Ninety years ago, during a Beast Tide, the Wang family's cultivator clan was obliterated overnight, and Ink Brush Ridge was taken over by the beasts.
At the time, Qingyang Sect's previous patriarch had just passed, and the new patriarch, Ancestor Xu, had only recently advanced to the Golden Core realm. Combined with internal conflicts, the sect's power had sharply declined, leading to a devastating loss for the cultivator clans of Yang Region during that war.
The Qingyang Sect lost two Purple Mansion cultivators, and multiple Purple Mansion families across Qingyang's two regions also saw the fall of their elders. Ultimately, it was the spirit vein at Jiaoyang Mountain that stopped the Dire Lion Ridge's advance.
Though the beast tide was repelled, the cost was staggering. More than 20,000 miles of territory west of Jiaoyang Mountain were seized by the beasts. The Wang family's proximity to the beast domain ensured their tragic fate—they were utterly destroyed.
The entire Wang clan, including tens of thousands of mortals and cultivators, was nearly wiped out, and the second-tier top-grade spiritual vein of Ink Brush Ridge became a lair for the beasts.
"Although the Wang family was annihilated, high-level beasts are intelligent and unlikely to have destroyed the medicinal herb fields. Most of the spiritual herbs on Ink Brush Ridge are likely still there," Wei Xuyuan said, pausing before continuing, "Over a hundred years without management or harvesting may have resulted in some of the herbs withering, but plenty should remain."
"Among those herbs, there's sure to be Green Yuan Ganoderma, and they're likely fully matured by now."
Elian's eyes narrowed as he looked at Wei Xuyuan.
"Are you suggesting…"
"I'll be honest," Wei Xuyuan nodded, speaking directly.
"The beasts occupying Ink Brush Ridge are strong, so I want to invite you to join me in a covert operation to harvest the herbs."
"I've already attempted a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion, so my true essence is 30% stronger than that of a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. I believe I can handle two or three late-stage Foundation Establishment beasts."
"Your strength is well-known and likely no less than mine. Together, we should be able to handle a powerful second-tier beast group. And if we happen to provoke a Purple Mansion beast, the two of us working together would still have a decent chance of escaping with our lives."
After a moment of thought, Elian decided the plan was feasible. With the Fiery Void Sword and the Thunderfire Sword in hand, he was not entirely defenseless against a Purple Mansion beast. And if they were pursued, he could use the Seven-Star Demon Slayer Vessel to escape.
Still, he asked, "Will it just be the two of us?"
"Of course," Wei Xuyuan replied, his expression serious.
"This is beast territory, and Ink Brush Ridge is just a few thousand miles from the Purple Mansion beasts' lair."
"Anyone without late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation entering this area would likely never return. The two of us, however, can strike quickly and retreat just as fast, which gives us a better chance of success."
"Alright, I'm in," Elian agreed after weighing the risks.
Without further delay, the two left the market as soon as the barter fair concluded.
Before leaving, Elian purchased five or six second-tier mid- and low-grade magical artifacts, spending over 8,000 spirit stones. These were enough to outfit Chen Xianling, Chen Xianyan, and Chen Niangchuan with proper equipment.
After saying goodbye to Jiaoyang Market, the duo crossed Jiaoyang Mountain's spiritual vein and entered beast territory.
Meanwhile, 20,000 miles from Jiaoyang Market, two figures stood over a battlefield littered with cracks and remnants of combat.
The stern-faced cultivator surnamed Yan looked at the scene with lingering fear and said, "The Zhang family sure had some tricks up their sleeves."
"Hmph!" Wei Mingyuan sneered, his expression dark.
"Three second-tier top-grade magical artifacts, one Water Divine Thunder Orb, and two second-tier top-grade talismans."
"If I hadn't brought the Qingyang True Fire Talisman, it's possible we wouldn't have taken them down."
He rummaged through the skeletal remains and retrieved a storage pouch, pulling out the Crystal of Blazing Flame.
With the crystal in hand, Wei Mingyuan's face lit up with glee.
"With this, my chances of advancing to the Purple Mansion are within reach. The effort wasn't wasted, even if it cost me the Qingyang True Fire Talisman."
"Congratulations, Senior Brother, on acquiring the Crystal of Blazing Flame," the stern-faced cultivator said, though unease lingered in his tone.
"But two members of the Zhang family managed to escape. I worry this might cause trouble."
Wei Mingyuan's eyes narrowed as he responded coldly, "Their peak Foundation Establishment elder died under the Qingyang True Fire Talisman. The remaining two are inconsequential."
"I'm more concerned about them reporting us," the stern-faced cultivator muttered hesitantly.
"After all, our techniques and artifacts are distinctive; they're bound to recognize us."
"What of it?" Wei Mingyuan scoffed, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes. "If they dare accuse us to the Qingyang Sect, I'll ensure they don't survive long enough to enter the sect's gates."
"And in a few years, once my meridians recover, I'll break through to the Purple Mansion. When that happens, with two Purple Mansion cultivators in my family, who would dare challenge me?"
"I need to move quickly. After dealing with that Elian brat and avenging Zuo Younian, I'll return to Jiaoyang Mountain to seclude myself."
Elian and Wei Xuyuan flew 8,000 miles across Jiaoyang Mountain's ranges, covertly entering beast territory. After three days of travel, they reached the edge of Ink Brush Ridge.
"Be cautious; we're deep in beast territory now," Wei Xuyuan warned, his expression grave as they stood before the towering ridges.
Elian shared his wariness. The Ink Brush Ridge spiritual vein was now occupied by the Golden Python Monkey clan, a formidable group.
After scouting, the two discovered that the clan numbered 3,000 beasts, all first-tier and above, with over a dozen second-tier Golden Python Monkeys. Among them, three were at late-stage Foundation Establishment strength.
"If it's just the Golden Python Monkeys, our combined strength should suffice," Wei Xuyuan said, though his tone grew more serious.
"But Ink Brush Ridge is only 20,000 miles from Qing Ao Mountain, home to a third-tier beast spiritual vein. A Purple Mansion beast could reach us in a single day."
"If we can't end this in a day, we'll have no choice but to retreat."
Elian nodded and replied, "With our sword flight abilities, the first-tier Golden Python Monkeys are no threat. We need to focus on the dozen second-tier beasts."
"If we can rout the Golden Python Monkeys, we'll have free rein to harvest the spiritual herbs. If not, we'll grab as much as we can and retreat."
After planning their attack, the two decided to launch a nighttime raid, hoping to catch the beasts off guard. The goal was to kill several second-tier Golden Python Monkeys in their initial strike, increasing their chances of success.
Under the cover of darkness, the two infiltrated Ink Brush Ridge. At the sound of a sword's hum, Elian struck first, summoning the Fiery Void Sword to slay a second-tier Golden Python Monkey.
Wei Xuyuan was equally swift, deploying a second-tier top-grade sword pill that transformed into a white Metal sword light, slicing through another Golden Python Monkey in an instant.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D