Chapter 59: A Letter to Wang Family Mountain, the Wang Clan's God of Slaughter Emerges Once More! |
Returning to his room, Yulou cultivated for two hours, pushing today's cultivation base to the maximum limit allowed by heaven and earth.
Before going to sleep, he lay in bed, staring wide-eyed into the empty darkness of the night.
Yu'an was already snoring, but Yulou simply could not fall asleep.
In the dead of night, when all was silent, Yulou thought about his "meeting" with Mu Yingxi today and pondered her words.
After a long time, he quietly got up, slipped out the back door of Fortune Source Residence, and entered the backyard of Flavorful Bistro.
Back when Hongmei was escorted by the three Wang Clan members, Wang Rongsheng had used the carrier pigeons the clan stationed in mortal market towns to send a letter requesting aid from the Patriarch.
Naturally, the Wang Clan also had communication methods in Clear Stream Market, and they were much faster than carrier pigeons: Grey-backed Falcons possessing the cultivation base of early-stage lesser demons.
These Grey-backed Falcons had a cultivation base roughly equivalent to the early stage of the Qi Induction realm and could fly up to seven hundred and fifty kilometers a day. They were spirit birds raised by Beast Tamers.
The only difference between spirit beasts or birds and their demonic counterparts was that the former had been tamed by cultivators and could be utilized directly.
Seeing Yulou approach, the wood-spirit dumb donkey in the shed snorted. Pointing its snout toward the forage, it began to bray, "Hee-haw, hee-haw!"
Its braying wouldn't have been a big deal, but it woke up the Grey-backed Falcons. Annoyed at having their sleep disturbed, the falcon couple didn't indulge the beast and immediately began pecking furiously at its forehead.
The attack power of a lesser demon spirit bird was nothing to scoff at. Fortunately, the Wang Clan's wood-spirit dumb donkey also possessed a cultivation base and thick skin, so it wasn't injured.
"Alright, which one of you is willing to help me deliver this letter to the Patriarch?"
Yulou grabbed a handful of forage and stuffed it into the dumb donkey's mouth, forcing the foolish brute to shut up. Then, he presented his request to the falcons.
Looking at the slip of paper in Yulou's hand, the male and female Grey-backed Falcons seemed to discuss it for a moment before flying down to land on his hand.
Although they were spirit birds with cultivation bases, their species' traits meant their weight and size were quite small. Therefore, even with them perching on his hand, Yulou didn't feel any heaviness.
Feeling his finger being pecked five times, Yulou asked in surprise.
"Five pieces of Dragon-Tiger Dried Feed? Doesn't delivering a letter only cost one?"
Dragon-Tiger Dried Feed sounded very intimidating, but in reality, it was just a type of avian spirit beast ration made from tiger cane root and small geckos. Eating it provided minor benefits to a beast's cultivation base and vitality.
The general production method involved stuffing processed tiger cane root into a gecko's stomach and then letting it dry.
They sold for about one spirit stone for six pieces. The main cost lay entirely in processing the tiger cane root; the geckos were just ordinary geckos.
Therefore, even though the Grey-backed Falcon couple was making an exorbitant demand, it was still actually very cheap.
But Yulou could never forget the Wang Clan's ancestral teaching—when doing business, first slash the price by ninety percent.
"One piece at most, absolutely no more!"
Hearing Yulou's words, the two Grey-backed Falcons flew around him in anger, chirping and swearing at him quite nastily.
The male Grey-backed Falcon cursed for a while before landing on Yulou's shoulder, pecking his arm heavily twice, and glaring at him fiercely. Its meaning was self-evident.
"One and a half, but I won't be able to give them to you until tomorrow. If you agree, I will entrust you with delivering the letter.
If you don't agree, I'll just wait to send this letter the next time the Wang Clan's merchant caravan passes through Clear Stream Market."
Yulou wasn't going to pamper these spirit birds that raised their prices on a whim. The rule set by the Wang Clan was one piece of Dragon-Tiger Dried Feed per trip. Not only did they arbitrarily raise the price, but they also dared to multiply it by five.
After cursing for a bit longer, the male Grey-backed Falcon snatched the letter from Yulou's hand with its beak and flew off without looking back.
It was just that its expressive little eyes were filled with nothing but contempt.
'Foolish human child, getting an extra half piece of Dragon-Tiger Dried Feed out of your hands was too easy. Idiot!'
The people of the Wang Clan liked to slash prices down to the floor when bargaining. Under the Wang Clan's intense influence, these spirit birds had already learned how to counter them.
Raise the price! They had to raise the price first, and then let the fools of the Wang Clan haggle.
—
While Yulou slept soundly, the male Grey-backed Falcon carrying the letter flew swiftly through the starry night toward Wang Family Mountain.
That year, at the age of thirteen, Yulou and Yu'an had left Wang Family Mountain together.
Now, three years had passed.
The male Grey-backed Falcon flew over the capital of Anbei Kingdom. The myriad twinkling lights of this prosperous mortal dynasty represented the ascending trajectory of the Wang Clan.
Flying steadily, the light of dawn caught up to its shadow, its vigorous figure reflecting upon the water's surface. Having flown all night, the male Grey-backed Falcon landed on a piece of driftwood in an unnamed lake.
It gently lowered its head to drink a few mouthfuls of water, then took flight once more, accompanied by the morning sun.
It flew across flat fields and past cascading waterfalls in the woods.
Finally, amid the surging, turbulent mountains, it found the hidden entrance to the Wang Clan's ancestral grounds.
Beneath a sheer cliff, a cyan-green underground river flowed out from a cavern at the base. The Grey-backed Falcon plummeted from mid-air, skimming tightly against the surface of the river, and flew into the secret realm of the Wang Clan's ancestral land.
Passing through the artificially sculpted underground river, an existence akin to a paradise lay hidden here, concealed by the mountains.
It was surrounded by towering mountains thousands of meters high. The sky above was obscured by a formation array made of clouds. Under the protection of these mountains and the cloud array, the Wang Clan's ancestral land was as beautiful as a fairyland on earth.
The abundant spiritual energy made the male Grey-backed Falcon feel somewhat intoxicated. Flying over the neatly arranged courtyards, it headed straight for the plain on the elevated plateau in the center of the basin.
Dumb Donkey Plain, an eighth-grade spiritual location. This was the foundation of the Wang Clan.
Looking down from the sky, over a hundred donkeys were scattered across Dumb Donkey Plain. Some were fighting, some were sleeping, and some were in the middle of making little donkeys.
On this plain towering in the center of the basin, four winding streams flowed outward from the center, turning into waterfalls as they reached the edges of the elevated plateau.
The stream water fell underground, where four water channels guided it back into the formation array buried deep within the earth veins of Dumb Donkey Plain. Relying on the power of the array, it returned to Dumb Donkey Plain, repeating this endless cycle.
This stream was entirely the spiritual water of the Clear Stream of Qin Rhyme. The stream itself was currently undergoing the process of transforming from spiritual water into a spiritual object.
At the source of the stream, standing in the center of Dumb Donkey Plain, were a few verdant old pine trees.
The spiritual water from the Clear Stream of Qin Rhyme flowed out from their roots, nourishing them while simultaneously being nourished by them.
On the thickest old pine, there was a platform formed by the growing pine branches.
Sitting cross-legged upon it was a Daoist cultivating with his eyes closed. This was exactly the Patriarch of the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom.
The male Grey-backed Falcon stopped at the edge of the platform. It hopped twice and placed the letter in front of Wang Xianmao.
Wang Xianmao did not open his eyes. A gust of wind blew, unfurling the letter to reveal the words Yulou wanted to convey.
On a branch beside the platform stood a beautiful red-crowned spirit crane. It opened its beak and asked the Grey-backed Falcon.
"Graybeak, wasn't it your wife's turn to deliver the letter this time?"
Boss Crane possessed a profound cultivation base, having already reached the pinnacle Minor Demon Realm. Having cultivated the Demon Race Cultivation Technique provided by the Wang Clan, it could speak directly.
The Grey-backed Falcon could not. Its cultivation base was low, and its intelligence was not high either. It simply chirped a simple reply.
"Too late. Wang kid, sneak attacked. Worried. I came."
"The Wang Clan's kid was sneak attacked?" Boss Crane was startled.
The Yu generation had already lost a Yuliu, and now another was sneak attacked. The Wang Clan seemed to be plagued by disasters these past few years.
"Om~"
Wang Xianmao ignored the nonsense of the two spirit birds and instead blew into a bone flute.
This specially made bone flute allowed for directional sound transmission within the Wang Clan's ancestral land. The different sounds Wang Xianmao blew represented the corresponding people he was summoning.
Soon, a clan elder of the Wang Clan arrived before him.
"Yulou and Yu'an have been out for three years. It's about time they made a trip back. You go pick them up, and be careful on the road."
This clan elder had an aged appearance but possessed an incredibly burly physique. His eyes shone with spiritual light, and his cultivation base was at the Peak Qi Condensation realm.
He nodded thoughtfully and bowed.
"Xianzhou respectfully obeys Big Brother's Sacred Decree!"
Wang Xianzhou turned to leave, the Patriarch's voice transmission echoing in his mind.
"A few years ago, the disciples of Wondrous Peak Mountain tried to rob Rongyuan, but he counter-killed them.
"Now, they and Valley Spirit Sect are fighting quite heatedly. On your round trip this time, make a grand display.
"Let those people know that the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom has the qualifications to enter the game!"
Hearing his older brother's words, Wang Xianzhou smiled and waved his hand. For a minor matter like this, he knew all too well what to do.
Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain were fighting intensely. Wang Xianmao's old friend had visited the Wang Clan twice, asking them to take a side.
However, Wang Xianmao felt that the meager benefits offered by Wondrous Peak Mountain weren't enough, so he dragged the matter out without agreeing.
Having him come out of the mountain to show off a bit this time would serve to further raise the Wang Clan's entry fee.
If Wondrous Peak Mountain wanted the Wang Clan to pick a side and lend a fist, yielding a little minor profit wouldn't do. They would have to bleed!
—
In Clear Stream Market, Gao Jian stuffed a donkey meat burger from Flavorful Bistro into his mouth. As he looked at the bustling crowd of customers inside Hundred Treasures Pavilion, his drool flowed even more.
But remembering the news shared by his colleagues at the Prefecture Cultivator's Manor, he could only drool.
He didn't have the slightest courage to try and extort them.
The Wang Clan was a tough nut to crack, and in recent years, they had only grown tougher.
Above, they had boundlessly high backers like Mang Xiang and Xuanzhuan. Below, they had many high-tier Qi Refining and peak-stage enforcers.
A few days ago, that newcomer Wang Rongsheng even declared he would trample the Che Clan's ancestral land.
They were arrogant, but they had the strength to back it up.
Also in the business sector, Hundred Treasures Pavilion had only been open for a few days, yet it had already beaten its competing old shops to a miserable state.
"Boss, someone is flying on an artifact in Clear Stream Market!"
Gao Jian's subordinate was the first to notice the anomaly in the sky and called out a warning.
Gao Jian looked up and saw a person piloting a white flying carriage, coming to a halt in the sky above Clear Stream Market.
Arrogant! Gao Jian could sense that the person riding the carriage in the sky was only a Qi Refining cultivator, but their appearance was obscured by spiritual light and couldn't be seen clearly even with divine sense.
Seeing the newcomer act so arrogantly, Gao Jian didn't hesitate.
He threw down his burger, backhandedly drew the Spirit-Binding Rope from his waist, and leapt onto the roof of Hundred Treasures Pavilion in a single bound.
Using the rope as a whip, Gao Jian cracked it against the air with a snap and shouted.
"Who dares to violate the rules of Clear Stream Market!"
He appeared fierce, but in reality, he was merely testing the newcomer's background.
He had a brain. For someone to act this arrogant, they naturally must have the strength and backing to support it. Putting on a show was more than enough for him.
Being a dog meant having the awareness of a dog; there was no need to put his life on the line.
However...
Gao Jian's caution was utterly useless because Wang Xianzhou had come with a mission.
Sitting in the Mirror-Silver Orchidwood Flying Chariot, Wang Xianzhou saw Gao Jian and simply pointed at him with a smile.
Soul-Shocking Spike, the secret technique of an Immortal Alliance Emissary.
It specifically targeted a cultivator's divine soul and was one of the strongest offensive techniques a cultivator in the Qi Refining stage could master.
With just a light point from Wang Xianzhou, Gao Jian fell from the roof as if struck by lightning.
Looking at Gao Jian, who had fallen like a dead dog, Wang Xianzhou dispelled the spiritual light on the flying chariot and spoke mockingly.
"Little Gao, it's only been a few years, yet you actually dare to bare your fangs at me?"
Former Immortal Alliance Emissary, Inner Gate Disciple of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, the Wang Clan's strongest God of Slaughter in the Qi Refining stage, and the record holder of Qi Condensation Slaying Foundation Establishment—Wang Xianzhou, had arrived.
Looking down from the sky, over a hundred donkeys were scattered across Dumb Donkey Plain. Some were fighting, some were sleeping, and others were busy making little donkeys.
Four winding streams flowed outward from the center of this plateau, which towered in the middle of the basin. Upon reaching the edge, they cascaded down as waterfalls.
The water plunged underground, only to be guided by four channels into a formation array buried deep within the earth veins of Dumb Donkey Plain. Powered by the array, the water returned to the surface in an endless cycle.
These streams were composed entirely of spiritual water from the Clear Stream of Qin Rhyme. The stream itself was also gradually transforming from mere spiritual water into a spiritual artifact.
At the source of the streams, standing in the exact center of Dumb Donkey Plain, were several verdant ancient pines.
The spiritual water of the Clear Stream of Qin Rhyme flowed from their roots, nourishing the trees while simultaneously being nourished by them in return.
A platform had grown from the branches of the thickest ancient pine.
Sitting cross-legged upon it, a Daoist with closed eyes was cultivating. This was the Patriarch of the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom.
A male Grey-backed Falcon landed at the edge of the platform. It hopped twice and deposited a letter in front of Wang Xianmao.
Wang Xianmao didn't open his eyes. A gust of wind blew, unfurling the letter to reveal Yulou's message.
A beautiful red-crowned spirit crane stood on a branch beside the platform. It opened its beak and asked the falcon,
"Greybeak, wasn't it your wife's turn to deliver the mail this time?"
Boss Crane possessed a profound cultivation base, having already reached the pinnacle Minor Demon Realm. Because it cultivated the Demon Race Cultivation Technique provided by the Wang Clan, it could speak human language directly.
The Grey-backed Falcon could not; its cultivation base was low, and its intelligence was limited. It simply chirped a short reply.
"Too late. Wang boy, ambushed. Worried, I came."
"The Wang family boy was ambushed?" Boss Crane was startled.
The 'Yu' generation had already lost Yu Liu. Now, another had been ambushed. It seemed the Wang Clan had been plagued by disasters in recent years.
"Ommm—"
Wang Xianmao ignored the two spirit birds' idle chatter and blew into a bone flute.
This specially crafted bone flute allowed for directed sound transmission within the Wang Clan's ancestral land. Different notes represented the specific person he wished to summon.
Soon, an elder of the Wang Clan arrived before him.
"Yulou and Yu'an have been out for three years; it's time for them to come back for a visit. Go and fetch them, and be careful on the road."
The elder looked ancient, but his physique was incredibly burly. His eyes sparkled with divine light, and his cultivation base was at the Peak Qi Condensation realm.
He nodded thoughtfully and bowed.
"Xianzhou will strictly obey Big Brother's Sacred Decree!"
As Wang Xianzhou turned to leave, the Patriarch's voice echoed in his mind.
"A few years ago, disciples of Wondrous Peak Mountain tried to rob Rongyuan, but he killed them instead.
"Now, they are fighting quite intensely with Valley Spirit Sect. On your round trip this time, make a big scene.
"Let those people know that the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom has the qualifications to enter the game!"
Hearing his older brother's words, Wang Xianzhou smiled and waved his hand. He knew all too well how to handle such a minor matter.
Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain were fighting fiercely. Wang Xianmao's old friends had already visited the Wang Clan twice to ask them to pick a side.
However, Wang Xianmao disdained the meager benefits offered by Wondrous Peak Mountain and had therefore delayed his response.
Allowing Xianzhou to leave the mountain and make a public appearance would effectively raise the Wang Clan's entry fee.
If Wondrous Peak Mountain wanted to invite the Wang Clan to take a side and assist them, they couldn't just offer minor benefits—they had to bleed!
—
In Clear Stream Market, Gao Jian stuffed a donkey meat flatbread from Flavorful Bistro into his mouth while staring at the crowd of customers packing Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Saliva pooled in his mouth.
But recalling the information shared by his colleagues at the Prefecture Cultivator's Manor, he could only swallow his greed.
He absolutely didn't have the guts to try and extort them.
The Wang Clan was a tough nut to crack, and in recent years, they had only become tougher.
Above, they had unimaginably powerful backers like Mang Xiang and Xuanzhuan. Below, they had numerous high-tier Qi Refining and peak stage thugs.
A few days ago, that newcomer, Wang Rongsheng, had even threatened to trample the Che Clan's estate.
Arrogant, indeed. But they had the strength to back it up.
They were all doing business, yet in the short time Hundred Treasures Pavilion had been open, it had beaten its old rivals into utter misery.
"Boss, someone is flying on a magical artifact in Clear Stream Market!"
Gao Jian's subordinate was the first to notice something wrong in the sky and called out a warning.
Gao Jian looked up and saw a person steering a white flying chariot, coming to a halt in the sky directly above Clear Stream Market.
How arrogant! Gao Jian could sense that the person riding the chariot was only a Qi Refining cultivator, but their spiritual light concealed them, preventing his divine sense from seeing their face clearly.
Seeing the intruder act so arrogantly, Gao Jian didn't hesitate.
He tossed his flatbread aside, reached back to draw the Spirit-Binding Rope from his waist, and leaped onto the roof of Hundred Treasures Pavilion in a single bound.
Using the rope like a whip, Gao Jian lashed the air with a loud crack and shouted.
"Who dares to violate the rules of Clear Stream Market?!"
He looked ferocious, but he was actually just probing for the newcomer's background.
He had a brain. If someone dared to be this arrogant, they naturally had to possess strength and backing. It was enough for him to just put on a show.
Being a lapdog required the self-awareness of a lapdog; there was no need to risk his life over it.
But...
No matter how careful Gao Jian was, it was useless, because Wang Xianzhou had come with a mission.
Sitting on the Mirror-Silver Orchidwood Flying Chariot, Wang Xianzhou spotted Gao Jian and pointed a finger at him with a smile.
Mind-Shocking Spike—a secret technique of the Immortal Alliance Emissary.
It specifically attacked a cultivator's soul and was one of the strongest specialized attack spells a Qi Refining stage cultivator could master.
With just a light point from Wang Xianzhou, Gao Jian plummeted from the roof as if struck by lightning.
Looking down at Gao Jian, who had crashed to the ground like a dead dog, Wang Xianzhou dispelled the spiritual light on his flying chariot and spoke teasingly.
"Little Gao, it hasn't even been that many years since we last met, and you already dare to bare your teeth at me?"
Former Immortal Alliance Emissary, Inner Gate Disciple of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, the strongest God of Slaughter in the Wang Clan's Qi Refining stage, holder of a Qi Condensation Slaying Foundation Establishment battle record—Wang Xianzhou, reporting in.