Starting Cultivation During a Trip-Chapter 93 - 85: Secrets of the Evil Gods, Divine Splitting Technique (5k-Word Mega - )_2
"Get lost."
He would never have dared to say such words in the past, but today, when facing Xiong Qianxing, who had bullied him before, he said them with such firmness and conviction.
Xiong Qianxing’s expression changed repeatedly; he gritted his teeth and could only leave the ancestral hall in defeat.
"I’ve become stronger."
Xiong Ba watched Xiong Qianxing’s retreating figure and then looked at his own hands.
Earlier, although he relied on the evil qi passed to him by Zhang Fan to defeat Xiong Qianxing, he also knew it was due to his diligent cultivation these days. With his True Yang strengthening and Primordial Spirit growing, his cultivation advanced rapidly, allowing him to harness such power.
"Zhang Fan!"
Xiong Ba pondered over this name, instinctively glancing at the old altar at the top of the ancestral hall shrine, then decisively strode out of the Xiong Family’s ancestral hall.
Faint incense smoke curled into the air, needing only a flame to illuminate the red candles.
A moment later, Xiong Guanchen and Xiong Baoping walked in.
Xiong Guanchen, with his hair fully gray, stooped low, looking at the bloodstains on the ground, his cloudy eyes igniting with a gleam of insight.
"Refining Yin into Evil... Is there such talent outside of the Xiong Family’s direct lineage?"
"Father..." Xiong Baoping felt a stir.
Refining Yin into Evil was a rare feat not easily accomplished even among the Xiong Family’s direct disciples.
"There is talent beyond the direct lineage." Xiong Guanchen said somberly.
"Years ago, Ming Chengjun only comprehended the {Ghost Gate Divine Needle} after leaving the Ming Family..."
"And Sanqi... back then, he wasn’t a direct disciple either..."
Speaking of this, Xiong Guanchen’s aged face lightly trembled, showing a hint of regret.
"Yin Mountain Ghost King, Xiong Sanqi."
Years ago in Yujing City, he was a prominent figure, unmatched by any in the Xiong Family within three generations, wielding the strength to solely suppress all direct disciples.
"Father, I admit his talent is indeed fearsome, but with his temperament, keeping him in the Xiong Family would be a disaster..." Xiong Baoping said through gritted teeth.
Even now, as the Patriarch of the Xiong Family, he must confess that Xiong Sanqi’s power far surpassed his own.
Perhaps it was this reality that made it impossible for him to imagine the Xiong Family’s future in Xiong Sanqi’s hands.
"Years back, Xiong Sanqi, along with the Nine-Fingered Talisman Demon group, followed..."
"Enough..."
Xiong Guanchen raised a hand to interrupt Xiong Baoping’s recount, seemingly unwilling to delve further.
"That little fellow just now was named Xiong Ba, right."
"Yes, he originally studied under Gu Yuming." Xiong Baoping nodded.
"Such talent, despite being from an external sect, could he be another Xiong Sanqi?" Xiong Guanchen sighed. "Perhaps the Xiong Family’s talent nurturing approach is flawed."
"Father, aberrations like Xiong Sanqi are singular cases; for long-term success, concentrating resources on cultivating direct lineage remains the optimal path for family prosperity." Xiong Baoping asserted solemnly.
The Xiong Family has persisted through many generations without producing merely a single {Yin Mountain Ghost King}...
Xiong Sanqi was an anomaly that couldn’t be regarded as typical. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have resolutely left the Xiong Family years ago, following that man, sweeping through the Southeast Land, and dominating seven provinces, creating numerous enemies.
"Regardless... that young man named Xiong Ba should be supported slightly." Xiong Guanchen spoke firmly.
He certainly didn’t wish for the history of Xiong Sanqi to repeat itself. Any talent, whether inside or outside, should be recruited.
"Noted." Xiong Baoping nodded.
"Moreover... the younger ones below need some rectification; their demeanor is inappropriate for cultivation and enlightenment." Xiong Guanchen shifted the conversation, his voice turning as cold as frost.
Xiong Baoping remained silent, simply nodding. He understood that the old man naturally referred to disciples like Xiong Qianxing—ones with such temperaments were surely not scarce within a major family like the Xiong Family.
The direct heritage, coupled with a privileged life, had led these individuals to forget the essence of being a cultivator, fostering arrogance and bad habits.
"Indeed, a bit of rectification is needed." Xiong Baoping nodded.
...
Near evening, at the Taoyuan Square office building, people gradually filed out, yet most floors still had their lights on. After all, companies without overtime only exist in science fiction.
"Zhang Fan, after work, I’d like to invite you to {Contentment Brings Happiness}; a newcomer has arrived there..."
Jiang Hu swung his chair around, approaching Zhang Fan and whispering.
Needless to say, ever since the {Contentment Brings Happiness} foot spa opened at Taoyuan Square, its business has been booming...
Welcoming all, offering health to heroes, in just a month, it made Jiang Hu a regular.
"A newcomer?"
"Pretty, skillful, with a tragic background... I’ll definitely choose her from now on." Jiang Hu whispered.
"Tragic background?" Zhang Fan paused, feeling he’d heard similar words from Li Yishan before.
"Yes, this girl..."
"A gambling father, a sick mother, a young brother, a dutiful girl, if I don’t help her who will?" Zhang Fan instinctively replied.
"Damn... how do you know?" Jiang Hu exclaimed.
"I have a friend, perhaps I’ll introduce you someday." Zhang Fan glanced at him indifferently.
"A friend? What does that mean?" Jiang Hu asked, confused.
"Dad’s dad is a demon, dad’s mom is a demon, mom’s dad..."
At that moment, the office was suddenly filled with a pleasant sound of a ringing phone.
Zhang Fan picked up the phone, noticing it’s from Xiong Ba.
"Hello."
"Is it convenient to talk?"
