Chapter 188
Chapter 188
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: Maoqiu's Breakthrough, Divine Ability [Bewilder]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chen Jianghe had intended to ask Yun Xiaoniu to go to the Immortal Sect's market city to buy Spirit Accumulating Pills, but unexpectedly, Yun Xiaoniu had over thirty of them on his person.
Come to think of it, as a Foundation Establishment Ancestor of an immortal clan, he spent long periods in secluded cultivation within the family.
Naturally, he would buy a large number of Spirit Accumulating Pills on each trip to the market city.
So, when Chen Jianghe mentioned his need for them, Yun Xiaoniu directly produced ten Spirit Accumulating Pills.
He even asked Chen Jianghe if it was enough.
If not, he could go ask Yun Bufan for some more.
The Yun Clan had established Mirror Moon Market City for many years and had gradually built up their resources. They were certainly not stingy with Yun Bufan, their Foundation Establishment Ancestor.
When they purchased Spirit Accumulating Pills, they bought them by the hundreds.
The Yu Clan was newly established and had a shallow foundation.
Yun Xiaoniu usually bought fifty Spirit Accumulating Pills at a time. Now that Yun Siniu had also successfully reached Foundation Establishment, this placed a great financial strain on the Yu Clan.
Therefore, the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine was of utmost importance to the Yu Clan.
Currently, no one had conducted a thorough inspection of the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine, but initial assessments suggested it was likely a second-rank mid-grade spirit mine.
If they could secure the full mining rights to the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine, the Yu Clan could extract at least eighty thousand spirit stones.
After paying their dues to the Tiannan Sect and the Puppet Lu Clan.
And subtracting the mining costs, the Yu Clan could pocket around fifty thousand spirit stones, which would ensure their development for the next fifty years without any pressure.
After all, the cultivation clans within the Qiyun Mountain territory also had to pay a significant amount of land rent to the Yu Clan each year.
Chen Jianghe didn't stand on ceremony with Yun Xiaoniu and accepted the ten Spirit Accumulating Pills.
As for spirit stones?
He currently had only four hundred and two spirit stones and twenty grains of spirit sand on him.
However, even if he offered spirit stones, Yun Xiaoniu wouldn't accept them.
Now, Chen Jianghe was going to help the Yu Clan seize the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine, a profit of incalculable value.
It wasn't something a mere twelve hundred spirit stones could compare to.
Besides, Yu Daniu's family were no fools. Never mind ten Spirit Accumulating Pills; as long as Chen Jianghe was willing to live on Qiyun Mountain, they would gladly supply him with thirty, even fifty, Spirit Accumulating Pills a year.
One must remember that in the six-plus years Chen Jianghe had been on Qiyun Mountain, the profits he had brought to the Yu Clan were very substantial.
They were all well aware that if Chen Jianghe hadn't come, then Alchemist Zhuang, his granddaughter, and his disciple wouldn't have come either.
A twenty percent discount on pills?
A thirty percent discount on talismans?
In their dreams!
If Chen Jianghe hadn't come to Qiyun Mountain, Gao Peiyao probably wouldn't have thought of visiting the Yu Clan for a small gathering, and she certainly wouldn't have helped the Yu Clan avert the disaster of annihilation.
Not only did she protect the Yu Clan, but she also allowed the Yun and Yu clans to obtain a thousand-mile territory from the Liu Clan of Chishui.
This value was difficult to measure in spirit stones.
Most importantly, Chen Jianghe had helped the Yu Clan accumulate a different kind of foundation, one that even the Yun Clan lacked.
Second-rank talismans.
The value of second-rank talismans might not surpass that of spirit pills, but their rarity certainly did.
These were considered strategic resources and would almost never appear at auctions.
Let alone be purchased privately.
Even with the Yun Clan's connections, it was difficult to acquire second-rank talismans.
A single second-rank low-grade attack talisman was equivalent to a magical attack from a third-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. For an ordinary Foundation Establishment immortal clan, this was an extraordinary asset.
Yet, the Yu Clan had obtained four second-rank talismans from Chen Jianghe, two of which were the even rarer defensive talismans.
With the Spirit Accumulating Pills in hand, Chen Jianghe naturally wouldn't remain idle. He informed Yu Daniu.
He would be in seclusion for six months.
There was no need to worry about the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine for now, nor was there any need for Yun Xiaoniu to go to Yunmen Mountain to face off against the Shi Clan's Foundation Establishment Ancestor.
Everything could wait until he emerged from his seclusion.
Chen Jianghe first went to the backyard, let Maoqiu out, and felt its aura, very satisfied.
"Maoqiu, use [Illusion God]."
Maoqiu received the command and, without hesitation, unleashed its divine ability, [Illusion God]. A powerful aura surged from its body, rushing towards Chen Jianghe.
Chen Jianghe's expression remained unchanged, but the Dragon Pattern Red Pine behind him trembled.
"Not bad, an aura completely comparable to a second-rank spirit beast."
Chen Jianghe praised.
"Squeak squeak~" (It's all thanks to Master's and Lord Turtle's nurturing.)
Even though Xiao Hei wasn't present, Maoqiu didn't dare forget Xiao Hei's kindness when expressing its gratitude.
When Chen Jianghe heard Maoqiu thank Xiao Hei as well, he was even more pleased.
Xiao Hei really had a talent for training spirit beasts.
The Maoqiu he had taught was very懂得感恩.
It had been over six years since it last saw Xiao Hei, yet it hadn't forgotten the kindness shown to it in the slightest.
"Cultivate well and try to break through within five months. I'll have a gift for you then."
"Squeak squeak~" (I will definitely break through within five months.)
Maoqiu promised confidently through the second-rank spirit beast pouch, its tone firm and full of conviction.
"Very good."
Chen Jianghe was very satisfied with Maoqiu's attitude.
No longer disturbing Maoqiu's cultivation, he went over to the Dragon Pattern Red Pine, summoned the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword, and shrank it down to three inches.
Sensing the aura of the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword, the Dragon Pattern Red Pine did not tremble. It was very quiet, enjoying the pleasure of having its bark peeled.
Chen Jianghe didn't cause the Dragon Pattern Red Pine too much pain; his bark-peeling technique was now very skilled.
Moreover, he only peeled as many sheets as he needed to use.
He swiftly sliced off four sheets of spirit plant bark and left, satisfied.
Only after Chen Jianghe had left did the Dragon Pattern Red Pine tremble a few times, shedding a few leaves.
Then it diligently absorbed spirit energy to grow new spirit plant bark.
Its roots were also madly absorbing the spiritual power from the blood of the late-stage first-rank demonic beast, nourishing its trunk.
Although a second-rank spirit plant didn't possess high intelligence like a demonic beast, it had developed a sliver of spirituality.
Chen Jianghe returned to the front hall and, without delay, sat cross-legged, five hearts facing the heavens, and cultivated the fourth level of the Myriad Waters True Scripture.
A Spirit Accumulating Pill entered his stomach, transforming into a dense spiritual power that surged through his limbs and meridians. Under the circulation of the Myriad Waters True Scripture, it was converted into magical power and flowed into his Dantian.
As Chen Jianghe concluded his cultivation, the spiritual power that had not yet been fully refined was directly devoured by his divine gate.
After finishing his cultivation of the Myriad Waters True Scripture, he began to draw second-rank talismans.
An idea surfaced in Chen Jianghe's mind: to draw a second-rank mid-grade attack talisman, the Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman.
But the moment this idea appeared, he suppressed it.
When drawing second-rank low-grade talismans, he already felt the strain on his spiritual sense was difficult to bear. If he forcefully tried to draw a second-rank mid-grade talisman.
It was highly likely he would fail while drawing the runes.
His soul essence was still too weak, and his spiritual sense was not strong enough.
Although Gao Peiyao had sent him cultivation techniques for both spirit and body, the Foundation Establishment stage was different from the Qi Refining stage.
Spiritual and physical cultivation were not accomplished overnight.
Even with the aid of spirit pills, he couldn't achieve any improvement in a short period.
To fully absorb the medicinal effects of a Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill would take at least three to five years, and he simply couldn't stay on Qiyun Mountain for that long.
During this time, he would primarily focus on drawing the Meteorite Thunderfall Talisman.
To enhance his own offensive capabilities.
Time flew by.
Four and a half months passed.
Chen Jianghe successfully drew three Meteorite Thunderfall Talismans. Just as he was sealing the spirit of the third one, Maoqiu sent a message through the second-rank spirit beast pouch.
This prompted Chen Jianghe to immediately go to the backyard.
Looking at the nineteen-foot-tall, massive and imposing Maoqiu, its potent magical power overflowing, it was clearly at the threshold of a breakthrough.
"Squeak squeak~" (Master, I'm about to break through.)
Maoqiu's large, moist eyes, with their black pupils, stared at Chen Jianghe, filled with excitement.
"What are your chances?" Chen Jianghe asked.
"Squeak squeak~" (Lord Turtle told me I have a one hundred percent chance of breaking through to the second rank.)
"That's right, you can definitely break through to the second rank."
Chen Jianghe nodded. He was both moved and pleased by the words Xiao Hei had instilled in Maoqiu.
Immediately, he took out five sealing talismans and enclosed an eighty-foot radius in the backyard, prohibiting any spiritual sense from entering.
Similarly, he prevented the aura of Maoqiu's breakthrough from spreading outwards.
Finally, he took out a second-rank water-type spirit core.
The idea Xiao Hei had drilled into Maoqiu was a one hundred percent breakthrough, but Chen Jianghe needed to consider the actual situation.
Maoqiu's bloodline was third-grade low-tier. Under normal circumstances, its chance of breaking through to a second-rank spirit beast was only fifty percent.
However, Maoqiu had been cultivating by devouring second-rank water-type spirit cores all this time, which made its magical power exceptionally pure.
This could be considered a sixty percent success rate.
Giving Maoqiu another second-rank water-type spirit core would raise its chances of a successful breakthrough to eighty percent.
At this moment, Chen Jianghe would not be stingy with a second-rank water-type spirit core.
If Maoqiu succeeded, it meant he would have a second-rank combat spirit beast, and a primate-type combat spirit pet at that, capable of using specially made spirit pet magical artifacts.
"Begin."
After making all the preparations, Chen Jianghe said to Maoqiu with a smile, not putting any pressure on it.
Hearing Chen Jianghe's words, Maoqiu didn't hesitate and began its charge towards the second rank.
At this moment, the white fur all over its body flickered with a dazzling light, and terrifying fluctuations of magical power emanated from its towering frame.
Then, Maoqiu prostrated itself on the ground, curling into a ball.
It began the unique breakthrough transformation of the Mountain Velvet Beast.
This was completely different from the scene of Xiao Hei's breakthrough back then.
Xiao Hei's breakthrough was extremely troublesome and complex, but Maoqiu's breakthrough seemed like it was just falling into a deep sleep.
An hour later.
Chen Jianghe could clearly feel the spiritual power of the second-rank water-type spirit core being absorbed by Maoqiu.
Maoqiu's body remained motionless, curled up on the ground.
But the dazzling, milky-white glow on its body had turned into a dark, black light, like a flame.
Two hours later.
Maoqiu's fur had changed from snow-white to a shimmering, dark black, exuding a savage aura.
Another hour passed.
Maoqiu's body stood up straight. Its eyes were tightly closed, but it instinctively absorbed the energy from the second-rank water-type spirit core to transform its body.
At this moment, its form grew larger once again.
Its twenty-three-foot frame was extremely oppressive.
And at that very moment, the spiritual power within the second-rank water-type spirit core was rapidly drained by Maoqiu.
Roar~
Maoqiu's eyes suddenly snapped open. Its crimson pupils erupted with a dense, vicious light, and the terrifying aura of a second-rank spirit beast emanated from its body.
The instant its savage and brutal gaze fell upon Chen Jianghe.
The vicious light abruptly receded, becoming incomparably clear. They were still a pair of large, watery eyes, looking obediently at Chen Jianghe.
"Master, I succeeded."
"Master, I've become a second-rank spirit beast. Lord Turtle will surely be very happy when he finds out!"
After becoming a second-rank spirit beast, Maoqiu's messages through the second-rank spirit beast pouch were much clearer and more distinct.
"Very good."
Chen Jianghe sensed the powerful aura emanating from Maoqiu; it was much stronger than the Yun Clan's long-armed ape.
Perhaps it was due to bloodline suppression, or perhaps because Maoqiu had always cultivated with second-rank water-type spirit cores, its magical power was extremely pure after becoming a second-rank spirit beast.
"Maoqiu, now that you've broken through to a second-rank spirit beast, what divine ability have you awakened?"
Whether demonic beasts or spirit beasts, as long as their basic bloodline was second-grade or higher, they would awaken a new innate divine ability with each major realm breakthrough.
Now that Maoqiu had broken through to a second-rank spirit beast, it should, by rights, have awakened a divine ability.
Chen Jianghe viewed Maoqiu as a combat spirit pet, so he naturally hoped its awakened divine ability would be combat-oriented.
"Master, please wait a moment."
Maoqiu sat down cross-legged like a cultivator, though it looked more like it was squatting.
It began to comprehend the divine ability it had awakened.
Chen Jianghe wasn't in a hurry and waited for Maoqiu to comprehend its ability.
Three hours passed.
Only then did Maoqiu open its eyes, look at Chen Jianghe, and respectfully transmit its voice, "Master, the divine ability I awakened upon breaking through to the second rank is [Bewilder]..."
Maoqiu explained its newly awakened divine ability to Chen Jianghe in detail.
[Bewilder] seemed to be a type of illusionary divine ability.
Once cast, it could instantly gather a water mist within a hundred-zhang radius, and Maoqiu's speed would double within this mist.
As it moved at high speed, it would leave behind a series of afterimages formed from the water mist.
Furthermore, [Bewilder] also possessed a water-type illusion art that could interfere with an enemy's spiritual sense, making it impossible for them to distinguish between the afterimages in the mist and its true body.
"Excellent, excellent, excellent."
Chen Jianghe's face lit up with a smile, saying "excellent" three times in a row.
He was extremely satisfied with this [Bewilder] divine ability that Maoqiu had awakened. This was a bona fide combat ability.
When combined with [Illusion God], its power would be even greater.
One was for intimidation, the other for sneak attacks.
If used well, it could deliver a fatal blow in a single strike.
"Master, where is Lord Turtle? I haven't seen him in so long," Maoqiu asked curiously.
"You'll see him soon enough."
Chen Jianghe replied.
Although Xiao Hei and Maoqiu were sometimes in the same spirit beast space within the spirit beast pouch, they couldn't sense each other.
Then, Chen Jianghe took out the Profound Iron Heavy Staff, tossed it to Maoqiu, and said, "This is the magical artifact I had refined for you. You must refine it as soon as possible."
"Yes, Master."
Maoqiu's face lit up with joy upon seeing the Profound Iron Heavy Staff. It caught it and began to swing it around happily.
A twenty-three-foot-tall black giant ape, wielding a Profound Iron Heavy Staff, was an intimidating sight in itself.
"After Maoqiu refines the Profound Iron Heavy Staff, its combat power should be no less than that of an ordinary mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator."
Among peers of the same rank, the combat power of spirit beasts was already much stronger than that of cultivators.
Cultivators could only use magical artifacts and talismans to compensate for their own shortcomings.
After all, their physical bodies couldn't compete with spirit beasts, and their spiritual aspects were barely on par.
As for magical arts, spirit beasts had divine abilities.
Therefore, cultivators could only rely on talismans and magical artifacts to contend with spirit beasts.
However, the bodies of many demonic beasts were defensive magical artifacts in themselves, and their claws were offensive magical artifacts.
As a primate-type spirit beast, Maoqiu's physical defense couldn't compare to that of scaled beasts, and its claws and teeth couldn't match those of powerful offensive spirit beasts.
But it also had its own advantage, which was the ability to use magical artifacts.
The Profound Iron Heavy Staff that Luo Xiyue had refined was no ordinary specially-made second-rank magical artifact; it was comparable to a top-tier Spirit Nurturing magical artifact.
Therefore, Maoqiu's attack power was extremely high.
Once they reached Thousand Mountains Market City, he would rent a mountain peak and have Xiao Hei and Maoqiu spar to see whose defense was stronger, or whose attack power was greater.
After giving the Profound Iron Heavy Staff to Maoqiu, he returned to the front hall and continued drawing second-rank talismans.
——
In the Yu Clan's meeting hall, Yun Bufan walked in, his brow furrowed and his eyes filled with displeasure.
Because Yun Xiaoniu was not at Yunmen Mountain, the Shi Clan of Heling assumed the Yu Clan had backed down.
They had actually started mining the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine.
Yet, the Yu Clan seemed completely unmoved by the Shi Clan's actions.
It was as if they had tacitly acknowledged that the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine belonged to the Shi Clan.
This infuriated Yun Bufan.
Previously, when the Yun Clan's old ancestor was still around, he thought he could just focus on cultivation without concerning himself with family affairs.
And go out to gain experience in the future.
But with the old ancestor gone, he had no choice but to worry about clan matters.
As he became more involved in family affairs, Yun Bufan came to understand one thing: it was now absolutely impossible for him to go out and gain experience.
The clan was like a quagmire; once you fell in, you could never struggle free, only sinking deeper and deeper.
Even if you nurtured another Foundation Establishment cultivator, you wouldn't leave the clan. Instead, you would continue to develop and strengthen it.
From the moment you took over the clan and became its ancestor.
Your cultivation and the clan's strength became inextricably linked, never to be separated again.
It was for this reason that Yun Bufan valued the clan's interests so highly, especially the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine.
He could tolerate the Yu Clan not being able to take all the profits from this mine.
But he would not allow the Shi Clan of Heling to monopolize it, even if it meant fighting to the bitter end for the Yu Clan.
"The Shi Clan has only one Foundation Establishment cultivator, one second-rank spirit beast, and two second-rank puppets. But we have three Foundation Establishment cultivators and one second-rank spirit beast. We have nothing to fear."
"Even in a direct confrontation, the Shi Clan would ultimately be defeated. Why should we concede benefits to them?"
Yun Bufan said, looking at Yu Daniu with dissatisfaction.
"Cousin, please calm down."
Hearing Yun Bufan's reprimand, Yu Daniu didn't get angry. Instead, he approached with a placating smile and guided Yun Bufan to a seat.
"The Shi Clan won't be able to mine many spirit stones in a short time. Let's wait a few more days. After my sworn brother emerges from his seclusion, we will make a major move against them."
"That's right, Uncle. There's no need to rush. When Uncle emerges from seclusion, it will be time for our decisive battle with the Shi Clan," Yun Siniu added.
"Fellow Daoist Chen is going to act?"
Hearing the words of the Yu father and son, Yun Bufan quickly said, "Unless it's absolutely necessary, we must not let Fellow Daoist Chen intervene. Otherwise, it will force the Shi Clan to offer benefits to other Foundation Establishment immortal clans. When that happens, and multiple factions get involved, our share of the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine will be even smaller."
The Yunmen Mountain spirit mine was located at the junction of Heling, Chishui, and Qiyun Mountain. However, Chishui had already been wiped out by the Yun and Yu clans.
Therefore, according to the Tiannan Sect's regulations, only the Yu and Shi clans had the right to mine Yunmen Mountain.
However, if the Shi Clan was willing to give up a portion of their interests, they could allow other Foundation Establishment immortal clans to join the contention.
Thus, when competing for mining rights, the battle was usually between the two clans.
A contest of attrition.
Even if a real war broke out, it would be the Qi Refining cultivators who fought.
Later, when one side weakened, they would renegotiate the share of mining rights.
These Foundation Establishment immortal clans were no fools. If they could avoid bringing in outside help, they would.
If you bring in help, so will they.
What was originally a fifty-fifty split of ten thousand spirit stones each would turn into each family getting only a thousand.
Therefore, disputes over family interests would ultimately be resolved through negotiation. If communication failed, they would stall or let the younger generation have a fight.
"Uncle has already made a decision. Let's wait until he comes out of seclusion to discuss this further. Besides, Uncle has already considered the clan that is on good terms with the Shi Clan."
Yun Xiaoniu said calmly.
From the very beginning, they had chosen to listen to Chen Jianghe. With only a few days left, they certainly wouldn't change their minds now.
They would continue to trust Chen Jianghe.
Moreover, Yun Xiaoniu had already borrowed a top-tier offensive magical artifact from the Qi Clan.
It was impossible to buy a top-tier magical artifact for Yun Siniu on short notice, so they could only borrow one from a friendly clan for the time being.
The Qi Clan had a good relationship with the Yun Clan.
Back then, the Qi Clan's ancestor had even accompanied Yun Xiaoniu to Qinghe Market City to meet Chen Jianghe, though they unfortunately missed him.
Regarding the Yu Clan's impending war with the Shi Clan.
The Qi Clan had made its stance clear: if they were ever needed, they just had to say the word, and the Qi Clan would certainly come to their aid.
Of course, there was another underlying meaning to this: they wanted a piece of the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine.
Seeing that the Yu father and son trusted Chen Jianghe so much, Yun Bufan could only give up and wait for Chen Jianghe to emerge from seclusion before discussing it further.
Yun Bufan didn't think that Chen Jianghe, who had reached Foundation Establishment at an advanced age, possessed much combat strength.
What made him hold out hope for Chen Jianghe was this:
Chen Jianghe could invite Luo Xiyue to help the Yu Clan seize the mining rights for the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine.
But he didn't know that in Luo Xiyue's eyes, the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine was not worthy of her attention, and she disdained to interfere in such matters.
Although Chen Jianghe was in dire need of spirit stones, he was also not interested in the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine.
The reason he was intervening was that he was about to leave and wanted to help his sworn brother resolve this matter.
Five days later.
Standing at the entrance of Chen Jianghe's courtyard were Yu Daniu, Yun Xiaoniu, Yun Siniu, and Yun Bufan.
They had already been waiting for two days.
When Chen Jianghe opened the courtyard gate and saw the people standing outside, he knew they placed great importance on the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine.
Chen Jianghe invited them into his courtyard.
By this time, Maoqiu had been put away into the second-rank spirit beast pouch.
The Dragon Pattern Red Pine had also been stored in a spirit plant pouch.
After helping the Yu Clan resolve this matter, he would be leaving Qiyun Mountain, so he naturally had to pack everything up properly.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, how do you plan to deal with the Shi Clan? May I ask if you plan to invite that Fairy Luo?" Yun Bufan asked impatiently.
Invite Luo Xiyue?
Chen Jianghe shook his head; he didn't have that much face.
Besides, for a minor clan like the Shi Clan, he was more than capable of handling them. There was no need to call upon a great power like Luo Xiyue.
"Then what is Fellow Daoist Chen's plan?" Yun Bufan frowned and asked when he saw that Chen Jianghe had no intention of inviting Luo Xiyue.
"I will have my spirit pet accompany you all to Yunmen Mountain."
With a thought, Chen Jianghe released Maoqiu.
A black giant ape, over twenty feet tall, stood holding a Profound Iron Heavy Staff, its body radiating a thick magical aura.
The moment they saw Maoqiu, an image surfaced in the minds of both Yu Daniu and Yun Bufan.
The snow-white Mountain Velvet Beast from the auction.
After a Mountain Velvet Beast breaks through to the second rank, its fur turns black.
"Sworn brother, is this that Mountain Velvet Beast?" Yu Daniu asked in pleasant surprise.
Back then, a cultivator from the Western Region had bought the Mountain Velvet Beast, but before he could leave Mirror Moon Lake, he was intercepted by Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Eastern Region.
During the battle, the Mountain Velvet Beast escaped.
Yu Daniu's father-in-law, Yun Xiaoqian, had led dozens of Yun Clan cultivators to search the rivers and waters within the Mirror Moon Lake territory for two long years, but they never found the Mountain Velvet Beast.
To think that Chen Jianghe had obtained it.
Yu Daniu was happy for Chen Jianghe in his heart.
The moment Yun Bufan saw Maoqiu, he felt a flicker of displeasure. The spirit beast the Yun Clan had searched so hard for had ended up in Chen Jianghe's hands.
Then he let it go, a sense of helplessness washing over him.
He could only sigh at the unpredictability of fate.
"I never thought that the Mountain Velvet Beast that caused the demise of two Foundation Establishment cultivators would end up with you, Fellow Daoist."
Yun Bufan sighed with emotion.
He then added, "With this Mountain Velvet Beast joining us, we will have four Foundation Establishment cultivators and two second-rank spirit beasts. We should be able to gain the upper hand in a short time and destroy those two second-rank puppets before the Shi Clan's reinforcements arrive."
"Four? Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. I must remain on Qiyun Mountain to guard against external enemies. How can all the Foundation Establishment cultivators leave for a great battle with the Shi Clan? Have you forgotten what happened to the Liu Clan's ancestor?"