On the Celestial Capital Peak, the entire mountain was adorned with a festive scarlet silk.
The plaza on the main peak was covered in red lanterns, hanging from a temporarily constructed high platform.
Today was the 180th birthday of Elder Huang Feng, and clan leaders or elders of families large and small from the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range came with gifts to offer their congratulations.
Everyone knew that this Huang Monster held grudges fiercely; he might forget who attended, but he would surely settle scores with those who didn't.
To the left of the high platform was the registration area, where a young man in a purple robe leisurely recorded the list of gifts. He was Yan Yu, now the most favored disciple of Elder Huang Feng, known as Chief Yan.
The previous Chief Hua had spoken of things he shouldn't have, and long turned into bones, with no one knowing where they were buried.
He tapped the tip of his pen lightly, his voice sharp as he read aloud:
"Li Family from Hundred-Year Mountain, offering a hundred-year-old Golden Spirit Fruit — hmm, acceptable."
"Liu Family from Futu Mountain, offering a Tier One High Grade Magical Artifact 'Profound Iron Shield' — not bad!"
"Huang Family from Xiaogu Mountain, offering a bottle of Tier One Middle Grade Elixir — how stingy!"
The cultivators who came to present gifts were all bowing and scraping, fake smiles plastered across their faces, eager to empty their coffers.
Yan Yu maintained a haughty demeanor, occasionally sweeping a critical gaze over the crowd, with a storage pouch tucked in his sleeve — it was filled with benefits secretly slipped to him by various families.
At that moment, an old man with pure white hair hobbled forward on a cane.
He wore a faded blue magic robe, patched in several places, his face wrinkled, none other than the current clan leader of the Zhang Clan, Zhang Chengjiao.
Deze simpele truc verwijdert alle parasieten uit het lichaam!Open
The surrounding cultivators instinctively stepped back a few paces upon seeing him, as if he were a plague. Their eyes showed mingled contempt and sympathy.
Zhang Chengjiao was long used to such treatment.
He remembered when Zhang Cheng'an, with a High Grade Spiritual Root from his clan, was sent to the Li Xiao Sect, and families all across the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range held the Zhang Clan in high regard.
Zhang Yaozu set a plan for the entire clan to support Zhang Cheng'an with all their might.
Later, they obtained Spirit Wine heritage left by Chen Sheng, and the peach blossom wine they brewed become a renowned specialty across hundreds of miles.
Back then, the Zhang Clan enjoyed a time of prestige.
But all of that disappeared with Zhang Cheng'an's failed Foundation Establishment.
Zhang Cheng'an not only damaged his Primordial Qi but passed away prematurely at just over fifty years old.
Initially, the Huang Monster had still feared the connections he left in the Li Xiao Sect, not daring to press too hard.
But over time, as his subordinates probed multiple times and confirmed that the Zhang Clan had completely fallen without any resistance, he bared his fangs.
He instructed his disciples to visit and demand the Zhang Clan repay decades of "owed" boys and girls, under the guise of "tribute."
For the family's survival, the Zhang Clan had no choice but to endure the humiliation and agree.
Zhang Yaozu, already old at the time, was so infuriated upon learning of this that he spat out a mouthful of black blood and died on the spot.
Yet even so, the Huang Wind Monster did not intend to spare the Zhang Clan; instead, he used them as an example to intimidate other families.
This is what happens when you cross him!
In the nearly thirty years since, under the sporadic oppression of the Huang Monster, the Zhang Clan grew increasingly withered, now having Zhang Chengjiao, a Late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, as their highest cultivation.
Yan Yu glanced sideways at Zhang Chengjiao, a contemptuous smile curling at the corner of his mouth:
"Old Man Zhang, the elder specifically instructed that the Zhang Clan must offer three immortal seedlings as a congratulatory gift. If one's missing, you know the consequences."
Zhang Chengjiao's heart bled, but on the surface, he could only force a dutiful smile:
"I understand. They are ready and waiting outside the mountain gate."
He discreetly withdrew a heavy cloth pouch from his sleeve and slipped it toward Yan Yu's sleeve.
Inside were thirty Lower Grade Spirit Stones, intended to bribe Yan Yu into speaking favorably of them before the Huang Monster.
Unexpectedly, Yan Yu snorted coldly, striking the pouch from his hand, the spirit stones clattering to the ground with a crisp sound.
"I am not like that useless Hua Yunhe; do you think this little trick is enough for me?"
Yan Yu's voice suddenly rose, laced with undisguised malice:
"The elder has ordered a different plan for the Zhang Clan today, so just wait!"
Zhang Chengjiao's heart skipped a beat, sweat instantly soaking his back.
The ever-greedy Yan Yu refused even the spirit stones today, could it be... An ominous foreboding coiled around his heart like a venomous serpent.
Just then, two gusts of black wind whipped up on the horizon, whistling with a rich scent of blood.
The black wind landed, transforming into two towering and lean Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The tall cultivator, with a face as dark as the bottom of a pot, held a blood-colored banner, while the short cultivator, with a deathly pale face, had a white bone dagger at his waist, both radiating nauseatingly sinister energy.
Seeing this, the Huang Wind Monster quickly stepped down from the high platform, his face splitting into an enthusiastic smile as he clasped his hands toward the two men:
"I didn't know the two fellow Daoists were gracing us with your presence, pardon the poor welcome, forgive me, forgive me!"
The tall cultivator laughed heartily:
"You're too polite, Fellow Daoist Huang, we specifically came to celebrate your birthday."
With that, he pulled a purple jade box from his chest and handed it to the Huang Wind Monster:
"A token gift, not worth much, it's a bottle of Blood Essence Pill, refined from the essence blood of ten early-stage Qi Cultivation cultivators, it should be quite effective in replenishing your Primordial Qi."
The Huang Wind Monster accepted the jade box, opening it to see elixirs of a dark red color, exuding a strong scent of blood.
His eyes instantly lit up with greed, his pupils dilating slightly — he was now on the brink of his lifespan, his Dharma Body aging, not even motivated for absorption anymore.
This Blood Essence Pill may not prolong life, but it can replenish Primordial Qi!
If taken regularly, it can allow him to pass his final days in peace and enjoy youthful vigor!
"You two are too polite, please take the seat of honor!"
The Huang Feng Monster squinted with laughter and warmly invited the two to the main seats on the high platform.
As the three exchanged pleasantries, their gazes occasionally swept across the cultivators in the square, as if they were evaluating lambs to be slaughtered.
When Zhang Chengjiao felt their gazes sweep over him, he felt as if a thorn had pierced his back, a chill enveloping his body. He vaguely guessed that today it wasn't just the Zhang Clan in peril.
Before long, Yan Yu loudly announced:
"Auspicious hour has arrived, please everyone offer birthday wishes to the Elder!"
The cultivators in the square hurriedly knelt down in unison, respectfully shouting:
"May the Elder enjoy immortal blessings and live as long as the heavens!"
But on the high platform, the Huang Feng Monster suddenly let out a strange laugh, his voice sharp and piercing:
"I have seen your gifts and am not satisfied!"
He paused, his gaze slicing across everyone like a knife:
"At today's birthday banquet, I won't make it difficult for you. Each clan's Qi Cultivators must offer three drops of Essence Blood as my birthday tribute!"
Arts uit Antwerp: 's Ochtends komen er wormen uit je lichaam. Probeer hetOpen
Upon hearing this, oppressive murmurs arose from below the platform.
A cultivator's Essence Blood pertains to the foundation of cultivation. Though three drops might not damage the core, it would still render one weak for a while.
Yet, facing the pressure of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, no one dared to resist and could only suffer in silence.
The Huang Feng Monster's gaze finally fell on Zhang Chengjiao, the corners of his mouth curling into a cruel smile:
"The offense the Zhang Clan committed against me years ago, I have not forgotten."
"But today, I'm in a good mood, so I'll give you a chance - every cultivator in your clan must offer half of their Essence Blood, then past grievances shall be forgiven."
"What?!"
Zhang Chengjiao felt as though struck by lightning, nearly blacking out.
For a Qi Cultivator, relinquishing half of their Essence Blood is nearly akin to losing half a life. For the clan's children and elders, offering half would surely mean death!
The Huang Monster was clearly not letting bygones be bygones; he intended to utterly destroy the Zhang Clan!
The other clans' cultivators, witnessing Zhang Chengjiao's plight, felt a sense of luck in their hearts - compared to half of the Zhang Clan's Essence Blood, offering three drops themselves didn't seem so unacceptable.
The Huang Feng Monster exchanged a glance with the two Daoists beside him, bursting into triumphant laughter, as if already envisioning the scene of obtaining countless drops of Essence Blood.
Just then, a sharp sword cry suddenly came from the horizon, and a golden Sword Light streaked across the sky like a meteor, arriving instantly above Celestial Capital Peak.
From the Sword Light flew out a yellow Talisman, which exploded into a golden light, directly breaking through the Mountain Protection Array of Celestial Capital Peak, creating a passage!
"Who dares to intrude upon my Celestial Capital Peak?"
The array order at Huang Feng Elder's waist flickered violently, his face changed drastically, and instinctively, he summoned his Lifebound Magical Artifact, the "Five Evil Gourd".
The gourd spouted five streams of black Qi, transforming into five venomous snakes that lunged towards the Sword Light.
The two Daoists beside him also tensed up, their identities being unsuitable for the daylight, each summoned their Magical Treasures.
The tall Daoist shook the Blood Banner, from the banner flew countless blood-red ghostly apparitions.
The short Daoist drew the White Bone Dagger, its blade entwined with black Death Qi.
The three controlled their Magical Treasures, attacking the Sword Light in unison.
In mid-air, the Sword Light dispersed, revealing a figure in a green robe, standing with hands behind his back, hovering in the sky.
It was Chen Sheng, who glanced at the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators on the platform, furrowing his brows:
"Remnants of the Blood Refining Hall? No wonder the aura is so evil."
Seeing the Magical Artifacts attacking, Chen Sheng didn't even blink, he merely flicked his finger.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
Three streaks of golden Sword Qi, accompanied by rolling thunder sounds and sharp Sword Gangs, swiftly collided with the Five Evil Gourd, Blood Banner, and White Bone Dagger.
With several crisp sounds, the three Magical Artifacts were directly severed by the Sword Qi, falling to the ground, their Spirit Light dimmed.
The three from the Huang Feng Monster's side were in shock, their faces filled with disbelief:
"Sword Refining into Gang!"
"And Sword Qi Thunder Sound!"
"It's a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator!"
The tall Daoist quickly put on a flattering smile:
"Fellow Daoist misunderstands! It's all a misunderstanding! We are merely guests here with no malice!"
Chen Sheng sneered, opened his mouth, and a green light emerged, transforming into a three-foot Spirit Sword mid-air.
He flicked his finger, and the Sword Gang suddenly split into three, then condensed into three golden Sword Threads, with a sharp edge, slicing towards the three.
The Sword Threads were lightning-fast, everyone only saw three flashes of golden light, followed by three soft sounds.
The heads of the Huang Feng Monster, the tall Daoist, and the short Daoist fell to the ground in unison, their neck wounds smooth and neat, blood gushing out, staining the red carpet on the platform.
The cultivators in the square were all stunned, mouths agape, unable to speak.
The three Foundation Establishment Cultivators were slain so effortlessly?
Such power is terrifying!
Chen Sheng's gaze swept over the crowd below, finally landing on an elder with somewhat familiar features - it was Zhang Chengjiao.
He asked:
"Tell me, what exactly is going on here?"
Zhang Chengjiao was dumbfounded for a while, then he reacted, stepping forward a few steps, bowing deeply to Chen Sheng, his eyes filled with excitement and gratitude.
Composing himself, he recounted every detail of Huang Monster's coercion of each clan to supply Essence Blood.
After listening, Chen Sheng couldn't help but sneer:
"Sure enough, the same methods as the Blood Refining Hall, with the same vile aura."
It seems like a slow bleed, making each clan slowly supply Essence Blood, but in truth, once these cultivators are severely weakened, they'll raise their butcher's knife, refining everyone into Elixir Pills.
The Huang Feng Monster was evidently preparing to flee, mixing with these remnants, following a dark path to the end.
After all, practicing the Evil Energy Gathering Technique at most incurs a sect's warning.
But colluding with remnants of the Blood Refining Hall to refine Forbidden Pills like the Blood Essence Pill, once discovered, would definitely provoke a full-scale uproar from the Upper Sect.
Chen Sheng's gaze swept over the cultivators in the square once more, his voice calm yet undeniably authoritative:
"The Huang Feng Monster is dead, and the remnants of the Blood Refining Hall have been eradicated."
"I, the Tingyu Daoist, claim this Celestial Capital Peak as my dojo from now on!"
"I require none of your tributes, take your things and withdraw!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd looked at one another, then burst into cheers, kneeling before Chen Sheng, shouting:
"Thank you, Elder Tingyu!"
"Thank you, Elder Tingyu!"
Hearing the crowd's address, Chen Sheng frowned slightly, finding the title somewhat distasteful.
Zhang Chengjiao gazed at the green-robed figure in the air, his heart full of mixed emotions, knowing that the Zhang Clan had finally emerged from their ordeal.
Chen Sheng merely glanced at Zhang Chengjiao without acknowledging him.
Now, with no external threats to the Zhang Clan and the Spirit Wine heritage he left, they could surely endure, but staying too close to a small clan is no good.
After understanding the Zhang Clan's experiences over the years, Chen Sheng sighed over the transient nature of life; even support from an entire clan doesn't guarantee fulfillment!
Examples like Zhao Jinhua's were few.
Instances like Zhang Cheng'an's were the majority, just as Qin Shuang's was back then!