Chapter 135: Barbaric Bull’s Charge
Cloudmist Mountain Range.
“Mana has almost recovered, it’s time to head back.”
Within the Poison Miasma Zone, Lin Chang’an slowly put away the formation plates and flags set up for vigilance.
After being out for several months, this hunt yielded three Second-rank mid-stage demon beasts, a harvest already comparable to that of an elite Demon-Hunting Squad.
Even Old Hu’s three mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators had only managed to hunt two Second-rank mid-stage and one Second-rank early-stage demon beasts after venturing deep into the Cloudmist Mountain Range.
The reason he achieved such gains, aside from the Green-Horned Ox and his cultivation of the Killing Origin Sword Art, which had power comparable to late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, lay mostly in relying on his Regenerative Body.
“The Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine’s withered leaf as my Life-bound Spirit Plant… even its initial nourishment already has this effect. I truly wonder what miraculous results it will bring once the whole leaf revives.”
Perhaps after the long years of his Core Formation stage, it could still be cultivated to sprout and grow. Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but feel his heart stir.
At that time, even Nascent Soul would not be impossible.
But the next moment, Lin Chang’an calmed down. At present he was only mid-stage Foundation Establishment, so he must not aim too high.
First, he needed to cultivate diligently, strive to break through to late-stage Foundation Establishment as soon as possible, and then search for spirit materials to form his Core.
“Moo!”
Beside him, the Green-Horned Ox radiated a terrifying aura, which made Lin Chang’an nod in satisfaction.
There was another great harvest this time—the Green-Horned Ox had consumed a Second-rank mid-stage Demon Core, along with some spirit fruits and herbs they had discovered.
Now, its momentum was surging. At most within a year and a half, it would likely break through and become a Second-rank mid-stage spirit pet.
“With my own mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, plus a Second-rank mid-stage spirit pet, my foundation and wealth already surpass those of many sect elite Foundation Establishment disciples.”
Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but nod in satisfaction.
Foundation Establishment cultivators also had ranks and levels. Some thrived, while others withered.
Someone like Chen Qing, on the other hand, was one of those who starved in drought.
Lacking skill to earn enough cultivation resources, and not daring to risk hunting demon beasts, he would likely remain at early-stage Foundation Establishment for life.
He did not even possess a single spirit artifact, still relying on a high-grade magical artifact from his Qi Refinement days.
This was the common state of most Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators.
After all, few possessed talent for Second-rank skills. For most, after breaking through to Foundation Establishment, their skills lagged behind.
“Let’s go. This time we’ve gained plenty—time to return home.”
Lin Chang’an chuckled lightly, patting the ox’s back. The Green-Horned Ox bellowed in excitement in response.
This time, it had finally experienced what its master meant by “intensity.” Now, it could at last return to rest.
……
Within another poisonous miasma zone of the Cloudmist Mountain Range.
Two masked Foundation Establishment cultivators had been sitting here for months, and they could not help but complain.
“Senior Brother, do you think this man who went deep into the Cloudmist Mountain Range for so long might already be dead in there?”
“Shut your mouth. These rogue cultivators fight desperately inside, while we just sit here waiting for prey to deliver itself. If you don’t want such fortune, go back to the sect yourself.”
“No, Senior Brother, I was just complaining a little. How could I be willing to leave?”
The two were personal disciples of the Palace of Blazing Fire. At this moment, the younger one wore a flattering smile, diligently speaking beside his senior.
“You should be content. Those rogue cultivators fight against demon beasts until they’re exhausted, and if they’re unlucky, even injured.”
“Senior Brother, you’re wise. Isn’t this just like the mantis stalking the cicada, while the oriole waits behind?”
Hearing his junior’s flattery, the senior brother also revealed a proud smile.
This was an easy job. Although they had to hand over a portion, they could still reap bountiful rewards.
“Learn well. That Senior Brother Li relied on such fat assignments to accumulate resources. Now he’s in Tianxuan City in seclusion, preparing to break through.”
At the mention of Senior Brother Li, both of them showed envy. Breaking through to mid-stage Foundation Establishment—they wished for it too.
Just then, the senior brother’s spirit beast pouch stirred, and joy flashed across his face.
“That rogue cultivator finally came out. Let’s go notify Senior Brother Huang.”
“Ah!” At hearing that he should notify Senior Brother Huang, the junior’s face turned pale, full of fear.
At the same time, even the senior’s eyes flickered with dread.
“What, Senior Brother must use Senior Brother Huang’s spirit beast to check on that rogue cultivator…”
But at that moment, a streak of silver light emerged from underground.
For an instant, fear flashed across their faces, and they hastily stood with reverence.
“Congratulations, Senior Brother Huang, on your great advancement in mana. Longevity and everlasting vision—achieving the Core Formation Dao in the future will surely be no problem.”
The two lowered their heads, hiding their terror, while showering flattery.
The silver light revealed a rare burrowing vessel. Normally, magical vessels were only for flight.
Under the flicker of silver light, a man slowly stepped out from within the burrowing vessel.
Immediately, a stench filled the air. His hair was disheveled, his entire body pitch-black. His fingertips were unnaturally sharp, his face hideous, and when he opened his mouth, foul poisonous miasma spewed from nose and mouth.
A pair of ferocious, blood-red eyes made hearts tremble—even his fellow sect brothers felt terrified.
“The prey has arrived. Heh heh, just right to test my methods.”
The hoarse voice echoed—it was none other than Huang Shaohai.
No one knew what sinister art he had cultivated to turn himself into such a state.
“Senior Brother Huang, rest assured. The Earth Dragon Beast has already sensed it.”
The two disciples of the Palace of Blazing Fire quickly released the Earth Dragon Beast from their spirit beast pouches.
With a thundering crash, a massive creature over thirty feet long landed—the Earth Dragon Beast was, in truth, nothing but a giant four-legged lizard, only skilled at burrowing.
Yet now, this Second-rank early-stage spirit pet whimpered mournfully. Looking at its master Huang Shaohai, it revealed both fear and baleful energy.
As its master, Huang Shaohai naturally sensed this clearly. He sneered coldly:
“Beast, truly a beast. If I didn’t still need you, I would skin you alive, rip out your tendons, and drain your blood dry.”
Meanwhile, a spirit bird glowing with firelight flew onto the Earth Dragon Beast’s back.
Sensing its companion’s sorrow, it chirped in comfort.
But seeing the Wind-Chirp Bird, Huang Shaohai’s eyes grew greedy and ferocious:
“And you, beast—once I’ve fattened you up, you’ll learn. Since you like eating venomous things, then you yourself will also become a great tonic against poisons.”
The two junior brothers beside him broke out in cold sweat.
Ever since hearing that this Senior Brother cultivated a sect secret art, he had become like this—
His temperament had changed, growing extremely cruel, delighting in killing and drinking blood.
“Why are you two still standing there stunned?
Drag this beast over and help me set up the formation.
I can’t hold back anymore—I already crave to drink the fresh blood of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
“Yes, we’ll go at once.”
The two disciples of the Palace of Blazing Fire, as if receiving a great pardon, hurriedly took the two spirit pets to arrange the formation trap.
Meanwhile, Huang Shaohai, looking at his own appearance reflected through the silver magical artifact at his side, couldn’t help showing a furious expression.
“Damn it!
What ancient cultivation art, what refining of a Life-bound Spirit Plant… why did I become like this?!”
Back then, when the Wang Family obtained an ancient cultivation art in a secret realm, many were captured by the Palace of Blazing Fire.
Through soul-searching, the sect naturally gained this cultivation method.
At first, Huang Shaohai excitedly cultivated it, refining a Bloodthirsty Poison Vine into his Life-bound Spirit Plant.
In the beginning, the power was indeed immense, and all his mana was infused with poisonous force.
But as time passed, something gradually went wrong.
His appearance began to change drastically, transforming him into a monster that everyone feared.
This drove him into extreme rage, but by then, it was already too late to switch to another cultivation art.
“No matter.
This is, after all, an ancient cultivation art.
As long as I keep cultivating, one day I’ll recover.
By then, I may still have a chance to form my Core!”
Though the side effects were severe, Huang Shaohai still thought greedily of his Life-bound Spirit Plant—the Bloodthirsty Poison Vine.
By devouring cultivators’ blood, he could rapidly improve his cultivation.
In less than twenty years, he had already become a mid-stage Foundation Establishment powerhouse.
“And this Bloodthirsty Poison Vine also requires Foundation Establishment cultivators’ essence blood for nourishment.
One day, I’ll become a Core Formation cultivator.
And then, Huang Tianxiao…!”
Thinking of the Huang Family’s young master, Huang Shaohai revealed a ferocious grin.
In the future, he might very well become the Huang Family’s second young master.
The next moment, Huang Shaohai’s hoarse and terrifying laughter echoed out.
Everywhere he passed, the plants and insects around him were poisoned to death.
The two disciples of the Palace of Blazing Fire in the distance felt a chill in their hearts.
If not for this being a lucrative assignment, they truly wouldn’t want to be with this monster.
……
At the same time, deep within the Cloudmist Mountain Range, the Green-Horned Ox carried Lin Chang’an as they headed outward.
Suddenly, Lin Chang’an’s heart skipped a beat.
He slowly lifted his head, frowning at the surroundings.
“This feeling… something seems wrong!”
Though he found nothing, he trusted his cultivator’s intuition.
“Ox, let’s take another path.”
It was merely changing routes.
Lin Chang’an lightly patted the ox beneath him, and the Green-Horned Ox gave a low moo in response, then immediately shifted its hooves along a new route.
This change of path by Lin Chang’an caused the two disciples of the Palace of Blazing Fire setting traps in the distance to feel irritated.
“This rogue cultivator is extremely cautious.
He’s already changed paths three times.”
“Forget it, Junior Brother.
These rogue cultivators are always timid.
It’s not the first time we’ve encountered this.”
The senior disciple sneered coldly.
Behind him, the massive Earth Dragon Beast let out sorrowful cries—it sensed its child’s aura.
A day later.
The Green-Horned Ox widened its eyes warily, glaring around with vigilance.
After repeatedly changing routes, Lin Chang’an finally exhaled in relief.
Whether it was an illusion didn’t matter.
What mattered was that after so many changes, he shouldn’t still be tracked, right?
Just as Lin Chang’an walked forward with a relaxed smile, his pupils suddenly contracted.
Cold sweat broke out on his back.
“This is… a formation plate!”
At this moment, the smile on Lin Chang’an’s face stiffened.
His pupils reflected formation plates and flags buried quietly three feet under the soil ahead.
【Spiritual Eye (Grandmaster 4685/5000)】
If not for years of cultivation with his Spiritual Eye, he would never have discovered the hidden formation plates and flags.
“These are Second-rank formation plates and flags.
They already possess effects to block divine sense detection.
Ordinary cultivators’ divine sense wouldn’t be able to notice them.”
Even Lin Chang’an’s late Foundation Establishment divine sense, after probing, detected nothing.
Yet his eyes saw clearly.
“I’ve been targeted!
When did it start?!”
He had changed routes several times, yet the enemy had already set up ambushes ahead.
Lin Chang’an’s brows furrowed tightly.
Not far away was already within the formation’s range.
He had no time to think.
The two disciples of the Palace of Blazing Fire hiding in the distance revealed the smiles of hunters spotting prey.
“A Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator.
When Senior Brother Huang drains this one’s blood and flesh, we’ll split the leftovers.”
“Be ready.
This time Senior Brother Huang is watching.
Don’t mess up.”
Just as they exchanged sound transmissions, Lin Chang’an sensed familiar auras.
These two hidden mana fluctuations belonged to the Robber Cultivators who had ambushed Old Hu last time.
“So I really was being tracked!”
Cursing inwardly, Lin Chang’an acted at once.
The two disciples of the Palace of Blazing Fire were suddenly shocked and enraged.
As Lin Chang’an approached the formation, he abruptly collected the buried formation plates and flags into his storage pouch.
Then, he slapped his spirit pet’s back.
The Green-Horned Ox bellowed thunderously, the roar echoing through the forest, before charging madly deeper into the Cloudmist Mountain Range without looking back.
“Not good, he found us!”
“Don’t let him escape!”
“Damn it, he even dared to take our formation plates!”
The rumbling gallop shook the earth, and Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but marvel.
This was his first time experiencing the Green-Horned Ox’s full-speed charge.
Its speed was astonishing.
Even more, the stability of its gait gave him an intense sense of security.
“Ox, don’t look back.
Head straight into the depths of the Poison Miasma.”
Shouting coldly at the pursuing enemies, Lin Chang’an raised the Blackiron Flying Shield to protect his back, while his other hand summoned several Firebird Talismans.
At once, the firebirds shrieked, radiating terrifying heat, as they streaked toward the two chasing cultivators.
The explosions of spells forced the two Robber Cultivators into a sorry state.
“Senior Brother!”
“Don’t panic.
Senior Brother Huang will show this rogue cultivator what it means to wish for death.”
But while sprinting through the Poison Miasma Zone, Lin Chang’an’s pupils reflected something rapidly approaching from within the soil ahead.
“Not good, more Robber Cultivators underground.”
In the next instant, Lin Chang’an slapped five Second-rank mid-grade Vajra Talismans onto the Green-Horned Ox, forming layers of golden shield-light.
Then, four Second-rank mid-grade Divine Speed Talismans.
In a flash, the Green-Horned Ox’s speed leapt to another tier.
“Charge through for me!”
Lin Chang’an’s expression turned icy cold.
Though he disliked trouble, he was never afraid of it.
He would see how capable these ambushing Robber Cultivators were.
Could they withstand the full-force charge of a Second-rank demon beast Green-Horned Ox?
At least in the Cloudmist Mountain Range, even the thick-skinned mid-stage Second-rank demon beasts had never been its match.
“Moo!”
Under its master’s urging, the Green-Horned Ox’s eyes turned crimson.
White mist sprayed from its nostrils.
Its terrifying bellow shook the mountains as it charged straight ahead with unstoppable force.
Everywhere it passed—towering ancient trees, massive boulders—were smashed to pieces like scraps of paper.
“Courting death!”
With a boom, a silver burrowing vessel erupted from underground.
Inside sat Huang Shaohai, grinning with bloodthirsty ferocity.
But in the next instant, his smile froze.
“Despicable!”
Nine Second-rank mid-grade Ice Talismans exploded all at once, crashing down with thunderous roars.
Though unable to destroy his magical vessel, the restrictive power of the Ice Talismans halted his momentum.
Under Huang Shaohai’s furious gaze, the Green-Horned Ox, eyes blood-red and nostrils steaming, charged forward with unstoppable might.
Especially those sharp, deadly horns!
At that moment, their eyes met!
Lin Chang’an, charging unstoppably atop the Green-Horned Ox.
And Huang Shaohai, seated in the burrowing vessel.
“It’s you!”
Upon seeing Lin Chang’an’s unchanged face again, Huang Shaohai’s jealousy twisted into rage, his eyes full of hatred.