Cultivation Starting from Choosing Augments

Chapter 125 - 122: In Your Next Life, Don’t Trust Others So Easily

With the Zhu Family’s account book, he had what amounted to ironclad evidence.

The next step was to head to the Jing Family and find out what was going on as quickly as possible.

Their capture of so many Loose Cultivators was most likely for some sort of Demon Dao sacrificial ritual.

The consequences of such an event could be either minor or devastating.

If he could stop it in time, it would just be a case of colluding with Demon Cultivators.

But if he arrived too late and they had already completed their scheme, the outcome would be grim.

’Still, the more pressed for time I am, the more I must not rush.’

Xiao Chen first took the account book and made a trip to the Chen Family overnight to inform Elder Chen.

Tomorrow morning would be the sixteenth of the first month, when the Li Huo Sect would resume its operations.

Subsequent tasks—contacting other members of the sect, going to Zhu County to take over the Zhu Family’s estate, and settling the rescued Loose Cultivators—were all entrusted to the Chen Family.

Only then did he hurry to the Jing Family, hoping to buy some time.

"Senior, save us!"

However, just as Xiao Chen entered Jingchuan County’s borders using Sword Control, he saw numerous Loose Cultivators fleeing for their lives.

When they saw a Foundation Establishment Cultivator arrive, they immediately ran toward him, shouting for help.

Xiao Chen extended his Divine Sense and immediately saw a black bear in pursuit not far ahead.

He descended from his Sword Light and took a closer look.

The black bear’s eyes were bloodshot, its body was covered in blood, and it was clearly in a berserk state.

The fluctuations of its aura were immense, one moment resembling the eighth layer of Qi Refining, the next rivaling Foundation Establishment.

It showed no fear at his approach, instead lunging directly at him.

"Seven-Star Sword Technique—Dubhe."

Xiao Chen’s sword pierced the black bear’s chest, knocking it to the ground.

However, the bear seemed to feel no pain. Completely ignoring its injuries, it immediately struggled to get back up.

It thrashed its claws, still trying to attack.

’Strange. Was it hit with a Demon Technique?’

Xiao Chen finished it off with another strike, severing the bear’s neck, but a sense of foreboding rose in his heart.

’This is the Jing Family’s territory. Why haven’t they dealt with this bear?’

’Normally, I couldn’t rule out the possibility that the Jing Family Patriarch was away and some Demon Cultivators were taking the opportunity to cause trouble.’

’But right now, the Jing Family is supposed to be in league with the Demon Cultivators.’

’Could it be... the work of another group?’

Mulling this over, Xiao Chen quickened his pace toward the city.

Inside Jingchuan County, smoke and fire filled the air, and the city was in ruins.

Bodies littered the streets, and the sporadic clang of blades echoed from the rubble.

Xiao Chen casually tore off a roof and saw a red-eyed Cultivator inside, sword raised, hacking at two other Cultivators.

All three were at the second layer of Qi Refining.

At this point, the other two had no time to cast Magic and could only block with their swords.

But they were clearly terrified by the frenzied assault; despite both of them parrying repeatedly, they were still losing ground.

"Cyan Thorn Technique."

With a wave of Xiao Chen’s hand, vines sprouted from the ground, instantly binding all three. "What in the world is happening in this city?"

The red-eyed Cultivator seemed not to hear his question at all.

He continued to struggle desperately, trying to resume his attack.

He even ignored the vines, dislocating his own arm in his frantic effort.

The other two, however, looked as if they’d been granted amnesty and hurriedly explained, "Senior, the Jing Family has gone mad! They’re killing everyone on sight!"

"The city is swarming with Jing Family members! They even released their tamed black bears. Even a Great Cultivator at the ninth layer of Qi Refining was killed by one."

’The Jing Family?’

Xiao Chen looked at the red-eyed Cultivator and, sure enough, saw the character for "Jing" embroidered in fine thread on the inner lapel of his robes.

He dispelled the vines and, with a casual slash of his sword, cut down the Jing Family Cultivator.

He then moved swiftly, eliminating the rampaging Jing Family members nearby and saving dozens of Loose Cultivators.

Only then did he arrive outside the Jing Family’s grand residence.

This large estate, spanning several acres, was situated in the center of the city, occupying the most valuable land.

But now, the Jing Family residence was a wreck, its walls cracked and collapsed. The nearby streets were strewn with the bodies of victims.

Many mortals had likely died without even realizing what was happening, their eyes wide open in shock, unable to rest in peace.

Xiao Chen sucked in a sharp breath. ’Could it be... they were all silenced?’

Xiao Chen circled the compound; it was completely empty.

Judging from the various traces left behind—such as burnt food in the pots, overturned tables and chairs, and especially the numerous shattered walls...

It seemed the Jing Family had descended into sudden chaos, going collectively berserk.

With red eyes, they hadn’t even bothered with the doors, instead smashing through walls to rush out as fast as possible and kill anyone they saw on the streets.

’Looks like it was some kind of Demon Technique that interferes with the mind.’

Xiao Chen shook his head. ’So, why collude with Demon Cultivators? Did they really think it would end well for them?’

Though he couldn’t comprehend Jing Qiyuan’s senseless behavior, after searching all of Jingchuan County and cleaning up the remaining members of the Jing Family, he discovered a suspicious clue.

’I haven’t encountered any traces of Magic left by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the entire city. It seems Jing Qiyuan isn’t here.’

’Most likely, he doesn’t even know the Jing Family has been silenced yet.’

From the look of things, Xiao Chen even had a feeling that Jing Qiyuan himself was in danger.

’Don’t tell me he’s going to be silenced too.’

It looked like the trail of clues in Jingchuan County had gone cold.

At this point, Xiao Chen actually found himself hoping that Jing Qiyuan would manage to escape and disrupt the enemy’s plan.

Although, he knew the chances were slim.

"Mister, please, save my mommy! She’s bleeding so much, and I’m so scared."

A little boy suddenly ran over and threw himself to the ground, kowtowing the moment he saw him.

Xiao Chen bent down and helped him up. "Don’t worry. Where is your mother? Take me to her."

Since the trail had gone cold, he didn’t mind taking the time to save someone, even if it was just a mortal.

The little boy pointed outside the city. "Mister, Mommy is under the third willow tree out there. I couldn’t carry her, so I had to come by myself."

’That far away?’

Hearing this, Xiao Chen glanced down and noticed the boy was barefoot.

He must have been in such a hurry to find help that he hadn’t watched where he was going. Small stones were embedded in his feet, leaving them covered in blood.

From the looks of it, he probably couldn’t even walk anymore.

So he knelt down. "Here, I’ll carry you on my back. You show me the way, and we’ll get there faster."

"Thank you, Mister."

The boy didn’t hesitate, walking around to Xiao Chen’s back and climbing on.

He then wrapped his small arms around Xiao Chen’s neck to hold on.

Seeing the boy struggling to hold on, Xiao Chen reached back to support him. "Is it outside the east gate? You can use your left hand to point the way for me."

Suddenly, a slightly aged voice spoke right next to Xiao Chen’s ear.

"Young man, let me teach you a lesson."

"In your next life, don’t be so quick to trust others."