sense."

At this point, he changed the subject: "But when it comes to the uncertain future, which is more important, the benefits that can be obtained immediately? I think everyone understands the logic."

"Besides the conditions I just mentioned, everyone who joins the General Pill Hall of my Ten Thousand Demon City will have many more opportunities to rise to higher positions in the future."

"After all, the sects you mentioned mostly have solidified social classes."

"The same few people will always be at the top, and if you want to climb up, it will take decades or even centuries."

"But my City of Ten Thousand Demons is growing stronger year by year, and there are plenty of opportunities."

"In human cultivation sects, you may only be core disciples for your entire lives, and a few hundred spirit stones a month is the highest you can get."

"But in the City of Ten Thousand Demons, below the Protector of the Nation, there are positions such as Commander and Deacon waiting for you to take your places!"

"The more you stay, the more benefits you will receive."

After speaking, the old fox shifted his gaze from Long Youzi to the others: "And you? Anyone willing to stay is very welcome."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than an alchemist raised his hand: "I'm willing to stay!"

Gou An looked at him; this was the person who came in third in this conference and had chosen the Crimson Moon Token afterward.

His Taoist name was Fufeng Ke.

"Good!" The old fox smiled slightly and said directly, "In the first year, you can receive eight hundred spirit stones every month, plus three hundred thousand demon gold."

"As long as you perform well, you can increase your income every year."

Upon hearing this, the traveler from Fufeng quickly clasped his hands in gratitude, saying, "Thank you for protecting the country!"

Although he received two hundred less spirit stones per month than Long Youzi, it was enough, since he knew he was inferior to Long Youzi.

"Who else?" the old fox asked again.

With Fu Fengke taking the lead, several other alchemists immediately raised their hands to indicate their willingness to join.

The old fox offered them a price of 700 spirit stones and 300,000 demon gold per month.

After a round of questioning, only Mu Niu Sanren, Heng Fengzi, Long Youzi, and Gou An remained silent.

"And you?" the old fox asked Gou An.

Gou An smiled lightly: "Guardian of the Nation, I was originally an alchemist at the Wan Dan Hall. Now that the Hall Master has joined, how could I refuse?"

"That's true!" The old fox laughed heartily, then raised his voice, "However, there still needs to be a procedure. With your level, fellow Daoist, you'll receive three thousand spirit stones per month, plus five hundred thousand demon gold!"

Gou An's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this, as this was much more than the spirit stones and demon gold he had obtained when he was at the Wan Dan Hall.

I am a demon, so it is perfectly reasonable for me to work for other demons.

"Thank you for protecting the country!" Gou An quickly clasped his hands in gratitude.

The old fox seemed to want to take this opportunity to remind Long Youzi, so he said, "As long as you have the ability, you won't have to worry about not getting the rewards you deserve in the City of Ten Thousand Demons."

He said this to everyone, but he was specifically addressing Long Youzi.

After all, Long Youzi was not satisfied with the price offered by the old fox, so the old fox took the opportunity to tell him that he had the ability, but he was not indispensable.

If you want more spirit stones, then use your skills to exchange for them.

This is the best example of someone who seeks only peace and security.

The old fox then looked at the herdsman: "Fellow Daoist, what about you?"

"Returning to the Protectorate!" The Herdsman of Oxen just smiled憨厚ly: "I am but a herdsman, my alchemy skills are only so-so, and I am used to being lazy, so I am really not suitable for this job."

The old fox simply nodded and did not try to stop him.

After all, he is one of the protectors of the City of Ten Thousand Demons, how could he be a sycophant?

I'm inviting you; come if you want, leave if you don't. You can't expect me to beg you.

The old fox then turned his gaze to Hengfengzi: "And you?"

Hengfengzi gave an awkward smile and quickly said, "Guardian, I have important matters outside that require my personal attention. I really cannot stay. If there is an opportunity in the future and Wanyao City still needs me, I will definitely come."

Although it sounded like a polite remark, it was a proper response.

At this point, only Long Youzi remained.

The old fox finally turned his gaze to him: "Well? Have you thought it through now? If you think it's too little, I can raise it a bit!"

"1,100 spirit stones per month, plus 300,000 demon gold!"

Although the increase was only one hundred spirit stones, it was still a way to save face for Long Youzi.

Long Youzi clearly realized this problem; if he refused again, he would truly lose this opportunity.

Despite his dissatisfaction, he nodded in agreement: "Thank you very much, Protector of the Nation. I am willing to join."

After all, although Gou An performed exceptionally well in this alchemy competition, in Long Youzi's eyes, the gap between them was not that big.

The difference in the number of spirit stones received each month has actually tripled!

The old fox was very satisfied with Long Youzi's new reaction, so he chuckled and picked up his wine cup, saying, "In that case, those who stay can rest in the Demon King's mansion tonight."

"Those who wish to leave, I will arrange for demon servants to escort you out."

"However, you are still welcome to come again if you have the opportunity in the future."

With everyone raising their glasses, the banquet officially came to an end.

The three hall masters were left in the main hall to continue discussing important matters with the old fox, while Gou An and the other alchemists, led by the demon servants, arrived at a newly opened area of ​​the Demon King's Palace.

This is the location of the General Pill Hall, which is fully equipped, indicating that preparations for this matter have been completed long ago.

There are many newly built courtyards in the Zongdan Hall.

According to the demon servant, these courtyards are all empty and available on a first-come, first-served basis; whoever chooses one first gets to live there.

The eight alchemists who remained immediately began to select courtyards.

After going around in circles, Gou An finally chose an inconspicuous courtyard in a corner.

Such places are the most suitable for those who seek only to live a life of ease and comfort; the more inconspicuous a place is, the safer it is.

Long Youzi chose the courtyard that was closest to the entrance and had the best lighting, which was the most contrasting choice for Gou An.

The others also made their choices and went to their rooms to rest.

Everything in the room was ready. As soon as Gou An sat down, a new demon servant came to serve him.

Since it was already late at night, Gou An simply had them tidy up a bit and then dismissed them.

After confirming that no one was in the courtyard, Gou An took out the fire seed ore he had bought and began to prepare to refine it.

Possessing half of the Fiery Saint Body, Gou An could vaguely sense a slight spiritual connection between himself and the fire seed within the primordial stone when he held the fire seed in his hand.

To refine the fire seed, the outer layer of the raw stone that encased it needs to be removed.

However, the removal here cannot be done by directly smashing the surface with external force. Instead, it requires guiding the spark within the raw stone to burn through the surface on its own.

Just like an egg, you can't hatch a chick by breaking it from the outside; you can only make it alive by letting it emerge from the inside.

So Gou An held the Firestone and slowly closed his eyes.

Carefully feel the spark, and guide it to slowly disintegrate the raw stone from the inside.

The fire seed, which originally required decades to refine, was rapidly melting away under the special blessing of the Fiery Sacred Body.

The fire inside the raw stone burned brighter and brighter, and its connection with Gou An deepened.

Gou An quickly entered a meditative state while refining the primordial stone.

It wasn't until late at night, when Gou An felt that dawn was almost breaking, that the Fire Seed Stone in his hand suddenly trembled slightly.

When Gou An opened his eyes, he saw that the surface of the raw stone had cracked open, and the fire seed was only a thin layer away from being completely refined.

So Gou An increased the amount of spiritual energy he poured into the stone, and the cracks began to spread, eventually covering the entire piece of raw stone.

Bang!

Suddenly, a sharp sound like shattering glass rang out.

The jade layer on the surface of the fire seed completely fell off, leaving Gou An with only a burning green flame.

"This is... the Myriad Poisonous Flames!"

Although Gou An had never seen the Myriad Poison Fire before, the name automatically appeared in his mind the moment he finished refining it.

The innate spiritual fire ranks eighth, just one place higher than Gou An's Nine Separation Demon Fire.

This fire was born in the land where countless Gu worms were buried, and it contains a soul-corroding Gu poison. Anyone who touches it will be corroded by the Gu poison.

"Why is this fire so sinister!" Gou An complained, staring at the Myriad Poison Fire for a long time.

The green flames swirled and flowed in Gou An's palm. There was no violent heat wave, but a faint, cold poisonous aura slowly spread out.

Even though Gou An possessed the Fiery Saint Body, he instinctively felt a trace of apprehension.

This fire is highly poisonous!

While its direct damage output is not as high as the Heavenly Flame True Fire, it is even more disgusting than the Nine Separation Demon Fire.

"I really don't like such gloomy things, but why did you have to give them to me?" Gou An shook his head helplessly, clenched his fist, and the green flame disappeared.

The Myriad Poisonous Flames flowed into Gou An's demon core through his meridians. When needed, it only required a thought.

After a night of refining, Gou An was exhausted and immediately fell into a deep sleep.

He slept until the voice of a demon servant rang out from outside the door: "Master Gou, the head of the main hall has ordered all alchemists to proceed to the main hall immediately."