Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 380 Ma He
"did you find it?"

The sky was overcast, and the rain had not yet stopped.

Li Xiangming descended from the horizon, his green robe swaying gently, sheltering him from the wind and rain.

"Found it, it's in the village up in the mountains."

Long Yang pointed to the hillside, his expression not very good: "In just half a day, two groups of people have left, as if they are preparing to move. There are still quite a few people in the village. I was afraid of alerting them, so I didn't dare to stop the ones in front."

Li Xiangming frowned. If the Tongbei Sect escaped, all his efforts over the past few days would be in vain.

Without further hesitation, he ordered, "Go and guard the back mountain."

"Yes!"

After Long Yang left, Li Xiangming stroked the head of the Black Water Serpent and released it.

The Blackwater Serpent seemed to be bursting with energy. As soon as it landed, it leaped onto the ground and rolled around happily, ignoring the rain and mud. Then, like an arrow released from a bow, it disappeared from Li Xiangming's sight with a "whoosh".

Not long after, a loud "boom" came from the mountain.

This was followed by a chorus of curses and shouts.

The Blackwater Serpent, like a black lightning bolt, rampaged through the village.

Its enormous body can easily smash through wooden and stone buildings. Every time its giant tail sweeps, several people are thrown high into the air and then crash heavily to the ground, their fate unknown.

The disciples in the stronghold panicked and kept using magic to fight back, but the magic power they hastily gathered was like scratching an itch on the black water snake's hard, iron-like scales.

On the contrary, the Blackwater Serpent found it amusing and shook its head, spewing out a huge stream of water from its mouth, knocking the Tongbei Sect disciples who were besieging it to the ground.

In a short while, the Tongbi Sect's camp was submerged in a vast expanse of water.

The surviving Tongbei Sect disciples flew into the air to protect themselves.

Li Xiangming counted them and found there were more than fifty people, which shocked him.

It should be noted that Long Yang and his group had already killed some Tongbei Sect disciples while rescuing Li Xiangcheng and relieving the siege of Baolong Valley. If those who were captured are also included, the total number of people killed was forty or fifty.

In addition, according to Long Yang's confession, the Tongbei Sect had also transferred some of its disciples in advance.

This means that at its peak, the Tongbei Sect had more than one hundred cultivators alone.

This would be a force to be reckoned with in any organization.

In an instant, Li Xiangming's apprehension increased greatly.

Although judging from the scene, these disciples generally had low cultivation levels, with most at the mid-stage of Qi Refining and some even at the early stage, they still had some difficulty dealing with the Black Water Serpent.

But they're young!

Li Xiangming glanced around and saw that all the faces were young and inexperienced.

In another ten years or so, these people's cultivation levels will undergo earth-shattering changes.

At that time, their choice to become enemies of the Li family will inevitably become a major threat to the Li family.

"Come on!"

Among the disciples of the Tongbei Sect, a gray-clad youth with a black turban wrapped around his head was the leader. With a wave of his hand, the disciples followed closely behind and flew towards the back mountain.

However, they had only flown a short distance when Long Yang suddenly appeared from the middle of the way and struck the black-clad boy with a palm.

The boy in the black turban reacted quickly, exchanging a palm strike with Long Yang.

"Oh!"

With a loud bang, the ball of magical energy exploded, and the boy in the black turban was thrown back more than ten feet, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Deputy Leader!"

More than a dozen gray-clad youths rushed forward, shielding the black-clothed youth behind them, and watching Long Yang warily.

"Get out of your way!"

The boy in black shoved aside the Tongbei Sect disciples in front of him and said coldly, "You are no match for him. Go away, I'll hold him off!"

After saying that, the boy in the black turban took out a pink pill from his sleeve and was about to swallow it.

But at that moment, his wrist was suddenly gripped tightly by a black hemp rope, rendering him unable to move.

"What is this?"

The boy in the black turban was stunned and struggled desperately.

But after using just a little more effort, he looked completely exhausted.

"Magic power, my magic power!"

The boy in the black veil moved his mouth until he couldn't open it anymore, only to find that the hemp rope had been densely covering his face, and he could hear shouts that were sometimes soft and sometimes loud.

"I'm free!"

When this thought crossed his mind, the boy in the black veil no longer had the strength to struggle.

The Tongbei Sect disciples around them watched this scene in stunned silence.

"Xiao Hei, come back!"

Li Xiangming gave a shout, and the Black Water Serpent's enormous body, which had been swimming in the water, rose into the air, transforming into a thin black ribbon that wrapped around his arm.

Without the Blackwater Serpent's demonic power, the floodwaters in the mountain stronghold quickly receded.

Li Xiangming probed the village with his divine sense and suddenly let out a soft exclamation. He turned to look at Long Yang and said, "This place is yours. Lock them all up. If they resist, kill them without mercy."

"Yes!"

Long Yang stared coldly at each Tongbei Sect disciple in the sky. These people were still in shock at the death of their "vice leader" and had no fighting spirit for a short time. They surrendered without resistance.

Li Xiangming was unaware of these details. He had already ventured deep into the village and glanced around casually, discovering a scene of utter devastation—wet soil was churned up, forming muddy waves, while deep ravines and pits bore witness to the Blackwater Serpent's raging path.

He couldn't help but nod secretly.

Although in the world of cultivation, physical size does not necessarily represent combat strength.

However, enormous monsters always possess a certain talent for destructive power.

The same applies to the Blackwater Serpent.

That's not all. In the Rainbow Sea or on a wide-open battlefield, the Blackwater Serpent's advantages become even more apparent, often demonstrating combat value far exceeding its cultivation level.

As Li Xiangming walked, he stuffed the last few Netherfire Mushrooms into the Blackwater Serpent's hands as a reward.

Soon, he arrived at a well, and with a wave of his hand, the well cover flew off.

Suddenly, a bright light flashed from the well, and blood flowed freely.

Li Xiangming clutched his throat, staring wide-eyed as a panting young cultivator jumped out of the well and then collapsed with a thud.

The young man had an ordinary appearance, but he had a pair of sword-like eyebrows that added to his heroic air. He carefully moved to Li Xiangming's side, and when he saw Li Xiangming's face, he was stunned.

"Very surprised?"

"Who?"

The young man turned around abruptly and saw Li Xiangming standing by the well. He gaped open and exclaimed, "You're not dead?"

Li Xiangming didn't reply, but instead scrutinized the young man with a critical eye: "I'm quite surprised to see Fellow Daoist Ma here."

The person before me was none other than Ma He, a former guest of the Li family.

Back then, Li Xiangming was responsible for escorting a group of demonic beasts to Yuyuan. Due to a shortage of manpower, his family sent Ma He to help.

He thus became acquainted with Ma He and learned that Ma He was a skilled swordsman who had been recruited as a guest elder by the Li family after participating in the Changyang Valley Dharma Assembly.

However, after the trip to Yuyuan, Ma He mysteriously disappeared, leaving the Li family baffled. Li Qianxiong even threw a tantrum because of this.

The clan elders also demanded a thorough investigation of the family's retainers to prevent any spies from causing trouble and creating a great uproar.

But in the end, nothing was found at home, and the matter was dropped.

Unexpectedly, Ma He was hiding in the Tongbei Sect.

Ma He was equally shocked by Li Xiangming's appearance, taking several steps back before she could recover. She couldn't help but ask, "Li... Vice Hall Master Li, how did you get here?"

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that?"

Li Xiangming gave a light hum, his sleeves billowed, and the Black Water Serpent swiftly emerged.

Upon seeing the Blackwater Serpent, Ma Hefu's heart sank. While dodging, he exclaimed in alarm, "Is this the same monster from before?"

"What do you say?"

"Stop! I...I have something to say!"

"Little black!"

The Blackwater Serpent tilted its head, choosing not to return to Li Xiangming's side, but instead circled behind Ma He, flicking its tongue, looking ready to pounce.

Stared at by such a huge object, Ma He felt a chill in his heart, but he dared not run away anymore. He said tremblingly, "After I left the Li family, a group of mysterious people approached me and hired me to teach swordsmanship here. I thought the pay was acceptable, so I stayed here for two years."

"Mystery man?"

Li Xiangming narrowed his eyes.

Ma He shook his head repeatedly: "I really don't know their identities. I only know that they are generous. I am only here for profit. I don't know what grudge the Tongbei Sect has with your Li family. Moreover, I have stayed in the village for the past two years and haven't gone anywhere else."

Li Xiangming scrutinized him for a moment, then changed the subject: "Why did you leave the Li family? Was it also because of that mysterious person who bewitched you?"

"I guess so, they promised huge profits back then."

"absurd!"

Li Xiangming interrupted coldly, "Since you're so generous, it means the mysterious person you mentioned is no ordinary person. Before you participated in the Changyang Valley Dharma Assembly, you were unknown. You became a guest of the Li family for only three or four months before being poached by this mysterious person. Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?"

Before he finished speaking, Li Xiangming suddenly waved his hand, and the Weeping Spirit Desolate Sky Rope flew out, instantly binding Ma He tightly.

Ma He was terrified and struggled frantically, but found that no matter how much magic he used, he could not tear the rope.

"It seems you're not going to tell the truth, so there's no point in keeping you around."

Li Xiangming's voice was as cold as ice, and Ma He's forehead was immediately covered in cold sweat. He shouted anxiously, "It's true! I'm telling the truth. They're not after me. I'm just one of their targets. Yu Chong, that's right! Yu Chong is proof!"

Upon hearing the name Yu Chong, Li Xiangming paused for a moment, then his face turned ashen.

He slowly walked to Ma He's side and said, word by word, "Are you saying that Yu Chong betrayed the Li family because he was bewitched by a mysterious person, and incidentally robbed the Li family's elixirs and killed the Li family's members?"

Ma He swallowed hard. "That should be right. I came to the Li family late and don't know Yu Chong's specific situation. But according to what I've heard, Yu Chong is also a rogue cultivator with little wealth. Becoming a guest elder of the Li family is something he boasts about. Since he's satisfied with the status quo, why would he betray the Li family? There's only one possibility: he's been bewitched by a mysterious person, and that person has offered him a deal he can't refuse."

Li Xiangming clenched his fists, feeling a surge of anger welling up inside him.

The family had never known the reason for Yu Chong's betrayal.

It turns out they were misled by outsiders.

In his view, Yu Chong was indeed the real culprit who killed Li Xiangyan.

But the mysterious person behind it is not innocent either!

Li Xiangyan's revenge is not yet complete!
Coming to his senses, Li Xiangming looked at Ma He and asked coldly, "And what about you?"

Ma He quickly explained, "I'm different! I explicitly refused their invitation. After all, I just participated in the Dharma assembly and received the reward you gave me, and I have my pride too."

"Tell the important point!"

Li Xiangming flicked his wrist, and the Weeping Spirit Desolate Heavenly Rope tightened instantly.

Ma He twisted his waist, on the verge of tears, and said, "I really have no choice. When they couldn't persuade me, they deliberately leaked my whereabouts. At that time, Chang Zhi discovered a clue, and I was afraid that he would tell on me, and then you would suspect me. I swear, I really wanted to stay in the Li family, but I had to leave. Afterwards, they took the initiative to come to me. I really had no choice!"

Li Xiangming stared at him intently until the other man became restless, then he withdrew the Weeping Spirit Desolate Sky Rope.

Ma He breathed a sigh of relief, but Li Xiangming's voice followed immediately: "You said you've been here for two years? Tell me about the Tongbei Sect!"

Ma He glanced furtively at the Blackwater Serpent behind him, knowing there was no hope of escape, and said with a wry smile, "This village has existed for over ten years, but it wasn't called the Tongbei Sect back then. I don't know the exact name. Anyway, the Tongbei Sect disciples now occupy this place. Did you notice their ages? They're all sixteen or seventeen-year-old boys, no more than twenty!"

“These people were not trained by the village, but were sent here by a mysterious person. I don’t know what their purpose is. I am only responsible for teaching some young disciples swordsmanship! But I know that they are all weapons of war.”

At this point, a hint of fear flashed in Ma He's eyes.

What are weapons of war?

Li Xiangming asked calmly.

"Loyalty! Unquestionable loyalty! Secondly, courage. These children are fearless, extremely dedicated to one another, willing to give their lives for their comrades, and capable of executing the most sophisticated tactics."

Ma He slowly described the gray-clad youth's qualities, then asked in return, "If your Li family were to control this force, how would you feel? And what would you want to do with them?"

"I would be overjoyed, as for what to do..."

Li Xiangming frowned.

Ma He shook his head and sighed: "Every power desires a group of loyal soldiers who are not afraid of death. Historically, their only purpose is to wage war, or rather, to kill!"

Li Xiangming gently rubbed the hemp rope in his hand and fell into deep thought.

The gray-clad youth of the Tongbei Sect was a trained assassin, a fact he and Long Yang had long agreed upon.

The key question is, who raised these children?
How were they shaped into this way?

In response to Li Xiangming's question, Ma He hesitated for a moment before replying, "I don't know the identity of the mysterious person, but I do know why these children have become like this."

"Oh?"

Li Xiangming raised an eyebrow.

Ma He walked to the well and jumped in.

At this moment, Long Yang also came to the side.

Li Xiangming glanced at him and asked, "How are the children?"

"They've all been restricted, but there are just too many people, so we can't get anything out of them."

Long Yang shook his head.

Li Xiangming had expected this, but he still gave the instruction: "Keep an eye on them."

After saying that, he jumped into the well with Ma He.

The well was pitch black. After a while, Ma He in front lit a candle and continued on his way.

This place turned out to be an underground fortress with multiple passages. The two wandered around and finally arrived at a spacious stone chamber.

On either side of the stone chamber stood a row of candles, and in the middle was a huge iron door. Through the crack, one could see several pairs of bright eyes inside.

“There are many such cells here, but they are not used to imprison criminals; they are places where young disciples of the Tongbei Sect live.”

As Ma He spoke, he took out a key from his side, opened the iron gate, and pulled out a child who looked to be no more than seven or eight years old.

"Look at the neck!"

Ma He grabbed the child by the back of his collar and dragged him in front of Li Xiangming, exposing his neck.

Li Xiangming could clearly see a worm-like strip of flesh wriggling above it, as if it were a worm.

"At first, I didn't know what it was. Neither the mysterious person who hired me nor the disciples of the Tongbei Sect would tell me. Moreover, they restricted my movement! But after seeing it many times, a sudden thought struck me, and I remembered a terrifying Gu worm—the Heart-Eating Gu!"

(End of this chapter)