The Bright Origin Dao Technique was a water-attribute cultivation method, and it included the refinement process for the Origin Phantom Sword. With this, the Chen family's collection of cultivation techniques was enriched. Future water-attribute cultivators would have a smoother path in their practice.
If the family could eventually acquire an earth-attribute Foundation Establishment method, they would have a complete set of Five Elements cultivation techniques for their Foundation Establishment stage.
Zuo Mingxu likely never imagined that by bringing this technique to the battle alongside three second-tier high-grade magical tools and spiritual talismans, he would still lose his life.
He probably hadn't anticipated the unprecedented combination of factors: the old patriarch acquiring the Blazing Fire Divine Flags and Elian breaking through Foundation Establishment on his own. These two unexpected variables completely disrupted their plans.
Returning to the main point, the spoils from this battle—several magical tools and over 5,000 spirit stones—lifted the spirits of the Chen family cultivators. For the first time in years, their somber mood gave way to smiles of hope.
They knew that once this trip to Tianxu Mountain was over, life for the Chen family cultivators would improve significantly.
Now, as they neared Tianxu Mountain, Elian felt a wave of relief and quickened his pace toward the market.
"What's going on?"
Upon entering the Tianxu Mountain market, Elian immediately sensed something was off.
He noticed that the cultivators in the market were all moving hurriedly. Most wore expressions of either joy or anxiety, and many carried a sense of unease.
Elian and the old patriarch exchanged glances. The old patriarch shook his head and quietly transmitted his voice to Elian.
"Let's first head to the Tianxu Pavilion and complete the transaction for the Five Elements Essence. We can gather information while we're there."
"Understood."
Elian nodded. The Tianxu Pavilion was operated by Daoist Jiang, and any information they provided would be reliable.
The group moved their goods toward the Tianxu Pavilion. Soon, a female cultivator emerged to greet them.
She wore red robes and had a charming appearance, looking to be in her twenties. From a distance, she smiled and called out, "I've been expecting the delivery of Five Elements Essence from Yu County around this time."
"I was wondering which friend would bring it this year. I didn't expect it to be Daoist Chen," she said, her gaze landing on the old patriarch.
"I heard you were injured, Daoist Chen. I even thought of visiting, but couldn't spare the time. Seeing you here now, it seems your injuries are healed."
The old patriarch gave a polite smile and replied, "I appreciate your concern, Fairy Liu."
The woman smiled faintly and turned her gaze to Elian, her eyes showing a hint of surprise.
"And who might this be?"
"This is my grandnephew, Elian," the old patriarch said, introducing him. "Elian, this is Fairy Liu Rumo, one of Daoist Jiang's esteemed disciples."
Elian noticed that her cultivation had reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Realizing she was not the same disciple he'd seen years ago, Lin Qianshu, he quickly stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Senior Liu."
"You're also a Foundation Establishment cultivator. There's no need for such formality," Liu Rumo said, stepping aside and playfully adding, "Judging by your bone age, you're not even thirty yet. A Foundation Establishment cultivator of your age is bound to be a prominent figure in Chu kingdom's future."
"With such extraordinary talent, I might be the one calling you senior someday," she joked.
The old patriarch chuckled but quickly added, "This boy was reckless in breaking through Foundation Establishment. He merely got lucky, surviving the nine-deaths-one-life odds. He's far from matching Fairy Liu's promising future."
After some pleasantries, they got down to business.
The Five Elements Essence trade was crucial to Daoist Jiang's cultivation, and Tianxu Mountain took it seriously. They spent 20,000 spirit stones annually to purchase the essence from Yu and Feng Counties.
After verifying the goods, the agreed transaction price was just over 9,500 spirit stones. The amount was slightly lower than expected because refining the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade had consumed over 2,000 strands of Metal and Fire Essence. Otherwise, the transaction would have exceeded 10,000 spirit stones.
Once the trade was complete, Liu Rumo invited them into the Tianxu Pavilion for tea.
While seated in the pavilion, the old patriarch finally couldn't hold back his curiosity. With a smile, he asked, "Why is it that when we entered the market today, everyone seemed so hurried? Has something significant happened at Tianxu Mountain?"
Liu Rumo smiled faintly, her expression turning serious.
"I was just about to discuss this with you."
She continued, her tone heavy, "By rough calculation, it's only thirty-one or thirty-two years until the centennial Beast Tide erupts again."
As she spoke, Elian's pupils contracted slightly, and he quickly understood the source of the unrest at Tianxu Mountain.
To the north of Tianxu Mountain lay an endless expanse of the Great Eastern Wilderness, known as the Vast Swamp. This area, one of the most fearsome regions of the Eastern Wilderness, was home to countless demon clans, including Golden Core Demon Kings and Nascent Soul Demon Sovereigns.
Legends spoke of an ancient Black Dragon Demon Ancestor deep within the swamp, whose bloodline was unparalleled. Having cultivated to a near-immortal state, even Nascent Soul Daoists on the verge of ascending couldn't defeat him.
Such tales, however, were far removed from the lives of ordinary cultivators and even the Chu Kingdom. What loomed closer and posed a direct threat to Tianxu Mountain was the presence of the Sky Python Lake, located 400,000 miles to the north.
Sky Python Lake was ruled by the Sky Python Demon King, whose territory was teeming with demon clans that multiplied rapidly, producing countless offspring.
Whenever the demon population grew unsustainable, the Sky Python Demon King would mobilize his forces to attack Chu Kingdom. If the demons succeeded, they would expand their territory into human lands. If they failed, the weaker demons would be culled, preventing ecological collapse and infighting among the demon clans.
The Beast Tide occurred once every hundred years due to an unspoken agreement between the Nascent Soul families of the Chu Kingdom and the demons of the wilderness.
Now, with only about thirty years left until the next Beast Tide, Tianxu Mountain, one of Chu kingdom's three major defensive lines against the demons, would inevitably bear the brunt of the attack.
To reduce the pressure from the impending chaos, Daoist Jiang had decided to take preemptive action by slaying several Purple Mansion demon beasts to weaken the demons' strength.
"My master is planning an assault on Demon Wolf Mountain and has decided to summon the cultivators of Tianxu Mountain to participate," Liu Rumo said, her gaze falling on the two.
"As Foundation Establishment cultivators, you are both expected to join the attack on Demon Wolf Mountain."
The old patriarch smiled wryly but resolutely replied, "It's better to fight the demons now than to be surrounded thirty years later."
"I support this battle and will fight with all my strength."
He paused before adding, "However, we were ambushed by demonic cultivators on the way here. Several of our younger Qi Refining cultivators are seriously injured and may not be able to join this fight."
"Your presence is enough," Liu Rumo replied with a faint smile.
"The six Qi Refining cultivators can stay at Tianxu Mountain to defend it."
...
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