Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 692 - 676: Zhouyang Teaches His Son! [Request Subscription]

"Zhou Guangcheng, considering your father, Master Qianyang, and your teacher, Master Cyan Yang, hand over the Thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit and I'll spare your life. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Amidst the towering mountains, a handsome young man in a crimson Daoist robe was soaring on his sword. Behind him, a red-eyed man pursued relentlessly atop a fiery cloud.

The man continued to chase the red-robed youth, who was clearly using some acceleration secret technique, while loudly threatening, hoping to make the youth voluntarily stop the futile chase and escape.

Yes, futile.

No matter the red-robed youth's background, and surely he has many life-saving items, the man didn't believe the youth could escape his pursuit. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

This was the wilderness jungle's depths, and with the youth's eighth-layer Purple Mansion cultivation, he couldn't possibly escape the man's tracking.

Moreover, during their previous confrontation, he had already used a life-saving item bestowed by his sect elders to withstand the Purple Sky Divine Thunder, unleashed with a Jade Talisman, and he doubted the youth had a second such treasure.

Truth be told, he now regretted provoking this well-known "Second Generation Immortal" of the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.

While the Thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit was precious and could refine the cultivation even for a Golden Core Stage cultivator like him, it wasn't worth a secret treasure capable of killing a Golden Core Stage cultivator of the same tier.

Even if he regained the fruit taken by Zhou Guangcheng, he still suffered a loss.

But the event had occurred, and regretting was useless. The immediate priority was to retrieve the Thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit from Zhou Guangcheng's hands to compensate for his loss.

As for offending the two Nascent Soul Stage cultivators backing Zhou Guangcheng, he couldn't concern himself with that. At worst, he could hide in the sect for decades.

Would those Nascent Soul Stage cultivators really block the Divine Fire Palace gate for a mere Thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit?

Yet, facing his threats, Zhou Guangcheng ahead showed no fear and loudly retorted, "Dai Hongle, I advise you to give up quickly, or you'll regret enraging me!"

The red-eyed man heard this and became enraged, shouting angrily, "You're courting death, boy! Don't think having a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator father means you can disregard a Golden Core Stage cultivator. This is the wilderness jungle. If Dai kills you here, your father wouldn't know who did it. I warn you not to make a mistake!"

To prove his words, he rubbed his hands together, instantly gathering a head-sized dark purple fireball and launched it at the red-robed youth.

As the fireball approached, the youth seemed to have eyes on his back, instantly turning and pointing a finger, where firelight burst forth, forming a red spiritual light that struck the fireball.

Boom!

Amidst a huge explosion, the fireball was struck by the red spiritual light and exploded in mid-air.

The red-robed youth didn't even pause for a moment.

"That Profound Sun Finger again, how obnoxious!"

The red-eyed man's face darkened, eyes flashing with a hint of dread.

Though simple and unremarkable in name, the Profound Sun Finger was a secret divine technique only true disciples and Golden Core elders of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect could practice. In Zhou Guangcheng's hands, endowed with the Profound Sun Spirit Body and cultivated through the Profound Sun Treasure Manual, it became three points stronger than in others' hands.

The man suffered a small loss from the divine technique due to his carelessness beforehand and was now extremely vexed seeing Zhou Guangcheng use the technique that had previously injured him.

"Zhou Guangcheng, I've given you a chance, blame yourself for not taking it. Don't fault me for being ruthless!"

With fury, he shouted and used his full strength without holding back.

Incanting, he formed a seal and pointed at the red-robed youth, causing an immense magical power to erupt from his fingers, forming a lifelike purple fire crow before him.

Caw!

As the purple fire crow formed, it swiftly transformed into a purple firelight, charging at Zhou Guangcheng with spiritual intelligence, without needing the man's command.

Upon seeing the purple fire crow, Zhou Guangcheng's composed demeanor changed drastically, involuntarily shouting, "Wow, it's the Divine Fire Flying Crow! Dai, you're for real!"

Before his words ended, he raised his hand and summoned a Tier Five Defense Spirit Talisman, pouring most of his magical power into it to activate, forming a water-screen flow that enveloped him.

Boom!

Almost as soon as Zhou Guangcheng put up the defense, the purple fire crow crashed onto the blue water-screen around him, exploding fiercely.

The explosion sent him flying from mid-air, crashing heavily into the forest below.

Purple fiery flames fell onto the forest floor, igniting dry branches and leaves accumulated for years, a forest fire inevitable.

"Cough, Dai, you're ruthless, you're ruthless enough. I'll admit defeat, take the Thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit, but if its potency bursts you, Divine Fire Palace might blame me again!"

In the flames, Zhou Guangcheng sprung out from the ground, disheveled and coughing up clotted blood, swearing and flicking several fiery red spirit fruits towards the approaching red-eyed man.

Upon seeing this, the red-eyed man showed a touch of joy, casting magical power to catch the spirit fruits, while coldly snorting, "Hmph, smart of you. Since you knew this, why resist initially? Did you think my dignified Golden Core cultivator couldn't deal with a mere Purple Mansion cultivator? If I wasn't wary of you..."

His words were cut short as he suddenly realized something, his expression changed dramatically, filled with panic, as he roared, "You dare!"

Opposite him, Zhou Guangcheng's face twisted fiercely as he shouted, "Die!"

Before the shout ended, a golden gourd spiritual artifact flew from his hand, its lid opening swiftly, and a scarlet golden rainbow shot out from the gourd, sweeping towards the red-eyed man.

The outcome was inevitable. Under the high intensity of Crimson Golden Radiance, capable of injuring Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, the red-eyed man of Fourth-Layer Golden Core cultivation, along with his protective spiritual artifacts and magic, was instantly dissolved, becoming dust and bones vanished!

A Golden Core Stage cultivator with a lifespan of a thousand years turned to dust and ashes before Zhou Guangcheng's eyes, a shocking moment for him.

He stood there, speechless for a long time.

When Zhouyang gifted him the Gold-Dissolving Gourd, he mentioned its prowess, but Zhou Guangcheng didn't believe it, thinking Zhouyang exaggerated its power. After all, how could a Tier Five Middle Grade spiritual artifact injure a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator?

Yet now, he understood Zhouyang didn't exaggerate one bit.

He underestimated the Gold-Dissolving Gourd's might, undervaluing his father's divine techniques.

After being stunned for a while, Zhou Guangcheng finally recovered and couldn't help muttering regretfully, "I've gotten myself into big trouble! Though Dai Hongle was vile in character, he was nonetheless a legitimate Golden Core Elder of the Divine Fire Palace. If they found out he died at my hands and caught me, even my father and teacher might not save me!"

He was a "Second Generation Immortal," but not arrogantly ignorant, never imagining the Divine Fire Palace would disregard the deaths of their Golden Core elder despite his father and teacher's standings.

For the Divine Fire Palace housed three Nascent Soul cultivators, not as immense as the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, yet still formidable.

If they learned of the elder's death by his hands, they wouldn't let it slide.

He had no valid reason for killing Dai competitively; the entire affair stemmed from Dai discovering the fruit first and luring away the guardian demon beast, only for Zhou Guangcheng to seize the opportunity.

"If I'd known earlier not to steal the Thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit, who would've thought Dai Hongle would be so incompetent, needing half a day to handle a Tier Five Lower Grade Demon Beast!"

In his mouth, he couldn't help but curse Dai Hongle, whose corpse was long gone. Zhou Guangcheng eventually suppressed the fear in his heart, hastily tidied up the battlefield, and hurriedly left the scene.

He had originally planned to spend more time traveling in the wilderness, but now the plan obviously had to change. The urgent task was to return quickly to Fire Birch Mountain and be by his father Zhouyang's side. That way, even if the Divine Fire Palace knew that it was he who killed Dai Hongle, they would have to swallow the bitter loss.

In fact, Zhou Guangcheng was clearly overthinking.

Dai Hongle's death, although it caused a commotion within the Divine Fire Palace, because he died deep in the wilderness, even the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Divine Fire Palace did not dare to venture in rashly to investigate. They only sent a few Golden Core Stage Elders in a team to verify.

These Golden Core Stage cultivators, though they found Dai Hongle's place of demise through special means and deduced from the remnants of the magical combat at the scene that Dai Hongle died at the hands of a cultivator, did not expect that he was killed by a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator.

So the Divine Fire Palace's actual suspects of investigation at the time were all the Golden Core Stage cultivators active nearby. No one would have thought that it was a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator who dealt the deadly blow.

By the time someone traced the traces left by the [Profound Sun Purple Sky Divine Thunder] he used and speculated that Dai Hongle might have died at the hands of a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator, he had already been taken back to the Fire Birch Mountain cave mansion by his father Zhouyang, who had received the news and arrived to fetch him.

"What's the matter? Finally realized you were scared? Where was the boldness when you as a Purple Mansion cultivator defeated a Golden Core cultivator?"

On Fire Birch Mountain, Zhouyang glanced at his son, who seemed visibly relieved to have returned, and couldn't help but coldly chuckle, his voice carrying a hint of chill as he mocked him.

Usually, when Zhou Guangcheng heard such sneering remarks from him, he would definitely argue a few words.

But now, he only glanced at him cautiously with a worried expression, slouching his head without daring to respond, clearly aware of the magnitude of the trouble he caused this time.

And the reason Zhouyang mocked coldly was, of course, because he had already gleaned from him the course of events on the road, and was furious with him for being "reckless" to provoke a Golden Core Stage cultivator.

"Do you know why I am angry? The reason I am angry is not because you killed a Golden Core Elder from the Divine Fire Palace, but because you dared to provoked a Golden Core Stage cultivator for merely a [Thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit]!"

"How did your father and your master teach you in the past? Not to rely on having learned some divine techniques, not to rely on having a good father and master, to act recklessly without regard for all the cultivators in the world!"

"But instead, you went out and completely disregarded all the various warnings from your father and your master, and ended up causing such a big mess!"

Zhouyang, with a look of disappointment and frustration, harshly rebuked the incompetent son in front of him, the anger on his face was genuine, without any pretense.

After he finished saying these things and was still not appeased, he couldn't help but point at his son who dared not speak, and continued to scold: "Tell me, with your status and talent, do you really need that one [Thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit]? Is there any spirit elixir at home you are without? Even if home doesn't have it, wouldn't the vast Profound Sun Immortal Sect have it? Was this unnecessary thing worth endangering yourself?"

This time, Zhou Guangcheng was not having it.

He couldn't help but lift his head, and with a face full of grievance, retorted, "But dad, didn't you always teach me to be self-reliant and not always rely on taking things from home?"

"I..."

For a moment, Zhouyang was rendered speechless in rage, also unforeseen that he would be turned against using his own words by his son.

But after all, he was the father. He quickly collected his thoughts, and in an angry voice scolded: "I did say that, but your dad also said if you are going to take action, you must weigh the pros and cons beforehand, not to lose the big for the small!"

"Since you are so good at arguing, let your dad tell me whether using up two life-saving trump cards and wasting a Tier Five Defense Spirit Talisman for one [Thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit], while angering a top major sect, was it a gain or a loss?"

This time, Zhou Guangcheng was once again speechless and could not argue.

Although he was the victor of that confrontation, in reality, the gains did not match the sacrifices, a genuine major loss.

It's just that his opponent, Dai Hongle, lost even more, losing his life.

"Hmph, no words now, huh? Do you understand your mistake?"

Zhouyang huffed a series of hums, finally regaining the confidence and dignity of being a father.

Zhou Guangcheng was quite clever, upon hearing this, knowing that he was already beginning to cool down, immediately followed up and admitted his mistake: "Father, your teaching is right, I know I was wrong."

"Really know you were wrong? Not trying to pull the wool over my eyes?" Zhouyang looked at him skeptically, seemingly suspecting that he couldn't possibly admit his mistake so easily.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Guangcheng simply lifted his head, with a face full of guilt, directly met his father's eyes and said: "The child dare not, the child really knows he was wrong, please father help the child once more."

"If you truly know you were wrong, your father will naturally help you. After all, you are my son, if I don't help you, who else would I help!"

Zhouyang deeply gazed at his son's face, which resembled his own, slightly nodded and said: "Your mother is in seclusion, she doesn't know about this yet, don't bother her, first stay in the cave mansion. Once I notify your master and discuss a plan, we will decide your course of action!"

Zhou Guangcheng's heart filled with joy, he quickly bowed deeply to his father and said: "Child understands, thank you, father."

"Go on, reflect on yourself properly; your father hopes you don't make the same mistake twice in the future!"

Zhouyang said, gently waving his hand, indicating he could withdraw.

Only after Zhou Guangcheng withdrew with a thousand thanks did Zhouyang finally show a look of worry and muttered to himself: "This matter is really tricky, even if the Divine Fire Palace verbally agrees not to pursue the matter anymore, there's no guarantee they won't secretly act and kill someone, it seems this boy needs to complete his Core Formation soon. Only with his successful Core Formation can he truly harness the full power of the trump cards we've given him, and not be undermined by others."

Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, whether out of self-preservation or to uphold the rules of the cultivation realm, are unlikely to personally target a younger generation with cultivation not yet reaching the Nascent Soul Stage, let alone using such shady methods like assassination.

As long as Zhou Guangcheng achieves his Core Formation successfully, with the various life-saving trump cards bestowed by Zhouyang and his master Master Cyan Yang, even if he faces encirclement by multiple Golden Core Stage cultivators, he can escape unscathed.

However, Zhouyang would certainly not entrust his only son's safety to the hope that enemies would abide by the rules.

His eyes flashed with keen light, looking towards the direction of the Spirit Beast Chamber within the cave mansion, he whispered to himself: "Hmm, Bi'Er's evolution is approaching its final phase. Once her evolution succeeds, I'll have her follow by Cheng'Er's side. That way, with her protection in the shadows, even if someone dares to shamefully oppress the small with the big, she can ensure Cheng'Er's safety from harm!"

At this time, it has been over seventy years since the [Water-Resistant Golden-Eyed Beast] entered its slumbering evolutionary state and more than fifty years since Zhouyang returned from the wilderness.

During these seventy-plus years, although the [Water-Resistant Golden-Eyed Beast] seldom awoke, its aura steadily grew stronger, now rivaling that of a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, hence Zhouyang was able to conclude that it has reached the final phase, nearing successful evolution.

In fact, if not for Zhouyang sealing off the Spirit Beast Chamber where the [Water-Resistant Golden-Eyed Beast] resided, the uncontrollable Tier Six Demon King aura emanating from it would've long ago alarmed those Profound Sun Immortal Sect cultivators stationed on Fire Birch Mountain.

Yet currently, except for the most trusted individuals like Xiao Ying, Zhou Guangcheng, and a few others close to Zhouyang, who know that the [Water-Resistant Golden-Eyed Beast] is evolving into a Tier Six Demon King, even Master Cyan Yang is unaware that Fire Birch Mountain is soon to host a Tier Six Demon King.

Over these fifty-plus years, it wasn't just the [Water-Resistant Golden-Eyed Beast] progressing; Zhouyang, its master, has made even greater strides.

At this moment, Zhouyang's cultivation is about to step into the Second-Layer Nascent Soul, and the reason he hasn't advanced is because he spent much primordial qi nurturing the second Lifebound Spiritual Artifact [Qianyang Golden Lamp], and now successfully nurtured this Lifebound Spiritual Artifact to Tier Six.

At the same time, his external incarnation has also elevated its cultivation to the Ninth-Layer Golden Core, and now is dashing towards the Nascent Soul Stage.

Since the external incarnation has no bottleneck restrictions, its cultivation reaching the Nascent Soul Stage can be said to be a foregone conclusion.

Additionally, during these fifty-plus years, Zhouyang also found time to learn an escape great divine technique [Vertical Earth Golden Light], and the [Nine Heavens Qianyang Demon-Annihilating Divine Thunder] he had learned earlier is about to reach the small success realm.

In summary, although his current cultivation is still at the First-Layer Nascent Soul, his strength is much stronger than it was more than fifty years ago.

This is the foundation of why he is not particularly concerned about the trouble caused by his son Zhou Guangcheng.

ps: Recommend a new LOL game book from an author friend in the group, "The First Foodie Mid-Laner of the League"