Chapter 114

Six hours later, after leaving seclusion, Wang Ping saw off each visitor one by one, then he breathed a sigh of relief.

He turned around and saw the six members of Tie Lanshan staring at him.

Good!

Needless to say, Wang Ping understood what they meant; he just needed some magic items to practice with.

In a courtyard of the Gathering Treasure Workshop, Wang Ping and the six others sat casually.

"Daoist Wu Yue has already ascended due to severe injuries; I promised him that if we truly occupy a spirit land, we would give his junior disciples a place to thrive."

Just as they sat down, Zhang Zuo began to explain to the remaining fellow cultivators.

Wang Ping nodded: "That's only natural; it's a pity about Daoist Wu."

Tie Lanshan and the others knew what Daoist Lan Ming regretted; given Daoist Wu Yue's talent in talismans, if he succeeded in Foundation Establishment, he would surely make a name for himself in the West Droop cultivation world.

Everyone's faces were somewhat grim; they had all reached Foundation Establishment, which counts as taking a step onto the path of longevity.

Nevertheless, no one dared to relax; they still used every means to increase their cultivation.

Everyone knows that the period from mid-Foundation Establishment to late-Foundation Establishment is a major hurdle.

One thousand drops of spiritual liquid, ten thousand strands of spiritual power—without pills, spirit veins, spirit stones, or assistance, even excellent spiritual roots offer little chance.

Therefore, Wang Ye's proposal gained everyone's approval.

Among those present, aside from Wang Ping, Tie Lanshan, and Grand Master Liaoru, who else has no descendants?

If we can seize this opportunity to occupy a spirit land, then even if one day we fall abroad, we can still leave blessings for our descendants.

Wang Ping, having been in seclusion all along, was still unclear about spirit lands, so he directly asked.

After Wang Ping finished his question, he saw that several members of Tie Lanshan were all smiling.

After a moment's thought, Wang Ping understood: they had found a good place.

Tie Lanshan's tone carried a lightness:

"Over the past month or so, Grand Master Liaoru and I have visited many places and finally selected three spirit lands: Heavenly Spirit Lake, Moon Cliff Terrace, and Cloud Net Mountain."

"For these three, Grand Master Liaoru and I agree that, at the latest in one year and at the earliest in half a year, there will definitely be an outbreak of spiritual energy, revealing spirit veins and spirit fields."

Wang Ping listened calmly; when he heard "Moon Cliff Terrace," a hint of unusual color flashed in his heart.

"These three places are all good; Heavenly Spirit Lake contains the famous spirit fish of the West Droop region. Long-term consumption strengthens the physical body, and the lake abounds in various aquatic products. There are thirty-eight islands in the lake, with spirit fields totaling 1,300 mu. It is estimated that, if spiritual energy erupts, the number of spirit fields will increase again and their quality will improve, possibly yielding around 300 mu of second‑grade spirit fields! Second‑grade spirit medicines can be cultivated there."

Ou Yang Hua arrived later, so he knew no more specifics than Wang Ping; upon hearing the situation of Heavenly Spirit Lake, he couldn't help but show a look of surprise and delight.

Tie Lanshan glanced at Ou Yang Hua, smiled, and said: "The remaining Moon Cliff Terrace and Heavenly Spirit Lake are quite similar!"

Wang Ping asked: "How about the Cloud Net Mountain Range?"

Upon hearing that name, Tie Lanshan's voice became extremely excited: "In Cloud Net Mountain lies the best of the three spirit lands; it already has a second‑grade spirit vein, its spirit fields reach up to 2,000 mu, and there is also a Spirit Wood Peak, where the trees are mostly first‑grade spirit wood."

Zhang Zuo exclaimed in surprise: "Such a place, even without a spiritual energy outbreak, ought to already be occupied by Foundation Establishment cultivators, right?"

Tie Lanshan laughed and said: "Daoist Zhang Zuo is right; this place originally belonged to the Si Tu Clan."

"Si Tu!"

Wang Ye exclaimed in surprise: "I said this place name sounded so familiar—turns out this is actually the original headquarters of the Si Tu Clan!"

Wang Ping looked bewildered; he had no impression whatsoever of the so‑called Si Tu Clan.

Seeing Wang Ping's puzzled expression, Grand Master Liaoru explained to him:

"It is a relatively low‑key power in the cultivation world. Over ten years ago, the Soul Refining Hall and the former Three Yuan Alliance went to war. The Si Tu Clan originally belonged to the Three Yuan Alliance's forces, but during the war they switched sides mid‑battle, with three of their Foundation Establishment cultivators defecting. Imagine: among the Foundation Establishment cultivators who participated in the war, there were no more than twenty‑odd in total; suddenly three of them defected—what a blow that dealt to the Three Yuan Alliance's Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

Wang Ping remained silent; Grand Master Liaoru continued:

"In that battle, because the Si Tu Clan's Foundation Establishment cultivators defected, of the Eight Yuan Alliance's remaining eight cultivators, only one managed to fight his way out alive; the other seven all perished!"

Tie Lanshan took over Grand Master Liaoru's words and continued:

"After that battle, the Three Yuan Alliance issued a death order against the Si Tu Clan. It is said that a Great Completion Foundation Establishment cultivator descended at midnight and, in one strike, killed three of their Foundation Establishment cultivators. This battle crippled the fledgling Si Tu Clan and also exerted tremendous deterrent force on the other factions within the alliance."

"In that battle, the second‑grade spirit veins were almost destroyed, the second‑grade top‑level grand formation was rendered useless, and half of the spirit fields were ruined. Afterwards, even if the Soul Refining Hall flew into a rage, it could not possibly restart hostilities over this! To avoid retaliation from the families they had betrayed, the Si Tu Clan abandoned their ancestral lands overnight and entered the sphere of influence of the Soul Refining Hall."

"What factions now occupy Cloud Net Mountain?" Wang Ping asked.

"Before that, only five Qi Refining forces were stationed there. Recently, spiritual energy has revived; after the spirit vein there was fractured, it shows signs of recovery and even a chance to advance—perhaps to a top‑grade second‑grade spirit vein. We learned of Cloud Net Mountain's situation because the leader of one of those five forces came to me, seeking our help; afterward, we only need to give them a place to propagate."

After Tie Lanshan finished speaking, he looked around and said: "Fellow cultivators, these three places are now eyed by many powers, especially the Cloud Net Mountain Range! It is said that when the time comes, late‑stage Foundation Establishment cultivators may well descend to take part in the scramble."

Zhang Zuo asked: "Are there any Great Completion Foundation Establishment cultivators?"

Tie Lanshan shook his head: "No, cultivators at that level have already trained to the peak of Foundation Establishment; their goal is merely Golden Core. They wouldn't be very interested in these matters. Moreover, a Great Completion Foundation Establishment cultivator who hasn't seized a good spirit land is unheard of; it is said that some Great Completion Foundation Establishment cultivators' spirit veins have advanced to third‑grade spirit veins during this spiritual energy outbreak."

Zhang Zuo, Ou Yang Hua, and Wang Ye all nodded; this is acceptable. If a Great Completion Foundation Establishment cultivator really were to appear, we wouldn't even think about it—we'd simply go seize the other two spirit lands.

Although Great Completion Foundation Establishment and they share the same Foundation Establishment realm, their combat power is still not on the same level.

"So then, fellow cultivators, let's vote by show of hands on which spirit land to occupy."

"I choose the Cloud Net Mountain Range!" Tie Lanshan expressed his opinion.

"Amitabha! The poor monk thinks it's better to be cautious, after all the formidable Daoist Tie Lanshan we saw in the Gu Lan Relics! The poor monk feels that either of the other two spirit lands would be fine."

Even someone as belligerent as Wang Ye hesitated, saying: "Daoist Tie Lanshan, we've already seen how formidable late‑stage Foundation Establishment cultivators are; with our six of us, even if we managed to kill him by a fluke, we'd likely suffer heavy casualties."

Zhang Zuo glanced at everyone, flipped his palm, and a white jade bottle appeared in his hand!

"Everyone, look—what is this?"

Everyone, look, what is this?

Among them, except for Tie Lanshan, everyone stared speechlessly at what Zhang Zuo held in their hand, silently muttering, 'Who knows what you're holding?'

Seeing everyone's expressions, Zhang Zuo felt a bit embarrassed, coughed, and said, 'Everyone, do you still remember the golden bee liquid from ten years ago?'

Cultivators generally have excellent memories, unless it concerns something extremely ancient.

Golden bee liquid!

Wang Ping immediately recalled that, back when they were dividing the spoils in the market city, Zhang Zuo, the alchemist, had taken the golden bee liquid, saying it was used to formulate a poison capable of killing Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Thinking of this, Wang Ping's eyes flashed as he speculated:

Could it be that what the fellow Daoist is holding in hand is the already-prepared poisonous Gold Jade Dew that can kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

"Indeed!" Zhang Zuo said with a smile.