Chapter 43: Extermination of a Clan
Inside the cave dwelling.
Fang Qing transformed his Ji Water True Power and circulated Observing Black Ridge, beginning to break through toward the seventh layer of the Qi Ingestion Realm.
After a long while, he exhaled a long breath. “It failed…”
Although the cultivation methods of the World of Ancient Shu were exquisitely profound, their requirements regarding “Dao comprehension” were far higher.
Previously, he had only vaguely sensed the existence of this bottleneck. This attempt, however, had allowed him to perceive it much more clearly.
“Even though my current total amount of Primordial Qi, once converted, is already comparable to the seventh layer of the Qi Ingestion Realm… without sufficient Dao comprehension, forcing a breakthrough will only result in severe injury to myself?”
“To increase Dao comprehension, I naturally need to read more Dao scriptures and comprehend the Dao more deeply…”
“Or perhaps… act according to my fate?”
Like Li Rulong, who had acted entirely in accordance with his destiny, his fortune now blazed like a raging fire, and Dao comprehension seemed to pour into him as if it cost nothing. Fang Qing could not help but feel somewhat envious.
However, even if he wished to imitate him, he could not. Moreover, his Ji Water destiny was entirely different from Li Rulong’s.
If he were to compete for supremacy instead, it would bring no benefit whatsoever to his own Dao comprehension.
“Forget it… I should first obtain certification as a top-grade first-tier Pill Master.”
Fang Qing rose and headed toward the Pill Hall.
He intended to prove step by step that he was a genius of Water-Method Pill Refinement, preparing for the future competition for the position of True Disciple of the Pill Dao in several years’ time.
“Only after advancing to top-grade first-tier Pill Master will I be qualified to consult the sect’s second-tier pill scriptures and exchange contribution points for various pill manuals and inheritances…”
“With the aid of my Divine Sense, and with my True Power having broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining… in theory, I can attempt to refine second-tier pills. It’s just that… once I fail, the losses would be staggering.”
“Furthermore, to refine second-tier pills, it would be best to rent a second-tier spiritual pool. The spiritual pool in my cave dwelling, even with spirit stones added, is at most top-grade first-tier. It’s not impossible to use it for refining second-tier pills, but there would be certain hindrances… and in pill refinement, it may be precisely that slight deficiency that leads to failure.”
As for the possibility that certification might arouse vigilance or suppression from potential rivals—
Fang Qing had already performed divination. The result was that fortune outweighed misfortune. That was why he dared to proceed.
…
Pill Hall.
The ancient hall carried a simple, solemn air, faintly suffused with the fragrance of pills.
“Junior Brother Fang?”
Today’s attendant at the Pill Hall was Hua Lingsu. Upon seeing Fang Qing, she revealed a look of shock. “Although I had already heard the news, I have yet to congratulate you, Junior Brother, on advancing to the late stage of Qi Refining. You are now considered one of the direct core members of our Pill Island lineage…”
“It was merely a coincidence of fortune. I broke through by chance between life and death.”
Fang Qing remained courteous.
Yet with late-stage Qi Refining cultivation, he was indeed among the very best on Pill Island today.
Even if he sought a master, those second-tier Pill Masters might accept him directly.
After all, Foundation Establishment cultivators needed to focus on pill refinement and cultivation. Having one or two capable disciples under their command would naturally be of great use.
“For what matter has Junior Brother come today?” Hua Lingsu asked.
“I have come to be certified as a top-grade first-tier Pill Master.”
Fang Qing replied with a faint smile.
“A top-grade first-tier Pill Master?”
Hua Lingsu was momentarily stunned. Then her face filled with astonishment. “You… I never expected Junior Brother to possess such talent in the Pill Dao. However, according to the rules, certification as a top-grade Pill Master requires an assessment… A second-tier Pill Master must observe in person, and you must consecutively refine three different kinds of top-grade first-tier pills.”
“Of course. This is the required certification fee.”
Fang Qing handed a pouch of spirit stones to Hua Lingsu.
Inviting a second-tier Pill Master to supervise, along with the necessary pill-refinement materials, naturally could not be funded by the sect. Otherwise, mid-grade Pill Masters would endlessly exploit loopholes.
“Very well!”
Hua Lingsu accepted the spirit stones and issued a receipt. “This matter depends on which second-tier Pill Master has time… Generally, one must wait one to several months. And…”
She hesitated slightly but continued, “There is also another consideration. If the one advancing to top-grade first-tier Pill Master has not yet taken a master, then the second-tier Pill Master overseeing the certification shares a half-master relationship. If you request to take them as your master, there is a high likelihood they will agree. Therefore, the choice is very important. Junior Brother… would you like to invite my master, Floating Cloud Daoist? My master is broad-minded and especially fond of talented individuals…”
“I fear it would delay Grandmaster Floating Cloud’s cultivation. Let us simply follow the sect’s rules.”
Fang Qing smiled faintly and did not pursue the matter.
“Ultimately… the opportunity was missed…”
Hua Lingsu felt a trace of dejection in her heart. Thinking of the fallen Zha Zhu and Li Yusu… her complexion turned somewhat pale.
At that moment, a resonant bell toll echoed in their ears.
The sound was vast and carried a trace of killing intent.
“The sect’s Spirit-Shocking Bell—six tolls?”
When the bell ceased, Fang Qing murmured, “Has something major occurred?”
He and Hua Lingsu flew out of the Pill Hall. They saw one Five-Tusked Great Ship after another gathering in the sky, spirit-patterns glowing upon their hulls, radiating intense spiritual pressure.
Upon their decks stood disciples with deep, formidable auras.
At the forefront stood a figure whose True Power surged mightily—clearly already in the Foundation Establishment Realm. His gaze was sharp as a sword, his chin slightly pointed.
“It’s Cui Zhe… He has actually succeeded in Foundation Establishment?”
Hua Lingsu exclaimed in shock. “The Punishment of Evil Hall is mobilizing on a large scale. I wonder which clan they intend to annihilate?”
“The entire sect has not been mobilized, so it is clearly not a war against a Core Formation faction… That means it must be a Foundation Establishment faction.”
Fang Qing appeared to be analyzing calmly, but inwardly he was already certain:
“Flying Fish Island is about to suffer disaster.”
With the Punishment of Evil Hall moving in full force, a mere Foundation Establishment faction would certainly be unable to resist.
Unfortunately, as a disciple of Pill Island, he would not customarily be summoned for combat. He would miss out on an excellent opportunity to plunder.
After certifying as a top-grade first-tier Pill Master, he intended to attempt refining second-tier pills—an endeavor that devoured wealth like a bottomless pit.
“Wait… If the sect won’t take me, I can go myself.”
“Flying Fish Island is a Foundation Establishment faction. There may well be survivors who slip through the net…”
“Moreover… if they can steadily nurture Foundation Establishment cultivators, there must be Foundation Establishment opportunities hidden there!”
Among such opportunities, the Foundation Establishment Pill was best. But there were also other spiritual items that could assist in advancing to Foundation Establishment.
His heart stirred as he circulated Plum Blossom Divination.
Hua Lian was deeply entangled with him in karma. This time, the hexagram was easily interpreted:
“Benefit lies in the southeast. Great fortune!”
…
Flying Fish Island.
The island was shaped like a flying fish. Upon it rose a prominent peak planted with mulberry trees, where one could occasionally see Crouching Dragon Silkworms crawling among the branches.
These spiritual silkworms produced Flying Dragon Silk. Robes woven from it—the Flying Dragon Robe—were renowned throughout the Small Huan Sea cultivation world.
Additionally, in the surrounding seas, numerous artificial fisheries had been established to raise Treasure-Eyed Fish.
Flying Dragon Silk and Treasure-Eyed Fish were the two main pillars of the Hua Family’s income.
“Ancestor… This season’s spiritual silkworms suffered from disease, and silk production has decreased somewhat. Fortunately, the Spirit Beast Master sent by the Zhong Family has eliminated the pests. Output should recover next year…”
The Hua Family Patriarch, Hua Zongzheng, respectfully reported to their Foundation Establishment Ancestor, Hua Tianfeng.
Hua Tianfeng bore an imposing presence, his eyes flashing like lightning, every bit the image of a dominant ruler.
Ordinarily, he would have been most concerned with matters of family revenue and expenditure.
Yet today, he seemed somewhat distracted.
“Zong’er, for some reason… I feel a sudden foreboding.”
Hua Tianfeng waved his hand. “How is the contact with them? Make sure to clean up all loose ends!”
“Please rest assured, Ancestor!”
Hua Zongzheng glanced at the surrounding formation and the talismans preventing eavesdropping. His voice lowered unconsciously. “Only a handful within the family know of this matter… The Zhong Family recently contacted us, saying our family has rendered great merit. Taibai Island is refining several batches of Foundation Establishment Pills as rewards for meritorious contributors, and one pill is allotted to our family…”
“Hmph… After all, destroying the Mixed-Sea Flood Dragon Serpent meant eliminating a third-tier spirit pet!”
Hua Tianfeng sneered. “If not for our family’s baleful spring beginning to weaken and its output declining… we would not have needed to take such risks.”
On Flying Fish Island, the Hua Family possessed a baleful spring that produced a strand of Profound Wind Baleful Qi every hundred years. This baleful qi could amplify True Power and was itself a Foundation Establishment spiritual item. Together with other opportunities gathered from various channels, it had barely ensured that the Hua Family’s Foundation Establishment lineage did not break.
However, over thirty years ago, calamity struck. The Profound Wind Baleful Spring suddenly saw its output drastically reduced. What had once produced one strand every hundred years might now require two hundred—or even three to five hundred—years for a single strand.
Driven into a corner, the Hua Family sought another path and thus colluded with the Zhong Family.
“Among all Foundation Establishment opportunities, the Foundation Establishment Pill is best… Nurture those Foundation Establishment Seeds within the family well. We must strive to produce another Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
After some thought, Hua Tianfeng continued, “This time, our disciples within the sect have rendered great service… Since we now have a Foundation Establishment Pill, the three Iceheart Vein-Guarding Pills obtained from the Zhong Family may be granted to them accordingly…”
These Iceheart Vein-Guarding Pills were second-tier spiritual pills produced by the Zhong Family, primarily made from Hundred-Year Ice Soul. They greatly enhanced meridian resilience and protected the cultivator’s Dantian, and were also considered fine pills for assisting Foundation Establishment.
Unfortunately, they did little to harmonize essence, qi, and spirit. At most, they increased the probability of Foundation Establishment by ten percent.
“Yes, within the sect, I believe Lian’er of the third branch shows promise… He has also cultivated to the late stage of Qi Refining. It would suffice to—”
Before Hua Zongzheng could finish, the ground shook violently.
He looked up in horror to see his ancestor’s face turn incomparably grim.
A young yet imposing voice echoed in his ears:
“By order of the Azure Sea Sect! The Hua Family has colluded with foreign enemies. Their crime is unforgivable… The entire clan shall be exterminated as a warning to others!”
In the sky, several flying warships had appeared without anyone noticing. They radiated a pressure that oppressed all beings as they crashed directly into the grand formation of Flying Fish Island.
As their ancestral stronghold, the Hua Family had long spent immense wealth to establish the Four Directions Heavenly Water Formation. Ranked as mid-grade second-tier, it could withstand even a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator for a time.
Yet before the massive war instruments of a Core Formation sect—the Five-Tusked Great Ships—it was as fragile as thin paper, easily torn apart.
At the prow of the warship, lightning flashed, forming a sharp wedge that drove straight into the formation!
Countless waves, flying arrows, and hailstones battered the warships, yet were entirely blocked by a five-colored barrier, unable to harm the cultivators on deck in the slightest.
“Excellent, excellent. Our sect’s Five-Tusked Great Ships, combined with the Thunder Wedge of Formation-Breaking… are sufficient to shatter mid-grade second-tier formations. Even top-grade second-tier formations can be disrupted and stalled for a moment.”
Seeing this scene, Cui Zhe nodded in satisfaction.
The Azure Sea Sect’s Five-Tusked Great Ships were, upon this vast sea, fearsome clan-extermination weapons that struck terror into every Foundation Establishment faction.