Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 787 - 770: The Pain of Losing a Great General
The shock in Master Cyan Yang’s emotions needed time to gradually subside, while Zhouyang had no intention of staying any longer on Profound Sun Peak.
At this moment, his cultivation had achieved a breakthrough to the late Nascent Soul Stage, just when he needed to execute certain plans he had schemed for many years.
Therefore, after bidding farewell to Master Cyan Yang, he directly returned to the Fire Birch Mountain cave mansion.
Everything on Fire Birch Mountain was as it had been, with Qin Yue’Er off somewhere traveling again, and only Bi’Er, this Tier Six Demon King, peacefully guarding the mountain, sleeping.
Upon seeing Zhouyang return, she merely glanced up slightly and was about to continue sleeping.
Wait a moment, something seems off!
Bi’Er, about to resume her sleep, suddenly jolted in alertness, her eyes wide open as she looked at Zhouyang who had returned.
"Master, you... your cultivation has broken through!"
She exclaimed in shock at Zhouyang, abruptly rising from the ground.
"Indeed, my cultivation has broken through, and you’ve worked hard guarding the mountain alone. I’ll award you this bottle of Essence Pills."
Zhouyang, in high spirits, responded to the demon servant’s words, and with a wave of his hand, granted a bottle of high-tier Essence Pills, refined from the blood and flesh of a Tier Six Demon King.
"Oh, thank you for the reward, Master."
Bi’Er replied dryly, grabbing the pill bottle Zhouyang tossed over, clearly still not recovered from the news of Zhouyang’s breakthrough to the late Nascent Soul Stage.
She hadn’t followed Zhouyang for long, but not too short either.
Back when she first met Zhouyang, his cultivation was at the eighth layer of the Golden Core Stage.
Now, centuries have passed. Although she had successfully advanced to become a Tier Six Demon King, compared to Zhouyang’s progress, the gap seemed immeasurable.
The experience of watching Zhouyang’s cultivation steadily leave hers behind greatly stirred her emotions.
Unconsciously, memories of Zhouyang’s words when he forced her to submit flashed through her mind.
"Perhaps following him was indeed the right choice!"
She murmured to herself, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, after Zhouyang entered the cave mansion, he went directly to the artifact refining chamber.
Soon, piercing sword whistles began emanating from the artifact refining chamber.
In the chamber, Zhouyang stood suspended in mid-air, surrounded by silver flying swords about three feet in length, swirling around him like silver fish, full of spirituality.
These silver flying swords were the Tier Six Flying Swords, "Great Derivation Celestial Spirit Sword," refined using rare spiritual metals like Celestial Meteorite Gold and Blood Patterned Refined Gold.
Thirty-six Tier Six Flying Swords were indeed rare, and even more uncommon were Nascent Soul Stage cultivators who could simultaneously wield so many Tier Six Flying Swords.
Zhouyang’s current late Nascent Soul Stage cultivation, surpassing the divine sense of ordinary "half-step True Immortal" cultivators at the ninth layer Nascent Soul, allowed him to truly wield this set of flying swords simultaneously.
This was why, despite having successfully refined the flying swords earlier, he hadn’t yet used or consecrated them.
"With this set of flying swords in hand, I can be much more composed when encountering those ninth-layer Nascent Soul cultivators."
Zhouyang swept his large sleeves, drawing all the flying swords into his body, his face brimming with confidence.
Although he had yet to find someone to test the swords, as their refiner, no one understood their array-forming power better than he did.
The true limitation in his unleashing the power of these flying swords now lay in his comprehension of the sword arrays detailed in the Great Derivation Sword Technique.
Due to never having suitable flying swords to wield, despite comprehending 90% of the sword arrays with his profound cultivation realm, he hadn’t yet fully grasped the use of these thirty-six flying swords together in the Great Derivation Celestial Spirit Sword Array, needing further intensive study to completely arrange it.
Thus, for some time afterward, the disciples of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect stationed on Fire Birch Mountain often heard the piercing whistle of swords coming from the mountain top, occasionally seeing sword light tearing through the sky, slicing open the heavens.
Zhouyang honed his sword skills, preparing for a fierce battle.
By this time, the news of his breakthrough to the late Nascent Soul Stage had spread throughout the Nascent Soul cultivator circles of the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, intentionally spread by Master Cyan Yang.
Undoubtedly, every Nascent Soul cultivator who heard the news was profoundly shocked.
Although since Zhouyang’s return from the demon suppression in the Beiting Cultivation Realm, no cultivators dared to underestimate him, and many had already recognized his talent in cultivation from his rapid advancement.
Yet, his quick breakthrough to the late Nascent Soul Stage once again redefined the understanding of "cultivation genius" for those Nascent Soul cultivators.
At less than fifteen hundred years old becoming a late Nascent Soul Cultivator, Zhouyang’s pace of cultivation improvement broke a record in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm that hadn’t been broken for ten thousand years.
The lifespan of Nascent Soul cultivators can reach three thousand years; at his current age within the Nascent Soul Stage community, Zhouyang has only just reached middle age.
With fifteen to sixteen hundred years of life expectancy remaining, slowly meditating and cultivating, he would almost certainly become a "half-step True Immortal" ninth-layer Nascent Soul cultivator within a millennium without any surprises.
Considering his previous pace of progress in cultivation, a thousand years would undoubtedly not be necessary.
"His cultivation speed is really world-renowned!"
"Luckily, we made the right choice back then, promptly making amends and resolving our grievances. Otherwise, if he were to seek revenge in the future, our Beast Taming Sect’s ten-thousand-year heritage could face extinction!"
Inside the Beast Taming Sect’s mountain gate, "Master Celestial Serpent" Xu Hanwen and two other sect Nascent Soul cultivators gathered, discussing Zhouyang’s advancement to the late Nascent Soul Stage, their speech filled with a sense of relief.
Meanwhile, in Liuyun Immortal City, Xu Tianlin, who had yet to break through the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul, upon hearing of Zhouyang’s breakthrough, sighed with a face full of desolation, "Alas! I’m getting old, it’s inevitable not to resist age!"
Reflecting on the past, when Zhouyang with a Nascent Soul second layer cultivation accompanied him on an expedition to Beiting, he himself was already at the eighth layer of the Nascent Soul.
Now, centuries later, his cultivation stalled at that realm, making no advancement, while Zhouyang charged ahead bravely, nearly catching up with him in one leap. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
"Fellow Daoist Zhou truly is a dragon and phoenix among men, a reincarnated banished immortal; at such an age with such cultivation. It seems that after nearly ten thousand years, the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm is finally about to witness a new Tribulation Crossing True Immortal!"
Upon learning the news within the Suyun Sect, Liu Yunxiang exclaimed with a face full of wonder and delight.
She and Zhouyang have known each other early on and have witnessed together the rise of Zhouyang, witnessing the miraculous legends he created.
Towards Zhouyang, besides gratitude and appreciation, she also harbors a trace of admiration and reverence.
That is why she directly voiced the prediction that Zhouyang would one day become a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal.
Similarly, those cultivators who were on good terms with Zhouyang were genuinely happy upon hearing news of his breakthrough to the late-stage Nascent Soul.
The stronger Zhouyang becomes, undoubtedly, the more these close friends of his will benefit.
At least in the future, if they encounter unsolvable issues, they have another person to turn to for help.
On this day, after eight years of sword practice on Fire Birch Mountain, Zhouyang suddenly hurriedly left his cave mansion on Fire Birch Mountain and headed to the "Primordial Yang Immortal City" established by the Zhou family in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.
The name of this immortal city, "Primordial Yang Immortal City," was, of course, derived from the "Primordial Yang" in Zhouyang’s clan name.
This method of naming immortal cities after cultivators who have made significant achievements in family history is also a common practice in various major families in the Cultivation Realm.
The reason Zhouyang came to Primordial Yang Immortal City this time was because Li Hong was nearing his end.
"Cough cough cough, I am deeply honored that the Old Ancestor came specially to visit this junior. This junior has indeed been unfilial, but just having the chance to see the Old Ancestor again before my lifespan ends leaves me with no regrets!"
"It’s just a pity that this junior was unlucky and couldn’t get to witness the Zhou family stand proud in the west and dominate a realm!"
On the bed, Li Hong’s complexion was dull, and his breath was like a thread. Upon seeing Zhouyang’s arrival, his face momentarily flushed with a ruddy hue, looking agitated, attempting to rise to salute but ultimately failing and only able to lie there, quietly whimpering.
Originally, even a Golden Core Stage cultivator about to pass should not be bedridden like him, unable to move.
However, his situation was special. Back then, when he succeeded in establishing the Purple Mansion, it was only possible due to Zhouyang extending his lifespan. That time, he almost injured his foundation, and later, when he advanced to the Golden Core Stage with a dwindling lifespan, he was injured once more.
Now, on the brink of death, these previously inconsequential hidden injuries have all flared up, preventing him from even facing his end with a semblance of dignity.
"You’ve worked tirelessly for the Zhou family your whole life and deserve rest now. The Zhou family will not forget your contributions, nor will your lifelong exertions be in vain. The grand scenes you won’t witness will be seen by your descendants!"
Zhouyang spoke softly with a gentle expression. He felt a deep regret in his heart for the imminent passing of this great contributor who had devoted his life to the Zhou family.
"I’ve always believed in what the Old Ancestor says. As long as you’re here, the Zhou family will definitely prosper day by day. This junior has unwavering faith in that."
Li Hong spoke with agitation, attempting to move his hand to pull Zhouyang’s robe, but it seemed he didn’t even have the strength to make a slight move.
Seeing this, Zhouyang immediately stepped forward, grasping his hand, and said gravely, "Old Ancestor understands your sentiments. Rest assured, as long as I am in this realm, I will not disregard the Zhou family and will not allow anyone to bully us!"
After saying this, he gently patted Li Hong’s hand and meaningfully added, "You’ve worked hard all your life for the Zhou family, contributing immensely. Now that you’re leaving, do you have any last wishes? If there’s anything within my power, just ask!"
Fortunately, at this moment, there was no third person in the room; otherwise, any Zhou family cultivator would find it hard to stay calm upon hearing Zhouyang’s words.
After all, this is a promise from a late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator!
With Zhouyang’s strength and cultivation, the value of this promise is simply immeasurable!
Li Hong was deeply moved upon hearing this.
He looked at Zhouyang with teary eyes, lips slightly parted, as if wanting to say something, but then suddenly closed his mouth.
He just murmured softly, "Thanks for the Old Ancestor’s kindness, but this junior’s life, although not perfect, leaves me with few regrets. Nearing death, I wish not to trouble you any further!"
Seeing this, Zhouyang couldn’t help but frown, solemnly looking at him and saying, "Consider carefully. Old Ancestor rarely makes promises, and your situation won’t afford another chance for me to make one!"
"How could I, who has followed you for millennia, not know these things? It’s just truly unnecessary!"
With a weak voice, Li Hong murmured softly, his voice carrying a sense of resolution.
"Alright then, your time is limited. I will not take up any more of it. Spend the rest of your time bidding farewell to your descendants of this lineage!"
Zhouyang shook his head slightly, sighed, and walked out of the room.
Half a day later, amidst the cries of many descendants, Li Hong’s life finally came to an end.
As a reward for this family contributor who dedicated his life to the Zhou family, under Zhouyang’s command, all Zhou family cultivators wore mourning white for the funeral ceremony and honored him as the first non-lineal with his spiritual tablet placed in the top row of the Zhou ancestral shrine.
Once Li Hong’s funeral was completed, Zhouyang personally announced in the presence of more than half of the family’s high-tier cultivators that Zhou Liangyu would become the Zhou family patriarch, handing over the family’s major authority to the new leader.
"From now on, a high-tier cultivator must exist within Li Hong’s descendants for a thousand years. Should someone with potential arise among them, prioritize the allocation of [Jade Liquid Golden Pill] and other spiritual objects!"
In the Zhou ancestral shrine, Zhouyang looked at the newly added shiny spiritual tablet above, his voice steady as he delivered the decree.
"Yes, this junior will abide by the Old Ancestor’s decree, personally overseeing this matter!"
Behind him, the new Zhou family head, Zhou Liangyu, accepted the decree respectfully in a solemn voice.
As a successor personally recommended by Li Hong, he was undoubtedly filled with gratitude towards Li Hong. Even without Zhouyang’s decree, he would surely favor Li Hong’s descendants.
But with the patriarch’s decree, he could handle this matter more effectively and openly.
"One more thing, I will soon return to the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm to initiate that plan. Your task and that of the Zhou family is to make the final preparations for the official launch of that plan."
"However, be sure to remember, until the plan is officially launched and takes effect, no third person other than you should know of it!"
Zhouyang hadn’t yet turned his head, but this time what he said caused Zhou Liangyu’s face to tense, his entire being alert.
At this moment, Zhou Liangyu, having replaced Li Hong, was privy to the grand plan.
He understood what that plan would mean for the Zhou family once it truly began.
At the thought of the immense benefits the Zhou family would gain once the plan was implemented, Zhou Liangyu’s heart raced.
With a flushed face, he looked at Zhouyang’s back and responded loudly with excitement, "Rest assured, Old Ancestor, this junior and the Zhou family will not fail your expectations!"
