Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 461 White Feathered Crane Demon
After many years apart, Luo Silin's cultivation had already reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, and he had now become the leader of the group of ambushing cultivators.

After unleashing his Golden Horse and Iron Cavalry Formation, he took the lead, followed closely by more than thirty cultivators, and engaged in fierce battle with a demonic beast force ten times their size.

Despite being outnumbered, the demonic beasts varied greatly in cultivation level, including many large wild animals caught in the crossfire. They had already been terrified by the explosion behind them, and now, affected by the formation, they felt as if they were surrounded by a massive army, their fighting spirit completely shattered.

In contrast, Luo Silin and his group were all elites in the mid-to-late stages of Qi Refining. They were armed with sharp blades and clad in heavy armor, waiting in ambush. With talismans clearing the way, they routed the demonic beasts behind the third gate in almost a single encounter.

"it is good!"

Li Qianshi, who was directing operations from the top of the slope, couldn't help but cheer loudly upon seeing this scene.

Those around him echoed his sentiments, and praises poured in.

"It's all thanks to Dean Li's excellent command!"

"With Dean Li's casual remarks, the demonic beasts fled in terror. He is truly a role model for us all!"

"Now let's see if they dare to be so arrogant!"

Li Qianshi coughed lightly, waved his hand, and suppressed the flattery from the crowd: "Xiangxin, the demon beast has been severely injured, so its offensive should slow down a bit. You will patrol all the strongholds in Jinlin Slope for me, especially the defense zone of the Xuanmao Demon Hunting Group, and make sure that nothing goes wrong."

"Yes!"

Li Xiangxin accepted the order and left.

After dismissing Li Xiangxin, Li Qianshi glanced at the remaining ten people around him.

Although these people are few in number, they are all late-stage Qi Refining cultivators drawn from the two major demon-hunting groups, the Li family, and their vassal cultivators. They are the true core combat force of Golden Scale Slope.

The reason for keeping them around is precisely to make the final decision at crucial moments.

However, the time to decide the outcome is still far off.

Li Qianshi pondered for a moment and said, "Although the main road of Jinlin Slope has been destroyed, it won't stop the demonic beasts. After catching their breath, they will surely cross the third gate. I need you to appear in time to give them another blow and blunt their arrogance. Are you willing to go?"

"What's so difficult about this?"

"I've wanted to get on the field for a long time!"

"Leave it to us!"

The crowd responded enthusiastically, their fighting spirit soaring.

Li Qianshi nodded with satisfaction.

Soon, the figures around them gradually disappeared, leaving only the howling wind and the roars of monsters in the distance.

Li Qianshi stood alone at the top of the slope, staring intently at the battlefield below.

A crane's cry suddenly pierced the sky, its sharp sound piercing the eardrums.

Immediately afterwards, a strong wind swept in, and the top of Jinlin Slope seemed to be pressed down hard by an invisible hand, making even the air feel incredibly heavy.

Li Qianshi was startled and suddenly looked up.

Suddenly, a giant white-feathered crane demon appeared in the sky.

"Bone Fusion. Demon Cultivator?"

Li Qianshi was horrified.

The cultivation level of a demon beast is not entirely proportional to its size. Some powerful demons may be small in size, but they still possess terrifying power capable of moving mountains and overturning seas.

Ultimately, demonic power is the key.

However, if we look at the entire demon race on a larger scale, body size seems to represent something.

Because nine out of ten truly powerful demons possess bodies as majestic as mountains.

The crane demon before them spread its wings, which were a hundred feet long, blotting out the sky and seemingly casting its shadow over the entire heavens. In particular, when it slowly flapped its wings, each flap brought up a gust of wind, stirring up clouds of dust, its aura overwhelming.

"Where did this Bone-Merging Demon Cultivator come from?"

Li Xiangming, who was on the hillside, was also shocked.

Before choosing Jinlinpo as the main battlefield, he had already thoroughly surveyed the surrounding area and was certain that there were absolutely no Bone-Melting Demon Cultivators nearby.

In fact, Golden Scale Slope is located on the northeast side of Monkey Valley, and the distance between the two is not far. If there really were a Bone-Melting Demon Cultivator here, they would have been discovered by the demon-hunting cultivators entrenched in Monkey Valley long ago!
As for the possibility of a Bone-Melting Demon Cultivator hidden within the beast tide, that's even more impossible.

You know, he led the beast tide around several times.

Thinking of this, Li Xiangming subconsciously looked at the small wooden box in his hand.

The white-feathered crane demon was attracted by this thing!

He was so focused on setting up bait that his prey went mad that he never imagined the bait would be so incredibly attractive that even a Bone-Melting Demon Cultivator couldn't resist it!

"What's in here?"

Ignoring the cold sweat on his temples, Li Xiangming put the small wooden box into his storage bag, then transformed into a streak of white light and headed straight for the top of Jinlin Slope.

The fact that the white-feathered crane demon was the first to be attracted does not mean it will be the last.

Even the worst-case scenario is that a large number of Bone-Melting Demon Cultivators have sensed the call of their bloodline and are swarming towards Golden Scale Slope!

However, as a flying beast, the White Feather Crane Demon's speed is its advantage, which is why it was the first to appear.

If this is the case, the situation at Jinlinpo is extremely precarious.
-
"Oh!"

"boom!!"

Countless wind blades bombarded the area, flattening the ground by three inches.

Li Qianshi was chased around like a stray dog, looking utterly pathetic.

"Uncle Qian Shi!"

Li Xiangming finally arrived. With a flick of his left sleeve, the Black Water Serpent suddenly shot out, opening its massive maw to swallow all of the White Feather Crane Demon's wind blades.

His right hand controlled the Weeping Spirit Desolate Sky Rope, which swiftly wrapped around Li Qianshi and dragged him back.

Seeing its prey take flight, the white-feathered crane demon flew into a rage, letting out a deafening cry. Its wings snapped shut, unleashing a powerful hurricane that sent the black water serpent flying.

Even Li Xiangming was forced to retreat repeatedly by this force. The Weeping Spirit Desolate Sky Rope in his hand seemed to have suffered a severe injury, suddenly becoming weak and powerless, and actually released Li Qianshi on its own.

"It happened!"

Li Xiangming's expression changed drastically.

The White Feather Crane Demon has extremely high control over its own demonic power, which allows it to both attack the damaged Weeping Spirit Desolate Sky Rope and easily target Li Qianshi.

As expected, as soon as Li Qianshi broke free from the bindings of the Weeping Spirit Desolate Sky Rope, he was firmly caught by the gale and his body flew uncontrollably toward the White Feather Crane Demon.

Just then, a line of fire crows crashed into the white-feathered crane demon.

A violent glint flashed in the white-feathered crane demon's eyes. With a sudden flap of its wings, a gust of wind arose, sending all the fire crows flying and turning them into sparks that dissipated into the air.

However, in the instant it was distracted, a fiery red figure suddenly appeared, like a ghost, beside Li Qianshi and pulled him back.

"Xiangyu!"

Li Qianshi's face was as pale as paper as he called out.

Li Xiangyu nodded in acknowledgment, his body surrounded by flames as he stared intently at the white-feathered crane demon in front of him.

"Uncle Qianshi, leave this to us. You try to stabilize the situation first."

Li Xiangming also flew over and said with a solemn expression.

Upon hearing this, Li Qianshi immediately turned around to check the battlefield.

Upon seeing this, his heart sank.

The beast tide, which had already shown signs of weakness, suddenly surged into action after the White Feathered Crane Demon reached the top of Golden Scale Slope. Countless demonic beasts leaped wildly across the deep pit, charging into battle with unstoppable momentum.

The human cultivators, who had just achieved a minor victory, were caught off guard by this sudden counterattack before they could even celebrate.

In particular, the appearance of the Bone-Melting Demon Cultivator on the hilltop led many to mistakenly believe that they were caught in a two-front war, causing panic to spread rapidly and the battle to descend into chaos.

Even the ten late-stage Qi Refining cultivators who were conserving their energy were affected and dared not confront the demonic beasts.

Li Qianshi was both angry and anxious, and he quickly shouted, "Everyone, listen to my command! Stay calm! Stay calm! Don't panic! With my Li family's Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding the top of the hill, the demonic beasts can't cause any trouble!"

His voice boomed like a bell, spreading across the battlefield in a short time, barely suppressing the panic of some cultivators. However, the beast tide's attack grew increasingly fierce.

The first wave of demonic beasts surged forward, fearless of death, and in the blink of an eye, they broke through the third gate. Luo Silin and the others, who were unable to retreat in time, were instantly in danger.

Meanwhile, Li Xiangming and Li Xiangyu, who were standing side by side, were not having an easy time either.

The white-feathered crane demon possesses astonishing power, with at least a mid-stage Bone Fusion cultivation level.

Even in Li Xiangming's view, the other party was no less formidable than his old nemesis, the Burning Sky Violent Ape.

Back in the Maojing Mine, he was chased and beaten by the Burning Sky Violent Ape.

Fortunately, Li Xiangren and Li Xiangyu acted simultaneously, which suppressed the arrogance of the Burning Sky Violent Ape and allowed him to pick up a "head".

Now that Li Xiangren is gone, he and Li Xiangyu alone may not be a match for the White Feather Crane Demon.

"Xiangming, you have to create an opportunity for me."

Li Xiangyu bit his index finger and smeared the blood on his forehead.

In a short while, a crimson flame slowly appeared, and the surrounding air immediately became scorching hot.

Crimson Flame Spirit Fire!

Li Xiangming's gaze narrowed slightly, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

Since obtaining the Enlightenment Spring, his cultivation has progressed rapidly. Judging solely from the amount of magical power he possesses, he is definitely more profound than Li Xiangyu, and even stronger than Li Qianxiao, who has been in the Foundation Establishment stage for many years.

However, while his profound magical power gave him an advantage, it did not lead to a qualitative leap in his combat strength.

To put it bluntly, he lacked a powerful means to end the war.

It wasn't that he wasn't attentive enough; rather, before he obtained the Evil Green Robe, he was practically invisible and not valued by his sect or family at all.

Although he later showed some talent and gained Li Qianxiong's approval, the Li family was famous for fire magic and did not have a water magic that suited him.

In the end, Li Qianxiong gave him a top-grade magic weapon, which was enough to make his combat power barely keep up with the ranks of "geniuses".

After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Li Xiangming obtained a batch of spellbooks from his adoptive master, Fairy Green Cloud, which enriched his combat techniques. Among them, the Six Yin Void Divine Finger even replaced "Phantom Waves" as his signature spell.

The Six Yin Void Divine Finger is extremely powerful. Even the Azure Moon Nether Lion, who is in the early stage of Bone Fusion, would suffer severe injuries if struck by it.

However, the same spell proved ineffective against an opponent like the Burning Sky Violent Ape, whose cultivation level was far superior.

Perhaps his idea was a bit presumptuous.

How can a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the early stage compete head-on with a Bone Fusion stage demon cultivator?

However, Lee Sang-yu was right beside him.

Whether it's Li Xiangyu's "Flying Flame Wheel" using the Crimson Flame Spirit Fire, or Li Xiangren's "Spirit Pivot Golden Light Array" honed since childhood, both possess the power to kill enemies beyond their level.

It would be a lie to say that Li Xiangming had no thoughts about it!

He desperately needed a more powerful spell, especially with the Weeping Spirit Desolate Sky Chain damaged.

"Xiangming, are you ready?"

Lee Sang-woo's voice pulled him back to reality.

Li Xiangming took a deep breath, suppressed the distracting thoughts in his mind, and nodded: "Don't worry."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the white-feathered crane demon launched the first attack, swooping down from mid-air with its target Li Xiangyu in mind.

Li Xiangming's gaze sharpened as he raised his hand and unleashed a series of fiery talismans.

An ordinary fiery talisman would likely be swept away by the air currents surrounding the White Feather Crane Demon before it even got close. However, Li Xiangming's control over the talismans was extremely exquisite, and he activated the talisman before the White Feather Crane Demon could react.

Explosions rang out one after another, and black smoke began to billow out.

The white mist followed closely behind, engulfing the black smoke and the white-feathered crane demon together.

Several magical dragons tumbled in the mist, their heads and tails appearing but not quite, before finally crashing into the white-feathered crane demon.

"boom!"

The white-feathered crane demon's wings protected its body, and its immense demonic power formed a solid shield, preventing the magical dragon from penetrating even an inch. Instead, the surrounding mist was dispersed by the shockwave of the explosion, revealing Li Xiangyu's indifferent face.

"drink!"

Li Xiangyu made a hand seal, and ten blurry flying wheels faintly appeared behind him.

In an instant, the flying wheel took shape, carrying fierce flames, and went straight for the head of the white-feathered crane demon.

The white-feathered crane demon sensed a threat and hurriedly took flight, but the flying flame wheel pursued it relentlessly, and its speed became increasingly astonishing.

With a loud "boom," the white-feathered crane demon swayed, and its wings, which had been used in the same way before, finally became unstable and were forced to spread out. It kept flapping its wings in an attempt to fly back into the sky and use the airflow to extinguish the remaining flames on its feathers.

"it is good!"

Li Xiangming finally smiled.

Last time at the Maojing mine, he and Li Xiangyu were essentially working independently. This time, however, they were truly cooperating, and the results were unexpectedly good.

The white-feathered crane demon circled several times before finally suppressing the flames on its body. Its gaze was fixed on the crimson flames on Li Xiangyu's body, its eyes filled with apprehension.

It first let out a long cry, followed by several short calls.

In just a few breaths, all the flying monsters that were attacking on the slope rose into the sky and converged on the white-feathered crane demon.

"They've hired thugs."

Li Xiangming sneered, took out a Cold Soul Stone from his storage bag, and held it in his palm.

In an instant, a chill appeared on his face, and his aura suddenly became icy and bone-chilling.

Sensing something, Li Xiangyu couldn't help but glance at Li Xiangming. At that moment, Li Xiangming seemed to have transformed into an iceberg, radiating a suffocating chill.

The chill quickly spread through the air, and the birds and beasts that came fluttering down seemed to have their hearts squeezed, and they fell from mid-air in a daze.

Seeing this, the white-feathered crane demon was immediately enraged. With a flap of its wings, it charged straight at Li Xiangming like a whirlwind.

"Go away."

Without a word, Li Xiangyu blocked Li Xiangming's path. He clasped his hands together, and flames surged around him, transforming into a blazing fire tornado that turned the entire sky crimson.

"boom!"

The human and the demon collided suddenly, and the powerful shockwave swept across the land, causing the surrounding rocks to crack and dust to fly.

Just then, Li Xiangming regained his composure, quickly created distance, and raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth.

The spell he just cast was one of the three great skills of Fairy Green Cloud—the Ice-Melting and Soul-Soothing Technique.

This technique originated from the ancient lineage of soul cultivators and is said to have been created by a powerful figure known as the "Ice Soul Ancestor." It was initially used to suppress evil spirits, but later, due to its excessively insidious power, it was listed as a forbidden technique.

The more forbidden a technique is, the more people will study it.

Ultimately, the Ice-Dissolving and Soul-Melting Technique was still passed down.

The Longyuan Sect was one of the sects that included it, and once regarded it as a classic of the soul cultivation lineage.

This technique, without any other explanation, condenses extreme cold into ice needles of divine consciousness, directly attacking the target's soul. Once the ice needles enter the soul, they spread rapidly, blurring the target's consciousness, slowing their reactions, and even causing them to lose their ability to move.

If used to deal with cultivators who rely on their soul to fight, such as those who practice the Corpse Path or Ghost Cultivation, the effect is even more outstanding.

Demon cultivators often focus on demonic power and physical body while neglecting their soul, making them the target group for the Ice-Dissolving and Soul-Melting Technique.

He killed dozens of flying beasts in an instant, which shows the power of this technique.

Of course, the side effects of the Soul Melting and Ice-Dissolving Technique are also obvious. If the caster's soul strength is insufficient, or the target's soul is too powerful, this technique is very likely to backfire, causing damage to the caster's soul.

Furthermore, after performing this technique, the practitioner must immerse themselves in their sea of ​​consciousness, using the cold air and divine sense to create ice needles and strike the enemy in one go. If they are disturbed or attacked along the way, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Therefore, in most cases, Li Xiangming would not use this tactic.

This time, however, he chose to take the risk.

On the one hand, he needed to finish the battle quickly so he could concentrate on dealing with the beast tide below the mountain; on the other hand, he trusted Li Xiangyu's character and his abilities.

(End of this chapter)