From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 266 Multiple forces, all driven by profit

"Our mission this time is still to join forces with the Huangting County Immortal Army to hunt down a third-tier demonic beast. Let's go!"

He shouted to Shino and led everyone to their destination.

Four or five months had passed since the last time the three of them joined forces to fight the monsters. This was his third collaboration with Wuma Boxuan.

This time, their target is a third-tier demon ape, whose strength is similar to the demon python they faced the first time.

The previous joint operation went smoothly, and Xiang Zhiye and Wuma Boxuan were already familiar with each other's cooperation.

In half a day, they flew using their qi to reach the vicinity of the demon ape's territory.

"rush!"

Having learned from previous experiences, Xiang Zhiye said no more. He and Wuma Boxuan flew ahead to the heart of the demon ape's territory, with the others following closely behind.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"That's strange, why isn't there any sound at all?"

Xu Zhongxu and his companions followed the immortal army from Yuanli County to the depths of the spiritual land.

To their surprise, the surroundings were completely silent, with no sign of a battle between a Golden Core cultivator and a third-tier demonic beast.

On the two previous encounters with third-tier demonic beasts, they sensed the terrifying aura of battle from more than ten miles away.

This time, there was no news of a battle between a Golden Core cultivator and a third-tier demon beast, nor did they encounter any second-tier demon beasts.

"Someone!"

The celestial army suddenly became restless.

The group sensed the presence of a large number of strangers ahead.

"What's the panic? Fly over there!"

Xiang Chunying shouted sharply, signaling everyone to approach.

When they passed through the light white spiritual mist, they saw this scene: on the top of the spiritual mountain, a large number of monster corpses lay scattered on the ground, and a group of people were skinning, pulling out tendons, bleeding and removing bones from the monster bodies.

There were also a large number of cultivators coming and going in the spiritual land, collecting spiritual plant resources.

There were also living monsters at the scene.

The three-tiered demonic ape, which was five zhang tall, was still alive. It lay on the ground, barely breathing, with only its last breath remaining.

Beside it, a demonic wolf crouched.

The wolf's eyes shone brightly, its aura deep and cold.

At this moment, Xiang Zhiye and Wuma Boxuan floated side by side in the air, confronting one person.

Jin Zhanxiong, a Golden Core Four-Patterned True Man of the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty.

That third-tier "demon wolf" was not a demon beast from the Desolate Marsh Mountains, but rather his pet beast that obeyed his commands.

Coincidentally, the third-tier demon ape was also his target.

His army, led by the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty, arrived earlier than Xiang Zhiye and his men, having just finished a battle.

Jin Zhanxiong faced Xiang Zhiye and Wuma Boxuan alone, showing no fear whatsoever; on the contrary, his aura grew even stronger.

He was at the fourth level of the Golden Core realm, a higher level than the other two. Moreover, his spirit beast, the "Swift Wind Howling Moon Wolf," was a third-tier beast, with strength equivalent to a second-level Golden Core, making it a formidable asset in battle.

"I was here first, you all get out of here!"

Despite being a Golden Core cultivator, Jin Zhanxiong spoke in an extremely vulgar manner.

He was rude to Xiang Zhiye and Wuma Boxuan, and cursed them.

Based on his accent, it is clear that he comes from the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty.

Zhennan Prefecture is very large, and the local dialects vary between the different counties.

However, the differences in accents between the various prefectures of Zhennan Prefecture are quite different from those in the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty.

Therefore, based on the distinctive differences in their accents and appearances, they can instantly distinguish whether someone is a friend or foe.

"Humph!"

Xiang Zhiye snorted coldly, and a scroll of map appeared in his hand.

He opened the map, examined it carefully, and said sarcastically, "If I'm not mistaken, you've crossed the line."

In the last ten years or so, a large number of cultivators from both the Qian Yuan Immortal Dynasty and the Bai Yue Immortal Dynasty have entered the Wilderness Mountain Range.

Although the two sides are hostile forces, they rarely engage in direct combat.

On the one hand, they both knew that the other was not someone to be trifled with, and that once a war broke out, it would inevitably result in heavy casualties and mutual destruction.

On the other hand, they came to the Wilderness Mountains for resources, not for a life-or-death struggle.

Neither side's cultivators possessed the same level of courage and morale.

Therefore, for a long time, they rarely fought head-on, but instead dispersed and searched for resources in various places.

Unbeknownst to many, an unspoken rule was formed: the Wilderness Mountain Range was divided in two, one half close to the Qian Yuan Immortal Dynasty and the other half close to the Bai Yue Immortal Dynasty.

These two areas are their respective activity zones.

However, this time, when Shino checked the map, he discovered that the other party had crossed the boundary.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Crossing the line? Heh."

Jin Zhanxiong sneered, "This desolate mountain range is not the territory of your Qian Yuan Immortal Dynasty. What boundaries are there? If you're not happy, then fight. If you don't want to fight, then get lost!"

"you!"

Xiang Zhiye was repeatedly insulted, which made him so angry that he glared at the screen.

Wuma Boxuan, standing nearby, used spiritual power to transmit his voice to Xiang Zhiye: "Master Peach Blossom, shall we fight?"

"..."

Xiang Zhiye didn't know how to respond.

beat?
The opponent's apparent strength is already superior to theirs, and if they have hidden tricks up their sleeves, they will definitely suffer heavy losses if they go to war with them.

Do not hit?

It makes them look cowardly and lose face.

After hesitating for a moment, Xiang Zhiye replied to Wuma Boxuan: "Let's take this into consideration and call for reinforcements."

"it is good."

Wu Ma Boxuan had the same idea and was just waiting for Xiang Zhiye to back down first.

"If you've got the guts, stay here and don't leave!"

Xiang Zhiye left behind a harsh remark, then turned and led everyone away.

Wuma Boxuan also left with his troops.

As for the Golden Bear, he certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to stay put and wait; he would leave once he had collected all the resources from this spiritual land.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Leaving now?"

Xu Zhongxu was puzzled.

They came from Yuanli County to the Huangze Mountains, originally to deal with the army of the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty.

When they finally encountered the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty's forces, they didn't engage in a major battle; they just exchanged a few harsh words and then retreated.
"That's good, we're perfectly safe now."

Xu Zhongxu thought to himself.

They won't be in danger if they only deal with third-tier spirit beasts or collect spirit plant resources.

However, if they go to war with the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty, their casualties will be very high.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, Xiang Zhiye discovered another unexplored second-tier spiritual land and led the group to search for spiritual plant resources.

It has been almost three years since the group arrived at the Wilderness Mountain Range.

Over the past three years, they have searched for various resources in the unclaimed spiritual land, hunted down third-tier demonic beasts, and reaped considerable rewards. Each of them has improved their cultivation level to some extent.

In the Spirit Land, in an inconspicuous cave dwelling.

"Breaking through!"

Xu Zhongxu circulated his cultivation technique, and the spiritual energy within his body broke through the bottleneck, growing considerably stronger.

Nearly two years after breaking through to the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, he broke through again, reaching the fifth level of Foundation Establishment!

The fifth level of Foundation Establishment brings me one step closer to the later stage of Foundation Establishment.

Several months ago, Xu Zhongxu used up all the Lingzhi Ganlu.

Fortunately, he had accumulated a large amount of spiritual plant resources during this period. As long as there was an opportunity to sell spirit stones and exchange them for spirit pills, he could obtain a large number of spirit pills, and his improvement speed would not be much slower than before.

"To further consolidate my cultivation."

He then began to practice his internal energy cultivation technique.

A few days later, the commotion outside alerted him.

"Everyone, gather quickly!"

"The commander has given the order to break through! Follow him and break through!"

"..."

Xu Xiaoniu, who was the first to learn what had happened, immediately called out to the rest of the Xu family.

"Quick, there's danger! Everyone cover each other, don't scatter!"

The group followed Xu Xiaoniu. "What's wrong?"

"Even a Golden Core cultivator is panicking?"

Xu Xiaoniu explained the situation very quickly: "It's demonic beasts, a horde of demonic beasts is coming!"

A horde of monsters?!

Everyone was astonished. Had they hunted too many monsters and now faced a counterattack?
That's right, this is the counterattack of the monsters from the Desolate Swamp Mountains!

In recent years, a large number of third-tier demonic beasts in the Wilderness Mountains have been besieged and killed.

Even in the resource-rich Wilderness Mountains, there aren't many Tier 3 demonic beasts.

For the monsters of the Wilderness Mountains, they follow the law of the jungle, fighting each other and vying for territory based on their strength.

Those powerful third-tier demonic beasts that occupy spiritual lands usually keep to themselves, without interfering with each other, each going their own way.

This has been the case for the last few hundred to a thousand years.

However, in recent years, third-tier demonic beasts have repeatedly been besieged and killed by human cultivators.

After countless third-tier demonic beasts died, the demonic beasts finally realized what was happening and decided to fight back and join forces to deal with the human race!
At this moment, the immortal army of Yuanli County is facing a counterattack from the forces of demonic beasts.

Two third-tier demonic beasts are chasing Xiang Zhiye, and a large number of second-tier demonic beasts are also attacking.

There are actually many second-tier demonic beasts in the Wilderness Mountains, but they often live alone in their own territory or in small groups.

Some monsters even have a hunter-hunter relationship.

However, under pressure from the human cultivators, the demon beasts united.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Run away!"

"kill!"

"..."

The battlefield was in chaos.

Xiang Zhiye was being chased by two third-tier demonic beasts and was unable to take care of the cultivators under his command, so he could only let them flee for their lives.

In the midst of a chaotic battle.

The Xu family members remained calm.

"Let's break through together!"

Each of them displayed their unique abilities.

Xu Xiaoniu was using the "Xuanwu Earth Element Technique," and could easily wield various earth-based spells.

Xu Xiaohou's two invisible flying swords were mysterious and unpredictable, and their skill was superb.

Xu Likun also used two flying swords imbued with spiritual energy.

Xu Yiqing practiced the "Three Thousand Cold Ice Technique".

Among them, the most outstanding performer was undoubtedly Xu Zhongxu, who was at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment.

Having been in the Wilderness Mountains for nearly three years, Xu Zhongxu has made the fastest progress in his cultivation level, and his comprehension of the techniques goes without saying.

With every gesture, his spiritual energy transformed into vines, firmly protecting the Xu family members around him.

"Yoshiki, be careful!"

Zhongxu quickly controlled a vine to grow in the wind, transforming it into a giant vine over ten feet long that blocked a second-tier demon beast.

"Come on!"

After all, their overall strength was relatively weak. Zhong Xu, who had the highest cultivation level, was at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. Xu Xiaoniu and Xu Xiaohou were still at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment. Xu Yiqing was currently stuck at the bottleneck of the third level of Foundation Establishment, but he was not far from breaking through to the fourth level.

Xu Likun had only recently broken through to the third level of the Foundation Establishment realm.

With their strength, they would have an extremely difficult time dealing with a second-tier demonic beast equivalent to the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Fortunately, the five of them were united and determined not to abandon any of them, which made even ordinary second-tier demonic beasts afraid to approach them.

"kill!"

In the chaos, they fought their way to the outer perimeter.

At this moment, the immortal army of Yuanli County was being chased by monsters.

Xiang Zhiye was the fastest to escape.

The others fled in panic.

Those weaker late-stage Qi Refining cultivators became "cannon fodder" to buy time for everyone. No one cared about their lives; they could only try their best to escape.

Life and death are determined by fate, entirely depending on luck.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Not everyone in the immortal army of Yuanli County was in such a sorry state.

For example, Tuoba Hongyang.

He is at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, comes from the Tuoba family, possesses a life-saving spiritual artifact bestowed by the family, and knows various secret techniques.

Unless it's a third-tier demonic beast that attacks him, he'll almost certainly be fine.

The third-tier demon beast's target was Xiang Zhiye, so although Tuoba Hongyang's situation was dangerous, he was more than capable of protecting himself.

He had practiced the flying techniques of the Tuoba family, making his figure unpredictable and extremely fast.

"Help~~"

In the distance, a cultivator at the late stage of Qi Refining cried out for help, only to be devoured by a second-tier demonic beast.

"call out--"

Tuoba Hongyang transformed into a streak of light and stepped forward.

Its imposing aura frightened away the second-tier demon beast.

Tuoba Hongyang's target was not a second-tier demonic beast, but the storage pouch of a recently deceased late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

He grabbed at the air, and the storage pouch on the late-stage Qi Refining cultivator flew into his hand.

"Another storage pouch."

Tuoba Hongyang was secretly pleased.

It was precisely this kind of opportunity that allowed him to fish in troubled waters.

In this short time, he had already collected several storage pouches.

"Chief Tuoba, help!"

A powerful cultivator at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment cried out for help.

That person was previously a Demon-Slaying Guard of the Demon-Slaying Division, and was a subordinate of Tuoba Hongyang.

His way of addressing Tuoba Hongyang had become a habit, and he subconsciously called him "Chief Tuoba" again.

"Watch out, I'm coming to save you!"

As soon as Tuoba Hongyang finished speaking, he stepped forward and repelled the second-tier demon beast.

The Demon-Subduing Guard, still shaken, repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Commander, no, I should call you senior now, thank you for saving me... um..."

He looked down in astonishment and saw that Tuoba Hongyang's sword had pierced through his dantian and spiritual platform.

"Hmph~~"

Tuoba Hongyang snorted coldly and drew his spirit sword.

The storage pouch of a Foundation Establishment Level 5 cultivator must contain a great deal of resources.

This was Tuoba Hongyang's idea.

With the current situation in chaos, no one will notice his "small actions".

However, as he turned his head, his heart sank, and he caught a glimpse of a figure in the distance.

"The Xu family?!"

Those people were none other than Xu Zhongxu and his companions.

"I hope they don't see this."

That was all Tuoba Hongyang could think.

Given the circumstances of the five members of the Xu family, even if Tuoba Hongyang wanted to silence them, it would be impossible for him to do so quietly and without anyone noticing.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Beware of monsters, but be even more careful of others!"

Xu Zhongxu inadvertently witnessed Tuoba Hongyang killing someone and seizing the storage bag.

"Ah, money really can be a powerful motivator..."

Xu Xiaoniu shook his head and sighed, thinking about the situation where he had been forcibly conscripted.

The situation was similar in the later stages of the war. Players not only had to guard against the enemy, but also against betrayal by their own teammates.

The cultivators usually keep all their wealth in their storage bags.

Killing a cultivator and seizing their storage pouch often means taking away their life savings.

Therefore, people like Tuoba Hongyang would go against their conscience to kill and steal treasures.

"Xiaoniu~~!"

At this moment, the Xu family members ran into Jiang Hao.

Jiang Hao was all alone, and his strength at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment was only average. When he encountered Xu Xiaoniu and others, he decisively sought their help and joined the Xu family's team.

(End of this chapter)