Chapter 90: Hardline Attitude (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Mu Chunfeng has a Foundation Establishment Pill in her hand?

This completely caught Xiao Zhangqing off guard.

After all, ordinary Foundation Establishment families find it hard to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill. In some small cultivation markets, tragic cases of whole families being wiped out over the pill are not uncommon.

For example, the Cao family—although the head Cao Hao is already mid‑Foundation Establishment, and there are potential talents in the clan—they would still go to great lengths to get a single Foundation Establishment Pill.

Only families like the Sun clan of Peach Blossom Fang, with deep lineage and second‑grade Pill Master connections, would not lack such pills.

The Mu family, though once at its peak because of Mu Renjie, rose only briefly; Mu Renjie never left Nanshan Fang, and no one heard of the Mu family scheming for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

It seemed she sensed Xiao Zhangqing's doubt, and Mu Chunfeng smiled wryly, explaining: "This Foundation Establishment Pill was obtained by my father from the Zhang family back then…

The Zhang family, which was the first of the four major Foundation Establishment families in Nanshan Fang to decline.

The reason was that the founding ancestor Shou Yuan of the Zhang family's Foundation Establishment reached his end, and no new Foundation Establishment seedlings appeared.

At that time, the Zhang family sought to ally with the equally weak Mu family to jointly resist the Cao and Xu families.

To cement the alliance, the Zhang family was sincere: they even requested Mu Chunfeng to marry into the Zhang family, promising to fully train her and even provide a Foundation Establishment Pill to boost her advancement. Then the Mu family would gain a new Foundation Establishment Realm, and the Zhang family would also benefit—a win‑win.

However, the ultimate outcome for the Zhang family, known to everyone in Nanshan Fang, was that Mu Renjie broke out, slaughtering everywhere, displaying late‑stage Foundation Establishment power, and in one stroke annexed the Zhang and Xu families, forcing the Cao family to shrink back in fear.

Since the Zhang family had already exposed the existence of the Foundation Establishment Pill, they could not keep it; under Mu family's pressure and inducement, they contributed the pill, and Mu Chunfeng, of course, did not need to join the Zhang family.

"The Foundation Establishment Pill had always been kept by my father. Until last year, when my cultivation reached the Great Perfection of refining Qi and I could attempt to breakthrough Foundation Establishment, I went to ask my father for the pill. At that time I still didn't know why he handed it to me yet ordered me to leave Nanshan Fang and go to Liyang Immortal City…

At this point, Mu Chunfeng's expression grew even darker.

Although her father fell into the demonic path, becoming an Evil Cultivator's puppet, a walking corpse who slaughtered innocents indiscriminately.

Yet even in such a situation, he retained a sliver of reason, only for his daughter, Mu Chunfeng.

Because when Mu Chunfeng reached the Great Perfection of refining Qi, Mu Renjie's original personality was almost entirely sealed, having completely gone mad and decided to unleash a massive slaughter in Nanshan Fang.

He also knew that such actions would likely draw a wanted notice from Luoxia Sect and endanger his clan.

So before deciding to kill Zhou Changkong, he first sent Mu Chunfeng away.

This explains why Mu Chunfeng originally could not understand why her father Mu Renjie wanted her to leave Nanshan Fang and go to Liyang Immortal City to establish foundation.

"Later, while on my way to Liyang Immortal City, I was captured by senior elder Gong, so I never got to use the Foundation Establishment Pill here. After returning to the Mu family, I was constantly monitored by the Cao family; none of my movements could escape their eyes, and I could not find a chance to attempt a breakthrough of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Because I knew that once I started the breakthrough, the Cao family would inevitably come to obstruct and destroy it. If my foundation failed, death would be certain.

Mu Chunfeng recounted the whole cause and process clearly.

Then she fell silent, quietly awaiting Xiao Zhangqing's decision.

She had known Xiao Zhangqing for many years and understood his character well.

She is clear about grudges and favors, unwilling to owe anyone, and would never forcibly seize a Pill.

Of course, if Xiao Zhangqing were to lose face and seize it, she could do nothing but concede.

She now finds herself forced into a dead end, with no other way.

Xiao Zhangqing tapped his fingers lightly on his knee, countless thoughts flashing through his mind; he quickly made a decision and asked, "How do you want me to help the Mu family? Withdraw you from the front lines, or something else?"

Mu Chunfeng's eyes lit up at the words, thrilled, and hurriedly said, "The Mu family can contribute the strength it ought to for defending Nanshan Fang, only asking that not all Mu cultivators be sent to the battlefield and charge at the front like the other families and sects of Nanshan Fang. Moreover, if Nanshan Fang repels the Evil Cultivator's assault, after the war I will lead the remaining Mu clan members to leave Nanshan Fang."

This request is not unreasonable.

In other words, it means the Cao family should stop targeting the Mu family and cease extermination.

And if the war can end, the Mu family is also willing to relocate from Nanshan Fang, which would be a wise choice.

"Alright. I'll go find the head of the Cao family about this in a moment," Xiao Zhangqing nodded in agreement.

He had originally given up buying a Foundation Establishment Pill, intending to rely on his own strength and talent to breakthrough the Foundation Establishment.

Unexpectedly, in the last few days, fate turned, and Mu Chunfeng brought a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Truly, it was like treading where no shoe had trod, acquiring it without any effort.

"Thank you, Symbol Master Xiao! This kindness, the Mu family will never forget," Mu Chunfeng said gratefully.

Xiao Zhangqing waved his hand, saying, "It's not a matter of gratitude; I took Miss Mu's Foundation Establishment Pill, so I naturally have to help you—just a normal transaction." Mu Chunfeng said no more, thanked him again, then rose and left without lingering.

Only then did Xiao Zhangqing open the jade bottle containing the Pill, poured it out to inspect.

He didn't doubt that Mu Chunfeng might try to deceive him with counterfeit pills; regardless of its origin, it was his first time seeing the legendary Foundation Establishment Pill, and he was intensely curious.

Nevertheless, he consulted the Cultivation World 'Encyclopedia', comparing the Pill item by item.

Confirming beyond doubt that the Pill was genuine, Xiao Zhangqing put it away.

"I'll step out for a moment."

Xiao Zhangqing called out to the Lin sisters, then hurried out to find the Cao family head, Cao Hao.

Without delay, after fulfilling the promised matter, Xiao Zhangqing would retreat to a sealed cultivation to attempt a breakthrough of the Foundation Establishment Realm!

Now with the Foundation Establishment Pill, Xiao Zhangqing's confidence in successfully establishing foundation rose to ninety‑nine percent! …

…

"Withdraw the Mu family from the front lines?"

When Xiao Zhangqing met Cao Hao to discuss, the Mu family's Senior Elder happened to be present as well.

Hearing Xiao Zhangqing's request, his expression immediately soured, and he retorted sarcastically, "If we pull the Mu people back, who will take the front? The Symbol Masters of Lingfu Pavilion, or will Symbol Master Xiao go yourself?"

Xiao Zhangqing frowned, patiently replying, "There are so many cultivators in Nanshan Fang that, with proper rewards, we can always find those willing to make contributions. After all, when Peach Blossom Fang came, we were able to recruit cultivators to fight."

The Cao family Senior Elder sneered repeatedly, "That's easy to say. Peach Blossom Fang had the Sun family supply Foundation Establishment Pills as bait, so countless cultivators gladly went. As for our Nanshan Fang, if Symbol Master Xiao is willing to provide second‑grade Talisman Scripts for free, without charging Spirit Stones, then this matter can be discussed!"

One after another, Xiao Zhangqing, like a clay statue, was getting increasingly irritated.

These old guys, so arrogant—do they enjoy leaning on seniority?

The previous Mu family elder who spoke to him so imperiously has already died at the hands of an Evil Cultivator! If others don't give him face, Xiao Zhangqing won't stick his hot face to a cold butt; he turned directly to Cao Hao and asked, "Who makes the decisions in the Cao family now? The family head or this senior elder? Whoever decides, I'll discuss this matter with them."

Cao Hao's expression turned slightly awkward, and he hadn't had a chance to speak to smooth things over.

The Cao family Senior Elder, blowing his beard and glaring, stood up and scolded, "Symbol Master Xiao, I respect you, which is why I call you Symbol Master Xiao! When war comes, what have you done? You just hide at the rear drawing talismans! Meanwhile, my Cao family is the main force resisting Evil Cultivators! Every day we go to the front lines to clash with them! In these few days, I alone have slain over twenty Evil Cultivators! So tell me, Symbol Master Xiao, you don't go…

Xiao Zhangqing sneered, "So, senior elder, you mean that from now on Cao family cultivators are forbidden from buying Talisman Scripts from me, right? After all, I'm a useless person?"

"You…" the Cao family Senior Elder could not utter a word, his face flushed with anger.

Second‑stage Talisman Scripts are now the most lethal weapons against Evil Cultivators.

It can be said that in the past few days the Evil Cultivators' attacks have achieved almost nothing; apart from Nanshan Fang's defenses and countless cultivators risking their lives in battle, the more than forty second‑stage Talisman Scripts supplied by Xiao Zhangqing accounted for at least half the credit!

If the Cao family's Late Stage of Lian Qi had no second‑stage Talisman Scripts, the casualty rate would rise sharply and the credit would drop sharply.

"Symbol Master Xiao, don't get angry; the Senior Elder didn't mean it that way…" Cao Hao finally stepped forward to smooth things over.

Xiao Zhangqing merely waved his hand, gave no face, and said: "I haven't been on the front lines killing enemies lately. However, I slew a Late‑stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, even one comparable to a Golden Core Real—the evil spirit Mu Renjie! If it weren't for me, the Cao family, even if not exterminated, would still be hiding in their ancestral house, too scared to come out, wouldn't they? I killed Mu Renjie, so the Mu family's assets should, by right, be taken over by me, and the Mu people should obey my orders. I've been too lazy to deal with this for half a year, letting the Cao family reap cheap benefit, devouring the Mu family's massive assets clean, and now they still have complaints, huh?"

When the conversation reached this point, not only the Cao family's Senior Elder, but even Cao Hao found his face hanging and felt a little embarrassed.

Indeed.

Mu Renjie's death, the Cao family contributed nothing, yet they became the biggest winners.

All things considered, Xiao Zhangqing is the Cao family's great benefactor.

If it weren't for Xiao Zhangqing, the Cao family could never have developed to this extent; merely surviving would be good enough.

"From today onward, the Mu family must withdraw from the front line. Normally they should help defend Nanshan Fang, and I won't stand in the way. But I don't want them to be singled out by the Cao family any longer. If the Cao family refuses, they can try it: without second‑stage Talisman Scripts, can Nanshan Fang easily fend off the Evil Cultivators' assault? In any case, I'm a lone man with little property; if Nanshan Fang falls, I'll just run away."

After Xiao Zhangqing finished speaking, he gave the two no chance to retort, turned and left.

Faintly, only the Cao family's Senior Elder's angry roar could be heard.

But Cao Hao, the head of the Cao family, chased after them at the last moment and, in a conciliatory tone, said, "Symbol Master Xiao, I accept your request."

Without the support of second‑stage Talisman Scripts, it's truly impossible!

Not only is the Cao family's Late Stage of Lian Qi core force unable to hold, even Nanshan Fang might be captured! (End of chapter)