On this day, Wang Hong led his group, marching out of the city in a grand procession.
A small-time ruffian who often loitered near the city gate discreetly released a messaging charm upon witnessing this scene.
A messaging charm was the most commonly used communication tool in the cultivation world, with a transmission range varying from dozens to over a thousand miles.
Apart from Wang Hong, everyone in the group wore metallic armor, carried bundles of shiny black short spears, and wielded long iron spears. Though most were ordinary mortals without cultivation levels, interspersed among them were a few at the Qi Cultivation level, emanating an awe-inspiring aura.
These soldiers, except for a few who could convert into spiritual energy, had all reached the innate realm of warriors. In terms of individual strength, excluding talismanic magical weapons, they were not weaker than early-stage cultivators.
After a period of training, Wang Hong had mastered the Control Instrument Technique, Wood Element's Entanglement Technique, Wood Shield Technique, Wood Thorn Technique, Fire Element's Fireball Technique, and Earth Element's Earth Wall Technique.
Having Four Elements Spiritual Roots, he could practice magical arts of all four elements except Metal. It was a small advantage of having diverse spiritual roots.
To practice these magical arts, he had spent thousands of kilograms of Spirit Wine and tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, a value that would astonish other loose cultivators if revealed.
While the consumption was enormous, Wang Hong had gained a benefit. Through repeatedly depleting and replenishing spiritual energy, his spiritual energy had been refined, becoming purer.
Their destination this time was Purple Cloud Peak, fifty miles away from Azure Void City. It was rich in Spirit Qi, abundant in Spiritual Medicine, and home to many Demonic Beasts. Cultivators often went there to hunt Demonic Beasts and collect Spiritual Medicine.
Wang Hong's goal in entering the mountains was to engage in battles with Demonic Beasts, honing everyone's combat skills. As for collecting Spiritual Medicine, that was a side task.
After nearly two hours in the mountains, they finally saw a thicket swaying slightly, accompanied by sounds. To prevent accidentally harming humans, Skinny Monkey tossed a small stone in that direction.
The stone's landing was met with a low growl, and the thicket parted to reveal a pig-sized Iron Fang Boar.
The boar was napping peacefully when suddenly a stone interrupted its dream. Annoyed, it spotted a group of two-legged creatures nearby and charged towards them. In the past, it would avoid such bipedal beings as they weren't part of its diet. But now, in a foul mood, it didn't care if they were prey or not; it just needed an outlet for its anger.
Following Zhang Chunfeng's command, over forty short spears whistled through the air, turning the Iron Fang Boar into a porcupine with one attack. The boar took a few steps forward due to inertia before collapsing.
Wang Hong was quite satisfied to dispatch a Tier-One low-grade Demonic Beast in a single round.
Demonic Beasts were also categorized into tiers, with a Tier-One equivalent to a Qi Cultivation level cultivator. Tier-Two was comparable to a human in Foundation Building, Tier-Three to Golden Core, and so on. Each tier had subcategories of low, mid, and high, corresponding to early, middle, and late stages.
After clearing the battlefield, they continued forward and encountered two more Demonic Beasts, both easily dealt with. Wang Hong didn't even get a chance to make a move.
As the sky darkened, the group settled by a stream on a flat piece of land.
Dragging the Iron Fang Boar to the stream, they cleaned and peeled its meat. Wang Hong took out various Spiritual Medicine powders and poured them into several large bowls. He instructed Zhang Chunfeng and Skinny Monkey to help knead the meat repeatedly with spiritual energy. The purpose was to neutralize the violent spiritual energy within the Demonic Beast's meat.
Over the years, Wang Hong had also learned some skills in Spiritual Cooking. The main reason was his love for meat, perhaps a result of past hunger. Now, he had a particular fondness for it.
Skinny Monkey set up two large pots, placing the meat and bones in separate containers. He poured in Spirit Spring Water, added some seasonings, and lit Spirit Charcoal underneath. Demonic Beast meat needed an ordinary flame; otherwise, it wouldn't cook properly.
Skinny Monkey shared a common trait with Wang Hong a love for meat and a passion for cooking. He was the most enthusiastic about arranging meals, perhaps both stemming from past experiences of hunger.
After half an hour, a rich aroma of cooked meat filled the air. Skinny Monkey took out a bunch of pancakes from his Storage Bag, calling everyone to the meal.
Wang Hong took a pancake, heated it over the fire, spread it out, added some stewed meat, poured on some broth, and then rolled up the pancake.
Taking a big bite, the mouth was filled with fragrance the stewed meat was tender and flavorful, mixed with the broth. Wang Hong had added Spirit Wheat Flour from his Space to the pancake, giving it a special chewiness. After a few sips of bone broth, thick and rich, he was satisfied.
"If only there were some green onions inside the pancakes, it would be even better. Next time, I'll plant some spirit onions," Wang Hong thought to himself.
The night in the mountain forest was not quiet, with various bird calls and insect chirps. Occasionally, distant roars of beasts could be heard.
Wang Hong was meditating inside the tent when a loud rumbling noise suddenly reached him. He immediately leaped up and rushed outside. It was the warning symbol he had set off.
With the shouts of several night patrol soldiers, everyone rushed out of the tents. Within two breaths, they assumed battle formation, standing silently.
Wang Hong looked in the direction of the warning and saw twelve people approaching.
The one in the lead, Wang Hong recognized he had seen him at the Lin Family Dao Transmission Hall.
The Lin Family, considered a medium to lower power in Azure Void City, possessed a Foundation Building cultivator, dozens of Qi Cultivation cultivators, and, with the inclusion of allied loose cultivators, totaled over a hundred people.
Among the other eleven, one was at Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, three at Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, and the remaining seven were at Qi Cultivation Second or Third Layer.
Wang Hong stepped forward and demanded, "Who are you people?"
The lead person, Lin Junjie, waved his sleeves, smiling casually, and said, "You must be Wang Hong. I'm Lin Junjie from the Lin Family. I heard you have some assets and thought of borrowing some Spirit Stones from you. It's just a small matter; you won't be stingy, right?"
"How much do you need?" Wang Hong asked indifferently.
"As long as you hand over your Storage Bags and the magical weapons in your hands, consider yourself under my protection. I promise not to harm you at all. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties in Azure Void City, feel free to find me," Lin Junjie said as Wang Hong seemed to be considering the offer.
At this moment, the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer cultivator chimed in, "Kid, don't underestimate the generosity of Lin Young Master. Many in Azure Void City are trying to present gifts to him, but they can't find the opportunity. Lin Young Master taking notice of you is your good fortune."
After some contemplation, Wang Hong said, "Alright, I hope Lin Young Master keeps his word. From now on, I will look up to Lin Young Master."
He turned around and gestured, "Brothers, come and meet Lin Young Master."
The group of people behind him stepped forward in unison, moving as one.
Wang Hong scolded, "Relax a bit, who are you trying to impress with such seriousness?"
At the same time, he walked towards Lin Junjie, unfastening the Storage Bag from his waist and tossing it to Lin Junjie.
Lin Junjie's face showed a smug smile, about to reach for the Storage Bag when his expression suddenly changed. He dodged backward, but it was too late. Several seeds from underneath the Storage Bag shot towards him. While he avoided three, two of them hit him.
One seed quickly germinated, spreading branches that firmly bound his hands and feet. Numerous tiny thorns pierced his skin, releasing a wooden toxin that obstructed the flow of spiritual energy.
Simultaneously, a whistling sound emerged, and dozens of short spears flew toward him. Terrified, Lin Junjie watched as the spears reached him, piercing into his body with a squelching sound. He was helpless.
As he faced death, he regretted listening to that Yin Wolf's instigation and attempting to rob this small cultivator. Those mortal soldiers were truly oddities how could their reactions be so quick and organized? If only he had two breaths' time, he could have broken free.
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