Chapter 19: with translation of chapter title

After the two eighth-layer Body Refining cultivators of the Wan family were killed, the Wang Family Old Residence was temporarily safe.

But everyone knows this is only temporary; greater trouble may come at any moment.

During this period, Wang Shan basically never left the old residence.

What he needed to do first was repair the 【Misty Spirit Gathering Array】 that had been smashed.

Fortunately, he managed to obtain almost three hundred Lower-Grade Spirit Stones from Heipao Ren, plus a dozen or so Middle-Grade Spirit Stones.

This unexpected wealth gave him considerable confidence.

Wang Shan was not stingy at all; he used most of the Lower-Grade Spirit Stones.

He also carefully placed a few Middle-Grade Spirit Stones inside to serve as the array's Core energy.

The spiritual energy within Middle-Grade Spirit Stones is far greater than that of Lower-Grade ones, and it is purer and more abundant.

With these good things, plus Wang Shan having reached the seventh layer of Body Refining and understanding arrays better, the repair went especially smoothly.

He did not merely repair it.

He also made a major upgrade.

The original array's foundation was reinforced and expanded.

The array patterns were also etched more complex and profound.

Its abilities to gather spiritual energy and to defend were greatly enhanced.

Wang Shan estimates that this new 【Misty Spirit Gathering Array】 could withstand a hard attack from even a ninth-layer Body Refining cultivator for a while.

It won't be like last time, when it was smashed instantly.

This let him relax a little.

At least, the Wang family now has a harder protective shell.

Besides becoming stronger in defense, the array upgrade also has the benefit of improved spiritual energy gathering.

The spiritual energy in the old residence's courtyard is noticeably much greater than before.

Even the air carries a faint sweet scent.

This is greatly beneficial for the Wang family children's cultivation.

It also allows the spirit plants in the spirit fields to be nourished better.

After finishing the array work, Wang Shan finally had time to sit down.

He began to carefully examine the items he found in the Hei Pao Xiushi's storage bag.

Medicinal pills and materials were sorted and placed in categories.

Those Wan family medicinal pills that carried a yin chill he set aside separately, not intending to use them for now.

His attention was mainly focused on that tattered beast-skin scroll.

This beast skin, I don't know what kind of demon beast it is from, looks very old.

The edges are slightly curled and darkened, but the skin itself is exceptionally tough.

Upon it is written a cultivation method in a very ancient script.

The characters are written messily, yet they exude an indescribable evil aura and ferocity.

Wang Shan is currently at the seventh layer of Body Refining, his spiritual sense has also improved, and he can barely understand what is written on it.

The more he looked, the worse his complexion became, and his brows knit tightly.

Indeed, it was just as he had thought.

What is recorded on this beast-skin scroll is precisely a part of the Wan family's founding 【Myriad Beast Method】! Although only a part.

But what is written inside is already terrifying enough.

The main idea of this 【Myriad Beast Method】 is actually to use a particularly cruel and bloody method.

To extract the essence of the bloodline, and even special organs, from powerful demon beasts.

Then, using a strange method and blood sacrifice ritual, forcibly implant them into the cultivator's body.

If successful, the cultivator would gain a portion of that demon beast's abilities.

Strength, speed, and defense would be greatly increased.

One could even learn to use some of the demon beast's special talents.

This cultivation method is simply a deviant path!

Forcibly stuffing demon beast bloodlines into the body is inherently extremely dangerous.

A slight mistake could cause bloodline conflict, leading to bodily explosion, or being influenced by the demon beast's brutal will, turning into a monster that knows only slaughter.

Moreover, the fragment clearly states that to increase the fusion success rate and suppress the terrible consequences of fusion, two very difficult conditions must be met.

First, one must find a "vessel" with special talent.

Such a "vessel" seems especially receptive to demon beast bloodlines, able to better accommodate and fuse this external power.

The fragment does not specifically say what this "vessel" is like.

But the implication between the lines sends a chill down Wang Shan's spine.

The second point, which also makes Wang Shan the angriest and most disgusted,

is to carry out a large-scale blood sacrifice!

The offerings are not anything else, but the essence blood of many living creatures!

Among them, the fragment especially says that the essence blood of "boys and girls" works best.

It can greatly purify the ferocious qi within the demon beast's bloodline, making the fusion more stable.

Upon seeing this, Wang Shan felt a rush of cold air surge from his back to the top of his head!

Boys and girls!

He immediately thought of the Chen family's secret kidnapping of children in Luo Bay County before!

Originally I thought the Chen family just wanted to use those children to do some shameful bad deeds.

Now it seems likely that they were intended as sacrifices for the Wan family to cultivate the Ten Thousand Beasts Method.

The Wan family, in order to become stronger, actually dared to do such heaven‑harming, inhumane deeds!

No wonder those Wan family members always have a vague, gloomy, evil aura; the problem turns out to be here!

Wang Shan clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the force.

His hatred and killing intent toward the Wan family have reached their peak.

Such a family doesn't deserve to exist at all!

He suppressed the fire in his heart and continued watching.

Besides the damaged manual, he also took out that black token, more than half of which had been shattered by the Thunder Talisman.

The token felt cold to the touch; I couldn't tell if it was gold or iron.

Even damaged, it still exudes an ominous aura that makes one's heart uneasy.

It seems something evil is sealed inside.

Wang Shan examined it closely and found the token's structure quite complex.

Inside there appear to be traces of energy flow, but they've been destroyed by lightning.

He guessed that this thing might not be used solely to activate that Ghost Claw technique.

Perhaps it's also an identification token, and could even be used for long‑distance communication.

Too bad it's too badly damaged.

Given Wang Shan's current abilities, he can't repair it, nor can he discover anything more useful.

All he can do is put it away for now and talk about it later.

Wang Shan was deeply studying the Wan family's nefarious devices when, after a long silence, the system prompt suddenly sounded in his mind.

【Ding! Detected host contact with high‑level energy information (residual aura of the Ten Thousand Beasts Method, Middle‑Grade Spirit Stone)……】

【System judgment: upgrade conditions met!】

【Spirit Plant System permissions being upgraded…… upgrade complete!】

Wang Shan froze.

The system upgraded?

Was it because he came into contact with the aura of the Ten Thousand Beasts Method and a Middle‑Grade Spirit Stone?

He immediately focused his spirit and examined the upgraded system.

Sure enough, the system interface changed.

Previously the interface was ordinary; now it's more refined, with clearer information categorization.

What pleased him most was the change in the Spirit Plant Mall.

There are now more items in the mall!

Before, only some basic first‑order spirit plant seeds could be seen, such as Blood Spirit Branch and Clear Heart Grass.

Now, the mall list actually shows more advanced items!

【Second‑Order Spirit Plant Seed: Condensing Origin Grass】

【Effect: When mature it can bear Condensing Origin Fruit, containing very pure spiritual energy; it is the main material for refining Condensing Origin Pellets, and is somewhat helpful for breaking through from high‑level Body Refining to Foundation Establishment.】

【Exchange price: 5000 Spirit Plant Points per grain】

Foundation Establishment!

Wang Shan's heartbeat accelerated!

Although he is only at the seventh layer of Body Refining, still far from Foundation Establishment, the appearance of the Condensing Origin Grass points him toward a higher path!

If he can cultivate Condensing Origin Grass and refine Condensing Origin Pellets, he—and even his descendants—will someday have a chance to assault the legendary Foundation Establishment realm!

This is a huge advancement!

Besides the Condensing Origin Grass seeds, the mall also now offers more powerful talismans.

For example, the Thunder Talisman that once rendered the black‑robed person helpless is now an ordinary commodity, though still expensive at 2500 Spirit Plant Points each.

Moreover, several other second‑order talismans have appeared: offensive Flame Talisman and Ice Cone Talisman, defensive Diamond Talisman, supportive God‑Speed Talisman, etc.; their power is far greater than first‑order talismans, and of course the prices are "scary," easily costing several thousand Spirit Plant Points.

What further delighted Wang Shan was that the mall now had a new category!

【Under the Auxiliary Tools category appeared the Basic Alchemy Furnace and Basic Talisman Brush, Talisman Paper, Cinnabar.】

【Under the Knowledge Transmission category appeared the Detailed Introduction to Alchemy and Detailed Introduction to Talisman Crafting.】

Alchemy! Talisman crafting!

Wang Shan's breathing grew rapid.

These are very important skills for cultivation!

If he masters alchemy, he can make better use of spirit plants to refine various pellets, useful for training, healing, or fighting.

And talisman crafting lets him make his own talismans, saving Spirit Plant Points on purchases and giving him extra trump cards at crucial moments.

Although the system currently provides only introductory knowledge and tools, this has already opened a new door for the Wang family!

Wang Shan seemed to see the future development direction of his family.

Farming, alchemy, talisman crafting… a cultivator family capable of self‑development and continual strengthening seems to be slowly emerging.

Just as Wang Shan was delighted by the system upgrade and new functions, the system prompted again.

【Ding! System upgrade complete, main quest updated!】

【Main Quest: Family Guardian】

【Quest Description: The Wan family is coming to take revenge; the host must lead the family to block the Wan family's next attack and ensure the Wang lineage continues.】

【Quest Reward: Spirit Plant Points, a special spirit plant seed 【???】 (unknown grade and unknown use), unlock the Spirit Field Upgrade function!】

Ten thousand Spirit Plant Points!

There are also mysterious special seeds and Spirit Field upgrade functions!

Wang Shan's gaze turned serious.

The greater the reward, the more difficult the ordinary mission.

The system said, "The Wan Family's wrath is coming," so it seems the next crisis will definitely be worse than before!

Then, another mission prompt appeared.

【Ding! Detected that Zhuren has gained an in-depth understanding of the Myriad Beast Method-related information, triggering a long-term side quest!】

【Side Quest: Evil Origin】

【Quest Description: The Myriad Beast Method itself is not a good thing; it seems to hide deeper secrets behind it. Please Zhuren investigate the truth of the Myriad Beast Method as much as possible, destroy its inheritance, or stop it from continuing to harm people.】

【Quest Reward: Depending on the extent of Zhuren's investigation and the degree of blow dealt to the Myriad Beast Method, generous rewards will be given at different stages (including Spirit Plant Points, special items, techniques, system function unlock permissions, etc.).】

Investigate the Myriad Beast Method? Destroy its inheritance?

Wang Shan looked at this long-term quest and began to think.

This quest has no time limit, but it is definitely difficult.

The Wan Family in Luo Bay County is just a small place; their main base is surely stronger. To investigate or even destroy their core technique is too dangerous.

But the rewards are also very attractive, especially "special items, techniques, system function unlock permissions"—these feel full of possibilities.

More importantly, after learning about the cruelty and harms of the Myriad Beast Method, Wang Shan does not dislike this quest.

If possible, he really wants to completely eradicate this harmful technique.

The new functions and new goods brought by the system upgrade, along with these two new quests, have given Wang Shan, who originally felt a bit heavy-hearted, hope and motivation again.

The paths of alchemy and talisman crafting have given the family's future more possibilities.

And the new quest, like a lighthouse, has pointed the direction for his upcoming actions—strive to become stronger, protect the family, and at the same time look for opportunities to investigate the Wan Family's details.

Of course, the premise for all of this is to have enough Spirit Plant Points and greater strength.

Whether it's exchanging Condensing Yuan Grass seeds, or buying an alchemy furnace and talisman brush, studying alchemy and talisman crafting, all require many Spirit Plant Points.

Wang Shan understands.

Facing the Wan Family's impending fiercer retaliation, his current Body Refining seventh layer cultivation is probably still far insufficient.

The heavy pressure once again weighs on Wang Shan's heart.

The Wan Family's retaliation could come at any time.

Other forces in Luo Bay County City are also watching.

Those who previously bullied the Wang Family, as well as those who remain onlookers.

They are surely probing in secret now, wanting to find out the Wang Family's details.

And there is also that Myriad Beast Method.

Its appearance makes Wang Shan feel that this matter is very deep, even murkier than he anticipated.

Behind this, could it involve something even greater and more evil?

The wind and rain are about to come.

Wang Shan withdrew his thoughts.

He decided not to think about those for now.

The most important thing at present.

Is to make good use of the resources at hand as soon as possible.

He wants to turn all the benefits brought by the system upgrade into actual combat power.

Only then can he stand firm in the impending storm.

Only then can he protect his family behind him.