Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 513 Going their separate ways
"Pah, what a horrible battle!"

Beside the campfire, a burly, middle-aged man with a rugged face was cursing and swearing.

There were many people around, but no one answered.

After a while, a grinning boy came over and held out his hands: "Master, have some fruit."

"Eat shit!"

Zhang Can flung the fruit away, then grabbed Nangong Mu's ear and cursed, "You brat, you're not behaving yourself even at Qingyang Temple! I'm out there fighting to the death, and you're inside the temple eating pills like candy! Do you even know how many spirit stones our Five Scattered Sect owes Qingyang Temple?"

Nangong Mu looked aggrieved: "I asked Master Xie, and he said it was edible, and I didn't eat it for nothing!"

As he spoke, he grabbed Xie Daoren's sleeve and said pitifully, "Master Xie, you can't let me take the blame for this."

Master Xie looked embarrassed: "I only thought of exchanging some pills with Qingyang Temple because Mu Mu was about to break through to the next realm, but I didn't expect him to trick Si Yan out of the Pei Zhen Pill."

"Old Xie, don't talk nonsense."

Nangong Mu grew anxious and interrupted, "What do you mean by 'tricked'? It was Sister Sun who kindly lent it to me!"

The two argued for a while, and Zhang Can, with a headache, rubbed his temples.

Cultivation Pills, which reduce the time spent on breathing exercises at a minimal cost, have become incredibly popular in the cultivation world.

The most common cultivation pill is undoubtedly the first-tier Qi Condensation Pill.

This pill is slightly more expensive than the Yellow Sprout Pill, costing at least nine or ten spirit stones per bottle; the superior pill, the Spirit Gathering Pill, costs twenty spirit stones, almost double the price.

Peizhen Pill is also a cultivation pill. Because it has less toxicity, it can be taken in large quantities in a short period of time and has outstanding effects. It is directly sold for sixty spirit stones a bottle.

However, in reality, both Peizhen Pill and Juling Pill are second-tier pills, and even if their medicinal effects differ, the difference is far from three times.

Whether it's to reduce costs or to pursue cost-effectiveness, most cultivation forces will only purchase Qi Condensation Pills to train their own disciples, while a few large forces may buy Spirit Gathering Pills to keep as rewards.

As for Pei Zhen Dan, even a Golden Core sect like Heng Yue Sect wouldn't consider it.

The old Taoist priest went to great lengths to prepare such an expensive cultivation pill, which shows how much he valued and loved Sun Siyan.

Unexpectedly, Sun Siyan, though cold on the outside, was warm-hearted. Knowing that Nangong Mu was about to break through his cultivation realm, she lent out her treasured Peizhen Pill.

As a result, Nangong Mu didn't hold back and consumed all of Peizhen Pills in just a few days.

You have to return what you borrow, right?

Nangong Mu had no money, so in the end, it was his cheap master who had to pay the bill.

Although sixty spirit stones may not sound like much, he wasn't exactly wealthy!

To build the Five Scattered Sect, he had already spent almost all of his savings accumulated over decades.

However, things didn't go as planned. To this day, the Five Scattered Sect's income still comes from growing spirit rice and slaughtering demonic beasts. The spirit stones earned from these two sources are very meager, amounting to no more than a hundred a year.

Nangong Mu stayed at Qingyang Temple for more than half a month, and just by taking pills, he caused the Five Scattered Sect to owe him nearly a hundred spirit stones.

How could this not infuriate him?
Fortunately, Nangong Mu successfully broke through to the next realm!

One hundred spirit stones for a small realm advancement is worthwhile.

Unable to vent his anger, Zhang Can turned his attention to the remaining defeated soldiers around him.

Outside Calabash Valley, the Demon Suppression Camp was ambushed by a group of people. The person who set up the formation did not intend to kill the cultivators of the Demon Suppression Camp, and even took the initiative to remove the formation. However, the delay was enough for the demon beast army to sweep in.

The group was surrounded and suffered heavy losses.

At the critical moment, Li Xiangming used his magic to flood the beast tide, giving everyone a chance to survive.

But the beast tide wasn't stupid. It wasn't difficult for those high-level demon beasts to avoid the water, and the flying demon beasts in the sky were completely unaffected.

What's most despairing is that there are flying monsters at the Bone Fusion stage joining in the pursuit of these fugitives.

In short, the Demon-Suppressing Camp completely lost its courage, and as they fled, they fought amongst themselves, each seeking their own way out. Naturally, he returned to Qingyang Temple immediately to reunite with Xie Daoren, the corpse driver, and Nangong Mu.

Unexpectedly, Chi Laiyong, Zhang Min, and others also came to Qingyang Temple to pick up Chi Youyan and Xu Qingchi, and brought Luo Silin, Xu Buxiu, and others with them.

Half a day later, the seriously injured Qingyang Taoist also returned alone.

According to Qingyang Daoist, a mysterious ancestor came to the Li family and used the Flying Flame Wheel to kill the Centipede Poison Granny and the Xuanjia Rhinoceros King with overwhelming force, which extinguished the arrogance of the beast tide.

However, the monsters kept coming, and the Li family patriarch could not possibly fight against a million enemies alone, so he ordered a retreat to Danggui Mountain.

However, the Demon-Suppressing Camp had already fallen into disarray. How easy would it be to reunite it?

Only a very small number of the Demon-Suppressing Camp cultivators who remained on the battlefield followed Li Xiangyu to retreat to Danggui Mountain. The others didn't even have a chance to receive orders.

On the contrary, a relatively large force of the Demon Suppression Camp still remains at Qingyang Temple.

Knowing he was powerless to protect Qingyang Temple, the old Taoist priest decided to move the temple, and his group followed him. But as they moved, their differences naturally emerged.

Some people hope to retreat to Danggui Mountain to recuperate.

He scoffed at this.

The Demon Suppression Camp is already ruined; what good would it do to repair it?

Could it be that the Li family would send their own people in to fill the vacancies and ensure the establishment and combat effectiveness of the Demon Suppression Camp?

impossible!
The Li family would only dismantle the Demon Suppression Camp, absorbing it into their own power, or drive the Demon Suppression Camp cultivators to serve as cannon fodder in resisting the beast tide.

Thinking of this, Zhang Can snorted heavily: "The beast tide is unstoppable. We fled in panic, our morale plummeted, and we no longer have the capital to fight back. Now that Commander Zhang has also abandoned Monkey Valley, the Demon Suppression Camp no longer has any meaning. Whoever wants to go to Dangui Mountain can go, but I will not go."

"Zhang Can, this is disobeying orders!"

Xu Buxiu frowned.

"Disobey orders? Disobey whose orders?"

Zhang Can retorted with a sneer, "I only know that the commander of the Demon Suppression Camp is Li Xiangming. I don't need to repeat what Li Xiangming's last order was; I'm sure you all remember it, right?"

Xu Buxiu was speechless and glanced at Zhang Min silently.

As a confidant of Commander Li, Zhang Min should support the Li family.

However, the disciples of Green Cloud Cave remained silent at this moment.

Mao Jingze slowly said, "The beast tide is powerful and will definitely not sit idly by in Pudong. In order to show their prestige, the Li family may not choose to hold their ground at Danggui Mountain. If so, we may have to fight the beast tide in the open field."

Upon hearing this, the discussions around the campfire suddenly grew louder.

Without formations or terrain to block them, the overwhelming hordes of demonic beasts would be a nightmare, and who wouldn't be worried about it?

Seeing this, Zhang Min sighed slightly. The demon-suppressing camp cultivators who fled to Monkey Valley not only brought news of the camp's crushing defeat and dispersal, but also news of Fang Renkui's death.

How many people are there in Green Cloud Cave?
Fang Renkui's death cast a shadow over Green Cloud Cave.

If the sect leader were here, none of them would be afraid to fight.

But the sect leader has yet to return!
And
Zhang Min recalled the mysterious cultivator who suddenly appeared in Monkey Valley. The cultivator claimed to be a member of the Geng family and had come to see the sect leader. He also mentioned that the Qin family's Foundation Establishment stage cultivators were lurking nearby.

If Green Cloud Cave retreats to Dangui Mountain, it may not only participate in the battle of the beast tide again, but may also be involved in the conflict between the Li family and the Qin family. At that time, how many disciples of Green Cloud Cave will be able to survive?
Mao Jingze is a steady person. The fact that he said these words without consulting her shows how eager the disciples of Green Cloud Cave are to stay away from trouble.

Seeing that Zhang Min remained silent, Xu Buxiu looked slightly disappointed and turned to Chi Laiyong.

Chi Laiyong coughed twice and said, "The beast tide is utterly inhuman, causing slaughter everywhere. Every cultivator in Pudong has the responsibility to defend our land and resist the attack. Not to mention that our Demon Suppression Camp has upheld this principle since its inception."

Upon hearing this, Xu Buxiu was startled and was about to agree.

But then Chi Laiyong changed the subject: "In warfare, one must weigh the strengths of both sides. Before Hall Master Li went north, he considered many things. With the Nine Luminaries Dragon-Trapping Formation, he trapped the 100,000-strong beast tide, and victory seemed assured. However, the Daishan Incident and the fall of Shengyi Sect to Zhenhun Sect caused the Lingyue Peak beast tide to advance south ahead of schedule, resulting in our crushing defeat. In any case, the beast tide is now even more ferocious than before, while our Demon-Suppressing Camp has less than ten men. Even if we go to Danggui Mountain, we won't be able to make much of a difference. In my opinion, it would be better for each of us to gather our scattered Demon-Suppressing Camp cultivators and observe the situation. If Hall Master Li returns, or if the Li family raises its banner, we can lead our troops to participate, which would increase our chances of victory."

"That's right!"

Zhang Can immediately stood up and said loudly, "The Demon Suppression Camp of five hundred men has been defeated. What use are we? Let's disperse and gather some more manpower before bringing up the matter of resisting the beast tide again."

Xu Buxiu's face was grim. Would those escaped Demon Suppression Camp cultivators return?
Don't be silly!
Chi Laiyong's so-called gathering of subordinates is nothing but a pretext!

Among the demon-suppressing camp cultivators present, the Transport Division under Zhang Min had the largest number of people, totaling two capitals. Although the Yanji Division under Zhang Can suffered heavy losses, one of its capitals remained intact.

As for Chi Laiyong, he was ostensibly Li's subordinate, but in reality, he relied heavily on being a confidant of Master Li to continue the rivalry from the Demon Hunting Group era, obeying his orders but not his commands.

At this moment, he openly contradicted others, showing no regard for his position as commander.

But he was helpless; without the support of Chi Laiyong, he was now a commander without any troops.

Thinking of this, Xu Buxiu felt disheartened. He was not sincerely working for the Li family, but after this battle, the vicious dog demon-hunting team he had painstakingly built up was gone—even after repeatedly pressing the communication talisman, no one responded.

If he cannot continue to serve under the Li family and redeem his accumulated merits, then the price he will pay will be considerable.

However, Zhang Can, Zhang Min, and Chi Laiyong all had their own bases outside the Demon Suppression Camp. They were clearly unwilling to continue risking their lives for the so-called reward.

The only one who was truly unwilling to accept defeat was him, the penniless "gambler".

Xu Buxiu took a deep breath, stood up abruptly, glanced at everyone, and said in a hoarse voice, "Since none of you are willing to go, then let's go our separate ways. Anyway, Hall Master Li promised that after the Demon Suppression Camp is disbanded, we will all return to our identities as demon hunter cultivators. From today onwards, I, Xu, will withdraw from the Demon Suppression Camp."

After saying that, he disappeared without looking back from the range of the campfire's light, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.

A moment later, Luo Silin also stepped forward. He silently walked up to Tang Xueyan and asked softly, "Miss Tang, Shangqingyuan is west of Danggui Mountain, where it is safer."

Tang Xueyan shook her head and interrupted, "I want to go back to Xiaolan Valley."

Upon hearing this, Luo Silin glanced at Chi Laiyong, but ultimately said nothing and turned to leave.

Zhang Can was the third to step forward. He waved, and Nangong Mu quickly came over, took out a few bright red, juicy fruits from his pocket, and looked up at him ingratiatingly, saying, "Master, would you like some fruit?"

"Eat shit!"

Zhang Can grabbed his head and pressed it down, scolding, "Hurry up and apologize to Daoist Qingyang!"

With a sullen face, Nangong Mu bowed deeply to the silent Qingyang Daoist: "This junior is greedy and has eaten all of Sister Sun's pills. Please forgive me, venerable Daoist."

"Where is my master old?"

Sun Siyan retorted irritably.

"Not old, never old!"

Nangong Mu immediately smiled apologetically and even pretended to slap himself lightly, saying, "It's all because of this damn mouth of mine."

The Qingyang Taoist's face was still somewhat pale. He slowly opened his eyes, glanced at his disciple, and then said gently, "Since it was given by Siyan willingly, it's fine."

"I knew the Taoist priest would be the most generous!"

Nangong Mu beamed and even winked at Zhang Can.

Zhang Can's face twitched, too lazy to pay attention, and took off a string of crystal-clear jade beads from his hand and handed it to Qingyang Daoist: "This item has been with me for many years. Although it is not very valuable, it can still be exchanged for about a hundred spirit stones. Please accept it, Daoist."

Qingyang Daoist waved his hands repeatedly: "I am but a humble mountain dweller, how could I trouble Benefactor Zhang to part with my precious possession?"

Seeing this, Zhang Can feigned displeasure: "Daoist Master, are you unwilling to accept it because you want to preserve the reputation of my Five Scattered Sect as a treacherous sect?"

Qingyang Daoist was speechless for a moment. Zhang Can then stuffed the jade string into Sun Siyan's hand and softened his tone: "Little Sun, take this. If you don't want to sell it, you can refine it to help you nurture your magical power."

Before Sun Siyan could refuse, Zhang Can turned to Qingyang Daoist and said in a low voice, "Daoist, forgive my bluntness, but as long as the beast tide on Lingyue Peak continues, Pudong will not be safe for the foreseeable future. In any case, Qingyang Temple has not yet found a suitable location for its relocation. Why don't you come with me to Jiming Mountain and stay there for a while?"

"This"

After a moment's hesitation, Qingyang Daoist finally nodded: "Thank you for your kindness, Benefactor Zhang. I will first deliver the Xiangshu to Danggui Mountain. If all goes well, I will definitely pay you a visit."

"It's a word."

Zhang Can smiled and turned to leave.

Master Xie and the corpse driver followed closely behind, while Nangong Mumo lagged behind.

Sun Siyan noticed the other person's gaze, turned her face away, and her ears turned slightly red.

"Mumu!"

Just then, Zhang Can's voice came from afar.

"Coming."

Nangong Mu had no choice but to agree and hurriedly chased after him.

Watching them leave, Qingyang Daoist sighed: "When I first met Zhang Can, I thought he was a reckless person, but I didn't expect him to be so meticulous. Especially after the Five Scattered Sect was established, he actually has some of the shadow of Little Li Jushi."

"Master!"

Upon hearing Li Xiangming's name, Sun Siyan unconsciously tightened her grip on Qingyang Daoist's arm and asked hesitantly, "Will Hall Master Li be alright?"

The Taoist priest glanced at her and comforted her, saying, "Young Master Li is blessed with good fortune and will surely turn misfortune into good luck."

In fact, Li Xiangming's disappearance in full view of everyone left not only him unaware, but even the Li family was baffled.

However, Li Xiangming should still be alive, otherwise the mysterious patriarch of the Li family would not have left so decisively.

What will he feel when he returns to find the Monkey Valley, which he has poured his heart and soul into building, trampled into ruins, and the Demon Suppression Camp, which he fought so hard to protect, falling apart?

(End of this chapter)