Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 746 - 730: After the War

"Though parting brings mountains and rivers between us, Fellow Daoist Yin, have a safe journey. Should you ever need anything from me, just send a letter, and I will be there!"

On a picturesque peak in the periphery of the Broken Cloud Mountain Range, Zhouyang was bidding farewell to Yin Hanguang, who was about to embark on a journey back to the Great Brightness Immortal Palace.

It had been half a month since they besieged Dragon-Taming Star Feather, and their group had mostly recovered. It was time to part ways.

On that day, Zhouyang was first struck by the dragon's roar that captured his spirit, followed by the dragon horn piercing his body, leading him to a near-death situation.

Had it been another cultivator in his place, it would have meant certain death.

Yet, he stubbornly survived.

The reason he survived were twofold. First, when his primordial spirit was captured by the dragon's roar, he quickly regained consciousness with the help of the power from a primordial spiritual treasure, using this treasure to protect his nascent soul from being destroyed by the anomalous power dispersed by the golden dragon horn piercing his body.

The second reason was that after protecting his nascent soul, he activated the "Nirvana Mark" planted on him by Jiang Fengxian, using the Phoenix race's "Nirvana" divine technique to regenerate his body and return to life.

However, due to the immense power of the golden dragon horn, even the "Nirvana" divine technique couldn't completely heal Zhouyang's injuries. Thus, he was forced to consume the Tier Six Healing Spirit Pill, the "Heavenly Creation Pill," which he had brought out from Donglai Immortal Island, to fully recover from his wounds.

In truth, Zhouyang regretted taking the Heavenly Creation Pill, as its effects were miraculous and nearly on par with the true "Nirvana" divine technique.

His injuries, though severe, could have been healed with a bit more recovery time.

But alas, there was no medicine for regret—he had already consumed the spirit pill and could only accept the outcome with mixed feelings.

"Hahaha, since Fellow Daoist Zhou spoke so generously, I won't be polite then. If I truly need your help one day, I will surely seek you out!"

Yin Hanguang laughed heartily, extremely satisfied with Zhouyang's promise, and returned to the Land of the Far West with a joyful heart.

His effort hadn't been in vain, not only receiving Zhouyang's promise but also gaining several good items from Dragon-Taming Star Feather's remnants.

Certainly, the true biggest winner was Master Yujing, whose nascent soul had returned to his body.

The Tier Seven Immortal Artifact, "Heaven-Breaking Spike," had now become a possession of the Yuqing Daoist Sect, securing a Tier Seven Immortal Artifact as the sect's treasure.

Of course, Master Yujing deserved it: without him risking the nascent soul emergence and enduring the backlash to ultimately trap Dragon-Taming Star Feather with law divine techniques, the others wouldn't have gotten away with just minor injuries.

Everyone acknowledged this, and thus didn't contest him over the Heaven-Breaking Spike.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, now that matters are resolved, I must take my leave. Remember the promise you've made to me; I shall visit in a century or two!"

After Yin Hanguang departed, Thunder Feather Demon King also bid farewell to Zhouyang.

Upon hearing this, Zhouyang promptly responded, "Fellow Daoist Lei Yu, rest assured. My promise will never change. When you arrive, you will be warmly welcomed!"

"With that, I am completely at ease."

Thunder Feather Demon King nodded, then turned to Zhu Zizhen with a nod, spread his wings, and transformed into a silver lightning streak, vanishing.

"I too shall return to recover. Fellow Daoist Zhou, do visit my abode if you find the time; I've prepared a grand gift for you!"

As Zhu Zizhen watched Thunder Feather Demon King depart, she blinked her beautiful eyes and smiled warmly at Zhouyang, revealing her intention to leave, looking very pleased.

And for good reason, as the Vermilion Bird Fan, a Tier Seven Immortal Artifact, had now become hers.

Considering Zhouyang was generous enough to gift her such a precious treasure, how could she not return a smile?

"If time allows, I will certainly visit Elder Zhu," Zhouyang replied, clasping his hands as he saw yet another guest off.

Finally, showing signs of weakness and unhealed injuries, Master Yujing spoke up, "Let us three return together; it will be safer for mutual support."

In a weak and frail voice, he hinted at his current vulnerability.

Hearing this, Zhouyang immediately expressed concern, "Elder, are your injuries truly alright? Is there anything I can do to assist you?"

"Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist Zhou; I appreciate your offer. However, my injuries cannot be healed by conventional means; the best approach is to recover through seclusion as quickly as possible."

Master Yujing forced a smile, his lips white as he spoke in a low voice.

In truth, the injuries Master Yujing had sustained were far more severe than others knew. During the previous battle, because he wasn't using his own meticulously refined body, the backlash absorbed by his body was significantly less, resulting in visible cracks on his nascent soul, a sign of a damaged Dao Foundation.

Nonetheless, he couldn't allow outsiders to know this, nor even friends like Wang Lingxiao and Zhouyang.

Zhouyang, unaware of this, heard the hint in his tone and chose not to probe further, instead aligning with his narrative: "In that case, I shall escort Elder back to the sect."

Having said that, Zhouyang glanced at Wang Lingxiao, who was silent beside him.

In the battle against Dragon-Taming Star Feather, Wang Lingxiao had not contributed, so naturally, he didn't receive any loot.

However, it seemed witnessing Zhouyang's ability to mobilize resources, his gaze became incredibly complex since arriving on the battlefield and understanding the situation.

As if sensing Zhouyang's observation, Wang Lingxiao slightly moved, and nodded at Master Yujing: "Since Dao Brother is injured, I shall handle this journey."

He then released a flying spiritual artifact, carrying Zhouyang and Master Yujing back to the Yuqing Daoist Sect.

Without incident, they safely escorted Master Yujing back to the sect, and Zhouyang himself returned to the Fire Birch Mountain Cave Mansion with the Zhou Family cultivators he had collected in the Dongxuan Pearl, while Wang Lingxiao returned to the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

"Well, our clan is finally safe now. You all can return to your normal lives without worrying about the Dragon Taming Family's threats!"

In the Fire Birch Mountain Cave Mansion, Zhouyang sat high above, addressing the anxious Zhou Family elders below, with a lighthearted tone to lay their concerns to rest. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

True to expectation, upon hearing these reassuring words from their ancestral leader, the Zhou Family elders' anxious expressions stabilized as their faces visibly relaxed and showed relief.

"Since the ancestor has said so, the matter must have been resolved. Everyone can put down their worries and cultivate diligently after returning."

Li Hong, who was appointed by Zhouyang to manage the Zhou Family's affairs, also calmed his nerves and smiled as he reassured the others.

This time, the pressure brought by Dragon-Taming Star Feather on the Zhou Family indeed frightened the senior cultivators of the Zhou Family.

These Purple Mansion and Golden Core cultivators never imagined that one day they would be targeted by a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" stage cultivator.

Only those who experienced this event could truly understand the immense pressure they faced.

Fortunately, everything is over now!

Since Zhouyang, the family ancestor, declared the matter over, all the Zhou Family cultivators chose to believe him.

This is the confidence they have built over the years in Zhouyang, the family ancestor who led the Zhou Family to its current status. It is impossible for him to deceive them about such matters.

"This time, you young ones must have been terrified. This matter originated because of me, the ancestor, and caused you unnecessary disaster. I, as the ancestor, am not unreasonable. Upon your return, each of you can draw two hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones from the family treasure vault, or treasures of equivalent value, as compensation from me."

After Zhouyang and the Zhou Family cultivators digested his previous words a bit, he delivered truly delightful news to them.

Who doesn't like wealth?

Two hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones, even for a Golden Core stage cultivator like Li Hong, is not a small amount, not to mention those Purple Mansion stage cultivators.

If previously some Zhou Family cultivators felt some resentment and grievance from being collateral damage but dared not voice it due to Zhouyang's status, now these grievances and resentments have been significantly alleviated by this good news.

After all, the real life-and-death crisis they faced did not happen—the pressure was from their internal worries.

Worries like Zhouyang, the family ancestor, might fall under Dragon-Taming Star Feather, causing the Zhou Family to decline and crumble.

Worries like being taken hostage by Dragon-Taming Star Feather to force Zhouyang, the family ancestor, to appear, ending up killed innocently.

These worries remained in their hearts and never truly happened.

With worries relieved and significant rewards of spirit stones received, how could they not be sincerely happy?

"Thank you, ancestor, for the reward!"

Everyone happily bowed to Zhouyang, expressing their gratitude for his generous gift.

After Zhouyang accepted their bows, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, Li Hong, and Xue Wei, you two stay, the rest can leave and rest for now."

"Yes, we take our leave."

Once the Purple Mansion stage cultivators have left, Zhouyang looked at the two Golden Core stage cultivators from the Zhou Family he kept behind and, after a moment of thought, spoke frankly: "I won't deceive you. Though Dragon-Taming Star Feather is dead, there's no guarantee his subordinates who came to the Liuyun Continent's cultivation realm won't cause trouble for the Zhou Family. Though their cultivation isn't noteworthy in my eyes, they're still highly dangerous for you and the younger Zhou Family members."

"But you needn't be frightened by this. I will arrange for an expert to secretly protect the Zhou Family, and also grant you some life-protecting items for defense. I will also request help from the Profound Sun Immortal Sect and Yuqing Daoist Sect to monitor suspicious individuals, striving to find and eliminate them in advance."

Upon hearing this, Li Hong and Lu Xuewei, who initially felt relieved, grew tense again.

"May I ask the ancestor, are there Nascent Soul stage powerhouses among those people?"

Li Hong nervously swallowed and tentatively asked his concern.

"This, I cannot guarantee. Nascent Soul cultivators are averse to risk. Since Dragon-Taming Star Feather is dead, even if there are Nascent Soul stage cultivators among them, they may not dare to expose themselves for you juniors, risking death."

"On the contrary, those Golden Core stage cultivators, they are likely loyal guards cultivated by the Dragon Taming Clan. With Dragon-Taming Star Feather, their clan leader, having fallen in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, whether or not they can return to the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm is uncertain, even if they could, they might attract blame upon return. Therefore, these are the ones most likely to retaliate recklessly!"

Zhouyang shook his head slightly but didn't give Li Hong a definite answer, merely stated his view to reassure this junior.

Having finished listening to Zhouyang's words, Lu Xuewei's eyes brightened, and she swiftly regained her composure and said to Li Hong, "Fellow Daoist Li, why are you overthinking? If there truly were Nascent Soul stage cultivators determined to attack us juniors, unless we always hide by our master's side, nowhere would be safe, and worrying would accomplish nothing."

"However, should those Golden Core stage cultivators dare to appear, I'll have to test their strength and show them that our Zhou Family cultivators are not made of mud, not just any random cat or dog can step on us!"

At this moment, Lu Xuewei had a Fifth-Layer Golden Core cultivation. With the many formidable magical artifacts Zhouyang bestowed upon her and the powerful ice element divine techniques she practiced, she had defeated several Seventh-Layer Golden Core cultivators, making her strength at this level exceptionally strong.

Now, as she spoke these words, a cold and lethal aura emanated from her, gripping the hearts of those who heard.

Li Hong, captivated by her presence, found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

Zhouyang was pleased to see this scene.

He was also a decisive and ruthless person, with killing intent much stronger than Lu Xuewei's.

Seeing Lu Xuewei exhibiting such demeanor, reminiscent of himself, naturally brought him joy.

He then clapped his hands and praised, "Good, this is the spirit a Zhou Family cultivator should have!"

"Xuewei, with such heart and determination, I am deeply gratified. It so happens that during my demon extermination and Dao protection mission in the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm, I acquired some items greatly beneficial to your cultivation. I shall grant them all to you now."

Having said that, Zhouyang promptly bestowed upon Lu Xuewei the specialty spiritual object [Snow Soul Pearl] of the Extreme North Icefield acquired from slaying the demon cultivators, a jade bottle containing over a dozen drops of [Cold Jade Essence], along with numerous spirit pills, spiritual objects, and magical artifacts suitable for ice element cultivators.

Originally, he intended to gradually reward these items to Lu Xuewei after her cultivation advanced and she displayed outstanding performance.

But now he didn't wish to delay further.

Seeing Lu Xuewei's highly satisfying performance made him eager to grant these items now, aiding in her rapid strength advancement. At worst, he can give other rewards in the future.

After all, with his resources, he was not worried about running out of items to grant.

Li Hong, being a perceptive individual, quickly grasped Zhouyang's intentions through his praise and reward to Lu Xuewei.

Therefore, he promptly extinguished all his minor plans to make suggestions to Zhouyang and immediately aligned his attitude, stating, "Fellow Daoist Lu's admonition is correct. I, Li Hong, was overly cautious. Please rest assured, ancestor, even if I face my demise, Zhou Family cultivators will never compromise or yield to any enemy!"