DEMON EMPEROR

CHAPTER 16 Cunning Stratagem

One of the reasons Ba Bel had reduced contact with others from the Earth and Sky Sword Sect over the past year was that he didn't want to change too many things to the point where everything wouldn't unfold according to his memories from his first life. For Ba Bel, the safest and most effective way was to make himself stronger as quickly as he could.

If Ba Bel possessed high-level martial arts abilities, like he did at 30 in his first life, then whatever happened in the future wouldn't be a problem for him. Now, he was worried that his desire to monopolize the Water Bamboo was hindered due to his encounter with Jiang Ji.

“There’s no use worrying about all that now. Right now, my best option is to immediately use the properties of this Water Bamboo to strengthen and improve the quality of my bones.” Feeling unable to find a solution to his current problems, Ba Bel chose to concentrate on beginning to consume the Water Bamboo.

Ba Bel estimated these four Water Bamboos were only 10 years old, and he wasn't yet capable of consuming the aquatic plant directly. Water Bamboo possessed properties to increase physical stamina and enhance a martial artist's bone quality.

Since Ba Bel's body couldn't directly digest the nutrients in the Water Bamboo, he decided to boil the Water Bamboo before consuming it. However, according to records in the Nine Devil Transformations scripture, the potency of the consumed Water Bamboo would decrease by forty percent when boiled.

Ba Bel could only let out a long sigh; he was extremely unwilling to lose forty percent of the boiled Water Bamboo's potency. Ultimately, Ba Bel could only resign himself and began consuming the boiled Water Bamboo while sitting cross-legged in his room. After he finished one Water Bamboo, he started absorbing its nutrients using a technique he had learned from the Nine Devil Transformations scripture.

Not long after he swallowed the Water Bamboo, Ba Bel's stomach felt extremely cold, while his head felt intensely hot. Ba Bel's face turned red, and a faint wisp of white smoke even emerged from his head. The process lasted for several hours, and Ba Bel had to remain vigilant every second. If he were to lose consciousness during this process, the mildest outcome would be that he wouldn't gain any benefits after consuming the boiled Water Bamboo. The worst impact would be experiencing death for a second time, and of course, this time there would likely be no miracle like with his first death.

Once all the Water Bamboo's nutrients were successfully absorbed, Ba Bel exhaled a cold breath from his mouth.

Ba Bel rose from his seat and performed a few movements. He then clicked his tongue in amazement after feeling the changes in his body. “Tsk, I didn't expect Water Bamboo to have such properties. No wonder so many coveted the River of Death Spirits in my previous life!”

Indeed, Ba Bel's bone quality was still at the Yellow Wolf Bone level, but his physical strength had increased quite rapidly, and his body's muscles became much more powerful. Certainly, this change was not something that could typically be achieved with one or two months of training.

Ba Bel then mused. After experiencing the potency of this Water Bamboo, he became even more convinced that he would need this plant to change his fate in this second life.

“There’s no other choice; I’ll find a way to deal with the Sect Leader!” Ba Bel scratched his head, though it wasn't itchy.

Before he knew it, the day had changed, and the morning sun was shining from its resting place. Ba Bel immediately hurried to prepare to harvest Water Bamboo again from the River of Death Spirits.

This time, Ba Bel’s journey was slightly shorter than before. After consuming the Water Bamboo, his stamina and running speed had increased. As before, Ba Bel first built a bonfire. Only then did he enter the River of Death Spirits.

A short while later, Ba Bel emerged from the river with two Water Bamboos in his grasp, his body feeling intensely cold.

“Although my physical strength has increased, my tolerance for cold temperatures hasn't changed at all,” Ba Bel muttered, shivering violently.

Ba Bel stored the two Water Bamboos he had obtained before beginning to warm himself by the bonfire and putting on his clothes.

“You're out earlier today!” Jiang Ji muttered as he walked toward Ba Bel.

Jiang Ji furrowed his brow in surprise, as he had twice found Ba Bel by the riverbank, sitting near a fire that, in Jiang Ji’s analysis, Ba Bel had made. It seemed the fire had been deliberately built to warm Ba Bel.

Ba Bel offered an awkward smile to Jiang Ji, then bowed respectfully. Jiang Ji then invited Ba Bel to the stone table where they had played chess the day before.

This time, the table wasn't empty; another elder was sitting on one of the stone seats. Ba Bel recognized the clothes worn by the elder as the robes of the Medicine Cauldron House. The Medicine Cauldron House was a sect that focused its training on the art of medicine.

“Old geezer, it seems you’re starting to get senile. I thought you weren’t coming today.” Jiang Ji smiled at the old man.

“Hoh hoh, Brother Jiang, it’s impossible for me, who can concoct various medicines, to become senile. Forgive me, Brother Jiang, my sect had an important guest yesterday, so I was forced to accompany them.” The elder offered his explanation and apology to Jiang Ji, but his expression showed no hint of regret.

The elder's attention then shifted to Ba Bel, who was standing beside Jiang Ji. “Who have you brought with you, Brother Jiang? Don’t tell me he’s your descendant, because besides not looking alike, I know you’re an old geezer who still hasn't lost his virginity, aren't you?”

“Your tongue is as slick as ever, old geezer Bao, it seems I’ll have to teach you a lesson today.” Jiang Ji then rolled up the sleeves of his robe. Of course, Jiang Ji understood the intent behind the words spoken by Bao Xi, the Sect Leader of the Medicine Cauldron House.

“What lesson do you mean? As I recall, I'm still up two rounds against you so far!” said Elder Bao with a chuckle.

Ba Bel tried not to show any expression, but he could guess the identity of the elder before him. There was only one person from the Medicine Cauldron House who could behave like that toward Jiang Ji: Bao Xi, the Sect Leader of the Medicine Cauldron House.

“Bel’er, it seems I’ll have to postpone our game. Watch us play first,” Jiang Ji whispered to Ba Bel.

Ba Bel could only comply. He watched as the two elders began to test their chess skills against each other. Ba Bel watched the match from the side of the table.

Jiang Ji and Bao Xi’s playing abilities could be said to be evenly matched. Defeat could arise from a single misstep, and in this round, Jiang Ji was the one who made the mistake.

“After three long years, I’m finally ahead by three wins again.” Bao Xi burst into laughter, completely disregarding Jiang Ji’s violently trembling body.

Jiang Ji quickly regained his composure after a few breaths. “Today, my mind isn’t in a good state due to numerous sect problems. Therefore, you were quite lucky to win against me!”

“Old geezer Jiang, what nonsense are you spouting this time? Every time you lose to me, your excuse is always the same!” Bao Xi chuckled.

Jiang Ji snorted in annoyance, realizing that Bao Xi would relentlessly mock him. “This time it's truly factual; with your terrible playing today, even Bel’er could defeat you!”

Bao Xi raised both his eyebrows when he heard Jiang Ji’s words, then he glanced towards Ba Bel. “Did you hit your head on something last night, Brother Jiang?” Bao Xi’s face was filled with concern as he examined Jiang Ji from head to toe.