Candle Daoist gripped the iron-hot stone scissors tightly, ignoring the searing pain as his hands blackened, burned down to thin layers of flesh clinging to bone.
The black Spirit Rain above intensified, crashing down with thunderous force, each drop piercing his flesh and leaving deep, shallow wounds. In an instant, Candle Daoist was drenched in blood.
Yet he couldn't afford to tend to the countless injuries covering his body. He desperately channeled spiritual energy into the magic tool in his hands.
But his efforts were futile.
Wei Zhong's cultivation base had already reached the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment, his spiritual energy far surpassing that of the Early Foundation Establishment. The Flying Throwing Technique, now fueled by this immense power, was exponentially more potent than before.
The black orb streaked across the sky, a dark line hurtling straight toward Candle Daoist.
The red stone scissors shattered in an instant, collapsing under the overwhelming force and crushing Candle Daoist's body.
The orb's immense power drove both of them deep into the rocky cliff behind, burying them beyond sight.
Boom!
In the dead of night, a massive explosion jolted the Li Clan members awake.
"What was that?"
Li Ren, the Li Clan Leader, emerged from his cultivation trance. As he stepped out of his Immortal's Cave, a subordinate rushed forward to report.
"Clan Leader, the sound came from Black Lake Island."
"Black Lake Island?"
Li Ren immediately recalled the Candle Daoist, who had been draining the Li Family's resources for a decade. Could something have happened to him?
Noticing the Clan Leader's dazed expression, a subordinate prompted, "Clan Leader?"
Snapping out of his reverie, Li Ren instructed, "Send someone to investigate, but don't set foot on the island. Just call out to the Senior from the shore."
The subordinate's face fell. Everyone knew the Senior's brutal temperament; whoever went would likely meet a grim end.
Still, since the Clan Leader had ordered it, someone had to go.
Wei Zhong followed the tunnel carved by the black orb. The Candle Daoist had vanished, or rather, his remains were scattered throughout the passage.
The Storage Pouch is gone too.
The Candle Daoist had been reduced to ashes, so naturally, his Storage Pouch hadn't survived the impact. Its contents had likely been torn to shreds by the collapsing space.
But given Wei Zhong's wealth, this loss was insignificant.
At the tunnel's end, Wei Zhong finally found the black orb embedded deep within the rock.
After digging it out and brushing off the dust, he examined its smooth, flawless surface. Not a single scratch marred its perfect sphere.
He couldn't help but marvel: What kind of treasure is this? How could it withstand such an impact without a trace of damage?
Looking back, he could only see a faint glimmer of light from the distant cave entrance.
The strike nearly pierced the mountain from its waist. This was no ordinary rock; it had been tempered by countless years of spiritual energy, making it exceptionally sturdy.
Qi Refining cultivators required specialized mining magic tools to excavate this mountain's stone. Even with several First-Tier Magic Swords, they couldn't have dug so deep.
Wei Zhong returned to the cave and heard hissing sounds from the outer passage. He walked to the outer chamber and discovered a large swarm of Blood-Eating Bats swirling within.
With a flick of his sleeve, Wei Zhong dispersed the swarm. Among them lay a mangled, two-foot-long corpse—the Blood-Feeding Bat King.
"Dead?"
Wei Zhong approached to investigate. The bat had been dead for some time. The injuries didn't appear to be from external attacks; rather, they resembled death by backlash.
Typically, spirit beasts only died this way when their master was killed. Yet Wei Zhong had fought the Candle Daoist for quite some time. He had wondered why the spirit beast hadn't come to its master's aid. How could it have died?
Wei Zhong recalled his ambush strike, which had shattered the Candle Daoist's heart and internal organs. Normally, a Foundation Establishment cultivator's robust vitality would prevent immediate death, though they couldn't survive long.
But the Daoist had not only survived but merged with his blood body, transforming into a monster and engaging Wei Zhong in fierce combat.
Could it be that the one I fought wasn't the Candle Daoist at all?
A sudden chill ran down Wei Zhong's spine. There was something deeply wrong with the Blood Body Technique.
If the Extracorporeal Incarnation cultivated through this technique wasn't truly one's own, then who was it being nurtured for?
Wei Zhong dared not delve further, immensely grateful he hadn't been foolish enough to practice this technique.
As expected, there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. How could the True Monarch's legacies scattered across the land be so easily obtained?
Some Loose Cultivators still hoped to master the Blood Body Technique and claim the True Monarch's legacy, unaware they were merely weaving wedding garments for others.
Shifting his attention from the slain Blood-Feeding Bat King, Wei Zhong surveyed the surrounding Blood-Eating Bat Swarm.
With the king dead, a new one would typically emerge after a period of infighting within the swarm. For now, he decided to leave the bats undisturbed.
Wei Zhong tidied up the cave interior, erasing all traces of the battle. He even used mountain rocks to fill in the holes created by his Flying Throwing Technique.
Retaining the sole surviving piece of painted paper, Wei Zhong marveled at its craftsmanship. When affixed to a rock wall, it seamlessly transformed into a painting of the stone, indistinguishable from the surrounding rock. It was practically a divine artifact of camouflage.
Its ability to conceal spiritual energy further elevated its value. Wei Zhong examined the peculiar object, but its composition remained a mystery. He eventually stored it within his Grotto-Heaven.
Exiting the cave, they found the Li Family already alerted by the commotion.
In the distance, an elderly Qi Refining cultivator hovered above the lake's surface on a magic sword, daring not to set foot on Black Lake Island.
As his face struggled with indecision, a voice suddenly echoed in his ears:
"Summon your clan's descendant, Li Haowen."
Relief washed over him. He bowed respectfully toward the mountain peak on the island, then turned his Flying Sword and swiftly departed.
Within the Azurewood Sect, Nie Yuansen stood with his back to a young man behind him, asking:
"Zheng Sheng, how is Yuechan doing?"
The young man replied respectfully:
"Hall Master Duan says her Divine Soul is severely damaged and requires nurturing. If this injury cannot be healed, she may never achieve Core Formation in her lifetime."
The young man lifted his head, revealing a handsome face with fair skin and a subtle, indescribable masculine aura between his brows. Anyone who saw him would undoubtedly call him a beautiful man.
This was none other than Yao Zheng Sheng, the Azurewood Sect's foremost True Inheritance disciple, a student of Sect Leader Nie Yuansen. He possessed both Water and Wood Spirit Roots, each of High-Grade quality, far surpassing ordinary cultivators. By now, he had reached the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment realm.
"Ah, who could have imagined the Blood Sea True Monarch's legacy would contain such a trap? You two have truly suffered."
"It was this disciple's failure to protect Junior Sister," Yao Zheng Sheng said, lowering his head, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.
"Don't blame yourself. Who could have foreseen that the token would conceal a remnant soul? It seized the opportunity to invade Chan'er's Extracorporeal Incarnation during its refinement. Had you not discovered it in time, Yuechan would have been devoured and replaced by another."
Nie Yuansen slowly walked to Yao Zheng Sheng's side, patted his shoulder, and said, "Leave Chan'er to me, her father. You need not worry. Recently, the sect has made significant gains in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range and has gathered the necessary Spirit Medicines for the Dustfall Pill. If the Medicinal Pill is successfully refined, you should begin preparing for Core Formation."
"This disciple will not fail to meet Master's expectations!
Chapter 40: Black Lake Island
"Junior Sister," Yao Zheng Sheng called softly, addressing Nie Yuechan.
Though his master had instructed him to focus solely on preparing for Core Formation, he still wanted to bid her farewell before entering seclusion.
A woman draped in black gauze lay on a jade bed. Hearing his voice, she rose.
Her willow-leaf brows framed starry eyes, her delicate nose and crimson lips set against a cascade of long, dark hair.
"Senior Brother, you've come?"
Yao Zheng Sheng stepped forward, wrapping his arm around her slender waist and tenderly stroking her hair.
He cupped her pale face in his left hand, gazing at her with guilt. "Junior Sister, you've suffered so much."
She merely smiled, clasping his hand in both of hers. "Senior Brother, there's no need to blame yourself. If not for you, Chan'er would have surely met a fate of soul-scattering annihilation. The fact that I can speak with you now is all thanks to you.
"And it's not just you, Senior Brother. The elders, senior brothers, and junior sisters have all shown me such care."
She then reached into her robes and withdrew a piece of soft, white jade.
"Look, Senior Brother! Martial Uncle Yu even gave me this Soul-Nourishing Jade! Junior Sister Lin must be green with envy now, ha ha..."
Yao Zheng Sheng gently stroked her forehead, listening to her chatter without interrupting.
"Senior Brother, go achieve Core Formation without worry. Chan'er will be right here waiting for you to return."
"Did Master tell you about this?"
Nie Yuechan nodded.
"Junior Sister, after I reach Core Formation, I'll find a treasure to heal your Divine Soul injuries. We promised to become a divine couple, remember?"
Nie Yuechan giggled.
"Senior Brother, you're teasing me. Father still expects you to take on the Azurewood Sect's responsibilities after you reach Core Formation... Chan'er is content just knowing you care."
The next day, Wei Zhong gazed at the Blood-Feeding Bat King before him and murmured, "Demon beasts without masters are called demons; those with masters are called spirits."
In this Cultivation World, ordinary demon beasts and spirit beasts were essentially the same thing, the only difference being whether they had been tamed by human cultivators.
"You bloodthirsty demon, you'd better stay obediently under my command. Otherwise, I'll have to release you to wreak havoc."
With those words, Wei Zhong cast the Beast Driving Art.
This Blood-Feeding Bat King had emerged victorious from among the candidates vying for the Bat King's throne. After claiming victory, it devoured the remnants of the previous Bat King's corpse, advancing to the Late-stage of the First-Tier.
Controlling such a swarm-based demon beast required only subduing its king. To command the swarm in battle, one needed only issue orders to the Bat King, who would then direct the entire swarm accordingly.
Now a Foundation Establishment cultivator with fully formed divine sense, Wei Zhong found it effortless to forge a contract with this minor First-Tier Demonic Beast.
A Spirit Pattern effortlessly imprinted itself within the Bat King's body. With a wave of his hand, Wei Zhong commanded it to return to its cave, instructing it to guard his residence.
"Master, Master! Another spirit fish has taken the bait!"
The cries came from the Li Family maids who had been sent to serve him.
Wei Zhong glanced over and indeed saw the fishing rod twitching. With a flick of his wrist, he hoisted a shimmering azure spirit fish into the air.
Guiding it with spiritual energy, he handed it to a nearby maid to roast.
Big Gold surfaced from the lake, the vast expanse now its perfect habitat.
Wei Zhong tossed a Spirit Feeding Pill into the water—a reward for the creature's service in driving spirit fish toward his line.
Wei Zhong glanced back at the Yingying Yanyan surrounding him, took a sip of spirit wine, and felt an indescribable sense of contentment.
Yesterday, upon learning that Wei Zhong had slain the Foundation Establishment cultivator on Black Lake Island, Patriarch Li Ren of the Li Clan was overjoyed. He immediately sent these maidens as tribute. Most were Li Clan members with only mediocre talent, barely reaching the Qi Refining stage.
Yet each possessed unique charms, providing Wei Zhong with a feast for the eyes.
A rainbow light streaked across the horizon, revealing Li Haowen's figure.
His weary expression betrayed his relentless journey back to the clan after receiving the urgent summons. What took Wei Zhong merely half a day had required over ten hours for Li Haowen, a Qi Refining cultivator.
Seeing Wei Zhong, Li Haowen immediately bowed deeply in respect.
"Senior, thank you for saving the Li Family from dire straits."
Wei Zhong waved dismissively, signaling him to dispense with formalities. He then used spiritual energy to levitate a Spirit Contract before Li Haowen.
Li Haowen examined the contract carefully before solemnly accepting it. He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Senior, please wait a moment. I will immediately seek out the Clan Elder to sign this agreement."
"Go then," Wei Zhong nodded, offering no further words.
Turning around, Wei Zhong began enjoying the Spirit Food with the maidservants. When Big Gold returned with another spirit fish, he shoved the catch into its gaping maw with a dismissive gesture.
"No more. Eat it yourself."
He then glanced at Li Haowen's retreating figure. The Spirit Contract he had just given him stipulated that the Li Family must gift Black Lake Island and its surrounding waters entirely to Wei Zhong, transferring ownership completely.
Wei Zhong considered himself far more benevolent than the Candle Daoist. He hadn't seized the other Second-Tier Spiritual Island, leaving the Li Family a sliver of hope to continue developing into a Foundation Establishment Family.
A mere Second-Tier Spiritual Island? The Li Family should recognize reality. If they didn't, he'd have to help them open their eyes.
Moments later, within the Li Clan Ancestral Hall, the clan's leaders had gathered. Apart from Li Haowen, most present were the Li Family's ruling elders.
After reviewing Wei Zhong's Spirit Contract, some voiced their opposition.
"Impossible! Black Lake Island is our family's most vital Spiritual Island. We can't just give it away for nothing!"
"Exactly! Even if he's a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he can't bully our Li Family like this. We need justice! We must seek justice! Let's find an expert from the Azurewood Sect to judge this matter!"
The clamor of the Clan Elders nearly deafened Patriarch Li Ren. Enraged, he slapped the man who had been shouting for justice.
"Eighth Elder Li, you're still obsessed with your useless son. What has he learned in all these years except how to leech off the Li Family's blood?
When you and your son brought that Azurewood Sect Steward here last time, all he did was extort a thousand spirit stones from us. Did he even slightly deter the Candle Daoist?
You're all worthless trash—your entire family. If you utter another word of nonsense at this Clan Elder meeting, I'll tear your tongue out."
The man, stung by Li Ren's slap and scathing words, immediately covered his face and fell silent.
The entire ancestral hall fell into an eerie quiet.
After regaining his composure, Li Ren turned to Li Haowen, who stood below.
"Haowen, nephew, what's your opinion?"
Li Haowen met the Clan Leader's expectant gaze, then glanced around at his uncles before speaking.
"We must comply!
We can't afford to provoke the Candle Daoist, let alone Senior Chu, who defeated him!"
The Clan Elders exchanged glances, and Li Ren nodded in agreement.
"Moreover, Senior Chu isn't just any Spirit Farmer. He's rumored to be close to two direct disciples of the Azurewood Sect. Someone like that is far beyond our Li Family's ability to provoke."
Upon hearing this, Li Ren's face showed surprise and doubt, while the Clan Elders erupted into murmurs:
"Chu Zhong has connections to the Azurewood Sect? This is more complicated than we thought. We need to reconsider our approach."
...
In an instant, the atmosphere in the Li Clan Ancestral Hall shifted, with unanimous agreement filling the air.
Finally, Li Ren made his decision:
"Sign the agreement!
Our Li Family's foundation is weaker than the Yan and Chen families. We desperately need a Foundation Establishment cultivator to serve as our public face, and Senior Chu's prestige is the perfect opportunity.
We must also cultivate our own Foundation Establishment cultivator as quickly as possible to secure our position.
Haowen, invite Senior Chu to become a Guest Elder of our Li Family. Offer him whatever compensation he requests.
And all of you—stop hiding your talented young women. Encourage them to visit Black Lake Island more often. Becoming Senior Chu's concubine would be a blessing they couldn't earn in a thousand lifetimes."