Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 272 Ding Xia
"How could I not know..."

Zhang Min murmured to herself, recalling her past conversations with Fairy Green Cloud.

Seeing that she was already in a state of utter confusion, Li Xiangming let out a soft breath and continued, "In either case, Green Cloud Cave is fraught with danger for me; and it is not a peaceful place for you either, Senior Sister."

"Especially, never mind, I won't make any unnecessary guesses, but I advise you not to return to your sect for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Min immediately shook her head: "No, I need to ask my master for the answer."

Li Xiangming frowned, his tone heavy: "What if Master isn't real?"

"Then let's fight to the death."

Zhang Min gritted her teeth and replied without hesitation, her voice revealing a resolute determination.

If the Green Cloud Fairy who is currently issuing orders is a fake, it would undoubtedly be a great disgrace to the Green Cloud Cave.

Li Xiangming remained silent for a moment. As a true disciple of Green Cloud Cave, Zhang Min's influence was naturally considerable.

If she can prove that the Green Cloud Fairy on the throne is an imposter, leading Green Cloud Cave to fight a decisive battle against Good Cloud Sect is not without a chance of victory.

After all, in terms of numbers, Green Cloud Cave is several times larger than Good Cloud Sect.

However, what if the Green Cloud Fairy is fake?

So where is the real Green Cloud Fairy?

Considering that the Fairy of Good Clouds mentioned by Yin Feng never appeared from beginning to end.

Li Xiangming already had a preliminary guess in his mind.

Although it is unknown how Shan Yunmen gained the trust of Lvyun Cave and passed through the Xiao Xuan Yin Ling Array unscathed.

But now, they are trying to annex Green Cloud Cave.

The fact that Shan Yun Men could both create a fake Green Cloud Fairy and control the real one demonstrates the meticulousness of their plan.

They must have anticipated that things would be exposed and prepared countermeasures.

If Zhang Min goes back now, she will either remain still or make a move, which could be very dangerous.

However, Zhang Min was someone Fairy Green Cloud had watched grow up since childhood, and her feelings for the sect were far deeper than those of a nominal disciple like Li Xiangming.

In addition, she is a true disciple, so her stance is clear.

At this critical juncture for the survival of Green Cloud Cave, if even she doesn't return, or even runs away, then who else in the entire Green Cloud Cave will be able to stand up and vindicate the sect?

From Zhang Min's firm tone, Li Xiangming knew that she had made up her mind, and a complicated look flashed in his eyes.

If the Green Cloud Fairy he met was indeed a fake.

Therefore, his current crisis was caused by Shanyun Sect.

Shan Yunmen felt that their sudden appearance was an unstable factor that could potentially thwart their plot to annex Green Cloud Cave.

Therefore, they wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible.

If that's the case, even if disciples from Green Cloud Cave guide the Good Cloud Sect.

They were also deceived, after all, who could refuse the orders of the "Jade Fairy"?
The real Green Cloud Fairy and Green Cloud Cave may not have wanted to kill him.

Even so, Li Xiangming couldn't risk his life and fortune on mere speculation.

For him now, Green Cloud Cave is undoubtedly a den of dragons and tigers.

He said in a deep voice, "Junior brother is barely able to protect himself, so I'm afraid I can't lend a hand to senior sister."

Zhang Min nodded understandingly, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes: "I've dragged you into this, Junior Brother. It's all my fault. I'll apologize to you after I get back and investigate everything."

After speaking, Zhang Min looked around.

As they flew and talked, they were almost at Furongping. She took out a bottle of pills from her body and handed it to Li Xiangming, saying, "I have a few pills here. Take one every three days. It may help with your injuries."

Li Xiangming reached out and took it. A pungent medicinal smell wafted towards him, and he couldn't help but frown: "What kind of pill is this?"

Zhang Min hesitated for a moment, then sighed and replied, "The spell that injured you is called the Six Yin Void Divine Finger. This spell is used silently, but its power is extremely terrifying. Once you are hit, your whole body will be invaded by cold air and you will freeze to death."

“Ordinary external magical power is not much, and we can drive it away on our own. However, the magical power carried by the Six Yin Void Divine Finger is a special magical power that has been refined over many years. It is extremely stubborn. The more you resist it, the easier it is to be assimilated by it, and it will grow stronger and further invade your dantian.”

"With your dantian invaded, there's basically no way to recover. I've never heard of anyone like you who can keep the power of the Six Yin Void Divine Finger at bay and manipulate it at will. But as long as this power isn't cleared away, you still can't escape the fate of freezing to death."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming frowned.

In fact, just as Zhang Min said, he is now completely unable to use the magical power in his dantian.

The reason it could still be so active and escape for hundreds of miles was entirely due to the magical power within the Guixu runes.

Without this high-level rune inscribed by the Shen family, he would have collapsed and died the moment he was hit.

This also indirectly confirms the viciousness and terror of the Six Yin False God Finger.

"Then what are these pills for?"

Li Xiangming asked again, although Zhang Min was his senior sister, one cannot take pills indiscriminately in the cultivation world, and one must be even more cautious about taking pills that one cannot recognize.

Li Chengsu serves as a cautionary tale.

Zhang Min smiled wryly: "It's called Jing Shuang Wan. I'm not sure if it's effective, but it should help. I just hope you'll trust me this once."

Li Xiangming remained silent; he dared not trust anyone except his own family.

But his condition is indeed critical, and now we have no choice but to try anything.

After accepting the few unknown pills, Li Xiangming thanked Zhang Min briefly, then turned and left to meet up with Li Xiangren, who had been waiting for him at Furongping.

Watching Li Xiangming's retreating figure, Zhang Min bit her lip. Everything today was beyond her expectations. Recalling that familiar figure in her mind, she trembled.
-
"Ouyang Zhen, is this project even going to work out?"

Outside the Green Cloud Cave, Duan Heng shouted angrily at a man in a blue robe.

The man in the blue robe remained silent and did not speak.

Xu Chuan, standing to the side, glanced coldly at Duan Heng and sneered, "I wonder which idiot is responsible for putting us in this dilemma."

"Xu Chuan, I'll fuck your grandpa."

Duan Heng was furious. He summoned the gourd, and the torrent of water flooded the land, resembling an ocean.

Three enormous sea monsters emerged from the sea, baring their fangs and claws at Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan immediately flew into the air, the sword box on his back faintly emitting a dragon's roar.

In an instant, six flying swords soared into the sky, pointing directly at Duan Heng.

This isn't the first time the two have argued and become enemies; it's been happening almost every day for the past few days.

In the past, Ouyang Zhen would have intervened at this time to prevent it from disrupting unity.

But at this moment, he stood by and watched coldly.

He knew that if they weren't allowed to vent, the team would fall apart before the day was over.

Unlike Ouyang Zhen, Duan Heng and Xu Chuan were both disciples of a sect.

They all carried some kind of mission from their respective sects.

He rushed over here without hesitation after hearing about the Enlightenment Spring.

But after spending a lot of time, they still hadn't seen a trace of the Enlightenment Spring.

Let's leave now; no one is willing to accept that.

If they continue to wait, not only will they have difficulty explaining to the sect, but they themselves see no hope whatsoever.

Green Cloud Cave kept its gates tightly shut, even after they captured a disciple who was trying to return to the cave and interrogated him about the Enlightenment Spring.

But Ouyang Zhen knew that this was the result of Xu Chuan forcing a confession.

The other party was just a minor cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining, who had never heard of the information provided by the Enlightenment Spring, so it was obviously fake.

Green Cloud Cave was utterly inhumane, completely disregarding the disciple's life or death, and remaining unmoved no matter how much they threatened him.

They even destroyed the spiritual fields in several nearby river valleys, but Green Cloud Cave turned a blind eye.

Now Ouyang Zhen was completely out of options.

They couldn't break through, and dragging it out would demoralize them.

Currently, both Duan Heng and Xu Chuan have doubts about the news of the Enlightenment Spring.

Even though they trusted Xu Zibu a lot, the messages he sent out were vague and unclear.

The Enlightenment Spring will be born in the Green Cloud Cave, but when exactly will it be born?

Are they going to have to wait here for ten years for them to be born in ten years?
Once this idea takes hold, it's hard to shake off.

Apart from Ouyang Zhen, most of the others were more or less considering quitting.

Duan Heng and Xu Chuan ostensibly fought because of their own conflicts, but in reality, they were expressing their stance to Ouyang Zhen.

If you, Ouyang Zhen, don't come up with a solution, then we're breaking up.

How could Ouyang Zhen not know that these two were acting?

Even knowing this, he could only play along and keep promising solutions; it was his responsibility as the leader.

But now, he was also disheartened. Looking at the silent Ouyang Zhen, Xu Chuan in mid-air showed a hint of surprise, then his heart sank, realizing that even Ouyang Zhen was hesitant.

Xu Chuan had a gloomy expression. Before coming here, he had been dreaming of breaking through the Foundation Establishment stage and entering the inner sect by using the Enlightenment Spring.

But now it seems destined to be a fruitless endeavor.

Thinking of this, he felt it was pointless and didn't want to fight Duan Heng anymore.

However, Duan Heng, now that no one was stopping him, had become truly enraged and summoned two more water monsters to relentlessly attack Xu Chuan.

"This idiot!"

Enraged, Xu Chuan showed no mercy, chanting incantations while dodging the water monster.

Six flying swords formed a sword formation and instantly severed the head of a monkey-shaped water monster.

"court death!"

Duan Heng shouted angrily, clasped his hands together, and looked deep into the darkness.

Suddenly, a flying fish-like monster leaped behind Xu Chuan and opened its mouth wide.

Xu Chuan turned around coldly, raised his hand and pointed, and a dark blue flying sword flew out from his sleeve—it was actually a hidden flying sword.

The flying sword moved with unstoppable force, instantly piercing the throat of the flying fish monster.

The flying fish monster let out a muffled groan, all its strength drained, and it fell from mid-air.

Just as Xu Chuan relaxed his vigilance, black smoke suddenly emerged from the white belly of the flying fish sea monster.

A plume of black smoke shot towards Xu Chuan with lightning speed.

Xu Chuan was shocked and hurriedly withdrew his flying sword, slashing at the black silk.

However, the black line broke and turned into black smoke, but it did not disappear.

Instead, after the flying sword passed by, it condensed back into a black line and continued its rush towards Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan was completely speechless. He only had time to erect a magical shield before the black threads wrapped around his body.

"Frozen Body Imprisonment Technique!"

Ouyang Zhen's eyes were solemn. If this technique failed, all would be well; but if it did, the user would essentially lose all ability to fight.

As expected, Xu Chuan struggled several times but failed to break free of the black lines.

His body quickly stiffened, and he could only watch helplessly as Duan Heng flew towards him with a sinister grin.

"Xu Chuan, you'll one day fall into my hands too."

Duan Heng shouted, his voice sharp and excited.

He then took out a large cleaver from his storage bag, intending to kill Xu Chuan on the spot.

"Duan Heng, are you crazy? Stop it!"

Seeing this, Xu Chuan became extremely anxious and struggled incessantly.

But no matter how he tried, his magical power was only able to crawl like a tortoise.

Without the aid of magic, he was completely unable to move.

"No, don't kill me!"

Xu Chuan looked utterly terrified.

But Duan Heng's eyes were filled with excitement. He raised his decapitation sword high and showed no mercy.

Just then, a water ball the size of a fist floated to Xu Chuan's side.

The moment the decapitating sword crashed down, the water sphere instantly expanded, enveloping Xu Chuan within it.

As expected, the decapitation sword struck the water sphere, losing momentum and failing to achieve its goal.

Duan Heng suddenly turned around, his gaze unusually fierce: "Ouyang Zhen, are you stopping me?"

Ouyang Zhenfei flew into the air and said calmly, "We are all friends, why have such murderous intent?"

Duan Heng sneered repeatedly: "Friend? If I had been the one who got slashed just now, would you have intervened? What kind of philanthropist are you, Young Master Ouyang? Who the hell are you trying to fool?"

After saying that, he stared at Xu Chuan and said sarcastically, "You'll be Ouyang Zhen's dog for the rest of your life. If you do it well, you can get some bones."

Hearing Duan Heng's harsh words, Ouyang Zhen's face darkened. He said coldly, "Duan Heng, don't think that just because you have some information, you can act recklessly in front of me."

"Hey, intelligence?"

Duan Heng spat and said, "I was just fooling you guys. I don't know anything about the Enlightenment Spring, and I'm too lazy to play with you guys anymore."

As soon as he finished speaking, he flew away.

"stop!"

A flash of anger crossed Ouyang Zhen's face.

Duan Heng ignored him and showed no sign of stopping.

"Since you're leaving, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Ouyang Zhen's eyes were gloomy. Even if he didn't care about Duan Heng leaving, Duan Heng could only leave after he announced the disbandment of the group.

Now that Duan Heng has taken "intelligence" and left without permission, he has crossed his bottom line.

Just as he was about to make a move against Duan Heng, two figures suddenly flew in from the southwest.

"Master!"

One of them was an old man in his eighties with a face full of wrinkles.

The other person was a girl wearing a pale yellow dress.

"Uncle Huang, what brings you here?"

Upon seeing the old man, Ouyang Zhen didn't have time to chase after Duan Heng and hurriedly went to greet him.

The old man, known as Uncle Huang, chuckled and pointed to the girl beside him, saying, "Didn't the young master ask me to find a formation master who can break the Lesser Profound Yin Spirit Formation? I've found one."

"she?"

Ouyang Zhen glanced at the girl in yellow and was stunned.

"What's wrong with me? My name is Ding Xia."

Ding Xia's eyes were bright and sparkling, as if she found everything novel. Even though she was being questioned, she still smiled, her eyes curving slightly like crescent moons, revealing a lively and playful side.

Her features were delicate, her face was neither too big nor too small, but the baby fat on her cheeks added to her cuteness, and together with her fair, snow-white skin, she looked very charming.

However, Ouyang Zhen was not a womanizer. When he saw the light downy hair on Ding Xia's face, he couldn't help but look at Uncle Huang.

Uncle Huang coughed and replied, "She said she was a second-tier array master. I tested her a few times, and although I can't be sure of her exact level, she is definitely an array master."

"Second-level formation master?"

Ouyang Zhen gasped.

Many independent cultivators practice alchemy and talisman making, but few are involved in weapon crafting and formations.

The crafting of weapons goes without saying.

Refining a batch of pills takes anywhere from three to five days to half a month or a month.

The refining time will generally not exceed one month.

Refining artifacts is different. Even for ungraded magical artifacts, it takes at least one or two months to complete the process, starting from selecting and processing various raw materials, and then repeatedly hammering and refining them.

Those top-quality magical artifacts often take three to five years to develop.

This also means that for cultivators, using magical flames to forge weapons is a nightmare.

Without a foundation or a spiritual vein dojo, the rogue cultivators naturally lacked earth fire.

Therefore, independent cultivators generally won't bother learning weapon crafting, and even if they did, they'd find it difficult to improve.

The reason they don't learn formations is simply because the art of formations requires too much comprehension and is too difficult to master.

As a family specializing in Golden Core cultivation, the Ouyang family naturally possesses powerful array masters.

In fact, the Ouyang family has quite a few array masters, no less than thirty.

Even though the Ouyang family's array formations have become quite mature, and they have cultivated so many family-trained array masters.

Yet, not a single second-tier array master has emerged.

This shows how difficult it is to master the art of formations.

The blond-haired girl in front of them claimed to be a formation master, and even a second-tier formation master.

How could this not surprise Ouyang Zhen?

Seeing Ouyang Zhen's uncontrollable expression, Ding Xia curled her lips and said, "Look at you, so unsophisticated. Today, I'll show you something new."

(End of this chapter)