Cultivation: I have an equipment slot

Chapter 151 Mission, Sacrifice

have to say.

For the Qingheng Sect and its affiliated forces, the pioneering war was truly a carnival.

Many people gained a lot of resources and opportunities in this war, and it is foreseeable that after this pioneering war...

The overall strength of the Tianmu Mountain Range will definitely reach a new level.

It can be said.

The entire Tianmu Mountain range is now thriving.

What Zhang Yan couldn't understand was why Mo Changqing didn't choose to end this pioneering effort. Before that, the Qingheng Sect had already completely controlled the pace of the pioneering.

The current land reclamation looks like it's just for training troops. In that case, the Qingheng Sect could end this land reclamation at any time.

After all, only after the land reclamation is over will they have enough space and time to digest the gains of this war.

This is the only way to more quickly improve the overall strength of the Qingheng Sect.

but.

The current reality is that the Qingheng faction is intentionally slowing down the pace of the land reclamation war, and even seems unwilling to end it.

This puzzled Zhang Yan greatly.

"Could it be because of the Joyous Union Demon Sect and the Myriad Flower Palace?"

Zhang Yan thought of a possibility.

The reason why the Qingheng faction has not ended the land reclamation war for so long is probably due to the situation in the Zhao state.

The Nascent Soul cultivator of Wanhua Palace doesn't have many years left to live.

At that time, the Hehuan Demon Sect will definitely take the opportunity to come to Zhao State and stir up trouble. As for the Qingheng Sect, due to geographical reasons, and if it is in the midst of a pioneering war, it will be difficult to deal with them.

Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the Hehuan Sect will target the Qingheng Sect.

The reason is also very simple.

If the Hehuan Demonic Sect had targeted the Qingheng Sect from the beginning, it would have only gained a territory far from the center of the Zhao Kingdom.

Moreover, it's very difficult to surround and kill the disciples of the Qingheng Sect...

after all.

The disciples of the Qingheng Sect are all currently located in the Tianmu Mountains.

The Tianmu Mountains are so vast that escaping would be incredibly easy.

Running in all directions.

As long as the Qingheng faction escapes, the entire Zhao state will know.

That would undoubtedly disrupt the rhythm of the Hehuan Demon Sect.

Actually, for Zhang Yan...

He didn't have a high opinion of the Zhao state.

after all……

If the Nascent Soul cultivator of the Myriad Flowers Palace dies, then the entire Zhao Kingdom will be without a single Nascent Soul cultivator in combat.

It's estimated that only the Qingheng Sect has a Nascent Soul stage puppet.

They are able to protect their own small plot of land.

However, a puppet in the Nascent Soul stage.

Everyone understands it.

This thing is only good for self-defense. If you really want to use a Nascent Soul stage puppet to negotiate with a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, that's just ridiculous.

Do you really think that a puppet at the Nascent Soul stage can kill a Nascent Soul stage cultivator?
That's utter nonsense.

Of course.

Unlike the Nascent Soul cultivators of Wanhua Palace who are on the verge of death.

The reason for the difference is not because the other party is weak.

Rather, it's because if you act when you're about to die, and you get injured, or if you strike with too much force, you're more likely to damage your very essence.

Damaging the source will lead to an even faster death.

Therefore, this is why Wanhua Palace was so polite to Qingheng Sect.

If it were a few decades or a hundred years earlier, the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Myriad Flowers Palace wouldn't have been so polite.

Back then, the Myriad Flowers Palace was just as arrogant and domineering as the Hehuan Demon Sect is now, looking down on everyone.

Although I had some guesses about this.

However, Zhang Yan had absolutely no way to stop it.

After all, his strength was too weak.

Currently, we are only in the foundation-building stage.

Only those at the Nascent Soul stage can stop this.

The only thing he can do now is to draw more magical talismans and give them to his grandmaster Qingluan so that she can recover from her injuries quickly.

after all.

He is the only person in the Qingheng Sect who can quickly enter the Nascent Soul stage.

For the remaining cultivators, reaching the Nascent Soul stage is extremely difficult. Even for someone like Mo Changqing, it would probably take hundreds of years of honing his skills.

Only Qingluan, because of her injury, has been pondering her own Daoist essence, and now her Daoist essence is perfected.

Once the injuries heal, one will be able to attempt to reach the Nascent Soul stage.

This is something that no one else can match.

Under these circumstances, everyone in the Qingheng Sect must revolve around Qingluan.

To be precise, it revolves around Zhang Yan and Qingluan.

Because Qingluan needs to reach the Nascent Soul stage, she needs to recover from her injuries.

However, Zhang Yan's help is needed to recover from the injuries.

It can be said that this is a series of interconnected steps, and Zhang Yan was the very first and most important step.

Without Zhang Yan, the Qingheng Sect might have chosen the same path as before in the face of the conflict between the Hehuan Demon Sect and the Zhao Kingdom.

They live a secluded life in the Qingheng Mountains, tending to their own small plot of land.

But it's different now.

Now that they have the opportunity to have a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, it means that their Qingheng Sect also has a chance to be on the table.

We can negotiate terms with the Hehuan Demon Sect at that time.

The worst outcome for the Qingheng faction is to maintain the status quo, while the best outcome is to dominate the entire Zhao Kingdom and replace the Wanhua Palace.

However, the latter scenario is highly unlikely to occur.

After all, the reason why Wanhua Palace was able to control the entire Zhao Kingdom back then was because the Nascent Soul cultivator in Wanhua Palace was a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator.

Moreover, the Hehuan Demon Sect at that time only had one Nascent Soul cultivator, and they were still consolidating their power within their own country.

Even if Qingluan really becomes a Nascent Soul cultivator, she will only be a Nascent Soul beginner, even if she adds a Nascent Soul puppet.

They still couldn't defeat the Hehuan Demon Sect, so they had to give up some things.

But by then, the Hehuan Demon Sect is unlikely to actually engage in a full-scale war with the Qingheng Sect. They will definitely offer some benefits to the Qingheng Sect.

Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that although the battle between the Hehuan Demon Sect and the Zhao Kingdom has not yet begun, the Qingheng Sect is already the winner.

This is the confidence that strength brings.

……

After a few days of rest and repair.

Lei Wanbao and Senior Sister Jia have both returned to the team.

Therefore, they are preparing to take on a new task.

Having just found Zhuge Wan, she smiled and looked at them, asking, "Have you rested enough?"

"Yes, Master, we've rested well." Zhang Yan nodded, then continued, "I wonder if there are any suitable tasks for us?"

"Your timing is quite good, as we do have a suitable mission." Zhuge Wan said with a smile, "We had a small team that went to explore this area before, but they disappeared for some reason. I hope you can go and investigate."

As she spoke, Zhuge Wan took out a map and drew a circle on it.

"A squad has gone missing?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan's eyes widened in surprise.

It should be noted that the Qingheng faction's squads are quite strong, so it's practically impossible for them to simply disappear like this.

Unless you encounter a demonic beast at the Golden Core stage.

But that's impossible!

Because there were only a few Golden Core stage demonic beasts, and they had all been either killed or kept under close watch by the Golden Core cultivators of the Qingheng Sect.

Therefore, it's highly unlikely that a Golden Core stage demon beast would have made the move. There must be something else going on here.

“Yes, Master.” Zhang Yan thought for a moment and then immediately agreed to the task.

"Well, the rewards for this mission are quite good. If you have nothing else to do, you should set off now."

Zhuge Wan gave instructions to the three people.

"Yes."

The three of them responded and immediately prepared to set off.

Within the Qingheng Sect, completing sect tasks earns points, which can be exchanged for various resources.

Whatever pills, magical artifacts, or even talismans and formations you want, the sect will provide them to you.

"This mission might be a bit dangerous, so be careful and safety comes first."

Zhang Yan addressed Lei Wanbao and Senior Sister Jia.

"Don't worry, junior brother. I'm the most afraid of dying. I've already made full preparations," Lei Wanbao said with a chuckle.

Zhang Yan: "..."

Actually, he wasn't particularly concerned about Lei Wanbao's safety. After all, this grandson might lack other things, but he had a lot of life-saving magical artifacts.

There are also various talismans.

Even if they encounter a cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, they should be able to leave safely. As for encountering a Golden Core stage cultivator?

There's no need to struggle anymore.

If a Golden Core cultivator tries to defeat a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the Foundation Establishment cultivator basically has no chance.

These are completely different things.

No matter how much you prepare, it's useless.

Of course, if you have someone like Grandmaster Qingluan backing you up, then you can treat the above words as utter nonsense.

"Don't worry, Junior Brother Zhang, I've also bought a new magical artifact. It should be enough for self-defense." Senior Sister Jia covered her lips and smiled gently, exuding charm.

"Alright, now that everyone is ready, let's set off."

Zhang Yan nodded and then steered his flying sword toward the mission location.

Along the way, everyone looked down from high above.

Then I suddenly noticed something different.

The Tianmu Mountains were originally covered with lush forests, but due to the reclamation wars, they were all devastated. Even the small hills that originally existed were razed to the ground, and some flat areas were turned into lakes.

Is this the power of the Golden Core stage?

Looking at the battlefields whose terrain had been altered, Zhang Yan took a deep breath. The difference between the Golden Core stage and the Foundation Establishment stage was truly enormous.

Or rather, in the world of cultivation, the differences between each realm are much greater than the last.

If a Qi Refining cultivator can cause trouble for or even kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator, then even 100 Foundation Establishment cultivators would find it difficult to kill a Golden Core cultivator.

Even 1000 Golden Core cultivators would find it difficult to kill a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Note that this refers to killing.

Rather than defeat.

The advantage of being at a higher level is that as long as he doesn't want to fight, you can never fight him to the death.

……

"That's truly spectacular!"

"I wonder when I'll be able to achieve the Golden Core stage." Having seen so many battlefields along the way, Lei Wanbao said with some anticipation.

"I believe you will definitely succeed in building your foundation."

Zhang Yan patted the other person on the shoulder and said.

Lei Wanbao is a descendant of Lei Kunhai, and among their bloodline, only Lei Wanbao has decent aptitude.

In other words, Lei Kunhai will do everything he can to help Lei Wanbao achieve the Golden Core stage.

In comparison...

On the contrary, it is almost impossible for Senior Sister Jia, a cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage, to achieve the Golden Core stage.

She achieved Foundation Establishment over two hundred years ago. Although her realm has reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, because she established her foundation through magic, her mastery of supernatural powers is not yet complete.

It is absolutely impossible to achieve the Golden Elixir.

Moreover, she lacked sufficient resources and opportunities.

However, due to the pioneering war and the previous actions against the Wanhua Palace, she accumulated some resources.

If given another opportunity, she could perfect her understanding of supernatural powers.

If Senior Sister Jia achieves the Golden Core stage, there is still a sliver of hope.

However, such an opportunity is extremely rare.

Therefore, Senior Sister Jia was very envious of Zhang Yan and Lei Wanbao.

After all, the two of them seemed to have a much greater chance of achieving the Golden Core than he did.

……

Unaware of what Senior Sister Jia was thinking, Zhang Yan had already led the two of them to the place where the previous team had gone missing.

This looks like a valley.

It was unremarkable, except for a thick layer of fog, it looked no different from any other place.

Looking at the mist, Zhang Yan frowned.

Because I had been ambushed before.

Therefore, he was very wary of these fogs.

They were afraid that something might be lying in ambush them.

He scanned it with his divine sense and found that it was just ordinary mist, not some kind of formation.

Even so, for safety reasons...

He opened the spirit pet pouch at his waist and threw a bird inside.

This is not a silly bird.

The silly bird was, after all, a bird that Zhang Yan had personally raised into a demon beast.

He wouldn't let it do such a suicidal job, and the silly birds were basically all left in the cave with Liu Yiting.

This bird is just a very ordinary mythical beast.

It exists specifically to detect danger.

The bird entered the mist, circled around, and found nothing unusual.

Then Zhang Yan and the other two slowly entered the mist.

This valley is not very large.

The three Foundation Establishment stage cultivators split up to search.

Zhang Yan searched the other side of the valley in a very short time, but found nothing along the way.

There is no danger at all.

"Junior Brother Zhang, Junior Brother Zhang, we've found something here." Just as we were walking back, we suddenly heard Senior Sister Jia's voice.

It seems the problem lies with Senior Sister Jia.

Thinking of this, he immediately walked over to Senior Sister Jia.

"Senior Sister Jia, what did you find?"

Upon arriving at Senior Sister Jia's side, Zhang Yan quickly asked.

"Junior Brother Zhang, look here." Senior Sister Jia's expression was solemn, holding a piece of clothing stained with blood in her hand.

"This……"

Upon seeing the shards of clothing, Zhang Yan's expression instantly turned grim.

This piece of clothing is clearly from the Qingheng Sect.

In other words, the members of the previous squad must have already perished.

Although I had already prepared myself for this.

But even after learning the truth, Zhang Yan still felt uneasy.

“Besides this, Junior Brother Zhang, look over there,” Senior Sister Jia said to Zhang Yan, pointing to a spot.

"This is……"

Upon seeing the spot that Senior Sister Jia pointed to, Zhang Yan's expression changed drastically.

(End of this chapter)