Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 669 - 653: Zhouyang’s Plot!
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Yellow Sand Sect.
Since the issuance of the Level B Summoning Order, Elder Cao of the Yellow Sand Sect has been busy every day, handling investigation reports submitted from various stationed points and vassal clans, and using his experience and wisdom to analyze these reports in hopes of finding traces of the demon cultivators.
However, despite his busyness, when it comes to sect internal affairs involving the exchange of precious items such as the Foundation Establishment Pill, he never slackens.
Upon receiving the report from the hall master of the Ministry Hall, Guo Shuyun, he immediately summoned information related to Zhou Yuanchen and the Yuquan Zhou family and carefully reviewed it.
"Hmm, since he is a disciple sent out by the sect and originates from an established family, there should be no problem with his background, and with the Zhou family participating in the demon-slaying actions and achieving significant results at the Baisha River Oasis, that is quite good."
"Oh, this disciple previously applied for a seclusion chamber to attempt Foundation Establishment? Excellent, commendable courage!"
"Very well, let's give him a chance! Now, with the invasion of demon cultivators, if he succeeds in establishing his Foundation, his status as a thunder element cultivator would be much more useful in dealing with demon cultivators than those who practice five elements techniques!"
Using the vast Divine Sense of a Golden Core stage cultivator, Elder Cao Wenjin scanned through the materials of Zhou Yuanchen and the Zhou family in less than a quarter of an hour, then after a moment's contemplation, he made annotations on Guo Shuyun's report and forwarded the result back to Guo Shuyun.
The Ministry Hall Master Guo Shuyun received the annotation from Elder Cao, his eyes slightly changed. He had submitted the application report for the Foundation Establishment Pill simply according to procedure, assuming Elder Cao wouldn't approve it so quickly.
After all, the sect currently doesn't have many Foundation Establishment Pills in stock, and quite a few previous applications have been shelved. He originally thought Zhou Yuanchen's application would follow the same fate.
But to have reached the position of the Ministry Hall Master in the Yellow Sand Sect, he was naturally very astute. After going over Zhou Yuanchen's information himself, he could roughly speculate on the reason for Elder Cao's prompt approval.
"The lad sure is lucky, just happens to catch this special period of demon invasion, with such fortunate timing, it seems he has a good chance of successful Foundation Establishment."
Murmuring his conjecture to himself, Guo Shuyun didn't delay further and immediately sent a Communication Flying Sword to notify Li Feiyu to lead Zhou Yuanchen to collect the Foundation Establishment Pill.
"Elder Cao personally signed off, giving you this opportunity, I hope you can seize it and not let Elder Cao down!"
When placing the jade bottle containing the Foundation Establishment Pill into Zhou Yuanchen's hands, Guo Shuyun earnestly instructed him, fully demonstrating the care of a sect elder towards the younger generation.
"Absolutely, rest assured, Uncle Master Guo, Yuanchen certainly won't disappoint the sect, nor Elder Cao and Uncle Master Guo!"
Zhou Yuanchen tightly grasped the jade bottle, a face full of excitement, nodding vigorously in response.
Seeing this, Guo Shuyun couldn't help but smile, patting his hand and waving as he said, "Go, quickly enter seclusion, take the Spirit Pill and strive for Foundation Establishment, remember to report to me first thing once you succeed, I am waiting for your good news."
"I humbly comply with Uncle Master Guo's instruction."
Zhou Yuanchen cupped his hands in respect, and under the lead of his equally smiling teacher Li Feiyu, left the Ministry Hall, soon entering the seclusion chamber specifically prepared by the Yellow Sand Sect for Qi cultivation disciples to attempt Foundation Establishment.
For Zhou Yuanchen to attempt Foundation Establishment in seclusion, whether lasting a month or two to three months to see results, naturally Zhouyang had to wait until the results came before returning to the family.
During the waiting period, he temporarily stayed at the Spirit Peak overseen by Ma Jingtao, continuing his seclusion and contemplation of the "Godslaying Needle," a Spiritual Sense Attack Secret Technique.
Zhouyang obtained the secret technique of "Godslaying Needle" some time ago, but had only recently begun to comprehend it; despite being naturally stronger in Divine Sense than his peers, he was still unable to achieve entry-level proficiency, let alone use it in practical combat.
After an extended seclusion of one and a half months, Zhouyang suddenly received a Sound Transmission Talisman from his fifth uncle Zhou Xuanbin, revealing that Zhou Yuanchen had successfully established his Foundation and emerged from seclusion.
"Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations to Brother Yuanchen on successful Foundation Establishment."
Zhouyang exited seclusion to arrive at the Spirit Peak where Zhou Yuanchen's master Li Feiyu was, soon meeting the newly emerged Zhou Yuanchen, and upon confirming his successful Foundation Establishment, immediately laughed and offered his felicitations.
"Patriarch, there is no need for such courtesy, it should be Yuanchen thanking the Patriarch first, as without the support of the Patriarch and the clan, Yuanchen might already have returned to the Netherworld realm! The difficulty of Foundation Establishment truly lives up to the reputation!"
Zhou Yuanchen sighed deeply with a look of lingering fear on his face, not showing much joy at Zhouyang's congratulations.
The difficulty of Foundation Establishment is known to all cultivators who have experienced it.
Upon hearing his words, Zhouyang nodded in deep agreement.
If it wasn't so difficult to establish one's foundation, a Foundation Establishment Pill with a mere Tier Three Lower Grade wouldn't sell for a hundred times the price of a regular Tier Three Lower Grade Spirit Pill!
Then, he chatted with Zhou Yuanchen for a while and participated in a celebratory banquet hosted by Zhou Yuanchen's master, Li Feiyu. Afterward, he took Zhou Yuanchen aside and seriously said, "Brother Yuanchen, since you have successfully established your foundation, it's time for me to return home. Once you've stabilized your cultivation, I hope you'll visit the clan to see the elders and siblings, so everyone can celebrate your achievement together."
Zhou Yuanchen understood the underlying meaning of Zhouyang's words and immediately replied, "Please rest assured, Clan Leader, once I have chosen a cultivation technique and stabilized my cultivation, I will definitely apply to the sect to visit my family. If the clan wishes for anything from me in the future, Clan Leader can send a message to Yuanchen, who will do his utmost to fulfill it!"
"In that case, I will await Brother Yuanchen's triumphant return to the clan."
Zhouyang beamed as he clasped his hands in salute, feeling satisfied as he embarked on his journey back to the clan.
On this return, Zhou Xuanbin did not leave with him but opted to stay at the Yellow Sand Sect with his son, Zhou Yuanchen, planning to return to the clan with his son later.
Zhouyang wished to deepen Zhou Yuanchen's sense of belonging to the clan and was naturally pleased that things turned out this way.
With Zhou Xuanbin, the "burden," gone, Zhouyang's sword flight speed increased significantly, having taken nearly twenty days to reach the Yellow Sand Sect from the Yuquan Lake Oasis when he arrived. He estimated it would only take him six or seven days to return.
However, after three or four days of travel, just as he paused to rest and restore his magical power, he suddenly saw a seven-colored firework explode in the distant sky. The firework spread across the sky and lingered for a long time, clearly not a real firework but a creation of magical power.
"Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke is the highest level secret treasure used by cultivators of the Yellow Sand Sect to call for aid. Once the cloud smoke disperses, it can be seen within a thousand-mile radius, and only Purple Mansion Stage cultivators can carry it!"
"According to Yellow Sand Sect's rules, any cultivator of the Yellow Sand Sect or its vassal clans must immediately go forth to provide aid upon seeing the Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke, regardless of their cultivation level. Any negligence or willful ignoring will lead to the entire clan being executed once investigated!"
"What should I do? Should I go?"
Watching the lingering magical fireworks in the sky, Zhouyang's face turned extremely grim.
Being forced to release "Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke" for aid indicates the enemy's formidable strength. Going to support without understanding the situation is likely akin to sending a dumpling to a dog—never to return.
Yet if he doesn't go, and Yellow Sand Sect finds out that he passed by here at this time, he and all the cultivators and mortals of the Zhou Family cannot escape death.
"My luck is really..."
Zhouyang's face was ashen as he gritted his teeth, utterly speechless about his luck.
He was merely passing by, truly just passing by!
"Forget it, forget it. If death comes, then so be it, it's better than bringing ruin to the entire clan because of me alone!"
With a long sigh, he quickly abandoned the thoughts of luck and made the decision to go forth for support.
He dared not entertain any fantasies because his departure from the Yellow Sand Sect to return to the clan was known by many Yellow Sand Sect cultivators, including Ma Jingtao and Li Feiyu. If Yellow Sand Sect investigated this matter, him passing through here could not be hidden at all.
Even if he adamantly claimed he hadn't seen the "Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke," what good would it do?
When Yellow Sand Sect gets serious, they would certainly use the "Heart Inquiry Skill" on him, and at that time, could he really refuse the interrogation by hardening his neck?
Certainly, Zhouyang was not alone, because given the visibility of "Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke" within a thousand miles, every cultivator of the Yellow Sand Sect or its vassal clans passing by or lingering in the nearby area wore a mournful face of gritted teeth, cursing and either flying by sword or running as they rushed toward the cloud smoke.
No one dared to rely on luck, for any cultivator who knows the meaning of "Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke" understands Yellow Sand Sect's seriousness on the matter. Over the past thousand years, those who clung to luck have set an example with their own lives and those of their clans.
The cloud smoke curled and lingered, refusing to disappear.
"Under the sky where the 'Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke' rises, Xiao Bufan, a Purple Mansion Cultivator from the Yellow Sand Sect, is sweating profusely as he mobilizes his protective spiritual artifact, the 'Azure Dragon Cauldron', to resist enemy attacks."
What Xiao Bufan never expected was that a vassal clan that sent him a message saying they had discovered signs of demon cultivator activities had already fully pledged allegiance to demonic cultivators and was controlled by a Purple Mansion Stage demon.
As a result, when he received the message and came to investigate the situation, he was almost ambushed and killed directly by that demon.
While he managed to timely deploy his spiritual artifact and escaped disaster, the young disciple of a small clan who risked warning him was instead eaten alive by the demons in anger, a result that made him feel deeply uncomfortable.
Precisely because of this, after jumping out of the trap, he did not choose to flee immediately. Instead, he sent a communication flying sword to the nearest oasis cultivators directly affiliated with the sect while releasing the 'Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke' to summon nearby cultivators to support him.
"Ha ha ha, don't even think about it. So what if you send out a distress signal to gather people? It will only provide a few more big meals for my treasures!"
"Because of your foolish actions, you've already lost your last chance to escape. Today, I will take your head to avenge Elder Blood Mo Luo, who was seriously injured by you!"
Filled with an arrogant, bizarre laugh, sounds came from the mouth of the Purple Mansion Stage demon cultivator opposite Xiao Bufan, making his heart rage uncontrollably.
He glared at the laughing demonic cultivator, unable to restrain his angry retort: "Demon! Stop being arrogant. This is not the place for your antics. You members of the Blood Slaughter Demon Sect are merely a pack of forlorn dogs now, how dare you boast here!"
"Outrageous! The prestige of the Demon Sect cannot be desecrated by the natives of this remote place! Once I slaughter you, I will turn you into a blood corpse and make you my servant!"
The demon cultivator fighting with Xiao Bufan was enraged and immediately activated his signature spiritual artifact, the 'Immortal Slaying Blood Mill', and brutally smashed it towards Xiao Bufan.
This demon cultivator ambushing Xiao Bufan is named Blood Demon Cliff, boasting a cultivation of the seventh layer of the Purple Mansion Stage, and is the junior of Blood Mo Luo.
As one of the few Purple Mansion Stage cultivators of the Blood Slaughter Demon Sect, Blood Demon Cliff ventured across the Broken Cloud Mountain Range into the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm along with his fellow sect members. They subsequently dispersed around large oases nearby to covertly expand the sect's influence.
Unlike Blood Mo Luo's unfavorable beginnings, Blood Demon Cliff's start was extremely successful.
He did not choose to manipulate loose cultivators, but instead targeted local cultivation clans right from the start. After preparing for a while, he successfully infiltrated the very cultivation clan that misled Xiao Bufan, taking control of its clan leader, elders, and other high-ranking cultivators.
After gaining control of the local cultivation clan's leadership, Blood Demon Cliff maneuvered from behind the scenes to absorb loose cultivators into the clan, then filtered those willing to convert to demon techniques from those unwilling, whom he used as resources for cultivation.
After more than a decade, Blood Demon Cliff had managed to develop five Foundation Establishment demon cultivators and dozens of Qi Cultivation Stage demon cultivators under his command.
When the Yellow Sand Sect issued a Level B Summoning Order, the clan leader who had converted to demon techniques was among the summoned. Blood Demon Cliff knew that if a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator met with the clan leader, his identity as a demon cultivator would be exposed. Thus, he cunningly informed Xiao Bufan, the nearest Purple Mansion Cultivator of the Yellow Sand Sect, of the discovery of demon traces and laid a trap for ambush.
Unfortunately, despite his thorough planning, he did not anticipate a small mid-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator within the clan he controlled for over a decade being undeterred by fear, warning Xiao Bufan just before he stepped into the trap and wrecking his plans!
Although the ambush was unsuccessful, with his seventh-layer Purple Mansion Stage cultivation, plus several Foundation Establishment demon cultivators and dozens of Qi Cultivation Stage demon cultivators forming a tier-three top-grade 'Blood River Killing Array', he was still confident in his ability to kill Xiao Bufan, a fifth-layer Purple Mansion Cultivator.
However, despite Xiao Bufan's lower cultivation compared to Blood Demon Cliff, the tier-four top-grade spiritual artifact 'Azure Dragon Cauldron' he had refined was a defensive treasure. Utilizing this treasure's protection, he single-handedly endured the assaults of Blood Demon Cliff and his posse, holding out until other cultivators who saw the 'Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke' arrived.
Those who could arrive immediately after seeing the 'Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke' naturally were Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Xiao Bufan's luck wasn't entirely terrible; nearby, besides Zhouyang, a passing Foundation Establishment Cultivator, two other Foundation Establishment cultivators came upon seeing the 'Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke', one of whom was a sixth-layer Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Yellow Sand Sect.
"Yue Mountain greets Uncle Xiao."
Yue Mountain, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Yellow Sand Sect, was the first to arrive. Seeing Xiao Bufan besieged, he didn't immediately rush in to help but instead greeted him loudly from thousands of meters away.
In the Yellow Sand Sect, there are only eight Purple Mansion Cultivators, and the only one surnamed Xiao is Xiao Bufan. Therefore, upon hearing Yue Mountain's words, Zhouyang and another third-layer Foundation Establishment Cultivator who followed knew of Xiao Bufan's identity from his speech.
"Zhouyang, Patriarch of Yuquan Zhou Family, greets Elder Xiao."
"Yan Yunfei of Fire Fox Ridge, greets Elder Xiao."
Zhouyang and Yan Yunfei, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Yan Family, followed Yue Mountain's example by using the 'Amplification Technique' from afar to announce their presence to Xiao Bufan.
Then the three of them simultaneously began to quickly converge towards each other, obviously knowing that only by gathering together at this time could they exert the greatest strength.
And when Xiao Bufan saw that three Foundation Establishment Cultivators had arrived consecutively, his face showed a boost in spirit as he loudly shouted back, "You three have come just in time. Now join forces to hold off those traitors who have defected to the Demon Dao. I have already sent communication flying swords to the cultivators of other nearby oases. As long as you hold on for a while, reinforcements will arrive soon!"
Upon hearing this, Zhouyang and the others breathed a sigh of relief, and their tense expressions eased considerably.
Faced with those Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators forming an array, it's certainly better than confronting Blood Demon Cliff, the old demon at the seventh layer of the Purple Mansion. Zhouyang's resentment over being forcibly summoned by Xiao Bufan's "Seven-Colored Cloud Smoke" immediately diminished greatly.
"I've heard long ago that Xiao Bufan has a reputation as a good guy within the Yellow Sand Sect. Seeing him today, it seems the rumors are true!"
He thought to himself, and immediately exchanged his expertise in sound transmission with Yue Mountain and Yan Yunfei.
After a brief exchange, the three decided that the lowest cultivation among them, Zhouyang, would be responsible for defense, while the other two would focus on attacking and harassing.
Once their plan was settled, Zhouyang promptly deployed the "Soul Suppressing Bell" and a golden round shield spiritual artifact which he had recently acquired. They flew around the three men, while Yue Mountain and Yan Yunfei each cast a Tier Three Defense Spell on themselves.
Once the trio finished their protective measures, Zhouyang continued to control the two defensive spiritual artifacts to provide comprehensive protection, while Yue Mountain and Yan Yunfei unleashed their trump card magical artifacts towards the group forming the "Blood River Killing Array" consisting of five Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators and thirty to forty Qi Cultivation Demon Cultivators.
The "Blood River Killing Array" is a famous joint attack array of the Blood Slaughter Demon Sect. If composed of nine Purple Mansion cultivators and forty-nine Foundation Establishment cultivators, it would transform into the Tier Five Middle-grade Killing Array "Blood River Rotting Immortal Array," with the power to obliterate early-stage Golden Core cultivators.
Currently, the "Blood River Killing Array" formed by five Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators leading thirty to forty Qi Cultivation Demon Cultivators is merely Tier Three Top Grade. Although its power is considerable, it hasn't exceeded the Tier Three domain.
When Yue Mountain and Yan Yunfei's attacks hit the array, they caused the blood river formed by the array's power to tumble, significantly lightening the pressure on Xiao Bufan, who was overhead with the "Azure Dragon Cauldron."
Joy flashed across his face, and he couldn't help but loudly commend, "Good, just like that. Feel free to deploy whatever trump cards you have. I, Xiao, will certainly compensate you doubly afterward!"
Upon hearing this, Yue Mountain and Yan Yunfei's eyes immediately lit up. They exchanged glances and saw a look of determination in each other's eyes.
Both were well aware of Xiao Bufan's reputation. Considering his status as a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator alongside his past reputation, his words carried a high degree of credibility.
Immediately, the two reached for their waist storage bags, each pulling out a shimmering Tier Three Middle-grade Spirit Talisman and activating it.
Rumble!
The spells formed by the two Tier Three Middle-grade Spirit Talismans hit the blood river, causing the blood waves to scatter splashes. Several lower-cultivation Qi Cultivation Demon Cultivators were instantly shattered by the massive countershock force, spewing blood and dying on the spot.
Seeing this unfolding, Blood Demon Cliff, who was fiercely attacking Xiao Bufan, twitched his unsightly old face marked with numerous blood spots, enraged to the point of jumping and cursing, "You bastards! Stop bothering with Xiao Bufan; first slaughter those unfathomable juniors for me!"
"As you command, ancestor."
The Foundation Establishment cultivators within the "Blood River Killing Array" paled and hastily responded, manipulating the array's power towards Zhouyang and the others.
The blood river in the sky swelled, and hundreds of blood-colored arrows, several feet long, were launched at Zhouyang and the others, who were one to two thousand meters away.
Zhouyang, focused solely on defense with nothing to do, changed his expression upon seeing this scene and hurriedly cast a spell on the "Soul Suppressing Bell," causing the originally one-zhang tall Ancient Bronze Bell to morph into a three-zhang tall giant bell that flew above the three men.
Bong bong bong!
The bell tolled, emitting wave after wave of black-green spiritual light from the Bronze Giant Bell.
When the blood-colored arrows entered the black-green spiritual glow area, their speed suddenly slowed, instantly reducing by nearly half.
At the same time, the golden round shield Zhouyang summoned also emitted brilliant golden light, and in an instant, transformed into a giant shield with a diameter of about one zhang, horizontally positioned in front of the three. The shield's golden light spread outward, forming a golden light shield that encompassed the trio.
As these defenses were deployed, the blood-colored arrows finally reached the three, crashing onto the golden giant shield.
