Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 333 Negotiation
Jiming Mountain.

Inside a sect hall that was still under renovation, Xie Daoren was preparing a medicinal ointment. While applying a hot cloth to the corpse driver's battered body, he asked, "Corpse driver, what is that girl's background?"

The corpse-driver opened his half-closed eyes and said in a deep voice, "The Qin family of Red Stone Valley."

"The Qin family?"

Zhang Can, who was standing to the side, immediately became anxious and asked, "How did you end up provoking the Qin family?"

The monk on the other side also had a very serious expression.

Although they were from out of town, they had lived in Pu County for more than two years and naturally had some understanding of the power structure there.

In Pudong, the Li family of Danggui Mountain is the most powerful family. To the north are the various sects of Daishan, and to the south are the three major families in the southeast of Puxian County: the Geng family of Meilinling, the Liu family of Jimuyan, and the Qin family of Hongshigu.

Any one of these three families is no weaker than the Li family, with the Qin family being the most powerful of the three, showing a growing momentum to dominate the southeast and south of Pu County.

The Five Scattered Sects of Jiming Mountain were utterly insignificant in their eyes.

The corpse driver sighed, "When I attended the gathering of Guangcheng Sanren, I was targeted and had no choice but to take action. It just so happened that the Qin family cultivators saw it. They insisted that the zombie in my hand was surnamed Qin and chased me all the way to Pudong. I had no choice but to send you a distress signal."

Zhang Can and the Flower Monk looked at each other in bewilderment.

This Guangcheng Sanren is a veteran of Puxian County. He has been staying here since before Puxian County was established. His purpose is nothing more than to try to find an opportunity to establish his foundation.

Unfortunately, he has never been able to achieve his wish over the years.

However, during this time he also accumulated a lot of connections and became quite famous among independent cultivators.

Every six months or so, Guangcheng Sanren would hold a private gathering in his own name for familiar cultivators to discuss Taoist practices or trade various cultivation resources.

Such private gatherings are common in secluded retreats.

Although they are not as large as the marketplace, they have fewer rules and regulations, and at least joining them does not require paying spirit stones, so they are very popular among independent cultivators.

People like Zhang Can and the Flower Monk participated in countless such gatherings in Liusha County.

After arriving in Pu County, they quickly learned of Guangcheng Sanren's reputation and found an opportunity to infiltrate his ranks.

Therefore, the three of them were not at all surprised that the corpse driver would attend the gathering organized by Guangcheng Sanren.

But unexpectedly, he offended the Qin family because of this.

Upon hearing this, Xie Daoren couldn't help but ask, "Could it be a misunderstanding? By the way, where did you get that zombie surnamed Qin?"

The corpse-driver closed his eyes helplessly: "I bought it!"

"This"

Master Xie was speechless.

Although he did not understand the ways of the corpse, he knew some basic things.

Most zombies refined from mortal corpses are weak in combat. They can scare mortals, but it is basically impossible for them to deal with cultivators.

Just to put it simply, once others are flying in mid-air, no matter how many zombies you have, it's all for naught.

Therefore, the best material for zombies is still the corpse of a monk.

However, not every cultivator's corpse is of great use.

Those low-level cultivators who have been dead for more than ten or even several decades have lost all their magical power and their physical bodies are rotten and incomplete. Even if you wanted to cultivate them, you wouldn't know where to start.

Only the corpses of recently deceased cultivators, or those that have been dead for a long time but whose cultivation was very high and whose dantian still has residual magic power nourishing their bodies and has not completely decomposed, are worth refining.

The latter is uncommon, and the former is actually not easy to find either.

Because most of the dead people you encounter are low-level cultivators, and those who are more powerful all have powerful backgrounds, making it extremely difficult to steal or take away their remains.

Low-level cultivators can refine it, but its value is very low.

Their magical power was not much in life, and most of it dissipated after death, leaving very little in the hands of corpse cultivators.

Even if it is transformed into a zombie, its strength will be reduced to less than one-tenth.

Some might say that zombies are weak and can be defeated by sheer numbers.

That is indeed a solution.

But the reason you can control zombies is ultimately because the zombies have your divine imprint within them.

In other words, the number of zombies a corpse cultivator possesses is influenced to some extent by the strength of their divine sense.

Divine sense has a wide range of functions. In addition to sensing danger, probing magical power, and assisting in cultivation, it is also used to refine magical artifacts, control spirit pets, and cast spells.

You can't just use it to create zombies.

There are indeed corpse cultivators in the cultivation world who can control tens of thousands of zombies, but those are individuals with extraordinary talent.

Most corpse cultivators only have a few dozen or a hundred zombies on their bodies.

Besides being a corpse cultivator, the corpse driver was also a puppeteer.

The puppet on his body also occupied a portion of his divine consciousness.

Therefore, he can control fewer zombies.

Small quantity, high quality!
The minimum standard for corpse-driving craftsmen to create zombies is the corpse of a cultivator in the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

A dead person with this level of cultivation is not exactly rare, but it's not something you can find just by staying in Jiming Mountain.

To replenish the zombies on their bodies, the corpse-drivers would often go out to try their luck.

Besides murder and seizing corpses and digging up graves, purchasing the corpses of cultivators in certain trading venues was also an indispensable part of his business.

That's right, even corpses can be sold for money.

However, if you don't encounter a corpse cultivator, the price is very low, and it often doesn't sell.

Not many people are willing to do this kind of thing.

As a corpse cultivator, the corpse driver naturally paid close attention to this aspect.

After arriving in Puxian, he actually found a way to buy several decent corpses.

The corpse transporter was most satisfied with the remains of a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining.

The corpse was very fresh at the time, and a lot of magic power remained on it that hadn't had time to dissipate.

The corpse-driver was overjoyed and immediately bought it, turning it into a zombie, intending to use it as the main force in the battle.

Unexpectedly, just a few months later, the zombie was caught red-handed by Qin Zhengru and her brother during a battle.

When Qin Zhengru saw her uncles turn into mindless zombies, she was struck dumb and then flew into a rage, demanding that the corpse driver give the Qin family an explanation.

What could a corpse-driver say?
The other party insisted that the zombie's surname was Qin and demanded that he go to the Qin family to explain.

However, even if he confessed that he didn't kill the person, but rather bought the body with real money.

Can the Qin family accept the fact that he turned his family members into zombies?
Absolutely not.

Going to the Qin family is like a lamb entering a tiger's den.

The corpse-driver naturally refused, so he had no choice but to flee back to Pudong.

After hearing the whole story, the expressions on the faces of the people present were not good.

Having provoked the behemoth that is the Qin family, everyone was extremely uneasy.

But they couldn't blame the corpse-drivers.

A dignified corpse cultivator didn't kill people or dig up graves; instead, he spent spirit stones to buy corpses.

They have already been very restrained in their behavior.

Who would have thought my luck would be so bad?
"I heard that the Qin family and the Geng family are at odds and have suffered casualties on both sides. If this zombie is surnamed Qin, then it came from the Geng family."

The Flower Monk spoke slowly.

The other two remained silent.

Their judgment aligned with that of the Flower Monk: the Qin family couldn't have mistaken the person; the newly created zombie by the corpse-driving craftsman was very likely a cultivator from the Qin family who died in the battle of Meiling.

This means that the hatred between the corpse-driving masters, or rather the Five Scattered Sect, and the Qin family will be difficult to resolve.

Disgust flashed in Zhang Can's eyes: "I heard that the Geng family is good at controlling ghosts. This Qin family cultivator's soul must have been taken away as well. Soul and body are separated, neither can be at peace. The Geng family is disgusting enough."

Landing safely is not just a custom in the mundane world.

This is also the philosophy upheld by the cultivation world.

Most cultivators, before passing away, will prepare a tomb for themselves and bring some of their inheritance into it for future generations.

When descendants receive the inheritance, they are grateful and often do not damage the tomb.

Of course, there are no absolutes.

Some people, fearing that others will also inherit the same legacy, will destroy the tomb completely.

However, burial is still the most common practice. The Geng family not only refused to bury the Qin family cultivator, but also made him work for others after his death, which was quite excessive.

Even among these "ruthless" rogue cultivators, very few could achieve this level of skill.

Just then, Grandma Lai burst in.

The Flower Monk and the others hurriedly stepped forward: "How is it?"

Granny Lai glanced at the seriously injured corpse driver before sighing, "I'll trap him with a small maze formation. He shouldn't be able to find Jiming Mountain in a short time."

"That's good!"

Master Xie breathed a sigh of relief.

"What a fart!"

Grandma Lai said irritably, "This girl is stubborn and won't give up so easily. The miasma and smoke of Jiming Mountain make it difficult to be discovered, but such anomalies are equally likely to attract the attention of cultivators. Moreover, even if she returns empty-handed, the Qin family behind her will not let it go."

"What should I do?"

Zhang Can's face darkened: "We can't just run away like this, can we?"

Before the establishment of the Five Scattered Sect, everyone had an indifferent attitude.

After the sect was established, everyone unknowingly invested resources into it, such as "buying" sect disciples, building the sect's main hall, cultivating spiritual fields, and purchasing magical artifacts and five-element sensing talismans for testing spiritual roots, etc.
These are all pure white spirit stones.

In just over a year, they have become penniless and are now leaving in disgrace. Who would be willing to accept that?
Master Xie hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Could we ask the Li family for protection?"

Grandma Lai scoffed, "What are you thinking? The other party is not a rogue cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining, but the most prestigious cultivation family in Pu County."

"And what are we? Strangers from a neighboring country! Would the Li family risk their lives for the Qin family just because we are outsiders?"

Zhang Can gritted his teeth: "If the Li family doesn't come, they can just wait for the Qin family to take away the Spirit Pool of Jiming Mountain."

“That’s right. If the Li family stays out of it, the Qin family won’t let go of this valuable land. If the Li family declares that Jiming Mountain belongs to them, they will have to admit that we have dealings with the Li family, and the Qin family will definitely be very dissatisfied with this.”

Master Xie quickly added.

The Flower Monk shook his head repeatedly: "You underestimate the interests between these powerful families. If we use the Spirit Pool as leverage, do you believe the Li family and the Qin family could sit together behind the scenes?"

"At that time, not only will our identity information be sold by the Li family, but Li family cultivators will also be among those who deal with us. Jiming Mountain will still belong to them, and the Qin family will not occupy this enclave."

As soon as these words came out, everyone fell silent.

They didn't know what the powerful families were thinking, but the image of their scions as treacherous and cunning was etched into the minds of every rogue cultivator.

After a long pause, Granny Lai said, "If that doesn't work, we'll go and ask for a better formation. Anyway, we didn't kill the people. The Qin family knows this perfectly well, and it's unlikely they'll go to great lengths to attack us. This is evident from the fact that the two people chasing the corpse driver were both Qi Refining cultivators."

"Moreover, the Qin family also has to face the threat of the Geng family. They can only spare one or two Foundation Establishment cultivators to come and question them at most. With the natural defenses around Jiming Mountain, we can work together to control the formation and may be able to keep the Qin family cultivators out."

Upon hearing this, the others all nodded.

The Flower Monk gained some confidence and even joked, "Perhaps we won't even need to use the formation; the Qin family will just be disoriented in these layers of poisonous miasma."

This is not just him boasting!

The miasma near Jiming Mountain is highly poisonous, and one must constantly circulate magical power to resist it.

Those with low cultivation levels will die from exhaustion in less than an hour.

Even Foundation Establishment cultivators dare not linger here.

Without a guide, these miasmas are truly natural barriers.

"So best."

Master Xie chuckled, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "Should we still inform the Li family?"

Now, the other four frowned again.

If we don't tell the Li family, they will be furious if the Qin family comes knocking on our door in the future, whether they occupy Jiming Mountain or are repelled by the Five Scattered Sect.

After all, it's such a big deal, and they have no right to know anything about it. No one could accept that.

If we tell the Li family, we're afraid they'll sell the Five Scattered Sect.

At that time, the Li family will lead the way, and the Qin family will take action; the five of them will have no chance of escape.

"Let's wait and see how the Qin family reacts."

Finally, Grandma Lai said this.

Zhang Can and the others were unable to make a decision, so they could only nod.
-
Sunset Mountains.

The Yin family of Furongping.

A young man dressed in tight-fitting clothes rushed into a small courtyard. When he reached the side room, he slowed down and asked in a low voice, "Is Uncle Nineteen here?"

"come in."

A lazy voice came from behind.

Li Jihu cautiously pushed open the door, not daring to look up.

He knew his aunt was also there.

"Senior Sister Zhang and the others have left?"

Li Xiangming took a sip of tea and asked softly.

Li Jihu nodded quickly: "We're already outside the Luoyang Mountain Range."

"Where is Yin Feng?"

"Just left today!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming pondered for a moment.

After leaving Hengyue Gate, he originally intended to go home first.

However, Zhang Min and the others insisted on paying respects at the tomb of Fairy Green Cloud, and Li Xiangming was worried about them venturing into the Luoyang Mountains, so he had no choice but to take Li Chengkang and the others with him.

The group first returned to Dendrobium Market to meet up with Li Jihu and others, and then went to the Yin family in Furongping.

The Yin family had long known about the tragic news from Green Cloud Cave and were extremely worried about Yin Feng, whose fate was unknown. Now that they saw Yin Feng return, they were naturally overjoyed.

However, upon learning that Yin Feng intended to follow Li Xiangming and settle in Pu County, the Yin family strongly opposed it.

Li Xiangming didn't say anything about this; having one more Yin Feng under his command wouldn't make a difference, nor would losing one make a difference.

Yin Feng, however, had gone through thick and thin with Zhang Min and the others, and was reluctant to leave Green Cloud Cave, so he insisted on leaving.

The family argued for four or five days. During this time, Li Xiangming led Zhang Min and others to secretly sneak into the underground cave.

Upon seeing the tomb of Fairy Green Cloud, the disciples of Green Cloud Cave burst into tears.

Although Fairy Green Cloud is usually quite serious and not very close to her disciples.

However, all of them had entered Green Cloud Cave at the age of six or seven and grew up in Green Cloud Cave. For the disciples of Green Cloud Cave, the lofty Green Cloud Fairy was their spiritual pillar.

Now that pillar of support has collapsed, everyone is lost and confused.

Having endured so much hardship and with their future uncertain, how could they not be heartbroken and sad?

But no matter how heartbroken I am, things have already come to this.

To prevent the disciples of Green Cloud Cave from finding an excuse to return to Luoyang Mountain Range, Li Xiangming also obtained a coffin from the Yin family, retrieved the remains of Fairy Green Cloud, and had the disciples of Green Cloud Cave escort them to Danggui Mountain for reburial.

Li Xiangming's reasoning was simple: if their master stayed here, there would be no one to take care of him. It would be better to move him to Danggui Mountain so that they could listen to everyone's voices at any time. Moreover, they could hold a grand funeral for their master at Danggui Mountain.

Zhang Min and the others all agreed.

And so, the disciples of Green Cloud Cave obediently left the Falling Sun Mountains.

Yin Feng also got the result he wanted through negotiations with his family.

However, for Li Xiangming, the matter was not over yet.

If he hadn't come to the Luoyang Mountains, he wouldn't have been bothered by it.

Since we're here, we should do something before we leave.

He waved his hand: "Ji Hu, gather your demon-hunting team. I want to see what you've accomplished these past few days in Puyin Mountain."

"Yes!"

Li Jihu, his face beaming with excitement, turned and left.

Having been away from Puyin Mountain for several months, he was itching to get back to work.

After watching Li Jihu leave, Li Xiangming returned to his bed. Cao Yanjun blushed and said, "You're so busy. I knew I shouldn't have shared a room with you."

Li Xiangming laughed heartily and picked her up in his arms: "Are you willing to let her go?"

(End of this chapter)