Chapter 618: Eternal Youth
Chapter 618: Eternal Youth
Yunlai Market.
The once bustling market had been flattened, and in its place stood a black military camp.
In front of the camp, severed heads were on display, a grim reminder of the fate that awaited those who defied the teachings. These were the heads of rebellious cultivators, beheaded by the Hu Jiao Wei Bing and arranged to form a jingguan.
It was evident that even without the elite warriors, the cultivators held no advantage in the mid-to-lower tier battles.
The scattered cultivators were no match for the more efficient occupational distribution and strict military discipline of the troops...
Inside the camp, the Black Guardian strode into the tent and saw the Poison Hand Scholar holding a wine jug, pouring himself a drink.
A chill ran down his spine.
After all, the Poison Hand Scholar had completely destroyed his physical body, leaving only his Yang Shen Concept.
Yet, at this moment, he appeared no different from a living person.
If he hadn't known beforehand, he would have only thought of the scholar as carefree and charming, never suspecting anything else.
"Black Guardian, what brings you here?" the Poison Hand Scholar asked.
"I heard that you, Left Envoy, released the messenger from Qingmu Ridge?" the Black Guardian inquired.
"Why not send troops to annihilate Qingmu Ridge directly?"
"Qingmu Ridge is willing to release the White Guardian and the other prisoners. They will submit as long as we don't attack them," the Poison Hand Scholar replied calmly. "I think it's a good deal."
The Black Guardian's expression turned grim. "Those who follow our teachings should accept death when defeated in battle. Even in death, their souls must go before our master to atone." He showed no intention of rescuing his companions.
"Never mind..." The Poison Hand Scholar smiled faintly. "Our momentum is like a broken bamboo, but we are also like a strong bow at its limit. If our enemies unite, it will hinder our future offensives. That's why I chose to spare Qingmu Ridge, ease our assault, and divide the enemy's camp... Are you satisfied with this explanation?"
Although he spoke matter-of-factly, a cold sweat broke out on the Black Guardian's forehead. "I dare not question, but I do have some doubts. Since the messenger has made his decision, I shall take my leave..."
After the Black Guardian left, the Poison Hand Scholar stood up and silently prayed to the sky.
There was one more thing he hadn't said.
As a divine messenger of the Great Pomie Shen, he had already delved to some extent into the realm of fate.
His decision to spare Qingmu Ridge was based on the result of his prophecy.
"Could there be a calamity within Qingmu Ridge that even I cannot destroy?" the Poison Hand Scholar prayed, his gaze fixed on the direction of Qingmu Ridge, his expression darkening.
...
Several days later.
Qingmu Ridge.
"You're back," Fang Xing said with a smile, looking at Fei Yong.
Fei Yong touched his head, still in disbelief that he had escaped death. He couldn't believe that the Kill-Life Cult had truly spared him!
"Now that we've released the White Guardian and the others, the Kill-Life Cult's army is on the move again, heading towards the Blood Shadow Gate..."
Fei Yong, being a Dao Ji Xiu Shi, quickly regained his energy after a brief rest and pointed at the map, "The remaining seven major sects, led by the Supreme Temple, have formed an alliance to block the Kill-Life Cult's army..."
Fang Xing smiled, unconcerned. After all, Qingmu Ridge had effectively withdrawn from the war.
"Not only that, but the Kill-Life Cult has annihilated three major sects. The remaining seven sects are not just reluctantly forming an alliance; they are emptying their nests and working together, which will have a terrifying outcome..."
"If the other seven sects are willing to open up their spiritual faith, the Supreme Temple will surely be able to summon a Yangshen Middle Realm ancestor. Combined with the other sects' abilities, they might even stand a chance against the Left Envoy!"
"Yes, and the Kill-Life Cult will definitely allow the seven sects to give it their all. After all, the more powerful the enemy, the better the sacrificial offering."
Fang Xing nodded. "This great calamity is far from over."
Fei Yong's face lit up with relief. "Now, in the Outskirts, only Qingmu Ridge remains untouched. I believe the number of scattered cultivators seeking refuge will surge, so we must guard the various passes and limit the number of people entering. This will surely offend the Kill-Life Cult..."
"However, there's something even more important at the moment."
He was well aware that he and the others had been abandoned by the Qingmu Old Ghost.
This Fang grandpa had hidden his strength too well, possessing Yangshen power and clearly not wanting another master above him.
Independence seemed like the best choice.
Fang Xing watched this scene, feeling that Fei Yong was saying, 'It's cold outside, let me add a yellow garment to your wardrobe...'
"Yes, Sect Master!"
Fei Yong's heart filled with joy, knowing that he had made the right move.
In the mortal world, this act of supporting the dragon and establishing a new sect would be enough to earn him a hereditary title.
In the world of cultivators, it ensured a worry-free life.
...
Several years later.
The Outskirts were engulfed in chaos and warfare.
The Kill-Life Cult's army launched an offensive against the Blood Shadow School, capturing most of its territory. However, they faced fierce resistance from the Seven Major Sects, making further advancement difficult.
The two armies reached a stalemate, and the massive battle with countless casualties gradually subsided. Still, infiltration and small-scale skirmishes occurred almost daily.
Although the Kill-Life Cult couldn't push forward, it was equally impossible for the Seven Major Sects to turn the tide and emerge victorious.
In fact, as the war slightly eased, the innate desire for internal strife among the Dao Foundation cultivators began to stir.
Moreover, due to the existence of Qingmu Mountain, or rather, the Nature Sect, it was uncertain how many sects were secretly negotiating surrender terms with the Kill-Life Cult.
Compared to other places, the former Qingmu Mountain territory, now under the Nature Sect, had become a veritable utopia.
If not for Fei Yong's timely planning, it might have been overwhelmed by the influx of refugees.
Qingmu Mountain.
Today, it has become a pure geographical name.
Within the Nature Sect.
Towering trees and birdsong filled the air, creating a picturesque scene.
However, every cultivator who entered knew that the formation here, personally designed by Fang Xing, was powerful enough to trap even a Yangshen True Lord.
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"Manager Fei, we're counting on you this time," said Fei Yong, who appeared slightly plump with a beard, resembling a wealthy merchant. His cultivation had reached the mid-stage of the Dao Foundation.
Behind him was a cultivator at the Beyond the Path of Dao realm, humbly offering a flying squirrel pouch to Fei Yong.
"Ah, Brother Lin... no, Brother Lin, why are you doing this?" Fei Yong expressed surprise, as if his personality had been insulted. "When we were in our previous sect, you and I had the best relationship... Now that you've abandoned the darkness and embraced the light, I'm naturally overjoyed."
Brother Lin smiled, "I hope you'll put in a good word for me in front of the founder..."
In the Nature Sect, Fang Xing was undoubtedly the founding ancestor, wielding unimaginable power.
However, he had no interest in administrative affairs and devoted himself to planting trees. The next in command was Fei Yong, the sect's manager.
Brother Lin was once a core member of Qingmu Mountain and a candidate for the Yinshen Immortal position.
Later, he followed Qingmu Old Ghost and left.
After a few years of wandering, he didn't fare well among the Seven Major Sects.
After all, as a disgraced dog, even Qingmu Old Ghost had to serve as cannon fodder in high-level battles.
Unable to endure this, Brother Lin heard that Fei Yong was doing well in the Nature Sect, so he traveled thousands of miles to seek refuge.
Soon after, Fei Yong brought Brother Lin to a desolate wilderness.
There, a young man dressed in beast skins was planting trees.
"Paying respects to the founder," Brother Lin immediately knelt down without Fei Yong having to say a word.
It's worth mentioning that Brother Lin was also dressed in beast skins, with a tree crown made of willow branches on his head, exuding a wild and ancient aura.
Not only him but also Fei Yong and the entire Nature Sect were dressed similarly.
Even the subordinate forces under Qingmu Mountain had adopted this 'retro beast style,' and some cultivators intentionally rode ferocious beasts to show off.
Outsiders, on the other hand, might feel out of place.
Fang Xing didn't mind; it only proved that the weak were shaped by their environment, while the strong directly shaped their environment.
"Founder, this is Brother Lin Kun, who wishes to abandon the darkness and join our Nature Sect," Fei Yong stepped forward and reported.
"Lin Kun?" Fang Xing, who had just finished planting a tree, looked up with dirt-stained hands and glanced at Lin Kun. "Hmm... I'll leave him to you."
"Yes," Fei Yong bowed.
Lin Kun knelt down in joy, "Thank you, Founder..."
Fang Xing waved his hand, dismissing the two and continued planting trees.
Fei Yong soon returned, "Founder... this person is suspicious."
"Oh? Why?" Fang Xing asked casually.
"Although we've accepted the remnants of Qingmu Mountain, the numbers have been slightly higher than usual in recent months... Moreover, I've known Lin Kun for many years, and despite his seemingly simple-minded nature, he's cunning and treacherous. He's likely a spy sent by Qingmu Old Ghost to infiltrate us." Fei Yong asserted.
"We'll remain unmoved... We're behind the Kill-Life Cult, and ordinary Yangshen True Lords wouldn't dare come... Only Qingmu Old Ghost would dare to take such a risk." Fei Yong spoke confidently, "But he wouldn't dare to break through the formation. As long as the founder stays in the Nature Sect, we'll wait for him to expose himself and defeat him."
Qingmu Old Ghost had already died once, and his strength had greatly diminished, even falling short of White Dharma King!
He knew the best way to respond.
"Hmm... But it's not necessary to make it so complicated. We can lure him out and eliminate Qingmu Old Ghost..." Fang Xing suggested.
Fang Xing checked his attribute bar.
The years he had fought for had been enough to make his strength leap again.
Moreover, Qingmu Old Ghost had first used them as cannon fodder for a blood sacrifice and then coveted the Nature Sect's foundation. They had long become enemies.
[You have undergone a Nature Wash, gaining partial 'Nature Knowledge'!]
[Your Druid class has advanced to level 20! You've obtained a new talent - Eternal Youth!]
(End of Chapter)
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