Chapter 106: Farewell, Steady Your Hand!

"So the last surprise ambush and assassination was the Evil Cultivator's final desperate gamble?"

Xiao Zhangqing smirked as he spoke.

The Evil Cultivator's retreat was, of course, a cause for his delight.

Even with his current true strength, the Evil Cultivator's breach of Nanshan Fang posed no life‑threatening danger to him, but having spent over ten years here since crossing over, Nanshan Fang has become his "hometown" in this world.

Naturally, he is unwilling to see this market town's living beings scorched and occupied by the Evil Cultivator.

"Indeed! Senior Xiao is rescuing Nanshan Fang from fire and water; all cultivators here should be grateful to Senior Xiao." Cao Hao, lacking any patriarchal authority, spoke the flattering words with practiced ease.

Having survived life‑and‑death crises, if it weren't for Xiao Zhangqing's exceptional resilience, he would have perished long ago, so such flattery is hardly noteworthy.

Xiao Zhangqing was too lazy to bother with him.

He calculated that today also marked the end of this mortal body's "pre‑affinity," bringing his chapter with Zhou Yun'e to a close.

If the Evil Cultivator withdraws and Nanshan Fang is no longer in danger, he should then venture to broader realms…

After establishing the Foundation, the next goal is naturally to continue upward step by step, advancing toward Core Formation!

If Foundation Establishment is the foundation of the Dao, it marks the true transition from mortal to cultivator, the beginning of the pursuit of the immortal Dao.

Then Core Formation serves as the crucial link that connects and initiates the next stage.

The Foundation Establishment Realm is barely a foothold in the Cultivation World, granting the right to travel and venture without being doomed by every minor danger, allowing one to witness the dazzling side of the Cultivation World. Core Formation, however, is an elevation—it provides the capital for establishing one's place in the boundless Cultivation World! A Core Formation cultivator is respected wherever they go.

Even the two major Nascent Soul sects of the Da Yu Cultivation World would not easily offend a Core Formation cultivator, treating them with courtesy.

One cannot achieve Core Formation without leaving the cultivation market for broader realms.

Just as shallow water cannot produce a flood dragon, the principle is the same.

Even Xiao Zhangqing, despite having a system by his side, is no exception.

Not to mention the cultivation market lacks high‑tier Magic Treasures, the system cannot extract higher‑tier skills.

Even if the skills are powerful, Nanshan Fang's spirit veins are only second‑rank superior—a hard flaw! Even a Tier‑1 Cave is only sufficient to train up to the late stage of Foundation Establishment!

To attain Core Formation, besides various opportunities, treasures, and talents, an external spirit vein is also indispensable.

A third‑rank spirit vein is required to support a cultivator's breakthrough to Core Formation!

"If the Evil Cultivator truly retreats, I wonder what Xiao, Symbol Master plans next?" Cao Hao, watching Xiao Zhangqing's thoughtful expression, couldn't help but ask tentatively.

Xiao Zhangqing said with a half‑smile, "What, are you eager for me to leave Nanshan Fang soon? Fear that I'm hindering the Cao family's dominance here?"

Cao Hao's expression hardened instantly, and he declared righteously, "I would never entertain such thoughts! I hope Senior Xiao can stay in Nanshan Fang a few more years; that would make the Cao family safer."

Xiao Zhangqing smiled, too lazy to expose him, and said lightly, "We'll talk after the Evil Cultivator truly withdraws. I'm not in a hurry; I've only been in Foundation Establishment for a little over two months, and I have no idea how many more years of hard cultivation it will take to reach the mid‑stage. For now, Nanshan Fang's spirit veins fully satisfy my training."

"That's good… that's good…"

Cao Hao wore a relieved, happy expression, though inside he was already bitter.

Xiao Zhangqing not leaving Nanshan Fang always feels like a sword hanging over him and the Cao family.

Especially since Xiao Zhangqing refuses to reveal his strength, playing the pig to eat the tiger, he worries that someone in the family, lacking eyes, might provoke Xiao Zhangqing.

……

……

The Evil Cultivator truly retreated.

One morning at daybreak, Nanshan Fang erupted in a frenzy, and many cultivators looked up at the sky with excitement.

The few massive war airships that had been hovering outside Nanshan Fang's formation had vanished at an unknown time, and no trace of the Evil Cultivator remained outside Nanshan Fang.

At first, the cultivators inside Nanshan Fang were cautious and dared not go out.

As time passed, the braver cultivators couldn't resist venturing out to investigate; after a patrol round, they found no trace of the Evil Cultivator and finally relaxed.

After being besieged for over half a year, the Evil Cultivator's invasion ended without success, and Nanshan Fang remained safely defended!

During this war, many cultivators reaped abundant gains, obtaining Spirit Stones, Pills and Magic Treasures that are hard to acquire in a lifetime, boosting their cultivation and power greatly.

After the war ended, they achieved a leap in rank.

Of course, many more died silently, their names never recorded.

On the third day after the Evil Cultivator's retreat.

Mu Chunfeng arrived at the Tier‑1 Cave, and Xiao Zhangqing saw her once.

"Dao Companion Xiao, I have come today to bid you farewell,"

Mu Chunfeng looked at Xiao Zhangqing with a complex expression, her heart filled with countless emotions.

Her thoughts seemed to return to many years ago, when she and Jiang Jiyue were dining at Lai Feng Lou and happened to encounter Zhou Yun'e and Hu Youquan there; the two almost started a quarrel over the price of a dish.

Later, Jiang Jiyue introduced Xiao Zhangqing to her, allowing her to win him over, and from then the gears of fate began to turn, with many twists and turns.

Who could have imagined that a Scattered Cultivator from a Peng Hu Qu, relying on an exceptional Talisman Path talent, would first secure a foothold at Lingfu Pavilion, and today not only become a Second‑rank Talisman Master but also successfully establish the Foundation, becoming the number one in Nanshan Fang? Even more unexpected, one of the six great families—the once glorious Foundation family—fell to the point of needing Xiao Zhangqing's protection to escape annihilation.

"Dao Companion Mu, is it confirmed you're heading to Character: Liyang Immortal City?" Xiao Zhangqing asked.

Mu Chunfeng nodded, "The Mu family still has some connections in Character: Liyang Immortal City, so going there provides a place to settle. Moreover, Jiyue is also in Character: Liyang Immortal City; before the war began, she sent me several letters urging me to find her there."

In fact, there was another reason she didn't mention.

She still has several years before turning sixty and wishes to venture to Character: Liyang Immortal City to seek a Foundation‑establishing opportunity.

The Foundation‑establishing pills in Character: Liyang Immortal City are relatively more common; with Spirit Stones one can purchase them.

If she went to other cultivation markets, given the Mu family's current weak strength, it would be easier to settle, but her chances of establishing the Foundation would essentially be lost.

"Traveling to Character: Liyang Immortal City is tens of thousands of li away, with high mountains and long roads; take care, Dao Companion Mu, and have a smooth journey," Xiao Zhangqing bowed.

Mu Chunfeng replied, "I wish Dao Companion Xiao a long life on the immortal path, and may you one day ascend to the Golden Core Dao!"

Having said that,

Mu Chunfeng turned and left.

But just as she stepped out of the Tier‑1 Cave's gate, the cave's formation mist reopened behind her, and a figure emerged.

It was Lin Ziyu.

"Miss Mu, this is a token of the lord's favor," Lin Ziyu handed several Talisman Scripts to Mu Chunfeng.

Among them, two were the most precious second‑rank inferior Talisman Scripts.

One was an attack Talisman Script, the other an evasion talisman, extremely useful for saving one's life.

In addition were a few first‑rank Stabilizing Soul Talismans and Demon‑breaking Talismans. They are rarely needed, but if luck is poor—like Ruan Bufan previously when confronted by evil spirits—they can play a decisive role.

"This… is far too precious."

Mu Chunfeng was at a loss.

The value of second‑rank talismans is exceedingly high, especially in a post‑war place like Nanshan Fang where resources are scarce and talisman prices are considerably above normal.

She now must undertake a long migration, traveling from Nanshan Fang to Character: Liyang Immortal City, a distance of ten thousand li, where many dangers may await.

These two second‑rank talismans are even more valuable, capable of saving a life in a crisis.

After Mu Chunfeng recovered, she hurriedly prepared to draw a Spirit Stone. Although the Mu family's funds are now nearly depleted, once she arrives at Character: Liyang Immortal City she still has no prospect of purchasing a Foundation Pill.

Yet she does not wish to accept such a great favor for no reason.

"Miss Mu, there's no need to be formal; please be sure to accept it," Lin Ziyu smiled kindly and said softly, "Take care on the road! I hope that one day in the future we may meet again in Character: Liyang Immortal City."

Having spoken, without waiting for Mu Chunfeng to react further, he returned to his cave residence, his figure vanishing within a formation.

Mu Chunfeng stared at the Jia Yi Cave Residence for a while, then solemnly packed away the talismans and turned to leave.

That day.

Mu Chunfeng led the remaining roughly one hundred members of the Mu clan, quietly departed Nanshan Fang, and set out on the road to Character: Liyang Immortal City.

The Mu family, once at its peak in Nanshan Fang, has now completely withdrawn from the stage of history.

Sensing Mu Chunfeng's aura fade from his perception, Xiao Zhangqing also began to contemplate when he should depart. After much thought, Xiao Zhangqing decided to wait a few more years.

He has only just begun Foundation Establishment, with no bottleneck; the second‑rank superior spiritual vein of Nanshan Fang can fully support his cultivation to the mid‑stage of Foundation Establishment. Just as Cao Hao cultivated to the mid‑stage of Foundation Establishment in Nanshan Fang.

At his current cultivation speed and with his Earth Spirit Root aptitude, he should reach the mid‑stage of Foundation Establishment in less than ten years.

After reaching the mid‑stage of Foundation Establishment, the increase in magical power becomes secondary.

After all, he possesses an Immortal Stone that converts and stores solid magical energy of Gold Core level, so the difference between the initial and mid‑stages of Foundation Establishment is not significant.

Yet in recent years he has devoted much practice to the Nightmare Technique, and with the growth from cultivation breakthroughs, the increase of his Soul Transformation is the most important! Currently his outward spiritual perception extends forty‑two zhang, and with the Prison Dragon Bracelet's double amplification, it has reached eighty‑four zhang!

In a few more years, once his cultivation reaches the mid‑stage of Foundation Establishment, this figure should rise above one hundred zhang!

In this way, upon attaining the true Jie Dan level, wielding the Dragon Chant Technique and Nightmare Technique will no longer be merely comparable to a Jie Dan cultivator, but will truly be capable of slaying an early‑stage Jie Dan! Traveling from Nanshan Fang to Character: Liyang Immortal City, a distance of ten thousand li fraught with danger, one's self‑preservation strength naturally the stronger, the better! Moreover, even upon reaching Character: Liyang Immortal City, possessing a trump card that can cut down a Jie Dan cultivator adds even more security.

Otherwise, when he reaches Character: Liyang Immortal City, he will still have to crawl on his tail like a coward.

"Let's keep developing for a while!"

Xiao Zhangqing restrained his urge to go out and explore, and settled down to cultivate.

We cultivators must be steady when we ought to be steady!

(End of chapter)