Journey to the West Creation Technique

Blackstone Outpost.

The atmosphere was somber.

Even though Zhao Xiong sat cross-legged, his mind was still unsettled.

According to the original plan, Lu Chengjun should have returned three days ago, but to this day, there is still no news of him.

Sitting in the corner of the stone house was a middle-aged man, who was none other than Lu Chengjun's master, Cai Yiheng.

The discovery of a spirit stone vein in the Black Stone Wasteland mobilized the entire Southern Underworld Guard, who had discussed it countless times in private.

As a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining, Cai Yiheng was naturally transferred to the Black Stone Outpost as a manpower that could be used at any time.

But now, faced with this situation, no one can do anything about it.

Lu Chengjun, Li Ang, Qian Jin, and three others went deep into the White Snake tribe to investigate their true situation; their identities were almost equivalent to those of assassins.

Before leaving, everyone kept a soul-guiding talisman, which would automatically ignite as a warning should anything happen.

The fact that the talismans are still intact proves that everyone is alive, but they have lost all contact with anyone. No one knows what has happened in the tribe.

Just then, one of his men burst into the stone chamber and bowed to report.

Zhao Xiong possessed a powerful spiritual sense and already knew it was Li Ang. Qian Jin returned, so he interrupted, "Quickly let the two of them in."

Before Li Ang and Qian Jin could even bow in greeting as they stepped into the stone chamber, Zhao Xiong impatiently asked, "Why hasn't Lu Chengjun returned?"

The two exchanged a glance.

"This is a long story..."

"Captain Lu has become the High Priest of the White Snake Tribe, so it's not very convenient for him..."

"What!?" Cai Yiheng was completely astonished.

Zhao Xiong waved his hand to stop Cai Yiheng, and said gently, "Tell me your story carefully, don't rush..."

So the two of them took turns talking and recounted in detail all the changes that had happened to the White Snake tribe in recent days.

The White Serpent Tribe is extremely loosely organized, especially near the temple; experts don't live there...

The reason was actually to prevent being selected to participate in some kind of final battle in Death Valley.

The final battle in Death Valley was a "game" between the White Snake Demon King and the Black Pig Demon King for the Golden Lotus that sprouted from the earth, similar to a game of chess.

The chess pieces are people, and the rewards are rare and precious treasures.

After seeing the people off, Lu Chengjun was about to leave when he unexpectedly gained the favor of the White Snake Demon King. Not only did the White Snake Demon King infuse him with demonic power, but he also participated in the battle in Death Valley and ultimately won a great victory.

They demonstrated their value in this battle, especially Lu Chengjun, whose cultivation had broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage after being infused with the Demon King's magic power.

Upon hearing this, Cai Yiheng frowned slightly.

After the battle in Death Valley, the White Serpent Demon King successfully obtained the Golden Lotus from the Earth and then announced that he would go into seclusion to cultivate.

Lu Chengjun was appointed as the High Priest, in charge of the entire White Snake tribe.

Both men looked surprised upon hearing this, and Zhao Xiong and Cai Yiheng remained silent for a long time.

This is just too bizarre...

"I'll go..." Cai Yiheng sighed softly.

Zhao Xiong was slightly taken aback, then clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Then I'll have to trouble you."

Cai Yiheng smiled faintly and looked at the two of them, asking, "Which of you will take me?"

"I'll take you there," they both said almost simultaneously.

This action reassured Zhao Xiong considerably. If the White Snake Tribe were truly extremely dangerous, these two would never have agreed so readily.

"Li Ang! Take Senior Brother Cai there," Zhao Xiong instructed.

"Your subordinate obeys." Li Ang accepted the order and left.

Zhao Xiong then paced back and forth in the stone chamber. After a moment of contemplation, he decisively ordered: "Immediately send a message to Commander Shen, ordering him to immediately dispatch three hundred elite young men to infiltrate the White Snake Tribe. Also, order Headmaster Zhou to lead a group of geomancers and formation masters to provide immediate assistance. We must extract the earth's vital essence within a month and bring it back safely."

……

With the battle at Death Valley over, the White Serpent tribe's powerful members, scattered throughout the dense forest, returned one after another to the vicinity of the White Serpent Temple.

No one urged them, no one summoned them...

In fact, from the moment the White Serpent Demon King set off for Death Valley, powerful figures who had been lying in wait outside began to rush back in droves.

Humans are naturally inclined to seek advantage and avoid harm, especially those with considerable strength who know how to protect themselves wisely.

Those who are safe with the White Snake Demon King will naturally gather around him.

However, when this demon king selects a few of the strongest among these tribesmen to "play chess" every one or two years, the natives who possess cultivation will naturally choose to go out and hide in advance.

The same thing happened on the Black Boar Demon King's side...

On the eve of each "selection of chess pieces", both sides would send troops to the other's territory to sweep away the "outer periphery" and drive the tribesmen living on the outskirts to the core area.

Only in this way can the demon king, who occupies the core area, freely choose suitable "chess pieces" to play against in Death Valley.

The danger is over...

The area around the temple became the best place to live.

Dozens of people sat in a circle on the open ground outside the temple.

Lu Chengjun, dressed in a white robe made from snake molts, wielded a wooden sword and sparred with Sona.

Both wielded ordinary wooden swords, and their exchanges were brief and decisive, their movements swift and agile.

Sona's figure was graceful, and she moved and darted like a snake emerging from its hole, her sword moves were supple and cunning.

Lu Chengjun was equally agile, but his moves were more powerful, his advances and retreats were measured and unhurried, and he gained the upper hand after a short while.

Seeing this, the surrounding tribal leaders stepped forward one after another to spar and exchange blows.

Although all the tribespeople wield swords, they are very different from human sword cultivators, and are more inclined to be body cultivators who use swords.

Each person moved swiftly and agilely, like a snake weaving through the air.

Lu Chengjun possessed the Dragon Horse talisman, and although he had methods for strengthening his body, he lacked superb martial arts skills.

This is a perfect opportunity to spar with the White Snake Clan.

On the one hand, I honed my skills, and on the other hand, I made some friends.

Make friends through martial arts, make friends through swordsmanship.

Lu Chengjun would deliberately conceal his cultivation level when facing anyone, only revealing the strength of the sixth level of Qi Refining or even lower. He would not use the vast demonic power bestowed upon him by the White Snake Demon King at all.

All those who fought him were evenly matched, their strengths and weaknesses being equal, and their skills and techniques were used to test each other.

After a fierce battle, Lu Chengjun sheathed his sword and stood there, looking beyond the crowd.

He then raised his hand to politely decline the new challenger and dismissed the crowd.

Li Ang arrived with Cai Yiheng.

"Master." Lu Chengjun stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Cai Yiheng's gaze fell on him: "I heard you've already successfully established your foundation?"

Lu Chengjun smiled and shook his head: "I entered the seventh level of Qi Refining by chance. The so-called Foundation Establishment is just an external force bestowed by the White Snake Demon King. I have never integrated this power into my own Dao Foundation."

Upon hearing this, Cai Yiheng was taken aback. He looked at Lu Chengjun with a complicated expression and sighed softly, "The formula for the Foundation Establishment Pill is gone, so why did you do this..."

"Does Master mean I should accept the Demon King's power?" Lu Chengjun asked, his eyes flashing.

Cai Yiheng nodded: "Just like your cat."

At this point, Cai Yiheng asked in confusion, "By the way... what about your cat?"

"I had Amiya stay outside and lie low. After all, this is the Serpent Palace, and it's not appropriate for a cat to come in," Lu Chengjun explained softly.

Cai Yiheng nodded in agreement: "I thought you would use external forces to cultivate, just like Amiya."

"Borrowing power?" Lu Chengjun's lips curled into a sneer: "If the Demon King would bestow upon you the cultivation of Foundation Establishment, would he also bestow upon you the Golden Core? In the end, cultivation can only be achieved by oneself."

"Good ambition, good character." Cai Yiheng praised sincerely, "As expected of a young man, so confident... If it were an old man like me, hehe... I really might not be able to resist."

The master and apprentice walked side by side, as if the core area of ​​the White Snake Tribe was as safe as the Nanming Guard City.

Cai Yiheng casually asked, "Now that you're in the White Snake tribe, are you truly the one who has the final say?"

"The one who can truly say what's right is the White Serpent Demon King. However, the Demon King is detached from worldly affairs and never cares about the trivial matters of the tribe. The people here are simple and kind-hearted, only seeking to live a peaceful life with enough food and clothing, so they are willing to follow him obediently."

"I heard from Commandant Zhao that the garrison will soon be sending several hundred men here," Cai Yiheng said, changing the subject. "Can your area accommodate so many people?"

"The place is spacious enough; there will be no problem with resettlement."

"What about the food?"

"Beneath the dense forest, there are countless wild mushrooms and all kinds of wild animals. I'm afraid that since they usually eat grains, they may not be used to the wild game in the mountains."

Cai Yiheng smiled faintly upon hearing this: "They are all young and strong men, hardworking and resilient, so how could they not be used to the food?"

"What you say is very true, Master."

The master and apprentice chatted idly for a while, mostly about trivial matters...

Soon, Cai Yiheng stopped and carefully examined his disciple from head to toe: "We have been master and disciple for a time, but I have never taught you any truly solid skills before. Now that you also use a sword, would you be willing to learn my sword control technique?"

Lu Chengjun was overjoyed: "Thank you, Master."