Everybody is Kung Fu Fighting, While I Started a Farm

by Little Merger

Rejuvenation of spiritual energy, prevalence of martial arts, and extraordinary awakening, Jiang He said that he didn’t panic at all. With a farm system, farming can become stronger. What should I do if I practice too slowly? Don’t panic, plant some cucumbers to eat. Cucumber effects: clearing away heat and detoxification (relieving hundreds of toxins), strengthening the brain a

10. 297

Read Everybody is Kung Fu Fighting, While I Started a Farm Chapter 297 - Not That Seriously Wounded online for free - NovelFull

Chapter 297: Not That Seriously Wounded

The dozen of Doom Shrooms were thrown at the white blaze spilling out of the Stargate.

Kaboom!

Another explosion!

Thanks to the dozen of Doom Shrooms, the white blaze that should have bombarded Jiang He's house dispersed resoundingly ten thousand meters up in the air.

"It worked!"

Jiang He appeared delighted, but that look on his face soon changed!

He was too close to the explosion, being just around a hundred meters away!

As the searing heat wave surged right in his face, even though Jiang He kept his body intact by summoning the Sky Daemon War Armor with a thought, the shockwave left his entire body aching and his vision darkening…

He dropped out of the sky like a missile.

The only thing he could do was to shift himself before he hit the ground, preventing the ensuing shockwave from destroying his yard.

"Jiang He!" Wang Hou cried from the distance.

It all happened so fast.

From the instant that Jiang He threw the pitch-black mushrooms into the Stargate… hmmm, Jiang He called it a homecooked bomb, so let us call it that from now!

Anyway, from the instant that Jiang He threw the homecooked bombs into the Stargate until he was dropping out of the sky, it was just a matter of ten seconds even though it sounded like a long process.

Kaboom!

Wang Hou's cries were then muted by the violent explosive rumble.

The terrible explosive force unfurled ten thousand meters up in the air, its blinding white light assuming the form of a giant mushroom cloud before spreading over every direction. Even from fifteen kilometers away, Wang Hou and the other martial elites could clearly feel the oncoming heat wave and buffeting winds.

Up in the skies, the terrible shockwaves gradually dissipated.

Whoosh!

Wang Hou moved at once, rapidly darting towards the direction where Jiang He would land with several other martial elites keeping up right behind him.

They found a massive crater over 500 meters away from Jiang He's house by the time they reached Jinyintan Village. It was almost a hundred meter wide, inside of which were a field of rubble and a human-shaped hole at its center.

Still, there were bad expressions on everyone's faces just then.

That explosion was so terrible!

They could feel the horrific force even from fifteen kilometers away, while Jiang He was caught directly in the blast and sent dropping out from ten thousand meters in the sky…

His odds were certainly stacked against him!

"Cough, cough…"

That was when coughing could be heard from within the crater.

Dozens of meters beneath ground, Jiang He was coughing blood. As he tried to shift his body, he actually could not feel it.

He could not help cursing from the terrible agony either. "Oh, hell. This is killing me…"

"You're still alive, Jiang He?" Wang Hou exclaimed in delight up above.

At the same time, Three Blades Lin laugh, "Like I said, the good never live long, while the wicked…"

He promptly paused, having seen his gramps Lin Tianzheng quietly unsheathe his blade.

Meanwhile, Jiang He remained silent for a long while beneath ground… and suddenly quietly said, "Screw your gramps, Three Blades Lin. Are you bloody cursing me?"

Three Blades Lin inhaled sharply and promptly looked up at Lin Tianzheng, exclaimed in surprise, "What did Jiang He say, gramps?"

Shiiing!

There was a dark look on Lin Tianzheng's face as he abruptly drew his combat blade, and Three Blades Lin promptly leapt into the crater, worry showing all over his face as he exclaimed, "Hold on, Jiang He. I'll get you out right now."

With that, Jiang He was dug out from beneath ground in no time at all.

When the many martial elites saw Jiang He lying on the ground, bleeding all over and having no more than a handful bones that weren't broken, all of them offered their finest soul medicine back home or at the temple that could help Jiang He recover right away.

Jiang He refused and felt around his body, and immediately had a general idea of his body's current state.

Hence, he smiled. "Luckily, it's not that serious."

"Some of my bones are still fine. My innards are just displaced over a few centimeters and a few dozen tendons are torn. While my veins and nerves are a little seriously wounded, it's no big deal and a little rest would do."

Wang Hou was speechless.

The other martial elites appeared weirded out too.

And yet, there was a suddenly scream of shock. "Oh, no! Enemy attack…"

All of them saw a towering figure wearing what remained of a complete set of steel armor just then, and was stepping out of the Stargate with much difficult.

It was Bodo the Sky Demon!

And one of the military's divine-tier elites who went near the mouth of the Stargate to inspect the situation was instantly punched to death by him!

The faces of the many martial elites dropped right then, and even Jiang He could not help gasping even as he lay on the ground.

"Gasp!"

"That thing is not dead?"

"No way, that's impossible… He must have been at the center of the explosion. 300 Doom… I mean homecooked bombs blew on top of him! He definitely could not have survived!"

Jiang He was shocked.

In fact, he was not alone—everyone else was dumbstruck too.

Still, despite his surprise, Wang Hou was the first to take to the air and bellow furiously, "Elders, let's take down this foe together!"

The Tantra Sect's white-clothed guru stepped up into the skies as well, laughing, "Gentlemen, let's do this together… we can't let Jiang He steal all our thunder by himself today!"

"Charge!"

The old Daoist of Mount Qingcheng stepped forth as well and a blue snake flew towards him, carrying him up to the clouds.

"Amitabha!"

The old Shaolin monk put both palms together, reciting a Buddhist Chant as he floated skywards, Buddha's light shining where he stepped.

In that moment, every other Void-tier elite such as the barefooted Jiang clan elder, the sloppy Daoist of Mount Wudang, Elder Guo, and Elder Ji all went forth, streaking through the skies as they charged upwards.

"Sh*t!"

Three Blades Lin grabbed his combat blade, throwing a tantrum as he was about to charge up the skies as well. Nonetheless, that was when he heard Jiang He shout, "Calm down, Old Lin. That Sky Demon general is very powerful, and you can't stop him even if he's grievously injured now."

Three Blades Lin stopped in his tracks.

He looked up to find that the many other martial elites were already attacking, bursting out with various divine-tier martial arts that covered the champion of the sky demons.

And yet, in the very next instant…

Splat.

It was as if cotton was being torn apart.

With the flash of a blood-colored axe, the godlike techniques and martial arts of the many martial elites were split through.

Blood axe in hand, Bodo seemed emboldened the more he fought and his injuries as well as frail aura was slowly recovering in the process.

Having a hard time moving, Jiang He was forced to lay on the ground, but that position incidentally allows him to witness the entire battle.

After seeing what happened, he could not help saying somberly, "This isn't good. Bodo is too powerful, while Wang Hou and the others are not inflicting effective damage on him, even affording him openings… Once he completely recovers, killing him would be impossible even for me."

"Quick!"

"Help me up, Old Lin!"

There were a million questions in Jiang He's head.

How the f*ck did the Sky Demon general managed to survive?

As Three Blades Lin came up to help him sit up, he saw a flash of light in Jiang He's hand… and a lunchbox appeared.

It was an exquisite box at that, with pink cartoonish drawings.

Though Jiang He could take things out of his System Backpack with a single thought, the bones on both his arms were broken and he simply couldn't put the eggplant or meat in the lunchbox down his mouth.

"Old Lin, feed me!" Jiang He said then.

Three Blades Lin's mouth was left hanging open at that…

What the hell?

Bro.

Both Minister Wang and my gramps are about to lose, and you still have the mood to eat?

Most importantly, you are so hurt…

Could you really eat?

"What are you spacing out for?"

Though being fed by a fully grown man was embarrassing, Jiang He could not care less right then and he barked angrily, "Old Lin, feed me right now or your gramps and the others are going to be killed soon!"

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Chapter 298: A Secret Yuan Spirit Technique That Cuts Yuan Spirit

Up in the sky, the battle continued.

Bodo's power was so overwhelming that he was not disadvantaged even though he was both grievously injured and fighting multiple foes. The strength of the blood-hue axe in his hand was so forceful that even the white-clothed guru, who was the strongest among the martial elites, did not dare to catch its blows directly.

Moreover, though many divine arts and martial techniques struck true upon Bodo's body, none of them did much damage to Bodo.

His physique was too strong!

He was actually slightly physically stronger than Jiang He, reaching Yuan Spirit level in physical strength alone. It was only no thanks to his serious injuries, or he could have cut down Wang Hou and the other Void-tier elites in any instant.

"Die!"

Bodo, growing stronger as he fought, now bellowed in rage, "Die, all of you!"

How could he not be fuming?

Those pitch-black objects were simply horrific. Even though he invoked the defensive pseudo-sage item that the demon lord bestowed upon him in the instant of the explosion, he was almost blown to hell despite that single-use treasure which could have fended off a full-powered blow from a Convergence-tier champion.

The item even shattered afterwards, blown into pieces.

At the same time, the entire Sky Demon legion set to invade Earth… was wiped out.

The losses were so tremendous that not even the word 'terrible' began to cover it!

And if Bodo could not conquer Earth, he most assuredly would not escape from the fate of military penalizing, which was why he charged out of the Stargate despite his injuries.

Bodo was prepared to die, but after getting out, he realized…

That things were a little different from what he imagined.

The Earthling elites before him seemed very weak… where was that elite who killed the marshals under his command?

Swish…

The shade of his blood axe cut through the skies then and slammed heavily on the body of Elder Ji. Even if he had held up his longsword before his body to parry, the shade instantly snapped the sword in two and sent him flying.

Blargh~!

Elder Ji was left coughing blood. With his chest having been torn through, his face was pale-white and aura weakened considerably.

Meanwhile, at Jinyintan Village, Jiang He was munching on rice when he then barked, "Stop feeding me rice! The dishes, just feed me the dishes!"

Three Blades Lin turned to look.

The dish…

Stir-fried eggplant over meat?

The meat seemed to be Golden-Winged Roc, but Three Blades Lin did not dare to taste it and so could not properly judge. But as for the eggplant… having studied Jiang He's data, he remembered that Jiang He had a mystical floral spirit that could heal injury and it seemed to be an eggplant.

As such, he hurriedly scooped a spoonful of eggplant and violently stuffed it down Jiang He's throat.

"Screw your gramps…"

Jiang He's face was turning green.

Who the heck hurt their allies like that?

Such a crude feeding style… would you have stuck an entire eggplant down my mouth if I had given it to you?

Fortunately, however, Jiang He could quickly feel the agony over his body easing considerably, just as his internal injuries were quickly closing themselves.

Having a powerful physique and incredible regeneration in the first place, it was now matched very effectively with the big eggplants Jiang He had grown. Hence, by the time the second eggplant went down his mouth, crisp crunching sounds could be heard from his body.

It was his bones mending.

By the time he ate the third scoop of eggplant and meat, Jiang He could lift both arms. He promptly snatched the lunchbox spoon away from Three Blades Lin and wolfed down the lunchbox on his own.

Screw me!

Three Blades Lin was spacing out and doubting what he was seeing.

What the heck…

Was the eggplant really that ridiculous?

Finishing the eggplant in the lunchbox within ten seconds, Jiang He then took out another lunchbox… he was pressed for time, so he ate none of the rice and only the dishes.

Hence, a dozen seconds later…

Nonchalantly throwing the lunchbox on the ground, Jiang He rose to his feet, fully healed even though he was still prone on the ground half a minute ago.

Laughing out loud, he extended his hand, beckoning as he cried, "To me, swords!"

Whoooooooosh!!!

There were several popping sounds in the air as the six flying swords that were sent flying by the Doom Shrooms all returned. Among them, the Scarlet Flame Sword was dragging a long scarlet blade radiance like a scarlet dragon taking to the skies, while both the Autumn Water Sword and the Sunflower Water Sword turned into emerald radiances and a black watery curtain as they flew. Likewise, the Nameless Sword was shrouded in earthen-yellow halation, just as the Greenwood Sword, a superior-grade sage weapon, was even more imposing, leaving emerald luster in the air where it passed and dyeing half the sky green.

Jiang He stepped forth upon the Greenword Sword.

Taking flight then, he bounded toward the skies. Having recalled the Nine Dragons God Fire Shroud as well, he had it expand up to ten Mu before throwing it at Bodo.

When Wang Ho and the others saw him, all of them made way.

At the same time, Bodo charged toward him, axe in hand.

Fighting bravely, he sent the Nine Dragons God Fire Shroud flying with a swing of his axe.

That sight left Jiang He astonished…

The Sky Demon was so powerful. But luckily, he was not at the peak of his powers, so Jiang He had nothing to fear.

"Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array, release!"

Pointing nonchalantly, both the Scarlet Flame Sword and the Autumn Water Sword bounded forward, their edges shining like a dragon as they bore down on Bodo.

Bodo swung his axe again, knocking off Jiang He's Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array. He shambled, however, and was stumbled backwards over a hundred meters just then.

"Again!"

Turning on his berserk button, Jiang He let loose another Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array, sending Bodo stumbling backwards and coughing blood again.

"Earthling!" he cried in rage. "If I weren't maimed and didn't lose thirty percent of my power, could you have stood up against me?"

Jiang He ignored it, and continued attacking with Ice and Fire Duality Sword Arrays.

Bodo's face dropped at that, backing down the more he fought. Then, looking ready to escape into the Stargate, he seethed sinisterly, "Earthlings, the demon lord would never spare any of you for slaughtering our legion! When the Offworld Array crumbles, the demon lord shall come personally to wipe out every last one of you!"

"You talk too much!"

Extending his hand to summon once more, the Nine Dragons God Fire Shroud flew out and sealed the entrance of the Stargate, cutting off Bodo's escape.

With that, Jiang He sneered. "You doggone thing! You're actually trying to escape after you threaten daddy?"

Pointing with his finger, the six flying swords hovering around himself all took the skies as the Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses erupted, cutting toward Bodo.

"No!"

Bodo shrieked in despair.

In that very moment, all he saw was Sword Qi covering the whole world.

It drew out the might of the world itself and it was as if the strength of all five elements were quaking as it advanced towards him…

Shank, shank, shank, shank!

Bodo's physical form was being diced apart by the light of the swords.

However, a strand of his Yuan Spirit darted away from his body and slipped out from amidst the light of the swords, turning into a black cloud as he rushed toward the distance.

"Eh?"

"What the heck is that thing?"

Jiang He did a double take while the sloppy Daoist of Mount Wudang cried out in surprise nearby, "Yuan Spirit projection… let's attack together right now, everyone! Otherwise, once the Sky Demon champion's Yuan Spirit leaves his body, he could return again, plaguing us endlessly!"

The look on the martial elites' faces changed right then, and they all attacked…

Even so, even before their divine moves or martial techniques could be release, the hum of a sword resounded.

The phenomenon of the dazzling sword radiance erupted over the horizon, with every other sword humming in resonance within a hundred miles. Even sloppy Daoist and Mount Qingcheng's swords were shaking uncontrollably.

A formless sword radiance cut towards the dark cloud of Yuan Spirit attempting to escape.

"Is that…"

"A secret Yuan Spirit technique?"

"No…"

Bodo's dying roars echoed over the world then. "How could a True Child cultivator like you use a secret Yuan Spirit technique?!"

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Chapter 299: The Finest of Heroes

The world was silent. Only the bellows of grief from Bodo's Yuan Spirit before it perished echoed.

Wang Hou, Lin Tianzheng, Dong Haichuan, as well as the martial elites of the various Holy Grounds all turned toward Jiang He, their looks of astonishment hardly concealed… Even the old Shaolin monk was perfectly aware of his feats since the Holy Grounds had their own channels for information as well, which was why everyone knew that Jiang He was very strong—they just did not imagine he would be this strong.

Not only had everyone failed to bring down the Sky Demon champion, but it even wounded Elder Ji. And from the way Bodo was getting bolder the more he fought, someone could end up killed if the battle continued.

And yet, how long has it been since Jiang He made his move?

One minute?

Either way, it did not take him two minutes to kill the Sky Demon champion, destroying even his Yuan Spirit.

Meanwhile, at Lingzhou City…

Long Mountain Lin, Pei Donglai, and the other divine-tier martial artists were staring blankly at each other. Behind him, the rank-seven, eight and nine martial artists who rushed to the city from various corners of the country were unable to react to what was happening.

Was it over?

Just like that?

The Hua Nation was ready for all-out war in the face of the Sky Demon legion's arrival, and every martial artist present was ready to meet their end.

So how the hell was it over even before they catch a glimpse of the Sky Demon legion?

Up in the skies, with a wave of his hand, Jiang He put away his six flying swords and the Nine Dragons God Fire Shroud before picking up the Sky Demon champion's Spatial Ring and war axe.

That was when Wang Hou and the other elites all flew toward him.

Jiang He appeared rather pale then, even a little waning in spirit.

"Are you alright, Jiang He?" Wang Hou asked concernedly.

"I'm fine."

Jiang He said, yawning, "The main problem here is that using my secret Yuan Spirit technique has taken a considerable toll on me, so I'm a little faint and drowsy, but I'll be alright once I return home to sleep later… By the way, Minister Wang, send some people to look inside the Stargate—I'm not sure if my homecooked bombs have blown the Sky Demon legion to death yet."

Wang Hou was dumbstruck.

What the hell are those homecooked bombs!

You are still saying that the stuff you were cooking are homecooked bombs even now?

The bombs made in your house have such power?

Even hydrogen bombs could only do that much! In fact, Wang Hou was suspicious if Jiang He had inherited some heritage site holding advanced technology. Word had it that there was a heritage site called Atlantis over seas and it was a heritage site of technology, which the nations in the European Union had worked together to unlock. With that, they secured a technological legacy far surpassing current technological standard on Earth, even developing a new martial discipline.

Of course, that stuff depended entirely on individual fate. Since Jiang He was not saying anything, Wang Hou would not ask.

The other martial elites were studying Jiang He curiously too.

They had seen Jiang He's condition before as well. His body had suffered a considerable part of the explosion's shockwave, leaving almost all his bones broken, his tendons torn, his organs dislocated, and his veins snapped off… a state where he should have been confined to bed for the rest of his life even if he did not end up dying.

But how long did that ask?

Not only had he recovered, but he even handily slayed a full-fledged Yuan Spirit champion?

Even so, these people were not familiar with Jiang He, so they shied away from asking.

Jiang He then turned towards Lin Tianzheng.

After seeing Lin Tianzheng this time, Jiang He suddenly remembered that Long Mountain Lin's eldest son was named Lin Tianzheng as well. As such, his previous assumption that the Lin clan of Sichuan might have a connection with the Lin clan of Jingdu City…

…proved to be overthinking on his part.

If they really were connected, would Long Mountain Lin dared to name his son like the Three Blades Lin's gramps?

"Old Lin…"

Jiang He could not help frowning as he looked then, and exclaimed in surprise, "Your cultivation?"

During his first meeting with Lin Tianzheng, Jiang He had noticed that he cultivated immortal arts along with martial arts. Though the mystic powers in his body was faint, it had at least reached the ninth fold of the Qi Refinist tier… But was there even an ounce of mystic power in Lin Tianzheng's body?

"Why should I cultivated the immortal path if it is that heartless?" Lin Tianzheng replied. "I've cut all ties with the Penglai Immortal Sect in my last visit, crippling my own mystic power and removed any memory about their cultivation techniques."

Everyone present turned toward him at that.

On the other hand, Wang Hou understood the actual situation and did not mention it ahead of the battle against the Sky Demon legion. Still, he laughed coolly now before declaring, "Let's make time to set up a press conference. There is no need to hide the news about the Sky Demons, and I feel that we should at least have our own people be aware of the lurking threat to feel some pressure."

"In addition…"

After pausing, he breathed a long sigh. "Today, Mister Jiang stepped forward and repelled the Sky Demon legion with his own strength, even slaying their champion. Our nation should at least have the people know that there is a group of people fighting for him when the Sky Demons come again!"

"We'll also mention about the immortal sects and expose their attitudes so those b*stards don't get to trick anyone after they leave seclusion and fool our people."

Some of them answered in affirmative and promptly went off to prepare.

Everyone understood Jiang He's intention.

It was true that the immortal sects had great strength, but since they would not contribute, they should not hope to leave their own door to recruit disciples.

Of course, it was not actually that pleasant a matter. While everyone would be aware of the immortal sect's behavior, there would certainly be those who would want to join even if they got their skulls cracked… but pinning a badge of disgust on them was nice too.

Meanwhile, Jiang He appeared thoughtful.

How could those cultivators be so heartless?

After all, the Sky Demon legion and their champions were not something the Hua Nation could have fended off with their strength right now… if it was not for him, there would probably not be that many martial elites surviving at the present. When the Sky Demon legion truly engulfed the entire nation at that, there was no telling how many casualties there would be.

As for the secluded immortal sects, Jiang He good opinion of them had faded entirely, and he actually found them despicable to some extent.

Afterwards, Wang Hou personally led a group to inspect the inside of the Stargate while Lin Tianzheng went off to prepare the press conference. At the same time, the elites of the five Holy Grounds had a few words with Jiang He, extending him invitations to be their guest, which Jiang He accepted.

"I shall intrude when I have the time," he said with a smile.

The many martial elites only left at that.

Elder Guo laughed out loud at that, saying, "Brother Jiang He, do come by to visit the Guo clan if you ever drop by Xiangyang."

Having guessed the identity of the elite before him, Jiang He saw that his qi and blood was withering, while an aura of death was circling around him—a sign that his lifespan was expiring soon. As an idea occurred to Jiang He, he smiled and replied, "Brother Guo, if you have nothing urgent to attend to, you should stay a few days at Lingzhou City. I'll treat you to a meal soon."

Though hesitant, Elder Guo accepted.

The white-clothed guru seemed to know what Jiang He was thinking, and promptly chuckled while dragging Elder Guo along, "Little Guo, let's go—off to Lingzhou City."

Elder Guo was dumbstruck.

He was older than the founding master of Mount Wudang and had once gained a great providence, extending his lifespan by 300 years. He was almost 800 years old now, after adding that to his 500-year lifespan.

That being said, the guru of the Tantra Sect had lived three lives, making him much older with the age of his three lifetimes added together.

Therefore, only the guru would dare to call Elder Guo 'Little Guo' in this whole wide world.

And now that he was younger and had freed himself from his shackles, the guru was immeasurably easygoing, even clapping a hand on Elder Guo's shoulder and smiling. "By the way, Little Guo, I heard that you picked up a thousand-year Lingzhi from overseas back then, extending your lifespan by 300 years… how awesome is that stuff that you're still looking like a middle-aged man so long after you passed your own lifespan?"

"Eh…"

Being more straightforward, Elder Guo answered earnestly, "To tell the truth, I once obtained a youth pellet…"

Jiang He could not help chuckling as he watched the pair who left looking like bosom buddies.

Both of them with their ages combined were over sixteen hundred years old, having lived through several dynasties.

"The finest of heroes, serving the country and its people…"

That though suddenly appeared in Jiang He's mind for some reason, and he found that it was only too appropriate to use it for describing the guru of the Tantra Sect and Elder Guo.

Both of them were full-fledged Void-tiers on the verge of reaching their natural lifespans, having only a year or two left to live.

Reasonably speaking, the Revival of Qi granted them the chance of ascension. Should they remain in seclusion and cultivate, they would have reached the next level in a year or two, and get a shot at living another five hundred years.

Even so, they came risking death to stand against the Sky Demon legion, a fact that invoked respect.

"Well, I'll have them hang around in Lingzhou City for a while. For now, I'm going home to sleep and make the arrangements when I wake up…"

Yawning, Jiang He turned and return to Jinyintan Village.

Meanwhile, beyond this world, the demon lord sat cross-legged upon the starry skies of a dried-up planet, with several Sky Demon champions surrounding him.

Given how long the Stargate was and how it involved energies that affected spatiality, the demon lord was unable to sense the tremendous explosions within the Stargate. Moreover, the blast was mostly fading by the time it wiped out the Sky Demon legion of 500,000, and did not spill out of the other end of the Stargate and into the dried-up planet.

One day passed…

And then another…

Then, three days passed in no time at all.

A little restless, the demon lord who sat cross-legged through all three days opened his eyes and asked uncertainly, "What's going on? Why is there no word from Bodo?"

Beside him, the other Sky Demons exchanged glances but remained silent.

After staying quiet for a while as the foreboding feeling he was sensing grew stronger, the demon lord then demanded somberly, "Contact the military at once. Check on the condition of Bodo and the other general's soul cards!"

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Chapter 300: How Did I Reach Yuan Spirit After Sleeping Three Days?

The soul cards were no rare object. In fact, the Sky Demon legion had a Throne of Requiem that was used exclusively to keep the soul cards crafted for their Yuan Spirit champions.

The crafting principle was simple: a strand of their spirit would be infused to the card, and it would shatter when the main body dies.

And now, with the demon lord's orders, a Sky Demon general headed to the Throne of Requiem personally to inspect and was soon left in utter astonishment.

"Hurry, send word to the demon lord! The soul cards of all nine chief marshals dispatched to Earth had shattered!

Soon, the message was relayed through a special channel to a Sky Demon champion beside the demon lord.

The Sky Demon champion was of royal bloodline and so resembled a Hua Nation citizen. Even so, he fearfully relayed news about the soul cards, saying, "Your majesty… the soul cards of Bodo and the marshals have already shattered three days ago!"

And then…

Kaboom!

A terrible storm erupted away from the demon's lord body and only calmed after a long while.

Behind him, the Sky Demon champions were all cowering, afraid of even breathing too loudly.

Then, the royal champion who spoke first mused to himself before saying, "Your Majesty, according to the information that Her Highness has gathered, there should be no elites on Earth, and Bodo alone could have dominated it. Even so, Bodo, along with the nine chief marshals and a legion of 500,000 strong was all wiped out—perhaps the elites who slumbered over two thousand years ago were revived?"

The demon shook his head and growled, "I would have sensed it if they had awakened."

The royal champion said then, "Well, that only leaves one possibility…"

The many Sky Demon champions and the sky demon champions looked up at him as the royal champion continued, "It's the power of technology… according to the news her highness had relayed, Earth had assumed the path of technological development following the Degenerate Age. Even with the Revival of Qi and the redevelopment of martial arts, it seems that they had not given up on scientific research."

The demon lord glowered at that. Glancing at the Stargate, he then coolly declared, "Send reinforcements to guard the Stargate. I will come up with something to expand and heighten the stability of the Stargate. The day it accommodates Sky Demon-tier champions is the day we shall take Earth!"

Sky Demon-tier was equal to the cultivators' Convergence-tier.

Clearly, for Earth's technological progress, intending to use its power against champions of that level would clearly for short.

It was the first of November 2020—the opening of the Stargate and the arrival of the Sky Demon legion.

Hmmm…

Though it was called the 'arrival' of the Sky Demon legion, most people did not witness it. All they saw was General Bodo charging out of the Stargate, while Jiang He wiped out the entire Sky Demon legion even before they could breathe Earth's air.

Later…

On the fourth of November, on Earth.

On a huge square at the Martial Arts Department (MAD) headquarters, Jingdu City, the Hua Nation.

A nationwide press conference was starting.

Wang Hou spoke about the nation's direction for the future, while a huge group of journalists fired all sorts of questions while snapping photos throughout.

It was clear, however, that they had been provided a script ahead of time and most of their questions were tailored.

And up in the square, Wang Hou's answers came fluently.

After speaking about the current state of the Hua Nation, one of the reporters suddenly asked, "There were claims that the entire city of Lingzhou was evacuated on the first of this month, with a blackhole appearing up in the skies nearby while an extraterrestrial race is said to have mounted an invasion on Earth. Certain martial artist informants have alleged that the blackhole is actually a Stargate, and that the species invading Earth are known as the Sky Demons. Is that true?"

Wang Hou nodded and said, "Those incidents had indeed occurred, but that threat has since been pacified."

Some of the cameramen promptly turned their cameras to capture Wang Hou from up close, allowing the viewers of the press conference to clearly see Wang Hou's facial expressions and the thermal cup he was holding via TV, computer, and mobile phone.

Wang Hou appeared somber than and spoke solemnly toward the camera lens, saying, "The reality is that the Sky Demon legion was extremely powerful, but the Stargate has certain limits that dampened the forces which could be sent to Earth. Even so, the present strength of the Hua Nation could not stand up against them at all, and the reason we were victorious was all thanks to Jiang He.

"Jiang He?"

"Who is this Jiang He?"

"Could you elaborate about him?"

Though every authority in the Hua Nation knew of Jiang He's name, bottom-level martial artists and some martial grandmasters had never even heard of him, let alone civilians.

After all, he had rose to prominence in a very short time, with most incidents revolving around him previously kept confidential and unpublicized.

Still, Wang Hou could not help smiling at the mention of Jiang He's name, and began elaborate endlessly about Jiang He's accomplishments: from helping the MAD investigate Ferals attacking the animal fences of mountain villages, to his grudge against the Sky Demon Cult…

Of course, Wang Hou had also deliberately prettied up most of the details.

He intended to build up a great hero who detested evil for the people, but not a loony who would run off to kill Sky Demon Cult elites because he was bored or losing sleep.

MAD had found some of Jiang He's photos too.

Countless were stunned when it was shown—he was so handsome!

To think that such a powerful legend was so young and handsome.

Meanwhile, Jiang He knew nothing about any of that.

After defeating Bodo, the Sky Demon general, he returned home, holding on until he had a bath before falling asleep groggily… for three days, only waking up in the afternoon on the fourth of November.

"Awesome!"

Stretching lazily, Jiang He could not help laughing. "I hadn't sleep so sweetly for so long…"

After washing up, he went downstairs.

The mansion, however, was completely empty, with neither Sora nor Boa Hancock present. Jiang He appeared taken aback at first, and then remembered that he had kept both of them in his farm and did not put back the farm before he went to sleep.

Stepping out of the house, he put the farm in his yard and entered it, saying, "Sora, Boa, go cook right away. I've been sleeping for so long it feels like I hadn't eaten for three days."

While Sora and Boa promptly went off to cook, Dumbo quietly said, "Master, it doesn't just feel like you hadn't eaten for three days. You actually did not eat for three days…"

Jiang He only realized then that he had slept for three days.

Stepping out of his farm, he looked up at the sky.

The Stargate was still up there.

While he did wipe out the Sky Demon legion, the Stargate was not closed, not that it could for now. Since it intruded upon the rules of spatiality, many Hua Nation elites, including Jiang He, could not close it, or the five Holy Grounds of Martial Arts would not have to each stand guard over a Stargate for a thousand years and would have closed it long ago.

"Well, not closing it is fine too."

Jiang He smiled.

What was that expression?

Tying one's head to a beam to study tirelessly?

That was the idea even if it was not exactly the correct phrase. Since that thing was up in the skies above his house, it would keep whipping himself into shape so that he would be motivated to get stronger, by working hard to cultivate… or to be precise, farm!

"Moreover, it would be troublesome for me to bother the Sky Demons if it closes, and I could get inside anytime it isn't."

"By the way…"

Remembering something then, Jiang He quickly returned inside the mansion and said, "Sora, Boa, cook two more portions—I have guests coming."

It seems that Elder Guo and the Tantra Sect guru were still in Lingzhou City.

Elder Guo had stayed following Jiang He's invitation, and so did the guru as well. As such, he could now invite them over for a meal, prolonging their longevity as well.

Jiang He's spirit swept out then, his powerful consciousness extending… he had wanted to check where the Elder Guo and the Tantra Sect guru were, but could not help becoming stunned and exclaiming, "What the hell…'

"Divine mind?"

"When had my spirit morphed into divine mind?"

Quickly withdrawing his divine mind, he dived into his own sea of consciousness, investigating… when he found a small Yuan Spirit residing within.

He was left spacing out for minutes before he came to his senses, unable to decide if he should laugh or cry. "What is actually going on? I've only slept for three days—how did my cultivation ascend from full-fledged True Child to Yuan Spirit?"

What the heck!

Forget the occasions of the past. Something so important like ascending to Yuan Spirit happened ever so quietly—at least let him feel the process and sensation of ascension!

There was no helping it!

He wanted so badly to break up that Yuan Spirit and ascend all over again!

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Chapter 301: Hello, 110? I Want to Make A Report!

Jiang He felt very helpless.

Whenever the prodigies depicted in novels were ascending, they would either do so in battles and leave countless eyewitness shocked, or invoke a resounding phenomenon that shoots to the skies. In fact, they would be facing a dire threat each time they ascended where life and death hung in the balance, but would eventually pacify the threat.

Such an event…

Was exciting just thinking about it!

That was what anyone should experience when ascending, unlike his quiet ascensions on every turn, which were as soulless as they were unmeaningful.

"System, can I break up my Yuan Spirit and retrain?"

"System?"

"System…"

Jiang He called out several times, but the System did not answer, meaning that all Jiang He had done was complain futilely.

After complaining for a while, Jiang He pondered.

"Reasonably speaking, there should be a major obstacle even when rising from full-fledged True Child to Yuan Spirit, and it is normal for a lot of people to go their whole lives without ascending… so how did I manage to ascend in just three days?"

"My spirit is strong and far beyond my peers, but it has yet to reach the critical point of morphing… Could it be Twenty-Three Swords?"

Jiang He became thoughtful.

Twenty-Three Swords was a secret Yuan Spirit technique that could only be released by cultivating Yuan Spirit. In the original work of the Storm Riders, the Sword Sage had died after using it because he had yet to fully cultivate his Yuan Spirit.

On the other hand, the Twenty-Three Swords that Jiang He had revamped could be released without Yuan Spirt, though it would wound his spirit on each occasion.

That fact was obvious with how he needed sleep after each time he used the Twenty-Three Swords, and that was the case especially for this time—having to unleash it twice in short order, his spirit was wounded so seriously that he kept yawning even as he spoke to Wang Hou and the others…

"Could this be the storied 'the new never comes if the old doesn't go'?"

"Nope, that's not it. That phrase misses the mark a little—at worst, I have a depleted spirit, which I could restore with sleep. Still, it might be because my spirit has changed from that cycle of depletion and recovery and condensed up to Yuan Spirit on its own."

Jiang He hence began to study his Yuan Spirit.

Nonetheless, his initial ascension of Yuan Spirit was very weak, which was slightly uncomfortable for Jiang He who would reach the pinnacle of each stage whenever he ascended.

That said, Jiang He was a little pleased that he had ascended without spending Farm Points.

How many Farm Points had he managed to save in the process?

With that, Jiang He attempted Yuan Spirit projection, but his Yuan Spirit was too weak and he had a hard time holding on after flying several hundred meters. As such, he promptly withdrew it and tried buffing himself with the strength of his Yuan Spirit, greatly improving his combat ability.

Moreover, there were various unique usage for Yuan Spirit.

Divine mind, for example…

It was the next level for a person's spirit, stealthier than spirit when used for detection and difficult to notice.

Of course, there were various wonders that Yuan Spirit was capable of as well, such as projecting one's Yuan Spirit and cutting down an opponent with a sword, accomplishing the legend of taking a foe's head from a hundred miles away in the truest sense of the term.

"Now that I have condensed my Yuan Spirit, it means I can cultivate the fourth fold of the Three Thousand Calamities." Jiang He realized with a start then, and promptly exclaimed in delight, "Doesn't that mean I could cultivate entirely on my own, strengthening my Yuan Spirit every step of the way?"

Still, he felt great grief after his initial delight.

What was wrong with this world?

How could self-cultivation become a luxury too?

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Jiang He then smelled the rice aroma wafting from the kitchen as well as the sound of Sora and Boa Hancock cooking.

With a thought, his divine mind radiated away.

When he was a full-fledged True Child, his spirit would radiate up to forty kilometers away. Now that he reached Yuan Spirit and his spirit morphed into divine mind, it radiated over fifty kilometers, easily covering all of Lingzhou City, which was less than fifteen kilometers from his house in a straight line.

Still, he soon realized in shock that both Elder Guo and the youthful white-clothed guru were having beer in front of a grill store.

Clearly, the guru was letting himself go.

There were piles of beer bottles at their feet. The grill stall owner had already cleared away some of the bottles and had continued serving them the grilled skewers they ordered. Still, even as he put away the beer bottles, he studied in Elder Guo and the white-clothed guru in surprise.

After he was done cleaning, he quietly whipped out his phone and dialed a number from a corner.

"Hello, 110?"

"I want to make a report…"

"These two men had been drinking for three days at my stall, and I had to cart out two trucks worth of beer bottles. I'm afraid that they might cause trouble after all that drinking…"

When the Stargate opened, the government had implemented an emergency evacuation of Lingzhou City citizens. Still, there were several hundred thousand of them, and Jiang He ended up wiping out the Sky Demon legion after the evacuation was halfway done.

Incidentally, the grill stall owner was one of those who could not evacuate in time.

He was busy packing up his valuables before fleeing, but had ended up getting dragged out to start grilling and three days straight at that, leaving his entire being crumbling.

In fact, telling the cops that the drinking buddies would cause problems was a lie.

The truth was that he could no longer hold on.

After downing two trucks worth of beer without even getting tipsy, how were they going to start trouble?

Naturally, those two's hearing was sharp enough to hear the police report. The youthful guru smiled faintly and finished his bottle at one breath, smiling, "No need to call the cops, boss. We'll leave right now."

With that, he flipped his hand…

Thud!

A brick was slammed on the table.

The stall owner was on the verge of tears. "Brother, just leave, don't use bricks… what the hell!"

He mouthed an expletive even before he finished, staring straight at the brick and exclaiming in shock, "Is that a gold bullion?"

"What?"

"Is one not enough?"

The youthful guru asked, "It's been 500 years since I left the mountain to eat, so I don't know much about item prices these days. Name your price if one gold bullion isn't enough… so what's it going to be? Two? Three? Or five?"

Never left the mountain to eat for 500 years?

What the hell? Was this young man who looked no younger than his own son some sort of immortal?

Elder Guo breathed an easygoing chuckle then, saying, "Elder, you don't pay in gold or silver for eating nowadays, just bank notes."

"Bank notes? Paper money?"

The white-clothed guru flashed a pained smile, saying, "There are only gold and silver in the Tantra Sect's treasure vaults, no paper money."

"Not paper money, but the Hua Nation's currency called RMB."

Elder Guo had wanted to fork out some money to ease the guru's confusion, but found no RMB after searching for a while. As such, he took out a checkbook—it was given to him by the descendant from the current generation of the Guo clan, who told him that he just had to write a number on the check if he wanted to buy something outside.

"I rarely leave the house so I don't have any bank notes," he said begrudgingly. "Still, I have a check, and you just have to write a number on it."

Nonetheless, Elder Guo was the outspoken and forthright type too.

He had wanted to have the grill shop owner write a precise number, but after some thinking, he decided that he and the youthful guru had been drinking as much as they could over the last three days. As they spoke about martial arts over the simple grill stall, both of them felt rewarded considerably, and so spent five million dollars at one go.

Handing the check to the grill stall owner, Elder Guo rose to his feet, saying, "You can cash in this check at any bank… by the way, your grill is really good."

Trading glances with the guru, they laughed out loud and took the skies, both of them making their way towards Jiang He's house.

Clearly, they had received the message from Jiang He's divine mind.

The shop owner watched as they left in shock and awe. After that, he looked carefully at the zeros on the check before breaking into laughter.

Inside Jiang He's mansion at Jinyintan Village, Jiang He stepped out of the mansion and into the yard, watching as two flashes streaking from the distant horizon and descending upon him.

"Guru, Elder Guo."

Jiang He put fist to palm while both guru and Elder Guo returned his salute.

"You've been having a good time, Elder Guo, Guru."

Jiang He teased, while the youthful guru grinned. "Since we're idling anyway, we spoke about our martial path for days."

After a few words, Jiang He smiled, "My maids are done cooking. If you please, gentlemen."

As they entered the mansion, Sora and Boa had placed the dishes on the table.

There was Dragontooth Rice and eggplant… cooked into three dishes and one soup: coleslaw eggplant, stir-fried eggplant over meat, garlic eggplant… and eggplant soup.

Since Jiang He had requested that all dishes and soup were to be cooked with eggplants, there was no regard to the appearance of the dishes or if it was suitable for guests… why care about so much since it was for survival?

"Well…"

There was shock all over the guru's face.

Was this the eggplant he had before?

Jiang He actually still had more of this floral spirit that promotes longevity? Moreover… is the kid even treating it as a floral spirit? It was being used as a normal house vegetable entirely.

Having eating two mouthfuls, he could not help feeling a jolt all over his body as he realized something in shock…

The eggplant dish still worked for him.

The 'longevity' actually stacked?

Though it was not like the two or three years added to his lifespan during the first occasion, those two mouthfuls still gave him several more months?

Elder Guo was puzzled.

Why did it feel as if the guru's spirit, qi and essence was a little different after eating two spoonfuls of those dishes?

Were the dishes really that delicious?

Using his chopsticks and eating two spoonsful as well, his body jolted as well. His face fell as he turned his head toward Jiang He stiffly, who was smiling as he said, "I've prepared these dishes expressly for you two brothers, as you are just a step away from Zero Void tier. However, you wouldn't be able to ascend as you reach the end of your lifespan and your physique withers, but my vegetables both promotes longevity and reinvigorates your physique. So, if you could use this to reach Zero Void, brothers, it would be the honor of the Hua Nation."

Both men said nothing. Lowering their chopsticks, they stood up and bowed lengthily to Jiang He.

Jiang He did not stop them, but accepted their gesture composedly before smiling. "Alright, brothers, please eat."

Both men hence wolfed down the food, soon wiping out the entire table's worth of dishes. It was only after everything was finished that the white-clothed guru said, "There is no way for me to repay your grace for extending my life. Should I reach Zero Void, I shall repay with my body in answer to your favor."

Elder Guo offered the same as well, but despite his great shock, Jiang He quickly conveyed that he was not interested in old men.

Both geezers who were sixteen hundred years old together laughed out loud.

'Repaying with their body' was merely a joke. They simply wanted to tell him that they would put their lives on the line for Jiang He, and would not excuse themselves away from any of his requests.

"By the way, now that the threat of Sky Demons is temporarily pacified, what would you do next, Mister Jiang?"

"Continue my farming here at home and cultivate a little as well."

Jiang He smiled. "Moreover, I had promised the Superpower Research Department that I would catch them a Feral King from overseas, so I would leave the country… by the way, brothers, since you two have lived longer, you would certainly know about many secrets. Could you tell me about the ancient daemon cultivators and the secluded immortal sects?"

It was time to bring forward his plan to help his willow tree find a cultivation technique for plants.

Moreover, Jiang He was prepared to seek out a secluded immortal sect and see if he could get some mystic treasures, immortal arts or sage techniques, or perhaps stuff like soul medicine to plant.

Of course, those sects would definitely not give those to him that easily…

But Jiang He was not afraid. If need be, he would humble himself a little if need be to negotiate with them.

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Chapter 302: Pseudo-Sage Item

"The secluded immortal sects…"

Since both the youthful guru and Elder Guo could be considered the oldest people on Earth, they definitely knew more secrets. Even so, they did not know much about the secluded immortal sects.

After all, cultivators were rarely active around the world ever since that upheaval over two thousand years ago.

That said, there were some immortal sect disciples who came out to train around a thousand years ago. Some of them practiced steeling their emotions in the mortal realm, while others obtained immortal legacies by chance and caused a major stir, leaving many legends. Even so, no immortal showed up again with the gradual drying up of Spirit Qi—how difficult was the battle around five hundred years ago without them?

With most of the Old Martial Era elites getting killed off, Earth would have long since fallen if Mount Wudang's ancestral master had not stepped forward and repelled the many Sky Demon champions single-handedly during the critical moment.

"The ancestral master of Mount Wudang…"

Jiang He asked, "Did he reach Zero Void?"

"Above Zero Void."

Elder Guo said, "I've crossed paths with him and could be considered an acquaintance. He might have risen to prominence in short order, he had carved a path for himself alone, and was a rare example in wits and cultivation. It took him just a little over a hundred years to reach Zero Void, before rising to greater heights during critical moments."

"Zero Void elites could live to a thousand years, while those above would not have a problem living beyond two to three thousand years. If that's so, where is the ancestral master of Mount Wudang?"

Jiang He appeared puzzled, whereas Elder Guo smiled. "After repelling the Sky Demons, the ancestral master of Mount Wudang combed through every inch of Earth over three years, hoping to discover a secret about Earth that kept extraterrestrial races so obsessive about invading Earth."

"However, his search ended up fruitless, and he ended up staying at the Wudang Holy Grounds to stand guard over the Stargate, although he would leave through the Stargate itself later with my nephew."

"I see…"

An idea suddenly struck Jiang He—he abruptly remembered a certain man who made company with a giant eagle and an 'aunt' (1). After asking about it, he only learned that…

Said companionship with the eagle was real, while the 'aunt' was fake.

That said, the giant eagle certainly was not small, being an incredibly powerful eagle-type Feral.

"My nephew has had quite the tough life… I feel like I owe him."

"Sigh…"

"He had lived in seclusion for years after being hurt by love, and left for realms beyond with the ancestral master of Mount Wudang after that great battle. He had instructed the ancestral master himself and they were master and student, and their journey to the beyond could be considered one of the finer stories in the martial world."

Elder Guo breathed a long sigh.

It turns out that his nephew's 'aunt' had fallen to her death after she jumped off the cliff, and that sixteen-year promise or some thingmajig was just nonsense added in by an author and editor in order for the big eagle man to have a perfect ending.

Indeed, it was a tragic story.

But for some reason, Jiang He wanted to laugh.

Soon, Boa Hancock arrived, bringing Big Red Robe, whereas Dumbo, Trumbo and the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers had come out of the farm for a breather, and started to play around at the yard.

Both the guru and Elder Guo were stunned.

To think that Jiang He's maid, pets, and tots had such cultivation…

Even the weakest maid who was dressed rather… immodestly had a strong flame energy rippling over her body. She must have awakened fire-type powers and at a decent level.

After a long while of idle chatter, the trio began to talk about martial arts.

It was indeed a great honor to speak of the interesting matters in Jiang Hu and discuss their understanding of the martial arts whilst sipping genuine Big Red Robe.

Even so…

Jiang He felt a headache.

Those two kept blabbing away about some unfathomable, mysterious stuff that he had not the faintest idea of. How was a martial arts newbie like himself to understand that stuff?

The most outrageous part was when Elder Guo even added, "Brother Jiang He, though I see you that you have assumed the immortal path, your cultivation in martial arts is not bad, even reaching divine-union pinnacle."

"For a young man like you to be so accomplished, you must have your own perspective in martial arts."

Jiang He was unsure how to answer just then.

My own perspective, my foot…

Even so, would the guru or Elder Guo believe him if he said did not, what with their face full of expectations?

As such, he promptly acted as if he was musing to himself for a while before dragging the conversation to the immortal path with a smile.

After all, all he had to do was to bullsh*t his way out since the other two men cultivated martial arts and knew nothing about the immortal path. Moreover, if he couldn't come up with anything, he could take a leaf off Lin Tianzheng's book and say he had taken an oath to gloss over the matter.

Hence, the 'exchange' between the trio lasted until 3 pm, with both Elder Guo and the guru rising to their feet, putting fist to palm as they bid Jiang He farewell.

Jiang He saw them off, taking out two eggplants with a turn of his hand and smiling. "Brothers, I don't really have anything to offer, so take these two eggplants as your fellow brother's sincerity—have a bite along your journey."

Delighted, both Elder Guo and the guru quickly accepted the huge, thick, and long eggplants, keeping them lovingly.

Jiang He only returned inside his house after watching them leave.

Once inside, he immediately took out the spoils he had won after slaying Bodo, that Sky Demon general.

One blood-hued war axe.

One Spatial Ring, as well as a small broken bell that dropped out of Bodo body after he was killed.

The bell must have been gestating via Bodo's orifices after Bodo refined it, and it naturally fell out after his physical body was torn apart by Jiang He's Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses.

Holding it over his palm, Jiang He took a closer look of the belt.

The belt was fully black and sculpted with an ancient script. It resembled the tadpole script, with which the Sky Daemon Invincibility technique was written with.

"Could this ancient script be a lingua franca in space?"

There was a fair chance that it was!

Moreover, the Sky Demon's champions actually spoke the Hua Nation language, which left Jiang He in disbelief. Could the Hua Nation language be the universal lingua franca as well?

"Hmmm?"

Jiang He could not help blinking at that thought.

Other factors aside, there was a good chance that was the case.

Nonetheless, he did not dwell on that subject and continued examining the bell instead, after of which he noticed something else.

The item refinement method was quite similar to the mystic treasures he possessed…

"I've studied the mystic treasures I got from the Sky Demon Cult's Saint too, and I thought she had obtained it from Earth. Could it have been brought by the Sky Demons instead?"

"They are an extraterrestrial race and speak the Hua Nation's language, and their item refinement method is actually similar to the Hua Nation's too…"

There were thousands of questions in Jiang He's head, and he had the feeling that the secluded immortal sects must know something.

That naturally affirmed his resolve to seek them out and have a discussion of ideas.

Meanwhile, he used his hand to knock the bell and the Scarlet Flame Sword to cut it, but the little bell that appeared beyond repair proved extremely tough that even the Scarlet Flame Sword hardly left a mark on it.

Be that as it may, it did not have the presence unique to sage items, which was why Jiang He had a hunch. "This bell must exist in a tier between soul items and sage items, and could be considered a demi-sage item or perhaps a pseudo-sage item… does that mean he had survived the Doom Shrooms thanks to this item? There's no wonder he did."

"That said, the Doom Shrooms did leave it mangled."

Jiang He could not help turning somber at that thought, however.

If a demi-sage item could keep a full-fledged Yuan Spirit like Bodo alive through the simultaneous explosion of 300 Doom Shrooms, what if he had a genuine sage item?

Should a Sky Demon champion have wielded such a thing, not even 500 Doom Shrooms could have killed him!

A mysterious sense of pressure abruptly ignited!

"The Sky Demon problem must be gotten rid of as soon as possible… and I'm also running short on Doom Shrooms. Before my ability improve without any special aspect, I must come up with a solution to plant crops with higher yield."

As for the little bell…

It could wait until after he had planted it.

Strengthening it a bit in the process as well would certainly yield a genuine sage weapon.

On the other hand, the blood-hued war axe could be kept aside. He would reforge it after he created an item refinement method, refining it into a mystic treasure of his desire.

Either way, it felt like his body was rusting after sleeping for three days.

Translator's Note:

(1) A reference to Yang Guo, the protagonist of the novel The Return of the Condor Heroes, while Elder Guo himself is hinted to be Guo Jing.

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Chapter 303: I, Jiang He, Possess Quite The Temper

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

At Mount Kunlun in the Hua Nation, the seemingly plain and ordinary mountaintops were actually covered in a powerful array, maintaining the sight of many mountains when seen from the outside.

And within the array, many pavilions stood within the fog-filled Secret Realm.

"Sect Leader, the threat of the Sky Demons has passed."

"Oh?"

A voice of surprise could be heard deep amidst the clouds, saying, "The humans of the Hua Nation should not have been able to handle the Sky Demons invasion right now… How did they do it? Could a fellow sage of another sect have stepped up?"

"There isn't."

An elderly white-haired man was speaking. "I have split out a Yuan Spirit clone and had a journey to the Hua Nation, investigating the specifics of the matter. The Sky Demon threat was resolved this time because of a cultivator named Jiang He.

"Jiang He has reached True Child despite his youth, as well as possesses several premium-grade soul treasures and a sword array technique."

The elderly person paused at that, lowering his voice a few decibels as he added, "I've also found out that Jiang He has learned a secret Yuan Spirit technique, although I believe that might not be true. How could a True Child who has yet to condense their Yuan Spirit be able to cast a Yuan Spirit technique?"

Deep in the temple, the other voice could not help laughing. "The commoners are truly ignorant. Do they even know how frightening secret Yuan Spirit techniques could be? Not even our Taixu Sect had grasped it with our thousands of years' worth of history."

Nonetheless, his tone shifted as he continued, "Nonetheless, it is just as you put it: the kid is gifted, and after our sect closed our doors over two thousand years ago, we've only accepted disciples on twelve occasions, the last of which was three hundred years ago… Fifth Elder, please return among the commoners once more and observe the kid's temperament. Bring him back to the Taixu Sect if he has the right attitude and recruit him as our disciple."

Having received his orders, the white-haired Fifth Elder was about to leave when the voice inside the temple spoke again, saying, "Perhaps it is not only our Taixu Sect that is observing the commoners—the other sects would certainly be watching, what with the Revival of Qi and the age of chaos that possibly follows. I'm afraid that more individuals who gain great destiny would hence be born among the commoners, and Jiang He's almost demonic prowess is a sign of such fortune. That is why the other immortal sects would covet him, and so you must make haste and undertake drastic measures if need be."

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

The Fifth Elder of the Taixu Sect left, and quickly flew away from Mount Kunlun.

As a matter of fact, the same thing was happening within the other secluded immortal sects.

And Jiang He was simply unaware about it all.

It was now seven in the evening, and the sky was fully dark as it was now November here at Xibei.

In his farm, Jiang He was starting at the little black bell glinting faintly over his palm, unable to hold back a look of delight on his face.

[Sky Demon Bell]

[Tier: Mediocre-grade sage item]

[Sacrifice a drop of blood for use.]

"Mediocre-grade sage item…"

"The farm is really contributing lately—to think that it has actually strengthened to being a mediocre-grade sage item…"

Biting his finger and dripping out a drop of blood, Jiang He quickly refined the Sky Demon Bell and learnt about its details. It appears that it was a defensive item used for binding one's enemies, which was not that different from the Nine Dragons God Fire Shroud in usage. That being said, while the Nine Dragons God Fire Shroud could be used for restraining an enemy defensively, it could kill an opponent as well. Once True Samadhi Flames were released inside, even full-fledged Yuan Spirit individuals would be killed without premium-grade soul items to protect themselves.

Still, the Sky Demon Bell was still a sage item, and mediocre-grade at that.

Most importantly, not even Convergence-tier individuals would easily free themselves when it was invoked to restrain an opponent in critical moment.

Putting away the Sky Demon Bell, Jiang He's stats panel appeared before his eyes at a single thought.

[Name: Jiang He]

[Cultivation: Immortal Path—novice Yuan Spirit; Martial Arts—divine-tier (divine union)]

[Ability: Royal Sword, fire]

[Martial Arts Cultivation: Indestructible Diamond (Mastery), Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms (Mastery), Strengthened Nine Yang Technique (Eighth Tier), Ninefold Thunderblade (Mastery), Dragon-Elephant Prajna (Mastery), Nine Heavenly Stars Body Formula (Third Tier), Three Thousand Calamities (Fourth Style), Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array (Mastery), Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses (Mastery), Twenty-Three Swords (Mastery).]

[Owned Land: 9 Mu]

[Farm Level: 5 (EXP 455,800/500,000)]

[System Backpack: 24 boxes]

[System Shop: Unlocked]

[Farm Points: 100,000]

"My farm's EXP is somehow nearing the five hundred thousand goal already?"

"But why are my Farm Points so low?"

Jiang He could not help complaining. As a matter of fact, he had just obtained 50,000 Farm Points out of the 100,000 Farm Points he had right now. It appears that planting costs had increased considerably after leveling up his farm even though the Farm Points and EXP he earned had increased as well, not to mention that it would cost him several million with a random leveling up his cultivation techniques.

"That is why I must earn more Farm Points so that the farm could level up this time around!"

"Either the mutated rice or the initiation pellet would work… still, the fact is that planting mystic treasures and soul items earns the most Farm Points, accumulating dozens of thousands Farm Points apiece. Still, those are too rare to plant in batches."

Jiang He's mind hence went to work for a better earning of Farm Points.

He was considering one question.

If he became a master of item refinement, could he craft soul items on a massive scale and then plant them?

And the answer was…

No!

"Leaving aside how rare the materials are for forging mystic items or soul items and how uncertain it is to find those, forging one alone would take hours, even days… how am I supposed to mass produce them?"

"Why don't I go on a robbery instead if I have so much time…"

"Hmmm?"

Jiang He stopped in his tracks just as he stepped out of his farm.

He was surprised by the idea that suddenly occurred to him.

"Can't believe I would actually come up with such a scary idea. How could I do something like that when I'm a law-abiding citizen? Moreover, who on Earth could own that many soul items? Surely I can't rob the secluded immortal sects, can I?

Robbing the secluded immortal sects?

Others aside, that idea was quite viable, though 'robbing' was a little too much here.

After all, he had no argument with the secluded immortal sects, and he surely could not run off to their domain without any reason to 'borrow' some soul items, could he?

Jiang He, who was ready to return to the mansion for dinner, suddenly had a twinkle in his eye and looked off to the distant horizon.

In the air, a sword light was streaking toward him.

"Royal Sword Flight!"

Jiang He's gaze narrowed. However, before he could think, he sensed an unrestrained divine mind extending towards him, before quickly shifting directions to dart straight for his house.

Looking up, Jiang He found a man dressed in white and bearing a youthful visage arriving on his sword over Jiang He's head.

The youthful men's expression was prideful as he looked down at Jiang He, flatly asking, "Are you Jiang He?"

Jiang He frowned but said nothing, but then heard the youthful man say, "I am the eldest True Heir of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's chief disciple and True Heir. The master has mentioned that you have a connection with our sect, and I have come today to bring you to our sect."

Just as he was about to say something, Jiang He turned his eyes to find another immortal radiance arriving from the horizon.

That immortal radiance appeared to be a cloud, on top of which stood an elderly person with snow white hair and a childish visage. As he descended from the skies above and glanced at the white-clothed youth standing atop the sword, he smiled. "So it's you, Zhong Yue of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. Has your master been well?"

"Elder Mo of the Taixu Sect."

The youth named Zhong Yue offered the elderly man a fist-palm salute, smiling as he said, "Thanks for your concern, Elder Mo. The leader is quite well."

The two men then had a few idle exchanges before Elder Mo of the Taixu Sect turned toward Jiang He and smiled. "Are you willing to join my Taixu Sect, Jiang He? You need not turn us down in a hurry, for such is the karmic connection of disciples. If you join the Taixu Sect, the True Habitant and chief of our sect is willing to take you in as a personal disciple, and you may cultivate every immortal art and sage technique in the Taixu Sect."

Back in his yard, Jiang He could not help smiling. "I say, fellow sages… weren't you people insisting that it isn't the right time to come out? Why would two of you come out today at once?"

"By the way, could you come down to talk?"

"I, Jiang He, possess quite the temper. What I always hate to see most is others showing off above me."

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Chapter 304: There Is No Way People From Immortal Sects Are So Weak

Meanwhile, for the Lin clan of Jingdu City, being a martial clan and boasting the presence of elites the likes of Old Lin and Three Blades Lin, they were certainly one of the strongest clans in the martial world of the Hua Nation, and would naturally have the riches to oppose nations.

However, that was not actually the case.

Neither Old Lin nor Three Blades Lin cared about clan affairs and the location of Old Lin himself would always tend to be unknown. Likewise, Three Blades Lin was unemployed even now, and with the few members of the entire clan, Three Blades Lin's nephew was managing the clan at present.

They had a small enterprise and though they were not impoverished, their fortunes were nothing to brag about.

Even the clan's old residence—an imposing courtyard house—was one inherited from their ancestors.

And at the old residence right now, Lin Tianzheng was bearing a somber look, opposite of which say a black-robed middle-aged man, who was smiling faintly. "Though you and I have not met, we are indeed master and disciple. Every decision on that day was made by the sect leader and I can't disregard his will."

The middle-aged man was the True Habitant of Nine Dragons, a member of the Penglai Immortal Sect.

When Lin Tianzheng had entered the sect before, he was taken in as a nominal disciple by the True Habitant of Nine Dragons himself…and his status was nominal because he was a little old.

Still, being one of the top elites in the world right now, Lin Tianzheng himself had great destiny as the Taixu Sect Leader had put it, and the Penglai Sect was willing to accept him as a disciple even if he was a little older.

Be that as it may, Lin Tianzheng did not say anything in response toward the True Habitant of Nine Dragons's explanation, just as he was not bothered to say anything.

He understood how heartless the immortal sects could be.

They kept insisting that they must not leave their mountain since the time has not come. However, how many days had it been since and now the True Habitant of Nine Dragons came to Jingdu City, true form and all?

And now, he was acting neither proud nor humble toward the True Habitant of Nine Dragons, saying, "True Habitant, I have cut all ties with the Penglai sect. You ought not speak of our relationship as master and disciple."

"Very well."

Without further ado, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons went straight to the point and said, "I've come to you to talk about Jiang He. The Penglai Immortal Sect is willing to offer Jiang He some immortal cultivation, and I know that commoners have a method of communicating over thousands of miles. Help me contact Jiang He and have him come see me."

Lin Tianzheng did a double take.

Having Jiang He come to meet you?

You have really lost your mind…

That kid, running thousands of miles to meet you here at Jingdu City?

Lin Tianzheng declined, saying that Jiang He had been seriously wounded in the previous battle and his current recovery unknown.

Even so, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons smiled. "It's fine, just contact him. Since the Penglai Sect is willing to help him cultivate as an immortal, this bit of injury is not out of the question."

At Jiang He's house in Lingzhou City, Dumbo and Trumbo had quietly stepped out of the farm and were looking up at the two people up in the skies while communicating in spirit, "Don't you think those two are retards? If they are fighting to recruit Master, shouldn't they be prostrating themselves?"

"Hey…"

"What would you know? Those are immortals who are all high and mighty. Isn't it normal for them to look down on us commoners?"

"Hetui!" The Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers were all spitting over at another side.

Meanwhile, over Jiang He's head…

The Taixu Sect Elder appeared unhappy with Jiang He's tone, but he descended anyway.

On the other hand, Zhong Yue of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect laughed coldly and said, "How dare you speak to me with that attitude, Jiang He?"

"Could you really believe yourself to be unbeatable just by inheriting some immortal art through chance?"

"On this day, I have come under orders from our True Habitant to bestow you with immortal cultivation. It is a blessing you accumulate through several lifetimes, so don't you be so tactless."

Jiang He's gaze darkened, although his phone started ringing just as he was about to attack.

Whipping out his phone to see that it was a call from Lin Tianzheng, he promptly laughed coldly. "Zhong Yue, was it? How dare you throw your weight around in my face—but it wouldn't be too late to deal with you after I finished my call!"

"Hmmm?"

Zhong Yu's gaze darkened as well and killing intent erupted all over his body.

Even so, his aura relaxed and he withdrew his killing intent after he saw Jiang He answer the phone, coolly seething, "Fine, I'll wait."

After all, how proudful was Zhong Yue, being the chief disciple of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect?

Moreover, he was born in nobility, with his mother being a full-fledged Yuan Spirit and his father a Convergence-tier immortal. It was only natural that he would not take the initiative to attack Jiang He, a commoner who had gained connection to immortals through chance.

On the other hand, Jiang He was discreetly shaking his head while answering his phone… though these disciples of secluded immortal sects had considerable ability and were a class above himself being Yuan Spirit-intermediates, they were both flowers in greenhouses.

He had already issued his killing intent to Jiang He, yet still gave him time to answer a call?

Was he an idiot?

"I mustn't be careless. What if he merely appears to be an idiot but is secretly one of the shady types and would backstab me while I'm on the phone?"

Hence…

Ooom!

Jiang He's Sky Daemon Armor materialized while he was on the phone.

Then, feeling that it did not offer enough assurance, he promptly invoked the Nine Dragons God Fire Shroud as well…

Only then did he chuckle into the phone. "Hello, Elder Lin. Why would you suddenly call me?"

Over on the other end of the call, Lin Tianzheng asked, "Have you recovered, Jiang He?"

Back when Jiang He had released the Twenty-Three Swords twice, his face had paled and he yawned endlessly, leaving everyone to assumed that he had been injured. It was indeed the truth as well, since a wounding of spirit was a serious injury to most people, causing fainting or losing one's wits in less serious cases, and a crumbled will in serious cases.

Jiang He then smiled. "It's no big deal. I've merely depleted my spirit a little, but I've already recovered after going home and sleeping for three days."

After that, Long Mountain Lin told him about what just happened.

Jiang He's expression darkened in response and he laughed icily, saying "The Penglai Immortal Sect? The True Habitant of Nine Dragons? That cheek of him… demanding that I go see him? Who does he think he is?"

"How dare you!"

Beside Lin Tianzheng, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons was left furious and was just about to start yelling…

Even so, Jiang He had already hung up.

"Such insolence!"

As the True Habitant of Nine Dragons stormed out of Lin Tianzheng's residence with a resounding boom, took to the air and disappeared into the night, Long Mountain Lin promptly called Jiang He again, saying, "Be careful, Jiang He. That True Habitant of Nine Dragons was overflowing with killing intent and should be coming to you. However, the distance between Lingzhou City and your house is not that close, and it would take him time to reach you."

Jiang He could not help laughing.

He was the one who should be angry here.

Sliding Zhong Yue a glance, he then asked "Elder Lin, what's the cultivation of that True Habitant of Nine Dragons?"

"Very powerful, probably a full-fledged Yuan Spirit."

"A full-fledged Yuan Spirit actually has the guts for such nonsense in my face?"

Jiang He laughed coolly as killing intent suddenly materialized over his body and he said somberly, "These immortal sects were nowhere to be seen when the Sky Demon legion invaded, but now that they see I'm quite strong, all of them are coming out to offer me immortal cultivation?"

"What sort of dog's butt immortal cultivation are they even offering? Do they really think daddy would want it?"

Lastly, he throw Elder Mo of the Taixu Sect and Zhong Yue of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect another glance before saying flatly into the phone, "Every last one of these fellows want me to join their sect, and yet they're all putting on airs, holding contempt against everyone else as if they were above it all. Don't they know that Bodo is just a full-fledged Yuan Spirit too?!"

Ka-boom!

Jiang He's aura abruptly erupted out of his body. Holding his phone with one hand and pointing with the other, both the Scarlet Flame Sword and the Autumn Water Sword shot out with a metal ring. Scarlet light and watery radiance hence interweaved, forming the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array as it shot towards Zhong Yue, who was still folding his arms before his chest.

"What?"

"Is that… the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array?"

Zhong Yue's face dropped at that. All he saw was the two intertwining sword lights enlarge upon his pupils as if they were dragons. Even though he was sensing impending death in that very instant, he was caught spacing out and actually forgot to evade.

In fact, he was too close to Jiang He for him to escape.

When the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array reached Zhong Yue's body, there was crisp cracking sound… and a jade charm hanging over his hip shattered.

Ooom.

A radiant shroud appeared, protecting him.

The Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array struck the radiant shroud then, and though the shroud was not broken, the tremendous power sent Zhong Yue flying despite being behind the shroud. With a string of banging crashes, he only came to a stop several kilometers away after wrecking untold numbers of houses, walls, and gardens.

He opened his mouth and puked a mouthful of blood into the ground with a squawking sound.

"Eh?"

Jiang He frowned, while Lin Tianzheng was left astonished over on the other end of the call from all the commotion and exclaimed, "Could the True Habitant of Nine Dragons have arrived already?"

"Nope."

Jiang He chuckled as he continued the conversation, flatly saying, "I could cut down a full-fledged Yuan Spirit champion like Bodo back when I was a full-fledged True Child. Now that I have condensed my Yuan Spirit, I don't mind killing a mere full-fledged Yuan Spirit like the True Habitant of Nine Dragons if he dares to strut around in my face."

"Alright, Elder Lin. I still have guests over here, so I'm hanging up."

With that, Jiang He hung up.

Taking out a chair from his System Backpack with a wave of his hand, he plonked himself on it before making a grabbing gesture to drag the unconscious Zhong Yue toward himself from across several kilometers away. Then, glancing at Elder Mo, he asked with a smile, "Elder Mo of the Taixu Sect, was it?"

"You wanted to speak with me?"

Noting the baffled look on Elder Mo's face as he stared at Zhong Yue beneath his feet, Jiang He then explained, "Please don't mind, Elder Mo. This fellow had released his killing intent in my face, and yet, I didn't kill him straightaway. From that, you could tell that I'm an agreeable person…"

Elder Mo's heart was pounding wildly.

I… would be stupid to believe you!

That strike just now was clearly intended to kill Zhong Yue, eldest disciple of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect's chieftain. Zhong Yue had only survived because he had the protective jade charm that his Convergence-tier father gave him!

Had this brat lost his mind?

A mere commoner, daring to attack a True Heir of an immortal sect?

One must know that in ancient times, the ignorant commoners had kowtowed even to the disciples of immortal sects as if they were gods. And yet here was one, so bent on killing Zhong Yue?

Even so, Elder Mo was left astonished by Jiang He's combat ability and his heart was left palpitating when Jiang He unleashed his sword strike. Would he have been able to stop that strike even if all the moves at his disposal were unleashed all at once?

"And even if I could stop it, what about the second strike?"

With that, Elder Mo's previous high-and-mighty attitude disappeared entirely, replaced by… respect.

"Jiang He, fellow sage," he smiled. "I had eyes but did not see. I hope you can be understanding."

Recruiting him as a disciple?

My foot!

He is already a Yuan Spirit!

Furthermore, his combat ability was actually stronger than a full-fledged Yuan Spirit such as himself. He would have been a character commanding great authority even amongst the many secluded immortal sects, able to assumed the rank of 'Elder'.

Would such a person be a mere disciple at one's sect?

Even when he apologized, the corner of Elder Mo's eye discreetly studied the unconscious Zhong Yue…

Just a moment ago, Zhong Yue seemed to have yelled something…

Was it the 'Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array'?

'The Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array is a household secret of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, but didn't Jiang He just wield it?' Elder Mo was puzzled.

Unbeknownst to him, Jiang He was feeling a little disappointed even as he stood opposite Elder Mo.

Sigh…

A miscalculation. Such a miscalculation!

Why were the people from the immortal sects such weaklings?

This left him with no reason to attack… if he had known this would happen, he should have just gone for it—beating them up first and directly kidnapping up them, demanding for their immortal sect's mystic treasures and soul items as a trade.

"Such a mistake absolutely cannot be repeated in the future. The True Habitant of Nine Dragons must not be allowed to speak after he arrives and everything can wait until after he is subjugated…"

"No!"

"Waiting for others to come knocking on our door is not my style…"

Suddenly Jiang He rose to his feet and told Elder Mo, "Please wait a while for me, Elder Mo. I suddenly remember that I have something urgent to deal with. I'll be right back!"

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Chapter 305: I'm Giving You One Chance To Correct Yourself

The night was very dark with autumn winds billowing.

There was slight coolness as Jiang He flew in the skies…

How breezy it was.

Nonetheless, he withdrew his spirit and flew 150 kilometers away, hiding behind a dark cloud… After all, Lin Tianzheng had already said that the True Habitant of Nine Dragons was out to do him in, so how was he supposed to sit and wait?

Waiting to be attacked was not his style.

Taking the initiative to attack is only right.

Moreover, this spot was a necessary path toward Lingzhou City and it was wildlands beneath, which made it most fitting for one to set an ambush and kill…

"Ahem."

"Ambush and kill is a little excessive, since a dead person means a full-blown death grudge against the Penglai Immortal Sect. It is not my intention to make enemies, since all I intend to do is to subjugate that True Habitant of Nine Dragons or whatnot, and demand some mystic treasure and soul items from the Penglai Immortal Sect."

Above the dark clouds…

Jiang He stretched lazily and was about to take out some purple-gold sunflower seeds to relieve his boredom when suddenly, his eyes moved and he turned towards the distant horizon.

He could see a streak of green radiance streaking through the night sky.

But upon a closer look, the radiance proved not to actually be real light but was instead a flying boat.

That tiny boat flew through the night sky—a sight only observable in xianxia novels.

"Is this world setting completing shifting toward high fantasy and xianxia now?"

Jiang He sighed discreetly to himself, but it was not as if that was unacceptable. The Revival of Qi had begun after he transmigrated here and a development to high fantasy and xianxia was normal. Indeed, many urban romance novels eventually progressed to those settings too.

Meanwhile, the green light continued moving rapidly, covering over half a dozen kilometers in an instant. As such, Jiang He quietly counted the flight speed of the green light and the timing of when he should attack before stealthily throwing a Doom Shroom at them.

"Who is it?"

An angry bark echoed out of thin air.

One must say that the True Habitant of Nine Dragons was truly cautious, and was using divine mind to observe an area fifty meters around him at any given moment. That was how he immediately noticed the Doom Shroom once it was within fifty meters of himself.

Jiang He's angling was very precise, and basically was a direct head-on collision…

Nonetheless, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons narrowed his eyes when he saw the pitch-black object darting towards him. He had no idea what it was, but an alarming sensation arose in his mind, and he promptly steered his flying boat to another direction to evade the Doom Shroom.

Jiang He was at a loss for words.

On the other hand, the lurking drawback of the Doom Shroom was immediately revealed.

That stuff needed to collide on something to explode.

"Get out here!"

After evading the Doom Shroom ambush, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons did not continue onward. Instead, foot on the flying raft, he paused mid-air, his divine mind sweeping out and promptly noticing Jiang He who hiding beneath the dark clouds. Killing intent overflowing in his eyes, he glared towards Jiang He coldly.

Waving his hand and pointing, Jiang He's Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array burst out, unable to hold back a complaint…

Were everyone from those secluded immortal sects all demons?

Overflowing with killing intent at a moment's notice.

It really is better to keep that stuff held back, since you have yet to actually see who your opponent was. Are you really afraid that it is someone stronger than yourself, and while you had a chance to survive at first, you'd only ended up cut down because you preferred to bare your killing intent?

Ooom!

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons attacked then, his mystic energy surging and materializing into the silhouettes of nine dragons soaring around himself, parrying Jiang He's Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array. His eyes narrowing slightly, he exclaimed in surprise, "The Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array? Could you be a fellow sage of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect? Even so, the Penglai Immortal Sect had no discord with your fellowship, why would you attack… eh?"

That was when a resounding rumble echoed from the distance—it was the Doom Shroom that had missed the True Habitant of Nine Dragons, merely exploding after dropping to the ground.

The massive explosion kicked up a mushroom cloud into the night sky, its searing heat wave billowing upon the True Habitant of Nine Dragons' clothes and leaving it flapping loudly.

And amidst the resounding explosion, Jiang He stepped out from behind the dark cloud, frowning as he asked, "Why are you so sure I'm from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, True Habitant of Nine Dragons?"

Withdrawing his searching gaze to fix his eyes upon Jiang He, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons smiled coldly. "Still not revealing your true face even though things have already come to this, fellow sage? Did you really think no one could tell that you are from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect just because you changed your appearance?"

"Who wouldn't know that the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array is a forbidden technique of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect?"

Jiang He was speechless at that.

It was no wonder that Zhong what's-his-name from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect mouthed the name 'Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array'. So his sect had such a sword array technique too?

What a coincidence!

Indeed, the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms and the Dragon Elephant Prajna are another matter entirely since he created those thanks to inspiration from wuxia novels, which is why a 'coincidence' with the Tantra Sect and Elder Guo is absolutely normal. On the other hand, how the hell did the Ten Thousand Swords Sect possessed the exact same sword array as one that I randomly came up with? How is this considered not bullying?

Nonetheless, the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array took shaped once more as Jiang He waved his hand, striking towards the True Habitant of Nine Dragons.

In response, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons promptly invoked a dark cloud and clashed against Jiang He.

"Which Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect are you?!" he cried furiously.

Novice Yuan Spirit?

That cultivation tier must have been feigned to. After all, the mastery over the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array shown by the person before him was actually outclassing him—how could a novice Yuan Spirit achieve such a thing?

Be that as it may, Jiang He totally ignored whatever the True Habitant of Nine Dragons said and escalated his assault. Noting that things were dire, he promptly took out a jade charm with a turn of his hand and breathed into it. As mystic energy was blown onto the jade charm, the three-inch object instantly transformed into a puppet iron-armored war beast that lunged towards Jiang He.

At the same time, the Nine Dragons God Fire Shroud shot out from between Jiang He's brow and extended, covering the war beast in its entirely at once. However, as the war beast kept crashing about inside the Nine Dragons God Fire Shroud, Jiang He had to release the True Samadhi Flames inside the Shroud to burn the war beast alive.

"An

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons was stunned at that.

Even so, his raging cry was continuous—the general gist being an accusation of the immoral Ten Thousand Swords Sect, as well as threatening to lead the entire Penglai Sect to their doorstep for a 'visit'.

"The True Habitant of Nine Dragons really isn't that weak in a fight."

Jiang He sighed discreetly.

Being a full-fledged Yuan Spirit, it meant that True Habitant of Nine Dragons was equal in strength to Bodo the Sky Demon general. Jiang He therefore proved unable to subjugate him immediately by just relying on the Nine Dragons God Fire Shroud as well as the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array…

Still, he did not dare to cast the Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses, afraid that he would directly kill the True Habitant of Nine Dragons with a single strike… how was he supposed to 'borrow' mystic treasures or soul items if he was killed?

"Sky Demon Bell!"

"Rise!"

At a single thought, a pitch-black bell took flight out from between Jiang He's brow. As it unfurled, its 'Might of Truth' manifesting and seizing the True Habitant of Nine Dragons within.

"Awesome!"

Jiang He was delighted.

The Sky Demon Bell was truly useful, as to be expected from a mediocre-grade sage item.

Summoning it back to himself, Jiang He's figure turned into a flash as he returned to Jinyintan Village.

Meanwhile, at his yard…

Zhong Yue had already regained consciousness.

He was being rather hysterical however, and the first reaction he had upon seeing Jiang He was seemingly to put his life on the line and bellowing furiously, "How dare you steal the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array, a technique of our Ten Thousand Swords Sect, Jiang He?!"

Jiang He looked up calmly at Zhong Yue then, who shuddered and stumbled several steps backward, appearing rather reverent then.

Once he remembered how Jiang He had beat him with a single strike and with the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array at that, Zhong Yue felt an unbearable sensation inwardly. Finding his words, he was about to attack Jiang He verbally once more…

But froze out of the blue.

After all, Jiang He was gently shaking the Sky Demon Bell several times, after of which the True Habitant of Nine Dragons dropped out.

And once freed, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons blew his beard off his face and glared, barking angrily, "How dare you Ten Thousand Swords Sect restrain me? Are you really not afraid that we, the Penglai Sect, would wage war upon you?"

Confusion showing on his face, Zhong Yue stiffly swallowed the words he was about to spit at Jiang He—he was acquainted with the True Habitant of Nine Dragons, and understood what happened to him from what he was saying, and therefore quickly said, "Elder Nine Dragons, please don't misunderstand—he's no disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. In fact, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect has been on good terms with the Penglai Sect for generations… why would we attack you?"

"You…"

"Aren't you Zhong Yue, son of Zhong Zhentian, the vice chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect?"

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons had a twitch in his expressions just then, before turning towards Elder Mo of the Taixu Sect and exclaiming in surprise, "Elder Mo, you're here too?"

"What is this place?"

"Could you two have been captured here by that mysterious person?"

Jiang He was dumbfounded.

What the heck does 'mysterious person' even mean…

You journey over thousands of miles here to Lingzhou City to seek me out without even knowing what I look like?

Still, watching as the trio were starting to converse, Jiang He coolly spoke, saying, "Fellow sages, I'll skip the introductions since everyone here are acquainted. Now let us proceed to the main topic of reimbursement."

Reimbursement?

The trio appeared puzzled and unsure as to what Jiang He meant, although Zhong Yue soon seemed to realized something. Smiling faintly and rather generously, he said, "I won't blame you for attacking me, Mister Jiang. Cultivators value strength, and since you are already Yuan Spirit-tier, attempting to recruiting you as a disciple is certainly inappropriate."

"So, reimbursement is unnecessary. You just have to apologize to the True Habitant of Nine Dragons and myself."

Jiang He was speechless.

He promptly invoked the Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses, veins of Sword Qi bearing down upon Zhong Yue's head as he growled fiercely, "Brat. I'm giving you one chance to correct yourself."

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Chapter 306: The Taixu Sect Is Very Agreeable

Shiiing!

There was a hum of swords as the Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses instantly materialized, Sword Qi emanating as it landed on top of Zhong Yue's head.

The entire yard was hence shrouded in sword radiance and the walls of Jiang He's yard was struck once by the Sword Qi, instantly crumbling into dust.

Though Jiang He was not aiming straight for the True Habitant of Nine Dragons and Elder Mo, the killing intent and Sword Qi spreading alone left both full-fledged Yuan Spirit elites paling, with sweat rolling off their foreheads.

They traded a glance, seeing a look of astonishment and terror in each other's eyes.

Sword Array?

This Sword Array charged so offhandedly probably reached Convergence-tier in power, did it not?

And then there was the many flying swords…

Five were premium-grade soul weapons, and one was a sage weapon emanating with a strong sage aura?

"A profane cultivator, gaining minor providence by chance?"

In that very moment, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons was wildly complaining inwardly—right now, the opinion that every immortal sect had toward Jiang He was all nonsense.

They called this a minor providence?

Six flying swords, five of them premium-grade soul weapons and one being a sage weapon. Most importantly, that sage weapon flying sword did not appear weak at all, and could well be mediocre-grade, even superior-grade!

And this was supposedly a minor providence?

That little black bell that was holding him just now was a sage item as well, was it not?

Still, it was a 'minor providence gained by chance'?

One should know that even the Penglai Sect did not have more than a handful of sage items, not to mention that most were either inferior-grade or mediocre-grade, with only a single superior-grade. On the other hand, premium-grade sage items were treasures that could actually subjugate even destiny.

"Is Jiang He really a profane cultivator?"

"Who is he actually?"

"A Yuan Spirit novice… who already possesses the power of those on the cusp of reaching Convergence. No matter which immortal sect he goes to, his cultivation would definitely allow him to gain an important rank. Funny, I'd actually negligently demanded that he come out to meet me instead before I would consider bestowing him immortal cultivation in return…"

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons chuckled bitterly and sighed inwardly.

Elder Mo was sighing softly and shaking his head as well, and there was no telling what he was thinking.

Zhong Yue, on the other hand…

In that very instant, his face had turned pale as the Sword Qi over his head left his whole body freezing like an igloo. He had wanted to say something that would ease the tension, but his voice had turned hoarse and he was unable to put his fear to words.

After several seconds, he growled even as his eyes turned red, "I am the chief disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, Jiang He!"

Ooom!

Swords flashed and hummed, and the Sword Qi hovering above Zhong Yue's head lowered by three inches.

Zhong Yue promptly retracted his neck, but strands of his black hair were being shaved off.

"Jiang He, my mother is the Fourth Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, while my father is the vice-chieftain as well as a Convergence-tier elite! They would not show you mercy if you dare to hurt me, and you will be an enemy of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect!"

Watching as his beloved, lustrous hair was being sliced off, Zhong Yue's eyes turned redder even as he bellowed in fury.

And yet, Jiang He was not angered. Instead, his eyes lit up and he exclaimed in surprise, "Is that true?"

"I never lie." Zhong Yue seethed.

Nonetheless, Jiang He doubted him and looked toward Elder Mo and the True Habitant of Nine Dragons. He only smiled after both of them nodded, saying, "Not bad, not bad. That means you have greater value now…"

Pow!

He abruptly punched out, slamming his fist at Zhong Yue's face and knocking him unconscious, before throwing him careless on the ground.

What the hell!

Both Elder Mo and the True Habitant of Nine Dragons were left with pounding hearts at the sight…

Zhong Yue has already declared his background and how strong his backing was, and you would still beat him up?

Most importantly, it is such a cruel sight—several teeth have been knocked lose and half his face is left dented…you've knocked out an actual Yuan Spirit-novice just like that!

On the other hand, Jiang He exclaimed in joy, "I didn't think that brat had such influence. That would mean he's worth a little money…"

He then turned towards Elder Mo and asked, "You are the elder of another immortal sect, Elder Mo, but shouldn't you be stepping up to scold me and be ready to attack, subjugating me to uphold justice?"

Elder Mo's eyelid was left twitching. Unsure as to why Jiang He would put it that way, he braced himself and said, "You must be joking, Mister Jiang. Zhong Yu has been discourteous toward you and it is only appropriate that you would teach him a lesson."

Jiang He sighed.

Wasn't Elder Mo being a little too wimpy here?

Not even some harsh remarks? You're making it so awkward for me to capture you here.

As such, Jiang He promptly attacked again, intimidating the True Habitant of Nine Dragons with the Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses before capturing him and Zhong Yue with the Sky Demon Bell. After that, he smiled at Elder Mo, saying, "Well then, I'll have to trouble you to pass the word to the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. Just tell them they have done me a discourtesy and broken my walls as well as other houses in the village, and have them send someone over to discuss reimbursement with me."

"Well…"

Elder Mo was a little hesitant at that.

Having him pass the word? How was that different from provoking the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect?

After all, why would the representatives from two other major sects be captured by Jiang He and not him? That was already enough cause for suspicion… and was he not the one who had crushed his own walls with his Sword Qi?

As for the village…

Was the damage not caused because you sent Zhong Yue of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect flying?

Even so, Elder Mo certainly had no guts to say all that. After musing irresolutely to himself for seconds, he smiled begrudgingly and said, "Mister Jiang, it's difficult for this lowly sage to accomplish that. To tell the truth…"

Kaboom!

However, even before Elder Mo could finish, he saw Jiang He's frightening aura erupting and his mystic energy surging as veins of Sword Qi fired out. Hence, he promptly changed his tone and said, "To tell the truth, while I am working under the orders of my chieftain, it would be wonderful if I could help Mister Jiang by visiting the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect too."

Though Jiang He withdrew his aura at that, he appeared a little disappointed as he clapped Elder Mo on the shoulder, saying, "Well, thank you very much, Elder Mo. By the way, where is the archway to the Taixu Sect?"

"It feels like we're old acquaintances even if we actually just met. I would be able to visit your sect often if I knew where it is."

Elder Mo's heart skipped a beat just then.

The demonic combat ability that Jiang He showed was simply unbelievable. Though it was a pipe dream to accept him as a disciple, getting on his good side counts as accomplishing the task assigned by his chieftain. As such, he promptly brought out a jade charm, saying, "The archway to our sect is atop Mount Kunlun, fellow sage Jiang. You just have to infuse your mystic energy into the jade charm and this lowly sage shall sense it."

Then, afraid to linger even a moment longer, he promptly took to the skies and disappeared into the night.

He bolted at top speed, flying over four hundred kilometers before he finally slowed down a little, wiped the sweat over his forehead, chuckled in pain, and sighed…

Everyone had come together on this day to recruit a disciple.

Pride filled their chest when their arrived, believing that people of the profane would show abundant respect toward them who hailed from immortal sects, thereby unwittingly developing a 'one class above' mindset.

And yet…

It ended with the chief disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect being given a wild beating and the True Habitant of Nine Dragons subjugated, after of which both were captured.

"The Penglai Sect would be alright since it is yet to be time for them to completely leave seclusion. Moreover, it is certainly proven that Jiang He holds a great destiny. Those bad-tempered folks at the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, on the other hand…"

Elder Mo could not help feeling a headache once he remembered that he had to pass on Jiang He's word.

"Whatever. I'll return to my sect and report this to the chieftain for now, and see what he decides."

With that, Elder Mo flew towards Mount Kunlun.

Even so, once he remembered Jiang He's goodwill and indication that he wanted to visit the Taixu Sect, his somber mood was relieved considerably.

Meanwhile, inside his own mansion.

Jiang He was fiddling with the jade charm, a look of delight showing on his face as he laughed, "Having this jade charm and knowing where the gateway to the Taixu Sect is, I could go to them and ask to borrow any mystic treasure and soul item whenever I need some. Moreover, the people from the Taixu Sect seem like the scaredy type, and they should be very agreeable."

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Chapter 307: Jiang He Is Visiting the Taixu Sect This Soon?

Within Jingdu City, Lin Tianzheng had sought out Wang Hou and told him about the True Habitant of Nine Dragons.

Wang Hou laughed icily after that, barking, "Those secluded immortal sects kept insisting that the timing wasn't right for them to step up on every turn, and here they are, pouncing around the world. Do they really take us for fools?"

Pausing, he then added, "Don't worry, I've more or less got the idea of how Jiang He's personality works. He would never commit to anything he isn't confident about and being aware of the how deep the pockets of those secluded immortal sects go, he wouldn't attack the True Habitant of Nine Dragons."

Lin Tianzheng, however, scowled and said, "I heard him fighting over the phone…"

Stunned, Wang Hou promptly dialed Jiang He's number.

Having just finished dinner and was relaxing at the third-floor swimming pool, Jiang He answered the call and chuckled, "What's with the sudden call, Minister Wang?"

"Cut the crap."

Wang Hou cut straight to the point, asking, "Did the True Habitant of Nine Dragons reach you?"

"Remember, the secluded Immortal Sects all possess strong depth, and their slumbering elites possess inestimable power. Do not get into a conflict with their people at all costs."

Jiang He was speechless.

Conflict?

He was just restraining them, intent on securing reimbursement. Did that count as a conflict?

It didn't, did it?

Fine… if put seriously, what he was doing was basically kidnapping and ransoming…

"No, it's kidnapping at worst. How does it count as ransoming?"

"They were being all smug and scornful in the first place, and I ended up breaking the walls around my yard and over a dozen other buildings in the village when I attacked. While I did cause the damage, would I have done it if not for them?"

"In the end, they are the cause of it all."

With that line of thought, things became much clearer for Jiang He.

He had merely restrained them mostly to ensure his own rights so he could smoothly secure his 'damages'. How would that count as kidnapping and ransoming?

As for conflict?

Hence, Jiang He answered sincerely, "Don't worry, Minister Wang. I always have common sense in what I do."

That was true.

Jiang He had always believed that he held common sense in what he did. For example, the Penglai Sect should be paying for the broken wall of his house, while the Ten Thousand Swords Sect should pay for the dozen other ruined houses.

Those two immortal sects should hence repay him with a handful soul items—he wouldn't ask for more.

In response, Wang Hou breathed a sigh of relief.

Having common sense?

Well, that was good.

They had a little chat afterwards, after of which Wang Hou said, "By the way, Jiang He, weren't you asking for me to keep an eye out for mutated rice? Someone over at Huanan spotted an entire field of those in the wildlands and I've already sent my people over to harvest it. When it's done, I'll dispatch a divine-tier elite to deliver it to you as soon as possible."

"Furthermore, several mystic treasure fragments have also been found although there's no way to appraise or confirm. All we got was someone from Wanshougong of Xishan contacting the local Martial Arts Department (MAD), claiming that they have a mystic treasure inherited from their founding master and that it's kept within the temple. However, there is also a rank-nine floral spirit that is very powerful and that has actually occupied Wanshougong itself."

"The disciples of Wanshougong, unable to reclaim their treasure, are all forced to stay at the city base now. So, I'm about to head there tomorrow personally to help you search for it."

"Thank you very much," Jiang He said. However, Wang Hou replied, "What are you thanking me for? Most of the Hua Nation would have fallen by now if not for you. I should be the one thanking you instead."

After hanging up and finishing his bath, Jiang He returned to his bedroom and started cultivating.

However…

As he carefully felt around himself following half an hour of cultivation, he realized that his Yuan Spirit did not actually strengthen by much, just as his mystic energy did not improve much. Hence losing all motivation to cultivate, he complained, "When would I finally become a full-fledged Yuan Spirit if this continues?"

"It's such a shame that neither rank-nine Origin Fluid nor the purple gold sunflower seeds would have any effect of him. Those stuff did improve spirit, but now that my spirit has improved to divine mind, they are too low level to keep up with me."

Another thought occurred to Jiang He then…

Perhaps he could get his hands on some medicinal pellets that rapidly improved Yuan Spirit?

"That stuff would definitely be expensive, but I don't need many, just a few dozen or maybe a hundred. I'll then plant it and snack on them—I don't believe I won't improve my Yuan Spirt cultivation after that!"

Whipping out his phone, he contacted Elder Mo of the Superpower Research Department, but it appeared that there was no research on such pellet recipes on his end. Moreover, even if they had one such recipe, the Superpower Research Department would be unable to develop a medicinal pellet of such level with their current abilities.

"Very well."

"By the way, I'll catch the Feral King you need in two days. That said, my condition is for the Superpower Research Department to give me priority when you complete the production of any recent batches of initiation pellets."

Elder Mo agreed to it without hesitation, chuckling, "We have now gathered enough materials to produce a thousand of those. If you could catch two Feral Kings alive for us, we'll provide you with a thousand initiation pellets in ten days."

Delighted, Jiang He promptly agreed as well.

For a thousand initiation pellets, he would catch up to five Feral Kings for the Superpower Research Department, let alone two.

After all, that would be a simple task for Jiang He as he was now, no to mention that he could earn ten million Farm Points from that one thousand initiation pellets, which was enough for him to improve his cultivation to about Convergence-tier.

After hanging up, Jiang He took out a jade charm with a turn of his hand, sighing as he said, "I wanted to visit the immortal sects after reaching Convergence and becoming stronger, so that I have leverage when I negotiate with them. Still, it seems that I must go right now."

"The night is long and endless anyway, not to mention that I don't feel drowsy at all. I'll leave right now and help the Superpower Research Department catch Ferals after I return from the Taixu Sect."

Among the Taixu Sect at Mount Kunlun, the entire temple beneath the cloudy mist was silent after Elder Mo had finished reporting what happened in detail. It was only after one whole minute passed that the True Habitant and leader of the Taixu Sect finally spoke in surprise, "Are you sure you saw it right, Elder Mo?"

"Jiang He had five flying swords, each of them premium-grade soul weapons, along with two sage items?"

"That's right."

Elder Mo spoke with confidence, saying, "Of those two sage items, one was another flying sword of the wood attribute and of a fine grade, and could be a superior-grade sage weapon at that. The other was a small bell that captured both Zhong Yue, the eldest disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect' chief disciple, as well as the True Habitant of Nine Dragons who hails from the Penglai Sect. I have a hunch that it might be a mediocre-grade sage item."

"Interesting."

Deep inside the temple, the Taixu Sect leader laughed lightly and said, "It seems that the providence and legacies Jiang He has obtained is far more powerful than what we imagined… condensing his Yuan Spirit despite his youth and armed with fighting ability that nears Convergence-tier? He most certainly is one of the main players of fate in this era… That said, you have done well in bestowing a jade charm upon him, Elder Mo. By getting on the good side of someone like him, our Taixu Sect would have a greater chance of regaining our former glory in the coming calamity."

Puzzled, Elder Mo asked, "Leader, is the calamity definitely coming?"

The Taixu Sect's leader's voice became thin then, sighing, "There certainly would be… and I'm afraid it would be soon."

"Chieftain, why would the hundred races from beyond invade Earth during the Qin dynasty?"

"I do not know."

The chieftain of the Taixu Sect shook his head, though there was no telling whether he really did not know or could not reveal the truth.

A thousand questions appeared in Elder Mo's head then, but he couldn't press the chieftain if he was not telling, and so promptly asked, "Chieftain, about the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect?"

The Taixu Chieftain chuckled at that. "Since Jiang He had you relay his word, you could help him pass the word along. Take my jade charm tomorrow and visit the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect."

Having received his orders, Elder Mo retreated respectfully.

Jiang He had arrived at the Kunlun Mountains just then.

Standing upon thin air, he looked out towards the massive chain of mountains and charged his mystic energies. The light in his eyes shot forth as he looked out toward Mount Kunlun, only to find vague cloudy mists arising within his vision, covering all of the Kunlun Mountains.

"Gasp!"

Jiang He inhaled sharply, unable to hold back from exclaiming, "That mountain shielding array is so massive that it's more than ten times larger than the Sky Demon Cult's mountain array. It took me ten Doom Shrooms of the five hundred thousand-ton yield… and blowing the Taixu Sect's array apart would take at least… five hundred!"

Five hundred Doom Shrooms was a number Jiang He had obtained through immaculate calculation.

Since the protective array was ten times stronger defensively, the energy needed to take it apart would increase linearly.

Moreover, this mountain array had yet to be charged.

It could be even more powerful once it was charged, which was it was no exaggeration that it would require at least five hundred Doom Shrooms.

After all, he was left with the three hundred thousand-ton-yield Doom Shrooms now. Five hundred of those blowing up together would only release a 150-million-ton yield…

"Hmmm…"

"A 150-million-ton yield?"

As he flew closer to Mount Kunlun, Jiang He charged the jade charm while thinking, 'That should be enough to blow that mountain array open.'

Nonetheless, at the same instant that he infused his mystic energy into the jade charm, Elder Mo who had just returned to his room within the Taixu Sect, had a twitch in his gaze and exclaimed in surprise, "Jiang He?"

"He has come to visit the Taixu Sect this soon?"

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Chapter 308: Are You Selling The Moon? I Will Buy It At A High Price!

Jiang He put his jade scroll away after around three seconds.

A curious thought had just occurred to him.

"This jade charm seems to possess another function…" He fiddled with the jade charm, positive that the trinket was similar to a 'sensor'—once he infused his mystic energy within, Elder Mo, the owner of the Jade Charm, would definitely sense it.

Still, he did notice that the array of cloud and mist before him that shrouded all of Mount Kunlun appeared to ripple a little… when he charged the jade charm.

"Doesn't that indicate that the jade charm could open the array too?"

"No, that's not quite right. Other jade charms might work that way, but definitely not this one, which Elder Mo has given me. Perhaps he holds a primary charm while I've got a secondary charm, and he would sense me when I charged it."

In that very moment, Jiang He's brain went to work.

If he planted this jade charm to strengthen it…

"Feels a little unrealistic."

"However, doesn't that mean that mountain arrays wouldn't work against me at all?"

"As for throwing hundreds of Doom Shrooms at the array to instantly destroy the mountain array of the Taixu Sect…"

"Why bother?"

That was when a voice abruptly called out—it was Elder Mo, who was stepping out of the array and smiling. "Fellow sage Jiang. Could you have experience about arrays too?"

Jiang He felt a little embarrassed just then.

It was lucky that Elder Mo did not actually hear what he had said, and so, keeping his face not red and his heart not thumping, he said, "I only have the rough idea. I haven't studied much on grand mountain arrays since I mainly developed my sword arrays."

Though he was curious as to why Jiang He would come to the Taixu Sect so quickly, his chieftain had described Jiang He as a protagonist of fate for this era. Therefore, being on good terms with Jiang He would bring every advantage and no drawback to the Taixu Sect, which was why Elder Mo promptly waved his hand and caused a raging tempest over Mount Kunlun, shifting the clouds and mist to reveal a cloud staircase just ahead.

Elder Mo extended a hand in humble invitation then, saying, "Mister Jiang, if you please."

Jiang He strode up the stairs and headed into the massive array, thinking, 'It would be too difficult to break the array from the outside, though I wonder if I could kill a Convergence-tier elite if I were to throw over five hundred Doom Shrooms inside.'

He then looked around, clicking his tongue in awe and sighed. "As expected of an immortal sect. The Secret Realm here in the Taixu Sect is even more concentrated than the Secret Realm of the Tantra Sect."

"But of course."

Elder Mo appeared extremely proud. Walking alongside Jiang He, he said, "We were ranked among the best immortal sects over two thousand years ago, with immortals presiding in our sect and possessing immortal items that could grasp destiny itself."

"Oh?"

Jiang He glanced at him sideways. The Taixu Sect had actual immortals?

He looked up at the skies above when he saw a round moon hanging above, surrounded by starlight, and was suddenly left taken aback.

Today… what day was it on the lunar calendar again?

Regardless, it was not the fifteenth… but why was the moon so round?

A fake moon?

Staring at the round moon which was immeasurably bright, he found its pure-white radiance washing over the Secret World, as if it was putting on a silver silk upon the entire realm. It was especially beautiful when matched with the pavilions that stood amid the cloud and mist inside the microworld.

Jiang He was spaced out just then, while Elder Mo was smiling inwardly.

So what if Jiang He was powerful and possessed grand providence?

How many people of the profane could have experienced such sights?

After Jiang He was made to understand the might of the Taixu Sect and its prosperity in this visit, he would most certainly yield. At that point, he just had to be persuaded a little and offered the title of elder, and he would hence jump on the battlewagon of the Taixu Sect.

Even so, would Elder Mo even know what Jiang He was thinking just then?

He was spacing out because he was imagining what his farm would look like… after he plucked that moon and placed it there.

It would definitely be very beautiful.

While Jiang He's imagination ran wild, he heard Elder Mo chuckle. "Mister Jiang, that moon is a sage item that our sect has refined by gathering lunar energy. It usually hangs up in the sky as the moon of our sect, and could be invoked to kill our foes during critical moments."

"Fine treasure!"

Jiang He praised, exclaiming in delight. "Has the Taixu Sect chieftain grasped item refinement as well, Elder Mo? Could you ask him to make another identical moon for me?"

Elder Mo appeared taken aback just then, but soon shook his head and smiled. "Lunar energy is extremely difficult to gather. The chieftain was said to have spent eighteen years on refining that sage item, not to mention that it is a very difficult process since it is superior-grade. The creation might not even succeed even without enough materials and lunar energy."

"It can't be done?"

Jiang He's tone shifted as he asked, "Then, could you introduce me to your chieftain? I have a trade I wish to speak to him about."

That moon…

Jiang He liked it very much. However, he was uncomfortable with stealing it since the Taixu Sect was treating him well, and most importantly, this was a sect where actual immortals ascended. There was no telling how deep their strength went, and stealing it by force might not exactly work.

That was why Jiang He decided to change his approach… And buy it instead!

In the end, that moon was a sage item, not love. Was it something money can't buy?

"Of course."

Despite what he said, Elder Mo was left completely confused.

Trading with the chieftain?

Nonetheless, he did not let it show and laughed out loud. "I've already informed the True Habitant when you arrived, Mister Jiang. This way, please!"

As Jiang He continued forward on the cloud stairs, he studied his surroundings.

The Secret Realm of the Taixu Sect was really vast and was more than three times the size of Tantra Sect's secret realm. Aside from buildings around its mountain archways, there were also mountains, forests and rivers—the only problem was that there were not many people around and it was very bleak.

After a few exchanges with Elder Mo, Jiang He also learned that the Taixu Sect had not accepted disciples for over 200 years.

Elder Mo himself had been accepted over a thousand years ago.

Nonetheless, the method with which the Taixu Sect recruited disciples was no different from kidnapping in Jiang He's perspective. The general idea was to send someone among the profane in search of children with soul roots, and bring them back.

Even so, there was naturally a gap between mortals and immortals after the children were brought back—something that left Elder Mo sighing. He joined the Taixu Sect when he was nine, though when he went out that one time after he had cultivated up to Golden Pellet, he found that his parents had already died to the chaos of war.

"Only parents of the ancient times would be willing to go with that."

Jiang He could not help saying then, "If you recruit disciples in the same way now at the Hua Nation, none of the children's guardians or parents would be willing to release them…"

"To be initiated into an immortal sect is to sever oneself from worldly affairs and hence be separated from the profane. It is the same for many sects, or could the parents of this era not hope that their children succeed in cultivating immortality, to live free eternally?" Elder Mo asked in return, which only amused Jiang He.

Succeed in cultivating immortality, and live free eternally?

You did not even get to see your parents before they died after being imitated into your sect. How is that living free eternally?

Nonetheless, he did not argue the matter with Elder Mo, and instead asked in surprise when he remembered something, "By the way, weren't you saying you would help me pass my word along, Elder Mo?"

Elder Mo was speechless.

He laughed out loud before quietly saying, "Well… I had something urgent, so I had to return here for a bit. However, I am all set and I would head to the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect tomorrow, and pass your word along… here we are, Mister Jiang. My chieftain resides here."

The pair had stopped in front of a great temple then, when laughter echoed from within.

"Young Jiang He. Please, come in."

As he spoke, the Taixu Sect chieftain stepped out of the great temple… but Jiang He was surprised to find that he looked just like a youth appearing to be around nineteen.

His hair was spread whimsically over his shoulders, and he was wearing long green robes, while the eyes beneath his gray-white hair ran deep.

"Salutations, True Habitant."

Jiang He bowed and offered a fist-palm salute, inwardly shocked…

What was the chieftain's cultivation?

His presence was mystifying. Though he appeared to be an ordinary youth, it was as if he had fused as one with the world itself. However, if someone important like Elder Mo was a full-fledged Yuan Spirit, the leader of the sect would at least be Convergence-tier… or even Sufferance.

Still, even Elder Mo himself did not expect that his chieftain would personally come to welcome Jiang He into the great temple.

He kept up with the other two, his heart beating wildly…

How long has it been since the chieftain left confinement?

Elder Mo himself would speak with the chieftain temple separating them. An elite who had reached Sufferance, the chieftain had cultivated up to the Eighth Calamity and was perhaps not far from the Ninth Calamity.

When the time comes and his Sufferance proved successful, he would reach Mahayana. From there, it was only a matter of time before he cultivated as an immortal.

But should his Sufferance fail, his mind and soul would certainly be destroyed. Even if he could maintain it through sheer chance, he would hence remain an untitled immortal.

Meanwhile, after they entered the great temple, several wine cups and a wine flask appeared over the temple table with a wave from the Taixu Sect chieftain.

Elder Mo went up, pouring wine for Jiang He and the chieftain.

Jiang He took a small sip, and could not help praising, "Good wine."

He had never had Maotai before, but Maotai would definitely not measure up to such sagely wine.

Smiling, the Taixu Sect chieftain then had a rather frivolous conversation with Jiang He…

Naturally, he was focusing himself and 'seeing' Jiang He closely but discreetly.

Though destiny was something illusory and elusive, those who grasped seer techniques could observe certain signs.

Some possessed even destinies that showed nothing special.

Others were born unlucky that nothing would go well at all for them, even getting violently chased off when they tried to woo gals. While misfortune latches upon them and dark qi follows them around them, there were those with such profound luck that they would often pick money up from the floor or escape from the jaws of death, their bodies most definitely covered in blessed qi.

And from what the chieftain of the Taixu imagined, for Jiang He to gain such cultivation despite his young age, he must hold great providence and a great destiny.

Even so, after taking a look…

His destiny was actually even untold times weaker than that guy named Wang Hou or something who had come to Mount Kunlun last time.

Nonetheless, he maintained his smile despite his doubts and asked, "You wish to trade with me, young Jiang He? I wonder… what trade it would be?"

Smiling, Jiang He said earnestly, "To tell the truth, True Habitant, I've taken a liking to the moon of the Taixu Sect… would you sell it? I'll buy it at a high price!"

The Taixu Sect chieftain's smile stiffened, unsure how to answer him just then.

Clang!

Beside him, Elder Mo dropped the wine flask he was holding as if thunderstruck, and it smashed into a million pieces.

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Chapter 309: I, Jiang He, am a Man with Principles

It took a long time for Elder Mo to come to his senses. His expression changing drastically, promptly conveying through divine mind, "Fellow sage Jiang He…"

And yet, even before he finished, the look on the Taixu Sect's chieftain's face darkened and he said, "Jiang He, that full moon is my treasure."

His meaning was clear.

No sale.

Moreover, his demeanor had become slightly colder than before.

Jiang He frowned.

He certainly knew that it was asking to buy someone else's treasure was impolite, but why should it not be up for sale?

As such, he promptly said, "True Habitant, you seem to have failed to grasp my meaning. I've said that I'd pay you well. If I'm not mistaken, that moon is a superior-grade sage item, is it not?"

"How about this? I'll trade you with two superior-grade sage items, or three. How about that?"

Taixu Sect chieftain was speechless.

He had wanted to throw a fit… but Jiang He was being too generous!

After all, how rare were sage items?

Indeed, superior-grade sage items were even rarer. The chieftain himself had spent over sixty years to refine that full moon even with his cultivation and other treasures, and though he had inherited sage items thanks to his position or even use the sect's household treasure, the latter was a premium-grade sage item and certainly must not be taken out of the sect's domain and certainly would not help him in Sufferance.

As for his two superior-grade sage items, while both could be used for attack as well as defense, they were not specialized sage items and were therefore weaker than other sage items used expressly for attack or defensive.

Be that as it may, as such thoughts flared in the Taixu Sect chieftain's mind and he hesitated for seconds. He then asked tentatively, "Young Jiang He, do you really have that many superior-grade sage items?"

"No."

"…"

"But you don't have to worry, True Habitant. I would soon have them," Jiang He said then.

After all, it was time he obtained an item refinement manual. Following his latest leveling of his farm, he had yet to use its three slots for planting cultivation manuals, so he would create one when he got home later.

Meanwhile, the Taixu Sect chieftain appeared to be under the impression that Jiang He had an opportunity in store, and so, promptly mentioned his conditions.

"Two superior-grade sage items it is, but one must be offensive and the other defensive."

Jiang He nodded in response, indicating that there were no problems on his end. Then, he added, "By the way, your sect possesses a moon, but what about a sun? Would you sell it? I want it too."

Silence ensued once again at that.

After quite a while, the Taixu Sect chieftain said, "There is. Our sun is refined from a mediocre-grade sage item. If you need it, young Jiang He, you just have to exchange it with another mediocre-grade sage item."

Jiang He shifted his gaze then.

He only had one superior-grade sage weapon, the Greenwood Sword, which he needed to cast the Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses at the moment.

That said, he did have a mediocre-grade sage item.

In fact, the Sky Demon Bell was not that useful for him.

He promptly took it out, saying, "This item is called the Sky Demon Bell and it is a mediocre-grade sage item that could be used to restrain enemies and for defense. For now, I'll trade it for your sun, and I'll trade for the moon when I get my hands on some superior-grade sage items."

The Taixu Sect chieftain nodded with a weird look on his face. On the other hand, Elder Mo's remained as baffled as he was from the start, his brain having fizzled out and humming incessantly.

How… did things turn out like this?

Weren't you supposed to visit the Taixu Sect as a guest, Jiang He?

And why are you so obsessed with our sun and moon?

Forget obsession—the biggest problem here was that the True Habitant had really sold them… did he not know how bleak and desolated the Taixu Sect's Secret Realm would become without the sun or the moon?

At the same time, the Sky Demon Bell whirled and expanded over Jiang He's palm.

Then, as Jiang He grasped the bell and shook it, Zhong Yue of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and the True Habitant of Nine Dragons from the Penglai Sect were thrown out.

Both men were bellowing in rage once they were released.

"How dare you capture me, Jiang He? The Ten Thousand Swords Sect shall be your sworn enemy from now on!"

"Jiang He, are you really so keen on making the Penglai Sect your enemy… eh?"

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons narrowed his eyes at the Taixu Sect's chieftain then before exclaiming in surprise, "You… Aren't you the True Habitant of the Taixu Sect?"

He promptly bowed and greeted, "True Habitant of Nine Dragons, Penglai Sect. I hereby pay my respects."

"Taixu Master!"

Though Zhong Yue had never met the Taixu Sect's chieftain before, he started to cry out right then, pointing at Jiang He and seething, "Taixu Master, that kid has fallen to the demonic path. Please take action, Master, and subjugate immediately!"

Kaboom!

Even before he finished, he saw a large hand shooting towards him.

Pow!

Jiang He had slapped Zhong Yue in the head, knocking him unconscious as he said, "Sorry for making a clown of myself, True Habitant… by the way, does your sect have something like a stockade? I have nowhere to put these two after giving you the Sky Demon Bell. You could keep them here for two days and after Elder Mo heads off to the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect to pass on my word, someone would definitely come to pay their ransom."

Though the chieftain knew the entire story, the Taixu Sect chieftain was still a little speechless.

Locking them in a stockade?

If he really did, both the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect would be joining forces to do him in.

Moreover, passing the word was basically a provocative action too.

Though he had given Elder Mo his jade charm for his visit of the other two chieftains, it was unnecessary since Jiang He had come bringing his captives. In the end, it was just Jiang He's yard walls and a dozen other buildings in the village ruined—how much would that cost anyway?

The Taixu Sect chieftain hence smiled. "Young Jiang He, could you perhaps give me a little face? How about I compensate you for the damage that the youngling of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect as well as the True Habitant of Nine Dragons had caused?"

"Well…"

Jiang He was hesitant. "Chieftain, there are causes to punishments, just as there are owners for debts…"

"It's fine."

The Taixu Sect chieftain waved him off, appearing generous like a rich person just then.

That left Jiang He a little moved.

Truly, the immortal sects were loaded—he himself would definitely have been reluctant if he were in his shoes.

As such, he quickly said, "If that's so, I won't hold back. I did a general count and that brat from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had destroyed seventeenth houses in our village and around a thousand meters of walls. Since you are paying, however, I'll give you an 80% discount… just four premium-grade soul items would do."

The Taixu Sect chieftain's eyes bulged at that.

Nonetheless, Jiang He continued, "As for the True Habitant of Nine Dragons, he destroyed the walls of my yard. Though they were not worth much, it was newly rebuilt. I myself had laid down each brick and tile… I mean, I instructed my cat and dog as they lay down each brick and tile, meaning that it holds my blood and sweat. I'll count it as five premium-grade soul items."

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons almost jumped, and he pointed at Jiang He, seething in rage, "Why don't you go rob for it instead, Jiang He?"

Jiang He gave him an unemotional look and calmly said, "I'm not powerful enough to rob for now… But if I could have overwhelmed the Penglai Sect, I would have killed you immediately and dragged your corpse to your chieftain, demanding that he answered for your crimes. Did you think I would let you stand here spouting nonsense?"

Infuriated, the mystic energy of the True Habitant of Nine Dragons erupted and was about to fight to the death with Jiang He.

However, Elder Mo promptly held him back, exclaiming, "Calm down, fellow sage…"

At the same time, the Taixu Sect chieftain grimaced and gave Elder Mo a look, and the latter promptly dragged the True Habitant of Nine Dragons along with the fainted Zhong Yue and left.

Jiang He did not stop him.

Since the Taixu chieftain had agreed to compensate Jiang He in their stead, why bother?

Nonetheless, it was only a long time after Elder Mo had left that the chieftain finally spoke. Seemingly embarrassed, he asked, "Young Jiang He… could you lower the price of the compensation?"

A few walls and several buildings must be paid for with nine premium-grade soul items?

It was even better than robbing a bank!

Jiang He shook his head and said, "No. Sentiment is sentiment, while business is business. I, Jiang He, am a man with principles—the number of premium-grade soul items to be issued in compensation will remain the same… that said, if your sect has medicinal pellets that could improve Yuan Spirit cultivation, that could be paid in place of the said premium-grade soul items."

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Chapter 310: Just Blow Up Earth!

The Taixu Sect chieftain felt a serious headache right then.

A medicinal pellet that improved Yuan Spirit cultivation?

That stuff was incredibly hard to make and its required materials extremely expensive. While the Taixu Sect did have it, their stock was not much and it was being kept to help their disciples recruit after they 'reopened'.

That said, it was nothing compared to premium-grade soul items.

Nonetheless, the chieftain felt as if he was dying from regret right then. Why did he have to put on airs and pay a compensation for those two?

Most importantly, he really did not expect that Jiang He could be that ruthless when asked to name his price, just as it was inconvenient for a chieftain like him to go back on his word. As such, he stiffened himself and said, "We do have medicinal pellets that improve Yuan Spirit cultivation."

He hence summoned Elder Mo once again, instructing him to bring one of such pellets.

Holding the pellet up, the chieftain then introduced it to Jiang He, "This is a spirit condensation pellet, a rank-six soul pellet that improves the cultivation of Yuan Spirit cultivators. It is incredibly hard to make and my sect does not have much of it left."

Puzzled, Jiang He asked, "A rank-six soul pellet? Could this medicinal pellet be categorized in different ranks?"

"Certainly."

"The spirit condensation pellet is the finest soul medicine among all rank-six medicinal pellets, and the average rank-six pellet refinist would have a hard time brewing them. Only rank-seven pellet refinists can cook up normal ones."

Jiang He's interest was promptly piqued.

Pellet refining… Was it not a necessary skill for cultivators?

It was no different from array techniques and item refining, and a cultivator should at least have a little idea how to go about it even if they did not master it. He would therefore put it in his schedule to create a pellet refinement manual along with that item refinement technique he had planned previously.

"Well, how much of those pellets would I get if I discount it from the nine premium-grade soul items?"

"To tell the truth, average premium-grade soul items would be worth 500 spirit condensation pellets, making it at least 4,500 pellets for your compensation. That said, our vaults are nearly empty after more than two thousand years have passed and I could give you 100 at best."

Jiang He was speechless.

Staring at the chieftain for heartbeats, he then sighed. "You drive a hard bargain like a Dragon-Slaying Saber, brother. While others would cut prices by half, how did my 4,500 spirit condensation pellets get cut down to 100 by your blade?"

The Taixu Sect chieftain was at a loss for words.

Are you playing victim after gaining every advantage? Nine premium-grade soul items… what nonsense. If you did not have such fine ability and might prove to be a key figure in the coming calamity, I would have reduced you to mincemeat with a single slap for extorting me.

Nonetheless, the 100 spirit condensation pellets were soon delivered to Jiang He in exquisite porcelain bottles.

Jiang He took a look. It seemed that the bottles were quite old, and it could have been auctioned for dozens of millions each if it was not for the chaos in the world today.

There were two pellets in each bottle.

Putting all fifty bottles into his System Backpack, Jiang He was celebrating inwardly and thinking to himself, "Like I said, the people from the Taixu Sect are agreeable. I came intending to get around a dozen or twenty medicinal pellets that improve Yuan Spirit cultivation, but I got a hundred at once!"

As for his insistence that he was 'losing out'…

That was merely nonsense.

In the end, Jiang He was no fool. He knew perfectly that he was being absolutely reasonable—would the Penglai Sect or the Ten Thousand Swords Sect pay him nine premium-grade soul items?

All he wanted was to stir conflict.

The attitude of those immortal sects who had kept themselves secluded and did not come out to help when the Sky Demon legion invaded had left Jiang He feeling repulsed anyway. Since he would be at odds with them anyway, would he not have an excuse should there be some treasure he needed to 'borrow' from those two sects?

After that, Jiang He had a long conversation with the Taixu Sect chieftain.

Jiang He had actually wanted to leave now that he have the spirit condensation pellets, but the chieftain kept putting off any mention about the 'sun', which was why Jiang He had to brace himself and say, "Chieftain, about the deal before…"

As he spoke, he pointed above.

In fact, it was not as if the Taixu Sect chieftain had forgotten about it…

He was just reluctant.

How did he come to have sold a 'sun' in perfect condition?

Luckily, there was another similar item in the Taixu Sect's treasure vault that could be used for replacement. It was a premium-grade soul item, and while its quality did not match the sun, it just had to shine.

Arriving outside, the sun had taken the place of the moon. Nonetheless, with a grasping motion by the chieftain, the sun descended rapidly, shrinking as it came down and ultimately turning into a scarlet soul pearl, landing in the chieftain's hand.

He casted a mystic art, severing the connection between himself and the scarlet soul pearl, before passing it to Jiang He.

Jiang He fiddled with the pearl a few times after accepting it, feeling extremely delighted—it was almost the same as the scarlet pearl he had played with when he was a child, and there was a fire patterns on it too.

'A mediocre-grade sage item…'

'It would definitely become superior-grade or even premium-grade if I plant it. I would earn another load of Farm Points as well, so it is a major profit!' Jiang He thought, bringing out his Sky Demon Bell while putting away the scarlet soul pearl, and sending the bell flying to the Taixu Sect chieftain with a gentle push.

Then, Jiang He looked up at the horizon.

Though the moon was now hidden, Jiang He still vaguely sensed its presence.

Yes.

He would let it hang around in the Taixu Sect for now, and he will leave with it the next time he came.

"Young Jiang He."

Before Jiang He left the Taixu Sect, the chieftain mused to himself for a while before saying somberly, "Chaos is upon us. Many secluded immortal sects and demonic sect shall soon reveal themselves, just like the many Holy Grounds that the ancient daemon cultivators had left behind. When that happens, Earth would be left in great chaos."

Jiang He smiled faintly and waved him off. "It's fine. You people reveal yourselves as you will, while I will continue farming. I wouldn't care as long as I'm not provoked, but if anyone tries to fool around at my expense, I would prove that I'm no pushover."

The Taixu Sect chieftain was left doing a double take.

He felt an incomparably powerful self-confidence in Jiang He, and so quickly said, "Young Jiang He, you must not let down your guard. Even if immortal sects like my own revealed themselves, they would usually give commoners a wide berth and avoid interaction with the profane."

"Even so, the demon sects are different. They are adept in using the soul, blood, and essences of living beings to help themselves cultivate and refine treasures, just as many ancient daemons preferred eating humans. Indeed, in ancient times, there were powerful daemons that would bless certain groups so that everything goes well for them, all for the children that would be presented for their monthly feasts, just as there were those who farmed humans for food."

Jiang He, who was at first nonchalant about the matter, was taken a back.

In his head, he imagined he scene…

There he was, minding his farm and sunbathing with his maids in his arms, but while he minded his own business, a big daemon riding a cursed cloud was here to capture and eat him.

What a killjoy would that be?

Damn it!

Furious, Jiang He exclaimed, "Don't immortal sects who seek the truth like yours care about karmic retribution? Aren't those daemons afraid of the vileness in devouring humans as they will?"

After all, it was how it was written in most novels.

The powerful would accumulate karmic retributions for slaughtering mortals, and it could only be nullified by good deeds. Zero good deeds meant that one had to rely on personal ability to grind the retributions off through their long lives, not to mention that too much vileness subjected them to sufferance.

Still, reality was clearly different from whatever nonsense that those writers had come up with.

The Taixu Sect chieftain answered then, "Retributions are not frightening for the powerful. In fact, many demon sect elites specialize in cultivating their divineness through retribution."

Jiang He sighed at that, and stopped pursuing that matter.

He was too weak, so everything he would say was empty words. Still, since those demon sects and daemonic cultivator's Holy Grounds would not reveal themselves anytime soon, he could ignore them for now. After all, what if he was peerless by the time they showed up?

When that happens, he just had to pick out some sore thumbs and wipe them out right away. He would never believe that it would fail to keep the others in check with intimidation.

With a fist-palm salute, Jiang He excused himself and flew away from Mount Kunlun, turning into a sword flash that disappeared into the night sky…

He would go home first and plant the spirit condensation pellet.

After that was done, he would create item refinement and pellet refinement manuals, at which point Wang Hou would have delivered the mutated rice. He would plant that as well before heading overseas.

"Hmmm…"

"My cultivation would have improved a little after I plant everything and return from overseas, would it not?"

"When that happens, I may then consider how to permanent resolve the problem that is the Sky Demons."

Argh!

Such a bother.

Jiang He felt that he would go bald prematurely if this continued.

A huge pile of problems popping out every other day… secluded demon sects, ancient daemon cultivators, Sky Demons, extraterrestrial races…

"If I had the power, I would just blow up Earth itself, solving everything at once…"

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Chapter 311: Yuan Spirit Projection

"The Stargate!"

Even from over a hundred kilometers away, Jiang He could still clearly see the Stargate above the skies of Jinyintan Village and he felt a little helpless just then.

He did not have a way of destroying that thing for now.

And since he could not destroy it, it meant that the Sky Demon champions could cross it at any time and descend upon Earth.

"It's fine if it was the middle of the day since I could just come up with some idea on how to kill them, but if they sneak out at night when I'm asleep…" Jiang He could not help shuddering at that thought.

The truth was that it was not safe during daytime either.

What if the Sky Demon champions came in the morning, given that Jiang He himself usually woke up at noon?

Surely he could not stay at home at guard it every single day?

What if the Sky Demon champions arrived when he went out elsewhere to play?

Whoosh!

In no time at all, Jiang He landed before his own front door.

Still, he now had an idea as he looked up again at the Stargate over on the horizon… Perhaps when he created manuals for item refinement and pellet refinement, he could create another array technique as well.

After all, those three disciples were mandatory for a cultivator.

"I had not used the three slots for planting cultivation manuals after I leveled my farm. Incidentally, one item refinement, one pellet refinement, and one array technique is just the right number."

Jiang He did not enter his mansion after stepping into his yard but headed straight to his farm instead. Dumbo and the others had already flattened a corner, and the Chinese-styled capsule mansion stood all by itself over there.

It was time to build the shed, artificial lake, fake mountain, bamboo forest and fences ahead of schedule.

"I could gather that stuff when I leave to catch Feral Kings for the Superpower Research Department… the bamboo forests would be easy since there are some within Hua Nation borders and I just have to replant them. At the same time, I could chop some of those bamboos for fences, and as for fake mountains, artificial lakes, and sheds, I could just move some from a park."

As those ideas crossed Jiang He's mind, he called out to Dumbo, who had been cultivating at a corner of farm, and had it dig a hundred holes.

The beast's brain appeared to be working today. Knowing that a hundred was two fifties, it dug a hundred holes—no more, no less.

With that, Jiang He planted every spirit condensation pellet before getting pen and paper, ready to create a cultivation manual. Even so, the process required inspiration, and Jiang He had no idea how to go about it. He attempted to write something several times, but would always get stuck twenty or thirty words in, and eventually had to crumple whatever he wrote into a ball and throw it away.

Meanwhile, the spirit condensation pellets had really sprouted.

"Eh…"

"Another tree?"

"This system is showing no creativity at all."

Jiang He could not help complaining even as he stared at the little shoot that was growing healthily. Every medicinal pellet he had planted so far had grown in tree form, but was the System really unable to switch styles?

For example…

Having a chick bloom, and then have the pellets grow all over her body?

When that happens, he would be fine with plucking each top-down even if it meant extra work.

Meanwhile, the many young shoots were growing rapidly and by half-past-seven in the morning, all of them had grown into two-meter-tall pellet trees, each dangling with smooth, round spirit condensation pellets.

Jiang He counted a hundred on each tree.

Walking up, he plucked one.

[Ding!]

[1,000 Farm Points.]

A crisp System Notification jingled in Jiang He's mind. Doing a double take, he then plucked another…

[Ding!]

[1,000 Farm Points.]

Woah!

Jiang He was delighted. Since that tree had a hundred spirit condensation pellets and each pellet earned him a thousand Farm Points, didn't that mean he would earn a hundred thousand Farm Points from a single tree?

And there were a hundred trees…that meant ten million Farm Points!

"Ten million…"

It took Jiang He seconds to calm himself from his excitement and he could not help laughing. "I had only wanted to get myself a few medicinal pellets that I could munch on to quickly complete my Yuan Spirit cultivation… I did not imagine that I would earn ten million Farm Points in the process too!"

[Ding!]

[1,000 Farm Points.]

[Ding…]

Reaching out with a grasping motion, Jiang He's mystic energy whirled as he plucked off every spirit condensation pellet. As he listened to the System Notifications beeping on repeatedly and his Farm EXP that rocketed ahead, Jiang He…

Sighed a little emotionally.

What a shame.

Aside from earning him 1,000 Farm Points, each spirit condensation pellet also earned him 100 EXP. Be that as it may, his farm's EXP was already maxed at 500,000, and any surplus was just a waste.

Soon, the hundred spirit condensation pellet trees were all harvested.

Turning on his System, Jiang He took a glance—

[Name: Jiang He]

[Cultivation: Immortal Path—novice Yuan Spirit; Martial Arts—divine-tier (divine union)]

[Ability: Royal Sword, fire]

[Martial Arts Cultivation: Indestructible Diamond (Mastery), Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms (Mastery), Strengthened Nine Yang Technique (Eighth Tier), Ninefold Thunderblade (Mastery), Dragon-Elephant Prajna (Mastery), Nine Heavenly Stars Body Formula (Third Tier), Three Thousand Calamities (Fourth Fold), Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array (Mastery), Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses (Mastery), Twenty-Three Swords (Mastery).]

[Owned Land: 9 Mu]

[Farm Level: 5 (EXP 500000/500000)]

[System Backpack: 24 boxes]

[System Shop: Unlocked]

[Farm Points: 10,100,000]

"There are 10.1 million Farm Points already?"

"It seems that cultivating up to the fifth fold of Three Thousand Calamites costs ten million Farm Points. However, once I cultivate my Yuan Spirit to completion, it would improve to fifth-fold mastery—in other words, I would leap up to full-fledged convergence tier. My powers would improve over a dozen times then, and my combat ability definitely would strengthen incredibly."

"If my Farm Points were enough, I could even directly cultivate Three Thousand Calamities up to the Sixth Fold and directly complete my Sufferance cultivation. Should I plant some immortal items then, I would definitely dominate Earth itself."

Even as the thought crossed Jiang He's mind, he turned his eyes towards the spirit condensation pellet in his palm.

It looked no different from hawthorn pills and did not have any special scent. However, when one observed through divine mind, they would notice unique spirit energies wafting around the surface of the medicinal pellet. They would form lines of complex scripts, giving it a mystical appearance.

[Spirit Condensation Pellet]

[Tier: Rank-Six soul pellet]

[Effect: Improves Yuan Spirit cultivation]

[Friendly Reminder: Inedible. Cultivate with divine mind.]

Jiang He was almost cursing when he saw the word 'inedible', since that word often appeared when it comes to pea bombs, potato landmines, green pea bullets, and Doom Shrooms. It was fortunate that 'cultivate with divine mind' was written next to it, or Jiang He would have really lost his mind.

He tried to use his divine mind to cultivate the spirit condensation pellet. Once it connected, the pure spirit energies promptly fused into his divine mind and Jiang He could clearly feel his divine mind growing by a fraction.

At the same time, the spirit energy within the spirit condensation pellet in his hand was drained entirely although the pellet itself looked like it did not change, becoming pellet waste.

Jiang He threw away the useless pellet nonchalantly and took out another…

Divine mind emanating.

Cultivating spirit energy.

And dump.

The process looked as if Jiang He was taking out spirit condensation pellets one by one, sniffing them, and throwing away. It was simple, quick and convenient, and Jiang He had cultivated over sixty spirit condensation pellets in just ten minutes when his Yuan Spirit shuddered and his aura expanded wildly, enlarging by several inches up to a foot tall.

"So this is the pinnacle of a Yuan Spirit novice?"

"I didn't think that my Yuan Spirit's height would increase when its cultivation improved. I wonder how tall a full-fledged Yuan Spirit would be."

Jiang He pondered when an idea came to him and he said, "A foot-tall Yuan Spirit is already incredibly stable. Let my try Yuan Spirit Projection."

He sat cross-legged and closed his eyes, ready to attempt Yuan Spirit Projection when he opened his eyes again…

It was the first time after all, and a little nervousness was unavoidable.

Moreover, his physical being would be unconscious after he projected his Yuan Spirit, which was why he must go about this carefully.

That being said, Jiang He was not at ease even after he called Dumbo and Trumbo to him, and had them guard his body. Likewise, he did not feel secure after waking the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers… and eventually went beneath the Cloudscraper Vine.

The Cloudscraper Vine was already a Feral Emperor, and given its uniqueness, not even Wang Hou himself would be a match for it. With it protecting his body, he would not get so much as a scratch unless the elites from the secluded immortal sects or demonic sects attacked him.

As for the average divine-tier or Void-tier elites?

Leaving aside whether they could break through the Cloudscraper Vine's defenses, they would not even scratch Jiang He even if they could make it past the plant and attacked with their full power.

"My physique is still weak. If I had enough Farm Points, I could improve my physique a little… even if the definition of Sword Sage is to prioritize attack and be weak in defense, it's another matter entirely if my physical strength increased."

"Furthermore, it has been written in many novels that elites who practice physique refinement can overwhelm anything. When I master that, the overwhelming pressure my physical body exudes would prevent even the average elite from coming near me even after I have projected my Yuan Spirit out of my body."

With that thought, Jiang He sat cross-legged on the ground, his foot-long Yuan Spirit flying out from between his brow.

He was very curious since this was his first Yuan Spirit Projection. As he lowered his head and looked downward, he could clearly see his physical body, which was sitting meditatively under the Cloudscraper Vine, as well as everything in his farm.

As he attempted flight, he soon realized that Yuan Spirit moved very quickly and basically reached five times the speed of sound—and that was because his Yuan Spirit was still weak at the moment. In fact, he could reach six times the speed of sound if he were a full-fledged Yuan Sprit, and quicker since his Yuan Spirit could cast Royal Sword Flight.

In addition, it was possible for his Yuan Spirit to change forms since it remained a clump 'divine mind' and was a body of energy. Therefore, being able to transform was logical.

Jiang He's Yuan Spirit hence instantly changed into a dark cloud.

The dark cloud then churned and condensing into a flying sword.

Swish!

The flying sword cut through the skies, arriving at Lingzhou City within the space of ten breaths.

"The night view of Lingzhou City is fine too…"

Jiang He roamed through Lingzhou City with his Yuan Spirit in the night until the skies brightened, and only then did he return to his farm, where his Yuan Spirit returned into his physical form.

Jiang He opened his eyes and inhaled deeply while musing quietly to himself, "Yuan Spirit projection is quite convenient. Still, there are many things I can't do since I'm not in physical form…"

It was also why he merely roamed the night in Lingzhou City without going to Wang Siyu.

Nonetheless, that was when an off-road vehicle drove to the alley outside Jiang He's house.

That naturally did not escape Jiang He's divine mind scouting, and he frowned in a little surprise…

It was Mu Wanqiu's car.

Though it was normal for Director Wu of the Martial Arts Academy to be onboard since she was best buddies with Mu Wanqiu, why was Wang Siyu with them too?

Jiang He strode out, ready to leave, when he suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned his gaze toward the side of the willow tree… where a tuft of grass had grown out unbeknownst to him. It was a little similar to ordinary green grass, though its thin leaves had sawtooth growing out.

It was around two feet tall, the tip of which was a curiously shaped… something.

"A ring?"

"A collar?"

Jiang He frowned as it was no fruit growing out of the grass, but a collar, prompting images of a badger in his mind.

"This thing… was it the Mysterious Seed?"

Jiang He had actually forgotten that he had planted the other Mysterious seed.

Nonetheless, his mind went to work.

A collar?

Could it be a mystic treasure?

But had there been any mystic treasure collars before?

Report chapter

Chapter 312: Spirit Animal Ring

Jiang He had wanted to pluck the collar and see what it actually was, but as the car with the trio of women onboard had reached his gate, he forced himself to hold back his curiosity, get out of his farm, and head to the gates.

The red off-road vehicle then braked, power-sliding two meters away.

Wang Siyu was the first to step out of the car. She walked up to Jiang He, and asked with concern, "You've woken up, Jiang He? Have you healed up? Were there any problems?"

It seems that Wang Siyu had come by three times back when Jiang He had slept for three days.

Incidentally, she had left for Western Xia on an errand and on returned home at three in the morning yesterday when Jiang He woke up. That was why she was heading here early in the morning, running into Mu Wanqiu and Wu Yueru on the way, and they hence came together.

"I'm fine."

Jiang He tousled her hair, smiling. "It's just a little exhaustion spirit and not some serious condition. I've fully recovered after sleeping for three days… by the way, have you finished eating the stuff I gave you previously?"

"Not yet."

"Alright, give me a shout once you have and I'll help you ascend to grandmaster as well as prepare another set meal for you so you could reach rank-nine as soon as you can."

It was cultivation after all, and one must set a target in such fashion.

For example, Jiang He had already prepared several set meals for Wang Siyu that could ensure her rapidly ascension to rank nine. After that, he could consider giving her another set meal so that she reached divine-tier right away.

He had all the cultivation resources he needed anyway, most of which were now useless for him and his pets. That said, he could also consider giving some to Duan Tianhe and Cheng Dongfeng in appropriate amounts so they could pick some talented youths and groom some local elites for Lingzhou City.

Meanwhile, Mu Wanqiu was feeling sour and slight misery at the sight of Jiang He and Wang Siyu's passionate conversation, though she kept smiling and teased, "Alright, alright, could you two lovebirds flirt when the time is right?"

"At least consider the feelings of us single ladies?"

Jiang He could not help chuckling.

He invited the three ladies into his mansion and Mu Wanqiu glanced at Wu Yueru saying, "Both Wu Yueru and I have come here today since we do have something to ask."

Rising to her feet, Wu Yueru said, "Mister Jiang, I hope you could give a talk at the Martial Arts Academy. It's actually an idea and request from every teacher and student, since everyone wants to meet their Guardian God."

She appeared rather careful.

Nonsense.

How could she not be?

What status did Jiang He hold now, after all?

The First Man and the Guardian God of the Hua Nation… Jiang He was like a divine being who had descend to the mortal realm, especially for the few hundred thousand citizens of Lingzhou City.

Be that as it may, Wu Yueru was a little baffled since moments ago, when she met Jiang He again.

Jiang He was still Jiang He, after all.

Tall, dark, and handsome… as well as spouting lewd jokes and getting on others' nerves at a moment's notice. He was not even a martial arts grandmaster when Wu Yueru had first met him, was he not?

But in the blink of an eye, he had grown to a height she must look up upon.

Nonetheless, Jiang He mused to himself for a long while before saying, "Isn't that a little inappropriate, Director Wu? I'm not that good with words and I might misguide the youngsters if I gave a talk."

"You're being humble, Mister Jiang."

Wu Yueru smiled. "With your cultivation, just a few words is guidance enough for the students, even lasting their whole lives."

Jiang He hesitated…

But it seemed that he did promise Wu Yueru previously that he would visit the academy. With Wu Yueru having requested to him multiple times, refusing was a little unacceptable now.

"Sure, I could speak at the academy. But let us be clear, the academy should draft the script for the talk."

Wu Yueru appeared taken aback by Jiang He's condition. "We will be drafting the script?"

"Of course."

Jiang He was a little lost for words. "How could I hold a talk without a script? Or am I supposed to hold a free talk instead?"

Beside them, Mu Wanqiu snickered.

Smiling dazzling, she said, "It's not like you're being asked to give a philosophical talk. Just share your cultivation experience and your daily life with everyone. Why would you need to draft a script?"

"Is that so?"

Jiang He breathed a long sigh. "Well, wouldn't that be simple?"

Delighted, Wu Yueru asked, "If that's the case, should we set a time?"

"This afternoon or evening… wait, do students at the academy have self-learning sessions in the evening?"

Jiang He could not help sighing again when he saw a nod from Qu Yueru. "Students really have it tough…"

Still, it was logical when one thought about it.

After all, aside from martial knowledge, cultural classes were compulsory at the martial arts academy as well, although they occupied fewer time slots.

Soon, both Wu Yueru and Mu Wanqiu left.

It was only after they were gone that Jiang He pulled Wang Siyu into his arms and princess carried her upstairs, saying, "Come, let's go to my bedroom. I need to check your recent cultivation."

Flushing, Wang Siyu murmured flirtatiously, "You're too much…"

Jiang He and Wang Siyu came downstairs around ten in the morning.

Boa Hancock and Sora had already prepared a simple breakfast.

There was porridge boiled from Dragontooth Rice, a dish of cucumbers, and carrots. Sora had also made steamed buns with eggplant and Golden-Winged Roc filling.

As he eat the buns and sipped the Dragontooth Rice porridge, Jiang He could not help exclaiming, "Actually, steamed buns are best with potato and beef fillings… what a shame that we can't get that stuff now."

Many farmers in Xibei used to plant potatoes, since they had high yield and were easily managed, not to mention that they just had to weed it once after planting. It was also easily preserved, and one could store their potatoes from October to the spring season just by digging a potato cellar on the ground and storing them in it.

Vegetables were expensive in winter, with leeks actually costing up to three bucks. That was why many farmers would store potatoes to survive through winter, though the most important part was that potatoes could go with everything: stir-fried with meat, stuffed inside dumplings or steamed buns, deep-fried, steam cooked, or even baked in a furnace. In fact, Jiang He liked potato shreds mixed with salted cabbage the most.

Jiang He remembered how his family would salt a big pot of cabbages every winter back when he was a child, and would eat potato shreds mixed with salted cabbage for breakfast. Later, he would cook yellow rice and mix in some chili oil, season the former with the latter, after of which he would add on the potato shreds mixed with salted cabbage.

It was delightful.

And now…

Jiang He suddenly found the Dragontooth Rice in his bowl not that sweet now.

He then remembered that it was already November—the season for salting cabbages.

"What a coincidence. I'm going to Lingzhou City anyway, and I could buy some napa cabbage on the way and come up with an idea on how I could grow potatoes that wouldn't explode… if push comes to shove, I would just have to eat normal potatoes."

After breakfast and seeing off Wang Siyu, Jiang He returned to his farm.

He headed straight to the tuft of grass beside the willow tree, and without even thinking about it, he grabbed it and dragged it out, roots and all.

Plucking off the 'collar' fruit dangling from it, a System Notification jingled—

[Ding!]

[100,000 Farm Points]

Jiang He's eyes lit up.

It should be noted that the System only awarded ten thousand Farm Points back when Jiang He had harvested various premium-grade soul items and only awarded a hundred thousand for a superior-grade sage item… did that mean this item was at that level?

As he stared at the collar in his hand, a cluster of data popped up.

[Spirit Animal Ring]

[Special-type mystic treasure that only works on daemons. Users could subjugate any daemons with weaker Yuan Spirit, taming it into their pet by force.]

Jiang He was dumbstruck.

Damn it!

I was being pleased for nothing. And here I was thinking I had just received the Vajra Bangle or the Cosmic Hoop!

The Spirit Animal Ring may sound awesome, but the function was really chickenfeed.

Why would Jiang He need that after creating Physical Beast Taming Technique?

Even if there was a certain chance of injury with that technique, he could plant the beast even if he killed it.

After complaining a little and carelessly throwing the Spirit Animal Ring in his System Backpack, Jiang He took out pen and paper, ready to create an item refinement manual. Even so, he had no idea how to go about it despite having though a long while, and so smiled begrudgingly, "I know nothing about item refinement at all. Really should have gotten myself some item refinement manuals at the Taixu Sect yesterday… eh?"

His eyes lit up then.

To put it bluntly, was item refinement not basically smithing?

If that was so, he could go to that old man at the Martial Arts Department and ask about the knowledge concerned, and the old man might just be able to offer some suggestions.

Report chapter

Chapter 313: Creating an Item Refinement Manual

"The old man's family were generations of blacksmiths, and he would definitely have the experience. Moreover, his awakened power is a hammer, and being the best weapons forger of Lingzhou City, he definitely would have his own experiences and key techniques."

"Though mystic treasures were not that alike to alloy weapons, they are all ultimately weapons and would definitely share a common ground."

Even as Jiang He thought that, he took out some Feral meat to feet the golden eaglets and the Cloudscraper Vine before passing a pile of Orirocks to Dumbo and the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers, and had them stay at home to cultivate. He then drove the sports car he had not touched for a long time to the Lingzhou City Martial Arts Department (MAD), heading straight to the old blacksmith's workshop.

The old blacksmith actually held a high position in the MAD and most would go to him when they needed some weapons forged. Aside from his own workshop and office, it was said that the MAD had also provided him a house and his yearly salary was at least a million dollars.

Since it was lunch hour, the old blacksmith was holding a lunchbox and eating at his workshop.

He was not being wary around Jiang He either, joking as he usually did when they met, "So, you have the free time to visit this old man today, Mister Jiang?"

The familiar tone, the familiar dialect.

Jiang He teased in return, "You old fool. You've never called me Mister Jiang before."

"What should I call you then?"

The old blacksmith lowered his lunchbox and lit himself a cigarette, before saying tentatively, "Rascal?"

"Just call me by my name."

Jiang He grimaced at that.

Rascal?

Why don't you ask everywhere else—who in the world would have the guts to call me that?

Still, it sounded quite intimate.

With that, Jiang He told the blacksmith about the purpose of his visit.

The old blacksmith appeared taken aback, and said, "My experience in forging weapons? I know nothing about that. To tell the truth, even though generations of my family were blacksmiths, my father and my grandfather made a living through forging farming equipment. They did not forge more than a handful of cleavers, let alone weapons."

"You're selling yourself short, old man."

Jiang He smiled. "Who in Lingzhou City doesn't know that you're a master craftsman? Your only shortcoming is your superpower is low-leveled, but when you improve to A-class and can forge S-grade alloy weapons, there wouldn't be many across the Hua Nation who could compare to you."

"A-class Awakened…"

The old blacksmith flashed a pained smile. "I only strike on steel and I have no idea how I could improve my superpowers. When would I actually reach A-class?"

"That's easy."

Jiang He whipped out a bottle of rank-nine Origin Fluid that improved spirit and around three catties of purple golden sunflower seeds. "Whenever you get tired from smithing, drink some of these Origin Fluid and munch on the sunflower seeds, and your spirit would improve quickly… the strength of one's superpowers are actually connected to one's spirit, and one's superpower would improve naturally with it."

The old blacksmith promptly waved him off, saying that those items were too valuable for him to accept.

Not hearing any of it, Jiang shoved the purple golden sunflower seeds and Origin Fluid into the old blacksmith's hands, grinning as he said, "Take this as a sign of my gratitude since you've helped me forge so many items previously. Still, you shouldn't keep any secrets after getting my stuff, so do tell me about your experience in forging weapons."

Forced to accept the gifts, the old blacksmith mused to himself for a while before saying, "Actually, before that brat Duan Tianhe dragged me here to the MAD, I never really did forged weapons. I don't know how to design them even now, and it's mostly thanks to others giving me the blueprints that I would base my work on… not to mention that I would still have to rely on my superpowers."

Jiang He took out pen and paper and started making notes.

Blueprints?

He had that…

Moreover, didn't item-refinists in novels need a base form of a mystic treasure to refine it?

The blueprint was therefore the same deal with the base form.

"Aside from blueprints, the forging process is important as well. The ore of all alloys and metals would contain a lot of impurities, and it is only by repeated refinement to remove those impurities that a good weapon could be forged."

The old man then mentioned a simple example.

Why would some A-grade alloy weapons sell for ten million while others only reach six million?

The factor was the forging. There could be a difference in how much impurity was removed beforehand or how well the metal was quenched that affected a weapon's final grade.

Jiang He listened seriously and made notes as he did.

As their conversation continued for a long time, he would ask questions if there were anything he did not understand, asking for pointers in forging. The old man watched as he wrote and paused, before poking his head forward and asked, "What are you writing?"

The old man knew how to read but not much. Moreover, Jiang He's writing was too illegible… making him recognize even fewer words now.

Jiang He did not hold back, however, and answered sincerely, "I'm a little interested in item refinement, so I needed some inspiration for the item refinement manual I would create myself."

"Item refinement?"

"Hmm. It's a term that immortal cultivators use, but it's basically different from forging weapons."

The old man understood right then, and he said, "You should have told me from the start. My grandfather left a secret manual for smithing, with plenty of techniques written in it… just wait for a bit. I'll bring it here."

Delight showed on Jiang He's face.

Meanwhile, the old man stepped out of his workshop for a while and soon returned with a yellowed book.

"My grandfather passed this down," he said, "but I didn't read it more than a few times since I can't read much."

Jiang He accept the ragged, yellowed book which turned out to be thread-bound with a blue cover. Still, there was no word written on it, though there were tidy lines of regular script on the very first page.

"Difficult is difficult, striking steel, steering boats, grinding tofu?"

That was the first line, which was more or less the entire 'secret' text in a nutshell.

Even in ancient times, striking steel, grinding tofu, and steering boats were all exceedingly difficult livelihoods, and rarely would any youth be willing to learn such work.

And beneath the line 'Difficult is difficult, striking steel, steering boats, grinding tofu', with a single bolded word: scissors.

Jiang He was speechless.

The first page showed how one could forge a nice pair of scissors.

As he flipped through the pages, he noticed that aside from scissors, there was also the forging methods of other farming tools such as rakes, shovels, steel pots, hoes, as well as woks.

The only thing that pleased Jiang He a little was that side from the daily use items, farming tools and other random trinkets, the last page recorded how to forge a cleaver.

"Cleavers actually count as weapons, and it could well be used as a reference…"

Jiang He read closely, only to find that the first page read, "The cleaver is the object that measures the height of a blacksmith's technique. Do not be fooled by the cleaver's mundane appearance, for the procedure to forge it is numerous and complex."

"The steel selected to forge a cleaver is critical. For finer materials, a little bit of hammering and grinding mean a good clever, but with rubbish materials, all you would ultimately forge is a rubbish cleaver even if you hammer upon the steel for a thousand times."

Jiang He became thoughtful after reading that.

It seems to be the case for refining mystic treasures as well.

First and foremost, the selection of materials was vital.

For example, if you desire a premium-grade soul item but used materials for an inferior-grade soul item, you would only stand a very small chance of forging a premium-grade soul item regardless of how good your item refinement technique was.

Taking out pen and paper again, he wrote, "First step of item refinement: material selection."

Then, Jiang He continued reading the note about forging the cleaver.

"When forging the cleaver, one's control of the fire temperature must be immaculate. This process is called smelting, the chief purpose of which is to fuse steel and iron. If the fire is not enough, gaps would easily develop between steel and metal while they fuse, and the cleaver would easily snap later on."

Jiang He's eyes lit up at that.

That aspect could be used on item refinement too.

Many materials, both primary and auxiliary, were needed to refine a mystic treasure. If they did not fuse perfectly, they could be reduced to scrap after clanging a while in a fight… in fact, it did not have to be a fight—if one was being a little forceful, one's mystic energy could crush it already.

"Third step of forging a cleaver, bending."

"Hmm… bending is basically refining the base form. For example, I need the mold of a sword if I need to refine a sword, and the mold of a blade if I need to refine a blade…" Jiang He's hand kept writing fervently.

When it comes to creativity, all it takes is a flash of inspiration.

And having got his inspiration from the notes about smithing a cleaver, his notes were coming smoothly the more he wrote. In less than a dozen minutes, he had already scrawled out several hundred words, creating half a manual for item refinement.

"The fourth step, grinding… well, I don't think that's necessary."

"Fifth… quenching?"

Jiang He was surprised.

Quenching was actually the most important technique in forging cleavers?

It turns out that the usage lifespan and quality of the cleaver should there be an issue in the quenching. The cleaver's edge would be too fragile if the quenching heat was too high and would easily break.

On the other hand, too small a fire could cause dents or chips on the edges.

"Is that so? It seems that one must pay attention to the quenching process… and here I was thinking that all it takes is getting a bucket of cold water and stick the shaped weapon inside… whatever. This would need a little revamping."

"For the quenching process of refining a mystic treasure, a bucket of cold water is needed beforehand. After the base form is refined successfully, it just needs to be thrown in the water for a soak."

"Hmmm… would others have a recipe or something for their quenching process?"

"More adjustments needed, then… when quenching, a certain ratio of salt, vinegar, soy sauce, and starch must be added to the water…"

Jiang He then nodded in satisfaction after seeing the quenching process he revamped.

As for the very last step…

It was very different from smithing a cleaver, since mystic treasures required an inscription of arrays and certain mystic symbols—this step was called soulception.

"I don't know any arrays or mystic symbols I could inscribe for now, and while I could learn it later, the thought of inscribing arrays or symbols on a sword is such a pain… Well, I'll keep up the revamping. All I need to do is write 'soulception' on the root form of the refined mystic treasure to achieve the same effect…"

Report chapter

Chapter 314: Creating a Cultivation Manual is So Hard!

Creativity truly depends on inspiration.

Just like writing novels, there are times when you have a plot in your mind, but you could sit in front of your PC for two hours and finding whatever you write simply wrong, leaving you feeling miserable. There would also be times when you write smoothly to the point that you derive pleasure from it, and a huge wall of text is written with a bit of rustling.

That holds the same for writing cultivation manuals.

When he attempted to develop the item refinement method before this, Jiang He simply could not write a thing no matter what ideas he had. Right now, however, his inspiration was flowing freely as if from a spring, unable to be held back even if he tried.

"The mystic symbol for soulception could be directly replaced with the word 'soulception' itself, but what about the array and symbols for mystic treasure's special effects?"

"For example, the Scarlet Flame Sword is a fire-type flying sword and the Autumn Water Sword a water-type flying sword. Aside from the materials holding the fire or water attributes, there needs to be an inscription of mystic symbols. Could these be replaced with normal text instead?"

"Likewise, would the word 'seal' work as a mystic symbol for mystic treasures that captures humans?"

"Kill, guard… in fact, other special-type mystic treasures work too…"

As his writing flowed freely, Jiang He scrawled over two thousand words in the old blacksmith's workshop. Afterwards, he spent another half an hour two editing, perfecting, or erasing those two thousand words.

In his perspective, did item refinement actually have to be so elaborate?

Wouldn't it be better if it was simpler?

If it was too complex, he might not even be interested in item refinement.

"Well, the item refinement manual is settled…"

Jiang He was very satisfied with the two-paged manual he was holding.

And now, for the head-hurting part: naming…

Jiang He racked his brains, eliminating elaborate names such as Nine Scrolls of Item Refinement and Caped Immaculate Item Refinement before finally deciding on a simple name…

"Jiang-Style Item Refinement is not bad."

Jiang He hence wrote that name down, which was only appropriate since he had created this technique itself.

He then checked the time.

It was just a little past three in the afternoon.

Wu Yueru had already informed him that his talk was at seven, which was in another four hours…

"I could use these three hours to develop both the pellet refinement manual and the array technique as well."

Right now, his inspiration was flowing like a spring. After some thought and musing, he began writing.

"Since item refinement could be made very simple, the same would apply for pellet refining…"

"First step of pellet refining, prepare pellet materials."

"Second step, liquify materials to improve fusion and prepare the mold to make shaping the medicinal pellet easier."

However, Jiang He stopped writing at that.

He remembered every medicinal pellet he had seen before then… ninety-percent of them were in the shape of little balls, so he was forced to use a boring word like 'dragon-eye' when describing it in his writing.

"With a mold, there would be a variety of shapes for the medicinal pellets to choose from—the common ones would be molds for ice-cream and popsicles. Won't I shape the medicinal pellet into ice-cream once I pour the materials for the medicinal pellets into the mold? And won't the medicinal pellet take shape after I add in a stick and put it in the fridge for a few hours?"

"Hmm…"

"I could make it into ice-cream shape, but what about the taste?"

"I could add in some buttered sunflower seed and syrup… it won't affect the medicinal effect of the pellet, would it?"

Jiang He thought about it… there was not a huge chance of affecting the medicinal value, and even if it did… it could be revamped until there were no problems. Hence, quickly going online to find the recipe for the Little Pudding branded ice-cream, Jiang He referenced it for a bit.

"Drinking water, white sugar, fruit syrup, vegetable oil, maltodextrin, full-cream milk powder, whey powder, eggs, soy flour, food additives… hmmm, food additives aren't that healthy, so I won't include that."

"And what on earth is vegetable oil?"

"I won't add that either…"

"Actually, when it comes to tastes, I could refer to a few more recipes for popsicles and ice-cream. After all, some medicinal pellets are hard to swallow—bitter, raw, and sometimes it feels like your mouth gets numb for half a day."

Hence, in just around an hour, Jiang He had finished his pellet-refinement manual.

'I'll name the pellet-refinement method Jiang-Style Pellet Refinement… and now, the only problems left are the pellet recipes and mold,' Jiang He thought, and turned to the old blacksmith with a smile. "Old man, could you make me a mold?"

"I don't need any specific shape, as long as it could be used for freezing popsicles, ice-cream, and ice balls."

Ice balls were round, and similar in appearance with the standard medicinal pellet, which made it a must-have.

"Are you making your own-ice cream?"

The old man smiled. "Fine, it's not a problem—I could make it any moment… by the way, what materials do you want for your mold? Stainless steel?"

"Why stainless steel? You could smith with A-grade alloy, right? Then use A-grade alloy."

The old blacksmith was shocked.

Forging an ice-cream mold with A-grade alloys?

How much was an ice-cream worth?

Even if it was just an ice-cream mold, were the materials alone not worth almost a million if made with A-grade alloys?

Still, the old man naturally would not protest since Jiang He was the one who requested. Since he had A-grade alloys in his workshop already, he materialized his big hammer and asked, "Do you have the dimensions for the mold you want?"

As is common sense, one would have to put the mold in the freezer if they wanted to make ice-cream. Moreover, one would not make more than a few ice-creams if the mold was too small, and it could not be stuffed inside the freezer if it was too large.

"Anything goes."

Jiang He smiled. "It doesn't need to be placed inside a fridge for freezing. I'll look for a frost technique or something similar later so I can freeze the mold at any moment."

With that, the old blacksmith began forging the mold.

Jiang He was not idling either and started to develop an array.

He did have experience on how to do that, since he had created the Nameless Sword Array.

"My Nameless Sword Array is truly powerful. Even if I am a Yuan Spirit novice, I could kill a full-fledged Yuan Spirit even with the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array alone. The Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses is on the cusp of Convergence-tier as well… of course, that might have to do with the fact that I'm a sword cultivator."

Sword cultivators prioritized killing.

Therefore, it was normal that he could punch above his weight with his flying swords. Still, it was a clear sign of how frightening his sword array was given how much a difference in tier it bypassed.

But the problem was the sword arrays needed too many flying swords.

Could an average sword cultivator be able to afford that?

"I should prioritize simplicity in the arrays I develop in the future."

"Otherwise, I would need more array materials such as spirit stones, array flag, array board, as well as inscribed patterns for the array. How troublesome would that be?"

"Spirit stones, array flag, and array board are essential to laying out an array, but I could spare the inscriptions."

Jiang He pondered.

Having the experience of creating the techniques for refining items and pellets, it was easy to skip the trouble of inscriptions. All he needed to do was use text to replace those markings—for example, if he wanted to create a sealing array and name it the Great Nine Heavens Array of Dragon Sealing, he just had to write those words.

"I could make a sealing array, a death array, a guard array, and an illusory array, as well as a protective array for my house. The last one must be powerful and combines all the other aspects, and the type that could stop even a Sufferance-tier cultivator."

Jiang He rose to his feet, pacing around the old blacksmith's workshop, musing to himself one moment and appearing delighted the next. Still, he would soon shake his head, throwing away that idea.

Then, after pacing around for over a dozen minutes, he would sit down once again and get his pen to write around a few dozen words, only to scratch them off in dissatisfaction.

"Creating an array is really difficult…"

Jiang He breathed a long sigh.

Creating cultivation manuals was so difficult.

Taking out a bottle of rank-nine Origin Fluid and a handful of purple-gold sunflower seeds, he kept thinking as he munched on, 'Let's give it a name for now… Since it's a sealing array, let's call it the Great Nine Heavens Array of Dragon Sealing.'

As for why it was called that… did it not sound awesome?

"Now, for its strength… It could be set as a growing array since it is best if I could still use it later when I ascend as an immortal or sage. For example, the more powerful the user of the array, the stronger the effect of the array must be."

"Moreover, with more spirit stones used, as well as the stronger the array flags and array boards used, the power of the array should increase too."

"As for the death array, let's call it the Nine Heavens Thunderflame Array."

"Invoking thunderbolts and earthen flames once charged, and drawing Violet Purple Thunder if powerful enough, who can't it kill?"

"As for the guard array, it shall be… the Earthen Black Tortoise array. Drawing upon the strength of the earth and as stalwart as the Black Tortoise itself…"

"The illusory array should be called the Ten Thousand Phenomenon Array, conjuring a multitude of illusions of everything imaginable, drawing upon the demons in the heart…"

"I just have to combine all four arrays as my house-guarding array. When someone comes calling, the array would activate, luring them inside and ensnaring them with an illusion. After that, I'll activate my death array, and there is still the sealing array even if the illusory array and death array do not kill the victim."

"There is still the guard array even if they could break the sealing array, and if the target still manages to break through, they would be exhausted by now. So, I'll greet them, and attack with the Cloudscraper Vine, Dumbo, Trumbo and the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers, and kill them with a wild thrashing."

Delight showed on Jiang He's face!

His creativity was very much perfect!

As for the spirit stones…

Those were actually Orirocks and he had as many of those as he needed, not to mention that the secluded immortal sects would have a lot of those in store. There might even be some mineral veins of Orirocks at their Secret Realms and he just had to harvest some when the time comes.

"For array flags and array boards… I would just have to buy a little flag and a board, and write 'array flag' and 'array board' before planting them. Would that get me a real array board and array flag?"

Jiang He felt that he could test the idea.

When he was done creating his array, the old blacksmith had finished the mold too.

That was when Wu Yueru's call reached him.

"It's seven soon, Mister Jiang. When would you be arriving?"

"I'm coming. I'll be right there."

Hanging up, Jiang He felt a headache just then.

Holding a talk?

This was the first time he had done that in his entire life!

"Forget it, I'll just have to brace myself and do it. Like Wu Yueru put it—it's just telling everyone about my experience in cultivation as well as the course of my growth… hold on…"

Suddenly, Jiang He did a double take.

Cultivation… experience?

Chapter 315: Experiences and Things of Note when Wandering the Wildlands

It was a clear day on the sixth of November, 2020, at the Martial Arts Academy of Lingzhou City.

Since it was late autumn in Xibei, the sun had already set around six in the evening. Most students and teachers would be resting or having dinner at this hour, which was why the academy would usually be very quiet at this time.

Even so, the Martial Arts Academy was unusually lively today.

Thousands of teacher and students were gathered at the Martial Arts Academy stadium.

There were countless parents present, citizens here to join in the liveliness, the media, as well as Martial Arts Department (MAD) personnel there to maintain order. The scene was absolutely crowded, reaching dozens of thousand heads…

Most frightening, the crowd was still increasing in size, and there were still people pouring toward Lingzhou City Martial Arts Academy, jamming the traffic nearby.

MAD's Duan Tianhe and Cheng Dongfeng were personally visiting the Martial Arts Academy as well and actually felt a little headache at the sight of the crowd.

Wu Yueru then jogged toward them, saying, "Chief Duan, Master Cheng, you're here…"

"How could we not be here?"

Duan Tianhe was between laughter and tears, saying, "Director Wu, you should have given us a head's up with something so important. There are so many people here that even the entire MAD is shorthanded. It's too dangerous if something were to happen, like a stampede or someone simply up to no good."

Wu Yueru was smiling apologetically.

To tell the truth, she did not expect this either.

When she returned from Jiang He's house, she had immediately called for a meeting among every teacher to inform them about the matter. After that, the teachers then passed the word to the students that Jiang He would be having a talk at the Martial Arts Academy.

The students would then relay the word to their parents, relatives, friends, who would in turn pass the word to their parents, friends and relatives. As word continued to spread, almost all of Lingzhou City learned about it in half a day.

After all, who was Jiang He?

He had killed multiple Feral Kings and the two Feral Emperors—the Golden-Winged Roc and the Dragoncroc Emperor—as well as wiping out the Sky Demon Cult that plagued multiple nations across the whole world… all by himself!

Then, he went on to repel the Sky Demon legion of five hundred thousand strong all by himself, preventing a dire crisis for the Hua Nation entirely.

As Wang Hou publicized Jiang He's various feats at the press conference two days ago, Jiang He had turned completely to a myth legend now. How could the civilians of Lingzhou City not feel emotional that the very Jiang He hailed from Lingzhou City as well?

To be honest, the event itself was organized out of the blue, with noontime being the notice and seven o'clock being the event itself. All of Lingzhou City would have come if it had been announced two or three days ago.

Meanwhile…

Jiang He was feeling a headache too!

Traffic was stuck!

No car could make it into the Martial Arts Academy as well.

There was a long trail of cars that extended all the way to the front. Jiang He was about to wait and see if the traffic would flow again, when…

Some of the drivers in front of him abandoned their cars and started running toward the Martial Arts Academy, yelling as they did, "Hurry up, it's almost seven!"

"The talk is starting soon. I'm getting a little thrill to think that we would soon see a legend from Lingzhou City…"

"Haven't you heard? Not only is Jiang He powerful but he's very handsome too!"

"Hehe, how could I not know? To tell the truth, I've met him a few times… my aunt's cousin brother's daughter-in-law's uncle's daughter married his brother, who is now an Awakened too…"

Jiang He heard several young wives having that exchange.

What the hell!

In his sports car, Jiang He's face was turning green.

Were rumors that frightening?

Still, after thinking about it… they were not actually exaggerating.

If that was so, there was no need to pursue the matter… such rumors could be allowed as is.

Nonetheless, Jiang He was forced to get off his car and put his sports car in his System Backpack with a wave of his hand. The people who were just walking past his car gaped at them just then—in fact, one of them pointed at Jiang He with an utterly shocked look and was about to scream, but Jiang He was already gone in a flash.

Whoosh!

With a sway of his figure and reaching the skies above the Martial Arts Academy, Jiang He panicked when he saw the crowd beneath.

There must be dozens of thousand people down there, right?

Was that necessary with just a talk? If he misspoke later…

Jiang He had to use divine mind to send word to Wu Yueru and ask about the situation and the follow-up.

"Mister Jiang, our people have prepared a simple speech for you and you could just read it later… I've also spoken to the media, and their journalists would mainly ask about your personal situation. You just have to answer as is."

Jiang He breathed a sigh of relief, and only then did he step out from behind the cloud and begin his descent.

He clasped his hands behind his back as he came down step after step, as if there was an invisible flight of stairs.

"Look, it's Jiang He!"

There was no telling who cried out among the crowd just then, but in the next instant, the bustle in the Martial Arts Academy turned to silence. Everyone was looking up above at the skies.

The journalists were all clicking their shutters as well.

Soon, as Jiang He landed at the platform, a large group of them promptly swarmed him, all of them competing to get a question in. Wu Yueru had to promptly rushed forward to control the scene, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, there is no rush. Any questions you have can wait…"

The journalists eventually calmed down.

Only then did Wu Yueru take the microphone to announce, "Teacher, parents, and students from the Martial Arts Academy, as well as citizens of Lingzhou City. It is our fortune today to have Jiang He, legend of our Lingzhou City, grace us with his presence…"

She spoke for up to five minutes and introduced Jiang He's heroic feats after some courteous preamble.

It was only after that that she passed the mic to Jiang He.

"Hey, hey, hey…"

Jiang He did a mic check after taking the mic, drawing kind laughter from the crowd.

Then, after a look at the script on the table, Jiang He smiled and said, "Having accepted Director Wu's invitation, I've come to meet everyone…"

More preamble…

But after a few lines, Jiang He stopped following the script.

How was this script different from the usual headmaster's script?

Moreover, speaking through this mic was rather disappointing, and there was the occasional hum of an electric feedback. Jiang He therefore threw away the mic and, driving his qi thunderously, braced himself to finish reading the script of preambles.

Then, it was the turn of the media outlet that Wu Yueru had readied beforehand, with one of the journalists asking, "Mister Jiang, everyone is actually very curious… how did you accomplish your cultivation?"

"According to our information, you are less than twenty-five, but you already possess a cultivation that could change the world itself. Could you reveal to us how you usually cultivate?"

Jiang He was dumbstruck.

What…

How I cultivate?

Who the hell would know how I usually cultivate? I just got stronger as I kept farming.

Still, he certainly could not say that. Jiang He was aware of the thing known as the 'idol effect', and it would be a grievous sin if a whole bunch of youths ran off to farm instead of cultivating.

That was why Jiang He decided to hide the information that farming helps strengthening, and promptly said, "To tell the truth, I don't usually cultivate because I'm very weak on that front. I wouldn't achieve anything even if I cultivate for dozens of minutes, so I eventually decided that I won't cultivate. So, I would either be farming, eating, drinking, or sleeping."

The atmosphere instantly turned weird just then.

The journalist clearly did not expect such an answer from Jiang He either, but she quickly recovered her senses thanks to her professionalism, and smiled, "You're

Then, she hurriedly changed the subject and asked, "Mister Jiang, you've consecutively slain many Feral Kings and even had a hand in clearing the plague of Ferals on Mount Dadong. Moreover, being a martial elite, you must often travel through the wildlands, don't you?"

"Actually, there are a lot of martial artists who have come aside from the Martial Arts Academy's teacher and students, most of whom have yet to travel through the wildlands where Ferals roamed. Could you share with us some of your experiences and things of note out there?"

The journalist moved her mic closer to Jiang He.

The other martial elites present had their interests piqued as well, though among the crowd, Cheng Dongfeng had a weird look on his face…

Experiences and things of note out at the wildlands?

Why Jiang He? You could have asked any martial artists who often travel through those places. The man acts as if the wildlands was a tourist spot, and there is just no referential worth from his experiences.

Are you really not afraid that the kid would say something like 'you must bring along a barbeque rack and grill condiments' when traveling through the wildlands?

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Chapter 316: Wang Hou is Wounded Again!

Experiences and things of note when travelling through the wildlands?

Jiang He mused to himself for seconds as he rapidly recalled his experiences at the wildlands… and realized that it was no different from going home.

"The reason I would feel as if going to the wildlands is no different from going home is because I am too powerful, and would not fear Feral attack… but I would need to adjust my phrasing or I could mislead other martial artists."

After all, lives could be lost if he misled others on that front.

Picking his words, Jiang He then smiled into cameras. "It's not actually as scary as anyone would think… I remember the first time I entered the wildlands was the end of August. The Sky Demon Cult was targeting me at the time and had sent their people to hunt me, and now that I've thought about it, it was a difficult time… I was just a rank-five pinnacle, and yet the Sky Demon Cult had sent two of their rank-seven Heavenly Generals."

"I remember that time well… the skies were gloomy and my sleep quality had been plummeting after being pursued for many times. I couldn't fall asleep even though it was two in the morning, and all I felt was anxiety and panic…"

"That was why I took the first strike, heading off to Ningdong Mines and killed those two Heavenly Generals… Eh?"

Jiang He realized something then, and promptly corrected himself, "Wait, that's not quite right. That was not actually the first time I had gone to the wildlands, since a few days before that, I thought about hunting some Ferals for their meat…"

With that, Jiang He started speaking fluently.

He hence spoke about the first time he had gone to the wildlands, running into a wolfpack and Sky Demon Cult elites, to his encounter with the Third Elder, Bound Star, and Brave Star on Mount Helan… since those were all personal experiences.

Everyone present was left taken aback.

What the heck!

That awesome?

Even though Wang Hou had spoken of the same thing, he only provided a simple mention since he did not know the specifics. How would that compare to Jiang He's motivated speech?

In the end, Jiang He summed it up by saying, "Actually, before I go to wildlands, I would usually bring along a barbecue set, grill condiments, and other necessities for surviving out there. However, I don't suggest everyone following my style blindly, since having a barbecue out in the wildlands would easily draw a Feral to attack you.

There was silence when he finished.

Seconds passed before someone started clapping.

After that person clapped, a loud applause followed—everyone was infected by Jiang He's passion.

Then, another journalist asked about how Jiang He crushed the Sky Demon Cult and repelled the Sky Demon legion, which he answered briefly.

After that, an academy representative came to present Jiang He with flowers.

Either way, the 'talk' had gone smoothly… but after Jiang He thought about it, he noticed something.

How was this a talk? Were talks not supposed to be academic?

Watching as the many Martial Arts Academy students look at him with passionate gazes before he left, Jiang He said, "As everyone would know, aside from being a martial arts newbie and a novice cultivator, I'm also a farmer."

"Back in my village, I've farmed several Mu worth of plantation and grown some soul crops. I'll contact Director Wu later to bring some to the Martial Arts Academy, so all academy students here would get to have some. Consider it a little sincerity on my part."

Jiang He would not reveal about this farm for now, though there were not many things he had to continue hiding with his current ability.

Growing soul crops…

Was it not logical for a cultivator to plant some soul medicine and soul plants at his farm?

The talk was finally over around half past eight and Jiang He went to Wu Yueru. After arranging for her to send some people to get the soul crops, he took to the skies and returned home.

The moment he landed home, he sensed a divine-tier aura rapidly closing in. His divine mind promptly emanated, and he realized that it was a divine-tier martial elite landing outside his gates.

Jiang He had not met him before, though he was here to deliver Jiang He with mutated rice and wheat. There were over a thousand catties of rice and around five hundred catties of wheat, improving Jiang He's mood greatly.

'By the way, Mister Jiang…"

The martial artist then drew out a sword that was around three feet and had a little rust to it, saying, "Minister Wang has asked me to pass this to you, and it's said that he has retrieved it from the Wanshougong of West Mountain."

"Oh?"

Jiang He's eyes lit up.

That flying sword said to have been passed on at Wanshougong?

Still…

Jiang He found the rusted sword rather plain and ordinary after accepting it. Any mystic energies it carried had faded, and it was now useless.

But if he had remembered correctly, it seemed that someone had contacted him on the online forum Warrior Home, saying that the sword belonged to Heavenly Master Xu, the ancestral master of West Mountain's Wanshougong… Heavenly Master Xu was an impressive character himself, and might have ascended as an immortal according to Jiang He's theory and the many signs from that man's history.

What was his sword called again?

"I remember checking online… wasn't it called the Mosquito Cutter? In legends, the Mosquito Cutter was an immortal sword… is that true?"

Jiang He muttered to himself even as he fiddled with the rusted sword, before smiling and asking, "By the way, where is Minister Wang? What has he been doing in the last few days? I heard that he was about to leave on a trip and cultivate for a while… did he leave already?"

The divine-tier martial elite appeared perplexed in return.

He stuttered for a while before saying, "Actually, Minister Wang has instructed that I not speak about him being wounded before I come…'

"Eh?"

"Did Minister Wang run off to foreign soil?"

Jiang He was shocked.

Was Wang Hou wounded?

That was not right.

At the moment, the secluded immortal sects, demonic sects, and daemonic cultivators had yet to step out, not to mention that Jiang He himself had repelled the Sky Demons. Who in the Hua Nation could have wounded him?

That was, unless he had gone overseas… there were many powerful Feral Emperors outside Hua Nation borders, including the Nine-Headed Serpent Emperor and the Thunderflood Titanoboa, as well as King Kong, the one said to be the most dangerous Feral Emperor, who resided at Skull Island located far within the Atlantic Ocean.

The martial artist replied, "Minister Wang had not gone overseas; he was wounded at Wanshougong."

Jiang He exclaimed in surprise, "Old Wang did mention that there was a floral spirit at Wanshougong. Could it have grown into a Feral Emperor?"

After the martial artist explained what had happened, Jiang He was even more shocked.

He exclaimed, "You're saying that aside from the rank-eight floral spirit at Wanshougong, there was a powerful daemonic cultivator residing beneath that place and it wounded Minister Wang by releasing its Daemonic Qi alone?"

The martial artist nodded while Jiang He frowned tightly.

Wang Hou was actually quite strong, was he not?

And yet, a single gust of Daemonic Qi was enough to wound Wang Hou… it meant that it was a daemonic cultivator reaching Convergence-tier or even stronger.

What frightening existence could have been sealed beneath Wanshougong?

Jiang He then remembered a record he had glimpsed when browsing online about Heavenly Master Xu.

It was said that he had once slain an evil dragon and sealed it beneath the Octagonal Well at Wanshougong.

And before the Revival of Qi, the Octagonal Well was a famous tourist spot at Wanshougong, with additional fees charged for visits and photos.

"Interesting."

Jiang He could not help think to himself, 'What is this? The revival of a myth?'

Taking out several Amoxicillin Capsules and Bezoar Detox Pills, he said, "Bring these to Minister Wang. I'll go to Wanshougong for a look when I have the time."

After seeing off the divine-tier martial artist who had delivered the grains, Jiang He headed straight inside his farm, took out his rice, and started farming.

Having had the experience of planted the mutated rice before, planting it this time was smooth sailing for Jiang He. Working with Dumbo, Trumbo, and the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers, they quickly planted the several hundred catties worth of rice.

There was no helping it…

The farm was only 9 Mu and the soil was limited. As such, the thousand-over catty of rice must at least be planted thrice.

Moreover, he had to spare some ground to plant his manuals for item refinement, pellet refinement, and array… as well as Heavenly Master Xu's rusted sword.

Watching as the rice shoots swiftly grew out of the ground, Jiang He was filled with delight and motivation, saying, "Screw it. I'm not going to sleep—let's farm overnight tonight…"

Meanwhile.

Whoosh!

A figure was streaking through the air, passing through vast oceans before landing on the entrance of a Secret Realm, shrouded beneath an array.

The man was wearing traditional clothes, appeared to be middle-aged, and bore a gloomy look.

It was, in fact, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons of the Penglai Sect.

And once True Habitant of Nine Dragons returned, the chieftain of the Penglai Sect promptly noticed him and greeted him, but soon exclaimed in surprise, "Elder Nine Dragons, where is Jiang He? Could he be unwilling to join our Penglai Sect?"

The chieftain of the Penglai Sect was a dwarfish old man. His hair was all white, though his face was white with slight redness like a baby's. He frowned as he said, "That's right. With the talent Jiang He has shown, he would prove to be a key figure in the coming calamity and there would definitely be many other sects competing to take him in as disciple. Heck, even the demonic sects might leave seclusion for him… it's normal if he would choose other sects."

"Chieftain…"

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons hesitated for a while before saying, "Jiang He did not join any other sects, but we've also misjudged him—his actual ability was not actually True Child but Yuan Spirit, and he has also learned a frightening sword array, increasing his combat ability up to the cusp of Convergence-tier…"

After that, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons also spoke about how Jiang He had captured him and the chief disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

Shaking with anger, the Penglai Sect chieftain exclaimed, "That Jiang He is too much! He obviously knows that you are an elder of the Penglai Sect, and he actually dares to restrain you? It's unforgiveable—even if he's vital in the coming calamity!"

"Chieftain…"

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons had wanted to say something, but the Penglai Sect chieftain spoke coolly in return, "Save it. This involves the dignity of our Penglai Sect and we certainly cannot let this go. Send word and gather every elder. I will personally send our people to the profane realm in three days and punished Jiang He!"

As a matter of fact, things were actually calm at the Penglai Sect.

On the other hand, the mountain archways were shaking at the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

"B*stard!"

Zhong Yue's father, who was also the vice-chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, had smashed a teapot.

Being hot-tempered as ever, his fury erupted when he heard that his sons had been captured and beaten up, sneering as he said, "How impressive of you, Jiang He! A mere commoner, daring to make an enemy of our Ten Thousand Swords Sect?"

Beside him, his wife was being more even-natured, and spoke with a frown, "Brother Zhong, we should go about this carefully. The Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array is an absolute secret of our Ten Thousand Swords Sect and only the core elders of our sect have the right to learn it. Likewise, only True Heirs like our Yue'er, who is a chief disciple, would know it. How did Jiang He manage to grasp it?"

"We shall report this to the chieftain and let him decide."

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Chapter 317: The Three Major Concurrent Paths of Cultivators

Soon, the elders and chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had gathered together.

Zhong Yue was present as well.

Reasonably speaking, even if he was the chief disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, he was no supposed to be a part of such a meeting. Even so, he was both a witness and victim of the incident, which was why he was allowed to listen in, just as he was needed to enlighten the others about certain circumstances.

But aside from him, the weakest amongst those present was Yuan Spirit-advanced.

Among them, the Senior Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had veins of aura flowing over his body, having clearly reached Convergence.

And aside from the Senior Elder, Zhong Yue's father, Zhong Wanshan, as well as a middle-aged man carrying a bronze bottle gourd over his back were Convergence-tier as well. In fact, the man with the bronze bottle gourd was also vice-chieftain and equal in rank to Zhong Wanshan, although his ability was a class above Zhong Wanshan's.

The bronze bottle gourd was itself quite famous, since it was a Sword Cultivating Bottle Gourd and a superior-grade sage item.

On the other hand, the chieftain looked like your typical middle-aged Daoist.

Presiding at the main seat, his aura went as deep as the ocean, and his presence felt like a keen sword that could be unsheathed at any given moment—he would look normal if he did not unleash his own power, but if he did, he would cut through the skies itself.

Being a Sufferance elite who had weathered seven retributions, he was just a notch beneath the Taixu sect chieftain in cultivation. Even so, the stronger and the weaker would only be known after a duel, not to mention that the Ten Thousand Swords Sect assumed the path of sword cultivators, a class that was adept in attacking and killing in the first place, which meant it was not difficult for sword cultivators to kill individuals of equal rank.

"Zhong Yue!"

The Ten Thousand Swords Sect chieftain spoke then, and turned toward Zhong Yue, who was sitting at a corner of the great shrine. "Tell us what happened and remember not to spice it up. You shall be punished with ten years' worth of reflection in the Ten Thousand Swords Cave if you prove to be lying in any way."

Clearly, the chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect knew how important the matter at hand was.

Though the secluded immortal sects were powerful, the might Jiang He had displayed meant his future potential was inestimable. Moreover, the chieftain knew how prideful and self-important Zhong Yue was and if he was acting like that in their sect, it was only imaginable how he would behave when encountering a commoner cultivator.

If it really were Zhong Yue's fault, it was absolutely not worthwhile to have crossed a prodigy with the disposition of an elite.

Indeed, Zhong Yue could not help shuddering upon hearing the word Ten Thousand Swords Cave.

It was a forbidden ground of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and any who entered shall suffer the agony of ten thousand swords stabbing into their hearts. It was even possible that they would lose their mind at once if their Daoist heart proved lacking.

He quickly changed his phrasing and wording he had prepared beforehand so his story was closer to the truth. Even so, the real facts had left the many Elders of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect furious!

"An outrage!"

"This is an outrage!"

"Speaking while standing over him? A disciple of our Ten Thousand Swords Sect is offering him immortal cultivation! What is the problem with talking while standing above him?"

"That Jiang He brat is really belittling us! Chieftain, I am willing to go to the mortal realm and capture him."

"Yes!"

That was when Zhong Yue's tone then changed and he said, "Jiang He had learned sword array as well. If my eyes serve me right, it must have been the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array of our own sect."

"What?"

The shrine was once again left shaking as the many elders were stunned. In fact, even the chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect changed, and he asked with a frown, "Did you really see that?"

"True Habitant, I absolutely would not be mistaken."

Zhong Yue spoke with utter confidence, "I had cultivated the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array after reaching Yuan Spirit tier as well. Though I have yet to fully grasped it right now, I've seen my parents and our sect elders cast it more than once—I definitely wouldn't be mistaken."

The chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect turned silent at that, his expression turning somber.

It was only after a dozen seconds later that he stood up and somberly said, "Zhong Wanshan, you shall lead some among our ranks to the mortal realm tin three days and invite Jiang He here. The Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array is our secret technique that only our core hierarchy are permitted to cultivate, and even I, the chieftain, do not have the right to teach it to an outsider. How could a commoner cultivator be allowed to grasp it?"

Zhong Wanshan rose to his feet and accepted his orders, asking, "Chieftain, what if Jiang He is reluctant to come?"

"Have him cripple his Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array technique on the spot if he does not comply."

The chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect disappeared from the great shrine in a flash, although his voice continued resounding beside everyone's ears.

Beneath the great shrine, delight showed in Zhong Yue's eyes. Still, he soon remembered the scene when Jiang He released the Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses, after of which he promptly said, "Father, that Jiang He brat has learned another stronger sword array and he can unleash Convergence-tier combat ability even if he is a Yuan Spirit-novice. Perhaps several other Elders are needed to capture him."

Zhong Wanshan frowned.

Was that doubt toward his ability?

Nonetheless, he did not throw a fit immediately since it was his own son, and promptly turned toward the other Elders.

In response, the Third Elder, Sixth Elder and the Seventh Elder all stepped forth and said, "We're with you, Chieftain Zhong."

As a matter of fact, there were factions within the Ten Thousand Swords Sect too.

According to sect rules, once the chieftain weathered the Ninth Retribution and reached Mahayana, they would resign their post of chieftain and Supreme Venerable Elder. After that, the new chieftain would be picked among the two vice-chieftains.

The three elders who happened to come forward all belonged to Zhong Wanshan's faction and Seventh Elder was Zhong Yue's mother herself.

Of the remaining six elders, three of them belonged to the vice-cardinal who carried the bronze bottle gourd.

On the other hand, the other three elders and the Convergence-tier senior elder were all neutral.

Meanwhile, Jiang He had no idea at all that the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and the Penglai Immortal Sect were ready to attack him. Right then, he was sitting at a corner of his farm, munching on sunflower seeds and drinking Origin Fluid.

There was a golden field of rice ahead of him and Jiang He felt joy at the sight of the heavy grains dangling from the tip of the stalks.

"Is this the bliss of harvest?"

After having a sip of Origin Fluid to moisten his throat that was a little dry from munching sunflower seeds for a long time, Jiang He could not help barking out, "What the hell are you doing?! Seven brothers! Yes, you! Harvest the rice right now!"

[Ding!]

[1 Farm Point.]

[Ding…]

System Notifications jingled relentlessly in his head.

He had only managed to plant over a hundred catties of rice last time and harvested over 280,000 Farm Points in return. Now that he had planted several hundred catties, this harvest alone had earned Jiang He over a million Farm Points.

Instructing Dumbo, Trumbo, and the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers to harvest every last grain of rice, Jiang He then had Dumbo cast its earth-type powers to plough the land and Trumbo to water it with its water-type abilities before planting more rice.

"If we keep this up and plant every last grain of rice, this thousand over catties of rice would earn me three million Farm Points… one rice stalk is one Farm Point, so if there are over three million catties of rice, and one rice stalk ultimately produces one catty worth of Dragontooh Rice…"

Gasp!

Jiang He could not help inhaling sharply.

He… had actually harvested over three million catties of rice?

Even if Dumbo, Trumbo, the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers and his two golden eaglets were all accounted for, it would at least last them over a hundred years even if they ate over a hundred catties of rice every day, would it not?

Moreover, they also had wheat to plant and they certainly could not eat rice everyday…

Even both were served in the afternoon as plain rice and noodles in the evening, it would last them over 200 years!

"Actually, calculating it like this is incorrect, since I would occasionally forget about eating and perhaps only eat once after three to four days after my cultivation strengthens. That is why this 300 over catties of rice could last me 500 years."

Jiang He then turned to look at another corner.

The Jiang-Style Pellet Refinement, Jiang-Style Item Refinement, and array were ripe.

On the other hand, the sword that had speckles of rust which was delivered courtesy of Wang Hou… had just sprouted.

The sword tip had just breached ground, with an immortal radiance flowing around it.

Jiang He did a double take before sensing it closely, and could not help changing his expression. "Immortal light… immortal powers? Could this be Heavenly Master Xu's Mosquito Cutter, and an Immortal Weapon at that?"

Calming himself down, Jiang He could not help smiling as delight filled his face. "I really owe Old Wang big for this one if it really is an immortal item… from an elite's perspective, a real immortal item is priceless."

Jiang He stepped forward and plucked a jade scroll from one of the jade trees.

[Ding!]

[100,000 Farm Points.]

A System Notification jingled in his mind.

It was the Jiang-Style Pellet Refinement.

[Ding!]

[Would you spend a million Farm Points to cultivate Jiang-Style Pellet Refinement, Host?]

Jiang He did not grade his pellet refinement technique at all.

Such hassle was unnecessary anyway.

The pellet refinement is mainly a refinery method. Once mastered, he could refine any medicinal pellet with sufficient materials and the right pellet recipe.

"It's just a million Farm Points—spare change. Cultivate!"

[Ding!]

[-1 million Farm Points.]

[Congratulations, Host. You have mastered Jiang-Style Pellet Refinement.]

At the same instant that the System notification jingled in his mind, substantial information surged into his mind, and Jiang He gained an epiphany… He is a master pellet-refinist from this day forth, and one who innovated the discipline at that!

Of course, said innovation mainly refered to the shape of the pellet being refined….

"By the way…"

Jiang He suddenly remembered something then.

Don't other pellet-refinists use pellet cauldrons?

Screw me…

"I actually forgot about the cauldrons when I developed the pellet refining method… Wait, no… I'm using molds to shape my pellets, so doesn't that mean my molds are my cauldrons?"

Even as he thought, Jiang He plucked off the jade scroll from the next jade tree.

[Ding!]

[100,000 Farm Points.]

[Would you spend a million Farm Points to cultivate Jiang-Style Item Refinement, Host?]

"Cultivate!"

[Ding!]

[-1 million Farm Points.]

[Congratulations, Host. You have mastered Jiang-Style Item Refinement.]

Jiang He felt a humming sound in his head once again as voluminous information streamed inside his mind once more, and he muttered, "So, not only am I a master pellet-refinist, I'm a master item-refinist too?"

Well…

Weren't the refinement techniques for item-refinement and pellet-refinement a little too easily learned?

But why would those novels all describe masters of item-refinement and pellet-refinement being a super rare-breed, with some even unable to refine high-grade medicinal pellets after training in that discipline throughout their lives?

'What a coincidence. I was about to get pellet recipes from Elder Mu in two days after I head overseas. I could ask for some pellet materials as well and experiment with cooking some pellets,' Jiang He thought as he turned towards the third jade three.

It had a jade scroll dangling on its branches too.

[Ding!]

[100,000 Farm Points.]

Another System Notification jingled after he plucked the jade scroll, and he could not help scowling and cursing, "Damn it, isn't this System too shady? If each array costs five hundred thousand Farm Points to learn, wouldn't learning all four cost me two million Farm Points?"

Though he had thought that a million Farm Points was spare change just a while ago, how did it turn into four million in the blink of an eye?

"Learn!"

"Learn all four arrays!

Jiang He clenched his teeth, and more System Notifications jingled in his head—

[Ding!]

[-2 million Farm Points.]

[Congratulations, Host. You have mastered the Great Nine Heavens Array of Dragon Sealing (sealing array).]

[Congratulations, Host. You have mastered Nine Heavens Thunderflame Array (death array).]

[Congratulations, Host. You have mastered Earthen Black Tortoise Array (guard array).]

[Congratulations, Host. You have mastered Ten Thousand Phenomenon Array (illusory array).]

Jiang He could not help feeling amused as various profoundly mysterious knowledge about arrays streamed inside his mind.

With that, aside being from a master pellet-refinist and item-refinist… he was a master of arrays as well.

'I've grasped the three major paths for all cultivators now, and what's next is to create array flags and array boards, as well as to cast one protective array over my house in two days. I could also put up around ten arrays at the Stargate entrance, and I can sleep easy after that.'

'Hmmm…'

'I remember promising the Martial Arts Academy some crops. After I'm done harvesting my rice, I'll plant cucumbers and some other vegetables.'

'After that, I'll plant the array flag and array board, as well as get everything else done in two days. Then, I'll head overseas to help the Superpower Research Department catch some Ferals…' Jiang He thought to himself, stuffing his schedule full of arrangements over the next two days.

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Chapter 318: Napa Cabbages That Ease Swelling

Jiang He scrounged around every cabinet for half a day, but all he found was five packs of cucumber seeds and three packs of napa cabbage seeds.

"Aren't there seeds of other vegetables in my house?"

Jiang He was surprised.

It seems that his tastes had always been singular, only ever swapping between cucumbers, eggplants, and carrots. Though he had kept insisting on getting more vegetables to eat, something always cropped up every other day and he would never have the time to buy seeds for other vegetables.

Even the napa cabbage seeds were bought to make salted cabbages.

"Whatever. My farm has a high yield anyway, so these five packs of cucumber seeds and three packs of napa cabbage seed would be enough for thousands of students and teachers at the Martial Arts Academy."

Since each cucumber seed pack had a hundred seeds and each seed would produce ninety-nine cucumbers, each pack meant 9,900 cucumbers, making it a total of around 30,000 catties if each cucumber weighed three catties.

In other words, five packs of cucumber would yield over 150,000 catties of cucumbers, meaning that the teachers and students of the Martial Arts Academy would each receive several dozen catties each. Moreover, it would improve rank-one martial artists up to rank-two pinnacle, and most importantly, it would improve their spirit—something which might help the martial artists with above-average spirits awaken super powers.

As for the napa cabbage…

Since Jiang He had not planted that before, he would have to learn about the yield and effects only after planting it.

It was dawn right now, but Jiang He did not feel drowsy at all.

Calling out to Dumbo and having the dog plough the ground with its Earth-type powers, he sprinkle one whole pack of cucumber seeds.

There was no helping it since most of the farm was planted with rice, leaving not many empty spaces aside from little patches…

"And I've previously thought that nine Mu worth of ground is vast, but it doesn't seem enough now… guess I should level the farm after gathering this wave of Farm Points."

Since the Farm EXP had long since reached the upper limit, Jiang He could now view the farm ascension requirements.

[100 superior-grade spirit stones.]

[Two 1,000 catties portions of Feral Emperor flesh.]

[One Yuan Spirit Daemon Pellet.]

Jiang He could not help feeling stumped when he saw the farm ascension requirements…

Superior-grade spirit stones?

He understood that Orirocks were basically spirit stones albeit with a different name. Still, it was only certain that spirit stones would have different grades, with the most common grading being inferior, mediocre, superior, or premium.

"It seems that the Orirocks are an inferior grade of spirit stones. Still, this wouldn't be difficult since the various secluded immortal sects would have superior grade Orirocks, and I just have to buy it from them… Eh?"

An idea suddenly occurred to Jiang He just then.

As his farm leveled up, he would only earn fewer Farm Points if he kept planting Orirocks.

But what if he planted superior-grade Orirocks? Could he keep gathering Farm Points with pointing Orirocks?

That idea… was possible!

And even if superior-grade was not enough, he could plant premium-grade Orirocks.

"I could give that a try."

Jiang He appeared thoughtful, though his gaze fell upon the third ascension condition for his farm then—one Yuan Spirit Daemon Pellet. Chuckling to himself and shaking his head, he complained, "What are you doing, System? A Yuan Spirit daemon? Where am I supposed to find one?"

Jiang He had thought that Yuan Spirit daemons would be an easy kill for him.

With his present abilities, not even a full-fledged Yuan Spirit elite would survive his Twenty-Three Swords technique. As such, even Convergence cultivators would find that move techniques when Jiang He's Yuan Spirit further strengthened.

But the point here was where would he find a Yuan Spirit daemon?

Even that King Kong of Skull Island, the alleged strongest Feral on Earth, was probably just a Feral Emperor-pinnacle, was it not?

Moreover, if it had not trained in daemonic cultivation and relied solely on evolving, it probably would not have refined a Daemonic Pellet…

Or what, was Jiang He supposed to run inside the ancient daemon cultivators' territory and slay a Yuan Spirit daemon?

"Forget it. I'm in no hurry to level my farm right now since my objective at the moment is to gather Farm Points. When I have enough Farm Points and improve my abilities, I could pay a visit to the Secret Realm of an ancient daemon cultivator then."

Soon, the second batch of rice was ready for harvest.

After harvesting everything, Jiang He planted the remaining several hundred catties of rice, with the third batch being completely harvested around five in the morning.

He then took a look at his System Panel.

[Name: Jiang He]

[Cultivation: Immortal Path—intermediate Yuan Spirit; Martial Arts—divine-tier (divine union)]

[Ability: Royal Sword, fire]

[Martial Arts Cultivation: Indestructible Diamond (Mastery), Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms (Mastery), Strengthened Nine Yang Technique (Eighth Tier), Ninefold Thunderblade (Mastery), Dragon-Elephant Prajna (Mastery), Nine Heavenly Stars Body Formula (Third Tier), Three Thousand Calamities (Fourth Fold), Twenty-Three Swords (Mastery).]

[Arrays: Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array, Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses, Great Nine Heavens Array of Dragon Sealing, Nine Heavens Thunderflame Array, Earthen Black Tortoise Array, Ten Thousand Phenomenon Array.]

[Owned Land: 9 Mu]

[Farm Level: 5 (EXP 500000/500000)]

[System Backpack: 24 boxes]

[System Shop: Unlocked]

[Farm Points: 10,600,000]

Jiang He had managed to recoup the Farm Points he had spent on learning arrays, item refinement, and pellet refinement. The rice alone earned him over three million Farm Points, and with the sizeable income from planting the arrays, item refinement, and pellet refinement, Jiang He's Farm Points remained above ten million.

"Eh?"

"Where did my Summer Princess's Eight Practices go?"

Jiang He did a double take as he realized something in shock—the Summer Princess's Eight Practices was gone from his martial arts cultivation category.

"I've only muttered once that I wouldn't cultivate the Summer Princess's Eight Practices in the future, and you deleted it just like that, System?!"

Nonetheless, Jiang He tested himself. Since he had grasped the third-style of the Summer Princess's Eight Practices and could cast it, as well as its remaining cultivation techniques, he certainly could keep cultivating it, although it was simply not present at the [Martial Arts Cultivation] category.

That said, it was a good think.

Summer Princess's Eight Practices, Blind Fool's Groping Practices… its mere sight was annoying!

"For now, I'll plant all the napa cabbage seeds and the cucumber seeds, and start making the array boards and array flags come sunrise."

For a master of arrays like Jiang He, making array boards and array flags were exceedingly simple. After all, he had developed the technique to create those items back when he wrote his new arrays.

"I could plant one of those tiny flags to plant as array flags."

"As for array boards, it would take a trip to the kitchenware shop…"

Soon, sunrise arrived.

Every cucumber and napa cabbage had already grown, although Jiang He was a little speechless… the System did not even give him 1 Farm Point for the cucumbers.

Nonetheless, the 49,500 thick and huge cucumbers piled as high as mountains.

At the same time, the napa cabbages… were growing out of every corner in the farm.

But since Jiang He had planted it, it was just a little… big!

Each was half the height of an adult person, and they dyed the entire farm green.

Jiang He walked up and plucked one, but no System Notification jingled in his ear. It seems that like the cucumbers, they were too low-level to earn him Farm Points.

Fixing his gaze on the napa-cabbaged that weighed around sixty catties, a cluster of data popped up—

[Napa cabbage]

[Effect: Rich with calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, potassium, and other minerals. Clears body heat and toxins, eases irritability, swelling and fluid flow, as well as quenches thirst.]

[Warm Reminder: Women should use with caution.]

Jiang He was baffled.

This stuff looked just fine—why would women need to be cautious when eating it?

His eyes then reached the part about irrigating and easing swelling. As he realized what that meant with a start, he could not help laughing. "It seems that Mu Wanqiu's blessing has arrived. She kept saying that she is too large that it affects her in cultivation and battle. I could give her a call and send her one later to see how much this works."

Women should use with caution.

Therefore, he must be wary since there were quite a lot of girls and women at the Martial Arts Academy. If everyone's swelling was 'eased' after he send the napa cabbages over, they are definitely going to come for his head.

Jiang He promptly dialed Mu Wanqiu's number at that thought.

"Really?"

She exclaimed in delight, saying, "What a coincidence—Old Wu was asking me to go with her to your house. I'll be right there."

Jiang He pondered after hanging up.

While it was obvious what 'easing swelling' in 'easing swelling and fluid flow' meant, but what was the latter supposed to mean?

When combined with 'women should use with caution', however, a bold idea suddenly occurred to Jiang He!

If taken literally, easing fluid flow meant…

Damn it, System! You are so improper!

"Hmmm…"

"But since the System did not mention that men should use cautiously, doesn't that mean it wouldn't have adverse effects on men? Or should I have Cheng Dongfeng eat some to test it out?"

Report chapter

Chapter 319: Meeting Jiang He with Fellow Sages!

Nonetheless, Jiang He eventually gave up on the idea of using Cheng Dongfeng to test the effect of the napa cabbage.

The word was that the Cheng Dongfeng was the only scion left in the Cheng Clan of the Eight Trigrams style. That fellow had yet to marry even now, and wouldn't easing his swelling be cutting short the bloodline?

Regardless, Mu Wanqiu and Wu Yueru arrived at Jiang He's house around half past eight.

Mu Wanqiu's red off-road vehicle braked out of the blue just outside Jiang He's gaze as the woman herself jumped out of it, touching her own chest as she asked with a hopeful look, "Do you really have something to help me get smaller, Jiang He?"

"I'm not sure. That's why I was asking for you to try it," Jiang He answered earnestly.

Still, he was feeling in awe inside.

Women…

Ever troublesome. Being small was unacceptable, just as being too large was also unacceptable. Men, on the other hand would never have such troubles—Jiang He had never complained that he was too large.

Wu Yueru was sitting in Mu Wanqiu's car as well, and two large trucks arrived behind it.

As the trucks stopped, Jiang He instructed Dumbo, Trumbo, and the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers to start loading the cucumbers on the truck. With their fine cultivation, the cat, dog, and the seven brothers showed how fearsome they were as they carried the cucumbers, moving up to seventy of them at one go.

Moreover…

The reason they had carried that many cucumbers at once was not because they couldn't carry more, but because it was inconvenient.

"Good children!"

Wu Yueru's eyes lit up as her eyes swept past the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers. "Mister Jiang, did you adopt these seven children? I was watching as they carried so much stuff, but their pace remains swift and strong, their qi stable. They would make for fine young martial artists—why don't you try sending them to train at the Martial Arts Academy?

Jiang He smiled in return. "The Martial Arts Academy wouldn't be able to instruct them."

"Why not? They are just children around seven years old."

Wu Yueru appeared puzzled and looking at the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers, she could not help appearing taken aback and exclaiming in shock, "Why do they look the same?"

"They are septuplets. Of course they would look the same."

Jiang He answered simply—surely he could not tell her the truth, could he?

"No way!"

Wu Yueru halted the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers then, circling around them as she studied the seven rascals closely. Aside from wearing different colored dudou and bottle-gourd hair decorations, their looks were indeed identical, which left Wu Yueru beside herself with shock and muttering, "There wouldn't be a single set of septuplets born in a hundred years, and these septuplets that look identical would definitely be the only ones ever."

She then continued persuading Jiang He to let her bring the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers to the Martial Arts Academy, leaving him with a major headache…

Why would you have your eye out for these seven brats?

They would tear down the Martial Arts Academy if they go with you.

Just as Jiang He wondered if he should show his hand to Wu Yueru, a loud 'hetui' resounded by the gates. Then, a clear-blue blade light shot towards the distance, slicing apart over seven houses with a cracking echo.

Kaboom!

Buildings crumbled, kicking up dust and dirt everywhere.

Jiang He arrived outside in a flash, where he found Fourth Brother clutching a handful of cucumbers while looking guilty. Lowering his head as if afraid to look at Jiang He, he muttered quietly, "Gramps, I accidentally sneezed."

"Accidentally sneezed?"

Jiang He scowled. "The air blades you breath now could match a divine-tempest elite's full-powered strike. Won't you kill hundreds if you accidentally sneezed in the city?"

"Won't you seven brothers slaughter an entire city if you sneezed together?"

Fourth Brother kept his head lowered, afraid to say anything.

On the other hand, Jiang He sighed. "You boys are very powerful now. You must learn how to control your own strengths, so put in more practice after loading the cucumbers.

"I got it, Gramps."

Fourth Brother answered tamely.

"The rest of you. Put in more practice as well."

The other six brothers all complied.

Wu Yueru, who had followed Jiang He out there and was standing behind him, looked utterly astonished, her red lips parting slightly. Jiang He turned to her, assuming that she was stunned upon learning about Fourth Brother's power, and promptly smiled, "As you could see, Director Wu, these seven kids might be young, but they are all divine-tier martial artists. Moreover, the technique they cultivated is rather unique, making them ill-suited to be trained at the Martial Arts Academy."

Even so, Wu Yueru was not concerned about that.

As she regained her senses, she studied Jiang He from head to toes before exclaiming in surprise, "Mister Jiang… didn't the seven children call you gramps just now?"

Jiang He's expression turned dark and he became unwilling to speak further with Wu Yueru.

Noting his reluctance, Wu Queru did not press him, although she started to connect the dots on her own in her hand…

Jiang He had grandchildren?

Perhaps he was not as young as he looked and was actually a geezer?

It was very likely!

After all, with his level of ability, maintaining his good looks was not difficult, no matter if he was decades or centuries old!

As she returned to the yard, Wu Yueru pulled Mu Wanqiu aside and whispered, "Darling, I might have stumbled upon something ridiculous…"

The two women hence whispered away, casting exceedingly weird looks at Jiang He from time to time. Still, Jiang He was not bothered about it nor did he care to explain, and Sora had just finished cooking a plate of napa cabbage just then.

Calling Mu Wanqiu to him, Jiang He said, "Come, have a taste."

"Is that… napa cabbage?"

Mu Wanqiu was puzzled. She knows that Jiang He's eggplant had helped her get smaller and she had some before to great effect. Still, it was a shame that Jiang He had insisted that bigger was better-looking, and so, did no sell her more eggplants.

Though she appeared rather doubtful just then, her eyes lit up after she had a mouthful of cabbage, and she murmured, "It's quite delicious…"

With that, she started wolfing the cabbage down.

Jiang He, however, stopped her and said, "Slow down, Miss Mu. Don't come to me seeking compensation when you become as flat as an airport.

Stunned, Mu Wanqiu promptly suppressed her appetite and put down her chopsticks.

Meanwhile, Jiang He stared at her closely and watched for any change in size.

Nonetheless, five minutes after Mu Wanqiu finished the napa cabbage, Jiang He used her spirit to study Mu Wanqiu, thin clothes being no obstacle to his observation. Then, his eyes lit up and he exclaimed, "It works!"

That being said, it did not shrink by much even though it did become smaller.

Delighted, Mu Wanqiu kept eating albeit carefully, afraid that the part of her that had gotten larger after much difficulty would revert to its original flat state. It took her half an hour to adjust to her size, and with a look of surprise and delight, she jumped a few times on purpose while using her hands to hold them up, allowing them to bounce up and down before turning to Jiang He with a smug look, tilting her head upwards as if showing off.

Jiang He could not help laughing, "Please don't play with fire, Miss Mu. Be careful or you would burn yourself."

Mu Wanqiu promptly kept herself in check.

On the other hand, Jiang He mused to himself for a while before asking tentatively, "To tell the truth, Miss Mu, the napa cabbage that I grew actually eases swelling and fluid flow… while the 'easing swelling' effect had shown, I wonder what easing fluid low means…"

In response, Mu Wanqiu tapped her fingers on her cheeks and arm, before exclaiming in surprise, "My skin is really moister now…"

Moister skin?

So that was what easing fluid flow means?

Jiang He felt a little let down.

Mu Wanqiu seemed a little puzzled at his reaction and asked him about it, only for him to say, "It's fine. I just remembered something unhappy."

He headed outside, realizing that the hundred thousand-over catties of cucumbers were loaded on the truck, almost filling the trucks to the brim.

On the other hand, the napa cabbages were around twenty tons, though the most important part was that each cabbage is huge and takes up a lot of space. A single truck was therefore not enough to load everything and the trucks had to make the trip twice after delivering the cucumbers.

"These cucumbers and cabbages are all soul crops I had spent a lot of effort and spirit to grow. The cucumber detoxes while also strengthening qi, blood, and spirit, while the napa cabbage would ease swelling and fluid flow, as well as improve the physique and spirit of the average martial artist. These are a part of my sincerity, so share it with the teachers and students of the Martial Arts Academy."

Wu Yueru bowed in thanks, her impression towards Jiang He even more amble and profound now.

Jiang He chuckled and instructed, "By the way, try not to let the ladies have too much of those cabbages, or I'm afraid they would come for my head after they become flat."

The two women grinned in return.

Soon, after seeing off Wu Yueru and Mu Wanqiu, Jiang He returned inside his mansion, where Sora and Boa Hancock had prepared a breakfast of steamed buns, Dragontooth Rice porridge, and napa cabbage broth.

After breakfast, Jiang He drove to the city and bought a lot of little flags, and then bought every plate inside a kitchenware shop.

Around twelve, he returned home and started making array boards and array flags.

Soon, night was returning.

In his farm, Jiang He saw that the icon representing array boards and array flags had the number 10,000 behind it, after of which he nodded in pleasure.

"10,000 array boards and array flags would last me a long time."

Since it was still early, Jiang He decided to lay out his house-protecting array.

He certainly should not spare any expense even if it was only to protect his mansion. In fact, Jiang He used a thousand array boards and fifty thousand Orirocks to set up his array—then, as the Great Nine Heavens Array of Dragon Sealing, the Nine Heavens Thunderflame Array, the Earthen Black Tortoise Array, and the Ten Thousand Phenomenon Array materialized, Yuan Qi surged toward his direction from fifty kilometers around the house and the silhouette of a great array rose to the skies.

"Hide!"

Driving his mystic energies, Jiang He hid the four grand arrays. After that, he made several jade charms, sharing them between Dumbo, Trumbo, the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers as well as Sora and Boa Hancock.

"You won't trigger the array as long as you hold these jade charms, or seven Sufferance-tier cultivators would have to suffer."

Then, he looked up at the Stargate up in the skies.

"Forget it. The four arrays had drained every last bit of Yuan Qi within fifty kilometers. I'll set up another array on the Stargate later instead."

Returning inside his farm, he checked on the Mosquito Cutter.

"Isn't the Mosquito Cutter growing a little too slowly?"

"Whatever, I'll let it grow at its leisure. Either way, I'll be heading to the Superpower Research Department headquarters at Jingdu City early next morning before going overseas to help them catch some Feral Kings. Let's see if we could kill another Yuan Spirit daemon and claim a daemon pellet or whatnot as well…"

Meanwhile, above the vast oceans overseas, several figures abruptly appeared, steering sword light as they flew towards the Hua Nation.

They were four elites from the Penglai Sect and the True Habitant of Nine Dragons was among them. Of the other three, two were full-fledged Yuan Spirit elites and one was a Convergence-tier elite.

Streaking through the night, they flew within a lofty mountain range after crossing the Hua Nation borders.

Mystic radiance flickered there, before Zhong Wanshan, the vice-chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect laughed. "Fellow sages from the Penglai Sect… please, come in."

Zhong Wanshan led the True Habitant of Nine Dragons and the other Penglai Sect elites to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, preparing immortal food and desserts. After a brief meaningless chat, Jiang He's name came up, leaving Zhong Wanshan gritting his teeth in frustration.

He laughed coolly before saying, "Let's allow Jiang He roam freely as he wishes. Come tomorrow, we shall journey along with our fellow sages from the Penglai Sect and meet him."

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Chapter 320: A Mere Illusory Array Would Not Stop Me!

It was the eighth of November and it was not even eight o'clock yet, though the skies had already brightened and Jiang He woke up on his own.

To tell the truth, Jiang He was a little surprised himself.

His day and night had been reversed for a long time and he would usually sleep at around three to four in the morning, only waking up at twelve noon or in the afternoon. In fact, he did not wake up early the previous day, but he somehow woke up naturally this morning?

He headed downstairs after washing up.

Boa Hancock and Sora were already awake and had just cleaned up the house.

"Master, I'll prepare breakfast right now," Sora said cutely, putting on her apron and was about to head to kitchen when Jiang He stopped him with a smile. "It's too early in the morning and I don't have the appetite, so let's skip breakfast today. I'm heading overseas, so let's go together."

"Master, I want to go!"

"Gramps, we want to go!"

"Squawk-squawk…"

The two eaglets cried then, while Dumbo quickly translated, "Master, they are saying they want to go too."

"Yes, yes, everyone's going. Word has it that foreign Ferals are much stronger, so you guys could train up your actual battle experience." Jiang He smiled. "Now get inside the farm—I'll be carrying it along."

Around twenty past eight, Jiang He had packed up his farm, bringing everyone along as he prepared to depart.

Before he left, Jiang He sought Duan Tianhe out and informed him, "Chief Duan, I've put a few arrays outside my own house. It's very dangerous, so don't send anyone there if there's nothing urgent."

Duan Tianhe nodded solemnly.

He realized with a start…

It was no wonder why the Yuan Qi nearby had been raging last night—it seems that Jiang He had caused it when he laid out his arrays.

After Jiang He left, Duan Tianhe quickly called for an emergency meeting and sent word to have some people guard the entrance to Jinyintan Village for the long run, the goal being to prevent any average martial artists from running off into the village.

Meanwhile, Jiang He was with Wang Siyu.

He asked her about her cultivation progress and then took out dozens of initiation pellets, saying, "These pellets are the newest developed product of the Superpower Research Department. It initiates a person's orifices so that it accelerates cultivation progress and the strength of True Qi released."

"Have these bottles of Origin Fluid for now."

"And there's five catties of sunflower seeds here…"

Jiang He stuffed her a huge pile of stuff, which probably would improve Wang Siyu's spirit up to tier-nine. She would naturally ascend when her cultivation was sufficient and she could instantly ascend as a full-fledged rank-nine if he were to give her Sword Will Barrenwort once she reached rank-nine.

"By the way, keep this jade charm with you."

Lastly, Jiang He brought out another jade charm, saying, "There's a protective array at my house, but you could avoid triggering it with this. I have something to do and will be heading overseas—I'll be gone a week if things prove to be time-consuming, or three days if it isn't."

Wang Siyu accepted the jade charm, standing on tip-toes to give Jiang He a peck on the cheek before lowering her head and blushing.

"Be safe," she said shly.

Jiang He laughed out loud and patted Wang Siyu's head before taking to the skies and disappearing over the horizon.

He was Yuan Spirit-intermediate right now. With his divine mind shifting to buffing his body, he was flying at four times the speed of sound even though he had yet to release his full power, hence arriving at Jingdu City in a dozen minutes.

Once he arrived at Jingdu City, he went to Wang Hou first.

Wang Hou was cultivating in his training room, although strands of Daemonic Qi was still latching him and had even eaten into his spirit.

"Aren't the Amoxicillin Capsules and the Bezoar Detox Pills I gave you working?" Jiang He exclaimed in shock.

"They worked."

Wang Hou flashed a pained smile. "I would have had a hard time moving if it wasn't for the wonder medicine you sent me."

"Were you that seriously wounded?"

Jiang He asked with a frown. "What's going on?"

The divine-tier martial artist who had delivered the mutated rice and Mosquito Cutter did not mention that Wang Hou's injury was this serious… Of course, Wang Hou had kept quiet about his situation on purpose and did not tell the uninvolved.

Wang Hou then said, "I had spoken to the disciples of West Mountain's Wanshougong before heading there, and had an idea what happened—they had kept the Mosquito Cutter, a sword left behind by their ancestral master, beneath a huge tree, but that tree has now evolved into a floral spirit that could match rank-eight pinnacle martial artist."

"Nonetheless, I cut down the huge tree after arriving at Wanshougong and took out the Mosquito Cutter from under the tree… it was only then that I realized that the ancestral maser had kept the sword beneath the tree to suppress the daemon beneath the Eight-Sided Well!"

Jiang He's gaze twitched. Having more or less guessed the situation, he said, "It seems that Heavenly Master Xu did not slay that daemon back then, but instead kept it sealed beneath the Eight-Sided Well, after of which he laid some arrays to restrain it further. The huge tree and the Mosquito Cutter must have been the eyes of the array, so after you had cut down the tree and removed the Mosquito Cutter, it was equal to breaking the array, which was why the daemon beneath the Eight-Sided Well could injure you."

Guilt was written all over Wang Hou's face.

He said, "After that, I had tried to put the Mosquito Cutter and the huge tree where they had been, but it doesn't work now."

"Heavenly Master Xu lived over eighteen hundred years ago. The found of the array was basically crumbling after so long had passed—in fact, if you didn't cut down the tree or remove the Mosquito Cutter, the array would have faded on its own as time passed."

Jiang He then asked, "By the way, where's the daemon now, Minister Wang?"

"It's still inside the Eight-Sided Well."

Wang Hou said. "It promised me many boons if I helped it break the Eight-Sided Well, but I did not comply, which was why it had struck at me from the distance."

Gasp!

Jiang He inhaled sharply before crying out in surprise, "Striking at you from the distance… that means he won't be weaker than I am."

Wang Hou was dumbstruck.

Woah.

Studying Jiang He with wide eyes and left at a loss of words, he then quietly asked, "You could… maim me from afar now?"

"It depends on the distance. It's easy for me to maim or kill you with a single strike if you are within fifty kilometers, but it would be difficult if you were further away," Jiang He said, honest as ever and now telling the truth as he always did.

On the other hand, Wang Hou was left utterly bewildered, feeling that his martial artist's heart suffering a terrible blow just then.

Jiang He ignored him, and instead mused to himself for a while before saying, "That daemon would probably not be short of Convergence-tier since he could hurt you from beneath the Eight-Sided Well… but since it had been sealed for over a thousand years, it would probably be Mahayana-tier if it recovered its peak powers, surpassing even Sufferance-tier."

"Sufferance? Mahayana?"

Wang Hou did not know of such things, which was why Jiang He kept his patience and told him, "It's how I group cultivators. Right now, I'm Yuan Spirit, after of which comes Convergence, Sufferance, and finally Mahayana… after of which one ascends as an immortal."

Wang Hou's face dropped at that.

A daemon, closing in on immortality?

The world would be left in chaos if it gets loose.

Still, Jiang He was not concerned and smiled, "Don't worry, Minister Wang. It won't be able to break through the sealing of the Eight-Sided Well since it has yet to free itself. I'll head to Wasnshougong myself when I return from overseas and strengthen its seal with over a dozen other arrays. If we could delay its escape for a few years, it won't be stirring any waves even if it gets loose then."

"You have learned arrays too?"

"Of course. Being a cultivator, won't I become an absolute joke if I don't know arrays?"

After leaving Wang Hou, Jiang He went to the Superpower Research Department to look for Elder Mu, who was delighted once he heard that Jiang He would help him catch Feral Kings. "Don't worry, Mister Jiang," he said. "I'll put together a crew right away to start producing initiation pellets, and once you return with the Feral King and secured sufficient blood and essence, we would be able quickly produce a new batch."

Delight showed on Jiang He's face.

It was only with rewards that one would get motivated.

Hence, around ten, Jiang He left Jingdu City and headed straight for the oceans. He was not concerned with specific coordinates since the Earth was round anyway—all he had to do was keep flying around… or what, was he supposed to be afraid of getting lost with his current ability level?

He was not aware that just as he reached the skies above the vast oceans, a crowd of figures were streaking to the skies or riding clouds, descending upon Jinyintan Village.

The cultivators from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and the Penglai Sect had arrived.

"Father, Elders… Jiang He's house is just ahead!"

Zhong Yue stepped up then, saying, "Please wait here for a moment. I'll knock on his door!"

Glee was all over his face as he made his way towards Jiang He's house.

Were you not being so smug, Jiang He?

How dare you walk all over me before! I will teach you what's what on this very day!

Even as he walked, he was laughing haughtily, "Jiang He, come out… eh?"

His face dropped even before he could finish.

He had picked up on a mysterious sense of danger…

Nearby, Zhong Wanshan's face dropped and he promptly cried, "Yue'er, be careful…"

But it was too late.

Oom!

A radiance abruptly shone, shrouding Zhong Yue… and he vanished in the next instant.

"Array!"

The Fourth Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect—Zhong Wanshan's wife and Zhong Yue's mother—appeared very worried. She frowned even as she stared at the radiance that abruptly shone, exclaiming, "It's an array… Jiang He had actually set up an array over his own house!"

As a matter of fact, Zhong Wanshan's wife was very skilled at arrays. Though she was merely a full-fledged Yuan Spirit, no one barring the Supreme Venerable Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect would claim to be her superior when it comes to arrays.

Even as she watched her son fall inside the array, she did not panic, but instead, used her divine mind to study it before sneering, "Jiang He is truly arrogant. To think that he would set up an illusory array here… But a mere illusory array would not stop me. Gentlemen, please wait here for a moment as I tear down that array."

She hence stepped inside the array, brimming with confidence.

Soon, the veins of brighter radiance shone out of the array and a feminine cry echoed.

The cry slowly grew weaker until it eventually faded entirely. With his face dropping, Zhong Wanshan rushed towards the array with a whoosh…

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Chapter 321: Jiang He, Why Are You Here?

"Vice-chieftain Zhong!"

The two Ten Thousand Swords Sect elders, who had arrived alongside with Zhong Wanshan, appeared utterly stunned just then. They shouted at the array, but got no reaction in return!

Noting the pair's worried looks, the Convergence-tier cultivator of the Penglai Sect laughed. "No need to panic, elders. It's just an illusory sect—it would not inflict any injury. Moreover, the Fourth Elder of your sect is a specialist in arrays while vice-chieftain Zhong is powerful, so with their combined strength as husband and wife, it's simply a matter of time before the array is broken."

The man was the senior elder of the Penglai Sect, his sage title being Jade Hollow Child and was usually addressed as the Sage of Jade Hollow. Being Convergence-tier intermediate, he was quite powerful.

Only then did the two Ten Thousand Swords Sect elders relax.

They remained where they were as they looked ahead, watching as Jiang He's house was shrouded beneath the array's radiance. Still, everything inside the array itself was a blur and could not be seen, and likewise, there was no sign of Zhong Wanshan's family of three at all.

It was only after half an hour that the array suddenly shook. After that, Fourth Elder flew out, carrying an unconscious Zhong Yue with a gloomy look on her face.

Zhong Wanshan retreated out of the array a few minutes later too.

He appeared pale and was panting heavily. The look of shock on his face took a long time to fade before he cried out in surprise, "That illusory array was too powerful. My sage heart was actually affected—a specialist on arrays must have laid out that array."

Striding forward and reaching Zhong Yue, he could not help breathing a sigh of relief after doing a brief checkup. "Yue'er is mostly fine. His sage heart was merely strained a little by the illusions conjured and all he needs is some rest."

The many other elites flocked towards them, all of them asking about what had happened inside the array.

The Fourth Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, who is also Zhong Wanshan's wife, somberly said, "That illusory array is powerful and it invokes the demons in one's heart if they were to enter, thereby weaving a vivid dreamworld. Anyone whose sage heart is lacking would not be able to pull themselves out from the submersion."

"Are you sure you could crack the array?" Jade Hollow asked then.

Fourth Elder, however shook her head. "It would be very difficult. I was obstructed immensely even though I was only trying to escape it with Yue'er. I might have to study it for a while before I attempt cracking it again."

"However…"

Fourth Elder's tone changed as she added, "Since the array protects a residence, it definitely would not only be a single illusory array—I'm afraid there would be other arrays beneath the illusory array even if I were to break it."

"Then, what should we do?"

Everyone present appeared upset, with one of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect Elder seething, "That brat Jiang He must be captured alive. Both our immortal sects have come mobilizing most of our strength, but if word gets out that we failed to crack down his house's array, could we even show our faces anywhere else?"

Zhong Wanshan turned to give his wife a look and somberly said, "Just focus on cracking the array."

Then, taking out a jade charm and passing it to another Ten Thousand Swords Sect Elder, he instructed the Elder to return to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and inform the chieftain regarding the matter.

Nearby, Jade Hollow Child said, "Elder Nine Dragons, please return to your sect to ask for vice-chieftain Cloud Sky as well."

Having received his orders, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons returned posthaste.

The Fourth Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect appeared delighted at those words, saying, "Cloudy Sky Fairy Child is an expert in arrays and is much more accomplished in arrays than I am. Cracking this array would be easy with her around."

Just as the other Elder from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had put it, this matter now involved the reputation of two sects. Where indeed would they put their face if they could not crack the array?

Hence, one of the Elders started yelling at the array, demanding that Jiang He come out, while the Fourth Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect sat cross-legged and began feel around the array.

None of them were aware that Jiang He was not inside the array at all.

Jiang He was unaware about everything happening at his house.

Right now, he was bringing along his entire household and having a barbecue on an island in the middle of the ocean.

They were grilling a giant rank-nine Feral Fish which Trumbo had caught.

Though it was feline nature to fear water, Trumbo had awakened water-type powers, which was why it was no different from a fish after it entered water.

After the fish was more or less cooked, it was painted with aromatic oil and conditioned with chili powder and grill spices. As its fragrance spread, many marine Ferals were drawn toward them.

Jiang He tore a chunk of the fish and shared some with Sora and Boa Hancock. Then, he pointed at the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers and barked, "Only attack when there are more Ferals around us. Practice more and learn to control your powers as soon as possible!"

"Yes, Gramps!"

The Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers all answered, each of them chomping on a big chunk of fish they tore off, oil flowing all over their mouths.

Dumbo and Trumbo each had a huge chunk of fish as well, and were eating in sweet pleasure.

As for the two golden eaglets…

They had flown away for quite a while and were nowhere to be seen, probably off to play. Jiang He did not stop them since eagles were creatures destined to soar the skies and it was unpleasant for them to have to run laps around his farm every day.

After having his fill, Jiang He moved a sofa out from his mansion into the farm and lay back. Sora then massaged his eggs in front, while Boa did his shoulders from behind.

At the same time, the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers went to action. As waves of 'hetui', 'hetui' echoed, streaks of air blades shot into the water and the ocean was soon dyed red with blood, with untold number of Ferals soon floating up to the surface.

Most of the corpses were fishes, prawns, and crabs. Dumbo and Trumbo hence entered the water, each of them gathering some prawns and crabs, filling the Spatial Rings that Jiang He had given them.

That was when sonorous eagle cries resounded—both golden eaglets were circling up in the skies before descending.

The two little chicks were growing at an astonishing rate. Having reached rank-nine pinnacle and cultivated Sky Daemon Invincibility, they were not far from condensing their pellets.

Meanwhile, still on the sofa, Jiang He whipped out his satellite phone to check his present location.

"We are around 400 kilometers away from the Hua Nation coastline. We should be at the area between the Eastern Sea and the Yellow Sea… if we go further ahead…'

Jiang He shook his head and looked east.

Further ahead was the Pacific Ocean. Moreover, this place was not far away from the island nation, was it?

And once he remembered the island nation, Jiang He could not help recalling the Nine-Headed Serpent Emperor which lived in the Pacific Ocean and topped the ranking of Feral Serpents.

"Oh yes!"

"Didn't old Lin Tianzheng fight against the Nine-Headed Serpent Emperor on one of the islands of that island nation?"

"The entire island sank as a result and he found the Penglai Sect…'

Jiang He appeared thoughtful. Would he reach the domain of the Penglai Sect if he kept going forward?

That was when…

Whoosh!

A figure was rapidly flying past from the horizon.

As Jiang He's divine mind swept out, he exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that the True Habitant of Nine Dragons from the Penglai Sect? Where is he flying to in such a hurry?'

He had wanted to communicate through divine mind and call out, 'Hold up, fellow sage.' However, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons had already flown out of the range of his divine mind, and so, he had to give up.

Taking out several spirit condensation pellets, Jiang He refined and strengthened his Yuan Spirit before breathing a long sigh. "Forget it, I won't visit the Penglai Sect for now since things had been a little unpleasant before. If I visited them without an invitation, won't I lose face if they wouldn't see me?"

Moreover, the scenery on the isle was quite fine.

Hence, Jiang He continued relaxing with his two maids, cat, dog, two golden eaglets, and the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers on the isle, while also looking around for stuff like mutated plants.

But even before one hour had passed…

Whoosh!

Two flashes streaked through the skies just then.

Extending his divine mind again, he realized that aside from the True Habitant of Nine Dragons, there was now a female cultivator with an icy aura and stunning looks. She was quite powerful, her cultivation having reached Convergence-intermediate, and she could not help frowning and pausing when Jiang He's divine mind reached her. Looking down at the area beneath her, she spoke crisply, "Fellow sage without a face, please do come out to meet us."

At the same time, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons turned toward the female cultivator in surprise and asked, "What is it, Cloudy Sky chieftain?"

"Someone with divine mind on that isle was watching us," Cloudy Sky replied flatly.

On the isle beneath her, Jiang He chuckled begrudgingly.

Though it was awkward to cross paths with people from the Penglai Sect since various things had happened, how could he keep hiding since the other had spoken?

As such, he laughed out loud as he took to the skies with a smile. "True Habitant of Nine Dragons, Fairy Child… I've inadvertently obstructed your urgent journey, so really sorry about that."

True Habitant of Nine Dragons was dumbstruck.

His eyes were bulging as if he had seen a ghost. Staring at Jiang He, he could not help exclaiming, "Jiang He, why are you here?"

What the hell?

What the hell?!

Jiang He?

Why the hell was he here?

Jiang He was absolutely confused… what was the True Habitant of Nine Dragons talking about?

What do you mean by asking why I am here?

This is the vast, infinite ocean and it does not belong to your Penglai Sect. Why would you care?

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Chapter 322: Heavenly Bolt And Earthen Fire!

Beside the True Habitant of Nine Dragons, the Cloudy Sky Fairy Child appeared stunned too.

Jiang He?

Though she had not met him before, she knew who he was.

After all, she left the sect now because the True Habitant of Nine Dragons asked her to head to Jiang He's house to break his array.

However, the others had been throwing a tantrum for half a day only for the man himself to be away from home… so what on earth were the Jade Hollow Child, Zhong Wanshan, and the others even doing?

As those thoughts crossed the minds of the Cloudy Sky Fairy Child and the True Habitant of Nine Dragons, Jiang He smiled. "If there's nothing else, may I go back down?"

He turned to leave, but the True Habitant of Nine Dragons barked, "Stop!"

"Hmmm?"

Jiang He paused and turned toward the True Habitant of Nine Dragons, frowning. "What is it?"

"Did you think you could escape with my chieftain here, Jiang He?"

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons sneered, his full-fledged Yuan Spirit aura bursting while his dark-cloud shaped mystic treasure arose. Beside him, Cloudy Sky had taken one graceful step forward and said coolly, "Jiang He, you captured Nine Dragons and insulted my sect. Aren't you going to make amends?"

Jiang He appeared taken aback before laughing out loud, seemingly not sensing the True Habitant of Nine Dragons's oppressive aura at all.

His eyes fixed on Cloudy Sky, he calmy said, "A mere full-fledged Yuan Spirit like the True Habitant of Nine Dragons had the guts to show off in my face. It is only reasonable that I put it down. As for insulting your sect…"

Pausing, Jiang He then chuckled coldly and said, "It's your just desserts!"

"You're really seeking death!"

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons roared in rage.

He opened his mouth and breathed a gust of mystic energy into his own mystic treasure. The black cloud hence expanded rapidly, streaking toward Jiang He and attempting to blanket him.

On the other hand, both the Scarlet Flame Sword and the Autumn Water Sword flew out at Jiang He's thought, and the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array then promptly slashed out, tearing the black cloud apart. Then, it burst out with another Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array and shot toward the True Habitant of Nine Dragons.

Sent flying and coughing blood from that blow, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons' face fell and he could not hold back from exclaiming, "No way! How could that strike of yours be that powerful?"

He had fought Jiang He before and Jiang He's Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array could not do a thing against him at all then. It took the other stronger sword array to suppress him, but somehow the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array that Jiang He had unleashed now could actually overwhelm a full-fledged Yuan Spirit like him.

Laughing out loud, Jiang He charged his Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array and bounded toward the True Habitant of Nine Dragons with utter arrogance, exclaiming, "I was merely a Yuan Spirit novice then. But now that I'm Yuan Spirit-intermediate, of course my abilities would improve drastically!"

Clang!

However, his strike was parried by a flying sword released by the Cloudy Sky Fairy Child.

"Convergence-intermediate?"

Jiang He, remaining fearless, burst out with his Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses and charged toward Cloudy Sky.

Divine mists arose around Cloudy Sky then, and she used an unknown move to block the Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses.

"I'm still too weak…"

Jiang He sighed inwardly with a look of utter helplessness.

Since he was merely Yuan Spirit-intermediate, he could not win against a Convergence-intermediate elite even with the Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses. Moreover, they were too close to the isle below, and should the shockwave from their fight extend, his maid and pets might be hurt.

As such, Jiang He promptly threw out a Doom Shroom.

Would the True Habitant of Nine Dragons or the Cloudy Sky Fairy Child have seen one before?

The latter whipped out a long ribbon cloth that curled around the Doom Shroom and shattered it. All at once, a mushroom cloud of sparks erupted along with a resounding rumble—would there even be a trace of Jiang He left after the shockwave from the blast faded?

Over the horizon, Cloudy Sky appeared a little worn. Though her clothes appeared fine, she had actually used an inferior-grade sage item to protect herself from actually damage.

On the other hand, the True Habitant of Nine Dragons had suffered in comparison!

Without a sage item, his aura withered as the Doom Shroom left him coughing blood without end.

"Damn it!"

Blargh!

He cursed softly, pitting a mouthful of black blood and seething. "What was that? Such a terrible force… it could match a full-power blow from an average Convergence-tier elite!"

"A sage charm, perhaps."

There was a fearsome flash in the Cloudy Sky Fairy Child's eyes as she growled, "Let us return. That brat is far more troublesome than I'd imagined—there would be endless problems if we don't eliminate him soon."

A grudge was hence set between Jiang He and the Penglai Sect with no possibility of return.

With that being the case, they would never allow Jiang He to continue developing.

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons and the Cloudy Sky Fairy Child hence returned to the Penglai Sect.

But unbeknownst to them, in the ocean over their backs, a tiny particle flowing along the waves was following them from afar.

After the True Habitant of Nine Dragons and the Cloudy Sky Fairy Child had returned beneath the mountain-guarding array of their own sect, Jiang He appeared on the ocean's surface in a flash. Scooping up the tiny particle, he stared at the direction from which the True Habitant of Nine Dragons and the Cloudy Sky Fairy Child had disappeared, a dark look showing upon his face.

"The Penglai Sect?"

"Hehe…"

It was only after a long while that Jiang He chuckled coolly.

He never once had a good impression toward those secluded immortal sects. It had especially worsened following the Sky Demons' invasion, after he heard how Lin Tianzheng had knelt and pleaded the Penglai Sect and Wang Hou had begged the Taixu Sect of Mount Kunlun to offer assistance.

In fact, calling his feeling 'disgust' would not be an exaggeration.

Still, Jiang He would not have bothered himself with them if those secluded immortal sects did not provoke him and kept their act together when they leave their hiding place. But now that they had insulted him, Jiang He would not be Jiang He if he did not repay the favor.

"Still, I'm still lacking in ability."

"There must be Mahayana-tier antiques among the sects. It would be impossible for myself to overwhelm them with my own power… for now, at least."

Inhaling deeply, Jiang He took out a spirit condensation pellet and began cultivating.

Unwittingly, his Yuan Spirit rapidly grew.

Jiang He flew further into the oceans in a flash after that. He had put Dumbo, Trumbo, and the others in his farm already—he has no mood for games at all now that the immortal sects' threat loomed like a dark cloud over his head.

Meanwhile, back at the Lingzhou City Martial Arts Department (MAD) at the Hua Nation, Duan Tianhe, Cheng Dongfeng, Pei Donglai, and Three Blades Lin were gathered at Duan Tianhe's office.

They were drinking tea and looking through the window at Jiang He's house from afar, as veins of mystic radiance flowed up in the air beautifully.

"Tut, tut."

"Isn't that Jiang He a little too much?"

"I say, did the kid start cultivating in his mother's womb?" Three Blades Lin said, clicking his tongue in wonder. "Isn't he just twenty-four… or was it twenty-five? Despite his youth, his martial arts cultivation is equal to my own, even ascending to Yuan Spirit as a cultivator. And now, he could lay out arrays too?"

Pei Donglai, who had always been a person of few words, could not bear listening to him just then and shot back with a question. "Brother, are you sure you are equals in martial cultivation? According to what I know, Jiang He is so impressive in martial cultivation that he could kill the Black King Drake at rank-eight, as well as the Violet-Crowned Golden Eagle and Golden-Crowned Black Eagle at rank-nine. He could fight the old man with his martial cultivation alone since he is divine-union now, and you have just reached divine-union yourself…"

Three Blades Lin cleared his throat and chuckled, "Why so serious, Brother? I was just exaggerating a little."

Beside them, Cheng Dongfeng, Duan Tianhe, Chen Jingzhou, and the others laughed quietly.

Cheng Dongfeng, who was especially laughing non-stop, suddenly glared and cried out, "Look, there's thunder over Jiang He's house…"

Everyone promptly turned in the same direction only to find thunderbolts cracking above Jiang He's house, with some actually striking ground and igniting flames upon it. Even from dozens of kilometers away, one could feel the terrific power the scarlet flames embodied.

"Is that an array too?"

Everyone traded glances, with Three Blades Lin almost leaving in a flash to see what was happening. Even so, he was stopped by Pei Donglai, who said, "Don't go, Brother. Jiang He had already said that it's merely an experimental array. If you go recklessly, you could get hurt, not to mention that you could affect his experiment."

Three Blades Lin nodded, and turned towards the heavenly bolts and earthen fire with a pensive look.

An experimental array?

But wasn't the power of that array utterly fearsome?

Even from so far away, he had the feeling that two of those heavenly bolts could blow him into smithereens.

Nonetheless, around two minutes later, the heavenly bolts and earthen fire was gone.

Three Blades Lin smiled. "You're right, Brother. It should be Jiang He testing his array."

Meanwhile, a thousand meters outside Jiang He's house, Zhong Wanshan's eyes were completely red as he cried, "Lin'er…"

"Mother!"

Beside him, Zhong Yue, who had just regained consciousness, was also crying out in heartbreak.

The Fourth Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, who was both a wife and a mother…

She had studied the array and proclaimed that she had a solution to crack the illusory array. That was why she had entered the array, although the Nine Heavens Thunderflame erupted after she had cracked it.

Being merely a full-fledged Yuan Spirit, she was instantly engulfed in heavenly bolts and earthen fire.

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Chapter 323: Jiang He Must Die!

Zhong Wanshan's wife's name is Yue Lin.

Indeed, Zhong Yue's very name was taken from his mother's surname.

She was a full-fledged Yuan Spirit and the Fourth Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. Being Zhong Wanshan's childhood friend, they were a match made in heaven and the envy of untold number of people.

But right now, she was engulfed in heavenly bolts and earthen flames.

Zhong Wanshan, eyes red and hysterical, was about to rush inside the array without regard for anything else. The other two Elders of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had to quickly rush ahead to stop him, exclaiming, "Vice-chieftain Zhong, you mustn't!'

"The interior of the array is too dangerous! You can't risk it!"

"Make way!"

Zhong Wanshan growled. "How could I not try to save Lin'er when she's inside?"

Be that as it may, Zhong Wanshan calmed down clearly then, as the heavenly bolts and earthen flames had cleared. Even so, the interior of the array was an utter blur, with no hope of gaining a clear view of whatever was inside, let alone confirming Yue Lin's condition.

Zhong Wanshan turned toward Jade Hollow Child then and asked, "True Habitant of Jade Hollow, why hasn't Cloudy Sky Fairy Child arrived yet?"

Jade Hollow Child flashed a pained smile and said, "I don't know. Perhaps they were delayed in their journey."

Despite what he said, Jade Hollow Child was a little speechless.

What the heck was the True Habitant of Nine Dragons playing yet?

How long has it been?

With his speed, True Habitant of Nine Dragons should have returned an hour ago.

"You don't know?"

"Delayed on their journey?"

A flame of fury ignited within Zhong Wanshan then and he sneered. "Isn't the Penglai Sect just trying to take advantage of the situation?"

After all, how could Zhong Wanshan not be furious?

The Ten Thousand Swords Sect was not alone in wanting to capture Jiang He, since the Penglai Sect was going all-out as well, sending three of their Elders. Even so, the Penglai Sect merely watched without contributing—Zhong Wanshan's own family of three had entered the array in their first attempt to crack the array, only to end up with their son's heart strained and his Yuan Spirit wounded.

And now, when they mounted a second attempt, Zhong Wanshan's wife was captured within the array, her fate unknown.

On the other hand, while the Penglai Sect had supposedly sent for someone accomplished at cracking arrays ended up nowhere to be seen.

The True Habitant of Jade Hollow frowned and turned towards the array, saying, "Now is not the time for this, Vice-chieftain Zhong. Let's work together and enter the ray—anything else could wait until after Elder Yue is rescued."

"Fine!"

Zhong Wanshan nodded, while sneaking a message to Zhong Yue through acoustics, saying, "Don't be reckless. If I'm caught within the array as well, return to the sect immediately and request help from the chieftain."

Zhong Yue complied hoarsely.

With that, the two Convergence-tier cultivators present entered the array, triggering the Ten Thousand Phenomenon Array instantly the moment they entered. The array's radiance surrounded them immediately, with Zhong Wanshan's whole body shuddering.

He then looked ahead and bellowed in rage, "Lin'er…"

All he saw was his wife's corpse, lying on the ground, her entire body charred and almost reduced to ashes by the heavenly bolts and earthen flames.

He lunged forward and held her up.

And yet, Jade Hollow Child cried out just then, "Be careful, Vice-chieftain Zhong… the illusory array is not yet broken!"

Jade Hollow Child himself saw nothing on the ground up front.

But even before he finished, the sight before him rapidly altered into a rundown village. Children were playing at the edge, while a woman wearing hemp garments walked up to him and firmly pulled him by the ear, scolding sharply, "Brat! Don't you ever listen to me? Are you trying to kill yourself, going to fish under the river?"

"There are river daemons beneath the water. Aren't you afraid they would eat you?"

"Mother?"

Jade Hollow Child's whole body shuddered as mist swirled in his eyes.

He knew very well that everything he saw was conjurations by the illusory array. Even so, he was possessed, unable to pull himself out.

Outside, one joss stick burned out.

Then, two joss sticks burned out.

Soon…

Two hours had passed.

Seeing that neither Zhong Wanshan nor Jade Hollow Child were coming out, Zhong Yue's eyes went red. Casting another look at the array, he promptly took to the skies and disappeared over the horizon.

The two Elders from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect traded glances, with one of them saying, "Keep an eye on this place. I'll return to our sect and ask our chieftain for help."

With that, the other Elder from the Penglai Sect took to the skies as well, and instantly disappeared over the horizon.

He flew as quick as lightning all the way out of the Hua Nation, crossing the vast seas before returning to the Penglai Sect. That was where he found the Penglai Sect chieftain, Vice-chieftain Cloudy Sky, Elder Nine Dragons, and the many other Elders gathered together in a meeting.

"Fifth Elder!"

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons felt his heart skip a beat when he saw Fifth Elder, his expression shifting. Even so, he spoked first, "What's the situation, Fifth Elder? Vice-chieftain Cloudy Sky and myself ran into a little problem on the way back to the Hua Nation."

He then told Jiang He about meeting Jiang He. In response, the rather indignant and upset Fifth Elder had a colorful look on his face as he froze and muttered dumbly, "You mean… Jiang He was not at home?"

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons nodded.

Then, the Fifth Elder asked, "So, the array at Jiang He's house is unmanned?"

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons nodded again.

"So… does he know that someone is trying to crack his array?"

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons thought about it, before shaking his head and say, "Probably not."

"Haha!"

Fifth Elder suddenly started laughing over a dozen seconds before stopping. Gritting his teeth, he exclaimed, "Wonderful! To think that a commoner cultivator like Jiang He himself could have the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect running in circles!"

Once he remembered that Jiang He was not at home, while he and a bunch of other cultivators were standing outside it for most of the day, not to mention that both Jade Hollow Child and Zhong Wanshan had been captured by the array, and the fate of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's Fourth Elder was unknown…

Would their sects have any sort of respect left if news of that were to spread?

Even the Penglai Sect chieftain was glowering right then. Turning toward Cloudy Sky, he said, "Go forth at once, Cloudy Sky. Crack that array and retrieve Jade Hollow Child!"

"Moreover, that brat Jiang He must be eliminated!"

"If he is taken out, would the Penglai Sect still have any dignity left among other cultivator sects?"

"Nine Dragons, visit the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and inform them that Jiang He is overseas."

Hence, The True Habitant of Nine Dragons and the Cloudy Sky Fairy Child moved out once more and flew into the Hua Nation, after of which they parted ways: The True Habitant of Nine Dragons would head alone to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect while the Cloudy Sky Fairy Child headed to Jiang He's house to crack the array.

On that very night, several veins of Sword Qi streaked through the night sky from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. It was the vice-chieftain who shouldered a bronze bottle gourd, who left through the mountain archway as he flew overseas.

Likewise, several veins of immortal radiances shot out of the Penglai Sect, and began to search for any trace of Jiang He in the boundless ocean.

Meanwhile, at Jinyintan Village, Cloudy Sky Fairy Child dropped out of the array with a ragged body and coughed out a mouthful of fresh blood.

She was carrying out a corpse, too.

From its appearance, one could more or less see that the corpse was female, and clearly belonged to the Fourth Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

Zhong Yue was there and back again by then, and promptly bounded towards them at the sight. After wailing hysterically several times, his tone suddenly changed as killing intent surged over his body. "Jiang He, I will never rest until I kill you!"

He then turned toward Cloudy Sky, kneeling as he begged, "Cloudy Sky Fairy Child, I beg you, save my father—he is still inside the array with your Penglai Sect brother, the True Habitant of Jade Hollow."

Nonetheless, Cloudy Sky Fairy Child shook her head. Turning towards the nearby array with a troubled gaze, she then said, "I can't crack that array."

"Eh?"

Zhong Yue became flustered. "No way! Cloudy Sky Fairy Child, you are famed for arrays among cultivators, and my mother has often mentioned that your accomplishment would not fall short in comparison to the Taixu Sect's chieftain. Jiang He is merely a commoner cultivator who has gained providence through some dumb luck… how could you fail to crack his array, Fairy Child?"

"Are you doubting me?"

Cloudy Sky shot Zhong Yue a cold glare, before turning to an immortal radiance and disappearing into the night.

She returned to the Penglai Sect just over an hour later, sought out her chieftain and said, "There might be someone powerful backing Jiang He, Chieftain. Gaining such cultivation at his youth is already astonishing, and he would certainly be the reincarnation of an immortal if he really was the one who put that array in place."

"Oh?

"What do you mean?"

"Jiang He is not the one who has set that array in place. I've seen it—there are probably three more layers in that arrays at his house: an illusory array, a death array and a guard array. Not even our mountain-guarding array is a match for it."

The Penglai Sect chieftain turned quiet at that.

There must be someone powerful backing Jiang He…

He had actually expected that, but while his Penglai Sect was a first-rate immortal sect in ancient times, they had yet to gain their previous prosperity.

Moreover, it was not as if there were no elites in their sect. Would they really have anything to worry about unless the one backing Jiang He was not an immortal?

Meanwhile, at the Atlantic Ocean, a towering wave suddenly kicked up over the surface of the calm sea. Jiang He was riding atop a five-hundred-meter serpent, and punching the creature repeatedly with his sandbag-sized fists.

"Do you yield?"

"Are you going to listen?"

"Eh?"

"It's dead?"

Jiang He could not help but shake his head and chuckle bitterly as the Feral King serpent beneath him stopped moving, even feeling a little self-doubt…

Did his physical beast-taming method even work?

This was already the third one…

Though there were a lot of Feral Kings in the ocean, their numbers were still limited. If this continued, Jiang He expect that he would push all marine Feral Kings to the brink of extinction.

"It shouldn't be the physical beast-taming method since I've effectively used it on the black panther before. The fact that it has become really obedient is definite proof…"

Jiang He pondered.

If the physical beast-taming method was not the problem, the Feral Kings in the oceans must be the problem.

There was a twinkle in his eyes then.

With a turn of his hand, he took out a jade charm which was flashing at the moment. Jiang He studied it by releasing a vein of his divine mind and was left a little surprised…

This jade charm that Elder Mo had given him could transmit both image and audio?

A luster shone upon the jade charm then and it took Elder Mo's appearance, who whispered, "Things aren't looking good, Jiang He. I have just received word that the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect are working together to bring you down…"

With that, Elder Mo told him a brief summary of what he knew about the present situation.

Jiang He did a double take, but soon become furious, "You mean to say that the small fry from the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect are wreaking havoc at my house while I'm not at home?"

Elder Mo was dumbstruck.

Wreaking havoc at your house?

Isn't there something wrong with your phrasing?

Regardless, Elder Mo quietly said, "I don't know if they are wreaking havoc at your house, but I do know that the Fourth Elder at the Ten Thousand Swords Sect died at your house's array."

"Meanwhile, Zhong Wanshan, vice-chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, as well as True Habitant of Jade Hollow, who is the Senior Elder of the Penglai Sect, are now still caught within the array, not to mention that the vice-chieftain of the Penglai Sect, Cloudy Sky Fairy Child, have failed to crack your array and withdrew."

"Right now, both chieftains of the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect are asking my chieftain for help, hoping that he would help crack the array.

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Chapter 324: Planting Paper Talismans!

"Those bullies! The Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect are too much!"

Anger filled every inch of Jiang He's face.

They had actually run to his house to mess around when he was not home?

Do they even regard me, Jiang He, as an actual person?

Nonetheless, much of Jiang He's frustration was eased after several curses. Then, Jiang He remembered what the True Habitant of Nine Dragons said when Jiang He ran into him as well as Cloudy Sky Fairy Child… and realized with a start.

The True Habitant of Nine Dragons had already been to his house then, did he not?

After that, he returned in failure to his sect and asked for Cloudy Sky Fairy Child because he failed to crack the array?

"Hold on… Cloudy Sky can't crack the array that I'd put up on a whim?"

Still, a thought occurred to Jiang He then, and he asked, "Elder Mo, did you say that the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had asked the chieftain of the Taixu Sect to crack my array?"

"That's right."

Elder Mo confirmed it, and added with vindication, "However, the chieftain did not agree to it. Why would the Taixu Sect do this given our friendship with you, Jiang He?"

"No, the chieftain should go!"

Jiang He laughed instead. "Elder Mo, could you please pass my word to your chieftain? He must go to crack the array, and it would not matter even if they crack the array since I'm not at home."

"Eh?"

The image of Elder Mo conjured out of mystic energies appeared entirely baffled, and he murmured in confusion, "Jiang He, you're…"

You've laid out the array and then asked someone else to crack the array… are you wrong in the head?

Jiang He smiled. "To tell the truth, Elder Mo, I've only learned arrays recently, so I have no idea at all about how strong or the limits of the arrays I put up are. If your Taixu Sect would go crack it, you could help me uncovered the strength of my array."

"Eh?"

That was when Jiang He's eyes lit up as he turned toward the distant surface of the ocean. Waves were suddenly kicking up over the tranquil seas as if something was streaking through the tides, and Jiang He promptly said, "Alright, Elder Mo. Let's talk later."

When he finished, he put away the jade charm and his divine mind extended to observe the behemoth crashing through the waves.

It was a colossal serpent that was more than a thousand meters in length. Its thick, gigantic head was just like a small hill covered in streaks of flowery patterns. Its body also exuded a frightening aura and it moved at three times the speed of sound even though it was slithering in the water, with every other marine creature avoiding it where it passed.

"Titanoboa?"

Jiang He recognized the snake.

It was the Titanoboa, which was in the list of most powerful serpent-type Ferals, and was said to be the largest Feral on Earth as well as an ancient mutated species. And now… it seemed quite true.

Boom!

A pillar of water shot up to the skies from under the ocean all of a sudden.

The Titanoboa's thousand-meter long then extended out from the water. Though only a fifth of its body poked out, it was still just over two hundred meters long.

Its eyes, glimmering in pale-blue radiance glared coldly at Jiang He from a handful of kilometers away and it growled in human speech, "You dare slaughter my descendant, human?"

"Your descendant?"

The water python that he had killed just now was a descendant of the Titanoboa?

Still, his eyes lit up after a brief surprise.

The water python was so headstrong and would rather die than yield. Still, since the Titanoboa was a Feral Emperor and more intelligent, it would weigh the pros and cons, would it not?

Even if the Titanoboa was another headstrong snake, it would be more, would it not?

With this, he could attempt his physical beast taming technique multiple times.

"Human!"

The Titanoboa roared again when Jiang He said nothing.

At its fury, the seas churned over a dozen kilometers, with a tidal wave reaching a hundred feet high surging towards Jiang He. Laughing, Jiang He parted the wave with a single punch and was just about to attack when a sword radiance shot toward the Titanoboa's hill-sized head from the distance, slashing down upon it with a 'snikt' sound.

Boom!

The waves that were kicked up all crashed down.

The Titanoboa's massive head also slow slipped off its neck and slammed into the water.

In the distance, a middle-aged man arrived, standing atop a gleaming sword.

"Is that someone from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect?"

Jiang He's eyes narrowed.

He could see that the middle-aged man had already took out a paper talisman as he flew towards him, clearly sending a message.

'Oh, no!'

'According to Elder Mo, the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect have sent many of their elites to bother me. And now, that man has already sent a message, and soon a lot of elites would surround me, and I would be outnumbered… Not to mention that nothing good would come if I end up captured by one of those two sects!'

Jiang He's thoughts were passing through rapidly in his head.

Now that things had come to his, he would have to end the fight quickly, and…

Run away!

"Jiang He!"

The man from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect possessed an overwhelming aura and barked from the distance, "Surrender, and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect would show you mercy."

Jiang He, on the other hand, was standing up in the air while the ocean's waves churned beneath his feet. With a wave of his hand, mystic energies gusted as he retrieved the corpse of the Titanoboa before he turned toward the Ten Thousand Swords Sect man in the distance.

A full-fledged Yuan Spirit.

His aura was strong, though somewhat fell short compared to the True Habitant of Nine Dragons.

Still, he was a sword cultivator, and from how the sword under his feet was burning in scarlet radiance, it must be a fire-type premium grade soul weapon. On the other hand, the flying sword he released to slay the Titanoboa stirred with watery radiance, and was obviously a water-type premium grade soul weapon.

In other words, that man had learned the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array too.

Whoosh!

Jiang He had moved in a flash to meet the man in battle.

"Eh?"

The man's eyes flashed and he actually stopped. Above his head, his two flying swords took to the air, turning into a water dragon and a fire dragon that tangled as his Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array materialized, and he released it at Jiang He from the distance by pointing with his finger from afar.

"Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array?"

Jiang He sneered. His six flying swords all shot out at a thought, conjuring the Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses instantly while he cried, "How dare you show off your paltry tricks in my face. Five Elements and Six Pulses, take him!"

Swish!

At that very moment, heaven and earth changed colors.

The sword radiances of five elements brightened the dark night.

His eyes tightening, the elder from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect cried out in surprised. He turned and tried to run, but he did not manage to even flee half a kilometer when he was engulfed in sword radiance, leaving a corpse full of sword scars after the sword radiance fades.

Jiang He walked up, extended his hand and grabbed, retrieving the Spatial Ring and both flying swords from the corpse, before instantly diving down the sea and disappearing.

Around a minute later.

Whoosh!

Another sword light arrived, streaking through the air.

On top of it, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect vice-chieftain who shouldered a bronze bottle-gourd stared at the corpse floating over the ocean, his killing intent overflowing.

Soon, many other cultivators arrived.

There was a total of eight of them belonging to the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. Six of them were full-fledged Yuan Spirits while the other two were Convergence-Tier, one being the Ten Thousand Swords Sect vice-chieftain while the other was affiliated with the Penglai Sect.

"Elder Fate is dead?"

"His strength ranks among the best of those standing in the great circle of Yuan Spirit, and even Convergence-novice cultivators would have to evade his swords once he casts his Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array. However, it was at most half an instant after Elder Fate sent word of Jiang He's whereabouts… how powerful is he?"

Everyone was debating then.

Fear could be seen in the eyes of the full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivators.

Elder Fate was stronger than most of them, and yet Jiang He had managed to kill him so swiftly… what if they were the ones who ended up finding Jiang He too?

The bottle-gourd vice-chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect naturally could tell how wary the others were, and as such, growled, "Form pairs as you search. Do not be reckless if you find Jiang He."

Meanwhile, Jiang He was already thousands of miles away.

He had turned his farm into a pebble and tethered it to a small isle, and he entered it with a flash.

Inside, the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers were making 'hetui' spitting sounds as they practiced their air blades. Likewise, Dumbo and Trumbo were laying at a corner, clutching at Orirocks to cultivate, just as the two golden eaglets were practicing Sky Daemon Invincibility.

Even the willow tree was shining with crystalline green radiance to absorb the Yuan Qi in the farm, strengthening itself. Still, that path of evolution was a little slow.

It was the same for the Cloudscraper Vine too.

Would it had developed so quickly if Jiang He had not fed it piles of Feral corpses?

'Looks like it's time to create a cultivation method for plants,' iang He thought, and took out the two premium-grade soul weapons from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect Elder with a turn of his hand.

"Not bad. Flying swords, one water-type and one fire-type, both being premium-grade soul weapons. After I strengthen them by planting, they would probably become inferior-grade sage weapons and my Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array would increase in power from thirty to fifty percent in power!"

He hence planted both swords and then took out the elder's Spatial Ring, opening it to check.

There was nothing much inside. Aside from a Ten Thousand Swords Sect Elder's token plate marked with 'Fate', there were some clothes, as well as over a hundred Orirocks and four yellowed paper talismans.

"Are the elders of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect that poor?" Jiang He complained. But just as he was about to withdraw his spirit from the Spatial Ring, a thought reached him and he turned towards the hundred over Orirocks once more.

"Those Orirocks…"

"They don't look like the ones I planted previously."

Jiang He took out one of the Orirocks to check, and realized that while they were identical in shape and size to the Orirocks before, the Yuan Qi contained within was much more concentrated than the ones he planted.

"Is this… a mediocre-grade spirit stone?"

Jiang He realized then, and could not help exclaiming in delight, "If they really are, won't I be able to gather another wave of Farm Points if I planted them?"

He then did a through count—there were a total of 120 mediocre-grade spirit stones.

Jiang He then planted all 120, before picking up the four paper talismans.

After studying them, he realized that two of them were sword talismans. Once invoked, it could unleash a Sword Qi strike equal to the full-powered blow of a full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivator.

It was neither strong nor weak.

Still, there were restraints to their usage and they had to be invoked with divine mind, which was why only Yuan Spirit-novice cultivators could use them.

"A Yuan Spirit-novice could attack with the power of a full-fledged Yuan Spirt… not bad."

Jiang He gave his appraisal, before turning toward the two other paper talismans.

They were Thunder Talismans that contained the might of thunder, which release of a burst of thunder energy equal to the the full-powered blow of a full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivator.

"Chickenfeed!" Jiang He complained.

The full powered blow of a full-fledged Yuan Spirit?

Even the weakest cultivator from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and the Penglai Sect who were after his head was probably a full-fledged Yuan Spirit!

Though the charms sounded impressive, they were actually completely useless for him since he could cast the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array now to that end now, even easily slay a full-fledged Yuan Spirit with his Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses.

If he could unleash a full-powered strike at the Convergence-tier…

"Hmmm?"

Jiang He could not help blinking as an idea suddenly came to him. Taking out a spirit condensation pellet to cultivate from, he thought, "If I plant the paper talismans to strengthen them, would they unleash power akin to a Convergence-tier?"

That might just work!

Jiang He hence dug four holes, exchanged four bags of Mysterious Soil, and planted all four paper talismans.

Nonetheless, that was the very moment the sudden humming of a blade rang, followed by a burst of divine radiance that covered the entire farm.

Jiang He was at first surprised, and then delighted…

Was the Mosquito Cutter finally ripening?

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Chapter 325: Inferior-Grade Immortal Weapon: Mosquito Cutter

[Ding!]

[100 million Farm Points.]

The crisp jingle of a System Notification beside his ears left Jiang He stirring in spirit!

One million Farm Points!

That was equal to planting a hundred premium-grade soul items. Could the legends be true, and Heavenly Master Xu's Mosquito Cutter really was an immortal weapon?

Jiang He then look toward the plain and simple Mosquito Cutter he was holding. Its divine radiance had receded, and a cluster of data popped up in front of Jiang He's eyes—

[Mosquito-cutter]

[Tier: inferior-grade immortal weapon.]

[Sacrifice a drop of blood for use.]

Nonetheless, Jiang He was not quite as thrilled after ascertaining that the Mosquito Cutter was indeed an immortal weapon, his opinion changing right then. "The Mosquito Cutter is just inferior-grade and not mediocre-grade. That probably means its original tier might have even reached sage item before."

"Still, it is not far from reaching the grade of immortal weapon, even if it would never have been a premium-grade immortal weapon."

Perhaps the Mosquito Cutter was a premium-grade sage item before?

That was not it. It might have been stronger than a premium-grade sage weapon and was at the level of demi-immortal weapon, only metamorphizing into a genuine immortal weapon after he planted it.

Blood drop.

Invocation.

Feeling out the keen edge of the Mosquito Cutter, a look of delight flashed over Jiang He's face. "It really is an immortal weapon, improving my combat ability so greatly…"

Jiang He's combat ability before was basically presented on his sword arrays.

Once his sword array opened, a Yuan Spirit intermediate could cut down full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivators like chopping vegetables—at least, that was what he felt after fighting cultivators from the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. Still, Jiang He actually still had more moves he had yet to reveal.

For example… the Twenty-Three Swords!

Right now, he was already Yuan Spirit, and if he used it now, not even full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivators could survive it.

The three sword techniques of the Three Thousand Calamities were not weak either.

With the Mosquito Cutter in his possession now, Jiang He felt that he could cut down full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivators even without using his sword arrays.

As for Convergence-tiers…

To tell the truth, he had yet to get a feel of how powerful or what abilities Convergence-tier cultivators possessed, and he would only grasp the specifics after a fight.

Glancing at the Orirocks, flying swords, and paper talismans now growing out of the ground…

"They would be ripe only around two or three hours later… I could use this time to improve my ability."

He waved his hand.

Whoosh!

As if they cost nothing, the spirit condensation pellets that should have been incredibly precious for Yuan Spirit cultivators dropped to the ground. Jiang He then began to cultivate them as his divine mind shrouded them, and he could clearly feel his Yuan Spirit rapidly growing and strengthening.

But while he cultivated in his farm, he had no idea the outside was in an uproar.

The Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect were now truly combining forces and combing every inch of the ocean. The commotion they caused were drawing the attention of many secluded immortal sects, demon sects, and even ancient daemon cultivators.

"Chieftain Hong!"

The Penglai Sect Convergence-tier cultivator sought out the Ten Thousand Swords Sect vice-chieftain who shouldered a bottle-gourd, and said, "Chieftain Hong. It's too difficult to locate Jiang He in these unending seas."

"That said, I cultivated a special technique that tracks a target with auras. When Jiang He had cut down Elder Fate from your sect, he must have left his aura on the corpse."

Vice-chieftain Hong mused to himself for a while before saying, "Very well!"

He took out Elder Fate's corpse with a wave of his hand.

"That technique is rather unique, and I'll need six hours to prepare it."

The Penglai Sect Convergence-tier cultivator sat cross-legged then. He drew a line with an outstretched finger and extracted a drop of blood essence from Elder Fate, and began casting his technique.

Back at Jinyintan Village, the Taixu Sect chieftain, having broken through into the array guarding Jiang He's house after twelve hours, finally recovered Zhong Wanshan of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect as well as Jade Hollow Child of the Penglai Sect.

Only then did the disciples of the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect guarding outside breathe a sigh of relief.

When Zhong Yue saw his father, looking as if he was possessed while rescued from within the array, he promptly went up to help put Zhong Wanshan aside. After that, he went down on his knees to thank the Taixu Sect chieftain for cracking the array.

His white clothes were covered in dust.

His face was rather filthy.

Added to his loose hair, one would not suspect that he was a beggar if someone put a plate in front of Zhong Yue right then.

"Cracking the array?"

The Taixu Sect chieftain chuckled bitterly and said, "I've only rescued your father and the True Habitant of Jade Hollow out of the array… as for the array itself, I have failed to cracked it."

Everyone's faces dropped at his words.

Amongst cultivators, the Taixu Sect Chieftain's accomplishment in arrays was publicly acknowledged as the best.

Of course…

That was only if the Mahayana-tier antiques were not included.

On the other hand, the True Habitant of Jade Hollow appeared entirely dazed after a 'round-trip' inside the array. After he regained his senses, he exclaimed in shock, "Brother, you couldn't crack Jiang He's array too?"

"It would be easy with violence."

The Taixu Sect chieftain replied, "That array combines four array aspects: sealing, death, illusion, and guard, and only Sufferance-tier elites could shatter it by brute force."

For a master of arrays like the Taixu Sect chieftain, breaking the array by force did not count as really cracking it, since it was… an art. Like bomb defusal, cutting the bomb wires and throwing the bomb away was fundamentally different.

In fact…

He could not understand the array that Jiang He had put up at all.

In fact, it felt as if it was not an array at all, with the caster himself having had no idea what arrays were and so simply slapping something together. And yet, an array laid out so randomly had become a profound one.

Naturally, the Taixu Sect chieftain would not tell the others.

Though the array was not cracked, the Jade Hollow Child and Zhong Wanshan who had been restrained within the array had already been brought out. Naturally, the Taixu Sect chieftain would not tarry, and disappeared from the skies above Jinyintan village as a cloud in a flash. When he reappeared, he was already heading into the entrance of the Stargate up above Jiang He's house.

He strode forward, but just as he stepped inside the Stargate, it started to shake violently. Formless Sword Qi seemed to have shot past him and a strand of the chieftain's gray hair had actually dropped off.

"Oh no!"

The Taixu Sect chieftain's face dropped. In the next instant, a light erupted around him as a combat suit materialized. It was a mediocre-grade sage item, but it was utterly useless as fractures appeared over it in no time at all.

Promptly retreating, the Taixu Sect chieftain only coughed out a mouthful of blood after he escaped outside the entrance of the Stargate. His face pale-white, he exclaimed in shock, "That was close. I almost died right there…"

"This Stargate only accommodates Yuan Spirit individuals. The space itself trembles in the presence of any individual who surpass that boundary, and even a Mahayana-tier individual would die inside."

The shaking Stargate slowly calmed after the chieftain retreated out of the Stargate, and he disappeared over the horizon in a flash.

Meanwhile, below the Stargate…

The manic Zhong Wanshan recovered somewhat. His hair a mess and his eyes red, he turned toward Zhong Yue and asked hoarsely, "Where's your mother?"

Zhong Yue bit his lip but said nothing.

Zhong Wanshan's figure shuddered and his voice became hoarser as he asked somberly, "Where is her body?"

"It was brought back to the sect."

An hour later, at the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

"Wanshan, Vice-chieftain Hong is already in pursuit of Jiang He. Your mind has been affected and you must confine yourself for cultivation, suppressing the evil within so as to avoid falling into the demonic path," the Ten Thousand Swords Sect chieftain advised Zhong Wanshan.

Zhong Wanshan, however, had kept Yue Lin's charred corpse in his Spatial Ring and growled, "My evil within would never be quelled if Jiang He isn't dead!"

With that, he turned into a sword light and bounded toward the distant seas.

The Ten Thousand Swords Sect chieftain breathed a soft sigh and said nothing for a long time.

It was nine in the morning on the tenth of October.

Jiang He, who had been sitting cross-legged on the ground and cultivating from the spirit condensation pellets, finally awakened from his cultivation.

Within his consciousness, his Yuan Spirit was already six feet tall and much more solid.

"Yuan Spirit advanced…"

Jiang He exhaled a long, turbid breath of qi before shaking his head and sighing. "My cultivation progress is still too slow. I've cultivated a whole night but I've only reached Yuan Spirit-advanced… it would at least be another two days before I become a full-fledged Yuan Spirit!"

Fortunately, he was alone in his farm with no outsiders around.

Otherwise…

They would have been frustrated to death.

As cultivators progressed through the tiers of Qi Refinist, Golden Pellet, True Child, and Yuan Spirit…

Which of those tiers did not take years and centuries to cultivate through?

You, on the other hand, are complaining that cultivating from Yuan Spirit-intermediate to Yuan Spirit-advanced in a single night was slow?

Jiang He then put away the remaining spirit condensation pellets and dumped the many waste pellets that he had cultivated with before rising to his feet and going to the spot where he planted the two flying swords.

One was a fire-type and the other a water-type… both reached the level of inferior-grade sage weapon after strengthening by planting, which was not surprising since Jiang He had expected it.

"With these two swords, I now have eight flying swords, along with my Scarlet Flame Sword, Autumn Water Sword, Sunflower Water Sword, Greenwood Sword… of them, one is a superior-grade sage weapon, two are inferior-grade sage weapons, and five are premium-grade soul weapons…"

"Counting in the Mosquito Cutter, it's nine flying swords."

"Still, eight would already be enough to cultivate the Sword Array of Seven Stars and Eight Trigrams."

The condition to casting the Sword Array of Seven Stars and Eight Trigrams were eight flying flying swords. Though it was less devastating than the Sword Array of Five Elements and Six Pulses, its main purpose was to restrain an opponent. In fact, Jiang He had a hunch that it could easily subjugate even Convergence-tier intermediate cultivators.

He then turned towards the spot where he had planted the four paper talismans.

[Ding!]

[20,000 Farm Points.]

[Ding!]

[20,000 Farm Points.]

Jiang He first plucked the two sword talismans, which was no different in effect before it was strengthened by planting. It still released a vein of Sword Qi to attack, although it now released the full-power blow of a Convergence-novice.

"Useless for me."

"Still, I don't need divine mind to invoke them after planting since it blows up just by throwing it. I could give them to Wang Siyu as way of protection."

Jiang He put away both sword talismans with a turn of his hand.

With the sword Talismans being a precedent, he did not hold much expectations toward the two thunder talismans as it would at best get a notch of increase in power. And yet… Jiang He was left baffled when his eyes reached the thunder talismans and saw the data popping out of it.

[Five Thunder Talisman]

[Refined from an eminence adept at the Five Thunder Array. Once invoked, it releases an attack with the five heavenly thunders: Second Wood Vertical Thunder, Third Fire Yang Thunder, Sunflower Water Yin Thunder, Heptaurum Calamity Thunder and the Fifth Earth Nether Thunder.]

[Usage: Throw as hard as you can.]

[Warm Reminder: It is suggested that the host drops to a crouch whilst clutching their head after throwing, to remain immune from damage.]

Jiang He was dumbstruck.

Clutching head while crouching?

Immune from damage?

Wasn't that no different from the pea bombs? No, wait… to stay immune from both the pea bombs and the potato landmines, the instruction to the drop to the ground and clutch his head—the difference from a single word was an unbridgeable difference.

As he held one of the Five Thunder Talismans between two fingers, he realized that the talisman had changed in appearance too.

There was no longer complex, mystifying script written on the yellowed paper, just 'Five Thunder' instead.

Jiang He pondered.

"So is the two words 'Five Thunder' was written on the paper talisman means it is the Five Thunder Talisman… doesn't that mean I can craft paper talismans now?"

Aside from item refinement, pellet refinement and arrays, it was typical for cultivators to grasp inscribing talisman as well.

"Still, I've used up my slots for planting cultivation manuals. I would have to wait until my farm levels up to create another cultivation method."

Jiang He gave the paper talisman in his hand another look, before leaving his farm in a single stride.

Right now…

He should test the strength of the Five Thunder Talisman. If it was too weak, he did not have to learn it.

However, it was an empty isle out there, and unending oceans around it.

How was he supposed to test it, then?

Surely he couldn't go fish bombing with the Five Thunder Talismans, could he?

"I wonder when the people of the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect would get here…"

Jiang He hence sat on the empty isle, grabbing a handful of purple-gold sunflower seeds to munch on while feeling a little inward expectation.

Being pursued by the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect?

His escapades now would certainly be a protagonist's even if it was from a novel!

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Chapter 326: Die, Jiang He!

At a lone island nine hundred kilometers away from Jiang He, Hong Shanze, one of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's vice-chieftains, was looking ashen-faced with two other Ten Thousand Swords Sect elders seated beside him.

Both elders and the late Elder Fate had been members of his faction. With Elder Fate dead and his murderer, Jiang He, nowhere to be seen, Hong Shanze's mood was absolutely horrid.

Taking out a jade bottle gourd with a turn of his hand and having a few sips of wine to ease his mood, he then turned his head.

Zhong Wanshan was there, standing in his black robes, a fearsomeness showing on his face.

His aura had changed drastically—his whole body was exuding powerful killing intent… it was as the Ten Thousand Swords Sect put it: if Zhong Wanshan did not show back restraint and hold back his evil within, he might fall to the demonic path.

And yet, there was no quelling what was inside him if he did not kill Jiang He and avenge his dead wife.

Incidentally, four of the Penglai Sect's full-fledged Yuan Spirit elites and the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun, their Convergence vice-chieftain, was nearby.

Scarlet Sun was sitting cross-legged in front of Elder Fate at the moment, casting his mystic art.

Six hours had passed and he was at the last juncture of his mystic art. Mystic energies swirled and quaked around him, just before he suddenly opened his mouth and coughed out a mouthful of blood, which hovered in the air and did not drop to the ground.

Using his hand to write, the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun dabbed his finger with the blood and drew a blood rune.

It quaked in the air a few times, before instantly crumbling and fading.

Scarlet Sun Child's face dropped and he ended up coughing another mouthful of blade. His face turning utterly pale-white then and he exclaimed in shock, "This is impossible! How could my mystic art fail? Unless Jiang He is not in this realm…"

Zhong Wanshan frowned and said hoarsely, "Perhaps he has hidden himself in a Secret Realm?"

"Impossible!"

Scarlet Sun Child shook his head whilst directing the flow of his mystic energy to recover. "Both heritage sites and Secret Realms ultimately consume great mystic energies to open a space into this realm. Even if he is inside one such place, he would never escape the tracking of my mystic art."

He, however, was unaware that Jiang He's farm was in a dimension of its own, and he naturally could not track Jiang He because Jiang He was still inside.

Regardless, not one to believe in bad luck, Scarlet Sun Child spat out another mouthful of blood and drew a rune, but this time, the blood rune did not fade and instead ignited with a whoosh.

"It worked!"

Scarlet Sun Child exclaimed in delight, "Hurry, follow the blood rune!"

Everyone's spirits soared at that, while killing intent appeared in Zhong Wanshan's eyes.

The blood rune burned, turning into a blood-colored radiance and darted far into the ocean with a rushing sound. Zhong Wanshan, Hong Shanze, the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun, as well as six Yuan Spirit elites from either sect followed right behind it.

At the same time, Jiang He had just left his farm.

He was munching on sunflower seeds while studying the Five Thunder Charm, a thought occurring to him then. "I wonder what the effect of the Five Thunder Talisman is like… could it blow up the mountain guarding array of the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect? If it could and I were to throw hundreds of Doom Shrooms and the Five Thunder Talisman together inside, wouldn't it flatten their sect?"

Some of the cultivators would survive since they would have protective sage items, but their buildings would definitely not withstand the bombardment of several hundred Doom Shrooms.

That was when Jiang He's eyes lit up and he took out the jade charm that Elder Mo had given him. A familiar frequency reached it once more and Elder Mo's image appeared before Jiang He as well.

"This acoustic charm is really effective… it's basically the same as a video call. Its signal wouldn't get affected, would it?"

Jiang He exclaimed in wonder inwardly.

Wait, that was not exactly it.

The 'signal' of the acoustic charm would be affected at certain places… for one, Jiang He certainly could not use it in his farm.

On the other hand, once Elder Mo got through to find Jiang He seated on a foldable stool while munching on sunflower seeds, he could not help scowling… Both the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had rallied and raised their banners as they pursued him, sending shockwaves throughout the world of cultivators, not to mention that the other secluded immortal sects, demonic sects, and ancient daemon cultivators were all enjoying the show.

After all, Elder Yue Lin and Elder Fate of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect—two full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivators—were killed.

So why was the hunted acting so carefree?

However, would he understand what Jiang He was thinking?

For him, this sort of hunt was child's play.

Which protagonist in fantasy or cultivator novels had not been hunted like that before?

According to the usual plot, most protagonists would retaliate when cornered, their cultivation increasing by leaps and bounds in the hunt, even gaining unnaturally powerful providences… while the hunters would mostly be two-bit characters, and no unnaturally powerful elites would be mobilized on the outset.

After all, Jiang He would already be dead if some Sufferance-tier or Mahayana-tier elite was hunting him.

Elder Mo then summarized what had happened with the Taixu Sect chieftain.

Jiang He appeared delighted then, and asked, "You mean to say that… my array could only be cracked through violence?"

"Not me. It's what the chieftain said."

Elder Mo appeared perplexed. "The chieftain mentioned that your array is quite interesting since it carries no pattern at all, and he simply had no idea where to start to crack it unless through violence."

Pattern?

Jiang He chuckled. Why would you mention that to me directly?

That is so awkward.

To tell the truth, I did not even consider the matter of pattern or anything when I created that array. Heck, I did not even know that there was a pattern in the array I laid out—would it not be weird if your chieftain could find a pattern?

That was when Jiang He's heart thumped.

"What happened?"

"My heart is suddenly palpating… could the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect have found me?"

He then quickly said, "Elder Mo, let's talk later. I have some problems over here that need resolving first."

While he spoke, a blood-colored radiance was streaking towards him from the distant horizon, with several figures bounding through the skies behind it. Their overwhelming aura caused the world to change color as well as raging winds and clouds, while the seas were churning endlessly beneath them.

"Zhong Wanshan, Hong Shanze, the Daoist of Scarlet Sun!"

Before Jiang He 'hung up' over the jade charm, Elder Mo got a glimpse of the figures.

Zhong Wanshan?

Hong Shanze?

The Daoist of Scarlet Sun?

Meanwhile, Jiang He was left blinking, and feeling a little baffled.

Their names and Daoist titles were all revealed… but he knew none of them!

That was not it since he knew at least one… if he remembered correctly, wasn't Zhong Wanshan Zhong Yue's father? A Convergence-tier elite and the vice-chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect at that?

"Jiang He!"

"Die!"

Zhong Wanshan could see Jiang He even from almost fifty kilometers away.

Killing intent erupting over his body, his eyes turned scarlet as he bellowed in rage. Two flying swords had already shot out away from him and he bounded forward, unleashing the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array on the get-go.

What the hell!

Jiang He jumped, startled.

Was that man on drugs?

What killing intent!

Jiang He could clearly feel it even from almost fifty kilometers away. How much did he hate Jiang He?

Such a tremendous grudge…

Was there a need to go so far? I did not kill your wife and merely lectured your son a little after all.

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Chapter 327: Five Thunder Talisman, Five Thunderbolts Striking from Above!

Zhong Wanshan was incredibly powerful.

It had been a hundred years since he had reached Convergence-tier, and while he had yet to reach Convergence-intermediate, he was not far from it. Moreover, he was a sword cultivator whose combat strength was no weaker than Convergence-intermediate.

Jiang He responded then and retaliated with the Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array.

Clang!

The skies shook with the hum of swords.

Jiang He's Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array was shattered and his two new sage-class flying swords were sent flying too, though Zhong Wanshan's own Ice and Fire Duality Sword Array crumbled as well.

Extending his hand to beckon and retrieve both flying swords, a hunch occurred to Jiang He then…

Though both attacks were Ice and Fire Duality Sword Arrays, his was a little stronger.

Moreover, he was only Yuan-Spirit advanced, whereas Zhong Wanshan was Convergence-tier, just as the flying swords he used to cast his sword array was inferior-grade sage weapons as well… for them to fight out equally meant that 'Three Thousand Calamities', his sword cultivator technique, was a class above the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's sword array technique.

"No, it's not a class above—it's overwhelmingly stronger!"

But even as that thought occurred to Jiang He, Zhong Wanshan landed on the island.

Behind him was the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun, the bottle-gourd shouldering Hong Shanze, as well as the six full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivators from either sects.

They promptly spread out once they landed on the island, surrounding Jiang He within.

Jiang He, however, was not panicking at all.

In fact, he was getting a little excited…

With this, he had acquired targets for his Five Thunder Talisman.

"Jiang He!"

Zhong Wanshan's eyes were bloodshot and he was clenching his teeth, staring tightly at Jiang He and seething hoarsely. "You will die today! I shall tear out your flesh and crush bones, hence sealing your Yuan Spirit and torment it with hellfire for thousands—no, ten thousand years!"

Jiang He appeared taken aback.

Frowning, he said unhappily, "Dear Daoist, I might have developed a grudge against the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and killed one of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect elders, but there is no need to hate me so much, is there?"

"We cannot coexist after you killed my wife!" Zhong Wanshan bellowed.

His killing intent thickened. Mystic energies around his body were dyed blood-red and his sheer presence stirring, clearly a sign that he was charging a mystic art.

Jiang He blinked.

Are you having problems in the head?

When did I even kill your wife?

Could it be…

A look of shock appeared over Jiang He's face then… Elder Fate?

After all, he had only killed one person from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, and that was Elder Fate. And yet here Zhong Wanshan was, claiming that Jiang He had killed his wife… could Zhong Wanshan and Elder Fate share some unspeakable secret?

"No… Zhong Yue would definitely not been born if it was Elder Fate… could the array around my house have killed them instead?"

Jiang He realized with a start then—it was the only possibility.

Meanwhile, as Zhong Wanshan charged his killing stroke, Hong Shanze, the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun and the other six full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivators or came closer.

Each of them revealed killing intent, looking at Jiang He as if he was dead meat.

"Are you really going to kill me, fellow Daoists?"

Jiang He looked around at them and said somberly, "I may have conflicts with the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, but do you have to go so far? I captured the True Habitant of Nine Dragons and Zhong Yue because they were the first to provoke me, and since you people have invaded my house, we are now equal… but you are still intending to kill me now?"

"Do not even speak of your house!" Zhong Wanshan roared, and he was shaking in rage. The aura brewing over his body became even more horrific then as he said somberly, "Vice-chieftain Hong, Scarlet Sun, keep him contained. My killing stroke shall be charged in five breaths.

The True Habitant of Scarlet Sun traded glances with Hong Shanze then, as their very presence shook as they each invoked their mystic treasures…

"Five breaths?"

Jiang He could not help laughing. You had already been charging for ten breaths, and you still need five breaths? This is a life-and-death struggle, not a joke—and you were taking such a long time your opponent could cut you down dozens of times over.

With that, Jiang He ignored Zhong Wanshan and the others, and did not even bother to invoke his own mystic treasures.

He hence took out a yellowed paper talisman with a turn of his hand. It appeared ancient and worn, and was written with the three words 'Five Thunder Talisman' in tadpole script.

And once his paper talisman was revealed, a threatening presence extended immediately.

Thought they were charging towards Jiang He just now, both the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun and the Hong Shanze paused then. They appeared wary, although they could not help laughing out loud when they saw the paper talisman clearly.

Was that supposed to be a paper talisman?

Are you kidding us? You write your paper talismans like that?

Then, they saw Jiang He threw that—let us call it a paper talisman for now—at Zhong Wanshan.

While it seemed to take an eternity, it merely took a few breaths.

Zhong Wanshan had just finished charging his ultimate move right then. Pebbles were rolling away from the tremors his aura caused, while the distant oceans parted… but in the next instant, the light, floaty Five Thunder Talismans had flown within the range of his aura.

Swish.

The paper talisman ignited.

And then, kaboom…

A dull rumble.

Dark clouds cascaded through the skies though it had been clear over thousands of miles just an instant ago, and one thunderbolt that was over a dozen meters thick descended from it with a cracking rumble.

"No!"

Zhong Wanshan promptly looked up, his eyes reflecting the purple hue of the thunderbolt.

And in the next split second, he was consumed by it.

The thunderbolt then spread out, engulfing every direction like a tidal wave.

"What the hell."

Jiang He cried out in surprise as well, promptly clutching his head and dropping to a crouch. As he looked around him with the corner of his eye, he could see the unfurling thunderbolts extending and striking the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun, Hong Shanze, as well as the six full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivators…

The purple bolts were cracking loudly over their bodies, and they were twitching and convulsing as if jolted.

And three breaths later, the thunderbolts faded.

"Jiang He…"

The True Habitant of Scarlet Sun's whole body was charred black and every strand of his hair standing upright as he shambled to his feet and breathed a heartrending bellow.

Hong Shanze was electrocuted heavily as well, his hands shaking even as he invoked his Sword Cultivating Bottle Gourd.

On the other hand, only a scorched black corpse was left of Zhong Wanshan, whereas the six full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivators were all lying on the ground, their bodies twitching from time to time.

Their eyes were completely blank and they were foaming from the mouth.

Even if they were struck by the weaker unfurling bolts, they were a little overwhelmed.

On the other hand, Jiang He was still crouching and clutching his head. The terrible bolts did not hurt him and he maintained his posture while he turned to look at the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun as well as Hong Shanze, and then at the skies.

The dark clouds were still rolling and thunderbolts flashing from up in the air.

Boom-crack!

Another sky thunder descended.

This time, it was several times more powerful than the thunderbolts a while ago, and faint golden glimmer sparkled in the purple thunderbolt.

'There was a green hue in the thunder just now so it must be the Second Wood Vertical Thunder, whereas this one would be the Heptaurum Calamity Thunder…' Jiang He thought nonchalantly as he remained crouched and clutching his head, maintaining his perfect guard.

On the other hand, Hong Shanze and the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun were scared out of their wits.

They had used almost all of their moves.

Attacking the thunderbolts, shielding themselves with mystic treasures, igniting their own Yuan Spirits, unleashing their incredible secret techniques… but they were all useless.

The Heptaurum Calamity Thunder struck Hong Shanze with incredible ease.

As the thunder unfurled, the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun 'danced' within the thunderbolt. At the same time, the aura and Yuan Spirit of the six full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivators lying on the ground had all faded, their every living sign disappearing…

Then came the third thunderbolt, the Third Fire Yang Thunder. It arrived much quicker than the second bolt—even before the Heptaurum Calamity Thunder had completely dispersed, it had already descended, followed by the fourth thunderbolt.

"Damn it!"

Jiang He, who was still clutching his head and crouching, took the time to throw some purple-golden sunflower seeds down his throat, even complaining, "The Five Thunder Talisman is ridiculous. Everyone is already dead and even the island is in pieces, but it is still continuing?"

"Five Thunder Talisman… does that mean that there would definitely be five thunderbolts?"

That was soon proven to be the case.

By the time the fifth thunderbolt faded, the several kilometers-squared isle was split into different pieces. The seawater within several hundred kilometers boiled from the thunderbolt, with bolts cracking underwater.

Standing up in the air and looking at the many charred, blacked corpses, Jiang He breathed a long sigh. "I had already asked whether you people really intend to kill me, and I would not resort to killing if any of you had even said one word in response."

Sighing emotionally, he took out a jade charm and 'called' Elder Mo again, asking, "Did you have something to add just now, Elder Mo?"

When Elder Mo answered the communications to find Jiang He unscathed, he could not help breathing a sigh of relief. "Brother Jiang He, did you manage to escape the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect?"

"Escape?"

Jiang he shook his head.

Taken aback, Elder Mo then quickly said, "Brother Jiang He, how did you manage to get the time to call me even when you're being hunted? Anyway, the chieftain had said that if you could return to the Hua Nation and come to Mount Kunlun, the Taixu Sect shall offer you shelter. The chieftain would then speak for you and help calm things down—the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect would not try to corner you after that."

"Well…"

Jiang He mused to himself for several seconds before flashing a pained smile. "Too late, Elder Mo. That might have been possible a dozen minutes ago, but now… neither the Penglai Sect nor the Ten Thousand Swords Sect would spare me."

Elder Mo smiled faintly and assured Jiang He confidently, "Are you not trusting the Taixu Sect now, Brother Jiang He? Three Mahayana-tier cultivators preside over our sect and the chieftain is a Sufferance-tier elite with eight calamities under his belt. He is also known as the best in arrays among all cultivators, something that even the old Mahayana founders had to admit—with our strength, the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect might give us face."

"For real?"

Jiang He appeared delighted.

After all…

Was there anyone who enjoyed being hunted?

There was nothing better if he could make peace. At worse, he would have to suffer some grief and not demand compensation from the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect for invading the array guarding his house, as well as sending their people to hunt him.

"Many thanks, Elder Mo, Taixu Sect… I will return to the Hua Nation at once after I retrieved these corpses and spoils, and seek shelter at your Taixu Sect."

"Eh?"

Elder Mo did a double take and asked in surprise, "Corpses? Spoils?"

Jiang He did not understand how the jade charm relayed communications, but it was more or less the same as a video call. He would hold it in front of himself like aiming the lens on himself, but since he was standing up in the air, Elder Mo could not see the tragic sight on the surface of the ocean.

He promptly twirled the jade charm to let Elder Mo see it, and explained, "There was a bunch of people all hunting me down, right? But I ended up turning the tables and killing them… Eh? Elder Mo? Elder Mo?'

Jiang He watched as the image of Elder Mo, conjured from mystic energies slowly faded. Scowling, he could not help cursing, "Damn it! You are an Elder of the Taixu Sect and a full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivator… how could you just hang up at a moment's notice?

After complaining a bit, Jiang He dived beneath the ocean and retrieved every corpse, Spatial Ring, and mystic treasure.

"Urgh…"

"The Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect definitely would not spare me after I've killed so many of their people… Really, that Elder Mo. He told me he would protect me and try to speak on my behalf, so why did he hang up just like that? At least make it clear whether you would play mediator, Taixu Sect!"

At the great temple of the Taixu Sect.

Thud!

Elder Mo's jade charm had dropped to the floor and shattered into pieces. He was left stunned for over a dozen seconds before coming to his senses, and turned towards the Taixu Sect chieftain who looked equally baffled.

"Chieftain… should we refrain from getting involved?" he then asked.

The chieftain shook his head fervently. "Nope. We are definitely not getting involved. Out sect is not getting involved in this matter at all!"

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Chapter 328: Making an Inventory of the Spoils, a Great Harvest

"But…"

Elder Mo asked hesitantly despite his chieftain's staunchness, "Chieftain, I've already spoken…"

"You said it, not me."

His eyes closed whilst sitting cross-legged, the Taixu Sect chieftain answered flatly, "You could be a part of it if you want to."

You are too much, chieftain! Was I not merely passing your word?

You even said stuff like 'Jiang He is extraordinary and holds an inestimable future', and then deny it in the blink of an eye?

Now, that kid had killed Zhong Wanshan, Hong Shanze, and the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun. The deadly grudge between him and those two immortal sects was never going to be resolved unless one is wiped out.

"What a shame."

Elder Mo lamented, "Jiang He's future was inestimable, but he could not sheathe his blade. After he has killed Zhong Wanshan, Hong Shanze, and the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun along with many Yuan Spirit elders, both sects would not hold back in their hunt for him. What a shame, what a shame…"

He sighed a few times, and was rather emotional.

In Elder Mo's opinion… Jiang He would not have much chance of surviving if the two immortal sects really sent their elites.

Though Elder Mo himself did not know how powerful the two sect's forces were, he had a vague idea based on the Taixu Sect's own forces.

Right now, aside from the chieftain and eight elders, they also had dozens of disciples that they had taken in over the last two hundred years.

There were also several secluded Mahayana cultivators and handfuls of Convergence-tier as well as Sufferance-tier cultivators.

Though the Penglai Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect were a class below the Taixu Sect, they would not fall short by much.

Still, the Taixu Sect chieftain opened his eyes then and smiled. "That might not be certain… prodigies don't die that easily, and there are many in the profane realm who carry great destiny with the looming tides of chaos. They would be key figures in the coming calamity and would not be lost so soon."

"How would Jiang He survive if the two sects mobilize their Sufferance-tier elites?"

Elder Mo was half-convinced and half-doubtful.

On the other hand, the Taixu Sect chieftain mused. "With Jiang He having set a death grudge among both immortal sects now, we are definitely unable to mediate and resolve their differences. However, we could convey some friendly gestures… Elder Mo, keep an eye out on the movement of both sects. You could pass certain information to Jiang He, and just remember not to be noticed by the people from those sects.

"That would be simple."

Elder Mo smiled confidently. "I have several good friends in those two sects and I would just have to ask a little vaguely when the time comes."

Soon, Elder Mo returned to his residence.

After thinking about it, he took out his jade charm and had a 'friendly' conversation with his friends for both sects, asking indirect questions about their sect's movement.

Soon, he realized that both sects were shaking with rage!

Almost in the instant that Zhong Wanshan, Hong Shanze, the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun and the others were killed, both sects were informed of their deaths with a place similar to a soul shrine, and even their elites who were confining themselves were shocked.

Later, Elder Mo received a new piece of news.

The Ten Thousand Swords Sect had dispatched a Sufferance-tier elite who had weathered six calamities. The man's Daoist title was Thousand Swords Daoist and he was incredibly powerful, being Zhong Wanshan's senior, even old enough to be his grandfather if ranked by age.

The Penglai Sect were even more fearsome, as they sent out an elite with seven-calamities.

"Gasp!"

"The Thousand Sword Daoist of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and the True Habitant of Forgotten Love, hailing from the Penglai Sect. Even the chieftains from immortal sects would have to back down if they work together… Jiang He is so dead!"

Elder Mo could not help inhaling sharply.

After some thought, he quickly took out his jade charm to send word to Jiang He.

However, he realized that he could not reach him.

It was basically similar to 'the number you have dialed is not within the service area.'

Still, Elder Mo was not concerned and activated the 'leave a message function,' then told Jiang He about the Thousand Sword Daoist as well as the True Habitant of Forgotten Love.

Meanwhile, Jiang He was at his farm, making an inventory of his spoils.

He arranged the nine corpses into a single row.

That consisted of Zhong Wanshan, Hong Shanze, and the True Habitant of Scarlet Sun, along with six full-fledged Yuan Spirit cultivators from both sects.

"Two flying swords, one fire-type, and one water-type, both inferior-grade sage weapons… Zhong Wanshan is so poor." Jiang He complained—a Convergence-tier elite and the vice-chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect did not even possess a mediocre-grade sage item… eh?

Jiang He's gaze twitched then.

It turns out that Zhong Wanshan actually had one mediocre-grade sage item: a combat armor, although he did not identify it immediately after the thunderbolts left it shattered and charred.

"Very good, very good!"

Jiang He was overjoyed. It did not matter that the item was broken, since it would be restored after he planted it. Moreover, he had promised a superior-grade defensive sage item and a superior-grade sage weapon in exchange for the moon of the Taixu Sect. While he planned to build those himself…

Now, it seems that there was no need to go through such trouble.

"Most importantly, I can wear that combat armor for now before exchanging the moon, since it would boost my defense quite well."

Moreover, aside from the two flying swords and combat armor, Zhong Wanshan's Spatial Ring was overflowing with treasures.

There were eighteen hundred spirit stones, with seventeen hundred being mediocre-grade and the remaining hundred premium-grade.

In addition to that, there were a dozen inferior-grade soul items, four mediocre-grade soul items, and one premium grade-soul items, three of which were combat armors while the rest were flying swords.

As for the medicinal pellets, Jiang He, the master of pellet refining, had no idea what any of them specifically were.

Still, he did recognize one type: the spirit condensation pellets, though Zhong Wanshan had just three of those.

"The grade of the other medicinal pellets are lower, but it makes sense. In the end, Zhong Wanshan is the vice-chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, so he would occasionally have to reward his disciples and the like…"

Jiang He then made an inventory.

If he planted Zhong Wanshan's possessions, it would at least earn him over twenty million Farm Points.

The 1,700 mediocre-grade spirit stones alone would earn him seventeen million Farm Points. With his farm having leveled up, the earnings from planting inferior-grade spirit stones was too low, though planting mediocre-grade spirit stones would earn him ten thousand Farm Points apiece.

As for the superior-grade spirit stones…

Jiang He had not planted those before.

"If one superior-grade spirit stone earns me a hundred thousand Farm Points, Zhong Wanshan's collection alone would earn me over thirty million Farm Points!"

Jiang He's heart was racing.

Now that is more like a vice-chieftain.

Would he not make a killing if he killed the chieftain of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect?

And would it get any better if he plundered that sect's treasure vault?

"I'm rich, I'm rich…"

"With over thirteen million Farm Points now, I could instantly ascend as a full-fledged Convergence-tier after completing my Yuan Spirit cultivation. That said, the spoils from these people just might push my cultivation further, ascending past full-fledged Convergence-tier to Sufferance!"

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