Hearing this news, Fang Qingyuan was stunned speechless. So many Cultivators dead in an instant, and all of them high-ranking members of their respective families. It was as if the sky were about to fall.
The other Cultivators Zhang Yuan mentioned, the ones from other families who had died, were all Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Each one of them had been a pivotal figure in their family.
He never expected they'd all be wiped out in one fell swoop. As Zhang Yuan continued his account, Fang Qingyuan learned more of the details.
It turned out that Elder Wang, seeking an opportunity for his Spirit Beast to undergo Core Formation, had formed a team to explore the Endless Forest. On their way back, they ran into a Demon Cultivator and were all killed on the spot.
When the news broke, all the major powers near Celestial Gate Mountain were shaken. They immediately formed patrol teams to investigate every crossroad, hoping to find some clue, however small.
At the same time, Tianshan Villa sent a request for aid to the headquarters on Beast Taming Mountain. Soon, people from Zongshan would arrive to thoroughly investigate the matter.
'A Foundation Establishment Steward had died along with his Spirit Beast. This was no small matter that could be easily dismissed,' Fang Qingyuan estimated. 'Zongshan will have to send a Golden Core Cultivator at the very least to keep things under control.'
The Wei Family of Celestial Gate Mountain was also in an uproar. Their ancestor was so shaken that he personally set out to hunt for the Demon Cultivator. This, along with the involvement of the other surrounding families, sent everyone into a frantic flurry of activity, like spinning tops whipped into motion.
The current situation was like a giant boulder suddenly thrown into a calm lake, and in the resulting turbulent waves, there was no telling how many unlucky souls would be crushed.
Such a huge storm, however, felt much smaller by the time it reached Fang Qingyuan. This was because he had the protection of his sect.
Because he, unlike Loose Cultivators, wouldn't be rounded up and extorted for everything he had. Nor would he be ordered around in circles like the other Cultivation Clans.
He was just an Outer Disciple. For the time being, as long as he stayed put inside Tianshan Villa, he wouldn't face any risks.
Still, Fang Qingyuan was troubled. 'Elder Wang is dead. Who am I supposed to go to for my assessment task now?'
...
For three days straight, a state of extreme tension pervaded the thousands-of-li Land Realm around Celestial Gate Mountain.
This sudden heavy pressure brought great misfortune to some Tribulation Cultivators. Outside the Celestial Gate Mountain Marketplace, over a dozen Cultivators had been hanged, sending a chill down the spine of anyone who passed by.
Not that many Cultivators were passing by recently, anyway.
Inside his room's Quiet Chamber, Fang Qingyuan finished his daily meditation with a hint of confusion. 'Why does it seem like I've been absorbing a bit more Spiritual Qi these past few days when I circulate my Cultivation Technique?'
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination. But thinking about his recent situation, he sighed. His supply of Spirit Rice was almost gone, and he didn't have a single Spirit Stone to his name.
'I was planning to make a fortune, but then this happened. What terrible luck. The Eleven-sided Spirit Wood I bought is still in my Immortal Mansion Space, and I have no way to sell it.'
'The shops in the Marketplace are all closed, and I can't even hope to visit the Independent Practitioner Marketplaces. I can't run my ferry service either. I haven't earned a single Spirit Crystal in days.'
He was burning through his savings. And to top it off, the Flying Manta Ray couldn't be happier. It got to eat Pig Fish every day without having to work. It was living a life of utter contentment.
Stepping into the courtyard, Fang Qingyuan watched the frolicking Manta Ray, his lip twitching. 'You wretched beast. One of these days, I'm going to stew you.'
After making the empty threat in his mind, Fang Qingyuan resignedly went over to shovel the Manta Ray's droppings and clean its enclosure.
The Beast Cage had to be cleaned every three days, or the Manta Ray would throw a tantrum. After cleaning, he also had to scrub its back. It was like waiting on a lord hand and foot.
Just as Fang Qingyuan was diligently sweeping, a shout suddenly came from the courtyard gate:
"By order of the Headmaster, all disciples are to report to the courtyard gate and await orders! We are to welcome our superiors! By order of the Headmaster..."
The voice faded as it moved into the distance. Hearing the announcement, Fang Qingyuan couldn't be bothered with shoveling Manta Ray droppings anymore. He quickly cleaned himself up and hurried toward the courtyard gate.
When he arrived at the courtyard gate, Fang Qingyuan found that numerous disciples had already gathered. They all stood waiting in solemn silence.
Fang Qingyuan found an empty spot, stood in it, and blended into the crowd.
After a short wait, a group of Spirit Beasts appeared on the distant horizon. Accompanied by waves of bestial roars, an immense and powerful pressure swept over them.
This pressure was far stronger than that of the Foundation Establishment Cultivator Fang Qingyuan had encountered a few days ago; the difference was like night and day.
The leading Spirit Beast was also a Manta Ray, but it was as large as a small mountain. It had a Golden Silk Silver Back, a sign of its superb quality.
As the Manta Ray landed, Fang Qingyuan clearly felt the ground tremble. He looked up and saw the usually dignified Headmaster, now wearing a fawning smile, dismount from the Manta Ray and attend to a middle-aged Cultivator with great solicitude.
This middle-aged Cultivator had a hearty appearance and a full, bushy beard. Once he was standing firmly on the ground, he turned and spoke to someone still on the Manta Ray's back.
"Old Le, what are you dawdling for? Don't keep these young ones waiting."
At the burly man's words, a refined and elegant-looking young Cultivator stepped down and remarked casually:
"Tianshan Villa has developed quite well over the years. These disciples aren't that far behind the ones from Zongshan."
Despite such words of praise, the Headmaster looked rather nervous and quickly said:
"Uncle Le, Uncle Zhao, it's getting late. Let's head into the villa to talk."
In the crowd, Fang Qingyuan felt a sense of unease as he heard the Headmaster's words. 'For the Headmaster to call them Uncle, they must be Golden Core Cultivators, without a doubt.'
'Moreover, for Beast Taming Sect disciples, their Spirit Beasts are always one realm higher than their masters. This Golden Silk Silver-backed Manta Ray right here is clear proof.'
'A Golden Silk Silver-backed Manta Ray that can grow this large must be at the Late-stage Golden Core realm at a minimum. Although Manta Rays aren't skilled in combat, that's only relative to Cultivators of the same level.'
'A Manta Ray like this... while you couldn't say it could sweep through all of Celestial Gate Mountain, it's still an existence that no one could hope to defeat.'
'Even the Wei Family's ancestor would have a major headache dealing with this Manta Ray.'
'Logically, for the death of a single Foundation Establishment Disciple, sending one Golden Core Cultivator to investigate would be appropriate. But from the looks of it, two have come.'
'This is an excessive response.'
Before Fang Qingyuan could ponder the reason for this, Uncle Le spoke again:
"Go and inform the Wei Family that people from the Beast Taming Sect have arrived. Tell their ancestor to come to the villa for a meeting."
'Wow. Coming to someone else's turf and demanding the host come to you. These Zongshan Disciples really are arrogant. Their status is leagues above us villa disciples.'
The Headmaster's expression soured. He had always been on good terms with the Wei Family ancestor, but with this command, their years of friendship would surely be strained.
Just then, Zhang Ze, the Elder of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, replied:
"Uncle Le, should we summon the other Cultivator Clans as well?"
Hearing this, Uncle Le smiled, revealing a set of chillingly white teeth.
"Have them all come. The more the merrier, after all."
Hearing this, Uncle Zhao, who was standing beside him, also laughed.
"That's right, have them all come. It'll save us the trouble of visiting them one by one. I hate dealing with hassles, so it's better to get it all done at once..."
As Uncle Zhao was speaking, Uncle Le suddenly cut in:
"Senior Brother Zhao, watch your words. Alright, let's not chat at the gate. Let's go in."
After saying his piece, Uncle Le strode into the courtyard, leaving Uncle Zhao looking a bit awkward. But a moment later, Uncle Zhao turned to the Headmaster and ordered:
"My Manta Ray has a big appetite, so make sure you take good care of it. I hear your Pig Fish are quite tasty. Bring three hundred of them for my partner here to try."
With that, Uncle Zhao also strode into the courtyard, leaving behind the even more miserable-looking Headmaster and the Elders of the other two halls.