Cultivation Begins From The Desert

Chapter 660 644: Slaying a 6th-tier Flood Dragon!

FD, check after three-thirty)

"The regulations for this Foundation Establishment Conference have already been set. Apart from myself, who will participate in the battle to besiege the Tier Four Demon Beasts, the rest of our Zhou Family members only need to cooperate with the Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators of the Chen Family to form an array and clear out those low-tier demon beasts."

"Due to the oath, I can't reveal the specific goals of this operation for now. I can only say that if the Chen Family's information is correct, the risk of this operation should be smaller than several previous ones."

"So starting from tomorrow, Yun'Er, Qi'Er, you five participating Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators will need to go to White Camel Ridge with me to rehearse the array with other participating cultivators. Remember, you only have one month for preparation."

A few days later, on the third floor of the Jade Spring Tower, the old clan leader Zhou Minghan, who had finished discussing the details of the "Foundation Establishment Conference" with the Chen Family, arrived here to report the situation of the discussion to the high-ranking members of the Zhou Family present.

Zhouyang knew that once demon beasts reached the fourth tier and condensed a demon pill, their wisdom would greatly increase, allowing them to subdue other demon beasts as their subordinates.

Thus, around the Tier Four Demon Beasts in the Boundless Desert Sea, there would often be gatherings of numerous Tier Three and Tier Two Demon Beasts. Some Tier Four Demon Beasts could even have as many as a dozen or more Tier Three Demon Beasts around them.

A Tier Four Demon Beast in its own territory, together with a dozen or more Tier Three Demon Beasts and hundreds or even several hundred Tier Two Demon Beasts assisting, would intimidate someone like the Chen Family Ancestor, a Late-Stage Purple Mansion cultivator, from daring to challenge them directly.

This is why the Chen Family Ancestor, despite being capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills himself, is still willing to sell them to other clans. Because even if they did kill a Tier Four Demon Beast and obtained the demon pill, their own loss would be significant, outweighing the gains.

How could a Tier Four Demon Beast be so easy to kill?

The frantic counterattack of a Tier Four Demon Beast before its death could injure even an expert like the Chen Family Ancestor of the Late-Stage Purple Mansion, let alone those cultivators whose cultivation level is not at the Purple Mansion Stage.

In fact, every time the Chen Family organized a hunt for a Tier Four Demon Beast, there would be casualties among the Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators. The worst instance saw five Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators perish, causing several Foundation Establishment clans to decline directly and lose their legacy.

Yet even so, to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pills and to continue their family legacy, small clans like the Zhou Family can only grit their teeth and join in.

This is the helplessness of small clans!

At this time, after stating the main matters, the old clan leader Zhou Minghan took out a few jade scrolls and gave them to Zhouyang, saying, "Xiao Jiu, these are the Foundation Establishment experiences recorded by me, your father, and other Foundation Establishment cultivators of the clan. You should study them well these days. After we exterminate the demons and return, Elder Chen will soon start refining pills. Then, you can directly attempt Foundation Establishment at White Camel Ridge."

"Rest assured, Great-Grandfather, I will not disappoint you," Zhouyang said solemnly, taking the jade scrolls and nodding with determination.

Foundation Establishment is the most important matter on the cultivation road of a Qi Cultivation Stage cultivator, and anything that can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment is enough to make Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivators scramble madly for it.

Clans like the Zhou Family, during the Foundation Establishment of their younger cultivators, have the experiences of predecessors as a reference, allowing them to avoid many detours and avert many risks that could have been avoided.

As for those loose cultivators, without the Foundation Establishment experiences of predecessor cultivators as reference, they would have to rely entirely on luck and enlightenment to gamble.

Many loose cultivators, lacking the experience of predecessors as reference, even if they luck out and succeed in Foundation Establishment, would still be left with some hidden wounds post-establishment, affecting their future path.

Zhouyang had no doubt that if he were to sell the jade scrolls in his hands, even if the price was set at a thousand spirit stones each, surely some loose cultivators would be willing to purchase them.

However, this act, equivalent to selling ancestral property, is an unforgivable grave crime for any clan. No matter how much he needed money, he could never do something that would let the cultivators of his entire clan down.

In the following month, Zhouyang did not see the old clan leader or several other participating elders again until the agreed departure day arrived, when he and his foster mother Zhou Xuan Yu went to the marketplace to participate in the farewell.

This farewell was also Zhouyang's first time seeing a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator. Although he observed from several thousand meters away, he could sense the profound and overwhelming aura emanating from the Chen Family Ancestor.

At the same time, it was also his first time witnessing the grand sight of dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators and over a hundred late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivators gathered together.

Zhouyang counted a total of seventeen Foundation Establishment cultivators participating in the demon hunting operation, including the old clan leader Zhou Minghan. Of these, only four were from the Chen Family; excluding three independent Foundation Establishment cultivators, the rest were all Foundation Establishment cultivators from small clans like the Zhou Family.

Among the one hundred and twenty-four late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivators, there were forty-eight from the Chen Family. Nearly half of these cultivators, including those from other families, were aging cultivators whose lifespans were nearing their end, much like the two elder cultivators with the surname "Light" from the Zhou Family. It seemed they wished to contribute to their families one last time during the final twilight of their lives.

The farewell lasted for about half a day, after which Zhou Yang witnessed an extremely astonishing sight.

The Chen Family Ancestor waved his long sleeves and released a shimmering cyan-colored spirit ship. Initially, the ship was only a few feet long, but once the Chen Family Ancestor infused it with magical power, it grew rapidly with the wind into a giant tower ship more than ten meters long.

Under the control of the Chen Family Ancestor, the giant tower ship emitted a burst of cyan light which swept downwards, collecting all the Qi Cultivation stage cultivators on the ground into the ship's interior space. Seeing this, Zhou Minghan and other Foundation Establishment stage cultivators flew aboard the tower ship on beams of sword light.

Once everyone was aboard, the giant tower ship, carrying over a hundred people, morphed into a cyan spiritual light and swiftly flew away under the amazed gaze of countless cultivators witnessing the farewell.

"Quite astounding, isn't it? This giant tower ship is a Tier Four Middle Grade spiritual artifact, a treasure obtained by Elder Chen during his travels in the Liuyun Continent cultivation realm. It's said that the main material used to refine the tower ship is somewhat related to the legendary Tier Seven Divine Wood [Kong Sang Divine Tree], and its interior space is large enough to accommodate several hundred people without feeling cramped!"

Zhou Yang hadn't yet recovered from the shock of witnessing the giant tower ship when he heard his foster mother, Zhou Xuan Yu, speaking with envy beside him.

A spark of light flashed in his eyes, and he couldn't help exclaiming, "The [Kong Sang Divine Tree]? Are you sure you didn't misspeak? That's the legendary divine tree said to hold an entire realm beneath its branches!"

Zhou Xuan Yu wasn't surprised by Zhou Yang's expression as her demeanor was no better when she first heard Elder Zhou Minghan mention it.

She nodded, saying, "Of course, there's no mistake—it's recorded in the 'Record of Wondrous Treasures of Heaven and Earth' that tens of thousands of years ago, a branch of the [Kong Sang Divine Tree] fell from the heavens and was obtained by a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal. Later, that True Immortal used the Immortal Divine Technique [Transplanting and Grafting] to graft it onto a Tier Six Spirit Wood, allowing the [Kong Sang Divine Tree] to take root in this realm ever since."

Zhou Yang recalled the records about the "Kong Sang Divine Tree" in the 'Record of Wondrous Treasures of Heaven and Earth' and quickly chimed in, "Indeed, I've read that too. I also know that the Tier Six Spirit Wood was later cultivated by Spirit Plant Cultivators to produce numerous branch saplings, with the first-generation saplings also being Tier Six Spirit Wood, called [Kong Sang Tree]. It's said to be the best material for refining Teleportation Array Plates and Space Arrays, even surpassing Tier Six Spiritual Object [Profound Crystal Stone] that also possesses space attributes."

"Exactly. If even the spirit wood grafted from the [Kong Sang Divine Tree] can be cultivated to produce branches, why wouldn't the Tier Six Spirit Wood [Kong Sang Tree] do the same? The giant tower ship in Elder Chen's hands is rumored to be refined from one such [Kong Sang Tree] branch," Zhou Xuan Yu said with a laugh, tapping Zhou Yang's forehead with her jade-like finger.

"I see!"

Zhou Yang came to understand, and his face lit up with a satisfied, joyful smile.

Seeing this, Zhou Xuan Yu affectionately patted his shoulder and said, "Alright, let's head back and await the good news from grandfather and the others."

In the Desert Sea a thousand miles away from Baisha River Oasis.

Not long after Elder Chen piloted the giant tower ship past Baisha River Oasis, a red flame crossed the thousand-mile distance and landed in the hands of a waiting black-robed cultivator.

"Chen Yaohui has already left with the people, come quickly!"

Upon hearing the voice before the flame dispersed, a joyous expression appeared on the black-robed cultivator's face, and they couldn't help but laugh, "Hahaha, that old thief Chen Yaohui has finally left! It's time for us to act."

Before the laughter ceased, a flash of yellow light appeared on the black-robed cultivator's body, activating the "Earth Escape Technique," and they vanished underground.

Half a day later, the black-robed cultivator emerged from the underground, and this time he was not alone. Over a hundred similarly dressed black-robed cultivators appeared with him.

These black-robed cultivators were all adorned with black masks, revealing only their eyes, each glinting with a wolf-like greed.

Sand bandits!

These black-robed cultivators were unmistakably sand bandits!

Robbing oases was a common occurrence for sand bandits. Not every oasis in the Boundless Desert Sea had Foundation Establishment stage cultivators stationed, and many small oases lacking Tier Three Spirit Veins were occupied by some Qi Cultivation stage small clans or powerful independent Qi Cultivation stage cultivators.

These small clans or independent cultivators would cultivate spirit veins, nurture mortals, and select mortals with spiritual roots to teach cultivation techniques, accepting them as disciples. Most independent cultivators originated from these small oases.

These small oases, having no Foundation Establishment Cultivators stationed for protection, naturally become easy targets for sand bandit raids. Essentially, once their location is exposed, it's difficult to escape being looted by the bandits.

However, while sand bandits dare to raid small oases without Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and even medium-sized oases like Yuquan Lake Oasis that do have them, they should certainly not dare, or be able, to raid large oases like Baisha River Oasis.

Yet now, after the appearance of these hundreds of black-robed sand bandits, they are heading straight to the Baisha River Oasis, a thousand miles away.

This suggests that either the sand bandits have gone mad, collectively losing their sanity, or they have some backing, believing that the Baisha River Oasis, lacking the presence of Elder Chen, a Purple Mansion Stage Cultivator, cannot withstand their pillaging.

And judging by the fact that there are a dozen or so flying sword lights in the sky as they advance, it is apparent that it's the latter.

...

...

On the other side, after Zhouyang and Zhou Xuan Yu bid farewell to the old clan leader and others, they returned to the "Jade Spring Tower."

Zhouyang continued to study and contemplate the Foundation Establishment experiences recorded by the predecessors, while Zhou Xuan Yu, as usual, closed the door and drew spirit talismans in the quiet room in the backyard.

Speaking of it, the reason the Zhou Family appointed her, the household affairs elder who hadn't left the family for many years, to take over the "Jade Spring Tower" was because, after Zhouyang's involvement, the magical artifact business in the marketplace here temporarily wasn't profitable.

Previously, due to the presence of Zhou Minghan, a Tier Three High-grade Refiner, "Jade Spring Tower" had mainly focused on magical artifact business, until later when Zhou Xuanhao, a Tier Two High-grade Alchemist, joined, making elixirs and magical artifacts the main business simultaneously.

However, by the time Zhouyang took over, "Jade Spring Tower" had once again primarily focused on magical artifacts, causing the entire marketplace's magical artifact business to become desolate.

Because of this, the old clan leader Zhou Minghan, after much struggle and hesitation, sent his granddaughter Zhou Xuan Yu to the marketplace, hoping to use her exquisite talisman-making techniques to change the main business of the "Jade Spring Tower."

The Zhou Family's current sources of revenue are quite limited, with only two sources: one is selling the refined iron ore vein at Cyan Ping Mountain and the Golden Pearl Rice grown in the spirit fields on Jade Spring Peak, and the second is the income from the "Jade Spring Tower" and "Drunken Immortal Tower."

The first source is advantageous due to being stable and long-lasting, but it also has a significant drawback, as the annual income is relatively fixed, not prone to surges or plummets.

The second source, however, when encountering an opportunity like this great refining event Zhouyang brought, can earn as much in a year as the family's total income over several past years.

Especially now that the "Jade Spring Tower" has established a reputation, many cultivators visiting the marketplace to purchase spiritual objects will come here for a visit; these are all high-quality customers.

Whether it's magical artifacts, elixirs, spirit talismans, or arrays refined by Zhou Family cultivators, as long as the quality is good and the price is reasonable, they can sell quickly at the "Jade Spring Tower."

Once these items are sold, not only can the Zhou Family cultivators consigning the items earn spirit stones, but the family can also obtain a considerable commission, greatly alleviating their challenging financial situation.

And reputation is something that, if not managed carefully, can come swiftly and go just as quickly.

Once those cultivators, who come to the "Jade Spring Tower" attracted by its reputation, discover that there is nothing appealing besides magical artifacts, they likely won't visit again.

Therefore, even though the old clan leader Zhou Minghan was reluctant to let his granddaughter Zhou Xuan Yu be away from the family and himself, he had no choice but to let her station at the marketplace for the sake of the family's development.

Just as Zhou Xuan Yu was about to finish drawing a Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Talisman, a deafening bell sound suddenly rang from the marketplace, echoing nine times, as if the soundproof array outside the quiet room had failed, rendering it completely ineffective.

Boom!

Zhou Xuan Yu's jade-like hand trembled slightly as she held the talisman brush, instantly causing the almost completed spirit talisman to explode into flames and turn to ashes due to the ripple in the talisman maker's state of mind.

However, Zhou Xuan Yu couldn't afford to feel heartbroken at this moment. Upon hearing the bell sound, she stood dazedly, looking in the direction the sound came from—the summit of Golden Dawn Mountain.

"The Alarm God Bell's nine chimes, it's a warning of an attack by a Purple Mansion Stage enemy and Tier Four Demon Beasts on the marketplace!"

"Why? How could it be so coincidental? Why did such formidable foes attack just after Elder Chen and my grandfather left?"

"No, this is a conspiracy! It must be a long-planned conspiracy! It's dangerous, the marketplace is in danger!"

Zhou Xuan Yu's charming face suddenly changed colors, and she quickly kept the talisman brush and rushed out of the quiet room headed towards "Jade Spring Tower."

As soon as she got downstairs, she saw Zhouyang and the others had all left the pavilion, looking up at the mountain's summit.

At this time, above the summit of Golden Dawn Mountain, the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators that the Chen Family had stationed in the marketplace all emerged from their caves, flying with sword light and hovering in the sky, looking down at the innumerable cultivators in the marketplace.

"Fellow Daoists, we just received an alert from the family cultivators at the front, a large number of sand bandits are heading towards the marketplace. Among them, not only are there a dozen or so Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but there might also be a Purple Mansion Stage Cultivator hidden among them!"

"Due to the overwhelming strength of the incoming enemy, we can't guarantee protecting all the cultivators in the marketplace. Hence, if any fellow Daoists wish to leave the marketplace for their own safety, we will grant you a quarter-hour to do so."

"After the quarter-hour, any cultivators unwilling to leave the marketplace will have to follow our orders. I must state first, if anyone refuses to leave yet is slow to comply with my commands, beware that my flying sword will take their head!"

"Alright, time is pressing, everyone please make your choice now!"

The cold voice echoed from the three Foundation Establishment cultivators, spreading throughout the entire marketplace through the power of magic, causing a great commotion like a giant stone hitting the water.

Although most cultivators who understood the meaning of the Alarm God Bell's nine chimes had prepared mentally when it rang, hearing the actual circumstances confirmed by the Chen Family's Foundation Establishment cultivators still shocked everyone, filling them with disbelief.

"Did I hear that right? That elder said it's sand bandits attacking? Since when did sand bandits have the guts to attack a cultivation marketplace protected by several Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Tier Four arrays!"

"Sand bandits! It's sand bandits! This is disastrous! Sand bandits are ruthless evil ghosts who devour without leaving bones, devoid of any humanity. If the marketplace falls to them, even if we hand over our storage bags, they will still kill us!"

"Conspiracy, this is a long-planned conspiracy! To unite over a dozen Foundation Establishment sand bandits is something that even an ordinary Purple Mansion Stage Cultivator can't accomplish. The marketplace is in danger, we should flee. These sand bandits mainly target the family cultivators in the marketplace. As long as we loose cultivators with little value don't provoke them, they might not bother with us!"

Whoosh!

A flying sword cut through the air, instantly decapitating the cultivator who cried "conspiracy," causing his head to fall to the ground.

"A jumping clown, so eager to die, I'll gladly oblige!"

A disdainful sneer echoed in the sky, as the Chen Family's Foundation Establishment Cultivator who released the flying sword displayed a darkened expression, scanning the trembling low-tier loose cultivators below with cold eyes, shouting: "I know there are definitely sand bandit spies among you, so if you want to live long enough to collect the bounty, I suggest you shut your mouth and roll out of the marketplace soon. Otherwise, if you give yourself away and I notice the slightest hint, wait to see if my flying sword remembers you!"

"Anyone daring to spread unrest will be treated as a spy without mercy!"

Upon hearing these words, the remaining cultivators in the marketplace exchanged glances, none daring to speak further, with thoughts racing about escape routes.

The previously killed cultivator, whether actually a sand bandit spy or innocent, was irrelevant to those unrelated. What mattered was his words carried some truth. Sand bandits attack the marketplace for wealth, and many loose cultivators think their meager possessions would not attract sand bandits compared to the wealthier family cultivators.

Therefore, after the Chen Family's Foundation Establishment cultivator finished speaking, one brave cultivator cupped his hands and spoke to the three Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sky: "Forgive me, seniors, but it was not easy for me to cultivate, and I do not wish to lose my life here. Please forgive my rudeness!"

This time, the Chen Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator who killed with the sword did not react in any way. Only one of the other cultivators, an old man with a bitter smile, nodded at the speaking cultivator and replied: "Little Daoist, if you wish to leave, then leave. After all, it's the Chen Family's fault for failing you, and if the marketplace is preserved, I will recommend that the family reduce the marketplace's stay fees by half over the next ten years, thanking everyone for their support!"