Chapter 64: Becoming Famous

Lin Zhangqing and his squad returned to the gathering point. Although his father had instructed everyone not to speak of it to outsiders, news about Lin Zhangqing spread quickly by the time everyone returned that evening.

It was likely spread by the hunting squad that had helped load the demon beast corpses. Fortunately, they only knew that the scorpions Lin Zhangqing raised had dealt with the wolf pack; they did not know the specific details.

Nevertheless, Lin Zhangqing became famous this time. He had solved a pack of forty to fifty Swift Wind Wolves all by himself.

This combat power was truly formidable, equivalent to several hunting squads combined. Everyone was curious and wanted to see what kind of scorpions were so powerful.

Even the Clan Leader, upon hearing of this, specifically sought him out to understand the situation.

In fact, back when he was guarding the clansmen that day, the Clan Leader had noticed Lin Zhangqing releasing the Purple Crystal Scorpions to patrol the surroundings, but he hadn't inquired in detail at the time.

After understanding the situation, the Clan Leader knew these scorpions had immense potential, but the cost of raising them was equally immense. He told Lin Zhangqing to be sure to cultivate them carefully, and if he faced difficulties or pressure, he could ask the clan to help resolve some of it.

Lin Zhangqing indicated that there were no problems for now, and if he truly couldn't support them, he would seek help from the clan.

Now everyone knew Lin Zhangqing raised a group of very powerful scorpions. Fortunately, the crowd was only curious for a moment.

After seeing the one scorpion Lin Zhangqing displayed, they felt it was just a bit prettier and didn't see anything particularly powerful about it, so they gradually stopped paying attention.

Lin Zhangqing chuckled inwardly. Those who hadn't been stung by a Purple Crystal Scorpion would never know how terrifying it was—especially when multiple Purple Crystal Scorpions attacked a single target. The First-Grade peak Alpha Wolf had taken five stings and hadn't survived; it had been stung to death in agony.

Of course, regarding the Purple Crystal Scorpions, Lin Zhangqing certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to talk about them to outsiders. He had only given the Clan Leader a rough idea without revealing the specific details. Lin Zhangqing had always believed that keeping a low profile while making a fortune was the golden rule.

Because they had encountered far more demon beasts than usual, several hunting squads had already reported to the Clan Leader that their storage bags were full.

Therefore, after the few Foundation Establishment cultivators consulted, they decided to return first to exchange the demon beast corpses for contribution points, and incidentally allow the clansmen to return and rest for two days. Thus, they notified everyone to return to Red Maple Fortress tomorrow morning.

The clansmen were especially happy to hear they could return to rest tomorrow. After all, before cultivators became immortals, they were still flesh and blood. They had been sleeping in the open in the wilds for over ten days, and hunting demon beasts kept their bodies and minds under high tension.

So, everyone wanted to go back, eat a good meal, sleep soundly, and properly relax.

Lin Zhangqing did a rough calculation. In the ten days they had been out hunting demon beasts, excluding this wolf pack, their squad had earned about 3,600 contribution points.

They averaged about 300 to 400 contribution points per day. Adding the points contributed by this wolf pack, they were approaching 5,000 contribution points.

Even if the contribution points were divided equally, each person would have about 1,000. It seemed that as long as they worked hard for another month, they might be able to gather enough contribution points to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill. This was truly great!

Sure enough, great crises brought great opportunities. In the ordinary Qingyun Mountain Range, there wouldn't be so many demon beasts for you to hunt.

The next day, Lin Zhangqing specifically got up very early to finish his daily cultivation tasks before they set off.

Not long after Lin Zhangqing finished his cultivation, the Clan Leader saw that everyone had arrived, so he released the Wind-Running Boat to carry everyone back to Red Maple Fortress. After more than two hours of high-speed flight, they finally returned safely to Red Maple Fortress.

Afterward, things like exchanging contribution points didn't need Lin Zhangqing's attention; he let his father and the others handle it.

Since arriving at the fortress, he hadn't wandered around yet, so Lin Zhangqing decided to take advantage of his free time today to look around.

This Red Maple Fortress was located between Dongyang Prefecture and the entrance to the Qingyun Mountain Range. The fortress covered an area of about three li, with walls 60 zhang high and 30 zhang wide, and only two gates, one at the front and one at the back.

The Commander's Mansion and other core institutions were arranged in the center of the fortress. It was a case of "the sparrow may be small, but it has all the vital organs"; every functional building was present, including a market. After walking around, he discovered there were quite a few scattered cultivators here, and they looked quite organized; they had likely been arranged here after accepting recruitment from the Qingyun Sect.

In fact, this Red Maple Fortress was usually a supply point for entering and exiting the Qingyun Mountain Range. Many cultivators liked to rest and resupply here, and sell their harvests from the mountains.

Therefore, many merchants had opened specialized shops here to acquire the harvests of these cultivators, including spirit medicines, spirit grasses, spirit plants, demon beast corpses, cubs, mineral deposits, and even information—as long as it had value, there were people specifically collecting it.

However, there weren't many ordinary cultivators to be seen along the way now. They had likely left to take refuge elsewhere after learning the news of the beast tide, which was why it looked so sparsely populated.

He had originally wanted to visit the Stall Square, but he didn't expect there to be only a few scattered people setting up stalls; it was completely uninteresting. After enjoying a spirit meal outside, he returned to his residence.

There was still some Hundred Flowers Drunken Soul Wine left in the Xuan Yuan Heavy Water Bottle from last time. Taking advantage of this rest, he would let his grandfather and the other two Foundation Establishment cultivators consume some to see if they could also raise their cultivation by one level.

Having made up his mind, he walked toward his grandfather's residence, intending to find his grandfather to discuss it first. He didn't expect the three Foundation Establishment cultivators to be gathered together drinking tea. This was perfect, saving him from having to find the other two later.

Lin Zhangqing hurried forward to pay his respects and greet the three of them.

Grandfather asked, "Qing'er, is there something you need?"

"Grandfather, and also the Clan Leader and Fourteenth Uncle, I came this time to let you taste the Hundred Flowers Drunken Soul Wine and see if it can help you raise your cultivation," Lin Zhangqing said with a serious expression.

Grandfather smiled broadly upon hearing this and said happily, "Truly my good grandson, always thinking of your grandfather when there's a benefit."

The Clan Leader also said with a smile, "Qing'er is thoughtful. There's only a little left inside; if we use it, you won't have any left."

Lin Zhangqing said sternly, "You are the pillars of the clan. Only when your strength is great can you better protect the clansmen."

Fourteenth Uncle spoke up then, "I won't use it; give it to the Clan Leader and your grandfather! If there's any left, it should be taken back for the family to consume."

Lin Zhangqing said firmly, "The remaining spirit wine should be enough for the three of you to consume, and there will still be extra.

Now that we are on the front lines, everything is based on the premise of increasing strength and returning home safely; everything else is secondary.

Besides, only when your strength is great can you better protect the clansmen and lead us home alive!"

"Alright, Qing'er is right. Don't decline anymore; let the three of us consume the Hundred Flowers Drunken Soul Wine!" Grandfather made the final decision.

The Clan Leader also nodded and said, "Very well! I also want to try and see if I can take a step further with this Hundred Flowers Drunken Soul Wine."

"Then we shall use it, but we must still compensate Qing'er, otherwise I won't use it," Fourteenth Uncle said with a firm attitude.

"That goes without saying. I would be too embarrassed to take advantage of a junior, but let's wait until after consumption to see the effects before talking about it!"

In this regard, the Clan Leader had the same intention as Fourteenth Uncle.

Lin Zhangqing shook his head and said, "As for compensation, just give whatever you feel is appropriate; there's really no need to be so calculating. Grandfather, you go first!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 65 =====