Chapter 147, Betrayal and the Enemy Attacks

Translator: Raznick

 

Zhou Jiapeng’s Foundation Establishment brought the Zhou Clan Foundation Establishment cultivator number to seven.

 

In just over a decade, nurturing four Foundation Establishment cultivators startled many Mist Province cultivating clans with the resources power demonstrated by the Zhou Clan.

 

A typical cultivating clan, like the Mu Clan before, needed two or three decades to nurture one Foundation Establishment cultivator, which was already quite impressive.

 

Stronger cultivating clans, like the Red Herb Valley Wang Clan, generally could only nurture one Foundation Establishment cultivator within twenty years, sometimes even none.

 

The Zhou Clan now, in less than twenty years, nurtured four Foundation Establishment cultivators!

 

How could the other clan not be startled by this speed?

 

Coupled with the Zhou Clan’s current Violet Palace Stage cultivator, Zhou Mingde, in his prime years, with a lifespan not even reaching three hundred years.

 

No matter who looked at the current Zhou Clan, they knew its rise was already unstoppable.

 

“Thanks” aren’t enough to convey my gratitude, Zhengchun. I will never forget this favor for as long as I live!

 

“If there’s anything you need, just ask!”

 

At Zhou Chun’s residence, Zhou Jiapeng specially came to thank him after his Foundation Establishment.

 

Only those who personally experienced the dangerous cultivation of Foundation Establishment knew how difficult it was.

 

Elevating Spirit Fruit did not possess the divine efficacy of a Foundation Establishment Pill, but it still provided considerable assistance in Foundation Establishment.

 

Zhou Jiapeng might not have felt anything at the time, but once he emerged and learned of the other clansmen’s failure and demise, he was drenched in cold sweat, filled with a profound sense of relief.

 

He naturally felt immense gratitude toward Zhou Chun, who had greatly assisted him in exchanging for the Elevating Spirit Fruit at that time.

 

In response to Zhou Jiapeng’s words, Zhou Chun smiled, saying, “Uncle Peng is being courteous. It is you yourself who possesses deep blessings, allowing you to succeed on your first attempt. I merely helped you seize the chance.”

 

“Even so, without the opportunity, I would have never reached Foundation Establishment!”

 

Zhou Jiapeng shook his head slightly, his tone laced with a sense of melancholy.

 

He had lived for over sixty years, and yet he had witnessed many cultivators in the Twelfth Layer of the Qi Refining Stage fail to dare to risk their lives to impact Foundation Establishment, embracing regret and dying alone.

 

Compared to those people, he was exceedingly fortunate.

 

He managed to achieve Foundation Establishment on his first attempt, thanks to the consumption of a spiritual item when his cultivation had just reached the standard for Foundation Establishment.

 

Indeed, as he himself had said, he would forever remember the debt of gratitude he owed Zhou Chun.

 

Just about half a month after Zhou Jiapeng’s emergence from Foundation Establishment, Zhou Chun once again received a message forwarded by the Red Herb Valley Wang Clan.

 

The cultivator at the Eastern Mausoleum market, Master Jiang, had exchanged for a Meridian Nurturing Pill and requested Zhou Chun’s presence for the exchange.

 

Upon learning this news, Zhou Chun hurriedly sought out Third Elder Zhou Daoquan once more, requesting he accompany him on the trip.

 

The two traveled as before, taking nearly two days to reach the Eastern Hill Market, and then proceeded straight to Master Jiang’s shop.

 

“We meet again, Master Jiang.”

 

Zhou Chun, upon seeing Master Jiang in the shop’s backyard, immediately offered a slight smile and cupped his hands in a respectful greeting.

 

Master Jiang returned the courtesy with a smile, saying, “Fellow Daoist Zhou, you’ve finally arrived.”

 

He then looked at Zhou Chun with anticipation and said, “I have with me the Meridian Nurturing Pill. Fellow Daoist Zhou, did you bring the spiritual musk you promised?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Zhou Chun nodded and then reached out and patted his waist, retrieving a jade vial.

 

Inside this jade vial were three ounces of Musk Spirit Stag spiritual musk.

 

It was a reduction from the two ounces used during the previous exchange of Meridian Protection Pill; the half-pound of spiritual musk he originally obtained from the Musk Spirit Stag had dwindled to just over one ounce.

 

“Excellent. Then, Fellow Daoist Zhou, please inspect this Meridian Nurturing Pill.”

 

Master Jiang called out approvingly and also patted his waist, retrieving a vial of pills and offering it to Zhou Chun.

 

They then examined the items in each other’s hands, confirming their authenticity, before exchanging smiles and putting their respective items away.

 

Having completed the transaction, Master Jiang looked at Zhou Chun and said with a smile, “Last time, you two Fellow Daoists left in such a hurry that you didn’t even have a cup of water or wine. Might you grant me the honor of sharing a cup of tea before you depart?”

 

Hearing these words, Zhou Chun’s expression subtly shifted, and he replied with a smile, “Speaking of tea, Master Jiang, why don’t you try some spiritual tea from my clan?”

 

He then patted his waist, retrieving a set of tea implements and brewing a pot of tea before Master Jiang’s eyes.

 

Once the tea was brewed, Zhou Chun took out a small jade vial and dripped a dozen or so drops of golden spiritual honey into the teapot.

 

“Here, Master Jiang, see what you think of the flavor!”

 

Zhou Chun poured three cups of tea, keeping one for himself and one for Zhou Daoquan, and then offered the last to Master Jiang, smiling and inviting him to taste it.

 

“Very well.”

 

Master Jiang looked at the tea for a moment before smiling and lifting it to his lips.

 

He quickly nodded repeatedly, saying, “Excellent tea, truly excellent!”

 

“This spiritual honey is a specialty of our clan, spiritual items produced in very limited quantities each year. When used to blend spiritual tea, it enhances the flavor of any kind of tea, leaving a lingering aftertaste.”

 

Zhou Chun smiled and explained as he handed the jade vial containing the spiritual honey to Master Jiang, saying, “If Master Jiang likes it, this small vial of spiritual honey will be a gift!”

 

An alchemy master was certainly worth cultivating a relationship with.

 

If he truly developed a fondness for the Zhou Clan’s spiritual honey, it could be used in the future to acquire the valuable pills in his possession.

 

Master Jiang seemed to genuinely appreciate the taste of the spiritual honey and, without hesitation, reached out to accept the jade vial, saying, “I shall.”

 

Then, when putting away the jade vial, he also took out a small wine jar and offered it to Zhou Chun: “This jar of medicinal wine is also a secret recipe of mine; Fellow Daoist Zhou should take it back and savor it.”

 

“I will definitely savor it once I go back.”

 

Zhou Chun smiled and accepted the wine jar.

 

After this exchange of gifts, Zhou Chun seized the opportunity to bid farewell.

 

Master Jiang did not retain them this time, as he did last time, seeing them all the way to the front of the shop.

 

After watching their figures disappear into the distance, he returned to the backyard.

 

Then, looking at the tea set still fragrant with tea on the table, a cold smile immediately spread across his face.

 

Then, he murmured, “The Nine Peaks Zhou Clan? Ridge Province isn’t Mist Province, and the roads certainly aren’t as peaceful as Mist Province!”

 

Having said that, he settled down leisurely, poured himself a cup of tea that was almost cold, and savored it slowly.

 

Meanwhile, Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoquan, after leaving the market, rode their Vermillion Flame Crane away from the market just as they had before, flying swiftly towards the clan.

 

However, what the two of them didn’t notice was that shortly after they left the market and ascended, a pair of eyes gleaming with blue light fixed on them from within the forest.

 

“So, little brother, what do you see?”

 

Within the forest, Su Qiang, with a grave expression, gazed at his younger brother.

 

Su Qiang and Wei Tong were renowned Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators in Ridge Province. Although they were Foundation Establishment cultivators, they preferred to operate alone, refusing to join any organization or establish their own.

 

Although Su Qiang was only in the mid Foundation Establishment stage of cultivation, he was cultivating a particularly powerful cultivation method, his actual combat strength surpassing that of many late Foundation Establishment cultivators; he had even defeated late Foundation Establishment cultivators in the past.

 

Wei Tong, also in the mid Foundation Establishment stage of cultivation, although not a particularly gifted combatant, had cultivated a secret art called Piercing Cloud Vision, which allowed him to penetrate clouds and see cultivators dozens of miles away with his mystical sight.

 

The two collaborated because of this, often secretly ambushing and killing Foundation Establishment cultivators to acquire wealth.

 

This time, they had learned of the news in advance, knowing that two fat sheep would be leaving the Eastern Hill Market, so they had been lying in wait outside.

 

At this moment, seeing their target leave the market and ascend, Wei Tong, concealed within the forest, began using his abilities to spy on them.

 

After a moment of spying, Wei Tong spoke, “No problem. I didn’t see a spirit beast pouch on those two containing a third-grade demon beast; they likely didn’t bring the third-grade demon beast with them.”

 

“Good. Then let’s do it!”

 

Su Qiang slammed a hand against his thigh, immediately ordering, “I’ll take care of that old man. You take down the young one first, then we’ll team up and finish the old guy off!”

 

“No problem.”

 

Wei Tong responded, then reached out and patted his waist, summoning a turquoise flying boat artifact from his storage bag.

 

They both leaped onto the turquoise flying boat artifact, and with a surge of spiritual power, the boat shot skyward, quickly ascending into the clouds.

 

They continued to follow Zhou Chun and the others from a distance, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

 

After traveling for a while, Su Qiang suddenly said, “Alright, we’re over a hundred miles from the market, and there aren’t any cultivator settlements within thirty. It’s time to act.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Wei Tong responded, immediately activating the speed special skill attached to the artifact.

 

The two fins beneath the turquoise flying boat suddenly emitted a turquoise glow, moving like oars.

 

The flying boat’s speed increased dramatically.

 

“We’re being followed!”

 

On the back of the Vermillion Flame Crane, Zhou Daoquan noticed something, his expression changing as he quickly turned to look behind him.

 

He saw that beneath the azure sky, a streak of turquoise light was rapidly chasing after them.

 

“We can’t escape! Their speed is too fast!”

 

Zhou Daoquan, with his extensive experience, knew they couldn’t escape based on the speed of the turquoise light.

 

He swiftly commanded the Vermillion Flame Crane to plunge towards the ground.

 

A Foundation Establishment cultivator could certainly engage in aerial combat, but Zhou Daoquan knew that Zhou Chun hadn’t yet changed his cultivation method, and his current strength ranked among the weaker in his peer group; aerial combat was the worst kind of combat for him.

 

Furthermore, Zhou Daoquan’s other spirit pet, the Earth Armored Bear, was more effective when grounded.

 

The Vermillion Flame Crane plummeted downwards at incredible speed, landing on the ground.

 

Zhou Daoquan then reached out and tapped the spirit beast pouch at his waist, releasing a massive, grey-yellow bear demon beast nearly ten feet long.

 

He then instructed Zhou Chun, his face full of surprise, “The enemy’s strength is unknown. I have the Earth Armored Bear protect you. Once we gauge the enemy’s strength, we’re going to adjust accordingly.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Zhou Chun nodded, refraining from arguing that he didn’t need protection.

 

He hadn’t even changed his cultivation method yet, nor had he cultivated a secret art, nor had his spirit pet advanced to second-grade, and he hadn’t even cultivated a single second-grade mystical art.

 

Under these circumstances, even if he bound several second-grade artifacts, his combat prowess would only be marginally better than some substandard Foundation Establishment cultivators.

 

And just as Zhou Chun was summoning his artifact and preparing for battle, the azure light finally arrived near them.

 

“They’re two mid Foundation Establishment cultivators!”

 

Zhou Daoquan’s Divine Sense first detected the cultivation of the two on the azure flying boat, his tone slightly relieved.

 

He saw his expression darken as he glared at the two who had arrived and gruffly questioned, “Who are you? Why are you chasing us?”

 

“We’re here to kill you!”

 

Su Qiang let out a cold laugh, and without a moment’s hesitation, he leaped from the flying boat, waving his hand to summon a large sword burning with crimson flames, slashing fiercely toward Zhou Daoquan.

 

Wei Tong also sneered, raising his hand to retract the turquoise flying boat, summoning a pair of greenish-black mandarin duck double blades toward Zhou Chun.

 

“You dare?”

 

Zhou Daoquan let out a harsh cry, channeling his spiritual power, and wielded a ruler radiating yellow light to meet the flaming sword.

 

The two artifacts clashed in mid-air, flames and yellow light scattering everywhere; it was a stalemate.

 

Then, Su Qiang pinched his fingers, forming hand seals, a ball of crimson-gold light suddenly surging in his palms, and then he pushed both palms forward.

 

Boom!

 

The ball of crimson-gold light suddenly expanded, instantly transforming into a crimson-gold whip of fire that swept toward Zhou Daoquan.

 

Before the whip-like crimson-gold fire even approached, a wave of intense heat flushed Zhou Daoquan’s face, and his mind, previously relaxed due to his opponent being a cultivator in mid Foundation Establishment, tightened to the extreme.

 

“Damn it! This person cultivates a battle art!”

 

The battle art was the term used to describe cultivators who had slow cultivation speeds but were able to master powerful special skills.

 

Zhou Daoquan never expected that someone seemingly younger than him had cultivated a combat art to mid Foundation Establishment. What a talent!

 

He had no time for further thought, immediately ordering the Vermillion Flame Crane to exhale a crimson Fire Pillar to briefly obstruct the whip-like fire.

 

Then, he quickly summoned a copper-yellow chime, releasing waves of yellow light toward the crimson-gold fire.

 

Finally, he waved his hand, forming hand seals, and yellow light quickly emerged from his body, forming a thick yellow shield to protect himself.

 

Almost as soon as the yellow shield materialized, the torrent of crimson-gold flames surged forward, shattering the crimson fire pillar and the rings of yellow light, swallowing Zhou Daoquan whole.

 

Crimson-gold flames and yellow spiritual light intertwined, a dazzling display that held for a moment before Zhou Daoquan, drawing upon his profound spiritual power, depleted the potency of Su Qiang’s mystical art and emerged victorious.

 

But in that instant, crimson-gold firelight pulsed within Su Qiang’s palm, the second strike ready to be unleashed.